300 South Pointe Drive · South of Fifth, Miami Beach
Portofino Tower Condominiums
The tower that started it — forty-four stories over Government Cut, with the largest floor plates in the neighbourhood.
The Building
Portofino Tower at 300 South Pointe Drive
Portofino Tower is where South of Fifth's modern era begins. Completed in 1997 and designed by the Sieger Suarez Architectural Partnership, the 44-story tower was among the first luxury high-rises in the neighbourhood and remains one of its largest by floor plate.
Its 216 residences are spread across ten floor plans, ranging from roughly 1,090 square feet to more than 4,500 square feet, with five-bedroom penthouses at the top. That range is the building's signature: Portofino offers the square footage of a much newer building, with the terrace depths and layout proportions of a 1990s design, in a position over Government Cut that no later tower can duplicate.
Design and Architecture
Portofino Tower was designed for a view that few buildings can offer: a position directly over Government Cut, where the channel narrows and the cruise ships pass close. The tower's massing and glass are organised to exploit that outlook, and its floor plates are generous rather than efficient — the building was conceived when large waterfront residences were the point, not a compromise.
What Sets It Apart
Two characteristics set Portofino apart. The first is the outlook — a position over Government Cut at the channel's edge, which gives residents a front-row view of the ships working in and out of the port. The second is proportion: ten floor plans across 216 residences, with residences of well over 4,000 square feet at the upper end, which is a scale most newer buildings do not attempt. A four-story lobby and a private residents' club on the 29th floor belong to the original full-service programme.
History
Completed in 1997, Portofino Tower was among the first luxury high-rise condominiums in South of Fifth and helped establish South Pointe Drive as the neighbourhood's premier address. It was designed by the Sieger Suarez Architectural Partnership, and its scale and floor plates have not been replicated in the neighbourhood since.
At a Glance
- Address
- 300 South Pointe Drive
- Neighborhood
- South of Fifth
- Architecture
- Sieger Suarez Architectural Partnership
- Completed
- 1997
- Stories
- 44
- Residences
- 216
- Architectural Style
- Contemporary waterfront high-rise with pale stone and blue-green glass, rising beside the channel
- Residence Types
- One- to four-bedroom residences across ten floor plans, approximately 1,090 to 4,510 square feet, with five-bedroom penthouses
Building facts are compiled from developer, architectural, and public building records. Details such as rules, fees, and policies should be confirmed with the association or with Dan before you rely on them.
The Living Experience
Living at Portofino Tower
Portofino's daily life is oriented to the water and to the channel. Residences on the eastern and southern elevations watch the cruise ships move through Government Cut and the marina traffic turning at the channel's mouth; those facing west and north take in the bay and the skyline instead.
The building is full-service in the classic sense — attended entry, concierge, valet, a resort-style pool deck with cabanas, a residents' club high in the tower, and a fitness centre — and its scale suits residents who want a substantial residence rather than a pied-à-terre. It is equally comfortable as a year-round home and as a seasonal residence, and its position beside the marina makes it a natural address for owners who keep a boat.
Who It Suits
Buyers who want significant square footage in an established, full-service building, and who value watching the channel and the marina over sitting beside a hotel-style pool club. It suits owners who intend to live in their residence rather than use it briefly, and buyers who prefer the character and floor plans of an earlier generation of luxury tower to the amenity programming of the newest ones.
Amenities and Services
Within the Building
- —Resort-style pool deck with hot tub, cabanas, and lounge chairs
- —Fitness centre and yoga area
- —Spa facilities
- —Four-story lobby
- —Private residents' club on the 29th floor
- —Billiards room
- —Concierge services
- —24-hour valet parking
- —24-hour security and attended entry
- —Assigned parking
- —Tennis courts
Nearby in the Neighborhood
- —Government Cut and the cruise ship channel
- —Miami Beach Marina, immediately north
- —South Pointe Park, its promenade and the pier
- —The South of Fifth restaurant district, including Joe's Stone Crab
- —The beach and Ocean Drive to the east
Amenities shared across the development are provided by the wider residential community rather than the individual tower. Nearby destinations are public or independently operated, and are not owned, operated, or guaranteed by the condominium association. Amenity access and hours can change and should be confirmed before purchase.
The Residences
Residences and Interior Features
Portofino's residences are among the largest in the neighbourhood: approximately 1,090 to 4,510 square feet across ten floor plans, from one-bedroom residences to four-bedroom layouts and five-bedroom penthouses. Floor-to-ceiling glass, deep terraces, and wide living and dining rooms are characteristic of the design, and the penthouses and higher floors carry the broadest channel, ocean, and skyline exposure.
As with any building of this vintage, condition varies substantially. Many residences have been renovated over the years, some have been updated to a contemporary standard, and others remain closer to the original 1997 finishes — layouts, kitchens, and bathroom count differ by line, and features should be verified for the specific residence rather than assumed from the building.
Residence types at Portofino Tower: One- to four-bedroom residences across ten floor plans, approximately 1,090 to 4,510 square feet, with five-bedroom penthouses
The Location
Location and Neighborhood Lifestyle
Portofino Tower stands at 300 South Pointe Drive, beside Miami Beach Marina and directly over Government Cut — the working channel that separates Miami Beach from Fisher Island and carries the cruise traffic out of the port. That position gives the building an outlook no other address in South of Fifth has, and it puts the marina's restaurants and services within a short walk.
South Pointe Park and the oceanfront promenade are immediately east, and the neighbourhood's residential streets, cafés, and the beach at the southern end of Ocean Drive are all within the district. The MacArthur Causeway keeps downtown Miami and the airport a straightforward drive away.
Ownership
Buying, Selling, and Ownership Considerations
Portofino is an established building with a settled market. Buyers generally weigh three things: exposure (channel, bay, or skyline), floor, and renovation status — because the building's ten floor plans mean two residences of the same bedroom count can differ significantly in size and outlook.
Because the floor plates are large and the residence count is moderate, Portofino's market does not produce the constant internal competition of a 500-unit building, but it does mean a wide spread between the most and least updated residences. Association fees at this scale of building and services are a material ownership consideration and should be reviewed through the current budget and estoppel rather than assumed.
Rental and Pet Policies
Rental terms and pet policies at Portofino Tower are set by the association and have changed over time. Current minimum lease terms, pet limits, and approval requirements should be confirmed with the association before purchase.
Association fees, assessments, rental terms, and building rules change and vary by unit and by association. Nothing on this page is a substitute for reading the current governing documents, estoppel, and budget, which Dan can help you request.
The Market
Available Residences at Portofino Tower
Live inventory for Portofino Tower is not available on the site yet. Contact Dan for current and off-market availability in the building.
Speak with DanQuestions Buyers Ask
Portofino Tower: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Portofino Tower located?
300 South Pointe Drive, Miami Beach, beside Miami Beach Marina and directly over Government Cut in South of Fifth.
Is Portofino Tower oceanfront or bayfront?
It sits at the channel rather than on a private oceanfront site. Residences take in Government Cut, Biscayne Bay, the marina, and the skyline, with ocean exposure on higher floors and the beach a short walk east.
When was Portofino Tower built, and by whom?
It was completed in 1997 and designed by the Sieger Suarez Architectural Partnership. Public records differ on developer attribution, so confirm that detail directly if it matters to you.
How many residences are there, and how large are they?
216 residences across 44 stories and ten floor plans, ranging from approximately 1,090 square feet to over 4,500 square feet, including five-bedroom penthouses.
What amenities does Portofino Tower offer?
A resort-style pool deck with hot tub and cabanas, a fitness centre and yoga area, spa facilities, a four-story lobby, a private residents' club on the 29th floor, a billiards room, concierge services, 24-hour valet parking, and 24-hour attended security.
Does Portofino Tower have marina access?
Miami Beach Marina is immediately adjacent and includes public and private slips. Slip availability and any boating arrangements are handled by the marina, not by the condominium association.
What are the rental and pet policies?
Both are governed by the association and change over time. Confirm current minimum lease terms, pet limits, and approval requirements before you rely on them.
Are there residences for sale or rent at Portofino Tower now?
Live availability appears in the Available Residences section of this page when inventory is showing in the MLS feed. When it is not, contact Dan for current and off-market availability.
Related Buildings
Other Notable Addresses in South of Fifth
A Private Consultation
Considering Portofino Tower?
Contact Dan Rascon for current availability, recent comparable sales in the building, and an honest assessment of how Portofino Tower compares with the rest of South of Fifth.