A Moment with JUP

Nikko’s family has built and lived in Palm Beach County for three generations. He and Camilla have lived and worked on three continents, and they chose to raise their daughters here. JUP grew out of that choice: a way of serving people who are buying or selling in Jupiter, by two people who know the place from the water as well as from the road. We sat down with them.

Angela Audretsch

Why Jupiter?

CamillaThe combination of the ocean, the preserved nature, the restaurant scene, and most of all, the people. It’s an amazing place to raise kids. We know what matters to families living here. We understand the importance of short commutes, quality schools, and a safe environment for children.

NikkoThis is home. My grandparents built homes in Lake Worth and Lantana and my mother grew up here. Camilla and I spent eleven years working abroad, mostly on the water in Indonesia, and when the girls came along we knew where we wanted them to grow up. Jupiter gives them what I had, the beach and the boat and the woods, with good schools ten minutes away. In summer the girls are at surf camp on the beach, and most mornings start there.

What inspired you to create JUP?

CamillaOur love for the area. We genuinely believe that Jupiter has everything. From beaches to boating and the most beautiful intracoastal waterway, it is hard to find a reason to leave. We love raising our kids here, and saw an opportunity to share our passion for the area and real estate expertise with other people who are looking for a similar lifestyle.

NikkoMy background is in real estate development, so it was a natural progression to create a brand specifically for Jupiter. With JUP, I also bring what I have learned as a yacht broker and apply the same level of personalized, concierge service to the real estate world. When you’re representing a superyacht, every person who comes on board should be treated like a VIP. There was a gap in the market for this kind of service for home sales in Jupiter, so we knew we had to start JUP.

Where is your favorite place in Jupiter and why?

CamillaThere are so many. The inlet is a magical place. To see the currents as the tides change is captivating. Up the Indian River at high tide, you get this bright turquoise water and there is so much wildlife from fish, turtles, and manatees.

NikkoFor me, it’s the Blowing Rocks preserve. We love to go for long walks there and once you are far enough up the beach you can’t see any signs of human development. It’s very special to have a protected area like that on Florida’s natural coastline.

What do you love most about your work?

NikkoThere’s nothing more exciting than being part of someone’s dream project. Whether beachfront or a home with a dock, it’s invigorating to help clients imagine all the possibilities that exist in Jupiter.

CamillaI love showing people the beauty of the area and watching them fall in love with it, just like I did.

What is your most memorable experience in Jupiter?

CamillaI just love how quiet and serene it is during the summer months.

NikkoOne morning, seeing two gigantic loggerhead turtles playing in the ocean after laying their eggs at Blowing Rocks. To see the turtle populations so healthy here is a powerful reminder of why conservation is so important.

Looking beyond Jupiter, any favorite destinations?

CamillaNikko and I took a trip to West Papua, Indonesia on a beautiful wooden boat. We spent days there swimming with whale sharks. It had been on my bucket list for years and still it exceeded my expectations. Being in the presence of those gentle giants really humbles you.

Camilla, face to face with a whale shark

NikkoThe whale shark trip was epic, but for me, it’s Sardinia. I feel young and full of life there. The Mediterranean sea, the food. Alongside Jupiter, it’s my other happy place.

What does your perfect day off look like?

CamillaA morning family bike ride, a stroll down in Palm Beach, fishing off the Jupiter Inlet with the kids, dinner at 1000 North.

NikkoMorning tee time with good friends, afternoon surf session with the kids that rolls into sunset drinks and grilling some steaks.

What are your top tips for real estate in Jupiter?

CamillaIf you’re looking to purchase or sell a home, you need to make sure that you have the right advisors who have your best interests at heart. You need a team you can trust to be there for you. I call Nikko “the problem solver” as he truly cares for his clients. Sometimes they call him in the middle of the night to fix something and he just does it. It’s in his nature.

NikkoOver time, the natural protected areas and urban planning in Jupiter will make the area even more desirable. Even if the rest of Florida continues to develop, Jupiter will likely retain a low density. If you value open spaces and beautiful nature, Jupiter is hard to beat.

Is there a piece of advice that you once received that has always stuck with you?

CamillaFor me, it’s that everything works out as it should. Trust the process.

NikkoI once heard that people rarely remember what you do, but always remember how you made them feel. I always come back to this.

How do you relax?

CamillaI like to cook and tune out the world around me. There is nothing more calming for me.

NikkoI joke that my therapy is grocery shopping at Carmine’s. I love going there to pick out wine and planning a meal for that evening.

Here’s a tough final one: what would you pick if given the choice, a house on the beach or a house on the intracoastal with a dock?

CamillaI can go back and forth on this topic all day! I think they are both amazing options and they offer different lifestyles. Waking up in your beachfront home with a view of the ocean, having your coffee and seeing a pod of dolphins cruise by is pretty incredible. On the other hand, if you are an avid boater, then having your boat in your backyard is a no-brainer. Can I say that I think the perfect solution (and a real option) is to have both?

NikkoToday, I’ll say beach, but when you have a dock you use your boat more. Give me a beach for most of the year and a vacation home with a dock and I won’t complain. Wait, did Camilla say both? I didn’t know we could say both! Can I change my answer to both too …?