RodeoDrive

Donald Trump Selling In Beverly Hills

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

If there's anything Donald Trump believes in, it's that real estate in a good location will always have its value. That might explain why he picked a Colonial style mansion in Beverly Hills with a Rodeo Drive address. The Real Estalker dishes that Donald Trump bought the home last summer and has put it back on the market for $12 million. The home itself is a 10,442 square foot mansion located close to the Beverly Hills Hotel. The home was built in 1981 and the property includes a pool and tennis court.

The listing shows this property as 'looking for backup' and the Real Estalker Mama says that is is in escrow after less than two weeks on the open market. It is unknown if Trump ever lived in the six-bedroom home or even ever set foot inside. The listing says the over 31,000 square foot lot is an "excellent development opportunity" so I think we are looking at a teardown on this one.

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Tags: donald trump, DonaldTrump, real estaet, RealEstaet, rodeo drive, RodeoDrive

JeanRichard Launches New MV Augusta Watch

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Luxury Cars & Autos, Events

On June 13, Swiss watchmaker JeanRichard launched its latest watch amidst a gathering of over 50 exotic MV Agusta motorcycles at the David Orgell jewelry boutique in Beverly Hills. The Chronoscope MV Agusta Brutale (above) was produced in partnership with the legendary Italian motorcycle brand. The design of the watch reflects the signature features of MV Agusta's Brutale motorcycle. The large case is clothed in a highly resistant rubber that gives the watch a lighter touch. The dial is clad in carbon fiber highlighting three counters inspired by the motorcycle's dashboard. Several red accents also echo the classic colors of MV Agusta motorbikes. Also at the event, MV Agusta previewed its 2009 Brutale 1078 model to a large group of MV Agusta enthusiasts who lined up their motorcycles along Rodeo Drive.

Tags: Beverly Hills, BeverlyHills, JeanRichard, motorcycle, MV Agusta, MvAgusta, Rodeo Drive, RodeoDrive

Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events, Green

Looking for a fun and free Father's Day event in the Los Angeles area? On June 21 the 2009 Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance will take place in Beverly Hills featuring more than 100 exotic cars on display lining Rodeo Drive north of Wilshire Boulevard. "In addition to our traditional and classic collector cars featured at the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance, this year we are also proud to showcase a unique selection of alternative energy vehicles, micro and electric cars, and solar vehicles, amongst others," notes Bruce Meyer, co-chair of the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance. "From the display of luxurious, cutting-edge automobiles to the world-renowned fashion boutiques, Rodeo Drive offers something for everyone to enjoy on Father's Day."

Tags: Beverly Hills, BeverlyHills, classic cars, ClassicCars, electric car, ElectricCar, Fathers Day, FathersDay, Los Angeles, LosAngeles, Rodeo Drive, Rodeo Drive Concours dElegance, RodeoDrive, RodeoDriveConcoursDelegance

Queen of England's Luxe Stationer Smythson for Sale

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Smythson of Bond Street, suppliers of luxury stationery and leatherbound diaries to the Queen of England, is being put up for sale. According to the company however this is not a distress sale, rather the result of several parties having expressed interest in acquiring the business, the London Telegraph reports. Smythson was bought for £16 million in 2005 by a consortium led by Goldman Sachs banker Mike Sherwood. Sales have increased considerably since then and are expected to be around £20 million for the previous year-to-date. Nonetheless this seems like an odd time for any investor to pay a premium for a luxury goods company.

Founder Frank Smythson opened his first London shop in 1887. His trade card described his business as "First class stationery, leather goods and cabinet work." In addition to its UK shops Smythson now has stores on New York's 57th St. and Beverly Hills' famed Rodeo Drive. Smythson was granted a Royal Warrant to Her Majesty the Queen in 1964. Other warrants followed: HRH The Prince of Wales in 1980, HM The Queen Mother in 1987, and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 2002. Back in September we reported on Smythson's luxurious $6,500 watch cabinet.

Tags: British royalty, BritishRoyalty, Diary, London, Prince of Wales, PrinceOfWales, Queen of England, QueenOfEngland, Rodeo Drive, RodeoDrive, Royal warrant, RoyalWarrant, Smythson, stationery, UK

Beverly Hills Faces Financial Woes

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wealth

Hard times have even come to Beverly Hills, California. The LA Times is reporting that city officials in Beverly Hills have said that the city predicts a $24-million drop in tax revenues over the next 16 months which is about 15 percent of the general fund budget. It is said to be the largest percentage budget reduction in the city's history. The city is enacting a formal hiring freeze. Other wealthy Southern California cities including Santa Monica and Newport Beach are also facing budget woes. As shopping declines so does the revenue from sales tax on all those purchases (including the sale of luxury cars). There has also been a decline in building permit and planning fees in some cities as even the wealthy are holding back on major remodels. The fallout could continue for a long time especially for California cities which rely on property taxes which may decrease as the real estate market continues to drop.

Often in hard times the wealthy enclaves are safe because visitors are spending. Out on Rodeo Drive, the street is still bustling with shoppers from around the world but they may be doing less buying and more browsing. Also many brands are advertising their wares on sale and there are more vacant stores than there have been in the area in years.

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Tags: beverly hills, BeverlyHills, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, rodeo drive, RodeoDrive