Real Estate News

A Miami family has lived in this house for 102 years. Now, it could be yours for $2.75M

Home of Ruth Greenfield listed Wednesday for $2.75 million. Above: A photo of the entrance to the residence.
Home of Ruth Greenfield listed Wednesday for $2.75 million. Above: A photo of the entrance to the residence.

One of the oldest homes built in a historic area near downtown Miami — the former residence of a well-known Miami musician and civil rights activist — is for sale.

The two-story single-family home owned by Ruth Greenfield listed for $2.75 million on Wednesday, according to Jackson Keddell, a Douglas Elliman agent representing the sellers.

The residence sits at 752 NW Seventh Street Rd. in Spring Garden, a neighborhood dotted by oak trees and a 10-minute drive from downtown Miami. Spring Garden became one of the city of Miami’s historic districts in 1997, thanks in part to Greenfield’s home, which is considered a contributing architecturally significant residence. The house has five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a powder room.

A respected musician and civil rights activist, Ruth Greenfield lived until 99. She died in 2023. Above: A photo of Greenfield in her late 80s sitting in front of a painting of herself by her husband, Wednesday, March 21, 2012.
A respected musician and civil rights activist, Ruth Greenfield lived until 99. She died in 2023. Above: A photo of Greenfield in her late 80s sitting in front of a painting of herself by her husband, Wednesday, March 21, 2012. MARICE COHN BAND MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Nearly two years after Greenfield’s death, her children are ready to say goodbye to the Arts and Crafts-style house, a residence passed down from generation to generation for 102 years.

Greenfield set precedent in the civil rights movement. In 1951, she founded the Fine Arts Conservatory in Miami, one of the first racially integrated theaters and arts schools in the South. The conservatory began by teaching music classes — and eventually dance, drama and visual arts — to all students, regardless of race. Greenfield was the director and taught piano at the conservatory. All of this happened eight years before the first public school in Miami-Dade County, one in Liberty City, desegregated in 1959.

“It’s time for someone to put new energy into it,” said Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, Ruth Greenfield’s son and one of her four adult children who inherited the home. Based in New York, Greenfield-Sanders said all of his siblings have their own home and feel it’s time to part ways with the family residence.

Ruth Greenfield’s former residence has five bedrooms, one of which is pictured above.
Ruth Greenfield’s former residence has five bedrooms, one of which is pictured above. BEC Media

About the Spring Garden home for sale

Built in 1916, the house was one of the first constructed in the Spring Garden neighborhood. Greenfield’s grandparents purchased the residence in 1923, and since then the family have been connected to the house.

The 2,958-square-foot house has multiple living and lounging spaces, including a library.
The 2,958-square-foot house has multiple living and lounging spaces, including a library. BEC Media

Set on less than an acre, the house offers 2,958 square feet. Priced at about $930 per square feet, it costs more than a recent comparable sale at 900 NW Seventh Street Rd. That two-story, 3,108-square-foot house sold for $2.35 million, or $756 per square foot, in October.

The reason for the higher price? The lot is slightly larger than many in the area.

Inside the Greenfield residence dining room.
Inside the Greenfield residence dining room. BEC Media

Whoever buys the home, Greenfield-Sanders said, his mother would tell them to “bring the arts into the house.”

“The house,” he said, “was always filled with painters, musicians, dancers.”

The house is set on less than an acre in the historically designated district of Spring Garden in the city of Miami. Above: An aerial shot of the lot and house.
The house is set on less than an acre in the historically designated district of Spring Garden in the city of Miami. Above: An aerial shot of the lot and house. BEC Media

This story was originally published January 22, 2025 at 5:00 AM.

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