A Tropical Modern home designed by notable contemporary architect Ralph Choeff has hit the market for $16.5 million on Bay Harbor Islands, an exclusive area off the coast of Miami.

“Tropical Modern design brings the indoors and outdoors together and blurs the line between what’s inside and outside,” said Choeff, founding principal of the award-winning, Miami-based Choeff Levy Fischman architecture and design firm. . “It’s a take-off of Mid-Century Modern architecture, with the addition of warm materials such as wood, stone and natural concrete indigenous to the area.”

He cited the vertical wood louvers along the second-floor front facade as one such design detail, which is repeated elsewhere. More wood lines the roofs of the covered entrance and terraces.

The property was listed earlier this month by Jonathan Bigelman, an agent at ONE Sotheby’s International Realty. It’s the most expensive non-waterfront property currently listed for sale on Bay Harbor Islands.

Built in 2019, the underlying property last traded hands in 2015 for $2.35 million, according to public records. The owners declined comment through the listing agent.

The two-story residence bears other hallmarks of the Tropical Modern movement—notably clean lines (including flat roofs), open floor plans, abundant sunlight, reflective surfaces, and covered areas for shade and shelter from the rain.

The oversized corner lot, shielded from view by palm trees and other tropical landscaping, sits one block from Biscayne Bay on Bay Harbor Island, a distinct neighborhood between cultured Bal Harbour to the east and the more residential North Miami to the west. Depending on traffic conditions, it takes about 30 minutes to reach downtown Miami.

“Bay Harbor has found its groove as a unique kind of luxurious tropical paradise, yet it’s still undervalued given what you get and what properties are selling for,” Bigelman said, adding that it is “booming with new developments.” The island is also within walking distance of Bal Harbour via a pedestrian bridge followed by another 10 minutes on land.

The sleek, 8,014-square-foot rectilinear house sports high-end materials throughout, starting with Vena Grigio marble floors complemented by Fry Reglet recessed baseboards. The great room, framed by 22-foot, floor-to-ceiling glass walls, faces a water feature in the front and a pool in the back. Just inside the entrance, a floating glass-and-steel switchback staircase leads to a glass-railed walkway spanning the width of the space below.

There’s also a commercial-grade elevator near the entrance powered by a dedicated generator in the garage. “That’s not something you see very often,” Bigelman said.

He also pointed to the use of frameless aluminum glass doors and windows by the luxury brand Fleetwood in practically every space, including the great room, adjacent kitchen and dining area, and a conversation lounge on the first floor. As shown in many of the listing’s photos, the double-sliding doors open flush to the sides for resort-style open-air living.

According to Bigelman, three of the six bedrooms are upstairs: two smaller ones have en-suite baths and covered terraces. The primary bedroom suite, occupying its own wing, is enclosed by two intersecting glass walls with sliding doors leading to a wraparound atrium overlooking the pool. The attached spa bath features a rain shower and soaking tub. A separate media room is also on this floor.

Back downstairs, a covered outdoor kitchen with bar seating and a natural gas grill and range adjoins the pool. Spiral stairs lead to a second-story terrace; from there, concrete stairs climb to a rooftop deck, offering panoramic views of Miami.

Other listed features include an attached three-car garage, home theater, and gym. The home is equipped as well with smart-home amenities such as electronic blinds and Lutron lighting.

The furniture is also available for purchase at an additional cost, Bigelman said.

Read more at: Mansion Global