Another Fisher Island Condo Sold at $21 Million

Palazzo Del Mare on Fisher Island
Palazzo Del Mare on Fisher Island

After spending 5.5 years on significant renovations and imported furniture, Igor Olegovich Nesterenko, a businessman in the meatpacking industry from Moscow, sold his Fisher Island property for $21 million.

The unit located at the Palazzo Del Mare unit 7153, features 5 bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, a terrace, a playroom, and a conference room spanning over 7,025 square feet. It also has a private 2-car garage on the parking level of the building and a private cabana near the pool.

Nesterenko spent the 5.5 years refurbishing the condo because Fisher Island only allows for roughly half of a year’s time for construction due to noise restrictions.

Furthermore, much of the furniture was purchased from abroad and was rather large and proved difficult to ship overseas. The bathtub in the master bedroom was fashioned from a solid block of Greek White Thassos marble and was carried into the apartment using a crane. The majority of the furniture was also brought by crane since it was too large for the elevator.

The 7,025-square-foot Unit 7153 located at Palazzo Del Mare was sold to Fana Fisher Palazzo 7153 LLC, managed by a trust in Bellevue, Washington purchased the condo for $21 million equals $2,989 price per square foot.

The trust is under the umbrella of the Fana Group of Cos., a real estate corporation located in Bellevue led by Chairman and CEO Firoz Lalji.

The apartment was designed by Augusto Busnelli of Milan, according to Flikshteyn. The previous owner spent around $10 million on upgrades. The property was last sold in 2011 for $8.3 million.

The Palazzo Del Mare was built in 2007 and with an expansive amenity package including a 9-hole golf course, 18 tennis courts, a marina and yacht center, a gourmet market, 8 restaurants, and Spa Internazionale. A Fisher Island Day School and a mile and a half of pristine beaches.

Fisher Island, America’s wealthiest zip code, is a 216-acre barrier island located across Government Cut from Miami Beach. Fisher Island condominiums are in a class of their own when it comes to ultra-exclusive living in South Florida.

The island, which can only be reached by ferry, boat, helicopter, or seaplane, provides unrivaled protection. All visitors to the island must first be checked by security at the Fisher Island port.

Palazzo Del Mare #7153
Palazzo Del Mare Luxury Unit

Moishe Mana Expands Portfolio to 3 Buildings for $25.4 Million in Miami

Moishe Mana Purchases 3 Properties in Downtown Miami
Moishe Mana Purchases 3 Properties in Downtown Miami

Miami’s biggest landlord, Moishe Mana, has bought three additional buildings to add to his forever expanding portfolio. As part of his aim to convert the Downtown Miami into an innovation and cultural centre, he plans to create, Mana Common. Moishe Mana has spent much of this year investing in commercial properties as well as residential properties in Miami that he has been making a big time profit on!

Mana paid a total of $25.4 million for the three properties at 100 North Miami Avenue, 173 Northeast First Street, and 124 Northeast Second Avenue. The buildings total 50,197 square feet, and are part of Mana’s portfolio of more than 60 properties in and surrounding Downtown Miami.

According to property records, the two-story, 18,535-square-foot structure at 100 North Miami Avenue was built on 0.2 acres in 1941. According to state corporate filings, the seller Flexini Investments is led by Mario Sapoznik. The two-story, 7,200-square-foot building at 124 Northeast Second Avenue, erected in 1922 on less than 0.1 acre, is two blocks west, according to property records. On 0.3 acres, it lies next to the two-story, 24,462-square-foot structure at 173 Northeast First Street. The two buildings were sold by SG & S, which was led by Ana White.

The majority of his properties are older low- to mid-rise buildings with small businesses including clothes boutiques, pawn shops, and cafes.

Mana intends to repair or redevelop his properties to establish Mana Common, a campus-like space aimed at integrating Latin American and American digital companies. Despite the fact that Mana has started work on several of his properties after years of land acquisition, he has run across some roadblocks recently.

Mana had commissioned engineering inspections prior to beginning repairs, which revealed the buildings had “significant structural issues.” Mana Common’s representative declined to provide an update on the buildings. Some of the buildings that he has started repairs include the Nikola Tesla Innovation Hub, a fashion mall, the Flagler Studios, and another building on East Flagler Street.

CEO of Kayak Breaks 2 New Condo Records all on the Same Day

L'Atelier Penthouse View of Pool and Ocean
L'Atelier Penthouse Family Room Views
Photo Credit: Eloy Carmenate

Kayak co-founder and CEO Steve Hafner paid $40 million for a penthouse on Fisher IslandPalazzo Della Luna after selling his smaller unit at L’Atelier Miami Beach for $36 million in two straight record-breaking deals.

One of the records include Mr. Hafner’s duplex at L’Atelier Miami Beach, which was listed for $39.9 million in March and sold on Friday. Mr. Hafner purchased his 6-bedroom, 7.5 bathroom unit at L’Atelier Miami Beach for $21 million in 2017 while the project was still under construction. Mr. Hafner and his wife, Staci Hafner, worked with Bart Reines Luxury Home Builder to redesign the 8,000-square-foot unit.

A glass elevator, a private 40-foot infinity pool, and a summer kitchen and bar are all included in the penthouse. SMG Management and W Capital Group developed L’Atelier.

Mr. Hafner then smashed his own record by purchasing a nearly 10,000-square-foot condo at the Palazzo Della Luna on Fisher Island later that evening. The seven-bedroom mansion was first listed for $40 million in 2018 and then relisted for $48 million in April.

The new purchase sits on Fisher Island, a 216-acre private island south of Miami Beach, and is home to around 800 CEOs and business owners. According to the listing, Mr. Hafner’s new house at the Palazzo Della Luna is on the 10th level with various terraces and a rooftop patio with a pool.

According to the company’s website, Mr. Hafner co-founded Kayak Software Corporation, an online travel booking tool, in 2004. Booking Holdings bought the company for $1.8 billion in 2013. According to property records, Mr. Hafner, who also owns residences in Rowayton, Conn., and the Hamptons, sold his New York condominium for $23.5 million earlier this month.

Before these new records, the county’s highest-priced condo purchase of the year was a penthouse at Continuum that sold for $35 million in April. The highest-priced condo transaction ever was a $60 million double penthouse at Faena House in 2015.

According to the press release, Hafner hasn’t been to their NYC apartment since the pandemic first started and they didn’t see a way back. The seller’s were represented by Eloy Carmenate with The Corcoran Group. The buyer of the L’Atelier penthouse is currently unknown.

Wetbar at Penthouse at L'Atelier
Photo Credit: Eloy Carmenate
L'Atelier Penthouse View of Pool and Ocean
Photo Credit: Eloy Carmenate
L'Atelier Penthouse Aerial View
Photo Credit: Eloy Carmenate

W South Beach Penthouse Sold to Entertainment Electronics Moguel

W South Beach Tower
W South Beach Tower

Jeff Walker, the President of Alliance Entertainment, an entertainment electronics company, recently purchased an upper Penthouse at the W South Beach for $9.25 million equating to nearly $4,000 per square foot.

Alliance Entertainment is located in Sunrise Florida and sells electronics (DVDs, Blu-rays, and video games) directly to retailers.

The property located at 2201 Collins Avenue, Unit 2006 in Miami Beach features 2,408 square feet of living space that spans over two levels with cascading glass balconies and two private rooftop terraces overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Miami Skyline.

The unit also features 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms and is fully furnished. The kitchen boasts high-end stainless-steel appliances, quartz counters, and custom-made cabinetry. Just off one of the private terraces is the private plunge pool, grill, and lounge area.

According to county records, the seller was listed as SoBe W Estates and purchased the home in 2011 for $6.1 million.

The W South Beach is a 20-story condo-hotel development that was completed in 2009. The tower was developed by TriStar Capital, Related Urban Development, and Starwood Properties. The tower features 511 condo-hotel units that range from studio to four-bedroom floor plan options. There are also a few rare penthouses.

W South Beach offers luxury hotel amenities for all residents and guests including two pools with food and beverage services, private cabanas, and a full-service concierge. Other amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, tennis court, rooftop basketball court, business center, and much more!

Walker isn’t the first executive to live at W South Beach! This tower is known to house big-name developers, architects, and execs. During the construction of One Thousand Museum, Zaha Hadid purchased three combined units. The former Roadhouse Grill CEO also owned a penthouse in 2019 at the W South Beach.

W South Beach

You Can Now Buy Two Arte Surfside Condos for 560 Bitcoin

Arte Surfside Accepts Cryptocurrency

Bitcoin has become one of the ultimate currencies in Miami. Now more than ever, consumers are able to utilize crypto for food purchases, nightclubs, and real estate. Arte Surfside completely revolutionized the real estate market by being one of the first developments in Miami to begin accepting Bitcoin for their luxury condos.

The developers for Arte Surfside currently have two luxury units for sale for a combined price of $31 million or 560 bitcoin. According to the developers, Alex Sapir and Giovanni Fasciano have stated that offers can be made in either bitcoin or ethereum.

According to Sapir, “We were overwhelmed by the amount of calls we received from qualified buyers just after announcing our ability to facilitate cryptocurrency transactions for the condominiums at Arte. Real-world crypto transactions haven’t made their way fully into the mainstream yet, so it’s clear that top holders around the world pay attention when new opportunities to transact open up.”

One of the crypto units at Arte is listed at $18.95 million and features 6,982 square feet of living space. The second unit is listed at $11.9 million and is around 3,500 square feet. These incredible units boast oceanfront views, wraparound terraces, large walk-in closets, and high-tech entry access.

Building amenities include an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, full-size tennis court, state-of-the-art gym, yoga studio, sauna, catering kitchen, and white-glove butlers.

Arte Surfside Amenities:

  • A 75-foot indoor swimming pool
  • An outdoor swimming pool, sundeck, and poolside cabanas
  • Rooftop tennis court
  • State-of-the-art fitness center and yoga studio
  • Sauna and steam room
  • Tranquil meditation pond
  • Children’s playroom
  • Residents’ lounge with billiards and catering kitchen
  • Temperature-controlled parking spaces

Arte Residence Features:

  • Expansive terraces clad in travertine with ipe decking
  • Gracious kitchens featuring Poliform cabinetry, Italian marble countertops, and Gaggenau appliances
  • Sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean

In June, a penthouse in Arte sold for a record-breaking $22.5 million in crypto. The type of cryptocurrency for this sale was not released. With more developers jumping on the crypto train, we can expect in the future that digital currency will eventually play a larger role in the real estate market and potentially affect how we make offers for our buyers and negotiate for our sellers.

Arte outdoor swimming pool
views of ocean from Arte pool deck

$12.3 Million Setai Sale Leads Miami Condo Weekly Sales

Miami Condo Sales Sore for August 2021
Miami Condo Sales Sore for August 2021

Sales for Miami-Dade once again surged this past week with the most expensive condo sale closing at Setai Miami Beach. According to the MLS, residential sales totaled $2.7 billion for all of July 2021, reaching 67 percent higher than the previous year.

Condo sales totaled a staggering $148 million compared to last week’s $131 million. The previous week’s volume rose from 208 to a total of 226. The average condo sales price also rose from $632,000 to $640,500.

The most expensive condo sale that occurred was a luxury condo at Setai, which sold for $12.3 million. After 39 days on the market, the unit sold for close to $3,391 per square foot. Our very own, Lucas Lechuga brought in the buyer for this property.

The second-highest and fewest days on the market condo sale occurred at One Thousand Museum for $5.6 million at $1,212 per square foot. This property was on the market for 1 day.

July Sales

Residential sales rose 58% in July with 3,632 closings, which consist of mostly condominium transactions. Single-family sales increased by 15% to 1,373 and condo sales increased by 104% to 2,259 sales.

The luxury market also experienced a leap in sales rising 110% for single-family homes compared to July 2020. For luxury condo sales, an increase of 323% compared to last July.

Avalon Merrick Park Tower Under Construction in Miami

Merric Park Development
New Construction Tower Avalon Merrick Park in Miami
Photo Credit: L & R Structural Corp., Inc.

Avalon Merrick Park is a new construction apartment tower located at 3811 Shipping Avenue in Miami. The 20-story tower will be located near the Douglas Road Metrorail Station.

When it was originally proposed by the developer, Mast Capital, it was named Shipping Avenue Apartments. After AvalonBay Communities purchased the properties for $12.9 million, AvalonBay entered into a joint venture on the project after Mast Capital took it through the approval process. Mast will remain a partner and is the co-developer for this project.

The shell contractor is L&R Structural and the architect will include Arquitectonica.

Avalon Merrick Park will feature 254 residential units with a studio to 3 bedroom floor plan options. The tower will also include 10,000 + square feet of amenities with the main floor housing 825 square feet of retail space. An 8-story attached garage will feature 319 parking spaces.

Building Amenities

  • State-of-the-art fitness center with professional-grade cardio and strength equipment
  • Rooftop, resort-style pool and sundeck with BBQ area and seating
  • Pet-friendly living with WAG Pet Spa
  • Coworking space including workspace pods and reservable conference rooms
  • WiFi access available in common areas
  • Package lockers for 24/7 package acceptance
  • Smoke-free living
  • Controlled access garage parking
  • Bike storage
  • Easily accessible to retail and dining, including the Shops at Merrick Park
  • One mile to Coral Gables and convenient to Downtown Miami, Brickell, and Coconut Grove

Residence Amenities

  • Studio, one, two, and three-bedroom floor plans
  • Modern kitchens with quartz countertops, tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, LED lighting, and hard surface flooring
  • Washer/Dryer in all homes
  • Walk-in closets
  • Air conditioning

Avalon Merrick Park is centrally located near retail, shopping, and dining. Located 1 mile from Coral Gables and 5 miles from downtown Miami. Leasing begins in 2023 with construction completion in early 2024.

Luxury Travel Magazine Names Miami Beach One of the Best Beaches in the U.S.

2021 Best Beaches in America-Miami Beach
2021 Best Beaches in America-Miami Beach

According to Condé Nast Traveler, a luxury and lifestyle travel magazine, dubbed Miami Beach as one of the best beaches in the United States. Miami Beach stands next to three other beaches in Florida including; Grayton Beach State Park, Dunedin, and Sanibel Island.

The magazine stated, “The siren song of Miami’s South Beach is undeniable…beautiful people, flashy cars, Art Deco architecture: It’s all here.” Condé Nast Traveler highlights that Miami Beach is one of the popular and liveliest areas for tourists in Miami.

The magazine also states that the most touristy areas run parallel to Ocean Drive and locals tend to hang around the South of Fifth neighborhood. “But we say those famous white sands are worth bumping elbows with a few fellows,” according to Condé Nast Traveler.

About Miami Beach

It is no debate that Miami Beach does offer some of the most beautiful properties and beaches in the world. Situated on a barrier island, the coastal city is between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay.

The Bass Museum of Art and the New World Symphony are both located in Miami Beach. Other options to visit include a cultural center called the Faena Forum. This cultural center hosts an array of events including; lectures, performances, and large-scale events. Miami Beach is also home to the largest art fair along the east coast.

Miami Beach also has some of the most luxurious condo developments in Miami. Faena House is a 47-unit ultra-luxury condominium tower located at 2901 Collins Avenue. The condos at Faena House are some of the most prized pieces of real estate in South Florida.

Ritz-Carlton Residences Miami Beach located at 4701 N. Merdian Avenue features 15 stand-alone villas comprised of 8 waterfront villas with private boat docks and 7 landside villas surrounded by lush, tropical landscaping. Each of the villas has its own private pool and an air-conditioned two-car garage. Ritz-Carlton Residences features 125 total units.

Other luxury towers in Miami Beach include; Eighty Seven Park, L’Atelier Miami Beach, and 57 Ocean.

The lifestyle of Miami Beach is like no other. With its fabulous art and cultural options, luxury condominium buildings, and its vibrant nightlife, there are so many options for every visitor as well as a potential buyer.

Champlain Towers South Building Collapse- A Timeline of Events

8777 Collins Avenue in Surfside Champlain Towers South
Champlain Tower South View from the Ocean and Beach
Credit: MiamiCondoInvestments.com/1 OAK Studios

October 2018: Structural Engineering Report

In October 2018, a structural engineering report with Morabito Consultants notes in a nine-page report numerous problems and major structural damage at Champlain Towers. The report included that the structural concrete slab is flat instead of sloped, which causes water to pool (with the hope that the water evaporates) instead of draining off. The parking garage also showed significant cracking in concrete beams. The report states that failure to repair the damages could “cause the extent of the concrete deterioration to expand exponentially.”

November 2018: Champlain Towers Condo Association Board Meeting

After the initial engineering report was released, a Surfside official during a November 15, 2018 board meeting stated that the condo tower was in good condition. According to the minutes of this board meeting, “Structural engineer report was reviewed by Mr. Ross Prieto. It appears the building is in very good shape.” *Ross Prieto was an official for the town of Surfside but is no longer employed for the town.

8777 Collins Avenue in Surfside Champlain Towers South
Credit: MiamiCondoInvestments.com/1 OAK Studios

April 2021: A Letter to Residents

The President of the Condo Association board of directors sent out a letter to the residents of Champlain Towers South. The letter stated that the building had worsened since the original inspection in 2018, and that “the concrete deterioration is accelerating. Observable damage such as in the garage has gotten significantly worse since the initial inspection. When you can visually see the concrete spalling, that means that the rebar holding it together is rusting and deteriorating beneath the surface.” An estimate of $15 million special assessment was proposed to pay for the structural repairs.

June 24, 2021: The Collapse

Around 1:19 am, the condo tower starts to shake and partially collapses destroying around 55 units. Rescue crews immediately raced to the site to search for survivors. The same day, Florida Governor DeSantis declared a state of emergency for Miami-Dade County.

June 25, 2021: Emergency Declaration for Florida

President Biden approved an emergency declaration for Flordia that allowed FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) to send federal resources to aid in the search and rescue efforts.

June 26, 2021: Residential Audits

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Cava announced an audit on all properties that are 5+ stories high and at least 40 years old.

June 27, 2021: Search and Rescue

The search continues for those missing in the condo collapse. Miami Fire Search and Rescue are working around the clock to locate those missing. The process has been strategic because they have to assure the safety of the teams as well as limit any additional damage to the building that could cause further harm to survivors.

July 1, 2021: A Community in Mourning

As of today, the Surfside and Miami communities have been coming together with daily vigils to pray and mourn for those lost in the devastating condo collapse. Outside of the destruction, a fence with missing residents’ pictures hangs solemnly. Local restaurants have come together and are feeding the rescue and volunteer teams. Hotels are also housing residents of Champlain Towers. According to authorities, 18 people have died with 140 still missing. President Biden also visited the site to discuss the rescue efforts and to offer condolences to the community.

Future: A Change in Procedure

We do not know the exact cause of the condo collapse but we do know that an investigation into the destruction will take months to complete. With this collapse, we are already seeing a much-needed change in procedure, including the Mayor’s condominium audit memorandum now in place. It is also important that associations, engineers, and officials take the warnings more seriously in the future. And we’re hopeful that with new rules and regulations in place, a devastating event like this can be prevented in the future.

Champlain Tower South Condo in Surfside Florida
Credit: MiamiCondoInvestments.com/1 OAK Studios

Inside Miami’s High-Security Billionaire Bunker – Indian Creek Island

Indian Creek Island Miami
Indian Creek Island Miami

Located on a barrier island on the outskirts of Biscayne Bay, sits a gorgeous Island shrouded in exclusivity and extreme wealth. Indian Creek Island is filed with billion dollar views, Brazilian teak docks, 100+ foot yachts, and extreme security.

This fortress of an island features 41 waterfront properties strategically arranged around an exclusive 18 hole golf-course stretched across 294 acres.

The average home value is $20 million with each lot featuring a minimum of 1.25 acres. In February 2010, one of the luxury estates sold for $50 million, breaking the record for the most expensive single family home sold in Miami.

Security is so tight that the entrance is heavily guarded with a 13 person private police force who patrol the island via boat, jeeps and jet skis 24 hours a day.

According to the 2019 census, the population for Indian Creek Island is 87 and in year 2000 it was considered the 8th highest income area in the United States.

Indian Creek Island Luxury Mansions

History of Indian Creek Island

In the early 1900’s, Indian Creek Island was created as a result of excavation for drainage in Biscayne Bay. Although the golf course was created a few years later, the Village of Indian Creek Island officially established in 1939. The first homes built on the land were vacation homes for the Miami’s rich and famous. Although there are none of the original remaining homes, there are a handful that date back to the 1950’s.

In more recent years, instead of residents using their homes for vacationing, they are living in the community year-round, shifting the typical profile of the residents. The village are seeing more families with children and a recent council meeting approved sidewalks and streetlights for play.

Indian Creek Island Exclusive Mansions

Notables on the Island

With the exclusivity of Indian Creek Island, it brings on many notables who want the privacy and security this island has to offer. Past residents include Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Current notables include:

  • Norman Braman- car dealership billionaire
    • Purchased 1 Indian Creek Drive in 1991 for $3.9 million
  • Russian (anonymous) buyer
    • Purchased 3 Indian Creek Drive in 2012 for $47 million
  • Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner
    • Purchased a vacant lot for Julio Iglesias (Enrique Iglesias’ father) in 2020 for $30 million
  • Adriana Lima -Victoria Secret Supermodel
    • Purchased 22 Indian Creek Drive in 2009 for $9 million
  • Don Shula -Retired headcoach for the Miami Dolphins
    • Purchased 16 Indian Creek Drive with a price unknown due to divorce
  • Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen
    • Purchased a tear-down at 26 Indian Creek Drive in 2020 for $17 million.

There is only one property currently on the market on Indian Creek Island. The property located at 29 Indian Creek Drive is listed for rent at $100,000 monthly and features 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms with gorgeous southern exposure of Biscayne Bay. For more information on this property or about Indian Creek Island, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at (786)247-6332.