You may be able to work from home in an extra bedroom — but can you snorkel from home in a 25,000-gallon aquarium?
This $5.49 million mansion in the Florida Keys, south of Florida, spans 6,100 square feet with four bedrooms and six-and-a-half bathrooms, according to the listing.
But its most exciting amenity is its custom-made artificial coral habitat, filled with spiny lobsters, angelfish and puffer fish.
Residents can actually snorkel or dive in the “snorkel aquarium,” making it a one-of-a-kind property with an unheard-of amenity, Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty listing broker Ally Kelley told The Post.
“I don’t think I know of any other properties in the Keys like this,” Kelley said. “You don’t see anything like that down here.”
A custom-made artificial coral reef hosts fish in this Florida Keys mansion.Photos by Andre van RensburgThe snorkel aquarium is nestled underneath the house, which is on stilts to protect the home from island weather, said Kelley.
The home’s most exciting amenity is its custom-made artificial coral habitat, filled with spiny lobsters, angelfish and puffer fish. Photo by Andre van Rensburg
“When I saw [the snorkel aquarium] for the first time, it was an awe-inspiring experience,” said Kelley, who sold the house to its current owners in 2019. “It is truly a sight to see.”
The fish habitat was designed as an original part of the house in 1996 in a collaboration between local construction firm D’Asign Source, architect Glenn Gray and Florida Keys’ Aquarium Encounters, according to the listing.
“In the Keys, which is the premier diving capital of the world, to be able to have something right on your property to practice snorkeling and keep fish right on your property is a truly desirable thing,” Kelley told The Post.
The home was featured on National Geographic’s “Fish Tank Kings” when its former owners, Nancy and Francis Schoepke, had the aquarium fixed up by professionals at Living Color Aquariums.
Under their ownership, they kept a Wrasse named “Little Rascal” and a Hogfish named “Peppermint Patty,” according to the show. Today, the puffer fish is among the most beloved of the sea creatures in the tank.
“The cutest two puffer fish come up to you as soon as you walk up to the aquarium. They will follow you around anywhere. As soon as you go over a bridge, they’re right there with you,” Kelley told The Post.
A tropical-themed living room is pictured. Photo by Andre van Rensburg
A dining room with sea green accents is pictured. Photo by Andre van RensburgAn entire room in the garage is dedicated to pumps and other equipment for the habitat, and it is “smart” enabled so owners can control it remotely, according to Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty.
The rest of the house is filled with curved lines, sea green accents, shimmering tile and beachy touches, listing photos show.
It has a custom gated entry, a chef’s kitchen, an elevator, a rooftop deck, a tiki bar, a pool, 260 feet of canal front, a sandy beach, two boat lifts and a jet dock, according to the listing.
The three-quarters-of-an-acre property offers a guest house, hundreds of species of palms and tropical vegetation, a protected preserve to the north and panoramic views, according to the listing.
“The sunsets from property are like none I’ve never seen. They’re absolutely beautiful,” said Kelley.
Kelley shares the listing with Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty broker Jenna Chapa.
Update:This article has been updatedto reflect a price change on July 1.
