beach

The Classicist: A Piece of Architectural History in Watch Hill, Yours for $19.5 Million

Filed under: Estates, The Classicist, Wealth

Last week The Classicist told you about a historic Hudson River estate being restored to its former glory. That posh property is being thoroughly enjoyed by its new owners, but there's another architectural gem of equally impressive provenance now available with the added bonus of oceanfront acreage – The Timbers in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. Set high above the ocean on a picturesque stretch of beach, the majestic eight-acre compound comprises one of the grandest historic oceanfront estates in New England that's still in private hands. The mansion was built in 1917 and designed by celebrated architect John Russell Pope, who created the Jefferson Memorial and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The estate recently underwent a meticulous and historically accurate $10 million restoration, reflecting Pope's original vision. It's now been listed for sale by Christie's Great Estates affiliate Seaboard Properties for $19.5 million.

The opulent 10,500-sq.-ft. main residence was styled after a grand English Tudor manor and features baronial touches such as 15 elegant fireplaces, a magnificent grand staircase and a bell tower. In addition to panoramic ocean views it boasts wide-plank oak floors, wrought-iron chandeliers, archways, and light-filled, generously scaled rooms. The spectacular living room features 35-foot-high cathedral ceilings, exposed English oak beams, and a beautifully crafted wraparound balcony with a carved wooden balustrade. Large French doors on the east side of the living room open to a large covered veranda which features glorious views of the beach and the sounds of the surf as it rolls ashore. At the far end of the veranda, an octagonal dining area features an outdoor woodburning fireplace, wrought-iron chandelier, vaulted ceilings, and archways overlooking the ocean.

Gallery: The Timbers, Watch Hill

Tags: architect, architecture, beach, Christies, Christies Great Estates, historic houses, Jefferson Memorial, John Russell Pope, mansion, ocean, oceanfront, real estate, Rhode Island, Tudor, Washington, Watch Hill

Continue reading “The Classicist: A Piece of Architectural History in Watch Hill, Yours for $19.5 Million”

Chicago Beach Polo Kicks Off in September

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Sports

Back in May we reported that the organizers of the annual Miami Beach Polo World Cup were planning to bring the sandy sport to Chicago for the first time ever. Now it's becoming a reality, with the first Chicago Beach Polo World Cup set to take place Sept. 10 – 12th at North Ave. Beach in a new custom-built outdoor arena. Given the time of year it may not be bikini weather so don't look for the Chicago version to pack Miami's sex appeal, but there are still plenty of opportunities for conspicuous consumption and ostentatious fun. Polo itself is not new to Chicago; the first Chicago Polo Club was formed in 1895, though interest had waned in recent decades. "When speaking with friends and fellow players, I knew Chicago was going to be a great place to bring polo," the event's co-founder Marcos Lopez says. "It's really been here for a while, just hibernating. The City of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs used to have a lot of competitive players, games, and fans. We just want to bring that back."

Tags: beach, beach polo, Chicago, Chicago Beach Polo, equestrian, horses, illinois, Miami Beach, Midwest, polo

Sirène Collection Brings Swimwear Boutique Online

by Michael B. Dougherty (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

With summer finally upon us, Sirène brings the swimwear boutique into the 21st-century with its online collection.

Created by Nell Love, a willowy blond with a plethora of seaside lounging experience herself, Sirène presents a curated swimwear inventory from up-and-coming as well as coveted designers, such as Camilla & Marc, Salt Swimwear and Ondademar. The result is a diverse collection, both in terms of designs and materials, that should satisfy any woman who balks at the annual ritual of finding a new suit. From Mara Hoffman's bold, Rio-ready bikinis to Lisa Marie Fernandez's neoprene 80s homages, Sirène offers a look for your bathing ambitions, whatever they may be. There's also a line of handmade, Moroccan beach bags and kaftans by Camilla, true statement pieces with their psychedelic prints.

Nell, who had previously revamped Steven Alan's e-commerce presence, adds a welcome bit of her own personality to the site with a certain element of tough sizing love. Each piece comes with a custom blurb on its fit, which could include a warning about side coverage, a notice of low-slung bottoms or a heads-up to order a size down. Essential information when ordering online.

And for those last-minute island jaunts, Sirène will deliver straight to your destination, so your swimwear is there before you are.

Tags: beach, bikini, resort wear, summer, swimsuit, swimwear

Loop de Loop Pacific Printed Canvas Beach Bag, Handbag of the Day

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

Given the right conditions you might be able to hypnotize somebody with this Loop de Loop Pacific Printed Canvas Beach Bag by Trina Turk. The colors and overlapping patterns combine for quite the mesmerizing effect, and I Iove this 'Blue Grotto' version the best because of it's ocean and seawater color scheme. It features a cotton canvas exterior with double ring handles in the form of cutouts, center ties to help keep things secure, and a PVC lining in bright bright green. It also has a few interior accessory pockets and one zip pocket on the outside. $99

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Tags: beach, handbag, handbag of the day, tote, trina turk

1 Sol Swimwear

by Marsha Reid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Swimsuit season is here and I'm excited. Even if I'm not ready to actually wear a swimsuit, I can't help but to window shop and use that as incentive to get healthy and back into shape. My husband would say I look great, bless his heart, but my self critical side says otherwise.

My first stop is 1 Sol Swimwear. They have bikini sets, one pieces - which are actually monokinis, and cover ups so you can look ever so fashionable as you lounge by the pool or on the beach. Their cherry Red Laser Cut Fold Over Bikini ($137) immediately caught my attention. The color red is so vibrant and would look great against all skin tones. It features tear drop shaped laser cuts with metallic accents which are a fun and flirty touch. I especially like the removable padding for those who want a bit of lift and shape. All of their swimsuits are made with a nylon spandex blend giving you a firm fit all around. See below for more styles.

Gallery: 1 Sol Swimwear

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Tags: beach, bikini, cover ups, one piece, pool, summer, swim wear

Will Miami Beach Polo Finally Make Money?

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Sports, Wealth, Video

With the Miami Beach Polo World Cup having recently wrapped up, organizers are finally hoping to turn a profit from the sport of kings in the glitzy locale, the Miami Herald reports. A seven goal performance by Argentinean Matias Magrini lead the way for the Hublot team as it scored an exciting 11-9 victory over the previously undefeated AMG side in the finals of this year's exciting championship. After taking a loss on their first few seasons – despite the seemingly perfect convergence of sexy polo matches and the money-worshipping enclaves of South Beach – the event's producers say they'll finally be in the black when the accounting is done this time around.

The only locale in the U.S. where polo is played on sand, spectators can watch for free from the sidelines while those wanting champagne, open bar and a catered lunch pay $150 for VIP tickets in the beachside tents. Helping things along this year was Mercedes-Benz – AMG, which signed on as a sponsor and set up a track by the arena for test drives of the new SLS AMG in addition to fielding a team. With a fashion show in the VIP tent and after-parties at the Delano and Shore Club hotels, the event is designed to appeal even to those who aren't that into the sport itself. If all goes well, organizers hope to bring a polo tournament to Chicago this fall. Check out the video footage and gallery for beautiful babes, thoroughbreds, and cocktails galore.

Gallery: Miami Beach Polo

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Tags: AMG, beach, beach polo, equestrian, Hublot, Mercedes-Benz, Miami, Miami Beach, polo, South Beach

Pinctada Resort Launches Australian Beach Polo Cup

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Events, Sports

You've read about polo played in the snow and on elephants; why not on the beach as well? The 5-star Pinctada Cable Beach resort is helping to launch Australia's first beach polo competition, Paspaley Beach Polo 2010. Taking place at the beautiful Cable Beach in Broome on May 23, the inaugural tournament will feature top professional polo players competing for the Paspaley Cup against the scenic backdrop of Australia's Kimberley coast. "Paspaley Beach Polo has attracted interest from around the world and we've designed the Pinctada Polo Experience for guests who want to immerse themselves in the excitement and glamour of this unique sporting event," Pinctada Hotels & Resorts founder Marilynne Paspaley tells Luxury Insider. "Pinctada Cable Beach will be hosting Australia's leading polo players during the tournament as well as a number of polo related events including the 'after party.' We are looking forward to also hosting our guests at these activities as part of the Pinctada polo experience." Pinctada Cable Beach has announced a special Pinctada Polo Experience packages for the event.

Tags: Australia, beach, beach polo, equestrian, horses, Pinctada Cable Beach, polo

Badgley Mischka Diamond Reef Sea Life Necklace

by Marsha Reid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

If you love the beach then you may want to take a look at the Diamond Reef Sea Life Necklace ($800) designed by Badgley Mischka. You will literally have what the sandy beaches could offer you around your neck for display. It's a colorful concoction of sparkly sea shells, a clam and a starfish pendant with various precious and semi-precious stones all against the backdrop of a five-string gold chain. There is no doubt that this is a lively and adventurous statement piece and probably best worn by someone with a bold personality to carry this off. But if you aren't too keen on the necklace and want to show your love for the beach, check out the Diamond Reef Ring ($120), which is more conservative yet bold in appearance.

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Tags: badgley mischka, beach, beach jewelry, necklace, reef

The Classicist: A Puerto Rican Renaissance at St. Regis Bahia Beach Residences

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Sports, The Classicist, Real Estate Developments

One of the Caribbean's finest residential and vacation enclaves is taking shape on 483 pristine beachfront acres in Puerto Rico, at the foot of the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. National Forest System. At the vanguard of what promises to be a true Puerto Rican renaissance is the stunning Bahia Beach community with a St. Regis resort and residences as its centerpiece. Located within 25 minutes driving distance of San Juan, Bahia Beach boasts a magnificent two-mile crescent of sandy beach, a challenging 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., golf and beach clubhouses, and a charming seaside village. St. Regis Hotels & Resorts will operate the intimate St. Regis Resort, Bahía Beach, which will include an ultra-luxurious hotel and spa slated to open this fall. As any visitor to Bahia Beach can attest, its naturally perfect setting inspires dreams of permanent residence. Bahia Beach offers a number of ways to make the dream a reality, with a variety of homes including St. Regis Residences, Las Estancias estate homes, resort residences, golf and ocean view villas, and beachfront townhomes available in advance of the resort's official opening.

The resort will feature the signature St. Regis Butler and St. Regis Concierge service, a world-class Remède Spa and Fitness Center, a 120-seat Jean-Georges Vongerichten signature restaurant as well as a 90-seat St. Regis restaurant, retail shops and beachfront pool facilities. The tropical, unspoiled splendor of Bahia Beach, located on Puerto Rico's northeast coast at the foot of the El Yunque rain forest and bounded by two scenic rivers, can easily lead you to imagine a remote idyll, yet part of its appeal lies in the community's convenience and accessibility. U.S. residents don't need to bother with passports or worry about currency exchange, while the distance from New York for example is not all that much more than Miami. Once a coconut plantation, Bahía Beach is richly populated with 100-foot palms and other tropical trees, inhabited by myriad species of birds and the vivid green iguanas native to the coast. Over 65% of the property has been preserved as green areas, sanctuaries and nature trails; the Bahía Beach Resort & Golf Club is Puerto Rico's first resort community to become a Certified Gold Audubon International Signature Sanctuary.

Gallery: St. Regis Bahia Beach Residences

All residences sold within Bahía Beach include social membership in the community's private club, providing members with special dining and recreational privileges and services. Upgrades to full golf club memberships are also available. The signature St. Regis Residences, Las Estancias, will offer 25 majestic estate homes introducing an unrivaled dimension of luxury and hospitality to Puerto Rico. Located on a private island within the Bahía community and designed in a tropical plantation architectural style on spacious lots, these residences are available in six different models with floor plans offering large verandas, three-car garages, infinity edge swimming pools and separate maid's quarters. Homes are sized from 6,000 to 9,000 square feet and built on half acre to 1.5 acre lots with stunning ocean and golf course views. The first homes have already been delivered and one well-known major league baseball player has already taken up residence. Owners of Las Estancias will enjoy full access to St. Regis Resort amenities including the signature St. Regis Butler and St. Regis Concierge. Read on for details of the rest of the residences, and check out the gallery for stunning images.

Tags: Audubon, Bahia Beach, beach, Caribbean, El Yunque, golf, golf club, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, nature sanctuary, Puerto Rico, rain forest, residences, resort, San Juan, spa, St. Regis, St. Regis Bahia Beach

Continue reading “The Classicist: A Puerto Rican Renaissance at St. Regis Bahia Beach Residences”

BMW Deal Makes Ritz Naples Even Better

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

I don't know about you, but I never need an extra reason to visit the Ritz-Carlton Naples Resorts. I'm not a golfer, so I can't speak with authority about the courses. But, they looked incredible. The spa, on the other hand, I experienced directly, and it continues to be among my favorites. Well, through April 29, 2010, there's another perk. Guests of both the beach and golf resorts will have access to eight BMWs and one MINI convertible. The cars will be available for complimentary use through the BMW/Ritz-Carlton Driving Tour.

Guests will have access to the cars from half an hour to up to three hours, based on availability, from 9 AM to 6 M every day. If you have restaurant plans that take you off-property, you can arrange to pick up the keys to one of the BMWs by 5:30 PM and return the car by 11 PM. To make a reservation, stop by or call the BMW/Ritz-Carlton Driving Tour desk at either the golf or beach resort. Making a reservation a week in advance is a smart move.

Tags: beach, beaches, bmw, florida, golf, golfer, golfers, golfing, hotel, hotel deals, hotels, resort, resorts, ritz, ritz carlton, ritz-carlton

Sex on the Beach: Crystal Jin Swimwear

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

If you're lucky enough to be planning a trip to the beach in this dismal stretch of weather it's well worth checking out Brooklyn-based designer Crystal Jin Eley's recently launched line of luxurious, sexy swimwear. The minimal and chic Crystal Jin collection includes bikinis like this itsy bitsy number, bandeau tops with matching bottoms, and monokinis including a plunging v-neck held snugly to the body with a thin center strap, all finished in a handful of tasteful prints and a subdued, well-edited palette. Of course you need to be in pretty great shape to pull these off but it's well worth it. Looks feature precise hand finishing and hardware from Barcelona as well as special pieces created exclusively for the brand by metal artisans based Los Angeles. The fit and cut of each piece is painstakingly fashioned to ensure that each suit wears like a second skin and structural elements have been incorporated to showcase the elegance of the collection. Eley is a former accessories designer for J.Crew who also worked for Proenza Schouler, Catherine Malandrino and Lela Rose before starting her own label.

Tags: beach, bikini, Brooklyn, Crystal Jin, Crystal Jin Eley, CrystalJin, CrystalJinEley, swimming, swimsuit, swimwear

Slatkin & Co. Tropical Escape Collection

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cosmetics and Fragrance

Slatkin & Co. Tropical Escape Collection

Luxist Beauty Expert and "Home Fragrance King" Harry Slatkin and his Slatkin & Co. have released -- in the nick of time to beat the winter blues -- the Tropical Escape Collection. And I admit, after just one whiff of these concentrated scents, I had a vision of myself on a beach, far away from the cold temps and dry air of NYC.

Slatkin & Co.'s three new island-inspired fragrances (think fruit, florals, and spice) are available in candles, home fragrance oils, concentrated room fragrances, and plug-in electric diffusers. In addition to the new scents, some classic favorite fragrances will round out the collection, which comprises:

Caribbean Escape (new): A tropical blend of melon, raspberry nectar, and Italian lemon, tempered with creamy coconut milk and raw sugarcane.
Island Margarita (new): An exotic blend of mandarin, blue iris, and green plum highlighted with sweet tangelo and rare sandalwood.
Seaside Escape (new): A delightful blend of bright citrus, jasmine, and dark rum layered with guava, rich vanilla, and musk.
Cool Tropical Breeze (odor-eliminating): A light, fruity blend of citrus, berry, and papaya layered with warm rum, sheer white freesia and musk

Victoria's Secret Girls Invade Necker Island

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

When the new Victoria's Secret swim catalog shows up in your mailbox you may recognize the exotic locale - it was shot at Virgin mogul Richard Branson's Necker Island luxury retreat in the British Virgin Islands. Then again if you're not actually in the market for a bikini you may be transfixed by the bathing beauties, especially cover model Lindsay Ellingson (far left). Of the experience, the quintessential California girl avowed, "It's the most beautiful place I've ever been. We shot the cover in the evening during sunset. It was really a magical setting." Of course you can book your own stay at Necker Island, part of Virgin's Limited Edition collection of luxurious escapes, but don't expect a gaggle of half-naked supermodels to be permanently in residence.

Tags: beach, British Virgin Islands, BritishVirginIslands, catalog, Lindsay Ellingson, LindsayEllingson, model, Necker Island, NeckerIsland, Richard Branson, RichardBranson, swimsuit, Victorias Secret, VictoriasSecret, Virgin

High Style in Sun-Drenched Climates

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Books

Fashion historian Caroline Rennolds Milbank examines the history of warm weather wear in a beautifully illustrated new book called Resort Fashion from Rizzoli. From the first "beach pajamas" designed by Coco Chanel and Lilly Pulitzer and Pucci prints, to sailor stripes and the Kennedys' laid back yachtsman style, to Michael Kors and Tory Burch's beach-inspired designs and of course the evolution of the swimsuit, Milbank crosses continents and generations. The seven chapters break the looks down by category: At Sea, Stripes, Prints, White, Playclothes, Summer Dress and Bathing Suits, with photos from destinations like Palm Beach, Montego Bay and St. Tropez by legends like Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Norman Parkinson, Helmut Newton, and Scavullo.

Tags: beach, Coco Chanel, CocoChanel, fashion, Kennedys, Lilly Pulitzer, LillyPulitzer, Michael Kors, MichaelKors, ocean, resort

Madoff's Beach House Sells for More Than Asking Price

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Crimes and Misdemeanors

Madoff's Beach House Sells for More Than Asking Price

Another tiny dent soon will been made in the repayment of the funds owed to those duped by Bernie Madoff. His 3,000-square-foot Montauk, N.Y., beach house sold this week in an all-cash deal for more than the $8.75 million asking price. Neither the buyer's name nor the exact amount of the sale has been released. The four-bedroom, three-bath home is located on 182 feet of prime beach property.

The house was only on the market a few weeks. See more about the house, and more photos, in this story my colleague Deidre did on September 1, and check out this New York Times slideshow.

Tags: beach, Bernie Madoff, BernieMadoff, estate, Madoff, Montauk, real estate, RealEstate

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