Up for auction: Two ultra-luxurious Jacksonville homes looking for the highest bidder

Two luxurious waterfront mansions in Jacksonville will be "under the gavel" as they go up for auction next week.

The two homes couldn't be more different in terms of aesthetics: One is a 95-year-old Tudor Revival masterpiece in Avondale; the other, built in 2003, is a sleek contemporary dwelling on the Intracoastal Waterway. Both, however, are spacious — well over 10,000 square feet ― and elegant from top to bottom.

The historic home, at 3730 Richmond St., was built in 1928 for the family of Edward W. Lane, one of the founders of Atlantic National Bank. It was designed by the firm of Marsh & Saxelbye, noted Jacksonville architects whose partnership yielded 20 commercial buildings and homes that are now on the National Register of Historic Places, according to a 2013 Times-Union story.

This is one of them.

As first reported by the Resident News, the initial listing price was $25 million when it went on the market Sept. 24, though the current price is given as $4 million, likely a reference point for bidding. A small monthly newspaper distributed in Avondale and other historic neighborhoods around Jacksonville, the Resident News has periodically reported on the restoration of the home by current owner John Hove, who purchased it in 2012. Hove and his wife, Yvonne (now deceased), are only the fourth owners in the home's history.

According to Sperry Lee — co-listing agent with Julie Little Brewer of RE/MAX Specialists PV — Hove often describes the property as "a new home in an old suit."

Indeed, the home is filled with both Old World craftsmanship and modern upgrades. Intricately carved custom millwork is found throughout, including the walls of the two-story entry foyer, several fireplaces, kitchen cabinets and ceiling timbers. There are also a host of Gothic arches leading from room to room, along with leaded glass windows that Hove shipped to the United Kingdom for restoration.

At more than 18,000 square feet, the home has 10 bedrooms, 10 full baths and five half baths. It almost has the appearance of a stunning English castle and rumor has it that six movies have been filmed there over the years, a detail that can't be verified. However, Concierge Auctions — the New York firm handling the sale — created its own short film that lends credence to the story.

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Set to dramatic music, it opens with a view from the river, the camera swooping down across the water to the rear of the home, dark clouds and lightning flashing overhead. It's an impressive introduction, like the beginning of an epic historical movie.

Situated on a 2.2-acre parcel, the gated estate is accessed by a brick and stone paver drive in a herringbone pattern, leading to a circular driveway and porte cochere. The three-story home includes a six-bay garage and guest house, an elevator, home office, sauna, entertainment room with wet bar and a wine cellar. The backyard features a new saltwater swimming pool, surrounded by a stone terrace with a restored reflecting pool and fountain that were original to the house.

Bidding opened at $3 million on Oct. 12 and concludes on Oct. 26 with an interactive online auction. Should the winning bid be anywhere above $19 million (set by a Ponte Vedra Beach home sold in August), it will mark a new record for Northeast Florida home sales.

Josh Holmes, auction representative for Concierge, explained that most of the bidding takes place on the final day of the auction, when all the registered bidders dial into a secured line with their specific bid assistant.

"This will occur in the last 30 minutes of the auction and it is just like any other luxury auction for artwork or cars," said Holmes, who added that more than 200 people have toured the home. "We're approaching the 25-qualified showings goal, which we should reach before the weekend."

To learn more about 3730 Richmond St. and register for the auction, visit ConciergeAuctions.com.

From one century to the next

About 30 minutes southeast across town is the other home on the auction block.

Perched on the edge of the Intracoastal Waterway is 5147 Dixie Landing Drive, a nearly 11,000-square-foot contemporary estate on a secluded and serene 4.7-acre lot. Built in 2003, the home features five bedrooms, five full baths and four half baths, as well as a host of modern furnishings throughout the light-filled space.

Elevated at 14 feet, the home offers not only breathtaking views, but protection from flooding. It also utilizes ICF construction, which is not only more damage-resistant but also offers more energy efficiency. While much contemporary design may come across as severe, even clinical, this riverfront oasis is elegant and inviting.

Much of that has to do with the textures, starting with the lush landscaping and continuing on through the unique front door, crafted of onyx and stainless steel. Inside are soaring ceilings and equally impressive walls of sliding-glass doors. Other interior doors are crafted of solid mahogany, while the primary bath offers his-and-hers vanities, a jetted tub, steam shower and cabinets of Macassar ebony, an exotic wood from Southeast Asia.

A guest-friendly upper level includes a recreation room and multiple large balconies for enjoying the expansive vistas. Additional features include a 1,500-bottle wine cellar, dual offices, a fitness room, media room and an elevator. The home is also fully automated with a Crestron Home system that provides customizable security, audio/video and climate controls with remote monitoring and control from a smartphone.

Year-round entertaining is a given, thanks to the outdoor living area, which includes a 25,000-gallon salt-chlorinated pool with hot tub, as well as a multi-level private dock with boat lift.

Originally listed for $9 million nearly two years ago, the home will be auctioned live onsite on Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. Miami-based Platinum Luxury Auctions is hosting the sale, and according to company President Trayor Lesnock, bidders can participate in person or remotely.

"If remote, the bidder must still have an individual with designated power-of-attorney on-site," Lesnock said. "That representative then has the remote bidder on the phone or on FaceTime during the auction, so all participants bid in real-time, transparently."

To gain entry to bid, an individual must make a $50,000 bid deposit — which is 100% refundable if not made by the winning bidder ― and sign the terms of sale on or before 5 p.m. Oct. 26.

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As with 3730 Richmond St., the home is selling without reserve, meaning there is no minimum bid requirement or other qualifier of pricing. Once the bidding process begins, it must conclude with the sale of the property to the highest bidder, regardless of the amount of the high bid price.

That's one of the appeals for selling a luxury home at auction. As Lesnock pointed out, a luxury real estate sales transaction is notoriously plagued with issues, and the vast majority of sales negotiations are not successful.

"Communications between the parties are often made more difficult due to how many "go-betweens" exist for the principal seller and buyer," he said. "Conversely, a luxury auction presents a buyer with clean, transparent terms of sale, no negotiations or contingencies and what we call "date-certainty" as to the expeditious timeline to which the transaction will adhere."

Lesnock added that buyers know their valuable time won't be wasted as it might be haggling with another seller or their broker about a listing price that is often inflated and unrealistic.

As for the owners of this property, Lesnock described them as "private individuals," a husband-and-wife team "who have worked hard — and successfully — for much of their lives."

"They've been wonderful throughout the process to date, as have their listing agents [Elizabeth Hudgins and Sarah Alexander of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty], and I know the sellers are looking forward to downsizing after the sale, to a nearby condo, I believe."

For complete details on 5147 Dixie Landing Drive and to register for the auction, go to PlatinumLuxuryAuctions.com.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Upcoming auctions show luxury home market taking off in Jacksonville