All posts by Unique Homes Staff

Featured Agent: Rhonda Smith of Algin Realty, Inc.

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Rhonda A. Smith

Algin Realty, Inc.

150 W. Washington Street, Madison, GA 30650

O. 770.616.4460 | C. 706.319.7980 | rsmithspa@yahoo.com | www.alginrealty.com

Rhonda is a member of Morgan County Rotary, a Board Member of the Madison – Morgan Boys & Girls Club, and the local Magnolia Garden Club. Rhonda enjoys working with both buyers and sellers where she is knowledgeable in the Madison, Rutledge, Lake Oconee, Athens and surrounding counties. She is a certified Real Estate Negotiating Expert, a member of the Institute of Luxury Home Marketing, and a Seniors Real Estate Specialist. Whether you are a first time home buyer or retiree looking to downsize, it is her pleasure to assist from starting with a lender to beyond the closing. Her motto is “there is no home  too small or too big — there is the right fit for everyone!” Rhonda is always helping families plant roots one home at a time!

Featured Listing by Rhonda Smith

MADISON, GEORGIA

Joshua Hill House

The most historically significant home in Madison, the Joshua Hill House perfectly depicts the slow, luxurious lifestyle of Southern living. This Greek Revival sits on its own block surrounded by gardens, a potting shed, guesthouse and a beautiful pecan grove.

$3,000,000.

 

Rhonda Smith originally appeared as an Elite agent in the Unique Homes Spring ’18: Elite edition. See her page here.

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Kelly Hoppen partners with Lux* Resorts & Hotels

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The design of Lux* Grand Gaube incorporates elements of nature with its sea views, airy verandas and sundecks.

Kelly Hoppen, a designer, entrepreneur, author, educator and Member of the Order of the British Empire, has designed the interior of LUX* Grand Gaube, a major hotel owned by LUX* Resorts & Hotels. LUX* Grand Gaube is based in Mauritius, an island nation located in East Africa, that is known for its beaches, lagoons and reefs.
Reminded of her experiences in Africa as a child, Hoppen was blown away by the hotel’s location, light, smell and foliage. Hoppen wanted to provide an experience through her design for LUX* Grand Gaube and create something new for the brand.
“An experience is the strongest feeling to have and if I can create something special and have an amazing company like LUX* implement the service with my design then that’s when magic happens,” Hoppen said. “Both my brand and LUX* have a great understanding of what timeless luxury is and therefore the collaboration is a naturally evolving journey.”

Hoppen’s design allows guests to feel at home and transports them to an extraordinary world which stays true to the architect Jean-Francois Adam’s vision of contemporary yet timeless Indian Ocean living.
As an avid traveller, Hoppen appreciates the importance of comfort and ease of a hotel, and when designing, puts herself in the guests’ shoes. For Hoppen, every single detail is extremely important. From the bedroom decor, to the restaurant, to the walk from the hotel to the beach, to having a sip of morning coffee — every aspect and angle had to be taken into consideration when designing this hotel.
For the hotel’s interior, Hoppen used her signature neutral pallet to create layers of contrast, both in color and texture. Hoppen complemented these neutrals with splashes of color for the interior spaces. Her design evokes a certain calmness throughout the resort and provides LUX* Grand Gaube with an essence of pure tranquility.

Inspired by the stunning natural landscape, Hoppen felt it was paramount to incorporate elements of nature in the interior spaces. All rooms, suites and villas open out to stunning sea views and airy verandas. Some rooms offer outdoor baths or sundecks edged by the resort’s private cove. Hoppen has enhanced the spindrift-white bedrooms with unexpected details such as succulents in ceramic pots. Accents such as handwoven African baskets, wicker tables and smooth neutral floors ensure all bedrooms provide the utmost comfort. The geometric encaustic tiles add graphic-design personality to the ensuites, and many bathrooms feature reclaimed bespoke Victorian bathtubs.
LUX* Grand Gaube provides its guests with a choice of six restaurants and seven bars, many of which are totally unique in style. Guests may enjoy sunshine or starlight through the glazed ceilings of the Palm Court Restaurant, while savouring dishes cooked à la minute. Every table in the restaurant looks out onto the ocean and guests may be seated comfortably on the banquettes or at the kitchen counters.

Inspired by the surrounding tropics, from the minute guests arrive to the minute they leave, Hoppen’s design allows guests to relax and forget about their troubles, immersing themselves in the resort’s experience.

Photo courtesy of www.kellyhoppeninteriors.com

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Where should Prince Harry and Meghan Markle purchase their second home?

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Royal wedding fever is upon us, and people around the world are placing their bets on what Meghan’s dress will look like, where the couple will honeymoon and even the food at the reception. But how about what happens when the wedding insanity dies down?  The couple will surely need a few places to relax and unwind. Listed below are a few homes we believe are fit for royalty.

Rock House
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos

If privacy is top of mind for Meghan and Harry, this brand new residential resort tucked into the untouched limestone cliffs of Turks and Caicos, a British territory, will offer the perfect combination of five-star service and plenty of personal space to unwind once the wedding madness settles. The recently-announced Ridge Cottages are especially ideal cliffside hideaways, as they will offer the most space and a private pool off the main living area, ensuring a lifetime of Turks and Caicos sunsets, sans paparazzi. Other Grace Bay Resorts-managed properties are frequented by public figures such as Jane Fonda and Gayle King.

Photo courtesy of Rock House

Photo courtesy of Millerhare

1000M
Chicago, Illinois
Located less than an hour away from Northwestern University — Meghan Markle’s alma mater — 1000M may be the perfect pied-à-terre for the royal couple. Getting around won’t be a problem for the newlyweds with access to the Helmut Jahn-designed Porte-cochère with 24-hour door staff and driver service. When they’re looking to stay in, Meghan and Harry can take advantage of more than 40,000 feet of indoor and outdoor amenity spaces including a 52-foot resort-style pool with private cabanas, a conservatory for musical performances and art exhibitions, a full-service bar and lounge, live music and events, a wine tasting room with private wine storage and the sky terrace with telescopes for celestial viewing.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences
Miami Beach, Florida
With seven bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, the $40 million penthouse at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Miami Beach offers the newly-wed royals a tropical palace in paradise. Megan and Harry can take in the views of the Miami skyline and expansive ocean vistas on the private side of Miami Beach on a quiet ocean inlet.
The penthouse is equipped with a private hammam spa, his-and-hers studios, sunrise and sunset swimming pools with hot tubs, private plunge pools off the master bedrooms, alfresco kitchen and bar, butler kitchen, service accommodations, book library, separate his-and-hers studies, wine room, private screening room and family game suite. 
If that’s not enough, the property will also offer a private house car and day yacht, as well as a navigable marine helipad for easy transportation without the paparazzi.

Photo courtesy of DooArchitecture

Photo courtesy of Epiphany

Caroline Bay
Bermuda
For the ultimate feeling of privacy and tranquility, Meghan and Harry can purchase at Caroline Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve located in a private enclave on the west end of Bermuda. The Cove, the first 35 residences to be complete, offers residents a waterfront lifestyle with access to a superyacht marina. With open floor plans and generous spaces for indoor and outdoor living, homeowners who’ve purchased the four-bedroom penthouses can take advantage of the private elevator entry offerings and plunge pools. If the couple gets homesick, the homes pay subtle tribute to British Colonial architecture. The couple can also receive a complimentary one-year membership to Port Royal Golf Club, a Troon Privé club just across the street.

Alaia
Belize
Located in one of the world’s most photogenic yet untapped destinations, Alaia, the newest waterfront resort and residential property spanning more than 20-acres, is the ideal location for Harry and Meghan to call home. A collection of residences and eight oceanfront villas will have their own entrances along the tranquil Caribbean Sea.
Offering the utmost privacy and luxury, the property is surrounded by lush landscaping and provides exclusive amenities for residents only, including a live art gallery and beach club. Harry and Meghan can purchase a villa and indulge in their own private pools, beach seats, bedrooms filled with rustic marbles and stones, reclaimed wood, linen curtains, textured beige walls and earth-toned hues, as well as direct access to pristine white beaches.

Photo courtesy of Alaia

Photo courtesy of Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences

Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences
Singer Island, Florida

 The residences at Amrit will offer Megan and Harry the perfect second home to slough away the stresses of royal life.

With a personal wellness assistant included, the couple can partake in daily meditation classes, yoga, nutritional juices and foods, as well as various spa therapies.

Located on prime beachfront property in Palm Beach’s Singer Island, Amrit’s residences are equipped with posture supportive flooring and vitamin C infused showers.

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Featured Agent: Chris Karsteter of Coldwell Banker Bain

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Chris Karsteter

Coldwell Banker Bain

 

1661 East Olive Way Seattle, WA 98102

T. 206.794.1465 ~ karsteter@coldwellbanker.com ~ Coldwell Banker Bain

Chris’ goal is to provide exceptional personalized service throughout the real estate experience. He relies on 30 years of customer service expertise to help ensure professional, pleasant and “painless” real estate transactions for his customers and clients.

Featured Listing by Chris Karsteter

San Juan Islands, Washington

 

A rare opportunity. Situated within the breathtaking San Juan Islands archipelago, just north of Seattle, this extraordinary 29-acre gated estate offers supreme privacy and is a sophisticated retreat on the wooded shores of Puget Sound. 4,421 feet of front footage and sheltered boathouses. Although the property feels like a private island, it is connected to Blakely Island proper, its marina and airport. $4,500,000 price reduction… seller wants to sell.

www.BlakelyEstate.com

$13,995,000

 

Chris Karsteter originally appeared as an Elite agent in the Unique Homes Spring ’18: Elite edition. See his page here.

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Midtown Atlanta Residential Tower Will Offer Luxury Lifestyle At Competitive Rate

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No2 Opus Place, a luxury development in Atlanta, Georgia, encompasses more than 46,000 feet of private amenities, including a spa and wellness haven, artful experiences and Mozart’s Club Level.

No2 Opus Place, famed for its record-setting plans to become the tallest residential tower along the Midtown Atlanta skyline, will be known for more than its height in the near future. The luxurious development is soon to be the most highly amenitized condominium building in Midtown, encompassing more than 46,000 feet of private amenities spread over three floors with endless city views and top-of-the-line finishes and features. No2 Opus Place wrote 20 contracts during the month of March and the project is in the site work phase of construction.

At only 48 cents per square foot, No2 Opus Place’s monthly homeowners’ association fees will offer residents a well-appointed lifestyle with access to an outstanding number of in-house amenities, without the high rates normally associated with luxury living.

“The developer thoughtfully curated No2 Opus Place to incorporate a fully loaded line-up of amenities, services and gathering spaces at a reasonable cost to the homeowner,” said Lori Lane, senior vice president of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. “Right now is a great time for buyers to discover No2 Opus Place — we’re currently in our pre-sale phase which offers the best pricing options and choice of residences.”

The Opus Club, a finely selected collection of best-in-class amenities, will provide residents and their guests the ultimate in exclusive hospitality, all under one roof.

Situated atop a fine dining restaurant, the private 8,200-square-foot arrival experience will welcome residents home with an on-site bellman and full valet service. The grand entryway leads residents into the Entrance Suite, featuring a double height space accentuated by a contemporary crystal chandelier and blue-chip art collection. Also included in the arrival is access to on-site parking, dry and cold package storage and on-site property management. A 24-hour Concierge is available to offer residents services typically found in a boutique hotel. Additionally, No2 Opus Place will employ a full-time Lifestyle Curator to plan events such as wine tastings and movie screenings.

Ascending upwards through the tower, residents will experience a 26,000-square-foot health and wellness facility featuring both indoor and outdoor amenities. The outdoor area will provide ample entertainment space for residents and their guests. From the resort-style pool featuring a massive movie wall, waterfall and private cabanas to alfresco dining spaces with fire pits and BBQ grills to a juice bar in an open-air lounge, the exterior amenities cater to every aspect of an active, stylish lifestyle. The outdoor area also includes a covered lap pool perfect for catching the sunrise during exercises, an outdoor kitchen and a dog run.

An on-site Wellness Director and Spa Attendant will help guide residents’ wellness routines within the indoor and outdoor treatment rooms. Sauna and steam rooms and a state-of-the-art gym, along with a Pilates and yoga studio, are also a part of the rejuvenating spa and wellness center.

Near the pinnacle of the building lies Mozart’s 41st, the 8,900-square-foot Club Level featuring a 23-seat IMAX Screening room, ultra-lounge, cocktail bar, demonstration kitchens, a culinary tasting lounge and a wine tasting and storage space. For residents looking for a more intimate experience, access to private guest suites, a private dining room and a library is also available.

Photos courtesy of ARX Solutions

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Featured Agent: Tammy Campbell-Plummer

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Tammy Campbell-Plummer

The Signature Homes of Campbell-Plummer & Merritt-Coldwell Banker

Global Luxury Specialist

727.455.2351  | Tammy@CPMSignatureHomes.com

Tammy has consistently been recognized as a top producer and was on Coldwell Banker’s #1 Small Team in Florida and 6th in the U.S. (awarded in 2017), as well as #1 agent for West Central Florida for many years in a row (2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015). Her dedication to excellence is only matched by her uncomparable experience and knowledge of the Tampa Bay area’s luxury real estate market and trends. Tammy’s team has over 45 years of combined sales experience in the luxury market and more than $750 million in closed sales. Tammy is recognized as a skilled negotiator in the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury network.

Featured Listing by Tammy Campbell-Plummer

TIERRA VERDE, FLORIDA

Sands Point

This waterfront masterpiece offers extraordinary craftsmanship throughout with a gorgeous presence. A private deep-water dock offers open water access of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico within minutes. MLS #U7846557
$2,800,000

 

Tammy Campbell-Plummer originally appeared as an Elite agent in the Unique Homes Spring ’18: Elite edition. See her page here.

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Featured Agents: Elyse Harney & Elyse Harney Morris of Harney Real Estate

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Elyse Harney & Elyse Harney Morris

Elyse Harney Real Estate

11 E. Main Street, Salisbury, CT 06068

O. 860.435.2200 | C. 860.318.5126 | elyse@harneyre.com | www.HarneyRE.com

For over 30 years Elyse Harney Real Estate has been specializing in beautiful homes, farms, rentals, land for sale and estates in the tri-state region of northwest Connecticut, the Hudson Valley of New York, and the Berkshires of western Massachusetts. We proudly serve over 40 unique communities with real estate in Litchfield County, Berkshire County, and Dutchess and Columbia County’s beautiful Hudson Valley Region. Call or stop in at any one of our 5 offices to talk with our fantastic team of real estate agents. We will be honored to work with you in finding the perfect home, at the right price, in the best location!

Featured Listing by Elyse Harney & Elyse Harney Morris

EGREMONT, MASSACHUSETTS

10,125 SQFT | 61.3 AC | 8 BR | 9 BA

360-degree views in this house! Features include a chef’s kitchen, dining room with egress to outdoor living, pool, pool house, and a post and beam barn studio.

Find out more here!
$6,150,000

 

Elyse Harney & Elyse Harney Morris originally appeared as Elite agents in the Unique Homes Spring ’18: Elite edition. See their page here.

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Featured Agent: Andy Leung of Keller Williams Realty

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Andy Leung

Keller Williams Realty

1501 Highwoods Blvd. Suite 103, Greensboro, NC 27410

336.772.0333 | Andy@TeamLeung.com | www.GreensboroAreaHomes.com

As the founder of Team Leung and a Greensboro native, Andy Leung has been selling high end real estate since 1998. Earning the coveted KW Luxury designation, his team is part of the top 2 percent of all agents in the #1 real estate company in North America, Keller Williams Realty. Having the industry’s highest distinction, Luxury Home Marketing Specialist, Andy and his team understand that each luxury home is unique. Whether it is a downtown condo or a lakefront chalet, Andy and his team will provide the concierge service you deserve.

Featured Listing by Andy Leung

High Point, North Carolina

120 Brightleaf Lane

Welcome home to this gorgeous brick home that sits on 1.4 acres. The home offers a lot of amazing features, including an open floor plan and large rooms throughout, making it perfect for entertaining or enjoying time with family. Enjoy the serene Southern mornings on the lovely balcony off the beautiful master suite. Head outside to a peaceful backyard and a lovely deck.

$660,000.

 

Andy Leung originally appeared as an Elite agent in the Unique Homes Spring ’18: Elite edition. See his page here.

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Private Ontario Home Listed for $1.599 Million

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Offering an Idyllic lifestyle in a private setting, this luxury home in Mono, Ontario, Canada is surrounded by trails, a forest, meadows, outstanding views and outbuildings for a winning combination.

“Set way back from the road with a heated shop and barns, this property is capable of being home to not only to your family, but your dreams as well — horses, cars, yoga, dogs, painting or a wellness center,” says listing agent Sarah Lunn of Coldwell Banker Ronan Realty.
Listed for $1.599 million, the lavish stone, 5,256-square-foot bungalow features five bedrooms, four baths, multiple walk outs and a two-car detached heated garage with an office for the ultimate in versatility.
“The open concept style, soaring ceilings and views from every window make this home stand out from the rest,” says Lunn. “Just bring your dreams and this property will make it a reality.”

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Best Residential Spas for #SelfCareSunday

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The spas at Fifty Third and Eighth, 50 West, 1000M and The Grand View at Skyview Park offer guests steam rooms, experiential showers, fitness center access and specialty treatments.

Photo courtesy of Millerhare

With self care being top of mind in 2018, here are some of the best residential spas for #selfcaresunday, a weekly ritual for resetting and treating oneself before the week ahead.

Manhattan luxury condo Fifty Third and Eighth recently completed its residents-only sauna.

For some real “me time” any day of the week, Fifty Third and Eighth’s spa offers a peaceful refuge in the heart of Manhattan. Residents can start their #selfcaresundays by taking a walk through the secluded garden.
After a morning stroll, residents can head over to the fitness center for a solid sweat session, then unwind in the personal sauna or steam room before ending the day doing face masks in their spacious two-bedroom residence.

 Photos courtesy of Gotham


The downtown tower 50 West features a full-floor Water Club in the lower level that includes a 60-foot swimming pool, a cedar-lined sauna, marble steam room and an experiential shower. The experiential shower allows a variable of water pressures, the sounds of thunder and lightning and the aroma of impending rain. The showers are capable of simulating the sounds of a “summer thunderstorm in Colorado” or a “tropical rainforest.” The showers are a good space for residents to relax their muscles and relieve any pain, swelling or stiffness from working out at the gym.

Photo courtesy of Qualls Benson

1000M’s luxurious spa will provide the opportunity for effortless relaxation and pampering without having to venture into the brutal weather that can sometimes be experienced in Chicago, with multiple options for treatment and wellness right in the building.
Among the many features of the Level 11 Spa are ice therapy, which can be used in a cryotherapy routine, and a Himalayan salt room, which in addition to relaxing your mind and body can help clear pollens, viruses, toxins and other pollutants from the body.  

Photo courtesy of Millerhare

At The Grand at Skyview Park in Flushing, residents have access to The Grand Club, an onsite health and wellness space offering full-service spa services and treatment rooms with on-site staff.

Spa-goers can finish off a relaxing day at the spa with a unique experience shower, equipped with multiple misters and body sprays including a 24-inch shower head with various flow settings and a unique variety of multi-temperature water sequences with soothing chromotherapy, relaxing acoustics and rejuvenating aroma. Chromotherapy, or color therapy, directs colored lights on acupressure points focusing on stimulating the healing energy that naturally occurs within the human body.

Photo courtesy of Thanassi Karageorgiou

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