2093 Carolina Ave. N.E. sold for $9.2 million. [ Bear Karry Productions ]
For the average Tampa Bay resident, buying a home in 2023 was an uphill battle. Rising interest rates and stubborn home prices shut first-time buyers out and kept others trapped in starter homes.
But in the world of luxury real estate, it was a banner year.
Tampa saw the largest increase in luxury home sales in the country, with sales surging 35.8% year over year in the third quarter, according to data from Redfin.
Luxury buyers tend to pay with cash, said local Realtor Jennifer Zales. That means they’re not impacted by higher mortgage rates.
Tampa Bay has seen an influx of wealthy buyers from places like California, New York, Palm Beach and Miami.
“Part of that is due to the value pricing we can offer in Tampa compared to those markets, which were extremely high-priced this year,” said Zales.
Many of those buyers sought out brand-new homes. Zales said she expects this trend to continue in 2024 as buyers consider the impact that storms and flooding could have on their properties. This may lead to more tear-downs of older homes on desirable waterfront properties.
Here’s a look back at the most expensive homes sold in the Tampa Bay area this year:
1. $17.85 million — 42 Ladoga Ave.
This home at 42 Ladoga Ave. in Tampa is on one of the largest waterfront properties in the Davis Islands neighborhood, spanning 1.45 acres. [ Kevin Westlund, South Meadow Productions ]
The basics: This 1920s home is on one of the largest waterfront properties in Tampa’s Davis Islands neighborhood, spanning 1.45 acres. The sale is the second-most expensive in Tampa Bay’s history, preceded only by Derek Jeter’s former home.
The 9,038-square-foot house has seven bedrooms, seven full bathrooms and two half-bathrooms.
The agents: Dina Sierra Smith, Mary Beth Byrd and Leslie Minder with Smith & Associates were the listing agents. Heidi Odio and Kerry Lather from Compass Florida were the buyer’s agents.
Special features: Amenities include a gym, a wine cellar and two office spaces. Outdoors, there’s a pool and a boathouse with two lifts. The home is situated on three separate lots, so it may be torn down and redeveloped.
2. $14.95 million — 5524 W. Neptune Way
5224 W. Neptune Way has five bedrooms, eight bathrooms and 164 feet of water frontage. [ Tony Sica Photography ]
The basics: Located in Tampa’s Beach Park neighborhood, this 10,123-square-foot home has five bedrooms, six full bathrooms and two half-bathrooms. It was built in 2007.
The property spans more than half an acre with 164 feet of water frontage.
The agents: The listing agent was Jennifer Zales from Coldwell Banker Realty. The buyer’s agents were Christina Barone and Vincent Barone from Signature Realty Associates.
Special features: The centerpiece of this home is the unique three-level cascading pool and spa overlooking the bay. Each of the bedrooms has its own private bathroom, water view terrace and walk-in closet. There are also two elevators, a game room, a gym, a wine cellar, a theater room and a four-car garage.
3. $12.35 million — 42 Sandpiper Road
Construction at 42 Sandpiper Road was completed in 2023. [ Hawke and Rocke Productions ]
The basics: This 10,474-square-foot home sits on 0.42 acres of waterfront land in Beach Park.
Completed in 2023, it features seven bedrooms, eight full bathrooms and one half-bathroom.
The agents: Jennifer Zales from Coldwell Banker Realty represented the seller. Andre Kashou from Smith & Associates Real Estate represented the seller.
Special features: This is an energy-efficient smart home with modern touches like a floating staircase and white quartz countertops. There’s an office, a media room, a gym, a massage room and two separate garages with space for eight cars.
4. $10.8 million — 104 Ladoga Ave.
This newly built home was finished in 2023, with six bedrooms, 7½ bathrooms and 7,416 square feet. It sold for $10.8 million. [ Tony Sica Photography ]
The basics: This Davis Islands home was finished in 2023. It has six bedrooms, seven full bathrooms, one half-bathroom and 7,416 square feet on a 0.34-acre waterfront lot.
The agents: Adriana Silver of Tomlin St. Cyr Real Estate Services represented the seller. The buyer was Carmen D’Ambrosio from Coldwell Banker Realty in Key Biscayne. She represented herself in the deal.
Special features: Inside, find a glass-enclosed wine room and a glass-enclosed office with waterfront views. The outdoor space includes a full kitchen, a gas fireplace and deep water dockage for a yacht, as well as a saltwater pool and spa.
5. $10 million — 32 Gulf Blvd.
This house at 32 Gulf Blvd. was built in 2023. It sold for $10 million. [ VHT Studios ]
The basics: Built in 2023, this home on Indian Rocks Beach has five bedrooms, along with five full en suite bathrooms and a powder bathroom. It is 5,828 square feet and sits on 0.42 acres.
The agents: The listing agent was Richard Hehl of Coastal Properties Group. The buyer’s agent was Terry Tillung of Coldwell Banker Realty.
Special features: The beachfront property boasts an unobstructed view of both the Gulf of Mexico and intracoastal waters and has its own boat slip. The home has a heated pool and spa with a covered sun deck. Inside, the kitchen has two massive islands, a double oven, two dishwashers and a separate bar, and every bedroom has a veranda overlooking the water.
6. $10 million — 934 S. Golf View St.
This home at 934 S. Golf View St. sold for $10 million. [ Judson Brady Photo Solutions ]
The basics: This 15,999-square-foot home was built in 2002 on the Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club course in Tampa. It has six bedrooms, seven full bathrooms and five half-bathrooms, and sits atop 0.80 acres.
The agents: The listing agent was Gunjan Walia with eXp Realty. The buyer’s agent was James Henning of Compass Florida.
Special features: This home includes a home theater, walk-in wine cellar and separate guest apartment with two bedrooms. There is also a private pool and spa, along with a pool house that has a commercial kitchen and professional recording studio.
7. $9.5 million — 11 Baymont St., Unit 1501
The four-bedroom 3½-bathroom residence has broken the record for most expensive condo in Tampa Bay. [ Tony Sica ]
The basics: This unit in the Residences at Sand Pearl Resort on Clearwater Beach broke the record for the most expensive condo in Tampa Bay.
The 5,349-square-foot space has four bedrooms, three full bathrooms and one half-bathroom. The building was built in 2007.
The agents: Terry Tillung and Tanner Tillung from Coldwell Banker Realty represented the seller. Sophia Vasilaros from Smith & Associates Realty represented the seller.
Special features: This condo has three private terraces and views of the gulf from almost every room. Amenities in the building include 24-hour concierge service, a beachfront pool, a spa, a fitness center and a sauna.
8. $9.2 million — 2093 Carolina Ave. N.E.
2093 Carolina Ave. N.E. sold for $9.2 million. [ Bear Karry Productions ]
The basics: Coming in at just under 8,000 square feet, this 2014 home has five bedrooms, six full bathrooms and one half-bathroom. It’s located on a 0.49-acre waterfront lot in St. Petersburg’s Venetian Isles neighborhood.
The agents: The listing agents were Georgia Janas, Kirby Bryan and Kristen Burke of Northstar Realty. The buyer’s agent was Robert Griffin with Remax Metro.
Special features: Amenities include a wine cellar, an elevator, a game room and a study. The outdoor living space includes a kitchen, fireplace and saltwater pool with spa. In addition to the main home, there’s a nearly 700-square-foot mother-in-law suite above the four-car garage.
9. $9.03 million — 20 Sandpiper Road
Inside this house at 20 Sandpiper Road you’ll find a movie theater, gym, formal dining room, 500-square-foot loft and a wine cellar. [ Hawke and Rock Productions ]
The basics: This five-bedroom, 5½-bathroom house in Beach Park has 8,077 square feet of living area. It was built in 2022 on a 9,882-square-foot bayfront lot.
The agents: Jennifer Zales with Coldwell Banker Realty represented the seller. Jamie Koharski from Remax Elite Realty represented the buyer.
Special features: Indoors you’ll find a movie theater, gym, formal dining room, 500-square-foot loft and wine cellar. Outdoors, there’s a pool complete with fire fountains, a floating spa and an additional kitchen. The 10-car garage is decked out with electric vehicle charging.
10. $9 million — 1943 Brightwaters Blvd. N.E.
This home in St. Petersburg's Snell Isle neighborhood sold for $9 million. [ Google Earth ]
The basics: This home in St. Petersburg’s Snell Isle neighborhood is 10,247 total square feet, with five bedrooms and 5½ bathrooms. It sits on a 0.41-acre lot with 114 feet on the waterfront.
The agents: The listing agent was Suzanne Muchow of eXp Realty. The buyer’s agent was Tia Li of People’s Choice Realty.
Special features: This home includes a gourmet kitchen, along with a prep kitchen and butler’s pantry, a bar area and a wine room that holds approximately 200 bottles. Upstairs, there is a loft space meant for entertaining, complete with a balcony, wine fridge and 130-inch screen. The outdoor space includes a heated spa and pool with an Infinity edge, a dock with a 24,000-pound lift and a covered kitchen.
11. $9 million — 70 Ladoga Ave.
70 Ladoga Ave. sold for $9 million. The same buyer also bought the home next door for $3.5 million [ Google Earth ]
The basics: This Davis Islands home was built in 2001 and spans 5,197 square feet.
The agents: Allan Mezrah from the Toni Everett Co. was the sole agent.
Special features: The buyer also bought the house next door, 68 Ladoga Ave., in a separate sale. That house sold for $3.5 million. These homes were purchased for the land and the waterfront view. In a year or so, the two homes will be demolished to make way for a new, larger property, Mezrah said.
tampabay.com | Tampa Bay Times | By: Rebecca LiebsonTimes, Teghan Simonton (Times staff)
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