MIAMI BEACH, the small universe where I conduct business, the high end properties with the best addresses sold briskly during the first quarter of this year.  Five sales were recorded just on Star Island during the past two months, three of which closed over $10,000,000.  A record high of $25,500,000 was fetched for 13 Star Island Drive. Yes: inventories are dissipating, multiple offers are being received and nobody is building anew (yet).

SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

Lower North Bay Road, below 31st Street, has also been a HOTSPOT, with five homes going under contract or closing recently.  Most of these properties were bought with the intent to re-model or tear down for new construction by end users. Former Miami Heat center, Rony Seikaly’s, home is the exception, it traded in turnkey condition in December 2010 for $11,500,000. Today, 3114 North Bay Road is the only waterfront home available. Asking $4,500,000, the sellers are close to being permitted for a complete rebuild, which is motivating them to take it off the market temporarily, construct and re list a brand new modern home for $15,000,000.

CONDOS

The Miami Beach condo market is also thriving with inventories down and prices on the rise.  The ‘sun seekers’ have stayed in the game purchasing ocean and bay front units in the primest buildings including the South of Fifth and the Collins Park neighborhoods. Apogee, the youngest tower South of Fifth,  just unloaded one of its three penthouses for $11,500,000.  Originally listed for $22,000,000, this is a significant transaction for the Miami Beach condo market despite the incredible discount. A four bedroom, direct ocean front unit closed two weeks ago for $10,500,000 in the south tower of the Continuum. I sold a pied-a-terre at the Setai in March for $2,200psf, that’s a weighty number.

The buyer’s are international and domestic alike.  They realize that the market bottom has been reached and Miami Beach is a world class resort offering the best values in the United States if not globally. The price is right, the weather’s great, beautiful beaches and a growing sophistication!

Apogee South Beach Sales 2009

There’s a first time for everything and this week Apogee South Beach had one. Since it was completed in 2007, all of the buildings recorded resales have closed above $1,000SF. Of the nine sales at Apogee South Beach this year, unit #602 is the most recent and notable, closing on December 16, 2009 for $2.945M/$949SF .

PRIVATE ROOFTOP POOL: APOGEE PH A/800 SOUTH POINTE DRIVE MIAMI BEACH, FL

Apogee, as its name suggests, is the benchmark for luxury condo living in South Beach. Completed in 2008, the contemporary building is comprised of 67 residences ranging in size from 3,000SF to almost 7,000SF.  Located on 2.88 acres at the tip of the island in the South of Fifth neighborhood, Apogee was developed by the Related Group of Florida and designed by the Sieger Suarez Architectural Partnership. Elegantly conceived, each residence has ultra finishes by Yabu Pushelburg, Fanke, Miele and Dombracht as well as breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, Biscayne Bay, South Pointe Park, the Port of Miami or Miami’s skyline.

One of Apogee’s three penthouses was listed for sale in July 2008 for $22M. Today, Penthouse A, like most real estate listings, was reduced to $18.5M. This year, several penthouses have sold as a result of price reductions in South Beach including units in Il Villaggio and Continuum I. In addition to PH A, there are 18 units currently offered for sale in Apogee.

PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS:

• 6,853SF living space (under air)
• 6 bed, 7 1/2 bath
• 11,000SF of outdoor space (terrace and balcony)
• Private rooftop pool
• Private elevator
• Private air conditioned 2 1/2 car garage
• 22′ ceilings
• Tri-level (two floors of under air living space)
• Summer Kitchen
• 360-degree panoramic views

Images of Apogee:

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