Category Archives: Boston MA

Palm Beach’s Landmark ‘Ham and Cheese House’ Is Listed for an Eye-Watering $105 Million

A historic waterfront estate, known as the “Ham and Cheese House” for its alternating brick and coquina stone designed by Maurice Fatio, has just hit the market in Palm Beach, FL, for an astonishing $105 million.

Built in 1927 for businessman Mortimer L. Schiff and his wife, Adele, the seven-bedroom megamansion is known as Casa Eleda, “a nod to Adele’s name spelled in reverse.”

Unbelievable amenities found throughout the Italian Romanesque mansion include a private tunnel leading to the beach, complete with an elevator, and a beachfront cabana with a living room, wet bar, and full bath.

Offering more than 150 feet of direct ocean frontage, the 13,171-square-foot seaside residence—which is said to be owned by Penny Antonini, wife of the late Marion H. Antonini, a former Xerox executive—has surfed to the top of the week’s most expensive homes list.

Historic highlights include arched windows, beamed cypress ceilings, multiple loggias, a formal living room with a coffered ceiling and marble fireplace, and a dining room with a beamed cathedral ceiling and marble fireplace.

Other amenities include a chef’s kitchen, a “striking” bar room, an oceanfront library, a water-facing primary sanctuary with dual baths and closets, a sitting room with a fireplace, and a balcony with expansive water views.

There’s also an exercise room, a home office, an elevator, a recreation room, and a wine cellar.

More spectacular estates to make the week’s most expensive homes list include a New York mansion overlooking Mecox Bay, the Grand Penthouse at the St. Regis Residences overlooking Boston‘s Seaport District, and a brand-new mountain retreat in Aspen, CO.

10. 119 Eel Point Rd, Nantucket, MA

Price: $36,500,000

Dionis enclave: Overlooking Nantucket Sound, this 2.07-acre waterfront compound features a primary residence, a detached two-story guesthouse, and a widow’s walk.

Built in 2021, the 8,820-square-foot estate features a living room with a movable NanaWall opening to a covered porch and a chef’s kitchen with double islands, Calacatta Borghini marble countertops, and a dedicated coffee bar. There are multiple gathering spaces, a glass-enclosed wine cellar, a lower-level recreation room, an adjacent bunk room, and a second-floor sitting room with a private terrace.

The private eight-bedroom estate is located directly across from the Linda Loring Foundation’s 275-acre property. It also has a pool, spa, cabana, outdoor kitchen, wraparound veranda, and a private beach with a mooring.

Ty Costa of William Raveis Real Estate – Nantucket is the listing agent.

Mansion on Nantucket, MA, on sale for $36,500,000
Mansion on Nantucket, MA (Realtor.com)

9. 8184 Rock Hall Rd, Chestertown, MD

Price: $38,200,000

Tulip Forest: This historic 1,053.6-acre working farm is where American militia forces are said to have camped after the British burned Washington, DC, before going up against enemy troops at the Battle of Caulk’s Field.

Found on the “premier sporting estate” are five ponds, three residences, multiple farm outbuildings, impoundments, wildlife, a 26.75-acre wetlands restoration project, 680 tillable acres, and 272 acres of timber. The well-preserved Caulk’s Field House is nestled on the grounds, “recognized among Maryland’s best-preserved War of 1812 sites.” Period details in the four-bedroom brick estate, built circa 1743, include custom millwork, a hidden staircase, plank floors, and two fireplaces.

The Upper Eastern Shore property also has 7 acres that are zoned commercial, additional parcels zoned village, and four sewer allocations.

Francis Hickman of Cross Street Realtors is the listing agent.

Tulip Forest in Chestertown, MD, on sale for $38,200,000
Tulip Forest in Chestertown, MD (Realtor.com)

8. 16745 Stratford Ct, Southwest Ranches, FL

Price: $38,500,000

New construction: This brand-new “architectural masterpiece” in the gated Landmark Ranch Estates boasts 23,977 square feet of opulent space.

The 10-bedroom luxury estate, which shows more like “a private resort,” was custom-built for grand-scale entertaining. Designer details include a 15-foot custom pivot entry door, glass walls, imported Italian cabinetry, an elevator, and a sculptural floating staircase. Over-the-top amenities include formal living and dining rooms, a lounge with a fireplace, a full bar, a 500-bottle wine room, a home theater, a safe room, a “show kitchen,” a “full butler’s kitchen,” 6,925 square feet of covered terraces, lanais and breezeways, a guest wing, and a primary sanctuary with a sitting lounge, dual boutique-inspired closets, and a private terrace.

The 2.39-acre lot comes with water features, a pool, a sunken fire pit, a sport court, a wellness complex with an office, a full gym, a steam room, a sauna, a massage room, a salon, and a showcase garage that accommodates 25 vehicles with lifts.

Tommy Crivello of Tommy Crivello Real Estate Group is the listing agent.

Newly built mansion in Southwest Ranches, FL, on sale for $38,500,000
Newly built mansion in Southwest Ranches, FL (Realtor.com)

7. 258 Horsemill Ln, Water Mill, NY

Price: $39,500,000

Mecox Bay: This seven-bedroom waterfront estate is said to be owned by Chris Burch, co-founder of luxury brand Tory Burch, who bought it for $29 million in 2021.

The 6.9-acre property offering 360 feet of bay frontage features a 9,400-square-foot primary estate. Built in 2009 and “completely renovated,” it now offers “transformed interiors.” The “more sensible floor plan” includes entertaining spaces, a two-story library with built-ins and grand giraffe sculpture, a showcase kitchen, a living room with doors that open to a covered patio, and a primary suite with fireplace and access to a private terrace.

A waterside dining porch overlooks the heated pool. Also found on the property are an orchard, a carriage house with studio office suite, and a private dock. There is also a “permitted” three-bedroom guesthouse.

Timothy Davis of The Corcoran Group – Southampton is the listing agent.

Mansion in Water Mill, NY, on sale for $39,500,000
Mansion in Water Mill, NY (Realtor.com)

6. 375 N Hibiscus Dr, Miami Beach, FL

Price: $42,000,000

Hibiscus Island: This newly built waterfront compound is said to be owned by Nb Hibiscus, an entity registered to Nicola Januschke-Bleicher, an Austrian businesswoman, who purchased the vacant lot for $14,000,000 in 2022. It originally hit the market for $43,900,000 in June 2025.

Located in a guard-gated enclave, the six-bedroom mansion was designed by architect Kobi Karp. Highlights of the 7,256-square-foot contemporary include oversized windows, retractable glass walls, a home automation system, and an elevator. Lavish amenities include a screening room, a wine fridge, a rooftop terrace, a resort-inspired outdoor living area with an infinity-edge pool and spa, a covered dining pavilion, a summer kitchen, a sunken lounge, and a private dock surrounded by spectacular views of the Miami skyline.

The property comes with a detached guesthouse and is located near a playground and sports courts.

Julian Johnston of One Sotheby’s International Realty is the listing agent.

Newly built mansion in Miami Beach, FL, on sale for $42,000,000
Newly built mansion in Miami Beach, FL (Realtor.com)

5. 150 Seaport Blvd Unit Gph, Boston, MA

Price: $44,500,000

St. Regis Residences: The crown-jewel Grand Penthouse, spanning two levels and offering 10,609 square feet of opulent space, sits atop the recently built tower in Boston’s Seaport District.

The luxurious duplex is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows offering breathtaking views of Boston Harbor and the city skyline. Jaw-dropping details include a double-height great room, a sculptural curved floating staircase with glass railings, a grand foyer with an Italian marble radial inlay floor, and a glass-enclosed infinity-edge pool with a clear acrylic bottom, enclosed by a retractable Libart International glass roof.

Bespoke amenities included with the $22,930 monthly association fee include access to a Grand Lounge, a tranquil pool room with a steam room and sauna, a fitness center, and private dining offerings.

The Sarkis Team at Douglas Elliman Real Estate is the listing agent.

The Grand Penthouse at St. Regis Residences in Boston, MA, on sale for $44,500,000
The Grand Penthouse at St. Regis Residences in Boston, MA (Realtor.com)

4. 150 New Place Rd, Hillsborough, CA

Price: $48,888,000

San Francisco Peninsula enclave: Built in 1974, this 10-bedroom legacy estate is being offered for the first time since 2014, when the sellers purchased it for $13,000,000.

The thoughtfully modernized compound features a two-story foyer with a grand curved staircase, a sitting room with a tray ceiling, an updated kitchen with a breakfast bar and separate island, a dining room with a fireplace, and a living room with direct access to a spacious terrace.

A “magnificent” swimming pool, a private tennis court, detached guest accommodations, and a four-car garage can also be found on the property.

Mary Bee of Intero Real Estate Services is the listing agent.

San Francisco Peninsulas in Hillsborough, CA, on sale for $48,888,000
Grand estate in Hillsborough, CA (Realtor.com)

3. 401 Carroll Dr, Aspen, CO

Price: $62,500,000

Panorama House: This brand-new mansion nestled in the Starwood community features 13,439 square feet of sophisticated living space surrounded by stunning Elk Mountain views.

The mountain retreat provides a seamless transition to the outdoor living area, with its glass walls, oversized windows, and “glass-wrapped” terraces. Luxurious offerings include a “dedicated entertainment precinct” with a tiered theater, game room, wine room, and marble bar, and a wellness wing with a heated pool, spa, fitness center, yoga space, steam room, sauna, cold plunge, massage room, and cabana lounge. A lavish primary suite has a soaking tub, a sitting room with a fireplace, and direct access to a private terrace. A separate two-bedroom consolidated dwelling unit could be used for multigenerational living, guest accommodations, or staff.

The 6.51-acre property, with “snow-melted outdoor areas,” has a mountain-facing pool, multiple fire features, an outdoor kitchen, and a three-car garage.

Riley Warwick of 520 East Durant Ave is the listing agent.

Panorama House in Aspen, CO, on sale for $62,500,000
Panorama House in Aspen, CO (Realtor.com)

2. 190 Casuarina Concourse, Coral Gables, FL

Price: $75,000,000

Gables Estates: This modern waterfront mansion overlooking Lago Minore is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2027.

The 1.12-acre estate features more than 200 feet of direct water frontage and a dock for multiple vessels. The magnificent 11,735-square-foot open floor plan includes seven en suite bedrooms, an office with a private entry, a private-entry guest suite, a fitness center, a movie room, a concealed catering kitchen, and staff quarters.

The tropical retreat also has an outdoor kitchen and a second-floor breezeway overlooking an oversized pool and “generous entertainment areas.”

Cervera Real Estate Inc. is the listing agent.

Mansion under construction in Coral Gables, FL, on sale for $75,000,000
Mansion under construction in Coral Gables, FL (Realtor.com)

1. 920 S Ocean Blvd, Palm Beach, FL

Price: $105,000,000

Casa Eleda: This historic Italian Romanesque landmark built in 1927 is owned by Penny Antonini, wife of the late Marion H. Antonini, a former Xerox executive.

Referred to by locals as the “Ham and Cheese House”—a reference to Maurice Fatio‘s use of alternating brick and coquina stone—the seven-bedroom estate was originally commissioned for businessman Mortimer L. Schiff and named after his wife, Adele. (Eleda is her name spelled backward.) Astonishing amenities include arched windows, beamed cypress ceilings, a “geometrically balanced courtyard,” and a private tunnel to the beach with an elevator. A beachfront cabana has a living room, wet bar, and full bath.

Multiple loggias overlook a swimming pool, fountain, and Mario Nievera–designed landscaping.

Christian Angle of Christian Angle Real Estate is the listing agent.

Condemned Boston Home That Was Ravaged by Fire Sells for Full Ask of $776K—Just 3 Days After It Was Listed

A sizable Boston property that sustained significant damage in a November 2024 fire has sold for its full asking price of $776,000—within days of the listing going live.

Located in the bustling neighborhood of Dorchester, the eight-bedroom dwelling had previously been used as a two-family rental until disaster struck 18 months ago, when a fire that was sparked at the front of the property spread up its façade to the roof, leaving the home uninhabitable.

According to reports at the time, the three-alarm blaze caused an estimated $1.5 million in damage. The property was condemned by the city and remained boarded up for months while the owners worked out their insurance claims.

Eventually, however, they decided to walk away from their investment, with listing agent Anthony Bruno of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty explaining that they felt the project would be better left in the hands of those who had more experience in such a significant renovation and restoration.

“When all was said and done, they decided that, for them, it just made more sense to move on and let somebody who does this type of thing on a regular basis come in and handle it,” he says.

Exterior of a burned house in Dorcester Boston
A sizable Boston property that sustained significant damage in a November 2024 fire has sold for its full asking price of $776,000—within days of the listing going live. (Anthony Bruno of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty)
The kitchen in a burned house in Dorcester Boston
According to reports at the time, the three-alarm blaze caused an estimated $1.5 million in damage. The property was condemned by the city and remained boarded up for months while the owners worked out their insurance claims. (Anthony Bruno of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty)
Living room in a burned house in Dorcester Boston
Despite the significant damage caused to the home, when it was listed for sale earlier this month, it attracted a flood of interest from developers, investors, and renovators alike. (Anthony Bruno of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty)
Interior space in a burned house in Dorcester Boston
Offering nearly 4,000 square feet of living space, the property holds plenty of potential for buyers—whether as a multifamily rental or as a stunning single-family dwelling. (Anthony Bruno of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty)

Despite the significant damage caused to the home, when it was listed for sale earlier this month, Bruno says it was flooded with interest from developers, investors, and renovators alike—all of whom had to sign an “Assumption of the Risk/Hold Harmless Agreement prior to scheduling a showing,” according to the listing, because of the dangers involved in going near the home.

Yet, within just two days, the property was under contract—and Bruno tells Realtor.com that he believes the buyer will work to restore the dwelling.

“The majority of people that came through the property, their plans were to use the existing structure and refurbish,” he says. “The fire was mostly in the front of the property. My understanding is that [the fire] started on the front porch and went up on the front, and then to the roof, which likely has to be replaced in its entirety.

“But most people that came through, from the discussions they were having on site, their plans were to use the existing structure and refurbish, rebuild, renovate, rather than tearing it down and starting fresh.”

Bruno further notes that, while much of the exterior of the property sustained damage, particularly the front, which was seen completed boarded up in listing photos, the interior retains many original design details from when the home was built in 1910. Among these are the fireplaces and the hardwood floors.

Offering nearly 4,000 square feet of living space across 15 rooms, the property holds plenty of potential for buyers—whether as a multifamily rental or a stunning single-family dwelling.

However, Bruno believes that the buyers will likely stick with the rental model, noting that they own other investment properties and have experience in this kind of renovation.

Damaged interior in a burned house in Dorcester Boston
Anthony Bruno of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty, the listing agent, notes that the roof will need to be completely replaced. (Anthony Bruno of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty)
An archway in a burned house in Dorcester Boston
Bruno believes that the buyers will likely stick with the rental model, noting that they own other investment properties and have experience in this kind of renovation. (Anthony Bruno of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty)
A fireplace in a burned house in Dorcester Boston
Inside, many original details remain intact from when the home was built in 1910. (Anthony Bruno of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty)
Basement of a burned house in Dorcester Boston
The large basement is unfinished. (Anthony Bruno of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty)
Exterior of a burned house in Dorcester Boston
Bruno believes that the buyer will likely renovate the dwelling, rather than tearing it down. (Anthony Bruno of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty)

“It’s a unique [experience], knowing this wasn’t going to be a first-time home or something along those lines. We knew [the buyer] was going to be an investor, a developer, a contractor, someone who was in that world,” he explains.

“I don’t know exactly what the buyers are going to be doing with the property, but I do know that the buyer does own a number of other properties in Dorchester.”

Either way, Bruno believes that the quick sale of the dilapidated dwelling—and at its full asking price—sends a very clear message about the strength of Boston’s housing market, where the median listing price sits at $899,000, just over $100,000 above the price paid for the damaged Dorchester home.

This “obviously speaks of the market overall, whether it’s the rental market or the condo market,” he explains. “There’s a lot of interest and activity, which, again, I just think speaks to the strength of the market overall.

The property’s allure was further boosted by its optimal location, Bruno notes. The home is located in a charming neighborhood with close proximity to major transport options.

“Ideally located just two blocks from the Ashmont T station entrance on Radford Lane, less than 7 miles to downtown Boston and less than 9 miles to Logan Airport,” the listing noted.

According to NBC Boston, six people were living in the property when the fire broke out—one of whom had to climb out of a window in order to escape. All of them were displayed by the fire.

The property had been in the hands of the same owners for more than 20 years at that point, having previously changed hands for $405,000 in 2001.