F
ort Lauderdale’s most expensive homes demand waterfront access—ideally a peninsula with room for a sizable yacht—and a new or freshly renovated layout that supports grand parties and waterfront gatherings. Extras such as private pickleball courts, a car‑collector’s garage, or a two‑story flat screen visible from passing boats can lift a listing’s price.
The current high‑end market tops $49 million, with a $65 million property slated for November. Broker Chad Carroll, who markets two of the city’s priciest homes at $39 million each, notes that the median sale price for the top 10 % of listings rose 20 % year‑over‑year to $3.65 million in Q3, and that 19 single‑family homes priced above $10 million entered the market in September—none a year earlier.
A record sale last year saw financier Donald Sussman sell his waterfront estate at 5 Harborage Isle for $70 million. While no current listing matches that figure, demand remains strong. High‑net‑worth buyers see Fort Lauderdale as a more affordable alternative to Palm Beach or Miami Beach, where luxury home medians are $17.2 million and $21.5 million, respectively.
**600 Isle of Palms Drive**
A 15,000‑sq‑ft resort‑style home with eight ensuite bedrooms (two primary suites, one finished in rare Fijian stone). It boasts eight bars, a wine cellar, a rooftop terrace, two pools, two hot tubs, an outdoor amphitheater, and 300 ft of waterfront. Carroll describes it as “built for pure entertainment.”
**1400 West Lake Drive**
Under construction, this 10,400‑sq‑ft, three‑story residence sits on 250 ft of waterfront that can accommodate multiple boats. Expected to finish in March, it will feature seven bedrooms, a wellness center, a game room, a three‑car garage with lifts, multiple pools, hot and cold plunges, waterfalls, and fire features.
Carroll attributes rising prices to a massive wealth migration: families relocating from California, New York, and Connecticut now seek comparable luxury in Fort Lauderdale.
**516 Mola Ave.**
The city’s most expensive listing at $49.99 million. A newly built 10,000‑sq‑ft home designed by Max Strang, it sits on a private peninsula with 740 ft of waterfront on three sides—ample for a 150‑ to 200‑ft yacht. Its cantilevered design gives the illusion of floating. Features include a pickleball court, a movie theater, separate guest quarters, and an adjacent deeded lot for buffer or additional construction.
**1 Bahia Drive**
A 14,000‑sq‑ft estate (including a two‑story guest house) on a 343‑ft point of Isla Bahia. It offers 170 ft of protected deep‑water dockage, a private marina, and beach access—ideal for yachting enthusiasts. Renovations added a glass elevator and a four‑car garage expandable to eight vehicles. Listing price: $42.5 million.
**84 Isla Bahia**
Occupying the island’s easternmost point, this three‑level home spans 300 ft of waterfront with sweeping Intracoastal views. It features soaring ceilings, custom closets, smart‑home tech, four fireplaces, six wet bars, a commercial‑grade elevator, an infinity‑edge pool, a waterfront terrace, and a private dock. Asking price: $45 million.
**1845 SE 7th St.**
Just across from 1 Isla Bahia, this three‑story waterfront estate sits on 250 ft of deep‑water frontage. It includes a roof deck, seven bedrooms, a 23‑ft two‑story TV visible from the Intracoastal, and a pool with glass walls offering underwater views. Price: $39.99 million.
Carroll notes that Fort Lauderdale allows for larger estates and more land than Palm Beach or Miami, where ultra‑luxury inventory is scarce. His team has already closed over $850 million in sales this year, surpassing the COVID‑migration peak of 2021. “Where else can you find over two acres of land and 200‑plus feet on the ocean?” he says. “2025 will be a record year for us.”
