Record Breaking Waterfront Mansion Sold in Coconut Grove for $106.9 Million
Adrienne Arsht, a local philanthropist, set a Miami-Dade County record when she sold her waterfront property in Coconut Grove for $106.9 million.
The sale of the home represents a 29% decrease from the property’s initial $150 million asking price and this sale marks the first residential sale to exceed the $100 million threshold.
The 2 two-story homes sit on 3031 and 3115 Brickell Avenue and are frequently referred to as South Florida’s “embassy,” due to the many U.S. and international officials frequenting the home.
There are a total of 12 bedrooms and 13 and a half bathrooms in the 25,000-square-foot home. The 4-acre property has 400 feet of water frontage, is close to Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, and overlooks Biscayne Bay. The main house, known as Indian Spring, was built by Arsht in 1999.
It has a dining room that seats more than 20 people, a six-car garage with an office and apartment upstairs, a pool, and a tennis court. Indian Spring was designed by Jose Gelabert-Navia, a former dean of the University of Miami School of Architecture. Villa Serena, the other house, was constructed in 1913.
The property was developed by William Jennings Bryan, a former U.S. Secretary of State and a 3x presidential candidate. Arsht restored the waterfront mansion and it is now registered in the National Register of Historic Places.
According to records, she purchased the property in two transactions, paying $4 million for the land on which the contemporary house was built in 1996 and then $12 million for the ancient home in 2007.
Arsht, a native of Delaware, made a name for herself in Miami’s financial world and as an arts patron. She gave the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts a $30 million gift, earning it the moniker Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami’s Arts & Entertainment District. She has also served as TotalBank’s chair in the past.
The transaction surpasses the previous high in Miami-Dade, which was set this summer by the $93 million purchase of three homes in Golden Beach by the founder of the technology business InterSystems. Ragon intends to demolish the buildings and build a new house in their stead.
New Research Shows Miami is on the Way to Being the Next Silicon Valley
According to recent research from Moody’s Analytics, a division of New York-based Moody’s Corporation, the expansion of Miami-Dade County’s finance and technology sectors significantly boosted the region’s office market throughout the pandemic leaving the potential for Miami to replace Silicon Valley.
Miami has the potential to develop into a prosperous tech center, according to Lu Chen, a senior economist at Moody’s and co-author of “The Growing Power of Tech on Miami’s Commercial Real Estate Market.”
Fintech companies have found The Magic City to be the most alluring. According to the survey, businesses from New York are increasingly choosing to relocate to Miami due to high taxes, building/office costs, as well as housing.
For instance, the report stated that the fintech business FundKite moved its headquarters from New York to Miami “because it has become a solid hub for the financial industry and has a lot of good expertise and manpower accessible.”
This continued pattern has allowed the office landlords in Miami-Dade County to raise rent demands faster than the national average, including in San Francisco, California.
According to the survey, incomes for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) workers in South Florida have not increased as much as asking rents in Miami-Dade.
The average salary for STEM workers nationwide increased by 6.8% in 2021 compared to the previous year. San Francisco saw a 1.9% increase in STEM earnings. Their increase in South Florida was only 0.9%.
As of August 13, the typical STEM job nationwide paid $53,428 per year. STEM jobs in Florida typically pay $40,081 a year. In California, STEM salaries pay an average of $48,899 annually.
In contrast to the San Francisco Bay area and other well-established technology centers, South Florida has a very small proportion of the total number of tech jobs.
According to Chen, only 3% of jobs in South Florida are in the high-tech sector, compared to 23.5% in the San Francisco area.
Other challenges for Miami’s expanding technology sector, according to Moody’s, include the impact of climate change, South Florida’s transportation infrastructure, the underrepresentation of minorities in higher-level positions, and concerns about educational standards.
The San Francisco Bay area has significantly more prestigious universities that develop technology talent, according to the study on education. The report states that “Miami must attract more students interested in tech.”
However, the survey noted that there is cause for hope because there are regional initiatives like Computer Equity Miami that seek to increase accessibility to tech education for all of its citizens. Miami’s advantages also include a high concentration of banks and businesspeople.
South Florida ranks sixth in the nation for the proportion of all U.S. entrepreneurs. Moody’s attributed this ranking to the region’s 150 banks and 500,000 accredited investors, which offer a variety of choices for raising financing.
Miami is attracting a lot of interest from bitcoin businesses as a result of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and other local leaders placing significant bets on the technology.
Suarez’s efforts to establish Miami as a crypto hub, according to David Caputo, a commercial real estate data quality analyst for Moody’s, have aided in luring crypto businesses to that city, including Blockchain.com, which has reportedly facilitated more than $1 trillion in crypto transactions since its establishment in 2011.
According to Moody’s research, the future of cryptocurrencies may very well determine Miami’s status as a global tech hub. Although the value of cryptocurrencies has fallen recently, the report’s co-author Caputo claimed there isn’t much of a negative for Miami.
Cipriani Residences Miami Reveals New Interior Renderings
With the newest condominium project in Miami, Cipriani Residences Miami is adding to its illustrious portfolio once more with its exclusive first glimpse at the exquisite interiors of the highly anticipated development.
The renowned hospitality organization chose the internationally renowned studio 1508 London to design the interiors of Cipriani Residences Miami, which is the group’s first residential skyscraper built from the ground up. 397 homes with one to four bedrooms will be available in the building, all of which have views of Coconut Grove, Brickell, and Biscayne Bay.
The Cipriani Residences Miami exudes a stylish, contemporary ambiance, similar to the burgeoning Brickell district, but with a European flair. Consider furniture covered in Italian leather, chandeliers from Venice, and rooms with beautiful walnut finishes. The enormous curved glass high-rise by Arquitectonica blends seamlessly with the city’s financial district’s skyline.
The double-height foyer, which modernizes Venetian design, is one of the building’s most alluring aspects. The elegant area is layered with Italian terrazzo floors, oak accents, and an actual Murano glass chandelier. It was designed to transition from day to night. The color scheme combines distinctive Cipriani tones with warm camel and blue tones.
Each house, which ranges in size from 1,213 square feet to 3,495 square feet, includes floor-to-ceiling glass windows, large terraces, and lofty 10-foot ceilings as standard features. Among the opulent features you’ll discover inside are open eat-in chef kitchens, integrated Wolf Sub-Zero appliances, and light pendants with Art Deco influences, as well as Dornbracht fixtures in the main bathroom and, of course, handcrafted Italian cabinetry designed to reflect the Cipriani aesthetic.
CEO and Founder of Mast Capital stated, “The interior design of Cipriani Residences Miami demonstrates a fundamental richness that recalls the timeless elegance of four generations of the Cipriani family. 1508 London has envisioned an offering that captures both the inherent spirit of Cipriani and the sophisticated lifestyle of Miami.”
The developer is expecting a sellout of approximately $1 billion. The groundbreaking is anticipated for the end of 2022 with a top-off date in 2025 with a completion date in 2026. Reservations are expected to be converted to contracts next month which will coincide with the launch of their sales center.
If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing at Cipriani Residences Miami, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at lucas@miamicondoinvestments.com or by phone at (786)247-6332.
Jeff Bezos’ Parents Buy Waterfront Mansion in Miami
Photo credit: Douglas Elliman
The parents of Jeff Bezos invested $34 million in a waterfront Coral Gables mansion with over 12,000 square feet. Records show that the estate was purchased by Jackie and Mike Bezos, the parents of Amazon’s founder, last week.
Through a Delaware-based limited liability company called Forgotten Fountain, the couple bought the property located at 9475 Journeys End Road in Coral Gables.
The sellers of the estate were the former CEO of PetMD, Raul Calvoz, and his wife Raquel Cordon. According to property records, the couple paid $8.5 million for the home in 2018.
According to the description, the house has undergone a complete renovation and now features six bedrooms and seven bathrooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and French doors throughout. The property sits on more than 2 acres and has 200 feet of water frontage.
In addition, the offering lists a chef’s kitchen with double ovens, views of the pool and ocean beyond, a quartz wet bar, a rock climbing wall, a gym, a wine cellar, and other luxury amenities. The residence also features 2 terraces over two floors.
A pool, a lounge area, an outdoor kitchen, and a dining area with a built-in grill are all located outside. The mansion is perfect for car enthusiasts with a 9-car garage as well as a backup generator.
With a net worth of around $144 billion, Jeff Bezos is currently the second-richest person in the world. The internet giant spent $165 million purchasing a Los Angeles property that was originally owned by music billionaire David Geffen, making it one of the biggest purchases of 2020.
Records also show that Bezos’ parents also purchased an adjacent property to the Coral Gables home for almost $40 million in an off-market deal.
New Renderings Revealed for Baccarat Residences Miami
The newest pre-construction tower in downtown Miami, Baccarat Residences Miami, will soon adorn the Miami skyline with its stunning glass facade, and now the developers have released some very impressive renderings that show what the Baccarat brand truly represents.
Rising 75 stories located at 444 Brickell Avenue, the collection includes 324 residences that will begin on the 15th level. The top 3 floors will feature 8 penthouses with immaculate ocean and skyline views. In addition, there will also be 28 riverfront flats and duplexes of your choosing.
Units will range from 1,330 square feet to over 7,000 square feet, with each unit featuring integrated purified air and water filters, impact-resistant floor-to-ceiling glass doors, 8-foot deep private terraces, and 10-foot high ceilings. Kitchens will be top-of-the-line with high-end appliances, granite counters, and custom cabinetry.
Interior Designed by Meyer Davis Studio, the building design incorporated a mixture of 18th-century French and 1930s Art Deco. The developer includes the Related Group with the landscape architecture designed by Enzo Enea.
The elevated waterfront amenities deck will include an infinity pool with killer views of Miami and Biscayne Bay. Enjoy fine dining at the 10,000-square-foot restaurant that will be announced once construction continues. Additional amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center, spa, wine cellar, and tasting room.
DEVELOPMENT OVERVIEW
Privileged Brickell waterfront position, where the Miami River meets Biscayne Bay
A dazzling contemporary 75-story glass tower
Collection of 324 tower residences, 8 penthouses, and 28 riverfront flats and duplexes
Panoramic views of Biscayne Bay, the Miami River, and the Miami city lights and skyline from every residence
Artful service and amenities impeccably curated by Baccarat Hotels & Residences and expertly managed by SH Hotels & Resorts
Lushly landscaped waterfront promenade and private marina
Lushly landscaped secluded private entrance leading to the riverfront arrival court and elegant porte-cochere entrance
Exquisitely appointed entrance lobby with grand high ceilings leading directly to three banks of double private elevators to each residence
Permanent installation of curated museum-quality art collection throughout the building’s public spaces
Elevated 12th-level amenities resort deck loaded with a dramatic zero-entry heated saline swimming pool, outdoor spa, pool-side cabanas, summer kitchen area, and beautifully landscaped sun terrace
Glamorously designed Grand Salon, set as the ideal location for both intimate gatherings and grand celebrations
Luxurious Clubroom with bar and billiards, catering kitchen, and multimedia facilities
State-of-the-art fully equipped fitness center curated by Altitude
Fitness with cardio theater, spinning room, yoga, and meditation rooms, all overlooking the pool deck resort area
Hammam spa with men’s and women’s steam and sauna facilities, luxurious treatment rooms, and a spa shop
Private screening room with cutting-edge audiovisual equipment and theater-style seating
Game room with multimedia facilities and children’s playroom
Business Center with conference facilities and private workspaces
Gourmet market
Wine Cellar and Tasting Room
State-of-the-art Chef’s Kitchen and Private Dining room
Pet-friendly community with Pet Spa, Grooming, and Walk Service
Hair Salon & Barber Station
High-speed internet access in all public areas
Electric vehicle charging stations
Air-conditioned storage rooms
Bicycle storage spaces
BACCARAT GLOBAL MEMBER PRIVILEGES
Baccarat Owners Circle Services include private shopping, discounts on Baccarat crystal, discounted engraving and gilding, and priority status for custom production
Exclusive tour package to Baccarat France, available only to owners of Baccarat Residences
Invitations to Baccarat events worldwide
Preferred service and privileges at Maison’s Baccarat (Paris and Moscow), BBar (Tokyo), and Crystal Rooms worldwide
Hotel privileges in Baccarat Hotels and SH Hotels & Resorts worldwide
Baccarat Residences has an estimated completion date of 2026. If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing one of the units at Baccarat Residences Miami, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at lucas@miamicondoinvestments.com or by phone at (786)247-6332.
Legacy Hotel & Residences began selling in late 2019 and despite the pandemic, it is already entirely pre-sold, with $160 million in sales.
The luxury tower located at 942 Northeast First Avenue, will rise 55 stories making it the second tallest tower at Miami Worldcener. This mixed-use development will feature 310 residential units, 219 luxury hotel rooms, a business center, a medical office, retail space, and a rooftop atrium.
The residences will include studio to 2 bedroom floor plans with 368 to 964 square feet options. The units will be fully finished and furnished. One of the unique things about Legacy is that residents will be able to rent their units without any restrictions. This includes utilizing a short-term rental company, whether its the Legacy’s rental program, Airbnb, or VRBO
In December 2021, the developers for Legacy secured the construction financing marking it as the third-largest construction loan ever made in Florida at $334 million.
Construction is anticipated to be complete in 2024.
Penthouse at Four Seasons Residences in Surfside Sold for 40% More Than the Last Sell Price
A penthouse at the Four Seasons Residences at The Surf Club recently sold for $29.4 million, nearly 40% more than it did just four years prior.
Keyla Holdings LLC sold the penthouse in the south tower at 9001 Collins Avenue in Surfside to EH 2022 LLC. Josh N. Bennett, a real estate lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, is in charge of running Keyla Holdings, while Ackerman, Pachman, Brown & Goldstein LLP, a law firm in East Hampton, is in charge of running EH 2022.
The buyers and sellers for this transaction are still unknown. According to documents, the buyer financed the off-market acquisition with a $20 million mortgage from JPMorgan Chase.
At about $29.4 million the unit equates to $5,180 price per square foot. The sale was mediated by Ximena Penuela of Fort Partners, a developer.
The five-bedroom, eight-bathroom, 5,675-square-foot penthouse was previously sold for $20.8 million in 2018.
After Fort Partners finished building the Surf Club neighborhood in 2017, it attracted a lot of notables including Frank Sinatra, Winston Churchill and many more. The development includes 150 residences, a 72-room Four Seasons hotel, and a restaurant owned by Thomas Keller, the founder of French Laundry.
Actress Lynda Carter, who played Wonder Woman, is one of the current owners after spending $15 million on apartment 903 in the south tower in 2016. Thala and Tommy Mottola, the “Queen of Latin Pop” and former CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, sold their Surf Club condo a few months ago for $10 million.
Pat Riley, a former Miami Heat player, and his wife Christine most recently sold their Surf Club apartment for $22.8 million, a considerable increase from the $8.1 million they initially paid for it in 2018.
If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing at The Surf Club, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at lucas@miamicondoinvestments.com or by phone at (786)247-6332.
Lofty Brickell Begins Demolition with Tower Construction Beginning 4th Quarter of 2022
Lofty Brickell launched sales in 2021 and officially reached 50% sold in February 2022. Now, site demolition is now underway with the tower construction scheduled for the end of 2022.
Approval for the demolition was received on April 28th. This demolition would be for the entire building site where 20,000 square feet of space would be demolished. The estimated cost of the demolition is $105,400.
TBRC Group is listed as the demolition contractor and there is not a current construction permit pending or filed.
Similar to its sister tower, NATIIVO (which sold out less in less than a year) Lofty will feature 380 units of fully finished and furnished interiors that will be available for rent nightly, daily, and/or monthly. Residents will have the option of self-managing their units (VRBO or Airbnb) or using Lofty’s onsite management.
Rising 44 stories, Lofty will feature studio, 1, and 2 bedroom floor plans with 485 to 930 square feet options. Pricing starts at $493k for a studio. There will also be available penthouses but the information hasn’t been released as of now.
Designed by internationally acclaimed, Arquitectonica, interiors will be designed by a New York-based interior design company INC New York. Developer Harvey Hernandez is also responsible for Brickell House and Centro towers. Hernandez purchased Lofty lot for $50 million
Lofty will feature a number of wonderful amenities including a butler service, rooftop pool, car service, and a 5-star restaurant that hasn’t been disclosed. This tower will also include a private marina with available docks for boating.
Building Features
The 40-story landmark building designed by internationally acclaimed architecture firm, Arquitectonica
Prime Brickell location is steps from Brickell City Center
Short-term rentals permitted as-of-right
Spectacular panoramic Miami River, Brickell, and Miami skyline views
2 Story lobby with floor to ceiling windows 24-hour welcome desk with concierge 24-hour valet parking 24-hour secure access Advanced technology smart-building with high-speed fiber-optic wireless internet access throughout common areas
Exclusive LOFTY app
Cutting-edge green building technology
6 high-speed passenger elevators with access control
On-site hospitality management Curated River-front restaurant with outdoor dining terrace
Building Amenities
Exotic resort pool with pool-side cabanas
Bar and grill on pool deck 24/7
Co-working lounge Private meeting rooms
Event room with exclusive terrace
A fully-equipped, state-of-the-art fitness center with HD TVs and wireless audio Private Peloton studios Yoga lounge and terrace
LOFTY Rooftop Experience
Residence Features
Urban luxury residences with modern open layouts from 485SF—930SF Studio, one and two-bedroom units
All residences are delivered fully finished and furnished specially curated by INC
Panoramic Miami River, and Miami skyline views
Private balconies for every residence
Corner units offer wrap-around balconies
High ceilings ranging from 9’ to 11’
Owner closets in every residence
Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and sound attenuating impact-resistant laminated glass throughout
Advanced technology Smart Building wiring for HD TV,
Multiple telephone /data lines and ultra-high-speed internet access
Individually controlled energy-efficient central air conditioning and heating system
Kitchen
Imported European cabinets with premium hardware and drawer pulls
Top of the line appliance package including stainless steel refrigerator, oven, cook-top, microwave, dishwasher and sink disposal
Elegant imported stone countertops and backsplashes
Contemporary stainless steel under-mounted sink
High-arc gourmet faucet with integral sprayer
Master Bathroom
Imported European cabinets with premium hardware and drawer pulls
Elegant imported stone countertops and backsplashes
Construction completion date is anticipated for 2024. If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing at Lofty Brickell, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at lucas@miamicondoinvestments.com or by phone at 786-247-6332.
Casa Bella by B&B Italia Reaches 60% Sold
Casa Bella by B&B Italia located in Downtown Miami on Biscayne Boulevard has just reached 60% sold within the first 5 months of launching sales.
Casa Bella will feature 3 towers and 2 will rise 57 stories while 1 will rise 50. The first tower will feature 300 luxury units although 1,430 residential units have been approved for the site. The towers will have 1,629 parking spaces and will be connected by a podium.
The newest tower will feature 1 to 5-bedroom floor plans with only 6 units per floor. Interiors will be designed by Pierro Lissoni with landscape architecture by Enzo Ena. The double-height lobby will also be designed by Lissoni and will feature a mixture of sophistication and modern designs with a permanent collection of museum-quality art located throughout.
The location of this tower places residences near the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts and the Miami International University of Art and Design. The Omni Station Bus Loop is also 1 block away.
With the reopening of borders and the lifting of the pandemic restrictions as of November 8, 2021, we will likely see an increase in international buyers, especially for the new construction towers. Currently, international buyers are representing around 50% of new construction developments while earlier in the year, they were only representing 20%.
Construction for the development is estimated for winter 2022 with an anticipated completion date of 2025. If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing at Casa Bella, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at lucas@miamicondoinvestments.com or by phone at (786)247-6332.
Tampa Bay Rays Co-Owner Just Sold Miami Beach Waterfront Estate for $31.5 Million
Randy Frankel, co-owner of the Tampa Bay Rays, has sold his oceanfront Miami Beach home for $31.5 million in an off-market deal and this mansion is too stunning not to share!
Not only is this waterfront mansion absolutely gorgeous, it is now considered one of the most expensive homes to sell in Sunset Islands. The property itself rests along Biscayne Bay expanding nearly 0.45 acres located at 1635 West 22nd Street. It features 7 expansive bedrooms, 8.5 bathrooms that include 4 bedrooms in the main house, 2 guest suites and a staff room.
This contemporary and gated home is Miami living at the finest, with its ultra-modern design, grand living room with 14 foot ceilings, chef’s kitchen, formal dining, and wall to wall sliding doors leading to an elite outdoor entertaining space.
This home also offers a number of luxury amenities including, an elevator, resort-style pool, deck with summer kitchen, rooftop deck, new seawall, and a large dock.
The property was developed by Todd N. Glaser and designed by Domo Design.
The Frankels originally purchasing the home in August 2020 for $14.4 million and then sold it at a 120% markup. Property records for the home show the buyer as Ares Management CEO Michael Arougheti. Ares Management is listed as an investor for the Inter Miami CF for the Major League Soccer team with David Beckham.
Although Randy Frankel is the co-owner of the Tampa Bay Rays, he has also been apart of some big ventures. He is the former managing director at Goldman Sachs, real estate investor, owns vineyards on Long Island, gyms, country clubs, and has stake in a few European sports teams. The Frankels also recently sold a Miami penthouse for $6.45 million in January 2021 and another penthouse in December 2021 for $9.491 million.
About Sunset Islands
Sunset Islands are a set of four small islands located just to the West of Miami Beach. As the name implies, the islands are known for their captivating sunset views that offer both dry and waterfront lot homes. This luxury neighborhood is one of the most highly coveted in all South Florida.
Residents enjoy 24 hours a day gated entry, private docks for waterfront homes, and a central location to hot spots such as Sunset Harbour and Lincoln Road. Serving stunning water views, a prime locale, and elegant bayfront estates, the Sunset Islands community is undeniably one of Miami Beach’s finest.
There are currently 7 homes listed for sale on Sunset Islands with a starting price of $5 million.
