When Trayor Lesnock first saw the sleek, futuristic-looking, glass and steel structure floating just off the docks in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2008, he never thought that years later, his firm would be handling its sale. Originally built by the Lazzara Yachts company to serve as a state-of-the-art showcase and sales facility for its inventory of multimillion-dollar yachts, the structure – technically classified as a “scow barge” because while it is a watercraft, it is not self-propelled – was named Legacy, and debuted at the 2008 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Legacy was such a head-turner that one yachting publication in attendance at the event penned an article christening it as that year’s “Belle of the Ball.” (Anyone who has been to a Boat Show in Fort Lauderdale and witnessed the amount and caliber of hyper-expensive boats and toys on display understands the significance of standing out from such a crowd).
Lesnock, founder and president of vaunted auction firm Platinum Luxury Auctions, has been retained to sell the one-of-a-kind marine asset at a live auction on December 11th, 2015. Platinum is one of the nation’s leaders in the non-distressed, auction sale of multimillion-dollar properties and assets on behalf of wealthy, private owners. The firm is managing the sale in cooperation with Chamberlain Yachts, a Fort Lauderdale-based sales and charter firm where Lesnock also holds a yacht and ship salesperson license. The vessel will sell to the highest bidder who meets or exceeds a bid of $1.85 million, per the auction’s terms of sale.
Lazzara eventually parted ways with Legacy during a restructuring, and the vessel was ultimately acquired by Miami-based entrepreneur Chapman Ducote, who is involved in everything from professional motorsports (including a career as a professional racecar driver) and powerboat sales, to merchant payment services and real estate investing. Ducote renamed the vessel Domino, and intended to use it as an entertainment and sponsorship venue for both his and other companies. After staging a few successful events, however, he decided to sell the asset to move capital into his other, growing businesses. “We decided that while we had really fun and profitable plans for Domino, we simply didn’t have the time or bandwidth to get into the entertainment venue space,” stated Ian Bruce Miller, an associate of Mr. Ducote.
Interestingly enough, this is not the first time Ducote has called on Platinum to sell an exotic asset to close out the calendar year. In December 2013, the firm handled the sale of a Miami Beach waterfront office condo owned by Ducote. The space had luxurious features such as a gourmet-style kitchen, full racquetball court and fitness center, and a rooftop terrace. A prominent winemaking family from Italy purchased the property for $5.5 million prior to its planned auction date, and closed on the sale within two weeks. “Like many businessmen with multiple revenue streams, Mr. Ducote likes to get organized at year’s end, and we’re pleased to once again be a part of that process. He certainly has a special knack for acquiring and selling highly unique luxury assets,” noted Lesnock.
Measuring 90 feet in length and 42 feet in width, Domino offers three levels and more than 6,700 square feet of interior space. Glass waterfall features, sleek wood finishes, and steel and glass walls provide an elegant atmosphere within the vessel. Features include a large, main salon outfitted with numerous workstations and multimedia areas, a VIP lounge, wet bar, and exterior balcony lounge. The upper level offers six offices, while the lower level houses two commercial restrooms, two staterooms, a commercial-grade kitchen and food prep area, electronics room, mechanical room, and a private theater.
Interested parties can learn more by visiting DominoLuxuryAuction.com, and by contacting a Platinum associate at 800.213.2426.
