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Miami’s Luxury Tower – One Thousand Museum by Zaha Hadid

One Thousand Museum

One Thousand Museum

One-Thousand-Museum

Located on a coveted property overlooking Miami’s Museum Park, and boasting utterly breathtaking Biscayne Bay and Atlantic Ocean views, One Thousand Museum brings Hadid’s visionary architecture together with an unprecedented level of service and extraordinary amenities. The owners of this limited collection of museum-quality duplex townhomes, half-floor residences, full-floor penthouses, and a single duplex penthouse will enjoy exceptional privacy within a truly secure state-of-the-art environment.

Full project details

Surf Club Four Seasons

Surf Club Four Seasons

Four Seasons Hotel and Residences at The Surf Club is the realization of a vision of luxury living in the twenty-first-century, built on the glamour of old Miami. The eternal allure of the shoreline that Four Seasons Hotel and Residences at The Surf Club adorns has been paired with the pure brilliance of architect Richard Meier, known for designing the Getty Center in Los Angeles and a recipient of the Pritzker Prize, architecture’s highest honor.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences - Sunny Isles

The Ritz-Carlton – Sunny Isles

A winding drive, facing the ocean, leads up to the stunning 649 ft. residential tower, comprised of 212 residences and managed by The Ritz-Carlton. Sitting on 250 ft. of oceanfront property along South Florida’s pristine Sunny Isles Beach, the building’s curvilinear structure was designed by world-class architectural firm Arquitectonica and references the organic landscape of swaying dunes. Its fluid droplet silhouette ensures all homes are bathed in natural light and respect the basic principles of Feng Shui.

Una Residences

Una Residences

Inspired by classic yacht design and its bayfront setting, Una sets the standard for Brickell Waterfront living, with visionary design, inviting gardens and unrivaled views across Biscayne Bay. Brought to life by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, OKO Group, and Cain International, Una offers 135 luxury condominium residences with floor-to-ceiling glass, expansive terraces, and an array of amenities, including three pools and private boat slips.

Arte Surfside

Arte Surfside

Arte, a one-of-a-kind collection of 16 oceanfront residences in Surfside, is the first-ever project in the United States by the legendary Italian architecture and design partnership of Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel in collaboration with Kobi Karp Architecture and Interior Design. Arte embraces its privileged setting in Surfside, an exclusive oceanfront enclave celebrated for its historic architecture and wide, tranquil beaches.

Eighty Seven Park Miami Beach

Eighty Seven Park

An idea floated; a thought made real. A place bound by land and sea, but rising free of both. At the edge of the city, Eighty Seven Park is more than a building, it’s a landmark. On the beach, above a newly invigorated park, its 70 villas seem to defy gravity, reaching out to embrace the elements. At this narrow point of Miami, water is everywhere.

57 Ocean Miami Beach

57 Ocean

57 Ocean Miami Beach is a luxury 18-story beachfront building designed by award-winning architecture firm Arquitectonica. It features 81 Tropical Modern Condominium Residences with private elevator entries, streamlined Poliform kitchens, and deep wood-lined terraces, whose glass balustrades frame the city and the sea.

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Una Residences: Luxury Condominium Residences In The Heart of Miami

Una Residences

Una Residences

Una Residences

Inspired by classic yacht design and its bayfront setting, Una sets the standard for Brickell Waterfront living, with visionary design, inviting gardens and unrivaled views across Biscayne Bay. Brought to life by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, OKO Group, and Cain International, Una offers 135 luxury condominium residences with floor-to-ceiling glass, expansive terraces, and an array of amenities, including three pools and private boat slips.

Full project details

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The Coral Gables Neighborhood

The Coral Gables Neighborhood Experience Guide

Coral Gables ranks as one of Miami’s iconic neighborhoods, representing the many qualities expected of the Sunshine State’s much-vaunted lifestyle. Its reputation as the poster child community of the City Beautiful Movement that began in the 1920s makes it a primary consideration when considering a luxury real estate location. For those wealthy snowbirds and permanent Florida residents particularly drawn to the Mediterranean Revival style architecture and unsurpassed privacy, the Coral Gables neighborhood fits the bill perfectly. At the same time, home seekers, after a single-family home or condo, are never bored. Old Spanish bungalows amongst Key West Island mansions and sprawling ranches (built in the 1950s and 60s) appeal to all tastes and preferences. Themed penthouse buildings with private-elevator entries to every unit can stand anywhere in the world. See all the Coral Gables homes for sale

Think of docking your yacht a few feet from your living room, with azure blue waters disappearing into the distance behind it. If that’s close to your dream, the Coral Gables neighborhood has it in abundance. Residences on the market for over $50 million leave no doubt that this enclave ranks with Palm Beach Island’s Worth Avenue region, Star Island, and other billionaire famous locales. This Miami pearl is, or at some point, has been home to celebrities Julio Iglesias, Marc Anthony, Dave Barry, Antoine Walker, Alex Rodriguez, and Pat Riley of Miami Heat fame. Shaq O’Neal lives within a figurative stone throw’s distance in the sister-neighborhood of Coconut Grove. In short, the opinion leaders are here and playing, getting the best of what Florida has to offer.

There’s much more to the Gables than meets the eye

If we drill down a bit further, the Gables (as it’s popularly referred to) is, indeed, six districts. The region contains a range of homes priced from $1 million up, with waterfront residences and lots starting at $2 million. It’s footprint features golf tracks that epitomize spectacular vegetation, water views, and sporting challenges rolled into one. Look no further than Santa Maria, Alhambra Circle, Granada, Riviera, and the Biltmore, where you can purchase private memberships with optional conditions. Pedestrian-friendly, the neighborhood is the polar opposite of hectic South Beach featuring pristine, uncrowded, tree-lined sidewalks.

The Coral Gables’ Communities deserve special mention

No article on the Gables would be complete without mention of the different communities, all of which offer different brands of relaxation and comfort across the spectrum mentioned above. Of course, there are commonalities, but when the residents are paying in the millions specific features make a difference:

Cocoplum

A primary Coral Gables neighborhood, with a wide variety of single-family homes currently starting at $2.2 million and going as high as $34 million. The average sold price is $722 per square foot. Some houses date back to 1976, and yet there are others built this year. The smallest is around 3180 square feet and the biggest 18,359 square feet under air. Cocoplum homes for sale

Cutler Oaks Estates

This is a neighborhood dating back to 1991 with single-family homes selling on average at around 50% of Cocoplum at $314 per square foot but still a median price of $2 million. Putting the two metrics together, one can see that houses in this community are 7000 square feet plus. Cutler Oaks Estates homes for sale

Deering Bay

With single-family homes and some condo buildings ranging from $975,000 – $4 million, this community sprung up in 1993 with square footage averaging out at 4,500 square feet. The median price per square foot sold is around $451. Deering Bay homes for sale

Gables by the Sea

One of the most sought after gated community developments built around a boater’s lifestyle. Located on beautiful canals and Biscayne waterways with no bridge interference. The sale price per square foot is over $500, and the average selling price is just over $2 million. Gables by the Sea homes for sale

Gables Estates

Now, this is a community for single-family homes that’s in a different league. Initiated in 1964, the selling price per square foot is 4.5 times the Cocoplum same-metric at $2500. If you are thinking of paying less than $5 million, this is not the hunting ground for you. If you’re a big spender, expect to see residences of over $29 million. The median price – a sobering one – is a touch below $10.2 million. Gables Estates homes for sale

Hammock Lakes

A 1953 part of Coral Gables, with mansions as the favored residence, there’s nothing less than 4500 square feet at an average selling price of $801 per square foot. The median sales price is close to $6.1 million. Hammock Lakes homes for sale

Hammock Oaks

A development started in 1961 and continues to this very day. Single-family homes go for $990,000 to $2.5 million (on the water) with an average of $553 per square foot. You can get a relatively smaller home here (around 2500 square feet) and many at 6600 square feet. Hammock Oaks homes for sale

King’s Bay

One of the more affordable sections of The Gables at the average cost per square foot of $312. Top prices recently are under $1.2 million, and the median price just above $700,000. If this is your starter home and you want to get a foothold in Coral Gables, start looking here. King’s Bay homes for sale

Journey’s end

The single-family homes here are huge – all between 7300 and 8000 square feet @ $750 a square foot average. You need many bucks to live here. It’s been a work in progress since 1971. Journey’s End homes for sale

Old Cutler Bay

This is another old Gables development that kicked off in 1967. It boasts an average cost per square foot of $1000, Known for varied architecture, single-family homes start at $2 million going as high as $16 million. Old Cutler Bay homes for sale

Snapper Creek

A little like Old Cutler Bay but with less pricing steroids. Average single-family home sales priced at $750 per square foot. Prices start at $2000,000 and climb to as high as $10 million. The area is 65 years in the making, having started in 1956. Snapper Creek homes for sale

Sunrise Harbor

An enclave started in 1957, single-family homes are currently on the market for higher than $13 million. It reflects an average sales price per square foot of over $1000. There’s a big price spread, and residences can be found for under $1 million if you look carefully. Sunrise Harbor homes for sale

Tahiti Beach

A jewel of Coral Gables, this is a secured, private, waterfront community containing 26 stunning homes with asking prices going as high as $34 million. There’s nothing less than $6 million. It’s the complete symbol of the lifestyle every Gables resident aspires to. Tahiti Beach homes for sale

Is there any action around Coral Gables?

Don’t get the idea that the Coral Gables Neighborhood closets you in any way. You can be drinking martinis poolside in the morning and dancing the night away in Key Largo after an hour’s drive in your Masserati. Or motorboat to Bimini, a comfortable two-hour stretch. Then don’t forget the fine-dining choices in Miami on the beaches and cultural sections like Little Cuba and the Designer District. If you and your spouse love to shop, iconic brand selections like Porsche, Gucci, Fendi, and Rolex are endless. Find them in malls all over the city and on almost every street close to the ocean. For convenience, we suggest the world-famous Bal Harbour Shops or right on your doorstep at Shops at Merrick Park located in the heart of Coral Gables.

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Ivan Chorney’s Take on The Luxury Real Estate Market With Covid-19

Ivan-Chorney-Real-Estate-Market-Miami

Ivan Chorney
Partner Ivan and Mike Team
ONE Sotheby’s International Realty

So, Real Estate in Miami I would say it’s a 95% stand step, things that were already in the pipeline, things that were already in motion, those businesses are closing. So if you get an email from your realtor like “Just Sold”, those deals were in the pipeline before. I don’t think we are fooling anybody that things are steaming along over here in Miami with Real Estate, and I don’t think they pretty much are anywhere in the world right now.

And that makes sense. As an investor myself I’m putting that (investment) on hold for the moment. To put a 20% investment on a piece of property when I don’t quite know what is going on doesn’t seem like the right thing to do right now.

Recommended: Miami Beach Luxury Condo Prices

I think there will be a moment of opportunity just like the stock market, but nobody has a crystal ball. We don’t know if we are at the bottom of the “stock market”, we do know that there was a huge dip, and for people who bought on that dip they might be seeing some danger right now.

So I think it’s going to be very similar here in the Miami Real Estate Market. I also think there will be a window of opportunity, and you are going to see discounts that go anywhere from 15% to 20%. Perhaps if this goes longer, if we continue in this roller-coaster of Covid-19 where we get quarantined, and then released and then quarantined again, I think that is going to elongate things. You might see discounts in certain buildings in some areas that have a little bit more supply. You might see discounts up to 30%.

Everything is hyper-local and whenever I am talking to clients and friends I tell them that is the most hyper-local market out there. Miami you have South Beach, Bal Harbour, Surfside, Sunny Isles; even in South Beach you have these micro-markets like Sunset Harbour, South Of Fifth, Venetian Islands, Coconut Grove. So what happens will depend a lot on how things go with Covid-19, if things go roller-coaster and the behavior of specific markets. The Miami Riviera from South Beach to Bal Harbour always seem to stand tall during the tough times.

Se Also Ivan’s Home Office During Covid-19:

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Top 5 Fitness and Sports Activities Wealthy People do in Bal Harbour

Top 5 Fitness and Sports Activities Wealthy People do in Bal Harbour

If you are a wealthy snowbird living in NYC, Chicago, Pittsburg, and other cold winter cities, making the migration to Miami for months every year, you know Bal Harbour for sure. It’s that narrow enclave just south of Sunny Isles that’s home to a select group of privileged people who prefer to live an opulent but under-the-radar lifestyle. Unlike its more ostentatious northerly neighbor with futuristic skyscrapers reaching sixty-eight stories and higher, Bal Harbour is the location for relatively low-rise but iconic developments. The Ritz Carlton Bal Harbour (previously Bal Harbour-One) bordering an amazing blue-water inlet to the sea, and St. Regis Bal Harbour Hotel and Residences are world-famous. So what do Bal Harbour residents do for exercise and fitness once they leave their front door?

Top 5 Fitness and Sports Activities Wealthy People do in Bal Harbour

An array of fitness activities only downstairs.

Well, in many cases, they don’t even have to step outside of the building. Upscale condo communities feature state-of-the-art health clubs that provide not only technology-centric equipment but also personal trainers and classes to meet every exercise taste. Are you into Pilates? It’s there seven days a week. Also, Zumba, Yoga, and, of course, spinning. Perhaps you’re addicted to cycling but lean more toward privacy? The new Peloton stationary bike is just the thing to keep you engaged. Step up to the saddle on this elite athlete’s designed option with its online App and video screen. Ride with other active Peloton groups live worldwide or through simulated Tour De France stages that traverse the Alps. Measure yourself and keep records on every fitness metric that signifies your health and competitive stature. It’s all the rage right now, attracting a following of opinion-leaders throughout the USA.

Or a few steps in front of your Bal Harbour Residence

Florida’s weather from November to April is on the top of the champagne scale. The opportunity to get out under the sun and experience the state’s gentle sea breezes may be too tempting to miss. Right in front of your Bal Harbour condo, no matter which development you reside in, there’s a paved and packed-sand path ocean-side for runners, walkers, inline skaters, and cyclists. It cost $3 million to construct and stretches for nearly ten miles with little route deviation. For ardent outdoor enthusiasts, there and back with endless sea views is almost marathon distance.

Activities up and down the Miami coastline

Now, while the focus of this article is on the ways the wealthy stay fit, not all the ways they select costs big money to participate. There are Bal Harbour fitness fanatics that regularly get into volleyball games on the sand close to the corner of eighth avenue and Ocean Drive or the numerous meetup groups all along the beachfront. Also, outdoor yoga classes are available daily for only a small donation, even out of season.

Or through the Miami waterway network

Then there’s kayaking as a phenomenal aerobic activity that also gives your arms and legs a complete workout. Many New Yorkers (and there are many) into this start by renting. Eventually, as the bug bites, they can spend over a thousand bucks on a customized, sleek bullet-shaped craft that they oar through the city’s waterways like North Miami Beach’s Oleta State Park, Coral Gable’s Matheson Hammock, and Key Biscayne. That’s not to mention the thousands of canals and tributaries throughout the region.

On rolling parks and other surfaces

Bal Harbour residents, of course, love golf. Unfortunately, playing it in Florida mostly consists of jumping in-and-out of motorized carts, and covering the few miles as a passenger or driver. The exercise factor is limited to swinging the club at the ball as much as hundred-and-something times (with practice swings included), but not a hectic workout by any stretch of the imagination. One iconic “walking” course that’s genuinely challenging, especially to those that are single-figure handicappers, is the Doral Golf Resort and Spa course. It’s a PGA fixture that even the pros fear. Play it for up to $450 per round, including the mandatory caddie. Naturally, private golf with country-club membership is close by at courses like The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club, where equity entry is at $65,000 non-refundable.

Look no further than the Oceana Bal Harbour ( the former Bal Harbour Beach Club) for an active tennis community enjoying two clay courts for minimal impact on knees and leg joints. The site offers a full tennis concierge and coaching service to create a great user experience.

What else is there?

The fitness, exercise, and sports activities covered above focus mostly on health advancement, but of course, there are many options not specifically included here. Swimming, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling at numerous reefs, wave running, and water skiing are aqua-sports at the fingertips of Bal Harbour residents as occasional pastimes or mainstream selections. Having your yacht docked at the Bal Harbour Yacht Club is an easy way to access all the mindblowing resort-like resources Miami Beach has to offer.

If you are considering a residential move to Bal Harbour or any beach location in the close vicinity, look no further than the Ivan and Mike Team for five-star attention and realty advice that’ll save you time and money without compromising your options.

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10 Must-Have Features Your Next Luxury Home Needs

10 Must-Have Features Your Next Luxury Home Needs

The pursuit of high-end living is all about a comfortable and splendid lifestyle.  The true connoisseur of luxury is not only looking for top-notch amenities but also that unique edge that showcases their exclusive status and position.

The leaps in technology have allowed builders and creators to come up with truly amazing and genius ideas that take lavish living to the next level. Open spaces and expansive bedroom sizes aren’t enough anymore, with new technology-based amenities on the rise.

It is not only the ease that technology provides but also the culmination of comfort and splendour for the affluent homeowner on the hunt for their palace of peace. So without further grandstanding, here are 10 must-have features your next luxury home needs…

10 Must-Have Features Your Next Luxury Home Needs

Motion Activated Kitchen Appliances

The kitchen is said to be the hearth of the modern home. It is a place where people gather and thus needs to reflect the comfort of the homeowner. Opulent living requires a kitchen that makes your life easier and comfortable. Motion-activated faucets and smart fridges not only make daily tasks feel like a breeze but also make your use of your resources greener and more efficient.

Smart Beds, Smart Mirrors and Smart Showers

High-end home automation is the crux of an affluent lifestyle with every feature accessible and controllable through your smartphone. Smart beds feature plush mattresses whose softness and rigidity can be controlled according to your needs. Luxury Spa bathrooms deliver not only smart showers with multiple faucets, jet styles, and preset preferences but also smart mirrors that track the users’ necessary health information. Towel warmers and heated floors are part and parcel of this package to make your baths feel like royalty.

Hydroponic Indoor Garden

Organic living is not only healthy but also a highly expensive endeavour to undertake. Home-based organic food growing is an option open to only the richest and cultured homeowners. An indoor hydroponic garden can easily be installed even inside the kitchen drawer and allows for the natural growth of all kinds of herbs and micro-greens, making your food journey a truly luxurious one.

Pet Shower

You deserve the very best in home living, and your pet does the same. True luxury extends to not only oneself but also to our beloved pets, who we all love spoiling. A shower designed and constructed specially for your pet is the epitome of comfort and wealth.. Be it your prize-winning Samoyed or your beloved British Shorthairs make your life easier and theirs through the very best in pet care. You’re a star, and we believe your loved pets are too!

Secret Tranquility Room

Successful and highly driven people are by their nature magnets for responsibility. A chic lifestyle is often taxing on your body and mind. A home should define tranquility and peace for you and thus must contain a room built for that purpose. Secret tranquility rooms are tailored to your needs and give you an escape from your hectic and glittering lifestyle. The beauty of a tranquility room is that it can serve several leisurely interests. Make your Fortress of Solitude a game room, massage room, sauna room, or if you’re feeling magnificent, maybe all three!

Dynamic Swimming Pool

Classy living demands the easy availability of a wide range of relaxation options that necessitate the creation of unique pools. A simple pool is a thing of the past; what feels like pure elegance is a pool that transforms your surroundings to the peak of opulence. Dynamic swimming pools not only provide heating options but also give a variety of water movements to make your morning laps feel like an ocean adventure.

Pool Theater

Entertainment rooms are a prerequisite to affluent living with their adoption by the richest a norm these days. The genuinely elite separate themselves from the rest through innovation in comfort. Pool theaters not only give a fun edge to your movie nights but also provide grandeur mixed with bliss. Not only that, but a pool theater gives you more flexibility when it comes to party size and viewing options. Immerse yourself in a genuinely cinematic experience and make your movie nights stand out from the rest. Besides, imagine watching Jaws while you float above the water with the surroundings rife with tension and excitement!

Wine Room

A wine and tasting room is another highly sought after amenity. No longer relegated to hidden underground parts of the house, wine rooms have taken prime placement among luxury homes. Make your wine room a highlight of your kitchen experience by giving it the center stage it deserves. A beautiful wine room must not only contain attractive displays but a wine dispensing system with temperature control.

Walk-in Closet

The definition of magnificence contains the importance of open, expansive spaces in your home. Nothing makes getting ready for a glitzy night more exciting than a walk-in closet featuring complete attires displayed at your pleasure. Living like a King means having a room for your one-of-a-kind fashion sense to shine and be on display. Make getting ready a pleasure rather than a task with a sprawling walk-in closet that you can walk around freely.

Outdoor Living and Eating Spaces

The marriage of indoor living spaces with outdoor ones is the true definition of a kingly home. Sunday lunches prepared on an outdoor kitchen and enjoyed on an outdoor stone dining table combine splendour with rusticity. The options with outdoor spaces are endless with various groovy amenities like cabanas, roving patios and poolside bars. Make your poolside chats into mini-vacations that not only relax you but cater to your personal preferences.

Make your next dream home a truly grand spectacle with these fantastic features to complement your royal standards.

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W Hotel South Beach Condos for Luxury Living

W Hotel South Beach Condos for Luxury Living

W Hotel South Beach, Oceanfront condos for luxury lifestyle

Mention “South Beach Miami” to anyone who’s anybody, anywhere in the world, and they’ve either been there (often many times) or it’s high on their bucket list. It holds an allure that entices well-heeled, fun-loving people from all walks of life to dip their toes into the region’s diverse pleasures. For Americans up north in NYC, Chicago, and other cold winter cities, South Beach condos and residences have a well-established reputation for offering unparalleled luxury, and proximity to everything that makes resort living in Florida an international attraction.

When you live in South Beach, Miami is your oyster.

  • Partake in the most exquisite cuisine across the taste spectrum, from French cooking to Wagu Japanese dishes.
  • Art galleries, influenced by the annual inflow of 100,000 Art Basel followers, cater to the most pedantic connoisseurs of traditional, contemporary, and ultra-modern original paintings and sculptures.
  • In the design district, not too far away, furniture boutiques provide exceptional interior decorating services with Italian and Spanish accents, and other notable European influences.
  • Throw in short trips to the Key of Biscayne, Bal Harbour Shops, the Aventura Mall, friends living on Fisher Island, and frequent outings on your yacht, and the circle is nearly complete.
  • Life couldn’t be better as you jog, cycle, or walk the beach-side paths that stretch for miles, people-watch from outdoor cafes, and golf the many courses in the vicinity.

Frequently, the one big item not ideally aligned with this high-octane rhythm and upscale lifestyle is your permanent or home-from-home Florida residence. Well, there’s none better than W Hotel South Beach condos on the oceanfront to connect all the dots.

Three super-luxury W Hotel condos available right now.

Why the W?

Everything good you know or have heard about the Miami South Beach happenings converge on these select residences. The architecture and eye-catching art pieces are unmistakable from the minute you enter the property. Browse through the terraces to the outside pool area for instant transportation into lush gardens and unsurpassed tropical opulence. The on-site restaurants are second to none, in keeping with concierge service that’s simply flawless. It eventually dawns on you that you could be living at home with all this at your fingertips as if you were a hotel guest. That’s a revelation all in itself.

W Hotel South Beach Condos for Luxury Living

Of course, the investment in the luxury of this stature isn’t cheap, but it represents top-dollar value for money and in demand for good reason.

  • If you want one of the five tri-level bungalows with two bedrooms and nearly 1300 square feet living area, steps from the beach and hotel pool, with its own private yard, plunge pool, and outdoor kitchen, it’s now available.
  • No less impressive is condo unit in the tower that enjoy all the hotel amenities alongside breathtaking views of both the Atlantic and the city lights.
  • Prices range from $2 million to $3.4 million. All residences come entirely furnished to the exceptional standard you can expect.

The right realtor on your side for high-end luxury condos makes all the difference.

Naturally, you want only the most knowledgeable, competent resources in your corner when it comes to hotel residence opportunities. Look no further than the agents with the credentials to earn this exclusive listing, supported by their experience, insight, and intuition to find you the best W Hotel South Beach condo offerings. Indeed, the Ivan and Mike Team leads the way for buying and selling luxury condos that stretch the entire Miami Beach coastline as far north as Sunny Isles. Read all about them and why they command such high respect in the Florida real estate community.

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Rare Miami Waterfront Lot Versus Amazing Penthouse

Mansion Lot Miami

Rare Miami Waterfront Lot or Amazing Luxury Penthouse? Build your dream home or move in today.

Why Miami in the first place?

Where to begin when it comes to Miami? Perhaps the throbbing nightlife of South Beach or rolling international events like Art Basel is a good start. No? You prefer the yacht shows staged at spectacular bayside marinas, marquee motor exhibitions, or the endless white-sand beaches that are nothing short of breathtaking. Of course, let’s not forget browsing the world-class boutique malls like The Bal Harbour Shops, jet-skiing the waters around Star Island, and the broad cultural range of restaurants, home to famous chefs. Maybe it’s a bit of everything this metropolis with a distinct Latin-American flavor and cosmopolitan pizzazz has to offer.

Miami is undoubtedly the crown of the Sunshine State, and the jewels in its crown are its iconic waterfront locations. Nobody knows it better than the wealthy and savvy northerners thinking about retirement, and super-successful Floridian entrepreneurs. They appreciate that the pivotal first step to all these things begins with finding that unique waterfront residence. Sometimes your envisioned multi-million dollar dream home, even if you hunt high and low, is elusive. Of course, you want the best money can buy, but the route to the ideal Miami waterfront lot, condo, or single-family home is anything but straightforward.

Hunting “high” and “low” in Miami Beach

“High”

Luxury Penthouse Miami BeachThe most apparent residential options in Miami are, without a doubt, high up, contained in the imposing skyscrapers and prestigious condo buildings from Sunny Isles near the northern city limits down to South Beach. In between these well-known outposts, there are multiple selections in communities like Surfside, Miami North Beach, or on private Fisher Island a mile or so out from the mainland. Sky homes with sea- and city-scapes that you have to see to believe are there for the taking, like the one on 2901 Collins Avenue. This strategically located penthouse includes an expansive wrap-around terrace, rooftop spa, outdoor kitchen, and three-floor accommodation of nearly 4000 square feet of under-air. As enticing as this may look, and sound, the focus of this article is indeed on the “low” – ground level to be precise.

“Low” – How good can it get?

Mansion Lot Miami

We can think of nothing more exciting and tempting than an expansive blank canvas where you can create your vision from scratch. An exclusive Miami waterfront lot suitable for a mansion development is a rarity these days, and an opportunity not to be missed. Imagine uninterrupted straight-ahead views of the azure-blue Atlantic as far as the eye can see, seen from:

  • Your lounger alongside your zero-edge pool behind four hundred feet of water frontage.
  • Living rooms and bedrooms in a space that can comfortably accommodate four luxury penthouses (like the one shown above).
  • Rooftop and floor terraces equipped with every imaginable amenity.

Lot virutal tour

Enjoy the protection and total privacy of an alcove on Biscayne Bay in the sought-after Baycrest area, only minutes from the city action if and when you want it. For the icing on the cake, dock your mega-yacht in front of your house, ready to motor off at a moment’s notice. At $4 million asking, the possibilities are endless for the discerning family able to reach for the stars and settle for nothing less than this lofty luxury combination.

Get the right realtor on your side to avoid missteps.

Naturally, if you are one of the few candidates ready to look into these two truly unique real estate options, you want only the most knowledgeable, competent resources backing you up. Look no further than the agents with the credentials to earn these exclusive listings, supported by the experience, insight, and intuition to navigate the Miami Beach landscape in the seamless way you expect. The Ivan and Mike Team representing the iconic One Sotheby’s International Realty brand are the go-to duo that will guide you to the best-of-the-best properties. They make sure that when you decide to make a real estate move, it will be the right one, at the right price, at the right time to suit all your objectives

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The Ivan and Mike Team Ranked # 2 Top Teams Sotheby’s International Realty

The Ivan and Mike Team Ranked # 2 Top Teams Sotheby's International Realty

Miami-based brokerage, which expanded to Vero Beach and Melbourne last year, closed $3.2B in sales, up 30% y-o-y

The Ivan and Mike Ranked # 2 Top Teams Sotheby's International Realty

One Sotheby’s International Realty handed out its top awards for 2019 – with Dennis Carvajal as the company’s No. 1 producer, and Mirce Curkoski and Albert Justo taking the top team win.

The Miami-based brokerage, which expanded north to the Vero Beach and Melbourne markets last year, closed $3.2 billion in sales volume in 2019, a 30 percent increase compared to the previous year, according to a spokesperson.

Carvajal had more than $100 million in sales last year, which included the $14 million sale of 9501 Journeys End Lane in Coral Gables.

Michael Martinez, Ralph Arias, Anna Sherrill, and Saddy Delgado followed Carvajal as top producers in 2019. Arias was involved in the nearly $50 million sale of 3 Indian Creek Island Road in Indian Creek.

The top teams were Curkoski and Justo’s The Waterfront Team; Ivan Chorney and Michael Martirena’s The Ivan & Mike Team; Denise Long and Lynda Smith, Daniela Bonetti and Darryl Fox’s The Bonetti Fox Team; and Nestler Poletto’s team.

Susan Gale was the No. 1 commercial broker for the company, followed by Manny Chamizo. Gale’s deals included the $34.75 million sale of 344-350 Ocean Drive to Henley.

Bambi Ross was the top producing new recruit.

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Tax benefits of moving to a permanent home in Florida

Tax benefits of moving to a permanent home in Florida

You are a died-in-the-wool northerner. Lived in Brooklyn a good part of your life, then moved to New York City (NYC) to take up an investment banking career. Since turning fifty-five, you’ve been spending the winter months in a now dated, but comfortable, North Miami Beach condo. And every year you find yourself staying longer, playing more golf and tennis, and sitting on the white beaches thinking. Lately, your biggest thought has been, “Why not make this permanent?” Pack up everything – lock, stock, and barrel – and make the Sunshine State home.

Tax benefits of moving to a permanent home in Florida

The Pros and Cons of a permanent Florida move

It’s not a fantasy. You’ve experienced the champaign weather Florida offers on a silver platter from November through to April. Besides, who says that changing your state residency stops you from switching things around? You can still spend the sweltering periods in the Big Apple, but escape paying taxes there. Travel costs back and forth even out either way.

Lots of your buddies have made the Florida transition already. Healthcare’s not an issue, you have connected with excellent providers, and Medicare offers a broad choice. Hospital facilities like Jacksonville Memorial and Miami University’s Baskin Palmer are world-class. Even the Cleveland Clinic has a footprint in Florida.

Pro #1 – Taxation benefit

So let’s get to the crux of the matter. The huge attraction – the icing on the cake – is paying less tax.

  • Florida is a zero tax state, and NYC isn’t. It can represent a substantial 12% of your annual income cut from your tax bill out-of-the-gate (i.e., taking city and state taxes into account). At your high-end income, the benefit is nothing to be sneezed at.
  • Also, the recent Trump cap on state and local income tax deduction (SALT) from your federal tax calculation, at only $10,000, fuels your desire to come south even more.

Is there more to it than income tax? Oh, for sure there is!

Pro #2 – Investing out of one residence into another

Selling your primary residence in NYC may put three or four million dollars in your pocket at current values – even in a cooling market (according to Zillow).

  1. Perhaps you’re leaning toward a signature residence in a premier seafront condo building. You can keep your existing one for the kids when they visit and move up to a super-luxury development like Eighty Seven Park with an easy connection to South Beach. At worst, a dollar for dollar exchange investment-wise. If you opt for just the one, you’ll likely put a lot of free cash in your pocket.
  2. There’s no gain on the property taxes. Surprisingly, NYC is a little lower than the average in Miami – especially after the extra additions for non-ad Valorem services and “miles” multiplications for schools and community services. Note that the city is an exception when looking at state property taxes. New York state is substantially higher than Florida – more than double.

Here are the cons

High tax states don’t let you off the hook that easily. They’re onto the wealthy retiree exodus trend, and the indications are authorities will make things more complicated, not easier. Expect domicile scrutiny, so make sure the transition is for real. There’s no limit to how far the high-tax-state gatekeepers will drill down to prove your move is a farce, so don’t underestimate them.

There are some decisive steps and sacrifices one has to make. Some may be easy, but others could implode your plan if not taken seriously:

  • Continuing property or work income in NYC will attract nonresident state taxes (i.e., no city taxes) – around 8% of income on the top end. It’s unlikely, but there may be other state credit forfeitures and surcharges that play into your situation, payable as you leave residency. Check it all out carefully with your accountant.
  • It’s logical to believe that the wealthier you are, the higher the probability of a domicile audit. It’s especially the case if sizable percentage your nonresident income is still NYC based.
  • Aside from the caveats above, the definition of the law is pretty murky. The burden of truth is on you to prove you no longer live in NYC. Of course, the first step is to notify the right entities of the change the second you make it.
  • Get a Florida driving license, register to vote there, keep a record of transactions with local retail outlets. Also, have Miami registered motor vehicles, and advisably none in NYC.
  • Make sure you have enough utility bills with the Miami address, your name, and that of your spouse’s on them.

In a nutshell, don’t spare anything when it comes to accumulating documentation to show that Miami is where you live now. Finally, make sure you spend at least 183 full days in Florida. Some pedantic forensic tax sleuths may take things as far as seeing if that’s true.

Conclusion

For some, the city-to-city emigration is a no-brainer. For others, it’s a head-scratcher. The more time you’ve spent living in the Sunshine State and liked it, the better. There are significant cash and tax benefits there for the taking with a minimal downside if most of the lifestyle and monetary boxes tick off. If they don’t, think again and step lightly before leaping.