2013 Mercedes Benz SL550 & More Included in the Sale of a 56th Floor 2 Bedroom Condo at Marina Blue
Owning a fab condo in Downtown Miami overlooking the bay and ocean just doesn’t cut it anymore in this city. These days, you also need a luxe car to go along with it. Or, at least according to some, that’s the reputation that Miami has earned for itself over the years. Well, if there’s any truth to it, and you’re worried about making the cut, then unit 5602 at Marina Blue might be right up your alley. The seller needs to move back to Europe quickly and is looking to sell everything including his furniture, artwork and panty-dropping 2013 Mercedes Benz SL550 (pictured above). The vehicle has only 1,800 miles and comes fully loaded with every upgrade and option available.
The beautifully appointed 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath condo at Marina Blue is located on the 56th floor, just one floor below the penthouse. It offers an incredible view of Biscayne Bay, the Atlantic Ocean and the Downtown Miami skyline. The floor plan, which contains 1,331 interior square feet along with an unusually large balcony spanning the entire width of the unit, is unique with only five of its kind existing in the building. The condo features hard wood floors, motorized shades, a state-of-the-art electronics package, accent lighting and artwork by acclaimed artists. For example, the art piece hanging in the second bedroom, which is covered with six layers of Swarovki diamonds, is by Kfir Moyal.
In the interest of selling everything quickly as a package deal, the owner is asking $887,000. Quite a deal considering all that is included. Contact me if you or someone you know has an interest. You may reach me on my cell at 786-247-6332 or via email at [email protected].
Introducing Nine at Mary Brickell Village
I am pleased to introduce Miami’s newest luxury condo development – Nine at Mary Brickell Village. The condo development, which is currently under construction, will be situated directly atop the western portion of Mary Brickell Village. The co-developers – Starwood Capital Group and LYND – had planned to deliver the building as a luxury rental development but it was announced just a few days ago that upgrades will be made to their original plans and that the units will instead be sold as condominiums.
Construction is well underway and the development is projected to be completed in May 2014. Nine at Mary Brickell Village will have 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units starting from $300,000. There are 30 available floor plans ranging from 744 to 2,098 square feet. Residences will boast beautifully appointed kitchens with stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops and backsplashes, designer fixtures and hardware, oversized mirrors, spacious walk-in closets and large soaking tubs. Units will have 9 to 11 foot ceilings.
I should have official pricing for units in the coming days but it is expected to average $475 per square foot with finished flooring. In fact, all units at Nine at Mary Brickell Village will be delivered with imported porcelain tile flooring in a wood grain finish and solar window shades. $475 per square foot is very well priced compared to pre-construction developments that have recently launched in Brickell at $500 to $600 per square foot. The great thing about this development is that it is in the heart of Brickell sitting atop of Mary Brickell Village and will be just a few blocks away from Brickell CityCentre once it is completed. Location doesn’t get any better than this!
I expect this development to sell out quickly so if you have an interest be sure to contact me immediately. I should have pricing, floor plans, reservation agreements and wire instructions available in the coming days.
Below is the deposit schedule to purchase a condo at Nine at Mary Brickell Village:
10% due at reservation (within the next week)
10% due at contract (within the next 45-60 days)
10% at top-off
Balance due at closing
Fully Furnished 2 Bedroom + Den with 16-foot Ceilings at Icon Brickell II – $5,400/mo
Within the next month, a client of mine will be closing on a 2 bedroom + den at Icon Brickell Tower 2. The unit is very unique because it features soaring 16-foot ceilings from the 41st floor. This is the highest floor in the building that has high ceilings. The unit also includes motorized shades in both bedrooms, three crystal chandeliers, TUI furniture package and a state-of-the-art electronics package. Electronics package includes: Blu-ray 3D player, 3D TV and 3D surround sound system. Wake up each morning to a breathtaking view of Biscayne Bay from the 41st floor. 1 assigned parking space. Rent includes basic cable TV, Internet & water. Asking price is $5,400 per month. If you have an interest please contact me at 786-247-6332.
4 Bedroom Condo at The Setai South Beach Hits the Market for $25M
A combined five-unit condo at The Setai South Beach hit the market earlier today for $25M. The 33rd floor residence spans approximately 5,400 interior square feet and includes four bedrooms, four full baths, two half baths, a formal living room, casual dining room, spa and entertainment lounge area. The unit also comes with five valet parking spaces.
Foster + Partners Releases Video of Faena House and the Faena District in Miami Beach
Earlier this week, Foster + Partners released additional renderings of Faena House. They have now released a fly-through video (see below) which showcases Faena House and the Faena District in Miami Beach. The 18-story, ultra-luxury development is truly stunning. Faena House is scheduled for completion in fall of 2014. 50% of its condos are already under contract.
The developer, Alan Faena, is asking $50M for the penthouse pictured above. Without a doubt, once completed, the penthouse will be one of the most highly acclaimed pieces of property in South Florida. It will have 8,273 interior square feet and approximately 10,000 square feet of terrace space which will accommodate an outdoor kitchen, cabana and 30-foot-long infinity-edge pool.
Preconstruction Sales for 600 and 700 Biscayne Blvd to Launch Soon?
While driving through Downtown Miami earlier this week, I noticed a number of signs at each corner of the sites for 600 and 700 Biscayne Boulevard. The signs say “Another Luxury Development by Chateau Group”. A telephone number is also included. Despite a number of calls, however, I have yet to obtain any additional information. Just assurances that a sales person would contact me soon. The lots are located immediately south of Marina Blue and just north of the Freedom Tower. I have heard rumors for months that pricing will range from $600-$800 per square foot for non-penthouse units at each of the two developments but I’m sure at this point not even the developer knows for certain. It will be an interesting addition to the array of preconstruction condo developments that have been announced for Miami within the past year. With the exception of One Thousand Museum, no other luxury condo developments have been announced for Downtown Miami. The vast majority of them are located in Brickell or Edgewater.
Update: I just saw the exact same Chateau Group sign at the entrance of Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach. There’s a a large lot at the intersection of NE 10 Ave and Hallendale Beach Blvd. Is Chateau Group planning to build a luxury condominium development at that location as well?
Pharrell Williams’ Miami Penthouse Marked Down $5.9M
It appears that the market for Miami penthouse condos is not all sunshine and rainbows. Despite a red hot Miami luxury real estate market which has seen an array of record-breaking penthouse sales during the first half of this year (See Exhibit A, Exhibit B, Exhibit C and Exhibit D), the Bristol Tower penthouse currently owned by hip-hop sensation, Pharrell Williams, has seen its price slashed $5.9M since hitting the market this past November. Initially set at $16.8M, the tri-level mansion-in-the-sky was recently marked down to $10.9M – a whopping 35 percent price reduction!
Formerly the residence of Bristol Tower developer, Ugo Colombo, the 5 bedroom, 6.5 bath penthouse features 9,080 interior square feet, private elevator entry, grand living spaces with impressive floor-to-ceiling glass walls, a 180-degree wrap-around balcony, 7 assigned parking spaces and rooftop terraces with summer kitchen, pool and Jacuzzi. The one-of-a-kind penthouse also sports a sensational view! It offers sweeping 360-degree views of Biscayne Bay, the Atlantic Ocean and sparkling city lights at night along with the opportunity to enjoy both the sunrise and sunset each day.
According to property records, Mr. Williams acquired the penthouse in March 2007 for $12,525,000.
Echo Brickell – Brickell’s Latest Pre-construction Condo Development
It appears that a luxury pre-construction condo development named Echo Brickell will begin accepting reservations next week. The Miami Herald reports that the skyscraper will rise 750 feet , or 60 stories, and feature large floor plans with up to 250 total units. The penthouses are expected to span over 7,000 square feet – unusually large by Brickell standards. Once completed, Echo Brickell will be the second tallest building in the neighborhood.
Unlike the handful of other pre-construction condo developments in Brickell that have been announced over the past couple of years, Echo Brickell will be located directly on the famed Brickell Avenue. The development will be erected at 1451 Brickell Avenue – a corner lot between The Four Seasons and St. Jude Melkite Catholic Church. Echo Brickell will be developed by Property Markets Group – the same development group which recently had a very successful launch of a 190-unit condo development in Aventura called Echo Aventura. World famous architect, Carlos Ott, has been chosen to design the luxury high-rise. Units at Echo Brickell will feature 10, 12 and 14-foot ceilings. The article states that plans for Echo Brickell include a swimming pool, which will encompass an entire floor about midway up the building, along with a fitness center and spa above it. The units will be sold move-in ready.
No mention of pricing was included in the article. However, in the coming days, I plan to get more information regarding Echo Brickell…so stay tuned!
The Future of Real Estate Marketing
In an earlier blog post, I had mentioned that several big changes with my real estate business had taken place over the past couple of months. Well, one of those big changes was transferring my real estate license to a new broker. I now have my real estate license hung with Luxe Living Realty. While many may have never heard the name, those who keep close tabs on the Miami luxury real estate market, and its practitioners, likely will have heard of Dora Puig. She has over 23 years of experience in selling high-end, luxury real estate and, over the past couple of years, has grabbed huge market share from her competitors (ie. other local brokers and agents specializing in Miami luxury real estate). She is the same Dora Puig who sold a penthouse at Icon South Beach last December for $21M. At this time, Dora personally has over $140M worth of real estate listings, including the $39M penthouse listing at Continuum South Beach South Tower, the $18.5M penthouse listing at Ocean House and, recently, a $14.5M combination residence at Continuum South Beach North Tower with just under 5,000 interior square feet. Dora has beat out competitors when interviewing for big listings such as these by continually thinking outside the box and coming up with innovative yet glamorous ways to market her luxury real estate listings. It was a no-brainer for me when presented with the opportunity to work under her new brokerage and learn from one of the best in the industry.
Just a few weeks ago, Dora was one of three finalists for the “Most Innovative Method of Marketing Award – Real Estate Agent” presented by the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce. Her nomination came as a direct result of her social media efforts over the preceding year. In my opinion, when it comes to social media, no one in the local real estate market does it better than Dora Puig. The level of engagement she has with her followers on various social media platforms is quite impressive. These outlets have allowed her to stay connected with past and current clients by keeping them informed of any news affecting the local real estate market. Social media has also allowed her to expand her network and earn new followers who at times later convert into business. In a world where a friend’s referral or public “Like” can mean all the difference, the importance of social media can no longer be ignored.
Unfortunately, Dora did not take home the crown last month for the “Most Innovative Method of Marketing Award – Real Estate Agent”. She did not sulk about it though. Instead, Dora began to question “Is there a better way of doing things?” – not for the sake of winning an award but for the sake of effectively marketing her listings and, therefore, providing an even higher level of service to sellers. I have always been a proponent for using video to market real estate. I suggested that she give it a try. Being open minded and innovative as she is, Dora jumped on it. I wanted her to do real video though. Picture slideshow videos would no longer cut it for these types of listings. Her $10M+ listings deserve true-to-life, HD-quality video tours – something akin to what you would see on Million Dollar Listing. Her video crew delivered in spades. The video below is a guided video tour of her $14.5M combination residence listing at Continuum South Beach North Tower (50 South Pointe Drive #3301-03, Miami Beach, FL 33139). I don’t know of a single other real estate agent in Miami who is doing video quite this way.
There is no doubt in my mind that this is the future of real estate marketing – especially for a market like Miami where the impact of the foreign buyer is so obvious. No one is saying that these luxury real estate videos will entice foreign buyers into purchasing a $10M+ property sight-unseen. However, I am certain that these types of videos stand a far better chance of convincing a potential buyer into booking an airline ticket to Miami to take a look in person than pictures do alone. Take a look for yourself and see what you think. I would love to hear your comments.
