Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
5 min of reading 
4 comments 
On the Shores of Roberts Bay, the ‘Out-of-the-Box’ Mansion Called Villa Meraviglia Features a Mosaic Inspired by the Versace Mansion, a Turkish Bath, a Wishing Well, a Resort-Style Pool, and a Private Dock on an Exclusive Lot with Direct Access to the Gulf of Mexico in Florida, Aimed at Millionaires and Global Collectors
On December 6, 2025, an ‘out-of-the-box’ mansion in Italian Renaissance style was put up for sale in Sarasota, Florida, for $26.4 million. Named Villa Meraviglia, the property encompasses about 10,700 square feet and boasts views over Roberts Bay, with 24-carat gold accents in strategic points throughout the house.
Built in 1992 on a 1.22-acre lot in the coastal community of Oyster Bay, the seaside residence underwent a comprehensive reconfiguration between 2012 and 2017, in collaboration between the owners and an architect. The result is a blend of hand-painted frescoes, Venetian stucco, marble, century-old Chicago bricks, and Pennsylvania field stones, designed to withstand the test of time and the coastal climate.
Architecture Inspired by the Villas of Lake Como
The ‘out-of-the-box’ mansion was conceived as a reimagination of the grand villas along Lake Como in Italy.
-
Attracting around 250,000 people a year, a lighthouse 200 meters from the sea, on a 60-meter high cliff, on the North Sea coast in Denmark, becomes one of the most impressive examples of how nature can threaten historical buildings.
-
The narrowest house in the world is only 63 centimeters wide, but inside it can accommodate a bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, office, and even two staircases.
-
In the middle of the sea, these enormous concrete and steel structures, built by the British Navy to protect strategic maritime routes, look like they came straight out of a Star Wars movie.
-
For years, no one could cross a neighborhood in Tokyo because of the tracks, but an impressive solution changed mobility and completely transformed the local routine.
The inspiration is evident in the volumetric design, the overlapping terraces, the balconies that frame the bay views, and the two-story main entrance, marked by crafted flooring, large frames, and details in 24-carat gold leaf.
Upon crossing the wrought-iron gate, also adorned with golden appliques, visitors are guided along a visual axis connecting the main door to the water landscape.
The agent responsible for the listing, Dianne Anderson, describes the property as a set in which each environment offers a surprising element, whether in the texture of the walls, the cabinetry, or the lighting.
With four bedrooms, spacious social areas, and a generous ceiling height, the residence is designed for both daily use and large-scale entertaining.
The successive renovations preserved the original structure while updating systems and finishes, maintaining the identity of an Italian seaside villa.
24-Carat Gold, Turkish Bath, and Mosaic from the Versace Mansion
Inside, the focus is on controlled opulence.
The walls in Venetian stucco, cabinetry “bathed” in 24-carat gold, wrought bronze fixtures, and marble floors create a sequence of classic-inspired spaces.
Hand-painted frescoes and ceilings made of cypress wood reinforce the artisanal character of the work.
Among the most unique spaces is the Turkish bath lined with tiles, which functions as a private spa, integrated into the home’s intimate area.
The environment combines cool materials, indirect lighting, and proportions reminiscent of traditional hammams, bringing to the residence a typical element of Mediterranean wellness architecture.
On the floor facing the pool, the highlight is the mosaic inspired by the Versace mansion, a luxury hotel icon in Miami.
The design, reproduced at an appropriate scale for the outdoor area, serves as the centerpiece of the resort-style pool’s visual composition and reinforces the house’s connection to the luxury imagery of the Florida coast.
Leisure on the Bay with Wishing Well and Dock for Yachts
Outside, the ‘out-of-the-box’ mansion maximizes its 146 feet of waterfront.
Spacious covered terraces, distributed at different levels, offer areas for breakfast, outdoor dining, and contemplation of sunsets over the water.
The mosaic pool, the octagonal pavilion, and the landscaping complete the ensemble.
Among the most striking scenic elements is the wishing well, integrated into the design of the outdoor area as a decorative piece and a point of attraction for guests.
Surrounding this are nooks with hammocks, sunken lounges by the pool, and a fully equipped outdoor kitchen, designed for intensive use during events and extended stays.
The waterway in front of the property is served by a private dock for boats with lifts, allowing direct access to the Gulf of Mexico.
This combination of pool, dock, and open view makes the house function as a small private resort, with infrastructure to accommodate medium-sized yachts and support vessels.
Market, Price History, and Buyer Profile
Villa Meraviglia was last sold in 1990 for about $700,000, a value that illustrates the appreciation of the property and the Sarasota region over three decades.
The interventions carried out between 2012 and 2017 elevated the standard of the ‘out-of-the-box’ mansion, bringing it closer to the segment of iconic residences, more collectible than replaceable.
Oyster Bay is regarded by local agents as one of the most desirable areas in the municipality, combining high privacy, a cul-de-sac, and bayfront views.
The house, although used as the primary residence by the current owners, is seen by the market as a natural candidate for a luxury second home for foreign buyers or Americans with multiple addresses.
With a price tag of $26.4 million, the property is positioned in the range where intangible factors weigh as heavily as square footage or the number of suites.
The appeal lies not only in the luxury of materials but in the condition of being a unique piece, combining 24-carat gold, references to the Versace mansion, a Turkish spa, and a private dock within a single structure.
Between a Hollywood Movie Set and a Long-Term Asset
The narrative built around Villa Meraviglia reinforces the idea of a Hollywood movie-worthy setting, but behind the aesthetics, there are technical decisions designed for longevity.
The use of century-old Chicago bricks, Pennsylvania field stones, and high-density wood indicates a concern for structural durability, uncommon in many beach properties.
For potential buyers, the ‘out-of-the-box’ mansion combines attributes of an architectural artwork with characteristics of a long-term real estate asset.
The established coastal location, direct nautical access, and level of internal customization place the property in a category where scarcity weighs more than direct price comparisons per square foot.
In the face of such a property, with 24-carat gold, a wishing well, a Turkish bath, a mosaic inspired by the Versace mansion, and a dock for yachts, the question for the reader remains: if you had $26.4 million, would you buy this ‘out-of-the-box’ mansion in Sarasota or would you prefer to diversify your money into other investments and lifestyles?
Um monumento à **** humana, o consumismo sem limites que nos ajudou a chegarmos, entre outros fatores, à beira do desastre climatico/ambiental em que nos encontramos!!!
É claro que eu teria! Ambiente super agradável, paz… Trabalhar aí ja seria top, um bom salário e poder aproveitar o pôr do sol, o sentar no jardim, ouvir algo, ler algo, só olhar algo. De canto sem incomodar e sem ser incomodado.
Se tivesse todo esse dinheiro jamais compraria um imóvel que der repente pode desvalorizar. O mercado imobiliário é um lugar instável…
Quem faz o local ser bem visto, såo os vizinhos e o povo.