Canyon Ranch gets topped off. Photo by Orlando Garcia

What’s a tree doing 379 feet up on the new Canyon Ranch Living structure on Collins Avenue? Keeping Miami Beach’s tree spirits in a good mood of course, following the topping off of the last structural deck on the property’s North, and final, tower. More than 700 members of the development and construction team celebrated at a barbecue lunch on the building’s fourth floor overlooking the ocean, cheered on by Eric Sheppard, president of WSG Development Company, and Greg Stepp, WSG senior vice president of Development and Construction, together with Ron Katz and Brad Meltzer of the general contractor, KM Plaza.

Canyon Ranch Living­Miami Beach now moves into the final stage of construction of the Arquitectonica-designed wellness haven, with a fall opening planned.

Green Scene

A reminder: May is Home Remodeling Month and time to help save the planet, says the National Association of Homebuilders Remodelers, which represents 14,000 remodeling industry members of the National Association of Home Builders. Their slogan, “Save Some Green With Green Renovations,” translates into conserving natural resources and improving indoor air quality while saving some serious money on utility costs. Here are some ways to think green on remodeling projects in homes and (where feasible) condos:

* Upgrade appliances, windows and insulation to Energy Star-rated products and save $600 or more per year on utility bills. (Source: the U.S. Department of Energy)

* Retrofit your home with water-efficient fixtures such as aerators for faucets, tankless water heaters and low-flow or dual-flush toilets and save up to $175 annually on your water bills. (Source: Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program)

*Install energy-efficient windows, doors, insulation, HVAC and other upgrades and get a $500 tax credit from the federal government. (Do it before the credit expires at the end of 2007.)

* Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent or LED lights and enjoy longer life and low energy to compensate for an initial higher price.

* Xeriscape your garden — native plants cut down on irrigation needs and permeable pavement allows rainwater to seep into the ground.

Also on the green theme, Coverings Etc. in the Miami Design District has established ECOverings, a division solely dedicated to sourcing and marketing a new line of eco-friendly products. The company has redone its retail showroom with walls and floors of Eco-Cem, a revolutionary green material made of cement strengthened with cellulose fibers. On display are some innovative and sustainable building materials for practicing trends in bio-architecture, construction and design.

Whither Don Peebles?

Hot off the launch of his book The Peebles Principles at a champagne reception at Miami Beach’s historic Bath Club and author appearances around town, real estate developer R. Donahue Peebles is on to his next project. Now in the planning stage is Manoir, a contemporary collection of 72 private waterfront villas, priced from $1.7 million, in Marathon in the Florida Keys. The five-acre property at mile marker 54 on Bonefish Bay opens to the Atlantic Ocean on one side with unobstructed views of the Gulf of Mexico on the other. Apparently Marathon’s recent growth in affluence (and a municipal airport sized for corporate jets and small commercial planes) is bringing “Hamptonization” to the Keys. (The tony Hamptons on Long Island are so last year!)

Peebles is also reported to be talking to five-star operators about bringing in upscale resort services and amenities. Each villa’s multilevel, two-bed, two-and-a-half-bath floor plan averages 1,500 square feet designed for a relaxed seaside lifestyle. Property amenities will include an infinity-edge pool, spa and fitness center, on-site restaurant/bar and yacht slips. A concierge will offer all the expected hospitality services. Buyers are expected from the Northeast, Midwest and South Florida. With Manoir’s estimated sell-out of $135 million, Peebles plans to deliver a relaxed, Hamptons-meets-the-Caribbean-style of seaside sophistication.

Sized to Suit on Miami Beach

There’s nothing dull or cookie-cutter about Miami Beach condominiums; the term encompasses every size and price range. Two properties on the market this week illustrate the vast range available.

From North Beach: In newly revitalized North Beach, just four blocks from the beach and North Shore Park, Poinciana Beach Condominiums at 847 81st St. consists of eight newly converted units starting at $215,000. Set within a gated yard, the two-story building offers one-bedroom, one-bath units of 600 square feet. Owner/developer and veteran real estate agent Rosy Cancela (who has won some high-profile awards recently for her community work) and associate Max Berney have totally remodeled the building, adding new bathrooms, kitchens with stainless steel appliances, and new plumbing, air conditioner units, washers and dryers. Parking is easy and mainly free on North Beach streets.

... to South Beach: Prime residential property directly on the beach is a rarity on South Beach. Now, $6 million will buy an oceanfront, 3,550-square-foot home in the Il Villaggio condo complex, a private, gated enclave on Ocean Drive that is noted for exclusivity and privacy. (A-list Il Villaggio residents include motion picture producer Jerry Bruckheimer and others who hold tightly to anonymity.)

The two-story, loft-type beach house has glass walls offering unobstructed ocean views from each room. There are three bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms and a vast living space with 22-foot ceilings above limestone and teak floors. Mark Zilbert of Zilbert Realty Group in Miami Beach has the listing.

Where the Buyers Are (From)

Thank you to Alexandra Rutten, a Realtor with Turnberry Realty in Aventura, for keeping us updated on international buyers of Florida real estate.

According to a recent study by the National Association of Realtors, Europeans make up 30 percent of all international buyers in Florida. The strength of the euro, affordability of our real estate in comparison to their markets and our culturally diverse communities attract European buyers.

Who is buying the most?

1. United Kingdom 2. Germany 3. Venezuela 4. Canada.

Back in Europe, French nationals invested some $35 billion in the United States last year, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Of that amount, 45 percent was invested in Florida, with 15 percent in real estate — that’s $2.36 billion French investors spent on purchases of Florida real estate. Merci beaucoup!

Oops

That boring photograph in last week’s print edition of Groundwork that purported to be a photo of the Moooi showroom opening event was an aberration. Please check the online version for the real thing!

Coming Up

June 6, 2007: 7:30 a.m - 1:30 p.m. “Design 2007 Program: How & Why It’s a Different Game Today,” presented by Urban Land Institute Southeast Florida/Caribbean. Bernard Zyscovich of Zyscovich Inc. and Jorge Garcia of Garcia Stromberg chair a program of design and planning experts who will explore the new dynamics required to navigate the development process, and the role design plays in that process. Networking lunch follows. Offers 4.5 credit hours with the American Institute of Architects. Signature Grand, 6900 State Road 84, Davie; info 954-783-9504, www.seflorida.uli.org.

Helen Hill is a freelance writer specializing in real estate and lifestyle topics. Please send news items on Miami-Dade real estate to hhill@miamisunpost.com.

Comments? E-mail letters@miamisunpost.com.