Waterfront living in style and luxury

COURTESY PHOTOS Inspired by Old World Spanish architecture, former WCI chief Al Hoffman and his wife had the 13,233 square-foot, single-family home built to their specifications in 1998. Al Hoffman's house on the Caloosahatchee River is arguably as grand and stately as its older neighbors just up the river, The Edison & Ford Winter Estates.

Inspired by Old World Spanish architecture, Mr. Hoffman and his wife had the 13,233-square-foot, single-family home built to their specifications in 1998 and called it Casa de Suenos, house of dreams.

Prudential WCI Realty listed the house and property for $17 million in 2005, shortly after Mr. Hoffman was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Portugal, setting a record for the priciest home ever on the market in Lee County. When his appointment in Portugal ended this year, the Hoffmans moved back into the house. The price has been reduced to $15.9 million.

"It's actually based on a house in Northern Spain," said real estate agent Marilyn Kistler, who is handling the sale for Prudential. "It's what architects call very, very pure."

The house is called Casa de Suenos, house of dreams. The estate, at 11200 Longwater Chase, is inside Gulf Harbour Golf and Country Club. The sprawling two-story mansion includes seven bedrooms, seven full baths, two half baths, a negative-edge pool and spa, custom wood cabinetry, three fireplaces, a wine cellar, private service wet bar, custom sound and security systems.

At the entrance, a two-story soaring entry flows into the grand salon. The kitchen is a focal point with multiple prep areas around a center island and state-ofthe art appliances. Covered porches were designed to host parties on, with both seating for large events and intimate sofas and tables for casual barbecues or romantic interludes. The landscaping and trees around the house are lush and mature.

The house includes many personal touches as well. "We took many photos of ceilings in older homes and ripped out many pages of details of the old homes in books," Mr. Hoffman said in a previous interview.

Parts of the floor are covered with custom Mexican tiles. In one half-bath, adjacent to the family room, there is a mosaic tile sink inspired by an antique Mr. Hoffman's wife, Dawn, saw in Atlanta. There is a wood-paneled study and billiards room, a large second floor exercise room overlooking the river and at least two spiral staircases. The doors and ceilings are custom made from faux-stained cypress wood.

There is also a 1,870-square-foot guest house with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and a private sandy beach. The home's exterior is made of concrete block and stucco siding, the roof of tile. Guests or homeowners also enjoy a private marina where yachts up to 100 feet can dock.