If you overhear the chatter about how the Florida real estate boom is finally calming down, take it with a giant boulder of salt. Luxurious towers with sleek residences and exclusive residential projects continue to pop up all over the area, some in the most unexpected places. But as the movie quote goes, “if you build it, they will come.” Here are six projects that are redefining luxury residences in Southeast Florida and drawing buyers from all over the state, country, and globe.
The Residences at Pier Sixty-Six
With a slogan like “Own the Waterfront,” The Residences at Pier Sixty-Six is certainly an intriguing real estate proposition. Potential buyers looking for a life aquatic can choose from 62 bespoke two-to four-bedroom luxury condominiums, (ranging from 1,645 to over 3,800 square feet). Units start at $3 million and feature supersized private terraces that overlook Fort Lauderdale’s marina and waterways.
The development is located within Fort Lauderdale’s (you guessed it) Pier Sixty-Six, the legendary pier that is getting a major makeover thanks to Tavistock Group. Broken up into three separate addresses, the resort property gives all owners access to the marina and accompanying promenade, which is lined with restaurants, shops, and 5,000 linear feet of dockage space for superyacht vessels.
Indoor-meets-outdoor living comes in the form of wraparound terraces and private plunge pools A residential lobby leads to private elevator access to each unit. Design elements include lofty 10-foot ceilings, chef-inspired kitchens with custom Italian wooden cabinetry, and custom rain showers with integrated LED lighting, among many other high-end bells and whistles. piersixtysixresidences.com
AKAI Estates
If German-American modernist architecture pioneer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe were alive today, we’d venture to guess he’d feel right at home in one of these glass-filled, single-family residences. AKAI Estates is a collection of 16 signature luxury homes tucked away in the South Florida suburb of Southwest Ranches. Renderings reveal a modern aesthetic and clean lines which bring the outside in via floor-to-ceiling glass.
Starting at $7 million, potential buyers can choose from five designs, each set on two acres of private property, with open floor plans ranging from 7,000 to 15,000 square feet. The stay-and-play vibe in each home’s “aquatic entertainment area,” (that’s real estate speak for pool), can be customized to include putting greens, tennis and pickle-ball courts, or even a basketball court of choice. Smart, considering that a post-pandemic demand for homes that are havens, still lingers.
Situated on a quiet enclave, the gated community is designed by Portugal-based architect Vasco Vieira, marking his first project in the US. Vieira blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor space by thoughtfully weaving together a variety of different areas for relaxing, working or entertaining, throughout each estate. akaiestates.com
La Baia North
Covering less than half a square mile, two tiny islets make up the quaint and exclusive community of Bay Harbor Islands. So one can imagine why snagging a waterfront condo with a private boat skip here may cost a pretty penny. Ranging from $1.2 to $3.3 million, La Baia North offers 57 expansive two-to-four-bedroom residences, spanning between 1,400 to 2,100 square feet.
Known for developing Continuum in Miami’s SoFi neighborhood, New Yorker Ian Bruce Eichner’s latest boutique bay-front condo project is intended to lure buyers looking for family-friendly, luxury living. With views of Biscayne Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, Bal Harbour, Miami Beach and Downtown Miami, the development offers 20,000 square feet of resort-style outdoor amenities. This includes over 8,500 square feet of lavish landscaping and open green spaces, an expansive poolside sundeck, heated soaking spa, and a sunset lounge with a cozy fire pit.
The aforementioned family buyers will be drawn to the property’s smart, kids-only rooftop which is fully equipped with a splash pad, dedicated play lawn, grill station and outdoor dining area, hanging nest swings, study pods and tents. Parents get their own version of playtime, via dock-side pick-up and drop-off, an exclusive Tesla program, and a water sports launch dock. labaiabayharbor.com
Slate Hallandale Beach
Thanks to locales like the outdoor Carousel Club and Icebox Cafe beckoning people to Hallandale Beach for a good time, Hallandale Beach is becoming a new “it” hood. Developers jumped on the trend, as trendy folks need a place to rest and rejuvenate, too. Enter in Slate: luxury rentals that look and feel like they’re straight out of downtown Manhattan (but with sunshine and palm trees).
Overlooking an 18-hole golf course designed by Greg Norman, the property offers a handful of penthouse units, but most rentals are 1, 2, 3, and 4-bedroom apartments. Modern design elements and sleek finishes, like spacious open floor plans, energy-efficient Samsung appliances, sweeping 10-foot ceilings, and expansive terraces, are all reasons to move in.
20,000 square feet of swanky amenities like a resort-style spa and pool with cabanas, state-of-the-art gym, and 24-hour concierge, valet, and doorman service, all add to Slate’s appeal. Other impressive offerings include a wine cellar, game lounge and kid’s playroom, movie theater, golf simulation room, and dog park. liveatslate.com.
The Ritz Carlton Residences Palm Beach Gardens
Highbrow hotel chains like the Ritz Carlton have always been successful in seamlessly transferring their brand essence to high-end luxury residences. Developed by Catalfumo Companies, The Ritz-Carlton Residences Palm Beach Gardens is no exception. The marina-front community features an exclusive collection of spacious three, four, and five-bedroom residences, within three modern six-story residential buildings.
Located on 11 acres of landscaped waterfront, the luxe oasis offers boat slips that can accommodate vessels up to 75 feet. As you would expect of a hotel brand of this caliber, the finishes are exceptional, the technology up-to-the-latest, and the views superb—we’re talking sweeping views of the Intracoastal Waterway.
Also along the water’s edge, you’ll find heated infinity pools with cabanas overlooking a multi-level waterfront clubhouse. The clubhouse is fully equipped with entertainment spaces, a spa, fitness center, and an on-site concierge, among other resort-like amenities. theresidencespalmbeachgardens.com
Bentley Residences
Miami is known for many things; one being the volume of elite vehicles you’ll see zooming down streets and highways around the city—Porsche, Rolls Royce, Ferrari, and Aston Martin, to name a few. It’s not all surprising that in recent years, these exclusive automakers have been partnering with developers to build branded residences. The latest and greatest luxury vehicle to launch a residential tower —and part of the O.G. British, turn-of-the-century, elite car boom—is Bentley.
Brought to Sunny Isles Beach by Dezer Development, the amenity-packed luxury tower is set to complete in 2026 and is designed to subtly mimic Bentley’s design DNA. Comfort and luxury are the main themes that run throughout the property and of course, everything is car-centric, including an impressive car elevator (known as the ‘Dezervator’) that transports cars up to their own in-unit parking spaces, allowing residents to take in stunning views of the beach from inside their mega-luxe ride.
The 216 furnished apartments, and all interior and exterior spaces, are sourced with as many locally-sourced materials as possible; an important initiative for both the developer and car brand. Natural materials are featured heavily throughout the building, and some key components include wood, leather and glass – drawing parallels with Bentley cars. More luxurious touch points come in the form of individual balcony swimming pools, seamless floor-to-ceiling glass, and private and communal amenities like a cinema, game room, wellness center, whisky bar, cigar lounge and restaurant. bentleyresidencesmiami.com
