texas

Lance Armstrong Drops The Price On His Texas Home

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

Lance Armstrong recently twittered the birth of his fourth child which perhaps has made him more motivated to sell his expansive retreat near Dripping Springs, Texas. The 447-acre property was our estate of the day back in January. The ranch includes ownership in Deadman's Hole, a beautiful swimming hole that has a giant waterfall. The ranch includes a four-bedroom main house built in 2003 as well as a one bedroom guest house. The main house has great views of the surrounding countryside. There is also a pool and a spa and the acreage includes seven miles of bike trails. This home was listed at $12 million but is now for sale for $10.5 million.

Gallery: Lance Armstrong's Texas Ranch

Source

Tags: dripping springs, DrippingSprings, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, lance armstrong, LanceArmstrong, texas

Deion Sanders in Prosper, Texas, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

When football/baseball double threat Deion Sanders and his wife Pilar moved to the small town of Prosper, Texas they put the small town in North Texas on the map. Their huge home is described in the listing as the "ultimate party and family ranch" and spans over 29,000 square feet. The multi-winged home is on 100 acres and has ten bedrooms. Few homes are as dedicated to the pursuit of leisure activities as this one is. It has an indoor basketball court and bowling alley, both indoor and outdoor pools, a billiard room, hall-of-fame gallery, movie theater and a game room modeled after the Dave & Busters restaurant chain. The grounds include a 12-acre lake, tennis court, a ten-car garage and a guest house. For a sense of the scale check out this Flickr picture. This is one monster of a home.

The Real Estalker provides additional details including the fact that the master bedroom has a large round bed, a sitting room that spins, kitchen, Jacuzzi and a two-story walk-in closet. The decor is completely over the top with swaths of drapery, columns, crystal chandeliers, a cartoon of lavishness. It is listed at $21 million.

After the jump check out a video of Neon Deion and his family touring the home which is so large that they drive around in little scooters. Deion seems both amazed and awed by the scale of his own home and does a better job explaining its many over-the-top features than any real estate agent ever could.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

Gallery: Deion Sanders in Texas

Source

Tags: celebrity real estate, CelebrityRealEstate, deion sanders, DeionSanders, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, prosper, texas

Continue reading “Deion Sanders in Prosper, Texas, Estate of the Day”

Ligne Roset Opens First Boutique, in Austin

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Ligne Roset, a high-end, family-run (since 1860) furniture line that offers a range of products from furniture to lighting to upholstery, opened its first concept store, in Austin. The company focuses on smaller-scale, more design-forward pieces, and, unlike many of its competitors, allows consumers to purchase select pieces from the showroom and take them home directly. Some of its signature pieces are the origami-inspired Facett collection and Pierre Paulin's 1954 Tanis Desk. See the gallery for a few shots of the store.

Gallery: Ligne Roset Store, Austin

Tags: Austin, decor, furniture, Ligne Roset, LigneRoset, Texas

Another Year of Avo, Another New Release

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

Why do we love it when Avo Uvezian adds another year to his life? Of course, we celebrate the continued life of this cigar industry's living legend. But, few miss the fact that every new year brings with it another limited edition. I'm still excited about the Avo 80 that came out a few years back – well, three, to be exact. Now that the odometer's hitting 83, Avo and Davidoff are bringing a new cigar to market: the Avo Compañero.

The cigar's namesake calls it "the best blend ever released under my name from the Occidental Kelner Cigars factory in the Dominican Republic." And, let's face it: he's never lied to us before! So, I'm pretty excited about this new stick, and I suspect I'm not alone.

To fête this new cigar, a nine-city tour is planned, each with a cigar dinner featuring the Avo Compañero.

• March 16 - New York, NY – Davidoff of Geneva
• March 18 – Salem, NH – Two Guys Smoke Shop
• March 21 - Lake Mary, FL – Corona Cigar Co.
• March 26 – Houston, TX – Jeffrey Stone Ltd.
• March 27 – Austin, TX – Heroes & Legacies
• March 30 - West Chester, PA – G&G Cigar
• April 1 - Norfolk, VA – Emerson's Cigars
• April 4 – Raleigh, NC – Empire Cigars
• April 6 – Southport, NC – Havana Rays Fine Cigars

Put it on your calendar. I went to an Avo limited edition dinner back in 2006, and I can still remember the evening vividly.

Source

Tags: austin, cigar, cigarette smoking, CigaretteSmoking, cigars, davidoff, dominican republic, DominicanRepublic, florida, houston, manhattan, new york, NewYork, texas, tobacco

Dripping Springs Texas Vodka

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Dripping Springs Texas Vodka doesn't have the sexiest name I've ever heard and the bottle design is very basic but it's what is inside that counts. The brand won the Purity Vodka Trophy at the International Wine & Spirit Competition last year beating out entries from around the world. The vodka made by the small San Luis Spirits is distilled 20 times and the tiny brand has struggled to succeed, including having to reestablish production after an explosion in the factory last November. The brand is made from sweet Midwest corn in small, hand crafted batches in a proprietary copper still and mixed with artesian spring water. It sells for around $21.

[via Star-Telegram]

Source

Tags: dripping springs, DrippingSprings, texas, vodka

Rosewood's Ralph Lauren Romance VDay Package

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has partnered with Ralph Lauren to create a one-of-a-kind Valentine's Day getaway for stylish couples, called "Ralph Lauren Romance Always Yours." Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Ralph Lauren's Romance fragrance and the launch of their newest scent, Romance Always Yours, the package is available at select Rosewood properties including the famed Carlyle Hotel in New York (above); Rosewood's flagship hotels in Dallas, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek and Rosewood Crescent Hotel; as well as the Inn of the Anasazi, A Rosewood Hotel in Sante Fe; the Mansion on Peachtree, A Rosewood Hotel & Residence in Atlanta; and CordeValle, A Rosewood Resort in San Martin, CA.

The two-night package, which starts at $799, includes a luxe room stocked with gifts including a bottle of champagne upon arrival and a custom monogrammed Ralph Lauren cashmere throw. A private candlelit dinner, created specially by one of Rosewood's acclaimed Executive Chefs, will be served en-suite. The indulgence will continue the following day with complimentary spa treatments for two and a limited edition bottle of Ralph Lauren's Always Yours, featuring a delicately hand-crafted glass dauber faceted like a diamond, to take home as a souvenir of an incredible weekend. See the gallery for pix of the participating properties.

Gallery: Rosewood Ralph Lauren Romance

The Mansion on Peachtree, A Rosewood Hotel & Residence

Tags: Carlyle Hotel, CarlyleHotel, Fragrance, mansion on peachtree, Mansion on Turtle Creek, MansionOnPeachtree, MansionOnTurtleCreek, Perfume, Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Romance, RalphLauren, RalphLaurenRomance, Rosewood, Texas, Valentines Day, ValentinesDay, vday09

Elm Hollow, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's Mediterranean style home in Dallas is notable for its exquisite interior design. Designer Deborah Owens has enhanced the design by architect Robbie Fusch to create an elegant and refine home. The home was the 2008 LUXE Showhome. One thing that really impresses me about the six-bedroom home is the use of the color blue, from cobalt blue and turquoise accents to sky blue walls, the use of blue ties the rooms together and creates a nice counterpoint to the mostly beige decor.

The home is built around a sunken central courtyard which is set 11 feet below ground level to keep the outdoor area 15 degrees cooler than outside areas above ground, a nice feature for Texas summers. The courtyard has a double-sided fireplace. The home includes a theater and game room with a kitchenette, a spa and exercise area with a steam room, and a wine cellar with dining area and an eight-car garage. The ground floor includes the dining room, great room, two-story library and the master suite and two kitchens. The home also includes a mother-in-law suite, elevator and a smart home system that will send you a message when anything is wrong with the house no matter where you are. It is listed at $11.5 million.
Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

Gallery: Elm Hollow

Source

Tags: dallas, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, luxury real eestate, LuxuryRealEestate, real estate, RealEstate, texas

Continue reading “Elm Hollow, Estate of the Day”

Lance Armstrong's Texas Ranch, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

Bicycle champ and serial dater of celebrity blond beauties, Lance Armstrong is putting his Texas vacation home on the market. Armstrong, who also has a fancy home in Austin, owns a 447.8 acre ranch in Dripping Springs, Texas. The ranch includes ownership in Deadman's Hole, a beautiful swimming hole that has a giant waterfall. According to the Real Estalker, the 17 neighboring landowners all have deeded rights to the swimming hole. In 2005, Armstrong ran afoul of his neighbors when he started building a dam on a creek on his property that feeds into the swimming hole. The neighbors said that the dam construction ended up muddying the clear waters of Deadman's Hole. Armstrong paid around $850,000 to solve the whole mess including clean-up costs and legal fees.

The ranch includes a four-bedroom main house built in 2003 as well as a one bedroom guest house. The main house has great views of the surrounding countryside. Built for entertaining, the home has an open floor plan with a kitchen, dining room and living room in one central area. The second floor features a cozy media room for watching television. The outdoor space includes a grill, patios and dining and lounging options. The guest cottage matches the main house in its rustic charm. There is also a pool and a spa and the acreage includes seven miles of bike trails. This home is listed at $12 million.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

Gallery: Lance Armstrong's Texas Ranch

Source

Tags: celebrity real estate, CelebrityRealEstate, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, lance armstrong, LanceArmstrong, ranch, texas

Continue reading “Lance Armstrong's Texas Ranch, Estate of the Day ”

Big Hotel Project On Hold In Austin

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

For the last few years it's been build, build, build in growing Austin, Texas but the Austin American-Statesman reports that Austin's biggest hotel project, a planned 1,000-room Marriott on Congress Avenue has now been postponed. The $275 million project is the largest project among eight hotels had been planned for downtown. It's just one of several projects having trouble getting and keeping financing. Construction of the 26-story Marriott originally was to have started this year, was then shifted to 2009 and now there is now start date planned.

The developer, White Lodging Services Corp. had said the 1,000-room hotel would generate 600 jobs and $7 million a year in property and hotel occupancy taxes to the city. The proposed project was the subject of some controversy because it meant closing the popular Las Manitas Cafe.

The article in the Statesman reports that some developers are planning to wait a year or two until the economy improves which may mean a bumper crop of condos and hotels in 2011.

Gallery: Austin Projects

Source

Tags: austin, marriott, texas

Preston Road, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's estate is a rather fancy new home in the Highland Park area of Dallas. The home was designed by Richard Drummond Davis and built by Sharif-Munir to be the height of faux-French lavishness. The chateau-like home has an ironwork doorway that opens to an impressive two-story foyer. Extravagant details include high ceilings with carved wooden coffers, an imported 18th century French marble fireplace, inlaid wood floors, and custom plaster ornamental detailing. The master suite has a fireplace and an additional sitting room as well as his and hers bathrooms with marble details. An additional l private residential suite with full bath and sitting room is located in the basement and there are six bedrooms total. Outside there is a deep outdoor living loggia that overlooks the pool with fountains and spa below. This home is one of several elaborate new homes in the area built on a grand scale and priced at the top of the market. Doubtlessly planned in more exuberant times I wonder how they will fare in this market. This home is listed at $11.25 million.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

Gallery: Preston Road

Source

Tags: dallas, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, highland park, HighlandPark, texas

Continue reading “Preston Road, Estate of the Day ”

Boerne, Texas, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

If you are into recreational sports, I've got the home for you in Boerne, Texas near San Antonio. This home is on 40 acres with an estimated 500 trees on the property. What is most interesting is just about every bit of the property is professionally landscaped, mowed and put to use either for sport, games, recreation. The property includes a soccer field, baseball diamond, six hole golf course and driving range, well-stocked pond, creek, waterfalls, fishing holes, a pool and tennis courts. There is a large main house with a game room, media room and colorful kitchen as well as three guest homes and an indoor tennis/sports arena. This home is listed at $2,999,500.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

Gallery: Boerne, Texas

Source

Tags: boerne, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, texas

Continue reading “Boerne, Texas, Estate of the Day”

The Kimber Modern, A New Type of Bed and Breakfast in Austin

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The soon-to-open Kimber Modern in Austin, Texas eschews the typically quaint look of the standard bed and breakfast. Kimber Cavendish and Vicki Faust shared a dream of launching a unique hotel in the hip Soco area of Austin. Architect Burton Baldridge has created an angular retreat that offers six rooms, a tranquil courtyard and a light-filled common area that includes a multi-level deck. Breakfast is self-serve and available from 7 to 11 a.m. The Kimber Modern opens to guests on October 10 and is now taking reservations. Standard rooms are $295-$320 a night, suites, which include a seating area with a custom couch designed by Burton Baldrige are $350 to $395 per night.

Source

Tags: architecture, austin, bed and breakfast, BedAndBreakfast, hotel, kimber modern, KimberModern, modern, texas

Ivy Lane, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

It has some serious issues with carpet color but I like this San Antonio, Texas home because it looks like a real family home. The five-bedroom home was built 17 years ago by Texas architect Mac Chesney. It's got expansive covered outdoor living space that includes a full outdoor kitchen, wet bar, grill and fireplace. The family room and kitchen feature a vaulted peaked ceiling and plenty of space. The formal living room and dining room are a wee bit dated but I like the oak-paneled library, once you get rid of the carpeting.

I think this home could use a little modernizing. The fenced swimming pool doesn't have a pool house but the grounds are pre-wired so that a guest house or cabana can be added. Above the three-car garage there is a full kitchen and bath and it could be finished into a luxury guest suite. This home is listed at $4.5 million.

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

Gallery: Ivy Lane

Source

Tags: estate, san antonio, texas

Continue reading “Ivy Lane, Estate of the Day”

DD Peden House, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's home in the Shadyside area of Houston, Texas is the type of place I would love to be invited to for a cocktail party. Not only is it a beautiful classic home, a vintage Harrie Lindeberg and John Staub design built in the early 1920s (and on the National Register of Historic Places), but the current owners have created an inviting abode full of a variety of art to ogle and shelves of books to browse through. This eight-bedroom home is on 1.7 beautifully landscaped acres with formal gardens and a greenhouse. The home includes a dramatic entrance hall with a floating staircase,large living room, library, garden/media room, dining room, gourmet kitchen w/morning room and wine cellar. A new pool and pool house were constructed in 2002. There is also a carriage house with staff quarters. This home is listed at $11.3 million. The AOL home value tool estimates it at just $2,307,393.

Gallery: DD Peden House

Source

Tags: dd peden, DdPeden, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, houston, luxury real estate, LuxuryRealEstate, shadyside, texas

Continue reading “DD Peden House, Estate of the Day”

The Great Houses of Texas

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Estates, Books

Photo by Grant Mudford

The Lone Star State, which was part of Mexico until 1836, is not particularly known for its architectural treasures. There are some amazing estates scattered among its vast tracts, however, as author Lisa Germany and photographer Grant Mudford reveal in their excellent new book, Great Houses Of Texas (Abrams, $50). The Texan landscape -- "combined with the larger-than-life personalities who were drawn to the brutal hardships of the frontier and the architects who designed these extraordinary homes" -- is the unifying theme of the 25 houses, ranging from the intimate to the ornate, collected in the book. Among them is the beautiful Crespi Mansion in Dallas, designed by Swiss architect Maurice Fatio in 1939, pictured above; and the Nowlin House in Austin designed by Paul Lamb in 2002, which was partially based on Mayan ruins. See the gallery for more.

Gallery: Great Houses of Texas