Transcendent Tropical Mansion Attracts Bevy of Hopeful Buyers in Miami for $4.2M

It might look like a midcentury modern space, but don’t use that term to describe this striking Miami, FL, home.

“It’s tropical modern or eco-contemporary form,” explains listing agent Karina Reyes, with Compass, of the home that was built in 1968.

Regardless of what you call it, it’s a hit with buyers. The home was listed in April for $4.2 million, and an offer is already pending.

Various architectural websites define “tropical modern” as design that resembles modern architecture, with its focus on functionality, while taking tropical climate and environmental conditions into account.

Architect Alfred Browning Parker, who died in 2011, designed the rare residence for himself and called it “Woodsong.”

Wallpaper magazine once ranked the modern masterpiece among its top houses in the world.

The finely designed space last sold in 2017 for a little more than $2 million.

“It’s made out of mahogany wood, both inside and out, and then fortified by steel beams and a concrete base,” Reyes says. “It’s basically three distinct pods: a living pod, a dining pod, and a sleeping pod.”

A covered but exposed breezeway connects each of the pods.

“Parker’s goal with this house was to live immersed in nature, so the pods are raised so you’re eye to eye with the canopy and the lush greenery,” Reyes explains. “In order to go through your day-to-day activities, you have to step outside and experience the outdoors.”

And with Florida’s frequent summer rains, venturing out can be a multisensory affair.

“It’s a covered breezeway, but you might get a little bit of a splash,” Reyes says.

An outdoor lap pool runs alongside the structures.

“From the sleep pod, you can open the door and jump right in from your room,” she explains.

The spacious place has four bedrooms and five bathrooms.

Although there are distinct areas, the home has a wide-open feel.

“All of the rooms are lofted and open, so there’s no enclosed room in the whole house,” Reyes observes.

She says the multiple skylights are her favorite feature.

“When you’re standing in the house, if you look up or around, you’re going to encounter nature,” she notes. “With the skylights throughout the entire house, you can look up and see the sky. The skylights are circular, and they’re in each pod and on the deck. Not only having nature around you—but above you in your house—is kind of cool.”

The home was originally built without air conditioning, but each pod now has its own HVAC unit and other mechanicals.

“The windows are positioned across from each other to allow for a cross breeze,” Reyes explains. “The current owner keeps the windows and doors open a lot of the time, with screens to allow the beautiful sounds to come in—like the running water from the pond, the pool, the winds, the rain. You can hear it all, and it’s very relaxing.”

Six offers on the tropical marvel came in quickly, which surprised Reyes a bit.

“Most of Alfred Browning Parker’s homes take about six months to sell, because it’s such a unique buyer profile that wants to live kind of unconventionally,” she notes. “It’s not for everybody, but somehow there were six buyers willing to move in immediately.”