Real Estate News & Market Insights:
- Dragon Point on Merritt Island is a nearly 1-acre peninsula with 180-degree views of the Indian and Banana rivers.
- The lot once hosted the beloved 65-foot sculpture Annie the Dragon, a local landmark and tourist attraction.
- Property offers three sale options: raw land , a to-be-built five-bedroom estate for $7M, or $8M with an Annie recreation.
- Developer Don Facciobene and DFI Contractors are tied to the proposed nearly 7,000-square-foot luxury residence.
- Listing highlights include expansive outdoor living, rocket-launch views of Cape Canaveral, and strong local demand.
A Florida property that is located on the southern tip of a peninsula that stretches into the Atlantic Ocean has hit the market for $7 million—decades after it became known as the home of a beloved 65-foot dragon sculpture fondly known as Annie.
The aptly named Dragon Point sits at the tip of Merritt Island, FL, where visitors used to flock in droves to see “Annie the Dragon,” an enormous sea-green sculpture that occupied the plot for decades.
While the whimsical creature wasn’t real, the notable landmark would occasionally breathe fire and smoke from a propane tank, creating quite the spectacle in the local area.
“Everyone knows this property,” said Stephanie Dandridge, who is co-listing it with Jamie Dandridge of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty. “It was originally purchased back in 1971, and Lewis VanDercar was contracted to build Annie.”
Along with a 5,700-square-foot mansion that once occupied the lot, Annie became a sight to behold for boaters, locals, and tourists alike.
“I grew up in the area and remember when Annie was in full regalia,” Stephanie said. “We would sail over and hang out in Annie the Dragon. It had to be 12-feet high inside and 10-feet wide. It was an incredible playhouse and super well known.”
Annie even made her way into the Smithsonian Institution Research Information System, which offers the best description of the notable piece of art.
“It is a light sea-green color; its mouth is painted red and its teeth are white. Four hatchling dragons emerge from eggs on the proper left side of the dragon,” the description states.
“The hatchlings are light green and have red mouths. The dragon’s tail curls upward at its tip. A door located near the tail of the dragon leads to an interior room.”
As well as serving as a tourist attraction, Annie also became something of a good luck token for locals, who would visit the sculpture when they needed a boost—prompting the property’s original owner to expand the installation.
“A lot of people interpret what a dragon means, and in American Indian folklore, it is a symbol of good luck and good fortune,” Jamie said.
“Over time, the second owner added Annie’s four hatchlings. Almost everyone in the community is really encouraging the next owner to bring back Annie or one of her hatchlings.”
Sadly, Annie met her demise during a hurricane on the Space Coast in 2002 and was later taken down in her entirety.
In 2015, the property was acquired by Space Coast developer Don Facciobene.
Now, the peninsula lot boasting 180-degree views of the Indian and Banana rivers is being offered for sale three ways: as raw land for $4,500,000; with a to-be-constructed five-bedroom estate built by Facciobene’s DFI Contractors spanning nearly 7,000 square feet of luxury space for $7,000,000; or, for an additional $1,000,000, an artist will construct a modern interpretation of Annie the Dragon.
Renderings of the future estate are included in the listing so prospective buyers can envision what the home will look like when it is completed.
“I think the next buyer will be someone who has pride for the area, interest in being surrounded by water, and has a playful sense of history,” Stephanie said. “It’s zoned residential, so it could be a rental property or a great single-family home.”
Most of the residents on the 16-home private peninsula are primary residents, but the Dandridges could see it also being used as a secondary home.
“Dragon Point is so in demand, so this listing is even more rare,” Stephanie said. “You never see anything come on the market. It has always been a fairly small coastal town, but in 2020 when COVID hit, people realized you could get a more affordable waterfront property in this untapped gem.”
Plans for the waterfront mansion awaiting to be customized include “expansive living areas, multiple guest accommodations, and a generous garage.”
There will also be “curated outdoor living areas” offering a front-row view of rocket launches from nearby Cape Canaveral.
“There is an influx of infrastructure coming in due to the space program,” Stephanie added. “Combined with phenomenal weather all the time, no crime, 45 minutes to Orlando and all of the theme parks, and five minutes to the ocean, it is one of the areas that has everything. We, at ONE Sotheby’s International Realty, are very proud to represent this one.”
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