Three-story Fort Lauderdale ‘Fort’ Designed to Withstand Hurricanes — and Exude Luxury — Hits the Market for $15 Million
A new benchmark for luxury bunkers has just been set in Fort Lauderdale, FL, where an extraordinary three-story mega-mansion that was built to both weather the area’s most aggressive storms and to provide a luxury lifestyle unlike any other has hit the market for just under $15 million.
The opulent three-story waterfront mansion occupies two contiguous lots, totaling approximately 0.58 acres with more than 200 feet of frontage, and overlooks the Middle River with stunning water views.
Yet the house itself offers a much more spectacular view, rising above all the surrounding homes with a unique design that makes it seem as if the stories are floating above each other.
Motorized glass walls can be opened to welcome the outdoors in, taking full advantage of the aforementioned views, which are made all the more spectacular by the lack of imposing columns, a design feature that gives the home its ‘floating’ illusion.
“What is really unique about this house is that there are no columns from the overhang of the balconies, because the owner wanted an unobstructed view,” said the agent. Jonathan Vega from One Sotheby’s International Realty.
“One of the most impressive things about the home is the views from the living areas, bedrooms and the primary suite on the third floor.”
Built in 2023, the five-bedroom mansion is custom designed for large-scale entertaining and features a home office, fitness center, multiple living areas and a gourmet kitchen with huge double islands, sinks and wall ovens.
“It’s a very special house with a lot of presence,” Vega said. “You get one of the largest waterfront properties within three miles of Las Olas for less than $15 million.
“There’s a main kitchen with sparkling water on the tap, a hibachi grill and a pizza oven. There’s also a secondary kitchen, so it’s a home designed for a chef.”
Other lavish highlights found throughout the 8,000-square-foot open floor plan include custom millwork from Milan, a floating staircase, and an elevator for easy access to all three levels. The smart home also has 78 solar panels on the roof.
However, it is the retractable glass walls that are perhaps the most sensational feature in the home.
“It has motorized Sky-Frame sliding doors from Switzerland that you can control with your phone via an app,” Vega noted.
“They are real pocket doors and it’s really cool to show off when you have people in the house. The doors are huge so you can really enjoy the view that opens out to a super wide canal.”
Living and dining areas flow seamlessly into a covered terrace with summer kitchen, sun deck and infinity pool with swim lane and spa. A lavish primary suite spanning the entire third floor features a private wraparound terrace.
The coastal estate was built to withstand Florida hurricanes.
“It is built on concrete piles designed to withstand wind speeds of more than 200 miles per hour,” Vega said. “It’s like a concrete bunker.”
In addition to the main home, the property also comes with a building plot, offering the next buyer the opportunity to build a guest house, sports court, recreation room or simply enjoy the extra privacy.
“The lot is located in Bal Harbour, a gated community in Fort Lauderdale, just off the Federal Highway and close to Las Olas. It is truly a unique property.”
“There’s nothing to block the view, but you could build something there. I had a buyer who wanted to build an indoor pool.”
The spacious property just two miles from the beach also features a 3,000-square-foot concrete dock and a 50,000-pound boat lift.
“It also has a drive-through garage with super high ceilings, so if a storm comes you can park a boat there,” Vega said. “There is also an elevator from the garage to the master suite, so you can park in the garage and go straight to bed. They really thought of everything when building this home.”
