This Gold Coast home, East Coast of Australia, has a good deal of celebrity provenance, including, Emmy award winner Sarah Michelle Geller, who stayed at the home during the filming of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Scooby Doo”. Other “A list” media celebrities have holidayed in the property which forms part of the colourful home atmosphere. This luxury beach house was also used as the set for the mini series “Pacific Drive”.
The property was custom designed and built by award winning Gold Coast architect Malcolm Cummings in 1998 for Artist Christopher Hogan and his Property Developer wife Beres (current owners). An architectural triumph of concrete construction, its elevated position accommodates the hillside, and is a mezzanine level higher at the front than the back, with each side being three storey’s high.
The home, next to “Lores Bonny Lookout” point, has been built to make the best of a relationship between the architectural layout, the surroundings of the ocean, parks and existing landscape; and where art blends with design.
Alex Caraco, CEO, and Tory Hirst, Coldwell Banker GC Property Group, who are marketing the property commented “The extensive entertainment roof top terrace, recently used for a Ralph magazine swimwear shoot, has 360 degree views of the ocean and hinterland. The home is two floors higher than the neighbouring homes and due to new building restrictions homes cannot exceed the crest of the hill, so the outstanding views will never be encumbered
Complementing the homes contemporary design scheme, which includes a central staircase connecting all the levels, is an eclectic, warm mix of Eastern European and Moroccan finishes. The main house has 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, studio/office, living, kitchen with counter tops of Brazilian granite, noted for its beautiful tones of whites, golds and yellows. The dining and living areas are tiled in cream Italian marble and there is a downstairs entertaining area which includes another kitchen, dining and living.
Creatively, the master bedroom with en-suite spa bath, is luxuriously finished with Portuguese tiles and teak window shutters from Thailand. This multi-level home also includes a self-contained 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment with study, laundry and has its own entrance, great for guests, nanny or caretaker.
Alex Caraco also said “This luxurious home of approx 55sq’s is without doubt one of the finest resort style homes on the market. Circumstances dictate the property will be sold at Auction before the owners relocate overseas”. The auction will be held on site, 19 Brakes Crescent, Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast on Sunday, 5th September 2010 at 12.00 noon. The number of high quality pieces of luxury real estate going to auction continues to be substantial – and this is all around the world.
Filed under Celebrity Property by 
Things still seem to be tough in the luxury hospitality market – Viceroy Hotel Group announced today a discount scheme that will save travellers up to 20% – a new partnership between its acclaimed Viceroy Hotels and Resorts collection and Topguest, a new online members-only service that provides users with reward programs for virtual “check-ins” at hotels, restaurants and lounges. By joining Topguest, members will be awarded 20% off at Viceroy’s leading restaurants, bars, or spas after just five geolocation check-ins at the Viceroy properties in Santa Monica, Miami, Palm Springs, Snowmass, and Anguilla. Topguest users can check in with any major location-based-services (LBS) application, including Foursquare, Twitter, and Gowalla.
Viceroy Hotels and Resorts offers some of the newest “it” locations where travelers can “check-in” to their luxury boutique hotels with Topguest to receive rewards points. Guests don’t need to stay overnight at the hotel to qualify for rewards points. Whether dining at Viceroy Miami’s Eos Restaurant or enjoying the popular Cameo Bar at Viceroy Santa Monica, it is simple for individuals to check-in right from their cell phone. After five check-ins, Topguest members will receive the 20% discount reward to be used during their next visit to the spa, restaurant or lounge of any Viceroy Hotel or Resort.
“We’ve seen an increasing number of visitors to our properties checking in on Foursquare, Gowalla, and tweeting about their experiences with us,” said Michael Doneff, Vice President of Marketing for Viceroy Hotel Group. “Partnering with Topguest provides a great way for us to recognize and reward these guests, helping us enhance loyalty with both local and overnight visitors.”
“We’re thrilled to partner with Viceroy, one of the most exquisitely designed hotel collections in the world,” said Geoffrey Lewis, co-founder & CEO of Topguest. “Topguest aims to give users of geolocation applications like Foursquare real value for their check-ins at the hottest spots around the world. We believe this exclusive reward at Viceroy certainly qualifies!”
For more information on Viceroy Hotels and Resorts please visit viceroyhotelsandresorts.com. For more information on how to earn Viceroy Rewards for geolocation check-ins, or to join Topguest, visit www.Topguest.com from a laptop, mobile device, or iPad. Membership to Topguest is free, with no installation or downloading required.
Filed under Luxury Destinations by
The opening of the seven star Jumeirah Port Soller resort next year is confirmation of the island’s prestigious image. Spain’s largest island is a lush paradise in the Mediterranean, and has long been a favourite holiday spot for celebrities and nobility. From Frederic Chopin to Winston Churchill, Michael Douglas to Richard Branson, Suzi Quatro and the Spanish royal family… this is certainly a highly esteemed island. With 300 days of sunshine a year and a healthy fusion of green rolling hills, attractive beaches, unspoilt architecture in Palma and quaint villages and town across the island, this is an excellent place to enjoy a lavish lifestyle. Here are our pick of the best luxury hotels on the island.
Hotel Nixe Palace, Palma de Mallorca
Five star Nixe Palace has been a home away from home to the most discerning of guests since the 1950s. Stunning sea views and a private beach, immaculately furnished rooms and excellent restaurant and spa areas for true indulgence.
Hotel Port Adriano Marina Golf & SPA, Calvia
An oasis of calm within perfect distance of Palma, this glamorously styled luxury hotel boast peach coloured rooms and suites and is the perfect choice for budding golfers. Panoramic ocean views can be enjoyed from the two Mediterranean restaurants “La Vela” and “Splendor”.
Read’s Hotel & Vespasian Spa , Santa Maria
Tucked away in the mountains, this hotel is famous for its gourmet restaurant which guests from all over Majorca will go out of their way to visit. Perfect for a romantic getaway, the intimate hotel has just 23 rooms which retain a traditional style and an outstanding spa area.
Son Brull Hotel & Spa, Pollenca
A masterpiece has been created from this old monastery: avantegarde muted tones and the most exclusive modern fittings have been drafted in to these ancient walls. This astounding fusion of old an new is completed with a sleek terrace swimming pool with magnificent countryside views.
Hotel La Residencia, Deia
For charming views in a traditional Majorcan styled country house, discerning guests will be impressed with this Deia Residence. Suites with private pools and a spa with numerous treatment rooms will suit honeymooners; whilst the famous El Olivio restaurant housed in the old olive press will delight gourmet lovers
So until the seven star sensation opens its doors in 2011, these luxurious Majorca hotels should keep you pampered, sunned and very well fed!
Guest post by Holly Maguire (escapio.com). From stunning castles, to rustic vineyards, to chic modern hotels, check out Escapio’s collection of over 4,000 hand selected boutique and luxury hotels, or follow on Twitter.
Filed under Luxury Destinations by
Jack Nicklaus, whose accolades as a golf course designer parallel a legendary career that includes a record 18 professional major championships, joined friends and fellow greats Johnny Miller, Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson today to celebrate the grand opening of The Golf Club at Harbor Shores, a new 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. The Harbor Shores Champions for Change Golf Challenge featured the foursome competing in an 18-hole scramble skins format with rotating two-man teams.
More than 3,600 spectators witnessed this historic day of golf that was kicked off with a community clinic for all attendees. Prior to the clinic, Whirlpool Corporation CEO Jeff Fettig, announced that the Benton Harbor-based company would donate $1 million in honor of the four players to the Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor and The First Tee of Benton Harbor.
“The golf course has been many decades in the making in terms of transforming the industrial base in the community into something very productive,” said Fettig. “I can’t think of a better group of people, the four legends of golf, we had here today to kick it off.”
With introductions and morning ceremonies complete, the four players took to the course for its ceremonial first round in a rotating two-man skins format with partners switching every six holes. Patrons were treated to the two-man team of Nicklaus/Palmer to start off the round, followed by Nicklaus/Watson from holes 7-12 and Nicklaus/Miller to close out the round.
“I thought the golf course was in fantastic condition,” said Nicklaus. “The golf course was quite good and I’m quite proud of it. I’m also proud that I was asked to be a part of this project.”
Although it didn’t count on the scorecard, the highlight of the day came on the No. 10 green when Johnny Miller saw Arnold Palmer’s 100-foot eagle putt fall short of the three-tier ridged green and fall back towards his direction. Miller questioned the makeability of such a putt, which got Nicklaus’ attention. The course designer himself then demonstrated how the putt could be made by sinking the more than 100-foot uphill putt, which broke 15 feet from left to right, in front of more than 2,000 spectators who were surrounding the green.
Harbor Shores Golf Club
While the focus of the day centered around the revitalization of the community and raising funds for two local charities and no actual money was exchanged, Tom Watson did earn the most honorary skins money ($381,250). His total was followed by Jack Nicklaus ($268,750), Arnold Palmer ($181,250) and Johnny Miller ($168,750).
More than just a golf course, Harbor Shores will serve as a catalyst for ongoing community transformation—economic, environmental and social. Not only will the non-profit resort community stimulate increased tax revenue, create jobs and generate new consumer spending, it will build human capacity in areas including work-force training, youth development, education, life skills development, real estate investment, housing and homeownership.
Harbor Shores has already restored beauty to a pristine area of Lake Michigan’s waterfront through rehabilitation of local public park space, clean-up of brownfields and preservation of natural wetlands.
All 18 holes of The Golf Club at Harbor Shores are currently open for play. Video footage and photos from today’s event are currently available at www.harborshoreschampions.com.
Filed under Golf Developments by
Increasing Demand for Premium International Property
It has been a nail biting few months for the British people with the general election and the start of a new political phase. Twinned with the World Cup, 2010 has already proved to be a dramatic year. With both of these events behind us (albeit in the voting, scoring manner) and several areas of the UK property market returning to the peak levels of 2006/2007 there has also been a recent uplift in buyer demand within international property market as well as the London property market.
More specifically, it is the second consecutive month there has been a notable step up in the amount of buyers searching for international property. Hamptons International has recorded an increase in the number of enquiries that they have received and feel that there has been a positive attitude change over the second quarter.
This new confidence should have an impact on the international property market as a whole. However there is still the issue of the weak pound and thus should be a priority for the new coalition government to address with pace as it obviously has a significant effect for both British investors and the end users purchasing property overseas. It affects what they can afford and also can breed uncertainty for investors. This will ensure that British buyers and investors will have an equal footing in the international market when it comes to property for rent.
It must be noted that some International projects are progressing very well and newly completed stock is proving popular. This is because by their very essence they offer less risk and more security for buyers. As previously stated, Hamptons International has also seen a rise in prospective buyers for top end stock within the international market. Some of their prestigious projects include beautiful homes in the Western Cape of the Republic of South Africa. These obviously were in high demand during World Cup Fever, with prices starting at around £100,000 for homes in a marina in the False Bay area.
So is the international property market back on track? Well, all the indicators certainly point towards recovery but it depends on the strength of Sterling and how quickly the new government can act. However, the fact that buyers are once again searching for new property, especially at the premium end of the market shows that confidence is returning from the top down.
Filed under Luxury Real Estate News by
Tips for Staffing a Luxury Estate
Staffing A Luxury Estate
Owning a high-end property, although luxurious and rewarding, has its challenges. According to David Cassford, founder of Cassford Management, a luxury estate and hospitality consultancy, effectively staffing your property is the single most important step to running an organized and successful estate.
Whether it is a pied-à-terre in New York City, a luxury estate in Greenwich, waterfront property in Miami or a sprawling ranch in Texas, it takes qualified and experienced household staff to keep these assets running smoothly.
Here are 10 things to look for when staffing a property:
1. Assess the amount of staff you will need.
This will depend on the size of the household and grounds — and the family dynamics. For instance, a working couple with two young children living in a 10,000-square-foot home on three acres may need a house manager, two housekeepers, a nanny, a chef, and a groundskeeper.
2. Source qualified help from a reputable staffing agency.
Look for an agency with a proven track record that is going to work with you and not just overwhelm you with resumes that do not match the criteria you are looking for.
3. Allow an ample amount time to search and secure the right staff.
This can take one to three months to source the right personnel.
4. Run a background check and validate that the candidate has legal working status.
Most reputable agencies will run a background check on candidates prior to an offer of employment. All agencies should be able to verify whether the candidate is legal to work.
5. Hire trained and experienced staff.
Check and test the candidate’s knowledge of their profession; do not rely on the agencies to check the facts on the candidate’s resumes. If you have specialty pieces in your home such as silver, antiques or crystal, then the candidates need to know how to clean and care for them.
6. Housing for live-in staff.
Decide how many staff you need to live in, and the space and privacy needed to accommodate them. (Bunk beds in the attic are not acceptable.)
7. Create an operating staff service budget to support the seamless running of your property.
Budget a minimum of $100,000 upward to $1 million or more to employ and retain household staff. Key factors such as the size of the property, amount of staff required servicing the property and your personal lifestyle all affect the budget.
8. Be by the book.
Have an estate and household operations manual that includes all human resource practices for your property and defined job descriptions and duties.
9. Pay staff 100% on the books.
Do not pay staff under the table – this will come back and bite you.
10. Provide health benefit coverage as an employer best practice.
Preparedness is always your best protection. In the event a staff member has a medical emergency, they are covered.
For more information, visit www.cassfordmanagement.com or email info@cassfordmanagement.com.
Filed under For Enthusiasts by
