Apr 8

Highlights from the 2013 Sony Open Tennis Tournament in Key Biscayne

Posted in 1000 Museum Miami, Altos Del Mar, Bellini Williams Island, Cielo On The Bay, Key Biscayne, Lifestyle, South Florida Community, Tennis Comment

This year ONE Sotheby’s International Realty was the official Fort Lauderdale and Miami real estate sponsor of the Sony Open Tennis Tournament that takes place every March in Key Biscayne. For two weeks our agents greeted tennis fans from around the world in a luxurious air-conditioned tent that was decorated with displays of the top real estate listings in South Florida. With thousands of visitors attending the tournament from all around the world, it was the perfect opportunity to connect and create relationships with potential buyers and sellers.

Throughout the entire event our brokers were on hand to explain to guests about the positive shift in the Miami real estate market as well as real estate market in South Florida and they also had the chance to meet with other agents from Sotheby’s International Realty affiliate offices in Aspen and Turks and Caicos. Stephan Burke, a ONESir Broker, was approached by a buyer interested in purchasing a $20million+ home close to the Coconut Grove area that conveniently walked over to the tent and got more information about current listings. Another agent, Patrick Vysata, met a lady from France that has just sold her villa with the Sotheby’s Realty affiliate in the region and would be interested in purchasing a second property in South Florida soon. Our agents said that many visitors were interested in our developments including Cielo on the Bay, 1000 Museum, Altos Del Mar and Bellini Williams Island.

Overall it was an exciting two weeks filled with the best of tennis and real estate. We are already looking forward to next year’s event and have been cultivating the leads we made!

Mar 6

ONE Sotheby’s Is The Proud Real Estate Sponsor Of This Year’s Sony Open Tennis Tournament

Posted in Key Biscayne, Lifestyle, Miami Beach, Miami Week, South Florida Community, Tennis Comment

Once a year, Crandon Park is taken over by tennis elite and we will be right in the middle of the action! The Sony Open is one of the world’s most competitive and prestigious professional tennis tournaments and One Sotheby’s is honored to be a sponsor of this year’s twelve-day event. The festivities begin on March 18th and a crowd of over 300,000 is expected to be in attendance.

With tennis pros like Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal participating, the matches are sure to be some of the best yet this year. 96 men and 96 women in singles matches and 32 men and 32 women in doubles matches will compete for this incredible title. The Sony Open has been named “Tournament of the Year” nine out of the past 13 years by the ATP and this year should prove to be just as thrilling. The event has grown since its birth 1985 into a series of matches, musical performances and parties. Make sure to stop by the ONE Sotheby’s International Realty booth to learn about amazing opportunities Miami real estate has to offer, when you visit the tournament!

Feb 22

Sony Open Tennis Part of South Florida Active Living

Posted in Coral Gables, Key Biscayne, Lifestyle, Miami Beach, Pinecrest, Tennis Comment

A full house at the WTA women’s singles final in 2012. Photo courtesy of Sony Open.

The Sony Open Tennis takes place in just a few weeks and is a reminder of South Florida’s love for the international tennis community. The tournament is known as the “fifth slam” after Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, French Open and Australian Open.

Last year, the Sony Ericsson Open set an all-time attendance record for the fifth time in six years with 326,131 guests. Visitors came from all over the world, booking more than 14,700 room nights directly through the tournament, which also received 73.5 hours of domestic television coverage.

2012 was a banner year for other reasons as well: the tournament rebranded as Sony Open Tennis; the Tennis Center at Crandon Park received a $1 million dollar renovation for the player areas inside the stadium; and a majority of local voters approved a referendum on the November 6 ballot that allowed for a $50 million renovation of the facilities funded by private money and tournament proceeds.

The 2013 edition of the tournament will take place March 18-31. Visit Sony Open for more information.

LIVING THE TENNIS LIFESTYLE IN SOUTH FLORIDA

Key Biscayne, where the tournament takes place, is world renown as a great place to live for tennis enthusiasts. But other homes in South Florida are also designed for tennis lovers. Here are just five of One Sotheby’s current listings.

This home in gated Journey’s End sits on a 2-acre lot near Biscayne Bay and features a tennis court. The asking price is $8,450,000. Click here to learn more about the property.

A tennis court is nestled next to this waterfront home in Gables Estates. The home is listed at $6,995.000. Click here to learn more about the property.

This luxury estate in Parkland features a tennis court and sauna. The asking price is $3,650,000. Click here to learn more about the property.

This Pinecrest home features a court for tennis lovers living in this lushly landscaped area of Miami-Dade. The asking price is $1,599,000. Click here to learn more about the property.

This waterfront home faces west for gorgeous sunsets and features a tennis court with total privacy at the La Gorce Golf Club community in Miami Beach. The asking price is $9,950,000. Click here to learn more about the property.

To find more homes associated with the tennis lifestyle, visit One Sotheby’s additional listings.

– Maria de los Angeles is a freelance wordsmith based in Miami.

Jul 18

Key Biscayne Summer Community Events

Posted in Key Biscayne Comment

Life is always nice in the Key, especially during the summer time when the local community hits the water and enjoys popular activities such as fishing, sailing, paddle boarding, jet skiing and more. Surrounded by beautiful Biscayne Bay, the island is an oasis among Miami’s bustling urban core where the ambiance is always relaxed and laid-back. This summer Key Biscayne has numerous events for residents and visitors.

July 20th- Acoustic Rock show at The Ibis Lounge: Artists Josh and Mich perform rock classics. 200 Crandon Blvd.

July 21st- Hispanic Theatre Event, “El encuentro de Juan Bobo y Pedro Animal” will be presented by Teatro Avante at the Community Center. 5:45pm at the Community Center located at 10 Village Green Way.

Yoga Classes- Continuous throughout the summer. Community Center members can take advantage of different yoga classes including Gentle Yoga and Power Yoga. For the complete schedule click here.

ONE Sotheby’s also has a spectacular array of properties available in the Key Biscayne area. To see the inventory visit here: Key Biscayne Listings.

Apr 25

HistoryMiami Features Key Biscayne in Exclusive Art Exhibit

Posted in Key Biscayne, Uncategorized Comment

key-biscayne-lighthouse-painting-history-miami

Image courtesy of the Davis Family Collection via HistoryMiami.

Luxury living in Key Biscayne is the norm today but early pioneers had to rough it on this barrier island that lies between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay.

HistoryMiami honors this history in its new exhibit, Key Biscayne: Island of Shifting Sands, which opened in March and runs through June 10, 2012. The exhibit focuses on cultural history from the time of European discovery to the turning point when the island was no longer a remote frontier.

Pictures, artifacts and maps trace Key Biscayne’s history from a variety of perspectives — travelers, passers-by, landowners, scientists, artists, soldiers and more.

A section of the exhibit focuses on images of life at Cape Florida around 1900. Cape Florida is the southernmost tip of the island, today’s Bill Baggs State Park, where locals can enjoy the beach, picnic pavilions, bicycle paths, hiking trails and kayak adventures in the waterways.

After Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the park bounced back resiliently with native flora. It’s one of very few places in Miami-Dade to de-stress and enjoy a natural, old Florida vacation in one’s own backyard. Native sea grape trees provide shade and sea oats grow on the dunes, all just a stone’s throw away from condominiums.

Many of the Cape Florida images in the exhibit, which have never before been available for public viewing, come from albums belonging to the Davis family, landowners on Key Biscayne for almost one hundred years.

Curator Joan Gill Blank describes her enthusiasm about the exhibit: “I’m especially delighted to be able to bring alive a slice of history previously unvisited (1890-1913),” she said in a statement. “Including photographs and art discovered in trunks and attics of the Davis family of Cape Florida, that expands our understanding of pioneering island life and gives us invaluable visual understanding of the island’s role in the evolution of the Bay area and beyond.”

As the oldest known structure in South Florida, the lighthouse at Cape Florida is one of Miami’s most important historic sites. Established in 1825 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, the lighthouse was the sight of a violent battle during the Seminole Wars yet still stands strong as a symbol of maritime history on the island.

For more information on the exhibit, museum hours and location, visit HistoryMiami. Click here for specific details on the Key Biscayne exhibit.

– Maria de los Angeles is a freelance wordsmith based in Miami.

Mar 16

The Sony Ericsson Open Culminates Year-Round Tennis Lifestyle on Key Biscayne

Posted in Key Biscayne Comment

The main court at The Sony Ericsson Open.

Pro tennis players, tennis fans and celebrities are making their annual pilgrimage to tennis mecca Key Biscayne for the Sony Ericsson Open this month. The tournament, which attracted over 310,000 people last year with a broadcast viewership of over 150 million worldwide, starts March 19 and ends April 1.

Two weeks of tennis excitement at the Crandon Park Tennis Center feature riveting matches at the fifth largest tennis tournament in the world, now in its 28th edition. Players to do battle on the courts include Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick, Andy Murray, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, Caroline Wozniacki and Kim Clijsters.

And it’s not just about tennis. Celebrity musical performances, sponsored happy hours, fine food at the members-only Collector’s Club and high-end fashion complete the experience.

Venus Williams.

THE TENNIS LIFESTYLE

It’s no wonder the tropical island of Key Biscayne is home to the Sony Ericsson Open. Established in 1985 by Buch Buchholz in Delray Beach, the tournament found a permanent home on Miami’s Key Biscayne in 1987. But the pop and thud of tennis balls hitting rackets and clay had already been heard on the island since 1978. That year, a group of local tennis enthusiasts led a grassroots effort to establish the Key Biscayne Tennis Association.

ONE | Sotheby’s spoke to Pablo Arraya, a former professional player turned coach, about the evolution of the sport on the island. A native of Peru, Arraya came to Key Biscayne to in 1977 to train with world-renown coach Patricio Apey.

“I turned pro in 1980,” he said. “And around that time, Apey was mentoring many students from South America and all over the world in Key Biscayne, including Gabriela Sabatini. We had many aspiring professionals living here.”

“But it was the Ladies Leagues in the 1980s that really pushed tennis as something that everyone could enjoy,” he explained. “They’d bring kids to practice in the afternoons.”

GREAT TENNIS COMES IN SMALL PACKAGES

After the thrilling rush of the Sony Ericsson Open, it’s back to practice for everyone on quiet, lush Key Biscayne. The Village of Key Biscayne itself – a community of 12,000 residents only 1.5 miles wide and 1 mile long – boasts no less than 40 private tennis courts total spread across condominiums and the famous Cliff Drysdale Tennis Center at the Ritz-Carlton. Many tennis professionals are full-time or seasonal Key Biscayne residents.

The island itself is only 5 miles long and offers 40 public tennis courts on the outskirts of the village, including Calusa Park, Crandon Park Tennis Center and the Key Biscayne Tennis Association at the Crandon Park Golf Course, where Arraya directs a tennis academy.

That’s 80 courts total — not counting those in single-family homes — for an area cradled by beautiful Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic ocean.

After 19 years as a local tennis leader, Arraya is proud of his work as a coach in the community. “We have great after school programs. Many Key Biscayne children have been given scholarships to premier and Ivy League universities because of their tennis skills,” he said. “We also have active ladies teams.”

“Key Biscayne is definitely the place to live if you want a tennis lifestyle for your family,” he said.

– Maria de los Angeles is a freelance wordsmith based in South Florida.

Photo Credits, top to bottom:
CassiaA’s Flickr
Jetbagmanua’s Flickr

Jun 15

Welcome New Agents to the ONE Sotheby’s Team!

Posted in Downtown Miami, Key Biscayne, Miami Beach, OneSir Press Room, South Florida Luxury Homes Comment

In the past two years our team has grown with over 200 of the most experienced and specialized agents in the area. We are excited to welcome these following agents to our firm:

Inna Katz

Inna Katz

Inna Katz has excitedly joined the world renowned Sotheby’s Realty brand in the Miami Beach area. She currently resides in Acqualina, on the North Miami’s Sunny Isles strip, and specializes in the North Miami area. Her fluency in Russian language and culture gives her an edge in the ever-growing Russian market.

Inna was born in Ukraine and immigrated to New York in the early 1990s. She lived and studied there, graduating Suma Cum Laude in Finance from Baruch College in 2004. Throughout her studies, she worked full time in various financial firms, including BlackRock Asset Management and ultimately on the trading floor for the investment bank of JPMorgan Chase. Upon receiving her series 7, 63 and Life and Health license, she traded derivates on Foreign Exchange currencies for the Latin American countries. After realizing her great potential in sales, Inna was given the opportunity to work in Syndication and Sales of Collateralized Debt Obligations (CDOs), where JPMorgan paved the way as the global leader. Inna has road showed managers all over the world, priced billion dollar transactions and has had immense success in the very sophisticated financial markets.

After moving to Miami a few years ago, Inna has decided to use her high net worth client connections, knowledge of the Real Estate market and access to Russian clientele to further her career in the more flexible and ever expanding business of Real Estate. She is extremely driven, savvy and experienced in sales to further expand the Sotheby’s brand in the Miami’s luxury market.

Dennis Stevick

Dennis Stevick

Dennis’ success in real estate can be attributed to his attention to detail, high level of integrity, professionalism and market knowledge, excellent customer service and his ability to build respectful relationships within the industry. Dennis never loses sight of his goal to obtain the best possible real estate experience for each client and knows that every person he works with is integral to the growth and success of his business. Dennis is also aware of the importance of marketing, which is evident in his comprehensive sales and marketing program, unsurpassed in this market. Along with his business partner, Dale Atkins, this team has achieved recognition for their power to produce successful sales transactions consistently year after year (Top 1% of Realtors in Fort Lauderdale, Top 1% of Realtors in Broward County), and achieved the designation of FINE HOME SPECIALISTS for their exceptional representation of distinctive homes. Unleash the Power with Dale and Dennis, DND ASSOCIATES – Your Luxury and Waterfront Specialists! Call Dennis today… 954-592-2277. Email Address is dndassociates@msn.com.

Dale Atkins

Dale Atkins

Dale has been a high achiever throughout his professional life due to his tremendous passion for selling. After relocating here from Southern California, Dale immersed himself in the real estate business and the East Fort Lauderdale community, building a formidable reputation for his integrity, extensive market knowledge, excellent customer service, hard work, consistency and successful sales transactions. Dales’ clients and friends will attest to his impeccable professionalism and his gracious and kind heart. Dale’s specialty is residential homes, condos and villas in the Fort Lauderdale Beach communities such as: Coral Ridge Country Club, Coral Ridge, The Landings, Lake Estates, Bay Colony, Sunrise Intracoastal, Galt Ocean Mile, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Fort Lauderdale Beach, Las Olas, Victoria Park and Bermuda Riviera, just to name a few! Together with his business partner, Dennis Stevick, this team ranks in the Top 1% of Realtors in Fort Lauderdale. Just give Dale a call… 954-592-3457. Email address is dndassociates@msn.com.

Caren Bash

Caren Bash is a South Floridian native. She was born in Miami, raised in the greater Fort Lauderdale area and received her degree at Florida State University. She then returned to Fort Lauderdale having little doubt that this was where she wanted to work and thrive permanently. She lives and breathes the South Florida lifestyle and knows the region like the back of her hand.

Caren has developed lifelong relationships throughout the community and is actively involved in various charities. Networking both socially and professionally are second nature to her as her interpersonal skills are exceptional.

As a Sales Associate for One Sotheby’s International Realty, Caren assists her sellers in marketing their properties to suit their individual needs while utilizing the extraordinary online marketing and worldwide presence that the Sotheby’s brand offers.

Caren’s success is due to paying strict attention to personal detail, the best terms available and applying her strong negotiating skills to suit both her buyers and sellers…. Everyone is happy!

Mercedes Saewitz

Mercedes Saewitz

Born and raised in Coconut Grove, Mercedes Saewitz is the founder of M Group Realty. She was first educated at the prestigious Ransom Everglades School, and then earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Miami in 1998. During her college career, Mercedes also became fluent in Spanish through the school’s prized study abroad program in South America. As the daughter of local business and real estate mogul Max P. Saewitz, Mercedes learned early on what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur in the real estate business.

Mercedes first applied her business acumen as manager of various Miami night clubs, and eventually ran the famed Opium Group for five years before launching her career in real estate. Her initial entry into commercial real estate quickly progressed into her position as one of Miami’s top high-end residential real estate producers. Mercedes extensive experience in all aspects of complex real estate transactions, as well as her attention to detail and desire to satisfy her clients is a testament to her ability to guarantee a delightful experience. Specializing in high-end luxury homes and unique properties in South Florida. Backed with extensive knowledge of both “up and coming” and established enclaves throughout the Greater Miami area, Mercedes is committed to delivering superior service and facilitating each real estate transaction with a dedication to excellence.

We are so excited to welcome these new agents to the team!

Jan 25

Key Biscayne TweetUp Highlights New High-Tech Office

Posted in Key Biscayne, South Florida Luxury Homes Comment

Last Thursday, January 20th we hosted our third tweet-up at our new Key Biscayne office located at 328 Crandon Blvd. A lively crowd of over 50 guests gathered for an evening of tweeting, cocktails and gourmet bites. Tweeters used the #onesir hashtag to broadcast their tweets on the large plasma TV in the office’s sleek new lobby and share all the action with their followers.

Joining the decor of the new office in Key Biscayne is Venezuelan photographer, Kiko Ricote. Kiko is the ‘spotlight artist’ being recognized for his contributions to the local market. His renowned photography is displayed on the white walls of the office providing visitors an ‘art gallery’ experience.

“We are constantly working on new and innovative savvy marketing tools to offer clients and brokers,” says company president Beth Butler. “The Tweet Up events have been very successful, everyone enjoys tweeting.” Guests also participated in the giveaway raffle, which included beach apparel by local fashion designer Liza and Tara and yoga classes.

Make sure to follow @onesir on Twitter to stay updated on our next events!

Dec 22

Significant Sales of 2010

Posted in Coconut Grove, Cocoplum, Coral Gables, Downtown Miami, Key Biscayne, Marquis Residences, Miami Beach, South Florida Luxury Homes Comment

2010 was a tremendous time for One Sotheby’s International Realty- many exciting accomplishments were made by our team of over 200 associates, who closed mega-deals all over South Florida. From luxury condos, to magnificent homes and five-star mansions, here’s a look a back at the most significant sales of the year.

158 South Prospect in Miami: Closed for $14.1 Million

510 South Mashta Drive in Key Biscayne: Closed for $10.413 million- Former home of superstar Cher was sold by One Sotheby’s assocaite Jorge Uribe.

510 Mashta Drive

40 Indian Creek Island in Indian Creek- Closed for $9.3 million:

205 S.E. Spanish Trail in Boca Raton- Closed for $6.3 million

Upper Penthouse One at the W South Beach Residences in Miami Beach- Closed for $6.2 million: Harvey Daniels,sales associate for The Residences at W South Beach, completed the sale with the buyer’s representative Eloy Carmenate, one of the company’s top producing agents.

3581 Crystal View Court in Coconut Grove- Closed for $5.5 million: Formerly the home of NBA player Carlos Boozer, from the Utah Jazz was sold by One Sotheby’s associates Tomi Rose and Marisela Cisneros.

5745 Pinetree Drive in Miami Beach- Closed for $4.65 million

5760 North Bay Road in Miami Beach: Closed for $4.5 million

6035 SW 92 Street in Pincrest- Closed for $3.28 million

9881 W. Suburban Drive in Pinecrest- Closed for $3.275 million

We’re looking forward to representing the most outstanding and luxurious homes of South Florida in 2011 while we continue to offer the most high-end and professional real estate services to our clients. To see our complete collection of exclusive listings click here.

Nov 5

Halloween Party on Key Biscayne!