After an extensive seven-year planning process, Island Gardens Miami: A Yachting Resort and Deep Harbour Marina celebrated its groundbreaking last night with a bayside party on Watson Island, the future location of the resort and marina. In an event designed by Harrison & Shriftman PR, creative director Ryan Jordan enlisted Tentology, a Vancouver-based company, to construct a 12,000-square-foot tent on the island to house the dinner and after-party.
As the sun set and the tent lit up with cool blue and pink lighting, all attention turned to Mehmet Bayraktar, chairman and C.E.O. of the Flagstone Property Group, as he spoke about what guests can expect from the property and how he planned to put a different twist on the traditional groundbreaking ceremony.
"We're not going to break champagne," said Bayraktar. "There will be time for that later. Tonight we will anchor this property."
And with that, he, along with the mayor and others on the project, headed to the dock to toss a silver anchor into the bay, officially marking the beginning of construction. The entertainment then took over, as a barge just off shore began a colorful light display and an opera singer performed for guests. Fifteen-foot spheres anchored in the water showed projected images of the renderings of the future property, among other colorful visuals courtesy of Everlast Productions.
Throughout the tent, A Joy Wallace Catering, Production, and Design Team set up multiple food stations serving seafood paella, goat cheese and corn soufflé, vegetable risotto, and more. In addition, passed hors d'oeuvres and desserts included tuna tartare, scallops, mini ice cream sandwiches rolled with pistachios, and chocolate-dipped pear slices.
