Choeff Levy Fischman
Redefining the Heart of Miami Luxury Design
In the heart of Miami, where the tropical sun bathes the coastline in golden light and the ocean breeze carries the promise of endless summer, Choeff Levy Fischman (CLF Architects) has emerged as a titan of luxury design. Established in 2005 by Ralph Choeff, AIA, Raphael Levy, AIA, and Paul Fischman, AIA, this award-winning firm has become synonymous with Tropical Modern Architecture, reshaping South Florida’s most prestigious neighborhoods like North Bay Road, Di Lido Island, and Bal Harbour. With a team dedicated to blending contemporary elegance with the region’s natural beauty, CLF Architects creates homes that are as functional as they are breathtaking, proving that luxury can thrive in harmony with the environment.
A Legacy Built on Innovation
CLF Architects was born from a shared vision among its founders, each bringing a wealth of experience to the table. Ralph Choeff, a Miami native with a deep understanding of the region’s climate, saw an opportunity to elevate residential design by embracing the tropics rather than fighting them. Together with Levy and Fischman, whose expertise spans architecture and project management, the trio set out to craft homes that blur the boundaries between indoors and out. “Our team is focused on the same design goals as our clients,” Choeff has said, emphasizing the firm’s collaborative ethos. Their Miami office operates like a workshop, where every voice contributes to a collective vision, ensuring clients benefit from a diversity of perspectives.
This approach has propelled CLF to the forefront of South Florida’s design scene, with a portfolio that includes single-family residences, high-rise buildings, hotels, multi-family developments, and shopping plazas. Their signature style—Tropical Modernism—emphasizes open spaces, natural materials, and climate-responsive design. Using warm elements like ipe wood, natural stone, concrete, and water features, CLF creates high-end tropical environments that feel both luxurious and grounded, earning them accolades from critics and clients alike, including high-profile figures like Alex Rodriguez, Cher, Matt Damon, and Barry Gibb.
Iconic Projects That Define an Era
CLF Architects’ portfolio is a showcase of architectural brilliance, with projects that redefine luxury living in Miami’s coastal enclaves. One of their most celebrated works is the North Bay Road Residence, a mega-mansion that made waves with its $32 million listing price—the highest in the neighborhood at the time. Designed in collaboration with Ami Shashoua, CEO of QPay, this two-story masterpiece spans 13,380 square feet, featuring 12 bedrooms and a separate four-bedroom guesthouse with its own elevator and rooftop deck. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls frame 112 feet of Biscayne Bay views, complemented by a heated negative-edge pool and spa tub. The interiors, furnished with sleek Brazilian contemporary pieces from Artefacto, embody CLF’s knack for creating spaces that are both functional and awe-inspiring.
Another standout is the 224 Bal Bay Drive Residence, the epitome of Miami Modern architecture. This home, highlighted for its architectural brilliance, features walls of glass that maximize bay views, a floating glass-and-wood staircase, and a primary suite with a private loggia and plunge pool. Working with New York interior design firm Ingrao Inc., CLF incorporated an art collection curated by Meredith Palmer, including works like Matt Mullican’s The Frame is Everywhere and Carmen Herrera’s Equlibrio. The entryway, with its tropical palms, exotic foliage, and cascading water wall, sets a tone of serene luxury from the moment you arrive—a testament to CLF’s attention to detail.
The firm’s versatility shines in projects like the Panama City Residence in Panama, where they adapted their Tropical Modern approach to an international context, and the Weston Residence, their first in Weston, Florida, completed in 2020 for developer McKinney at a $10.1 million sale price. These homes, often featured in publications like Ocean Home Magazine and The Wall Street Journal, showcase CLF’s ability to tailor their designs to diverse climates and client needs, from urban Miami Beach to the Caribbean and beyond.
Blending Luxury with Climate Resilience
CLF Architects is a pioneer in climate-responsive design, a necessity in South Florida’s hurricane-prone environment. Their homes are engineered to withstand the elements, using materials like hurricane-resistant glass, sustainably harvested ipe wood, and French limestone, as seen in the 224 Bal Bay Drive project’s bathroom with book-matched Panda marble and a BainUltra tub. Passive design strategies, such as orienting homes to capture breezes and sunlight, reduce energy costs while enhancing comfort. “The outdoor spaces are paramount,” Fischman notes, a philosophy evident in their use of water features, reflecting ponds, and native landscaping to create tropical oases.
This commitment extends to historic preservation, a challenging but rewarding aspect of their work. In the 27 Star Island Drive project, CLF helped owner John Jansheski relocate a 1925 home away from the water’s edge to serve as a guesthouse, preserving its historic character while protecting it from rising sea levels. “We demolished all non-historic structures and saved what was historic,” Levy explains, a process that involved inserting steel beams and moving the house to a new foundation. This balance of innovation and preservation highlights CLF’s dedication to sustainable luxury.
Innovating with Upper-Level Living
One of CLF’s signature contributions to modern design is their embrace of upper-level living spaces, a trend gaining traction among luxury homeowners. These “pajama lounges,” as Choeff calls them, are cozy, second-floor areas off the bedrooms, equipped with comfy sofas, kitchenettes, and high-tech amenities. Over 50% of CLF’s homes now feature this design, inspired by South American and European clients who value private, family-oriented spaces. A spec home in Malibu, listed for $25 million in 2017, showcased this concept with indoor and outdoor upper-level lounges, allowing bedrooms to “spill out” into a shared family space. “It’s where you go on a Sunday morning and wait for the rest of the house to wake up,” Choeff has said, capturing the intimate appeal of these designs.
A Legacy of Inspiration and Education
CLF Architects’ influence extends beyond their projects into the realm of education and thought leadership. Their work has been celebrated with multiple design awards and featured in major publications, from Ocean Home Magazine to The Wall Street Journal. Choeff’s vision for Tropical Modernism’s global potential—he believes it would thrive in Australia’s climate and lifestyle—has sparked interest in international expansion, with current projects in Turks & Caicos and Panama.
This educational spirit aligns with their partnership with platforms like Luxury Coastal Design. The Mastering Luxury Coastal Design course, an NCIDQ-certified program, draws on CLF’s expertise, offering 12–16 weeks of video lectures, interactive tools, and a certification that opens doors in the industry. Paired with the Coastal Mastery PDF, which features insights and visuals inspired by firms like CLF, this suite empowers design students, aspiring architects, and DIY enthusiasts. “We want to share our knowledge,” Fischman says, inviting learners to visit [YourWebsiteURL] to explore these resources.
Overcoming Coastal Challenges
Designing in Miami’s dynamic environment—where hurricanes, rising waters, and historic preservation laws pose constant challenges—requires ingenuity. CLF excels here, as seen in the Hibiscus Island Residence, a $37.5 million waterfront mansion that blends architectural brilliance with natural beauty. The home, designed for entertaining during events like Art Basel and the Miami Grand Prix, features a spa-like ensuite with a private loggia and plunge pool, showcasing CLF’s ability to merge luxury with functionality.
Their preservation efforts, like the 27 Star Island Drive relocation, highlight their adaptability. “It always ends up more expensive to renovate than to build new,” Fischman notes, advising thorough inspections for historic homes—a lesson learned from projects where cracked beams and weak frames demanded costly repairs. Yet, CLF’s commitment to preserving character while meeting modern standards has won them loyal clients and critical acclaim.
A Future of Global Impact
Looking ahead, CLF Architects is poised to expand its influence, with plans for new projects in California, the mid-Atlantic, and the Caribbean. Their vision for Tropical Modernism as a global standard promises to shape the future of coastal architecture. As Choeff, Levy, and Fischman continue to innovate, CLF remains a hub of creativity, inspiring clients and designers alike.
For those captivated by CLF’s work, the Mastering Luxury Coastal Design course and Coastal Mastery PDF offer a chance to learn from their expertise. Whether you’re sketching your first coastal plan or enhancing a seaside retreat, CLF’s legacy invites you to join the craft. In a world where the coast is both a privilege and a challenge, Choeff Levy Fischman proves that design can elevate life with every wave.
