Photos: Private Florida Island Sells for $14.5 Million

The private island in Lee County that was listed earlier this year for “Immediate Sale” is no longer up for grabs to the person with the highest offer.

It Works’ founder, Mark Pentecost, closed on the 104-acre estate once frequented by Thomas Edison earlier this week, several media outlets are reporting. Pentecost owns the Palmetto-based nutritional and beauty products company.

Little Bokeelia Island captured international media attention earlier this year when it was marketed for “immediate sale” with a disclaimer that all serious offers were being considered. The private retreat features a Spanish-style villa that was built in the 1920s and has been completely restored and renovated through the years. There’s also an “old-Florida village” that boasts a caretaker’s cottage and additional guest home on the property, along with a tennis court, nature trail, pool, waterfall, koi pond, lagoon and more.

“It truly is a magical place,” said Tom Heatherman, director of corporate communications for Michael Saunders & Company, the firm that handled the island’s sale. “And, boy, it’s everything and then some.”

While Heatherman told Patch the property is “spectacular” in its own right, its history makes it even more appealing.

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The home was once owned by Charles Burgess, the founder of the Burgess Battery Company, and inventor of the dry cell battery, Heatherman said. That company would eventually go on to become Duracell.

“He used to hang on the island with Thomas Edison,” Heatherman said. There are “two massive banyan trees” on the property that Edison reportedly planted as gifts to Burgess, he added.

Although currently a private retreat, Heatherman said Little Bokeelia Island is also prime for development should a buyer desire giving up its solitude. The former owner parceled out 29 lots and has infrastructure already in place to support building along with permitting from Lee County.

The asking price at the time of the “immediate sale” was $24.5 million.

It is unclear if the island will be developed.

Photos courtesy of Michael Saunders & Company