Luxe Living

In case you missed some of the hubbub, but today is 12/12/12, and supposedly the last repeating date of our lifetimes – depending on how long you live, of course. On a slow celebrity news day we decided it was a good time to show off one of the most fabulous 12+ bedroom 12+ bathroom homes you will ever see, whatever your lifespan is.

Known as Chateau D’OR, this home is located in exclusive Bel Air above Los Angeles. Once you get past the two gated entries and the landscaped grounds you come upon the 22,900 square foot home, located on 1.7 acres of prime real estate. With a grand total of 15 bedrooms and 16 bathrooms there’s plenty of room for a big family, fabulous parties, or both.

Ornate, hand crafted details fill the home as you make your way through the huge dining room that seems fit for Louis the XV. Guests then enter a sitting room that featuring a two-story mantle in front of a massive fireplace. The posh interior continues on to the luxurious royal master bedroom suite and the remaining bedrooms.

The property includes several additional buildings including a 6-bedroom guesthouse, and a separate structure with professional fitness center, pavilion and of course a koi pond.  It doesn’t get more luxe than this.

As a comedian, actor, voice-over artist and author, Tim Allen has been entertaining audiences for years. But he’ll always have a place in everyone’s heart as the bumbling, yet lovable Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor in one of the greatest sitcom hits of the 1990′s - Home Improvement. It’s safe to say the royalties of that show, plus his work in major motion pictures, continue to pay off for Allen much more than any hosting gig for Tool Time ever could have. Case in point: the recent purchase of a rustic $1.4 million Los Angeles retreat just off legendary Mulholland Drive.

It’s doubtful you’ll encounter the partially obscured face of Wilson just across the fence from this property, but we think the Taylor family would still feel at home in this serene ranch-style retreat in the Hollywood hills. The 2,604 square foot home includes 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and custom Vermont pine floors with wood finishes throughout. The open floor plan, which connects the living room, dining room and den, features French doors and a wall of windows that open onto stunning views of the canyon.

The chef’s kitchen features an expansive stone island that seats ten and the requisite Viking range. Additional amenities include a stone fireplace in the living room, a built-in, high-definition television and sound systems throughout the house.

Once outside, it’s hard to imagine Al uttering the words, “I don’t think so, Tim,” as you gaze at the canyon from the full-length deck in the yard that features a fire pit, water feature and luxurious outdoor shower. Sorry Al, I’m siding with Tim on this one.

To become one of the top agents in the real estate business, it takes a ton of hard work and dedication. Success is equal parts hustle, sweat, creativity and relationship building. Whether you yourself are an agent, or just a real estate aficionado, we can all learn a thing or two from these top luxury agents.

So, without further ado, we present the first of an ongoing series detailing the secrets to success and fun facts about the top luxury real estate agents in the country! First up: Howard Margolis of Prudential Douglas Elliman in New York City.

How did you get your start in real estate?

I was working in my family business, which was a 100 year old, fourth generation company in New York.  My father and his brothers decided to sell the company.  I woke-up one day after a life, up until then, of being a privileged son to find myself jobless, and it was shocking. After a few weeks of soul searching, I ran into the owner of a real estate relocation company.

I had no information about the real estate business, but it sounded very interesting.

Within two weeks, I put my first real estate transaction together.  That was over twenty years ago.  Last year I sold the highest priced apartment in New York City.  It’s been a great adventure and journey.

What sale or career milestone are you most proud of?

Over the years in real estate, I’ve done many things:  worked in corporate real estate relocation, managed the largest grossing real estate sales office in the country and sold some of the largest development projects in the country.  My biggest triumph is putting together an amazing team of people to work with. I enjoy every day with them.  They’re smart, dedicated and we keep each other focused on our job – which is giving the best service to all of our clients.

What is your dream home location?

I have to say that New York City is an amazing place to live.  Even after twenty years in the business, I still walk into some of the most spectacular apartments and get surprised at the scale and scope of renovations in Manhattan and Brooklyn.  You just have no idea what people can create behind those brick walls.  My dream home is a penthouse on Central Park South.  The views looking North over the park with the buildings on Fifth avenue and Central Park West flanking each other is a total New York experience.

What kind of car do you drive?

I’ve been driving BMWs for the past fifteen years.  I’m currently driving the 740iL.  It’s great for long drives to the country and my clients are extremely comfortable.

iPhone, Android or BlackBerry?

iPhone, iPad, Mac!

What site/app do you check first when you wake up?

I can’t pick just one! I look at the NY Times app, HuffingtonPost, The Real Deal, Curbed, Facebook and Streeteasy

What was the last book you read?

Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

Name your favorite guilty pleasure.

Eating at some the most amazing restaurants in the world around NYC!

Take a peek at some of Howard’s listings!

55 Central Park West Penthouse, New York, New York – Listed for $35,000,000

101 West 67th Street, New York, New York – Listed for $27,500,000

128 Central Park South Penthouse, New York, New York – Listed for $11,995,000

112 West 56th Street, New York, New York – Listed for $1,624,800

Selling his beautiful Bel Air abode has been no laughing matter for the multi-talented, Oscar-nominated actor, writer, directer and all around funnyman, Albert Brooks. Originally listed in March of this year, Brooks is asking $6,995,000 for the secluded home.

The home has a show business history, having been owned by Merv Griffin before being purchased by Brooks for $3,650,000 in 1992, following his critically acclaimed star performance alongside the legendary Meryl Streep, in Defending Your Life. And anyone can see why a Hollywood star would be interested in such an exclusive, tucked away retreat.

Located on over 2 acres, featuring mature trees and lots of privacy, the property is accessed via a gated private drive. The 5,000 square foot home including 4 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms, is entered through the dramatic living room, which features wood-paneled ceilings over 20 feet high, skylights and massive glass walls that blur the distinction between the spacious home and the well manicured property surrounding it.

Outside there is a tennis court and a large grassy area that could play host to any number of events, either birthday parties or warm summer evening cocktail parties. But the highlight is the pristine infinity pool that looks out over a perfect Los Angeles view.

On reality TV, first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a nasty divorce. Just ask “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Adrianne Maloff, who is officially divorcing her plastic surgeon husband Paul Nassif. Allegations of abuse, neglect and all-around nastiness have been flying around in recent headlines, painting the split as anything but amicable. While the two may be seriously at odds at the current moment, they have a family matter they must attend to as they proceed down the road to splitsville. The two must sell their sprawling, opulent and expensive Beverly Hills mansion that was featured extensively on the Bravo show.

Brand new to the market today and listed with fellow “Housewives” co-star Mauricio Umansky of The Agency, Maloof and Nassif’s grand estate is going for $26 million. Larger than life on TV and in the listing photos, the Maloof/Nassif French chateau was designed by famed architect Richard Landry and features stunning eight bedrooms, 11 bathrooms and  amazing attention to detail.

The estate is set on approximately two acres of beautifully manicured grounds. Befitting a Beverly Hills housewife, this home boasts all of the amenities that one could ever desire, including a tennis court, media room, wine cellar, swimming pool, and pool and guest houses. Perfect for a high-profile and monied resident, the home sits inside the legendary gated and guarded Beverly Park community.

Here’s to hoping a buyer comes along and makes this a happy home once again.

“Back to school, back to school,  to prove to Dad that I’m not a fool…” Although many kids would rather be home watching school classics like Billy Madison today, it’s back to school they go as a new school year begins for many students across the country!

Even though this time of year may bring back those back-to-school blues, little do students realize, that their parents probably jumped through hoops to get Junior into the best school district possible – and more likely than not, this involved a house hunt and a big move before he or she turned 5 years old.

In the spirit of learning and moving for a good school, we are shining our Luxe Living lens on Dallas, TX – home of America’s best public high school. Recently, US World News & Report ranked The School for the Talented and Gifted the top public high school in the nation and awarded it a gold ranking for its test scores, awards, school data and teaching staff– all of which are said to foster the best well rounded, college-ready students.

For parents in the Great State of Texas who love a little glitter in their lives, that’s good news. From what we hear, Dallas is a growing luxury real estate destination with its downtown area emerging as an up-and-coming tech hub and its flourishing restaurant and shopping scene reeling in the big spenders. With an average listing price of $502,534, it’s on the high end of the real estate scale and this featured $29.5 million, 10.5 acre, 5-bedroom and 10-bath Dallas Mt. Vernon landmark sure does its part to bring up the average.

This old-world style property offers historical charm with a splash of modern renovation. Dark hardwoods line the floors, and crown molding can be found in the study with fireplace and built-in library, bringing the property’s antique personality to life. The three-level open floor plan allows for plenty of natural light throughout and can be enjoyed in any part of the home. The renovated kitchen offers an extra large center island and is surrounded by dark wooden cabinets and a lovely brick arch over a stainless steel stove.

A large heated pool, putting green, lighted tennis courts, and 4-lane bowling center with mini diner allow for a hardworking Dallas student to sit back and relish in a fabulous Texan escape right in the comfort of their own home. When hitting the books, one can catch up on some reading on a lovely country-style porch overlooking the 10.5 acre grounds or in one of the many cozy studies with built-in fireplaces.

Additional luxe amenities include an elevator, 2-story guesthouse, wine storage, 16-car garage and outdoor entertainment area with gazebo, two fireplaces and pizza oven.

On July 2nd, NBA All Star Joe Johnson was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, after spending 7 quality seasons in Atlanta with the Hawks. Now he’s putting his palatial Atlanta area home on the market and going all-in on becoming part of Brooklyn’s first NBA basketball franchise. And who can blame him? Maybe it was the thought of Jay-Z being the minority owner? Or the idea of creating a new basketball super power right in the backyard of the New York Knicks? Either way the $90 million of mad scrilla left on the next 4 years of his contract certainly makes moving an easy decision from a financial standpoint.

So what is Joe leaving behind? Well the Hawks might not be in good shape, but his expansive home sure is a gem. Settled on over an acre of land the European-style home is 13,822 square feet and features 8 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms and welcomes visitors to the home with a dramatic 2 story foyer and cathedral ceiling. The kitchen alone includes a breakfast room, large granite-topped island and a walk-in pantry. Other spaces throughout the house include computer, media, recreation, family and living rooms, as well as a library, den, gym and wet bar for entertaining. And after all that you can settle into a large dining room with room for more than 12 people, wood floors and expansive 10 foot ceiling.

The amaziness that is Joe Johnson‘s former home isn’t limited to indoors. Once you head into the back yard you will encounter myriad additional features that solidify this home’s status as a luxury retreat. Walk onto the deck and notice the carefully tended garden, baller-status grill, hot tub, spa and built-in pool including pool house. And if you want to work up a sweat before hitting the pool you can hit the ball around on the private tennis court.

Maybe he’s crazy for selling this place, but you have to wonder where a man used to this lifestyle will settle once he arrives in the Big Apple. Perhaps he wants to pick up Derek Jeter’s old pad for a cool $17.95 million? With his average pre-tax salary in the $1.7 million per month range, a host of New York rental opportunities become very affordable. For $45,000 per month Johnson could choose this massive, lower-Manhattan flat, or perhaps he wants to be close to the brand new Barclays Center in Brooklyn? If so, he’ll find rentals to be exceedingly less expensive, like this 2 bedroom apartment that is just minutes from his “office” at the arena and will set him back a paltry in comparison, $5,500 per month.

One thing we know for certain, Johnson will be playing on an exciting team come 2012, and likely living in style.

Credit to estately.com for home images.

This ain’t no laughing matter – comedic actor Ben Stiller and wife Christine Taylor have just hoisted their massive Manhattan duplex onto the market at a slight loss. The longtime couple purchased the 5-bedroom, 5½-bath apartment on August 21, 2008 for $10,000,000. Today, it came onto the market with a $9,600,000, as first reported by The Real Estalker.

It doesn’t take a mathematician to figure out that if the Stiller/Taylor family gets their full asking price for the New York duplex, they’ll be taking a hard-to-stomach loss of $400,000. That’s not a lot of money to most Hollywood A-listers, but when you factor in the expansive renovations and upgrades made to the apartment in the time that they’ve owned it, the total loss could potentially balloon to the seven-figure mark. But who knows, the low-ish listing price could also be a super-savvy move on behalf of the Stillers. In the current market, many listings come to market at an attractive price, attract multiple offers and often sell for well above the initial listing price. Only time will tell whether or not this sale all turn out to be a real-life ‘Tower Heist’- aka a relative bargain for the future owner.

What will $9.6M big ones buy you from Ben and Christine? The listing dubs it as “The MOST beautiful duplex on Riverside Drive.” The spectacular two-story, 5-bedroom, 5½-bath apartment showcases glorious river views, every amenity, and impeccable design in a pre-War full-service building on the corner of Riverside Drive and West 84th Street. The upper floor features an enormous sun-flooded living room; a large eat-in cook’s kitchen with banquette, Viking professional oven, two dishwashers, and a large Sub-Zero refrigerator.

The lower level has private quarters with river views, including the master suite and three other large bedrooms. Each level can be accessed by elevator separately, but the duplex is connected internally by a stairwell.

Talk about some grand slam real estate! A-Rod, the New York Yankees’ third basemen with a sky-high $275M contract has just listed his big baller beachfront Miami mansion for $38M.

A-Rod, known to change his mind often in his personal life, has now decided to part ways with the slick and stunning waterfront Miami mansion he has only owned since 2010. He built and supervised the construction of the home (often seen on-site with his then-love Cameron Diaz), and eventually moved into the mansion in October 2011. Less than a year later, A-Rod found A-Realtor and listed the home for $38M.

Listed with ONE Sotheby’s International Realty in Miami, the high-priced waterfront bachelor pad has uninterrupted, panoramic views of the water and the Miami skyline.  Dubbed an “extraordinary new modern masterpiece,” the home sits on over an acre of lush grounds on one of the most prestigious streets in Miami Beach. Completely gated and walled for privacy, the mansion features an an expansive 275 feet of water frontage and 2 docks.

Over 20,000 square feet of chic and elegant spaces are completely surrounded by 12′ walls of impact glass. The home is finely detailed throughout with extensive use of coral rock, white oak floors, epe wood and marble. As if a well-to-do bachelor would do anything less, A-Rod had the home exquisitely decorated by renowned Edward Briggs design.

Perfect for Miami, the 9-bedroom, 13-bathroom home possesses Zen-like outdoor/indoor living spaces,  a gourmet open kitchen, spectacular home theater, covered terraces, vanishing edge heated pool, outdoor kitchen area and guest house. Inside the main residence, the master suite clocks in at 2,200 square feet and features an atrium, sitting area, his/hers baths and oversized closets.

An amazing separate gym with steam room and 3,000 square foot sports room with batting cages overlooks the bay. The house also comes complete with a commercial-sized elevator, full home generator, and 16 security cameras and surround sound system throughout.

 Mayi de la Vega holds the listing.