california

The Classicist: Movie Star Style at the Beverly Wilshire's New $25,000-Per-Night Penthouse

Filed under: Decor, Luxury Travel & Hotels, The Classicist, Architecture & Design

Following a recently completed $40 million facelift, Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel has just unveiled its newly renovated Penthouse and Presidential Suite for the ultimate in movie star style. The Penthouse, beginning at $25,000 per night, is the largest hotel suite in Los Angeles and now one of the world's most expensive as well. L.A.-based architectural firm Barry Design Associates transformed the historic suites into modern, sophisticated spaces. They even throw in a Porsche. The Beverly Wilshire is a true piece of Hollywood history; the Italian Renaissance-style stone and marble building was completed in 1928 when the city had fewer than 18,000 residents, and its grand suites have played host to many of movieland's most famous faces over the decades.

The three-bedroom Penthouse offers guests 5,000 square feet of space. Positioned on the private top floor of the hotel's Beverly Wing it features floor-to-ceiling windows, high ceilings and a wrap around balcony with sweeping views of downtown L.A. and the Hollywood Hills. An entry way welcomes guests with marble mosaic flooring and Swarovski crystal chandeliers, while a dining room offers seating for 12 people adjacent to a state-of-the-art designer kitchen with Michelangelo marble countertops and Miele appliances. The elegant master bedroom is highlighted by an antique mirror and silver leaf detailed bed frame along with huge walk-in closet finished in stained oak. The master bath is fitted with glass tiles, exotic stones, a marble soaking tub, dual steam and rain shower contains a light and music system. There's also a media room for private screenings of your latest blockbuster.

Gallery: Beverly Wilshire Reborn

The two-bedroom Presidential Suite offers 4,000 square feet of space, entered through a spectacular grand foyer (above) with Corinthian columns and intricate crown molding designed when the Hotel first opened over 80 years ago. Located on the eighth floor of the hotel's original Wilshire Wing, it features sweeping views of the Hollywood Hills and has been graced by numerous celebrities, legends and dignitaries over the years. The suite comes complete with its own living room and library as well, while the master bath is fitted with a soaking tub, steam shower for two and integrated televisions in the mirrors above the black lacquer vanity counters. [continued]

Tags: Beverly Wilshire, California, celebrity, Four Seasons, Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, hotel suites, hotels, library, Los Angeles, luxury hotel, marble, movie stars, penthouse, Porsche, Porsche Panamera, presidential suite, Swarovski, worlds most expensive

Continue reading “The Classicist: Movie Star Style at the Beverly Wilshire's New $25,000-Per-Night Penthouse”

Ferrari California by Anderson Germany

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Sacrilegious as it may seem to some, there are those who feel that their Ferrari just isn't fast enough. Fortunately for such individuals there is an aftermarket full of companies like Anderson Germany that are glad to fill the void with creations like this one.

Starting with the Ferrari California, Anderson has tweaked out an extra 55 horsepower with a simple readjustment of the car's integrated electronics and a new tri-mode variable exhaust system. The result is a whopping 515 horsepower, with a variety of visual modifications available to complement.

Source

Tags: anderson, anderson germany, Anderson Germany Ferrari California, california, ferrari, ferrari california

1959 Ferrari Sells for Record $7.26 Million at Pebble Beach

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

A rare 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Competizione (above) with coachwork by Scaglietti fetched a whopping $7.26 million at Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach sale in California over the weekend, setting a new world record for the model and capping a round of stunning auction results. The stunning roadster, which took 5th place overall at the 1960 12 Hours of Sebring race, was just one of several multimillion-dollar Ferraris to cross the block over the weekend. Gooding & Co. also hammered down a rare 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB SEFAC Hot Rod for $6.1 million, and a 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza for $6.7 million. As we reported previously, Bonhams set another world record over the weekend with the $4 million sale of a 1970 Porsche Gulf-JWA Le Mans 917K coupe, while RM Auctions netted $4.6 million for a 1954 Ferrari 375 MM Berlinetta, among others. Gooding achieved a new record in sales, realizing $64.5 million for 106 cars during the landmark event.

Tags: Alfa Romeo, auctions, Bonhams, California, classic cars, Ferrari, Gooding Company, Monterey, Porsche, race car, RM Auctions, world record

Lotus Offers Limited Edition F1-Style Racers for $1 Million Apiece

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Sports

Got a need for speed and a million bucks burning a hole in your pocket? Lotus has just the thing: a new limited edition Formula 1-style racecar for motorsports enthusiasts and gentleman racers. Just unveiled at the Monterey Motorsports Pre-Reunion in California, the Lotus Exos Type 125 is a Formula 1-inspired track car pairing F1 design and technology with a 650 hp Cosworth V8 engine. Only 25 examples will be built and sold at $1 million apiece, forming a new race league for owners that will also help Lotus develop a new F1 program. With a carbon fiber monocoque chassis and F1 styling, the car also features carbon ceramic brakes and carbon fiber pushrod suspension. Purchasers will be founding members of the exclusive Exos Club, which includes driver training overseen by a team of Lotus engineers, race drivers, mechanics, physical trainers and even physicians – just like the pros.

Tags: California, carbon fiber, Formula 1, Formula One, Lotus, Monterey, motor racing, motorsports, racecar, racing

World's Most Expensive Porsche Sells for $4 Million in Monterey

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

A rare 1970s Porsche racecar just fetched $4 million at Bonhams' sale in Monterey, setting a new world record for the most expensive Porsche ever sold at auction. The stunning and historic car, the ex-Jurgen Neuhaus/Jurgen Barth 1972-73 European Interserie and David Hobbs/Mike Hailwood Gulf-JW Automotive team 1972-73 Porsche 917 Interserie Spyder, neé 1970 Gulf-JWA Le Mans 917K Coupe (above), was hammered down after fierce bidding. The car is similar to the famed model driven by Steve McQueen in Le Mans. Many other strong prices were attained for Bonhams' rarest offerings, including a 1930 Mercedes-Benz 7.1 Liter SS Tourer for $2.5 million, and the ex-works, Gerhard Mitter/Lucien Bianchi Nurburgring 1000 kms-leading 1967 Porsche 910 Endurance Racing Works Coupe for $800,000. Earlier we reported on the nine Ferraris which each fetched over $1 million at RM Auctions' own Monterey sale.

Tags: Bonhams, California, classic cars, Ferrari, Le Mans, Mercedes-Benz, Monterey, motor racing, motorsports, Porsche, Porsche 917, racecar, RM Auctions, Steve McQueen, world record, worlds most expensive

Porsche 918 Spyder Makes Its Driving Debut [video]

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Green

This past Thursday, the Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid – which could become the world's most expensive production Porsche – made its driving debut on a closed road in Monterey, California, just days prior to its North American debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. After being shipped over from Germany by private plane, engineers handed the keys of the new 918 Spyder, dubbed the world's first true hybrid supercar, to Porsche AG Design Chief Michael Mauer. The car drove superbly under its own power, which comes from the mid-mounted 3.4 liter V8 engine out of the RS Spyder as well as an all electric mode which powers just the front wheels. That's good news for the 2,000 prospective buyers willing to fork out an estimated $630,000 to get their hands on one.

Tags: California, electric car, Germany, hybrid, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Porsche, Porsche 918 Spyder, supercar

The Ultimate Car Collector's Crash Pad, Yours for a Cool $35 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Luxury Cars & Autos, Architecture & Design

For a cool $35 million you can get the ultimate car collector's crash pad in Montecito, California, a modernist masterpiece designed to house a world-class collection of 35 cars – that's $1 million per car – in a stunning automotive art gallery. Walls and pillars lined in walnut give way to massive plate glass windows fronting on a sweeping terrace so that the car collection is integrated into life of the house. Of course you also get 15,000-square-feet of living space into the bargain. Designed by architect Steve Hermann and dubbed the Glass Pavilion in homage to the late Philip Johnson, it's set within a 3.5 acre estate of oak groves near to where Al Gore recently spent nearly $9 million on a Mediterranean-style mansion. Other famous neighbors include Oprah WInfrey, Steve Martin, Jeff Bridges and John Cleese. Massive structural steel beams allow for acres of glass that appear to be floating above the rolling lawns. The kitchens and baths are fitted out by famous names such as Varena, Poliform and Antonio Lupi. In each category the "best and most exciting products from around the world" were sourced to make the entire house, which took six years to compete, utterly flawless.

Gallery: Car Collector's Glass Pavilion

[via JamesList]

Tags: Al Gore, architect, architecture, California, car collection, cars, classic cars, estates, Montecito, real estate, Steve Hermann

World's Most Expensive Car Goes on Display

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Back in May we reported on the ultra rare 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic that set a new record as the world's most expensive car when it changed hands in a private transaction valued at close to $40 million. Now the incredibly valuable vehicle is going on display at California's Mullin Automotive Museum, an institution that celebrates the Art Deco and Streamline eras, adding fuel to insider speculation that the museum's founder, financier, philanthropist and Bugatti boffin Peter Mullin, was the purchaser. The car, which has seldom been seen publicly, will go on display August 3rd. "I am honored to have the opportunity to display the Bugatti Atlantic at our Art Deco museum," Mullin says. "The Art Deco Movement was driven by people who were fascinated by invention and innovation – by the exotic nature of new technology and materials, by art and design, by speed and by the machine – no automobile captures this spirit more than the Bugatti Atlantic. In the historic pantheon of automobiles the Atlantic is without peer."

Tags: Art Deco, Bugatti, California, classic cars, Mullin Automotive Museum, museum, Peter Mullin, worlds most expensive

Bing Crosby's 1966 Aston Martin at Auction

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

A stunning 1966 Aston Martin DB6 that belonged to singer and movie star Bing Crosby will be auctioned off during Mecum Auctions' sale on August 14 at the Hyatt Regency in Monterey, California during Monterey Classic Car Week. The mint condition car features an original black leather interior and cherry wood steering wheel and new silver paint, while some mechanicals have been rebuilt to original specifications. The left hand drive beauty is powered by the famed British marque's 4 liter OHC straight 6 engine rated at 282 hp. Mecum have not released an estimate on the vehicle, but a copy of the title with Bing Crosby's name on it is included with the winning bid.

Gallery: Bing Crosby's 1966 Aston Martin DB6

Source

Tags: Aston Martin, Aston Martin DB6, auction, Bing Crosby, California, celebrity, celebrity cars, classic cars, Mecum, Monterey

Aston Martin, Ferrari & More from Russo and Steele in Monterey

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

Rare Aston Martins, Ferraris, Lamborghinis and more will make an impressive showing at Russo and Steele's sale during Monterey Classic Car Week in California on August 12–14. The top-riced lot is a 1963 Shelby Cobra CSX2009, specially built for the FIA/SCCA racing circuit with many victories to its credit from 1962–1971, estimated at $900,000–$1.2 million – but it's not our favorite car on offer. That would be this stunning 1968 Aston Martin DB6, originally owned by Volkswagen AG President Heinrich Nordhoff, estimated at $230,000–$310,000. Also on offer in the alluring auction: another Shelby Cobra, this one from 1965, a late production Mk 1 in impeccable condition, estimated at $450,000–$550,000; a beautiful 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC, one of the most original models in existence, estimated at $225,000–$290,000; a handsome 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4, estimated at $100,000–$125,000; and a stunning early production concours-winning 1966 Lamborghini 350GT, estimated at $350,000–$425,000.

Gallery: Russo and Steele Monterey 2010

Tags: Aston Martin, California, classic cars, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Monterey, Russo and Steele, Shelby Cobra

Bloomingdales Creates Smaller Store For Santa Monica Mall

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Bloomingdale's is testing out a newer concept. Instead of massive department stores, the brand is building smaller stores. The next one is planned for Santa Monica, California. It will be part of the new Santa Monica Place and has a planned opening of August 6. The lure of department stores used to be the concept of endless choice but now after too much choice and surplus, the focus is on "well-edited" selections. BNET reports that the smaller store doesn't contain all the usual categories. Home goods, children's clothing and plus size merchandise have no place at the stores that is focused on moneymakers like accessories, shoes, and cosmetics.

Santa Monica Place is a 550,000-square-foot open-air mall which will have Bloomingdale's and Nordstrom as its anchor stores. Other tenants include CB2, Burberry, Tiffany & Co., Juicy Couture, Louis Vuitton, Disney and Nike. The mall's top level will have six "chef-driven" restaurants as well as other fast-casual restaurants. The top deck will also be home to a program on Friday nights during August and September called SunSets with a DJ from KCRW who will "spin tunes and provide a Happy Hour soundtrack."

Tags: bloomingdales, california, santa monica

26 Grey Owl, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

There aren't too many homes with vineyards in Irvine, California but 26 Grey Owl is one of a kind. The 13,500 square foot mansion is on a 1.73 acre lot with a surrounding vineyard that produces two barrels of wine at harvest. The property is located in the community of Shady Canyon and designed by the collaborative efforts of ForestStudios and Ritner Group and constructed by Pacific Design Estates Construction, Inc. The artsy interiors were designed by local designer, d. Kruse and the property features a subterranean wine cellar and tunnel connecting the residence to the pool house and home theater. The huge gourmet kitchen has a walk-in refrigerator, Lacanche range and a large center island with a pop-up television. It was originally listed at $17.5 million but was listed at $15.995 million but the OC Register reports it's down to $15.495 million, making it still the top listing in Irvine. The property website is here.

Gallery: 26 Grey Owl

Tags: california, estate of the day, irvine, orange county real estate

Continue reading “26 Grey Owl, Estate of the Day”

Cocktail Hour at Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur

by Alison Wellner (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spirits

Some people get car sick when they drive up California's curving highway 1 on the Big Sur coast, but I'm of a hearty constitution and just got tired of not being able to properly take in all of that ridiculously beautiful view.

The decision was made: a stop at Post Ranch Inn was in order.

It's really not a resort that welcomes the road weary unless you're planning to check in. There's a guard station which monitors the road up the hill to the property, and the gentleman on duty was ready for my usual ploy "Can I just pop up, I'd like to pick up a brochure," I said, and when he smoothly handed over one, I was left flummoxed. He said something about calling ahead if we wanted to take a look around. "Is there a place we can get a drink," my travel companion wisely asked.

The truth. Why hadn't I considered that? The gates opened.

The view -- plunging cliffs, blue sky, turquoise sea -- is oft described as "drop dead", but I advise raising a toast to it instead. The view from the patio is what you see above. (Imagine it from the guest rooms on the cliff!) The cocktail menu is creative: I was tempted by the "Black Rose", which is Johnnie Walker Black, jasmine liqueur and vermouth; although I'm actually far more of a gin girl, and so the "Soul Flour", with DH Krahn gin, elderberry liqueur, grapefruit juice and absinthe was also tempting.

But there were more miles to cover before I rested, so I went with a glass of wine -- from California, of course. My pour was more generous than my friend's, since I was finishing the bottle. The bartender advised me to sip down the difference before my friend returned from the restroom, so that we might maintain cordial relations for the rest of our trip. That's the kind of barkeep I'll raise my glass to any day.

Gallery: Cocktail Hour at Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur

It's Not a Bad View, Really. (Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur)

Entrance to the Post Ranch Inn Restaurant

Post Ranch Inn Restaurant, as Seen from the Patio

Tags: bartenders, BigSur, BigSurCoastline, california, cocktails, PostRanchInn

A New "Vintage" at Sonoma's Applewood Inn

by Alison Wellner (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Wine

Wine country can be something of a scene these days, with enthusiasts trying fit in as many wineries as possible, swirling, spitting, purchasing -- realizing they've bought too many bottles to fit in their suitcase, frantically figuring out how to ship wine home, which sometimes requires an alcohol-soaked brain to figure out complicated interstate wine shipment regulations....

Really, it can cause more of a headache than a hangover.

One remedy for all of this is Applewood Inn in Guerneville, California -- which is in the midst of its first season under new ownership.

When you look at Sonoma County, Guerneville isn't really in the middle of it all. This chic-shabby town lies to the west of the where most of the county's wine action is, heading out towards Sonoma's (largely unappreciated) Pacific coast. Applewood is set among young redwood trees, and its award-winning restaurant and its 19 guest rooms are mostly arranged around a peaceful courtyard, complete with a fountain that trickles merrily.

Room décor is also not striving to be in the middle of anything like a current design trend, although there are flat-screen TVs, fireplaces, and so on. Think cozy country motifs, cabbage rose bed spreads, Tuscan stripe upholstered chairs, gleaming wood throughout. Indeed, new owners Carlos Pippa and Sylvia Ranyak envision something of a Tuscan theme for the property.

You'll get to know Carlos and Sylvia as they're gracious on-site managers as well as owners. Running an inn and a restaurant turns out to be their idea of retirement -- Carlos owned a business in Texas that sold parts related to industrial painting. Upon retiring, he and Sylvia loaded up their RV with motorcycles and went on a multiple-month adventure from Mexico to Rio de Janeiro. It was in the rural portions of this journey that they realized they wanted to be in a more bucolic environment than Plano. The Applewood Inn is their next act. Be sure to ask them about their South American sojourn if you go.

Gallery: Applewood Inn, Guerneville, California

Applewood's Peaceful Setting Among Young Redwood Trees

Tags: applewood inn, BedAndBreakfast, california, guerneville, sonoma, sonoma county, wine country, wine tasting, WineCountry

Checking in (Again) at Casa Madrona in Sausalito

by Alison Wellner (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Casa Madrona was the first hotel in California that I ever truly loved. I first visited in the late 1990s, when a dear friend got married, at sunset, on the patio of the Mikayla restaurant, overlooking the bay towards Tiburon and San Francisco. I returned several times after that, but hadn't been back since the hotel went through a major expansion in 2002, and oh yes, bankruptcy, foreclosure and sale at auction.

When I stayed a few weeks ago, Terra Resort Group had just been engaged to manage the property.

The hotel started its life in 1855 as a mansion, and the historic section (pictured above) appears to be just as charming as ever. The 2002 expansion, in my opinion, was unfortunate. It's perfectly nice, but entirely contemporary, the type of room you can find anywhere - a missed opportunity, if you ask me. The contemporary part of the hotel is also closer to the street than the historic rooms which are set back on the hill, so you do get more street noise. I'll have to poke back in once Terra has had a chance to get its bearings, but I'll definitely request one of the older rooms.

And oh, as of now, the lovely Mikayla restaurant is closed, replaced by a street-level restaurant Poggio. It serves top-notch Italian food, but it doesn't have the bay view that made dining at Casa Madrona so special.

Tags: bay area, california, casamadrona, hotel renovation, HotelsInTrouble, sausalito, terra

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