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ctor‑entrepreneur Mark Wahlberg closed on a fully furnished 17,800‑sq‑ft estate in Delray Beach, Florida, for $37 million last month. The deal attracted coverage from TMZ to Architectural Digest, but the real story is the property’s dramatic price surge over five years. Now called Palazzo di Lago, the home at 9200 Rockybrook Way has changed hands four times since 2020, climbing from $17 million in January to $37 million in October—a 118 % increase.

    Delray Beach’s top‑10 % of luxury sales rose 78 % during the same period, while Los Angeles, the Hamptons, and Manhattan grew 30 %, 44 %, and 4.5 % respectively. Palazzo di Lago’s appreciation far outpaced these figures and even eclipsed the S&P 500’s 100 % gain over the same timeframe.

    The estate began as the Sundara estate, listed by Douglas Elliman broker Senada Adzem. In 2020 it sold for $17 million. Three years later, Adzem again represented the owners, who sold the property for $26 million—a 53 % jump. A year later, a trust linked to William Cafaro, co‑president of a retail development firm, sold the home as part of a $50.5 million deal for a neighboring Ferrari‑inspired mansion, Casa Maranello. Cafaro paid $24.5 million in cash plus the deed to 9200 Rockybrook Way, valued at $26 million. The transaction closed in January 2025, making Aldo Stark, developer of Prestige Design Homes, the fourth owner.

    Stark immediately launched a multimillion‑dollar overhaul, rebranding the property as Palazzo di Lago. He replaced the original sheet‑rock walls with polished rare stones and high‑gloss Guyana wood, added a 30‑ft vegetation wall, and installed bespoke furnishings. The kitchen now features Orobico Grigio marble counters, floor‑to‑ceiling walnut cabinets, and ceiling vegetation with tear‑drop fixtures. The lounge bar and other spaces were similarly transformed.

    Two months after the renovation, the mansion was listed again at $45 million, $19 million above Stark’s purchase price and 165 % higher than the 2020 sale. In October, Adzem closed the fourth deal, delivering the property to its fifth owner—Mark Wahlberg, confirmed by Compass broker Michael Costello. The final sale closed at $37 million, $11 million above Stark’s price and 118 % above the 2020 figure, totaling $106 million in sales over five years.

    Adzem, who handled all four transactions, attributes the property’s remarkable appreciation to five key factors:

    1. **Pandemic‑Driven Demand** – The COVID‑19 surge accelerated South Florida’s luxury market, driving a 54 % price increase from 2020 to 2023.

    2. **Micro‑Market Dynamics** – Stone Creek Ranch, a 187‑acre gated community with 37 homes on 2.5‑acre lots, has a tight supply. Recent new‑construction sales at record prices pushed Palazzo di Lago’s value higher. Lot prices in the area have risen more than threefold since 2013, and the scarcity of vacant lots suggests further appreciation.

    3. **VIP Neighbors** – The presence of high‑profile residents—billionaire Steve Cohen, former NFL players, CEOs, and pop stars—creates a halo effect that elevates desirability. Wahlberg’s acquisition adds to this allure.

    4. **Wealth Migration** – Florida’s tax advantages attract buyers from California, New York, and Connecticut, sustaining demand for luxury properties.

    5. **Renovation Impact** – Stark’s investment in high‑end materials and a distinctive design, described as “James‑Bond‑inspired,” added significant value, culminating in a premium purchase price.

    Adzem notes that changing life circumstances drive turnover, and her role was to guide the home through each new chapter, consistently adding value.