The unfurnished penthouse apartment, located at One Hyde Park, spans a palatial 16,000 square feet. Sources say an Eastern European buyer purchased the apartment, which could be worth up to an estimated $300 million once furnished.

The previous record for an apartment sale in London was set three years ago by Ukrainian billionaire Rinat Akhemtov, who dropped around $230 million for two units at the same address, eventually combining them into one property.

One Hyde Park, whose developer is a joint venture between CPC Group and Waterknights, has seen more than $2 billion in sales so far.

Nick Candy, whose firm, Candy & Candy, was tasked with interior design and development management on the One Hyde Park project, said London’s real estate market is currently “in boom-time prices, more expensive than we've ever been in the history of mankind.”

Photo courtesy of Laing O'Rourke.

The post Apartment Sale at One Hyde Park in London Sets New Real Estate Record appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Tell us about any new developments or business establishments in your market that you think might help attract potential buyers.

The $3.5 billion Baha Mar Resort & Casino at Cable Beach is scheduled to open at the end of this year. Baha Mar will feature the largest casino in the Caribbean, a Jack Nicklaus golf course and four hotel towers including the Mondrian, Rosewood, Grand Hyatt and the Baha Mar. Each tower will have a number of condo units available for sale with prices starting at $1.2M. We expect that the resort, which will have 2,500 rooms, will attract wealthy clientele from all over the globe. This project is going to have a huge economic impact, and we expect that it will significantly drive up real estate prices, particularly on the western side of Nassau.

Name the top two online or social media outlets you use most frequently when a new property becomes active. How do you use these sites to your advantage when advertising your listing?

Through our Sotheby’s International Realty platform, we are able to feed our listing directly to a bevy of high-exposure websites. These sites include NYTimes.com, WSJ.com, LuxuryRealEstate.com and Telegraph.co.uk, as well as the Sotheby’s International Realty global site and its specific “lifestyle” micro-sites.

With springtime now approaching, are there certain properties you expect to get more attention than others? How can sellers make their properties more marketable in the spring?

After a long and brutal winter in the northeastern U.S., we are seeing strong interest from northerners wanting to purchase a warm weather escape.

The post Nick Damianos Talks New Developments, Warm Weather Escapes appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Tell us about any new developments or business establishments in your market that you think might help attract potential buyers.

Indian River County was one of only four communities in North America- and the only community in the southeastern U.S.- featured in the January/February 2014 edition of Trade & Industry Development magazine. The article included the benefits of locating a business to Indian River County for many reasons, including the county’s unique position as a tourism destination for corporate executives, no state income tax, one of the lowest property tax rates in Florida and a stable government structure.

In addition, the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce recently announced the expansion of two local businesses and the possibility of a California company relocating to Indian River County.

Florida and Indian River County are the perfect location for companies that want a more welcoming and competitive business environment. Indian River County is on Florida's east coast, located an hour north of West Palm Beach and 90 miles from Orlando. It’s also within three hours of 90 percent of Florida’s population, with easy access to markets, yet far from urban sprawl, traffic and congestion. The area’s appeal as a light industrial site is best demonstrated by the fact that many businesses have based their location decisions on the C-level executive’s positive vacation experience and its central location. Indian River County represents a broad spectrum of industry, attracting the best and the brightest employees to the area.

Name the top two online or social media outlets you use most frequently when a new property becomes active. How do you use these sites to your advantage when advertising your listing?

I love Facebook and Twitter and have found that posting a new listing on both sites allows me to reach a large and engaging audience. I also like using these sites because they are both so accessible at all times and information can be shared immediately.

I make sure that I when I post a new listing I describe the property using words that give my audience a picture in their mind of what each property looks like. I love describing my clients’ homes, including their unique features, location, the neighborhoods and surrounding property. I think people, when looking for a home, know some of the basics they want, such as number of bedrooms, type of community (beach, golf course, gated), and what type of finishes they want. I let them weed out the ones they aren’t interested in and focus on the ones they are interested in right away.

With springtime now approaching, are there certain properties you expect to get more attention than others? How can sellers make their properties more marketable in the spring?

It’s different in Florida; due to the mild weather, our homes are always marketable. In Vero Beach, our daily average temperature is 74 degrees. And with so many days of sunshine, our grass is green and flowers blooming nearly year round. It also means we have many more days in which to keep the exterior of our homes nicely maintained.

However, we do see a large influx of people during the “winter” months of November through April, when it’s colder up north. Our seasonal residents as well as vacationers take this opportunity to tour homes and neighborhoods, looking for their next place to call home. With so many great neighborhoods and beautiful homes to choose from, we remind our clients to keep their homes “show-ready.”

The post Matilde Sorensen Talks Florida Lifestyle appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

What is your strategy for approaching projects that need to be completed in a small time frame?

A. Choose the right people and the right projects!

I always see even potential clients as clients for life and in the preliminary stages, I think it’s important the interview goes both ways. It's important that I really listen to my clients so that I may have a have clear expectation of what they need. And of course, the creative compatibility and trust have to be there.

B. The most imperative tool in any business? Clear and concise communication!

Speedy projects require I make fast decisions, so it's important my clients know they can trust me both creativity and financially to bring their vision to fruition. One of the processes I use to achieve this is kind of a "Runway to Real Way." I always order two subscriptions to my favorite design magazines, have clients take home a few and mark the looks they like best. I can then mock up a few storyboards, they choose one, and I run with it. I also establish an initial budget per project and stick to that budget- I assume the responsibility of carving out my fee from that number. This really helps me be time efficient as I'm not having to get purchases approved or docking hours, so to speak.

C. Embrace your inner hoarder! Keep at least a small inventory on hand...

My secret to keeping a low cost inventory? If I buy something that's not for a specific job or client, it has to be within the single digits of its worth (i.e. if a mirror I know is worth $100 is priced under $10, I'll buy it). Buying in advance allows me to get better deals and take more last-minute jobs than I would without a small inventory on hand. I try to have at least four diverse sets of "room starters"…linens, paint, mirrors, curtains, pillows, etc. Then with accurate measurements of the space I can mock up the room first in my workspace instead of trying to figure it out on site. This ensures a speedy and more efficient install. I put my "stamp" on even the simplest of projects with my custom pieces. I use any spare time I have to work on them, rather than doing them per order. This way I have things on hand that will cheaply and quickly make a room really unique.

When you complete a design project, what are some of the things you do afterward to make sure the client is 100% happy with the final product?

I've been really lucky insofar as my clients have always recommended me to friends- certainly an honor that lets me know they're happy with the space. I once had a client leave me a tip half the size of her budget which I thought was amazing! Though it was tough to wrap my head around at first, I avoid ever trying to really "sell" someone on my services. This doesn't mean I don't network, advertise, and put the word out. I just try to be always available rather than solicitous.

What are your strategies for maintaining your relationship with that client for the future (and potentially future projects)?

I definitely keep in touch with my clients, whether it's cards on holidays and birthdays, social media updates, or personal visits with little vintage trinkets or fresh flowers. It's extremely important to me that my clients know how much I value them.

The art of customer service can seem a dying one nowadays. I find that truly listening to my clients' needs has allowed me to develop relationships of substance, trust, and creative compatibility- the foundation of a lifelong relationship.

The post Alysia Southern of Barrage Designs talks Communication, Budgets appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Tell us about any new developments or business establishments in your market that you think might help attract potential buyers.

The Dallas-Fort Worth Market is dynamic this spring. Lower inventory and low interest rates have created a sellers' market just like pretty much every other city in the nation. In addition, there is increased buyer demand from companies like AT&T who are relocating employees to North Texas. The 68-acre arts district in Dallas, which is the biggest arts district in the nation, is a great attraction for our city, along with low cost of living and the DFW airport.

In the luxury market, buyers are still attracted to time-proven assets like location and quality, although there are several luxury pockets in DFW that have quite different personalities. The Park Cities, for example, have excellent public schools and prestige, but smaller lots, whereas in the Plano area you can still get a sprawling lot with plenty of green space in addition to excellent schools and a diverse cultural base.

The post Mike Brodie Talks Dallas Attractions appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

The AREAA (Asian Real Estate Association of America) 2014 Global & Luxury Summit, concluding this week at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, highlights international luxury real estate development and opportunities. Over the weekend, speakers presented on a variety of topics, including emerging markets, residential and commercial real estate trends, investment strategies and best practices for working with international buyers. U.S. Congresswoman Grace Meng delivered a speech at Sunday’s AREAA Awards Gala, and on Monday, guests at the Keynote Luncheon were treated to a presentation from actor-turned-real-estate-pro Ryan Serhant of Nest Seekers International. The conference continues through Tuesday, when participants will have the chance to go on a luxury property tour in Manhattan to view some of the city’s most exclusive addresses.

Click here to learn more about the event.

The post International Luxury Real Estate: Showcased by AREAA Summit appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

This year’s seventh annual D.C. Design House showcases the work of more than two dozen different design teams, proving it’s possible for a wide variety of styles to be cohesive.

Twenty-seven design teams were selected to completely remodel the almost 8,000-square-foot stone Colonial home, which is located at 4600 Linnean Ave. NW. in Washington, D.C.’s upscale Forest Hills neighborhood. Designers were tasked with transforming 29 different indoor and outdoor spaces. The result is a colorful, eclectic home that seamlessly blends traditional and modern style elements.

The completed show house is open to the public through May 11th. Tickets are $25 and benefit the Children’s National Health System.

Photos courtesy of Curbed.

The post Designers Join Forces for D.C. Design House appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Tell us about any new developments or business establishments in your market that you think might help attract potential buyers.

Tropicasa has just launched a brand-new eco-resort development that is entirely unique to the marketplace in the Puerto Vallarta region. It is a small development of resort cabins that are located about 45 minutes to the south of Puerto Vallarta in the charming village of El Tuito. The cabins range in size from one bedroom (about 1000 sq. ft.) to three bedrooms (about 1800 sq. ft.) or larger if desired. Each cabin will rest on a lot of at least 17,000 sq. ft., with some lots being approximately a half acre.  Mountains, valleys and tree-topped hills are the vista points and the development will be gated with all services available. With prices starting at only $95,000 USD for cabin and lot combinations, this is sure to be a winner for the client who will be in the area during the summer months or wants a place to escape to for the weekends. Temperatures in the wooded area of El Tuito are a good 10 degrees cooler and dryer than Puerto Vallarta. This is truly unique in many ways and is a first of its kind in the area. Kudos to the husband-and-wife development team of David and Xochitl Kimball for braving the new territory to launch such a forward-thinking project. If interested, you can see a preview at www.tierraaltatuito.com.

Name the top two online or social media outlets you use most frequently when a new property becomes active. How do you use these sites to your advantage when advertising your listing?

Certainly Facebook is part of the marketing model when it comes to social media. How could it not be? Of course, we try very hard not to burden our followers with only real estate-related information. That would just get too boring for the average person. As a result, our followers seem much more engaged and willing to share the data with their friends and associates. This, of course, is the desired end result. We also do our best to provide the best image possible of each property with professional photos and concise yet feature-filled descriptions.  You can follow us at www.facebook.com/tropicasa.puerto.vallarta.real.estate.

And other than marketing on MLS-type websites, I would have to say that our own corporate website gets a lot of traffic and referrals.  One of the features that we’ve incorporated into our site is called “New Listing Alert” which automatically sends a brand-new listing to our client base once it has been uploaded to the system. Our clients seem to like this feature a lot as they’re not having to be in constant contact with a live agent, and yet they get the information they want/need.  You can view our website at www.tropicasa.com or sign up for this service at http://www.tropicasa.com/tropicasaalert.php.

With springtime now approaching, are there certain properties you expect to get more attention than others? How can sellers make their properties more marketable in the spring?

Well, springtime for us is pretty much anytime between November and May – I know, are you jealous yet? The weather being in the 70s pretty much every day, and not a cloud in the sky, we’re very fortunate to be in Vallarta. Given that we are in a humid climate, especially in the summertime, it’s critical that the properties are aired out, cleaned and painted to make sure that proper maintenance has been applied prior to clients coming through. Other sprucing could be reupholstering cushions, getting any exterior windows cleaned (if you’re in a high-rise especially), and even the most minor maintenance issues resolved. A client walking in and seeing a property in virtually anything less than perfect condition will immediately feel that the home has not been properly maintained and/or there could be a chronic problem that needs addressing. Resolving these issues properly ahead of showings eliminates any objections that could arise. Of course, if there are serious issues to contend with, proper professionals should be sought to assist you in rectifying them.

The post Wayne Franklin Talks Social Media, Spring Cleaning appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

What are your strategies for approaching projects that need to be completed in a short time frame?

Prioritize by giving attention to items that need to be custom-made or ordered. However, a direction of style is required, therefore we gather samples of all hard items and establish focus points. With a direction, assuring your items are on the schedule for production will save time. Always check for back order items and avoid them. If subcontractors are needed, schedule them early in the job. An experienced designer will not make a promise they cannot deliver.

When you complete a design project, what are some of the things you do afterward to make sure the client is 100% happy with the final product?

A meeting is set up with each client with the final invoicing and the opportunity for a punch list. In this meeting it is easy to read the client’s happiness. If we sense tension, it is important to ask questions. I do feel money is usually the stopping point and if so we want to be asked back to finish the job. If a client dismisses us mid-project, money is usually the issue, and we work to get them to a comfort point so their home does not feel unfulfilled and more often than not we are called back at a later date to finish. It’s very important to assure all members of the household are up to date on the progress and purchases; a happy household is a successful project. Don’t always go to the yes person for approval- it gets you in the end. When projects are complete, we make notes of areas or items that still need attention, and during our work travels we send photos of items we think could interest certain clients. We do not charge for our time, as it leaves a good feeling and we’re always glad to hear our clients’ voices.

What are your strategies for maintaining your relationship with that client for the future (potentially future projects)?

With most of our clients we develop lasting friendships and keep in contact- they remain on our list for holiday baskets, social gathering at my home and email mailings.  If you develop a client relationship they are likely to form an opinion, letting you know if they are satisfied with your work. Referrals lead to the best clientele, and are the base of our business.

The post Guided Home Design Talks Project Priorities, Client Relationships appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Valletta recently invited InStyle to tour her home, which she shares with her husband Christian McCaw and son Auden. Designer Ross Cassidy and Valletta teamed up to create this serene and eclectic space, and it practically glows with rich textures and bright hues.

Personal touches include a side table in the family room from Valletta and McCaw’s hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma and pillows upholstered in vintage embroidered fabric Valletta found in Paris. A graceful, hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper mural in the dining room and a bold Robert Indiana 1967 “Love” lithograph in the living room are just two examples of the art pieces that bring personality and spirit to the space (along with plenty of artfully-arranged family photographs).

Green elements like low-chemical paint, solar panels, natural fibers, repurposed lighting fixtures and vintage furniture give the home both a laid-back, beachy vibe and a small carbon footprint- a priority for the environmentally-conscious Valletta. Thanks to a recent renovation, most of the rooms in the house also open out onto the verdant garden, offering fresh ocean breezes.

Valletta calls her home “fun, not fussy” with “a sense of playfulness,” comparing it to “a little jewel box.”

Photos courtesy of InStyle.

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Bollywood wives- as well as friends and business associates- Gauri Khan and Sussanne Roshan are teaming up for a luxury mansion project. The property, called Naira, will be located in the upscale resort community of Goa and feature 12 bespoke seven-star villas. Roshan’s design company, The Charcoal Project, has been commissioned to do the interiors, while Khan will helm curation and artifacts installation. Additionally, internationally renowned furniture designer Andrew Martin is involved with the project. The properties target Dubai’s high-rolling society set, whose members desire lavish vacation homes in the affluent coastal Indian state of Goa.

Dubai socialite Rekha Tourani will host a private launch party for the project at her home in the Emirates Hills this weekend.  A number of Dubai’s wealthiest NRIs, considered prospective buyers for the villas, are reportedly on the guest list.

Can’t get enough of the latest and greatest Haute Real Estate news. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter! For Haute pics of the latest and greatest listings, be sure to visit us on Instagram.

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