I am excited about this building. Now let me tell you why.
When I moved to Surfside from Mexico City in 1996, The Azure Luxury Condominiums was to be the newest luxury condominium building in Surfside. It set the pace for things to come. Built in 2005, it is a boutique building with only 74 units and was the first new building in Surfside to offer a dedicated shabbos elevator to its owners!
Presently, there are only 8 units for sale, ranging in price from $1,075,000 to $3.3m ($576/sf – $1,330/sf). Additionally, in the last 12 months, only two units have actually sold, for $713,000 and $1,175,000 ($572/sf and $701/sf). Based upon the last 12 months absorption rate, if no other condos are listed, there is a four-year inventory.
What this means to you, the buyer, is that the owners that are serious about selling will have to get real about their price expectations. Now is the time to buy!
The style of the building is what I would call “contemporary art deco.” What I most like about this building is the attention to the smallest of details in construction and style, from the granite floors, contemporary art work and lighting, to the lobbies’ “Roche Bobois”-style furniture. The units themselves come with granite counter tops, Snaidero kitchen cabinetry, Sub-Zero refrigerator and stainless steel appliances. Everything works together perfectly.
The private social room is equipped with a full kitchen, large-screen TV/monitor for sports entertainment or family get togethers and one of the best quality billiard tables. The lobby concierge desk has artistically designed fresh flower arrangements provided daily by one of the top florists in the area. The fitness center has the latest exercise equipment and is designed for the person that is super focused on working out with no distractions.
But what really has me excited about this building is the swimming pool area. You see, normally, when one steps off the pool deck area to go to the beach, most buildings have it set up so that one has to walk down from the pool deck about eight steps to reach the beach area. Once on the beach area, just before the beach jogging boardwalk, there is another area that actually belongs to the building. A lot of buildings have improved this area with landscaping, BBQ area and beach chairs. The The Azure Luxury Condominiums has a unique feature: It has created what I call a “private beach oasis.” What they have done is build up and raise this area so that it is actually level with the pool deck. They outfitted the area with plush tropical landscaping and luxurious lounge chairs. Besides doubling the size of the pool deck, they have created the feeling of a luxury tropical resort.
To go from the private beach oasis area to the ocean, there is a beautiful winding path that comfortably leads one to the beach. One has to see this to really appreciate this feature.
By Leon Weinschneider
