Every Day He’s Hustlin’ – Inside Rick Ross’s New Star Island Waterfront Mansion Posted on July 13, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs Hailing from Miami Gardens, Rick Ross has been “Hustlin” for years. The rapper-turned-multi-hyphenate now boasts a bevy of items that bear his name. There are albums of course, energy drinks, car wax, and his signature rosè. To celebrate his success, he is now “Blowing Money Fast” on Star Island, where he is currently in contract to purchase a new waterfront home for $37 million. Star Island is a private island located along the MacArthur Causeway in between Miami and Miami Beach. It is aptly named, as there are about 30 homes on the island and most are celebrity-owned. Among Ross’s new neighbors are Sean Combs/Diddy, Gloria Estefan, and Real Housewife of Miami Lisa Hochstein. Those who are not in the entertainment sector are business magnates including hedge funder Ken Griffin, the executive chairman of Lennar Homes, Stuart Miller and Anthony Hsieh, the founder of LoanDepot. Star Island is the most exclusive address in Miami Beach. It is a private, residential island consisting of luxury waterfront home sites and home to many celebrities. Rick Ross’s new home is on the east side of the island, with a waterfront backyard overlooking Miami Beach. His next-door neighbor is Gloria and Emilio Estefan. The house itself was previously owned by Oracle executive Yale Brown, according to property records. He purchased the property in 1999 for just $4.6 million, then sold it to Ross for $37 million after two months on the market. The house boasts over 9,700 interior square feet on a lot that is just shy of 1 acre. Including terrace spaces, the home measures 12,400-square-feet. The backyard enjoys 100 feet of sparkling water frontage with a 40-foot dock for a yacht. Arriving up the pavered and landscaped gated entrance, guests are greeted by a canopy of palm trees and the art deco façade of the mansion, which is evocative of the early 90’s heyday of Miami Beach. 37 Star Island Miami Beach Driveway | Image Credit: Jill Eber 37 Star Island Miami Beach Aerial | Image Credit: Jill Eber 37 Star Island Miami Beach Arrival | Image Credit: Jill Eber Inside, the mansion is host to six bedrooms, eight and a half baths, plus an office. There are some stunning architectural details including the 30-foot foyer and formal living with a waterscaped atrium. While it is obvious that the decor is high-quality, the space does offer a sort of cold/corporate atmosphere that we imagine Ross will change upon closing in the next few weeks. He has already announced that he plans extensive renovations to the space, which will undoubtedly wind up matching his large personality. 37 Star Island Miami Beach Atrium | Image Credit: Jill Eber 37 Star Island Miami Beach Foyer | Image Credit: Jill Eber 37 Star Island Miami Beach Formal Living | Image Credit: Jill Eber 37 Star Island Miami Beach Foyer | Image Credit: Jill Eber The backyard boasts a full outdoor living experience with a large pool, jacuzzi, multiple sunning areas, outdoor kitchen as well as outdoor living spaces on multiple levels. 37 Star Island Miami Beach Backyard View | Image Credit: Jill Eber 37 Star Island Miami Beach Swimming Pool | Image Credit: Jill Eber 37 Star Island Miami Beach Pool Deck| Image Credit: Jill Eber 37 Star Island Miami Beach Pool Area Spa Summer Kitchen | Image Credit: Jill Eber Back inside, the spacious kitchen has tons of counter space and commercial-grade gourmet appliances. Cooking for an entire entourage will be a cinch and there is plenty of space for elaborate dinner parties for the whole crew. I do anticipate that the kitchen and dining room will be among the first to be redesigned as the current decor is in need of an update with some added flash fit for an artist of Rick Ross’s magnitude, but the possibilities are endless. 37 Star Island Miami Beach Kitchen | Image Credit: Jill Eber 37 Star Island Miami Beach Kitchen | Image Credit: Jill Eber 37 Star Island Miami Beach Dining Room | Image Credit: Jill Eber After dinner and into the late nights, the game room is fit for all sorts of parties. There is a wet bar, lounge area, poker and pool table all overlooking the bay and pool area. It will be fun to watch Rick’s Instagram to see what fun they may get into with this space once it is redesigned. 37 Star Island Miami Beach Game Room | Image Credit: Jill Eber 37 Star Island Miami Beach Game Room | Image Credit: Jill Eber 37 Star Island Miami Beach Pool Table | Image Credit: Jill Eber At the end of the night, there are 6 spacious bedrooms with elegantly-appointed bathrooms, many with extensive terraces to take in the sea breeze privately before turning in or in the morning with a cup of coffee. The primary bath is exceptionally large with a dual vanity, marble-adorned infinity tub and separate shower with natural light pouring from the windows and reflecting on the mirrored and marble ceiling, giving a modern Scarface vibe. 37 Star Island Miami Beach Primary Bedroom | Image Credit: Jill Eber 37 Star Island Miami Beach Primary Bedroom Office | Image Credit: Jill Eber 37 Star Island Miami Beach Primary Bath | Image Credit: Jill Eber 37 Star Island Miami Beach Primary Bath Vanities | Image Credit: Jill Eber 37 Star Island Miami Beach Rooftop Terrace | Image Credit: Jill Eber To celebrate his friend becoming a new neighbor, Sean (Diddy) Combs reportedly gifted Ross a new custom golf cart so that they can visit one another’s estates on the island. Upon giving the gift, Diddy told Ross in his Instagram Story that, “You can walk around Star Island, but it’s better to drive.” After scrolling through the photos and anticipating how Rick Ross will personalize his new prize, we are also forced to recognize the fact that Ross may not ever occupy the property after all. He does have a reputation for purchasing homes just because he can. He has worked incredibly hard for the success he is experiencing, and being able to purchase a luxury home and never move in makes him realize how far he has come. When he had his first taste of money and fame after signing his first contract, he purchased a home in Atlanta then said, “After I got my deal and my situation, I bought a million-dollar home maybe two minutes from it that I still own that’s right around the corner, just so I can ride by it every day while I’m in Atlanta, and that’s what the play was.” Two years ago, he also purchased Amar’e Stoudemire’s Miami home for $3.5 million, then months later told the hosts at the REVOLT Youtube show Assets Over Liabilities that, “I still haven’t slept in that b**** once.” While this is all very intriguing to those of us who do not have multimillion dollar recording contracts, we certainly respect his hustle and hope that he does opt to deck this house out and enjoy it. A Star Island manse is peak Miami success and something that hometown boy Rick Ross deserves to enjoy.
Homes For The Heat – Where Miami’s Hometown Heroes Live Posted on May 30, 2023May 31, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs The Heat is on! That’s right, we’re in the Finals once again! After destroying the Boston Celtics’ dreams for a historic comeback, the Miami Heat players have returned to the Magic City to rest their heads in preparation for the Denver Nuggets showdown in the Finals. While they are resting up, it leads lots of fans to be curious… where do the Miami Heat players actually live? Before we begin spilling the details we should note that as we do tend to represent athletes on a fairly regular basis, we take their privacy very seriously, just as we would your privacy in any transaction. The names in this list are not necessarily our clients, and the only names that we publish are those that have already been published elsewhere. We do not and will not spill people’s secrets, although we will point out why the athletes may have chosen the pieces of real estate that they did. So here we go. South Miami There are certain communities around South Florida that attract professional athletes from every sport and franchise. Miami offers that celebrity lifestyle that athletes enjoy during the off-season, the weather is great, and the taxes are far better than California. NFL players love Southwest Ranches because it is so close to the NOVA training center and convenient to Miami Gardens, is also convenient to the airport and the layouts are sprawling. But we’re talking today about the NBA, so we’re going to start in South Miami. 7416 Southwest 49th Place Front View | Photo credit: Miami MLS/Redfin For very much the same reason that NFL players choose Southwest Broward as the ideal home, NBA players tend to choose manses in gated communities between Coral Gables/South Miami/Pinecrest areas. Jimmy Butler has recently purchased a $7.4 million home in Stonegate, a gated community near South Miami. While the purchase price is significantly higher than comparable sales in the community, it is clear why he would choose it. The neighborhood is an enclave of just 12 homes and is walled/gated for extra security. Tyler Herro is another player who has chosen Pinecrest as his home base. Earlier this year he celebrated his new $120 million contract with a newly-constructed home at 12900 SW 63rd Avenue. The mansion boasts 9,500 square feet of interior space with 8 bedrooms and 8.5 bathrooms. No expense was spared in outfitting the home with internationally-sourced rare materials from Italy, Brazil and more. The floor to ceiling glass windows offer an indoor/outdoor feel inspired by Balinese architecture. Tyler Herro Pinecrest Miami Home | Photo Credit: Josie Wang, Brown Harris Stevens Miami Previous Miami Heat players have also chosen homes in the Pinecrest/South Miami area, including D Wade, Penny Hardaway and Birdman. The homes in this area are popular because they include large, lush lots with plenty of tropical vegetation. The tree-lined stretch of Old Cutler Road from Cocoplum to Cutler Bay routinely shows up in yearly lists for “Miami’s Best Scenic Drives”. The banyan canopy and blacktop make for a relaxing commute to a family estate after a long practice or a hard game. There are also a host of impressive schools nearby, plenty of shopping and a calm lifestyle that someone with an intense job such as a Miami Heat player would appreciate during their time off the clock. Miami Beach In 2021, Victor Oladipo picked up a brand new spec home on Hibiscus Island. The non-waterfront home has 2 master bedrooms, three ensuite guest rooms as well as a pool house. The 6,900-square-foot brand-new home sold for $7.8 million. It is easy to see why Hibiscus Island would be attractive for Oladipo. It is a stone’s throw form the Kaseya Center, so the commute is relatively seamless. Along with Palm and Star Islands, Hibiscus Island has been a haven for celebrities and notable figures since the 1930’s. The man-made islands are isolated by one causeway with guard gates, limiting visitors to those invited. There are outdoor amenities on the island including a playground for neighborhood children and a small-community feel. Hibiscus Island is an affluent community in Miami Beach, Florida. Another neighborhood in Miami Beach known to attract Miami Heat players includes North Bay Road, where Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade enjoyed a neighborly vibe during their Heat heyday. Downtown Miami Not all players prefer the single-family lifestyle. There are some who prefer to invest in condominium developments, and there are so many options just a stone’s throw from Kaseya Center. The Biscayne Wall, as the buildings directly across Biscayne Boulevard from the arena are adoringly coined, has long been a hotspot for NBA players. These buildings include Marquis Miami, Ten Museum Park, One Thousand Museum, 900 Biscayne Bay and Marina Blue. With beautiful water views, high ceilings, modern luxurious finishes as well as professional-level fitness and wellness facilities, these buildings are an easy choice for the Miami Heat players to live, but there are even more options now. The 2023 Miami Heat roster has additional options with even more athlete-friendly amenities. Paramount Miami Worldcenter (pictured above) is a sprawling 28-acre development that offers an in-house basketball court where you could realistically shoot some hoops with NBA players. The Elser Hotel & Residences was also recently opened nearby and features a hotel component that is very convenient for the players who desire to have friends and family visit for their games. Paramount Miami Worldcenter Basketball Court Looking toward the future, E11even Hotel & Residences is currently under construction with several NBA players from various teams committing to the nightlife-friendly luxury development. Given the success of the initial tower, developers have begun sales on a followup project, E11even Residences & Beyond, that features its very own Clayton private social club. E11even Residences Beyond has recently opened sales and has options available ranging from $300,000 studios to $30 million penthouses. Rendering of E11even Residences Beyond Miami Pool Rendering of E11even Residences Beyond Miami Helipad Surfside While it is amazing to see the lifestyles that the Miami Heat players are enjoying closer to the office, we cannot forget the main shot-caller. Miami Heat President Pat Riley famously paid $8.1 million in 2019 for a fifth-floor beachfront home at The Surf Club Four Seasons Residences in Surfside. Their four bedroom residence also boasts five and a half bathrooms with serene oceanfront access and a fully staffed beach. The building is a mix of historic charm paired with modern designs by Richard Meier. In addition to the 150 condo residences, the development is also home to a 72-key Four Seasons hotel and eateries by Michelin-starred Chef Thomas Keller. The Surf Club Four Seasons Residences We hope the Miami Heat players, executives and staff are resting well during this short break and getting prepared to make the 305 proud once again! LET’S GO HEAT!
Bentley Residences Miami Gets A New Private Restaurant + A New Celebrity Neighbor Posted on April 13, 2023 by Sarah Elles Boggs The weeks following the South Beach Wine & Food Festival have been jam-packed at Bentley Residences in Sunny Isles. For starters, a deal was finalized that welcomes famed chef Todd English and another celebrity has decided to change his address to 18401 Collins Avenue. During the SOBEWFF, a private dinner was held for 150 guests to announce the new partnership between the ultra-luxury development and the four-time James Beard Award recipient. Celebrity Chef English took over the model kitchen in the development’s $10 million sales gallery to whip up a tasting of Australian Wagyu beef in celebration of his new post as the culinary director for the development. Once opened, he will be very hands-on with the culinary experience of Bentley’s residents. There will be a private residents-only restaurant as well as in-home dining or poolside al fresco dining and drinks. The curated cuisine is anticipated to be freshly sourced with a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere. “Luxury is defined in many different ways, but taking solace and having more personal space in your own way is a great feature of new luxury experiences. It’s like carving out your own niche. Today, the more we become automated, the more we need our own personalized space, and the resident-only restaurant is a perfect example of newly defined luxury experiences,” English said. Chef Todd English Bentley Residences Sunny Isles Chef English’s culinary inspiration draws from influences in the Mediterranean. In addition to award winning meals, he is also heralded for his philanthropic work as well as his contribution to culinary media. He has one of the most well-known hospitality brands in the world with critically acclaimed cookbooks as well as hosting and producing his own EMMY-nominated TV show “Food Trip with Todd English.” He’s even been selected as one of the “50 Most Beautiful People” by People Magazine. He has also acted as Chef and hosted many high profile events including the MTV Video Music Awards, Fashion Week, Sundance Film Festival, The Masters, US Open and the Superbowl. In his philanthropic work he has been involved with many charities and causes including Susan G Komen, Anthony Sipinazzola Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs, Volunteers of America, Big Brothers of America, Make a Wish Foundation, the Food Bank of NYC and City Harvest. English also formed the Wendy English Breast Cancer Research Foundation in honor of his sister. His contribution to Bentley Residences Miami will definitely not go unnoticed. With interiors by Bentley Motors, the new private culinary experience promises to be on-of-a-kind. Just as the fabrics and materials incorporated into the design of the living spaces, they will also carry over into the amenity spaces and restaurants. The full development is inspired by Bentley vehicles with a high-gloss flooring, the signature diamond patterning that is also featured on the exterior architecture of the building, the darker color palettes and bold finishes create an upscale moody aesthetic. Backlit banquettes in forest green create a sense of privacy amongst the guests with dramatic louvres cladding the walls for an added hint of drama. Bentley Miami Tower Restaurant Rendering In addition to Chef Todd English, another multi-hyphenate celebrity has taken notice of the unique luxury offered at Bentley Residences Miami. According to an instagram announcement this week, hitmaker Wyclef Jean plans to hang his hat at the new development. Wyclef Jean Bentley Residences Miami Sunny Isles 2023 While the account owner prefers to remain incognito, its owner is also the worst-kept secret in town. With continual project updates, a private jet with the Dezer Properties logo on the tail and plenty of Mr. Gil Dezer’s requisite toys on the grid, we all know who it is. It has not yet been made public exactly what Jean purchased during his visit to the Bentley Residences sales gallery, but his cohort Future recently spent $7.5 million on a 3-bedroom layout in the building. Construction on the 60-floor development is slated to begin this year with closings commencing and keys being distributed in 2026. If you are interested in a presentation and specific pricing, please contact Michael Light, Broker and Executive Director of Luxury Sales at Douglas Elliman. You may reach Michael directly at (786) 566-1700 or via email at michael@miamiluxuryhomes.com.
Inside Jared Kushner And Ivanka Trump’s Miami Beach Rental Condo, Hitting The Market For $18.8M Posted on December 12, 2022December 12, 2022 by Sarah Elles Boggs Change is in the air for the Kushners! Just two years after their time as Senior White House Advisors to the Trump Administration came to an end, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump are preparing to end their stint as beachfront condo dwellers in the sleepy-yet-luxurious enclave of Surfside, Florida. The 7,000 square foot oceanfront duplex at Arte Surfside is being offered for sale at $18.8 million and is the last developer-represented home in the boutique development. The expansive pad is Residence 201 in the ultra-luxury development located at 8955 Collins Avenue and is truly one-of-a-kind with just under 7,000 square feet of air conditioned space and 1,500 square feet of private outdoor space with Brazilian Ipe decks and Roman travertine ceilings. Each of the rooms has sweeping views of the coastline, beach, and intracoastal canal with floor-to-ceiling Schuco insulated glass wall systems. They also feature European white oak flooring, European Lualdi interior doors, open-concept living, dining and entertainment areas with linear cove lighting and Roman travertine accent walls. There are six total bedrooms including one service suite, seven and a half baths, two living rooms and two custom-designed Poliform kitchens. The upper-level bedrooms are separated from the primary suite by a gourmet kitchen and formal living area. Each guest room has an ensuite bath and direct access to the wraparound terrace. The lower-level is reserved for social gatherings with an entertainment area, kitchenette, and a private stairway that provides convenient access to the pool area and beach. Arte Surfside 201 Living Room Arte Surfside 201 Kitchenette The duplex residence is accessible via private elevator with fingerprint technology and Arte is known as one of the most secure luxury developments in the area. With only 16 units, the owners in the building are well looked after. Amenities include pool and beach services, a tranquil meditation pond, rooftop tennis courts (adjacent amenity building), a high tech fitness center with a private yoga studio, 75-foot indoor heated lap pool, a wellness spa with sauna, steam rooms and dual locker rooms. The residents’ lounge offers a catering kitchen, kids’ playroom, a pet runway, valet parking, on-site butler, lifestyle concierge and a general manager. Beautifully designed by a collaboration of award-winning architects Antonio Citterio, Patricia Viel and Kobi Karp and developed by Alex Sapir, Arte Surfside offers the most unique exterior architecture in South Florida complimented by sophisticated interiors with state-of-the-art finishes. Arte Surfside Condo Building Arte Surfside 201 Soaking Tub Arte Surfside 201 Oceanfront Bedroom If duplex residence 201 sells for the full asking price, it still will not be the only newsworthy sale in the small development. The lower penthouse sold this year for $22.5 million in crypto, making it the most luxurious real estate transaction completed with crypto. Additionally, the 3-level upper penthouse was purchased by a mystery New York financier for $33 million in 2020, just as Arte Surfside was opening. Jared and Ivanka are relocating to their new home in Miami Beach’s “Billionaire Bunker,” Indian Creek Island, where they will be greeted by Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen, who own two nearby homes in order to facilitate peaceful co-parenting. Among other people with rather un-humble abodes on the island include former Sears CEO Eddie Lampert; investor Carl Icahn; Jamie Galinski Baca, a Colombian banking magnate worth a reported $3.6 billion; Robert Diener, the co-founder of Hotels.com; Rakesh Gangwal, the former CEO of U.S. Airways and Mary Stephens Shula, the widow of former Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula. The entire island is private and gated with its own police force and an armed marine patrol that circles the island 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are interested in a private tour of Arte Surfside, please contact Michael Light, Broker and Executive Director of Luxury Sales at Douglas Elliman. You may reach Michael directly at (786) 566-1700 or via email at michael@miamiluxuryhomes.com.
Rapper Future Buys Bentley Residences Condo For $7.5 Million Posted on December 6, 2022December 12, 2022 by Sarah Elles Boggs While everyone else was seeing and being seen at Art Basel, Future was busy planning his future in Miami. The rapper purchased a $7.5 million 3 bedroom residence at the waterfront Bentley Residences in Sunny Isles Beach this week, just one month after purchasing one of the spectacular waterfront homes on Allison Island, a private gated enclave of just 49 homes. While the Allison Island home is indeed something to discuss, with neighbors including Shakira, Pitbull and Lil Wayne, today we are here to delve into the equally luxe and secure Bentley Residences. It is easy to see why the “Life is Good” rapper would be attracted to Bentley Residences in Sunny Isles Beach. Bentley Miami Tower Lobby Rendering Rising 60 floors above the sand at 18401 Collins Avenue, Bentley Miami Residences will have 200 condominiums reaching 749 feet into the sky. Each residence has at least 3 bedrooms and between 2,800-3,000 square feet with water views and expansive terraces with private heated swimming pools and outdoor kitchens with Gaggenau Vario electric grills. The new tower will represent Bentley throughout. This is not a simple licensing deal for the tower and the brand. For starters, Bentley vehicles have a distinct diamond stitching on the leather seating surfaces, so that diamond pattern was added to the exterior glass of the building allowing for the development to be unmistakably Bentley from the moment you drive in from the street. They have also incorporated the special metal feel that the cars offer on every touch point into the apartments. This includes manufacturing their own faucet handles, door handles, etc. so that they have that special Bentley knurling. Interior Finishes Inside the residences, owners enjoy stone floors, walls, backsplashes and countertops, Gaggenau appliance packages with wine coolers, steam & convection ovens, built-in coffee bars, and Italian kitchen cabinets with motorized doors. Primary suites include behind-mirror televisions, saunas, water-view soaking tubs, towel warmers and heated floors. Primary closets all feature safes, and each door in the ultra-luxury development features the Flying B on the lever. Keeping the Bentley theme flowing throughout the development, the common areas and amenities also emulate the luxury brand, from the three-story lobby to the cinema that is designed to be a reproduction of the comfort and style experienced from the vehicles themselves. Bentley Miami Tower Cinema Rendering The “Dezervator” While the tower itself is new, the development and design team have plenty of history together. Gil Dezer, a car enthusiast who is known for unapologetically flaunting his wealth on the road, has teamed up with Sieger Suarez Architects to design the project. This is the same team that designed Bentley’s sister project, Porsche Design Tower, in 2016. The central feature of Porsche Design Tower was Dezer’s newly-patented “Dezervator.” The Dezervator is a special elevator that takes residents from the ground level of the building directly to their apartments without leaving their vehicles, so they can park by the door as though they were in a home. This is far more convenient than having to deal with valet. With Bentley Residences, the experience will always be upgraded. The residence that Future chose has a sky-garage that holds 4 cars at a time, allowing him to demonstrate his collection to others as he comes and goes from the building. To see a preview of the Dezervator from Gil himself, check out this Youtube video. “Owners of collector cars purchase them as pieces of rolling art, and we are happy to be able to provide a proper showcase for them in each residence by bringing the car up in the Dezervator and parking it adjacent to the unit, on view through a glass wall dividing the garage from the living room,” says Gil Dezer, president of Dezer Development. “Having four parking spaces adjacent to your unit . . . is a game-changer.” If you are Future, life is indeed good. Construction is slated to begin in 2023, with closings taking place in 2026. If you are interested in a presentation and specific pricing, please contact Michael Light, Broker and Executive Director of Luxury Sales at Douglas Elliman. You may reach Michael directly at (786) 566-1700 or via email at michael@miamiluxuryhomes.com.
Formula 1 Champ Tours Penthouses And More Car-Themed Condos Posted on May 6, 2022May 6, 2022 by Sarah Elles Boggs Oh boy. The city has him now. Emerson Fittipaldi, the Brazilian racing driver who was the youngest ever F1 champion in the 1970’s, racing for both Lotus and McLaren, has been spotted touring a $30 Million penthouse on Miami Beach. We’ll not pretend to be surprised though. The Magic City has a way with people. It happened to me. I visited friends in the aught’s, thinking it was just a vacation. By the end of the week, I flew back to my hometown, quit my job, packed my things and headed on back to Miami within 3 weeks’ time. It has a way with people like that, and I am not mad at it. I mean, what’s not to love? The properties are beautiful, the weather is beautiful, the people are beautiful, the community is so rich in culture, the area boasts endless possibilities and there is no state income tax! To prepare all of those visitors who are car enthusiasts and are also being beckoned by the 305, lets go over some of the car-themed condo developments that Miami and Miami Beach has to offer. Chateau Beach While Chateau Beach is not necessarily car-themed, it is the building where Mr Fittipaldi was spotted touring the $30 million duplex penthouse. The 9,000+ square-foot penthouse comes with sweeping ocean views, high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glass and furnishings by Fendi, Poltrona Frau and Minotti. There is also a 4,500+ square-foot wraparound terrace with a private pool. Quite the chic space for retiring from the fast lane. 1100 Millecento Kicking off the trend of car-themed developments is 1100 Millecento in the Brickell Financial District. Having opened in 2015, Millecento is a partnership between The Related Group and Italian auto designer Pininfarina, who designed Ferrari’s for many years. The 42-story development is filled with car-themed touches including Ferrari-red elevator lobbies, streamlined interiors to mimic the sleekness of the vehicles and elegant art works of the residents’ own luxury cars hanging in the common areas. Porsche Design Tower Not to be outdone by anyone (and we mean anyone), Gil Dezer comes back to the scene with a large idea. What if you could build a special elevator that would allow you to park your supercar in a personal garage at your front door even though you live in a high rise? I know, it sounds wild. But it is also very cool. Enter Porsche Design Tower and the now-famous Dezervator. Prices currently start at $4.5 million up to $21 million. Aston Martin Residences Currently rising at the mouth of the Miami River in Downtown, Aston Martin Residences boasts 66 floors of indulgence and opulence. There are only 391 waterfront ultra-luxury residences by Argentenian developer C&C Developments. Residents will enjoy a rooftop helipad, private beach club access, high ceilings, private elevators and practically any other amenity you can fathom. The upper penthouse (currently offered for $59 million) even includes an Aston Martin Vulcan. Race with that, why don’t ya? Bentley Residences Going back up to Sunny Isles Beach, the first-ever Bentley branded residential development is rising 60 stories above the sand. Each residence will have a private pool and sauna, as well as the Dezervator that was such a hit in the Porsche Design Tower. Bentley Miami Tower Rendering One Thousand Museum Ok, we understand that One Thousand Museum is not branded, but it still fits into the list as this is where the Red Bull F1 driver famously did donuts on the rooftop helipad 700 feet in the Miami skyline back in 2018. That was a site. Since then, the Zaha Hadid-designed super luxury tower has been completed and opened. It is home to many celebrities including David and Victoria Beckham and Nicky Jam. Each apartment spans either a half floor or a full floor and prices currently range from $6.6M to $33.7M. One Thousand Museum Condos Auto House Miami What if you already have a place in Miami, but you need a special place just for your car(s)? AutoHouse is your solution. This is similar to a fancy dry dock for your yacht. It is a 7-story development in the Miami Design District that has 45 residences for cars and motorcycles. Louis Birdman, the developer of AutoHouse (and also co-developer of 1000 Museum) said of the innovative development, “Because a lot of people travel in and out of Miami seasonally, a lot of people who own cars like this are looking for alternative solutions on where to put vehicles safely when they leave so they aren’t exposed to the elements.” Each unit comes with polished concrete floors, hurricane-resistant windows, and in-unit climate controls, but Birdman expects owners to add more personal touches to the spaces to entertain, like a pool table, wet bar, sound system or sofa to watch TV. There is also a penthouse-level club where like minded car enthusiasts can gather for cigars and scotch or wine, a car simulator and more. If you are interested in more information on any of these themed buildings and specific pricing, please contact Michael Light, Broker and Executive Director of Luxury Sales at Douglas Elliman. You may reach Michael directly at (786) 566-1700 or via email at michael@miamiluxuryhomes.com.
Miami Celebrities Who Got In Trouble With The Tax Man Posted on April 15, 2022April 16, 2022 by Sarah Elles Boggs It’s tax day! While we’re all stressing our finances and measuring our burden to Uncle Sam, let’s take a moment to remember some Miami celebrities that have gotten into trouble with the tax man. Marc Anthony Dios mio! Marc Anthony (also famous for being Jennifer Lopez’s previous husband) got into it with the bureau. In 2007, he got popped with $2.5 million in back taxes, interest and penalties because he neglected to file tax returns for 5 years according to the Associated Press. He settled it up and went back to his latino heartthrob ways, eventually buying and selling the historic Bacardi Mansion in Cocoplum. Lauryn Hill Instead of calling Tyrone, the Fugees crooner should have been calling her accountant in the aughts. According to the Department of Justice, she failed to file her tax returns from 2005 to 2007. She pled guilty to tax evasion charges for $1.8 million of income, but also underestimated additional income and tax losses for 2008 and 2009 that amounted to $2.3 million according to the prosecutor. She explained herself by saying, “When I was working consistently, I filed and paid my taxes. This only stopped when it was necessary to withdraw from society, in order to guarantee the safety and well-being of myself and my family.” She had to withdraw from society a little further when she spent three months in a federal prison. Ultimately she lost a modest house in South Miami to foreclosure and received an eviction on the house she was renting in New Jersey. Leona Helmsley Despite keeping her base in New York, the “Queen of Mean” does have ties to Miami. She was the original owner of the penthouse atop The Palace at 1541 Brickell Avenue that is affectionately known as the Brickell Taj because of its opulent finishes. She had intended to make it her Florida base before her trouble started. After years of terrorizing employees and contractors, the billionaire was busted for claiming $2.5 million in fake expenses and landed in the big house. It certainly didn’t help that she uttered the most famous quote in tax history in front of one of her terrorized employees. She said, “We don’t pay taxes. Only the little people pay taxes.” That employee testified and to lockdown Leona went. To double down on her nickname, she left the majority of her fortune to her Maltese dog named Trouble when she passed away in 2007. Queen of Mean indeed. OJ Simpson We’ve all heard about OJ Simpson’s legal drama, so maybe his tax problems got brushed under the media rug. Does anyone remember when he got liened up for not paying $180,000 of taxes from 2007-2012? This was during the same time as his prison stint for armed robbery and kidnapping, so we’re guessing the media already had more to talk about with regards to The Juice. A few years later, his house in Kendall was sold after he lost it to foreclosure. Lil Wayne Weezy needed about $14 milli after getting slapped with liens for not paying up for as far back as 2002. It is said that Jay-Z assisted with the mission to help keep him on this side of the clink. After the dust cleared and a series of swatting issues, Lil Wayne sold his Miami Beach mansion on La Gorce Island. We’re not sure which is more annoying. The tax man or the swatting. Helio Castroneves Life in the fast lane sometimes catches up to you and the IRS doesn’t stop… but neither can 3-time Indianapolis 500 champ, Helio Castroneves. He has been in trouble with the bureau more than once. In 2009, he was acquitted of six counts of tax evasion for not declaring earnings between 1999 and 2004. Instead, he and his sister allegedly set up a Panamanian shell company to hide the earnings. He cut a $5 million check to the courthouse to clear it up and narrowly avoided jail time. Slick. The disputed taxes were on income he received from Penske Racing Team between 2000 and 2004 for the use of his name, image and endorsement on licensed merchandising sold by the team. The income – around $15 million – was supposed to have be placed in a Panamanian tax shelter but instead was transferred to a Dutch annuity account and then allegedly not properly disclosed to the IRS for taxation purposes. Now that it’s all cleared up, racing champ has also competed and won on “Dancing with the Stars.” He currently lives at Marina Palms in North Miami Beach (which is actually on the mainland). We always like to say that celebrities are just normal people with abnormal jobs, but there’s also the famous song by Notorious BIG and Puff Daddy… “Mo Money, Mo Problems.” Now get that paperwork done and do it right!
Arte in Surfside Residences: Surf’s Up After Record-Breaking January! Only 1 Condo Remains Posted on February 18, 2022February 19, 2022 by Sarah Elles Boggs After a whirlwind January, Arte in Surfside is left with just one remaining residence available for purchase. Residences 802 and 701 each closed within the last couple of weeks for higher than their asking price. It is easy to see why buyers would be interested in the ultra-luxury project. With only 12 floors and 16 waterfront condos, Arte is the ultimate of exclusivity. Owners in the development enjoy top-notch security, the ultimate level of privacy as well as lavish amenities. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner even trusted the development with their children as they made an exodus to the Sunshine State. Arte Surfside 201 Oceanfront Terrace While Jared and Ivanka have since moved on to their new abode, there is plenty of demand at Arte Surfside. The most recent closing was Residence 701, which is a 3100+ square foot residence with 3 bedrooms and 3.5 baths. It was listed for $11.9 million, yet sold for $12.25 million ($3,900/foot). Just a few days prior, Residence 802 sold for $11.2 million, also above asking price. Amazingly, Residence 201 is being offered at $2900/square foot, far less than the previous closings. It is a larger home, an almost 7,000 square foot duplex with 6 bedrooms and 7.5 baths and just shy of 1,500 square feet of terrace space. There is also private elevator entry, two kitchens, and an amazing park-like view of the pool and ocean from the private wraparound terraces (pictured above). Nearly every room in Arte #201 has an ocean view and private terrace access, but the primary suite offers a front row seat to the sparkling ocean (pictured below). Arte Surfside 201 Oceanfront Bedroom Perfect for entertaining, each floor of the residence is outfitted with a gourmet chef and kosher-friendly kitchen including Poliform cabinetry, Italian marble countertops, and Gaggenau appliances. To add to the entertainment vibe, the first level of the duplex has been designed to be an entertainment space, in the event that a large cocktail party (ahem ART BASEL) should arise. The second level is the more private area. Regardless of which level, the terrace access features Brazilian Ipe decking for seamless indoor/outdoor living on those fabulous Miami days and nights. Arte Surfside 201 Living Room Another feature that sets Arte Residence 201 aside from the rest is the fact that it is only one of two residences in in the development that features a private spiral staircase to the amenity level. This includes a spa, pool and private beach access. Additional amenities include a 75-foot indoor lap pool and wellness center for fitness. The wellness center features saunas, steam rooms, open-air meditation pond, yoga center, gym and rooftop tennis. There is also a residents’ lounge with a children’s playroom and full-service private beach access. In addition to the on-site amenities, the Arte also has a partnership with the Surf Club Four Seasons, where residents can order off their menu and have it delivered to their unit, pool or beachside. Just like a resort. “With 2022 already off to such a strong start, Residence 201 won’t be on the market for much longer,” said Alex Sapir, chairman of Sapir Corp LTD, whose Israel and New York-based subsidiary, SC 8955 LLC, developed the project. The design of the project lays with the internationally-renowned Italian architect Antonio Citterio. He was inspired by the Mediterranean lifestyle when he was designing the project and ensured that each residence and common space was tied to the outdoors in some way. Arte Residence also made headlines last year when it sold one of its penthouses for $22.5 million in cryptocurrency, a pioneering deal signaling a shift in how luxury real estate changes hands. This penthouse is now on the resale market for $28 million. If you are interested in a private tour of Residence 201, the cryptocurrency penthouse, or information on possible off-market deals in the project, please contact Michael Light, Broker and Executive Director of Luxury Sales at Douglas Elliman. You may reach Michael directly at (786) 566-1700 or via email at michael@miamiluxuryhomes.com. Arte Surfside 201 Soaking Tub Arte Surfside 201 Second Kitchen Arte Surfside 201 Outdoor Lounge Arte Surfside 201 Master Shower Arte Surfside 201 Dining Room Arte Surfside West Exterior