high rise Archives - Luxury Home Digest

Urban Luxury Near the Beach

Roberta Murphy — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 20:46:31 +0000

When the combination of urban luxury and sandy beaches come together, we might think of high rises in Miami, Los Angeles, La Jolla or Honolulu.

San Diego County now boasts a second urban and beach destination: Oceanside Terraces, the new luxury midrise residence in downtown Oceanside.

We spend a great deal of time here and think we are in heaven, because we are dealing with amazed guests and interested buyers all day long.

Many step off the new Sprinter train next door, having come for a day trip from inland Escondido, Valley Center, San Marcos or Vista-or from San DIego to the south, They cant resist checking out Oceanside’s version of luxurious high rise living. Others come from Los Angeles, Orange County, North Dakota, Connecticut, Manhattan, Tucson, Las Vegas and Scottsdale–and are no less amazed.

The most excited guests, though, are Oceanside residents, who watched the construction of Oceanside Terraces over the last few years.

They understand the significance of this six-story multi-use building with prime retail on the first floor, offices on the second, and residences and penthouses on the fourth through sixth floors. They know that downtown Oceanside is becoming a walkable community and is on its way to becoming a shining model for urban living. They also know they have 3.5 miles of great beaches, the longest wooden pier on the West Coast, a balmy year round climate, and some of the friendliest people in San Diego County.

They are also savvy and know that Oceanside Terraces offers the coastal urban lifestyle so many buyers are seeking:

They want spacious single level homes large enough for guests, entertaining and long-term living.
They want close proximity to the beach. (How about 400 yards?)
They want a walkable community that offers fine dining, shopping, museums and farmers markets.
They want secure buildings, adequate covered parking and large lockable storage for bicycles, surfboards and other toys.
They want to be close to public transportation. (How about a train and transit center on the adjacent block?). They want an easy train ride to downtown San Diego to see Padres games, San Diego Civic Center theater productions, or perhaps enjoy dinner or a day in San Diegos Old Town or Gaslamp District. The appeal of more distant travel also beckons as a possibility with Amtrak.

Oceanside Terraces offer floorplans that range from 1730 to almost 2600 square feet. Prices range from the high $500s to $1.7 million and many boast sparkling ocean views.

For additional information, call Roberta Murphy at 760-402-9101 or Eve Simnski at 760-518-2264.

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Nouveau Luxury Home Buyers: Instapreneurs

Roberta Murphy — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:01:09 +0000

by Roberta Murphy

Who are these young and ultra-affluent buyers of homes in Rancho Santa Fe, Palm Beach, La Jolla, Aspen and Manhattan?

Robert Frank, in his best-seller Richistan, calls them instapreneurs (didn’t he coin the term?).

These are the new titans in technologies, who have benefited from a rise in financial speculation and governments that support free trade and wealth.

Instapreneurs are not plodders when it comes to accumulating wealth. They don’t develop companies to last for family generation; rather, they may launch several companies over their career life spans. And the goal for each venture is a lucrative “exit strategy” that will create the fattest windfall possible.

What are these luxury buyers seeking when searching for their trophy home?

1. They are specific in their demands as to age of property, views, room volume, luxury closets, privacy, and entertaining areas.

2. Instapreneurs often wish to be near prestigious country clubs, where they can golf, play tennis and entertain business elite.

3. In San Diego, many of these nouveau uber-wealthy demand ocean frontage, ocean noise–and silent streets. Or the highest penthouse in downtown San Diego. The want what is rare, what is singular.

4. Instapreneurs often have children, and are concerned about the quality of nearby and private schools. How the home works for the kids can be of keen importance. Instaprenerual parents want safety, space and room for kiddie galas.

5. These luxury home buyers often have special room requests, such as a library, multiple offices, servant quarters, guest houses, snoring rooms, home gyms, massage rooms, a conservatory or even a panic room.

6. These busy people often demand to be not far from a major airport because of frequent travel demands and the desire to minimize time spent away from families.

We enjoy working with these interesting folk, not just because we enjoy finding perfect property fits, but also because of the stories we get to hear. Some have been scientists, some movers and shakers in technology, and some who just had the courage to pour everything they had into an idea whose time had come.

They all inspire and the world is a better place because of these producers.

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Most Expensive Mansion in the World: Redux

Roberta Murphy — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:32:19 +0000

by Roberta Murphy

Last year, I wrote a short article about the worlds most expensive mansion in Mumbai, India being built by uber-wealthy Mukesh Ambani.

In addition to arguably being the most expensive private home in the world (how about $1 Billion to build?), it will also be the tallest measuring in at 42 stories. Residence Antilla, though, will only have 27 stories, due to Ambanis desire for taller ceilings.

Mukesh Ambani is reported to be the 14th richest man in the world, with estimated personal wealth of around $21 billion. He is also one of the more visible men of wealth in India.

When completed, the high-rise mansion will also be one of the most visible (and discussed) mansions in all of Mumbai, if not India and the rest of the world.

Designed to house Ambanis fortunate family of six and a doting staff of 600, this enormous mansion will also have six floors dedicated to pampered storage and parking for a collection of at least 168 automobiles. Included in this magnificent residence will also be a full-service spa, fully-equipped gym, a home theater that should turn Hollywood moguls green, and multiple floors set aside for visiting dignitaries and guests.

The family will have to make do with the top four stories set aside for their viewing and living pleasure.

Completion date was initially set for Fall, 2008, so well keep an eye on its progress.

In the meantime, I am hoping for an invitation to the Ambani housewarming gala.

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A Novel Green Mansion

Roberta Murphy — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 01:23:41 +0000

by Roberta Murphy

Redneck Mansion

Any verbiage I add to this photo would probably be superfluous, since this chatty picture already exceeds the expected thousand words.

Hats off to someones clever recycling of mobile homes.

Not sure if the intent was green construction, but the designer certainly managed to minimize the footprint of this little mobile home park.

I also wonder about the relation of people who live here. And what about plumbing? Or high winds?

Finally, hope this upwardly mobile community isnt anywhere near the path of tornadoes.

Thank you Ronnie Sellers, fellow ANTS investor and bonsai guru in North Carolina, for the photo. He is especially fond of the red shipping container with the attached solarium.

Embarrassing Note: Just discovered this photo is from a movie set. The onlookers are cropped out of the photo. Still a clever arrangement!