A quietly influential piece of Miami’s architectural history has returned to the market, this time with a new layer of design that brings it firmly into the present.
Known locally as “SkyFin,” the 1949 residence at 5261 NE 5th Street was originally designed by architect Rufus Nims, a key figure in Florida’s tropical modernist movement.
Now reimagined by architect and designer Gabriela Liebert, the home is listed for $6.5 million with Pietro Belmonte and Carlos Fernandez of Douglas Elliman.
The result is a rare combination: a preserved modernist structure paired with updated interiors that respond to the home’s original geometry rather than compete with it.
A 1949 design that anticipated subtropical living decades ahead
Completed in 1949, SkyFin was designed as a response to Miami’s climate long before sustainability became part of architectural language.
The standout home was elevated entirely on columns — an unusual structural move at the time — allowing air to circulate freely beneath and around the structure.
This approach helped reduce heat buildup while encouraging natural cross-ventilation throughout the living spaces.
One of the first South Florida homes carried fully by columns
Rather than relying on load-bearing walls, the home’s weight is supported entirely by columns.
This structural decision allowed for greater flexibility in layout and openness, while also giving the home its distinctive floating appearance — a defining feature of tropical modernist design.
A fin-shaped roofline that became the home’s signature
The home’s nickname comes from its most recognizable element: a dramatic, fin-shaped roofline.
That sculptural form has made SkyFin a quiet landmark within Miami’s design community for decades, standing out without relying on scale or ornamentation.
Located in Morningside, one of Miami’s historic neighborhoods
The property sits within Morningside, a guard-gated neighborhood known for its mix of historic homes and waterfront estates.
Unlike newer developments, the area has retained much of its original character, making it a natural fit for a home with this kind of architectural history.
A recent redesign led by architect Gabriela Liebert
The latest chapter of SkyFin comes through a redesign by architect Gabriela Liebert.
Rather than restoring the home to a strict midcentury aesthetic, the approach focused on working with the existing architecture — introducing contemporary materials and finishes that complement the original structure.
Interiors shaped by the home’s geometry rather than period replication
The interiors, designed by All About The Wow, initially leaned into a midcentury direction before shifting toward something more forward-looking.
Furnishings and styling were chosen to echo the home’s curves and structural rhythm, creating a space that feels aligned with the architecture rather than tied to a specific era.
A Boffi kitchen and integrated Miele appliances
The kitchen introduces a clean, modern counterpoint to the home’s historic framework.
Outfitted with a Boffi kitchen and fully integrated Miele appliances, the space emphasizes precision and simplicity, with materials chosen to align with the rest of the home’s palette.
Oak flooring and updated finishes throughout
Oak flooring runs throughout the home, adding warmth and continuity across the interior spaces.
The updated finishes are restrained, allowing the architecture — rather than decorative elements — to remain the focal point.
Five bedrooms within a reimagined modernist structure
The residence includes five bedrooms and six bathrooms, integrated into the updated layout without disrupting the home’s architectural rhythm.
Each space is positioned to maintain a sense of openness while still offering privacy where needed.
More than 2,100 square feet of terraces and rooftop space
Outdoor space plays a central role in how the home is experienced.
With over 2,100 square feet of terraces, balconies, and rooftop areas, the layout extends beyond the interior, creating multiple vantage points for entertaining or everyday use.
A layout designed for entertaining across multiple levels
The home’s 4,100+ square feet of interior space is arranged to support both large gatherings and quieter moments.
The connection between indoor and outdoor areas allows movement between spaces, reinforcing the home’s original climate-driven design principles.
A Miami landmark with a new chapter
For more than seven decades, SkyFin has held a quiet place in Miami’s architectural landscape.
Its latest iteration doesn’t attempt to rewrite that history. Instead, it builds on it — preserving the elements that made the home notable in the first place while introducing a more current way of living within its walls.
At $6.5 million, it stands as both a restored modernist residence and a continuation of an architectural idea that began in 1949 and still feels relevant today.
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