Paul Bishop is internationally renowned for his sleek, luxurious interior designs, helming Bishop Design since its fateful inception in Dubai twenty years ago. The designer has since worked across an impressive variety of projects in the city, designing everything from the formidable SLS Hotel to Chef Massimo Bottura’s restaurant Torno Subito. In 2021, Bishop made waves when he made his first foray into America and officially brought his firm to Miami. To celebrate Miami Art Week and Art Basel, Whitewall had the privilege of speaking to the designer about the city’s best-kept secrets and where he goes to find inspiration.
Portrait of Paul Bishop. Courtesy of the artist.
WHITEWALL: Where do you go to feel inspired in Miami?
PAUL BISHOP: On weekends, I often take a morning ride on my motorbike—there’s nothing quite like it to clear the mind and fuel the soul. Coconut Grove offers lush, serene pockets of greenery; Coral Gables showcases timeless Spanish Revival architecture; Wynwood is undergoing a gritty, exhilarating transformation reminiscent of New York’s Meatpacking District; Little Haiti hums with a distinct vibrancy; and then there’s MiMo (Miami Modern), where Art Deco meets modern, set against some of the city’s most unexpected culinary gems.
WW: What is the best off-the-beaten-path place to see art in Miami?
PB: One standout off-the-beaten-path spot is Pedro AMOS Galeria. Pedro, a talented artist himself, uses his gallery as a platform to elevate emerging voices in the art scene. As a certified Miami graffiti tour guide, he brings a unique perspective on street art’s evolving landscape.
“As a certified Miami graffiti tour guide, Pedro Amos brings a unique perspective on street art’s evolving landscape.”
—Paul Bishop
WW: What’s the best-kept secret in Miami?
PB: For this one, we don’t have to look far—our best-kept secret lies close to home: MIAMI IRONSIDE. Once an industrial stretch by the train tracks, IRONSIDE has been transformed into a creative haven, and we’ve been fortunate to call it home to our studio for the last two years. It’s a thriving community of designers, architects, fashion visionaries, artisans, and creators.
Among our neighbors is Otto Tiles & Design, known for their exquisite, handcrafted tiles. They recently opened their showroom here, and we had the pleasure of designing the space for them.
We’re biased, but Ironside Pizza serves one of the best Neapolitan-style pizzas in Miami. Fun fact: A piece of the authentic Berlin Wall stands proudly here—a little nod to history in this forward-thinking enclave.
“IRONSIDE is a thriving community of designers, architects, fashion visionaries, artisans, and creators.”
Paul Bishop
Paul Bishop’s Best of Miami
1. Pedro AMOS Galeria
Courtesy of Pedro AMOS Galeria.
Pedro AMOS Galeria, opened its doors December of 2021. The Galeria is located in Little River, Miami and showcases AMOS’ diverse collection of “fine art.” The Galeria hosts a variety of events and is dedicated to art education by way of artist talks and graffiti classes. – Pedros AMOS Galeria
2. Otto Tiles & Design
Courtesy of Otto Tiles & Design.
Otto Tiles & Design is a contemporary tile company with a rustic touch and the provider of unparalleled quality artisan tiles. The Miami location is Otto Tiles’ first American showroom. – Otto Tiles & Design
3. MIAMI IRONSIDE
Courtesy of MIAMI IRONSIDE.
As a park-like enclave, a hidden gem, IRONSIDE showcases exemplary sustainable design and infrastructure. One block from the City of Miami’s Manatee Bend Park, IRONSIDE provides a landmark border for the area running 6 blocks along the railroad tracks in the historic Palm Grove neighborhood. – MIAMI IRONSIDE
4. Ironside Pizza
Courtesy of Ironside Pizza.
Ironside Pizza is dedicated to preparing the most mouth-watering calzones and pizzas in Miami and it all begins with using real ingredients right from their garden. They incorporate herbs and spices sourced from local farms, and use genuine Italian ingredients to produce authentic dishes that can’t be topped. – Ironside Pizza
