Naoshi Matsumoto has found a niche in the Miami luxury new-development scene\u2014long dominated by glittering, amenity-packed condo buildings\u2014in ultra-private, design-driven single-family waterfront homes.<\/p>\n
As the founder of Sunland Group, the developer oversees architecture, construction and brokerage under a single umbrella, a setup that gives the firm unusual creative control in every step of building and selling a home. Given this level of autonomy, Matsumoto has shaped some of the city\u2019s most luxurious stand-alone residences over the past decade.<\/p>\n
His approach is on full display with his latest project: Marea Collection, four waterfront homes inside Belle Meade, an upscale gated enclave. Two of the houses Casa Vista and Casa Coral\u2014each priced at $10 million\u2014have hit the market. Casa Coral was developed in collaboration with the Chilean architect Gonzalo Mardones.<\/p>\n
MORE: Castle Built for a Habsburg Outside Vienna Hits the Market for \u20ac33 Million<\/a><\/p>\n With more high-net-worth buyers trading penthouses for stand-alone homes\u2014drawn by privacy, space and the appeal of living directly on the water\u2014Matsumoto has found himself at the center of one of Miami\u2019s gradual shifts in taste. He spoke to Mansion Global about why some buyers are rethinking condo life, what they\u2019re seeking instead, and how he sees the city\u2019s next wave of waterfront architecture evolving in the years ahead.<\/p>\n Mansion Global: What drives a Miami\u2019s luxury buyer to move away from condo living and toward a stand-alone home?\u00a0<\/p>\n Naoshi Matsumoto: High HOA<\/a> fees that don\u2019t provide the level of services buyers expect when they purchase a luxury condominium is the primary reason. We\u2019re also seeing concerns about privacy, as well as the desire for a true waterfront lifestyle that enables buyers to house their personal boats in their backyard. It\u2019s worth noting, too, that the price point of single-family waterfront homes today, like those in Marea Collection, is comparable to that of ultra-luxury condominiums. This makes the concept even more compelling to both current condo owners as well as those deciding between the two asset types.<\/p>\n Are condo owners expressing interest in the Marea Collection?\u00a0<\/p>\n Most of our buyer interest is from current luxury-condo owners. The majority of them note a desire for increased privacy and the opportunity for true waterfront living as the main reasons they are considering making the switch.<\/p>\n How does Sunland Group\u2019s vertically integrated model influence the way you design and deliver a home?\u00a0<\/p>\n The close collaboration and ongoing involvement between the architects, construction team and brokers lead to more unified decision-making, which streamlines every process. Each detail is analyzed from multiple perspectives, resulting in homes that are architecturally appealing, functional and thoughtfully designed.<\/p>\n