Great Places to Live: Florida

 

LEFT: Built in 2002, 330 Banyan Road [listed by Corcoran’s Randy Ely and Nicholas Malinosky] was recently decorated by designer Phoebe Howard. Photo: Andy frame

Gulf Stream is a small planned beachfront community just south of Palm Beach that is often ranked as one the nation's most exclusive residential-only towns. Located less than three blocks from the Atlantic, 330 Banyan Road is a four-bedroom, 5,501-square-foot turnkey home, built in 2002, which was recently decorated by interior designer Phoebe Howard. With a full garden, gazebo and pool, the home is being sold furnished for $4,495,000. "The quality of construction is really like a fortress, with real plaster walls, tray ceilings, Waterworks fixtures, two Sub Zero refrigerators/freezers, a full-house generator, electric shutters, impact windows and doors - it is all of the highest quality," said Randy Ely, associate broker with The Corcoran Group.

Surfside, just south of exclusive Bal Harbour in North Miami Beach, is undergoing a spate of new high-end luxury construction, from the Fendi Chateau to Richard Meier's new Surf Club Four Seasons Hotel and Residences. Oceanfront Townhomes, at 9501 Collins, is also a new-construction luxury beachfront residence in Surfside, this one with just seven townhomes, each with four bedrooms. Each residence comes with a four-level glass elevator, rooftop terrace with a plunge pool, a summer kitchen and an air-conditioned private parking garage underneath.

Prices range from $3.75 million to $7.25 million.

"These are the only true town homes on the ocean in Miami Beach," said Tara West, director of luxury sales for Douglas Elliman Real Estate. "You can drive in, take the elevator, and be on the beach in seconds. And we are move-in ready. You can close within 30 days."

Downtown Miami is undergoing its own resurgence. The penthouse at Epic, located along the Miami River at 200 Biscayne Boulevard Way, comprises 4,522 square feet of interior space on the top two floors, with an additional 3,000 square feet of private rooftop terrace and its own pool. The penthouse is listing for $6,150,000, or just over $1,300 per square foot.

"It is only in the last couple of years that downtown has became a destination alternative to Miami Beach, especially for ultra luxury like this," suggested Mark Zilbert, president of Brown Harris Stevens Miami. "To have a private rooftop pool - as well as two destination restaurants in the building, and all the services you could want - is special. We see preconstruction, high-floor apartments north of $1,500 a square foot in this area, and this one comes fully furnished, with more than $1 million of improvements, for less."

On the Gulf Coast, 1199 Westway Drive is a five-bedroom, six-bathroom, 6,008-square-foot beachfront home in Lido Shores, Sarasota's most coveted neighborhood. The views from the home extend past the elevated pool to New Pass Inlet, the opening to the Gulf of Mexico, and on out to sea. The residence has its own private beach and comes with an elevator, two fireplaces with elaborate stone mantels, a temperature-controlled wine storage room and garage parking for nine vehicles.

The home is on the market for $8,675,000. "It is very rare that something comes on the market on Westway Drive, and this one is the best sited for views,';" said Deborah Beacham, associate broker with Michael Saunders Real Estate in Sarasota. "The world seems to have recently discovered Sarasota: it has always had the boating and the beaches, but the cultural aspects are booming now. It is one of those areas that continue to attract the most affluent buyers."