The Beekman

Through its Hotel Partner Program, Lexus, a market leader in manufacturing luxury vehicles, offers its owners a range of amenities at some of the country’s most prestigious hotels and resort destinations. The Beekman––a historic, 1881 landmark property located in the heart of downtown Manhattan––and Lexus share the values of high-quality, exceptional service, and beautiful design––making Lexus a perfect choice for the hotel’s savvy clientele.

Lexus LX

“The Lexus Hotel Partner Program is a great opportunity for travelers across the country to experience Lexus luxury, whether they are Lexus owners or not,” says Steve Jett, Lexus national manager. “This latest partnership with The Beekman is no exception, and we’re excited to bring this long-standing program to New York City.”

As part of the program, Lexus house vehicles are available on-site at The Beekman to provide guests with courtesy transportation and test drives. Lexus owners also receive exclusive offerings while staying at the hotel.

In the only New York City partnership of its kind, the Lexus fleet available for guest use at The Beekman includes three vehicles: one Lexus LX 570 SUV and two Lexus LS 460 L sedans. For up to 12 hours, an in-house chauffeur will offer hotel guests courtesy transportation in one of the Lexus LS 460 L sedans, while the second LS 460 L and the LX 570 SUV are available for test drives.

The partnership also gives existing Lexus owners a $50 minibar credit and an exclusive VIP amenity worth $50 if they make their room reservations through the Lexus Drivers Site. Hotel guests also receive a $1,000 certificate toward the purchase, or lease of a new Lexus and a $1,000 certificate toward a stay at a hotel partner, following the purchase or lease of a Lexus.

One of Manhattan’s first skyscrapers, The Beekman is renowned for its extraordinary nine-story Victorian atrium and stunning pyramidal skylight. Led by Gerner Kronick + Valcarcel, Architects, the property was restored and converted into The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel. Lexus joins an impressive and talented team at The Beekman that includes the interior design of Martin Brudnizki, restaurateur and chef Tom Colicchio, and celebrated restaurateur Keith McNally.

Images courtesy of Lexus / The Beekman 

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Oceanwide Center, a transformative, mixed-use development, will consist of San Francisco's second highest tower, according to press materials. The project by Oceanwide Holdings recently broke ground and is scheduled to be completed in 2021. At First and Mission streets, it will comprise two towers: one that will be the second tallest structure in San Francisco and the other that will include the city’s first Waldorf Astoria.

Designed by Foster + Partners, headed by the British Pritzker Prize-winning architect Lord Norman Foster and San Francisco-based Heller Manus Architects, the two towers feature pronounced, clean lines, and both will be founded on large diameter shafts drilled into Franciscan formation bedrock, which is approximately 270 feet below grade.

Highly anticipated to become a cornerstone the Transbay district––an area surrounded by Market Street to the north, the Embarcadero to the east, Folsom Street to the south, and Hawthorne Street to the west—Oceanwide Center promises to be a great source of pride for San Francisco.

Upon completion, the 910-foot, 61-story First Street tower will become the second tallest building in San Francisco, with its 109 luxury residences––spanning the 41st to the 61st floors––to be the highest residential units in San Francisco. The First Street Tower will also feature a member’s club and lounge, and approximately one million square feet of office space (7^th to 40^th floor), with side-core design providing exceptionally large floor plates for flexible use. The First Street tower takes on a crystalline form, with an intricate metal framework forming angled planes, like the surfaces of a diamond. Its ground floor is a welcoming landscaped plaza that extends into the block’s small alleyways, surrounded by vast columns that form structural exoskeletons. Midway, the tower tapers with the sides meeting at the crown with origami-like folds.

The Mission Street tower will house the Waldorf Astoria San Francisco and its signature Peacock Alley bar, a signature restaurant, and a premium spa. The top floors will contain 156 high-end residences. The tower features unique “vitrines” that reinterpret the traditional bay window, which creates a stark contrast with its classic stone façade.

The ground floor of Oceanwide will be home to Urban Plaza, which, designed by renowned landscape architect Kathryn Gustafson, promises to be an ideal place to congregate, with its green parklets, vendor stalls, aesthetic walkways, and other amenities. Residents will enjoy outdoor seating, a bicycle hub, and a special events terrace ideal for live music, farmers markets, and cultural exhibitions.

The Oceanwide Center also includes the renovation and restoration of the historic buildings at 78 and 88 First Street, returning them to their original grandeur and preserving their unique facades as a timeless memory for the city. These buildings will provide additional office and retail space.

Images provided by Foster + Partners

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The Aston Martin Residences, the British luxury carmaker’s first foray into real estate, will hit the residential market in March. The 66-story tower, developed on the last remaining waterfront site along Miami’s Biscayne, is a collaboration between the iconic brand and developer G and G Business Developments, which is owned by Argentina’s Coto family, who paid $125 million for the land in 2014. Local firm Revuelta Architecture and Argentina-based Bodas-Miani-Anger conceived the skyscraper’s dazzling sail-shaped form, reflecting the tropical environment of Miami and the city’s close connection to the ocean.

“The long-term vision to bring Aston Martin to a wider audience is now reality, thanks to the partnerships we launched in the last four years in key industries,” says Katia Bassi, vice president of Aston Martin and managing director for AM Brands. “Aston Martin entering in real estate is the epitome of the Aston Martin positioning of the brand in the luxury world, through our timeless design. Aston Martin Residences and Yachting are the halo categories we identify to support the core business, reaching new brand lovers that will enjoy the Aston Martin Art of Living in every touch point of their life.”

Featuring interiors designed by Aston Martin, the residential building, with 390 high-end condominiums, consists of seven penthouses and a sole duplex penthouse, which all have private pools and outdoor terraces overlooking downtown Miami and Biscayne Bay.

Each of the building’s common areas feature “signature items” showcasing the brand’s trademark colors, stitching style, and material, such as polished wood, leather, and carbon fiber. Design highlights include doors with bespoke artisan Aston Martin handles, number plinths, and kestral tan leather door tabs. The Aston Martin-designed reception desks featuring craftsmanship from the company’s halo products will adorn each of the two private lobbies, along with key design features in all shared areas, including a beautiful infinity pool located on the 55th floor, a two-story fitness center, and a full-service spa. There is also a micro-cinema, a children’s room, an art gallery, and an exclusive yacht marina.

The Aston Martin Residences will not contain any “auto-specific” amenities but instead will reflect and embody the brand’s tradition through a combination of exquisite design, fine craftsmanship, and comfort. The automaker’s creative team has been involved in the selection of every detail, from the finishes to the artwork.

Apartments, ranging from one-bedrooms to four-bedrooms, offer breathtaking views of the Miami River, Biscayne Bay, and the Brickell skyline. Additionally, Aston Martin Residences are within walking distance of Whole Foods, Brickell City Centre, and Mary Brickell Village.

Images courtesy of Aston Martin

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On December 9, Ian Schrager expands his global influence with the opening of The Sanya EDITION, a spectacular oceanfront destination on Hainan Island, just off the coast of Southern China.

EDITION, a partnership between Schrager and Marriott International, is celebrated for delivering luxury hotels that possess the flawless combination of exquisite design, stellar service, and first-rate dining and entertainment venues, all of which reflect and complement the culture of each respective location. The Sanya EDITION, which features a striking 20,000-square-meter private ocean overlooking the South China Sea, will not disappoint.

As stated in the hotel’s promotional materials, in ancients times, the term sanya was known to mean "the end of the sky and ocean." The Sanya EDITION embraces this concept by responding to China’s ever-changing landscape, while introducing travelers to a new kind of luxury hotel experience.

“The Sanya EDITION was conceived for the China of today and the China of tomorrow," Schrager says. "The resort is a unique sophisticated vision and embodiment of a cosmopolitan China for all the world to see.”

The building was designed for people of all ages, a feat accomplished with the overlapping of specific zones intended for water, fun, sports, kids, eating, nightlife, entertainment, culture, and relaxation. There is something for everyone: rock climbing or paddleboard riding for adventure seekers, Mahjong rooms for socializing, a meditation forest for those seeking tranquility, and an exclusive spa featuring 11 treatment rooms for luxury pampering. The child-friendly zones will keep youngsters fully entertained with outdoor movies, a saltwater pool, arcade games, a tree-house, and even a private bumper car rink. There is a series of age-specific pools in a number of different sizes spread around the private ocean, each one with their own program of special activities.

In keeping with EDITION brand’s seamless blending of traditional and modern, natural and man-made, The Sanya EDITION—conceived as a tropical oasis reflecting the island’s indigenous flora and fauna—has 900 trees, which were transported to the resort from across the island of Hainan, making it a sustainable and captivating environment. The private ocean beach on the north shore, shaded by coconut palms, offers pristine white powdery sand ideal for enjoying the water and magnificent view. The resort’s private ocean is maintained with 10 million gallons of seawater that is pumped in from the South China Sea throughout the day, recycling once every 32 hours.

The resort boasts 512 residential-style guestrooms, including 46 suites and an additional 17 exclusive hotel villas nestled into a terraced hillside, each one with a private pool and outdoor space. Emphasizing wood and stone textures, light oak finishes, and airy fabrics, all guestrooms in the horseshoe-shaped hotel offer stunning ocean views. There are standard rooms intended for families and sleek loft suites, designed to appeal to couples.

Throughout the property is a wide range of specialty restaurants. Market at EDITION is the largest and is designed to evoke an old Chinese warehouse. The Jade Egre, a yacht-inspired space, offers a selection of cocktails, craft beers or premium wines, and a selection of appetizers. Guests are transported by boat to Xian Hai By The Sea, the hotel’s signature seafood restaurant, in which they can opt to dine atop illuminated floating platforms in the private ocean. Inspired by the traditional market restaurants that line the beachfronts at Sanya, Beach Barbacoa at EDITION captures the casual cool of beachside dining and the full-bodied flavors of Indonesian cuisine. The rooftop bar promises to be Sanya’s finest gathering place for sophisticated guests, whether they are relaxing by the pool during the day or enjoying the sunset at night.

Another exceptional element within The Sanya EDITION is Limited EDITION, a lifestyle shop, co-curated by Ullens Center for Contemporary Art Beijing and Steven Giles of The Miami EDITION, in which the work of over 80 artists and 100 designers is displayed and offered as original merchandise for EDITION guests.

Images courtesy of The Sanya EDITION

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CHARLEY will undoubtedly delight residents with its ability to deliver packages, meals, beverages, birthday cakes, and flowers right to their doors. The robot has been programmed to navigate the entire building and to operate elevators independently. Upon moving in, each resident is given an iPad mini 4s, which are outfitted with the Ten Thousand App, designed by San Francisco-based company, Riseio, and contain a menu of items that CHARLEY can deliver. Once the residents place their orders via the app, a team of butlers receive the requests and place the items inside CHARLEY’s secure interior compartment for delivery.

In addition to providing streamlined one-touch access to CHARLEY's services, Riseio’s app also integrates an innovative beacon technology system throughout the building, utilizing location-based services in conjunction with Crescent Heights signature Predictive Service to ensure that the staff has a thorough understanding of the residents’ particular preferences and needs. The app-based valet system also allows residents to arrange for personal training sessions, complimentary fitness classes, order drinks from the bar, reserve the private dining room for a dinner party, submit service requests, request their vehicle, pay rent, and be notified of deliveries. In-home temperature and lighting are also managed directly from the tenants’ iPads.

Through a partnership with Bel Air Internet (BAI), residents at Ten Thousand are given access to an individual, private Wi-Fi network with complimentary Gigabit high speed internet (the fastest available internet access on the market). Available throughout the entire property, this feature will allow residents to seamlessly enter their own protected Wi-Fi network throughout the building, from their homes, to the pool, to the fitness center.

Other high-tech features include Ecobee3 smart Wi-Fi thermostats with hands-free control and Schindler PORT Technology elevators that offer expedited, controlled access to individual floors, saving residents an average of 20 hours a year in time spent waiting for elevators and traveling to unintended destinations.

Balancing the emphasis on technology, Ten Thousand also boasts a wide array of indoor and outdoor amenities encouraging wellness, leisure, culture, and entertainment. Leaving nothing to be desired, there is a beautiful one-acre park designed by Meléndrez; both an indoor lap pool and an outdoor sunning pool; indoor and outdoor movie theaters; a resident lounge with a full-service bar and a private dining club inspired by the legendary Jimmy’s restaurant; an outdoor chef’s kitchen; a 20,000-square-foot Jay Wright-designed fitness program that includes a fitness center, private training rooms and a Pilates room; a massage and spa treatment room; fully equipped boardrooms; a lighted tennis court with private instruction; and a Kids’ Studio designed by the Novogratz family, inspired by the California work space of Charles and Ray Eames.

Images courtesy of Ten Thousand

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207W79, a high-end, full-service condominium on Manhattan's Upper West Side has gone on sale, bringing 19 luxury two-to-six-bedroom residences, including two townhouses and a penthouse, to the market. Ranging from 1,662 to 4,336 square feet, the expansive properties offer the highly desirable combination of modernity and the Old World charm and glamour of a pre-war inspired design.

A joint project between leading New York developer Anbau and architectural firm Morris Adjmi Architects, the homes, priced from $3.95 to $15 million, are exclusively represented by Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group. “We are proud to bring these 19 luxuriously outfitted homes to market," says Stephen Glascock, president of Anbau. "The location is an A+ location, and the building, designed by Morris Adjmi Architects, is timelessly crafted with custom handmade terra-cotta details so as to fit in with the beautiful and unique neighborhood aesthetic."

The brick and limestone exterior of 207W70, with generous casement-style windows and Art Deco-inspired crown molding, pays homage to the classic Upper West Side style. This Old World glamour extends to the interior as well, with ornate leaf patterned mosaic tiles adorning the lobby and William Morris-inspired custom wallpaper adding to the dramatic elegance.

"Inside, the modern and efficient layouts feature lots of marble, rift-sawn oak floors, and high-end appliances conducive to today’s lifestyles,” says Glascock.

Large living and dining rooms have mansion weave parquet patterned floors and casement windows providing sweeping views of the Hudson River and Midtown skyline. 

Cooking and gathering with family and friends will be a joy in the Gourmet kitchens, lavishly appointed with Calacatta marble islands, gray oak cabinetry, and fixtures by Lefroy Brooks.

The bathrooms are nothing short of luxurious, with light streaming through the large casement windows and Empire-style soaking tubs, accentuated with marble topped elm vanities and rattan marble and porcelain mosaic floors that beautifully highlight the wood flooring throughout the home.

The residents of 207W79 will appreciate amenities, such as the stately 24-hour attended lobby, on-site fitness studio, playroom with bleacher seating and cushioned benches, and bike room. Private storage is also available for purchase.

Located next to the Lucerne Hotel, 207W79 is ideally situated between Central Park and Riverside Park. The building’s prime location provides access to such cultural highlights as Columbia University, the Beacon Theater, and the New York Historical Society, while being conveniently close to numerous world class shopping and gourmet dining opportunities.

“The residences at 207W79 feature open views of one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in Manhattan,” says Beth Fisher, senior managing director of Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group. “The interior finishes recall historic motifs in a distinctly transitional building that will offer occupancy 2017."

Images courtesy of Moso Studios 

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The world’s most expensive apartment is located in Monaco's Tour Odéon and can be yours for $335 million, according to published reports.

The outrageous residence is located within Tour Odéon, which, at 558 feet high, is the Principality’s tallest newly-built residential building. A collaboration between developer Groupe Marzocco, architect Alexandre Giraldi, and interior designer Alberto Pinto, the building stands in a quiet district and provides exquisite views from the Principality to the Mediterranean Sea, while being within five minutes of the bustling center of Monaco.

The dazzling 31,500-square-foot, ocean-facing penthouse occupies the 45th through the 49th floors and boasts unparalleled 360-degree views over the sea. One of the most notable highlights is a fabulous outdoor circular rooftop infinity pool and deck, with a water slide that descends from a dance floor directly into the pool, redefining the concept of a luxury playground.

As described in the Tour Odéon website, the residences enjoy a "spaciousness that is enhanced by the floor-to-ceiling glass walls and seemingly endless views of the Mediterranean below. Bathrooms and kitchens offer a blend of practicality and impeccable style. Each is fitted out to the highest specification with the most advanced appliances from the most prestigious and respected names in these fields."

With five main bedrooms, finely crafted and finished with top quality materials and bath surfaces lined with marble and different colored stones, the design is dramatically luxurious adding contrast and drama. There are five kitchens––one on each floor––with sleek cabinets and appliances. Shiny stone countertops with undermounted sinks heighten the modern effect. The terraces feature vine covered walls, palm trees, and sculpture-like glass walls.

Owners at Tour Odeon have use of hotel type amenities, including a 24/7 concierge, a private cinema or screening room, valet parking, a private Mercedes shuttle service, a state-of-the-art business center, and a soon-to-be-opened restaurant called L'Odeon Cafe, by Cipriani. Another perk of ownership is the usage of the Odéon Spa, also designed by Alberto Pinto agency, where tenants can enjoy the brand Sisley and a Phyto-Aromatic Treatment Programme offered at only a handful of the world’s most prestigious establishments.

According to Forbes, owners of luxury real estate in Monaco must become full-time residents, and broker Edward de Mallet Morgan of Knight Frank, which represents other units in the building, says that occupants are mainly European, Russian, and Middle Eastern. “There’s nothing like [Tour Odéon] in Monaco—nothing brand new, built to this quality, of this height or with amenities to rival top hotels and other top developments in London, New York and Asia,” de Mallet Morgan says.

Images courtesy of Tour Odéon 

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Comprised of nearly four miles of beachfront and more than 2,200 hundred acres—including the cherished, historic land where Santa Barbara was initially discovered by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542—this is one of the rarest real estate offerings in the country.

Here is a look at each individual property:

Dos Pueblos

A spectacular oceanfront ranch, Dos Pueblos is the site where Santa Barbara was first discovered. The 214-acre estate encompasses the five-bedroom, seven-bath "Casa Grande," a majestic 1920s Spanish-style mansion, as well as eight additional homes, apartment buildings, and barns. Flourishing with avocados, cherimoyas and many specimen trees, the self-contained village also possesses a unique abalone aquaculture operation, with a recirculating pipeline into the ocean. This property is being offered for $50 million.

Las Varas

Available for the first time in over 50 years, the 1800-acre Las Varas Ranch— stretching between the Pacific Ocean and Los Padres National Forest—boasts over two miles of unspoiled coastline and Edwards Point, hailed for its world-renowned surf break. The site of seven turn-of-the-century homes, the property consists of 160 acres of avocados and lemons and over 500 acres of pristine, gentle ranch land, with pastures, barns, and a lighted arena, making this an ideal working spread for housing horses and cattle. Another highlight is the 18-acre private lake that overlooks the entire ranch, providing unobstructed, panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands. This outrageous property is being offered for $108,000,000 million.

Naples

Naples is one of the most momentous properties on the California coast, due to its incredible potential for development. According to the property listing, this coastal bluff-top gem features one mile of ocean frontage and contains over 30 legal lots, which presents an opportunity for a sale to a conservation buyer interested in maintaining the property in a largely undeveloped state. South Naples offers 200 level acres, which have been divided into 80 legal parcels. Also included is a historic town site from the 1800s, still on the maps as the City of Naples. Named after Naples, Italy, in 1888 by then owner John Williams, this property is being offered for $39,850,000 million.

The complete listings can be found here.

Images courtesy of Kerry Mormann & Associates

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MahaNakhon

A jaw-dropping spire rising over 1,030 feet high, MahaNakhon tower, Thailand’s tallest skyscraper, is the newest construction in Bangkok's financial district.

Designed by German architect Ole Scheeren, formerly of OMA (Office for Metropolitan Architecture), the mixed-use high-rise appears to be pixelated with an exterior broken up by bands of cubes. These incongruous surfaces, which create the appearance of a laceration in the tower, provide terraces and balconies with unobstructed panoramic views of the city.

Scheeren says that he hopes the design will challenge the more typical monolith-style of many contemporary towers and create “the visual effect of disintegration,” according to Curbed.

The name MahaNakhon comes from the translation of "Bangkok" in Thai—Krung Thep Mahanakhon—meaning “great metropolis.” While it certainly leaves a dramatic impact visually, the high-rise was designed to minimize impact on its environmental surroundings, with waste water treatment before release, low-E triple-glazed glass windows to insulate the residences, a large landscaped greenery area, energy efficient lights and elevators, an automated parking system, and VRV air conditioning systems, according to MahaNakhon's website.

Five main elements comprise the 1.6 million-square-foot, multi-purpose tower: The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Bangkok; The Bangkok Edition, a luxury boutique hotel; MahaNakhon CUBE, a smaller commercial retail component; MahaNakhon Observatory—a multi-level tourist destination with exhibition and retail; and MahaNakhon Square, an outdoor landscaped plaza.

Ritz-Carlton Residences, Bangkok

The 209 Ritz-Carlton-branded residences—offered for $1.4 million to $10 million—include terraces and "skyboxes" that make each home feel like a penthouse. Ranging from two to five bedrooms, as well as single-floor and duplex layouts, the homes provide sweeping panoramic views, high ceilings, and stunning interiors. Inspired by the work of David Collins Studio, these residences offer a choice of two interior design styles: contemporary classic or contemporary modern. Residents also enjoy a wide range of Ritz-Carlton amenities, such as The Owner’s Lounge, which is exclusively accessible by residents.

Ritz-Carlton Residences

Bangkok EDITION—a collaboration between Marriott International and renowned hotelier Ian Schrager—is the sixth EDITION-branded hotel in addition to those in London, Miami, and New York. It offers an exceptional lodging experience with modern, personalized service, for which the boutique luxury hotel is revered.

MahaNakhon Rooftop Bar

The MahaNakhon Observatory offers visitors the feeling of walking on air, with a rooftop viewing platform from the highest point in Bangkok, and a cantilevered glass balcony that extends beyond the building. There is also a rooftop bar, which will be open every night. Tourists may purchase tickets for the Observatory, which also features a dedicated exhibition at the base of the tower, celebrating the history and future of Bangkok.

MahaNakhon Square

MahaNakhon Square is a 1,0763.9-square-foot landscaped public plaza in front of the tower. Designed for cultural and activities, including art exhibitions and concerts, the Square provides a lush and tranquil oasis in the middle of Bangkok’s bustling business district.

MahaNakhon Cube

The MahaNakhon Cube, a smaller structure within the development, will offer over 10,000 square feet of Bangkok’s finest commercial retail, dining, and lifestyle outlets, including international brands like L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon and a Dean & DeLuca Gourmet Food Hall, which is to be expected, as the building’s developer, Sorapoj Techakraisri of PACE Development Corporation, bought the upmarket grocery chain in 2014.

The project has been estimated to have cost $620 million.

Images courtesy of MahaNakhon

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Shelter Island Estate on Montana’s Flathead Lake

Offering an unparalleled combination of privacy and natural beauty, Montana’s stately "Shelter Island Estate," situated on over 22 private island acres and surrounded by Flathead Lake––one of the cleanest lakes in the world––is on the market for $39 million.

Shelter Island Estate 

Shelter Island Estate sits on 4,800 feet of private, secluded lakefront access

Boasting 22,000 square feet—with over 4,800 feet of private, secluded lakefront access—the estate consists of three levels, each being accessible via commercial grade elevator, according to the property listing.

The estate has three levels, each level accessible via commercial grade elevator.

Resembling a miniature castle, the majestic residence has five bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a commercial grade gourmet kitchen, a dining area––with wine cellar, an observatory, an indoor shooting range, and a heated boat stall with a custom rail system, making boat access seamless and easy. There is also a mahogany-lined office with a full balcony and a limestone fireplace.

The majestic great room boasts 45-foot-high ceilings

The stunning great room, with 45-foot ceilings, is enveloped in the sweeping views of Flathead Lake. The usage of Carrara marble throughout the estate adds to the opulent effect.

The estate has  commercial grade gourmet kitchen with custom mahogany cabinets

The master bedroom, elegant with custom mahogany cabinets, trim, and accents, features its own outside portico and porch area, offering the ultimate setting for relaxation and privacy. The four additional suites are outfitted with the same level of craftsmanship and materials as the master.

The master bedroom features its own private outdoor space

A two-bedroom, 2,600-square-foot guesthouse, which doubles as a boathouse, has two granite fireplaces and a steam room.

Also on the property is a 1,200-square-foot utility facility that houses the generator, and a 1,800 square-foot shop that serves as an ideal location for storage of boats, water skis, four-wheelers, and other recreational equipment or projects.

View the full listing here.

Images by Bryce Muench / GravityShots, courtesy of Glacier Sotheby’s International Realty

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The brownstone has a historic pre-war Italianate facade

An exquisite Fort Greene celebrity brownstone has just hit the market for $5,600,000. One of Brooklyn’s landmark properties at 52 South Oxford St., this five-story 1860s mansion boasts 5,600 square feet of floor space, in addition to a huge basement level and a lovely garden patio.

The open chef’s kitchen features a Paperstone island, Miele refrigerator and Wolf stove with a built-in grill

Fans of the HBO series “GIRLS” may recognize the home, as it was featured as a character (season 2, episode 5, titled “One Man’s Trash") when Hannah (played by Lena Dunham) wandered into a doctor’s (played by Patrick Wilson) house and had a 24-hour affair. The jaw-dropping home has also been featured on "Difficult People," "Elementary," "SNL," Glamour Magazine, Food and Wine Magazine, and in numerous commercials.

While it has been completely gut-renovated to its current modern state, the property has managed to retain its original craftsmanship and historic charm. The majestic pre-war Italianate facade gives an indication of the beauty beyond the front door.

The entrance parlor boasts 13-foot ceilings and a working fireplace

Once inside, there is a stunning parlor floor—with a working fireplace—featuring 13-foot ceilings and its original 19th century woodwork. A winding staircase connects the brownstone’s five levels.

“The home is just so comfortable, spacious, eclectic, and gorgeous you really never want to leave it," says broker Amy Wendling of Douglas Elliman. "You walk in and you know it’s home.” Currently configured to accommodate three separate families—with strong rental income—there are five sweeping living areas and seven stunning bedrooms. Ideal for cooking for friends and family, the open chef's kitchen is graciously appointed with a Paperstone island, Miele refrigerator, and Wolf Stove with built-in grill.

Just off the garden bedroom is a walled sun room

The lovely garden patio provides an excellent opportunity to relax or entertain guests al fresco. The basement level offers an ideal space for storage or a wine cellar.

The home is currently owned by actor, screenwriter, and sometimes interior designer, Billy Morrissette

The property is well positioned on a lovely tree-lined street in a highly desired neighborhood filled with popular gourmet restaurants, shops, and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. It is just a half a block from Fort Greene Park and a block and a half away from the subway.

View the listing here.

Images courtesy of Douglas Elliman

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Ryan Serhant and Robert Canberg of the Serhant Team at Nest Seekers International are the agents who represent the listings. “We are ecstatic to see such excitement surrounding The Residences at Gurney’s,” Serhant comments. “The buyer profiles represent a local as well as international group of who’s who in the world of finance, tech, publishing, and entertainment. People are looking for a place that provides the full-service lifestyle that is so readily available in big cities like Manhattan, and Gurney’s had cornered the market here in Montauk. There is nothing else like this.”

Partners George Filopoulos and Lloyd Goldman, who developed the complex in late 2015, and who also own the adjacent Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa, are very pleased with the speed in which the Residences are being swooped up. “In the past three years, Gurney’s Montauk has undergone various renovations and updates to become the leading luxury lifestyle property in the Hamptons and one of the most exciting resort destinations in the country,” Filopoulos says. “The addition of The Residences, and their quick sales, demonstrates how coveted this scarce oceanfront commodity is, especially with the offer of an all-encompassing experience.”

The Residences at Gurney’s present an extraordinary opportunity, as they are positioned closer to the ocean than it would be possible to be built today. Ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 square feet, there are 12 properties in total: four two-bedrooms, three three-bedrooms, four four-bedrooms, and one five-bedroom.

In addition to living in a prime location, owners of The Residences will also have access to the luxurious Gurney’s lifestyle and amenities, which include: butler service; home maintenance; dedicated beach cabanas; beach nannies; watersport equipment storage; seawater spa and pool; and access to Gurney’s food and beverage program, including Scarpetta Beach and room service.

The Residences will certainly set a new precedence for luxury lifestyle, where the future owners will enjoy residing on the most pristine 1,000-foot stretch of beach, while indulging in the first-rate amenities of the Hamptons’ only world-class, full-service, year-round resort.

Images courtesy of The Serhant Team at Nest Seekers International

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Completion of ‘Spire London’ is scheduled for 2020

The 771-foot-tall "Spire London"—expected to be completed in 2020—will be Western Europe’s tallest residential tower. Designed by Larry Malcic and Christopher Colosimo of HOK, the 67-story building plan was launched by Greenland Group, one of China’s largest luxury residential developers. Nicola Fontanella of Argent Design will design the interiors.

The angled roof offers the opportunity to use external space as private terraces

According to HOK’s website, the petal-shaped design was inspired by the orchid, a flower cultivated in China for more than 3,000 years. Three petals form the tower’s pinnacle, creating faceted glass façades with "prow" and "bow" contours, while the angled roof allows for external terraces in the penthouse. The bronze-colored metal detailing on the lower levels of the tower were inspired by the historic tan bricks of the neighboring buildings along the dock basin.

Surrounding the tower, a new public space includes a paved plaza

The tower has been designed to provide the highest and most far-reaching views of London ever provided by apartments in the capital, encompassing the Thames, Canary Wharf, the City of London, and numerous famous and historic landmarks. There will be an impressive nine elevators to transport the residents to and from their floors.

Featuring 861 luxury suites and duplex penthouses, the Spire London tower will surely revitalize its Canary Wharf location. The development will have welcoming communal amenity pavilions, such as glass winter gardens, landscaped terraces, public open spaces, and outdoor and indoor children’s play areas.

Residents will enjoy with the concierge service and five-star lifestyle amenities, including a spa with a swimming pool, lounge areas, and a jacuzzi. There is also a gymnasium and fitness studio with changing facilities.

The tower’s lobby has been designed to recall the quality and appearance of a boutique hotel

The club room boasts a central cocktail bar, lounge seating, and wine displays, while the cinema—complete with automated blinds—provides a first-rate venue for entertaining.

Bronze-colored metal detailing has been specified to complement the existing brickwork

“Spire London will create a new iconic landmark on the London skyline,” Yuliang Zhang, chairman, and president of Greenland Group commented to designboom. “This tower will be Western Europe’s tallest residential building and underlines London’s enduring status as a world-class city and destination. This is Greenland Group’s most important project in Europe, and will deliver exceptional new homes for Londoners.’

Images courtesy of HOK

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Heidelberg Village, the world’s largest passive housing (ultra-energy-efficient) complex is currently under construction in Germany. Designed by Wolfgang Frey and his sustainable architecture firm Frey Architekten, the complex is comprised of two buildings—one five stories high, and the other ranging from five to eight stories—that sit on a piece of land in a former freight yard, roughly the size of a football field, in Heidelberg, according to the firm's website. Plastered with energy-producing solar panels on the facades—not just on the roof—the 162-unit apartment complex will feature grassed double facades, rooftop gardens, and vertical gardens that create the atmosphere of a green oasis and allow for a balanced microclimate.

Frey and his team designed Heidelberg Village to encompass a wide variety of people of all ages and stages in life, with apartments ranging from one-bedroom, to spacious five-bedroom town homes. The project partners are convinced that such diversity is essential to creating a community that will be attractive and vital in the long term. All apartments are wheelchair-accessible and feature a private balcony or roof terrace. In both buildings, there are two elevators.

In addition to the solar power and modern ventilation systems allowing the complex to be energy efficient, the Heidelberg Village website states that titanium added to the wall color will also contribute to the sustainability of the building, as it turns smog into harmless nitrates and oxygen.

Frey’s “Five-Finger-Principle,” which considers “ecology, affordability, integration, innovation, and profitability” to be part of the process, is guiding the building of the complex. Viewing sustainability in a holistic way, the ultimate goal of Frey Architekten is “building a home environment to last a lifetime.”

Creating conditions that will allow for a successful neighborhood to flourish, Heidelberg Village offers many inviting spaces for everyday, casual encounters, and coexistence. There will be playgrounds, roof gardens, semipublic open spaces, lounges in the hallways, and the Quartier Forum, which will be like an "extended living room."

The architects have also announced an innovative plan to create a connection between the future residents of Heidelberg Village and the workers who built their homes. They will be having a weekly lunch to which the construction workers and future residents will be invited, giving the two groups the opportunity to dine together, with the aim being to foster a deep sense of community and belonging.

Frey explained in a press release, “Our idea is to build a strong community identity by inviting potential residents to our weekly soup kitchen to meet the construction workers and learn more about the people behind the scenes. Through consistent interaction, the entire complex will bond over food and friendship.”

Heidelberg Village is expected to be completed by 2017.

Images courtesy of Frey Architekten

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Artist rendering of the Fendi Château Residences

The first Fendi Château Residences is projected to open in Surfside, Florida, on Sept. 30, 2016. In collaboration with real estate developer Château Group and architecture firm Arquitectonica, this will be Fendi's first foray into the U.S. real estate market.

Artist rendering of the entrance from Collins Avenue

Presenting the perfect combination of excellence in design and lifestyle experience in the South Florida market, Fendi Château has attracted a diverse, global clientele. The 12-story property is located on three acres of oceanfront property in the town of Surfside, Florida, situated between the city of Miami Beach to the south and the village of Bal Harbour to the north. Just three blocks south of Bal Harbour luxury shops, the property is within walking distance to the best of shopping and dining.

Artist rendering of Fendi Château Residences' two outdoor swimming pools

“Surfside is becoming the new Bal Harbour," says Manuel Grosskopf, president of Château Group. "The Residences will not only offer world-class living, but direct access to an upscale urban retail and dining environment.”

Artist rendering of the reception area at the Fendi Château Residences

Fendi Château Residences is comprised of 58 expansive floor-through waterfront apartments and penthouses with sweeping panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. Boasting 10- to 11-foot ceilings, the homes range from 3,325 to over 7,000 square feet, and from three to five bedrooms. Stylized interiors, curated by Fendi Casa, feature east to west exposures, terraces, and spacious living quarters and master suites. Fendi Château Attaché, will be providing five-star white glove concierge services, offering the ultimate Fendi Château experience for residents.

Artist rendering of a Fendi Terrace at the Fendi Château Residences

Tenants will surely enjoy the exclusive indoor and outdoor luxury amenities, such as dedicated elevators into private foyers for all residences, two outdoor swimming pools—with poolside cabanas—surrounded by lush tropical gardens, a state-of-the-art fitness center overlooking the pool, and a private spa with an indoor European thermal pool. There is also a private cinema and business/media center, kid’s club, and private restaurant with a full chef's kitchen for casual and formal dining. The entrance is gated with 24-hour security. Additionally, there are doorman and valet services, underground parking, and even special elevators for those observing Shabbat.

Artist rendering of a Fendi Lounge

There are eight remaining available units––one of which is a penthouse––ranging in price from $6.3 million to $25 million.

Established by Adele and Edoardo Fendi in Rome in 1925 with the opening of the first Fendi boutique—a handbag shop and fur workshop—the house of Fendi was soon winning international acclaim as a brand renowned for its elegance, craftsmanship, innovation, and style.

Images Courtesy of Château Group

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Daren Metropoulos, who purchased the Playboy Mansion for $100 million in June, had announced at the time of the sale that he plans to combine it with the estate next door—which he had purchased from Hefner for $18 million in 2009. Once the two Tudor Revival-style estates are enjoined, the 7.3-acre property will embody the original concept laid out by architect Arthur Roland Kelly in 1929.

It was reported that there was a stipulation in the sale that Hugh Hefner be permitted to live at the mansion for the rest of his life. Once he has moved on to the mansion in the sky, experts familiar with the property told The Read Deal that it will need to undergo a major renovation, costing anywhere from $20 to $100 million dollars, and taking four to six years.

Metroupolis will surely not be intimidated by the need to renovate and restore the mansion. When he bought the property next door—also designed by Kelly—he carried out major renovations. The challenge will be to fully upgrade and renovate the property while preserving its rich history.

The Playboy Mansion was originally the home of British-born Arthur Letts, the developer of Holmby Hills and heir of Broadway Department Stores. Letts passed away before being able to create his own manor in the 400-acre neighborhood—which he named after his childhood village of Holdenby, according to Curbed—so Arthur Letts Jr. hired Arthur Roland Kelly to design a "high-society" estate. In 1926, the Los Angeles Times reported, “The work of landscaping the grounds is now under way, rare plants and trees for the estate being furnished by the famous Letts hothouses in Hollywood.”

Kelly certainly succeeded in creating a "high-society" home. The finished estate boasted a redwood grove, an aviary and a secret bar. Metroupolis will surely appreciate the arboretum, which is still in existence today.  Letts Jr. lived in the sweeping residence until his death in 1959, throughout the course of his three marriages. The next owners of the mansion were aerospace inventor Louis Statham and his wife Anne, who bought the home in 1961. The Stathams carried out a two-year renovation, in which a new playhouse—which would later become a trophy room, game room and meeting room—was added.

Finally, in 1971, the mansion became The Playboy Mansion, when Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Enterprises acquired it, in what was then the largest real estate transaction in L.A.’s history, for just over $1 million.

Images courtesy of Hilton & Hyland

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"Tetris House" was designed by Janjaap Ruijssenaars of Universe Architecture

Universe Architecture offers three basic sizes of steel units, and residents can place elements, such as bathrooms or kitchens, wherever they want, according to New Atlas. Within each configuration, these elements can rotate to find their optimal position. Residents are also able to attach accessories like shutters and balconies to steel strips on the houses’ Meccano-like façades. In addition to allowing for design customization, the structure of Tetris House also makes it possible for residents to add more space to their homes, which typically measure 1,884 square feet.

The company says that once the configuration of the blocks has been decided upon, the houses will remain that way, for the most part. However, should a change be required, the blocks can be moved around and slotted back together in a different order by using a crane, without too much difficulty.

Ruijssenaars is said to have designed the project in response to an inquiry from a client in 2009 who requested fewer houses than were possible on a plot, and all having 360-degree views. While nothing resulted with that particular client, Universe continued working on the concept, committed to the goal of creating a housing system that would allow for maximum flexibility of space and design, while offering 360-degree views and naturally distributed light. The team saw the great value in being able to license this model to developers, who in turn, could allow future residents to have options based on their preferences.

A typical "Tetris House" measures 1,884 square feet

The first installment of Tetris House is in the Netherlands, and features the design work of Dutch firm i29. Aiming to emphasize the beauty of the surrounding nature, the renowned firm envisioned floating self-sufficient Tetris Houses, seamlessly blending efficiency with luxury. Universe Architecture says the company is currently looking to expand production to different countries.

Janjaap Ruijssenaars is well known for imaginative projects like "Floating Bed" (which was elected “Best Invention” by Time magazine), "Landscape House," and "Gravity Energy."

Images courtesy of Universe Architecture

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A new report in Zillow states that nearly 1.9 million coastal homes nationwide are at risk of being underwater by 2100. Thirty-six coastal cities could be left entirely underwater, with nearly 300 cities losing at least half their homes, says writer, Krishna Rao, Director of Economic Product & Research at Zillow.

According to the research, Florida is the state most greatly at risk, with an estimated 934,411 properties—whose combined total value exceeds $412 billion—expected to be flooded if the sea levels rise as predicted by the scientists. Miami Beach, where nearly 37,500 homes would be affected, reportedly plans to spend half a billion dollars over the next several years to install pumps and raise roads and sea walls.

More than 42,000 California homes—having a combined total value of $49.2 billion—are at stake, with Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and Long Beach reported to be the most vulnerable regions. New Jersey ($93.1 billion in housing damage), New York ($71 billion), Massachusetts ($51.2 billion), South Carolina ($45 billion), and Hawaii ($25.3 billion) would be the next hardest hit states, according to the report.

Dr. Svenja Gudell, Chief Economist at Zillow, was quoted as saying, “It’s easy to think about how the ocean levels can affect the coasts in an abstract sense, but this analysis shows the real impact it will have on nearly two million homeowners who could lose their homes.“

On March 31, the scientific journal, Nature published research warning that sea levels could rise six feet by the year 2100. This new estimate nearly doubles previous expectations for rising oceans. Predominantly caused by melting Antarctic ice sheets, it was noted that reducing emissions to zero over the next 50 to 60 years would likely keep the sea level increase closer to two feet.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) collects data on which parts of coastal states will be flooded at various levels for the sea to rise. The team at Zillow combined this data with the location and value of homes in each state and city to determine the value of housing at risk if sea levels do, in fact, rise to six feet.

Benjamin Strauss, climate impact scientist and director of the nonprofit news organization, Climate Central, told The Washington Post that while the study’s findings represent potentially grave problems for many coastal areas in the decades ahead, the century beginning in 2100 could see truly catastrophic shifts, unless societies make sharp cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.

Sources include Zillow, The Washington Post, and Nature

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

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On a glorious beachfront lot, the six-bedroom, five-bathroom house features large bay windows, a wrap-around screened porch and exterior patios, allowing the residents to fully enjoy the unparalleled views of the ocean and the Saybrook Light House.

The large formal dining room is ideal for dinner parties, with its exceptionally high ceilings and a fireplace. Adding to its charisma, the room is surrounded by charming blue stone patios and small flower and vegetable gardens. More casual dining can be enjoyed al fresco, in the long wrap-around screened porch.

While this house has retained its historic charm, it has all of the comforts that a modern family could need or want. The kitchen is very well appointed, with Sub-Zero appliances that include a dishwasher; garbage disposal; electric cooktop; gas cooktop; oven/range; and refrigerator.

Entertaining guests or just relaxing with family and friends will be delightful in the vast living room, with its large fireplace and bay windows. It is easy to imagine Katharine Hepburn lounging luxuriously on the window seat overlooking the lighthouse, or meditating in the adjoining family/yoga room.

Upstairs, the south wing of the house has three lovely bedrooms, each boasting a stunning water view. The master suite and a large office are located in the north wing.

A renovated private wing serves as a year-round in-law apartment. Designed to provide optimum privacy, the apartment has its own bedroom, kitchenette, office and bath.

Other highlights of this extraordinary property include a cedar sauna and a detached garage. The outdoor space also includes a barn, garden area, gas grill, shed, and terrace. Residents have access to the famed links, tennis, swimming, and the yacht club. The water side of the house has been carefully preserved and upgraded with newly renovated bathrooms. There is also a laundry room on the first floor.

The Middlesex County town of Old Saybrook—home to the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center—takes pride in the preservation of historically meaningful buildings and landmarks. One such building is the Old Saybrook Train Station, where Amtrak provides commuter rail service. In addition, the Estuary Transit District offers public transportation throughout the community and surrounding towns.

Images courtesy of William Pitt Sotheby's Realty

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Developed as a joint project between Property Markets Group and Madison Equities, the 16-story triangle-shaped condo tower was inspired by the iconic Flatiron building, and is the tallest residential building in SoHo, according to the development's public relations team.

“The experience of living in SoHo, an authentic historic neighborhood of the city, in a brand new condominium featuring an array of amenities and residences with expansive views and generous proportions sets 10 Sullivan apart as a truly unique and spectacular building,” said Kevin Maloney, Founder of Property Markets Group.Encompassing the top two levels of 10 Sullivan, the five-bedroom, five-bath duplex penthouse has a total of 6,885 square feet—5,503 square feet of interior space and 1,382 square feet of outdoor space, with a wrap-around terrace and private rooftop.
The spacious rooftop encompasses almost 1,000 square feet and is surrounded by breathtaking 360-degree views of the skyline. Complete with an outdoor kitchen and grill, this lush landscaped private oasis provides a glorious setting for dining, entertaining, exercising, or relaxing.

The stunning residence features 23-foot ceilings and multi-paned casement windows, framing panoramic views of the Empire State building, Hudson River Park, One World Trade Center, and more.

An impressive 20-foot wide chef's eat-in kitchen features Coliform Danish walnut cabinetry; Lagano marble countertop and backsplash; a Julien sink; Lefroy Brooks fixtures; and Sub-Zero, Miele, and Viking appliances.

Striking the perfect balance between simplicity and luxury, the sleek master bedroom is airy and bright, with light streaming in its huge windows. Motorized shades, oil-rubbed Danish oak, and radiant heated flooring throughout the home add to the warm and welcoming effect. Lighting, temperature, and entertainment are controlled—with the touch of a tablet—by Savant Home Automation Systems.

The stunning master bathroom glows in light bouncing off its pure Dolomite marble floor, walls, and vanities. The majestic marble steam shower room has a glass door that looks out onto the Empire State Building, and an inviting freestanding bathtub is placed in front of large wall of windows, providing picture-perfect views. Located on Sullivan Street between Broome and Spring streets, 10 Sullivan leaves nothing to be desired.

Building amenities include a 24-hour concierge, an integrated security systems, keyed elevators, a sunlit fitness center, stroller and bicycle storage, tempered and filtered fresh air, and individual storage facilities with parking spaces available for purchase.

Images courtesy of 10 Sullivan

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Developed by Silverstein Properties and designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects, Four Seasons Private Residences New York Downtown combines the very best in state-of-the-art design with the highest level of service and hospitality, exemplifying the new model for luxury living.

30 Park Place stands 926 feet tall and has 82 stories. Its 157 residences are perched atop a Four Seasons Hotel, ensconced in unparalleled 360-degree views of New York City. Design highlights include oversized bay windows, high ceilings reaching nearly 14 feet, and solid white oak wood flooring in three different patterns.

Robert A.M. Stern, founder of Robert A.M. Stern Architects, commented on the work: “We’re reinventing a New York tradition. 30 Park Place will recall the towers of the 1920s and '30s with an intricacy of shape and a strong skyline silhouette. You’ll get a first impression that’s a knockout, and then, as your eye travels over the surfaces, you’ll begin to see a depth of detail.”

The residences' hotel-style amenities include in-room dining; housekeeping; personal, child, and pet care; town car and travel services; and spa and salon services. Residents also have access to the Four Seasons Hotel amenities, which include a fitness facility with a glass walled yoga room; a screening room; a private dining room with appliqué decorative ceiling, catering kitchen, and adjacent loggia; a double height conservatory with a baby grand piano; a lounge, a children’s room, a 75-foot swimming pool with adjacent steam rooms, and a luxurious spa.

While its world class amenities will make being at home feel like a sumptuous vacation, 30 Park Place is situated in the heart of Tribeca, one of Manhattan's most vibrant downtown neighborhoods. Residents will be ideally located, steps from lower Manhattan's greatest dining (Le District, Delmonico’s, Hudson Stalls), shopping (Brookfield place), and the South Street Seaport.

The building is attracting residents and investors alike as it presents a great opportunity for rental income. Victoria Shtainer, CEO and founder, The Victoria Shtainer Team, when asked why her clients have been interested in 30 Park Place, replied, "My clients were looking for amenities and hotel style living, and there is nothing else that can compare to Four Seasons and 30 Park Place. This building is the only one like this, offering unparalleled amenities and spectacular city views."

Information courtesy of The Victoria Stainer Team/Images courtesy of 30 Park Place

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The result was nothing short of incredible, as within a white box apartment, the designers created a large volume Amsterdam office entirely from super-versatile cardboard.

Nothing Amsterdam office by designers Joost van Bleiswijk and Alrik Koudenburg. Even the stairs are made of cardboard.

The ingenious designers crafted an entire office space—complete with desks, tables, bookshelves, columns, stairs, and even rooms—with carefully cut and folded sheets of 15-millimeter honeycomb cardboard. While each piece is structurally stable, if for any reason one of the items gets damaged, it can be easily and inexpensively replaced.

Tea is served at the Nothing Cardboard Office, on the cardboard conference table

The style of the office was modeled after van Bleiswijk’s "no glue, no screw" technique, in which the form follows function and only the most basic elements remain.  This concept is in perfect harmony with the Nothing agency's  philosophy, Koudenburg says on his website, "Nothing is about the power of ideas, how a single idea can transform nothing into something. Using a cheap throw-away material to build a unique and memorial work space, seemed a good way to materialize this thought."

A Comfortable U-shaped sofa with recycled patchwork cushions

Drawing inspiration from historic industrial design objects, van Bleiswijk’s design work is sustainable, versatile and timeless, not to mention brilliantly creative. He explains: "I find it interesting to work with construction methods to create techniques that work as dogma for my designs. I create contemporary versions of forgotten objects such as the grandfather clock, hourglass, chessboard and goblet. I draw inspiration from the past and study hundreds of years of product design to find archetypes and conclusions of shapes that lie in history. It's not only the style of design I find very important but the object itself; I choose objects that tell a story."

A meeting room with sliding doors for privacy

Inside the white box, everything is made out of cardboard

Fun, friendly drawings adorn the walls and columns

A cardboard sign featuring the Nothing logo greets at the studio's entrance

Images and information courtesy of Inhabitat and Joost van Bleiswijk Design

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The lower Fifth Avenue apartment is crowned with a 1,000-square-foot greenhouse which served as her studio, in which she painted her colorful floral still lives. Freilicher had the distinction of being a highly revered friend and muse to a group of celebrated literary figures including Frank O'Hara, James Schuyler, and Pulitzer Prize-winning John Ashbery, inspiring them to dedicate their works to her, feature her name in their poetry, and even state that she—metaphorically—walked on water.

This uniquely valuable offering boasts high ceilings throughout, a woodburning fireplace, and authentic detail which dates back to the Jazz Age. The beautiful Penthouse is bathed in sunlight thanks to three large terraces on two levels, and the large splendid greenhouse.

Adding to its charm, the apartment has beautifully scaled rooms, beamed ceilings, and classic panoramic village views from four exposures. There is a stone staircase which leads up to a nearly 1000-square-foot greenhouse atelier, which the new owner could transform into into an entertaining space, starlit living room, or a studio.

Built in 1929 atop one 51 Fifth Avenue—one of Greenwich Village's most distinguished buildings on Lower Fifth Avenue's "Gold Coast"— the space was home to Freilicher and her family for the last 50 years of her life.

The elegant pre-war building has full time doorman, live in super, two automatic elevators, bicycle storage and a gym. One can't help but wonder if the person who buys this beautiful home will also go on to inspire great works of art and literature.

 Images and details courtesy of Douglas Elliman and Curbed 

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Appropriately named The Amethyst Hotel, the design was proposed as part of a luxury hotel chain that will have multiple locations around the world, the first one being on the man-made island of Ocean Flower, China. Based on the original hotel layouts of John Portman, the hotel's design was inspired by the semiprecious stone for its striking beauty and vibrant color, in addition to its universal association with properties such as the  ability to heal illness and bring good fortune.

These quartz buildings are cut in half to reveal a purple crystalline surface. The hotel rooms are clustered in the center of the tall tower and will be faced with geometric, crystal-like glass tinted purple. This arrangement allows every room to enjoy panoramic views and an abundance of natural light, while invoking the healing qualities of amethyst.

Contrasting with the vibrant purple crystalline windows, the interior features a minimalist design of cool and gray tones. Each room connects to a circulatory corridor that spans the width of the hotel. At night, the hotel’s central crystallized void lights up to create a vibrant glowing effect.

Ocean Flower, China is a suitable choice for the site of the first hotel, as the amethyst holds an important place in the Chinese art of feng shui.  The chunky crystalline room windows are not only meant to reinforce the symbolic aesthetic of the hotel, but to present a contrast with the smooth exterior. The cathedral-like appearance of the building is meant to evoke feelings of grandeur and a welcoming sense of hospitality.

Images and information courtesy of Architizer and Inhabitat

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The challenge for Hilton had been to find a home in which she could reside with her seven dogs. She found the perfect solution with this 2,396-square-foot penthouse, which boasts a fabulous 905-square-foot private rooftop terrace overlooking Manhattan's NoHo neighborhood, and is just a few steps away from the very popular Washington Square Park.

Here is a tour of Paris Hilton's $4.9 million penthouse:

Hilton's new stomping ground is located within the historical Broadway McKenna Building at 738 Broadway, which was built as a warehouse in 1867.  After a complete remodel job by Karl Fischer and Andres Escobar, the structure has been completely transformed. According to the building's website, this unit is a "rare and impressive full floor loft condominium,"

With an elevator that opens directly into the entrance foyer of the home, the apartment has a spacious and bright living room with a beautiful white calcutta marble fireplace and wide planked Brazilian Cherry hardwood floors.  There are impressive ceiling heights just under 12 feet, and huge windows overlooking Cooper Square.

The master suite is inviting and peaceful, with natural hardwood floors, a platform bed, and a lounge area near the door. Flattering recessed lighting adds a warm glow. The ultra-sleek modern master bath features a walk-in shower and jacuzzi tub surrounded by Calcatta Gold Marble and finished with GRAFF, KOHLER and JACLO fixtures. The walls are also framed by the Calcatta Gold Marble, and the countertops fitted with Ceasarstone.

The kitchen is outfitted with top of the line appliances and finishes. The countertops are dark brown quartz, the lower cabinets are a high gloss wenge, the upper cabinets are high gloss white and the island countertop is white quartz. The oven and cooktop stove are by Wolf, while the refrigerator, dishwasher, and coffee machine are all by Miele, and the wine cooler is by Subzero.

Hilton has proved to be a very good businesswoman, and the purchase of this apartment is no exception, as the asking price was $5.25 million, while the initial price back in January of this year was $7.5 million. The duplex with a roof deck is one of just four units in the Broadway McKenna building, which was converted to luxury apartments last year.

Images and details courtesy of 738 Broadway's Official Website and Lonny

*Note from the building: Artist Rendering. The Artist Representations And Interior Decorations, Finishes, Appliances And Furnishings Are Provided For Illustrative Purposes Only. 

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"Multifacet" is a series of four pieces, each of which has the same standard fibre-reinforced concrete form—an octagonal base and angled sides that create a partially enclosed space—but depending on their arrangement with additional metal components, and the way in which they are organized, project different functions: a candle holder, a champagne bucket, a single-flower vase, and a tablet/shelf.

Three of the sides are removed so that whatever is inside can be displayed.  "Multifacet is a series of concrete mini-areas with multiple possibilities," said Crasset, who spent five years working with Philippe Starck. "Each mini-area is faceted, to be broken down on each side, to better show off the object on display: a flower, a candle or a bottle."

A cylinder made of Brass forms a vase to hold small flowers within the concrete shape.The ice bucket features a dip in the center, allowing a bottle to rest on the lip. The missing sections have been replaced by a mirror-polished pewter container within the concrete shell.

Also lined with pewter, the candleholder has a small circular section raised slightly from the center of the base, allowing it to catch dripping wax.

To create the display stand, one of the concrete forms has been flipped over and placed on another. Sitting between the two, an eight-sided brass sheet with raised sides creates a shelf, with the surfaces of the base and its top also being topped with metal.

Crasset—who worked with metal smiths l'Orfèvrerie d'Anjou to create the metal parts of the pieces—said, "A masterful mix and staging of contrasting materials— concrete and metal—meet a need for durable beauty."

Matali Crasset will also display "One Piece" at Maison&Objet 2015. The unique monolithic counter structure combines the expertise of Concrete LCDA, and the leather craftsmanship of domeau & pérès. Amazingly fabricated with a single piece of 20-inch-thick fiber-reinforced concrete produced in a single cast, 360-degree molding was used in conjunction with a counter mold to hold the concrete in place.

This ambitious undertaking required a total of 300 kilograms of concrete and 18 hours of casting. Complementing the faceted concrete structure, the underside is lined with genuine leather, fitted visibly by domeau & pérès.

Images and Information courtesy of designboom and Dezeen

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Winner of the prestigious 2014 "House of the Year" award from the Australian Institute of Architects, Charles Wright had been given the brief to deliver a carbon neutral (in operation) solution for an environmentally-sensitive site off-grid on the edge of the FNQ beachfront rainforest. 

Wright exceeded expectations, as Alkira—which means “bright and sunny” in the local Aboriginal language—is carbon-neutral and completely self-sufficient, running on solar power and collecting rainwater through its vertical columns that double as support beams. The house is also known as the “Stamp House” for the perforated facade Wright created to pay homage to previous owner Rod Perry’s former profession as a rare stamp auctioneer.

The House—built to withstand category-5 cyclones—is formed in an innovative combination of in-situ and precast concrete. The concrete has been engineered and insulated incorporating a total solar paneled roof to provide for a constant cooler and more comfortable ambient temperature year-round.

The home’s open-air, concrete layout is cantilevered over an artificial lake, which keeps the place cool and breezy and mitigates impacts from flooding and cyclonic tide swings. In addition, the ingenious house has an on-site sewage treatment plant and a grey-water recycling and irrigation system, which leave minimal impact on the surrounding wetlands.

Alkira's unique six-pointed star structure is supported by vertical columns that collect rainwater. LED lights illuminate geometric shapes on the ceiling at night.

The only spaces with doors are the home's six "bedroom pods.” Each one has a private balcony, TV with surround-sound, and features a different type of native wood that was either sustainably harvested or salvaged from the forest floor.

Alkira has served as a vacation rental, a home for owner Rod Perry, and even as a storm shelter for Perry’s friends last April.

Images and information courtesy of Alkira Resort House and Inhabitat

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A refreshing departure from traditional wallpaper design, the collection is characterized by an artistic bold graphic quality. The company's website says, "We give artists a new canvas and total freedom to create art not decoration. Art blows minds. Decoration matches the carpet," 

Here is a look at a few of the innovative offerings, which viewers can rate and then order for on-demand printing, directly from Feathr's website:

Graphic artist Peter Judson has created a colorful print comprised of sliced and displaced concentric circles.

Designed in Belgrade, Serbian, "The Garden Party" artist Celadine says, "My main aim was to make a pattern that would hold the eye for a long time. Solution? Easy! Hide tea-drinking bunnies in the foliage."

London artist Sophie comments on her "Flamingo Conga": "Everybody loves flamingoes! To me they represent all that is beautiful and mesmirizing about the animal kingdom."

On his "Sabertooth-Unicorn-Diamond-SkullI," artist Paul Meates says, "I spent my school days drawing skulls, graffiti and naked girls in my diary. The naked girls and the graffiti just didn’t make very good wallpaper, so I settled on the skulls."

Italian artist Sara Bezzi describes her inspiration for "Walking in the Woods" as: "Walking in the countryside, I was fascinated by the multiplicity shapes expressed by nature in wintertime. I tried to create a pattern with very basic shapes that at the same time reflect the simple-complexity of the environment around us."

View the full collection on Feathr's official website

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The elegant apartment—located at 225 Lafayette in the fashionable Soho/Nolita area—was close to Banks' heart; according to the NY Daily News, her spokesperson commented that “Tyra believes Nolita is one of the most fun, immersive, electric, trendy areas and loved living amongst the best new restaurants and shops. She relished going down her elevator being mere steps away from her fave breakfast haunts.”

Drenched in natural light, the apartment has two bedrooms, two baths, and a study, along with a fabulous entertaining area, chef’s kitchen, and dining room. Large picture windows overlook stunning panoramic New York City views.

A proper entry foyer leads into a fabulous entertaining area, and the open chef’s kitchen boasts top of the line appliances. The master suite has an enormous walk-in customized closet (fit for a top model), a luxurious spa-like bathroom with a separate shower and soaking tub, and a separate windowed office/study area.

A second bedroom with en suite bath is perfectly placed and private for guests. Other design features enhancing the home's beauty include Brazilian mahogany wood floors, and window seats in living room, dining room, and master bedroom.

225 Lafayette is a full-service condominium with a full time doorman and a fabulous roof deck, and this apartment is certainly fashionable enough for any top model.

225 Lafayette Street

Photographs and details courtesy of The Modlin Group and the NY Daily News

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Exquisitely custom-designed by Jose Ramirez, the extraordinary 7,241-square-foot duplex perched atop the Puck Building has six bedrooms, seven-and-a-half baths, a gym, a home theater, and a wine cellar, in addition to  over 5,000 square feet of beautifully-landscaped outdoor space.

The majestic private home has an elevator which opens to a grand atrium gallery. This leads to a sprawling living room with a fireplace, surrounded by a north-facing terrace, which also has a fireplace. There are stunning views of the Manhattan skyline.

The interior features vaulted ceilings and the finest quality finishes throughout, combining striking industrial touches with wood, brick, and intricate metal detailing.

The phenomenal chef's kitchen features top-of-the-line appliances by La Cornue, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Smeg. There is a seven-room grand master suite, with two large dressing rooms, two baths, and a sitting room with a fireplace. The additional bedrooms have en-suite marble baths.

The pièce de résistance of Penthouse 1 is its outdoor space, which features a "yoga lawn," a putting green, gas grills, a hot tub, and a wet bar.

Details and photographs courtesy of Sotheby's International Realty

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Located in Gangwon-do province on South Korea‘s coastline, the colorful beach dwellings blend the functionality of pod hotels, with the efficiency of simple camping tents.

The eight eggs of Albang feature colorful hydraulic doors which differentiate one from the next while creating a port of entry to the mobile hut. The interior—measuring approximately 20 square feet—is comprised of colorful floors accenting white walls, and there are two porthole windows allowing for peaceful views. There is just enough room for sleeping, but not enough space to stand.

The team at Yoon Space Design used environmentally-conscious materials on the hand-assembled pods. The structures' skin is constructed of expanded polystyrene, which provides insulation and waterproofing, fireproofing, and seismic protection, while serving to also trap hear through its natural convection process.

Yoon Space Design intends to expand the pod into further exotic locations to provide refuge for travels in unexpected places, and the company has patented the design with the intention to produce more pods for use beyond the project’s current beachfront confines.

Photographs and information courtesy of Arch Daily

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Designed by Valode & Pistre, the highly symbolic skyscraper—expected to cost $1 billion—will soar 540 meters high to represent the 54 African countries, and will have 114 floors to reflect the number of chapters found in the Koran. Its facade has been designed as a pixilated representation of Africa’s one thousand languages.

Expected to be completed in 2018, Al Noor will cover a massive area of approximately 3,229,173 square feet, and will contain a 200-suite luxury hotel; a trading platform; a conference hall; and a large art gallery, in addition to a staggering 100-meter-tall atrium that hollows the tower’s base.

The tower's website states, “The design of Al Noor Tower is elegant and gives the feeling of a wedding dress.  From the side, the tower looks like a fountain pen, which is the tool that Sheikh Tarek is using to design the future. The height of the tower is 540 meters to remind us that Africa has 54 countries. Everyone in Africa will feel part of that tower.”

Images and information courtesy of ArchDaily and Inhabitat 

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The house was created for Living Architecture, the holiday rentals organization created by philosopher and critic Alain de Botton, which commissions celebrated architects to design contemporary houses for the UK.

A whimsical addition to Wrabness, the house has a simple, barn-like structure, with a handcrafted regal facade clad in over 2,000 ceramic tiles and a four-part roof topped with large cast-aluminium sculptures by Perry and FAT. Copper alloy panels were used to create the standing seam roof.

The ground floor of the beautifully-crafted house will feature a dining/kitchen area and a double-height living room. There are two bedrooms on the first floor, both of which will boast balconies overlooking a double height living room, and a bath suspended over the entrance. Tapestries, mosaic floors and specially commissioned art works by Grayson Perry—celebrating the history and psyche of Essex—add to the charming otherworldly effect.

Perry explained, "The idea behind this project relates to buildings put up as memorials to loved ones, to follies, to eccentric home-built structures, to shrines, lighthouses and fairytales. There are much loved buildings all over the county and the country built in the same spirit."

"A House for Essex"  will be available for bookings beginning spring 2015.

Photographs and Information courtesy of Living Architecture and Dezeen

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Alas, the incredible estate has found a new owner.

After a bidding war with Jay-Z and Beyoncé, Swedish video game developer Markus Persson has purchased "The Top of Hillcrest"—an outrageous 23,000-square-foot Beverly Hills mansion—for $70 million.

The home was originally listed at $85 million when it first hit the market in August, a press release from John Aaroe Group, which repped Persson in the deal, states that this "is the highest price ever paid for a home in Beverly Hills" and that the sale closed in a "lightning-fast six days."

The modern hilltop mansion—represented by Hilton and Hyland's Williams & Williams team—features walls of glass, marble floors, formal living and dining rooms, family room with wet bar, gourmet kitchen, home office, recreation/game room with huge wet bar, underground garage/showroom, candy room, wine cellar, gym, home theater, and an infinity-edge swimming pool.

Katia De Los Reyes, who was part of the team that represented Persson commented, "Marcus fell in love with the house; its sleek contemporary design and its spectacular panoramic views that sweep from downtown LA to the Pacific Ocean. The fact that the house also was completely furnished in such great style was another major selling point for him."

The furnishings which, according to Curbed, are "so beyond the realm of great style as to be laughable," include a replica of James Dean's motorcycle, Bentley pillows, towers of M&Ms, giant grenade art, an 18-foot onyx dining room table (with place settings by Roberto Cavalli at a cost of $3,700 each), and three high-definition 90-inch television screens that bring panoramic views of Los Angeles from the roof into the down stairs lounge,

Photographs and details courtesy of Curbed

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#1. Miss Blanche

World renowned Japanese designer Shiro Kuramata's "Miss Blanche" was inspired by a corsage donned by Vivien Leigh, who starred as Blanche DuBois in the famed play, "A Streetcar Named Desire."

The beautiful acrylic and aluminum chair is embedded with artificial roses, which appear to float within the delicate structure. Kuramata had a strong interest in creating the illusion of floating, so all kinds of artificial flowers from all over Japan were collected, and models were made over and over again until he chose the roses to best achieve the illusion of floating in space.

#2. Ben-Hur

The French furnishings powerhouse Roche Bobois tapped Jean Paul Gaultier to create a limited-edition line for its 50th anniversary, and one of the resulting works include a chariot-style "Ben-Hur" armchair.

The striking, avant-garde laminated aluminum structures have a fabric upholstered seat (available in green, red or blue velvet), and cost $6,500 apiece. 

#3. Power'Nap

The Power'Nap sculptural piece was designed by Ninna Helena Olsen in Denmark in 2008.

Inspired by Japanese folding technique "origami," the chair is made of sleek white, spray-painted steel plates, which house fabric seats. Its design allows you to recline with your head discreetly shaded, allowing you to take a "power nap" in private.

#4: Alessandra

Designed by Javier Mariscal in 1995, "Alessandra" is constructed out of injected flame-retardant foam over and an internal steel frame, and is available in felt or leather.

Purchasable at Moroso, the colorful, visually-alluring design demonstrates Mariscal's love of comic books.

#5: Keystone

Produced by Danish firm Please Wait to be Seated, this version of the Keystone chair was designed by Studio OS & OOS in the Netherlands.

The Keystone is inspired by the three basic elements of a Roman bridge: the spanners, the elemental building blocks, and the keystone; which, when inserted, complete the fundamental arch shape.

Each of the three parts has been covered in a different textile from the collection designed by fashion designer Raf Simons for Kvadrat, which launched earlier this year. Designed to be a more practical version of its concrete and ceramic predecessor (below), this edition of Keystone—which costs around $4,500—is built around a wooden frame.

Photos and Details courtesy of Dezeen, Please Wait to be Seated, and Moroso

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Located on 2.04 acres within a gated community in The Woodlands, the ultra-luxe mansion—which has many astounding qualities—is most famous for its jaw-dropping three-story closet. Referred to by Roemer as a “female man-cave,” the unbelievable closet, valued at $500,000, spans 3,000 square feet.

The palatial house also features an impressive entryway, with tower water fountains outside, a commercial-grade window wall, a Swarovski Crystal chandelier and an elegant staircase. Outside, the house has a lap-sized pool with several fountains, a kitchen with a grill, and a covered veranda.

The light-filled living room has a 20-foot high ceiling and a window wall. A second-floor family room (with a full wet bar), is located across from a huge kitchen, with two islands, high-end appliances, and a custom-cut Carrera Italian marble backsplash and accent walls.

There is a second kitchen for caterers when entertaining or throwing the fundraisers, as Roemer is known to do often. Her work with the American Heart Association is just part of her many philanthropic efforts.

The master suite has its own sun area, and its master bathroom features a spacious Italian marble shower with dual shower heads and additional water jets. The bath also has his-and-her vanities and toilets with bidets, plus a stand-alone tub. Most importantly, it has its own entrance to the infamous closet.

Additional rooms include a guest suite, a theater, a study, and an extra room that can be used as either a shared space or a gym.

Photographs and details courtesy of Realtor and Elle Decor

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The sophisticated tower will have 13 new luxury residences—which includes an ultra-luxurious penthouse duplex—along with street-level retail space.

The architects at Soma have surely had their work cut out for them. BOBO's developer, Zardman, was not permitted to demolish the façade of a protected 1920s house adjacent to the development site, so the architects had to literally build over, around, and under the existing structure.

“The challenges that were presented to our design by the necessity of keeping the façade of the house in place created an opportunity in the end. Our design for BOBO blends the old with the new in a rapidly changing neighborhood,” said Michel Abboud, SOMA Architects’ founder and principal.

The SOMA team devised an ingenious plan to cantilever BOBO’s steel exoskeleton and concrete core over the protected home by excavating six floors below the gutted home, leaving the historic façade intact.

Upon completion, BOBO’s steel cantilever and reflective glass—which will catch the hip urban surroundings—will jut out over the home.

Photos and details courtesy of SOMA Architects and Archinect 

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Coated with glare-reducing film to help prevent bird collision, the mirrored glass panels not only look very sleek while reflecting the beauty of the surrounding nature, but also serve to camouflage the newly-built complex for the client, who lives in a nearby 1960s farmhouse.

The architects explain on their website that the client "asked us to design a structure for renting out as a luxury holiday units, so guests have their small autonomous apartment and can fully enjoy the experience to live in the middle of nature. A maximum degree of privacy for both the client and the residing guest should be taken into consideration."

On the east façades, floor-to-ceiling windows open up to the expansive views. Each one-bedroom, one-bath unit —which can accommodate two to four people—contains a combined kitchen and living room, and features large, openable skylights which allow for natural light and ventilation. There is also a small basement for temporary storage.

The cost to stay at the luxurious home is $250 per night—a figure that then drops down to about $187 per night after the first three nights (not including cleaning fees).

Details and photographs courtesy of Inhabitat and Peter Pichler Architecture

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Here's a look at three exceptional transportation hubs around the world, from New York City and Budapest, to Changi, Singapore.

#1: Fulton Center 

Led by Arup—a global group of designers and engineers—New York City's newly-opened Fulton Center transit project is comprised of an outstanding hyperboloid domed atrium of glass and steel, whose centerpiece is a dramatic cable net with reflective panels designed to bounce natural light down to the lowest level of the atrium.

More than 275,000 passengers pass through the downtown Manhattan transit center—which cost $888 million to build—on weekdays, where nine subway lines currently intersect. The new hub—12 years in the making—was initially proposed to improve passenger and train flow and to boost the economic vitality of lower Manhattan, by way of a new 350-foot underground concourse linking the existing Fulton Street station to lines serving World Trade Center.

Soon there will also be improved street-level access to the subway, including new entrances in the historic 19th Century Corbin building, which is presently being restored.

#2: Budapest Metro Station

Local studio Spora Architects recently completed two stunning new stations in Budapest, having sought to create an underground public world that is detached from the rest of the city’s historic atmosphere.

This other-worldliness of these twin stations is achieved through the usage of complex criss-crossing levels of reinforced concrete beams, their forms left completely exposed.

The stations are among ten that will be added to the city's new M4 metro line, which connects its South-Buda district with the center of Pest on the opposite side of the Danube river.

"The most challenging aim for us was to rationalize the structures, architecture, technology and space as originally planned, while at the same time re-thinking the project according to the 21st century's spirit," explained the architects.

#3: Jewel Changi Airport

Work has commenced on Boston-based Safdie Architects' Jewel Changi Airport, which Moshe Safdie is certain will "reinvent what airports are all about."

The 1.4 million-square-foot square addition to Singapore's main airport will feature an indoor living forest and the world's largest indoor waterfall—the Rain Vortex—as its centerpiece.

Jewel Changi Airport will combine retail, leisure, and entertainment facilities with gardens to create a lifestyle complex that will be a Singaporean destination in and of itself. It is also meant to help increase the airport’s passenger handling capacity to 24 million passengers a year.

Other features will include walking trails, playgrounds, conservatories, dining outlets, and retail options that include high-end luxury brand names and home-grown brands.

Photos and details courtesy of Arup, Dezeen, and Safdie Architects

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If the resident is Grammy winner, record producer, and business mogul Dr. Dre, the answer is simple: an enormous (10,000-square-foot) music studio underneath.

Earlier this year, Apple Inc. officially announced it had acquired his company Beats (co-founded with Interscope Geffen A&M Chairman Jimmy Iovine) for $3 billion.

Days after Beats was purchased—a feat which makes him the world’s top-earning musician of 2014—Dre made a purchase of his own: the magnificent Brentwood mansion formerly owned by New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and his supermodel wife Gisele Bündchen—for $40 million. He immediately launched a remodeling project to add a gigantic music studio underneath the chateau.

The limestone-clad country French chateau—designed by Richard Landry—boasts a winding driveway, cobblestone motor court and a "koi-stocked moat." The stunning grounds include expanses of lawn, gardens, waterfalls, ponds and an infinity pool.

The five-bedrooms, nine-bath home features a center hall, a den, a "double-height, wood-paneled library," a gym, a sauna, seven fireplaces, loggias, covered terraces, balconies and garage space. The interior design elements include reclaimed ceiling beams, salvaged tile and antique doors.

The property, which had once been listed at $50 million — will certainly increase in value with the addition of the music studio underneath.

Photographs and details courtesy of The Los Angeles Times. 

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Located in the northeast of Victoria in Australia, the house—oriented for passive solar with careful arrangement for cross-ventilation—generates all of its own energy and captures all of its own water.

The architects' mission was to create a simple and compact home with a butterfly roof capable of holding solar panels and collecting rainwater. They used prefabricated roof elements, which made the ingenious home's construction easier and quicker, while also allowing for large column free ceilings.

All of the water needed for the home is stored in a 110,000-liter rainwater tank, and the photovoltaics generate all the energy. Windows are positioned for cross ventilation, eliminating the need for air conditioning in the summer, and in the winter, only a single heater is needed, as the thermal mass of the walls helps to maintain a relatively constant temp inside.

The interior of the house was furnished simply to meet the clients' budget, adorned with streaming  light and uncluttered natural beauty and elegance.

With Rammed Earth House, Steffen Welsch Architects have achieved an admirable balance between being innovative, cost efficient and environmentally sustainable.

Photographs and details courtesy of Inhabitat

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Fuller saw his "Fly's Eye Dome" as a prototype for low-cost portable housing of the future, referring to it as an  "autonomous dwelling machine."  He designed it to have the ability to house solar panels and water collection systems, rendering it a completely self sufficient residence.

Before his death in 1983, Fuller had produced three of the ultramodern structures—white fiberglass partial-spheres framing bubble-like transparent domed windows—in different sizes.

Miami Design District creator Craig Robins acquired one of the three domes, measuring just over seven meters in diameter, in 2011. Then, shortly after, the Buckminster Fuller Institute commissioned a team of 3D-design experts to recreate the structure utilizing modern-day materials and technology, which had not been available to Fuller during his lifetime.

DRDesign, Conform Labs and Goetz Composites were able to build a 3D parametric model from the original parts, using a five-axis CNC machine to produce a series of engineered components. The new version features a joining system that makes the structure watertight and allows for passive ventilation.

The largest of the three domes—15 meters-wide—is currently touring festivals and design manifestations, and the smallest one is owned by British architect, Norman Foster.  

Foster discusses the significance of the Fly's Eye Dome in a movie filmed at the 2011 exhibition "Architecting the Future: Buckminster Fuller & Lord Norman Foster," in which his work is compared to that of Fuller.

Details and photographs courtesy of Dezeen

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"The Seasonless House disassociates itself from this way of living to consider its own environment – domestic, adaptable and resilient for all seasons of the year," said the unique home's architects.

Seasonless House is split into two volumes, on either side of an enclosed concrete yard. The architects explained that the densely built city of Vinaroz consists of two opposing infrastructures— housing blocks crowding the city center and the dedicated hot-season housing of locals and tourists on the hillside. The inventive design fuses these two different typologies, creating living spaces that are comfortable all year round.

Concrete slabs and a double layer of cellular polycarbonate panelling—a type of corrugated plastic with strong insulating properties—create different levels of insulation around the house's exterior.  

Supported by a white metal framework, the panelling, gives the house a glowing white coloring that manages to blend with the neighbouring properties.

Each side of the house is clad in a specific variation of the panelling and sheets of glass—in places the corrugated sheeting runs across windows, while in others expanses of glass are left unshaded. depending on its orientation towards the sun—allowing it to either retain or lose heat.

The back of the house features three bedrooms and a terrace, situated on top of a large open-plan living space. In front of the enclosed yard, there is a single-height volume raised on stilts, which contains a master bedroom and ensuite bathroom.

The covered porch—with a cast concrete floor and translucent panels of plastic and glass—is a space the architects say is both "open and closed at the same time." People can access this area either by taking a flight of concrete steps that wind down the hillside to the lower floor, or a walkway which leads to the upper floor from the back of the building.

A double-height door with a white frame and a ribbed plastic metalworking opens from the internal porch into the wooden stairwell that connects with the first-floor bedrooms.

The large open-plan living space has glass sliding doors and a narrow galley kitchen with concrete floor and a long wooden worktop situated under a high-level window.

Photos and details courtesy of Dezeen 

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So it is no surprise that he was chosen to design "Sangsang Museum" for his client—a famous commercial photographer who wanted "a modern castle for a Dracula," his "alter ego."

The resulting structure is an unusual and ambitious amalgamation of a residence, commercial space, workplace, and a photography studio.

Located in the Mapo district of Seoul, the Sangsang Museum approaches a 20-meters-wide primary road at its north elevation—providing ground level entry to a commercial area—as well as a six-meters-wide perpendicularly-oriented alley which allows for basement and upper level access to the residence.

This condition and the client’s request for privacy brought about this innovative design—with visually disparate façades and purposes—in terms of function and circulation, while allowing for an overall unified massing.

One is clad in soft wood with regular windows and small balconies, while the other maintains its hard concrete exterior with irregular breaks to allow for outdoor patios.

The structure has two visible heads, one is the client’s bedroom, and the other one is an outdoor photo studio. The larger photo studio was initially designed as an outdoor pool for the family but was later canceled.

The disconnected connectedness of the Sangsang Museum—with its dual nature, dead-ends, and private pathways—indeed lends itself to the client's ideology of an old castle.

Photos and information courtesy of Moon Hoon and Architecture Lab

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The following five extraordinarily creative tables demonstrate just how many different interpretations there are for this integral piece of furniture, when created by innovative designers.

#1: Hexa

Designed by Bernard Vuarnesson, the  Hexa table looks like—and has pieces that move like—a child's puzzle.

Made out of solid wood, the Hexa has six reversible laminate surfaces that can be easily adjusted and reconfigured. Available in different sizes—for coffee and dining—and a variety of wood finishes and colors, the innovative table's movable parts even flip over to become trays!

The Hexa is available through Resource Furniture, and prices are available upon request. 

#2: Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet Conference Table

This table surely gets our engines running. Designed by MotoArt— the pioneer, forerunner and standard-bearer of recycled airplane parts furniture design—this extremely cool, ultra-modern conference room table is constructed from a Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet engine.

At 12’ wide and sporting a high-mirror polish, this powerful table seats up to twelve, and has a custom-fabricated stationary engine core set with internal multicolored LED lighting topped with a polished spun aluminum dome, which lies beneath a graceful 1/2” round tempered glass top. 

Price is available upon request. 

#3: Basho The Sumo Wrestler Table

"Basho"—the Japanese word for tournament—is in his crouching pounce position sporting his Sumo belt,  ready to hold your coffee and magazines on his strong back.

This Asian style table is topped with a 3/8"-thick, pencil-edged, round tempered glass top for views from any angle. This quality designer resin heavyweight is cast exclusively for Design Toscano for display in home or garden.

Available at Design Toscano for $289.00.

#4: The Thomas Wold Mushroom Forest Table

Created by Bay Area Designer Thomas Wold, the Mushroom Forest Table adds a fun modern flavor to any room. 

Available in two sizes—a three-top single-color side table/nightstand and a seven-top, multicolor coffee table—the table features mushroom caps which function as flat table tops, each with different height and cap circumference. The "burl" base provides a stable platform for the "growing" stems and caps.

Available at Design Public for $985.00 (seven-top) and $399.00 (three-top).

#5: Heller Frank Gehry Color Coffee Table

One of the most celebrated architects working today, Frank Gehry transcends the boundaries of architecture, designing powerfully stunning furniture.

Inspired by the colors he had used in a giant flower sculpture in Paris, Gehry asked international furniture manufacturer Heller to produce a collection in a selection of vibrant saturated colors.The twisted flower shape is molded from polyethylene and is waterproof and UV-protected, making it perfect for indoor or outdoor use.

Available at Design Public for $690.00.

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The historic four-bedroom, three-bath gated farmhouse was built in 1900, and strikes the perfect balance between old and new, with everything restored and renovated—including a new gunite pool.

Located in the desired “south-of-the-highway” area, the house is within walking distance of the Village of East Hampton and the beach.

Featuring an open porch, shingled siding and nearly one acre of gardens and mature landscaping, the bright and airy house—which boasts a spacious 2,000-square-foot interior—is shielded by high hedges and tall trees.

Renée Zellweger stands to make a nice profit on the house, which was purchased—after a bidding war—for $250,000 more than her asking price when listed in October. She had purchased the house for $2.15 million in 2003.

The charming home's new owners are Dr. Jeffrey Geller, an orthopedic surgeon, and Leigh Geller, a former Manhattan assistant district attorney.

Photos and information courtesy of Douglas Elliman and Curbed

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Untitled by Christophe Egret. Image Courtesy of Maggie’s

Maggie’s Centres are built around her belief that people should not “lose the joy of living in the fear of dying” and that the centres should be uplifting places, To carry this out, the organization asked a handful of prominent architects including Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, OMA, Richard Rogers, and Snøhetta to offer their unique interpretations of the Maggie’s brief, creating individual spaces of solace and care.

This year's auction—which features the work of both artists and architects—will include the donated works of four architects who have contributed Maggie’s Centres themselves: Ted Cullinan, Chris Wilkinson of Wilkinson Eyre, and Piers Gough of CZWG, responsible for the Newcastle, Oxford, and Nottingham Centres respectively.

Maggie’s Treehouse at Oxford by Chris Wilkinson. Image Courtesy of Maggie’s Centres

The auction also include architects Alison Brooks, Peter Murray, Jack Pringle, Christophe Egret, Rab Bennetts Je Ahn and Stuart Piercy, alongside artists including Ben Johnson, Norman Ackroyd, and Jeanette Barnes. 

All the works are on display at the Anise Gallery until December 6th, and online bidding opened on November 26th.

Here is a glimpse at a selection of works being auctioned: 

Details and photos courtesy of ArchDaily and anise gallery

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One of 13 units on the top floor of an oceanfront building designed by Norman Foster, the 9,780-square-foot fully furnished unit will have interiors designed by director/producer Baz Luhrmann and his wife, production and costume designer Catherine Martin—known for their work on films such as “Moulin Rouge” and “The Great Gatsby.” The duo will be designing the entire hotel.

According to Alicia Goldstein, an executive vice president at Faena Group, the penthouse will have six bedrooms, five full bathrooms and four powder rooms, in addition to about 4,435 square feet of terrace space, featuring 360-degree views of the ocean and downtown Miami.

Slated for completion in the fall of 2015, Ms. Goldstein reports that the penthouse will boast two kitchens, a private internal elevator, a great room, living room and media room. The owners will have their own entrance, lobby and concierge, and have access to hotel amenities like the pool and beach club.

Sales are being handled by Erik Schneider of Douglas Elliman Development Marketing.

Details and photo courtesy of The Wall Street Journal. 

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"Briar Patch"—on Georgica Pond in East Hampton Village—is perched upon 11.2 acres, with a sweeping lawn, gardens, mature sycamore, maple and linden trees, trails, and a private pond habitat to local swans, egret, and heron.

The property is comprised of a 10,300-square-foot six-bedroom main residence; a 3,500-square-foot, four-bedroom guesthouse (with its own private driveway); a secluded tennis court; a 60-foot swimming pool (with changing cabana), an outdoor sundeck with views of the water, and a private pond.

The  main residence—called "Shepard Krech House"—was built in 1931 and renovated in 1990 by architect Peter Marino. It has a three-story living room, sunken library, gourmet kitchen, dining area, and third-story gym.  

Details include two-foot-wide reclaimed floorboards, handmade wallpaper, and hand-stenciled ceilings. Each of the ground-floor rooms feature French doors opening to large porches.

The guest house—built in 1990—was also designed by Peter Marino. Similar in style and quality to the main house, this house includes a living room, kitchen, and four bedrooms.

The 11.2-acre property has already been subdivided into 7.5 and 3.7-acre parcels.

Information and photographs courtesy of HREO and Curbed

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Originally listed for $4.5 million, the one-bedroom, 1,027-square-foot, fully-furnished residence with two private lanais will carry a suggested opening bid of $2.5 million.

Located on the Hotel's 36th floor—exclusively for private residences—the condominium has breathtaking views of world-famous Diamond Head, the Pacific Ocean, and Waikiki Beach, and award-winning Trump features such as Travertine flooring, granite and marble countertops, a Wolf Range cooktop, Sub-Zero refrigerator, an under-counter wine cellar, and a Bosch dishwasher.

“No other luxury condominium property in Waikiki is located closer to Hawaii’s beautiful white sand beaches and warm Pacific Ocean than The Trump International Hotel,” noted John Cuticelli, chairman at Sheldon Good & Co. Luxury Real Estate. “The Trump brand is synonymous with quality and luxury, and the Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk definitely does not disappoint.”

The Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach is a five-star, full-service hotel and residence with luxury beach services and amenities, parking, a sixth-floor infinity pool with expansive sun deck, the Spa at Trump, and a 24-hour health club. The new owners will receive access to the fabulous amenities, including daily maid and laundry service, room service, a private chef, and more. They will also have the option of generating income by making the unit available for the hotel to use.

The new residents will enjoy fine dining at BLT Steak in the Trump Hotel, or at one of the many nearby eateries including Nobu Waikiki. Also within walking distance are world-famous high-end retailers including Tiffany, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Hermès.

Photos and details courtesy of Sheldon Good & Co. Luxury Real Estate

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