Chicago Scene
A story on Keith Menin

One Miami hotelier is taking the business by storm, and all the ripe, old age of 26. Fourth generation South Beach resident, Keith Menin has entrepreneurship running through his veins. His great-grandfather was known throughout the South Beach area thanks to his highly popular 24-hour diner, hardware and drug store that he opened in 1934. Menin’s family jumped into the real estate game by the 70s and Keith decided to follow suit by enrolling in Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. There, Menin began mapping out his next move; so much so that he didn’t even bother attending career fairs or drawing up a resume. He had bigger plans in min d.

Back in Miami, Menin decided to put his dream project in motion. Taking a piece of inherited property located one block off South Beach’s infamous strip. Menin breathed new life into the old building on James Avenue. $10 million dollars later, a 30-room, boutique hotel-condo, sanctuary was born.

Bringing his South Beach know-how to our Windy City, Menin has recently cultivated Raffaello Hotel Condominium in Streeterville. Now on Menin’s full plate is a 50/50 venture with the Morgans Hotel Group to develop the 330-unit Mondrian South Beach Hotel Residence. Units start at $400,000 and consist of 342 studios, one and two bedroom apartments and penthouses. Facilities at the Mondrian include a five-star restaurant, a state-of-the-art spa and gym, chic even spaces, an outdoor “sand” bar and private boat slips, to name a few. The Mondrian plans to open in early 2008, and the prime waterfront residences are available to rent, as well as purchase.

Do you customize your approach based on location? You’ve got to adapt your concept to where you go. I’m the type of person who will sit inside the airport of a city for a few hours to get a look at the people coming and going. I want to get a sense of the clientele; what the vibe is like. In Chicago, I wanted to fill the gap between the cool, hip spots like the James Hotel and the W, and (more traditional) places like the Drake. That’s where Raffaello fits in.

How would you describe your business style? Fast – very, very fast. High-energy and big.

What do you see yourself doing by the age of 30? More and more projects.

How do you relax? In two ways: I have a 20-foot boat I take out on Biscayne Bay and just cruise or I hangout with my little four-year-old nephew, Ian.

Who do you look up to the most? My two uncles, Russell Galbut and Bruce Menin. They’re who I’ve been watching and learning since I was eight years old. I try to take the best of their work patterns and styles and add my own young energy to it.

What’s your favorite TV show? Entourage.

What advice would you give a young person looking to get into the industry? Have no fear. You only get one shot. If you have an ambition, run with it. You have to go full throttle.

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