Luxury Lifestyle, Design & Architecture blog

BMW Individual for LEITNER project transforms a ride in a ropeway into a fanciful luxurious experience. This winter it would be a good idea to plan a skiing getaway at the idyllic Hochzillertal resort in Austria’s Zillertal Valley. Luxurious accommodations and fine dining are a given and the experience provided by most of the high end resorts are fairly similar. Hochzillertal resort has created a differentiator by introducing a ride to the slopes that is the ultimate in luxury. Gondola maker Leitner Ropeways has created the uniquely luxurious ski-lift experience. It is a result of a collaborative effort between Leitner Ropeways and the bespoke specialists BMW Individual. Cabin Interior Syncs well with BMW 7 Series Together they have created an ultra modern SIGMA Diamond cabin which boasts of an interior with features and comforts you associate with BMW 7 Series. The cabin features leather seats with a massage function. The multimedia system installed in the cabin can be controlled...

‘Wealth Report’ always makes interesting reading because its subject matter are the rich of the world. Knight Frank which is basically a property consultancy has joined hands with Citibank to come up with this wealth report. According to them people with investable assets in excess of 425 million are considered super rich and the report has been compiled after interviewing some of them to really understand their behavior and preferences. The report tracks the rich countries as well and according to its projections Singapore will be the richest in terms of per capita income in 2050. The interesting part is that the city state is the richest according to the 2010 report and it will manage to retain its top position over four decades. US Will Be the Only Non Asian Country in the Top Five The incomes are calculated on per capita GDP at purchasing power parity. In simple terms it means average income after factoring in inflation, cost of living and exchange rates. According to the re...

Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay The growth of emerging markets led by China has made Hong Kong the most expensive shopping area in the world. A study done by Cushman & Wakefield reveals that New York has given way to Hong Kong as the retailers located in the luxury area of Causeway Bay paid an average of $2,630 per square foot. This was a growth of over 34% compared to the previous year and was fuelled by about 30% growth in sales driven by the tourists and mainland residents. London may be the most expensive when it comes to the super prime real estate but its Bond Street slipped out of the top ten list of the most expensive shopping area resulting from a weak national demand. We bring for you the top ten most expensive shopping area in the world. Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay Average annual rent: $2,630/square foot The luxury goods on Causeway Bay witnessed greater demand mainly by mainland residents who find the prices in Hong Kong cheaper. Causeway Bay overtook 5th Avenue as...

Villa Belvedere , a large and luxurious estate on the San Francisco Bay is being offered for a private auction sale. Its original list price of $45 million makes it the most expensive home in San Francisco. The current record is held by a Broadway Street home which was listed for sale in mid 2012. But the Villa Belvedere scores over the home in several parameters. The Villa has been built on a gated and lavishly landscaped lot measuring 1.14 acres. The residence, which has been built on three levels, provides 15,000 square feet of living space. Part of the proceeds from the auction will benefit the Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. Another portion of the proceeds has been earmarked for a charity of the buyer’s choice. The Home Offers Breathtaking Views of the Bay and the City. The reserve price for the luxurious estate has been fixed at $25 million and the bids will start from there. The location of the villa is such that it offers unobstructed and breathtaking views ...

Hédoné Interiors and its Swarovski crystal studded jewelry cushions have added a glamorous dimension to some of the most expensive homes in the world. Their handcrafted products are a fine example of precision craftsmanship by their expert team in London.  The Britain based soft furnishings company has built its reputation by meticulously creating products that feature authentic Swarovski crystals that are set individually on some of the best high fashion fabrics. You can trust their experts to use the best and the most renowned tailoring techniques to construct the cushions that are no less than a piece of jewelry. Team to Provide Fully Bespoke Service The jewelry cushions are hand crafted and hence completely customizable. In fact the firm encourages you to create your very own uniquely customized piece of opulence. They are the ultimate in luxury and exclusivity. The sumptuous fabrics, the Swarovski crystals and the Italian hardware come alive when their expert craftsme...

For frequent high end fliers like businessmen and politicians flying between New York and Washington D.C there is good news.  Stratos Jet Charters has recently declared that direct private jet charter flights will be available between New York and Washington D.C. Stratos Jets will also provide different kinds of charter jets suitable to the needs of all kinds of travelers. But with election season round the corner this service will mainly benefit politicians and government officials. After September 11, 2001 terrorist attack many restrictions were imposed on private chartered planes and Transport Security Administration (TSA) had given permission to only couple of airports known as ‘gateway airports’ for operating private charter jets. TSA has now announced that New York’s Republic Airport (FRG) has been added to the list of coveted “gateway Airports”. This will make it very easy for Stratos to provide direct charter flights between New York and Washington D.C. Clearances from...

The 11th century town of Berber in Morocco has a new resort, the Royal Mansour. It is a paradise palace in the old beatnik trail. King Mohammed VI has taken every care to make it the ultimate in opulence, grandeur and luxury. The cost of stay per night ranges between 1,500 to 35,000 Euros ($1,840 to $42,920). It has been the pet project of the king and he has spared no expense in making it as per his vision. Karim Fehry Fassy, the sales Director of the Royal Mansour  says that the king has spent an awful lot on the project hence it will never be possible to offer discounted deals like pay for five days and stay for seven at the Royal Mansour. He also said that by allowing the people in who cannot afford the hotel you end up diluting the quality and credibility of your hotel. They would rather take care of the interests of their rich guests who do not want to mix with the non-rich. Like he said “we will never allow a bus to enter the premises of the hotel.” The 3.5 hectare comf...

Liliane Bettencourt who is best known as the L’Oréal heiress ranks high amongst the billionaires of the world with a net worth of $23.5 billion. She is a businesswoman, socialite and a philanthropist. She has been in the news recently for selling her private D’Arros Island in the Seychelles to an offshore company affiliated with Swiss-based Save Our Seas Foundation. The deal is reported to be worth$60 million plus $10.5 million for stamp duty and other taxes. The island has been taken over with the intention of turning the land into a nature reserve. Mrs. Bettencourt has been under investigation by the French Tax authorities who have ordered her to pay $133 million in taxes for undeclared accounts in Switzerland, Singapore and ownership of D’Arros Island. She Had Bought the Island in 1997 for $18 Million She had been at the center of a corruption investigation involving former French President Nicholas Sarkozy and that’s how her other assets came to light. The 89 year old heiress ...

Leyn Peninusla in Wales is known for its gothic castles and brooding hills. The landscape in this part of Britain is so forebodingly beautiful that it would bring out the poet in you. You might have already thought of owning some kind of property in these parts of the world, but mostly they are unattainable or rarely does someone even put it up for sale. Talhenbont Hall is an amazing manor house that is located in a secluded part of the peninsula. It was built in the year 1607 and was used as a garrison for Cromwell’s army. The estate covers a total area of 75 acres and is one of the best properties that your money could buy you. Along with the manor, you could expect to savour the beauty of original oak-panelled rooms, superb fireplaces and a coat of arms. There are 6 bedrooms, 4 attic rooms and 5 self catering cottages for the servants. This should be one of the best manors that I have ever come across and if you are fond of the Welsh landscape, you sure are going to love this p...

An Elizabethan coaching inn called Shakespeare House in a small village in Buckinghamshire County has been listed for sale with an asking price of £1.375 million, or $2.13 million. The inn dates back to the year 1534 and has taken on Shakespeare’s name as he is said to have penned part of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” It was John Aubrey in his collection of biographies linked Shakespeare to the inn and said that he drew inspiration for the comedy while in the village. According to local lore Shakespeare appears on the window of the top floor on April 23 which is supposed to be the day of both his birth and death. Nick Underwood, the current owner reveals that the inn had later turned into a farmhouse with 150 acres of land. The farm was later sold off in pieces and two American families owned it in the 20th century. Underwood with Roy Elsbury bought the property nine years ago and undertook some structural work but every section was recreated in the original style and form. Despite...

Recent trends indicate that beach huts are commanding very good price in the real estate market and one such cozy wooden hut has hit the market with an asking price of $2.5 million. It must be a record for a beach hut. The red wooden hut is located in the Hawaiian countryside. The nearby small town is called Laupahoehoe which has a population of only 581. The small little cozy hut measuring only 484 square feet hopes to attract international buyers. Sotheby’s is handling the sale and have pitched the beach hut as a slice of paradise. It provides fascinating views of the pacific and the Laupahoehoe countryside. The Hut Comes With 20 Acres of Lush Hawaiian Countryside The steep price tag becomes somewhat justifiable because the hut comes with 20 acres of lush Hawaiian countryside. It is an ideal hideaway if you want to get away from your hectic lifestyle and switch off completely for a break. The tiny home has its own private access road and rocky beach. The residents can fish, snor...

The property prices on Egerton Crescent have grown very rapidly in the last decade to make it one of the most expensive street in Britain. A study conducted by Lloyds TSB found that a typical house on Egerton Crescent today costs as much as £8,136,000. As expected, it is way above the price of an average home in the UK which stands at just£160,879. The street that boasts of elite residents has white stucco-fronted façade and neatly trimmed rows of box trees. A four bedroom family home on the street was purchased recently for a high £12million. It is a quiet street but located centrally and is just a stone’s throw away from the Victoria and Albert Museum and the shops of Knightsbridge. Egerton Crescent Prime Location & Classical Architecture Attracts Foreigners The houses have been designed in such a way that they have tiny front gardens only but a community garden and the Hyde Park are not far away. The Lloyds TSB highlights the immense wealth gap that has emerged in the last...

Bonhams Brings a Right Hand Drive Ferrari for their Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale Ferraris gain in value as they age. For avid car collectors rare and vintage Ferraris are the preferred investment cars. In fact it is the 1962 Ferrari GTO that holds the record of the most expensive car in the world at $35 million. It broke the record of another most expensive Ferrari, a 1963 Ferrari GTO 250 which was sold for $32 million. Now the collectors with a special interest in Ferraris have an opportunity to acquire another rare piece. It is an open top stunning red Ferrari 275 GTS Spyder with coachwork by Pininfarina. It is being offered for sale through Bonhams at the Goodwood Festival of Speed sale to be held on 29th June. The pre sales estimates have put the value of the vintage car between $590,000 and $650,000. The car has an added appeal for a Hong Kong buyer as it come with the duty paid in Hong Kong which is a substantial amount in itself. Plus it would prove to be more suitab...

Cadillac ELR Unveiled at Detroit Will Go in Production This Year All the major car makers around the world are working on hybrid models but very few have hit the road till now. Cadillac Converj concept has been under development for long as well. Finally the concept seems to be ready to come out as a production machine. The prototype of the hybrid model was on display at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The new model seems to be an improvement on the Chevy Volt though it shares several elements with it including the same Extended Range Electric Vehicle platform. However it is a bigger and better machine with improved features and better performance levels. Cadillac ELR Will Run as Pure Electric Vehicle Up To 35 Miles The new concept design will be taken up for production in Detroit towards the end of the year and will become available at the dealership across the country sometime in early 2014. The new concept ELR shares the same basic hybrid structure a...