Smart Design Brings Good Vibes to an Ultra-Private Estate in Delray Beach, Florida

By Andrea Bennett with photography by Daniel Petroni The 37-estate community of Stone Creek Ranch, near the western edge of Delray Beach, Florida, has become synonymous with quiet luxury. These are not the splashy oceanfront estates of Palm Beach—though they are, in quite a few cases, comparable in price. Drive past the gatehouse and over its triple-arched stone bridge, and you reach an enclave of custom residences, each on a minimum of 2.5 serene lakefront acres designed by legendary landscape architect Krent Wieland. They are secure, sequestered, and strike a perfect balance between opulence and restraint. View the Winter 2024 issue. For the owners of Villa Ananda at 9303 Hawk Shadow Lane, this was just the point of departure. They bought the single-story estate when it had already begun construction, expanding it to take advantage of the gentle promontory that offers sweeping water views from most rooms. But what they really sought to create, says Douglas Elliman Executive Director of Luxury Sales Senada Adžem , the agent for the property, was a feeling that replicated their stays in Aman Resorts around the world. “They were inspired by the indoor-outdoor feel and the unparalleled privacy of Aman,” Adžem says. The owners were also determined to design a home that reflected their healthy lifestyle. To that end, they commissioned Courchene Development to create a haven that flows organically from one end to the other (but whose wings can be closed off for privacy when guests are in town), a master class in the clean lines of modern neoclassical interior design. That attention extends all the way to the organic, nontoxic paint used throughout the home, as well as to light fixtures made of healing and energizing selenite crystal and UV-purified water and air. The rooms, designed by Inson Dubois Wood, radiate from a massive great room with European white oak floors, artisan-stained millwork, Carrara and Calacatta marble, and an austere but comforting palette of muted grays and whites. A Calacatta Crema marble island counter serves as the centerpiece for an open kitchen ideal for socializing. The pool and spa are exquisitely landscaped and sublimely private. Villa Ananda is set behind the private gates of Stone Creek Ranch, one of South Florida’s most sought-after communities. A covered lanai overlooking the pool features a fireplace, a built-in grill, and electric screens and shades. While Villa Ananda offers its residents unparalleled views, a mature landscape shields the property. “For me, the outdoor space is truly spectacular in that it makes you feel like you’re in Europe,” Adžem says. Oak trees and cypress join Japanese blueberry trees and bougainvillea. The land was designed with multiple axis points for views of the gardens, lake, fountains, and orchard of mango and lemon trees. “It is tropical, yet it feels very sophisticated, which is such an unusual quality,” she says. This sense of seclusion is bolstered by exceptional—but inconspicuous—security. Stone Creek Ranch itself is guarded by former Marines and other military veterans. The compound is protected by its own electronic gate, camera system, and outdoor motion detectors, and all the views are through reinforced impact windows. Villa Ananda is run by smart technology, featuring Crestron home automation and lighting. Even the saltwater pool is managed by an app. This quietly secure underpinning allows residents to enjoy what the home was built for: the vibe. “More and more people who are luxury buyers coming from different parts of the U.S. aren’t looking for mega mansions,” Adžem says. “They ask for good energy, and that’s what this home has. We can’t really describe it, but you feel it when you come in the door.” Listing ID: RX-10908182 Villa Ananda 9303 Hawk Shadow Lane Delray Beach, FL $23,995,000 Senada Adžem senada.adzem@elliman.com O: 561.322.8208 M: 917.913.6680