From the moment you step through a private foyer into the sunlit living room, it’s clear that $44 million buys you more than just a view; it buys a masterpiece.
At the legendary Four Seasons Surf Club in Surfside, Florida, the modern coastal aesthetic is defined by striking architecture and a warm glow all around, illuminating custom millwork and slatted wood walls. Outside, rows of crisp white umbrellas line the tranquil pool decks, reflecting the luxury of a resort.
For titans like former Starbucks chairman and CEO Howard Schultz, this is the new “Wall Street South” – a place where floor-to-ceiling glass erases the boundary between an important boardroom and the turquoise horizon of the Atlantic Ocean.
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“What I find with a lot of buyers looking into this market is that they never really retire,” he continued. “So they’re looking for the next step in their adventure, for example [Schultz]and it’s an exciting place to take that step.”
The Four Seasons Private Residences at The Surf Club in Surfside, Florida, on Monday, March 23, 2026. (Getty Images)
Last month, Schultz and his wife announced they had moved to Florida for their “retirement phase,” which saw them leave Washington state after nearly half a century. Schultz shared the news in a post on LinkedIn, recounting how he, his wife Sheri and their golden retriever, Jonas, made the move from New York City to Seattle 44 years ago.
“We started a new life,” Schultz wrote, recalling how Sheri would be their primary income earner when he started a new job “at a place called Starbucks” in September 1982.
“The spirit of moving forward has long underpinned our approach to life – in business, in philanthropy and especially as a family,” Schultz further wrote. “We will be forever grateful for the memories we made in Seattle and the relationships we built along the way. To the family, friends and partners who made Seattle our home for so many years, thank you.”
The property’s balcony overlooks the resort-style pool and the Atlantic Ocean.
He and his wife bought a $44 million penthouse at the Four Seasons Surf Club Residences, The Wall Street Journal first reported, down from its original price of $55 million. It features five bedrooms, a rooftop terrace, a central courtyard, a private garage and an oceanfront cabana.
Schultz’s announcement came as Washington state was working to make what was dubbed happen the ‘millionaire tax’ which would impose a 9.9% income tax on households earning more than $1 million annually. The Washington State House of Representatives approved the controversial bill on a 51-46 vote, and it was signed into law by Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday.
“The wealth tax as a threat in the states that may be introduced… is a major catalyst for these wealthy people moving here, and where we are now at the Four Seasons Surf Club is a perfect landing for them because of everything it has to offer,” Duchon said.
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Living at the Four Seasons Surfside means discovering a history where Winston Churchill painted and the Rat Pack hung out. In 2026, it has been revamped for the modern business leader, with a three-Michelin star Thomas Keller dinner and a state-of-the-art hammam and spa.
Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club opened on New Year’s Eve in 1930.
“The history of the 1930s creates this historical interest and just adds character to the property, which is meaningful. There’s a story built into the property that these people really appreciate,” Duchon noted. “It creates a place where these people feel comfortable.”
“The lifestyle here is extraordinary, the climate is extraordinary, and the scenery is incredible and there are a few properties – the Surf Club is one of them – that really fit the criteria that they are looking for from a service perspective, an exclusivity perspective, security, architecture, design and location,” he added.
Duchon’s billionaire landing pad awaiting sale is a turnkey four-bedroom, multi-bathroom retreat measuring just over 5,000 square feet. Upon entering, guests are greeted by visual art, striking lighting fixtures and soothing, comfortable white and beige furnishings. In the dining room, a custom travertine wine cellar towers to the ceiling. The primary lounge area feels huge and grand as you look out over the Atlantic Ocean.
When it comes to Greater Miami, some may see a cooling market. However, insiders argue that at the ultra-luxury level, the rules of traditional real estate don’t apply.
“The market dictates the price, and sellers have the right to ask what they want,” he continued. “The price points are often open, there is no ceiling… They are often willing to spend more than any other transaction to achieve what they want.”
“That market is separate from the rest of the market,” he continued, “and there are just specific properties that these wealthy people would consider, including Indian Creek, the Four Seasons… It’s a specific demographic that we’re targeting, and it’s really just a specific type of product that they’re going to be interested in.”
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As the sun sets over the emerald lawns and white cabanas at the Surf Club, the message to the rest of the country is clear: Miami is the new destination for America’s capital and culture. Million dollar sales are not just isolated events; they are the catalysts for a ‘trickle-down’ economy that is ‘truly culturally growing’ at a record pace.
“The transactions happening now in this price range are creating a lot of momentum for the rest of the market and having a trickle-down effect,” Duchon said. “It’s in the other markets on the islands, single-family homes and other apartments… It’s created more demand and appreciation comes from that. But it’s a market unto itself. So there are other spaces within the Miami market that are quite stable and stable and approachable.”
