There’s getting away from it all. And then there’s a private island in the heart of the Florida Keys that brings vacationing to a whole new level.

As a testament to the desire of wealthy homebuyers to create a little distance, the waterfront escape in Marathon, FL, just sold for $11 million.

The agent Pierre Bellion of Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty represented the sellers. Sal Livoti with Agent Century 21 Island Life repped the buyers. And they should both pop the bubbly to toast to a record-setting sale.

The final price was the highest in the area this year, and made waves as the highest sale price ever of a private island in the Florida Keys, as well as the priciest place ever sold in the town of Marathon.

And although the deal set a highwater mark, the buyer actually negotiated a sizable discount on the initial asking price.

The private oasis first floated onto the market in 2019 for $15.5 million. The asking price dropped to $12.75 million and stayed there until the deal closed at $11 million.

Before the recent sale, the island last changed hands in 2001 for just under $5 million.

“I’d say what clinched the sale was for the buyer to be able to dock his 118-foot boat there,” says Bellion. “The Florida Keys have very shallow waters, so finding a property with deep-water dockage is rare—and obviously a huge bonus for the buyer.”

Bellion adds that the offer attracted “an additional three offers in writing, and a total of seven buyers on standby.”

The location seems irresistible for a buyer of means.

As Bellion puts it, “This goes with the theme we are seeing, where folks are coming to the Florida Keys for its Caribbean, small-town communities, its tax breaks, and overall, the way of living here.”

It’s easy to see the appeal of your very own island, and the newest owner will have some cool bragging rights.

The gated 3.6-acre oasis comes dotted with palm trees, and is ready to host any new occupants and all their close friends, thanks to a spacious main residence and two private guesthouses.

The grounds also include a swimming pool, and deep-water protected dockage for boats, as well as a private beach.

The inviting, island-style, up-to-date, two-story main home offers two bedrooms, a double-height living room with a fireplace, a formal dining room with access outside, and a showcase kitchen including a large island with a cooktop and seating.

The layout also includes a media room and an office—quite possibly the best place to work from home we’ve seen.

French doors on both levels open onto spacious porches overlooking the water.

Guest quarters provide room to invite all your buddies over to your own private hideaway. The larger guesthouse features four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a private patio with bay views.

An additional one-bedroom guest cottage offers open bay views and a sandy beach area.

Everyone can congregate around the swimming pool and sundeck. Relax on one of the porches, sunbathe by the beach, or lounge on the patio.

Or simply soak in the water views, swaying palm trees, and tropical gardens—and toast to the private island life.

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