An $11.5 million Florida villa shows how wealthy Gen Z are investing in the 'old money' aesthetic

Hillary HoffowerApr 3, 2022, 17:39 IST

An $11.5 million villa in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida.Hillary Hoffower

Wealthy Gen Zers favor vintage maximalism when real estate shopping, one agent said.
It's more evidence of Gen Z's love for the "old money" aesthetic.

Gen Z's love for all things vintage has carried into real estate.

Alexandra Peters, with THE TEAM at ONE Sotheby's International Realty, recently told me that her wealthy Gen Z clients are lusting after a more maximalist vintage vibe. Peters would know, having sold $45 million in real estate across the Miami area last year to wealthy buyers, including Gen Z, the generation born between 1997 and 2012.

"They value 'antiques' and show a desire to collect items that represent previous eras of wealth," she said, adding that it's a contrast to the stark and modern homes millennials look for when buying real estate. For Gen Z, vintage can mean the 2000s, she said, the years the oldest of the generation were born.

Gen Zers are the "yuppies" of this era, Peters added. "They strive to be financially independent and want to make money," she said. "They're proud of their successes and like to show it off."

Their real estate preferences sounds a lot like the "old money" aesthetic that romanticizes the aristocratic upper-crust lifestyle. While WASPy dinner party and country club inspirations are best seen in Gen Z fashion, it can also show up in the grandeur of their interior design.

Peters took me on a tour of an $11.5 million villa named "Il Sogno" in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, that exemplified some serious European old money vibes. Here's what it looked like inside.

The nearly $12 million Villa "Il Sogno" is located in Atlantic Isles, a small island near Sunny Isles Beach. With a wrought-iron gate and Mediterranean architecture, it looks like a piece of Europe was plopped down in the middle of Florida.

Hillary Hoffower

The nearly $12 million Villa "Il Sogno" is located in Atlantic Isles, a small island near Sunny Isles Beach. With a wrought-iron gate and Mediterranean architecture, it looks like a piece of Europe was plopped down in the middle of Florida.

The entrance featured ornate details like a plaque boasting the name of the house.

Hillary Hoffower

And a statuesque mailbox of a boy and a dog.

Hillary Hoffower

The villa sits on a 9,550-square-foot lot. The front lawn features manicured hedges and a tile pathway that loops around to the backyard.

Hillary Hoffower

Inside, the 7,089 square-foot villa is filled with finishes from around the world. The grand sweeping staircase is made of onyx, making a statement as soon as you walk in.

Hillary Hoffower

Inside, the 7,089 square-foot villa is filled with finishes from around the world. The grand sweeping staircase is made of onyx, making a statement as soon as you walk in.

It complements the onyx book-matched floor design in the entryway, which comes from Italy, Pakistan, and Bolivia.

Hillary Hoffower

The foyer sits under 35-foot high ceilings. A French-trained Chilean artist painted a gold-leaf fresco depicting Greek gods for a ceiling centerpiece, complete with a sparkling chandelier.

Hillary Hoffower

The foyer sits under 35-foot high ceilings. A French-trained Chilean artist painted a gold-leaf fresco depicting Greek gods for a ceiling centerpiece, complete with a sparkling chandelier.

Downstairs, there are plenty of spaces for entertaining, including a private dining room, bar, and kitchen that looks like it was ripped out of Tuscany.

Hillary Hoffower

Even if you're a minimalist, you have to appreciate the attention to detail. A hand-carved onyx fireplace, sumptuous burgundy curtains, and wooden floors from Brazil create moody, old world vibes.

Hillary Hoffower

Even if you're a minimalist, you have to appreciate the attention to detail. A hand-carved onyx fireplace, sumptuous burgundy curtains, and wooden floors from Brazil create moody, old world vibes.

One of my favorite aspects was the media room. With a cozy red leather couch, old cinema posters, and big screen TV, it makes watching a movie luxurious.

Hillary Hoffower

Two of the eight bedrooms are downstairs. The rest are upstairs and are less lavishly decorated than the rest of the house.

Hillary Hoffower

Mahogany style doors opened up to the ultimate master suite. I unfortunately couldn't go inside because it was being cleaned when I visited, but luckily, Sotheby's provided me with their own imagery.

Michael Jerome for ONE Sotheby’s International Realty

Mahogany style doors opened up to the ultimate master suite. I unfortunately couldn't go inside because it was being cleaned when I visited, but luckily, Sotheby's provided me with their own imagery.

In the middle of the master bathroom, one of six full baths in the villa, sat a grand tub from which you could take in the view of a ceiling mural while soaking in the suds.

Michael Jerome for ONE Sotheby’s International Realty

In the middle of the master bathroom, one of six full baths in the villa, sat a grand tub from which you could take in the view of a ceiling mural while soaking in the suds.

The master closet speaks for itself. My NYC studio apartment could probably fit in here three times over.

Michael Jerome for ONE Sotheby’s International Realty

And off the master bedroom was a balcony with sweeping views of the water.

Michael Jerome for ONE Sotheby’s International Realty

Here's what the opposite view of that looks like from outside. Sets of twin columns flank the villa while bay windows look out onto the backyard.

Hillary Hoffower

The backyard is complete with a patio for al fresco dining. The space is so large and striking, I can imagine many parties being hosted out here.

Hillary Hoffower

There's also a stunning pool that mirrors the rest of the villa's grandeur, featuring a fountain and colorful tile.

Hillary Hoffower

The edge of the property looks out onto the Intracoastal Waterway, a view you can enjoy from a lounge chair. It's complete with a dock, because every villa needs a place to park its yacht.

Hillary Hoffower

The edge of the property looks out onto the Intracoastal Waterway, a view you can enjoy from a lounge chair. It's complete with a dock, because every villa needs a place to park its yacht.

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An $11.5 million Florida villa shows how wealthy Gen Z are investing in the 'old money' aesthetic

The nearly $12 million Villa "Il Sogno" is located in Atlantic Isles, a small island near Sunny Isles Beach. With a wrought-iron gate and Mediterranean architecture, it looks like a piece of Europe was plopped down in the middle of Florida.

The entrance featured ornate details like a plaque boasting the name of the house.

And a statuesque mailbox of a boy and a dog.

The villa sits on a 9,550-square-foot lot. The front lawn features manicured hedges and a tile pathway that loops around to the backyard.

Inside, the 7,089 square-foot villa is filled with finishes from around the world. The grand sweeping staircase is made of onyx, making a statement as soon as you walk in.

It complements the onyx book-matched floor design in the entryway, which comes from Italy, Pakistan, and Bolivia.

The foyer sits under 35-foot high ceilings. A French-trained Chilean artist painted a gold-leaf fresco depicting Greek gods for a ceiling centerpiece, complete with a sparkling chandelier.

Downstairs, there are plenty of spaces for entertaining, including a private dining room, bar, and kitchen that looks like it was ripped out of Tuscany.

Even if you're a minimalist, you have to appreciate the attention to detail. A hand-carved onyx fireplace, sumptuous burgundy curtains, and wooden floors from Brazil create moody, old world vibes.

One of my favorite aspects was the media room. With a cozy red leather couch, old cinema posters, and big screen TV, it makes watching a movie luxurious.

Two of the eight bedrooms are downstairs. The rest are upstairs and are less lavishly decorated than the rest of the house.

Mahogany style doors opened up to the ultimate master suite. I unfortunately couldn't go inside because it was being cleaned when I visited, but luckily, Sotheby's provided me with their own imagery.

In the middle of the master bathroom, one of six full baths in the villa, sat a grand tub from which you could take in the view of a ceiling mural while soaking in the suds.

The master closet speaks for itself. My NYC studio apartment could probably fit in here three times over.

And off the master bedroom was a balcony with sweeping views of the water.

Here's what the opposite view of that looks like from outside. Sets of twin columns flank the villa while bay windows look out onto the backyard.

The backyard is complete with a patio for al fresco dining. The space is so large and striking, I can imagine many parties being hosted out here.

There's also a stunning pool that mirrors the rest of the villa's grandeur, featuring a fountain and colorful tile.

The edge of the property looks out onto the Intracoastal Waterway, a view you can enjoy from a lounge chair. It's complete with a dock, because every villa needs a place to park its yacht.