Search Miami Mansions for Sale

What is a Mansion?

A mansion is a very large home but the word itself is not very well defined.  Many realtors consider a mansion to be a large home over 8,000 square feet, however, that is not always the case. There are other factors to consider in addition to size, such as location, plot size, quality of construction and amenities provided. 

Some Miami mansions are brand new and reflect the passion of their designers and architects.  Not merely modern luxury homes, these homes are steller in many regards. Other Miami mansions are  perfect art deco designs dating back to the mid-1930s, and some owe their heritage to a previous, world-famous owner. 

Why don’t I see Mansions advertised on real estate websites?

If you are doing a mansion property search Miami MLS won’t show any results for mansions. Since the word mansion is not very well defined and highly objective, real estate agents and buyers forgo labeling luxury properties as mansions unless they already have the word mansion in the properties name, like some heritage properties such as The Playboy Mansion.  

How are Mansions different from each other?

What might be considered a mansion in one location might not be considered a mansion in another location. Golden Beach, just north of SunnyIsles, is perhaps the only location in Miami Beach where one would find a mansion with its only private beach. Golden Beach has a couple handfuls of huge beach houses directly on the white sand of the Atlantic Ocean for 1.3 miles. 

In Miami and Los Angeles, mansions are bound to have not just a swimming pool, but an infinity pool and oversized living spaces for entertaining. In Miami, a private dock for a yacht is one of the most sought after amenities and something that is surprisingly easy to find. In contrast, a mansion in New York City would never have any of these features. 

While a lot of luxury homes for sale might be called mansions by their owners, luxury houses are not necessarily mansions. Often referred to as McMansions, these large mass produced modern houses will have features like a three car garage, a large living room, and a designer kitchen, but that really doesn’t cut it when compared to a real mansion. A McMansion is just a home designed to look expensive, when in fact they are mass produced and far from being a mansion. 

Where are Mansions in Miami?

In mainland Miami Fl mansions can be found in neighborhoods like Coral Gables and Coconut Grove.  Cocoplum, Cocoplum Island and Tahiti Beach - all adjacent to Coral Gables on the water south of Coconut Grove - are also home to some of the finest mansions in Florida.  For clients looking for the largest lots, however, Pinecrest, to the south of Coral Gables, and Southwest Ranches, to the north of the city, is where you will find them.  

Where are Mansions in Miami Beach and who lives in these Mansions?

Most of the Miami Beach Mansions can be found on many of the islands that dot the city, such as  Star Island, Palm Island, Hibiscus Island, and the Sunset Islands all lie due west of Miami Beach. Indian Creek Island, one of the most exclusive islands in Miami Beach, is due west of Surfside (close to Bal Harbour). Fisher Island, perhaps the most private of them all, is located due south of South Beach.

Trying to find a mansion on Indian Creek Island is no easy feat. Even when the real estate market activity in the region is low, the demand for homes on Indian Creek Island is always strong given that there are only 40 lots available. Some notable past and present residents of the island are: Carl Icahn, Julio Iglesias, Adriana Lima, Ivanka and Jared Kushner, the Emir of Qatar, and Tom Brady and his supermodel wife Gizelle. 

Moving to La Gorce Island, close to North Beach, this 56-acre island has played home to famous residents like Billy Joel, Ricky Martin, Cher, Matt Damon and Lil Wayne. Palm Island in Biscayne Bay, connected to Miami Beach by a causeway, is a man-made, 82-acre private island. 

Star Island, a manmade island of only 86 acres that houses only 30 lots, is perhaps the most famous island in the Miami Beach area because it was home to Tony Montana in Scarface. Gloria Estefan, Shaquile ONeil, Rosie ODonnell, P. Diddy and Vladislaw Doronin are residents of this island today. 

Created in 1923, Palm Island and Hibiscus Island are two private man made islands in Biscayne Bay. These islands are gated and very private. Once home to Al Capone and Barbara Walters, these islands are now home to Enrique Eglesias and Shakira, among others. 

Perhaps the most exclusive of all locations is Fisher Island. It is accessible only by private ferry or helicopter and sits just off the southern tip of Miami Beach. Fisher Island is where William Vanderbilt erected his winter estate. Famous past and present residents include Julia Roberts, Boris Becker, Andre Agassi, Oprah, and Jim Carrey and lots of CEOs. 

While not exactly in Miami, Palm Beach has some of the most interesting mansions in all of Florida. It is, perhaps, the island that is packed with the most billionaires, including Stephen Ross, Stephen Scwartzman, Julia Koch, Bill Gates, as well as many other political figures including Trump.