An award-winning contemporary home previously owned by billionaire fashion designer Tom Ford has been relisted on the market for an impressive $78.5 million. Ford purchased the property, located at 241 Jungle Road in Palm Beach, for $51 million in December 2022. Just five months later, he engaged in a unique house-swap arrangement with private equity expert Brian Kosoy and his wife, Andrea. In this transaction, the Kosoys transferred their landmark estate to Ford while acquiring the Jungle Road property in return. Although the deal was estimated to exceed $100 million, specific financial details were never made public.
The Palm Beach Daily News was the first outlet to report on the property’s new listing.
Built in 2016, this residence marked Ford’s first investment in Palm Beach and came shortly after he sold his fashion brand to Estée Lauder, a deal that valued the brand at $2.8 billion.
The Kosoys’ estate features six bedrooms and encompasses two single-story structures with a total of 12,914 square feet of living space. Situated on a lake-block property that spans about an acre, the home is located on the north side of Jungle Road.
Characterized by its sleek and modern aesthetic, the one-story main house is complemented by a guesthouse, both separated by a stunning swimming pool. The buildings showcase gallery-white exteriors, flat roofs, and custom-designed French doors that reach 13 feet in height. The main residence is designed around an open-air courtyard that enhances the home’s natural flow.
Located just half a mile from Worth Avenue and about a mile from the former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club, the estate boasts a prime location.
Currently listed as their primary residence on the Palm Beach County property tax rolls, the Kosoys have put the property on the market as of October 30. The listing is being handled by broker Christian Angle of Christian Angle Real Estate.
Brian Kosoy is the managing principal and CEO of the Sterling Organization, based in West Palm Beach, which invests in retail properties and various real estate assets. He and his wife, Andrea, have been long-time residents of Palm Beach.
According to the listing provided by Angle, the estate is described as “perfect for entertaining,” featuring expansive living areas that include a formal living room complete with a fireplace, a formal dining room, a billiards room, a library, and a home gym. The living room boasts soaring 15-foot ceilings, while other areas have ceilings that reach 14 feet.
The property also offers exceptional outdoor living spaces, including a dining patio and loggia, ideal for al fresco entertaining.
The kitchen, designed with functionality in mind, centers around a large work island. The family room, which connects to the breakfast area and kitchen, provides views of the loggia and guesthouse.
Originally constructed as a custom home for prominent residents—home-shopping mogul James Held and Kenn Karakul, a member of the town’s Architectural Commission—the property was recognized for its architectural excellence. In 2019, the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach honored architect Daniel Kahan with the Elizabeth L. and John H. Schuler Award for his design work on the Jungle Road residence. Kahan, who is a principal at Smith and Moore Architects, shared this accolade with Held and Karakul.
Designed with sustainability in mind, the house is equipped with an extensive rooftop solar panel system, which adds to its energy-efficient features. Held spoke about the home’s environmental considerations when it received the award from the Palm Beach Daily News.
In May 2023, Angle facilitated the house swap between Ford and the Kosoys on Via Del Mar. Ford’s new property, Casa Della Porta, dates back to the 1920s and is noted for its coral stone exterior, designed by the esteemed architecture firm Treanor & Fatio.
Angle was also the sole broker involved in the transaction when Ford acquired the Jungle Road home through a trust. The seller at that time was a company owned by private equity specialist Rob Heyvaert, who had purchased the property in August 2021 for approximately $35.75 million.
Ford launched his namesake fashion label in 2005 after notable roles as the creative director for Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. His brand includes a wide array of products, from clothing to accessories and beauty items. Additionally, Ford has ventured into filmmaking, directing “A Single Man” in 2009, which earned him an Academy Award nomination.
Attempts to reach Ford, the Kosoys, and Angle for comments were unsuccessful.
Currently, the MLS lists two other Palm Beach properties for sale, both priced higher than the Kosoys’ estate. The most expensive is a gated lakefront estate located at 1460 N. Lake Way, listed for $95 million and situated next to the home of Hollywood icon Sylvester Stallone. Margit Brandt of Premier Estate Properties is representing that property.
The second most expensive listing is across town: a brand-new oceanside house and guesthouse priced at $88 million, located at 1540 S. Ocean Blvd., along a stretch of road referred to as “Billionaires Row” in the Estate Section. Angle is also handling this listing, indicating a robust and competitive luxury real estate market in Palm Beach.
