Virgin Voyages, formerly Virgin Cruises, has unveiled its plans for a new terminal at PortMiami.
Sir Richard Branson's cruise line said in a press release that the new Virgin Voyages Terminal will be located on the northwest side of the port in Miami, giving it incredible views of the city’s skyline. Construction is due to start next year and will be completed by November 2021, the beginning of the year’s cruise season.
“Miami is an incredible city and one of my favourite places to work and play,” Richard Branson said. “From our headquarters for Hotels, Voyages and now Trains USA, South Florida has quickly become another home for Virgin brands in the leisure travel sector.”
The new 10,000 square-foot terminal will be a palm grove inspired design concept developed by the Miami-based designers from Arquitectonica. The concept will encompass a design that builds on Virgin Voyages’ design ethos of the Modern Roman of Sailing, a new take on the formal grandeur and opulence of the ocean liner heyday.
The design is inspired by Miami Beach’s iconic palm trees and the island’s historical origins as an area intended for harvesting coconuts. The rooftop is designed to resemble a palm tree grove, with rooftop pockets that will allow natural light to flow into the building by day and uplighting by night that will light up the company’s iconic Virgin Voyages red logo and allow the terminal to shine bright, mirroring the skyline.
The two-story storm-proof glass facility will be replete with lush landscaping giving the terminal a plaza-like feel with designated areas for drop-offs of VIP’s, ride-sharing and provisioning, designed to provide a seamless shore to ship experience.
“South Florida is our home, and with our fleet now growing to four ships, we’re humbled and thankful to soon have a gorgeous new terminal overlooking the Miami skyline, an incredible view that will set the stage for the alluring journey that we will take our sailors on,” said Virgin Voyages CEO Tom McAlpin.
