Three New Homes in Aspen, Miami Beach, and Los Angeles

Three New Luxury Properties

220 E Hopkins Road

One of the most recognizable and desirable homes in the center of Aspen is now offered for the first time and it's not hard to see how special this property is. Located in the center of town just steps away from everything, this 6,000 square foot lot offers a private backyard oasis with a pond, water feature, gardens and covered porch. The distinctive front elevation of the house features red windows and rocking chairs on the front porch contrasting with the natural unpainted wood siding and cedar shake roof. Five bedrooms, two-car garage, wine room, and a media room complete this in-town retreat.

Price: $12,950,000

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4340 N Bay Road

This amazing 2-story waterfront residence on prestigious North Bay Rd boasts 6BRs, 7.5 BAs w/over 8,800 SF of luxury living. The contemporary stunning residence has fine marble & wood floors throughout. The first floor features an impressive 2-story living room, grand double stairs leading to intimate sitting area.  The backyard features fountains, covered terraces, summer kitchen, and infinity pool. Boater's will love the 100' of water frontage and large dock. Open bay and Downtown Miami views.

Price: $16,495,000

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8520 Skyline Drive

Designed by internationally-renowned architect Hagy Belzberg, Skyline Residence is a rare example of world class architecture representing one of the most important pieces of contemporary architecture built in LA in the last decade.  Published extensively and recipient of numerous architectural awards, this gated, modern compound has a 5 bedroom open-floor plan plus a 1 bedroom, detached guesthouse. Spectacular city views from every room with amazing infinity pool and outdoor theatre. Floor to ceiling glass windows throughout. Large lot on over 1.5 acres.

Price: $8,995,000

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Three Newly Listed Luxury Homes

Three New Luxury Homes

154 Rippowam Road, Ridgefield, Connecticut

On a hillcrest with 50 mile views of the Hudson Valley is a hilltop estate of over 25000 square feet. Redesigned by award winning architect Jeff Mose & meticulously built by Mark Mosolino, this grand estate is the epitome of the ultimate Fairfield County home.  9 bedrooms,10 full baths, 5 half baths with 8 fireplaces this shingle style home has indoor/outdoor pools, pool house, theatre, elevator, wine cellar, wine vault & reserve room, exercise room, spa, massage room, music room with sound attenuation, walk around cupola with incomparable views, Great Hall, master bedroom suite with his & her baths, guest suite, apartment, all built with impeccable craftsmanship-custom paneling throughout & energy efficiency systems.

Price: $12,000,000

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21 Avalon Vista, Newport Beach, California

New front row custom estate located in the prestigious neighborhood of Pelican Crest. Luxuriate in the rear ground with infinity edged pool, ocean and Catalina Island views, and outdoor kitchen cabana with BBQ and built-in TV. A must see to truly appreciate.  Some of the amenities that this estate has to offer are: climate controlled wine cellar, private theater with state-of-the-art Sony 4K projector, game room, large parking garage with motion censored lighting, gourmet kitchen opened to family room, master retreat, heated limestone flooring in master bathroom, library/office and much more.

Price: $22,800,000

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172 White Pine Canyon Road, Park City, Utah

At 6800 square feet this home is an entertainers dream. The front door enters into the exquisite great room, complete with a large well appointed kitchen, semi formal dining room and floor to ceiling windows. Just off the great room you will find the master suite and an office. The lower level has four bedrooms with en-suite baths, a gym and large family room with a wet bar and large wine room.  Situated on 5.17 private acres within the gates of The Colony at White Pine Canyon, this stunning ski-in ski-out contemporary home is the latest project from the Jaffa Group.

Price: $5,650,000

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The Best of LA County

Three Beautiful New Homes in Los Angeles County

1235 Tower Road

If you have been looking for the dream, mature, family home then it has arrived. This is the perfect villa in the perfect location. Painstakingly remodeled from the ground up and no area has been left undone. The pool area is like a private resort. All situated behind stately electronic gates. Living room with high ceilings opens to a very large terrace facing the city view. The den has a unique bar with a half circle window facing the pool area. Dining room will comfortably hold over 25 for dinner and has French doors, which open to a large terrace with an additional dining area also facing the view. 

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345 Channel Road

Completed in 2011, this 2-story architectural masterpiece is composed of two extraordinary homes with a combined 8 bedrooms & 13 baths, 4 of which are sumptuous master suites. Special features are 500 year old reclaimed teak floors, voluminous spaces, soaring ceilings, walls of glass opening to zen gardens, pool/spa, tranquil waterfalls, & exquisite natural sculptures.  Thru 500 year old Monastery gates, is a breathtaking and Eco-sensitive 2 home compound set like an oasis among unique water features, glass walkways and lush Japanese gardens, yet just 1 block from the beach. A truly unmatched property that creatively embraces nature.

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609 Palisades Road

This is the ultimate California lifestyle home.  This 3 level beach estate boasts 9 bedrooms and 12 baths with the beautiful ocean and sand as the backyard. Enter through a courtyard with fountain into a truly one of a kind sanctuary. he backyard features a large grassy area and pool. Step out he backyard gate and you're on the sand and steps from the ocean.  The main level offers an open floor plan ideal for entertaining or just quiet relaxation featuring large living room, family room and dining room. There are 3 kitchens throughout the home for convenience. The master suite has gorgeous ocean views and sounds of waves to lull you to sleep. There are plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms plus a front guest house.

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3 New Estates in Southern California

3 New Luxury Estates in Sunny, Southern California

1345 Moraga Drive
Los Angeles, California, 90049

Nestled perfectly, the estate is a picture of peace and tranquility - a paradise retreat from the bustling city, yet conveniently located. It is accommodating to the most discerning of buyers who seek to have an abundance of amenities and features, including a Chef's kitchen, stunning stained glass dome above the grand entry staircase, state-of-the-art movie theater, Champion-size tennis court and much more.

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9050 St Ives Drive

Los Angeles, California, 90069

An incredible development opportunity on an acre of promontory property with unobstrocted, panoramic views of the city and sea. This is a rare offering, and you won't even need permission to trim the trees, because you own them all. Open up one of the biggest and best views in lower Doheny to create the next tour de force estate on one of the largest lots, in the most sought after neighborhood in the hills. Gated and private, this developers dream is a must see.

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660 Hot Springs Road

Montecito, California 93108

This one story residence was built in the mid 1940s and features dual Master Suites each with its own sitting room/library. All these rooms open to gardens and vistas. A Third massive bedroom suite is reached off the end of the entrance hall. The formal Dining room opens to both the Living room and the ocean view veranda. Two kitchens with an adjacent 6 room staff wing. Detached 2 room and bath Chauffeurs quarters, Gardeners cottage of 4 rooms, kitchen and bath are at the service area of the home along with a two car garage and greenhouse.

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Castles Magazine Live

The very first full episode of Castles Magazine Live is on the air! Stay tuned for more exclusive luxury listings!

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Fail-proof Ways to Boost Curb Appeal

First impressions mean everything, and when prospective buyers or realtors take their first look at your home, they’ll immediately study your home’s facade and front lawn. While an overhaul such as new siding can cost thousands, there are plenty of budget-friendly ways to improve the look of your home.

Though you might not be able to force your flowerbeds to bloom, you can still amplify their aesthetics by heavily mulching it at the start of each growing season. Organic mulches that are colored with vegetable dyes, like red cedar bark, create the biggest ‘wow’ factor, but the color can also fade quickly, especially if you live in an area with plenty of sunlight and rain. The solution to this depends on your budget. If you can re-mulch twice per year, feel free to indulge in the higher-quality varieties. If you’re on a tight budget, opt for something more durable, like pine straw or wood chips, or even entertain the notion of thoughtfully landscaping with fine gravel.

One of the easiest ways to create a more chic and modern exterior is to build a contained rock garden. Set a border that visually defines the area you want to create, clear it of all debris and plants, lay down landscape fabric, and cover the area with an attractive gravel, like decomposed granite or Russian river cobbles. By placing an odd number of eye-catching, vertical decorations like planters or blooming plants, you can visually hack the appeal of the garden. Try either one, three, or five planters. However, beware of placing this too close to deciduous trees, as the leaves it scatters will decompose into the soil, causing a weed problem within the rock garden.

Beyond landscaping, curb appeal can be boosted by amplifying trim and molding on the windows and doors of your home. If you don’t want to remove the existing molding, a layer of crown added to the top can be added, with styles ranging from simple Craftsman to ornate Victorian. If you’re willing to remove the existing trim, your options abound. An elaborate look can be created by adding fluted trim, topping it with rosettes, and sandwiching these between layers of crown and base molding. Remember: trim is like adding accessories to an outfit – it can elevate something basic into looking far more luxurious and expensive than it is.

Depending upon the architectural style of your home, shutters might be the missing link to a fantastic curb appeal. Historically, shutters were used to protect homes from inclement weather, but more and more they are being used as decorative elements to add texture and dimension to a home’s facade. Styles range from traditional louvered rectangular shutters to far more decorative board-and-batten styles.

Some homeowners have the good fortune of owning homes that are built from bricks, such as old clay-fired red brick from the early 20th century. But if you have a cookiecutter brick exterior, try a layer of paint to freshen it up. Depending upon the desired look, you can try white for a more modern yet classical feel, or a more daring shimmery grey. If your home is clad in something other than brick, try adding a fresh coat of paint to the front door. The “red front door” has become very popular in recent years, and works very well on neutral-colored houses, adding a much needed lipstick-red pop. A more conservative home should opt for muted shades like sea-blue, sage-green, or black.

Finally, an upgrade that is friendly for all budgets – replace your house numbers. Humdrum text doesn’t announce your address like a unique typeface can. Try art deco, cursive, or a modern sans-serif for a new twist.

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New Luxury Listings in Brookline

58 Welch Road

Brookline, MA

 

 

 List Price: $3,950,000

Close to Boston, this beautiful 1902 Neoclassical residence is sited on .76+ acres at the end of a private road in Brookline with seasonal views of the Boston skyline. The house's hilltop location and high ceilings afford natural light to fill the house. The floor plan is excellent for entertaining and the chef's kitchen is ideal for the serious cook. At 8,939 square feet of living space, the house offers generous rooms and graceful living. With four fireplaces, crown moldings, exposed beams, pocket doors, quarter-sawn oak flooring, and stained glass windows. The house consists of five (or more) bedrooms, five full baths and two half-baths, separate au pair living quarters and a two-car garage.

241 Grove Street

Brookline, MA

 

 

 List Price: $1,100,000

Stately 10 room, 5 bedroom Brick Colonial in South Brookline. First floor has a gracious fire-placed livingroom with adjacent den, updated kitchen/family room, guest lav and laundry room/office. There are three bedrooms on the 2nd floor including a spacious master bedroom with generous closets and bath with double sinks, tub and shower, two additional bedrooms and bath. Great 3rd floor with 2 bedrooms and bath. The two car garage is being used as an in-home office space and can easily be converted back. Convenient to Baker School, Putterham Shops, 51 bus and the commuter rail.

90 Holland Road

Brookline, MA

 

 

List Price: $3,495,000

Prestigious Fisher Hill. This stately seven bedroom, five full and three half-bathroom brick and stone English tudor-style residence with a slate roof is set on nearly 43,000' of land with sprawling lawns and specimen plantings. Beautifully appointed rooms showcase the exquisite architectural detail including four fireplaces. The gracious reception foyer leads to a library with oak paneling and 1st fireplace, and to an impressive 30'X19" step-down living room with nearly 10' ceiling height featuring a wall-of-glass, and an oversized fireplace with intricately carved mantel detailing. The living room accesses the yard, sun room and home office with separate outdoor entry. The pretty dining room has large bay windows and French doors. A modern kitchen with south-facing glass, overlooks the glorious yard and in-ground swimming pool. The family room, laundry room and three powder rooms complete this level. The elegant, curved staircase with period iron work ascends to the bedroom level.

  

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New Luxury Listings in Newton

405 Commonwealth Ave

Newton, MA 02459

 

 List Price: $2,495,000

 Come home to the sophistication and elegance of this gorgeous circa 1917 brick colonial home sitting handsomely on the carriage lane of Commonwealth Avenue's Heartbreak Hill. This meticulously preserved home mixes the excitement and convenience of its marvelous locale, with the privacy and serenity of an inviting backyard retreat, complete with in-ground pool, jacuzzi and cabana. The home is trimmed with period wood detailing throughout and was built to entertain with an expansive living room, formal dining room w/fireplace and spectacular year-round sun room with direct access to the covered patio and lush gardens. Preparing meals is a joy in the custom-built gourmet chef's kitchen complete with dining area and butler's pantry with 2nd dishwasher. The home features five bedrooms including two potential masters' on the second floor and a sixth bedroom with sitting area and full bath on the third. The generous lower-level offers finished family and play rooms, built-in sauna & more!

 30 The Ledges Road

Newton, MA

   

 

List Price: $3,850,000

Situated atop the beautiful Ledges of Newton this Bauhaus masterpiece by legendary architect Walter Gropius is the definition of special. With 5 bedrooms, and 6 full baths; step down living room with original paneling, and a grand staircase; this spacious home also boasts a sun splashed sky lit indoor pool with a full wet bar. Completing the Hamam are a steam shower, and a four person sauna. The en suite master bedroom boasts a huge wrap around deck, and a private staircase leading you to the "Crows Nest" balcony with spectacular views of Boston, and the acre plus landscaped grounds. The home is steps from Newton center as well as all of the Chestnut Hill area amenities.

 79 Grasmere Street

Newton, MA

 

List Price: $1,279,000 

 Extraordinary Victorian home sited on a dead end street in Newton Corner's coveted Hunnewell Hill neighborhood. Soaring 10' ceilings, spectacular wood work and sumptuous moldings throughout. First floor offers double foyers, French doors to side porch, butlers pantry, kitchen with mud room and powder room. A elegant stairway leads to the spacious landing on 2nd floor, consisting of the master suite with a walk in closet and renovated bath, 2 bedrooms, laundry room, family room and additional updated bath. Third floor boasts two additional bedrooms - as well as a bonus room currently used as a home office with a full bath, and could easily convert to an Au Pair/In Law.

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A Trump Makeover for Washington's Old Post Office

The landmark 1899 post office tower on Pennsylvania Avenue — the second-tallest building in Washington — looked out of place in the Federal Triangle of neoclassical government buildings constructed mostly in the 1930s.

In order to architecturally harmonize the Triangle, the government wanted to demolish the majority, leaving only the clock tower to rise above its replacement in homage to the previous Richardsonian Romanesque structure.
 

The 1970 reconstruction plan gave rise to "Don’t Tear It Down", an organization (now the D.C. Preservation League) that successfully fought the demolition. However, efforts to reuse the old building as offices for other federal agencies, with a ground-floor food court pavilion below the soaring nine-story atrium, also failed. The Old Post Office, a preservationist success, was a governmental flop, a federal white elephant saved from the wrecking ball — but for what?

In 2011, the General Services Administration, which owns and manages federal properties, invited interested parties to consider the prospects. More than 80 initially showed interest. Ultimately, 10 firms made formal proposals.

Last August, the agency signed a 60-year lease with the Trump Organization to renovate and convert the iconic building into a luxury hotel. Trump formally took possession on Saturday the 31st of May, allowing work to begin on a $200 million makeover. The deal also includes two 20-year lease renewal options.

“You just couldn’t build something like this today,” raved Ivanka Trump, executive vice president for development and acquisitions for the Trump Organization and Mr. Trump’s daughter, who is perhaps better known for her lines of women’s jewelry, shoes and handbags. "Having a nine-story glass-top atrium, having solid granite turrets, the level of detail carved into the stone. There is unbelievable wainscoting detail and incredibly intricate molding.”

The main building will have 271 rooms — prices to be determined — including two “presidential” suites in the former postmaster general’s office, 3,600 and 5,000 square feet in size.

The Trump Organization has been involved in other renovations of historic properties, including the Hotel Delmonico in Manhattan and the former Mar-A-Lago estate of Marjorie Merriweather Post in Palm Beach. The lease with the G.S.A. for the Old Post Office calls for Trump to pay the government $3 million a year in rent from the hotel’s opening date, with additional payments tied to the Consumer Price Index.

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Historic Newton (MA) 32nd Annual House Tour

            Settled in 1630, Newton, MA is among the oldest towns not only in the state, but also in the country.  Made up of 200-year-old roads, colonial-style churches and antique storefronts, Newton has a historical heritage proudly reflected in the town’s architecture.  And perhaps most reminiscent of this past is the towns historic housing stock, from 19^th century Victorian houses, to early 20^th century Tudor homes. 

            Living in these homes may not necessarily be feasible, but on June 3^rd, Historic Newton is giving their 32^nd annual house tour, on which you can walk around in and peruse a number of Newton’s most interesting, notable, and historic homes. 

            For an example of the kind of fascinating transformations a historic property can have, just look at this home.  Built in 1939 to store carriages, it was later converted into a single-family house, and eventually redesigned in a modern fashion, specifically laid out with an open floor plan and elevator for the homeowners’ daughter, who required a wheelchair.  And from a décor perspective, the owners keep it classy and simple, with stainless steel appliances and cherry cabinetry.    

                                     Photo Credit: Greg Premry

A 1914 Colonial, with additional kitchen and dining space.  Photo Credit: Greg Premry

Other homes on the tour will include a mid-19th century farmhouse, a 1929 Tudor, and an 1889 Victorian.  Admission tickets for the tour are $25 for members, and $35 for non-members. 

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