Where Forbes-Recognized Security Meets Intracoastal Elegance in Boca Raton's Most Exclusive Enclave 

There's a difference between gated and guarded. Between waterfront and deep-water access. Between luxury and the kind of refined living that whispers rather than shouts. Welcome to 701 Sanctuary Drive—a residence that exists in that rarified space where everything you've earned meets everything you deserve.

Inside one of only 97 homes in The Sanctuary—recognized by Forbes as one of America's Top Ten most exclusive and expensive gated communities—this newly transformed estate represents something increasingly rare in South Florida's trophy market: the opportunity to enter an ultra-private enclave where security isn't a feature, it's a philosophy.

Offered at $16,900,000 | 7,683 SF Living | 106 Feet of Deep-Water Frontage | No Fixed Bridges to the Ocean

The Address That Changes Everything 

The Sanctuary isn't merely a gated community. It's a 97-home archipelago of privacy where 24/7 armed guards man the gates, water patrol monitors the Intracoastal perimeter, and the masonry-walled boundaries ensure that the outside world stays precisely there—outside.

This is where CEOs retreat after quarterly earnings calls. Where international investors store their American assets behind layers of discretion. Where the word "neighbor" carries the weight of shared values: privacy, security, and the quiet confidence that comes from knowing you've arrived at a place designed for those who've already proven themselves elsewhere.

The community's private 20-slip marina, tennis and basketball courts, and 27-acre bird sanctuary aren't amenities—they're statements of intent. This is a community that prioritizes permanence over flash, substance over spectacle.

A $1 Million Transformation 

Here's what makes this moment exceptional: this residence changed hands in February 2025 for $13.995 million. What happened next elevates it from impressive to extraordinary.

Over one million dollars in meticulous upgrades have transformed every surface, every system, every finish. Updated flooring flows seamlessly through spaces designed for both intimate family moments and sophisticated entertaining. Custom lighting illuminates architectural details with gallery precision. Refined millwork speaks to craftsmen who understand that luxury lives in the details—the way a door closes with satisfying weight, the manner in which natural light plays across elevated finishes.

This isn't a renovation. It's a reimagination—executed by owners who understood that in Boca Raton's most prestigious address, excellence is merely the starting point.

The Architecture of Arrival 

Step through the entrance and pause. Let your eyes travel upward—thirty feet upward—where soaring ceilings create a sense of vertical freedom that most homes can only approximate horizontally. Dramatic window walls dissolve the boundary between interior and waterfront, flooding grand living spaces with South Florida's most precious currency: natural light.

The home unfolds like a carefully considered journey. A designer entertainment bar anchors social spaces where conversations flow as freely as premium spirits. The billiards room offers competitive respite. A dedicated gym eliminates excuses while elevating routine fitness into something approaching ritual.

The chef's kitchen speaks fluent Culinary—top-tier appliances, intuitive workflow, the kind of space that makes professional caterers ask where you sourced your equipment. A private elevator ensures that aging in place means aging gracefully, with all levels of this two-story estate accessible without compromise.

The Primary Suite: A Resort Within a Residence 

Some primary suites are rooms. This one is a destination.

Dual bathrooms eliminate the morning choreography of shared space. Separate his-and-hers closets—custom fitted, of course—transform getting dressed from daily necessity into daily pleasure. Private sitting areas offer retreats within the retreat, spaces for morning coffee contemplation or evening wind-down before serene water views that never grow ordinary.

The guest suites maintain the same uncompromising standards—spacious, private, each offering upscale finishes that communicate to visitors exactly how valued their presence truly is.

The Water: 106 Feet of Serious Yachting Infrastructure 

Let's talk about what separates waterfront lifestyle from waterfront living.

Your private dock offers 106 feet of deep-water frontage with direct Intracoastal access and—critically—no fixed bridges between you and the Atlantic. This distinction matters enormously to anyone whose vessel selection isn't constrained by bridge clearance. The ultra-quiet, low-wake zone protects hulls and sanity alike, transforming departure and arrival from maritime exercise into effortless routine.

Accommodations for vessels up to 100 feet mean your yacht ambitions have room to grow. The Sanctuary's private marina adds community docking options for guests or additional watercraft.

Beyond the dock, resort-style living unfolds across a heated pool and spa, lush tropical landscaping with complete privacy fencing, summer kitchen for alfresco dining, and outdoor lounge terraces positioned for both sunrise coffee and sunset cocktails.

The Practical Realities of Exceptional Living 

Financial Framework:

• Annual taxes: Approximately $149,145 (reflecting the value protected within these walls)
• HOA: $2,054 monthly—covering armed security, water patrol, marina access, common area maintenance, concierge services, and the infrastructure that makes The Sanctuary function at this level

Protection & Infrastructure:

• Complete impact glass throughout
• Whole-house generator ensuring continuity regardless of grid status
• CBS construction with concrete tile roof (2015)
• Full hurricane protection

Location Intelligence:

• Minutes to Boca Raton's private airport
• Direct I-95 access
• Proximate to Boca Country Club and Resort
• Mizner Park dining and retail moments away
• World-class beaches without the crowds

The Deeper Story: Investment-Grade Transformation 

For those tracking the market, the trajectory here speaks volumes. A property acquired in early 2025 for just under $14 million, elevated through thoughtful investment exceeding $1 million, now offered at $16.9 million represents more than appreciation—it represents the market's recognition that The Sanctuary commands premium positioning.

Current owners leave behind not just improvements but an entirely different experience of this home. Future stewards inherit turnkey excellence: every system updated, every finish elevated, every detail considered.

In a market where inventory at this level remains perpetually constrained—97 homes total, rarely more than a handful available at any moment—access becomes as valuable as the real estate itself.

The Invitation 

This is not a property for casual consideration. The Sanctuary attracts principals who understand that some addresses authenticate everything that follows. Where you choose to live communicates volumes about who you are and what you value.

701 Sanctuary Drive offers an increasingly rare proposition: entry into one of America's most exclusive residential enclaves through a residence recently elevated to meet the moment. The transformation is complete. The opportunity is now.

Showings by appointment only—proof of funds required. This is precisely the kind of discretion The Sanctuary's residents expect and deserve.

About This Series: The Waterfront Home of the Week showcases exceptional waterfront properties across Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Highland Beach, and South Florida's most coveted coastal communities. As a Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Specialist and Certified International Relocation Specialist with over 27 years of experience, I bring both market expertise and personal understanding to every waterfront transaction. Having relocated to South Florida myself, I know what it means to find not just a home, but a horizon that changes everything.

Maureen Harmonay | Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Specialist l MaureenHarmonayHomes.com