Listed for $150M, Florida’s Most Expensive Home Will Benefit Charity

[ad_1]

On the market for $150 million, Florida’s most expensive listing is bound to bring a windfall. But in this case, the owner won’t pocket the proceeds. They will be donated to charity.

The owner of this two-home compound in Miami is Adrienne Arsht, a philanthropist, lawyer, and executive. In 2008, she gave $30 million to Miami’s Performing Arts Center, which became known as the Arsht Center.

“She has announced she is donating all of the proceeds from the sale to charity,” says listing agent Ashley Cusack, with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. “Isn’t that remarkable? She has not announced the charity yet.”

Known as Arsht Estate, the 4.19-acre property is located on Biscayne Bay.

“She built the first home in 1999. Around 2007, the [neighboring home] came available. She bought it, renovated it, and finished that in 2013,” Cusack explains.

The main house is known as Indian Spring and measures 15,000 square feet.

“The details in the home that she built are exquisite. The ceiling height is about 20 feet, and there are French doors along the bay so that it all opens up to the bay. It was definitely oriented toward entertaining,” Cusack explains.

It comes with a two-bedroom guesthouse, a gym, and a six-car garage.

The second home dates to 1913. Known as Villa Serena, it was built by William Jennings Bryan, a former U.S. secretary of state.

MORE FROM REALTOR:

“He built that for himself as a winter home and then he ended up using it as his primary residence when he retired,” Cusack explains.

Villa Serena clocks in at 9,000 square feet and has three bedrooms. There’s also a two-bedroom guesthouse. Arsht used this villa primarily for guests.

“It does not have the high ceilings, but it has a beautiful charm to it with the original Cuban hand-painted tile floors. It’s really beautiful in that historical way.”

“You drive up to Indian Spring and the gates open. As soon as they open, you see water sparkling across the way. It’s absolutely gorgeous,” Cusack says. “So much is special about these homes, but you just can’t get away from the water and the view, and it’s really magnificent. It’s not disrupted. You look all the way across the bay to Key Biscayne, which is miles away.”

For outdoor entertainment, the property is equipped with a pool, tennis court, and dock.

Arsht currently splits her time between Florida and Washington, DC, says Cusack, adding that the time is right to sell this property.

“This was like a piece of art for her to maintain and take care of, and now she can hand it off to somebody who can enjoy and appreciate it.”

And because the proceeds will be donated to charity, countless others will also reap the rewards.