With a keen eye for beauty and perfection, esteemed plastic surgeon, Leonard Hochstein conceived a 21st century Mediterranean style palazzo in Miami Beach. Completed in 2007, 1647 North View Drive is over the top opulent beginning with its point of entry, a 12′ door. Dr. Hochstein enlisted Simmons and Saray Interiors Group to assist in his vision: to create a residence that offers views of Biscayne Bay’s sparkling, tropical waters from every room (minus the 13-seat theater and service quarters).

Mission accomplished, this peaceful waterfront estate is located on the north side of Sunset Island 1, situated on a 22,580SF lot, it boasts 129′ of water frontage. The European influence is apparent throughout the 9,994SF interior. Elaborate appointments include:

• Illuminated 14′ diameter stained glass domed foyer
• Custom painted frescoes
• Venetian plastered walls
• Solid marble archways + columns
• Two master suites (one with red onyx master bath)
• Chefs kitchen
• Wine cellar
• Billiard room
• Gym
• Glass mosaic tiled infinity edged pool with underwater seating
• 4-car garage
• New dock

Sunset Island 2: 1727 W 27 Street Miami Beach, Florida

The sun is shining on Miami Beach this week, as yet another luxury waterfront home matches seller to buyer. Listed for $8.25M, 1727 W 27 Street just closed for $6M/$960SF. Listed just shy of one year in a down market (310 days to be exact), this sleek turnkey property located in Miami Beach’s exclusive neighborhood, Sunset Island 2, traded $200k less than it did in 2005. Currently there are 18 waterfront homes for sale on Sunset Islands 1, 2, 3, and 4.

To date, only one other waterfront property closed this year on the Sunset Islands. On and off the market since 2005, this Sunset Island 4 home, located at 1401 W 22 Street, closed for  $2.7M/$597SF. The deals, or should I say STEALS, are ripe for the picking!

VITALS ON 1727 W 27 STREET:

• Lot Size: 20,000 SF
• On the H2O: 100′
• Living Area: 6,244SF
• Built in 1984

MIAMI BEACH'S VENETIAN ISLANDS: 122 W DILIDO DRIVE SELLS FOR $2.8M THIS WEEK

Just SIXTY days on the market, and this Venetian Islands property located at 122 W Dilido Drive fetched $2.8M. That’s $780SF,  which during the long hot days of summer, I’d say is pretty cool! This calendar year, there have been FOUR closed sales of waterfront homes on the Venetian Islands, averaging $767SF.

VITALS ON 122 W DILIDO DRIVE:

• Lot Size: 10,500 SF
• On the H2O: 60′
• Living Area: 3,586SF
• Built in 1937

MIAMI BEACH ROD AND REEL CLUB

The Miami Beach Rod and Reel Club, founded in 1929, is one of South Florida’s oldest angling organizations. In 1934, its membership purchased property on Hibiscus Island and established its meeting place, a former late night hotspot, Club Lido.  For more than 70 years, sportsman, fishing enthusiasts and the like have gathered to celebrate the catch.

Like many property owners today, the principals of the Miami Beach Rod and Reel Club are cutting back. Almost one year ago, they determined that it was decadent to maintain a clubhouse that happens to be one of Miami Beach’s prime, waterfront properties. Two properties comprise the Club, both adjacent to the bridge connecting Palm and Hibiscus Islands:

• 208 S Hibiscus Drive is located on the east side of the bridge. The 11,000SF clubhouse is found on this plot which measures 31,500SF with 180′ of water frontage and is technically 3 lots combined. Originally listed for $10M, currently this is offered for $4.9M.

• 218 S Hibiscus Drive is located on the west side of the bridge. This piece is a vacant lot which measures $18,814SF offering 105′ of water frontage. Listed for $5M one month ago, today it is on the market for $2.95M.

MORE MIAMI BEACH ROD AND REEL CLUB:

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ALSO FOR SALE ON HIBISCUS ISLAND (waterfront):

1. 40 S Hibiscus Drive: $8.9M
2. 265 N Hibiscus Drive: $8.5M
3. 269 N Hibiscus Drive: $5.9M
4. 56 S Hibiscus Drive: $5.1M
5. 429 N Hibiscus Drive: $5M
6. 102 S Hibiscus Drive: $4.9M
7. 184 S Hibiscus Drive: $3.9M
8. 441 N Hibiscus Drive: $3.5M
9. 270 S Hibiscus Drive: $3.4M
10. 240 S Hibiscus Drive: $3M
11. 306 S Hibiscus Drive: $2.9M
12. 81 N Hibiscus Drive: $2.7M
13. 250 S Hibiscus Drive: $2.5M

EXTERIOR VIEW: 100 SOUTH POINTE DRIVE PH 1 MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33139

On the market for 562 days, Penthouse 1 at the Continuum I South Tower just closed today for $9.9M. This direct oceanfront residence, originally listed for sale in March 2007 for $25M, like everything in the market place, was reduced. In December 2007 it was offered for $21M. Asking price at the time of sale was $14.95M.  The seller paid $7M for the property in 2003, when the Continuum I, the first beachfront condominium in South Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood, was completed.

Property Highlights

• Tri-level unit
• 5 bed
• 7 1/2 bath
• 7,734 SF (under air)
• 13′ ceilings
• Private elevator
• Private rooftop pool
• 4 parking spaces

INTERIOR: 100 SOUTH POINTE DRIVE PH 1

CONTINUUM SOUTH TOWER: 100 SOUTH POINTE DRIVE

CAPRI SOUTH BEACH

My EWM Realtors colleague, Pablo Alfaro, and I just took the exclusive listing of the recently completed, luxurious development, Capri South Beach. Imagine taking in glorious panoramic views of the Miami Skyline and Biscayne Bay, the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean while residing on two waterfront acres just steps away from Lincoln Road. I am describing Capri South Beach, the exclusive condominium comprised of two newly constructed buildings and one historic structure, secluded at the western most point of Miami Beach’s 16th Street on 500′ of water frontage. A true boutique development, the sixty-nine luxurious residences, private marina, fitness and spa facility, 24 hour security and valet make Capri South Beach the most desirable bayfront community on the island.

Ana Capri, the southern most building, is the smallest of the three, with only five units each occupying a floor.  With stunning views of the Miami Skyline to the west, entry to each unit is via private elevator. Each apartment offers 1,798 SF of living space with 3 bed and 2.5 bath.  The upper and lower penthouses closed in February 2009 for $2.379M and $2.362M respectively.

Marina Grande, the largest building, located in the center of the property, houses fifty-eight units, five per floor with the exception of the penthouse and ground floor levels. There are three penthouse units on the top floor, while the street level offers two Bay Lofts. A state-of-the-art gym and spa facility is located in Marina Grande.

Marina Piccola, the historic component of this project, was originally designed by Igor Polivetsky in the first half of the twentieth century. It  is the northern most point of Capri South Beach. Three floors make up this sixunit building. Also located in this area of the property is the private marina and bayside pool.

VIEW OF BISCAYNE BAY FROM CAPRI SOUTH BEACH

Nestled between Bal Harbour and Miami Beach, Indian Creek Village is a private island comprised of 300 acres, and home to an affluent community with thirty two waterfront estates. Also on the island, is the private and exclusive Indian Creek Country Club, which has one of the oldest and beautifully secluded clubhouses in Florida, built in 1929 by architect Maurice Fatio. Occupying the interior landscape is the Club’s 18-hole world class golf course designed by golf architect,  William S. Flynn in 1930. Known for its high security, the community founded the Indian Creek Village Public Safety Initiative in 1994,  employing its very own police department which apart from safeguarding the land, provides 24/7  police patrol by boat, maybe the only one of its kind, protecting Indian Creek Island residences from Biscayne Bay.

I just listed 22 Indian Creek Drive for $12.9M. Located on the south side of the island, this property has not been offered for sale since 1972, when it was purchased by Martha and Arthur Appleton for $300k. Mrs. Appleton, Martha O’Driscoll, was a Hollywood starlet in the 1930′s and 1940′s. Appearing in more than thirty seven films, she was one of the first to play Daisy Mae in Li’l Abner. Introduced by Candice Bergen’s parents, Martha left the silver screen and moved to Chicago to become the wife of businessman, inventor and philanthropist, Arthur Appleton. The Appleton’s, like many snowbirds, made South Florida a second home, which was the case with their property at 22 Indian Creek Drive.

Situated on an 80,000 SF lot, this estate sale offers 200 FT of water frontage on Biscayne Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway. The Regency style home is well maintained,  with more than 7,500 SF of living space. One may wish to renovate the existing classic structure built in 1958, or simply redefine the land by creating something new.

Rear Facade: 22 INDIAN CREEK DRIVE, INDIAN CREEK VILLAGE, FL 33154

View of Biscayne Bay (south): 22 INDIAN DRIVE, INDIAN CREEK VILLAGE, FL 33154

Offered for Sale: Indian Creek Island

At the moment, there are seven properties offered for sale on Indian Creek Island asking $9.7M to $57M, including:

• 3 Indian Creek Drive – $57M
• 12 Indian Creek Drive  – $35M *
• 18 Indian Creek Drive – $25.5M
• 4 Indian Creek Drive (vacant land) – $18M *
• 38 Indian Creek Drive – $14.9M
• 22 Indian Creek Drive – $12.9M*
• 40 Indian Creek Drive – $12.9M
• 34 Indian Creek Drive – $9.7M

*How could I resist, but I must emphasize my exclusive listings

Sold in 2008: Indian Creek Island

• 36 Indian Creek Drive sold for $7.05
• 30A Indian Creek Drive sold for $7M

Residents

According to the 2000 census, Indian Creek Village is the eighth highest income place in the United States (Fisher Island was number one on that list). This ultra secure neighborhood attracts a variety of  prominent homeowners, both past and present including: radio magnate, Raul Alaracon; Perry Ellis head, George Feldenkreis; singer, Julio Iglesias; former Calvin Klein CEO, Barry Schwartz; former Miami Dolphins Head Coach, Don Shula; and billionaire developer, Jeffrey Soffer, to name a few.

Aerial View: Sunset Islands, Miami Beach, Fl 33140

Current Back View: 1460 W 28 Street, Sunset Island 1, Miami Beach, FL 33140

Rendering/Back View: 1460 W 28 Street, Sunset Island 1, Miami Beach, FL 33140

Aerial Rendering: 1460 W 28 Street, Sunset Island 1, Miami Beach, Fl 33140

The Sunset Islands is an exclusive neighborhood of luxurious single family homes located in Miami Beach overlooking Biscayne Bay to the west. The community of both waterfront and non waterfront properties is comprised of four guarded islands located between 21st and 29 streets. Sunset Island 1 and 2 are accessible through 29 Street, west of North Bay Road. Entry to Sunset Islands 3 and 4 is at the southern most part of North Bay Road on 21st Street. The Sunset Islands attract a variety of  residents including celebrities, Anna Kournikova and boyfriend, Enrique Iglesias; South Beach Diet author Dr. Arthur Agaston; Miami Beach developer, Steve Muss who acquired his home from rockstar, Lenny Kravitz ; architect Chad Oppenheim; as well as many pillars in the community. Yachtsman seek out the The Sunset Islands as the location offers no fixed bridges, allowing larger vessels unrestricted access to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean.

I just reduced the list price of 1460 W 28 Street, a waterfront home on Sunset Island I, from $4.395M to $3.99M. Prices have not been in this range since the early part of the Millennium. This particular property has an open floor plan, classic appointments and abundant natural light. The sellers have plans designed to construct a new home, however the current structure, built in 1947, is charming and beautifully maintained. Either way, the property is a bargain, where else in Miami Beach can one find a home on a guarded island, with 100FT of water frontage for less than $4M? Currently there are four waterfront properties offered for sale on Sunset Island 1. These homes are all located on the same street as 1460 W 28 Street, but the asking prices significantly exceed this property, ranging from $29.9M to $4.5M.

1460 W 28 Street: Property Highlights

• Lot Size: 20,000 SF
• Interior Living: 3,643 SF
• 100′ of water frontage
• Boat dock
• 4 bed / 3 bath
• 2-car garage
• No fixed bridges
• Plans for new home

2008 Closed Sales: Sunset Islands *

SUNSET ISLAND 1:

• 1525 North View Drive sold for $6.25M

SUNSET ISLAND 2:

• 1401 West 27 Street sold for $10M
• 1425 West 27 Street sold for $5.7M

SUNSET ISLAND 3:

• 2277 Sunset Drive sold for $4.6M**

*These four waterfront homes which sold on the Sunset Islands in 2008 had an average sale price of $877.19 SF

** I will take credit where it is due, this was my listing, and I sold it directly to the buyer