A recently built mansion on the beachfront of Fort Lauderdale has made history by becoming the most expensive residential sale ever in the area, with a staggering price tag of $40 million. This sale broke the previous record and redefined the standards of luxury waterfront living in South Florida, according to the listing agents, the Elmes Group Waterfront Estates of Compass.
The Elmes Group Waterfront Estates of Compass, led by Tim Elmes and Melanie Groenendaal, along with Austin Baris, managed to convince the buyer, who was initially set on purchasing a home in Harbor Beach, to reconsider and take a look at the beachfront mansion. They assured the buyer that they would be “blown away” by the property, and the successful businessman did not waste any time visiting the home the next day. After being impressed with everything the mansion offered, he purchased it, further validating the appeal and value of Fort Lauderdale’s luxury real estate market.
The luxurious beachfront mansion at 3052 N. Atlantic Blvd. was sold by David MacNeil, Founder and CEO of the highly acclaimed WeatherTech company. The magnificent residence was designed by Fort Lauderdale-based luxury yacht and residential interior design firm A La Mer, Inc. and was sold fully furnished.
“This sale exemplifies Fort Lauderdale’s thriving real estate market,” Elmes says. “It not only reaffirms the demand for luxury properties but also highlights the attraction of Fort Lauderdale and everything the city has to offer to its residents. Further, it demonstrates the continued strong migration to South Florida, including the ultra-high net worth, no tax, and climate-driven folks.”
The mansion spans over 12,667 square feet and comprises seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms and seven and a half baths. It offers breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean frontage that remains untouched. The property features top-of-the-line finishes tailored to David MacNeil’s specific standards and not built as a spec project. The luxurious finishes and materials throughout the home include Lutron lighting, a Honeywell Smart home system, a hidden housekeeper’s office, a juice bar, a clubroom and bar, a rooftop deck, and a commercial-grade elevator servicing all four floors.
At the grand level of the mansion, you will find a great room with high ceilings, a fireplace, and stunning views of the infinity pool and spa that merge seamlessly with the ocean. The chef’s kitchen has high-end SubZero, Wolf, and Miele appliances, perfect for hosting events.
“As a proud resident of Fort Lauderdale, in the great state of Florida, we are fortunate to live in a state that has created an environment that allows and promotes real investment. These investments are like a rising tide that raises all ships. It’s clear that families in our city and across our state benefit from the investment in building new homes,” seller David MacNeil says. “Certainly, the buyer of this wonderful home is a very sophisticated and experienced homeowner who instantly recognized that he was not in a home that was built to normal “spec” home standards. He clearly wanted the absolute best and decisively moved forward with purchasing it. Working with the Elmes Group has been a wonderful experience. I am thankful to Tim, Melanie, and their team. They truly know and understand the luxury real estate market like no one else.”
According to the South Florida Agent website, ultra-luxury sales in Broward County have tripled since 2020.
“This new all-time record-breaking sale continues to show the Elmes Group’s 33-year track record, having first broken the Broward County record in September 1990 at #5 Harborage Isle for $5.2M has shown that Fort Lauderdale has grown up,” agent Melanie Groenendaal of the Elmes Group says. The Elmes Group is delighted and honored to have played a meaningful role in making history in Broward County’s rapidly growing luxury real estate market. It was an absolute privilege to represent such a stunning property.”
