I was able to visit Turnberry Ocean Colony a few weeks ago and was able to shoot a ton of pictures of the common areas and of a 2 bedroom condo with a direct ocean view that I showed to a client that day.  This post includes pictures of just the common areas.  I’ll follow it up within a few days with pictures of the 2 bedroom condo.

Turnberry Ocean Colony is a beachfront condo development located in Sunny Isles Beach.  It is one of the nicest condo developments that I have ever visited in South Florida.

Entrance to Turnberry Ocean Colony

Turnberry Ocean Colony Lobby

A hallway at Turnberry Ocean Colony with Venetian Plaster walls

Game Room at Turnberry Ocean Colony

Billiards Room

Entrance to the restaurant at Turnberry Ocean Colony exclusively for residents and their guests

The restaurant at Turnberry Ocean Colony

The bar at Turnberry Ocean Colony exclusively for residents and their guests

Cigars anyone?

The spa at Turnberry Ocean Colony exclusively for residents and their guests

The men’s locker room equipped with everything you need to get ready

Men’s sauna at Turnberry Ocean Colony

Men’s whirlpool at Turnberry Ocean Colony

Men’s steam room filled with the scent of eucalyptus

Men’s locker room at Turnberry Ocean Colony

Fitness Center

Turnberry Ocean Colony fitness center

Statue outside Turnberry Ocean Colony

Swimming pool

Turnberry Ocean Colony swimming pool

Hot tub

Beach access outside Turnberry Ocean Colony

Back exterior of Turnberry Ocean Colony

Private bar adjacent to the swimming pool

Outdoor billiards

View Turnberry Ocean Colony North condos for sale
View Turnberry Ocean Colony South condos for sale

View Turnberry Ocean Colony North condos for rent
View Turnberry Ocean Colony South condos for rent

On June 9th, I wrote about 53 condo units in a newly completed Downtown Miami condo high-rise that were heavily discounted.  Those 53 condos all went under contract within 2 weeks.  That opportunity has passed but I am now aware of a new opportunity.  This time the development is located in Brickell.  I’m looking for investors with $10M or more in capital with an interest in acquiring bulk condos in Miami.  Contact me at 305-350-9842 for more information.

Short term rentals welcome! This furnished, turnkey 2 bedroom/2 bath rental at 1800 Club has bamboo floors throughout, stainless steel appliances, a washer/dryer and spectacular views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami Beach skyline.  The condo has 1,142 square feet of interior space and a 90 square foot balcony. This rental includes: a dining room table, 2 plasma TVs, a queen bed, a twin bed, sofas, dishware, a desk, linens, bedding and much more.  This unit is completely turnkey!

Rent price includes basic cable TV, high-speed Internet, water, garbage and use of all amenities.

Contact Lucas at 786-247-6332 with any questions or to schedule a showing.

View all Rentals at 1800 Club

Below, you will find what I believe to be the five best condo deals of the 46 distressed sales that closed in the month of May in the MLS located in Brickell, Brickell Key, Downtown Miami and the Arts District.  I think the distressed condos that closed in the month of May were better deals than what we have seen in previous months.

1. Jade - unit 1002 - 2 bedroom/2 bath (1,529 square feet) - This unit sold for $375,000, or $245 per square foot, on May 15, 2009.  Short Sale
2. Courts Brickell Key - unit 1909 - 3 bedroom/3 bath (1,488 square feet) - This unit sold for $350,000, or $235 per square foot, on May 20, 2009.  Short Sale
3. Skyline on Brickell - unit 306 - 2 bedroom/2 bath (1,367 square feet) - This unit sold for $349,000, or $255 per square foot, on May 8, 2009.  Foreclosure
4. Skyline on Brickell - unit 1512 - 2 bedroom/2 bath (1,367 square feet) - This unit sold for $305,000, or $223 per square foot, on May 18, 2009. Short Sale
5. One Miami - unit 3916 - 1 bedroom/1 bath (846 square feet) - This unit sold for $150,000 or $177 per square foot, on May 27, 2009.  Foreclosure

Runner-ups:

• The Mark on Brickell - unit 1001 - 2 bedroom/2 bath (1,200 square feet) - This unit sold for $205,000, or $171 per square foot, on May 22, 2009.  Foreclosure
• 1800 Biscayne Plaza - unit 203 - 2 bedroom/2 bath (1,057 square feet) - This unit sold for $120,000, or $114 per square foot, on May 01, 2009.  Short Sale
• Cite on the Bay - unit 2213 - 1 bedroom/1 bath (795 square feet) - This unit sold for $100,000, or $126 per square foot, on May 13, 2009.  Foreclosure

I was told that the new Publix at Mary Brickell Village opened on June 6, 2009.  Last week, I had a chance to walk its aisles.  Overall, I was pleased.  It’s the nicest Publix that I’ve visited in Miami but not quite as nice as the one in South Beach on West Avenue.  The aisles of the Publix at Mary Brickell Village were wider than most of the Publixes in Miami.  Now, they just need to add one in Downtown Miami or the Arts District.  Better yet, maybe Whole Foods will change their mind again and decide to open at Met 2 when it’s completed after all.

This post is long overdue. It amazes me how many local and non-local people are still unfamiliar with Mary Brickell Village. The first restaurants at Mary Brickell Village opened towards the beginning of 2007. Since that time, fabulous restaurants, cafes and shops have opened such as: The Oceanaire Seafood Room, Rosa Mexicano, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Starbucks, Grimpa Steakhouse, Balans Restaurant, Blue Martini, Abokado Sushi, Blu Pizza e Cucina and many more. The long awaited 31,000 square foot Publix at Mary Brickell Village opened last weekend. ( I’ll have a picture tour of it published within the next couple of days.) L.A. Fitness is also scheduled to open later this year.

I think people from New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles will find the parking rates at Mary Brickell Village comical:

I was made aware of 53 units that just became available in a high-end, recently completed condo building in Miami to be sold at approximately 50 percent off initial preconstruction prices.  The only way to qualify for the bulk pricing is to purchase 5 or more units as an individual person or a group.  Since this opportunity was made available, 29 units of the 53 currently have pending contracts.  I am looking for individuals that would like to come together to qualify for bulk pricing.  If you or someone you know would be interested in taking part in this opportunity, please call my office at 305-350-9842.

It’s no secret that 900 Biscayne Bay is my favorite building of all the condo developments in Miami that have been completed within the past three years.  When I show properties to clients who wish to view 900 Biscayne Bay as well as other condo buildings, I tend to leave 900 Biscayne Bay last.  Otherwise, everything else will look second-rate by comparison if I were to show it first.  I guess it’s my “leave the best for last” mentality.  900 Biscayne Bay is in a league of its own.  Building security is some of the best in Miami and the overall quality of the development and amenities is second to none.  Additionally, valet parking is currently complimentary for a second vehicle as well as for resident guests.  View a photo tour of 900 Biscayne Bay.

That being said, of all the floor plans at 900 Biscayne Bay, the 06 line is the one that excites me most.  It’s a 3 bedroom + den/4 bath unit with 2,335 square feet of interior and 639 square feet of exterior.  A few days ago, I showed unit 3006 at 900 Biscayne Bay to a client looking for a 3 bedroom rental.  Below, you’ll find a photo tour of that condo as I walked throughout its spacious footprint.  Notice the sizable foyer as you enter the condo from its private elevator, the top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances, deep terraces and amazing views.  (Asking price to rent this unit is $4,200 per month.)

Foyer

Entrance

View

Kitchen and Entryway

Kitchen

Kitchen

Master Bedroom

Master Bathroom

Second Bedroom

Second Bathroom

Third Bedroom

Third Bathroom

Den

Terrace

View

900 Biscayne Bay Condos For Sale

900 Biscayne Bay Condos For Rent

Just wanted to share some great pictures that I shot earlier today of a 2,703 square foot penthouse at Marina Blue.  All penthouse condos at Marina Blue have 20-foot ceilings.

As of June 1, 2009, Fannie Mae updated their website to reflect the condo developments in Florida that are now approved for financing.

The following is a list of recent condo developments in South Florida that are now Fannie Mae approved:

• 50 Biscayne
• 500 Brickell (East & West)
• 900 Biscayne Bay
• Artech
• Brickell on the River South
• Everglades on the Bay (North and South)
• Icon Brickell (Tower One)
• Infinity at Brickell
• Jade Beach
• Quantum on the Bay (North and South)
• The Ivy
• Trump Royale

View the full list of Fannie Mae approved condo developments in Florida.