Q&A: Luxury in Motion: Inside Pagani’s First Residential Masterpiece with Riviera Horizons

Miami, FL – April 11, 2025 – Where craftsmanship meets cutting-edge design, Riviera Horizons is reshaping luxury living with vision and precision.

Riviera Horizons stands apart by seamlessly blending the roles of brokerage and developer, giving them unmatched insight into buyer needs and market trends. Their client-driven approach prioritizes quality over quantity, ensuring every project—especially Pagani Residences—is crafted with intention and excellence.

“Balancing creative vision with practical execution, especially when working with an iconic brand like Pagani, is both a challenge and opportunity,” shares Mikael Hamaoui, Founder and CEO of Riviera Horizons. “The design of Pagani Automobiles plays a crucial role in shaping the architectural approach of Pagani Residences.”

Nestled in North Bay Village, the last waterfront frontier in Miami, this development isn’t just about building homes; it’s about helping shape the future of the neighborhood. “We saw its potential as an up-and-coming neighborhood and wanted to play an active role in shaping its future,” Hamaoui continues. “By collaborating closely with local officials to shape codes and regulations, we’re not just developing property—we’re helping to edefine the neighborhood.”

Their collaboration with Pagani—known for its hypercars and design innovation—brings a rare fusion of automotive artistry and architectural vision. From carbon fiber details to elliptical rooftop pools and custom interiors, every element is infused with the Pagani ethos. With just 70 ultra-luxurious corner units, Riviera Horizons is setting a new global standard for what it means to live artfully and exceptionally.

“Pagani’s commitment to craftsmanship and attention to detail is evident in every corner of this building, making it a truly unique development.”

Mikael Hamaoui

WRE: Tell us what sets Riviera Horizons apart in this market.

Mikael Hamaoui: At Riviera Horizons, what sets us apart in the market is our unique combination of being both a brokerage and a real estate development firm. We are both a commercial and residential brokerage in addition to being a developer. This unique combination gives us deep insight into what buyers are looking for, allowing us to tailor our developments to meet their specific needs. We believe in quality over quantity, so we don’t mass produce—we focus on creating exceptional products that stand out. When we develop, it’s always based on direct feedback from our clients, ensuring that what we offer is exactly what the market demands. This client-centric approach allows us to stand out in an industry where attention to detail and responsiveness make all the difference.

WRE: What makes North Bay Village ideal for a project like Pagani Residences?

MH: North Bay Village is the ideal location for Pagani Residences as it offers a rare opportunity to develop one of the last remaining waterfront properties in the area. We saw its potential as an up-and-coming neighborhood and wanted to play an active role in shaping its future. By collaborating closely with local officials to shape codes and regulations, we’re not just developing property—we’re helping to redefine the neighborhood. It’s a true diamond in the rough and the last waterfront frontier in Miami, making it the perfect backdrop for a project of this scale and significance.

Mikael Hamaoui

We believe in quality over quantity, so we don’t mass produce—we focus on creating exceptional products that stand out.

Mikael Hamaoui

WRE: How did the partnership between Riviera Horizons and Pagani come about?

MH: The partnership between Riviera Horizons and Pagani came about organically, built on a shared appreciation for craftsmanship and innovation which are the signature pillars for the brand. We’ve always admired Pagani, especially their meticulous attention to detail in their iconic automobiles. When we learned they were expanding into the world of furniture and lifestyle products through Pagani Arte, including furnishings for private jets and helicopters, we saw an incredible opportunity. They recognized the potential in bringing that same level of artistry to real estate and interior design.

The idea of creating a building was naturally the next step for them. With Pagani having already established their Americas headquarters in Miami for three years, it made perfect sense. The first Pagani Residences project grew out of this mutual admiration and shared vision, laying the foundation for this groundbreaking project.

WRE: What excites you the most about working with a brand like Pagani?

MH: What excites us most about working with Pagani is the opportunity to collaborate with a family-owned brand that hasn’t been acquired by a larger corporation, preserving its core values. We get to work directly with Horacio, Chris, and Leo Pagani, visionary legends in the industry—is truly inspiring. Their meticulous attention to detail and commitment to excellence in everything they create, aligns perfectly with our own standards, making this partnership truly special

Mikael Hamaoui

What excites us most about working with Pagani is the opportunity to collaborate with a family-owned brand that hasn’t been acquired by a larger corporation, preserving its core values.

Mikael Hamaoui

WRE: How does the design of Pagani Automobiles influence the architectural approach to the Pagani Residences?

MH: The design of Pagani Automobiles plays a crucial role in shaping the architectural approach of Pagani Residences. We’re using many of the same high-end materials found in Pagani cars—such as leather and carbon fiber—to create a seamless connection between automotive excellence and architectural design. Beyond materials, we embrace the sense of movement that defines Pagani’s design sensibility, with features like elliptical shapes, dynamic patterns, and subtle details that echo the brand’s design language. It’s all about finding those subtle elements that truly represent the Pagani brand.

Paul Bensabat, Horacio Pagani, Edgardo Defortuna, & Mikael Hamaoui

WRE: What part of the Pagani heritage has been incorporated into the design or branding of the residences?

MH: The Pagani heritage is deeply embedded in the design and branding of the residences, emphasizing the brand’s signature craftsmanship, innovation, and personalization—just like every Pagani car, each residence is tailored to the buyer’s preferences, offering a level of customization rarely seen in modern development.

The rooftop pool, located on the 30th floor, is a standout feature, with its elliptical shape mirroring the brand’s iconic logo. It offers some of the best views of the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, complemented by luxurious cabanas, plunge pools, and fully equipped summer kitchens for the ultimate poolside experience.

The library further reflects Pagani’s design language with an oversized light fixture inspired by the brand’s exhaust design, as well as four spotlight fixtures that mirror the auto’s exhaust by each unit entrance. The bookshelf design, featuring elegant stone ellipses, continues the theme, seamlessly incorporating the brand’s artistry throughout the residence.

WRE: As a leader how do you motivate your team?

MH: As a leader, I motivate my team by fostering a sense of passion and excitement around the work that we do. When everyone is genuinely invested and excited about the project, it naturally fuels creativity and drives us to do our best. I also surround myself with people who share that same passion and vision. I believe in creating a collaborative environment where everyone’s input is valued, as it leads to better ideas and ultimately a stronger product. It’s all about working together, learning from each other, and continuously improving.

WRE: How do you manage the balance between creative vision and practical execution, especially when it comes to working with an iconic brand like Pagani?

MH: Balancing creative vision with practical execution, especially when working with an iconic brand like Pagani, is both a challenge and opportunity. We start by developing as many incredible ideas as possible, pushing the boundaries of what we can create. However, we also have to consider what’s practical and feasible to design. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, so we approach each idea on a case- by-case basis, evaluating which concepts can be executed effectively without compromising the overall vision.

Brett David

WRE: What is your favorite element/aspect of the project?

MH: It’s hard to pick just one favorite aspect of the project because it’s truly the sum of so many details that make it special. Pagani’s commitment to craftsmanship and attention to detail is evident in every corner of this building, making it a truly unique development. What excites me the most is the honor to be the developer of the first Pagani Residence in the world. This project is especially thrilling because it’s the first-of-its-kind in Miami—a one-of-a-kind collection of only 70 corner units, each with 11-foot ceilings. Every unit is exceptional, and no single one has been compromised in terms of design or quality. It’s a product we’ve created with such uniqueness and care, and that’s what makes it truly special.

Horacio Pagani