Temple House

This is purportedly the largest single family home on South Beach, at 16,300 square feet. At a equal distance from where I work and where I live, I have passed it many times, but only yesterday noticed a very discreet sign listing it for sale by EWM.
Built in the 30's as a single family home, it was remodeled into a Jewish Temple after WWII, hence it's name. When the city was over run by refugees from the Mariel boat lift every Jew fled up to 41st Street, apparently deciding some sort of defensive line could be held there and still be within reach of Wolfie's delicatessen. Businesses in South Beach closed by the hundreds a gangs of recently-released Cuban criminals roamed the town. The temples in South Beach were torn down or left vacant. In 2003 an information science guru bought it and turned it into his rather spectacular home.
a quick visit to EWM's site revealed the equally spectacular price of $17 million, surely not unheard of on the Venetian Islands that are part of Miami Beach, but not common in this quiet neighborhood.

Still, Mrs. Astor's famous "400" could probably be adjusted much higher. But, then, would you really want to?