Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
At $12.5 million and 14,000 square feet, Jupiter mansion is out of this world.
Bear’s Club residence on market for $12.5 million
Visitors do not casually arrive at 161 Bear’s Club Drive in Jupiter. After pulling into the porte-cochere and marveling at its hand-painted ceiling, they develop a sense of wonder and anticipation about what awaits them inside.
Entering the foyer, twin staircases with custom railings hand-forged in Colombia provide an elegant focal point. A marble floor inlay of cherubs was carved by a Florentine artist using 60 different semi-precious stones. Beautiful glass shelf niches line the entryway, providing ample display space. A hand-painted domed ceiling and chandelier complete the room.
The 14,148-square-foot mansion belongs to Dan Colussy, a former president and chief operating officer of Pan American World Airways, former chief executive of Canadian Pacific Airlines and onetime chairman of UNC Inc., formerly known as United Nuclear Corp. He is widely credited with saving Iridium, the operator of a network of communications satellites, from financial ruin.
According to his website, he is currently chairman of Gemini Capital LLC, a venture fund that invests in early stage companies that develop new technologies.
Colussy’s business ventures gave him and his wife a window on the world. Italy was a favorite for the couple, as the two captured hundreds of photographs of Italian villas and palazzos in and around Venice. This served as the inspiration for their “Venetian Palazzo” in Palm Beach County.
The interior of the home features intricate millwork and countless European influences.
Artists from Italy and Eastern Europe painted murals on the ceilings throughout the home. Floors and countertops are composed of 20 different types of marble from 12 countries, including Italy, France and Russia.
“This is absolutely the most significant home that’s ever been for sale in the Bear’s Club,” said listing agent Brian Coffey, of Coastal Sotheby’s International Realty. “Nothing has ever come on the market like this.”
The highlight of the family room is a fireplace and mantel, custom designed and carved from marble in China, weighing a combined 10 tons.
Totaling 2,300 square feet, the master suite is outfitted with a sitting area, fireplace, morning kitchen and separate hisand-her dressing rooms and bathrooms. The suite, accessible by elevator or stairs, also has a private balcony overlooking the gardens.
The library is adorned from floor to ceiling in beautiful woods and contains built-in walnut bookshelves, a custom three-domed painted ceiling, fireplace, large conference desk and a private archive room. French doors lead to an attached covered porch, also accentuated with a custom-painted ceiling and views of the gardens.
The mansion features three in-suite guest bedrooms with a common sitting area, morning kitchen and private balcony. Other rooms include a music room and gallery, office, workout/massage room, flexible guest suite and a four-car, air-conditioned garage. Guests can find plenty of room for parking, as a large auto park accommodates up to 12 vehicles and the front driveway offers six spaces.
A dedicated wine room houses a cooling system and a capacity of nearly 250 bottles.
Designed to take advantage of the breezes flowing from South Florida’s waterways, the mansion’s loggia provides a yearround area for dining and entertaining. It has a bathroom, changing room and custom-painted ceiling that was completed by a Russian artist.
Adjacent to the loggia is a 37,000-gallon swimming pool, which is a replica of one the couple swam in at an Italian villa. A pergola covered in bougainvilleas shelters the Jacuzzi and sitting areas. A bronze fountain highlights the patio and marble statues that embody the four seasons surround the area.
Another three fountains are located in the gardens around the pool, adding to the relaxing atmosphere. Marble walkways allow for easy access to the garden area and a private meditation garden is available for quiet time. Situated on two acres, the estate features a fruit orchard with mango, fig, avocado, papaya, banana, plantain, coconut and citrus trees. It also has a raised garden bed to grow vegetables and herbs.
Palm Beach County property records show that Colussy bought the land for around $2 million in 2003. The Venetian palace was completed in 2009 and is currently listed for sale at $12.5 million.
The Bear’s Club, a prestigious golf course community, was designed by ‘The Bear’ himself, Jack Nicklaus. It features a 35,000-square-foot clubhouse and private estates, club cottages and golf villas.
Basketball legend Michael Jordan, tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams and golf pros Luke Donald, Ernie Els and Michelle Wie are just a few of the stars who call Bear’s Club home.