UNA Residences: A Short Film w/ Architects Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill and Developer Vladislav Doronin
Get your popcorn ready! The developer of UNA Residences, OKO Group, has released a short film starring architects Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill along with Chairman and CEO of OKO Group, Vladislav Doronin. The duo architects share their inspiration for the building’s design while Doronin describes the amenities and lifestyle that future residents of UNA will get to enjoy, from its bayfront pool and marina to its world-class spa…and everything in between.
Miami Leads the Way as Foreign Investment in U.S. Real Estate Hits All-Time High
According to a recent report by Beauchamp Estates, the U.S. real estate market saw an influx of international investment with a new record high. Between March 2016 and March 2017, non-resident foreign sales for properties $1 million and up reached a total of $7.48 billion, a 72% increase from the prior year.
Nearly 40% of international buyer transactions came from three cities: Miami, Los Angeles, and Manhattan. Out of those three cities, Miami led the way, boasting 26% of the total international buyer transactions. 95% of those were purchased in cash. It’s no surprise that Miami luxury real estate is currently dominated by international buyers, with a whopping 80% of all properties over $1 million owned by foreigners.
According to Gary Hersham, managing director at Beauchamp Estates, “Miami is a leading hub for overseas buyers investing in U.S. luxury real estate. Alongside the beaches, restaurants/bars, leisure facilities and all year good weather, the City has become a leading financial and tech business hub.”
The report also offers figures of predicted growth in ultra-high net worth individuals from 2016 through the year 2026. For Miami, Beauchamp Estates estimates this figure will grow from 750 to 1,050 – a 40% increase! As the economy continues to improve, these predictions give us a clear picture of a very bright future for Miami luxury real estate.
Miami Luxury Real Estate Website Adds Bitcoin Currency Conversion for All Property Listings
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you already know that Bitcoin – the world’s most famous cryptocurrency – has been all the craze these past couple of months. Opponents of Bitcoin argue that it lacks mainstream adoption and that prices are fueled by nothing more than pure speculative hype. However, that seems to have changed in recent months as local and national headlines have been filled with examples of luxury real estate properties listed for sale in Bitcoin denominated currency. Supporters of Bitcoin argue this flurry of activity is the tell-tale sign that mainstream adoption is just around the corner. Miami luxury real estate website – MiamiCondoInvestments.com – has prepared itself in case the latter proves true. Buyers shopping for Miami luxury homes or condos can now convert in seconds prices denominated in U.S. Dollars to Bitcoin for all luxury real estate in Miami and Miami Beach that is listed for sale on its website.
Below, you can see screenshots of the three-step process in action for using the Bitcoin converter:
Step 1: Click the “Currency Conversion” drop-down located underneath the property’s List Price.
Step 2: Select “Bitcoin” from the drop-down menu.
Step 3: Watch the property’s List Price convert from U.S. Dollars to Bitcoin. (Although BTC is the generally accepted abbreviation for Bitcoin, XBT is commonly used for foreign exchange and futures trading.)
The currency conversion tool can also be used to convert a property’s list price from U.S. Dollars to Bitcoin along with any one of 160+ currencies or precious metals. MiamiCondoInvestments.com uses a third party service to provide daily spot rates.
Treasure Hunter’s Paradise: The Site Of Pablo Escobar’s Miami Beach Home Is For Sale
If you’re into hunting for treasure and have $16 million to spare, you can buy the site of Pablo Escobar’s former Miami Beach Home!
That’s right, the infamous drug kingpin was known for burying his riches in the yards of his various houses or hiding things in the walls of his estates. Two safes have already been found in the yard at 5860 North Bay Road, although they have not yet been opened and most of the 30,000 square foot lot has yet to be excavated. The lot also has 150 feet of bay frontage with Downtown Miami skyline views, so it is almost certain that unspeakable things were coming and going from the estate on the regular.
Escobar purchased the estate in 1980 for $762,500 and then lost it to a US Government seizure in 1987. After years of falling into disrepair, the CEO of Chicken Kitchen purchased the property for $9.65 million in 2014. The fast food scion is apparently a bad boy in his own right, he was named in the recent release of the Panama Papers, although maintains his innocence.
Not long after purchasing the property, the owner razed the existing structure placed the lot on the market for a whopping $21 million (which he did not get). After several price reductions and marketing re-launches, it now sits on the market for $15.9 million.
According to a recent article on Realtor.com, one of the two safes that was found during the demolition of the home was stolen. The other is still around, but will likely be opened on a televised documentary that is currently being produced. The existing safe weighs between 600 to 700 pounds.
The seller also told the reporter that he had professional treasure hunters take a look at the lot. They reported lots of subterranean “activity,” particularly under the 100 year old banyan tree, so if you would like to go farming for riches and yayo, let’s make a deal! Even if you don’t find anything, you could also build a history-making home of your own on the gorgeous lot.
Estates at Acqualina In Sunny Isles Is Under Construction
The super-luxe Estates at Acqualina has officially begun construction, with the existing beach motel being demolished this week. The developers hope to have the site completely cleared by March and released a video of the beginning of the demolition (below).
To honor the occasion, the developers paired up with two local charities to hold a celebratory event and press conference that was attended by Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada. All of the furniture in the existing structures has been donated to the hurricane relief in Puerto Rico and the Florida Keys, or to victims that have relocated to Florida after the storms.
The new development is expected to be completed in 2020 and features a lobby designed by Karl Lagerfeld and a 50,000 square foot amenity area. Prices of remaining inventory range from $4.2 million to $9 million. Penthouses and single-family homes are priced upon request.
Trophy Property Of The Week: The Palazzo Del Sol Lanai Residence On Fisher Island
Although we had a whole series of trophy properties last week for Art Basel 2017, we have another very special property to share today. This one-of-a-kind Lanai Residence at Fisher Island’s Palazzo Del Sol is a true jaw dropper and is perfect for those who want the feel of a single family home but without the maintenance.
The 5,000 square foot ground-level waterfront condo has 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms and an enormous 5,300 square foot outdoor living space that includes a private negative edge pool overlooking Government Cut and South Beach. The property is turnkey furnished by leading Brazilian firm Artefacto. If four bedrooms are not enough, there is also a “studio” next door that could be included. I use the term “studio” loosely, as this studio has as much space as a two bedroom apartment in Brickell.
Inside the home, you will find 11.5 foot ceilings throughout, Boffi kitchens and master bath, bookended marble and Lualdi doors throughout. The kitchen is decked out with Gaggennau and SubZero appliances and Dornbracht & Duravit fixtures. The whole property is offered for $12 million, although the “studio” is offered separately. Scroll through the photos below for a preview of the glamorous home!
Art Basel Special: Top Miami Trophy Properties Day 4
Now that he has been released from the Miami Heat due to his health problems, it appears Chris Bosh is taking both his talents and his family out of South Beach. He has listed his North Bay Road home on the market for $18 million.
The home was built in 2009 and purchased by the Bosh family in 2010 for just over $12 million. It features ultra-high ceilings (a necessity for the family with a 6 foot 11 patriarch), heated pool, summer kitchen, elevator and guest house. Overall, the home has nearly 12,000 square feet of interior living area with spacious, airy rooms and wide open bay views to the west so that the owners and guests can enjoy Miami’s famous sunsets over the Downtown and Brickell skyline.
Have a scroll through all 45 photos of the manse, we bet that the Bosh family is sad to part with this lovely home!
One Thousand Museum Releases First Photos Of Model Residence
The preview residence at One Thousand Museum by Zaha Hadid Architects is complete! Rather than just building a sample kitchen and bathroom in the sales center (which they did as well), the developers fully finished and furnished an actual residence for buyers to tour. The building is still very much still under construction, it is set to top off later in the year, but the model residence feels like home.
We had the opportunity to tour the residence last month, although the furniture had not been delivered yet. Miami-based Brazilian furnishings brand, Artefacto, has now delivered and installed the furnishings and it looks MAGNIFICENT. They used Zaha’s futuristic taste with their signature Brazlian contemporary style. The home also touts an impressive art collection curated by Sarah Jane Bruce (SJB Fine Art Services) and Flavia Masetto (Flavia Masetto Fine Arts), according to the developer’s press release.
The 4,635 square feet half-floor residence is elegant and timeless using warm tones and clean lines to complement the building’s curvaceous architecture. The epitome of luxury, the four bedrooms and five-and-a-half bathrooms are wrapped in floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bay and Museum Park, allowing for ample natural light throughout the day.
Sadly, the actual residence was purchased for $6.8 million, but there are similar layouts still available. Duplex town homes start from $12 million, half floor residences similar to the model range from $5.5 million to $7.5 million, full-floor residences from $18 million and the penthouse, which has its own helipad for $49 million.
Closings are expected to begin in late 2018.
Zaha Hadid’s Personal Beachfront Residence To Come Back To Market
After nearly a year on the market, Zaha Hadid’s customized home in South Beach’s W Hotel is going to be re-listed with an enormous price reduction. It had been listed after her sudden and untimely death in the Spring of 2016 for $10 million, but there were no takers.
It hasn’t officially been re-listed yet, but the Wall Street Journal has reported that it will be coming back on the market at $6.5 million, a 35% reduction from the original price. Neither price included the furnishings, but most pieces could be negotiated separately through her estate trustee. There are a few pieces of artwork/exceptionally unique pieces that the estate prefers to hold on to.
The Pritzker Prize-winning starchitect purchased two beachfront units at the W, which is located between The Setai and Faena House at 22nd Street on Miami Beach, in 2010 for $2,785,000. She then combined them and added her unmistakable personal touch.
While I imagine there will be a new set of photos unveiled any day now, let’s have a peek at the listing photos from last year..
