Billionaire investor and philanthropist Herbert Wertheim has added another extraordinary South Florida property to his real estate portfolio, paying a recorded $61.75 million for a newly rebuilt ocean-to-lake estate in Manalapan, just south of Palm Beach.
The purchase was made through a trust and finalized on December 16, according to public records. Wertheim already owns two residences in Palm Beach, further underscoring his long-standing ties to the region’s ultra-elite real estate market.
A Rare Ocean-to-Intracoastal Trophy Property
The estate is located at 1160 South Ocean Boulevard in Manalapan, roughly one mile south of the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa. Spanning approximately 1.75 acres, the property offers an increasingly rare configuration: direct frontage on both the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, with about 160 feet of water frontage on each side.
Ocean-to-lake estates are among the most coveted—and scarce—assets in South Florida, prized for their dual water access, privacy, and unobstructed views.
Newly Rebuilt Estate with Contemporary Architecture
The property was sold by the NBU Land Trust, with City National Bank of Florida serving as trustee. Due to privacy rules governing trusts, details about the seller remain undisclosed. Records show the trust acquired the site for $21 million in 2021, followed by a two-year ground-up rebuild completed within the original footprint of the former 1995-era residence.
The result is a contemporary-style, two-story estate offering approximately 27,745 square feet under roof, including a 25,197-square-foot main residence designed to emphasize light, scale, and seamless indoor-outdoor living.
Interior Designed for Grand Living and Privacy
Inside, the home unfolds as a carefully orchestrated sequence of spaces. A grand entry hall opens to formal living areas that visually connect to the ocean beyond. The formal dining room—complete with an ocean-facing bar—is designed for elegant entertaining, while the open-concept kitchen and family room form the heart of the residence. A discreet catering kitchen allows staff to operate behind the scenes.
The primary suite, occupying its own private wing, includes:
- A sitting room
- Ocean-view office
- Dual dressing rooms
- A spa-like bath wrapped in Calacatta marble, featuring a stone soaking tub and dual water closets
Three additional guest suites on the main level each include en-suite baths and walk-in closets.
The lower level transforms into a full-scale leisure and wellness retreat, featuring:
- State-of-the-art gym and steam shower
- Wine room
- Game room
- Immersive home theater
- Two additional bedrooms suited for staff or extended family
Guesthouse, Garage, and Resort-Caliber Amenities
Beyond the main residence, the estate includes a separate two-bedroom guesthouse with its own kitchen, dining area, laundry, private cabana, and pool—creating a fully independent retreat for guests.
Automotive enthusiasts will appreciate the climate-controlled garage accommodating 13-plus vehicles, a rare amenity even among estates at this level.
Outdoor spaces are equally intentional, with a covered courtyard, east-facing loggia, pool cabana, and landscaped grounds designed for meditation, relaxation, and entertaining. A private dock equipped with two boat lifts provides effortless access to the Intracoastal Waterway.
Crafted by a Renowned Female Builder
From concept to completion, the estate was led by Siobhan Zerilla, principal of Bluedoor Building, whose work emphasizes craftsmanship, balance, and refined materiality. Finishes throughout the home include white oak flooring, Santorini Shell Stone, Calacatta Gold and Black Alexander honed stone, bespoke plaster walls, mahogany, and custom millwork—creating a palette that flows naturally from interior elegance to outdoor serenity.
Manalapan: South Florida’s Quiet Power Enclave
While neighboring Palm Beach often captures headlines, Manalapan has quietly become one of the most exclusive residential enclaves in the country. With limited inventory, large parcels, and strict development controls, the town attracts billionaires and ultra-high-net-worth buyers seeking privacy without sacrificing proximity to Palm Beach’s cultural and social scene.
At $61.75 million, Wertheim’s purchase stands as one of the most significant residential transactions in the area this year—and a clear signal that demand for exceptional ocean-to-intracoastal estates remains strong at the very top of the market.
As one luxury agent familiar with Manalapan notes, properties of this caliber are not merely homes, but generational assets—rare sanctuaries where land, architecture, and lifestyle converge.