When folks say they don’t want a boat, but a friend who has one, they’re not just talking about year-round upkeep but pricey dockage fees as well. That is, unless you, or your friend, snags one of these choice waterfront properties that comes with dockage rights included. Wonder what that would cost? Here are some of the most coveted waterside listings in town, from the Grove to the Key to Venetian. Aye, aye, the joys of Florida living, of life on the water’s edge, of slipping out to sea from your own backyard. Go fish.
La Brisa: 3551 Main Highway, Coconut Grove $47,500,000
Originally designed by 1920s architects Kiehnel & Elliott, pioneers of Miami’s Mediterranean Revival style (Coconut Grove Playhouse, Miami Senior High School) the manor La Brisa, began as the great winter “cottage” of prominent Pittsburgh lawyer John B. Semple. In the Twenties, Semple bought the 6.9-acre canal-front parcel from kids adventure author Kirk Munroe, founder of the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club, who owned it since 1886 and lived there happily in a wood-frame house with his wife Mary. After Semple, La Brisa was then home to anthropologist Henry Field, grand-nephew of the founder of Marshall Field’s, and his wife Julia, a lion tamer and first curator of Crandon Park Zoo.
La Brisa, a living legend of Miami’s colorful past, a major historical landmark, is for sale, again. Slashed from last month’s original ask of $65 million, then down $10M, now holding at $47.5M, this 16,500-square-foot 9-bedroom/8-bath manse on Main Highway by The Barnacle in downtown Coconut Grove is a jaw-dropper. Gambol the long green into the grand courtyard graced by a gurgling fountain and grand swimming pool. Meander through its sun-filled corridors; walk barefoot on wood and marble floors, look up at wood-beam ceilings. Peruse its engaging summer kitchen outfitted with an Argentine parrilla (BBQ grill) and the adjacent guest cottage, of course. Wander through the secret garden and wind up sitting on the dock of the bay with your toes in the brine. Start your engines. Putt-putt into Biscayne Bay. Call it a day.
Key Biscayne: 630 South Mashta Drive Key Biscayne $8,975,000
On historic Mashta Island, DYI: Build Your Own Dock & Abode in Key Biscayne. No tear-down necessary. Start fresh with this rare, empty 15,000-square-foot lot sporting 100 feet of Biscayne Bay frontage on 630 So. Mashta Drive. Same spectacular vista and deep-water anchorage as neighboring $60-mil Mashta House on the cusp of Mashta Point cove. Just around the bend from “Watergate South,” Tricky Dick’s winter White House on 468 Bay Lane. This hard-to-find blank slate comes but once in a red moon. Ask: $8,975,000. If you build it, boats will come.
Miami Shores: 1361 N.E. 104 Street Miami Shores $1,099,000
Here’s a place to stash the family. The Nippon-ish terrace of this Fifties two-story redo on N.E. 104 Street, Miami Shores, matches the wooden boat deck on the Intracoastal canal. From here it’s all clear, no-bridge open access to Biscayne Bay, a common perc for rustic Miami Shores where most homes back water inlets for sea-to-shore Florida living. Perfect abode for entertaining al fresco day or night. Or, yoga. Or, watching marine life — manatees, swooping pelicans, jumping fish, the young and the restless on motorboats, kayaks, jetskis and paddle-boards. Ready-made for a big family, the living room leads to three upstairs bedrooms and two baths, plus one bedroom & bath downstairs. Contemporary open kitchen and dining area with wood treatments throughout and original terrazzo floors. Cozy family room overlooks water and backyard where there’s plenty room for a pool. Two-car garage. Square Feet: 2,622. Ask: $1,099,000.
Deering Bay Marina Slip #63: 13660 Deering Bay Drive Coral Gables $375,000
Already well-homed? Just need a home for your new Riva 50 MT? Deering Bay Yacht & Country Club has a boat slip in the Main Marina for sale — only $375,000. Buy into one of the most desirable boating areas on the East Coast. Launch out to sea from 13660 Deering Bay Drive in Deering Bay, an exclusive, guard-gated tropical enclave in south Coral Gables. This particular 50-foot slip can handle vessels up to 55 feet in length. It has easy egress with ample turning radius and unobstructed access to South Biscayne Bay, the Atlantic, the Florida Keys, and the Caribbean.
Located next to a T-head that allows an extended walkway to the entire boat. Full, private shore power and gear box. Full-time dockmaster on hand: Charlie Dorrell, 305-256-2510. Discounted club membership to DBYCC available, but not required. For sale by owner.
