A Symphony for the Senses: The Vision Behind TIMBR
- Miami Living Team
- Mar 13
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 17
Michael Tronn is no stranger to creating immersive, multi-sensory experiences that captivate and transport guests. As the visionary behind TIMBR, he has meticulously orchestrated every detail—from architectural design to culinary philosophy—to craft a space that is as enchanting as it is innovative. More than just a restaurant, TIMBR is a living, breathing composition, where nature, art, and storytelling blend seamlessly into a symphony of the senses.
Dan Lindblade, Debbie Danto, Steven Glassman, Michael Tronn, Paul Brown, and Mayor Dean Trantalis
In this exclusive conversation, Tronn shares the inspiration behind TIMBR’s design, the philosophy that drives his work, and how he hopes to redefine hospitality.
Max Van Fleet, Paul Brown and Michael Tronn
Miami Living: Your meticulous involvement in every design detail of TIMBR is evident. What drives your passion for such hands-on creativity?
Michael Tronn: The entire project of TIMBR, from the concept to the cocktails, can be summed up in two words: "magic" and "enchantment."
Every aspect of TIMBR communicates to guests, creating a non-verbal form of expression that resonates with them. Its design is not just aesthetics; it is immersive theater, a production that speaks to who people are now, who they want to become, and their inner child.
As a designer, producer, and businessperson, I approach concept creation like a composer writes a symphony. I refer to my design philosophy as "A Symphony for The Senses" (also the title of my forthcoming book). Each element plays its part, blending materials, colors, textures, aromas, sounds, and flavors to create an experiential symphony.
Unlike designers who focus solely on aesthetics, I create for people's minds, bodies, and spirits on four levels:
Conscious
Subconscious
Psychological
Emotional
I genuinely care about people and aim to enrich their experiences. Every interaction—whether with a place, an object, or another person—is a relationship, and I strive to make each one memorable. Great design goes beyond the experience itself; it lingers in memory, evoking emotions that bring people back. My goal is to inspire, uplift, and spark creativity, offering a sanctuary of innovation and wonder.
Miami Living: The Parc Dining Room features indoor trees, seamlessly blending nature with dining. What inspired this natural element?
Michael Tronn: When I first saw the space, it felt like an enormous cavern. I knew I had to use its airspace as a canvas. Growing up in New York, I developed a deep love for modernity, art, and architecture, but my appreciation for nature came later. I now embrace both passionately.
I love using trees in my designs. Indoors, they take on an otherworldly quality, grounding and energizing a space. Organic elements bring life, which is why TIMBR is filled with them—from live-edge tables to denim upholstery and firefly lights. This fusion of familiarity and unexpected contemporary design makes TIMBR both innovative and comforting.
Miami Living: With its glass pyramid and floral decorations, The Atrium offers a unique ambiance. What was your vision?
Michael Tronn: Passing through The Parc, guests enter an enchanted garden. The Atrium is covered in 90,000 flowers, creating a lattice above. The transition space leads to an explosion of color, lifting spirits and igniting curiosity.
The blue flagstone-inspired floors are actually custom-molded cement, ensuring the perfect color. The tables evoke picnic tables, and the pergola-covered bar enhances the feeling of being in a European vineyard garden.
Miami Living: The Lounge exudes a mysterious aura with its multicultural influences. What inspired its atmosphere?
Michael Tronn: The Lounge is my interpretation of a Tiki bar, but with a broader, more sophisticated global narrative. I incorporated craftsmanship from multiple cultures to create a sultry, seductive cocktail lounge.
While inspired by Polynesian elements, I unified everything with a monochromatic scheme of greys and blacks for depth and mystery. Venetian plaster walls, dark Italian parquet floors, and black furniture set the stage. The design maintains TIMBR’s nature theme while establishing a distinct identity.
The tree trunks behind the bar were inspired by those in Careyes, Mexico. The ceiling beams reflect patterns I saw in a Philippine school. The arches are influenced by Indian temples, while the pedestals and zebra rugs nod to Africa. The bar itself uses a Japanese Sugi-ban wood-burning technique. Amethyst geode cocktail tables were mined in Brazil, and the wall tiles compose my poem "Stardust," written in the near-extinct Tibetan dialect Phags-pa. These elements harmonize to create an alluring, immersive space.
Miami Living: TIMBR's exterior resembles a vintage European storefront. Why this architectural style?
Michael Tronn: The goal was authenticity. This style is familiar but uncommon in South Florida. It is timeless, elegant, yet not overly ornate. I meticulously designed each brick with a brickmason to ensure a weathered, authentic look.
The terrace railings reflect an Art Deco motif, modified for a vineyard-inspired touch. We insisted on real wood instead of PVC, ensuring authenticity. The result is a facade that immediately tells a story of history and discovery.
Miami Living: You've introduced the concept of "Vineyard Cuisine." What does this mean?
Michael Tronn: Vineyard Cuisine is an idea I've imagined for many years but the name, "Vineyard Cuisine" came to mind while designing TIMBR. It embodies the warmth of home cooking, but elevated, classic dishes prepared with the same thoughtfulness as the venue itself. It draws from Napa Valley, Sonoma, the Northeast, the South, and Europe. Every dish is homemade, beautifully executed, and served with love. I describe it as "like fairies in the forest made it."
We worked with our Executive Chef Robyn Almodovar for over a year to hone and perfect it, and she has. The dishes she serves are warm and inviting while being artful and sophisticated, perfect for TIMBR.
Miami Living: Your background spans art, fashion, and nightlife. How has this influenced TIMBR?
Michael Tronn: Everything I have ever done has led to this moment. My education in art history gave me a visual language to communicate through colors, shapes, and textures. Fashion instilled a sense of drama and theatricality, as all fashion is a form of personal expression. Nightlife, meanwhile, taught me about the magic of after-dark experiences, community, and celebration.
As a lifelong student of culture and human behavior, I’ve absorbed and analyzed everything—from ancient celebrations to modern-day revelry. This understanding allowed me to shape TIMBR as a response to our times, a space that offers both escape and belonging.
Miami Living: You aim for guests to leave TIMBR feeling inspired. What specific design elements evoke this feeling?
Michael Tronn: Every design element in TIMBR is intentional, from the wooden floor of The Parc to the butterfly motif on the menus. The staff uniforms, glassware, cutlery, and estate-style kitchen all contribute to the larger vision.
Nothing exists within TIMBR without playing its part in the symphony. Guests feel its warmth, its balance of modernity and comfort, and its ability to transport them. Many have called TIMBR their "new favorite place," some returning multiple times a week. That tells me the concept is resonating exactly as my partners and I intended—a home away from home, a clubhouse, a source of happiness.
Miami Living: That is all very interesting. What are your plans for the future?
Michael Tronn: TIMBR is one of 1,300 names and concepts I originally shared with my partners at 3 Hospitality, Max Van Fleet and Paul Brown. Now that it has proven successful, expansion is in motion. We believe it fills a void and it is one we are excited to fill.
We are also looking forward to building some of the other concepts; an innovative Asian idea, over the top bakery, cleverly done coffee house, and far beyond, as well as moving into larger projects.
With TIMBR being the culmination of our collective careers, the sky is the limit!