A Splendid Ski Home in the Aspen Highlands

With the amount of snow in the alps slowly declining, it’s easy to see why there has been an increase in Aspen’s popularity. From culinary delights to shopping and the Highland Bowl, considered among the state’s most extreme runs, Aspen offers just about everything the winter traveler could ask for. For those seeking the best of Aspen, a luxurious Aspen Highlands estate situated on over 2 acres awaits its next discerning owner. Located on Falcon Road in the prestigious Five Trees community is a five bedroom six and a half bath home that exemplifies the phrase ‘Winter Retreat’. With custom made furnishings, high ceilings, and warm woodwork the house is grand yet cozy.

“This property is unique on a number of levels. It provides end-of-the-road privacy, world-class skiing right out the front door and is move-in ready. The furnishings are top of the line and in perfect harmony with the home’s proportions. Purchasing a home of this stature, fully furnished, is a rare opportunity,” stated Colter Smith of Christie’s International Real Estate Aspen.

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Entering through the porte cochere the home is instantly characterized by it’s open floor-plan. The sunken living room and raised dining area benefit from ample windows, which flood the living area with picturesque views of the mountains, and open to a heated slate patio. Located near the entry of the home is a slate hallway which elegantly leads to a accompaniment of 5 luxurious bedrooms including two master suites. Downstairs a suite of entertaining spaces await, including a home cinema, game room, wine cellar, gym, and outdoor spa. A three car garage completes the home.

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With an asking price of just under $14 million, this property is currently the most expensive listing in Five Trees, though with its exceptional finishes such as, Venetian plaster walls and palatial ceiling heights the Falcon Road Estate stands far above others on the market. Not to mention the home’s massive views of Baldy Peak and the Willow Creek Valley. And for the ultimate in convenience “the home is being offered fully furnished, including artwork, interior décor, right down to the flatware and linens.”

Images courtesy of:  Christie’s International Real Estate

Rock House Resort in the Turks and Caicos

Rock House, a Resort and Residential development project which is being assembled on over a dozen acres on the north coast of the Providenciales in the Turks & Caicos, is a perfect blend of sustainability and natural beauty. With six hundred feet of ocean frontage and elevations of nearly 100 feet, Rock House pays no comprise to employ sustainable construction techniques combined with cutting edge scenery.

Grace Bay Resorts and Coast Architects are working together with local botanist Nature’s Vision to assemble a landscape that consists of entirely local species of plants. While residence interiors will benefit from the design expertise of Shawn Henderson and local Coast Architects.

The native species that will be incorporated in the resort’s design will include rare genus of plants, such as the slow-growing Joewood trees which can live for hundreds of years. As construction is currently still ongoing at the resort, the gardening team is storing plants in a nursery on property. Other notable sustainable resort features include site excavated limestone, which will be incorporated throughout the property and lend towards a reduced environmental impact.

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A particular highlight of the property’s limestone is a pool carved directly out of a limestone cliff, which will serve the Hilltop condos. Prices for residences in the vicinity of the limestone pool range from just under $700,000 to nearly $1,500,000 USD.

Images courtesy of: Grace Bay Resorts via Quinn PR

Summit: A Luxurious Oasis Located in Manhattan’s Otherwise Bustling Midtown East Neighborhood

Located in Manhattan’s Midtown East neighborhood, the luxury apartment building, Summit, feels like an oasis inside of the busy city with its homey yet chic living spaces and striking views of the New York City skyline.

Entering the luxury space, residents are first greeted by the three-stories-tall lobby, which is surrounded by floor to ceiling windows. During the day, the natural sunlight highlights its open layout, decorated by a custom chandelier and simple waterfall fixture.

Once through the elevator and into the residential spaces themselves, each unit is characterized by crisp white walls, hard wood floors, and a spacious kitchen that is both modern and elegant with garage door style cabinets, Quartz counter-tops, and Bosch appliances.

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In addition to a cozy interior space many apartments have private terraces, giving residents access to incredible views of the East River and the Chrysler Building’s iconic art-deco spire, depending on what side of the building the unit is located. But, even those without private terrace access aren’t excluded from admiring the city’s incredible views as well, considering that each room is also accompanied by floor to ceiling windows.  

Parsed out amongst the three different floors, Summit’s amenity spaces include its Sky Lounge, Club Level, and Arena, each offering unique opportunities to residents.

Situated on the 42^nd floor, the Sky Lounge is the perfect place to host lavish dinner parties amongst friends, considering its private dining space, bar, terrace and grill, and marble fireplace. The Club Level, a more kid friendly and casual space, is home to the main lounge, theater room, gaming area, and conference rooms.

Although all impressive in their own right, what is perhaps the building’s most eye-catching space is the Arena. In what is practically an Equinox, but in your abode, Summit’s home gym provides its residents access to a full basketball court, a squash court, a spin and yoga studio, an indoor lap pool, and a spa and sauna space.

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Located at 222 E 44^th Street, Summit opened for leasing earlier this year in January and is home to 429 apartments, ranging from studio spaces to three bedroom, two and a half bathroom residences.

Monthly rent of the available units ranges between a 14^th floor studio priced at $4,200 per month and a three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom residence priced at $35,000 per month and located on the 42^nd floor. Other available units include a one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit for $6,280 per month, a two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit for $7,900, and a one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit with terrace access priced at $11,075 per month, according to their website.

“Summit can truly accommodate everyone,” says Matthew Villetto, Executive Vice President at Douglas Elliman Development Marketing. “With these amenities and unique apartment layouts, we’re able to cast a wide net to appeal to a large, diverse audience, providing them with an unmatched luxury lifestyle – one that is hard to come by in Midtown NYC, especially in a rental building.”

Images provided by Quinn

From Jet Charter to SF Mansions and Wellness Retreats, 3 Extravagant Holiday Gifts

With the holiday season just around the corner, it’s time to start considering some exceptional gift ideas. For the individual with everything, we’ve selected three exceptionally extravagant gifts from San Francisco wellness focused mansions to a health focused sabbatical.

Troon Pacific’s High-Tech Wellness Focused Mansions in San Francisco

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Looking for a modern home with a view in California’s Bay Area? With convenient access to the tech world in San Francisco and Silicon Valley, Troon Pacific’s Residence 950 ($40.5M) and Residence 2646 ($29.8M) are the perfect holiday gift to treat yourself with if you’re currently in the market for some exceptional real estate.

Both homes, which were designed by Troon Pacific with a focus on healthy living and incorporate lush gardens, wellness centers, and cutting edge water and air filtration systems, enjoy prime San Francisco locations in the sought after Russian Hill and Pacific Heights neighborhoods. Residence 950 and 2646 are packed full with ultra luxurious amenities including ‘subterranean double height art galleries; cantilevered infinity-edge lap pools with city and bay views; bat cave like garages with car turntables; wellness centers, indoor/outdoor fitness studios’ among much else. Though some of our favorite features are the exceptional views of the San Francisco bay, which both properties offer.

Image credit: Residence 2646 top two images: Mikiko Kikuyama

Image credit: Residence 950 bottom two images: Jacob Elliot provided courtesy of Quinn PR

Indulge in a Three Month Wellness Sabbatical in the Orient

Gift yourself with a three month long wellness sabbatical with Original Travel. The luxury itinerary company has assembled a list of health related sabbaticals specifically geared towards executives and their families. Some of our favorite itineraries are set in the forests of Japan and the Indian Himalayas as well as focus on the alternative eastern healing methods of Tai Chi, Meditation, and Yoga. Programs begin at $124,000 USD per couple.

Image courtesy of: Quinn PR

Private Flexible Travel with VistaJet

Travel the world with Thomas Flohr’s VistaJet, the first global private aviation company. Currently VistaJet is offering a back-to-nature travel adventure with accommodation and
private air travel for $272,000 USD per couple.

VistaJet has put together a selection of more than a dozen unique ‘multi-stop travel adventures tailored around its Members’ passions. Trips range from gastronomy to philanthropy to cultural immersion and more.’ Destinations include the Oceania island of Vanuatu, where the adventurous traveler can enjoy a volcano expedition, an immersion in Ni-Vanuatu culture, and exceptional diving around the island. All tours are said to include accommodations and private flights.

Image credit: VistaJet courtesy of Quinn PR

California’s Greatest Estates | Filoli

Situated just between San Francisco and Silicon Valley in Woodside, California, Filoli, the Country Estate of William B. Bourn was constructed from 1915 to 1917 during the Gilded Age in the United States. The main house, which consists of 54,000 square feet of living space is nestled within 16 acres of formal gardens surrounded by an estate of over 500 acres.

The architectural elements of the property are characterized of a tasteful mix of a stately English manor with a tile roof paying homage to California’s Spanish heritage. Stepping inside the residence is like taking a step back in time with antique Chippendale furniture as well as Ming vases, and even a sketch of Mrs. Bourn by none other than John Singer Sargent himself. A particular highlight of the residence is the Ballroom, which features a superbly elegant fireplace and murals of the Bourn’s Irish Estate, Muckross. The residence’s grand design is stunning yet understated, which allows for Filoli’s gardens to take center stage.

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The elegant formal gardens at Filoli are often characterized by their distinct blend of European, English, and American design, where a series of garden rooms divided by walls and hedges allow visitors to experience the ultimate in splendor. As guests move from parterres to terraces and lawns they benefit from not only changes in scenery, but also changes in temperature and views that allow for uncompromisingly beautiful angles to view the home and its gardens. A variety of exotic plants, which include camellias, rhododendrons, and roses surround the gardens that also include an elegant sunroom/folly as well as an elegantly placed swimming pool. The garden is complimented by several orchards and olive groves.

William Bourn, who earned his fortune through gold mining and the founding of what would later become Pacific Gas & Electric, resided with his wife Agnes Moody Bourn at the 654 acre estate from 1917 to 1936. It was at Filoli that the Bourns desired to grow young together. Although it did not become common knowledge until after Bourn’s death, it was uncovered that Filoli is an abbreviation of his motto, “Fight for a just cause; Love your fellow man; Live a good life.” Following the death of Mr. Bourn, Filoli was sold to William and Lurline Roth. In an effort to ensure Filoli could be enjoyed by as many as possible, Mrs. Roth donated the estate and an endowment to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1975.

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Currently, Filoli is featuring a fall program which celebrates the harvest season with “bluegrass music, nature hikes, kids’ crafts and entertainment, afternoon tea, art exhibits and lectures, along with samples of more than 30 varieties of apples and pears grown in the estate’s 100-year-old orchards.”

“The variety and abundance of the harvest here is always incredible, and we continue the Filoli legacy of production and sustainability by putting everything to good use,” said Jim Salyards, Head of Horticulture at Filoli. “We’ll get four or five tons of fruit in a typical season. One to two tons goes into our Filoli jams and cider production, two to three tons is distributed to local food banks, and the choicest fruit is offered as samples at our annual Harvest Festival and Orchard Day events, not to be missed.”

For more information on Filoli please visit: Filoli.org

Featured Image courtesy of: Filoli; Featured Image Credit: Photographer Patrick Wilson

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277 Fifth Avenue, the Newest and Most Luxurious Residential Building on New York City’s Iconic Fifth Avenue

With floor to ceiling windows stretching across each room, as well as an array of amenities that make it feel like you’re living in a high-end resort, 277 Fifth Avenue is not only the tallest residential building on Fifth Avenue, with 55 stories, but it is also one of the most luxurious.

Located in Manhattan’s lively NoMad neighborhood, just north of Madison Square Park, the building itself is hard to miss. Aside from standing out for its height, the building’s exterior, which was designed by internationally acclaimed architect Rafael Viñoly, is absolutely eye-catching with its delicate mix of glass and indigo colored concrete paneling.

But the allure doesn’t end there. Rather, the building’s interior architecture is what makes it truly special.

Designed by Jeffrey Beers and Jeffrey Beers International, the inside of 277 Fifth Avenue is both stylish and modern, bringing together a cohesive blend of incredible architecture and artistry – aspects which are made apparent immediately upon coming into the building’s lobby.

Home to a beautiful floor-to-ceiling bookshelf curated by Assouline Publishing, stepping into the lobby feels as if you are entering an atmosphere of sophistication and warmth. These key features are what welcome you in after a long day away from home, cultivated by Beers to create a residential living experience focused on hospitality.

Leading you from the lobby to the residences, the hallways are composed of dark grey carpet, bordered by a dark flame finished granite, and a cream wallpaper lining the walls – all together creating a dramatic yet elegant contrast in colors.

“[Dale Chihuly] taught me about color, warmth, and the importance of emotion in design,” explains Beers in an interview with The Extravagant. Chihuly, a master glassblower and artist, mentored Beers while he was a student at the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design.

But in addition to gaining both inspiration and industry knowledge from Chihuly, Beers also attributes his aptitude for understanding proportion, the use of space, and the importance of clean, modern lines to I.M. Pei and Oscar Niemeyer, who he says are two of the best in their field.

Once in the apartment, it is nearly impossible to decide which is more stunning, the view of the New York City skyline (highlighted by the fact that with a maximum of four rooms per floor, every apartment is a corner room) or the interior architecture itself. Fortunately, as a result of Beers’ design choices, the two complement each other incredibly well, neither one overpowering the other – an incredible feat considering the iconic view of the Empire State Building that the rooms on the north side of the building share, in addition to the impressive views of downtown and the One World Trade Center that the rooms on the south side of the building look out to.

“The floor to ceiling windows and their incredible views drove our design to be handsome and inviting,” explains Beers. “Our intention was to design around the views, and therefore, the accents, materiality and furnishings are, in essence, a backdrop to New York’s cityscape.”

This intention by Beers to create a balance between the building’s view of New York City and the interior architecture extends from the bedrooms, to the kitchen and the bathroom as well, allowing for a completely stylish and contemporary living space.

But perhaps the space where Beers’ focus on creating sleek and modern lines is most apparent throughout the apartment, is the kitchen.

The open-layout space, which extends out into the living room, features Calacatta Sachelo polished marble slab countertops and backsplash, white oak cabinets, as well as an island countertop with waterfall edges. “In essence, the kitchen design is suited for the city resident looking for ease, comfort, space, and efficiency,” says Beers.

Aside from the architectural design of the individual apartments, the residential living experience at 277 Fifth Avenue is rounded out by the amenity floors and everything they have to offer.

Connected by a beautiful white staircase that can be seen in the photo below, the amenity spaces consist of a fitness center, with a training/yoga studio, a men’s and women’s spa, with a sauna and steam room, access to a private dining room, a furnished outdoor terrace, a media lounge, and a kids’ space – all coming together to create a comfortable living and family environment.

“Your home is your oasis from the madness of the city; your space to be yourself and to connect with your family and friends,” says Beers. “As a hospitality designer, I want to create spaces that feel like escape or theater. While I want the guests to feel relaxed and welcome, I also want them to feel transported away from their day to day lives.”

Having officially launched the ambitious project in 2017, the lavish residential apartment building is in the final stages of construction and has opened its doors to New York City residents.

Currently, there is a wide-range of apartments available including one-bedroom, one-bathroom units starting at $1,875,000, two-bedroom, two-bathroom units starting at $3,465,000, three-bedroom, three-bathroom units starting at $4,725,000, as well as a four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom penthouse priced at $27,000,000.

The units themselves range in size from 828 square feet to 4,520 square feet, and each apartment has an incredible corner view of the New York City skyline, with the lowest available room being on the 17^th floor, and the highest on the 55^th floor.

The building’s factsheet can be found here, where it is also possible to see the floorplans of each available residence and what makes the spaces so special.

“I love this project so much that my wife and I have decided to move into one of the residences this fall,” admits Beers.

Featured photo, photo two, and photo three, all provided by THREE MARKS

Healthy Living Takes Center Stage at Troon Pacific’s Residence 2646

Situated on Union Street in San Francisco, California, is the city’s latest wellness-inspired, eco-friendly home, known simply as Residence 2646. This newly constructed residence is like few others, offering benefits to its occupants that have been otherwise ignored until recent times. When one procures a home, it is common place to put the aesthetic appeal above other elements that may affect the wellness of the buyer and their family. Troon Pacific built Residence 2646 in order to relieve you of these worrying issues, as the home offers numerous health oriented amenities including ventilation outlets, air filtration systems, Everpure water filtration system and shielded cables that limit the risk of Electro Magnetic Fields.

On the border between the Cow Hollow and Pacific Heights neighborhoods, this pre-certified LEED-platinum abode is expected to be the area’s most sustainably-built property. The house features four bedrooms, an office, a guest suite and an au pair suite, making it the ideal family home. One of the most spectacular aspects of the property, however, are the panoramic views which span across the San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island.

“Troon Pacific’s newest wellness-focused home, Residence 2646, is a sustainably-built, technologically-advanced home in San Francisco. The exceptional home was designed to enhance the buyer’s physical, mental and emotional health,” said Gregory Malin, CEO of Troon Pacific. “At Troon Pacific, we’re passionate about building in new and environmentally friendly ways. We achieved this at Residence 2646 by using advanced air filtration systems and by mitigating the use of “red-list” chemicals in the building materials and finishes. Troon Pacific also implements whole-house water filtration systems, open floorplans with an abundance of natural light, environmentally-friendly products and locally sourced materials.”

Once you set foot on Residence 2646’s gated entryway, you are immediately greeted by a finely landscaped walkway with trees overhead and lanterns positioned above in order to highlight the splendor of the home’s outer-facade. You walk straight from the street-level entrance to the home’s main level, which introduces you to ample open living areas with splendid views through a wall of sliding glass doors. Additional features of the main level are a commodious living room, dining room, marble encased powder room, family room and a gourmet kitchen alongside European White Oak hardwood floors and 10-foot ceilings. Residents can easily transverse from floor-to-floor with either the generously sized elevator or the glass-enclosed staircase. A massive operable skylight hangs at the center of the home, brightening the staircase as well as flooding every floor with natural light. Beautiful warm innovative interior design is another aspect at the heart of Troon Pacific homes, which garnered their design language from Malin’s late wife, Charlot, who was one of the most prolific interior designers in California.

The garden-level of the home truly embraces wellness to its fullest as it offers broad wellness functions such as a fitness center, a massage room, a spa with a glass-encased sauna and a steam shower. Furthermore, sliding glass doors open up to a simple yet tasteful hardwood deck that can also function as an outdoor yoga studio. An indoor/outdoor garden area on the first floor presents a full-service wet bar alongside custom cabinets, floating shelves, dishwasher and ice maker.

On the subject of how Residence 2646 is unique from other awe-inspiring projects. Troon Pacific CEO Greg Malin states, “We incorporated a large amount of steel into the home and created an open floorplan that is brought to life by glass walls and wood. Inspired by biophilic design principals, we also love to create an indoor/outdoor connection wherever possible. Achieving this amount of glass on the exterior is very unusual and takes a really good engineer. However, the result is panoramic, unobstructed views on each level and a true connection to nature. It’s one of the things we are proud of.”

The outdoor area behind the house is dual purposed, functioning as an addition to the residence’s wellness center. The vibrant plant life and towering trees integrate together to establish an enclosed sanctuary in the backyard, designed to allow relaxation in an aesthetically pleasing and wellness inducing environment. The backyard is truly an awe-inspiring part of the property as its outdoor entertainment space is defined by a sunken living room complete with a fire pit, radiant-heated seating and a built-in barbeque extension.

The residence’s lower level offers entertainment areas and living spaces that features a media room that has been pre-wired for surround sound, a thermal & humidity-controlled wine tasting room, a laundry room, a mudroom and an AV room designed for mechanical access. Aside from these entertainment spaces, the floor also has an additional guest bedroom with ensuite bathroom and a private entrance. The garage includes a catering area, a pet spa, a Tesla Power Wall and parking for three cars thanks to the addition of room beneath the garage floor that allows residents to conveniently lower a car for easy storage.

When asked about his favorite element in the entire house, Malin said: “It’s a difficult question… I love the main living level; the feeling of connectivity created by the open floorplan, the drama brought on by the stone accent wall, the unique powder room… those elements combined with the stunning entrance is probably what I love the most.”

The main level’s kitchen boasts a broad 30-foot sliding glass wall that opens up to a full-width terrace accompanied by an herb garden and glass guardrail that complements the 180-degree view of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge. Located at the center of the kitchen is an expansive Boffi island in the latest metallic finish together with waterfall stone edges and breakfast bar seating. The kitchen offers custom cabinets, stone slab countertops and an uninterrupted 20-foot window, which welcomes natural light to flow freely.

Malin walks us through how the innovative, wellness-focused technology is implemented throughout the home. “The house has one of the first Tesla Power Walls installed, which can also serve as a battery backup. We also install a below-grade air and water barrier, which is great for both environmental and wellness reasons. We do that as a precaution because in some cases there are unground streams running along the hillsides; you never know where all the water is being directed, so we are thoughtful. The barrier consists of about six to eight inches of drainage rock and perforated pipes. We actively ventilate those pipes to prevent air pathogens from entering the house. This technique is also used to protect from Radon exposure. We do this for every home because we believe a healthy life is the greatest luxury, and we want to ensure homeowners have the best possible air quality.”

The master bedroom, located on the fourth floor, boasts a custom wood-wrapped vestibule with a double-door entrance that takes you to dual walk-in closet. As soon as you walk in, you are greeted by sliding glass doors that withdraw to a private terrace with outstanding views of both the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. The two-sided, transparent fireplace proposes a view straight into the opulent master bath, which includes a Boffi double vanity with mirror enclosed television, a glass-encased water closet, a freestanding bathtub and a shower with full-height glass window that allows for sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay. On the rest of the floor, three additional bedrooms are found with ensuite bathrooms that feature stone walls, countertops and wide stone tile floors.

Lastly, but certainly not least, is the home’s fifth floor, also referred to as the penthouse, which shelters a full bar and entertainment room. The floor includes a refrigerator, a sink and a Terzani ‘School of Light’ chandelier. Additional amenities are a private study with ensuite bathroom, an open-floorplan and a staircase leading up to a breathtaking rooftop deck presenting a fire pit, natural plants, glass guardrails, solar panels and magnificent 360-degree views of San Francisco.

The overflowing sustainability and wellness beneficial applications offer bountiful energy efficiency for the house. Troon Pacific added thermally insulated, double-pane windows and glass doors; ventilation outlets beneath the sinks, as well as in just about every closet and all the shoe cabinets; Energy Star appliances; solar panels; and 90-to-100% heated LED lighting floods throughout. It was of paramount importance to not only make the home fully functional, but also to put the well-being of its residents first and foremost. The following advanced-applications are what makes Residence 2646 a truly remarkable home: a MERV-13 air filtration systems that work to achieve a total air change every two-to-three hours; a grey water system that accumulates, purifies and recycles water for landscape irrigation; and a Everpure water filtration system all through the home. Furthermore, shielded cable was implemented in all bedrooms to diverge the potential risk of Electro Magnetic Fields (EMF).

“We installed a hidden whole-garden Sonance system,” says Malin. “There is an approximately 30-inch subwoofer buried underground with numerous satellite speakers, which gives a nice depth to the sound in the garden. When we were installing the system, we think the most important thing is that the music can just carry throughout the home to create a seamless experience. You can also program each speaker individually if you wanted.”

Additional innovative technological amenities at Residence 2646 include a Lutron HomeWorks lighting control system, a car charger and a Savant Smart Home automation system, which can be controlled from your iPhone, Android or home-installed iPads. This system performs fine-tuning of the home’s audio, visual, heating and security elements, such as cameras and alarms. When building Residence 2646, it was Troon Pacific’s mission to focus on materials and products that had the least if not any environmental impact. They chose to use products free of red-list chemicals, Declare label products with minimal emissions and a wide-range of extra eco-encouraging systems.

“I don’t like to describe Troon as a developer because I feel there is a negative connotation with that,” said Malin. “I really believe in what we do — we are investing in the communities we care about in a big way. And I hope one day people will look back at the effort and energy we put into the city and be inspired to create healthier, more sustainable homes as well.”

After Labor Day, Residence 2646 will officially be listed on the market for 34 million USD. For more information on the residence, visit: Residence2646.com

Also check out TroonPacific.com to learn more about Troon Pacific’s missions and their innovative and eco-friendly projects in store for the coming future.

On what Malin would like his company to be known for, he states: “as a company that cares as much about the quality and social responsibility of our work, as it does about its profits and business goals.” Malin adds, “I think that’s something not quite understood by many. The quality of these homes and what’s hidden in those walls… the little things that we did because we always strive to be thoughtful. We think it’s important to treat each home as if it’s our own.”

Image Credit: Mikiko Kikuyama

Moët Imperial Celebrates 150 Years at the Recently Renovated Château de Saran

Covering the chalk plains and hills of eastern France, Champagne, home to the most famous sparkling wines in the world, welcomed an A-list crowd with an exclusive sparkling soirée and a dinner prepared by two Michelin-starred chefs on May 22 in front of one of the grandest 19th-century homes.

Alongside Roger Federer, Kate Moss and Uma Thurman, about 100 other guests had all come aboard a specially commandeered Orient Express train in Paris earlier that day for the unveiling of Château de Saran, a property of Moët & Chandon since 1801, with a celebration of the 150th anniversary of Moët Imperial, the signature champagne of the Maison.

Château de Saran was built for Jean-Remy Moët, grandson of the founder of Moët & Chandon in the village of Chouilly. In the lush landscape of Champagne, the house that was originally built as a hunting lodge turned into a family residence that has entertained the Maison’s most distinguished guests. After a five-year restoration, the renovated Château de Saran will once again become the site of festive celebrations for Moët & Chandon’s honored guests.

“We are thrilled to welcome our honored guests to the beautifully-restored Château de Saran to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Moët Impérial in grand style, and to mark a pivotal moment in our House’s history,” Stéphane Baschiera, President and CEO of Moët & Chandon, told LVMH.

Following the cocktail hour, guests were greeted with a seated dinner inside a striking mirrored structure set among the vineyard. The four-course, seafood-centric dinner with wine pairings was created by the three-Michelin-starred duo: Yannick Alléno and Dominique Crenn.

The evening did not stop there. The house lights were lowered, while the guests all looked toward a transparent wall as instructed. A stunning fireworks display erupted in the adjacent fields with a live piano performance by Freya Ridings to close out the evening.

“Elegant, generous, and beautiful,” said Roger Federer as fireworks sparkled across the sky.

Image & Video Credit: © Moët & Chandon courtesy of LVMH

Summer Living Room Inspiration

With the summer season at our doorstep, we’ve taken a moment to assemble a collection of some of our favorite chic living rooms that just ooze elegant, summertime vibes by bringing the outdoors in.

277 Fifth Avenue – New York, New York

Manhattan’s highly desirable 277 Fifth Avenue is located at the intersection of the city’s east, west, uptown, and downtown. Famed ONE57 interior designer, Jeffrey Beers’ latest masterpiece offers buyers a selection of plush residences featuring a signature interior palette consisting of Italian marble, white oak floors, and bespoke walnut vanities. A sizable portion of 277 Fifth Avenue’s units include elegant living rooms with floor to ceiling windows, which let in extraordinary views of the outdoors including the Hudson and East River.

Image Credit: Three Marks

Rock House – Turks and Caicos Islands

The ‘minimal-yet-warm living areas’ are a defining characteristic of the condos at Rock House resort located in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Residences at the resort have been envisioned by Shawn Henderson, who is well regarded for his AD100 designation. Locally sourced limestone is used to craft the walls of the residences along with a simple collection of unstated materials, such as lightly washed wood. However, the pièce de résistance of the residences are the living rooms with their floor to ceiling glass walls that open up to terraces with panoramic, tropical views of ‘Providenciales’ crystal-clear blue waters’.

Image Credit: Grace Bay Resorts

Alaia Belize – San Pedro, Belize

The oceanfront villas at Alaia Belize, which are currently under development, will be built to showcase the culture of outdoor living in Belize. A seamless connection to the outdoors offers residents the ability to enjoy San Pedro’s most glorious natural characteristics.

Brought to life by eco-luxury designer Debora Aguiar, Oceanfront Villa living rooms, as pictured above, offer their residents direct access to the beach and sea. In line with the designers environmental consciousness, Alaia residences will be made from re-purposed wood and local rustic marbles and stones.

Image Credit: Alaia Belize

Residence 2646 (Troon Pacific) – San Francisco, California

Residence 2646 is the brainchild of Troon Pacific, the masterminds behind the stunning Residence 950, currently the most expensive listing in San Francisco. The living room at 2646 flows directly into a garden via an easily concealed sliding glass wall. The garden, which features a ‘sunken outdoor lounge’ is a truly harmonious example of blending indoor and outdoor space in an urban environment.

Troon Pacific made good use of the residences design by incorporating sustainable design features, such as solar panels and LEED Platinum pre-certification. Balconies are plenty throughout the residence and the use of glass railings and walls is equally abundant.

Image Credit: Troon Pacific

Turnberry Ocean Club – Sunny Isles Beach, Florida

Turnberry Ocean Club’s 154 residences are located in Sunny Isles Beach, a 35 minute drive north of Miami Beach. Situated directly off of Collins Avenue, the Turnberry Ocean Club is located on prime ‘Millionaire’s Row’. All residences boast living rooms with floor to ceiling windows, allowing residents to absorb the best sunrises and sunsets that Florida has to offer. All condos are equipped with an outdoor kitchen on their ocean facing terraces.

Residences are available for purchase with asking prices ranging from $3.9 million to $35 million USD.

Image Credit: Courtesy of Turnberry Ocean Club

Featured Image Credit: Troon Pacific courtesy of Quinn PR

The Most Expensive Home in San Francisco

San Francisco’s most expensive home for sale is currently a $45 million dollar compound with stunning views of the San Francisco Bay, the East Bay Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Angel Island, Downtown San Francisco and Coit Tower. The property dubbed Residence 950, is located in the desirable Russian Hill neighborhood and offers buyers the chance to enjoy a spacious approximately 9,500 square foot residence and garden set on over 3/10 of an acre in the heart of San Francisco. The compound, which was brought to life by real estate investment firm Troon Pacific, Inc is said to feature a garden so large that you feel as if you are in a private park with breathtaking ocean views.

Stand-out amenities of the environmentally friendly built home are said to include a two story art gallery, which can transform into a nightclub, a wellness center/spa, and a ‘Bat cave-style garage.’ The main residence is made up of three bedrooms, two guest bedrooms, and six and one half bathrooms. Located on the grounds is also a completely restored historic one bedroom one bath guest cottage with a full spa that includes a steam room, sauna, outdoor shower, and a Jacuzzi with ultraviolet filtration.

Indoor-outdoor entertaining was at the heart of the project’s design. An outdoor entertainment area allows for screening films with a projector on a retractable screen while enjoying the unique ambiance of the garden’s lush secluded grounds, century-old olive trees, lemon trees, and native flowers. A cantilevered infinity pool, surround sound system and luxurious dinning area complete the property’s generous outdoor space which benefit from the full city block sized lot.

“A home like Residence 950 is an impossible find in San Francisco, a virtual oasis in the heart of the city,” said Troon Pacific CEO Gregory Malin, a luxury home creator for nearly 20 years. “We designed 950 Lombard as though it were our own dream home. It was essential for us to provide a home that is truly unique, has the most sought-after amenities and materials, and remains understated from the street and then reveals a rare level of amenity and openness. To maintain Troon’s signature level of quality, we truly applied our mission and core values to this project of design, responsibility and creativity. Responsibility includes both environmental sustainability for the planet, as well as thoughtful wellness amenities for the human soul. Our mission of creativity allows for flexible, future-proof layout so that new owners could make it their dream home and adapt it to their preferences and lifestyle.”

Residence 950’s main level is characterized by a custom-made steel-and-wood floating staircase and extensive natural light, which flows from a skylight down through a glass elevator and shaft. The main level’s living spaces are comprised of a spacious living room with an elegant wet bar, formal dining room, and last but not least a gourmet kitchen with bespoke Boffi cabinetry, Calacatta marble countertops, and Mandarin white limestone floors.

The home’s top level houses the plush master suite with its private foyer, vaulted ceilings, en-suite bathroom, walk-in Boffi closets, and balcony which overlooks the garden. Two additional en-suite bedrooms are located on this level.

Located on the lower level of Residence 950 is an entertainers paradise and a car collector’s dream garage. A two story art gallery is perfectly suited for large scale gathering and is accented by a modern wine wall. To support grand entertaining this level offers a catering prep area. When the gallery is not being used for entertaining it can be converted to a sports court or fitness center. Parallel to the gallery is the four car garage constructed in a Bat Cave style and features an integrated sound system, LED lighting, and an automotive turntable for added convenience. Additionally, the lower level includes a grand parlor, mudroom with dog wash area, and two guest suites.

Photographer Credit: Jacob Elliot, images courtesy of Troon Pacific