Trophy Properties: South Florida

Trophy Properties

Rivaled in beauty only by South Florida’s lush landscapes and beautiful, crystal waters, these magnificent estates, presented by the area’s top brokers, represent the crème de la crème of the area’s real estate offerings.

By Jeremy Lissek

$19.95 million
BOCA RATON

[highlight_text] Private seclusion is ensured with a 24-hour guard gate, along with road and water patrols. [/highlight_text]

Boca Raton has long been synonymous with water, wealth, and privilege. Golf courses, polo fields, beautiful parks, elegant shopping, fine cultural facilities, and dazzling stretches of sand and sea create a unique quality of life that makes the golden city of the Gold Coast the envy of its neighbors. And now, an Italianate jewel of an estate has just been completed on an Intracoastal trophy point paradise, taking the magic to new heights.

A crowning masterwork by Addison Development, this regal estate commands more than two prime southeast-facing lots in The Sanctuary, basking in island ambience, and enveloped with an incomparable 410 feet of deepwater shoreline that offers substantial dockage for the yachting enthusiast.

An architecturally alluring playground, the 23,800-square-foot, seven-bedroom, eight-full and four-half bath, five-car garage villa is monumental in scale, yet eminently livable and inviting. Every detail has been executed with painstaking care, every European-inspired appointment has been implemented with artistry, and each state-of-the-art luxury meets the most demanding requirements. Exceptionally notable are the grand salon, richly paneled English pub room with two wine vaults, sumptuous master retreat, private guest house, and formal gardens with an opulent resort-style pool framed by a Chicago brick terrace-the centerpiece for waterfront entertaining in unforgettable splendor, with dreamscape views down the Intracoastal Waterway.

And The Sanctuary, Boca’s internationally acclaimed yachting enclave, offers exclusive amenities, including a 27-acre bird/wildlife preserve, Har-Tru tennis courts, and a 20-slip marina. Private seclusion is ensured with a 24-hour guard gate, along with road and water patrols.

Flawless in every aspect, this singular estate is the epitome of elegance, luxury, privacy, and prestige. Rarely is a property of such superlative distinction presented for sale.

Price: $19,950,000
Location: Boca Raton, FL
Realtor: Carmen D’Angelo
Realty: Premiere Estate Properties
Website: www.premierestateproperties.com

$125 million
PALM BEACH

Businessman extraordinaire Donald Trump’s incredible-to-behold oceanfront estate, sitting on seven emerald-green acres and featuring a variety of exotic and majestic gardens, features a four-bedroom vintage coach house, a two-bedroom guest house, and a two-bedroom poolside retreat, all of which should provide you with plenty of space to entertain a litany of guests at this historic palatial residence in glitzy Palm Beach.

Oh, did we forget to mention? If you need to get a little privacy for yourself, feel free to slip back into the 62,000-plus-square-foot Regency-style mansion, with its stunning master suite, six guest suites, and staff quarters. Add everything together, and you’ve got 17 bedrooms, 15 bathrooms, and eight half-bathrooms-plenty of space for the splendid socialites of South Florida.

It would be a grand challenge to figure out what, if anything, this sparkling property is lacking. That sparkle comes from nearly 500 feet of ocean frontage, complete with an ocean-side loggia. And if freshwater is more your thing, the 100-foot swimming pool provides more than enough space to accommodate your aquatic desires.

The amenities don’t even come close to stopping there: The climate-controlled basement is perfect for a connoisseur’s precious collection, whether it is wine or art that is your greatest passion. Additionally, a spacious art gallery provides the setting for the perfect display, for both casual observing and formal events. Speaking of formal events, the property’s grand ballroom is spacious enough to play host to cherished family events and charitable functions. An ultra-modern and equally grand kitchen, featuring granite countertops, has the space and facilities needed to put together a five-star, seven-course meal.

Such a widespread variety of options is not complete without a cavernous garage, which is capable of holding five of your favorite luxury automobiles. But then again, when you live in the mansion that has it all, why would you ever want to leave?

Price: $125,000,000
Location: Palm Beach, FL
Realtor: Cristina Condon
Realty: Sotheby’s International Realty
Website: www.sothebysrealty.com

$16.5 million
FISHER ISLAND

On this island of luminaries and moguls and their world-class residences, this is the crown jewel: a 10,852-square-foot, wide ocean view, seaside penthouse that evokes a palace in the sky. Lavishly appointed via an L. Letendre design, this home flawlessly incorporates exquisite woodwork with touches of old world charm and Zen influence. Unusually complex finishes, such as wire-brushed wide-plank ash floors that resemble barn wood and river-rock burnished, mixed-marble walls, create a sleek yet sophisticated setting.

The expansive living areas are custom-configured for adaptability. There are three bedrooms, but one easily transforms into two with the slide of a pocket door (the enormous gym can also be transformed into a bedroom). Among other spaces to play with are living, family, and laundry rooms, a capacious foyer hosting the dining area, a master bedroom with adjacent sitting room, an office, and a huge kitchen.

And you’ll relish it all while being über-wired. The palace includes an extensive Crestron touchscreen system programmed to control temps by room (rather than by zones), 14 security cameras, lights, motorized drapes, and state-of-the art audiovisual equipment-including nine plasmas, a 110-inch movie screen with projector, and a Kaleidascape library storing 450 DVDs and non-stop music.

When you’re ready to get outside, Fisher Island has it all: the Fisher Island Club (offering exclusive amenities), the Spa Internazionale, the Marina & Yachting Center, the Links at Fisher Island, the Tennis Center, and the pristine Bahamian sand-coated beaches.

If this sounds like the perfect spot, it is. Always close to the action, but far enough away to be secluded, this home exemplifies refuge and retreat.

Price: $16,500,000
Location: Miami Beach, FL
Realtors: Daniela Kohl, Claudia Lewis, Patricia Delinois
Realty: Century 21 Premier Elite Realty
Website: www.premiermiami.com

$65 million
WELLINGTON

The Village of Wellington, the winter equestrian capital of the world, offers tremendous diversity for the affluent: world-class equestrian facilities and trails, horse farms, international polo grounds, a seasonal green market, more than 30 public parks, A-rated schools, an upscale shopping mall, specialty boutiques, fine dining, plenty of golf, and the annual Top Gun model aircraft show. And the blue ribbon property is Windsome Farms, the paragon of equestrian estates, now offered for the first time in its history, and in turn-key condition.

Nothing quite compares in scale, caliber, and beauty to this 123-acre equine wonderland. The facilities have been custom-built to exacting standards for the exclusive use of champion show horses. A 74-stall, H formation stable is the centerpiece of approximately 32,000 square feet of first-rate improvements and upgrades throughout the 80-acre horse farm. Other amenities include dressage, sand, and jump rings, a Grand Prix field, bridle paths, 19 grass paddocks, and four lakes. The International Equestrian Showgrounds-the new home for the world’s largest horse show-is a convenient half-mile down the road.

Graceful, low-sloping barrel tile roofs, rich hand-crafted wood finishes, impressive tree-studded drives, manicured Bermuda grass grounds, enchanting courtyards, and covered walkways adorn the estate.
Windsome Farms also includes two guest apartments, owner’s lounge, a trainer and barn manager’s office, a separate property management building with 11 bay garaging, plus an air conditioned garage for an 18-wheeler. The northwest 40 acres of fields and woodlands provide ample opportunity for further customization, according to the buyer’s vision and requirements.

This trophy ranch truly epitomizes the pinnacle of the luxe life for you and your four-legged friends.

Price: $65,000,000
Location: Wellington, FL
Realtor: Marianne Chopp
Realty: Sotheby’s International Realty
Website: www.sothebyshomes.com

$15.4 million
LA GORCE ISLAND

Have you been looking for a residence that is absolutely everything you’ve ever wanted? Have you been searching and touring endlessly, never quite finding that “one” that matches all of your criteria and contains all of the necessary elements: exquisite locale, great outdoor space, immaculate, stunning, and functional floor plan? Welcome to 64 La Gorce Circle on gate-guarded La Gorce Island, one of South Florida’s most breathtaking, prestigious, and mansion-studded havens.

From the moment you pass through the arched gate into the beautiful courtyard and notice the fountain, rose bushes, and dozens of royal palms that frame this magnificent three-story waterfront Mediterranean estate, you can feel the harmony of indoor and outdoor space that so enraptured Cher (she used to live here). Approximately 12,000 fully-furnished square feet feature six bedrooms (including a huge master suite with fireplace, covered terraces, and hurricane impact resistant windows) and 7.5 bathrooms. A two-story living room is practical for all types of lifestyles and family sizes. Entertain a dinner party in the formal dining room, or utilize the elegant gourmet kitchen that works perfectly for those impromptu get-togethers.

Tranquility defines the backyard. A heated lap pool and spa with keystone deck and a cabana house with full bath highlight 158 feet of waterfront-so there’s plenty of space left for outdoor entertainment. The property’s effortless combination of tropical features is completed by a dock that can accommodate a 150-foot yacht.
And with less than 90 homes on La Gorce Island, you will be entitled to full privacy. People say that the air feels different, yet it takes mere minutes to get to Miami Beach, the Bal Harbour shops, or downtown Miami and the new Performing Arts Center. But you’ll probably be inclined to just stay at home.

Price: $15,400,000
Location: Miami Beach, FL
Realtor: David Solomon
Realty: LenCor International
Website: www.64lagorce.com