The Addition of Vela to the Celebrated South Florida-based Firm Sets to Expand the Firm’s Residential, Multifamily and Hospitality Project Dossier
V Starr, the award-winning interior design firm based in South Florida, is excited to welcome Enrique Vela, AIA, IIDA, as its new Principal. In his role, Vela will work closely with the leadership team to hone purposeful business objectives and expand upon the firm’s services to meet shifting industry demands. The new hire underscores V Starr’s commitment to delivering its partners thoughtful, well-rounded interior design concepts as the landscape of development continually evolves.
“It’s a privilege to join V Starr at the start of what promises to be an exhilarating year,” notes Vela. “With so many prominent hospitality and multifamily developments at the helm, I am eager to work with the team to enhance our project goals, ensuring we exceed the expectations of both new and long-standing partners.”
Leveraging his rich global perspective with notable experience in New York and Los Angeles, Vela’s addition to the team ushers in an era of opportunity for V Starr and its partners, as well as access to a wealth of knowledge in the high-end and luxury sectors. He is especially looking forward to expanding the firm’s expertise, particularly with his demonstrated experience in condominium and hospitality development.
“We’re excited to bring Enrique onto the team to expand our project reach among key markets,” says V Starr Principal, Sonya Haffey. “With his extensive and well-rounded experience building luxury hospitality design firms, he will bring a fresh perspective to build on our existing team portfolio and project compatibility.”
Vela comes from an architectural background earning a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Syracuse University and later a Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University. His creative vision has since affected spa, restaurant, hotel, and bar projects around the world – most notably in New York, Las Vegas, Dubai and California. He has also worked globally with most major hotel operators on projects ranging from small boutique hotels to large luxury resorts. From a residential perspective, Vela’s experience ranges from large 50,000-square-foot single-family residences to leading the interior design team of the tallest and most luxurious tower in the Western Hemisphere at Central Park Tower. Prior to joining V Starr, Enrique served as Principal/Owner and Director of Interiors at Olson Kundig, where he helped the firm foray into competitive hospitality markets.
About V Starr:
Based in Palm Beach, Florida, V Starr is an award-winning interior design studio recognized for creating visionary spaces across hospitality, multifamily, and luxury residential environments. The boutique firm is committed to delivering a full-service experience from initial concept development to final installation. Internationally recognized for its fresh, youthful approach, the multifaceted team marries its diverse global perspective with each client’s unique needs, combining ingenuity, sensibility, and thorough precision to design equally elegant and inviting spaces. Since its founding in 2002, the company has evolved into a model of design excellence, becoming one of the most sought-after interior design firms in Florida and beyond.