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Inside Key Biscayne’s Legendary $237M Waterfront Estate

Development: 485 W Matheson Drive
Location: Key Biscayne
Property Type: Historic ultra-luxury waterfront estate
Estate Size: Approximately 2.38-acre waterfront compound with 862 feet of direct Biscayne Bay frontage
Residence: Approximately 13,000-square-foot architectural estate with five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and two half bathrooms
Architect: Franklin E. Grau and Associates
Notable Legacy: Formerly President Richard Nixon’s “Winter White House” and featured in Scarface and Miami Vice
Listing Representation: Jill Eber and Judy Zeder of The Jills Zeder Group
Offered At: $237 Million

The former Nixon “Winter White House” and iconic Scarface filming location hits the market with The Jills Zeder Group.

The Setai St. Maarten
The Setai St. Maarten

The
Story

Some homes are listings. Others are legends. At 485 W Matheson Drive in Key Biscayne, Miami history, presidential prestige, cinematic glamour, and serious waterfront luxury come together in one jaw-dropping estate. Listed for $237 million by Jill Eber and Judy Zeder of The Jills Zeder Group, this private bayfront compound is one of the most significant estates ever brought to market in South Florida.


Set on approximately 2.38 acres with an extraordinary 862 feet of direct Biscayne Bay frontage, the estate delivers unobstructed views of the downtown Miami skyline and a level of privacy that feels almost impossible to recreate today. Hidden behind lush tropical landscaping and secured within one of Miami’s most exclusive waterfront enclaves, the property exists in a category entirely of its own.

The Setai St. Maarten
From Presidential Retreat to Miami Icon

The residence spans roughly 13,000 square feet with five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and two half baths, but the real magic is in its story. This is not simply another luxury mansion competing for attention in Miami’s booming ultra-luxury market. It is a property deeply woven into American political history and Hollywood lore.


Originally acquired by President Richard Nixon in 1969, the estate became known as his private presidential retreat, later nicknamed the Winter White House. Over the years, world leaders, political figures, celebrities, and influential guests passed through the property’s gates, cementing its place in Miami history.


The Scarface Connection

Years later, the estate entered cinematic history as the filming location for Scarface, serving as the residence of Frank Lopez. For movie lovers and Miami enthusiasts alike, the property instantly became recognizable for its dramatic architecture and unforgettable scenes.


One of the home’s most iconic details, the legendary glass elevator featured in the film, remains fully functional today, preserving a rare piece of Hollywood nostalgia inside one of America’s most valuable waterfront estates.

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Outdoor Living Designed for Miami Luxury

Outside, the estate transforms into pure Miami theater. A striking piano-shaped saltwater pool anchors the outdoor living experience, surrounded by mature palms, expansive lawns, and beautifully curated tropical landscaping. More than 500 integrated landscape lights illuminate the grounds at night, creating an atmosphere that feels cinematic from every angle.


The outdoor spaces were designed not only for relaxation, but for entertaining on a grand scale. Sweeping waterfront terraces, open-air gathering spaces, and panoramic bay views make the property ideal for everything from intimate sunset dinners to large-scale luxury events. Whether hosting global dignitaries or yacht owners arriving by sea, the estate effortlessly balances elegance with exclusivity.


A Private Marina for Mega Yachts

Perhaps one of the most extraordinary features is the transformation of the former presidential helipad into a private marina capable of accommodating yachts up to approximately 200 feet. In a city where waterfront access defines value, this level of private docking capability places the estate among the rarest offerings not only in Miami, but in the entire United States.


For ultra-high-net-worth buyers who prioritize direct bay access and yachting lifestyle amenities, this type of marina setup is virtually impossible to duplicate today, particularly in a location as prestigious as Key Biscayne.


Timeless Interiors with Waterfront Views

Inside, soaring ceilings, marble floors, floor-to-ceiling glass, and preserved architectural elements create a dramatic yet timeless atmosphere. Natural light floods the interiors while expansive entertaining rooms frame uninterrupted views of Biscayne Bay. The home’s design embraces classic Miami glamour while maintaining a sense of warmth and livability.


The upper-level primary suite serves as a private sanctuary overlooking the water and skyline beyond. Featuring private terraces and preserved design details connected to the estate’s glamorous past, the suite delivers both intimacy and grandeur. Throughout the residence, every room feels connected to the outdoors, reinforcing the home’s unique relationship with the bayfront setting.

The Setai St. Maarten
Why Trophy Properties Like This Are So Rare

What makes 485 W Matheson Drive particularly remarkable is its irreplaceability. In today’s Miami luxury market, assembling nearly 2.5 acres of bayfront land with this level of privacy, historical significance, and yacht access is virtually impossible. The estate represents a disappearing era of Miami waterfront living, one defined by expansive land, architectural individuality, and cultural legacy.


As ultra-high-net-worth buyers continue seeking trophy properties with authentic stories and global prestige, homes like this have become increasingly rare. It is not simply about square footage or amenities anymore. Buyers at this level are searching for residences with identity, history, and emotional resonance, and this estate delivers all three in extraordinary fashion.


The Miami Vibes Perspective

This is not just a Key Biscayne estate; it is a piece of Miami mythology. Between the presidential legacy, the Scarface connection, the massive waterfront footprint, and the yacht-ready marina, 485 W Matheson Drive feels less like a home and more like a private chapter in American luxury history.


In a city built on spectacle, ambition, and reinvention, this legendary waterfront compound stands as one of the most iconic residential properties Miami has ever seen.

The Setai St. Maarten

The
Gallery

Property Details
  • Approximately 13,000 sq. ft. residence

  • Situated on a 103,775 sq. ft. lot (approximately 2.38 acres)

  • 5 bedrooms

  • 7 full bathrooms + 2 half bathrooms

  • 862 feet of direct Biscayne Bay frontage

  • Multi-level architectural waterfront estate

  • Expansive layout designed for entertaining and private living


Architectural & Interior Features
  • Designed by Franklin E. Grau and Associates

  • Original architectural elements preserved throughout

  • Soaring ceilings exceeding 24 feet

  • Floor-to-ceiling glass with panoramic bay and skyline views

  • Original glass elevator featured in Scarface

  • Marble flooring throughout main living areas

  • Stainless-steel kitchen cabinetry with teak wood accents

  • Wolf gas cooktop and Sub-Zero refrigeration

  • Custom steel and teak railings

  • Family/media room overlooking the pool

  • Game room and music room

  • Self-contained guest apartment with kitchen and full bath

  • Spacious boat room with direct marina access


Outdoor & Waterfront Features
  • Private marina created from the original presidential helipad

  • Dockage for yachts up to approximately 200 feet

  • Over 34,000 sq. ft. of submerged land ownership

  • Piano-shaped saltwater pool with saline system

  • Full cabana bathroom and outdoor lounge areas

  • Expansive entertainment lawn framed by mature palms and oak trees

  • More than 500 integrated landscape lights

  • Circular driveway with dramatic arrival sequence

  • Private security gate

  • Air-conditioned two-car garage


Presidential & Cultural Legacy
  • Formerly owned by Richard Nixon

  • Known historically as the “Winter White House”

  • Private helipad constructed by the U.S. Department of Defense

  • Featured in Scarface as Frank Lopez’s residence

  • Featured in Miami Vice

  • One of Miami’s most historically significant waterfront estates


Lifestyle & Location
  • Located in Key Biscayne

  • Minutes from Brickell, Coconut Grove, and Coral Gables

  • Surrounded by Biscayne Bay, Crandon Park, and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park

  • Exceptional privacy and unobstructed open bay views

  • Rare large-scale waterfront compound in Miami


Notable Highlights
  • Offered at $237 million

  • Represented by Jill Eber and Judy Zeder of The Jills Zeder Group

  • One of the most significant private waterfront estates ever listed in Miami

  • Rare blend of presidential history, cinematic legacy, and ultra-prime waterfront living

  • Extraordinary opportunity for yacht owners and large-scale entertaining

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