A conversation with Philip Goldfarb of Fontainebleau Development
Philip Goldfarb has dedicated his career to hospitality, with more than 30 years’ experience in hotel and resort development. Prior to joining Fontainebleau Development in 2011, Goldfarb held leadership roles at Turnberry Associates, All Florida Hospitality Management, and Doubletree Hotels Corp., where he managed and franchised development projects as vice president of development. “These positions and others helped grow my knowledge of the meetings and conventions side of hospitality and how vital that market is to luxury resorts,” he says.
As chief operating officer of Fontainebleau Development, Goldfarb oversees the hospitality group and capital projects team, including all aspects of Fontainebleau Miami Beach operations. The iconic resort hosts 300 to 400 events annually, from industry-leading conventions with thousands of attendees to weddings, social events, and much more. “With the opening of Coastal Convention Center at Fontainebleau Miami Beach in December 2024, we anticipate growing exponentially with our increased capacity and space in 2025,” Goldfarb says.
Here, Goldfarb shares how the new Coastal Convention Center is expanding meeting and event options at Fontainebleau Miami Beach and in Greater Miami.
What were the primary factors that led to the new Coastal Convention Center?
When Fontainebleau Development purchased Fontainebleau Miami Beach in 2005, the company also purchased the land where Coastal Convention Center now sits, as it was always part of the plan to expand and create something new and beneficial for the South Florida community. After two years of construction and design, the Coastal Convention Center adds five floors and 45,000 additional square feet to the hotel’s existing 200,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. This expansion enables Fontainebleau Miami Beach to broaden its offerings, welcome larger groups, and host more social occasions, such as galas and weddings. We carefully designed Coastal Convention Center to offer a variety of room sizes and functions, including an expansive 7,000-square-foot roof deck with sweeping city and Miami Bay views.
How does Coastal Convention Center enhance Miami/Fontainebleau Miami Beach as a meeting destination?
The Greater Miami area has seen a steady growth in demand for modern, luxury meeting spaces for business and leisure events throughout the past decade—more than half of Fontainebleau Miami Beach’s business is related to conventions and groups. Coastal Convention Center allows us to expand our partnership with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), offering new, modern spaces in the heart of Miami Beach. We have taken into account the need for advanced technology in the meeting and convention sector, as well as the desire for a greater connection to outdoor space, fresh air, and sunlight.
What unique spaces and features of Coastal Convention Center will appeal to meeting and event planners?
Coastal Convention Center offers 15 versatile conference and convention rooms designed to meet the needs of today’s business travelers. It features two dividable ballrooms, including the expansive 16,500-square-foot Pearl Ballroom with an outdoor terrace and the 9,500-square-foot Coral Ballroom, offering flexibility to accommodate groups of varying sizes and types. Additionally, Coastal Convention Center features 9,000 square feet of outdoor space, including a spacious 7,000-square-foot rooftop deck with incredible views. Coastal Convention Center also features multiple LED walls, providing groups with interior branding opportunities, and audiovisual support by dedicated and experienced in-house experts. We know sustainability is of utmost importance, especially with new construction, so the center was also built and designed to meet LEED certification standards. It also includes insulated glass to control internal temperatures and reduce energy use, as well as a rainwater collection and recycling system to increase water efficiency.
How might planners incorporate elements of the iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach into events at Coastal Convention Center?
Fontainebleau Miami Beach has been a destination for opulence, luxury, and world-class hospitality for 70 years. Our guests have come to expect a level of care and detail when they stay with us, and this expectation extends to our meetings, conventions, and event spaces as well. The all-new Coastal Convention Center welcomes guests with a modern design by John Rawlins, executive vice president of design for Fontainebleau Development, in partnership with Jeffrey Beers International and Nichols Architects. Guests can even spot the iconic Fontainebleau bow tie, an homage to the legendary architect Morris Lapidus, and the floor of the historic hotel lobby, in various design elements around Coastal Convention Center. The space is elegant and bright, with floor-to-ceiling windows, carefully curated art and furniture, and, of course, Fontainebleau hospitality.
Describe how Coastal Convention Center allows meeting planners to leverage the most available meeting space in tandem with Fontainebleau Miami Beach and Miami Beach Convention Center. How do onsite meeting coordinators at each venue collaborate to make the process and events seamless across multiple venues?
With Coastal Convention Center just a short walk from the hotel’s existing 200,000 square feet of meeting space, conventions with large footprints flow seamlessly between the two buildings. We also have a customizable digital wayfinding system, which allows our groups to clearly direct their guests with elegant and modern signage. The hotel is located just two miles from Miami Beach Convention Center, and Fontainebleau Miami Beach has had a long-standing partnership with GMCVB. We continue to collaborate in-market and work closely with their team to create an exceptional experience for event attendees.
