When Erik Kaplan, a 42-year-old commodities trader from New Jersey, moved to Florida about two decades ago, he had a dream of living on the water with a place to dock his boats. Two years after finding his perfect waterfront property in Hallandale Beach’s Golden Isles community, Kaplan and his wife Monica finally made it their home.
The 6,263-square-foot house was initially purchased by Kaplan’s family in 2013, but he bought it back from them in 2022. With the help of designer Peter Oleck and Pietra Casa Studio, the couple underwent a three-year renovation to transform the property into “Villa Encanto,” a sophisticated sanctuary that reflects their personal style.
Kaplan aimed for an updated contemporary classic aesthetic, blending traditional elements with modern touches to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. The interior features high-end finishes, including hand-selected marbles and European oak millwork imported from Italy. A custom-made bar in the living area is another notable feature, as well as a 76 Sunseeker yacht docked on site.
One of the most striking transformations is the outdoor space, which has been reimagined into a lush tropical landscape featuring rare bamboos, palms and trees from Thailand and Southeast Asia. A new swimming pool, inspired by the dramatic rooftop pool at the Marina Bay Sands hotel in Singapore, takes center stage. The renovation cost over $1,000 per square foot.
The Kaplans, who have three children who attend school in a different neighborhood, have decided to sell the property rather than move in. With a listing price of $12.7 million, Villa Encanto is now on the market for sale.
Source: https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/an-80-foot-pool-was-the-home-run-of-this-south-florida-renovation-6cbb1adc