Beth Kipnis

Checking in at Ye Little Woods

One of my EWM colleagues, Riley Smith, recently sold one of the most eclectic and beautiful homes anywhere in Coconut Grove. Designed by architect Max Strang for his own family, the house has almost as much open-air living space as that under air-conditioning. The generous expanses of floor to ceiling windows and doors make every square foot of the house feel connected to the outdoors.

The house has been featured in Architectural Digest, the Wall Street Journal, the Miami Vice movie, and I recognized it in a recent episode of our very own Burn Notice on television. There are 5 bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms, tropical pool and spa, a guesthouse, and a spectacular jungle-like lot that’s just under an acre in size.

The truly unique feature of this one-of-a-kind property is the upstairs open-air living space. There’s a kitchen, bar, dumb waiter (food elevator), gigantic seating areas, dining area, bathroom, and tanning terraces.

The property had been listed by Rex Hamilton and closed for $3,100,000 on April 24. Great jobs, Rex and Riley! View the details here.

Although it isn’t literally within it, the house sits just at the entrance to one of the most private and historic gated communities in the Grove, Ye Little Woods. The oldest home there was built in 1902 for William Vogleson Little, developer of the community. Other well-known past residents include Gene and Barry Massin, father and son artists and Baron Joseph “Sepy” Debronyi, the self-proclaimed bon-vivant and playboy who hosted his final bacchanal in April, 2010 and whose home is now for sale.

As well as the Baron’s home there are 4 other homes for sale now. You will see details of them all here.

New to the market is another spectacular home built in 1920 at 3948 Little Avenue, offered fully furnished for lease at $19,500 a month.

Coconut Grove is where I live, work, and play. If you are buying, selling or renting in Coconut Grove you need a local specialist. Call me at 305 794.6570 or leave me a note.

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Raise Your Family on the Coral Gables Waterway

I’ve listed a home at 4910 Biltmore Drive that is perfect for a growing family. Its central location is just north of the University of Miami on the Coral Gables Waterway, and the ample lot has room for just about every outdoor activity you can imagine.

As well as formal living and dining rooms there’s a family room and eat-in kitchen that open onto the enormous covered patio facing the canal. In the spacious backyard there is a heated infinity pool and spa and a dock over the water. There are three fixed bridges to reach the bay on your boat.

In 2005 a second level was added creating an upstairs master suite with bathroom, walk-in closet, and a smaller room ideal for a nursery or home office. There are 3 or 4 bedrooms downstairs, depending on how you use the rooms, and 3 full bathrooms. Other features are an oversized 2-car garage, circular driveway with room for a dozen cars, and a utility/laundry room.

The home has 3,300 square feet under air, a lot of 13,651 square feet, and is listed at $1,450,000.

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See all homes on the Coral Gables Waterway for sale

To see this or any home you fancy, call me at 305 794.6570 or leave me a note. To stay updated with all local real estate information, receive my blog posts via email by subscribing.  Once you register, you must activate the subscription in a follow-up email.

Celebrate Commodore Ralph Munroe’s 160th Birthday at The Barnacle

Join the fun at The Barnacle on Sunday, April 10th, to honor the 160th birthday of Commodore Ralph Munroe, one of Coconut Grove’s most charming and influential pioneers. Each year the Barnacle Society gathers to commemorate his remarkable life, and this year’s festival will have plenty of perks.

Dinner will be catered by Top Chef contestant Howie Kleinberg’s Bulldog BBQ, music will be provided by The Three Jacks, an American-Celtic rock band, and of course there will be birthday cake! The festivities will begin at 6:00 pm. All details about this event are listed here.

It’s a great opportunity to visit this historic and grand bayside home built by the Commodore in 1891 at 3485 Main Highway. At the same time you’ll be supporting the Barnacle Society’s mission to generate public awareness, education, and financial support for the preservation and maintenance of this historic home.

If you are looking for a Realtor who knows and loves Coconut Grove, and who can guide you to informed decisions, call me at 305 794.6570 or leave me a note.