Miami Real Estate

A  private 32 acre University of Miami gated community will be open to the public this Sunday, May 17th,   from 2:30pm  until 5:00pm.  Nestled on grounds maintained by Fairchild Botanic Tropical Gardens  in the heart of Pinecrest, you are surrounded by natural hammocks, mango trees in full bloom, walking trails, and lush open spaces… in FOUR FILLIES . 

 These 30  newly built homes (by Breakstone) offer phenomenal GREEN FEATURES to maximize quality of life, and minimize maintenance and costs.  Most are SOLD OUT. 

The community itself is deed restricted to approved University of Miami Faculty ( full-time, adjunct, medical research, and recruits), and it does offer a guaranteed buy-back program. 

If you are affiliated with the University of Miami,  the SAM PROGRAM applies to a number of the  homes  in Four Fillies.  If you are not affiliated with the University, this might be incentive to do so.  Ever considered  becoming a part-time lecturing professor? 

 There are only a handful of  HOMES FOR SALE within Four Fillies Farm.

 Come by the OPEN  HOUSE on SUNDAY MAY 17th from 2:30pm to 5:00pm.  It’s an opportunity to preview two special  Four Fillies homes, the grounds, pool area, tennis court, and get a sense of the community. 

OPEN THIS SUNDAY, May 17, 2009   are:

11414 Smathers Circle (a two story/5 bedroom for $1,400,000)   and 11411 Smathers Circle  (one-story /3 bedroom for $1,100,000). 

Please feel free to drop by! Entrance to the University of Miami’s Four Fillies property is on Red Road (SW 57th Avenue) at SW 111th Street (just south of Pinecrest Gardens). The community is situated between Red Road and Old Cutler Road.

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This University of Miami Luxury Enclave is built on the 32-acre Smathers Estate, located between Red Road and Old Cutler. This exclusive Gated Community is made up of 30 Private Villas built by Breakstone and 21-acres of surrounding grounds.

The Private Community contains walking trails, a swimming pool & hot tub, a tennis court, a workout room and a clubhouse complete with a kitchen. The grounds are stunning, featuring rare plant life, extensive fruit groves and natural hammocks, all maintained by Fairchild Tropical Gardens. Four Fillies is Green Certified and anticipated to perform 20-30% better on average than the Florida Energy Code, representing significant savings.

Donated to the University of Miami fifteen years ago by philanthropist and longtime trustee Frank Smathers Jr, Four Fillies is located on Red Road, just minutes away from the Coral Gables Campus. Also nearby are three Metro Rail Stations with access to the Miller School of Medicine Campus. Nestled in the Village of Pinecrest, Four Fillies lies within the Pinecrest School District which boasts Pinecrest Elementary and Palmetto Senior High. These schools consistently rank among the top public schools in the state. Just a short drive away are also some Miami’s best private schools.

This three bedroom / two and a half bath home is a one story gem and features every upgrade imaginable. From beautiful bamboo and travertine floors to retractable screens on French doors and patio, the home has been finished with a designer’s touch. Soaring Ceilings and Grand windows. Tranquil views from every room. The kitchen features double ovens and opens to the Family Room / Breakfast area. The home offers a wood burning fireplace, a media system and a generator. Click here to see a brochure.

Four Fillies is exclusive to qualified faculty members, affiliates and recruits.It is Deed restricted to UM Faculty (adjunct / full-time / volunteer).There is a guaranteed buy back from the University of Miami after nine months. Eligible faculty may benefit from the SAM program at Four Fillies.

The Community is located at 11511 Red Road. This particular home is one story, the first model to sell out and the only one available now, and is located at 11411 Smathers Cr in Four Fillies. 2,531 sq ft of living area and 3,362 sq ft under roof. Click here to see a floor plan.

For further information on this home, others in Four Fillies or any of your real estate needs, contact Alexandra or Vicki.

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Is your home eco-friendly and energy efficient, or are those hard-earned dollars of yours  going down the drain? 

In honor of Earth Day and Earth Week,  here are a handful of ways to  “Green Your Home For Less”:

Here are the 12  Top Eco-friendly Homeowner Tips to Green Your Home and Save Money:

#     Top Ranked            Eco-friendly Savings Solutions                                                                                                                 

1.     Window/Door           Impact glass/double-panes                                                                                                                                      

2.     Water Usage             Low flow toilet/showerhead                                                                                                           

3.    Water Efficient           Tankless water heater                                                                                                                         

4.   Appliances                    Energy Star Rated:Washer/Dryer/Dishwasher /Oven/Refrigerator                          

5.   Insulation                     Sprayed/Rolled/Radiant Barrier (attic,exterior walls)                                                   

6.   Pool                                Operate Pool pump  4-6 hrs                                                                                                              

7.  Electricity                      Energy efficient bulbs                                                                                                                      

8.  Heating/Cooling          High Efficiency A.C. Unit/frequent filter changes                                                              

9. Electric Usage                Reduce high energy culprits: Oven& Iron                                                                                

10.Renovations                  Incorporate recycled materials                                                                                                      

11: Shade                              Plant trees and  Install Awnings                                                                                                      

12: Back to Basics              Air dry dishes & clothes

The author’s personal favorites, both green certified  and energy star rated Miami properties, are The Venetian Coral Gables Townhomes and Smather’s Four Fillies Farm in Pinecrest.

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Special invitation to preview  this exclusive University of Miami Community at Smathers Four Fillies Farm on Wednesday April 15, from 11:30 to 2:30.

This 5 bed/4 bath home is listed at $1,400,000.

Four Fillies is located at 11511 Red Road, EWM’s Open House is at 11414 Smathers Circle Once on the grounds….follow the EWM signs through the community.

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University of Miami qualified faculty members and medical affiliates can take advantage of an exclusive opportunity to live in the lush enclave of  Four Fillies Farm, private university housing  in the Pinecrest school district,  donated to the University by philanthropist and longtime trustee Frank Smathers Jr.  

Four Fillies Farm consists of 30 newly constructed villas built on 11 acres in the center of the bucolic 32-acre Smathers Estate located between Red Road  (SW 57th Avenue) and Old Cutler, in Pinecrest.  The additional 21 acres of surrounding grounds, rare plant life, extensive fruit groves and  natural hammock are maintained by Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.  Gated, private, and  adjacent to the marina, this university setting is home to UM faculty and recruits.  Walking trails, swimming pool and hot tub, tennis court,  playground, workout room and clubhouse, privately gated Four Fillies offers acres of  tranquility.  Developed by MAMCO and designed and built by Breakstone,   Four Fillies has preserved, very much intact,  the natural environment of the estate… designing  the entire community in and around existing tropical plants and trees. 

Quality-built by internationally renown Breakstone,  most of the villas have already been sold, and are lived in.  A handful of homes are available.  All are GREEN CERTIFIED by the Florida Green Building Coalition, and  expected to perform 20-30% better on average than  the Florida Energy Code,  which should  provide significant savings. 

Current  and future qualified UM recruits and faculty can apply their SAM Program Incentives to any property in Four Fillies Farm. 

The homes currently available  are two-story,  4-5 bedrooms,  priced at $1,145,000 – $1, 595,00 (with a particularly lovely 5 bedroom available for $1,400.000.00)… Every home in Four Fillies offers a guaranteed buy-back program from the University, advantageous for buyers, as it encourages and enables highly competitive loan options from lenders. 

There are several floor plans.  EWM Realtors has a beautiful two-story home in listed in Four Fillies,  at the end of Smathers Road, elegant with high ceilings… flowing open living areas and a lush expanse of  back yard ‘orchard’,  priced at $1,400,000.00   It’s a regal property at the southern edge of Four Fillies,  5-bedrooms with a 2-car garage.   The entirety of  Four Fillies was previously available solely through MAMCO , the asset company for the University of Miami.  EWM Realtors can now assist you  with any of  homes available in Four Fillies, now that construction is complete. Smathers Four Fillies homes are not listed through the MLS,  as they are deed restricted to University of Miami qualified faculty members.  For additional information, or to see  any Four Fillies properties, contact  either Vicki  Restivo at 305 793-1365  or Alexandra Restivo at 305 632-0164.

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You came here by chance. The allure of the palm trees, ocean and tropical paradise that Miami is known for.  A gentle way of life.  Miami, southern gateway to America, beckons…. and Coral Gables definitely, unequivocally invites you to stay.  If historic Coral Gables whispers, there’s a rooftop terrace, and outdoor summer kitchen … and rooftop jacuzzi…. and an entire private villa beneath it waiting to have your name attached to it. For now, your villa holds the name of a fine wine or special story… just waiting to be told.
Step through the wrought iron gates.  Slip the key in and
Read the rest of this entry »

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For a variety of reasons,  a townhouse or villa may be a plausible answer to ‘what’s next?’  Whether you want to lock-up and take-off for a well-deserved romp around the globe… or  eliminate  entirely the hassle of maintaining a large home ( and grounds!)…  both can offer you freedom, without catapulting you into  quarters of claustrophobically minimal dimensions.  If you’re looking for independence and elbow room …  and a condo seems a bit confining…  Read the rest of this entry »

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Outdoor terraces & views of the Biltmore: A dusty bottle of Sassicaia from the wine cellar. Armagnac by the fireplace. A casual evening with Read the rest of this entry »

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Outdoor terraces & views of The Biltmore:  A bottle of Sassicaia  from the wine cellar. Armagnac by the fireplace.  A casual evening with friends in the privacy Read the rest of this entry »

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Can you imagine living in a 4 story villa in the heart of Coral Gables… a private elevator, and a rooftop terrace with gorgeous views of historic landmarks… and no grass to cut?.  If you’re looking for a lifestyle change and are adamant about not sacrificing the quality of life you are used to, you might want to explore The Venetian Coral Gables.

From the outside, the Venetian exudes luxury. Designed by architects Marshall Bellin and Glenn Pratt, the community features traditional Italian architecture and design, with paved stone courtyards and waterfountains.

Enter through your private elevator, from street level, or through your individual underground garage.  Enjoy the decadence of your state-of-the-art Italian kitchen (Wolf, Miele and SubZero appliances). Your own 500 bottle wine cellar wtih the perfect bottle of wine. Kick off your shoes and relax by the living room fireplace, or step out onto your many terraces and take in the tropical Miami air. Retire and rejuvenate overnight in your third floor bedroom. In the morning, draw open the blinds… overlooking courtyards and the Coral Gables tree canopy. TAKE A PRIVATE TOUR.

Relax with friends on the loggia of your fourth-floor private entertainment area. Whether you barbeque, broil steak, or savor Florida’s stone crabs, your rooftop garden, with it’s covered outdoor summer kitchen (with sink, stove and refrigerator) opens to the sky above. Watch the football game in the grand media room connecting to the outdoor terrace, or throw on your swimsuit and hop into the rooftop jacuzzi spa tub.

Be among the few to live in one of twenty magnificent villas and embrace the lifestyle that is the Venetian Coral Gables… Your home … in Miami.

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