Once Upon A Time

Posted on March 23, 2012 by mayfairblog

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Nick Churton of Mayfair International Realty discovers an enchanting house in Connecticut.

It sleeps . . .  Deep in the Connecticut woods, and well tucked away where no one can see it, Le Beau Chateau sleeps. Sleeping is what this exceptional French-style house has been doing for over sixty years. It stands empty, yet always well cared for, decorated, and heated.  Only its guardians visit.  Its heiress owner never lived in it.  So it awaits a new owner who will, and who will revel in the extraordinary architecture, proportions, habitat and seclusion.

Now, after the death of its eccentric and philanthropic owner, Huguette Clarke, this magnificent house is finally on the market. The price tag says $19.8 million.  This would have been pocket change to Huguette’s Gilded Age father, one of the 50th richest Americans ever.  When he died in 1925, aged 86, he left the equivalent of $3.6 billion in today’s money.

Huguette Clarke bought Le Beau Chateau in 1952 to go with her 42 room, 15,000 sq ft Fifth Avenue apartment in Manhattan and her 23 acre Santa Barbara estate in California.

The house is near to select New Canaan, home to Harry Connick Jr, Paul Simon, Ralph Lauren and a host of top New York CEOs.  Few have seen it.  I feel most privileged that I am one who has.  The rooms are magnificent.  The main bedroom has to be one of the very greatest I have ever seen.  It is vast with a large fire place and towering double height window overlooking a charming waterfall that gives the hushed house its backing track.  Stairs from this room rise to an upper floor gallery room that overlooks the woods.  When I looked out a party of wild turkeys was striding along the tree line.

The vaulted attic resembles a cathedral. Downstairs the kitchen would almost do justice to a deluxe grand hotel in New York. The original metal cabinetry is highly fashionable retro chic. That is, it went out of fashion through the second half of the 20th century and is now very much back in again. Outside, beyond an apron of rough lawn is woodland in the raw.  The services of a talented landscape designer who understands nature – and is handy with a chain saw – would do wonders.

Whether a single buyer will come along or an investor/developer will take the opportunity to add nine new mansions to the estate’s 52 acres remains to be seen.  Development might seem a shame.  But I think this can be done sympathetically and should keep the original house’s deep sense of seclusion, privacy and drama.

Whatever the future brings Le Beau Chateau will soon, like the heroine in a children’s fairy tale, wake after its sixty-year beauty sleep.  It has had a wonderful repose but I think now it is high time for it to wake up and smell the coffee in that grand kitchen.  All it needs is a princely kiss by someone who loves it as I do.

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UK Budget 2012

Posted on March 21, 2012 by mayfairblog

Nick Churton looks at some key points from the 2012 UK Budget and considers how this may affect the property market in the UK.

Spare a thought for the poor millionaire now forced, through this year’s UK Budget, to pay more for the privilege of using central London’s booming luxury property market as a safe haven for his investment funds, away from unhealthy currencies.  Spare a thought also for home-grown millionaires in other UK property hot spots.  They too will be caught in this new 7% Stamp Duty trap of the Chancellor’s making.  Any attempting to escape is futile – tunnelling under the higher tax barrier through the means of an offshore or foreign company has been stopped by way of a massive 15% Stamp Duty.

Will this have much impact on the property market generally?  Not really, as the early introduction of these measures leaves no room for a mansion-tax-beating rush to buy, and this is a one-off measure aimed at those who really should be able to afford it.  So the impact on sector values should be negligible.  All in all this new measure will probably be met with a sigh of resignation rather than a decision to spend a million or two less, just to avoid the extra tax.  But do expect to see fewer houses on the market at £2.1 million and more at £1.99 million.  And, who knows, perhaps this top level of stamp duty could even become a trendy new status symbol for the wealthy.

Of greater significance is how the Budget affects the rest of the property market.  Apart from the small tax benefit to the lower paid there seems little in the Budget to stimulate much greater activity, save for a few small pieces of new legislation that somehow fit into the jumbo jigsaw that is our nation’s fiscal recovery.  But perhaps the Chancellor has taken the view, “physician heal thyself”.  Under the radar of the British property press (which is none too sensitive) the market in many places has quietly been perking up.  There have been rumours of first time buyers – tempted out of hiding before the end of their own special tax relief; also, even one or two mortgages have been granted.  Up and down the country many estate agents cautiously report increased sales figures.  This means several things: buyers are on the move and agents are valuing reasonably.  Most importantly, sellers are listening to reason rather than the little voice of avarice that we all have, but which needs to be mastered when selling property in sluggish conditions.

The government’s move to relax the building rules in rural areas could vie for attention with the Budget.  This should be of concern to everyone as it is our heritage which could be under threat of concrete.  Visions of bulldozers parked on the village green will cause outrage. And when developers, who through the Budget will now receive some extra funding for new homes, meet head to head with Britons-in-bloom there will be strife.  And there should be.  But this relaxation may bring new life to struggling rural communities as well as providing much-needed housing.  So it will be very much up to local planners to prevent a 1960s style architectural catastrophe.  Also the public will need to demand thermally efficient, economical, affordable but stylishly attractive and appropriate homes which will sit comfortably in a rustic environment.

So, the verdict on the 2012 UK budget, as far as the property market is concerned, seems to be neutral.

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Presidential Potential

Posted on March 13, 2012 by mayfairblog
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Living the Legend

Posted on February 10, 2012 by mayfairblog

Nick Churton reflects on a glittering night at the Savoy Hotel in London when Premier Estate Properties gained yet more international recognition.

When it comes to turning heads, winning awards and gaining plaudits, there can’t be many people living in South East Florida who aren’t fully aware of the important place Premier Estate Properties have in the luxury real estate market.

Now their outstanding reputation has been further enhanced in the most internationally visible way possible as they have been given three most prestigious awards, Best Real Estate Agency, Florida; Highly Commended – Real Estate Agency marketing – USA; and Highly Commended Real Estate Agency Website – USA.

Every year real estate professionals from all over the globe gather in London’s Savoy Hotel for the Oscars of the real estate world.  There they discover who will receive a category award that will mark the winner out as the best of the best, the crème de la crème of real estate – not just recognised in their city, state, country or even continent but globally.

To receive these awards on behalf of Premier Estate Properties, Nick Churton and Annette Reeve of the firm’s own London-based marketing team attended the glittering event, while in Florida the news was flashed to an eagerly-awaiting Premier Estate Properties team.  That night the champagne flowed on two continents and the remarkable reputation of this exceptional Florida based real estate firm took another step towards legendary status.

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Honey Trap

Posted on June 24, 2011 by mayfairblog

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Nick Churton of Mayfair International Realty considers the lovely Medford House in the English Cotswolds – now on the market with MIR affiliate, Hayman-Joyce.

What Tuscany is to Italy and Provence is to France, the area of uplands called the Cotswolds is to England. The Cotswolds is, in fact, a range of hills. But the area has come to represent so much more than that.

Thanks to its geology the Cotswolds has come to epitomise the English countryside at its best, and has won admirers from all over the globe. But it is not just the beautiful natural environment that pleases so much. There is another important ingredient that delights – the architecture. Few rural areas – anywhere – are defined quite so much by their vernacular style as the Cotswolds. Built from the glorious local sandstone that gives the buildings their unique golden honey colour this alone is enough to draw admiration. But the crowning glory is the mix of rustic artisans’ cottages, village houses, and refined manors and mansions that sit together in perfect arcadian harmony.

How better to illustrate this than with Medford House near Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire? With Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon less than nine miles away this house is in the heart of England. The Cotswolds is full of gorgeous houses, yet Medford House seems to encapsulate all that is so wonderful and popular about the area.

Nikolaus Pevsner, who wrote and edited the definitive series of books on the buildings of England, described the house as, “The textbook example of the slow transition from the vernacular Tudor Cotswold style to Queen Anne Classical’. This comment reflects the age. The Glorious Revolution of 1688 ousted the Catholic James II, who was replaced by the Protestant Dutch-born William of Orange and his bride, Mary, who ruled as joint monarchs until Queen Anne ascended the throne in 1702.

Medford House was built in 1694, the same year that the Bank of England was established. At the same time the craze for coffee houses was sweeping London, and England was heavily in debt through paying a high price for war overseas – nothing new to the nation, then, or now.

But in the little Cotswolds village of Mickleton all this must have seemed a world away. Samuel Medford was building a house that would carry his name for over three hundred years and come to be ever more admired as each year passed.

This is architecture that has been copied ever since. Yet here is the real thing. It has Grade I Listed status – the top level of protected buildings in the UK. It is as good an example of Cotswold style, as one will ever find – real in its layout, in its stone, its timber, its workmanship: real from the top of the chimneys to the bottom of the foundations – such as they may be. Of course it is not so draughty now as it would have be back then, and the fittings are rather more sophisticated. The beautiful garden, too, may reflect another fashion but it is hard to see from the front how old Mr Medford would have noticed much difference. What he would notice is the change in his fortune. The asking price today is £2.4 million ($3.83 million). In 1694 this would have been worth about £187 million ($298 million) – more than enough back then to pay for a war or two.

By Nick Churton

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Property and Prejudice

Posted on June 16, 2011 by mayfairblog

Jane Austin knew a thing or two about home ownership

Nick Churton of Mayfair International Realty comments on how the continued reticence of the UK banks to offer sensible mortgages – other than to those with large deposits – may risk changing the way many of us look at property ownership.

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single family in possession of a good mortgage must be in want of a house. Thus a Jane Austen novel on the property market could have begun.

Sadly today there are plenty of families wanting a house, especially with affordability at near-record levels, but few can get hold of a mortgage.

Austen knew a thing or two about property, or at least the importance of owning it. Her novels had a great deal to do with its acquisition. Although her preferred route to ownership was largely through marriage, she would have understood about financing a property purchase through a mortgage as her life coincided with the advent of the building society movement.

Austen understood that social status played a major role in owning or aspiring to own property. Above all perhaps, she understood that an individual’s or family’s financial circumstances played a pivotal role in determining where and how one lived – and how one was seen to live. She certainly knew the value of a fine location and the benefits that well-proportioned rooms and good natural light bestowed upon occupants.

This understanding seems as apt today as it was when Jane Austen was alive in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The desire to house one’s self and/or one’s family comfortably, and the pleasure that a well-designed house gives to its owner – both socially and materially – seem largely unaltered.

But two things have changed. Residential property no longer just demonstrates wealth but creates it, and thus makes it even more desirable. Also, the de-mutualisation of the building societies and their takeover by banks, together with the ongoing credit crisis, is threatening the way we think about owning property. In 2011 this means that, unless the government and the banks take urgent steps to reverse the situation, for the first time in over two hundred years it will only be the already well-off who can realistically afford to buy property.

Building societies were created to allow their members to buy property. Banks were created to make money for their shareholders. Building societies were prudent and fiscally responsible. Banks clearly haven’t been and are a perfect example of pride coming before a fall. To extract themselves from the trouble they are in the banks are now prejudiced against the very people the building societies were formed to assist. Jane Austen could have written a book about it.”

By Nick Churton

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Visiting 24 Lighthouse Shores Drive, Lake Tahoe

Posted on May 16, 2011 by mayfairblog

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Nick Churton of Mayfair International Realty finds his young heart’s desire on the shores of Lake Tahoe.

When I was growing up there was a childrens’ TV show in the UK called Thunderbirds.  It was about a family who ran a great outfit called International Rescue and they spent their time doing good works with a thrilling array of equipment and transport.  Their home base was a place called Tracy Island.  It was any small boy’s dream to live there.

When I was a little older the James Bond films had villains who always seemed to live in really cool places.  Then, I longed to find a cross between Tracy Island and Blofeld’s liar.  Well now I have.

On the edge of Lake Tahoe, with its own beach and large boat dock is an extraordinary home with a strong nautical theme.  The reception area has a dance floor and indoor swimming pool with large waterfall.  The door to the cloakroom is off a submarine. The inside/outside bar is designed around an original 1949 Chris Craft speedboat and the ‘galley’ is a commercial kitchen boasting everything to cater for the perfect party including a pizza oven and even a diamond-encrusted trash chute – how James Bond is that?

The spacious private master suite has a crow’s nest bar with Lake Tahoe panorama, dual bathrooms with large glass enclosed shower and lake views, sitting room, gym and mini-kitchen. In addition there are three theme bedroom suites with mini bars.

Outside by the beach is a BBQ patio, two fire pits and lush landscaping. Of course, just like any International Rescue base, there is a piercing spotlight on the top deck that shines out over the lake so you can always find your way home.

Here there is just about everything to thrill small, and not so small, boys – and, I am sure, girls as well for that matter.  So I have found my Tracy Island and I hope you do too.  It is everything that children – young and old – will adore.

By Nick Churton

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Visiting Tranquility

Posted on April 21, 2011 by mayfairblog

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Nick Churton of Mayfair International Realty – who usually dislikes the overused word, stunning, to describe real estate – visits a simply stunning house in Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

I sat on an Adirondack chair, placed high on a rocky outcrop.  It was, no doubt, put there for contemplation, and so that is just what I did.  I had a great deal to contemplate.  I considered that if you are co-founder of one of the world’s most famous and successful fashion brands you can bring to your homemaking a level of indulgence that can only remain the remotest fantasy in others.

Ahead of me, through the pine trees, and glinting in the evening sun, was Lake Tahoe with its majestic snow-topped mountain backdrop.  Below, and to the left on the wide terrace was a table set beautifully for supper.  Beyond that was, what has to be, the prettiest boathouse anywhere, while behind me was one of the most exciting private homes I had ever had the pleasure and privilege to visit.  So, I contemplated, this was what it must be like to live the billionaire lifestyle.

It may help, at this stage, for you to know the price – at $100 million (including furniture) Tranquility is the third most expensive home in the US.  So what do you get for this king’s ransom? You get to walk down Titanic’s grand staircase – an exact replica of the original. You get to relax in the cigar room of the St. Regis Hotel, New York – another faithful reconstruction.  You get your own basketball court, library, health spa with retractable roof, art studio, private lake, 3 hole golf course, 9 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, 16 car garage, 19 seat theater, 210 acres, 3,200 bottle wine cellar, 5,000-square-foot guesthouse, stables and caretakers’ quarters that just about anyone would be very pleased to call home .

Back on my chair the sun had set and the sky was ablaze with stars.  A slight breeze rustled the treetops and the candles flickered gently on the supper table.  All was set for another magical evening at Tranquility.  But this night I was part of that magic.  It is at moments like this I am rather pleased that I do what I do.  At moments like this a multi-billionaire would think $100 million (to include furniture) is a very good deal – if I were, I would.

By Nick Churton

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Visiting Es Ca Bay, Sarasota, Florida

Posted on March 28, 2011 by mayfairblog

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Nick Churton of Mayfair International Realty takes a look at a magical estate on the Sarasota intracoastal shore.

The great thing about North African architecture is that it is so Moorish – the more you see the more you want.  The not so great thing about North African architecture – at least at the moment – is, well, North Africa.  This is certainly a beautiful, exotic and fascinating part of the world lived in by a wonderful people.  But every now and then the locals, quite understandably, are apt to become very upset with their despotic leaders and rebel – violently.  It’s then that life can become uncomfortable in those parts.

So I am thrilled to mention a rather fine house called Es Ca Bay, which has a delightful Moorish theme, yet is set in a more peaceful and politically stable part of the globe.  There’s little chance that the good folk of Sarasota, Florida will rise up in violent rebellion against the city fathers – although I am sure feathers do get ruffled in City Hall from time to time.

The house to which I refer is beautifully situated just south of Ca d’Zan – the extraordinary mansion built by John and Mabel Ringling in 1925 to display their ravishing collection of European art and, having been there myself, I can recommend it as a must-see in Sarasota.

Es Ca Bay, which looks west across the beautiful intracoastal waterway to Longboat Key, has to be one of the most beautiful estates on the west coast of Florida – and that is saying something.

The very reason that Ca d’Zan was built where it is, is the same reason that Es Ca Bay works so well within Sarasota’s memorable waterscape.  A private, crescent-shaped beach gives Es Ca Bay its 650 ft of bay front.  This provides plenty of opportunity for all those special facilities like sports bar, baths, summer kitchen, pool and dock with power hoist for boat & jet skis. For guests there is a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, separate bay view apartment.  For staff or an office there is a studio apartment and for the five cars there is a garage.  Getting there quickly from wherever you are will be important so it is good to have Sarasota’s International Airport close at hand, and if you must tear yourself away, the city’s thriving downtown area is just a quick hop – you can go by car, but its more fun by boat!

The 3.2 acres of walled, gated and gorgeously landscaped grounds around this Moorish palace wake up perfectly with the dawn and then just get better as the hours pass until a spectacular Sarasota sunset finale finally drops the curtain on another glorious day at Es Ca Bay.  It’s not the North African desert but the Floridian Gulf coast is a very worthy alternative.

By Nick Churton

Posted in Michael Saunders & Company | 1 Comment

Visiting Devonshire, Bedford Corners, New York

Posted on March 23, 2011 by mayfairblog

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Nick Churton of the Houlihan Lawrence London Office shares some personal thoughts on visiting this elegant home.

Reading the brochure and looking at the photos didn’t really prepare me for my first view of Devonshire.  Of course it is a wonderful and handsome colonial-styled house: that much I discerned before my visit.  But what is really striking is the elevation.  It is the lofty location with breathtaking commanding views to the north that immediately sets this house apart.  No photos, however good, can do this justice.

We now live in an age when ostentation in property is rather eschewed.  But despite its fine and even grand appearance Devonshire manages to overcome any such concerns.  This is surely because the location provides the drama, with the house adding a distinctive human element to the tableau.

The interior doesn’t disappoint either.  The dramatic views are ever-present but the spacious, elegant and thoughtfully arranged rooms do not shout; instead they seem to whisper comfort and elegance in respectful tones.

Here is a serious house for a serious buyer.  It is a beautifully designed home that would make any owner proud and any guest enchanted.  Even as an outsider I could appreciate so many of Devonshire’s charms.  I could also appreciate that with the I-684 comfortably out of earshot but giving access to a 45-minute drive to New York City this is the perfect country antidote to busy – and successful – city life.

By Nick Churton

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