Espirito Santo Plaza: a sculptural landmark takes form. (Special Advertising Feature: Focus on...).

In most places of the world, the "topping off" of a building is marked by the temporary but iconic placement of a small pine tree at the structure's highest level. In tropical Miami, an indigenous palm tree recently announced with swaying fronds that the Espirito Santo Plaza has attained its full height. In due time, the building will be ready for occupancy by international condominium buyers and executives in search of Class A office space on prestigious Brickell Avenue.

Right on schedule, the 36-story mixed-use building now has its final roof and exterior walls nearly clad in glass. Espirito Santo Plaza has completed its 480-foot climb to the sky.

By mid-summer 2003, the US$180 million, architecturally imposing structure will be humming with activity. Condominium apartments -- for which names are already gathered on a waiting list -- will be available for sale by late this year or early next year.

On Brickell Avenue, already lined with many of Miami's most important buildings, Espirito Santo Plaza is destined to become a landmark for global companies and a beacon for residents and guests of a luxury hotel. The hotel will allow condominium owners to maintain a pied-a-terre in Miami while defraying the costs of ownership in their absence. Additionally, the hotel will provide a place of rest for executives visiting the companies occupying the building.

The residents have all the benefits of ownership of a Miami apartment, plus the services of a luxury hotel -- room service, maid service, concierge services and restaurants within the building, so there's not a lot of preparation required when they arrive," says William Ross, president of developer Estoril, Inc., a Florida corporation and a part of Grupo Espirito Santo. "And when the owner is not in residence, the condominium can be rented out via the hotel's international reservation system to generate income."

The attention to detail and quality can be seen in a model unit. Like a gracious host, Ross shows a visitor around the comfortable, contemporary-style, one-bedroom apartment, appointed with stone and wood floors, first-class appliances, oversized luxury bath, large closets, peaceful balcony and breath-taking views. Each unit is fully furnished, down to the silverware and linens. "All you need is a toothbrush," Ross says, smiling.

Located at 1395 Brickell Avenue, the project is named for the Espirito Santo family, a Portuguese financial group with operations throughout Latin America and Europe. Its location in Miami is emblematic of the Espirito Santo family's faith in free markets and careful consideration of the city as the gateway to Latin America. "We recognize that Miami is more and more important as the financial center for all of Latin America," says Ricardo Espirito Santo Salgado, chairman and president of the board of directors of Espirito Santo Financial Group S.A.-Luxembourg. Espirito Santo Plaza is designed by architects Kohn Pedersen Fox, whose projects include The World Bank Headquarters in Washington, D.C., Taichung Tower in Taiwan, and IBM's corporate headquarters. Explains Ross: "We belive the Espirito Plaza design to be timeless and sculptural -- an artistic contribution to the skyline of Miami."

For more information, please contact Euroatlantic Realty, [phone]. E-mail: [e-mail].

RELATED ARTICLE: Espirito Santo Plaza

LOCATION: On the east side of Brickell Avenue between SE 13th and 14th streets.

HEIGHT: 36 stories, 480 feet. Office space: 300,000 square feet located on floors 2 through 15.

RESIDENTIAL SPACE: 116 luxury units located on floors 26 through 36. Hotel: 203-room luxury hotel.

PARKING: 12-story garage; 950 spaces.

OCCUPANCY: Summer 2003.

HEALTH CLUB: 7,000 square feet.

OTHER RECREATION: Two tennis courts, 75-foot swimming pool, garden, sundeck.

RESTAURANTS: Top-ranked dining with entertainment, plus a more casual restaurant.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Metromover station located across the street.