Behind The Surf Club’s Insta-Worthy Landscape

It’s time to update your Instagram feed with lush, tropical scenes from The Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club.

The Miami glamour icon — originally designed by architect Russell T. Pancoast for guests to socialize behind closed doors during Prohibition — underwent a landscape redesign this summer that transformed the 9-acre property and its 815-foot stretch of beachfront.

At the helm of the metamorphosis was landscape architect Fernando Wong, who collaborated with Surf Club owner and CEO of Fort Capital Management Nadim Ashi, along with iconic architect Richard Meier, who envisioned the project.

With the idea of using vegetation to frame Meier’s contemporary architectural structure — a three-building addition to the 1930 edifice — Wong incorporated 240 palms, 250 trees and 40 different plant species throughout the property.

Of note is a 100-year-old Banyan tree in the courtyard. Standing three stories high and 45 feet wide, it was divided into five parts, shipped and reconstructed on-site. Also impressive is a 100-year-old, nine-story-high Kapok tree.

The resulting design is viewable from any of the 77 guest rooms, 72 tower rooms, 16 corner rooms and five cabanas. See some snapshots of the property, below.

For more insight into Fernando Wong’s projects, see his contribution to ICA Miami’s new, permanent home.