Explore Pharrell’s Exclusive Retreat at El Palmar in Coral Gables
Pharrell Williams, the music industry titan and multifaceted entrepreneur, has made headlines with his recent purchase of a lavish 3.5-acre waterfront estate in the upscale neighborhood of Coral Gables, Florida. This picturesque retreat, known as El Palmar, comes with a price tag of approximately $30 million, according to information shared by Dennis Carvajal at ONE Sotheby’s Int’l Realty. Initially listed for a staggering $45 million, the reported transaction price represents a remarkable 33% discount from its original listing price, as first reported by the New York Post nearly 1.5 years ago.
The former owners, Ray Rodriguez, a former Univision executive, and his wife, Liana, were evidently eager to part with the estate, which required substantial upkeep.
Rumors suggest that Pharrell had been in search of a property in South Florida for some time and acted swiftly to secure El Palmar, especially since he intended to use it as a quarantine refuge during the period of stay-at-home orders imposed by Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, starting on April 1st.
As one enters the estate through an impressive gated drive, they are welcomed by lush, meticulously landscaped tropical gardens designed by landscape architect Raymond Jungles.
The driveway leads to an enclosed motor court nestled amidst the two-story Plantation-style mansion, a detached guesthouse, and a spacious garage capable of housing five or more cars. The expansive compound offers over 17,000 square feet of living space, comprising a total of nine bedrooms and 11.5 bathrooms spread across the main house, guesthouse, and boathouse, all designed by acclaimed local architect Cesar Molina.
Stepping into the main residence, guests are greeted by a foyer adorned with gleaming parquet floors, a soaring double-height ceiling, and not one but two gracefully curved staircases leading to the second floor. For those preferring not to climb the twenty-plus steps, a lift is also available. The formal living and dining rooms, complete with a fireplace and seating for twelve, are complemented by a bar room and a generously appointed library/den boasting a fireplace and built-in entertainment system.
The kitchen, characteristic of a home of this caliber, features multiple dishwashers, extensive prep areas, and full-sized refrigerators and freezers. Despite its vastness, the kitchen exudes a cozy ambiance, complete with a breakfast area that seamlessly opens to the gardens through nearly floor-to-ceiling French doors. The second floor hosts one of the more spacious guest bedrooms, opening onto a veranda with a view of the backyard. Meanwhile, the master suite offers a private study, a sizeable bedroom opening to a private veranda, and a surprisingly contemporary, almost minimalist bathroom.
Extending the entire length of the house’s rear, a spacious loggia provides ample space for lounging and dining while leading to an expansive coral rock terrace and an imposing swimming pool. Adjacent to the pool, an open-air pavilion boasts an outdoor kitchen, while the pool area opens to extensive lawns framed by swaying palm trees. A small tropical haven conceals the estate’s private 110-foot inlet for boat mooring, with the adjacent boathouse maintaining the same standards as the main house, featuring glossy, exotic wood floors and a professional-grade bar.
This is not Pharrell’s first foray into the world of high-end South Florida real estate. He previously sold a Miami Beach penthouse for $8.45 million in 2007, followed by the acquisition of a triplex penthouse atop Miami’s Bristol Towers for $12.525 million. He later sold this property for $9.35 million in 2015, incurring a loss of over $3 million.
Pharrell’s extensive property portfolio also includes two striking residences in Los Angeles, including a sprawling green-glass mansion in the Beverly Hills Post Office area, which he acquired from Tyler Perry two years ago for $15.6 million and recently listed for nearly $17 million. In addition, Pharrell owns several modest residential properties in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and a substantial gated waterfront estate anchored by a 9,000-square-foot mansion, acquired for $1.85 million in 2001, according to tax documents.