Collector’s Item

Posted on June 22, 2015 by mayfairblog
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Please click on image foe further details.

Nick Churton of Mayfair International Realty spends some quality time in a magnificent lakeside house in Glenbrook, Lake Tahoe, Nevada – with a view to match.

Broker: Chase International Realty

Agent: Shari Chase

What do you give the collector who has everything? Well, somewhere to put the collection for one thing. I am in the home of a serious collector – a world-class collector – and some of his fabulous collection is here with me. But really the house itself is a collector’s item. Let me tell you why.

Outside, under a cloudless deep blue sky, the crystal clear lake waters ripple languidly on the shore. I want to skim a stone on the flat, glassy surface of the water but there are no skimming stones as the shore is made up of the finest silver/white sand. Across the lake is a wall of snow-capped mountains suggesting a cold climate, yet, by the lake in June all is warm and still. All is quiet too, apart from the sound of birdsong and the occasional throaty interruption of a 6 cylinder powered, highly varnished, classic Chris Craft speedboat dancing gaily across the water, while spreading laughter and sparkly diamond rainbow spay in its wake.

Behind me, through the pine trees, peeks the house with its wide windows soaking up the bright sunlight and providing an utterly enchanting view from within. This is a special place. Opportunities to own a home on the Lake Tahoe shore – especially with 600 ft of private lakefront – are limited and this view must be just about unrivalled anywhere. The owner’s collections may be museum quality, but have no doubt, so is this house.

What I also like about Lake Tahoe is that this is not a summer-only retreat. It works all year round because when it gets too cold in the winter to venture out on the lake one heads for the world-class skiing slopes – Lake Tahoe was, after all, the home of the 1960 Winter Olympics.

So if you are searching for a breathtaking lakeside home in a beautiful mountain playground I hope you should try and bag this one.

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Wooh!

Posted on June 19, 2015 by mayfairblog
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Please click on image for further details

Nick Churton of Mayfair International Realty visits a very special home in the Santa Ynez Valley, California.

Broker: Village Properties

Agents: Carey Kendall and Riskin Partners

How does one, in a single word, articulate having arrived in a place that is simply just right? A place where form and function meet – and get on: a place in harmony with its environment – not shrinking violet-like into the background but boldly adding to the location: a place so immediately welcoming one feels instantly at home. These things are all difficult to achieve and rare to find. As difficult and rare as a single word to adequately describe them.

So, wooh! That is what it feels like to visit Son Sereno in the Santa Ynez Valley, California. It was designed by someone who knew exactly what he wanted to achieve – and achieved it. It is lived in by people who knew exactly how they want to live – and live it.

Commissioned by the owners, the house was designed by Michael Palladino, senior partner and design architect at Richard Meier & Partners, Los Angeles. He created a home to harmonise with the magnificent natural landscape of earth, rock, grass, vine-covered slopes and white-fenced corrals of the Santa Ynez valley.

Santa Ynez – only an hour from beautiful Santa Barbara – has already become an important wine producing area with a still growing reputation internationally. Increasingly buyers are drawn to the valley for wine or the other major local occupation – horses. It is a splendid region with delightful, restaurant-lined villages, scattered wine tasting rooms, a wonderful climate and dramatic mountain backdrop.

Another natural benefit of the area is the light. It is an artist’s light – another reason why there is a Mediterranean feel to things here. The architect has taken the natural light and used it to fill this home. Into the elevated 102 acres he has placed a building which fuses western style with mid-century modern. It is a brilliant blend of ideas and a fabulous collaboration between architect and client.

The good news is that now someone else will have the opportunity to live this particular dream. Talking of opportunities, an adjacent 102-acre parcel of land with a small ranch house, riding trails, landscaped swimming lake and mountain views may also be available for additional purchase. Better still this additional land may have vineyard potential – heaven!

I loved visiting this home. It is sophisticated, airy and modern. It is a signature house that is easy to live in, great for entertaining but equally good for being on one’s own. It gives pleasure to its owners and will do so again. Wooh!

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10 On The Survival Scale

Posted on June 16, 2015 by mayfairblog
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Please click on the image for further details.

Nick Churton of Mayfair International Realty finds more than meets the eye in this outstanding Los Angeles home high in the Hollywood Hills.

Broker: Hilton & Hyland

Agents:

Julie Candice and David Kramer

3.8 million people live in the city of Los Angeles which sits only 35 miles away from the southern section of the San Andreas Fault. Many say that it is not a question if a big earthquake will strike the area, but when?

That’s a lot of people hoping the big one will not happen in their lifetimes. Because if it does it could be a disaster on a scale even Hollywood couldn’t dream up – but not for the owners of 8570 Cole Crest Drive, Sunset Strip!

Welcome to a house built to withstand a high-magnitude earthquake. While all around them is chaos the residents here could be sitting pretty in their “safe core,” a 2,000 square foot, ballistic-proof suite that encompasses the master bedroom and children’s rooms. Or they could be drinking a cheeky Chablis while hunkered down in the basement wine cellar which doubles as an underground bunker.

With gleaming white walls and large windows overlooking downtown Los Angeles this house looks like many other fine and striking modern homes in the Hollywood Hills. But what goes unseen are the 60 steel-caged concrete caissons, each 30 feet deep and 30 inches in diameter, that form the foundations of this house and give it its unique strength.

Yet earthquakes aren’t the only disasters that could one day beset your everyday Los Angeles household. There are storms, wildfires, and pandemics. This home is built to withstand those too.

Then there is the nightmare possibility of an intruder with hostile intentions against you, your family and your property. No sweat. Multiple cameras linked to facial-recognition and biometric entry systems are placed throughout the house. If the cameras pick up someone who shouldn’t be there a variety of fogs can be emitted as a deterrent – ranging from a harmless but disorienting haze through to pepper spray and up to a noxious gas which will debilitate the inhaler for 24 hours.

So that covers just about everything – other than the unexpected. And even that is catered for. The roof is also a helipad for an against-all-odds last minute getaway in that greatest of Hollywood action movie traditions.

$5,750,000 will give you peace of mind despite all that nature and man can throw at you. This is indeed a home that scores 10 on the survival scale. Sleep tight and don’t let the earthquakes bite.

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Magnum Opus

Posted on June 12, 2015 by mayfairblog
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Please click on image for video and further details

Nick Churton of Mayfair International Realty took a step closer to heaven when he visited a magical realm only an hour away from Manhattan now being sold through Houlihan Lawrence.

Musical prodigy and one of Hollywood’s all-time most celebrated and talented composers, Marvin Hamlisch, left some wonderful scores and memories when he tragically passed away too young just a few years ago. But he had one creative project that, until now, was known only to his family, friends and close collaborators – his house. Every inch of this exquisite home was carefully planned or commissioned by Mr Hamlisch – it must have been a labour of love. It was his composition, his magnum opus in property.

Without doubt some inspiration for it all must have been the beautiful 4.6-acre hilltop location in Bedford, New York. It is magnificent. From here one can see three states, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. To the far north across the Hudson Valley are the Catskill Mountains. Nearer at hand are hundreds of square miles of wooded hillside that in autumn turn into a riot of russet. And sometimes, when white clouds softly blanket the valley below and all that can be seen are the surrounding hilltops, this place becomes ethereal.

But come inside this house of peace, serenity and revival. Poggenpohl and Porsche helped out in the kitchen. The paint shades are calming greys. All is comfortable, soft and inviting – not too large or too small. There are areas for solitary relaxation and spaces for warm conversation and convivial dining – inside and out. And of course there’s an area for music. From just about everywhere are the views.

I was especially lucky when I visited the house that the Hamlisches came to call Magic Mountain. I had the great, great pleasure to be escorted round by Mrs Hamlisch – surely her husband’s main inspiration for this house. It was a space they developed together, coming to value and love this wonderful home in its commanding position. They also came to love their neighbours – a delightful and eclectic mix of friendly and leading musicians, actors, business people and creatives.

It is not hard to see why this area is so prized by those who guard their privacy but need to get to New York City almost within the hour. There are several very fine houses hereabouts to choose from. But I doubt that there is anything quite like this little piece of paradise. At the top of this hill it is just about as close to heaven at home as one can get.

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The First Lesson in Real Estate

Posted on May 1, 2015 by mayfairblog
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PLease click on image for further details

Nick Churton of Mayfair International Realty discovers a story about a house in Newport, Rhode Island which supports a long-held belief. Broker: Lila Delman Real Estate International Do people buy houses or do houses buy people? After over forty years in the house selling business I realise that I have really been in the people buying business all the time. Houses buy people. They intrigue them, excite them, inspire them, calm them, reach out to them and then capture their hearts. I can give countless examples. One is the story behind a couple seeking a home in The Hamptons – the trendy and very expensive enclave on the eastern tip of Long Island, New York enjoyed by luminaries such as Sir Paul McCartney, Renee Zellweger, Steven Spielberg, Gwyneth Paltrow and gazillionaire, George Soros. Architect, designer and publisher, Richard Wurman and his wife, best selling author, Gloria Nagy, had their sights firmly set on a property in this celebrity corral when they saw an ad in a magazine for a magnificent chateaux-styled house in Newport, Rhode Island. It made them change direction. Newport, for those who don’t know the US northeastern seaboard that well, is in another State altogether and is 123 miles away by road. Newport certainly has undoubted cachet, class and pedigree but The Hamptons, to be fair, perhaps have the zeitgeist. Nevertheless, the Newport house spoke and the couple listened. Listening is something Richard Wurman knows all about. He created the celebrated TED conferences. These talks now attract a global online audience in their millions – lured by what speakers such as Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Bono, Al Gore and Richard Dawkins plus numerous Nobel Prize winners and hundreds of other notables have to say. So, heeding the siren call of the Newport house, the couple jumped in their car and the rest is family history. But now these owners are moving on. It is time. So the house is calling out once again for a special buyer who will listen to what it has to say. It speaks in a language that is not difficult to understand. This is a fabulous home. Just looking at it gives great pleasure. But believe me living in it gives even more. It simply does not need spelling out more than that. So the first lesson in real estate is, when a house speaks to you – wherever or whatever it is – listen. The second lesson is, when you think you want The Hamptons consider Newport.

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Cloistered Away

Posted on April 27, 2015 by mayfairblog
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Please click on image for further details

Nick Churton of Mayfair International Realty enjoys the wieght of history in a magnificent and ancient French priory.

Broker: Groupe Mercure

Following his victory in 785 against the Muslims in Al Andalus (now modern Spain) Charlemagne – king, Holy Roman Emperor and the ‘Father of Europe’ – had a chapel built not far from Perpignan to the north of the Pyrenees and about 15 miles from the Mediterranean. Later, in 1116, an Augustine community settled and developed the priory over the following centuries including the installation of a beautiful Gothic cloister in 1307.

Is this remarkable and historically important series of buildings now in the hands of a national organisation which has a mandate to protect and conserve important structures such as this? No it is not – although it has been classified as a national monument since 1875. Instead, it is on the market looking for a buyer seeking what must be one of the grandest privately owned ancient retreats of its kind in Europe.

Through his religious buildings Charlemagne created separate monastic communities within an extended and scattered manorial estate that formed a monastery within a monastery in the manner of a locked cloister. The open galleries, which typically ran along the inner courtyard walls of buildings, often formed a continuous walkway for exercise, work and reflection but also served as an architectural barrier between those who sought peace and seclusion from within and those who may have been tempted to spoil both from without.

So it is the intimate cloister that lies at the heart of this outstanding former priory. It forms a peaceful core to the building which is surrounded by high castle-like walls. Inside are 15 living rooms, 12 bedrooms, a chapel, vaulted wine cellars, a library, extensive attics and numerous domestic offices.

Many of us like the idea of getting away from it all from time to time. Monks have been doing this for centuries and it was the cloister that allowed them to go about their sacred work in all weathers away from the distractions of the laity. Today, living like a monk is not as popular as it once was. But somehow this astonishing building makes one feels a little less like a monk and rather more like a Charlemagne.

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Shoes Off

Posted on April 14, 2015 by mayfairblog
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PLease click on image for further details.

Nick Churton of Mayfair International Realty gets to kick of his shoes in a favorite spot on Florida’s Gulf coast.

Broker: VIP Realty

Agent: Lynda Traverso

Real estate agents the world over know that there are shoes-off homes and shoes-on homes. Whether a home is or isn’t depends on the owner as much as the floor coverings.

On Sanibel Island, which is off the west coast of Florida near Fort Myers, all homes are shoes-off homes. This is because shoes become largely redundant the moment one crosses the three mile causeway separating mainland Florida from this gem of an island which has the Intracoastal waterway to its eastern side and the Gulf of Mexico to its west. In fact one can imagine visitors flinging their footwear out of their cars as they cross to the island – if only metaphorically. The causeway is transforming. Along its length it converts city and everyday stress into a unique brand of chillax mode. By the time one gets to the other side the only things important in life are a hammock, a cool drink and collecting seashells along the miles of pristine white beaches.

Here barefoot is the way of life. It doesn’t just describe what or what not to wear but an island way of thinking and living. It is no wonder that Sanibel lovers from all over the world seek sandy sanctuary here whenever they can.

But one exception to the barefoot rule is real estate agent, Lynda Traverso. Luckily she gets to mix business with pleasure. Since 1988 Linda has been selling homes on the island to eager buyers. She is one of the island’s top real estate producers and her expert opinion is often quoted across leading publications.

So when I wanted to highlight a home on the island I did nothing more than to look to Linda. 2959 W Gulf Dr is a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, west corner apartment with glassed in lanai! It has some of the most spectacular views on Sanibel, especially for the best show in town – sunset. Plus there is a communal pool, jacuzzi and tennis court. There is even under-building parking – a blessing in Sanibel summer sunshine!

So if you are looking to relax this really ticks the box. It is also fully furnished so no packing required – especially your shoes!

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Delightfully Confused

Posted on April 2, 2015 by mayfairblog
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Please click on image for further details.

In his Brief Encounter series of short blogs on fabulous homes Nick Churton of Mayfair International Realty based in London visits a house that, for once, makes him quite forget where he is.

Broker: Village Properties

Agent: Riskin Partners

I am standing on the gravelled surface of the most exquisite formal, Italianate garden – beyond which the rocky landscape drops away to the heat-hazy Amalfi coast. All that can be heard is the playful chime of cascading water in the fountain and the occasional cry of an eagle overhead. Through the tall, slender cypress trees is the most lovely villa topped with rich terracotta coloured clay pantiles – just as it would have been in Roman times. A Juliet balcony at a bedroom casement offers the promise of a Romeo. On another level the pool ripples Hockney-like in the bright morning sunshine. Turning round to the rear of the property the Santa Ynez Mountains provide a fabulous backdrop. Hang on! The Santa Ynez Mountains are not in Italy. They are in California. Forgive my confusion but this place is so amazing that for a moment I am not sure where I am. Or to put it another way, this is one of the few properties I know that lets me be in two places at once.

What a jewel this house is. From the vine-shaded, pergola-topped terrace and the cloistered courtyard to the vaulted ceiling intimacy of the bedrooms this house gets it right. It is all here; columns, arches, stone walls, heavily timbered ceilings and, topping it all, the sublime view. The Americans do this so well. They often borrow a look here and a style there. Then they add something special of their own – comfort. It is an American deep-pile comfort wrapped beautifully in a great idea, so it does not become a pastiche but a celebration of location, design and luxury. It entirely belongs to its own place rather than seeming out of place and foreign.

I don’t know about you but I would live in this house, with this weather and with this view wherever it was in the world. But – joy of joys – it’s in Montecito, Santa Barbara and is just about as good as it gets.

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A Free Lunch

Posted on March 30, 2015 by mayfairblog
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Please click on image for further details

Nick Churton of Mayfair International Realty sniffs the sweet smell of great opportunity at a lovely home in Charleston, South Carolina.

Broker: Handsome Properties.

Agent: Debbie Peretsman

Mostly a house can be improved for the better by changing layout, structure and decoration and through judicious modernisation. But few homes can alter location for the better. No. 22 Rutledge Avenue in Charleston is in the minority. This house, opposite an urban reservoir, sees its location improve every day. The great news is that this hitherto slightly awkward duckling of a body of water is being turned into a most beautiful swan. Don’t get me wrong the area is really very nice as it is now. It is just that it is set to be even better – a lot better.

The entire area is being re-landscaped and beautified. Before long this will be a lovely lake surrounded by delightful parkland with walkways shaded by specimen trees. Not only that, this area of Charleston is becoming hot. The city is seeing the biggest surge in growth for years. Now neighborhoods to the north of Broad Street are steadily being gentrified – or re-gentrified. Gentrification is of course a relative term in Charleston. The city has always been rather genteel. But new areas are fast becoming popular. And you know what that means – real estate values can rise dramatically in those places.

So here is a fantastic opportunity to increase the value of your house without doing anything or spending a dime. Just sit drinking iced tea on the deep, elegant, pergola topped front terrace with its black and white checked tiles while the value of the property rises as the location is transformed.

But that’s not all. This beautiful Edwardian colonial villa has a cool mix of handsome Italianate exterior and sophisticated 1920s interior. Outside there is a wonderfully landscaped courtyard garden with pool and detached guest cottage.

They say there is no such thing as a free lunch. But feast your eyes on all this and I think you will agree that once in a while if you buy wisely you can add something for nothing.

Posted in HAndsome Properties | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Giving It Large

Posted on March 26, 2015 by mayfairblog
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Please click on image for further details.

Nick Churton of Mayfair International Realty continues his tour of South Carolina and takes a look at one of Charleston’s finest and most spendid homes – now ripe for renovation.

Broker: Handsome Properties

If you’ve got it flaunt it. Since Charleston’s foundation in 1670 well-to-do denizens have displayed their wealth and social status by building splendid homes. The result is an extraordinarily fine collection of Colonial and Federal Georgian style houses.

One of the largest stands at the very top of Meeting Street. It’s big, it’s bold and it’s not at all bashful. But it is beautiful and is a serious contender in the status stakes.

Overlooking White Point Gardens it collects any breezes off the Ashley River and circulates them round the house – ensuring that in a hot South Carolina summer the rooms remain as cool as possible. Added to which the huge balconies – or piazzas as they call them in Charleston – also face the river and are perfect for shade, relaxing, socialising and, on a warm night, even sleeping.

If the height of the rooms were to reflect the height of an owner’s social standing then No 1 Meeting Street would put its owner the top of the tree. Some of these rooms are 14 ft high. Magnificent is the only word to describe them.

Little-by-little, house-by-house the homes of Charleston are being restored under the ever-watchful eye of the illustrious Preservation Society of Charleston – formed in 1920 and the oldest such group in the USA. No1 Meeting Street is now due for its own restoration. It is a big task because it is a big house. It will take care, skill, vision and resolve. It will also take a fairly deep pocket. Major house restoration is not a small budget item and the Preservation Society of Charleston doesn’t countenance corner cutting.

But in bringing this home up to date the restorer will do two things. He or she will once again ensure that No 1 Meeting Street stands proudly in the pantheon of the city’s finest homes. But he or she will also re-create a fabulous home of dramatic scale in a premier location.

This is one of the last big historic home restoration opportunities in the city south of Broad Street. It also happens to be one of the most important. So, like generations of Charlestonians before you, if you have it this is the perfect place to flaunt it.

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