Situated on 2.63 acres across from the Atlantic Ocean and just north of Delray Beach’s Atlantic Avenue, Lemon Hill is a grand waterfront estate designed by society architect Marion Sims Wyeth. The private compound offers a main house, guest and caretaker houses, resort style pool and sprawling grounds overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. Perfect for entertaining, the property has seven bedrooms, graceful spiral staircase, formal living and dining rooms, cypress-paneled library, coffered ceiling loggia, elevator and expansive kitchen and breakfast room. Lemon Hill honors the genius of Wyeth’s architecture, proudly taking its place amongst his other masterpieces including Palm Beach’s Mar-A-Lago, Honolulu’s Shangri La and the Florida Governor’s Mansion.
Welcome to Lemon Hill, a majestic waterfront estate on 2.63 acres, designed by society architect Marion Sims Wyeth. Created with a timeless elegance, Lemon Hill embraces the allure of Wyeth’s architecture. It proudly takes its place among other Wyeth masterpieces, including Mar-A- Lago in Palm Beach, Shangri La in Honolulu and the Florida Governor’s Mansion in Tallahassee. The secluded and expansive parcel is perfectly nestled beside a 3.5 acre protected nature preserve and at the end of a quiet canal just off the Intracoastal Waterway. With 65 feet of water frontage and easy access to the ocean via nearby inlets to the north and south of the property, Lemon Hill is a boater’s dream. Located one mile north of the shops and restaurants along Delray Beach’s Atlantic Avenue, it is the perfect start to a scenic drive along A1A to Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and all seaside towns in between. There are three international airports and several private jet-ports nearby with easy access via Interstate 95 or Federal Highway.
The property’s entrance is accessed by a lush, canopied, private road that ascends through the landscaped grounds to the circular drive and the gracious front door of the Georgian manor. The entryway and foyer unveil the classic touches of Wyeth’s designs, including the grand curved staircase, arched doorways and high ceilings. Included in the foyer are a generous coat closet and elegantly appointed elevator. There are lovely views from here looking through the loggia to the pool terrace’s giant ficus trees laden with stag horn ferns. The main Cuban stone tiled hallway leads from the cheery foyer and connects the main rooms on the first floor.
The generous living room exudes warmth with its original wood parquet floors, large fireplace, crown dentil moulding, standing bay window and unique rectangular seating alcove. Picturesque views of the expansive, manicured grounds abound as light pours through the large windows and French doors that open to the pool terrace. Pocket doors lead to the sunny loggia. The powder room, with its charming anteroom, is located off the main hallway, beside the living room. The formal dining room is of a grand scale and also has views through the loggia of the pool house and gardens via thanks to the loggia’s huge 9-foot sliding glass doors. The dining room boasts enormous Jeffersonian triple-hung windows and polished parquet floors. The cypress-paneled library offers incredible views of the pool as well as the gently sloping hill to the water. This fabulous room has unique touches including custom shelves and hidden cabinets, fireplace, second powder room and exquisite full bar room with hidden pass-through panel to the kitchen. Tall pocket French doors open from the library to a covered dining terrace and outdoor summer kitchen. The views from the massive table and chairs down the hill to the water serve as a spectacular, serene backdrop to any gathering. Sure to be a favorite gathering spot, the spacious loggia is centrally located off the main hallway and is accessible from each of the first floor formal rooms. With its cypress coffered ceiling and full-length sliding glass doors that completely open, this gorgeous space easily invites the outdoors in, allowing gentle breezes to enhance the impressive views of the terraces, pool and gardens.
The main curved staircase gracefully leads from the foyer to the second- floor landing which features hardwood floors and elevator access as well as a lovely view of the front grounds and fountain garden. The upstairs has two main hallways; the south hallway leads to the master wing and guest suite, while the north hallway leads to the back stairways: up to the attic and down to the kitchen. The master wing with separate his-and-her dressing suites is a sublime space with everything needed for a luxurious escape from routine. The master bedroom provides tranquil views through its tall windows of the sprawling grounds, pool and waterway. His-and-her dressing suites are well appointed with ample closets and built-in dressers. Her bathroom has a shower and separate tub and water closet. His bathroom has a walk-in shower and access to the upper balcony for enjoying morning coffee or afternoon sunsets. The upstairs guest suite features hardwood floors, custom molding, large closets, charming window bench and balcony access. The full bath includes a large closet and pass-through hallway with built-in dresser.
Lemon Hill’s large kitchen is the perfect spot for creating fine cuisine or enjoying a meal in the breakfast room. Included are Kitchen Aid double ovens, Sub Zero side-by-side refrigerator and freezer, two dishwashers, two sinks, pantry, built-in ice machine and Thermador five-burner gas range. Ample counter space, hardwood floors, glass-front cabinets and custom tile backsplash help to make the space a delightful place to create. The kitchen opens to a large breakfast room with a standing bay window and warm cove lighting. The kitchen garden and fountain lead the eye from the breakfast room down past banyan trees to the water beyond.
The two west wing guest suites are located at the top of the kitchen stairway and each have hardwood floors, dormer windows, ample closets and full baths. These rooms offer a private location and could be used for residents, guests or staff. The separate laundry room, additional powder room and two-car garage are located down a small staircase off the kitchen. The back door leads from the laundry room to the back parking area and service drive beyond.
The large pool is ideally located atop the hill between the main house and pool house surrounded by terraces and towering ficus trees. The pool/ guest house has an open floor plan that includes a living area, kitchenette with snack bar, a bedroom and large closets as well as a full bath with a separate hot water heater. The pecky cypress ceiling over the covered terrace serves to enhance the serenity of the beautiful natural surroundings. Outdoor landscape lighting glorifies the breathtaking grounds at night.
The caretaker/mother-in-law house is located behind the main house and is fully equipped with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a galley kitchen. There is an additional out building with a half-bath that can be used as a gardening house or workshop.
The historical value and aesthetic presence of this waterfront Marion Sims Wyeth residence is beautifully enhanced by the uncompromising and unrivaled 2.63 acre land parcel east of the Intracoastal Waterway. Situated atop a coral ridge, Lemon Hill enjoys a unique high elevation. Stunning sunset vistas over the lush property and down the hill to the water are a stand-out. Privacy and security is furthered by an alarm system and automatic back-up generator as well as automatic and accordion hurricane shutters.
The current owners have honored this Wyeth masterpiece by lovingly and meticulously maintaining all aspects of the residence for two decades. Two of South Florida’s rarest commodities combine to create this unrivaled real estate opportunity: A Wyeth-designed home located on an unparalleled parcel of land in the town of Gulf Stream. This is truly a “once-in-a-lifetime” property.
For more details about “Lemon Hill” or to talk about the Gulf Stream luxury market, please contact Nicholas Malinosky.