Historic property on sale in Miami for $65 million

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Sunday, October 19, 2014
La Brisa
La Brisa sits on 6.9 acres on Biscayne Bay. The historical property has ties back to the founding of Miami in the 1800s.
Coldwell Banker-KTRK

We've all heard about super expensive homes. In Miami, La Brisa is on the market for $65 million, making it the most expensive home currently on the market in Miami-Dade County.

The home sites on 6.9 acres of waterfront property with a storied history that dates back to Coconut Grove's earliest settlers.

The property's listing agent describes La Brisa as once in a lifetime chance to own a piece of south Florida's past.

Click/tap here to view a photo gallery of the property.

"This is an extremely rare opportunity to purchase not just part of Miami's colorful history, but to own spectacular Hammock that rivals a private reserve in the heart of Miami's famed Coconut Grove neighborhood, with 207 feet of waterfront on Biscayne Bay," said Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate agent William P.D. Pierce. "As you pass through the front gates, it's as if you are traveling back in time with a unique splendor unmatched by any property in South Florida, but yet, you're still just steps from the restaurants and stylish boutiques of Coconut Grove."

The land was first deeded in 1886 to Kirk Munroe, a noted author of children's adventure novels and books about Florida, and his wife Mary Barr Munroe. The Munroes included several well-known authors in their circle of friends, and were introduced to Florida by Munroe's sister, who was married to the youngest son of Harriett Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom's Cabin.

The property was later purchased by anthropologist Henry Field, a grand-nephew of the founder of the Marshall Field's department store chain, and his wife Julia, who was a lion tamer and first curator of the Crandon Park Zoo.

In addition to the historical value of the property, the home and grounds are spectacular.

La Brisa sits on top of an ancient coral reef approximately 23 feet above sea level. The home features 13,803 square feet "under air" plus an additional 3,338 square feet of outdoor living space including several picturesque balconies and covered porches, for a total square footage of 17,141. With 9 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms and 3 half-baths, the Mediterranean-style home's unique architectural details include original woodwork on the upper-floor galleries, intricate keystones above the entryways that have been carefully restored, arched doors and windows, and an assortment of wrought-iron and wood balconies providing vistas of both property and water. There's a pool, spring-fed pond and an outdoor entertaining space that can accommodate 250 people.

For more on La Brisa, click/tap here.

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