Phoenix

Luxist Takes the Honda CR-Z to the Camelback Inn

There's a desert to the west of Los Angeles, the dusty, scrubby kind riven by arroyos and snow-capped ranges. The city is protected from that barren terror by a kind of East Wall, a monumentally wide buffer of concrete that are actually cities and towns everyone knows about but few ever visit on purpose – places like Monrovia, Cerritos, Montebello, Pomona.

Occasionally, though, there comes a reason to cross that desert, and you want a good camel when such time comes. We found a proper mount in the Honda CR-Z, a two-seat hybrid to play miniature steel dromedary for our Bedouin sallies.

The destination was an oasis 380 miles due east tucked behind Scottsdale's Camelback Mountain, in Paradise Valley, and aptly named The Camelback Inn. Once there, having braved, well, nothing really, we would quench our thirst with some of the finest drinks ever sipped by any traveler, weary or otherwise...

Tags: arizona, camelback inn, cr-z, honda, honda cr-z, hybrid, marriott, phoenix, resort, scottsdale

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Glenfiddich Launches the Snow Phoenix Single Malt

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Glenfiddich Launches the Snow Phoenix Single Malt

The legendary Phoenix rose from the ashes. This particular Phoenix, however, rose from the snow.

Last winter record snowfalls in Scotland blanketed much of the Highland region along the river Spey. The snow covered many of the warehouses where scotch whisky is aged, and even brought down the roofs on several. Distillery workers were left clamoring to dig out the barrles and find alternative housing for them on short notice, but Glenfiddich took advantage of the conditions to create a unique single malt.

Called the Snow Phoenix, the special bottling marries cask-strength, non-chillfiltered casks of various ages and finishes to create a unique malt with tasting notes of apples, pears and honey. A strictly limited quantity of bottles will hit select markets and duty-free shops around the world at $89.99 per 75cl bottle.

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Tags: glenfiddich, glenfiddich snow phoenix, phoenix, scotch, single malt, single malt scotch whisky, snow phoenix, whisky

A. Favre & Fils Phoenix 10.1 Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

The full name of this watch totally amuses me. So "luxury industry," so "horological." This isn't just the A.Favre & fils Phoenix 10.1 watch, oh no... it is the "A. Favre & Fils Phoenix 10.1 Quantieme à Grand Affichage Rotatif." Try saying that out loud without spitting all over the place. This is a nice watch, but the brand marketing is WAY too full of gimmicks. Another example aside from the pretentious sounding title? Well the brand goes to great length to indicate how the case was designed using principles from mathematical concepts such as the Golden Ratio and the Golden Number. Yes, I know that Pythagoras is getting a hard-on hearing about that, but it is just a nice standard looking case. I've seen a lot like it. When a new brand starts promoting such marginal concepts right off the bat, I start to get really suspicious that their products are more hype than heart.

If the "unique" interpretation of the big date complication doesn't excite you - don't worry. A Favre & Fils has a 10.2 version of the Phoenix watch sans any date at all. The date is comprised of two large discs, and reading the date involves looking at the line that has two figures in it. In the above example the date is the 17th. If the date was the 7th, then there would be a small red arrow next to the 7.

The simple case is attractive, 41mm wide in size, and available in 18k red or white gold. The movement has a lot of decorative effort put into it. It is manually wound with 84 hours of power reserve (looks to be via two barrels), and is visible through the watch case back. A. Favre & fils calls it their Calibre DB 1334/1 Henry. According the A. Favre & fils, the design of the movement was done to enhance reliability through the use of the least possible moving parts. Sounds good to me.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: A. Favre & Fils Phoenix 10.1 Watch images

Tags: 10.1, a favre fils, phoenix, timepiece, watch

Luxist Gets an Education in Flowers at Camelback Flowershop

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Services, Lux Tips

While ~~enduring~~ basking in the solarific heat of a Phoenix summer we stumbled upon the Camelback Flowershop. Tucked in between a cafe and a Cuban restaurant there was little on the outside to give away the splendor within, but once inside we knew we had found another portal through the looking glass. After the first bouquet we gifted earned us unheard of accolades, we had returned to the florist to find out exactly how she makes her magic. Armed with a cappuccino from the shop's own maker, we sat down with owner Teresa Wilson, and in addition to learning a few things about sepals and stems we also learned that Camelback Flowershop doesn't sell flowers – it sells fragrant high fashion.

Gallery: Luxist Visits Camelback Flowershop

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Tags: arizona, camelback flowershop, florists, flowers, phoenix

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Condo Auction Planned In Philadelphia

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions, Real Estate Developments

Today's condo auction deal takes us to Philadelphia where 36 units of a major Center City condominium building, the Phoenix will be offered at auction on April 29. The units are mostly one-bedroom units with just a couple two-bedrooms up for bid. Minimum reserve prices will range from $185,000 to $415,000 on units priced between $344,900 to $639,900.

The April 29 date was chosen to allow last-minute buyers to take advantage of the federal tax credits, which require that agreements of sale be executed by April 30.The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that buyers who are eligible for a tax credit (up to $8,000 for qualified first-time buyers or up to $6,500 for repeat buyers who have not purchased a primary residence in less than five years) must close on the sales by June 30.

There area total of 267 units at the Phoenix. The 20-story Georgian Revival-style structure was built in 1925 and served as office space for more than 70 years before being first converted to rental units and then to luxury condos with large windows, gourmet kitchens with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and hardwood floors. Building amenities include the large atrium with direct access to the Suburban Station Concourse, the Phoenix Salon & Spa , the Tir Na Nog Irish Bar & Grill, Starbucks and the Philadelphia Federal Credit Union. There is also a state-of-the-art fitness center, 24-hour professional concierge service and security, on-premise valet parking, wireless internet throughout common areas, The Phoenix Club, a rooftop terrace, and private dining and conference rooms.

Tags: condo auction, condominiums, philadelphia, phoenix

Phoenix Condo High Rise Faces Trustee's Sale

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

More bad news from Arizona's troubled condo real estate market. One of Phoenix's tallest towers, 44 Monroe is seeing many of its condos head for foreclosure. The project was completed in 2008 but struggled to sell the units. Of a total of 196 units, 182 are currently unsold. The developer Grace Communities worked to stave off foreclosure but the project owes Corus Construction Venture, LLC $86.8 million and the Arizona Republic states that the bank has filed a notice of trustee's sale with a plan to sell the units to the highest bidder on April 14.

Last year Corus Bank collapsed and was taken over by the FDIC. It owns a 60 percent stake in Corus Construction Venture and the rest is owned by private equity consortium led by Starwood Capital Group an investment firm run by Barry Sternlicht, the founder of Starwood Hotels & Resorts. The few who live in the building have seen the value of their condos plummet in recent months.

The project started with a lot of promise. Construction on the 34-story tower began in November 2005 as real estate prices in the region were on the rise. Unfortunately by the time of the completion three years later, Arizona real estate was in the doldrums. The building features shared amenities like an eighth floor swimming pool within a 20-foot high great room with open access to the spa and sundeck with city and mountain views, a fitness center, meeting room, business center and an entertainment room with a catering kitchen, bar, fireplace, plasma television, card tables, seating areas and an outdoor terrace with gas grill and views of downtown Phoenix and surrounding mountains. The residences have travertine natural stone flooring in foyer and kitchen, granite slab countertops and Kohler bath fixtures. Seven floors of garage parking offer one designated space for all one bedroom units and two spaces designated for all two and three bedroom units and the building is equipped with security cameras and card readers that control access to resident floors and resident common areas. At one point units sold for $480,000 to $3.2 million but are not worth nearly that much now.

Tags: 44 monroe, 44Monroe, arizona, condo real estate, CondoRealEstate, condos, phoenix, trustee sale, TrusteeSale

Rare $1 Million Aston Martin in Arizona Auction

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

An extremely rare alloy-bodied 1963 Aston Martin DB4 GT (above), one of only 75 built, is expected to fetch up to $1 million at RM Auctions' Automobiles of Arizona event at the Biltmore Resort and Spa in Phoenix on January 21. The exclusive competition variant of Aston's famed DB4, the model was formally introduced in September 1959 at the London Motor Show and was based on the race winning prototype driven to victory at Silverstone in May 1959 by the great Stirling Moss. The example on offer is the last DB4 GT built and underwent a complete restoration during 1994-95. The car has a luxurious Connolly leather interior with Wilton wool carpets, handles like a race car and does 150 mph.

Tags: Arizona, Aston Martin, AstonMartin, Biltmore Resort, BiltmoreResort, classic cars, ClassicCars, Phoenix, RM Auctions, RmAuctions, Stirling Moss, StirlingMoss

Phoneix Project CityScape Gets Smaller

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

Phoenix, Arizona's massive downtown project, CityScape is being downsized due to the economy. The $900 million development, which was announced last year, spreads over three blocks. So far, construction of more than 1,000 condos in two towers has been put on hold. Another 65 apartments have been eliminated and one of the hotels, Twelve, is out of the project. Wachovia, the anchor tenant in the project's 27-story office tower may withdraw, the P.F. Chang's restaurant chain has pulled out and businesses are wary of signing up for retail space. A 34-story tower, the future home of a 250-room Hotel Palomar and 165 condos, is still under construction. Developers are hoping that an economic rebound will be underway by the time the first shops and offices open in 2010.

Gallery: Towers in Trouble

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Tags: arizona, cityscape, phoenix

Major Phoenix Condo Project Goes Into Receivership

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

A glamorous condominium project in Phoenix, Arizona has been placed into receivership. The Century Plaza project is an office building converted into condominiums. AZ Central reports that M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank filed a lawsuit in Maricopa County Superior Court saying owner Equus Realty was in default on its loan. A receiver has been appointed and will oversee operations of the project but Equus Realty will retain ownership. The building is completed and the receivership should not affect residents. Century Plaza is just one of several condo projects in the area whose developers are struggling with low occupancy levels and inflated condo prices. Prices at Century Plaza start in the high $200,000s and go up over $1 million.

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Tags: arizona, century plaza, CenturyPlaza, condominium, phoenix

Camelback Contemporary, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's estate would be a lot to live up to, the cool factor is pretty high. Out of the sleek modern homes perched on Camelback Mountain with views of Phoenix, Arizona, this is one of the best. The three-bedroom home features glass walls which open out onto terraces and a cantilevered pool and submerged Jacuzzi which seem to float above the city lights. The property also includes a 100 foot mountainside waterfall. The mountain comes inside the home in the 16-person home theater which has a rock wall. The home also features a separate catering kitchen, wet bar, full gym with a rockclimbing wall and a two-bedroom guest house. The garage has clear doors to showcase your exotic cars and the property also includes a putting green. A virtual tour with more pictures is here. This home is listed at $9.4 million.

For more prime properties and lush locations, see Luxury Homes and Mansions.

Gallery: Camelback Contemporary

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Tags: arizona, camelback, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, luxury real estate, phoenix

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Stogies & Sticks Mancation Package

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars, Services, Spirits

Gentlemen, save the date: From Thursday, October 16 - Sunday, October 19, The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix is offering the ultimate guy getaway: the Stogies & Sticks Foursome Mancation. Brace yourselves for a long weekend of lighting up fine cigars, sipping premium bourbon, dining on delectable American Lodge Cuisine and teeing off on two of Phoenix's best golf courses.

The three-night/four-day vacation package for four kicks off at with a Bourbon & Cigar Dinner in the resort's signature restaurant, Wright's at The Biltmore. An array of top-brand cigars will be offered and selections from the Jim Beam Small Batch Bourbon Collection will be poured. Friday and Saturday will be golf days on the Arizona Biltmore's two outstanding courses, with 18-hole Adobe one day and 18-hole Links the next.

The mancation package includes accommodations for three nights, the Bourbon & Cigar Dinner, and two rounds of golf with daily breakfast: $450 per person, double occupancy, per night. Add three days of golf and a total of 54 holes with an instructional option at the Hilton Golf Academy: $300 per person.

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Tags: arizona, biltmore, bourbon, cigars, golf, mancation, mancations, Phoenix

Green Townhomes at the Aura at Camelback

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Green real estate heads to Phoenix, Arizona in the form of the Aura at Camelback. The project will be a sustainable luxury-living development of 36 three or four-story townhomes. Each home will have a private elevator and a two-car underground garage as well as air-conditioned underground storage and a rooftop garden. The project will be completely solar powered. The development will certified LEED Silver and the solar system will generate all the electricity needs for the unit. The Aura will feature six floor plans ranging from 2,469 to 3,147 square feet. Homes will start at $900,000 and be as expensive as $1.3 million and construction is expected to begin in May.

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Tags: arizona, green, phoenix, townhomes

Camelback Mountain, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Yesterday's estate had 70 pics, today, just seven but what a lovely seven they are. This modern house in Phoenix, Arizona just hit the market. The five-bedroom home has around the same square footage as yesterday's home but with less land and a far better view. You couldn't ask for a dreamier infinity pool than this one. The home has three levels, each with expansive decks.There is a large media room on the lower level that is built into the mountain. The contemporary blue kitchen has Snaidero cabinets, Miele appliances and a Gaggenau pizza oven. It is listed at $7.9 million.

Gallery: Camelback Mountain

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Tags: arizona, camelback mountain, estate of the day, phoenix

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Phoenix Contemporary, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

One look at the gate of this home in Phoenix, Arizona lets you know that it is no ordinary McMansion. This contemporary home is set into a hillside and has views of the Phoenix skyline and of Camelback Mountain. The home has an impressive atrium entrance with a water feature and there is a glass elevator. The main house has three bedrooms, two office areas, a workout room and a home theater. There is also a large guest house, seven car garage, and an outdoor pool area. It is listed at $4.695 million. After the jump, somebody loves navy blue.

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Tags: arizona, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, luxury real estate, phoenix

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John McCain's New Digs

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

We mentioned a while back that John McCain and his wife, Cindy were trying to sell their house. Now check out their new digs. KVOA reports that they have spent $4.66 million for a luxury condo in Phoenix. Cindy McCain's trust is buying two condos at 2211 Camelback, a new condo tower that has a rooftop pool and concierge services. The building has original artwork, a resident "party room" with a separate guest entrance from porte-cochere, fireplace, 50" plasma screen television, wet bar and catering kitchen, business and fitness centers. Construction should be done by the end of the year. The political duo will be combining the two apartments to create a nearly 7,000-square-foot residence, which is large but still quite a bit smaller than their 11,000 square-foot old house (which according to the listing is still on the market).

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Tags: arizona, condominium, john mccain, phoenix

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