Estates

Four Seasons Provence Offers Experiences for All

by Unknown (RSS feed) — Apr 16th 2011 at 11:01AM

By: McLean Robbins

The Four Seasons Provence at Terre Blanche sits in a unique location – it's not on the French Riviera's famed coast, nor is it located in the chic towns of Nice, Cannes or St. Tropez. The resort instead sits between the three towns, nestled at the base of the hillside village of Fayence and near the towns of Mons, Tourettes and Grasse.

Still, the resort offers a variety of private experience for guests seeking a retreat with a variety of customized experiences. A-listers flock to this hotel during peak times like the Cannes Film Festival, and stars like Angelina Jolie have holed up at the hotel for a few weeks of privacy. This writer had the pleasure of spending a few days at the resort earlier this month.

Tags: four seasons, four seasons provence, luxury hotels, travel

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The Sexiest Bachelor Pad in Los Angeles: Estate of the Day

by Ann Brenoff (RSS feed) — Apr 6th 2011 at 11:01AM

Josh Altman sexiest bachelor pad los angeles

It takes one to know one. Josh Altman, arguably one of Los Angeles' sexiest and most successful bachelors, has listed a home at $6,250,000 that he describes as "the sexiest bachelor pad I've ever sold."

Tags: estate, Estate of the Day, Josh Altman, Los Angeles, Million Dollar Listing, reality TV stars

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Fantasy Villa in Mougins: Estate of the Day

by Bobbie Leigh (RSS feed) — Apr 4th 2011 at 11:01AM

It's no exaggeration to say that the grand Villa L'Imperiale fulfills every fantasy of a lavish French manor.

Built in 1980 and totally renovated, this magnificent villa has almost three and one-half acres of landscaped gardens with sweeping views of the countryside. Located in Mougins, a snap five miles north of Cannes, it is totally removed in spirit and sensibility from the chaos of the French Riviera port. Mougins, which has preserved some of its medieval walls, is serene and quiet yet boasts some great restaurants where chefs like Alain Ducaisse got his start. No wonder Picasso spent the last 12 years of his life here.

The villa is perched on a hilltop within a gated community in what is widely considered the most desirable and prestigious residential area of Mougins. Along with seven bedrooms, new kitchen, gym, and guest quarters, the property also has an attractive screening room. The large pool, pool-house, and outdoor dining area fit in seamlessly in the manicured gardens.

Admittedly, the French owner, who is selling because of relocation, is a Napoleon "fanatic." In a private Napoleon museum next to the wine cellar, he displays original and authenticated helmets, swords, rifles, and documents as well as many paintings from the Napoleonic era. Details at estatenetfrance.com.

Gallery: Villa L'Imperiale in Mougins

Tags: Cannes, estate, Estate of the Day, French Riviera, Mougins, Picasso, villa

Lifestyle Asset Group Launches a New Luxury Residence Collection

by Susan Kime (RSS feed) — Apr 3rd 2011 at 10:01AM

Lifestyle Asset Group's Residence, Blue Sky Lodge, Deer Valley Utah

Lifestyle Asset Group, a new fractional ownership company, described as the "next generation of luxury vacation ownership," has launched.

This group has created a novel hybrid residence collection, based on the investment fund/equity-based club model. Lifestyle Asset Group allows 100 participants to collectively own 12 residences. The residence's average value is $2.5 million. With a one-time capital contribution of $300,000, each equity owner enjoys seven years of residence access booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Equity owners have the option to transfer their interests at any time without penalties or fees. As part of the Collective Asset Ownership (CAO) model, Lifestyle Asset Group says it operates in a debt-free mode, as it sells interests in the club structure as a means to create collective ownership of multiple real estate assets.

Tags: destination clubs, Investment Funds based Clubs, Lifestyle Asset Group, Private Escapes, Richard Keith, Vacation Clubs

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Neo-Classical Estate Featured in Tod's New Ad Campaign for Sale at $33 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Apr 2nd 2011 at 8:01AM

Italian Palazzo in Tod's New Ad Campaign

[via JustLuxe]

Villa Volpi, a neo-classical palazzo overlooking the Mediterranean that's featured in Italian luxury label Tod's new ad campaign, has been listed for sale at $33 million.

The amazing property, luxe lifestyle setting of attractive people and classic Ferraris in the alluring ads, sits on 26 acres including a private beach. The estate is the creation of Countess Nathalie Volpi di Misurata, an aristocrat with a reputation for impeccable taste and refined elegance who enlisted celebrated Milanese architect Tomaso Buzzi to build the palazzo in 1960.

Villa Volpi's seven lavish bedrooms and entertaining spaces have played host to many notable guests over the years, from celebrities to royalty, society and international dignitaries. Additional buildings on the estate include a three-bedroom guest house, a two-bedroom cottage and stables.

"This home fosters an incredibly peaceful and glamorous way of life," notes Clarice Pecori Giraldi of Christie's International Real Estate, "bringing together a unique location in Italy - where waterfront properties of this scale are extremely rare - with the incredible sophistication of classical architecture."

Gallery: Villa Volpi

Tags: ad campaigns, architecture, estates, Ferrari, Italy, mansion, Mediterranean, palazzo, Rome, Tods, Villa Volpi

$100 Million for a Second Home in California? A Russian Billionaire Just Bought One!

by Susan Kime (RSS feed) — Mar 31st 2011 at 10:01AM

Yuri Milner $70 million home in Silicon Valley California

The Russian billionaire, Yuri Milner, has paid $100 million for a second home in California's Silicon Valley, in Los Altos Hills. According to the Wall Street Journal's Market Watch, March 30th, it is the highest known amount paid for a home in the United States.

This home is 25,500 square feet of living area, and was inspired by 18th-century French chateaux (see above). It has 25,000+ square feet of living space with five bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a central entry court, ballroom, home theater, wine cellar, spa/gym, a tennis court, car wash, swimming pool and formal gardens. The living areas are all located on the second floor to take advantage of the dramatic San Francisco Bay Bay view. It was designed by the prestigious Hablinski + Manion Architectural & Planning Group.

Mr. Milner's primary residence is in Moscow, where he lives with his wife and two daughters, but he is a frequent visitor to the high-tech enclave in northern California.

The 47-year-old Internet tycoon appeared on the cover of the most recent issue of Forbes magazine and has invested heavily in Facebook, Zynga and Groupon through his investment firm DST Global. His company is said to control about 10 percent, or $5 billion worth, of Facebook's shares. He also has had positive dealings with the Russian online company Mail.ru.

The home was bought from another tycoon, Fred Chan, founder of ESS Technology, who has reportedly decided to live in Hawaii after building the Silicon Valley mansion.

Mr Milner reportedly made the transaction through a limited liability company called La Paloma Property. After years of relative market flatness, this sale has been seen as a sign that the market in high-end properties on the West Coast are becoming more, well, effervescent.

Gallery: $100 Million Home in Silicon Valley

Tags: California, DST Global, ESS Technology, Fred Chan, Hablinski + Manion Architects, luxury homes, luxury homes Los Altos, second homes market in California, Silicon Valley, Yuri Milner, Yuri Milner Forbes Magazine

Dream World Villa on the French Riviera, Estate of the Day

by Bobbie Leigh (RSS feed) — Mar 24th 2011 at 10:01AM

If you are willing to empty your wallet and bank account, the place to live is La Californie in Cannes. Dotted with exclusive Belle Epoque and contemporary villas, this is probably the most beautiful place to live in the balmy, tropical region.

Tags: Cannes, Cannes Estate Sale, Estate of the Day, La Californie, villas

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Summit Ranch, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Mar 18th 2011 at 1:01PM

High on a hill in the Summit Ranch subdivision in Denver, Colorado is today's home which was originally listed for $3.25 million. Concierge Auctions will sell this home on June 14 in cooperation with listing agents Jim and Barbara Appleby of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, who are also the sellers.

The six-bedroom home on more than 10 acres offers 11,000-square feet of space. The home's open floor plan and large windows are meant to make the most of the Continental Divide's natural beauty with sunrise, snow-capped and sunset mountain views. The home is also designed with spacious decks and patios overlooking acreage. The sunken great room has a massive stone hearth which opens to the gourmet kitchen and dining room. Warm, red oak floors ground an impressively high, 16-foot ceiling with a unique wood-encased beam treatment. The kitchen has granite countertops and stainless steel appliances including a professional gas range with six burners and griddle, a stainless steel refrigerator and freezer and a built-in wine center. The formal dining space opens to the great room and features a unique, wood-beamed ceiling with custom faux painting. The sunken library, also just off the great room has built-in knotty alder bookcases and a built-in wet bar with slab granite countertops and a copper bar sink. Two additional spaces on this main floor are a formal office with built-in knotty alder cabinets and bookshelves and slab granite desktop with its own outside entry door and a multipurpose room that could be used as private office space, a nursery or guest bedroom quarters.

The multi-room master suite has an exercise room, two fireplaces, a private covered porch, wet bar, spa bathroom, large closets and a laundry room. The lower level has a game room, sports bar/entertaining area, wine closet three bedrooms and a heated garage. The more than 1,500-square-foot unfinished space in the walkout level could be transformed into an expansive theater room, additional living or merely storage space.

Summit Ranch is open daily by appointment. For more details call 877-463-5280 or visit SummitRanchAuction.com.

Gallery: Summit Ranch

Tags: colorado real estate, concierge auctions, estate of the day, real estate auction

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Fairy Tale Castle on the French Riviera, Estate of the Day

by Bobbie Leigh (RSS feed) — Mar 16th 2011 at 1:01PM

A medieval stone castle in Bar sur Loup combines the best of both world's: an impressive historic structure with stunning gardens and the glam life of Nice and Cannes nearby. A snap 35 minutes from the Nice International Airport and you're in the postcard perfect 18th century village of Bar sur Loup, known as the "town of orange trees." The current owner of this castle must sell as he is moving to Hong Kong. Just five years ago, he found the property in terrible shape, fell in love with it, and painstakingly restored virtually every centimeter. All five bedroom suites, several living rooms with working fireplaces, a study, and hobby room are all in pristine condition. The owner even reclaimed materials from other French chateaux to be sure that no "foreign" or inappropriate materials interfered with the building's integrity. Most appealing, in particular, are the pool and pool house. Add to that a wine cellar, caretaker's cottage and parking for ten cars. The original castle dates back to the early 18th century but its gardens surrounded by olive and fruit trees, rose bushes, and jasmine appear to be much older. The price is €5,900,000. Details at estatenetfrance.com.

Tags: buying a chateau, chateau sales, estate of the day, france real estate, french real estate, French Riviera, Provence

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Royal Wedding Tour at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park: Live Like a Prince (or Princess)

by McLean Robbins (RSS feed) — Mar 16th 2011 at 11:18AM

This is, without a doubt, one of the more over-the-top packages we've seen recently.

Book the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park's Royal Wedding Tour and you'll receive special access and hosted tours by family members and associates of the royal family to Kensington Palace, Chartwell, Spencer House, Althorp and Westminster Abbey, all venues which members of the public have not had such private access to before.

The hotel itself also has a rich history: Queen Elizabeth II and the late Princess Margaret first learned to dance in the gilded ballroom, Prince Charles and Princess Anne visited the tearooms as children and more recently, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were guests at Baroness Margaret Thatcher's 80th birthday party. Sir Winston Churchill was even a temporary resident while his London house was being refurbished. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park also boasts the only private Royal Entrance from Hyde Park.

Gallery: Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London

Tags: hotel, london, mandarin oriental, mandarin oriental hyde park, royal wedding

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Felder Avenue, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Mar 15th 2011 at 1:05PM

We don't usually feature homes under the $500,000 mark but real estate commenter Spectacular Bid drew my attention to today's modest charmer in Montgomery, Alabama. This home was designed by architect and furniture designer Bobby McAlpine whose work has been featured in many of the popular shelter magazines. This three-bedroom English country style home has had its magazine moments, appearing in Southern Accents, House & Garden and British House & Garden. The home adheres to the tenets of English style without giving off that faux-for-show impression that other English country style home can. It has a good mix of formal and casual elements providing both elegance and comfort. It can be yours for just $499,000 and is listed with Bess Jenkins.

Gallery: Felder Avenue

Tags: alabama real estate, estate of the day, luxury real estate, montgomery, montgomery alabama

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Far From Wolf, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Mar 14th 2011 at 1:01PM

Those who have been with me for a few years on this estate-of-the day journey might remember this one. I first looked at this home back in 2006. Far from the Wolf is perhaps the grandest of the summer "cottages" built on Grindstone Neck in Winter Harbor, Maine. The home was built in the early 1890s by John Godfrey Moore, who developed the Grindstone Neck area as a getaway for New York society. This gorgeous shingled home is on 4.6 acres and has 10 bedrooms, each with a private bath.

One of the benefits of this beauty is that it boasts both water and mountain views. It has been lovingly restored and updated and features several large fireplaces and lots of beautiful woodwork in native woods including cherry, ash, birch, whitewood and oak. In some of the spaces the wainscoting extends nearly to the ceiling giving the home the appearance of a large wooden boat. Another great detail is the small tea house which sits on a granite cliff at the shoreline and has a granite fireplace.This home was listed at $9.65 million but is now listed at $7.9 million with LandVest.

Gallery: Far From Wolf

Tags: estate of the day, maine, maine real estate, winter harbor

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Crawford Court, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Mar 13th 2011 at 1:03PM

Today's home in Newport, Rhode Island is a grand home on prestigious Ledge Road. The home takes its inspiration from the Stanford White Rosecliff Mansion. The home is on nearly an acre of grounds including stone terraces and a pool with spa. The homes arched doorways, columns, and balustraded roofline pay homage to its Bellevue Avenue inspiration.

The focal point of the home is a great room full of natural light with high ceilings, marble floors, a marble and gilt fireplace and a dramatic sweeping staircase. The open kitchen has marble columns, twin chandeliers, high-end appliances, and an antique, marble-topped island. Upstairs the master bedroom has hardwood floors, separate lounging and sleeping areas and a white marble fireplace. The onyx bath has dual vanities, a dual head shower, and a soaking tub. A balcony sitting area and an additional bedroom with marble bath complete the upper level. This home is listed at $3.95 million with Lila Delman.

Gallery: Crawford Court

Tags: estate of the day, newport, newport real estate, rhode island real estate

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Northaven Contemporary, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Mar 12th 2011 at 1:01PM

I first saw this one on Curbed a few weeks back. This contemporary home in North Dallas was built in 2007. The curving glass home has seven bedrooms and measures almost 15,000 square feet. The home is on 1.77 acres that includes a crescent-shaped pool and a large green lawn that gives the home a bit of a stadium like look from the outside. As Curbed pointed out some of the glass windows look out onto cement walls which span halfway up for privacy. The windows do mean that the home is flooded with bright light. Everything in the home was kept sleeker-than-sleek with a wood kitchen with Miele and Sub-Zero appliances and wood bathroom and closet details playing off polished concrete floors.The home also includes a children's playroom, media room, gameroom with bar and a study. It is listed at $11.5 million with Dave Perry-Miller and Associates, the property website has more images.

Gallery: Northhaven Contemporary

Tags: dallas real estate, estate of the day, north dallas, texas real estate

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Lee Street, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Mar 11th 2011 at 1:01PM

Today's home is one of the priciest on the market in the Boston area. This French-style, three-story brick residence in Brookline, Massachusetts was designed and built between 1929 and 1930 by renowned Boston architect William T. Aldrich. The main home is on over three acres with manicured lawns, flower beds, shrubs and mature deciduous and coniferous trees.

The home has 20 principal rooms in the main house and there is also a separate one-bedroom guest house. The home has been thoroughly renovated to combine its original, formal style with modern amenities. The most unique feature in this home might be the light-filled indoor pool pavilion which is reached via an underground passageway that also serves as an art gallery. The pavilion offers additional entertaining area and a caterer's kitchen. Overall there are a total of 10 fireplaces, hardwood floors, hand-painted murals and other finishes, and ornate moldings. This home is listed at $15.75 million with LandVest.

Gallery: Lee Street