Isleworth estate set for auction

Nestled just inside the main gates of Isleworth Golf & Country Club is a 13,000-square-foot estate spanning just over an acre — and it could be yours.

Later this month, Concierge Auctions and Isleworth Realty are partnering to auction the home at 5372 Isleworth Country Club Drive, Windermere. Although there is no reserve, the estimated opening bid sits at $7.4 million.

“Concierge Auctions only works with sellers who are financially stable,” said Carolyn Wright,  a project sales manager with Concierge Auctions. “We don’t do foreclosures or any distressed properties, so it’s just like auctioning fine arts, cars or wine. It’s another tool in a box that a listing agent might have to pull us in as a partner to sell a luxury property.”

The Isleworth estate features a Mediterranean-style exterior with a French Renaissance interior. Toni Cafferty, luxury property associate with Isleworth Realty, said the home is striking, with second-to-none artistic finishes. It overlooks Hourglass Lake — a private lake with no boat traffic — which often acts as a sanctuary for various birds and wildlife. Across the lake is a view of the golf course’s 12th hole.

“The original builder, Art Neaf … brought in artisans from around the world to do the wood and millwork throughout, hand-painted ceilings and details … there’s over 110 marble columns on the property,” Cafferty said.  “It stretches over 13,000 square feet between the two guest houses and the main house. There is a guest apartment, the two guest houses and three suites in the main house.” 

The home features eight bedrooms, seven baths and two half-baths, and it comes fully furnished. Upon entering the home, guests are greeted by a custom rock waterfall, grand staircase and two-story vaulted ceiling. The house is also perfect for entertaining with all of its living spaces, Cafferty said. Those include a great room with full bar and fireplace, kitchen with casual dining area, and formal dining room with wine bar.

Other features include a full theater; large butler pantry; wine room with six wine coolers; an elevator; a babbling brook that runs through the property; nine marble fireplaces; workout room with resistance pool; a billiard room with a wraparound bar; steam room and sauna; and a fully equipped outdoor kitchen with a grill, gas-powered tiki torches, three televisions and automatic screens.

“It just feels so warm and inviting,” Cafferty said. “The home is large, but it doesn’t feel cold by any stretch of the imagination.”

“The property is great for a multi-generational family or a family who would want to grow into something like that, or just a family who wants to entertain,” Wright said. “They’ve had two weddings here overlooking the lake.”

Wright said the auction process allows the seller to have more control of the process, particularly setting an end date. It also brings buyers from all around the world to compete for the property so the seller knows he or she will get the best market price.

“We’re really blessed to have this opportunity to partner with Concierge Auctions,” Cafferty said. “They help extraordinary properties like this one — the size, scale, levels of finish — benefit from reaching an international market. … This is often an elusive buyer that is most likely already connected with their platform.”

Buyers are heavily vetted, and everyone must be pre-qualified before setting foot in the house for a showing. Cafferty said the closing process is done on the front end, with the home inspection and property survey already complete.

Anyone who wants to bid on the property through Concierge Auctions must do four things to register: sign the terms and conditions; wire a $100,000 deposit that will be returned within 48 hours if they don’t win; provide proof of funds; and name an agent and place an opening bid.

The auction begins on Jan. 22, and last day to register for bidding is Jan. 21. Bidding will take place between Jan. 22 and 26, and the highest bid when the auction closes on Jan. 26 wins. Wright said in an auction like these, they typically anticipate four to seven bidders.

“Concierge Auctions has a database of more than a half million people around the world who are interested in luxury real estate,” Wright said. “It’s very exciting. Anyone can watch it on our website. At the very end in the last half-hour or so is where a lot of the action happens.”