South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
16-bedroom property one of most expensive for sale in Palm Beach
19,434-square-foot ‘La Solana’ estate listed at $49.5 million
A 16-bedroom, 19,434-squarefoot compound that is currently one of the most expensive properties on the market in Palm Beach, reflects the design influence of threerenownedarchitects.
Known as “La Solana,” the estate is located at 172 S. Ocean Blvd., just across the street from the Atlantic Ocean. In addition to the 16 bedrooms, the two- story gated home, which sits on nearly one acre, has 17 full and five half baths spread throughout the main house, two three-bedroom apartments and four private suites. It’s listed for $49.5 million.
“I think somebody with a very large family or with grown kids will buy this property, ormaybe two wealthy people may buy it together because there’s such great separation,” said Gary Pohrer, a real estate agent with Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Palm Beach, who holds the listing. “You can have not only families, but you can feel good about having a very high-end experience for a guest.”
The Mediterranean mansion was originally built in 1926 by Palm Beach architect Marion Sims Wyeth who, according to the Historical Society of Palm Beach County, also designed the Norton Gallery of Art and more than 100 houses in Palm Beach.
He was known for his diversity of design styles, ranging fromArt Deco to Mediterranean Revival and classical Georgian, French and Colonial.
The property has been updated by the current owner since he purchased it in 1989, with the most recent renovation, of the western portion of the home, completed in 2016.
Distinctive features of the house include a lush open-air entry courtyard, pecky cypress coffered ceilings, which were stenciled using a technique called “lime paste,” decorative ironwork, paneling andMediterranean tilework.
The dining room has carved columns, floor tiles and paneled doors thatwere part of the original construction. Outside there is a pool and courtyard gardens.
“It’s like going back in time when you walk through these rooms,” said Pohrer. “The house was originally built by Wyeth, but Fatio did an addition, and some of the stone was made in Addison Mizner’s shop, so it includes three of the most famous architects of the era. Nothing that we’re on the market against has this detail and this history.”