florida real estate

Residences at Vizcaya, Luxury in Coconut Grove

The South Florida real estate market can use a little good news lately. One new project in Coconut Grove is the Residences at Vizcaya. The project is a newly designed residential condominium project on two acres. The development includes 18 residences. In the past few months Residences at Vizcaya sold 13 condos leaving only five remaining.

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Ricky Martin In Golden Beach, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

We've been hearing about today's estate in Golden Beach, Florida for a while, since 2007, back before its owner Ricky Martin was the father of twin boys or had come out as a self-acknowledged "fortunate homosexual man." Martin bought the home in April 2007 for $16.5 million and by December of that year it was on the market for $22.5 million. The home didn't sell and eventually appears to have come off the market. Earlier this year I learned that the home was back up for sale with a new lower price.

The main draw of this two-story Mediterranean home is its location in a private oceanfront community. The five-bedroom home has a a beautiful pool and spa that is just a short walk away from a secluded beach. The home's interior is Florida Spanish luxe with a double-height living room that has marble floors, monumental fireplaces and large French doors that open to the outside. The new gourmet kitchen has a brick barrel vaulted celing and tile. The master suite has walk-in closets, terrace and open views. It is now listed at $18.9 million, which still makes it the highest listed Golden Beach house currently.

Gallery: Ricky Martin In Golden Beach

Tags: celebrity real estate, estate of the day, florida real estate, golden beach, ricky martin

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Alan Jackson In Florida, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

Singer Alan Jackson recently sold his massive Tennessee plantation, Sweetbriar for $28 million but he's not done yet, the country superstar also has a cute little Florida cottage he's looking to sell. His four-bedroom Key-West-style home in Tequesta, Florida is far more modest than his massive Tennessee home.

Jose Lambiet's column in the Palm Beach Post says that Jackson bought this place for its enviable long dock overlooking the Intracostal. The dock was a perfect place to dock a megayacht. But now Jackson is keeping his boats near his new house on Jupiter Island. The singer recently moved back into his mansion on Jupiter Island. Like many other celebs in the area including Celine Dion and Tiger Woods, he bought a mansion, tore it down and then spent millions creating a new more lavish spread. This home was mainly used for guests or staff. It has a deep-fishing motif with trophies mounted on the walls. Jackson bought this house for $1.27 million and has listed it for the same price.

Gallery: Alan Jackson in Florida, Estate of the Day

Tags: alan jackson, estate of the day, florida real estate, tequesta

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Six Top Luxury Ranches For Sale

by Ann Brenoff (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Is this the time to indulge your hankering' and buy yourself a not-so-modest spread in Wyoming, Montana, or Colorado? After all, just three months ago, Texas billionaire Kelcy Warren picked up the Boot Jack Ranch in southwest Colorado for a mere $46.5 million; the ranch was originally listed two years before at $88 million. At the time, it was the highest price residential sale in the country for 2010 -- a short-lived record surpassed by a Bel-Air home a few weeks later.

But if a guy like Warren can get half off the price of a ranch with of 3,000 pristine wilderness acres, 6 lakes and 7 miles of world-class fly fishing on the West Fork of the San Juan River -- not to mention the 14,000-square-foot home -- might now not be the time for the rest of us to get in touch with our inner cowboy?

Lest you think Warren got the only real deal out there: A Bozeman-area ranch, once listed at $39 million, just closed escrow at $11.5 million. Another ranch in southwest Montana, which at its peak listed for $60 million, just sold for below $30 million. In southern Colorado, a ranch that once sported a price tag of $100 million, has a new owner who paid about $46 million for it.

But before you jump in the saddle, you might want to hold your horses, literally. There's more than meets the eye about what constitutes value in ranch land and it's not just acreage alone.

(First, let's eliminate those ranches that Luxist readers likely wouldn't consider: The ones that are in the middle of nowhere, have no pretty views, and their value is based on things like the dependability of the precipitation, the strength of the grass and the quality of livestock water. i think we can safely eliminate most of Western Nebraska and Eastern Montana, maybe even Eastern Colorado.)

What features drive up the price of a luxury ranch? Oddly enough, it's privacy.

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Tags: bell ranch, bullis creek ranch, dana ranch, escape ranch, florida real estate, gutierrez cattle ranch, montana real estate, oregon real estate, ranch, ranches for sale

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Disney Announces New Luxury Home Development

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

Will luxury home buyers want to live in Florida's Disney World? The Wall Street Journal reports that Walt Disney Company has made the move into luxury residential real estate with a Golden Oak, a new 980-acre development that will eventually include 450 homes and a 445-room Four Seasons hotel. The homes themselves will be priced between $1.5 million and $8 million.

Florida's real estate has remained sluggish and the top-end of the Orlando market is already stuffed with multi-million luxury homes. But according to the WSJ article Disney is bullish on the concept and sees room for its expansion into the luxury market. The brand has made a few interesting forays into pricey items already, with expensive restaurants and wine bars in its parks and a line of diamond jewelry and high-priced bridal gowns.

Tags: disney, florida real estate, orlando, walt disney, Walt Disney Co., Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney World

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The Setai Penthouse, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

This one is simply phenomenal a penthouse at the Setai in Miami, painstakingly detailed to create a Thai-inspired palace in the sky. The South Beach Condo Blog reports that this palace belongs to Netscape founder Jim Clark. The multi-story penthouse home is stuffed with endless works of Asian art, custom woodwork, unique furnishings and antiques The home includes a spacious rooftop terrace with pool. Ownership comes with access to the Setai's five-star amenities including valet, concierge, room service, restaurant and bar, fitness center with spa and three pools. It is listed at $27 million.

Gallery: The Setai Penthouse

Tags: estate of the day, florida real estate, miami, setai, the setai

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Fat Joe In Florida, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

Plantation, Florida seems a bit of an unlikely spot for a gangsta rapper's paradise but according to the Real Estalker that's where you'll find Fat Joe's home. The rapper has listed the four-bedroom home he built in Florida's Broward County. In 2000 he paid $115,000 for an acre of land and then had his Mediterranean modern mansion constructed. It apparently wasn't completed until ast year. The style is modern luxe, neutral in tone but eschewing some of the faux Tuscan details often seen in Florida luxury homes.

The home includes a double-height entry way with a wall of shimmering tile and a chandelier, formal dining room, large kitchen, home theater and a master suite that includes three dressing areas with walk-in closets. The listing says that no expense was spared, the home theater alone boasts $50,000 in oversized power seats and a 100-inch screen. It is listed at $1.999 million with The Campins Company.

Gallery: Fat Joe In Florida

Tags: celebrity real estate, estate of the day, fat joe, florida, florida real estate, plantation, plantation florida

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Major Miami Condo Complex Goes Back To The Banks

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

One of Miami's larger condo skyscrapers is headed back to the banks. The Miami Herald reports that Everglades on the Bay, a pair of 49-story towers in downtown Miami. The agreement, if approved by the bankruptcy court, would settle the developer, Cabi Downtown LLC's bankruptcy case. Bank of America filed to foreclose on a $209 million construction loan on the project last August and the same day Cabi filed Chapter 11. The developer will remain the on-site manager for the Everglades on the Bay. The luxury project has a 24-hour valet service, spa and fitness center, a lavish swimming pool complex with a Tiki bar and grill, a private residents lounge and retail space.

The deal is just one of a bunch of similar agreements in the past month or two that have seen 1,900 new unsold Miami condos in six skyscrapers go back to the banks. A report from Condo Vultures says that a trio of lenders has taken ownership of a combined two million square feet of new salable condo space in Everglades on the Bay, ICON Brickell and Terrazas Riverpark Village.

Tags: condo development, condo foreclosure, condos in trouble, everglades on the bay, florida real estate, miami

Has Florida's $100 Million Home Already Had A Price Cut?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

We've mentioned this one a couple of times since Homes of the Rich brought it to our attention but now the Palm Beach Post has a piece on a little slice of real estate hubris in Florida dubbed Versailles. The property which still shows a listing price of $100 million on real estate agent Lorraine Barrett's website might actually be a bit lower priced now. The Post says that the home has an asking price of $75 million.

Tags: david siegel, florida, florida real estate, lake butler, versailles, windemere

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Leucadendra Drive, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's home in Coral Gables, Florida is positioned close to Biscayne Bay and offers lavish Florida Mediterranean style with a tranquil view. The home was created by architect Cesar Molina and is on more than an acre of land with 270 linear feet of waterfront. The home has more than 12, 500 square feet of space with a possible eight bedrooms. It has a wine cellar, staff rooms and an office/library area. As befits any Florida estate there is ample outside space with a pool and covered terraces. The property also has a separate yet connected guest house. This home was listed at $19.5 million just a month ago but now is at $17.9 million.

Gallery: Leucadendra Drive

Tags: coral gables, coral gables real estate, estate of the day, florida real estate

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Local Luxury: Tampa Florida's Top Day Spas

by Dawn Merrow (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spas

The best way to relax while vacationing in Tampa, Florida is a day taking advantage of local luxury at one of the area's premier day spas. Guests can rejuvenate in style, indulging in treatments and services that range from simple massages to ancient healing secrets. Tourists won't need to venture far from hotels or the beach to find these sanctuaries, as Tampa is rich in businesses that specialize in relaxation.

Awa
The name of this spa and wellness sanctuary means water in the Papiamentu language. This word, which is spoken on the island of Curacao was chosen by the day spa's founders to evoke the calm water brings to those who view it. This well known Tampa establishment combines cosmetic spa services with ancient spiritual rituals from around the world. The one of a kind experience of going through these treatments makes the somewhat high end price tags worth the expense.

Tahitian Gold Salon and Spa
Customers rave that the staff at the Tahitian Gold can perform magic. While this salon and spa focuses more on the salon end of the spectrum, there are few things more relaxing than feeling beautiful. After a soothing organic skincare treatment, guests can opt for cosmetic services like permanent makeup or Henna body art. The Tahitian Gold offers bridal packages for wedding party functions or wedding day preparation.
Level Salon
One of the elite Aveda Lifestyle salon and spas, Level Salon located in the Hyde Park shops is home to some of Tampa's best beauty and body treatments. The massage treatments at Level are listed as 'rituals' on their menu of services. Touches such as that transform the typical day spa trip into a decadent and stress melting experience. The perfect trip to Level is not complete without a pedicure. Guests dip their feet in baths of flower petals and feel like royalty.
SB Spa
The SB Spa and Beauty Salon is an ideal venue for a girl's day out in the lap of luxury. The on site nail salon can accommodate good sized groups at once and you and the ladies can split up to whatever treatments suit them. The facility includes services like a Vichy shower and infrared sauna. Guests can even enjoy a meal of spa cuisine while they are pampered.

Sunrise Earth Spa
Located in beautiful South Tampa, the Sunrise Earth Spa mixes holistic treatments with high end day spa accommodations. The principles employed by the highly skilled staff at Sunrise come from ancient healing techniques from Eastern therapies. The feature treatment at this day spa is the Brazilian body wrap. Guests who choose to experience this wrap treatment will emerge feeling almost like a new person.

Tags: best day spas tampa, day spas, florida real estate, tampa, tampa bay

Trump In Trouble Again Over Licensing Condo Projects

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

We recently looked at Donald Trump's troubles south of the border but he's not doing so well in South Florida either. The Sun-Sentinel has a piece taking a look at Trump's projects in the area and the news isn't good. The Trump International Hotel & Tower Fort Lauderdale beach is facing foreclosure. The South Florida Business Journal reported that the condo-hotel project was hit with a foreclosure action last week. The 298-unit project has already been hit with lawsuits from buyers seeking refunds. Like the Baja project we mentioned last week this is another of Trump's licensing deals and some buyers have said they were misled about Trump's role in the project.

Corus Construction Venture filed a foreclosure action March 11 against developer SB Hotel Associates over a $139 million mortgage issued in 2006 by Corus Bank, which failed in 2009. We heard about Corus Construction Venture in January when we learned that one of Phoenix's tallest towers, 44 Monroe is facing a trustee's sale in April and owes Corus Construction Venture $86.8 million. Last year Corus Bank collapsed and was taken over by the FDIC. It owns a 60 percent stake in Corus Construction Venture and the rest is owned by private equity consortium led by Starwood Capital Group an investment firm run by Barry Sternlicht, the founder of Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

Construction started on the Fort Lauderdale project in 2005. The lavish project was designed by architect Michael Graves and was to include a health club, spa, restaurant and more. It was scheduled to open last year. Corus Construction will have the option of either holding onto the project until the market is better or possibly trying to make more immediate money by converting it into a regular hotel and buying out the existing condo unit owners.

Another project in Fort Lauderdale, the 95-unit Trump Las Olas which we wrote about in 2006 never even got off the ground. The only Trump project thriving in South Florida is the Trump Hollywood in Hollywood, Florida. The project opened last year and the 41-story tower includes 200 condos at prices starting at $1.3 million.

Tags: donald trump, florida real estate, florida real estate development, south florida real estate, trump fort lauderdale, trump hollywood, trump las olas, trump licensing

Java Head, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Green

A lot of the estates I show you in Florida are newer homes but today's vintage beauty in Coral Gables was built in 1936. Java Head is a beautiful old estate. The three-acre property includes gardens, a tennis court, pool house, a four-car garage with a separate apartment and a protected dock that offers your boat open access to ocean. The seven-bedroom main house has Art Moderne and Art Deco notes. Of particular charm is the massive living room with the 23-foot cathedral ceiling. The lower half of the room is encased in dark wood panels and an old stone fireplace is a relic from another time. A round doorway leads to a mural-covered dining room. This unique home is listed at $13.9 million.

Gallery: Java Head

Tags: coral gables, CoralGables, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, florida real estate, FloridaRealEstate, java head, JavaHead

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Bal Harbour, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's home in Bal Harbour, Florida has a tropical feel that seems almost more Hawaiian in style. The seven-bedroom home is on over an acre wither bay and ocean views. The home's many features include a billiard room with an exotic fish aquarium, garden room with access to the pool, a chef's kitchen with two pantries an a master suite with his and hers bathrooms and walk-in closets. The outdoor space boasts an infinity pool that overlooks the bay. A Tiki hut has a built-in barbecue, under-counter refrigerator and built-in seating. The property also has a half court basketball court and a two-bedroom, two-car garage guest home, a fully equipped home gym, and a massage room. There is also boat dockage. This home is listed at $17 million.

Gallery: Bal Harbour

Tags: bal harbour, BalHarbour, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, florida, florida real estate, FloridaRealEstate

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Key Biscayne, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's estate in Key Biscayne, Florida tempts the water lover with open water views and deep, protected water dockage that can accommodate boats of more than 100 feet. The six-bedroom home was built in the 1980s and has a contemporary, if slightly "Miami Vice" feel to it. Mindful of its location the home comes with impact-resistant windows and sliding doors and a 60KW generator to keep things going during storms.

The walled and gated home offers ample entertainment space and a a kitchen in the round with bay views, a billiard room, wine cellar, indoor racquetball court with viewing area and outside dining areas. This 11,500 square foot home is listed at $24.5 million.

Gallery: Key Biscayne