Roxanne Quimby's Palm Beach Homes, Estates of the Day
Today's estate is not one, not two, not three but four Palm Beach, Florida homes. They all belong to Roxanne Quimby, the co-founder of Burt's Bees. As reported in The Wall Street Journal's Private Properties, Ms. Quimby can't decide which of her Palm Beach homes to keep and so she is putting all four on the market and plans to keep the last one still for sale.
Let's check out the contestants to be Ms. Quimby's only Palm Beach home. Check them all out and let me know in the comments which one you think she should hold on to.
First up: Angler Ave., Ms. Quimby bought the 3,000-square-foot, three-bedroom home built in 1954 two years ago for around $1.8 million. She has added a gourmet kitchen, hurricane impact windows by Pella and a new 15' x 33' pebble tech pool as well as tropical landscaping that includes a gazebo that was imported from Italy. It is listed at $2.85 million
Second: Hibiscus Ave.: This 1940s island bungalow has four bedrooms, hardwood and glazed tile floors, oversized windows, plantation shutters and ceiling fans. The new kitchen features granite countertops and stainless steel appliances and the home has a pool. It is being sold furnished for $2.75 million. (Ms. Quimby bought the home for $1.5 million in July 2005). Four more pics below.
Third: Orange Grove Rd.: This two-bedroom Bermuda style home has new hardwood floors, a new kitchen with stainless steel appliances and an outdoor covered loggia which overlooks a large pool and wonderfully designed tropical gardens by Mario Nievera. The home is listed at $2.395 million (Ms. Quimby paid $1.75 million in July 2005).
Fourth: Arabian Rd.: This four-bedroom Palm Beach home has an open floor plan with a spacious eat-in kitchen, vaulted ceilings in the family room and Mexican tile floors throughout. The home has a pool and newly landscaped gardens. It is listed at $2.95 million. (Ms. Quimby bought the home in April 2006 for $2.425 million).
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Alan D. Williamson Dec 1st 2006 3:16PM
MS Quimby,
The Florida Realestate Market has collapsed !! You will be lucky to get half of what you paid for them !!
Wake up and smell the dead Roses !!
ADW
Hailee Valle Dec 1st 2006 2:37PM
Wow, that is a very tough choice. The pictures are so beutiful. I like the pictures of the 2nd and 4th house the best. Good luck!!!!!!!
Barbara Dec 1st 2006 2:39PM
I am not in this high-end market but love to look at homes. I would keep the 4th property on Arabian Road.
It is large, newly landscaped with a pool and easily maintained with tile floors. The open floor plan is very popular in California. Good luck on realizing her investment re-sales!!
Bobbie Dec 1st 2006 4:10PM
I think that she should keep the one on Hibiscus Ave. (the 2nd picture). It is light yellow with an iron gate & a small courtyard in the front. My 2nd choice would be the 4th picture. I'd be glad to take either one (free, of course) off her hands.
Sharon Sholaja Dec 1st 2006 7:04PM
I like the 2nd house.
TAB BURKHART Dec 1st 2006 3:29PM
COME ON PEOPLE!...THESE ARE ALL OVERPRICED AND SMALL. I HAVE FOR SALE A 4300SQ. FT. RENAVATED FARMHOUSE IN MARYLAND, 30 MINUTES FROM THE WHITEHOUSE...CUSTOM ETCHED GLASS WINDOWS(42), REFINISHED HARDWOOD FLOORS THROUGH OUT...THREE PIECE,8 INCH RED OAK BASEBOARDS ALL NEW, RED OAK TRIM EVERYWHERE...LARGE DETACHED GARAGE WITH AN UPSTAIRS...TONS MORE, AND I AM ONLY ASKING $750,000...MUCH NICER THAN ALL FOUR OF THOSE. THANK YOU, TAB
Pat Williams Dec 1st 2006 3:42PM
All four are lovely homes. I am not optimistic about the owner getting her listed price nor am I optimistic about her getting her purchase price for these lovely homes. Unfortunately for her the market has shifted and not in her favor. There are so many new homes on the market with much of the same features her older homes have and for substantually less. It will be intersting to see how she fairs. I am partial to number four as the keeper.
R. Diamomd Dec 1st 2006 4:07PM
Would you be able to sell all four or only three?
Roni Dec 1st 2006 6:43PM
Palm Beach always sells no matter what the market. Someone will buy these one by one, bulldose them, then build bigger. That is happening in luxury areas in North Palm Beach county! Number 4 looks like a Palm Beach house, she should keep that one and will make even more money in 2 years.
Jerry L Dec 1st 2006 4:32PM
Comments 3,4 and 5 hit the nail on the head. It appears the old adage "a fool and their money are soon separated" ap-plies here. Let's follow this saga and see who the fool(s) will be, Roxanne or any buyer(s).
Lisa Dec 1st 2006 5:28PM
It is Palm Beach. Location, location, location. These houses are reasonably priced for that area. I lived in West Palm Beach and a house in a half-ass decent neighborhood will run you upwards of 450k. I like the one on Hibiscus because of it's age and charm. I also like the road. Nice area.
Debra Haggerty Dec 1st 2006 4:35PM
Love Palm Beach Love the homes> Tell you what. I have a beautiful waterfront home in Redington Beach Florida/west coast of Florida.
3bd/2bath. Tropical backyard, dock, boat ties, inground jacuzzi. 65" waterfront 3 minute/ if that walk to the beach. oledhag@aol.com If somebody/anybody buys my place ( work a deal ) I would jump at a place in Palm Beach!! D Haggerty
MaryAnne Dec 1st 2006 4:36PM
Wow, what a predicament...but this lady has enough money that she won't be destitute trying to maintain all 4 homes if they don't sell. Apparently Burt's Bees has made her a ton of cash. I like all of the homes, if she ever drops the price to something I can afford, around 175 grand, give me a call. I would not mind leaving Michigan today for Florida!
Vivi Dec 1st 2006 6:42PM
They all appear lovely, but I would not take any of them. Do not care for the humidity nor the temperatures in any part of Florida, but I wish her luck in getting her price for them.
Joe Dec 1st 2006 4:53PM
To the person with the $750,000 home in Maryland, I really don't think maryland will be mistaken for Palm Beach. Location, location, location.
Interesting that she thinks they have appreciated in value, even with the improvements. I guess it doesn't hurt to ask.
AL Dec 1st 2006 5:06PM
ALL HER HOME'S ARE BEAUTIFUL,I JUST WISH I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM,BECAUSE UNLESS THEY ARE PAID IN FULL,THAT IS A LOT OF PROPERTY TAXES&MORTGAGES!I BOUGHT A CO-OP IN LIGHTHOUSE POINT AND I THOUGHT I WOULD MAKE SOME MONEY,BUT SINCE I'M NO REAL ESTATE MOGULE,LITTLE DID I KNOW THERE IS'NT A BIG MARKET IN FLA.FOR THEM,BUT AT LEAST IT'S PAID IN FULL ALL 700SQ.FT.AND I LIVED THERE FOR 10 YRS.GOOD LUCK.
JACQUELINE Dec 1st 2006 9:03PM
OH THE WHIMS OF THE WEALTHY! #2'S JUST A HEARTBEAT ISN'T IT? GOOD FOR MS. QUIMBY THAT SHE CAN AFFORD TO.
Lin Dec 1st 2006 6:03PM
wow I used to live in Palm Beach Gardens. Palm Beach property surely isn't sold for it's beaches it's all about it's history. That kitchen in the first picture is SOOOO SMALL, who'd want it? But then again, location, location. City Place across the bridge is beautiful as well as the Kravis Center but who buys 3 homes in the same location? She must love the heat, the humidity and the bugs. Most Palm Beachers have homes in other locations to flee from Florida's awful summers and sea lice!
katy Dec 1st 2006 6:02PM
Comparing maryland or michigan to palm beach county florida is no comparison. I agree that the homes are probably a little over priced. However, the south florida market has not collapsed and she will get well more than what she paid for them not half of what she paid. The interest rates are at a 10 month low for a 30 yr fixed. Just under 6%. I moved from CT to Lake Worth 5 yrs ago and wouldn't go back if you gave me a free house. Anybody wanting to check out the market in florida can go to my website at www.katyreed.com and search the mls. Good Day from still sunny at 5:30pm florida.
sy Dec 2nd 2006 12:28PM
she might be better off putting them up to auction with a minimum bid protection. after all only people that are interested in Palm beach would be the most likely bidders. Good luck