🏝 Private island was created by NJ doctor

🚁 Property has helipad, boat dock, pool

💰 The stunning retreat is listed for $16.5M

The ultimate vacation home created by a renowned New Jersey doctor has been listed for $16.5 million.

East Sister Rock Island, which sits about a quarter of a mile off the coast in the middle of the Florida Keys, was envisioned and brought to life by Dr. Klaus Meckeler of Somerset County.

FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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Meckeler came to the U.S. in 1958 from Germany and set out on a career as a groundbreaking gastroenterologist at Somerset Medical Center.

FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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While helping treat patients in NJ, Meckler lived in Far Hills, and then later, Annandale.

But, his “passion” property was in the Florida keys - where he slowly created his private retreat out of a hulking island of coral, as reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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The property was recently re-listed on Zillow, by Wesley Williford of Frank Taylor Real Estate.

FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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With three bedrooms and two full bathrooms, the main house also has a "detached guest house."

FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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The property has been outfitted with a "100% off-Grid battery backup system" and lots of green-minded features.

FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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The island home has wind and solar power, a backup generator, a desalinization plant and a cistern for collecting and storing rainwater.

FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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A helipad adds to the residence's access, as well as a boat dock.

FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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East Sister Rock Island is a quarter mile off the shore of the city of Marathon, FL.

NJ doctor built this private island retreat for sale (Wesley Williford Frank Taylor Real Estate)
NJ doctor built this private island retreat for sale (Wesley Williford Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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The home offers over 5,000 square feet of living area.

FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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Of that, there is a 2,700 square foot veranda to give "unobstructed views."

FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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Here's more of the East Sister Rock estate, as of July 2023:

FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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In Somerset County, Meckeler started the hospital’s GI division and was chief of that department for 30 years.

FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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He also became one of the first doctors in NJ to perform endoscopic procedures.

 

FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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At the time of his death in 2008, the 74-year-old Meckeler was survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.

FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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The East Sister Rock property was sold to the Williford family in 1995, for $750,000, according to the Inquirer.

FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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The property has undergone extensive renovations, even since 2016.

FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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The 1.4 acre spot has been available for vacation rentals — the main house fits a group of up to six.

FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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Rentals per week range between $12,500 for non-holidays to $17,500 around New Year's.

FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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The smaller, guest cottage offers two beds, one couch bed and a bathroom.

FL island retreat built by NJ doctor (Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
(Zillow via Wesley Williford, Frank Taylor Real Estate)
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21 more of the most expensive homes for sale at the Jersey Shore (SOUTH)

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