The $16 Million Secret: 5 Shocking Facts About Palm Beach’s Infamous ‘Ham And Cheese House’
Forget the idea of a quaint sandwich shop; the ‘Ham and Cheese House’ in Palm Beach is one of the most exclusive and historically significant private residences on the island. As of late December 2025, this sprawling, oceanfront estate remains a private landmark, its whimsical nickname—derived from its distinctive architectural facade—belying a history filled with Gilded Age glamour, architectural genius, and a sensational, high-society murder that still casts a shadow over its walls.
This article dives deep into the true identity of the Ham and Cheese House, revealing its original name, the master architect who designed it, the famous and infamous owners who have called it home, and the dark, true-crime story that makes this property far more than just a beautiful piece of real estate.
The Architectural Masterpiece: Casa Eleda’s Biography and Profile
The estate known affectionately as the Ham and Cheese House is officially named Casa Eleda. It is a quintessential example of the Mediterranean Revival style that defines much of Palm Beach’s historic architecture. Its profile is one of prestige, designed by one of the era’s most celebrated architects.
- Official Name: Casa Eleda (A reference to the first owner's name, Adele, spelled backward).
- Nickname: The Ham and Cheese House.
- Location: 920 South Ocean Boulevard, Palm Beach, Florida.
- Architect: Maurice Fatio (1897–1943).
- Architectural Style: Mediterranean Revival, with elements of Italian Romanesque.
- Year Built: 1928.
- Original Owners: Mortimer and Adele Schiff, a prominent New York financier and philanthropist couple.
- Distinctive Feature: The facade features alternating bands of red-brick and white/pink coquina coral stone, which inspired the famous 'Ham and Cheese' nickname.
- Size: Approximately 13,171 to 22,253 square feet (depending on source and inclusion of secondary structures).
- Last Known Sale Price: $15.975 million (June 2013).
The Curious Case of the Nickname: Why ‘Ham and Cheese’?
The most fascinating aspect of this Palm Beach landmark is its unusual, food-related moniker. The Ham and Cheese House earned its name not from a culinary history, but from a purely visual, architectural element.
The architect, Maurice Fatio, utilized a bold, distinctive pattern on the exterior of the house. This pattern consists of alternating horizontal bands of two different materials: a reddish-brown brick and a creamy white or pale pink coquina coral stone.
Locals quickly drew a humorous comparison between this striped facade and the layers of a classic ham and cheese sandwich. This playful nickname, originally meant as a casual description, stuck and became a permanent part of Palm Beach folklore, enduring through decades and multiple changes in ownership. This unique architectural choice is a signature of Fatio's willingness to blend traditional European styles with local Florida materials.
Maurice Fatio himself is one of the most revered architects in Palm Beach history, having designed numerous grand estates for America's elite during the 1920s and 1930s. His work, including Casa Eleda, helped define the luxurious, Mediterranean-influenced aesthetic of the island's Estate Section.
From Gilded Age Glamour to a High-Society Murder Scandal
While the house is celebrated for its stunning design and historical significance, its history includes one of the most sensational and tragic true-crime stories to ever touch Palm Beach society. The connection is through a former owner, James "Jim" Sullivan, a millionaire who once resided at Casa Eleda.
In 1987, Sullivan’s estranged wife, Lita McClinton Sullivan, was murdered by a masked gunman at her Atlanta home. The murder occurred just hours before a crucial hearing in their bitter divorce proceedings, where Lita was expected to reveal damning financial details.
The investigation eventually centered on Jim Sullivan, who fled the country and became a fugitive. Authorities later determined that Sullivan had hired a hitman to kill his wife to avoid a costly divorce settlement. The case became a national obsession, often dubbed "The Palm Beach Murder," due to Sullivan's high-profile residence and lavish lifestyle in the exclusive enclave.
Sullivan was finally captured years later and convicted in 2006 for the murder-for-hire plot. The fact that the Ham and Cheese House—a symbol of Palm Beach's wealth and beauty—was once the home of a convicted killer adds a dark, unforgettable layer to its otherwise pristine history. The house itself was sold in the aftermath of the scandal, passing to new owners who sought to restore its reputation.
The Current Status and Enduring Legacy of Casa Eleda
The Ham and Cheese House remains a private, single-family residence and is not open to the public. The last major public transaction was its sale in June 2013 for a reported $15.975 million.
The property is a protected landmark, ensuring that its unique architectural features—the red-brick banding and coquina coral stone that gave it its famous nickname—will be preserved for future generations.
The enduring legacy of Casa Eleda is a blend of contrasts: the lightness of its whimsical nickname juxtaposed with the gravity of its famous architect, and the sheer beauty of its design set against the shadow of a notorious crime. It stands as a powerful symbol of Palm Beach’s complex history, where old-world glamour and modern-day drama often intersect on the same luxurious stretch of oceanfront. The house continues to be a point of curiosity and fascination, confirming its status as one of the most talked-about residences in Florida.
Key Entities and Topical Authority
The story of the Ham and Cheese House is inextricably linked to several key figures and architectural movements that shaped Palm Beach:
- Maurice Fatio: Swiss-born architect, a defining figure in Palm Beach architecture.
- Mediterranean Revival: The dominant architectural style, characterized by stucco walls, tiled roofs, and ornate detailing.
- Coquina Coral Stone: A native Florida material used extensively in the house's distinctive facade.
- Mortimer and Adele Schiff: The original, high-society patrons who commissioned the estate.
- James Sullivan: Disgraced millionaire and former owner convicted of murder-for-hire.
- Lita McClinton Sullivan: Victim of the high-profile 1987 murder.
- 920 South Ocean Blvd: The prestigious address in the Palm Beach Estate Section.
- Landmarked Estate: The property's protected status ensures its architectural integrity is maintained.
The Ham and Cheese House, or Casa Eleda, is a microcosm of Palm Beach itself—a place where history, extreme wealth, and sensational stories are layered together, much like the stone and brick that define its unforgettable facade.
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