By: KeyCrew Media
The amenities Florida’s luxury home buyers are requesting have evolved significantly, and some of the recent demands would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. Vlado Konatar from Kona Realty Group is fielding requests that push the boundaries of residential design and challenge traditional notions of what belongs in a home.
The Cold Plunge Request
“The recent one was they wanted a sauna, which isn’t that weird, but they also wanted a cold plunge installed in the primary bedroom,” the Kona Realty Group founder explains. “We had to figure out how to install a cold plunge next to a sauna inside the master bedroom.”
The technical challenges were substantial. Creating a system that could make ice, store it, and dump it into the plunge on demand required sourcing specialized equipment from California. The logistics of installing what is essentially a small pool in a bedroom, adjacent to a sauna that requires its own ventilation and electrical systems, pushed the limits of residential construction.
The sauna has been installed and looks beautiful. The cold plunge installation is in progress. “It’s all up in the works, but we’ll see how it looks at the end,” Konatar notes.
Beyond Traditional Luxury
But cold plunges aren’t the only unusual request. Another client wanted kitchen cabinets made entirely of leather. “That was pretty crazy,” Konatar admits. “But it’s actually really durable. You can have your dogs chew on it and it’s going to be fine. It comes with a specific product to clean and maintain it.”
These requests reflect a broader trend across Florida’s luxury markets. As buyers transition from high-end condos to single-family homes, particularly in light of rising insurance costs and HOA concerns, they’re demanding amenities that typically only existed in luxury condo buildings.
Konatar’s projects now routinely include saunas, putting greens, mini golf, fire pits, basketball courts, and pickleball facilities. “Buyers coming from the condo world are used to a certain level of amenities and entertainment,” he explains. “When buyers see the list of amenities we offer, they’re saying: why would I live in a condo where I can have all of this to myself?”
The Market Response
The strategy is working. While condo inventory sits on the market due to insurance concerns, custom single-family homes with extensive amenities are selling quickly. Properties offering something unique are moving in days or weeks instead of months.
“We still don’t have the inventory of truly beautiful custom homes that you’d see in California or Miami,” Konatar notes. “But we’re getting there. In the next five years, I think we’ll be able to compete at that ultra-high-end level.”
The emphasis on extreme amenities isn’t just about matching condo features. It’s about creating experiences and lifestyles that can’t be replicated. Rock climbing walls, cold plunges, leather kitchens: these elements make properties memorable and distinctive in ways that standard luxury finishes don’t.
What It Takes to Deliver
This level of customization requires expertise most builders don’t have. Sourcing specialized equipment from across the country, coordinating with designers who’ve worked with celebrities, importing materials from Italy, Germany, Spain, Turkey, and Greece: these projects require relationships and knowledge that take years to develop.
Konatar is currently working on 2135 Hibiscus in Sarasota, a property he describes as his “baby.” “We’ve been working on that for close to a year now, going all out with finishes, materials, and design,” he says. “Every inch of that home is wrapped in something. Drywall is not really a factor.”
The project involves a Miami-based designer who has worked with celebrities including David Beckham. The home should be completed in the next two to three months, and Konatar plans to document the process on video.
Redefining Luxury in 2026
The shift toward extreme customization and unique amenities is changing what “luxury” means in Florida real estate. It’s no longer just about square footage, location, and standard high-end finishes. Today’s luxury buyers want experiences, wellness features, and design elements that reflect individual preferences, no matter how unusual.
Spring 2026 is showing strong activity in this segment. “Last year at this time, it was completely dead,” Konatar explains. “This year we’re crazy busy. Single-family homes with unique features are flying off the market.”
For luxury buyers in 2026, the question isn’t whether a home has high-end finishes. The question is whether it offers something no other property can provide. Developers and agents who can deliver on those expectations, even when they involve cold plunges in bedrooms or kitchen cabinets made of leather, are the ones capturing the high end of Florida’s market.
Vlado Konatar is the founder of Kona Realty Group, a Sarasota-based firm specializing in luxury new construction and high-end residential real estate. With over 11 years of experience in the Florida market, the company works closely with developers on projects throughout the Sarasota area. Learn more at konarealtygroup.com.
