All posts by Unique Homes Staff

Texas Island welcomes back tourists for busy summer season

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Since Hurricane Harvey struck in August, Port Aransas has reopened 2,000 vacation homes, hotels and restaurants and continues to implement major upgrades to its beach towns.

The 18 mile seaside community of Port Aransas on Mustang Island is welcoming back throngs of tourists for what’s expected to be a busy summer season. The island’s beaches are in great shape, while its hotels, restaurants and vacation communities continue to reopen with major upgrades, expansions and improvements since Hurricane Harvey struck the Texas island in August 2017. Known as Texas’s fishing capital, Port Aransas is welcoming anglers back to its channels, back bays and public piers starting this summer to catch their favorite species. While fishing tournaments take place throughout the season, the two biggest include the 25th Annual Fishing Break Tournament from June 22 to 23, and the 83rd Deep Sea Roundup, claimed to be the oldest of its kind on the Gulf Coast, from July 12 to 15. The destination’s Hampton Inn is expected to reopen by August 2018 with the Holiday Inn opening this fall. 

Upcoming developments from Cinnamon Shore, Palmilla Beach, Sunflower Beach and other tourism partners call to double the number of accommodations to 8,000 and reach 10 million visitors in the next five years.

Cinnamon Shore, an upscale master-planned beachfront, family- and pedestrian-friendly community, features 200 single family beach homes and 85 Town Center residences with poolside restaurants and retail space opening this summer. 2,100-2,400 square feet penthouses are priced from $790,000 and come with private elevators. Town Center retail spaces feature a market, bottle shop, coal-fire pizza restaurant with outdoor seating and a candy and ice cream store. Cinnamon Shore homes range from $500,000 up to $4 million. Lots are priced from $150,000 to $1.4 million. Cinnamon Shore’s owner, Sea Oats Group, is also investing $1.3 billion in new vacation homes on a 300-acre expansion.

 

Palmilla Beach Resort & Golf Club incorporates the relaxed personality of a beach town with the beauty and elegance of a luxury resort. This Mark Schnell-designed, master planned community is reminiscent of Florida’s highly acclaimed Rosemary Beach – where meticulously planned streetscapes epitomize walkable urbanism, invite connectivity and friendly interaction.  New luxury two-bedroom seaside condos opened over Memorial Day weekend starting in the $500,000 price range and featuring open living areas, covered garages and large covered balconies. One-bedroom condos can range from $395,000. Palmilla Beach homesites start in the $200,000’s and go up to $1.4 million. Single-family homes can range from 1,800 square feet to 6,000 square feet and range in price from the $700,000’s to up to $4 million for the larger-sized home option, GlobeSt.com learns.  Palmilla Beach plans to open a mixed-use development that could include a fitness facility, gelataria and a coffee shop.

Sunflower Beach Resort & Residences, nestled among 50 acres of protected dune preserves, features 21 single level poolside condos and is developing 25 new ultra-luxury one- and two-bedroom beach cabins priced from $382,000 to $499,000 in a new community called The Camp. The planned mix of custom-built homes, luxury beach cabins and modern condos are complemented by a central beach club, direct beach access and a short walk to downtown Port Aransas.In other developments, a major 2,000-person conference center is being planned, as well as a large sports complex and amphitheater. Port Aransas will also be the site of this year’s Texas qualifying events for the 2018 World Food Championships, from October 3 to 6.

Photos courtesy of Port Aransas/Mustang Island Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau

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Build It and They Will Move

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Strength in the home sales market in southwest florida is due to community amenity programs, higher interest rates and long-term buyers.

By Amanda Schultheis, Senior Consultant of John Burns Consulting

Our selling season is officially over in Southwest Florida. The beaches are quieter, locals are able to get a tee time, I can finally get a restaurant reservation again and builders are tallying their sales. Most builders we’ve spoken with recently report moderate to strong sales with increasing interest from Northeast buyers seeking tax shelter. Fort Myers has regained strength by diversifying product offerings, and we will likely upgrade the market to Normal next month.
Other takeaways from our field research include:

  • It’s not just the active adult communities that are performing well. It’s no secret that Southwest Florida is a retiree haven, but we have observed increased demand from family buyers. Community amenity programs that offer something for everyone are performing the strongest. A tot lot might be on one side of the community pool, while a bocce court is on the other, and all residents enjoy the extensive walking trails. Several new neighborhoods have opened with families in mind that offer low HOA fees, private yards, and good schools.
  • Interest rates may be positively influencing sales. Local families and retirees alike are selling their homes and buying new before rates increase. Sales agents note increased interest from locals, and many communities priced in the $200s to $400s report double-digit monthly sales.
  • Lennar’s acquisition of WCI and CalAtlantic is putting pressure on new home prices. Lennar’s Everything’s Included program and introduction of lower-priced product in acquired communities is attracting buyers. New home price appreciation has declined the past two years in Fort Myers and Naples as builders struggle to meet the affordability challenges by offering smaller product, larger incentives, or both.
  • Residents are staying. The traditional snowbird lifestyle is becoming less popular, as the quality of life and tax benefits of Florida residency are extremely beneficial, particularly with buyers from the Northeast, California, and Illinois. Population growth in Fort Myers and Naples remains strong at 2.7% and 2.0%, respectively, during the last 12 months. Fort Myers added an additional 19,800 residents, and Naples increased 7,300 residents in the last year.
  • The new retiree is younger and may still be working. We see increasing preferences for single-family homes as buyers plan to live in Florida full-time and require extra square footage as well as a garage and dedicated office space. Single-family permits have increased in both markets, including a whopping 20% year over year in Fort Myers.

Looking ahead, we expect continued strength in all Florida housing markets due to demographic trends and a favorable tax policy. We are watching the slow employment growth in Fort Myers and Naples, although employment numbers do not capture the large amount of self-employed residents who choose to live in Southwest Florida. For local insight and strategy on other Florida markets, contact Amanda or any of our Florida team members.

Photo courtesy of John Burns Consulting

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The BORN Awards Launch in U.S. for Design-Led Lifestyles

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2018 Winners in Six Categories Announced at Private Dinner at Beverly Hills Home

Founded in Europe in 2010 by Jean-Christophe Chopin (architect of E-Trade Europe), the BORN Awards, which celebrate creative achievements across multiple categories of the design-led lifestyle, landed on American shores. The BORNS are the first U.S.-based regional competition recognizing work that strives to enhance people’s lives through aesthetics and functionality. All of the winners, both emerging and established men and women, invented something beautiful and carried their visions to society.
Operating in six countries, the BORN Awards are the premier platform for honoring and empowering artists while providing exposure to some of the world’s most influential retailers, brands and industry professionals. The winners from each region, now including the U.S., are invited to present their creations during an exclusive exhibition at Milan Design Week each year, and to participate in The BORN Conversations, an exclusive series of fireside chats held with renowned thought-leaders about the intersection of creativity and business. Once all of the regional winners are selected, they will go on to compete against one another in the global final held in London each year.
The theme of the 2018 competition is “Peerless,” which aims to elevate singular creations that combine functionality and aesthetics in one of six categories: Architecture, Technology, Home, Leisure, Sport and Mobility. Additionally, The BORN Awards partnered with two industry leaders to bestow special prizes – Tastemade, a global, digital food, home and travel network, will award the best in “Food + Design,” while Machinima, a leading gaming platform, will select the best in “Immersive Storytelling + Narrative Design In Gaming.”
 

The 2018 BORN Award Winners are:
Architecture & Design: Jacques Garcia and Sydell Group, NoMad Hotel, Los Angeles
Technology & Innovation: Scott Painter, CEO & Founder, Fair.com
Home: Noah Kaplan, Lena Sound Sculpture by LEON Speakers
Sports: RabbitsFoot Surfboard, Ryan Lovelace based on an original idea by Dan Malloy
Leisure: Ryan & Adam Goldston, Athletic Propulsion Labs
Mobility: Stuart Parr,, MV AUGUSTA
Tastemade Prize For Food + Design: Jeni Britton Bauer, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Machinima Prize For Immersive Storytelling + Narrative Design In Gaming:  Guerrilla Games, Horizon Zero Dawn

Photos courtesy of  EM50 Communications

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NYC Residences Provide Interesting Terrace Offerings

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From West Village to the Seaport District, these New York City residential buildings go above and beyond with their dramatic architectural features.

Breaking free of what has been the ‘norm’ of rectangular slabs, we’ve recently seen more developers and architects getting creative with these next-level terraces in a bid to capitalize views, add greenery and captivate buyers and residents.

 
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90 Morton, West Village’s latest condominium conversion, boasts four levels of terraces designed by concept architect, Asaf Gottesman. While New York City codes require buildings to recede as they rise in “wedding-cake” fashion, Gottesman broke free of this constraint by cantilevering terraces over the setbacks, increasing external terraces, ample natural light and privacy for residents.

Photo courtesy of FXCollaborative

Photo courtesy of Binyan by IF STUDIO

Circa Central Park, an Upper Manhattan residential development, boasts residence 8A, a three-bedroom unit with 1,968 square feet of space and an expansive private terrace that overlooks Frederick Douglass Boulevard and the neighboring Central Park. Designed by FXCollaborative, the team kept in mind the iconic traffic circle and ensured the terrace echoed the gradual curvature of Frederick Douglass Circle.
Designed by Hill West Architects, Seaport Residences, the 60-story luxury condominium in Manhattan’s Seaport District, features terraces that spiral up the building in a helix-like movement, illuminating the skyline with long baguettes of lights wrapping its crown like a modern residential lighthouse.

Photo courtesy of Williams New York

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Chileno Bay Introduces Second Phase of Residential Units

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The new residential villas will feature an open concept with floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that open to ample private terraces.

Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Los Cabos’ premier beachfront resort and residential villa community, will expand its real estate offerings with the fall 2018 unveiling of 28 new beach-front villas, 12 new hotel rooms and suites and a variety of social and culinary amenities for owners and guests.

Since opening in January 2017, Chileno Bay Resort & Residences has seen strong sales numbers and high occupancy at the award-winning Auberge property.

A sprawling 22-acres above one of Cabo’s coveted year-round swimmable beaches and part of the prestigious 1,200-acre resort community of Chileno Bay, the resort is comprised of a private beach club and a three-tiered infinite swimming pool with an oceanfront hot tub and fire pits.

The new residences will provide future buyers more options to stay at this luxurious resort with the introduction of two-bedroom villas, penthouses and additional four-bedroom villas.

“Our goal with the new villas is to offer the most exciting new ownership opportunity in the destination and bring a new level of luxury to Los Cabos,” says Mark Cooley, a partner of SV Capital Partners — developers of the resort.

With simple, direct forms, the villas are clean, light and airy. The new homes feature an open concept with floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that open to ample private terraces. Ground-floor villas all have private, in-ground pools and spas, while upper-level villas have Jacuzzis on the spacious, open-air balconies. All residential villas are equipped with indoor-outdoor gourmet kitchens with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, immaculate finishes and fixtures and distinct artisanal furnishings and artwork.

The developers are also introducing new community amenities that appeal to the whole family — specifically, more opportunities for young adults to meet peers and simply have fun. The result is the new Young Adult’s Club, a casual space for gathering with a recording studio, gaming center, onsite photography coordinator and mocktail bar. Other new enhancements around property will include a coffee shop and an additional dining venue. 

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Brandywine Homes to Build New Townhomes in California

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Brandywine Homes has acquired 1.52 acres in Baldwin Park, California and plans to build Palmera, a community offering 23 three-story townhomes. Brandywine plans to open the property for sale in November 2018. Brandywine Homes is a residential home-builder based in Irvine, California that is family-owned and operated since 1994. The company has built or developed almost 60 small- and mid-sized infill communities totaling $1.1 billion in revenues. “Families in the San Gabriel Valley are hungry for new homes, and these open, naturally lit townhouses will not disappoint,” says Dave Barisic, principal in charge of sales and marketing for Brandywine Homes, a pioneer of infill development in Southern California. “Whether they’re enjoying the fresh breezes from their private balcony or relaxing in their tranquil den, they’ll immediately feel at home in this inviting community.” The spacious, contemporary two- and three-bedroom, two-and-a-half and three-and-a-half bath townhomes will range from approximately 1,242 to 1,737 square feet. These townhomes will include large kitchens with islands and stainless steel appliances, private balconies and decks, dens and inspired master suites with generous walk-in closets, hand-selected upscale finishes, dual sinks and separate enclosed showers (in select plans). Palmera will also include two barbecue areas with seating. Located at 14799 W. Badillo Street in Baldwin Park, Palmera will offer convenient access to the I-605 and the I-10 as well as the MetroLink. The community is close to Baldwin Park Aquatics Center, Azusa Pacific University and California State University, Los Angeles. The area offers many opportunities for youth athletes, and also offers excellent hiking trails in nearby Whittier. 

Photo courtesy of Brandywine Homes

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Prestigious French Bath Manufacturer debuts new bath collection

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Merging classic and modern stylings, the collection displays timeless design suffused with French elegance.


THG Paris, the leading French atelier in faucets and bath accessories whose collaborations with prestigious brands include Lalique, Baccarat and Christofle, announced its latest collection — Les Ondes, which is French for “waves” — at the 2018 Architectural Digest Design Show.
Les Ondes is the first product collaboration between THG Paris and the internationally recognized interior design duo of Patrick Gilles and Dorothée Boissier, but not the first partnership. Gilles & Boissier has designed and outfitted several projects with THG Paris products, including the Baccarat Hotel property.
Gilles & Boissier revisited the styling of a Baccarat crystal lamp they designed for the Baccarat Hotel in New York for the new THG Paris bath collection, with the fixture’s faceted crystal sides recalling the transparency of water.
“We are privileged to have Patrick and Dorothée translate their signature stylings into an exclusive bath collection for our brand,” says Pedro Uranga, the North American director of THG Paris.

 
Merging classic and modern stylings, the Gilles & Boissier collection displays timeless design suffused with French elegance. The collection draws inspiration from the transparency of water, and on top of the faucet’s 10-sided faceted base sits a trident-shaped brace reminiscent of Neptune, a Roman sea deity.
The collection is available with cross or lever handles, and like all THG Paris products, is offered in various configurations for basins, matching bathtub and shower systems and a range of matching accessories. THG Paris offers a variety of finishes to complement each design, including but not limited to chrome, nickel and soft gold.
In addition to the collection’s debut at the AD Design Show, the new collection will display in THG Paris’ design center in the Decoration & Design Building in New York.  

Photos courtesy of THG Paris

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METROPOLIS UNVEILS LOS ANGELES PENTHOUSE COLLECTION

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Celebrity brokers co-list eight Los Angeles penthouses with The Agency Development Group.

The collection is comprised of four two-bedroom and four three-bedroom residences that range in size from 1,735 square feet to 3,534 square feet with pricing starting at $2.194 million and ranging up to $6.388 million. The residences are well-appointed with expansive floor plans that capture fine sky-high views of LA through floor-to-ceiling windows.
“Greenland USA is delighted to unveil The Penthouse Collection, which will offer residents the finest in luxury, high-rise living and access to top-tier services and amenities,” said Chao Wu, general manager of Greenland USA, Los Angeles. “Located conveniently between Los Angeles’ financial district to the north and the entertainment district to the south, Metropolis brings the excitement and vibrancy of Downtown Los Angeles right to our residents’ front doors, redefining the standard of luxury, urban living.”
Penthouse 3906 was exquisitely envisioned by Michael Erno of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Erno chose pieces that create an elevated sense of calm as one enters the first-floor living area and transitions upstairs to the bedrooms. He used a glamorous palette of shimmery greys, silvers, neutral tones and a myriad of textures to complement the opulent nature of Metropolis while not detracting from the remarkable jetliner views.

Residents will have access to a 24/7 Lobby Attendant and Dedicated Concierge, Met Six Residence Clubhouse with indoor lounge and chef’s kitchen, resort pool with a Jacuzzi, cabanas and lounge, billiard and game rooms, screening room, meditation garden and a dog park with a bathing station.
“It is exciting to see how the Downtown Los Angeles market has grown over the years and how the demand for high-end product is at an all-time high,” adds Parnes. “With unparalleled amenities and services, Metropolis is among the most sought-after properties in Los Angeles, and we are excited to be a part of this new chapter of the Downtown real estate market.”

Metropolis Los Angeles, developed by Greenland USA, has unveiled The Penthouse Collection, listed by Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles’ James Harris and David Parnes and The Agency Development Group. The unveiling of The Penthouse Collection comes on the heels of the sales success at Tower 1 and the launch of sales for Tower 2.
Among the only two-story penthouses in Downtown Los Angeles, The Penthouse Collection is located atop Tower 1 and features eight residences, with one residence envisioned by the award-winning Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams interior design firm.

“The Penthouse Collection at Metropolis presents a unique opportunity for those seeking the finest in luxury living high above all Downtown Los Angeles has to offer,” said Harris. “These penthouses will raise the bar of luxury living in Downtown Los Angeles, and we are honored to be bringing them to market along with The Agency Development Group.”

Tower 2, which will feature an incredible 3.5-acre amenity deck, will soon launch as well. 

Photos courtesy of Metropolis

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FEATURED AGENT: Victoria Fingelly Of Southport On the Harbor Brokerage

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Victoria Fingelly

Southport On the Harbor Brokerage

251 Main Street – Southport, Connecticut 06890

203.610.0647 | victoriafingelly@yahoo.com
Specializing in luxury and waterfront properties, Victoria Fingelly has established a very successful real estate career over many years. With expert local knowledge of Fairfield, Southport and Westport, Connecticut, along with excellent marketing and communication skills, Victoria delivers a tradition of personal attention and service throughout each transaction. With beautiful and compelling presentation, she has successfully listed and negotiated the record sales for Fairfield at $24,450,000 Southport at $16.250 million and Westport at $25 million. Victoria welcomes your call or inquiry, which is of course, always confidential.

Listing by Victoria Fingelly

MAGNIFICENT GOLD COAST ESTATE

One of the largest estates on the Westport shoreline, this magnificent 7.7-acre “Gold Coast” property offers an unparalleled aesthetic of grace and grandeur, featuring 365 feet of sweeping water-frontage and beach. Composed of three lots, this exceptional estate luxuriates in unrivaled views of Long Island Sound and the stunning Southport and Fairfield coastlines. Circa 1911, the Elizabethan Tudor Residence with pool and carriage house, recently renovated to perfection, retains the genteel ambience of the early 20th Century blending seamlessly with every sophisticated architectural and mechanical enhancement.

www.BeachsideAvenueWestport.com
Offered at $28,000,000

Victoria Fingelly ORIGINALLY APPEARED AS AN ULTIMATE AGENT IN THE UNIQUE HOMES ULTIMATE ’18 EDITION. SEE HER PAGE HERE.

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Luxury Developments Embrace Outdoor Dining

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Whether it’s reducing stress or improving concentration, eating outdoors has proven to have many health-related benefits.

Photo courtesy of DooArchitecture

Private terraces with al fresco eating spaces not only offer a unique setting for entertaining and barbecuing, but also a relaxing, peaceful environment. Dilip Barot, founder and CEO of Creative Choice Group — the developers behind Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences, understands the importance of designing a development with outdoor space in mind.
“Some of the benefits (of spending time outdoors) are improvement in the ability to focus, mood elevation and you get to exercise more,” he explains. “Being out of doors can help one return to a natural state of balance with a simple deep breath of fresh air to feel a sense of renewal.”
While enjoying a meal outdoors can provide a natural mood boost, it can also fight chronic diseases, including high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
Barot also notes that spending time outdoors can lower the risk for seasonal affective disorder, which is attributed to a lack of sunlight creating feelings of sadness and depression.
“Amrit’s location and year-round warm, sunny climate contribute to a natural stress reducing mood enhancing experience,” he says. “With our South Florida sunshine producing melatonin, serotonin and Vitamin D in the body, stress is reduced and happiness naturally shines through.”
Keeping this information in mind, many developments are beginning to embrace outdoor dining. Here are just a few from the Sunshine State:

Photo courtesy of Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences

Located on the exclusive shores of Surprise Lake, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Miami Beach offers a unique outdoor space with vast terraces and balconies to enjoy the outdoors at home. This waterfront property has a rooftop pool deck with spacious cabanas and poolside grille, lush meditation garden and deeded boat slips on a private waterway. This peaceful oasis also has a spa and state-of-the-art fitness center to enhance day-to-day living.

Photo courtesy of Prive at Island Estates

In Oceana Bal Harbour’s penthouse, the wrap-around terrace and rooftop deck boasts 9,950-square-feet of outdoor living space, including an elevated pool and sunset deck, a heated infinity pool, a summer kitchen and an elaborate dining area. The entire pool area is adorned with lush vertical gardens designed by famed landscape architect, Enzo Enea. Every one of Oceana Bal Harbour’s spacious homes and terraces are designed to offer al fresco dining experiences and breathtaking views; whether it’s the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Biscayne Bay and the Bal Harbour marina to the west, or Miami’s intoxicating city skyline to the south.

Photo courtesy of Brickell City Centre

Amrit Ocean Resort and Residences will introduce a new way of mindful living in Palm Beach, Florida with its enhanced lifestyle experiences and customized programs that will be focused around the “Five Pillars of Wellness,” which are nutrition, fitness, mindfulness, sleep and relaxation.
Upon entering the grounds through a private ramp, guests and residents will be brought to an elevated level where they will find a captivating water wall and seven acres of beautiful terrain.
With countless features, the property will be comprised of two towers, each offering indoor and outdoor living with modern cabinetry, state-of-the-art appliances, designer fixtures and large sliding glass doors that open to covered terraces with spectacular water views.

Photo courtesy of DooArchitecture

Prive at Island Estates feature expansive terraces ranging from 760 square-feet to 1,800 square-feet in size with outdoor summer kitchens and elaborate views of the azure intracoastal, Sunny Isles’ dotted skyline and beyond. Its penthouse terraces also include rooftop infinity pools, dining greenery spaces and full outdoor summer kitchens.

Photo courtesy of Ocean Bal Harbour

RISE, one of the two sleek, 43-story premier luxury condominium tower that sits atop of Brickell City Centre, allows residents to enjoy the fresh outdoors and tropical Miami weather with an expansive half-acre amenity deck including tropical gardens, barbecue grills, heated lap and social pools, outdoor fitness areas and children’s play area.

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