By Tim Houghten
about.com
Fisher Island in Miami, Florida is one of the most exclusive
destinations to live and own property in the world. Fisher Island’s
profile is a veritable list of the who’s-who of the rich and
influential, and one of the most private retreats for the 1%.
Famous and Infamous Fisher Island
The
SEIU began a petition against lack of affordability for workers on the
island in 2006. Ensuing protests resulted in at least one arrest. Zillow
reports that Fisher Island is the most expensive place to live in the
United States. According to data from the giant online real estate firm
workers would need to earn a minimum hourly wage of $234 per hour to
afford the average rental apartment on Fisher Island, FL. That’s more
than double the rate for San Francisco and Menlo Park, CA. And more than
four times the hourly wage needed to rent the median priced apartment
in Los Angeles or Washington DC.
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Fisher Island was purchased by a
development group which included former president Richard Nixon, just
before the Watergate Scandal.
Although Nixon lived in the nearby ‘Key Biscayne
Whitehouse’ during the scandal, Fisher Island is often mentioned in
conjunction with Watergate.
A Quick History of Fisher Island
- The manmade island was created in 1905
- Carl Fisher bought it from South Florida’s first African-American millionaire in 1919
- The Vanderbilt family traded a luxury yacht to acquire the island in 1925
- Gar Wood bought the island from Vanderbilt’s heir, and sold it to Nixon’s group in 1963
- Miami-Dade County denied the island’s petition to incorporate as a town in 2005
Today Fisher Island is home to a number of celebrities and wealthy international investors.
About Fisher Island, FL
What’s
really unique about Fisher Island is not only its commanding profile on
the horizon, but that it isn’t connected to the mainland by road at
all. Visitors can get in by private yacht, or via ferry.
Fisher Island is located on the water, wedged in between Miami Beach’s South Pointe Park to the north, and the equally controversial Virginia Key Beach
to the south. The entire island covers just 0.3 square miles. Notable
residents have reportedly included Boris Becker, Andre Agassi, Julia
Roberts and Oprah Winfrey.
Fisher Island Real Estate
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Fisher Island is most famous for its ultra-exclusive luxury real
estate. While there were a couple of very modest one bedroom units
listed for sale on the island for under half a million in 2015, home
buyers should expect to part with at least a few million dollars. Condos
and townhouses on Fisher Island frequently run into the tens of
millions of dollars range. Among the most fashionable are the residences
at Palazzo Del Mare which look across the water to South Pointe Park on
the southern tip of Miami Beach. Beyond the address, views, and
spaciousness, residences like unit 7122 Fisher Island Dr. feature
designer interiors by Cavalli and lighting with Baccarat crystal. On top
of the purchase price of condos on Fisher Island buyers and investors
need to be prepared in the region of $10,000 per month in property taxes
and association fees, and much more.
Staying in Miami, FL
The
Fisher Island Hotel and Resort is the epitome of the island’s
luxuriousness. This resort is home to one of the top 10 nine hole golf
courses, has peacocks roaming the grounds, offers 24 hour concierge
service, and much more. In addition to sailing in on your own boat,
guests may take advantage of the hotel’s helicopter pad. Accommodations
include guesthouses and a restored 3 bedroom cottage that once housed
the Vanderbilt family. The resort’s event space is also highly rated for
those seeking a magnificent wedding venue.
Those simply
interested in visiting Fisher Island on their Florida vacation or
business trip will find plenty of other nearby accommodations. Miami
hotels in close proximity to the island can be found on South Beach, Coconut Grove, and in downtown Miami, with more affordable options in Hialeah and the Miami International Airport area.
While
not on the average travel itinerary, Fisher Island makes a great day
trip for those seeking inspiration or simply a glimpse into how the most
elite of the 1% live.
