If you’ve ever traveled by boat up the Intracoastal from Port Everglades to the New River, you’ve surely seen it, a grand neoclassical estate on the tip of a manmade finger of land, its portico and tall white columns echoing the White House in Washington, D.C.
Dubbed La Maison Blanche (the White House), the home, which has become somewhat of a landmark over the years, is set for demolition in the coming weeks. In its place, a massive 20,000-square-foot modernist home replete with a waterfall spilling over an infinity pool on the second floor, 12 full bedrooms and windows for days.
Before the house is demolished, though, there will be a live auction this Saturday of 700 or so items from the home, including a wooden bar imported from Italy, a high-end gas stove, kitchen cabinets, pavers on the driveway and massive chandeliers.
Everything must be removed within a week of the auction, said Scott Grasso of Aution4America, the company managing the proceedings. He said movers and carpenters specializing in removing large items will be on site competing for business from those who make the winning bids. They’ll then strip out the kitchen cabinets, take down the chandeliers and whisk it away.
Grasso said that the current owner bought the 1-acre property and mansion for just over $20 million about two years ago knowing they’d eventually tear it down and build the modernist home. They listed the property through the Airbnb service until recently for a handsome sum.
The items for sale offer a bit of a peek into the lifestyles of the rich and famous, and range in style. An online video shows that some of the living room elements are neoclassical with touches of French opulence, but there’s a more rustic French farmhouse feel in the kitchen.
You can view the items for sale on the Autions4America.com website. Some of the more notable goods include:
- impact windows and doors
- granite bar top
- toilet that Grasso said elevates and “warms your butt”
- solid wood bar imported from Italy
- high-end gas stove
- kitchen cabinets
- walk-in closet cabinetry
- pavers from the driveway
- several massive chandeliers
- two stainless steel outdoor grills
- sub-zero refrigerator
- pot rack with all the pots
- cluster of big cushy dark leather recliners
- a rather ornate metal eclectic driveway gate
- A large Renaissance-style outdoor fountain
There will even be a hot dog vendor on site, as the action will go on for seven hours.
The auction will take place Saturday, Dec. 23, at 11:30 a.m. at 1818 SE 10th St., Ft Lauderdale.
