Happy Earth Day...!

by Analou Manent

One mature tree can remove 216 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere per year. This is the equivalent of 11,000 miles of car emissions. Aside from removing pollutants from the atmosphere, one mature tree releases enough oxygen every day to supply a family of four.

The typical plastic bag is constructed with high-density polyethylene and can take more than 20 years to degrade. In a sealed landfill, a plastic bag can take more than 1,000 years to degrade.

Americans use about 100 gallons of water at home each day, according to National Geographic. Millions of people living in economically challenged environments subsist on fewer than five gallons a day. And people in developing countries walk an average of 3.7 miles to get water.

For more information contact Analou Manent or visit Florida Prestige

This Blog is maintained by Analou Manent Agent Immobilier a Miami

Buy a Castle in Miami surrounded by Lakes... Loire Style

By Teresa at MSN Real Estate Fri 6:05 AM, MSN Real Estate

An architect built a 10,124-square-foot castle surrounded by a man-made lake in a rural area south of Miami in 2007. Now he's asking $10.9 million.

knew for years that a castle was under construction somewhere south of Miami, but I never got a chance to peek inside or even see photos.

Now we're getting a look inside through the real-estate listing. If you happen to be in the market for a Miami castle, this one is listed for $10.9 million. It's called Chateau Artisan.

For that, you get 10,124 square feet, with eight bedrooms and 10 baths, plus a pool, a koi pond and manicured gardens. You even get a moat, and that's before the big rainstorms that create all sorts of temporary moats in Miami.

The castle was constructed by architect-developer Charles Sieger, who lives in the home with his wife. It is surrounded by a man-made lake.

The castle served as the backdrop for the hip-hop video "Fire Flame" made by Birdman in 2010.

We looked high and low but couldn't find any interviews with Sieger about why he built a castle with a moat or why he's selling now.

The castle is not actually in Miami but about 30 miles southwest in an agricultural area known as the Redland, just north of Homestead. It's on almost 14 acres.

Chateau Artisan is not the only castle between Miami and Homestead. The Coral Castle, now a museum, was built by hand from 1,100 tons of coral rock by a Latvian immigrant between 1923 and 1951, as a monument to his lost love who left him the day before the wedding. Builder Edward Leedskalnin would say only that he knew the secrets of the pyramids.

If you are interested in Buying this Beautiful Castle, or want more information on the The Castle, please visit my website.

This Blog is maintained by Analou Manent, Real Estate Agent in Miami

Analou Manent: 1000 Venetian Way, Miami Beach FL 33139

Listing Exclusive Analou Manent

Pour plus d'informations sur ce magnifique appartement Venetian Island, Miami Beach, Floride, et pour recevoir tous les informations de comment investir a Miami.



Contactez Analou Manent, Agent Immobilier a Miami Beach
Florida Prestige

Acheter l'immobilier a Miami Trump Towers, Sunny Isles Beach

Pour plus d'informations sur ce magnifique development the Trump Towers, Sunny Isles, Floride, et pour recevoir tous les informations de comment investir a Miami.

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Florida Prestige,

The Most Expensive Real Estate in Miami Beach.....

$ 30,000,000.00
Oceanside #7413, Fisher Island

5 Beds / 5 Baths
7,696 sq ft - 720 m2

Fisher Island's Most Exclusive home is now available for sale. the home is being offered fully turnkey inclusive of artwork and sculptures(detailed inventory upon request). 5 themed bedrooms, in balcony jacuzzi & infiniti pool, bar/wine cellar and conference center. video conferencing capabilities with a tandberg 6000 mxp system. All tv's are hd with multipe entertainment sources such as directv and dvd. audio request system through the unit contains over 40,000 songs from over 3,000 artists This property features 5 beds, 5.5 baths with 7696 s.f. of indoor space.


$ 29,500,000.00
40 Star Island Dr.,Miami Beach

7 Beds / 6 Baths
9,854 sq ft - 930 m2

Majestic main residence & 2 guest houses w/ 9,854 SF repose on lot spanning over 2 acres of guard-gated Star Island; home to stars and business moguls. Its opulent old world charm are abundant w/ sublime architectural details in every room. Endowed with Fine wood, marble, stone floors, fireplace, vaulted ceilings & french doors. Picturesque landscape bestowed w/ unheard of 330' of waterfront, dock, gazebo/entertainment area, resort-style pool & fountains. Truly magnificent for the most demanding client. This property features 7 beds, 6 baths with 9854 s.f. of indoor space.


$ 29,000,000.00
Continuum South Tower #3603, Miami Beach

7 Beds - 7.5 Baths
8,229 sq ft - 785 m2

Breathtaking panoramic views of Oceans Horizon through floor to ceiling glass.. throughout. This one of a kind residence has combined 3 units to make this incredible palace in the sky. Exclusive custom lighting, private elevator lobby opens to a fountain. AMX customized security, audio and video network w/ personalized touch panels in each room. State of the Art home theater. A true masterpiece that indulges every desire. This property features 7 beds, 7.5 baths with 8229 s.f. of indoor space.


$ 28,000,000.00
420 Harbor Drive, Key Biscayne

5 Beds / 7.5 Baths
8,751 sq ft - 835 m2
Magnificient Modern House on the beach project to be be built. European style Gourmet kitchen / 2 living rooms and Ultramodern Baths. Breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean. This property features 5 beds, 7.5 baths with 8751 s.f. of indoor space.



$ 18,770,000.00
4855 Pinetree Drive, Miami Beach

6 Beds / 6.5 Baths
10,383 sq ft - 985 m2
Unique Mediterranean Mansion, magnificently restored. Gracious roooms provide wonderful gathering & entertainment areas, dramatic living room, fireplaces, open wet bar, pool table. State of the Art media room, Fine Marble and Granite, original Wood ceilings with decorative paintings, outside patio, Mini Golf, separate guest house 2 bed/2 baths. 100 feet of Waterfront with dock/lift. Incredible views. This property features 6 beds, 6.5 baths with 10383 s.f. of indoor space.



$ 17,950,000.00
3114 Bay Road, Miami Beach

7 Beds / 8.5 Baths
8,876 sq ft - 845 m2

New construction, to be completed 2012. Modern two story, most rooms have views of wide bay, sited on prestigious North Bay Road. 1/3 of property is dedicated to the arrival, auto courtyard/parking/garage. A foyer entry, library, great room, double master suites w/magnificent vistas,media/safe room arranged as a sculptural piece extending over arrival area, guest & staff rooms.Cabana, exercise rm, outdoor roof area w/Jacuzzi and more.... This property features 7 beds, 8.5 baths with 8876 s.f. of indoor space.


$ 17,000,000.00
Continuum North Tower #3202/3, Miami Beach

5 Beds / 5.5 Baths
5,329 sq ft - 510 m2

Brand new 5 Bedrooms - 5.5 Baths - 2 Master Suites - and a cabana All included in the most sought after spectacular oceanfront Luxury condominiumn"CONTINUUM ON SOUTH BEACH" North Tower. Sepctacular Flow through views throughout entire unit. Formal Dining Room, Formal Living Room, separate Family Room. 3 Private Parkings Spaces. This property features 5 beds, 5.5 baths with 5329 s.f. of indoor space.


$ 16,990,000.00
40 Palm Avenue, Miami Beach

9 Beds / 13 Baths
19,000 sq ft - 1820 m2

This property features 9 beds, 13.5 baths with 19000 s.f. of indoor space.
Incredible waterfront property.



$ 16,900,000.00
2 Indian Creek Drive, Indian Creek

8 Beds / 8.5 Baths
20,986 sq ft - 2,075 m2

Exclusive 2-Acre Site on private Indian Creek Island, 200' on wide bay where you can enjoy complete privacy, fully secured world class golf club community protected by its own dedicated police force/boat patrol. Stunning residences surrounding the championship golf course, a prestigious location! Near famous Bal Harbour shops, beaches, Lincoln Road, SoBeach & all Miami Beach amenities. Fabulous daily sunsets! This property features 8 beds, 8.5 baths with 20986 s.f. (1,949.7 m²) of indoor space.


$ 16,500,000.00
2040 Bay Rd, Miami Beach

6 Beds / 6.5 Baths
11,857 sq ft - 1150 m2
New modern waterfront w/135' of prime waterfront,featuring spectacular interiors,substantial open spaces designed with effortless indoor/outdoor entertaining in mind.Versatile floor plan transitions into large covered open terr with pizza oven,al fresco areas, complete summer kitchen all flowing into infinity pool,spa and one bedroom cabanaw/steam shower, gym, game room, roof canopied sunning lounge.Double gourmet kitchens,state of the art theater,fish tank and LutronSystem This property features 6 beds, 6.5 baths with 11857 s.f. of indoor space.


For more details visit: www.forida-prestige.com
This Blog is published by Analou Manent, Real Estate Agent in Miami Beach

Miami’s luxury condo resale market surges

The luxury condo resale market in Miami Dade County has seen a strong recent upswing, but will it last?
By Peter Zalewski
The Miami Herald

As difficult as it may seem to fathom, given the current macroeconomic data plaguing South Florida, indications are growing that the luxury condo resale market in Miami-Dade County is back — at least for the time being.

Foreign buyers with strong currencies complemented by a scattering of wealthy domestic purchasers acquired more $1 million condos in 2011 than in the last year of the South Florida real estate boom in 2006, according to an analysis of data from the Southeast Florida Shared Multiple Listing Service Database.

Buyers purchased nearly 590 condos for at least $1 million each in 2011 after acquiring less than 500 high-priced units in 2006.

On a year-over-year basis, the 2011 luxury condo resale activity represents a 29 percent increase from 2010 when fewer than 460 units were purchased for at least $1 million each in Miami-Dade.

Weeks into 2012, an additional 100 luxury units are already under contract waiting to transact.

Topping the list for the most expensive condo resale in the year 2011 is a penthouse in the Setai Resort & Residences in Miami Beach that sold for $21.5 million.
A pair of units in towers on South Pointe Drive in Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighborhood rounded out the top three rankings for the highest priced resales for 2011.

In separate transactions, buyers paid $11.5 million for a penthouse in the Apogee condominium and $10.6 million for a high-floor unit in the Continuum On South Beach, respectively.

The resurgence in the luxury resale market has inspired an increasing number of owners – who had previously been unwilling to accept lower prices during the last five years of the real estate crash – to put nearly 1,000 condos on the resale market with an asking price of at least $1 million each.

Nearly 20 ultra-luxury condominium units are on the resale market for at least $10 million each with one unit asking as much as $38 million in the wealthy enclave of Bal Harbour.

Developers are also taking notice of the resurgence in the luxury condo market.
At least five new luxury condo towers – ranging from the one-unit-per-floor Regalia to the drive-the-car-to-the-unit Porsche Design Tower in Sunny Isles Beach – are planned or under construction in Miami-Dade County where the proposed sales prices are expected to surpass $1 million each.

The luxury condo revival in Miami-Dade County is not occurring at the same pace in Broward County where foreign buyers play a somewhat more limited role in transactions.

Buyers purchased less than 70 luxury condo resales in Broward County in 2011 compared to 100 high-priced units at the top of the market in 2006.

On a year-over-year basis, 2011 luxury condo resales in Broward County are up 11 percent from 2010 when 61 condos traded at a price of at least $1 million each.
Going forward, it is unclear if the Miami-Dade luxury condo market can maintain the resale pace given the current economic challenges in the European Union with the erosion of the Euro currency, the adoption of unpopular austerity measures and a series of downgrades by at least one influential rating agency.

Western European buyers from counties such as France, Germany, and Italy represent 19 percent of the estimated $318 million in monthly sales in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Miami Beach market attributed to foreign investors, according to an August 2011 report by the National Association of Realtors.

After buyers from Venezuela, the Western European buyers are the second largest concentration of $1 million buyers of any international group purchasing in Florida, according to the report.

An estimated 12 percent of Venezuelan buyers spend at least $1 million while six percent of Western Europeans are purchasing in that high-priced category.

By comparison, an estimated two percent of buyers from Brazil spend $1 million and one percent of buyers from Canada are in the high-end price range, according to the study.

Another issue facing the Miami-Dade County luxury condo market is the growing number of units available for purchase on the resale market aside from the unsold developer units remaining from the last real estate boom.

Even at the strong 2011 resale pace of an average of nearly 50 units per month, Miami-Dade County has about 20 months worth of high-priced condos currently available for purchase.

Many industry watchers consider a healthy market to have about a six-month supply of inventory.
Reinvigorated sellers with optimistic pricing expectations are another issue facing the luxury condo market.

Sellers of luxury condos are currently seeking a median price of more than $1.75 million in 2012 compared to median transaction prices of $1.6 million in 2011, $1.5 million in 2010, and $1.51 million in 2006.

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This Blog is maintained by Analou Manent, Real Estate Agent in Miami

South Florida Poised for Birth of Casino Gambling

By FRED A. BERNSTEIN
Published: December 27, 2011
To read the article go to: The New York Times


MIAMI — When the Florida Legislature returns from its holiday recess, it will consider a bill to allow three Las Vegas-style casino resorts to be built in the southern part of the state. Lobbyists for the gambling industry have swarmed Tallahassee, trying to ensure that the bill passes.

But the mere possibility of casino gambling has already had an impact on commercial real estate in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. The biggest single move came last May when Genting, a casino company based in Malaysia, bought the Miami Herald building, overlooking Biscayne Bay, for $236 million.

Genting released designs of what it hoped to build on the site: an extravaganza called Resorts World Miami, which in addition to a casino could have up to 5,000 guest rooms, 1,000 condominiums, 100 restaurants and luxury shops and a 3.6-acre rooftop lagoon that looks like something from “The Little Mermaid.” The project would cost $3.8 billion, according to Christian Goode, the president of Resorts World Miami. (The bill requires an investment of at least $2 billion per project.)

And last month, the CIM Group, a real estate investment company based in Los Angeles, bought a stake in a partnership that plans to develop Miami Worldcenter, a 21.9-acre mixed-use project in downtown Miami.

The partnership has received master plan zoning approval for a nine-block, 11 million-square-foot development that, according to its news release, “could easily accommodate a gaming component.”

The Miami Worldcenter site is now mostly parking lots and weeds. Plans for that development were announced in 2008, but the project was shelved when the recession hit. Sissy DeMaria, a publicist for Miami Worldcenter Associates, a joint venture between the South Florida-based Falcone Group and Centurion Partners, wrote in an e-mail that — unlike the Genting complex — “the Miami Worldcenter has all of its permits in place and is ‘shovel ready.’ ”

Already, the casino operator Las Vegas Sands has expressed interest in operating a gambling-based resort at Miami Worldcenter, Andy Abboud, the vice president for government affairs for Las Vegas Sands, wrote in an e-mail.

And Genting has continued its buying spree, spending several hundred million dollars on parcels adjacent to the Miami Herald site.

One of the purchases was the Omni, a mixed-use development that includes 1.5 million square feet — much of it a defunct mall — and a 2,700-space parking garage, where it said it could get a slot machine casino up and running in a matter of months.

Colin Au, a Genting principal, told The Miami Herald, “The Omni is what’s called a decorator-ready solution.” He said Genting was taking “a calculated risk,” in buying the properties before the Legislature has voted on the gambling bill.

Mr. Goode of Genting wrote in an e-mail that the company would develop Resorts World with or without gambling, but that the timeline would be “significantly accelerated” should the Legislature approve the casino component.

The Omni facility would resemble the Resorts World facility that opened at Aqueduct racetrack in Queens in October with some 5,000 video “slot machines” and electronic games, including baccarat tables managed by robotic dealers. Genting estimated that the proposed casino at the Omni would create 5,000 jobs, while its entire Resorts World project would create about 30,000.

But the mega-resorts could be bad news for established businesses in the Miami area, because they tend to provide their customers with everything they need under one roof.

“They’re going to be saying, ‘Here’s a free room, go downstairs and gamble,’ ” said Marty Z. Margulies, a prominent South Florida developer, explaining why other area hotels might lose business from gambling, rather than gain it.

The development of one or both resorts could also threaten the Miami Beach Convention Center, which at 640,000 square feet is considered too small for many gatherings. Genting plans to include some 700,000 square feet of meeting space in its Resorts World complex, while the Miami Worldcenter developers have floated the number 1.5 million square feet.

Either would be serious competition for the Miami Beach facility, which each year hosts Art Basel. It was once the nation’s fourth-largest center but is now the 27th largest.

In part to compete with the possible newcomers, Miami Beach is considering an expansion of its center. The giant firm Arquitectonica (which is also designing the Resorts World complex) was hired by the city to study the possibility of doubling the size of the convention center; its report estimated the cost of the project at $648 million.

It is unclear where Miami Beach will get the money. The city manager, Jorge M. Gonzalez, has been meeting with potential partners, one of whom, the casino magnate Steve Wynn, offered to pay the entire cost of the new center if he could build his own casino near it, according to news reports.

But just two weeks ago, the Miami Beach City Commission voted unanimously to oppose the gambling expansion. (The state law would require local approval before a casino can be built.) The vote brought cheers from a standing-room-only crowd, which included local business owners.

One major hotelier said the decision could put Miami Beach at a disadvantage. “If casinos are approved for the city of Miami, Miami Beach should have the opportunity to have casino gaming in a luxury resort right on the beach,” said Phil Goldfarb, the president of the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, which with 1,500 rooms is by far the city’s largest hotel.

Gambling’s effect on residential property values is another question. Properly planned, “casino development would enhance real estate values in South Florida,” said Philip Spiegelman, a principal of ISG, a realty company that provides marketing for large condominium developers. (Mr. Spiegelman has a partnership with the Related Group; that company’s chairman, Jorge M. Pérez, was one of the sellers of the Omni Center.)

But Diane Lieberman, a leading condominium broker in Miami and Miami Beach, said she did not think the arrival of gambling would have any effect on the condominium market. She said she and her husband, Alan Lieberman, learned that lesson the hard way, buying about 10 houses in Atlantic City when gambling became legal there. “The prices didn’t go up,” she said, adding that gambling “didn’t improve the area. It just added casinos.”

This Blog is maintaned by Analou Manent, Real Estate Agent in Miami