Anyone who feels a pang of sadness when Art Basel Miami Beach leaves town each December can now rejoice because there’s a new club called Seia ready to cater to their cultural needs.
Vlad Doronin, founder and chairman of OKO Group and owner of Aman Resorts, has opened a private members’ club in Brickell, Miami‘s financial district, that’s stuffed with contemporary art, while his plan is to host cultural talks and events all year round.
There are spaces for day-to-night events and an Italian restaurant, also called Seia, overseen by executive chef Salvatore Martone of The Bastion Collection.
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It’s a big move for Doronin, who said there was a niche in Miami that needed filling. He said it was odd that in a city “constantly drawn to the newest concept or trend, what has often been missing is a sophisticated metropolitan club.”
He sees Seia, a partnership between OKO and Bastion, as a “refined, day-to-night” space where members can meet for breakfast or lunch, “connect over business or conversation, and then return in the evening to socialize.” He sees it as catering to a global city, “and also offering a sense of escape.”
It isn’t just Art Basel that’s been drawing the international crowd. The F1 Miami Grand Prix will take place in early May, and the city is home to Inter Miami CF, the soccer team founded by David Beckham and his partners.
Miami has also become a haven for entrepreneurs, investors, creatives and wealthy sun-seekers, and is home to OKO, an international real estate development firm that specializes in high-end residential, commercial and hospitality projects.
Seia, named for the Roman agricultural goddess who protected seeds after they were sown, will especially appeal to art lovers.
It showcases major works by Andy Warhol, George Condo, Damien Hirst, Richard Prince, Anish Kapoor and Tom Wesselmann. Art by Dennis Hopper lines the staircase, while Hirst’s “The Human Voice” greets guests arriving via the members’ elevator.
The entry corridor features a massive Ling Pui Sze installation, while a “Pope” painting by Condo hangs near the main lounge area.
Doronin said the plan is for Seia, which is located on the 54th and 55th floors of 830 Brickell, to host a regular series of talks and events with leaders across business, design, real estate and culture.
There will be artist talks, curator-led discussions, and cultural collaborations “that allow members to engage more deeply with the creative community,” said Doronin.
Seia plans to offer private museum tours, behind-the-scenes cultural experiences, and outings that extend the club experience into Miami’s broader cultural landscape, he added.
The club will also host regular events aimed at the local business and financial community.
There are plans to spotlight individuals who have helped shape Miami into a global city, and to invite founders, CEOs and innovators to speak. A breakfast series called “Best in Class” will feature leading experts across disciplines including finance, real estate, design, art, sports and music.
The aim, said Doronin, is to create “a community of like-minded individuals who are shaping the city’s cultural and economic life, and to bring an international perspective to the club.”
The building where Seia is located was designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, and Doronin said it was “important that the architecture reflect the building’s role” in forming Miami’s skyline.
For the club, he worked with interior design studio Zervudachi, Roberts & Macadam.
“We were drawn to their ability to create spaces that feel timeless and layered, where architecture, craftsmanship, and atmosphere come together. The end result feels cohesive, authentic and allows the space to evolve naturally from day to night,” said Doronin, who certainly knows how to conjure a mood, and cater to a culturally savvy customer.
