A DECO CLASSIC REVITALIZED
A C L A S S I C , M I A M I B E AC H ST U D I O AT T H E H E L E N M A R I S R E B O R N Text John T. O’Connor Photos Myro Rosky
Interior designer Robert Reda knows his history. He’s designed period-inspired interiors at Fort Lauderdale’s Sea Tower, the boomerang-shaped, Mid-Century Modern landmark by architect Igor Polevitzky that has graced an oceanfront site on Lauderdale Beach since 1957. Recently, Reda decided to try his hand at the architectural period that put Miami Beach on the map: Art Deco. He ended up finding just the right project at the Helen Mar, a 1936 wonder designed by Robert E. Collins that exudes the modern elegance of the Jazz Age. We recently met with Reda to have a look at the final result of his work on one of Helen Mar’s studio apartments. ISLAND: Give us a little back-story here. How did this particular building end up on your radar? Robert Reda: My partner Ken and I first became aware of The Helen Mar 25 years ago while on vacation in Miami. We both immediately fell in love with this Art Deco masterpiece. It was
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