Michael Wekerle sells Lauderdale manse to Discovery founder

2430 Del Lago Drive (inset: Michael Wekerle)
2430 Del Lago Drive (inset: Michael Wekerle)

Just weeks after putting his Fort Lauderdale mansion on the market, Canadian millionaire Michael Wekerle sold the home to a high-profile buyer: Discovery Communications founder John Hendricks, The Real Deal has learned.

Hendricks and his wife Maureen paid about $7.5 million for the 2430 Del Lago Drive manse in a transaction recorded on Thursday, according to Broward County records. The couple did not obtain financing. Wekerle marketed the seven-bedroom, nearly 10,000-square-foot home with a $10 million asking price.

The waterfront property includes a deeded boat slip. Built in 2009, the manse has a chef’s kitchen, media room, wine cellar and wraparound terraces.

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Wekerle paid about $2.3 million for the property in May 2003. The CEO of Toronto-based Difference Capital spent $12.5 million for the former Anheuser Busch Estate at 1000 Riviera Drive last month.

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate’s Tim Elmes was the listing agent for 2430 Del Lago Drive.

Discovery Communications owns the Animal Planet, the Discovery Channel and TLC networks.