The phrase, “I know it when I see it”, was made famous in the 1964 landmark case of Jacobellis v. Ohio. It was used to describe Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart’s threshold test for pornography. It occurred to me recently that the same threshold test should be applied to determine what does and does not constitute true real estate porn – a modern term to describe almost dreamy, remarkably extravagant real estate which provides visual satisfaction to those who view it online. I had heard the term and knew its meaning but never felt that I had ever truly witnessed it for myself – that is until I saw Penthouse 2 at Continuum South Beach. Everything else I had seen in the past was just a tease by comparison; a 1960s titty mag at best.
PH2 at Continuum South Beach is a palace in the sky worthy of only the most elite members of society – crème de la crème. The majestic, 4-story penthouse offers unparalleled views and a timeless decor that can only be found in storybook novels. When it comes to condo living in South Florida, it doesn’t get any better than PH2 at Continuum South Beach. The 6 bedroom/7.5 bath residence offers over 11,000 square feet of interior space, over 6,000 square feet of terrace, a rooftop pool, a private in-unit elevator and staff quarters. Also included is another 1,200 square feet of separate guest suites, a lofted beachfront cabana and 10 parking spaces.
The price to live like the exalted king of South Florida? $35M large. The hefty property taxes and condo association fees are a mere afterthought for those with the means to afford such splendor. Life is too short not to have the finest that money can buy.
PH2 is located in the South Tower of Continuum South Beach – the only privately gated resort development in South Beach – at 100 South Pointe Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139. Amenities at Continuum South Beach include: resort-style pools, lap pool, full service beach club, 13,000 square foot world-class spa and fitness center, restaurant, 3 clay tennis courts, tennis pro shop, 24-hour security, full service concierge and valet parking.
Penthouse A at Apogee South Beach Hits the Market for $25M
Penthouse A at Apogee South Beach is back on the market for a cool $25M, exactly 365 day after selling last April for $11.5M. Judging by the pictures, it does not appear that any upgrades were made to the unit prior to putting it back on the market. The 6 bedroom/7.5 bath penthouse condo has an astounding 6,853 square feet of interior, 22-foot ceilings, over 11,000 square feet of terrace, a private rooftop pool, a summer kitchen and panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, Biscayne Bay and the city.
Apogee South Beach is a 67-unit ultra-luxury condominium located in the South of Fifth neighborhood of South Beach. The development includes only three penthouse residences, one of which is currently owned by Miami Heat president, Patrick Riley.
Penthouse A is now the third highest priced condo currently on the market in South of Fifth. At this time, two separate condos (PH-2 and unit 3603) at Continuum South Beach South Tower are listed for a whopping $35M each.
Amar’e Stoudemire Sells W South Beach Penthouse for $5.2M
NBA superstar Amar’e Stoudemire has officially sold his W South Beach penthouse. The transaction closed earlier today and reportedly sold for $5.2M. The sales price represents a 20 percent discount off the $6.5M asking price established this past April. Stoudemire purchased the property directly from the W South Beach developer in July 2009 for $5,575,000. The 2 bedroom/2.5 bath duplex penthouse has 2,428 square feet of interior and an amazing 2,816 square feet of exterior space, including a private rooftop plunge pool and summer kitchen.
Luxury Condo Sale at Continuum South Beach North Tower – $6.5M
Another luxury condo sale in the books for 2011! A 4 bedroom + den/4.5 bath condo at Continuum South Beach North Tower closed yesterday for $6.5M. The 5,300 square foot condo has a private elevator, wide-planked wood floors throughout, 5 assigned parking spaces and offers views of the Atlantic Ocean and beach from the 8th floor. The condo sold at approximately an 18 percent discount from its initial asking price of $7.9M and closed in just 28 days after being listed.
Three Bank Owned Condo Foreclosures Worth Pursuing
The foreclosure forefront has been quite slow ever since several U.S. banks initiated a voluntary freeze in October. The freeze on foreclosures was implemented after banks had acknowledged using “robo-signers” to approve hundreds of foreclosure documents a day without first verifying the information in them. Bank of America, the largest U.S. financial institution, announced the week of December 6, 2010 that it would lift its national foreclosure freeze and resume taking possession of properties. Despite the announcement, I had not seen any foreclosure condos in Miami or Miami Beach hit the market that I felt would be of any interest to my readers for quite some time. That is, until yesterday. The following are three Miami or Miami Beach condo foreclosures along with my commentary detailing why I feel they are deals worth pursuing.
One Miami #3103 – This 31st floor, 1 bedroom/1 bath bank owned foreclosure has 868 square feet and is asking $182,000 or $210 per square foot. The unit faces south overlooking the Miami River with views of Biscayne Bay from the balcony. Taking a look at recent sales at One Miami, one can see that unit 803 which is in the same line but located 23 floors lower sold for $188,000 on November 9, 2010. This is the only 03 line that has sold within the past six months. Unit 3103 at One Miami is currently the second best priced condo in the building, second only to a short sale by $2,000. If you’re looking for a quick purchase without the hassle of a short sale then this is a great condo to look into right away.
Vue at Brickell #2115 – With an asking price of $159,900, or $143 per square foot, this 2 bedroom/2 bath corner unit is an exceptional deal but I expect it to sell well above asking price. Of the recent sales at Vue at Brickell, units 1415 and 815 are by far the best comparables because, once again, they are in the same line as the subject property. Unit 815, residing 13 floors lower sold for $180,000 on October 28, 2010 while unit 1415, just seven floors lower sold for $185,000 on August 5, 2010. You also have to take into account that unit 2115 appears to be an upgraded unit from the pictures. It has hard wood floors throughout the living areas while units 815 and 1415 both had carpeting.
The Cosmopolitan #2213 – If you’ve been waiting for a well priced condo foreclosure in South Beach, then look no further. The Cosmopolitan is located at 110 Washington Avenue in the South of Fifth neighborhood of South Beach which is one of the most sought after neighborhoods in Miami Beach. This 1 bedroom/1 bath condo has 861 square feet and comes with 2 parking spaces, a rarity in the Miami Beach condo market. The asking price is $241,433, or $280 per square foot, which is an unbelievable deal for a 1 bedroom condo at The Cosmopolitan. Notice that next best priced 1 bedroom condo currently available at The Cosmopolitan is asking over $75,000 more than unit 2213. For some reason, our website isn’t showing any of the seven condos that have closed at The Cosmopolitan over the past six months. Three of the seven closed sales were one bedroom units which ranged from $270,000 to $349, 500.
iStar Financial Takes Ownership of South of Fifth
Earlier today, iStar Financial announced that it will now have full ownership of the luxury beachfront condominium project known as South of Fifth. iStar Financial had recently filed and won a foreclosure action against the developer of South of Fifth, BR Villa Luisa. Completed in 2008, South of Fifth is located at 125 Ocean Drive in the South of Fifth neighborhood of Miami Beach, Florida. 25 units remain unsold in the 28-unit luxury building along the picturesque beaches of South Beach.
Two Recent Luxury Beachfront Condo Sales
Two luxury beachfront condos closed within the past two days. The first, located at Continuum South Tower, closed yesterday for $6,750,000, or $1622 per square foot. The 3 bedroom/3.5 bath condo is located on the 18th floor and has 4,161 square feet of interior. Not my taste at any price but I’m sure there’s someone out there who appreciates this type of decor.
The second condo sale took place at Acqualina in Sunny Isles Beach. The sales price was $4.8M, or $837 per square foot, for a penthouse located on the 46th floor. The unit has 4 bedrooms, 5 full baths and 2 half bath with 5,735 square feet of interior and 1,990 square feet of exterior.
Trump Towers 3 condos in Sunny Isles Beach are now available for sale
1800 Club announces a developer blow-out sale of their last 30 remaining condos
Media towers passes final vote
The developer of Artecity, a South Beach condo development, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
Penthouse B at The Setai Sells for $15M
Last Friday, Penthouse B at The Setai sold for $15M, or $2416 per square foot. No word yet on who acquired the breathtaking, South Beach luxury penthouse. The previous owner purchased the unit directly from the developer in 2004 for $9.5M. From my knowledge, the recent sale is the highest priced condo sale to ever take place in Miami-Dade County.
Pictures and an e-brochure of Penthouse B at The Setai
For inquiring minds, Penthouse A at The Setai came onto the market this past April. The unit has the same square footage as Penthouse B. The asking price is $27M, or $4349 per square foot, which currently makes it the second highest priced condo listing in Miami-Dade County.
