The Story Behind TROVATO: How a $26M Oceanfront Estate Honors Florida’s Original Female Pioneer
Every piece of luxury real estate has a location, but only a rare few possess a genuine soul.
When True Floridian Realty unveiled the listing for 3723 S. Ocean Boulevard in Highland Beach—a $26 million ultra-luxury oceanfront estate—they didn’t simply assign it an address. They named the project TROVATO.
To the casual observer, it sounds like an elegant coastal moniker. But to those who know South Florida’s rich tapestry of history, TROVATO is a direct homage to one of the most intriguing, fearless, and visionary figures in Florida history: Byrd "Birdie" Spilman Dewey.
Who Was Byrd Spilman Dewey?
Long before Addison Mizner envisioned Spanish Revival architecture in Boca Raton, or Flagler built his railroad down the coast, Byrd Spilman Dewey (1856–1942) was navigating the untouched wilderness of South Florida.
A grandniece of President Zachary Taylor, Byrd was a published author, national bestseller, land investor, and passionate conservationist with the Florida Audubon Society. In the late 19th century—when South Florida was a rugged frontier home to fewer than 200 settlers—Byrd and her husband, Fred S. Dewey, homesteaded vast stretches of land along the Atlantic coastline.
Their holdings stretched across what we now know as West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, and down to the pristine shores of Highland Beach.
What Does "Trovato" Mean?
In 1892, Byrd and Fred built their grand Victorian home overlooking the water. She named her estate Ben Trovato.
Derived from the famous Italian phrase, "Se non è vero, è ben trovato"—which loosely translates to "Even if it isn't true, it's a good story" or "Well invented / well found"—the name became a reflection of her spirit. To Byrd, South Florida was a land so magical, romantic, and breathtaking that it felt almost mythical... like a place "well found" or beautifully invented by nature.
Her Ben Trovato estate became the cultural and social heart of the region, hosting national luminaries, artists, and leaders who came to experience her legendary Floridian hospitality and the untouched beauty of the coast.
TROVATO: Bridging 19th-Century Legacy with 21st-Century Luxury
By naming the Highland Beach project TROVATO, True Floridian Realty is paying tribute to Byrd Dewey’s pioneering legacy on the very shoreline she once called home.
"Byrd Dewey recognized the magic of this coastline over 130 years ago when it was completely wild," says Noelle McIntyre, Founder and Managing Broker of True Floridian Realty. "In naming this estate TROVATO, we are honoring her spirit of discovery, hospitality, and deep respect for the coastal oceanfront."
Just as Byrd’s original estate represented the pinnacle of hospitality and architectural ambition in the late 1800s, TROVATO at 3723 S. Ocean Boulevard represents the pinnacle of modern luxury:
A "Well Found" Canvas: 100 feet of direct Atlantic Ocean frontage on a private, low-density barrier island.
Masterful Design: A bespoke 10,656 total SF modern architectural concept envisioned by Benedict Bullock.
Legacy Preservation: A property engineered with deep respect for the coastline, fully permitted with foundations poured to ensure structural longevity for generations.
In a era where modern luxury developments often feel interchangeable, TROVATO stands apart—rooted in history, inspired by Florida's original female pioneer, and built for the future.