Al Capone's Rumored Getaway, 1920 Belleair Estate, Up For Auction; Starting Bid $1.2M

BELLEAIR, FL — An estate rumored to have been the summer vacation getaway of notorious Chicago mobster Al Capone will be sold to the highest bidder in an online auction that begins Tuesday.

Previously listed for sale for $3.8 million, the Mediterranean Revival home at 701 Bayview Drive, Belleair, overlooking the Belleair Country Club golf course is being auctioned with a bargain opening bid of $1.2 million starting at noon Nov. 9.

Known locally as the Palmer Estate, the home was built circa 1920 and was first owned by Earl E. Carley, vice president of the Belleview Biltmore Hotel Company. It was later sold in 1928 to its namesake, Theron Palmer, a rubber industry baron who reportedly hosted a slew of celebrity guests including Capone.

Now on the Belleair Historic Registery, the home has undergone renovations to update the fixtures and modernize the kitchen and living areas, all while maintaining the original architecture and preserving its historic integrity of the structure.

Interluxe, which sells luxury properties around the world, is handling the auction.

“The seller works and lives abroad and doesn’t have the time to spend at this extraordinary property. When discussing the listing, we knew that we needed a different approach to attract the right buyers and to do so in a timely, efficient manner,” said Gordon Kyle of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. “Interluxe’s track record of success, unparalleled database of buyers and innovative approach to facilitating a time-sensitive sale appealed to us. We’re excited to identify a new owner come auction day.”

Located in the Belleair Estates neighborhood, the estate sits on a .63-acre walled corner lot across from the Belleair Country Club golf course, Florida’s oldest course.

The property offers more than 3,000 square feet of outdoor living space and includes a decorative fountain and a resort-like pool and spa.

The original structure of the home features four bedrooms, four full bathrooms and a half bathroom, a chef’s kitchen, office, formal dining room and sunroom with 180-degree views of the property.

The spacious master suite, previously the ballroom, features views of Clearwater pass, an ornate fireplace, Cuban tile floors and custom built-ins. The master suite also boasts an expansive walk-in closet and spa-like bathroom complete with dual vanities, a soaking tub, a bidet and a large, walk-in shower with dual rain shower heads.

A second wing (with the potential for an in-law suite or kid’s wing) was built in 2005, adding a three-car garage, two bedrooms, a living area/flex space and two full bathrooms, expanding the home's square footage to the 7,517 square feet.

Though modern touches have been added, the home maintains its historic charm with original tiles, a sunken grand living room with 13-foot beamed ceilings, an oversized foyer and other Roaring '20s-era design aesthetics. They include precision brick and tile work, custom-made wrought ironwork on the dark wood grand staircase and decorative plaster molding, hand-laid tile mosaic over the wide doorway and a wood-burning fireplace with a period fireplace.

The estate also features a rare find in Florida — a basement that can be converted into a wine cellar.

The oversized travertine deck around the swimming pool is surrounded by lush landscaping and a walled-in lot.

The chef’s kitchen features high-end Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances with granite countertops and a large butler’s pantry.

The property includes two driveways – one that leads to a courtyard and the three-car garage, and the other that features a porte cochère and access on both sides of the property.

More information and photos of the property, including due diligence and procedures for registering to bid, can be found at www.interluxe.com/12531. See auction terms and conditions at www.Interluxe.com.

See related story: Al Capone's South FL Home Flipped, Sold For $15.5M: Report