AutoTrader founder's Tierra Verde property has sold for $10.45 million
By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Aug 4, 2022

A Tierra Verde estate with the largest waterfront footage of land available in the Tampa Bay area has sold to six buyers for a combined $10.45 million.

The six lots, which total 2 acres and 680 feet of waterfront, span from 490 Laguna Drive to 501 Barcelona Drive. The property went to market in early 2021, listed for sale by Fallon Arnold and Jennifer Zales, both of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate. Arnold is the granddaughter of late AutoTrader founder Stuart Arnold, who started assembling the lots in 1984.

“This was one of the largest, most unique collections of waterfront parcels ever offered in the Tampa Bay area as it could accommodate yachts and large watercraft. I was honored to represent the family and work alongside his granddaughter Fallon on this record sale,” Zales said in a statement.

Stuart Arnold, who passed away in 2017, was a watercraft enthusiast. His 103-foot Cheoy Lee, dubbed the Ivory Lady, had become a trademark of Tierra Verde.

“My grandfather would’ve been very happy to know that his property broke multiple land sale records on the island,” Fallon Arnold said in a statement. “I’m very honored to have represented such a beautiful estate, and I am excited for the new owners.”