If you’re out boating this summer in Miami, don’t be surprised if you spot ARKHAUS floating on the horizon. With two pristine, solar-powered yachts connected by a shared deck, it might look like a billionaire’s private retreat, but it’s far from that. ARKHAUS, a zero-emission maritime hospitality experience powered by two solar-electric yachts, commenced pre-launch activities in December 2024 with upscale dining and private event offerings.
ARKHAUS’s full social club experience is set to launch later this year, anchored in a deep commitment to sustainability. “We’re showing that there is a different vision of what can happen on water while being a good operator,” co-founder Sam Payrovi said.
Sustainability isn’t just a feature of ARKHAUS, it’s built into its foundation. ARKHAUS features a solar roof capable of generating up to 12 kilowatts of electrical power, providing sufficient energy to propel the boat and operate all onboard systems. The boat’s resins, flooring, and even the kitchen materials are all carbon-neutral. Through a partnership with Bye Bye Plastic, they’ve eliminated single-use plastics on board. Unlike many boats that use a flow-out valve to flush waste into the ocean, ARKHAUS doesn’t have one, meaning nothing gets dumped. “The only way we release wastewater is by going to a marina’s pump-out station, so there’s zero chance anything from the sinks or toilets ever ends up in the bay,” Payrovi said.
Coming from an established New York hospitality background, co-founders Payrovi and Nathalie Paiva [pictured below] wanted to create a premier experience in Miami. Payrovi had always been fascinated by electric boats, making his first one at just six years old. Today, ARKHAUS is the first of its kind and has already paved the way for other eco-friendly maritime operations like {E-LIXR}, a zero-emission water taxi.
{E-LIXR} was born out of necessity when the co-founders realized they needed a reliable, sustainable way to transport guests to and from ARKHAUS. During the time the boat was being built, new state legislation and mandates were being created, pushing for zero-emission boats and transportation. It was then that Payrovi and Paiva decided to make {E-LIXR} available to the general public.
The concept of {E-LIXR} has now transformed into a marketplace app where customers can request a water taxi, and electric boat owners can list their boats as a service. Up to six passengers can take a trip to a private marina, restaurants, a condo, or a home with waterfront access. The service is designed to cater to both private bookings and shared rides, making it accessible for groups of various sizes. Payrovi is currently partnering with local operators to integrate {E-LIXR} into our existing transportation network.
As for ARKHAUS, the fleet is expanding. Two additional yachts will soon join the lineup, completing the full social club experience. Once the club officially launches, private events will be limited to members, with non-members able to attend at reduced capacity. Founding memberships are currently available at an annual rate of $7,500, before increasing to $10,000 post-launch. And this is just the beginning, Arkhaus has its sights set on expanding to other coastal cities, with New York potentially next on deck.
Both ARKHAUS and {E-LIXR} are well on their way to changing transportation. According to Payrovi, the future of urban transportation will most likely be driven more by private companies rather than municipalities. These different systems will connect and are likely to be all electric. “I think that, done correctly, waterborne transportation will be the most important connector of that future transportation,” he said.
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anayansy@yansymedia.com.