Luxurious Transatlantic Florida Escape in Cape Coral

Architecture

Dec 9

Written By Alexander Mayr | Real Estate & Financial Analysis

For a Germany-based family, Florida was for holidays only—until an opportunity came to build on a rare quadruple intersecting canal crossing in Cape Coral

5027 SW 25th Pl, Cape Coral, FL, ALEXANDER MAYR, 3D rendering

Located in the Gulf of Mexico on the Caloosahatchee River delta across from Fort Myers, Cape Coral is a city in Southwest Florida known for its many canals. Its history began in the late 1950-ies when the two Rosen brothers from Baltimore, Maryland, began development of the city as a master-planned community.

Cape Coral was promoted like no other Florida development at the time. Celebrities were brought in to tout the benefits of “The Cape”, as it is known locally. The project quickly became so successful that sales offices all over the country were opened and a charter airline was arranged to fly in buyers from all over the world.

Today “The Cape” is a sought after vacation getaway teeming with wildlife watching opportunities and over 400 miles of canals for the boating enthusiasts providing access to tropical islands, long sandy beaches and world class sports fishing grounds. A perfect backdrop for a couple from Munich, Germany, that their families had been enjoying on vacations since childhood days. “The Sunshine State” meant holidays, so it seemed logical to elaborate on that tradition. That’s when I received a to-the-point email: “We’re building a house, wondering if you could help us?”.

The couple had seen a project that I had led in Naples. They liked the pure white lines and the architect’s relaxed, luxurious signature style. “For us it’s all about symmetry that translates into a restful state of mind, and appears spacious and flows,” the couple explained.

The Germans sure knew what they wanted. The practicality of us all having Munich-based roots had clear advantages and together we launched into an exciting transatlantic adventure to create something truly amazing for the area.

For someone who usually works in Europe, our immediate objective was to deliver on the high standard that most people on the other side of the pond demand. To ensure the desired level of continuity and coherence, we worked closely with draftsman John Dill, whom we praise for his willingness to adapt and integrate their vision into the build. John was a bit wary at first, but once he came on board he was up for the challenge. No problems, only solutions.

The house forms a U-shape around an outdoor area overlooking the expansive pool to the wide waterbody that the unique intersecting canal location forms beyond. The symmetry design approach makes for a space upstairs in which guests feel instantly at ease. The predominantly white interior finds variation in materials featured: white oak wood flooring, white quartz kitchen island and dining table, and chairs made to measure in perfect proportion. Tying it all together and extending between diverse ceiling volumes is the continuity of horizontal, wooden cladding, a modern Caribbean touch on the walls.

The eye is released free to wander and flow past photographic art, artistically recessed wall cabinets to the simple beauty of the waterside setting, looking out down the wide canal. The double height volume over the living areas make for a dramatic interior centerpiece. The height is filled with a floating wrap-around gallery upstairs anchored by a stainless steel and tempered glass railing.

The level of finish and detailing is exceptional. Those with a keen eye for fashion and detail at every level of the conception now have the opportunity to join the process of running with the existing design, saving considerable amounts of design development expense and leap ahead to their family dream home with a running start.