What does every embittered city dweller covet? More privacy and more natural splendor. For the Richard Bransons out there, a new real estate listing offers an amazing dose of both.
Little Bokeelia Island is a 104-acre stretch of land only accessible by water or air that sits in Pine Island Sound near Boca Grande in southwest Florida.
Famed battery inventor Charles Burgess -- his company would later become part of Duracell -- had a Spanish Mediterranean villa built there in 1928 and reportedly entertained fellow brain Thomas Edison.
Current owners Tom and Elizabeth Munz bought the house and acreage in 1989 for $1.5 million and now have it on the market for a cool $29.5 million.
That price tag comes with the option of developing 29 large waterfront lots on the island, which the Munz prepared for by developing the necessary utilities: electricity from the mainland, a reverse osmosis water plant, and multiple back-up generators.
However, the Munzes could never part with the expansive natural splendor of the waterfront lots and chose to keep it private for the past 24 years.
The family spent special occasions at Little Bokeelia, telling Wink News, "We have 15 grandkids, and we've always had special times, spring break and Easter."
Looking after the house and grounds in their absence is Mike Lewis, who has had the amazing job of caretaker, living on the private island with his wife since 1994.
While the owners hope that whoever buys Litte Bokeelia will maintain the island's special charm, real estate agents have already fielded interest from international buyers inquiring where they can land their 747 jets.
The house, beautifully wrapped in bright bougainvilleas, is 6,486 square feet and includes 4 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. And talk about turn key, the house comes fully furnished.
A little ways from the house, there's even an old Florida village, complete with a pavilion, informal history museum featuring the works of Charles Burgess, the caretaker’s cottage, additional guest retreat, swimming pool, and waterfall and koi pond.
Even if the 29 lots are developed, Little Bokeelia Island is surrounded by state and privately owned land that can never be developed so the lush green views across the sound will always remain.
Click the below slideshow for images of this amazing Florida property:
Little Bokeelia Island
CLARIFICATION: This story has been updated to more accurately reflect Burgess's relationship to the Duracell company.