UBS Monocle
An oasis of modern design
Stephan Weishaupt
Founder, Weishaupt Design Group
German-born design aficionado Stephan Weishaupt collects objects and furniture from around the world. He founded Weishaupt Design Group, a portfolio of design-centric businesses that brings furnishings, art and objects to North America, in Toronto.
When Weishaupt decided to expand Avenue Road – Weishaupt Design Group’s flagship brand – to Miami, he found a 1932 villa designed by Martin L Hampton, a champion of the city’s art deco vernacular. Weishaupt restored the building to its original glory while creating space for experimentation. “It was important to preserve the architectural integrity without being bound to a specific style,” he says. “I mixed features, played with colour and patterns, and brought together old loves and new acquisitions. It’s a place for exploration.”
Avenue Road’s Miami Beach Villa is a treasure trove of exquisite modernist items from designers such as Oscar Niemeyer, David Weeks and Christophe Delcourt. Weishaupt thinks of the villa as “a collection of memories”, which serves as a gallery of sorts, encouraging thoughtful buying experiences. “It was a beautiful canvas to work with and interesting to think about outside of the traditional showroom context,” he says. “I knew the items that we placed in the home needed to exhibit personality. I wanted them to have stories visitors could connect with.”
The space allows Weishaupt to show objects and interact with clients in unconventional ways. “Miami has roots in the art world, with incredible private collections and people with vision who make bold moves and big statements,” he adds. “It’s been an exciting city for cultivating an experiential project.”
Visit Avenue Road’s Miami Beach Villa by appointment only. 6010 Pine Tree Drive, Miami Beach, 33140.avenue-road.com
