Listing of the Day
Location: Makena, Hawaii
Price: $9.95 million
In 2014, when retired CEO Bill Johnson first saw the abandoned Maui property that he would turn into a grand tropical oasis, it was pretty much just a shell.
The empty 2009 structure barely had a roof and was in foreclosure—the original owner had walked away when the housing market collapsed.
But that meant Mr. Johnson, who was CEO of SPTS Technologies based in Wales, had a blank canvas to start anew and create his dream island hideaway. The two-year makeover was finished in August 2016.
Mr. Johnson describes its style as "Hawaiian contemporary," with clean modern lines, lots of hard surfaces and high-end natural materials, and muted tones of gray and white—and gorgeous tropical landscaping.
"His vision was to build an oasis that can’t be seen from anywhere else in the neighborhood," said listing agent Ryan MacLaughlin. "He built the entire property around the oversized pool. Ninety percent of the house opens to the pool area."
"It’s just beautiful country there," Mr. MacLaughlin said. "The sunset views are just unbelievable."
More:Spec House on Hawaii’s Big Island Asks $14.75 Million
The Stats
The 7,158-square-foot house has five bedrooms, four full bathrooms and two half-baths. It sits on a tropically landscaped 1.02-acre parcel, "a large piece of property by Hawaii or resort standards," Mr. MacLaughlin said.
Design Pedigree
To make this project work the way he wanted, Mr. Johnson assembled a team of low-key but very high-end Hawaiian designers and builders. Robert Bowlus of Island Architecture and Kristin Holmes of Swan Interiors did the design work. Will Riedel of Riedel Construction did the pool and water features, and Walter (Buzz) Whitehead of Hawaiian Island Construction served as general contractor. Mr. Johnson also got lots of design help from his wife, Donna.
Amenities
The house has a resort-style infinity-edge swimming pool that’s 75-feet long and tiled in black lava. There is also a hot tub with an infinity edge and an outdoor kitchen and entertainment area. The plush new home theater has state-of-the-art electronics.
Neighborhood Notes
The house is in the gated enclave of One Palauea, which has 15 1-acre lots. A pedestrian gate leads across the street to a white sand beach with crystal-clear water and the famed Wailea Beach Walking Path, allowing access to dining, shopping, and hotels.
Agents: Paul MacLaughlin, Ryan MacLaughlin and Lee Gardner, Island Sotheby’s International Realty
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