Craig Hogan, vice president of luxury for Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, goes undercover — literally — with South Florida real estate star Gilles Rais for our first-ever reveal of the Homes & Estates cover property. Gilles welcomes us inside the dreamy yachter’s paradise — also featured as “Home of the Week” — where he gives us a front-row seat to the sexy waterfront lifestyle that awaits in this home.

Read the cover story here, or check out the extended version of the interview below.

Craig Hogan Gilles, I’m so excited that you’re our first interview for the new “Undercover” series. Can you tell our readers a little about the cover opportunity and why you decided to take advantage of it?

Gilles Rais It was actually an easy choice. We wanted to give this home as much marketing exposure as possible — and because of its price point just under $12 million — we wanted to put it in front of the right people and Homes & Estates does that. About 68,000 copies are inserted into subscriber copies of The Wall Street Journal in top ZIP codes across the U.S. — places like Boston, New York, Miami, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco and Southern California, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Orange County. It’s also sent to Wealth Engine’s Demi-Billionaire List and direct-mailed to top clients of CBGL agents around the U.S. It was a no brainer for me!

Craig Hogan Thank you for sharing. It’s such an incredible advertising investment for luxury agents. Now on to the estate itself. If you had to sum it up in one word, what would it be?

Gilles Rais Masterpiece.

Craig Hogan Great description — it is like a work of art!

Gilles Rais Yes. Renowned local developer and designer John DiDonna, president of Trilogy Construction, and architect Randall Stofft really intended it for the home to be like a living work of art. It’s a home with a contemporary aesthetic balanced with warm, comfortable and organic finishes. The look is completely timeless.

Craig Hogan When you walk in the door, what’s the first thing you notice?

Gilles Rais The beautiful, long infinity-edge pool and floating hot tub with a view of the canal.

Craig Hogan Imagine you’re the future homeowner and it’s a relaxing Sunday afternoon. Where would you be?

Gilles Rais Enjoying the view and weather by the outdoor bar and summer kitchen.

Craig Hogan And if you were throwing a cocktail party among friends?

Gilles Rais I would host it in the clubroom, which features a hotel lobby style bar.

Craig Hogan The architecture gives us many “wow” moments. What are the main design focal points?

Gilles Rais The floating staircase, which is very grand, and the double-sided water vapor fireplace encased in marble, is really striking. Another standout feature is the 560-bottle, temperature-controlled wine room adjacent to the dining area and butler’s pantry. You walk into the space, and it leaves an instant impression.

Craig Hogan The Big Game is coming up — where’s the best place to watch?

Gilles Rais In the 7-seat theater, located next to the clubroom.

Craig Hogan Since this property is located on 105 feet of waterfront, what’s going to impress a boater the most?

Gilles Rais First, the home is located in Harbor Beach — a very exclusive gated beach club community with its own marina and private beach access. A boater is going to love the concrete dock, and having access to the wide and deep canals, no fix bridge and proximity to the inlet. There is also plenty of outdoor marine storage and a shower. It’s a boater’s dream.

Craig Hogan Coolest tech feature?

Gilles Rais The automation of the home — it’s 100% controlled by Crestron.

Craig Hogan Who do you think the buyer will be?

Gilles Rais A high-level executive from the Northeast or California.

Craig Hogan You’ve just walked the property with a potential buyer…what’s your closing pitch?

Gilles Rais This home is not only brand-new, but has been professionally decorated and accessorized with high-end furniture and carefully curated artistic selections. It saves you time and money. The move-in process couldn’t be easier!

Craig Hogan Well you’ve sold me! Gilles, thank you for your time.

Gilles Rais The pleasure was all mine.

If you missed the “Home of the Week” video, watch it below:

To learn more about the 2021 Homes & Estates cover advertising opportunities, email Bruce Griset at bgriset@uniquehomes.com. 
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