Keystone Point has become a haven for Miami’s wealthiest families in recent years. The neighborhood, which dates back to the 1950s, combines luxury waterfront homes with accessible schools and easy access to world-class shopping destinations while retaining the privacy of a gated community. Star realtor Dina Goldentayer’s recent string of record-breaking sales has cemented the neighborhood’s status, and developer Gregg Covin is adding to the stock of high-end housing with his latest projects. The Real Deal sat down with Covin and Goldentayer to get a look inside the homes that are putting this exclusive community on the map.
Building a Waterfront Paradise
Keystone Point was developed in the 50s to be a waterfront boating community by legendary Florida builder and aluminum magnate Arthur Vining Davis. The lots that line the neighborhood’s defining waterways were first occupied by ranch style homes, and the highlight was undoubtedly each resident’s private water access, including boat slips cut into backyards.
In the 1980s, when sleek cigarette boats took South Florida’s waterways and coastline by storm, Keystone Point and nearby San Souci were prized by boating enthusiasts as the private residences with easiest access to the Haulover Cut, which offers the quickest route to the ocean and nearby Bahamas from the mainland. As the area’s demographics changed, the ranch homes were replaced with luxury homes and families began to discover the neighborhood’s unique advantages.
Centrally Located Luxury
As more luxury homes were built in Keystone Point, realtors like Goldentayer began directing their clientele to the neighborhood. “Keystone has become popular with buyers who are considering upper Miami Beach,” explained Goldentayer. “It’s centrally located, and that really makes sense to buyers. In ten minutes you have access to some of the top schools in town, or you can be at Bal Harbour Shops or Aventura Mall.”
The neighborhood affords convenient access to daily shopping destinations such as the nearby Whole Foods, elite schools including Miami Country Day School, The Cushman School, and Matter Academy, and a host of recreational areas like the Oleta Park Nature Preserve.
Every lot in the gated community is situated on the waterfront, which gives the neighborhood a distinct air of Florida luxury all its own. “It has really good access to the water,” said Covin. “Boaters and fishermen love living in Keystone Point.”
The New Standard of South Florida Waterfront Luxury
Goldentayer’s recent sales and listings in the neighborhood represent the next wave of luxury in Keystone Point. “Buyers are looking for brand new homes with high ceilings, natural light, and natural materials,” said Goldentayer. “They don’t want something that feels like a white box.”
Take, for example, Goldentayer and Alexander Knips’ record-breaking sale at 13390 Biscayne Bay Dr. The 6 bed, 8.5 bath, 8,200 square foot home sold last year for $12,000,000. The statuesque home combines the sleek lines of contemporary luxury construction with oak floors, natural stone cladding, and an indoor/outdoor layout that takes full advantage of both the balmy South Florida climate and the lot’s prime location. The home’s 70’ glass pool and spacious sun deck, along with private dock and boatlift, exemplify the luxury waterfront lifestyle residents seek out Keystone Point to enjoy.
A few move-in ready listings show the range of luxury homes available right now in Keystone Point and nearby San Souci. 12710 Maple Road is another new construction waterfront home nestled in Keystone Point; this 7 bed, 8 bath, 5,046 square foot home features contemporary design with spa-like luxury features including a summer kitchen, heated pool, and jacuzzi, all looking out on 76 feet of west-facing waterfront. Listed at $6,950,000, this home speaks to the value still available in the booming neighborhood. “This is still an opportunity,” said Goldentayer, “even though Keystone Point is a place where people are getting accustomed to spending $8 to $12 million.”
The spacious estate at 1995 NE 118th Rd in the Keystone Point-adjacent neighborhood of San Souci cuts a striking image with its bayfront, tip-of-the-island location. This 6 bed, 7 bath, 5,671 square foot home features details like retractable glass doors and an expansive terrace that makes the most of the lot’s 264 feet of wrap-around Biscayne Bay frontage. Like Goldentayer’s other listings, every aspect of the home’s layout and design reflects its location, discarding the standard “white box” aesthetic for a flowing, natural feel that pulls one toward the water.
Building for the Future
Covin’s latest home in the neighborhood builds on the success Goldentayer has found in Keystone Point and San Souci. “I’m building a house at 12575 Palm Road in the Organic Modern style,” Covin told us. “It’s clad in saw cut coral stone, it has real wood floors and white oak millwork, all natural materials.” The 7 bedroom, 6.5 bath waterfront home’s design is focused on the waterfront location, with floor to ceiling windows and a spacious terrace overlooking the private 50-foot deep water dock. And Covin’s latest project will come fully furnished by leading Miami luxury furniture purveyor Artefacto.
The combination of waterfront lots, new construction luxury homes, the security of a gated community, and a central location that puts residents within easy driving distance of the area’s best schools and shopping has made Keystone Point South Florida’s premier family neighborhood.
To secure your slice of Keystone Point, reach out to Dina Goldentayer, Ultra Luxury Specialist | 786.277.7539 | @goldendina