Some of These Homes are Not Like the Others
Particularly peculiar properties with decidedly different design elements aren't exactly a dime a dozen.
by Erica Hammond
In compiling the list of the 1,000 most expensive properties for sale in the U.S., we came across many with unique attributes. Whether it's the number of bathrooms, an outrageous amenity or a celebrity connection, so many of the homes in this magazine are notable. Here, we've selected a few highlights from the many truly special, one-of-a-kind luxury residences in Ultimate Homes.
Homesteads with History
Colorado's landmark Sardy House in Aspen is updated for the 21st century but loaded with Victorian charm. The whopping 16 bedrooms plus 18 full and four half baths make the 1892 dwelling appropriate as a single-family residence or the ultimate, intimate inn. $20 million.
A spectacular oceanfront estate in Newport, R.I., is the result of the collaboration of a lifetime-architect Richard Morris Hunt and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted designed in 1891 this ultimate residence featuring an orchestral balcony, an elegant two-story ballroom and views from each of its 22 rooms. $14 million.
Several rooms of the Berwind Mansion on Fifth Avenue in New York City, decorated in Louis XV style, were deemed "museum pieces" at the time of construction back in 1893. $9.975 million. Built in 1890, one home on East 67th Street in Manhattan has undergone extensive remodeling. The romantic at heart will be enchanted by the glass-enclosed, four-story atrium with a roof garden overgrown with ivy and roses. $31 million.
Celebrity Cachet
Living large won't be a problem for homebuyers piqued by the news that Shaquille O'Neal's oceanfront estate in Malibu is on the market for $32 million. Reportedly, it was the only home that could comfortably accommodate the NBA star's 7-foot 1-inch frame.
The bluff-top compound in Malibu, Calif., where "The Bachelor" and other productions were filmed is up for grabs. Star-struck homebuyers will have to pony up $11.49 million for the bragging rights to this residence. Singers and songwriters will feel at home at the Sonoma, Calif., estate featuring a professional recording studio disguised as a New England-style horse barn. $9.5 million.
Sleek, "Smart" and Sophisticated
Five Star on Star Island in Miami, Fla., includes a 5,000-bottle wine cellar, two boat docks, a boat ramp and outdoor air-conditioning. $50 million.
A passion for golf is evident at Three Ponds. The 60-acre Bridgehampton, N.Y., estate is home to a golf course and also features 14 gardens. $75 million.
A half-sized NBA basketball court and an extravagant 15-car garage make one Las Vegas property very rare, not to mention the outdoor kitchen and pool grotto. $20 million.
One Telluride, Colo., home has a bowling alley, plus 13 fireplaces to cozy up to, while a special estate in Naples, Fla., boasts wraparound "disappearing" glass walls so homeowners can enjoy breathtaking panoramic Gulf views. $13.5 million and $13.295 million.
An equestrian estate in Marlborough, Conn., boasts a 7-acre pond with two islands, plus a 28,000-square-foot riding rink. But don't forget to wet your whistle at the property's fully functioning pub. $10.2 million. An archery range, plus a two-story gym are features of a Tucson, Ariz., residence situated on 20 acres. $19.5 million.
And a $60 million offering in Incline Village, Nev.-Sierra Star-has ties to the Bat Cave. Someone who worked on one of the Batman movies consulted in the construction of a subterranean garage and the installation of a heavy duty elevator so the property owner could safety store his vehicle collection. The estate also has two piers on Lake Tahoe, one with a side lift that can handle a 50-foot boat and up to 30,000 pounds.
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