The Temple House – South Beach Luxury Home

I’ve written about The Temple House before and have given you all the relevant real estate information you need about the house.  From the typical description:

The Temple House is South Beach’s largest private residence.  Steps to the beach, Lincoln Road and Lummus Park.  Over 16,000 SQ FT as per previous tax records.  This former synagogue was transformed into an ultra contemporary residential compound over a two year period.  Living quarters abound on both levels, 6,000+ SQ FT grand LOFT with approx. 30 foot high ceilings, 2.500+ SQ FT outdoor terrace, two car garage + parking for 3 additional vehicles.  Newly finished rooftop swimming pool!

to my own take on the house:

The Temple House in South Beach is one of those “wow” houses you don’t see every day.  The largest single family home in South Beach with over 16,000 square feet of living space.  This house is amazing all on its own but when you hear its history, then you realize it is so much more than a big house.  Originally designed in 1933 by none other than famed architect L. Murray Dixon, converted into a temple in the 40’s, expanded in the 60’s by renowned architect Lester Avery and then converted back into a home in 2003 by the current owner, Dan Davidson.  This home defines South Beach Living with no expense spared – 30 foot ceilings in the 6,600 square foot great room, theater room, 1,200 square foot kitchen, state of the art lighting and audio system, new terrace pool with iridescent mosaics and waterfalls…..imposing and majestic.

But as Bea Garcia puts it in her housingwatch.com article for AOL real estate, Temple To High-End Zen For Sale in Miami,

For a house with a self-professed “wow” factor-its website address is www.ownthewow.com-it seems that no amount of promotion is too much.

The Temple House, in the heart of Miami Beach, has a Facebook fan page, a Twitter account, its own blog with postings of all the celebs-Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, BowWow and Playboy model Vicky Vodar, to name a few- who have crossed its threshold, and a stream of photos of its Flickr page.

So check out OwnTheWow.com  to see the latest documented celeb visit to The Temple House:

The Temple House is not just a property for sale – it’s a house with a story, a story that cannot be told in just a few words.  This blog will narrate an uber rich story, it will serve as a chronicle of The Temple House’s past present and future.

The Temple House has housed top celebrities in all kinds of different capacities, it has been published and re-published, has served as backdrop in popular music videos, movie scenes, megastar parties, weddings, charitable events…..and so much more

The Temple House

“if WOW is what you’re looking for”

South Beach Luxury Real Estate – The Temple House

The Temple House in South Beach is one of those “wow” houses you don’t see every day.  The largest single family home in South Beach with over 16,000 square feet of living space.  This house is amazing all on its own but when you hear its history, then you realize it is so much more than a big house.  Originally designed in 1933 by none other than famed architect L. Murray Dixon, converted into a temple in the 40’s, expanded in the 60’s by renowned architect Lester Avery and then converted back into a home in 2003 by the current owner, Dan Davidson.  This home defines South Beach Living with no expense spared – 30 foot ceilings in the 6,600 square foot great room, theater room, 1,200 square foot kitchen, state of the art lighting and audio system, new terrace pool with iridescent mosaics and waterfalls…..imposing and majestic.

1415 Euclid Avenue – Miami Beach, FL 33139

Listed for $7,500,000

This impressive home is short of being a palace and located in the Art Deco District within walking distance to shopping, restaurants and beaches…right in the middle of the Chic South Beach Action.  The MLS description reads as follows:

The Temple House> is South Beach’s largest private residence.  Steps to the beach, Lincoln Road and Lummus Park.  Over 16,000 SQ FT as per previous tax records.  This former synagogue was transformed into an ultra contemporary residential compound over a two year period.  Living quarters abound on both levels, 6,000+ SQ FT grand LOFT with approx. 30 foot high ceilings, 2.500+ SQ FT outdoor terrace, two car garage + parking for 3 additional vehicles.  Newly finished rooftop swimming pool!

You may recognize The Temple House from music videos, movies and television shows – it is a favorite amongst celebrities and popular shows because of its extraordinary features.  The owner’s charitable organization, The Miami Cultural Arts Foundation is also responsible for hosting fundraisers for local causes like the recent REBarCamp Miami that I helped organize (an educational event for the real estate industry with proceeds going to the foundation).

Here’s a video done for the event that features the home at its best:

Property Features:

• 16,350 square foot home
• 6,600 square foot great room with 30′ vaulted ceilings with polished concrete floors
• Newly finished rooftop swimming pool
• 5 bedrooms / 6 bathroom plus theater room
• 2,700 square foot loft room with entertaining “pre-kitchen” for catering/entertaining events
• 1,200 square foot dine-in kitchen
• 1,100 square foot mezzanine overlooking great room with Brazilian Cherry wood floors
• central air conditioning (new 50 tons of a/c)
• Impact resistant windows and doors
• state of the art lighting, audio, telephone and security systems
• 2 laundry facilities (one on each floor)

**property information courtesy of South East Florida Multiple Listing Service and Majestic Properties **

Local 10 News features Miamism

Local 10 News features Miamism’s take on the Miami Beach Luxury real estate market. I was interviewed by Julie Summers on Friday regarding an article I posted about discrepancies in Miami Beach Luxury Real Estate list versus sale prices.

Miami Beach Luxury Real Estate Sales – September 2008

Of course the media will always try to sensationalize the news – so I will give you the findings of my research to see if it is true that “Housing Crisis affects Luxury Home Prices“.

From my article above, there were obvious discrepancies between list and sales prices in September in Miami Beach Luxury Homes market. But the purpose of that article was to present a question to our readers – were September numbers a fluke? or is that a trend we will begin to see? I decided to do a small study on Luxury property stats to see what the real numbers are instead of an isolated month. Here’s what I came up with:

In 2007 – There were 91 Miami Beach Luxury Homes sold in the price range of $1,420,000 to $16,400,000 -

• The average percent difference between list price and sale price in 2007 was 12%

• The average list price per square foot was $718

• The average sale price per square foot was $629

In 2008 – There have been 70 Miami Beach Luxury homes sold in the price range between $1,000,000 and $13,100,000

• The average percent difference between list price and sale price in 2008 has been 12% (no difference from last year)

• The average list price per square foot is $806 (quite a bit higher than last year)

• The average sale price per square foot is $712 (HIGHER – prices have increased)

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In 2007 – There were 162 Miami Beach Luxury Condos sold in the price range of $1,110,000 to $12,000,000

• The average percent different between list and sale price in 2007 was 9%

• The average list price per square foot was $950

• The average sale price per square foot was $852

In 2008 – There have been 153 Miami Beach Luxury Condos sold in the price range between $1,002,000 and $12,300,000

• The average percent difference between list price and sale price in 2008 has been 11% (slightly higher than last year)

• The average list price per square foot has increased to $1021

• The average sale price per square foot has also increased to $910

Remember that stats are just that, and as much as I like to play with numbers and give you statistics, you cannot generalize. These numbers are provided to give you an overall impression of the Luxury Real Estate Market, but it’s important for you to study each particular situation individually. Miami Beach Luxury Condos for example are very particular because you cannot compare sales in Apogee to Bentley Bay for example – you need to know each building, the historical numbers and each seller’s situation.

If you are a Miami Luxury buyer, it’s good for you to know that there ARE sellers in distress and as I said in the interview, Foreclosures in the Luxury Market which is INSANE! But don’t assume that everyone wants out and is willing to dump their properties.

I also pointed out that there are a lot of cash buyers from Europe and South America – we are currently working with French, Italian, Venezuelan and Russian clients willing to pay cash if the right property comes along.

As for the 2 properties featured on the news – They are Majestic Properties Listings:

The Temple House – 1415 Euclid Avenue – Miami Beach

Listed at $9,950,000

The Temple House,South Beach’s largest residence. Over 16,000 square feet as per previous tax records. This former synagogue was transformed into an ultra contemporary residential compound over a two-year period. Living quarters abound on both levels – 6,000+ square feet grand loft with approx. 30 foot high ceiling, 2,500 square foot outdoor terrace, 2-car garage plus parking for 3 additional vehicles and much more!

• 5 bedrooms / 6 bathrooms
• Built in 1935 by known architect L. Murray Dixon (architect for The Victor and The Tides hotels)
• converted into a synagogue in 1942 and expanded by known architect Lester Avery in the 60’s
• Turned back into a residence in 2003 by current owner – Daniel Davidson (2 year process)
• polished concrete floors
• 7,000 square foot living area with 30? ceilings
• mezzanine overlooking living space
• media room
• plans for a second floor pool area on terrace.

The Continuum – 50 S. Pointe Drive, #3301 – Miami Beach

Listed at $9,500,000

One of a kind direct oceanfront condo in Continuum South Beach. Ultra-modern luxury residence located on the 33rd floor with breathtaking ocean and city views. 3,000+ square foot of open living space, private elevator foyer, floor-to-ceiling windows, 1,300+ square foot of terraces and large Italian open-style kitchen, complete with Miele appliances. Building located on 13 acres of prime oceanfront land at the tip of South Beach

• 3 bedrooms / 3.5 bathrooms
• 2 parking spaces
• private elevator foyer
• over 1,300 square feet of terraces with amazing views of the Ocean and South Beach
• Full amenity building with Spa, state-of-the-art fitness center, valet, concierge, etc.
• built in 2008