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Luxury Real Estate News and Information - Christie's International Real Estate

Friday, December 21, 2012

A Rare Testament to the American Gilded Age Comes on the Market


521 Park Avenue Combines Neoclassical Grandeur with State-of-the-Art Luxury Amenities Available at US$23,500,000



Located on Manhattan’s renowned Park Avenue, this full-floor apartment represents a rare and distinct example of America's Gilded Age. Designed by William A. Boring (1859-1937) and completed in 1911, 521 Park Avenue is the only surviving Park Avenue apartment building designed by this prominent early 20th century architect.


Boring brought to his work influences from his time spent in Paris in the 1880’s where he studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts. Returning to New York, William Boring worked with Edward Lippincott Tilton at McKim Mead and White before they became business partners. Together they are best known for designing the Immigration Station at Ellis Island in 1897 (on The National Register of Historic Places) which won several international design awards, including the gold medal at the Paris Exposition (1900). Boring taught at Columbia University School of Architecture and was appointed dean. He was a founder and president of the Society of Beaux Arts Architects and a founder and treasurer of the American Academy in Rome.

521 Park Avenue was built at a time when the explosive growth in technology urged individuals to develop structures to their highest and optimum purpose. The grand proportions and classic styling of 1911 have been retained and admired in this residence for the past century. James Trager, author of “Park Avenue, Street of Dreams” (Atheneum, 1990) describes 521 Park Avenue as “the first of the high-class apartments to be built on Park Avenue”.

The four-bedroom en suite residence which spans 4,500 square feet and offers 80 feet of frontage overlooking the Avenue has been recently restored by Michael Pierce and DD Allen, famous New York interior designers based at the long established Pierce Allen decorating firm. The renovation fully complies with today’s modernity whilst retaining its neoclassical charm and unique character. High ceilings, imposing marble fireplaces, wood-paneled rooms with mahogany doors set the tone for the stately interiors of this property which features the finest fittings completed by master craftsmanship.

The property is accessed directly from the elevator which opens up to a private landing leading to a limestone-paneled 35-foot gallery with marble flooring, offering further access to the bedroom wing and the rest of the residence.

The bedroom wing consists of three bedrooms and three bathrooms with the south-west facing master bedroom further adjoining a dressing room, and a home-gym. The apartment’s focal feature is its spectacular walnut-paneled game room, or billiards room, off the living room while the property’s spacious kitchen is fully paneled with limestone floors, equipped with the highest-end appliances, including a La Cornue Chateau stove and oven, a Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer, and a wine cooler with a 100-bottle capacity. Other rooms include a marble-floored powder room and a home office or staff room with en suite bath.

“A unique opportunity to live regally, instantly in a museum-quality renovation that captures the timeless grandeur and classic style of Park Avenue’s Gilded Age,” says listing agent Kathy Sloane of Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales.

The property’s high specifications are evident throughout with under floor heating, closed-circuit security on the entrance, wired for Wi-Fi and television throughout the apartment. All windows are sound proofed, whilst constant ventilation is guaranteed through six zones or air-conditioning and humidification  with condensers which have been placed on the roof of the building. The apartment is also available for sale semi-furnished for an additional price on top of the current asking price of US$23.5 million.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Waterfront Estate is Largest Bay Front Sale on Sarasota's Siesta Key This Year


SARASOTA, Florida—A waterfront estate at 8347 Midnight Pass Road has become this year’s highest selling bay front property on Siesta Key. The elegant four-bedroom home features panoramic views of the bay and sold for US$4.075 million on November 13th. It was listed by the Addy & Wittig Team of the Longboat Key South office of Michael Saunders & Company.
It was only on the market for 56 days before being bound to contract; and officially closed 56 days later. The property was sold by Lindsay Bucknell.
The Addy & Wittig Team consists of Gail Wittig and Ian Addy and is regularly ranked among the leading Realtors in the Sarasota-Manatee market. They have garnered numerous industry awards and accolades over the years, including the distinction of being perennially ranked as the top-producing team from the Longboat Key office of Michael Saunders & Company, including in 2010 and 2011.
Michael Saunders & Company is the Christie's International Real Estate exclusive Affiliate in Sarasota, Florida. 


Kahana Grill open at Kahana Gateway


KAHANA - Kahana Grill is now open for dinner and cocktails seven days a week from 5 to 10 p.m. The restaurant is located in the Kahana Gateway center at the former Roy's location.
The menu is "a culmination of world cuisine with island attitude." The service and dishes are sophisticated, yet presented in a comforting, casual environment.
Staff can guide diners through the menu, recommending small plates to share or dishes with pairings. Some house favorites include Kahana Grill Baby Back Ribs with house-made tamarillo glaze and cucumber namasu, Bowl of Shells & Lap Xuong Sausage, Kula mixed greens, gourmet pizzas from the restaurant's brick oven, sushi by Chef Gregory Tanihara and house-made desserts.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Nobu Matsuhisa to open restaurant on Lanai


November 22, 2012
The Maui News
His first Big Apple restaurant propelled him to fame. These days, Nobuyuki "Nobu" Matsuhisa reportedly has 25 restaurants in 21 cities around the world, including one on Oahu, Nobu Waikiki, and one in Malibu, Calif., with partner and Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, who recently bought Lanai. Robert DeNiro and he will also partner in the world's first chef hotel at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.
Now, Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay, in partnership with Chef "Nobu" announces the target date for the opening of Nobu Lanai for sometime in late December.
"As a leader in innovative Japanese cuisine, world-renowned Chef Nobu has revolutionized the dining experience for epicureans and travelers alike," says Tom Roelens, the general manager of Four Seasons Resorts Lanai.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa to celebrate 50 years


November 29, 2012
Lahaina News


KAANAPALI - The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa at Black Rock in Kaanapali will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2013.


The resort's opening in 1963 was the event that put Kaanapali on the map, welcoming high-profile guests such as legendary singer and actor Bing Crosby, golfing great Sam Snead and former California Governor Pat Brown.

Through the years, generations of families from around the world have shared wonderful vacation memories at the resort and spa located at Pu'u Keka'a, or Black Rock.

Today, families continue to enjoy the rich history and cultural activities the resort offers, such as the nightly Cliff Dive Ceremony - a tradition dating back to the days of Hawaiian royalty and Chief Kahekili.

Although it is Kaanapali's oldest resort, the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa is also one of its newest, since it was closed from 1995-97 for a complete $160 million redevelopment.

January 2013 marks the kickoff of a yearlong celebration of the resort's Golden Anniversary, which starts with an anniversary luau on Jan. 25.

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