Property 1=Faena BA White
Buenos Aires

An Icon Turns 20


Faena Buenos Aires, an epitome of luxury and cultural fusion, marks its 20th anniversary as a testament to Alan Faena’s visionary entrepreneurship and his ability to create transformative spaces.

Faena Bueno Aires

The inception of Faena’s grand vision can be traced back to his home and rose garden in Punta del Este, Uruguay, affectionately nicknamed ‘Tierra Santa,’ or sacred ground. “Tierra Santa was a special place, a curative place, a place of energy and hope, of freedom and healing,” said Faena. Spending two years cultivating his rose garden gave him the time and inspiration to dream up new realities. He wanted to create a place that would offer the same peace, refuge, and growth that Tierra Santa had given him.

“To invite people into a version of my home, my living room, my garden, on a scale that would accommodate them, I realized that this building would have to be a hotel. No ordinary hotel, of course—this would be a feast, a dance, a cultural center, a revolution of ideas and images, a place of profound betterment,” Faena explained. Drawing from mythic and historical origins, Faena’s notion of a hotel was more connected to ancient temples and castles, where travelers gathered for protection, food, company, song, performance, enlightenment, and the sharing of stories.

Faena envisaged a hotel that would serve as a living, breathing work of art that encompassed all his passions: design, culture, technology, art, architecture, food, dance, music, and meaning. “The only capital I had was my heart and freedom of mind,” he said. In the late 1990s, Faena set his eyes on the derelict docklands of Puerto Madero in Buenos Aires, where El Porteño, an abandoned turn-of-the-century grain storage facility hewn from durable brick, still stood among the wasteland.

With the support of investors Chris Burch, Len Blavatnik, Austin Hearst, and Robert Burch, Faena was able to acquire the building, and his vision began to take shape. “Len especially responded to my project of community building and urban renewal.” Faena also convinced acclaimed designer Philippe Starck to collaborate on the project. “I told Philippe, we cannot make New York in Buenos Aires. We need to convey the identity of this city. We need to bring back the old, romantic Buenos Aires of yore, its Belle Époque.” Faena shunned the contemporary white-box aesthetic that pervaded luxury hotels of the day, which turned their backs on local customs and culture in an attempt to appear global and cosmopolitan. “I wanted to let the past invade the future—to marry these opposites in harmony,” he explained.

The project was a success from the very first day, with all eighty-four resident units sold before construction was even finished. Faena Buenos Aires went on to become a magnet for international celebrities, rock stars, artists, thinkers, and politicians. It received an onslaught of raves and awards, cementing its place as a cultural and social landmark. Twenty years later, the hotel continues to serve as a vibrant cultural and social hub, embodying the spirit of Buenos Aires and Faena’s unwavering commitment to creating transformative spaces defined by artistic innovation and beauty.

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Visionary Creatives - A In a rare and candid conversation, Alan Faena offered Rose Members an exclusive look into his visionary thinking and what lies ahead for the Faena brand. The evening reflected on legacy, creativity, and the evolution of culture. Iconic design duo David and Sybil Yurman joined Faena Rose for an intimate conversation on inspiration, artistry, and enduring alchemy. The evening traced their journey from sculptors to cultural tastemakers, blending creative vision with timeless design.

Where Fire and Flavor Ignite

"What makes Los Fuegos truly extraordinary is our commitment to the ancient art of cooking with fire,” explained Yassine Belkady, the restaurant’s manager. “We use no electricity whatsoever—just fire, wood ovens, and tradition” Everything has that distinctive char, those bold, nearly burnt flavors that taste almost primal. “When you dine here, you can literally smell the wood and rosemary in the air,” he added. The restaurant’s setting matches its culinary panache. By day, the veranda transforms into an airy ambience when its retractable roof opens to Miami’s brilliant skies. Guests enjoy lunch while overlooking the property’s stunning pool, creating what Belkady called “a completely different experience than any other hotel or restaurant in Miami.” 

Beneath the Tree of Life

Mornings here unfold slowly while guests sip on fresh-pressed juices—like the South Beach, a tropical elixir of coconut water, local citrus, mango, and strawberry, or a vitamin-rich Green Juice packed with spinach, kale, ginger, cucumber, celery and green apple. “The tranquility makes it really special,” noted Joshua Rodriguez, Director of Nightlife. “It’s a place where guests can grab a coffee, a light bite and relax or catch up on some emails.” A menu of delicious appetizers is great for snacking throughout the day, including crispy artichokes with sesame yogurt and sourdough breadcrumbs; prime rib empanadas with llajua sauce; and a vegan option of steamed veggie rice with sweet potato and broccoli. Come golden hour, the energy shifts. On weekends from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, resident DJs set the mood as the bar transitions into a laidback sundowner haunt. The CopaCabana cocktail, a tropical indulgence of banana and apricot liqueur, coconut cream, allspice, and Bulleit Rye, is a guest favorite. “People order it because it’s served in a Faena-branded coconut, but it’s the taste that makes them request another one,” said Rodriguez.

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