February 16th, 2011 
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The back yard area included a large pool with a cascading waterfall. There was also as hot tub / spa for relaxation. Sean Wolfington and Ana Wolfington bought Cher’s former mansion on the island of Key Biscayne.
Luxurious aerial view of the property. Sean Wolfington and Ana Wolfington bought Cher’s former mansion on the island of Key Biscayne.
Words by Anna Kasabian
Young family finds an ethereal escape and ultimate privacy in Cher’s former Florida home
WHEN SEAN WOLFINGTON AND HIS WIFE ANA were searching for a home on the shores of Key Biscayne, they made clear to their broker that anything modern was off the viewing tour. For them, modern meant cold, sleek and unresponsive. With hectic lives and four young children, the couple wanted their winter getaway to be a peaceful escape anchored in the warmth that traditional design offers. Sean, chairman and CEO of The Wolfington Companies, owns a number of businesses in the marketing, technology, real estate and film industries. And Ana, whom he is quick to credit as supermom, is also a producer. With meetings, business, travel and entertaining woven throughout their days, the lifestyle and location for their preferred home were well thought through. The stunning natural beauty and privacy of Mashta Island, a lush gem connected to Key Biscayne, held great appeal. But this house, a snow-white architectural sculpture at water’s edge conjured up all the details that define modern.
The front of the house featured a wood staircase to the main entrance and a beautiful mixture of tropical garden foilage. Sean Wolfington and Ana Wolfington bought Cher’s former mansion on the island of Key Biscayne.
This area provides relaxation while enjoying the ocean view and rear view of the house. Sean Wolfington and Ana Wolfington bought Cher’s former mansion on the island of Key Biscayne.
In fact, the day they sat in the driveway facing the huge carved wooden gates at 510 South Mashta Drive, Sean told listing broker Jorge Uribe they really didn’t want to take the time to see the house. When we pulled into the driveway, Jorge said “You have to see this; trust me, you will love it,” Wolfington recalls. However, once Uribe revealed that the home was Cher’s long-time hideaway, he and Ana were curious to see how the ubiquitous superstar lived. Could peaceful and cozy co-exist in the same sentence as Cher, who seems most natural feathered and covered in gleaming sequins? Well, yes. She took a design turn here to create a nest that reflects the Egyptian translation of Mashta—resting place by the sea. In fact, this unexpected home tour swiftly changed the family’s life. The Wolfingtons ended up purchasing this magnificent, multi-leveled, transparent jewel box, where views of blue sky meet the ocean in endless washes of light and serenity, and, as they say, went on to live happily ever after.
Beautiful and spacious dining room area with back yard and ocean views. Sean Wolfington and Ana Wolfington bought Cher’s former mansion on the island of Key Biscayne.
“When we walked in the front door, the view blew us away. The architect had maximized the ocean views. They were huge; there were windows in every room and all had ocean views. But yet, it was warm and homey and had a flow that felt great.” “While our goal was to have this as a winter place, we fell in love with the house and the island, and felt it would be the perfect place to raise a family,” Wolfington recalls. The 7500 sq.ft., two-story home has multiple decks, patios, its own beach, and a dock; all set on an 18,300 sq.ft. lot completely cocooned from the din of the world outside its gates. It has, in all the time they’ve lived here, been the perfect respite, the perfect place to entertain, and the perfect serene setting for their children to grow, play and thrive. With seven bedrooms and eight baths, a private guest suite on the lower level complete with its own steam shower, kitchenette, three day beds, and exercise room, it offers long and short term guests the ultimate in comfort. Equipped with an over-sized Jacuzzi, cabana, a cascading pool, and wine cellar, no guest here wants for anything.
The white-on-white inside décor —punctuated with a dreamy theme of soft white clouds of fabric that wrap cozy couches and sculpted chairs— ensures the blue sea and open-air deck remain the focal point.
Family Room / Foyer area is the main front entrance to the house and served as the main area for receiving guests. Sean Wolfington and Ana Wolfington bought Cher’s former mansion on the island of Key Biscayne.
Family Room / Foyer area is the main front entrance to the house and served as the main area for receiving guests. Sean Wolfington and Ana Wolfington bought Cher’s former mansion on the island of Key Biscayne.
Credit for this magnificent inspiration goes to Cher and world-renowned interior designer Catalina Echavarria, who collaborated on the home design. Catalina owned the home before Cher, but when Cher bought it, the two creative forces came together and made design magic. “Cher and Catalina achieved elegance and simplicity; they created the ultimate retreat on a spectacular site. Your eye is not distracted by anything…you can forget where you are,” says Uribe. The Wolfingtons expanded upon Cher’s paparazzi- proofed villa (via a security system, imaginative landscaping and high wooden gates), and created what is now billed as one of the most technologically advanced private homes in the world. The system operates with multiple keypads throughout the house, and can even be manipulated on the internet. It allows the Wolfingtons to program music, lighting, security, the pool, waterfall, temperature, and a digital photo album. “I can set things up for a party and adjust the music selections, lighting, for example,” Wolfington says. “As I’m driving home from a tennis game and I realize a guest will be waiting, I’ll press a button and the music will come on, the lights will dim, and the waterfall will come on.” He can set the system to wake him to his favorite music, raise the shades and turn up the lights to slowly ease into a new day. But it is the natural beauty of the place that will be sorely missed as the Wolfingtons move on. Technology is a moveable feast; the families of dolphins bobbing and diving just outside the glass-walled shower, or that scene created by shreds of pink light stretched across the sky, well, not so much.
Living room area with view of 2nd story area. Sean Wolfington and Ana Wolfington bought Cher’s former mansion on the island of Key Biscayne.
Entertainment area. Sean Wolfington and Ana Wolfington bought Cher’s former mansion on the island of Key Biscayne.
Large wine cellar. Sean Wolfington and Ana Wolfington bought Cher’s former mansion on the island of Key Biscayne.
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510 SOUTH MASHTA DRIVE $12.9M KEY BISCAYNE, FLORIDA
Contact Jorge Uribe, ONE Sotheby’s International Realty
+1 786 371 8777, or visit sothebysrealty.com (Property ID 4035616)
Download Sotheby’s article here
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