Architecture

What Comes from the Heart: Alchemy and Creation

A richly illustrated, newly expanded memoir tracing Alan Faena’s rise as a global cultural icon, with new chapters on his renowned properties in Miami and New York.

The memoir chronicles Faena’s extraordinary transformation from his childhood in 1960s Argentina to launching a successful fashion brand and creating the groundbreaking Faena hotel districts in Buenos Aires and Miami. Known for his bold vision and immersive environments, Faena has collaborated with some of the world’s most celebrated creatives, including artist Damien Hirst, filmmaker Baz Luhrmann, and designer Philippe Starck. Through these partnerships, he has brought to life transformative spaces that blur the boundaries between fantasy and reality.  

This newly expanded edition offers an updated look at Faena’s visionary life and work, including two recently completed projects. In Miami, his art commissions and cultural programming helped transform the project into a creative hub beyond traditional hospitality. Faena’s first New York-based hotel in Chelsea amplified this vision, opening in a tower designed by the Bjarke Ingels Group with interiors by the Faena Design Team and Peter Mikic. Faena New York features immersive art, design, performance, and culinary experiences that position the property as a cultural landmark rather than just a hotel.  

Together, these additions underscore Faena’s role in reimaging hospitality at the intersection of culture, art, and collective experience.

About The Author

Alan Faena is a globally renowned entrepreneur and creative visionary whose impact spans hospitality, art, design, fashion, real estate, and urban development. He is the creator of the acclaimed Faena Cultural Districts in Buenos Aires and Miami. In 2021, he launched a partnership with Accor to expand the Faena brand worldwide.

  • Publish Date: September 22, 2026
  • Format: Hardcover
  • Category: Architecture - Individual Architects & Firms - Monographs
  • Publisher: Rizzoli
  • Trim Size: 9-1/2 x 12
  • Pages: 320
  • US Price: $60.00
  • CDN Price: $80.00
  • ISBN: 978-0-8478-7641-9

Author Bookshelf: Alan Faena