Miami nights are about getting cleaner — environmentally speaking. The founders of ARKHAUS, the electric solar floating social club, are venturing into the water taxi service.
The Florida city is known for its hopping party scene; many residents are boat owners. South Beach is also a tourism hotspot. With this popularity, the city’s population has grown in the past few years, causing more traffic and giving commuters a hellish experience.
The E-Lixr water taxi service from CODENAME: E-LIXR is designed to alleviate those problems. The new company was formed by ARKHAUS and CSTM HAUS founders Sam Payrovi and Nathalie Paiva.
“The inspiration for ARKHAUS stemmed from a desire to blend lifestyle with sustainability,” company representatives told The Business Download via email.
“We saw an opportunity in Miami’s vibrant culture to introduce a concept that not only offers an exclusive social setting but also aligns with our environmental values.”
“ARKHAUS is a manifestation of our commitment to innovation and eco-friendly initiatives,” they continued. “By harnessing solar power, we aim to set a new standard for how leisure spaces can operate sustainably without compromising on the quality and experience that our members expect.”
Photo Courtesy CODENAME: E-LIXR
A team of licensed engineers and former Coast Guard commanders are working to create this solar-powered water taxi. Two Axopar 37 vessels, the “Wanderlust and the “Stardust,” launched as a pilot program, shuttling people across Biscayne Bay to test taxi routes. The pilot vessels aren’t electric, but CODENAME: E-LIXR fully intends to deploy a sustainably-powered boat once it’s ready.
“Once fully operational, the E-Lixr water taxi service is anticipated to significantly reduce emissions by replacing traditional gas-powered marine and road transport,” the firm explained.
“Specifically, we expect to reduce carbon emissions, as each electric vessel eliminates the need for gasoline or diesel that would otherwise be used by conventional watercraft and vehicles.”
“Our vision for [E-Lixr] is clear — to decarbonize and modernize urban transportation through a dual service approach that caters to both private luxury and public convenience, ensuring that [E-Lixr] is not just a product but a comprehensive transportation solution,” Electrek reported that Payrovi, CEO of CODENAME: E-LIXR, said in a release.
He, along with business partners Paiva, chief xperience officer (CXO), and Aaron Leatherwood, former United States Coast Guard commander and chief engineer, are working tirelessly to launch this venture. The pilot vessels were launched in September and offer private or social rides through the bay. The boats can seat up to six and are entirely covered.
“It’s like Uber Black for the water,” CODENAME: E-LIXR said in a LinkedIn post.
Photo Courtesy Gautier Salles
The E-Lixr zero-emission vessel is expected to launch in 2025 as the first all-electric water transportation system in the U.S. It will join ARKHAUS in creating a zero-emission social experience in Miami. The floating club can be linked together like boats pulling up next to each other, with 48 kilowatt-hours of bifacial solar panels installed throughout the club. It contains a thruster on the bow and is powered by the solar panels. However, it will cost a pretty penny if you want to be part of the ARKHAUS experience.
When combined with the E-Lixr venture, ARKHAUS will deliver a full-service maritime hospitality experience, all with no extra carbon emissions. Reducing urban congestion improves air quality, creating a healthier city.
“The absence of oil and gas runoff from our electric vessels prevents water pollution, preserving the water quality of Biscayne Bay,” ARKHAUS attested.
“This is particularly critical in areas like Miami where the waterways are not just conduits for transportation but also crucial ecosystems that support a diverse range of marine species.”
ARKHAUS is committed to creating a low-impact Miami experience. It recently partnered with Bye Bye Plastic and DJ BLOND:ISH, the founder of Bye Bye Plastic. BLOND:ISH is now on the ARKHAUS Environmental Advisory Board to help the club continue its climate awareness campaigns. The initiative will eliminate single-use plastic from music and hospitality services.
It also has a partnership with Seaworthy Collective, a marine biology incubator working on regenerating ecosystems due to changes in Biscayne Bay’s water temperature, salinity, and toxicity.
“ARKHAUS envisions a hospitality industry where unique settings like Biscayne Bay inspire community-driven environmental stewardship,” Payrovi said in a press release. “The addition of BLOND:ISH and Bye Bye Plastic to our Environmental Advisory Board reinforces this commitment as we strive to eliminate single-use plastics from our operations and encourage others in the industry to do the same.”