The Huffington Post (The Blog) – Bill Dean / 4949 Pine Tree Drive
Publication: The Huffington Post (The Blog)
Headline: Miami Beach’s Biggest Mansion Bought by American Businessman/Bachelor for Entertaining
Author: Hope Gainer
A successful Washington D.C. entrepreneurial bachelor, Bill Dean had the vision to buy the late S.S. Kresge's historic home in Miami Beach. Just before going to auction in 2009, Dean grabbed this Mediterranean Revival estate built in 1937 which served as the summer home for the man whose company later became Kmart, for a mere $8 million. Dean then put in an additional $32 million bucks for a "renovation" putting his total outlay to $40 million making it the most expensive "redo" to anyone's recollection in Miami's history.
[Photo Caption: 4949 Pinetree Construction/Renovation Site]
floors to keystone decks. Additional amenities include a tennis court, volleyball court, sports lawn, four outdoor hot tubs and spa, one cold-plunge pool, three fountains and waterfalls, seven car garage and on-site parking for several dozen cars. In all, there is the main house, three guest cottages, a Spa building, a nightclub and pool house with cabanas.
[Photo Caption: Pool at 4949 Pinetree Estate]
The pool house which doubles as a nightclub is a pagoda-like building resembling the Katsura Imperial Villa in Japan. It is a multi-purpose area for partying or relaxing with an onyx and granite bar, state-of-the-art sound system and beds and banquettes for lounging. The other corner of the property by the canal houses the guest-suites, gym and spa around a lawn of diamond zoysia grass. The spa includes hydrotherapy tubs, sauna, steam room and a hamman.
A wing was added to the main house to serve as the owner, Bill's personal hideaway far away from the pool and nightclub debauchery. Bill purposely wanted it located far away. "A lot of times, you want to go to bed, but your guests don't," laughs Dean.
The interior spaces were designed by Linda Lewis of Elizabeth Hague Interiors. The majority of the furniture is custom-made in a mix of classical and contemporary style. Colors are ivories, blues and greens with orange accents to marry the inside with the outside spaces.
Bill Dean has already put his estate at 4949 Pinetree to good use. He graciously hosted several charities on-premises. The unveiling party honored National Young Arts which supports the next generation for artists. Alumni violinists, cellists, ballerinas, classical guitarists, tap dancers and hip-hop dancers performed throughout the elegant evening late February.
The following weekend in March, Dean once again opened his doors for a good cause. This time it was the annual Hearts & Stars Gala benefiting the Little Lighthouse Foundation, a local organization that supports underprivileged children and their families in Miami. The evening under the stars was a Casino de Monte-Carlo themed night complete with gambling tables and live performances. In July, Dean hosted a charity for the Paradise Fund benefiting educational programs for children in Haiti with a Havana Nights theme.
Bill Dean's family created their own foundation that promotes education through their M.C. Dean Foundation.
When it comes to naming his properties and possessions, it is a task Bill Dean puts a lot of thought into. His 90 foot Warren luxury yacht is named "Moksha". In Eastern religion it means reincarnation to achieve perfection. Bill calls it, "A cool verb meaning to transcend from this world to nirvana." He seems to have accomplished that many times over with his newly named Miami estate, "Terra Veritatus" which means land of truth and freedom. Lucky for us, it is free to enjoy, but for Bill it came with a "$40 million price tag. Bless you Bill and welcome to Miami!
HOPE GAINER is a luxury real estate property specialist based in Miami Beach with Douglas Elliman Realty which has offices from Palm Beach to Boca Raton and throughout Miami and Miami Beach. Elliman also has offices in New York and The Hamptons. Gainer represents both buyers and sellers of residential and commercial properties and does property management for investors as well. She also represents trophy properties worldwide including one of the largest historical apartments in Buenos Aires where Evita once lived, and a polo estancia in the Argentine countryside. Plus, she is selling property at an 800 year old village in Tuscany, Italy and trendy condos at the marina in Ibiza. www.ehopeinternational.com / www.ehopeinternational.com/HopeProfileSofiMagazine.pdf
Miami Daily News Historic Archive Scan (February 27, 1938)
Publication: Miami Daily News, Sunday, February 27, 1938
Feature Title: WHY BEACH ESTATES ARE FAMOUS
- [Illustration Plaque: Residence for Mr. & Mrs. Sebastian S. Kresge, Miami Beach, Florida. Carlos B. Schoeppl & George Mayqualo, Arch.]
- [Sculpture: Edgar Sutton]
Article Caption / Text: ITALIAN influence predominates in the new residence of Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Kresge of Detroit, nearing completion on Pine Tree drive, Miami Beach. This reproduction of an Italian estate is rated among the most complete of the fine residences that have been constructed at the Beach in recent years.
Historical Account: Verna D. Braswell Document (July 10, 2003)
Author: Verna D. Braswell (11924 Forest Hill Boulevard, Suite 22-292, Wellington, FL 33414)
Date: July 10, 2003
Subject: The Kresge home on Pine Tree Drive in Miami Beach, Florida
The house overlooked the intercoastal waterway, Collins Avenue & Indian Creek. You could also see the Atlantic Ocean during the earlier years of the home. There were no hotels, etc. to block the view.
The gate facing Pine Tree Drive was made from red cypress and was approximately 4 inches thick. The raised area on the gate was painted with a light gold tint, otherwise it was plain cypress. Immediately inside the gates, there are doors on the left and right side. Each door served a small guest house, fully equipped with linens, kitchen, cookware, utensils, etc.
A three car garage is to the right side of the right guest house. A one car garage is attached to the main house. It housed a 1952 Cadillac limousine at the time of Aunt Clara Kresge's death. Prior to that, it housed a 1938 Packard limousine.
An antique water fountain is in the middle of the driveway opposite the front door to the inner courtyard.
The front door opened into the inner courtyard with covered walkways to the right and left side. The right side leads to a grill and rotisserie with stone benches. The left side leads past the...
