Want to flex in Florida? Buy a private submarine—or at least a chopper
Seaplanes and heliports and submarines — oh my! When it comes to luxury real estate — and toys for luxury-loving grown-ups — buyers have never been more spoiled for choice. The only challenge: Which plaything to choose?
In Downtown Miami’s hip new District 11, the aptly named E11even Hotel and Residences feature all of the traditional high-end leisure amenities buyers could want — the soothing Chopra Spa, a Mediterranean-style restaurant, interiors by groovy New York-based design shop AvroKO and a casino-inspired bar and lounge.
But high above the city center on the 65th floor of the project’s second tower is a sleek helipad only available to E11even residents.
The new two-tower development may be Miami’s newest to feature a helipad, but it is certainly not the only one. Directly on Biscayne Bay, facing strong onto Miami Beach, the ultra-futuristic One Thousand Museum by the late, great Zaha Hadid also comes with a helipad — the first of its kind in Miami — along with residents of ultra-high wattage like David and Victoria Beckham.
Like at E11even, the helipad makes for easy jaunts to nearby islands, airports and superyachts.
Back Downtown, there’s Paramount Miami World Center, which is taking the sky-high transport theme one step further with an innovative and unprecedented landing dock or “skyport” designed to accommodate fleets of flying taxis — someday.
The skyport is attached to a sprawling 4,000-square-foot apartment and does double duty as a massive al fresco entertainment zone.
Seaplanes are also poised for a major Miami moment thanks to the expansion of the SeaPlane Base on Watson Island.
The historic seaplane HQ was constructed back in 1929 during Miami’s first heyday.
The upgrade will add a new runway and facilities for luxury helicopter service from posh aviation provider HeliFlite.
Man-made Watson Island is perched just off of Downtown Biscayne Boulevard’s commercial district and connects to the MacArthur Causeway leading onward to Miami Beach.
For those who prefer to travel below water rather than above it, a new crop of personal submarines — yes, submarines — are taking sophisticated fun to new heights (or rather, depths).
The leader in this market is Florida-based Triton Submarines, which has been innovating and perfecting the art of personal submersibles for more than 15 years.
The company operates a range of both personal and professional subs, with models able to descend a full 3,200 feet below the surface (although, most can only between 650 feet and 1600 feet).
The company — which has received funding from the likes of “Titanic” director James Cameron and billionaire investor Ray Dalio — is beloved by risk-takers and water sports enthusiasts.
Its submarines are priced between $2.5 and $40 million.
Triton may be the best-known personal sub brand, but it’s hardly alone.
On the lower end there’s the cutely named Nemo, whose one- or two-passenger undersea craft begin at under $700,000 each.
Nemo subs are small enough to fit onto a yacht, but dexterous enough to easily traverse shallow seafloor.
At the opposite extreme in terms of both price and size is the Nautilus, a diesel-electric-powered undersea craft that can extend to depths of up to 500 feet.
The Nautilus is large — 123 feet long — and is designed to do double duty as both an undersea submarine and luxury yacht-style craft when parked on the surface.
In that capacity, the nautilus includes a large sundeck with a freshwater pool, a bar and beach club — and a nearly $40 million price tag.
How’s that for a deep dive like no other?
