Florida is famous for its gators, but one fantastical Broward County home takes the reptilian serpent theme to a Game of Thrones level, albeit way more subtle and innocent.
The Fort Lauderdale villa would make Game of Thrones character Daenerys Targaryen (or any young kid) proud—mixing modern Mediterranean style with Medieval fantasy via dragon art adorning the walls and halls of this South Florida estate. After all, aren’t dragons flying, fire-breathing gators anyway? Close enough.
Located in a secluded gated community across from Fort Lauderdale Beach and just off the Intracoastal Waterway, the 3,526-square-foot luxury home is listed for $1.89 million by Todd Foster and Kim Knausz with ONE Sotheby’s International Realty. It previously sold for $1.52 million in 2015.
The 1997-built residence was inspired by the original homeowner’s daughter who loved reading The Dragon Riders book series. The dragons were actually painted by the youngest daughter. Remodeled by the current homeowner with custom cabinets and Italian marble, the dragon tales were preserved to honor the home’s unique backstory and celebration of literature.
The mystical four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom residence tells mysterious dragon tales on murals, beams, bannisters, and even tiles as if Medieval codes left for some dragon queen—or future homeowners. The art centerpiece resides in the oak-paneled library where a hand-painted ceiling dome of a cloud-flying dragon hovers over a built-in bookshelf ladder.
“The art combined with the beautiful oak library will appeal to the literary lovers among us who appreciate the value of celebrating their child’s love of reading and their favorite books,” says Foster. “In this instance, it is the love of flower-eating dragons.”
No noble dynasty battles here. The grand living room features dragons on vaulted renaissance-style ceiling beams amid a fireplace and multiple French doors that open to an outdoor garden, dining and entertaining spaces. Above backyard doors, a tile mosaic dragon stands guard over the heated pool, spa, fountain, bar and summer kitchen. There’s also a full generator and walking proximity to the beach, dining and Galleria Mall.
“This Spanish villa-inspired home provides a wonderful balance of beautiful finishes, old world European charm, and open floor plan that flows seamlessly from the garden with a beautiful fountain; to the outdoor bar and dining; to the vast great room with fireplace; to the marble kitchen and family room; and finally to the private pool with cabana,” says Knausz.
Will the dragons limit prospective homebuyers to Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings or The Dragon Riders aficionados? Will this proud legacy be carried on by the future homeowner or obliterated like characters on Game of Thrones?
“We don’t think it will limit prospective buyers,” says Knausz. “The remainder of the art is subtle—so much so, that there are seven dragons depicted throughout the first floor of the house and kids who visit are challenged to find all seven dragons.”
Seven is a lucky number. Coincidentally, dragons symbolize good luck, power and strength in East Asian culture as well. Dragons don’t generally fly in the clouds in South Florida. Sunshine prevails here. Dragons or not, that’s the ultimate draw.
“This elegantly appointed home was designed for entertaining and its recent remodel created a comfortable functionality throughout the living spaces that makes this home prefect for families who want to live in this highly sought after Fort Lauderdale neighborhood,” says Foster.