A new benchmark has been set in Northeast Florida’s real estate scene as a luxurious oceanfront property in Ponte Vedra Beach fetched a staggering $22 million in a cash transaction on January 31. Situated at 349 Ponte Vedra Blvd., approximately 2 miles south of the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, the property was sold fully furnished by Christopher and Letitia Aitken of Jacksonville Beach to Michael Dryer, a trustee of the 349PVB Trust Agreement. The identity of the buyer remains confidential, as confirmed by Christopher Aitken.
The Aitkens originally acquired the property in 2013 for $3.15 million, embarking on a transformative journey that saw the demolition of a 50-year-old house and the construction of a new residence in 2017. Although the exact cost of the construction was not disclosed, Aitken emphasized their unwavering commitment to quality and luxury.
The 8,368-square-foot home, nestled on a 0.37-acre plot, boasts five bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and a host of premium features. The meticulously designed residence includes a spacious pool, spa, water feature at the entrance, and a dune walkover. With four balconies, two open patios, and two lanais, the property offers ample outdoor living space.
Inside, the house is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, including a 700-bottle commercial-grade wine cellar, solid core Italian doors, custom hardware, electric shades, a 100-inch TV with surround sound in the media room, and a 96-inch linear vented gas fireplace. The house is fully computerized and showcases an office facing the ocean.
Aitken, who serves as the managing director at UBS and Sanctuary Private Wealth in Ponte Vedra Beach, explained that the decision to sell was driven by a desire to downsize, as their five children had moved out. Instead of listing the property, the Aitkens approached Kim Martin-Fisher of Douglas Elliman Real Estate, expressing their willingness to sell to someone who appreciated the unique features of the home.
The sale was facilitated by Jennifer Martin Faulkner, representing the sellers, and Sharon Qualls of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, representing the buyer. Notably, the architectural design was led by Cronk Duch Architecture, with Coastal Construction and Consulting handling the construction. Julie Schulte of Schulte Design Associates curated the interior furnishings.
Emphasizing the importance of regular maintenance for an oceanfront property, Aitken disclosed that Coastal Construction and Consulting would continue overseeing the upkeep of the house. Recent appraisals indicated that the property still exudes the charm of a 2-year-old house.
The upcoming issue of The Wall Street Journal is set to feature this record-breaking sale, according to Douglas Elliman Real Estate.
