Coral Gables · Private Capital

Coral Gables

Mediterranean estates. Generational wealth. The most architecturally protected address in South Florida.

Coral Gables is South Florida's most architecturally distinguished address — a Mediterranean city of tree-lined boulevards, baroque fountains, and estates that have held their value through every market cycle. Designed by George Merrick in the 1920s with a Beaux-Arts vision of permanence, the Gables today is home to diplomats, Ivy-educated executives, Latin American principals, and multi-generational families who want a Miami address that will never go out of fashion.

$3M–$18M

Why Coral Gables

What sets this market apart

Architectural Character by Law

The only Florida city legally required to maintain its Mediterranean Revival character. Every streetscape, fountain, and entrance gate is protected. What you buy today looks the same in 50 years.

Miami-Dade's Best Private Schools

Gulliver Preparatory, Ransom Everglades (nearby), and Coral Gables Senior High consistently rank among Florida's top institutions. IB programs, Ivy placement records.

The Biltmore: Your Backyard Club

The Biltmore Hotel — a National Historic Landmark — anchors the neighborhood with a championship golf course, spa, and pool that rival any private club in the country.

Miami International, 10 Minutes Away

Direct flights to Bogotá, Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Caracas, Madrid, Frankfurt, and every Gulf hub. No South Florida neighborhood is better positioned for international living.

Miracle Mile and Giralda Plaza

Downtown Coral Gables has some of South Florida's most enduring independent dining, galleries, and cultural programming. Walkable. Civilized. No tourist crowds.

Understated. Permanent. Discreet.

No flashy hotel signage, no spring break corridor, no commercial intrusion in the estate neighborhoods. Buyers here want quality without spectacle — and they find it.

The Life Here

Climate

✦Year-round outdoor living
✦280+ sunny days annually
✦Cooler than Miami proper due to tree canopy
✦Walk-to-everything neighborhood design

Culture & Arts

✦Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre
✦Coral Gables Museum
✦Annual International Book Fair proximity
✦Vizcaya Museum 10 minutes away

Dining

✦Giralda Plaza pedestrian dining
✦Michelin-recognized restaurants
✦Farmers' markets, independent cafés
✦No chain-restaurant requirement — this is curated

Education

✦Gulliver Preparatory — Ivy placement record
✦Coral Gables Senior High — IB magnet
✦University of Miami 5 minutes away
✦Ransom Everglades (adjacent, Coconut Grove)

Where to Live

Neighborhoods that matter

Gables Estates

$5M–$18M

Gated, waterfront, and guarded. The most exclusive enclave in Coral Gables with canal-front and bay-front estates.

Ponce-Davis

$3M–$12M

Large lots, deep tree canopy, and some of the most gracious estate architecture in Miami-Dade County.

Old Spanish Village

$2M–$8M

Walkable to Miracle Mile, architecturally protected, and the historic heart of the Merrick vision.

The Roads

$1.5M–$5M

The urban edge of the Gables — closer to Brickell, younger buyer profile, strong appreciation trajectory.

Property Landscape

✦Mediterranean Estate Homes

✦Gated Waterfront Compounds

✦Historic Mansions on Half-Acre+ Lots

✦Luxury Condominiums — Gables Club

Who Lives Here

✦Latin American Business Principals

✦Retiring C-Suite Executives

✦Trust and Estate Purchasers

✦International Diplomatic Families

Financing Intelligence

Coral Gables is a bank statement and asset depletion market. The dominant buyer profile — Latin American principal, retired executive, international family — has significant wealth that does not flow through a standard W-2. Rafael structures these transactions using 12-24 months of bank deposits or investable-asset depletion to qualify buyers the conventional system cannot serve.

Foreign national programs are common at Gables Estates and on the Intracoastal. Buyers purchasing through LLCs, family trusts, or offshore entities have specific lender requirements. Rafael navigates these structures with 126 lenders and 25 years of precedent in this exact market.

Common Questions

What mortgage programs are available for international buyers in Coral Gables?+

Foreign national programs allow purchase with no US credit history, no SSN, and no US tax returns. Down payment is typically 25–30%. Rafael works with specialized portfolio lenders who understand Coral Gables buyer profiles.

Can I qualify for a Coral Gables mortgage using assets instead of income?+

Yes. Asset depletion programs divide your investable assets by a loan term (typically 360 months) to create qualifying income. Ideal for retired executives and wealth-transfer buyers with significant portfolios.

What are the best private schools near Coral Gables?+

Gulliver Preparatory (PreK–12, Ivy placement record), Ransom Everglades School in adjacent Coconut Grove, Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, and Palmer Trinity School. All within 15 minutes.

Is Coral Gables safe?+

Coral Gables has its own police force — separate from Miami-Dade — with one of the lowest crime rates of any South Florida municipality. Gables Estates is additionally gated and privately guarded.

What is the price range for estate homes in Coral Gables?+

Entry-level estate homes in Coral Gables start around $3M. Gables Estates waterfront properties trade between $5M and $18M. Ponce-Davis estate lots range from $3M to $12M depending on size and condition.

Can I purchase a Coral Gables property through an LLC or trust?+

Yes. Rafael regularly structures transactions for buyers purchasing through Delaware LLCs, Florida LLCs, family trusts, and offshore holding entities. Portfolio lenders are typically required for these structures.

How does Coral Gables compare to Coconut Grove for affluent buyers?+

Both are mature, tree-canopied, waterfront-adjacent markets. Coral Gables is more architecturally controlled, has better private school density, and skews more formal. Coconut Grove is bohemian, sailboat-forward, and slightly more relaxed — with lower entry prices.

Are there waterfront properties in Coral Gables?+

Yes. Gables Estates is a gated, guarded, waterfront enclave on the Intracoastal. The Hammocks and sections of Cocoplum also offer waterfront access. Prices start around $5M for direct waterfront.