Real Estate

We have found a new book for your coffee table. The book is the latest edition in teNeues' Luxury series called Luxury Houses : Top of the World. The very, very best houses from around the world have been photographed in the hard cover. The houses are stunning, the real deal creme de la creme of the real estate world. They all have "stunning settings, sumptuous materials, and sophisticated architectural detailing and interiors." Plus, each house "offers a unique perspective on what's possible if both money and taste abound." These houses have been built with serious money in serious locations. Architects and the affluent aren't the only who will appreciate this book by John Smith. Check it out!

The luxury market has become a hunting ground for the bargain savvy. Thanks to really bad financial times which the whole world seems to finally be feeling, luxury prices are dropping. From the cost of prime real estate, to new Aston Martins and even fine wine, has gone way down. The Liv-Ex 100 lists the prices of the top 100 most coveted luxury wines and since last October there has been a 12.4% drop. Bad news for the wineries but if you're looking to fill your wine cellar with some luxe bottles of Dom. Romane Conti 1997, $1,540, Petrus Pomerol 1998, $1,459, or Chteau Le Pin Pomerol 1999, $908 now would be a good time. The wine market is a buyers market so let your collection begin.

If you can't build the World's tallest building then how do you get into the record books? You pick another less contested category just as the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) have done in Abu Dhabi, Dubai. Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and the country's largest emirate with over 1.6 million residents, an abundance of wealth and prestige.  ADNEC is working on a building project called Capital Gate, this building will enter the Guiness Book of World Records as the "World's most inclined tower."

Capital Gate will put the naturally inclined Tower of Pisa to shame by leaning four times as far, at an 18 degree angle. The intentional lean will require extra steel reinforcements to counteract the gravitational, wind and seismic pressures. The top of the building will be a dense mesh of reinforced steel, which will sit on top of 490 piles, drilled about 32 yards deep into the ground. Plus, Capital Gate will feature 728 custom-made diamond-shaped glass panels, each one fitted in a slightly different angle to adjust with the lean.  "Capital Gate will be one of a kind," added David Pringle, CEO, RMJM Asia and the Middle East. "Its graceful, asymmetric diagonal structure, known as a ‘diagrid', supports the tilting external load of the building and we believe that this is the first building in the world to use a pre-cambered core."

The leaning Capital Gate Tower is part of a $2.2 billion business and residential project that will be part of an entire micro city. Capital Gate will be host to a five-star Hyatt Hotel fittingly named, "Hyatt at Capital Centre." Plus, some of the most coveted office space in all of Abu Dhabi. The concept is kind of stellar  and the engineering ingenious but, honestly, staying in a building that leans 18 degrees would probably make us vomit. Vulgar but true, check it out for yourself, though, if that sort of record breaking excites you.

Haven't heard of the Yamu yet? Shame on you. The Yamu is a five-star hotel being built and designed by the General Hotel Management (GHM) company. If you aren't familiar with GHM projects then we don't know what rock you live under, this company has some of the most outrageous hotels and resorts around the globe. The Setai Hotel on Miami Beach, Florida is the first in America and may give you some bearing on just how insane their establishments are. The Yamu Hotel is on a private peninsula of Phuket's east coast and will raise the bar on previously held notions of privacy, tranquility and luxury.

There is always some anticipation when hotels of this calibre are set to open but the Yamu is highly anticipated. Hopefully the names Zecha, Gathy and Starck mean something to you. The world renown trio went into collaboration on this project in Phuket. Industry guru Adrian Zecha chairman and director of GHM Hotels and Aman Resorts, acclaimed architect Jean-Michel Gathy and French interior designer Philippe Starck are creating a hotel that is magnificent, we don't have words.

The Yamu Hotel will not encroach on surrounding natural beauty, thanks to the architectural genius of Jena-Michel Gathy. In keeping true to Thai spirit, Gathy constructed large outdoor living rooms, interconnected open rooms, and functionality between indoor and outdoor spaces. He accomplished his goal of intensifying natural beauty without disrupting existing nature.

The  interior 63 rooms overlook the limestone islands of the Andaman Sea. Interior designer Philippe Starck has also taken design cues from surrounding nature. Again he has created stunning accents and opulence that are of another world. Best known for being startling and sumptuous,  the Yamu will still be inviting in an elegant yet casual fashion as only Starck can do. We are convinced that the Yamu Hotel, graceful, sophisticated and timeless will breathe new meaning into the word vacation.

Not to mention featured facilities galore. The Yamu has a stunning 160-person restaurant that will serve Thai, Western, and Chinese influenced cuisine. A to die for spa and 100 metre swimming pool. Oh and, five glass cubes within the estate that will serve as a wine room with wine cave below, a cigar lounge, a chocolate room, a private kitchen and a designer boutique.

Around the hotel will be 12 privately owned Villa Estates, operated as part of the hotel when owners are away.  Each villa will have master pavilion with a lounge, a master bedroom, kitchen and maids' quarters. Plus, a 23.5-metre swimming pool, garden and outdoor showers.  The Club Complex at the Yamu boasts personal butlers, unsurpassed privacy, and convenient access to facilities, achieving the ultimate luxurious vacation environment.

Plus, Yamu Hotel projects out into Phang Nga Bay and has a private marina with 39 berths. There are 84 islands sparkling across the bay, plus several small private beaches, hidden caves and quiet anchorages. The privileged few who can afford to own and vacation at the Yamu Hotel and Residencies in Phuket, will experience unrivalled tropical beauty and marvelous marine life in sever comfort.

The Hotel, the Villa Estates and Club Complex, are infused with the visionary intellect of Gathy and Starck to achieve an extremely rare synergy of style and than run by the best. The chic Yamu Hotel doors will open next Summer, 2009. Private investment opportunities are available for sale, we recommend you hustle to. We are booking like tomorrow!

If luxury is all you crave then the Continuum on South Beach is the place for you. The Continuum residencies, located in the chic South of Fifth (SOFI) neighborhood, are resort style living developments on some seriously desired beach front property. There are two towers built by the legendary Ian Bruce Eichner. The South which was completed in 2002 and the North which was first launched in 2004. The 37-story, 193-unit, North Tower was completed just last year and remains our love on the beach. 

Floor plans range from 1,200 square-foot one-bedrooms to 4,000-square-foot four-bedroom residencies, to a 7,000 square foot penthouse with movie theatre. Unit ceilings are grand, notions of exclusivity are felt and the classiness, simplicity and space can't be overlooked.  The Sales for the North tower are projected beyond $355 million.

Besides the private white sand beach right outside your door, there is a full service beach club with furniture and cabanas. Swim in the enormous lagoon shaped pools, play tennis on one of three har-tru courts, or take lunch on The Patio with to die for tuna tartare. Outdoor amenities alone wouldn't cut it, thank god the Continuum offers a 20,000 foot state of the art fitness center and spa. Get a private trainer, take a plethora of exercise classes, then hit up the ucalyptus steam room, redwood sauna, heated whirlpool, or  coldplunge.  Better yet, get a message or any spa treatment in the blink of an eye. Relax by the rooftop infinity pool and sundeck, and take in the unobstructed Miami Beach views.

In short the Continuum has some serious amenities and modern living quarters. To live as on constant vacation is the primary goal and the Continuuum Residencies surpass, every moron out should only be so lucky.  

Imagine Lifestyles is here to give you the low down on wealth and Miami Beach. Listen up because at some point these little factoids will probably help you make money, make a trip to Miami or, at least, help you sound a bit more intellignent in an elitest world.

Facts:

•      25% of the World’s wealth is in Florida during the winter season Miami Beach receives a huge influx of Europeans, especially during the winter season, due to the falling dollar and rising Euro this demographic spends copious amounts of money.

•     South Florida is home to some of the richest communities in the world such as: La Gorce Island, Millionaires Row, Fisher Island, PineTree, Palm Island and Star Island, Naples, Palm Beach and Marcos Island, Coral Gables

•    Miami has the 2nd largest banking/finance industry after New York

•     South Florida has a massive international trade industry

•    Nearly 1,200 multinational companies, 41 of them billion-dollar companies, collectively manage over $200 billion in revenue from South Florida.

•     In Miami Beach alone, numerous celebrities and athletes like Jennifer Lopez, Billy Joel, Sean "P Diddy" Combs, Gloria Estefan, Kelly Rowland, Lenny Kravitz, Dwayne Wade, Alonzo Mourning and Enrique Iglesias have homes here.

Plus according to the USB 2008 survey of the Richest 70 cities in the World, 
Miami was ranked:

•    the world's 29th-richest city(net earnings),Only 4 U.S. cities were listed Miami, NYC, LA and                  Chicago.

•    4th-richest in the United States


•    22nd in the World's richest cities by purchasing power

Bottom line, if you have money then spend the coming winter months in sunny Miami Beach. You can't go wrong!

We are always at home in Casa Casuarina a.k.a the Versace Mansion and now you can be too, sort of.  Versace Mansion in Miami Beach is the fabulous manse that used to belong to the late, great Gianni Versace.  Now the magical multi-million dollar Mansion is owned by Peter Loftin and for $50 bucks a head he's opening up the flood gates.  From August 18th to September 30th tourists can wander through the mansion on a 45 minute guided tour. What gives Peter?  One of the best parts of Versace was the members only select, the mystery behind the wrought iron gates and you just sold out for a 50 spot.  Rumor has it that in these harsh economic times of ours, Loftin needs some extra dough to maintain the property and keep it looking fabulous.  We are not happy about opening Versace Mansion to the public, it feels so dirty and for $50 so demeaning.  Gianni Versace is probably rolling in his grave right now, way to take the sophistication out of a place that was meant for the sophisticated.

Pre-nose job hottness and before divorce, Roma, Wentz, wedding and baby. When Ashlee Simpson was known as the not so cute, not so talented younger sis of Jessica Simpson, we spotted the sisters at the Delano Hotel. Along with the full family clan and Nick Lachey in tote, the girls were set to give a live exclusive performance in the Delano's back Water Salon and Orchard Garden. Jessica Simpson sang the wrong songs first line and stomped off stage, good thing there were no cameras present or it would have been another Simpson lip-singing fiasco. If you're wondering why this celeb gossip is relevant now, it's really not but the point is, that the Delano Hotel was a posh celeb locale back in '05 and in 2008 it still is. The Delano Hotel remains to be one of the most iconic hotels in South Beach.

Lenny Kravitz recently opened a lounge called Florida Room in the Delano Hotel. Florida Room is a modern day piano lounge that boasts a see-through grand piano, that has been tickled by Kravitz himself and Jamie Foxx. A low, bronze mirrored ceiling and custom-designed chandeliers give the room back that classic South Floridian glamour of a bygone era. Over thirty specially concocted cocktails are infused with fresh exotic fruit and make getting drunk taste really good.

The Delano Hotel is located at 1685 Collins Ave, in South Beach is the lovechild of Philippe Starck and Ian Schrager. For those of you living under a rock, Philippe Starck is a famed French designer who is noted for his futuristic design style. Ian Schrager is an original founder of Studio 54, more importantly, he is the American hotelier and real estate developer who established the "boutique hotel" genre.

The hotel rooms are decked in all white and invibe a casual chic, urban resort feel. Chill in back by the surreal life-sized chessboard or take lunch on furniture placed whimsically in the pool. Let renowned chef Claude Troisgros serve up a modern French meal in the grand dining room or opt to alfresco on the terrace under the stars. Then hit up the lobby for some post-dinner drinks at The Rose Bar. There is a pool table, more mirrors and a la carte sushi all housed under custom Venetian chandeliers and opulent white drapes. Rose Bar has the most sophisticated and trendy social scene on Tuesday nights in South Beach.

The Flamingo is one of the biggest apartment complexes on South Beach. Adults with Peter Pan complexes, Tony Montana wantabees and even models flock to the Bay Road residencies but it's not enough to pull the building out of bankrupcy. In a last-age effort to grab some public attention the Flamingo moved Brooke Hogan in, yes we said Brook Hogan. If you don't know who she is, we don't blame you. The ditzy daughter of Hulk Hogan had a nonexistent singing career for a minute but is best known for her dad's reality show on VH1, "Hogan Knows Best." The show ended and the family went to hell but somehow Brooke landed her own solo gig and reality television hit an all new low. We watched the show for a couple minutes and believe we are now dumber for it.

The first episode started with Brooke living in an apartment up Collins Avenue called the Mosaic. The penthouse apartment was donated to her for publicity purposes but we guess she just wasn't cutting it and and they booted her. The Flamingo took sloppy seconds and moved Brooke Hogan to the 20th floor of its center tower.  We figure if Scarlett Johansson, Justin Timberlake and Shaquille O'Neal couldn't bring buyers and renters in then the Flamingo is a lost cause.  Brooke Hogan's beastliness romping through the Flamingo halls will only make apartments forclose faster, if thats even possible. The only thing the building had going for it was the newly renovated south tower, the lobby was turned into a classy haven but the exterior beautification wasn't enough to sell apartments. The circa 1970's stuccoed apartments are hideous, the garage shared by all three buildings is a death trap and central air is just not cool anymore. A tacky orange montra is painted all over the complex, " South Beach revolves around the Us." News flash Flamingo, if you weren't the biggest building on the beach no one would even know you existed. Maybe you should get Brooke Hogan some white paint and a brush and put her in front of the orange walls because re-painting the Flamingo might just be all she's good for.   

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