THE DEAL: A Florida spec property with about 145 feet of water frontage, clad in backlit quartzite that glows at night, is in contract to be sold for $51 million, making it one of the priciest home sales in the city.

THE SELLER: Developer Dov Stark purchased the roughly 0.4-acre lot for $5.5 million in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in 2024. After demolishing an older home, he spent more than $35 million to build the new residence-with roughly 15,000 square feet of interior space-in just about 14 months. He listed the completed house for $55 million in April.

THE BUYER: Joelle Oiknine of ONE Sotheby's International Realty declined to identify her clients but said the buyers rejected several "bland, white box" homes in Miami Beach and Golden Beach. "When they got to Fort Lauderdale, they made us cancel all the other appointments," Oiknine said. The deal is expected to close in January.

THE SPECS: Stark said he was inspired to use backlit stone after visiting New York's Perelman Performing Arts Center. "It looks like an ember in a fireplace that's glowing from the inside," he said. All of the interior walls and ceilings are covered in stone, leather, wood or fabric. "I didn't buy one gallon of paint," Stark said. Amenities include an 80-foot outdoor pool.

THE MARKET: The property is located in the Sunrise Intracoastal neighborhood, a gated community where about a third of the homes are on the water. Fort Lauderdale has seen a string of big-ticket sales as wealthy buyers gravitate toward the city's laid-back and boating-centric lifestyle.

Last year, a property with about 840 feet of water frontage sold for $42.7 million. Hedge-funder Donald Sussman sold his 2.7-acre waterfront property for $70 million in 2024.