Led by prominent developer, North American Properties, the mixed-use Cascades Development is Tallahassee’s only architecturally, culturally, and historically significant downtown destination, offering all the benefits of downtown living on Cascades Park. This live, work, stay, and play development spans two full city blocks and serves as a catalyst for Tallahassee’s long-held desire to cultivate a revitalized 18-hour downtown in the capital city.
The development includes market-rate apartments, retail and restaurant space, Class A offices, and an AC hotel. Two structured parking garages, fully concealed beneath a new public plaza, serve the development and provide additional public parking. Phase II will offer two additional mixed-use multi-family buildings. Our design team was instrumental in the predevelopment master planning efforts and the engagement of public and private sector stakeholders. The DAG team served as the design lead and Architect of Record for the entire project, bringing this impactful and iconic vision to life.
The Kaiya Club Residences at Kaiya Beach Resort offer luxury condominiums along scenic Highway 30A, located between Seagrove Beach and Alys Beach. Designed within a master-planned residential resort community, these exclusive 30A residences blend refined coastal architecture with wellness-focused living and seamless integration into the surrounding Gulf environment.
The collection includes 28 luxury residences featuring spacious floor plans, expansive private balconies, chef-inspired kitchens, spa-style primary suites, two penthouses, and one two-level townhouse. Residents and guests enjoy premium resort-style amenities, including a secure enclosed parking garage, decorative fountains, lush landscaping, and a rooftop pool with panoramic views. The rooftop terrace serves as both a social gathering space and a tranquil retreat.
First-floor residences feature private tiered terraces and walk-out access to Highway 30A, creating a connection to the park-like streetscape and nearby public spaces. The architecture emphasizes timeless coastal design, natural light, and a harmonious blend of built form and landscape, delivering an elevated lifestyle centered on wellness, tranquility, and community.
Designed in partnership with Khoury Vogt Architects.
The penthouse unit’s previously dark and outdated interior was revitalized to embrace natural light, enhancing the expansive and open feel of the space. Now, each room enjoys unobstructed views of the emerald waters. Despite some areas having relatively low ceiling heights, strategic soffits were used to elevate the ceilings wherever possible, preserving the open ambiance. Subtle cove lighting and painted wood ceiling textures delicately define each area.
The owner wanted the condo to mirror the luxury and comfort of their nearby residence, with added convenience for beach and water access. A custom entry door with sidelights creates a grand and inviting entrance, allowing light to flood the unit while maintaining privacy. The stained wood flooring adds warmth to a color palette dominated by blues and whites, reflecting the nearby white sands and vibrant waters. Wainscoting and trim throughout the entry lobby and unit enhance the contemporary, nautical theme. Various materials, including plush furnishings, a limestone fireplace mantel, and veined quartz countertops, introduce a range of textures and sophistication.
A key element for the owner was ample wall space for displaying unique and local artwork. Accent lighting was meticulously installed to highlight these pieces, ensuring they stand out as focal points. Every detail in the unit was thoughtfully designed to emphasize the surrounding natural beauty and create a glamorous, intimate retreat for relaxation and escape.
This Gulf-front “Sunrise” home was conceived as a foundational element of a planned private residence club enclave that will ultimately include a companion “Sunset” residence, 10 three-bedroom villas, and a 20-room boutique hotel. The club’s first amenity, a gourmet restaurant, is already established directly across the street.
Operated as a hotel suite for families seeking week-long or shorter stays, the home’s design emphasizes hospitality-driven features: streamlined storage, spa-inspired bathrooms, and a variety of gathering spaces suited for both large groups and more intimate moments. Positioned atop a 25-foot dune, the floor plan is deliberately arranged to capture sweeping Gulf views from every interior room. The five-bedroom, four-bath layout accommodates either one large party or two smaller groups; by closing the interior stairwell and using the exterior stair access, each family can enjoy its own private level.
The green space between the planned Sunrise and Sunset homes will remain permanently undeveloped to preserve clear Gulf views for the hotel, the restaurant, and passersby along the roadway. This open area will also serve as a flexible venue for weddings, special events, and community activities.
This residential renovation entailed careful consideration of every element on site, from the boathouse on the water to the gates on the street. All were reimagined to honor and celebrate the family’s three generations in the home as well as the beauty of the environment. The old oak trees on the property had become overgrown and neglected through the years and blocked the vistas from the house to the water. These were thinned out and beautifully sculpted to provide a private, park-like atmosphere. The previously hidden house became visible from the street through a gated entrance and brick paved drive.
The house interior was dated with shag carpet, small, compartmentalized rooms, low windows, narrow passages, and dark tile throughout. The roof was raised to allow window heights to be increased, and glazing carried up into the gables to flood the interior rooms with light and open views of the tree canopy. Additions for a new primary suite, dining pavilion, and pool guest house were constructed in the same style as the home. The old, screened pool was replaced with an open, infinity-edged pool that unites the house with unimpeded views across the bay. Despite the myriads of changes to both the house and the property, the entire composition looks organic and timeless, a tribute to the past while looking forward to the future generations who will enjoy the property.
Originally purchased as a coastal retreat for visitors, the property suffered from dark, confined spaces and restricted sightlines that detracted from its prime waterfront location.
Our design strategy prioritized opening the interior to maximize the panoramic views along the beach and Highway 98. The existing primary bedroom and wet bar were demolished, creating a dramatic great room that transforms the unit into a versatile and open residence, perfect for gatherings.
Vertical expansion was critical to reinforce clear sightlines. We rerouted the mechanical ductwork to eliminate soffits throughout the kitchen and living areas, while the dining room ceilings were raised to reveal tall curtainwall windows previously hidden behind dropped planes. These interventions dissolved the tunnel effect that had plagued the entry sequence.
Material choices emphasized light, reflection, and visual continuity. We refreshed the kitchen cabinets and living room in a soothing color palette of white and silver, with pops of blue to relate to the water visible from the windows. The exterior deck received new tile matching the interior flooring, erasing the threshold between inside and outside.
Joining the team after the entitlement phase was completed, DAG visioned the master plan for phases 2, 3, and 4 for this 300+ acre community in Texas. These phases included a beach club, conference center, hotel, office building, parking deck, and multiple multi-family apartments and condos, and a large freshwater spring. Residents will enjoy nature trails, a dedicated dog park, playgrounds, and an engaging arts district that enriches the cultural fabric of the neighborhood. The design blends a diverse mix of single-family homes, townhomes, and luxury multi-family residences with thoughtfully designed amenities that foster connection and livability, creating a dynamic community experience.
Reflection offers a refined architectural condominium experience set against the backdrop of the serene waters of Mirror Lake in St. Petersburg and its downtown skyline along with the distant shimmer of Tampa Bay. In partnership with SMP Architects, the multi-family design is intentionally modern yet deeply contextual. Its artful exterior façade engages with the historic character of the surrounding streetscape, creating a visual dialogue between new and old. At the ground level, landscaped walkways and thoughtfully integrated amenities enhance the lakefront pedestrian experience, while retail spaces activate the street and frame the building’s welcoming two-story lobby.
Inside, 88 meticulously designed residences redefine modern-urban living. With eight distinct floor plans ranging from 1,100 to 2,200 square feet, each home is curated to support both functionality and elegance. Dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows flood the interiors with natural light, framing sweeping views, and establishing a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Residences on the 7th level offer expansive private lawn terraces—unusual for urban living—while those on the 8th floor and above feature terrace-style balconies that float above the city.
Each home is outfitted with a sleek, modern chef’s kitchen featuring high-end appliances, minimalist cabinetry, and sophisticated finishes. Crowning the building is a 12,000-square-foot rooftop amenity terrace, wrapped in a striking glass façade. This sky-level retreat includes an air-conditioned fitness center and social club, a landscaped tropical pool and spa terrace, an outdoor kitchen and wet bar, and panoramic views that stretch from downtown St. Petersburg to Tampa Bay—a true elevation of lifestyle.
Nestled in the charming community of Mexico Beach, this three-story waterfront residence offers breathtaking Gulf views. The design prioritizes a seamless connection to the beach, with a layout that maximizes panoramic vistas. The exterior materials, influenced by the natural surroundings, feature stucco in a sand-like hue and driftwood-inspired siding, blending modern aesthetics with the coastal environment.
Designed to host large family gatherings, the home comfortably sleeps up to 12 guests. The client envisioned flexible, open spaces that encourage social interaction and provide ample opportunities to enjoy the beach views. Folding panel doors open the main living area to an expansive pool deck, ideal for dining, grilling, sunbathing, swimming, and gathering around the fire pit.
Design elements blur the lines between interior and exterior, enhancing the connection to the beach. Wood ceilings create a smooth transition from indoors to outdoors, while large windows on the beach side offer unobstructed views. Sand-colored tile flooring flows seamlessly from the interior to the deck, further linking the two spaces. The infinity-edge pool visually extends toward the shoreline, reinforcing the home’s coastal feel.
The third-floor features two master bedrooms with beachfront views and private patio access, while two spacious bunk rooms provide sleeping for eight. To mitigate potential hurricane surge damage, the first floor is minimally programmed, housing an entry foyer, two garages, an elevator lobby, and a stairwell with expansive windows. A striking floating staircase, supported by painted steel stringers and wood treads with glass railings, connects the three levels. A dramatic 25-foot window runs the length of the stairwell, filling the space with natural light and enhancing the home’s bright, airy atmosphere.
In collaboration with Hart Howerton, the DAG design team worked with the developer to create a cohesive town center plan that would provide residential, retail and office space, further defining this new urbanist community. Careful attention was paid to designing the proper flow of pedestrian traffic through a busy oceanfront community. Working within the critical height restrictions along with the high demand for residences, the team put forth a viable plan to serve as the foundation for current and future city development.
