Eccentric Billionaire Howard Hughes’ Former Miami Property Lists for a Cool $55.5 Million
The late polymath and famously eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes was a businessman, pilot, aerospace engineer, investor, and philanthropist turned recluse who was once the richest man in the world. Not only were his business interests varied, but so too was his real estate empire. Hughes, who died in 1976, owned real estate all over the country, from mansions in L.A. to swathes of land in south Florida.
Now, a luxury residence in Miami’s posh Coconut Grove neighborhood that was built on land once owned by Hughes has been listed for a spine-straightening $55.5 million by Lourdes Alatriste of Douglas Elliman. The 0.86-acre parcel remained undeveloped until the current abode was built in 2003. The tropical oasis was later acquired by N.J. Nicholas, Jr., the former CEO of Time Warner, who sold it back in 2018.
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The impressive residence spans 10,000 square feet with eight bedrooms, seven full bathrooms, and four half bathrooms across three elevator-equipped floors. From the moment you drive onto the lush property, you immediately forget you’re just off of busy Main Highway. The home is ensconced in a tropical paradise that feels totally private from its neighbors. The Spanish-inspired exterior, which is covered in crawling vines, sports many arched windows and doorways, a terracotta tile roof, and white stucco walls, while the contemporary interiors feature timeless materials like limestone, marble, quartz, terrazzo, and wood.
Through the front door, you’re met with a light-filled double-height foyer. Filtered across the main level are a humongous formal living room with a fireplace and coffered ceiling, a formal dining room, a billiards room with a wet bar, and an office space. Those who enjoy cooking and entertaining will appreciate the generous gourmet chef’s kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances and a casual dining space, as well as a butler’s pantry for additional storage and prep. The main-floor primary suite includes a seating area with a fireplace, a large tiled bathroom, and patio access; the additional bedrooms are sprinkled throughout the house.
The living room spills onto a covered patio, which includes a seating area and a sleek outdoor kitchen. Vine-covered archways lead to the backyard’s saltwater pool with a waterfall and pond. There’s also a large limestone-paved terrace on the second level. Other highlights include a media/family room, a lower-level rec room, a gym, a hot tub, and a sauna.
A short distance from the house is a one-story indoor-outdoor yoga studio with a deck that directly overlooks a pond filled with African cichlid fish and lily pads. The home’s impressive foliage is actually called the White Dove Garden. It was completed in 2022 and designed by the acclaimed landscape designer Raymond Jungles. The garden has a canopy of live oaks, Simpson’s stopper, black ironwoods, pigeon plums, a Talipot palm, and more. The property had access to a small communal park, a tennis court dedicated to the residents of Hughes Cove, and access to a 40-foot dock for getting out on the waters of Biscayne Bay.
Click here for more photos of the Coconut Grove home.
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