Real Estate

Most Expensive House in Chicago 

So you are fed up with renting, dealing with the landlord, or maybe you just really want to start mowing your own yard.  Imagine Lifestyles has the perfect solution for whatever your desire to own a home might be.  All Chicago residents know and love the Gold Coast, and no one can argue the fact that it is Chicago’s most expensive segment of residential real estate.  Currently, the MLS has a listing that will reiterate the fact that the Gold Coast still reins supreme over Chicago real estate.

Head on over to 25 E. Banks Street and feast your eyes on the most expensive piece of real estate currently on the market within Chicago city limits.  Currently owned by Jamie Dimon, CEO and Chairman of JP Morgan Chase, this masterpiece is listed at $9,500,000.  Measuring in at 13,500 square feet, with 18 rooms, 9 full baths, and a 2- car garage, this gives a whole new meaning to the term single-family home.  Originally constructed in 1880 on 2 lots just a block off Lake Michigan, the home was renovated by Marvin Herman and is truly marvelous.

The home was bought for $4.7M in September of 2000 and was originally listed in 2007 for $13.5M.  Now, with a new realtor, the home has been re-priced at $9.5M.  Chicago’s Gold Coast is the ultimate in luxury living, and this home lives up to the standards of Chicago’s elite.  Go ahead and make Mr. Dimon an offer on this lovely place, he might even be able to get you a loan through the bank.  

As we mentioned before, this house does come equipped with a spacious two-car garage.  Since your bank account will be beaten and bruised after purchasing such an expensive mansion, your vehicle budget might shrink just a little.  Do not worry though Imagine Lifestyles Chicago has all of your exotic and luxury rental cars available for rent 365 days a year for a fraction of the cost of ownership.  Don't let the neighbors see you pull into your driveway in anything less than one of our exotic rental cars such as a Lamborghini Gallardo or a Bentley GTC Mulliner Edition. 

Next time you are in Chicago check out our fleet of Chicago exotic rental cars.

Post by Imagine Lifestyles Luxury Rentals

Sometimes I like to peruse the high-end real estate ads to see what is on the market, but this time I was left with my jaw-agape, like the first time I ever encountered “Jon & Kate Plus 8”.  There is a $42 million dollar real estate listing.  That is more than a very impressive super yacht.  In fact, I assume I can purchase my own island for that, to escape the likes of Jon and Kate and the creepy “Octomom”.

The Trump hotel collection has just opened its latest posh location, in SoHo New York.  Yes, everyone knows that South Hampton is a luxurious location, and it has just gotten more so with the introduction of a Trump hotel.  The Trump hotel is located at 246 Spring Street, and is a dramatic addition to the city skyline.

Trump hotels are notorious for their attention to detail, very exquisite detail might we mention.  The luxury hotel in South Hampton opened its doors on April 9th, 2010 and features 391 elegantly appointed suites and rooms.  There are a mere 12 rooms per floor, for exclusive privacy, the ultimate escape.  There are also no less than ten luxury two-bedroom penthouse suites, the most in New York City.  Well, we expect nothing less from Trump.

Top 5 Condo Buildings in Chicago           

Imagine Lifestyles Chicago has done their due diligence to reveal the top 5 condo buildings in Chicago. We did not take this list lightly, and were a bit selfish when putting it together, by only picking places WE would want to reside in ourselves. It turns out that 4 of the 5 finalists are hotel condominiums, and the reason for this is pretty clear: Service and amenities.

Is it Oprah?  Maybe it is an oil tycoon, famous racecar driver, or perhaps a former child star?  Wrong-o.  It is the “Billion Dollar Man” himself, Donald Trump.  And how much was the most expensive house in the nation going for you ask?  That would be about $125 million dollars, please.

Unfortunately, Trump only received $100 million for his $41 million dollar investment (he bought it as a foreclosure property).  And the lucky new owner?  A Russian billionaire who plans to subdivide the luxury property.

The sprawling luxury estate is located in the sought-after north side of West Palm Beach, our neighbor to the north.  The views from the luxury Trump estate are primarily Ocean, boasting panoramic views provided by oversized windows.  The hallways are equally cavernous, feeling more like a long room.  You can definitely tell that this estate was designed to host parties and events. 

The sheer size of the Trump estate is gasp-worthy.  There are 18 bedrooms, and 22 baths, spanning approximately 80,000 square feet over 7 acres.  There are 500 lavish feet of private beachline on the property, where we assume you can either wear your latest swimwear, or go au-natural if you wish.  Hey, it is private. 

Inside, no expense was spared.  Visitors enter into a luxurious conservatory overlooking the Atlantic.  The kitchen is adorned with mahogany cabinetry and stainless steel modern appliances.  It seems like everywhere you look there is marble and granite.

The infinity edge pool features expansive Ocean views, and a hot tub.  The pool is 140 feet long and 40 feet wide, so you won’t be crowded by other swimmers, ever.  That is a mean game of "Marco-Polo". 

There are three “cottages” on the property, if you consider 2 bedrooms, 2 baths and a kitchen a mere cottage. 
As we mentioned, this property was a foreclosure, and was on the market for over 2 years. 

What is crazy is that Donald did not even live in this estate during the time it was on the market; he resided at his Marlago golf course, which is west of A1A, with inferior views of the Ocean.

We are sure Trump's realtor heaved a heavy sigh of relief to sell the luxury property, they certainly did not want to be FIRED...(Sorry…you know we love our jabs).

For more stories on luxury essentials, luxury news and Trump Towers Chicago, follow links to our luxury blog.

Post by Imagine Lifestyles Luxury Rentals

Move over Mickey Mouse, the world’s fastest theme park is set to make history in 2010, in the form of “Ferrari World”.  We even like the way the words feel rolling off of our tongues…Ferrari World. 

The only unfortunate thing about Ferrari World so far is that it is so far…away.   Ferrari World is located in Abu Dhabi, which is no problem save the fact that it is on the opposite side of the planet. 

 There will soon be a fresh new way to cool off in the Middle East-via an $1 billion dollar ski resort.  Yes, the government and private sector partnership in Dubai has announced its plans to bring the winter sport experience to Dubai.  Dubai is famous for its excess-luxury hotels, exotic rental cars, exquisite cuisine, and now it is about to add even more indulgence.

Plans include an oversized ski dome set to rise from Dubai’s mega tourism development project-Dubailand.  The project is called “Dubai Sunny Mountain Ski Dome”, and it is the first of its kind in the Middle East.

Star Island is located in the Bahamas, and is announcing exciting plans for an eco friendly future-in the form of a luxury resort powered by trade winds, sun and currents.  But it gets more fabulous. 

Star Island is a 35-acre cay near the Bahamian island of Eleuthera.  Developers intend to transform this island of sand, coral rock, and trees into the world’s first carbon-neutral island resort.  This eco friendly luxury resort will define green, with no reliance on fossil fuels that add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

South Beach real estate sales are up for June. The Miami Herald has reported that for the last nine months overall sales were up. Buyers are collecting luxury properties at substandard rates. New lending programs are making purchases somewhat easier. Plus, new buyers can get tax credits and all Miami property owners can take advantage of caps on property taxes. As the dollar is still comparatively weak, an influx of international buyers have swept Miami properties. Be on the lookout for forclosures and short sales, buy it up Miami Beach!

We have mentioned the luxury address that is the Continuum, 50/100 Pointe Drive on Miami Beach, many times. And we need to now mention that one of the most absurd Continuum Penthouses, PH-1, is up for sale. To recap, the Continuum is the only residential luxury building right on the sand, although, the W Hotel & Residences will soon be open not far away (technically it's still a hotel). Besides the most exclusive beach club, the Continuum has the best five-star amenities without being anything like a hotel! The Continuum consists of a 13-acre gated property which features European spa, gym, three tennis courts, three pools, two restaurants, concierge and 24-hour valet.

It gets better, like that's even possible.  The 7,000 square foot, three level Penthouse has 360 degree views of Miami Beach, 13 foot ceilings, a private elevator and pool.  Plus, some real serious technology; Smart House touch panels for audio and video, automatic shades, plasma TVs and a movie theater. Oh and two professional grade bars and a champagne bar. Just in case your head wasn't spinning, the five bedroom, seven bathroom unit is priced right around $15 million which is a very reduced rate. Good luck with that one!

Cab driver-turned-billionaire Tamir Sapir and his yacht were both seized by customs officials last week, in Miami. Tapir Sapir's $26 million yacht, the Mystère, was reportedly furnished in Versace and then some. According to the Miami Herald, the yacht also included "zebra skins, a jaguar skin rug, Bengal tiger and African lion heads, cigar boxes covered in elephant hide, a reticulated python cigarette holder, and large carved ivory tusks." Thanks to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, it is illegal to "kill, hunt, collect, injure or harass any endangered animals, or to destruct their habitat in any way. It is also illegal to buy or sell any species (or products made from species) listed as endangered."

The yacht will, of course, be returned to the billionaire sans the endangered animal heads and skins. Additionally, Sapir will have to pay a $150,000 fine, which is pretty irrelevant considering he is ranked number 522 on Forbes' Richest Americans list, net worth $1.4 billion.  After amassing a fortune bartering fertilizer and oil in the 1980s, his hobby is collecting dead lion heads, mind-blowing. Whatever happened to collecting Ferraris?

A few blogs ago we told you about Apogee luxury living, the new-ish residency building on South Beach. Penthouse A is on the market and arguably the best luxury condo residence on the beach. The Apogee is one of the most privileged addresses in one of the most desirable neighborhoods - South of Fifth (SoFi), also known as South Pointe.

The Apogee Penthouse is an ultra glamorous, three level corner home with ocean, bay and city views. The Penthouse is 6,853 square feet with six bedrooms and seven and a half bathrooms. Plus, an 11,000-plus square feet rooftop terrace with private pool and summer kitchen.

The main living area boasts 22-foot ceilings with floor to ceiling windows. Plus, the luxe Apogee Penthouse has a private elevator,  two-car private air conditioned garage and staff quarters. This Penthouse is like the ultimate dream home but up high in the sky. As the Apogee modo goes, "More than you need. All that you desire." The Apogee, Penthouse A, dream home could be yours for $22 million.  If you can afford it then go take a look, if you can't then keep dreaming.
 

The good life in Miami Beach is just a sale away because one of the most expensive homes in Miami is on sale. The luxurious pad was designed by Maurice Fatio and sits on the exclusive Sunset Island 1. There are four Sunset Islands which are located in the heart of Miami Beach. This specific home sits on the tip of the first, northernmost of all the islands which is one of the best locations to be. The lot is 70,886 square feet, with 453 linear feet of land on Biscayne Bay. The home itself  is 11,388 square feet and is listed for $29,900,750. That price tag includes 7 bedrooms, 7.5 bathrooms, Olympic size pool and the expansive tropical grounds. This property which is named La Tranquilla, not Tequila, sold in June 2000, for $8,425,000. Less than two months later, the property was listed again, for $11,500,000 and the price was raised once more before the listing was cancelled. Now the property is one of the most expensive in Miami Beach, something doesn't add up. The home is nice and all but not $29 million nice, maybe the listing is a mistake. Maybe somebody involved needs to fix or re-think the listing price if they actually intend to sell.
 

The Apogee, at 800 South Pointe Drive is one of the premier residential buildings on South Beach.  The Apogee has only 67 luxe residencies,  four apartments to each floor, each with a private elevator.  All Apogee units feature 10 foot high ceilings, a midnight kitchen in every master bedroom, and a summer kitchen on each balcony.
 

Most recently an Apogee unit on the 11th floor sold for $6 million which was down from the $8 million asking price or at a discount of 12%. In former times, a 12% discount didn’t happen but not so in the currently depressed Miami real estate market.  Apogee unit 1104 was a spacious 4,154 square feet divided into four bedrooms and five bathrooms. The luxury unit was said to have intoxicating Biscayne Bay and Fisher Island views. One of the best assets about this apartment was its terrace which extended 11 feet beyond the apartment’s exterior wall, making the terrace 2,400 square feet alone. This was an incredible unit, in a more incredible building at an even more incredible price. Luxury real estate bargains are happening all over Miami Beach as we speak.  Get in on the real estate free-for-all!
 

The Setai Hotel is a 40-story extreme-luxury, high rise on prime Miami Beach real estate. The Setai houses 175 residencies with panoramic ocean views, floor-to-ceiling windows and on-site five star hotel amenities. There are studio, one, two, up to five bedroom units, which range in size from 850 to 6,000 square feet. The Penthouse units have private terraces and decks with lap pools. More to look forward to at Setai: 24 hour security and valet, SubZero and Gagenau Appliances, posh beach club and sexy, lounging bars. Right now there are about 47 Setai units for sale, thanks to the economy. Listing prices are way down and buyers should take serious advantage now. A few deals worth looking into would be, unit 2105 which is an 821 square foot, one bedroom unit, listed for $1,350,000 which is 10% lower than its original purchase price. There is 1801, a two bedroom, two bathroom, 1,198 square foot unit listed for $1,575,000 which is 19.2% lower than the original price. Then, there is unit 360 which is a five bedroom, five bathroom that is listed for $5,995,000, down 14.3% from its original purchase price. The moral of the story is take advantage of Setai deals and short sales! The question isn't why but why not? The Setai is the building to be in on Miami Beach, get in while the getting is good.