Palm Beach’s landmark Casa Eleda, better known as the “Ham and Cheese House,” has entered the market for $105 million. The nearly century-old oceanfront estate combines Italian Romanesque architecture, a celebrated restoration and a private tunnel to the beach. The asking price is more than six times what its current owners paid in 2013.
Key takeaways
- Casa Eleda is listed for $105 million, or roughly $7,972 per square foot.
- The 1928 estate spans about 13,200 square feet on approximately one acre.
- It has seven bedrooms, 10 full bathrooms and four half-baths.
- A private underground tunnel connects the house with an oceanfront cabana.
- The property was restored after the Antonini family acquired it for $15.975 million in 2013.
A distinctive Palm Beach landmark
Located at 920 South Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach’s Estate Section, Casa Eleda is recognized for its alternating bands of red brick and pale coquina stone. The unusual facade inspired the “Ham and Cheese House” nickname, which has become nearly as familiar as the property’s official name.
Swiss-born architect Maurice Fatio designed the residence around 1928 for investment banker Mortimer Schiff and his wife, Adele Neustadt Schiff. “Eleda” is Adele’s name spelled backward. Palm Beach granted the property landmark protection in 1979 because of its architectural and historical significance.
Restoration preserved historic character
Industrialist Marion Antonini and his wife, Penelope, purchased the estate for $15.975 million in 2013. They undertook a multiyear restoration intended to retain the home’s original details while upgrading its grounds and amenities. The work later received a preservation award in 2017.
The residence retains coffered and hand-painted cypress ceilings, carved stonework, marble fireplaces and multiple loggias. A replacement swimming pool was reportedly inspired by a church in Venice, adding a contemporary feature with a historic design reference.
Interior and beachfront amenities
The estate includes formal entertaining rooms, an ocean-facing living room, a library, a bar room and a dining area with a cathedral-style ceiling. The primary suite has two bathrooms, dressing areas, a sitting room and a balcony overlooking the Atlantic.
Additional amenities include a chef’s kitchen, office, elevator, exercise room, recreation space and wine cellar. The grounds are organized around a central courtyard with landscaped gardens and sheltered outdoor spaces.
A private route to the Atlantic
One of Casa Eleda’s rarest features is a tunnel beneath South Ocean Boulevard. It provides a private connection from the main house to the beach, ending at a cabana with a living room, wet bar and full bathroom.
The tunnel allows residents to reach the oceanfront without crossing the busy road, adding both convenience and privacy to the property’s direct beach access.
A major test for Palm Beach’s luxury market
At $105 million, Casa Eleda joins the small group of Palm Beach properties listed above the $100 million threshold. Its valuation reflects not only its oceanfront location and scale, but also its landmark status, architectural pedigree and extensive restoration.
The listing is being handled by Christian Angle Real Estate. If it trades near the asking price, the sale would represent a dramatic increase from the Antoninis’ 2013 purchase and underscore continued demand for rare, historically significant estates in Palm Beach.