Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin have been searching for high-end homes in Miami, with sources confirming that Page recently purchased a major waterfront estate. According to The Real Deal, Page is the buyer of Banyan Ridge, a 4.5-acre property at 3585 Anchorage Way in Coconut Grove. The estate sold for $101.5 million in December, as recorded by the Multiple Listing Service.
The sellers’ agents were Danny Hertzberg, Jill Hertzberg, Nathan Zeder, and Judy Zeder of the Jills Zeder Group. Danny Hertzberg declined to comment on the transaction and Jill Hertzberg did not immediately respond to inquiries. A spokesperson for the Zeders also declined to comment.
The seller was the estate of Jonathan Lewis, known as a restaurateur and LGBT advocate in Miami. The property had previously been listed for $135 million.
In addition to Banyan Ridge, Page acquired another home in Coconut Grove at 3085 Munroe Drive. This residence spans 10,400 square feet with seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms. The sale price was $71.9 million and was recorded earlier this week; it is linked to a San Francisco-based wealth manager. Roger Barnett, CEO of Shaklee Corp., and his wife Sloan Barnett sold the house.
Sergey Brin visited Miami during Art Basel in December aboard his megayacht Dragonfly, which has been docked in Biscayne Bay. While there were rumors he might be buying Banyan Ridge as well, sources told The Real Deal that Brin is considering a different waterfront property in Miami Beach.
Brin and Page started Google together while they were students at Stanford University in 1998.
Their recent moves are part of a broader trend among wealthy individuals relocating from California to Florida amid proposed changes to California’s tax laws. In December, The New York Times reported that Page had informed people about plans to leave California and spend more time in Miami; three LLCs connected to him were incorporated in Florida last month.
Brett Harris of Bespoke Real Estate commented on this trend: “One hundred billionaires in California are all on their way to Florida and our phones are ringing off the hook.”
A proposed ballot measure would impose a tax equivalent to five percent of assets on California residents whose net worth exceeds $1 billion.
