Recent Comments:
Karl Lagerfeld Buys Historic Vermont Mansion {Luxist}
Oct 10th 2008 12:31PM If Cat is correct with 'Sawyer Bay Farm' then any reference to the purchase being 'a historic mansion on an island' is in complete disagreement. No island aspect at all.
Frankly there are more historic and beautiful farms and estates (IMHO) to be found on the shores of Champ.
Example - In July 2006 LandVest sold "Grosse Pointe" a massive gilded age stone estate in Ferrisburg VT (on Lake Champlain) for $8,443,250 per VT records. Peerless with anything offered on the Lake in recent memory with 430 acres, farm complex, woods, an elevated point where the mansion stands overlooking the Lake from any room, etc. It is owned today by the founder of IDX Systems Corporation which was acquired by GE Heathcare.
http://www.forbes.com/realestate/2004/08/31/cx_bs_0831how.html
Adrien Brody Buys His Lady A Castle {Luxist}
Oct 8th 2008 11:51PM Well it's close to Oneida Lake (Syracuse NY) geographically in the town of Cleveland NY - located on Stone Barn Road. From google maps it looks to be not isolated yet largely away from other residences.
Acquired in 2007 for under $750k this property is one of those many unique offerings tucked away in Upstate NY which reflect once prosperous times. More pictures of the property found here:
http://www.mayfaircampground.com/visit/Stone%20Barn%20Castle%20adrien%20Brody/index.htm
Karl Lagerfeld Buys Historic Vermont Mansion {Luxist}
Oct 8th 2008 3:28PM Any further details on the property itself?
Interesting purchase albeit rather under the radar otherwise. There are very few islands with estate type homes on Lake Champlain and even fewer ever come on the market. Many estates are on the shores of the Lake, like Shelburn Farms, but true island estates? Very rare.
I cannot recall any island home in the last year being marketed so I assume this was an unsolicited purchase.
The last estate-like property I can recall being marketed was a few years ago, sold by a Sotheby's affiliate, was Fish Bladder Island. It had a smaller historic 19th century lodge on the 8-acre or so property. In 2007 it burned to the ground.
The Plans For Maine's Casino Resort {Luxist}
Oct 3rd 2008 11:10AM Talk about a poorly timed project just now being pitched.
In case it was missed by the backers and cheerleaders of said project, they might want to see this week's news of Foxwoods (in CT) having to layoff 700 people due to significant dips in revenue. If that leading casino is hurting and it draws from all over in New England and MidAtlantic, then no chance a Maine-based casino is going to be rolling in gravy. All wagering of any kind is down from casinos to horse racing.
Also isn't the idea of a 300 room "resort" on a mere 25 acres somewhat spartan? People tend to go to Maine to enjoy fall walks and enjoy the outdoors. Clearly this project doesn't envision a golf course even down the road.
The Classicist: Mrs. Astor's Beechwood {Luxist}
Oct 2nd 2008 11:33AM KF you are correct, at least based upon my own recollection as well. Physical space initially defined the limitation of people to 400. Of course Mr. McAllister actually died as an outcast from that elite circle he looked to define with himself comfortably amongst the 400.
As for the residence in question, Beechwood, it is lovely and perfectly cited on that finger-like parcel of land and on the Ocean.
The Shrivers in Potomac, Estate of the Day {Luxist}
Sep 17th 2008 11:47AM For a 'new' home (22-yrs old) I thought the exterior lines were done exceedingly well and it has enough focused detail to suggest it being vastly older in a very good way. Then again the architectural firm of Smith Blackburn Architects (now just Blackburn) is excellent in particular their equestrian niche focus.
In DC another top flight firm was Versaci Neumann Partners - now broken into two firms and having not missed a beat with capturing all the dignity and charm of a true estate house.
For current firms I myself cannot find flaws in Fairfax & Sammons. Their work with Farmlands - a home I've visited - is magnificent in its restraint but awe invoking mix of slate, stone, wood, copper.
Anyhow I'm quite certain that unlike the RFK house (which should've been pulled off the market and repositioned) this will sell more quickly by comparison.
The Shrivers in Potomac, Estate of the Day {Luxist}
Sep 17th 2008 11:45AM For a 'new' home (22-yrs old) I thought the exterior lines were done exceedingly well and it has enough focused detail to suggest it being vastly older in a very good way. Then again the architectural firm of Smith Blackburn Architects (now just Blackburn) is excellent in particular their equestrian niche focus.
In DC another top flight firm was Versaci Neumann Partners - now broken into two firms and having not missed a beat with capturing all the dignity and charm of a true estate house.
For current firms I myself cannot find flaws in Fairfax & Sammons. Their work with Farmlands - a home I've visited - is magnificent in its restraint but awe invoking mix of slate, stone, wood, copper.
Anyhow I'm quite certain that unlike the RFK house (which should've been pulled off the market and repositioned) this will sell more quickly by comparison.
Protected Lands for Sale in the Adirondacks {Luxist}
Sep 3rd 2008 11:13AM In case it's not clear, The Nature Conservancy acquired the lands in a $110 million purchase last summer which was accomplished in part with borrowed money, including $25 million from the Open Space Institute. TNC hopes this sell off will raise over $35 million.
The Glens Falls, NY based paper firm Finch, Pruyn and Co listed the long held lands somewhat unexpectedly which caused several groups to scramble quickly to acquire it.
The Adirondacks has more then its fair share of strife when land becomes available and what can be allowed with it. From making lands off limits to human access, intentional erasing of historic (and beautiful) "camps", loss of sustainable logging and with it jobs, the elimination of significant chunks of taxable lands to small towns, et al, it isn't as easy as just saying no to 'development'. The concept of preservation is necessary but striking the right balance is difficult.
Lioncrest, Estate of the Day {Luxist}
Aug 28th 2008 1:14PM > No doubt the ugliest custom home in this blog ever.!
Are you serious? I've seen far more offensive structures called a home on this blog over the years. Agreed that not everyone seems to enjoy the quasi-King Henry wannabe feel of a tavern meets Anglican church for a home. The spartan elements mixed unhappily at times with modern consumer luxury is a bit hamfisted with some rooms. Still it isn't a wretched structure and minor changes could smooth much of the bumps.
What I don't get is listing a property for $15M and yet having, as noted, out of focus photos in the Sotheby's presentation. Sloppy marketing is inexcusable - the photos should've been reshot and never uploaded. Period. If this was a doublewide for $30k perhaps you can get away with such mistakes. No chance with an upper bracket home.
Tiger Woods Will Be World's First Billionaire Athlete {Luxist}
Aug 20th 2008 4:29PM I would fully concur that Michael Schumacher is by all accounts worth well in excess of $1B USD. I recall reading that because of his residency in Switzerland his taxes were under $100k USD/year yet was making $80M + with Ferrari plus product endorcements, etc. He continues to rake in huge sums working for Fiat/Ferrari and doesn't spend money on a big entourage like some.
In fact one time Ferrari driver Ulsterman, Eddie Irvine, was listed on The Times "Rich List" just last year being worth over 400 million British pounds . He owns property, clubs, auto franchise, et al.
A few years ago Forbes was touting Michael Jordan as likely going to be the 1st athlete billionaire. That never happened. Divorce, some bad investments, high taxes on that cash rich salary, lavish lifestyle, and an NBA career that didn't go on forever.
