Fabulous Flips: Palazzo di Lago - An $11 Million Payday in Delray's Billionaires Row

Welcome to the inaugural post of Fabulous Flips, where I take you inside some of the most impressive real estate transformations in South Florida. Today's feature? A jaw-dropping flip that just netted developer Aldo Stark an $11 million profit in less than nine months—and landed actor Mark Wahlberg a spectacular new Florida estate. 

The Numbers That Make You Say "Wow"

Let's talk about the deal that has everyone in South Florida luxury real estate buzzing:

The Purchase: January 2025 - $26 million
The Vision: Complete luxury redesign and furnishing
The List Price: March 2025 - $45 million (fully furnished)
The Sale: October 14, 2025 - $37 million (fully furnished)
The Profit: $11 million in approximately 8 months
The Buyer: Mark Wahlberg (via Closest to Delray LLC)

Not bad for a day's work, right? Actually, make that several months of meticulous work transforming an already impressive estate into what can only be described as a lakefront palazzo worthy of Lake Como.

The Property: Where Italian Glamour Meets Florida Splendor

Palazzo di Lago sits at 9200 Rockybrook Way in the ultra-exclusive Stone Creek Ranch community, nestled along what locals affectionately call "Billionaires Row" in Delray Beach. And trust me, when a neighborhood has only 37 properties spread across 187 acres, each on 2.5 to 3-acre lots with 24-hour security, you know you're in rarefied air.

The numbers alone are staggering: 17,800 square feet of interior living space with seven bedrooms, ten full bathrooms, two half-bathrooms, plus a wine room, theater, cigar lounge, gym, sauna, guest house, tennis court, saltwater lagoon pool, catering kitchen, and massage room. But what truly sets this property apart is the vision behind its transformation.

The Visionary: Aldo Stark's Masterful Reimagining 

Originally built in 2017, this home was already substantial. But when spec developer Aldo Stark of Prestige Design Homes acquired it in January 2025, he saw something more. Stark, known for his track record of building high-profile luxury homes in Stone Creek Ranch and Fort Lauderdale, executed a complete gut renovation that transformed the property into a fully furnished, move-in-ready masterpiece.

The design concept? Pure genius. Stark drew inspiration from the tranquil glamour of Lake Como and infused it with the seductive allure of James Bond's Casino Royale. The result is a home that feels like a secluded European palazzo perched above a sun-kissed Florida lake—sophisticated, dramatic, and utterly breathtaking.

The Details That Dazzle

What makes this flip truly fabulous isn't just the price tag—it's the attention to detail that transforms a house into a destination:

The Grand Entrance: A sweeping two-story foyer bathed in natural light, leading to a grand salon with 30-foot ceilings and walls of glass overlooking the lake, all crowned by custom-designed crystal chandeliers.

The Chef's Dream: A kitchen wrapped in rare walnut with Italian gray marble accents, plus a secondary catering kitchen for seamless entertaining. The breakfast room features a glowing Oyster white agate feature wall that turns morning coffee into a moment.

The Wellness Wing: A fully equipped gym, sauna, and massage room that opens to a private tennis court and a saltwater lagoon pool holding 170,000 gallons of crystal-clear water.

The Entertainment Factor: A Club Room for gatherings, a custom home theater that rivals the best screening rooms, and a hidden cigar lounge with advanced air purification.

The Primary Suite: Mother-of-pearl inlay floors, his-and-hers spa-inspired bathrooms, a boutique-style dressing room with double-height shelving, private terraces, and even a hidden safe room.

The Car Enthusiast's Paradise: A seven-car garage with space for car lifts to transform it into a ten-car showcase.

Why This Flip Worked

As someone who closely watches the South Florida luxury market, I can tell you exactly why this flip commanded such a premium:

Location, Location, Location: Stone Creek Ranch offers something money can barely buy—complete privacy with only 37 properties in the community, 24-hour security, and neighbors like billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen (owner of the New York Mets). As buyer's agent Michael Costello noted, privacy and lot size are major draws, making it one of the only options without paying $150 to $200 million for something on Palm Beach proper.

Turnkey Luxury: The property was sold fully furnished with museum-quality pieces and designer finishes. For a buyer like Wahlberg, it's the ultimate lock-and-leave—bring your toothbrush and you're home.

Timeless Design: Stark didn't chase trends; he created a timeless aesthetic with high-gloss Brazilian Guyana wood hallways, Italian stone, custom European finishes, and a sophisticated color palette of mocha, burnt sienna, and soft beige.

The Wellness Factor: For a fitness fanatic like Wahlberg (who's an investor in F45 Training and has a location about a mile from his new home), the wellness wing likely sealed the deal.

The Market Impact

While the property was originally listed at $45 million, the recorded deed shows a sale price of $32.64 million, though the MLS confirms the full sale price at $37 million—the difference likely accounting for the furnishings, artwork, and personal property included in the deal.

Here's what's remarkable: even at $37 million, this represents a 42% markup from Stark's purchase price just eight months prior. That's not just a successful flip—that's a masterclass in understanding what today's ultra-high-net-worth buyers want.

The property closed on October 14, 2025, after 172 days on the market. In the ultra-luxury segment, that's actually a respectable timeline, especially at this price point.

My Take 

As a luxury real estate specialist in the Boca Raton-Delray Beach market, I find this flip fascinating for several reasons. First, it demonstrates the enduring appeal of Stone Creek Ranch as a haven for celebrities and billionaires seeking privacy without sacrificing proximity to Palm Beach's finest amenities. Second, it shows that even in today's market, there's tremendous value in taking an already-exceptional property and elevating it to museum quality with impeccable furnishings and finishes.

Aldo Stark took a calculated risk, investing significant capital in both renovation and world-class furnishings, then bringing the property to market at a premium. The gamble paid off spectacularly, landing one of Hollywood's biggest stars as a buyer and netting an eight-figure profit in less than a year.

For sellers in the luxury market, this flip offers valuable lessons: presentation matters enormously, turnkey appeals to busy high-net-worth buyers, and distinctive design commands premium pricing. For buyers, it demonstrates that sometimes paying a premium for a fully realized, move-in-ready vision is worth avoiding years of construction headaches.

The Bottom Line 

Palazzo di Lago represents everything I love about the luxury real estate market in South Florida—vision, execution, and results. Aldo Stark saw potential where others saw a finished product, Mark Wahlberg found his perfect Florida retreat, and the luxury market proved once again that exceptional properties in premier locations will always find their buyer.

Stay tuned for more Fabulous Flips as I continue to spotlight the most impressive real estate transformations in our market. And if you're considering buying or selling luxury real estate in the Boca Raton-Delray Beach area, let's talk about how we can achieve fabulous results for you, too. 

Maureen Harmonay is a luxury real estate specialist serving the Boca Raton and Delray Beach markets. For more information about buying or selling distinctive properties in South Florida, visit MaureenHarmonayHomes.com.