The Line

A sleek reflective facade against the gorgeous Saudi Arabian landscape is only the beginning of this futurist urban development that could change city living forever.

THE LINE claims it will be a truly revolutionary metropolis that’s capable of housing 9 million people while only taking up a mere 34 square kilometers. Built with sustainability, new technology, and happier living in mind, this city would differ in more than just looks. Without roads or cars, there would be zero carbon emissions and the community would run on 100% renewable energy, meaning the structure would not only take up less physical space, but also have a significantly reduced environmental footprint.

This masterwork of design would address several of the challenges that cities present, such as lack of outdoor space, overcrowding, and congested traffic, and offer a more comfortable alternative. By dramatically changing urban planning, project leaders hope to put people first, which would alter the way civilization functions as a whole. The vertically layered communities would challenge the traditional flat, horizontal designs and create a model for nature preservation and enhanced livability, according to team members working on the new city.

Still a sprawling metropolis, THE LINE would only be 200 meters wide and 170 kilometers long. However, everything residents need to live, work, and play will be easily within reach. NEOM, the company responsible for THE LINE, is working to address some of the confines and struggles of city living, as well as the environmental effects of a sprawling metropolis.

With imaginative projects and ideas, the city would limit pollution and encourage a happier way of life. For example, a short five-minute walk would meet everyday needs, while an end-to- end trip of THE LINE would take only 20 minutes. A high-speed rail service would also reduce wait times, commutes, and carbon emissions, already eliminating some of the significant difficulties of city life. The secret to this vertical design is the three-dimensional neighborhoods that are compact and walkable.

NEOM is made up of talented architects, engineers, and construction experts that
are pushing boundaries to make the idea of building upward a reality that makes sense, according to project organizers. Project engineers and architects carefully chose the location for THE LINE, which plans to have unforgettable views and a year-round moderate climate that would also encourage a stronger connection to nature. In addition, THE LINE would thrive in the heart of influential trade routes and a staggering 40 percent of the world is accessible from this point within six hours or less, making it a travel hub for residents and tourists alike.

THE LINE is just one of the projects that NEOM would build to revolutionize the idea of sustainable living. NEOM is 26,500 square kilometers of space in northwest Saudi Arabia across four distinct regions from the coastline to the mountains. The unique location would house four ambitious projects, two cities — THE LINE and Oxagon — and two destinations. Sindalah would be the beautiful island destination, while Trojena is planned to reside among the mountains. These revolutionary projects would utilize the most advanced technology while furthering sustainable practices. Oxagon, for example, would be a marriage of living and innovation where people can come to build, develop, and grow new companies, products, and services. According to the leaders of the economic engine, NEOM will be a place for people near and far to make their impression on the world in creative and innovative ways, and THE LINE only marks the beginning.

March 15, 2024 Leave a comment

A New Lease on Luxury

with:Lara Becker

At a luxury farm resort, you can rest your head only a few feet from nestling lambs, apple orchards, or dairy cows.

A new kind of vacation trend is sweeping the nation. Seekers of serenity and seclusion are finding it in the pasture, experiencing the tranquility of being tucked away with only the birds to sing them awake. But they’re not roughing it.

Farm resorts are located in rolling hills throughout the country — The High End spoke to three owners in Virginia, Montana, and California. All three are family-owned businesses with powerful histories and a love for the outdoors. “Guests are always wondering ‘What is farming really like?’” says Erin Cowden, owner at Fort Lewis Lodge in Millboro, Virginia. “We are a true working, family farm and consider ourselves stewards of this land.”

The Cowdens have run this operation for decades: Erin says that the farm was first carved out of the wilderness in 1754, and was purchased by their family in 1959. In 1989, they extended the farm into the farm stay that it is now. Three generations of their family have farmed this land, and it continues to be a labor of love.

Fort Lewis Lodge now offers 23 different accommodations, including lodges, silos, and hand-hewn log cabins. There are plenty of ways for guests to join in the collaboration on the farm, but also to rest and relax if desired. Additionally, they are conscious of their carbon footprint, and aim to teach guests about the ways in which they can be more green.

“Our vision: a regenerative farming mindset. We want to return carbon and other missing elements to the soil, support biological diversity, restore a natural, self- supporting system, and produce sustainable, nutritious, and tasty food,” Cowden says. “It’s our hope that guests walk away with a better understanding of where their food comes from.”

They have farm-to-table dining with fresh ingredients, and their own natural mountain spring that provides all of the water for the Lodge. Other unique opportunities are their wood-fired sauna, and the fruits of their fragrant peach trees in late August.

Whatever the garden is growing, they are serving, Cowden notes.

With the same love for their garden, ABC Acres, owned by Tim Southwell and family, operates in Hamilton, Montana. Tim and wife Sarah took the reins of the 80-acre property in 2011, and are seeing business booming as people aim to get outside more.

“The pandemic awakened a misplaced love and appreciation for the natural world,” Southwell recalls, as he talks about the luxury lodging trend. “A farm stay is a slower-paced break from the everyday, where one can take in the sunrise, enjoy a meditative walk in deep thought, and witness the magic and unpredictability only nature can provide.”

On its website, the property titles itself an immersive permaculture preserve, which can be seen through the blooming bananas, pineapples, guavas and more. ABC Acres also runs its own “Honey Operation” and other earthwork tasks.

Here there are also opportunities to join in on farm tasks, or to sit back and relax. Located in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley of Montana, the four rental homes for visitors are located near transcendent walking trails and a fully stocked farm shop. Guests can help herd goats and collect chicken eggs, take a day trip on the water to Lake Como, or explore the property’s own Botanical Tropical Greenhouse.

“A farm stay is the vacation,” he notes. “No trips to town or lines for dinner or the local show, just an opportunity to arrive, settle in, and take in the surroundings.”

Another place known for its gorgeous location is temperate Mendocino County, California. Located along the Navarro River and entrenched in robust orchards, Philo Apple Farm is owned by Karen and Tim Bates, who have raised 4 children as skilled farm hands.

The property has three quaint cottages and one “room with a view” (a room above the main dining area) for guests to stay in. Here, the primary production is jams and jellies, but Karen explains that instead of joining in on tasks on the farm, the goal of most guests here is to sit back and simply “do nothing.”

“I think it’s a really good way to experience a place, on a different level than a hotel or even a bed and breakfast,” she says of farm stays. The best time to travel to the Philo Apple Farm is usually the summertime, when the river is glistening in the sun, and is ready for swimmers.

In the cottages, guests can enjoy their own private plunge pools and outdoor showers, morning coffee on their porches, and stroll around the picturesque orchards.

Bates tells The High End that the property also serves as their family compound, where they’re currently working on building a home for one of their daughters and husband. The matriarch of the farm, Sally Schmidt, even has her own cookbook, which has been endorsed by numerous chefs, including the head chef at The French Laundry.

The ultimate goal of any farm stay, and each of these owners, is for guests to reconnect with the natural wonders around them.

“Nature is never dull,” Southwell says. “Whether it’s the first spring rain, baby animals, evening owls, amazing summer storms, or the quietness of winter … there is always something alive and happening … you just need to slow down and look.”

February 29, 2024 Leave a comment

Frozen Desert

with:Marlene Ridgway

Echo was inspired by astronauts and space travel, and is now a dream destination for polar travelers who want to experience the real Antarctica in comfort and style.

Antarctica has never been more luxurious. Echo, a camp for travelers that is often compared to being off-planet, is made up of futuristic-looking Sky Pods settled in the coldest, most secluded place in the world.

“When Buzz Aldrin visited us many years ago, it’s said he looked out to the snow-covered expanse and told our founder that the continent reminded him of the moon,” says Mindy Roberts, the chief marketing officer at White Desert Antarctica. This conversation sparked the idea that would eventually become Echo.

Appearing as if the whole camp dropped out of the sky, the location offers several pod- like buildings, is equipped with its own private runway, and is only about a five-hour flight from Cape Town. Travel depends on the intense weather patterns common on the continent, but a stay at Echo brings you comfort in the heart of this breathtaking destination. “Each pod is warm, cozy, and inviting with luxurious furnishings and relaxing interiors,” says Roberts. The camp was originally constructed entirely in Cape Town, tested, and reassembled at the final destination hours away to ensure that it could withstand the severe weather conditions. In addition, the Sky Pods are constructed and then removed without a trace at the start and end of every season because they do not operate all year.

Despite the many comforts, guests have easy access to exclusive, intense activities specific to the area. Ice climbing, Arctic truck safaris, Ski-Doo tours, and the chance to see 14,000 Emperor penguins are just a few of the excursions to partake in. The sounds and sights of these beautiful creatures, along with the stunning landscape and unforgettable atmosphere, are truly once-in-a-lifetime.

Many guests are enamored by the hikes that have been tailored to their fitness abilities, or they opt for more strenuous adventures that require more skills. Abseiling with a mountain guide is available, or guests can make the same historic trek that some original explorers made on the Explorer’s Traverse. “From a walk around a frozen lake to summiting a nunatak, there is something for everyone. Beyond the highlights of the Emperor Penguins and the South Pole, I think the most awe-inspiring thing is just being in this incredibly rare silence and unique landscape,” adds Roberts.

Yet, you do not necessarily need to brave the wild, frozen tundra to gain an authentic experience. The Sky Pods and, “the communal spaces, including the dining area and lounge area are comfortable places to sit and chat, curl up with a book, or come together as a group
to discuss the experiences of your day,” says Roberts. The comforts are so complete, that “you could almost forget you’re in Antarctica until you see the incredible views of the mountains bathed in sunlight from the pods.”

White Desert was founded in 2005 by polar explorers after realizing that the real, genuine Antarctica experience was unavailable for most travelers. Now, everything from the interiors of the Sky Pods, with retro space-age detailing and luxurious furnishings, to the artwork and food are part of the camp’s allure and a testament to the land.

February 26, 2024 Comments Off

Coming Attractions

with:Unique Homes Staff

Some of the most dramatic structures currently under construction — multibillion-dollar projects dedicated to transportation, entertainment and sustainability — will reshape the skylines of American cities while enhancing our quality of life. A selection of transformative projects, some of which have been decades in the planning process, are presented here.

Complex Creations

Christian Brockmann, Ph.D., a professor of construction engineering at the University of Utah, is a specialist in megaprojects and author of Advanced Construction Project Management: The Complexity of Megaprojects. The book cites endeavors from the Pyramids of Giza and Machu Pichu to the Sydney Opera House as megaprojects sharing similar challenges despite being erected in vastly different eras. Some attempt to define modern megaprojects strictly by cost (e.g., $1 billion-plus), but Brockmann insists they be defined by complexity, novelty and use of specific resources, the latter referring to equipment designed specifically for a project.

“The extreme complexity of these projects stretches our cognitive abilities, skills and experience, and when you push the limits of what you can do, you have to accept the possibility of failure,” he explains.

Notes from the Symphony

Professor Brockmann reports that politics regularly interferes with engineering and that the media often shapes public opinion of a project, especially when initial projections of benefit, budget or delivery date are overly ambitious. As an example, he offers Elbphilharmonie, the striking symphony hall in Hamburg, Germany, which experienced a cost overrun of approximately $700 million. “The press was very critical of the project, as it was far beyond budget and time, but when it finally opened the press and public became very positive,” says Brockmann, who notes the venue’s annual economic impact to the city of Hamburg has been quite beneficial.

Emphasizing the value of persistence and improvisation, the megaproject expert states, “Every situation is different and you have to develop a new approach for each one.”

Silver Bullets

Around the world, high-speed rail megaprojects are reimagining a mode of transportation that was viewed as obsolete not terribly long ago. One of the reasons palatial train stations have been repurposed as museums, hotels or shopping malls is that passengers abandoned trains when air travel emerged. But with bullet trains whisking passengers at more than 200 miles per hour, rail service is experiencing a renaissance.

In Asia and Europe, where governments made big bets on high-speed rail decades ago, this form of intercity transportation is ubiquitous. America finally gets into the game with projects moving forward in Florida, Texas and California. The Golden State’s high-speed rail project is so overbudget and behind schedule that many voters who initially favored it have lost interest. But when completed, the $100 billion project will zip passengers at speeds that will be competitive with air travelwhile leaving a negligible carbon footprint.

Theater in the Round

Nearing completion on the Las Vegas Strip is the MSG Sphere, an ambitious 17,500-seat theater developed by Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corporation. When it opens for concertgoers in late 2023, the inaugural act in the largest spherical structure in the world will be U2. The projected price tag of the MSG Sphere, whose construction was disrupted by the pandemic, has reached approximately $2.2 billion.

The “exosphere” (outer shell) will feature a digital canvas that morphs between themes, depending on the season or occasion, while the theater inside will be the first large-scale venue to utilize multi-sensory storytelling to wow concertgoers. It will possess the world’s highest resolution digital screen, 164,000 audio speakers and cutting-edge 4D technologies, including scents and breezes. David Dibble, CEO of MSG Ventures, has stated, “With MSG Sphere, we’re creating an entirely new platform for immersive experiences.”

Bridging Borders

When completed next year, the $5.7 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge will span the Detroit River, a strategic commercial connection between Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario. The project’s graceful design reflects a contemporary, minimalist aesthetic and its name honors one of hockey’s most legendary players. The project will streamline the flow of goods and passengers at this critical convergence of Canadian and American interests. “Inspiration for the design was found in the waters of the Detroit River with the rolling waves conveying the senses of passage and gateway,” explains Heather Grondin, vice president, corporate affairs and external relations of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority. She adds, “The cable-stayed bridge design is a modern and elegant form with a tower shape inspired by the curvature of a hockey stick in a slap shot — a nod to Gordie Howe.”

Located steps from the new PGA headquarters<br />
is the sprawling Omni PGA Frisco Resort.

Links Unlimited

Opening this spring, steps from the new Professional Golfers Association (PGA) headquarters outside Dallas, is the Omni PGA Frisco Resort. Two 18-hole championship courses will be accompanied by a lighted par three course and two-acre putting green, complemented by diverse dining, retail and entertainment experiences.

The hotel component will feature 500 guest rooms and suites, 10 four-bedroom ranch houses, a rooftop infinity pool and full-service spa. With versatile indoor-outdoor spaces accommodating special events, the $520 million complex represents a true golfer’s paradise in the Lone Star State. “Omni PGA Frisco is an ambitious new resort concept for the state of Texas,” says Jeff Smith, vice president and managing director for the Omni PGA Frisco Resort. He adds, “The sprawling complex provides an unparalleled experience for those who are advanced players, new to the game, and everything in between.” Another megadevelopment in Frisco, Texas, was recently announced: a new theme park from Universal Studios.

Windy City Glam

While the Omni PGA Frisco Resort rambles over 600 acres, the St. Regis Chicago soars 101 stories in a city already home to iconic skyscrapers. Clad in undulating glass, the design is a product of hometown firm Studio Gang, whose founder Jeanne Gang is one of the world’s most prominent female architects. A project of Magellan Development Group, the structure will house luxury condominiums in addition to an elegant St. Regis hotel. Featuring an allocation of green space atop each of its distinct tiers, the building allows greater connectivity with the environment and the city around it.

“The St. Regis Chicago is a work of art and is already a spectacular addition to the Chicago skyline,” maintains Rob Pontarelli, Magellan’s senior vice president of marketing. “The St. Regis Chicago is an architectural wonder inspired by a crystalline form found in nature and serves as Chicago’s premier destination, offering ultra-luxury living, five-star lodging, service and dining,” he adds.

Techy Arena

Major league sports venues frequently rank among the most expensive construction projects in the nation, yet many reflect uninspired designs. However, the Intuit Dome that will be home to the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers features a memorable, futuristic design that pairs well with SoFi Stadium, also located in the L.A. suburb of Inglewood. And in an era when local taxpayers fund sports arenas, the $2 billion Intuit Dome is privately funded.

Inside, a wraparound, double-sided “halo” display board will feature an immersive digital canvas featuring 38,375 square feet (more than 233 million LEDs), while VIP “courtside cabanas” and “halo suites” will provide the ultimate luxury experience for sports fans and concertgoers. “This is going to be an unbelievable building, a great experience to come into,” states NBA Hall of Famer and Clippers consultant Jerry West.

Made in America

Semiconductor chips are essential to computers and smartphones, as well as automobiles, household appliances and medical devices. Therefore, manufacturing those items domestically — almost 90 percent are currently imported from overseas — is critical to the U.S. economy and national security.

Last year, Congress authorized more than $50 billion to the semiconductor industry, a catalyst for a flurry of announcements by large manufacturers. Intel is spending $20 billion to construct a manufacturing facility in Ohio, while Micron Technology and Qualcomm have also made multibillion-dollar commitments to manufacture advanced chips in the U.S. “Today marks a pivotal moment in the journey to build a more geographically balanced and resilient semiconductor supply chain,” remarked Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger at the Ohio groundbreaking.

December 1, 2023 Comments Off

Spiritual Transformations

with:Unique Homes Staff

By Roger Grody

Places of worship are designed for a very specific function, so when they are abandoned — parishioners migrate elsewhere or structures become physically compromised — it is challenging to repurpose the buildings. But designers who appreciate the heritage of sacred sites achieve extraordinary transformations, retaining a sense of spirit even when the buildings are readapted for less virtuous activities.

As congregations have declined, some neighborhood churches in Boston have been decommissioned, leading to creative conversions into luxury condominium projects. Representing one of the most dramatic of those adaptive reuses is The Lucas, a sleek high-end condominium building rising from the Gothic form of Holy Trinity German Catholic Church, originally constructed in 1874.

Holy Trinity had been vacant for a decade, so the city allowed an ambitious developer to erect a bold, eight story steel-and-glass tower within the granite and puddingstone masonry shell of the historic structure, with five floors rising above the original roofline of the sanctuary. While the new construction may sound incompatible with the Gothic structure, Finegold Alexander Architects designed the new addition to be discretely tucked behind the original façade.

A landmark church in Boston has<br />
been boldly repurposed as The Lucas,<br />
a luxury condominium project.<br />
Preservation of the original Gothic<br />
façade honors the historic site while<br />
retaining a human scale.

Tony Hsiao, principal and director of design at Finegold Alexander, suggests that churches, with their unique detailing and large windows, make transformations into luxury condominiums a natural progression, and reports The Lucas was sold-out prior to completion. Ellen Anselone, principal and vice president at the Boston-based firm, submits that despite the project’s bold infusion of modernism, it was sensitive to the neighborhood. “By preserving the façade, this project maintains a neighborhood scale and is consistent with the fabric of the neighborhood,” she says, noting that residents were pleased the abandoned building was redeveloped and appreciated that the new use was residential.

The visible stories of the modern addition are stepped back, reducing its visual impact, and creative design elements further harmonize the tower with the 19th century structure. “The inspiration was to integrate the new with the old, tying the new structure to the historic framework,” explains Hsiao. “The steel buttresses on the new tower were derived from the buttresses in the original Gothic architecture,” he adds.

Severe earthquake damage threatened demolition of Los Angeles’ Cathedral of Saint Vibiana, but preservationists ultimately saved the 1876 landmark. A new, modern cathedral was erected a few blocks away, and beloved Saint Vibiana was masterfully repurposed for less pious entertainment. The restored architecture Italianate structure now houses Redbird, the restaurant of acclaimed L.A. chef Neal Fraser, and Vibiana, an adjoining event space.

Redbird, one of the<br />
LA's top restaurants.

Amy Knoll Fraser, the chef’s wife and owner/operator of Redbird and Vibiana, recalls her first tour of the building in 2008, when she learned the owners of the property were looking for a restaurant to fill the historic space. “I froze, got chills and thought, ‘We have to do this’…I knew we were the ones to transform it.” The couple felt obligated to pay reverence to one of L.A.’s most historic buildings by offering a dining experience that balances tradition, innovation and cultural L.A.’s Saint Vibiana, a historic Italianate cathedral, has been reimagined as Vibiana, an event venue, and Redbird, one of the city’s top restaurants.

L.A.’s Saint Vibiana, a<br />
historic Italianate cathedral,<br />
has been reimagined as<br />
Vibiana, an event venue,<br />
and Redbird, one of the<br />
city’s top restaurants.

Working with designer Robert Weimer, who collaborated with the couple on previous restaurants, a design was conceived that introduces contemporary components while still paying homage to the existing architecture. “We viewed the original as a backdrop for the adapted use, lovingly placing the new elements within,” explains Weimer.

Emphasizing the intention was to complement the original architecture, not transform it, the designer states, “The added pieces are modern and crisp, and together with the slightly worn edges of the original historic building, the space has a dynamism and dialogue it wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

A cliffside monastery on Italy’s Amalfi Coast was splendidly transformed into<br />
Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa, a world-class boutique hotel.

Redbird’s dining room, a soaring space capped by a galleria-like glass ceiling, occupies what was originally Saint Vibiana’s rectory. It hosts a trendy clientele enjoying dishes like beef tartare with kimchi aioli and egg jam, or California sea bass with fregola and mussels in saffron-scented tomato broth. Knoll Fraser reports, “Neal’s cooking has always been a celebration of the multiculturalism of our city and we feel the property deserves to remain a place of community.” Chef/owner Neal Fraser suggests, “The architecture told us how to design the space and the menu,” and observes, “People love the fact the building is historic, but doesn’t feel like a museum.”

Occupying a landmark 1859 church in Portland, Maine, is Trine Events at Grace, hosting weddings, nonprofit banquets and corporate events. Noting the history of the building is what distinguishes the venue, owner Anne Rutherford states, “It’s impossible to be in the space without feeling the hum of almost 200 years of gathering, celebration, reverence and community.”

The Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa offers breathtaking views<br />
of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

It is not uncommon for churches, convents or monasteries to be reimagined as boutique hotels and Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa on Italy’s idyllic Amalfi Coast is a particularly stunning example. A restored 17th-century monastery, the hotel hugs a rugged cliff above the Tyrrhenian Sea, offering breathtaking views from its Michelin-starred restaurant and infinity pool. The property’s 20 rooms and suites, housed in what were originally the nuns’ quarters, provide the kind of sanctuary that is impossible to find in a large cosmopolitan hotel.

Although historic churches and monasteries may not be intrinsically well-suited to be repurposed as luxury hotels, Monastero Santa Rosa’s front office manager Pompeo Amendola believes this site demonstrates the enormous potential of such conversions. “These properties offer the unique opportunity to create specialized spaces and curated experiences that provide a genuine sense of place otherwise unavailable to guests,” he maintains.

Amendola reports a team of architects and historians collaborated on the restoration of Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa. “The main focus was to revive the spirit of Santa Rosa, creating modern-day experiences for the most discerning traveler while maintaining elements of its storied past,” he explains. One small but poetic example of connecting guests to the site’s history is a celebration of the monastic order’s legendary baking heritage. A sweet cream-filled pastry known as sfogliatella Santa Rosa originated at the monastery and is still baked on-site, placed in breadbaskets for guests to enjoy at breakfast.

In the Peruvian Andes, the JW Marriott El Convento Cusco is built on the site of a 16th century convent. At the hotel’s reception desk is a massive, sculptural lighting fixture (handcrafted from 76,500 Swarovski crystals) that represents the God of the Sun in Incan iconography, a further reminder that this hotel was really 500 years in the making.

Another historic South American convent housing a luxury hotel is the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara, located in the historic district of Cartagena, Colombia, a short walk to the ocean. The property successfully blends modern amenities with the spirit of the original 17th century convent. Its 1621 restaurant, for instance, occupies the Clarist nuns’ former dining room, but now features refined French technique applied to local ingredients.

“Our experiences are truly unique,” states Carmen Otero, sales and marketing director of the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara. She notes that colonial Cartagena has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and that the guest experience at the hotel is fully integrated into the ancient city’s rich history. “In all of our spaces we’ve involved local culture, which allowed us to retain the magic that can only be expressed in this place with 400 years of history,” explains Otero. Elaborate ocean-view suites tastefully blend the site’s religious history with the decadence of pure luxury.

October 26, 2023 Comments Off

A Link to the Stars

with:Unique Homes Staff

The world has never been more connected than it is now. Human beings have found ways to stay in touch with each other when separated across oceans, despite language barriers, and even through the reaches of space. One expedition cruise company, Hurtigruten Expeditions, has partnered with SpaceX to make use of Starlink technology, which has helped to make its fleet of cruise ships more connected to the rest of the world than ever before.

Hurtigruten Expeditions remains dedicated to studying emerging technology in on-board science centers such as this one. Broadband connectivity is strong from the front deck to the stately suites. And, designed for the comfort of both guests and crew, the fleet has world-class amenities, including the stunning infinity pool.

Hurtigruten Expeditions was built “with sustainability and exploration at the core,” according to Kristoffer Halvarp, Hurtigruten’s product manager for network and maritime operational technology systems. “Hurtigruten

Expeditions operates a fleet of small, custom- built expedition cruise ships,” says Halvarp, “including the world’s first battery-hybrid-powered cruise ships” as well as being “the first and only cruise liner to have a chief scientist.” The fleet has evolved quite a bit since their inception in 1896, now committed to sailing to the most adventurous locations on the planet with a commitment to sustainability and advancing technology.

It is partially thanks to that commitment that Hurtigruten sought out a partnership with SpaceX, a company on the forefront of breakthroughs in technology and space travel. One of SpaceX’s major innovations in recent years is Starlink, a broadband service that utilizes a series of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites that provide high-speed internet access. “LEO connectivity has been on our radar for a long time,” says Halvarp, “and it just released as we started Hurtigruten Expeditions’ first sailings out of Hamburg.”

The partnership between SpaceX and Hurtigruten entails the integration of Starlink broadband connectivity across its entire fleet of expedition cruise ships. Halvarp was candid about Starlink’s benefits, saying “We are always trying to push the limits with technology, providing our guests with the most up-to-date digital solutions.” He continued to explain that Starlink’s LEO connectivity is “fast, stable and reliable, providing a low latency, high-bandwidth solution almost everywhere on the planet,” even allowing guests to “share their moments live from Antarctica.” Providing comfort and easy internet access to both the guests and crew of their ships is a top priority for Hurtigruten with this collaboration with Starlink. Halvarp states that “guests can stream and browse just like at home now.”

The-infinity-pool-MS-Roald-Amundsen-Credit_Oscar_Farrera

While Hurtigruten will continue to use its previously implemented Geostationary-Earth Orbit (GEO) broadband solutions as a backup, Halvarp believes in the longevity of LEO solutions like Starlink going forward. “LEO has come to stay,” he says, adding, “Starlink provides a solid service, but many new competitors are coming fast with different models for connectivity.” Halvarp and Hurtigruten believe that the changing needs of travelers requires a strong broadband connection at all times, even in the most rugged and adventurous parts of the world. SpaceX and Starlink are the first to bring this level of interconnectivity to the seas, but don’t be surprised if you start to see faster download speeds and lower latency on all cruise ships around the world in the years to come.

October 20, 2023 Comments Off

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Prestige Fall 2023 Issue

with:Unique Homes Staff

Unique Homes is pleased to share that the Fall 2023 issue of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Prestige magazine is out now.

In this issue, readers may explore the trend of homes that come complete with amenities for the ultimate adventurer. Take a journey through Portugal, dive into the wonderful world of yacht clubs, and dig into a new dining phenomenon that is bursting with flavor.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices invites you to experience these new culinary experiences on pages 42-43, and shows you how you can find this unique cousine. Explore the growing world of living on the water on pages 50-51.

Additionally, take an adventure to Park City and Cape Cod, we focus in on Palm Springs, and find tranquility in Tulum.

As the name suggests, this issue is bursting with Prestige. Take a look today.

October 9, 2023 Comments Off

Not Your Grandparents’ Cruise

with:Unique Homes Staff

By Roger Grody

The traditional cruise experience — sharing a megaship with 5,000 fellow passengers, binging at midnight buffets and disembarking at tourist-clogged ports-of-call for superficial guided tours — may no longer be inviting, especially for active travelers. But with exciting new destinations, more intimate (albeit luxurious) ships and hands-on activities, cruising has newfound appeal.

Since the pandemic, many seabound tourists have turned their attention to smaller vessels and once-in-a lifetime destinations such as Iceland, the Galápagos Islands or, the holy grail of bucket list adventures, Antarctica. Many compelling itineraries cannot accommodate megaships and require more active participation by passengers to fully appreciate them.

Gary Bembridge is a London-based journalist who has authored “The Cruise Traveler’s Handbook,” “Essential Cruise Tips” and “The Cruise Travel Guide,” among other books, and chronicles his frequent voyages on the writer’s own Tips for Travellers website. He reports that while interest in smaller vessels is increasing, even the large carriers are introducing more unique ports-of-call and activity options to address evolving consumer preferences. Because of the price differential — Bembridge advises it can cost up to seven times more to cruise on a high-end small vessel than a mainstream line’s megaship — small ship cruising remains primarily a luxury indulgence.

Bembridge cites Oceania, Windstar and Star Clippers as lines providing luxury experiences in a smaller format, including yachts and sail ships. “In addition to the obvious ‘expedition’ locations like the Galápagos, Arctic, Antarctica and Greenland, there’s emerging interest in going to more well-trodden destinations, but with a greater focus on exploration and wildlife,” states Bembridge of developing trends.

Aqua Expeditions was founded by Francesco Galli Zugaro in 2007 to introduce exciting new destinations — think Indonesia’s Komodo Island, the Galápagos Islands and Mekong River — to travelers seeking adventure on a more intimate scale. The company’s Aria Amazon, a vessel that traverses the legendary river at the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve in Peru, offers just 16 river-facing suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and serves the cuisine of renowned Peruvian chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino.

Aqua Expedition’s Aqua Mare, an exclusive superyacht deployed to the Galápagos Islands, accommodates just seven exquisite suites (including a lavish owner’s suite) designed by the firm of François Zuretti, acclaimed for sophisticated yacht interiors. The Aqua Mare presents a luxurious yet environmentally conscious means of exploring one of the most unique natural habitats on the planet.

Explaining that Aqua Expeditions represents the “experiential travel” niche — operating in the same sphere as African safaris — CEO Galli Zugaro states, “Most of our guests have never been, nor plan to go on a big ship.” He adds, “This audience wants to see remote parts of the world, go on adventures in the day, then return to a floating base camp that’s on par with any world-class hotel.”

“What we’ve noticed since the reopening of travel is that guests no longer want to wait until later in life to tick off bucket list destinations, but want to experience them now,” says Zugaro. He reports, “With mainstream cruising we see a median demographic of 60 years and above, but with Aqua Expeditions our demographic begins at around 40.” Explaining that his line’s river cruise itineraries are just as active as open sea voyages, he states, “Where a younger client may think that river cruising is something for older travelers, Aqua stands apart.”

“Luxury travelers will continue to seek world-class experiences to remote and exotic destinations that give them a sense of place without sacrificing the comforts they’ve come to expect from five-star hotels,” says Zugaro, who insists luxury and sustainability are not mutually exclusive. “From the very beginning, Aqua Expeditions has been committed to making sure we do our part in contributing to local communities and protecting the pristine areas in which we sail,” says the cruise line’s chief executive.

Ponant is a French line known for luxuriously appointed small ships, five-star service and commitment to sustainability. The vessels that make their way to exotic destinations such as Antarctica, the Maldives and Madagascar typically accommodate no more than 250 passengers, sans the garish casinos, water parks and zip lining associated with the megaships.

On Ponant cruise liners, guests enjoy refined design, a culinary staff affiliated with renowned chef Alain Ducasse, world-class wellness programs, and the presence of experts to engage passengers as they explore unique natural environments or historic sites.

One of Ponant’s most expensive tours is a 28-day excursion to Antarctica — beginning in Ushuaia, Argentina and concluding in Lyttleton, New Zealand — aboard the 245-passenger Le Commandant Charcot that boasts nearly a one-to-one passenger-crew ratio. Prices begin at more than $50,000, but ascend well above $100,000 for those booking larger staterooms, including an extravagant 1,237-square-foot suite de l’armateur (owner’s suite).

Ponant also operates Paul Gauguin Cruises, specializing in excursions to French Polynesia on the firm’s signature MS Paul Gauguin, a luxury 330-passenger vessel outfitted by the studio of Parisian architect Jean Philippe Nuel. Large staterooms with ocean-view balconies and butler service, fine dining and a spa are among the amenities that distinguish this high-end boutique line.

Demonstrating Ponant’s commitment to environmental awareness and activism was its leadership role in the recently convened Blue Climate Summit aboard the MS Paul Gauguin. Attended by Prince Albert II of Monaco and President Édouard Fritch of French Polynesia, the convocation drew 250 scientists, policy makers, business leaders and environmental activists.

“There has never been a more important or urgent time for the world to address ocean protection and climate change,” stated Stan Rowland, CEO of Blue Climate Initiative, sponsor of the inaugural event. Proud that the MS Paul Gauguin was selected as the host ship, Ponant CEO Hervé Gastinel submits, “The partnership with Blue Climate Summit is a natural fit, as we also have ambitious objectives to protect the ocean and the communities our ships visit.”

The m/s Paul Gauguin was built to sail the lagoons of the South Pacific.

Considered a premier small-ship line by cruise journalist Gary Bembridge, Windstar Cruises is known for its luxurious vessels, including wind-assisted sailing yachts. The company recently announced its first Red Sea/Persian Gulf itineraries, some which pass through the Suez Canal, for those weary of the usual Caribbean or Mediterranean ports-of-call.

The new cruises include some of the region’s most alluring destinations and travelers can enjoy the voyages on Windstar’s traditionally themed Wind Class sailing yachts, such as its intimate 148-passenger Wind Star. “With impressive UNESCO sights, beautiful beaches and wildlife, top-rated golf courses, amazing snorkeling and diving, and of course, great shopping, Windstar is excited to introduce our guests to the Red Sea and Persian Gulf,” explains Windstar Cruises president Christopher Prelog. Boarding a yacht with teak decks and traditional sails atop towering masts provides a nostalgic, romantic setting for traversing exotic seas to some of the most ancient sites on the planet.

Miami-headquartered Norwegian Cruise Line is well known for its massive, 20-deck ships that entertain 4,000-plus passengers with casinos, water parks and nightclubs. However, Hurtigruten Expeditions is an authentically Norwegian carrier, one whose vessels are a fraction of the size, but offer an intimacy that suits the company’s commitment to onboard education and preservation of the planet’s most fragile habitats.

Nonconformist nautical adventurers may also consider booking a small barge meandering the canals of Europe, ideal for a group of friends or family. This kind of laid-back cruise involves diminutive, repurposed barges accommodating six to 12 passengers. Because the boat moves at a decidedly leisurely pace (less than five miles per hour), passengers can wander off on hikes or bike rides, then easily catch up with the escargot like progress of the vessel. Speaking of gastronomy, many barges retain accomplished onboard chefs who stock up periodically at charming local markets.

September 26, 2023 Comments Off

Super Yachts’ Top 3 Trends in 2023: Luxury, Sustainability, and Technology

with:Unique Homes Staff

By Jacquelyn Elliott

The sales of super yachts have increased significantly this year. While growing in popularity, revolutionary developments have been made to the super yacht experience.

From state-of-the-art amenities, impressive innovative technology, and off-grid solitude, super yachts continue to advance and provide an unparalleled level of privacy and luxury that cannot be matched.

Let’s delve into the latest trends observed on super yachts this summer.

Luxury

While at-sea experiences used to be exclusively for holidays and vacations, many stay aboard for everyday living. Not a single luxury is left behind, as there is nothing you can not do on board.

A recent yacht report explains that this summer, “saunas, cryotherapy chambers, hammams, steam rooms, resistance swimming pools, massage tables, meditation rooms, and personal gyms are now all the rage.”

Conveniently, super yachts offer the amenity to WFY or work from yacht. As remote work transitions to the new norm, super yachts provide the privacy and capability to work efficiently.

To keep up with the demands of everyday life, super yachts encompass “lightning-fast WiFi, acoustic privacy, larger bespoke desks, and integrated computer systems that allow them to perform 99% of their work functions perfectly well at sea.” What more could you need?

Sustainability

In 2023, sustainability is a prominent trend aboard super yachts. Extravagance is sustainable and recycled materials are the new concept of luxury.

Looking back, in 2022, there were a total of 6 super yachts with hybrid engines. Reports show that sustainability at sea includes “synthetic teak decking and faux leather upholstery cutting the carbon and animal footprint of each craft.”

Also trending is a growing movement “in which yacht owners are offering financial support to conservation directives, not least as more and more of them are heading off-grid to beautiful, delicate ecosystems themselves, and realizing the true fragility of the oceans.”

Technology

These trends are just the beginning. Startups in the industry tease plans to enhance the sailing experience.

The Yacht Sentinel plans to introduce innovative technology that will enable captains and crew members to monitor all the vital metrics in real-time, such as fluid levels, power, solar panels, batteries, engines, and maintenance.

Yacht shows will soon present virtual reality with immersive, realistic Metaverse tours of potential builds and future projects. Customers will be able to experience the thrill of sailing in a whole new way.

Exciting developments are promised for the future of super yachts creating countless opportunities for growth and innovation. What at-sea amenity would you like to see next?

August 18, 2023 Leave a comment

Next Stop… A Golden Era

with:Unique Homes Staff

By Roger Grody

Train travel has not been the dominant mode of transportation for three-quarters of a century, but the grandeur of a golden era of rail can still be discovered without ever purchasing a ticket. Just like the movie palaces of the period, many early 20th century train stations have been meticulously restored, some transformed into compelling attractions for tourists and locals alike.

The granddaddy of them all may be New York’s Grand Central Terminal, whose current Beaux-Arts building was inaugurated in 1913. Although Amtrak departs out of Penn Station, Grand Central still services commuter lines to suburban New York and Connecticut, while subway passengers connect here. The landmark is home to a wide array of food services, from sit-down restaurants (e.g., Grand Central Oyster Bar, Cipriani Dolci) to gourmet specialty purveyors such as Jacques Torres Chocolate or Murray’s Cheese.

Historic Main Concourse - Credit Grand Central Terminal

Like rail landmarks across the country, Grand Central Terminal’s history ranges from soaring heights to tragic declines, and it ultimately took a 1978 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court to save it from demolition. During the controversy, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who was a high-profile member of the Committee to Save Grand Central Terminal (as was architect Philip Johnson), argued for the station’s preservation. She queried, “Is it not cruel to let our city die by degrees, stripped of all her proud monuments, until there will be nothing left of all her history and beauty to inspire our children…?”

Union Station Kansas City has been reimagined as a multipurpose cultural center but remains an iconic symbol of the community.

Although its first passengers boarded trains in 1894, the Romanesque-style Union Station of St. Louis became a global hub during the city’s 1904 World’s Fair. Today, only local commuter trains run through Union Station, but the city has used the restoration of the historic landmark to fuel nearby redevelopment, attracting new hotels and shopping. The grand concourse of the terminal, with its Tiffany stained glass windows, has been polished up and a world-class aquarium now calls the station home.

Across the state, Union Station Kansas City (exceeded in size only by Grand Central and Penn Station in New York) opened in 1914 but shuttered in 1985 after decades of declining passenger volume. An ambitious plan to reimagine the Beaux-Arts station — it was transformed into a cultural center with an interactive science museum, exhibition space, planetarium and live theater — concluded in 1999. A catalyst for downtown development, the station’s evolution has been critical to the renaissance of the entire metropolis, insists George Guastello, president and CEO of Union Station Kansas City. Noting its image is as iconic to Kansas City as the Gateway Arch is to St. Louis or Empire State Building to New York, Guastello states, “It’s become the visual voice of our community, the monument that brings the city together.”

Cincinnati Union Terminal, opened in 1933, is a superb example of Art Deco architecture in America.

The Kansas City landmark still performs the role for which it was originally designed, albeit on a much smaller scale, as passengers board Amtrak’s Southwest Chief to Chicago or Los Angeles, and the Missouri River Runner to St. Louis. With approximately 2 million annual visitors, Guastello suggests the revitalized facility has again become the lively ecosystem it was early in the last century. “It’s a model for what an historic train station can become in the 21st century,” he says, adding, “It’s not just a station but a source of civic pride…It’s the piazza of Kansas City.”

Opening in 1933, in the height of the Art Deco era, Cincinnati Union Terminal remains one of America’s great examples of that glamorous architectural style. The station’s soaring rotunda spans 180 feet and features impressive mosaic murals by German-American artist F. Winold Reiss. Cincinnati Union Terminal no longer accommodates the 200-plus trains per day it was designed for, but travelers can still board the Amtrak Cardinal to New York or Chicago, and the facility has become home to several museums.

Denver’s Union Station, a Neoclassical landmark rebuilt in 1914 after a devastating fire, is another worthy destination for history buffs. The trendy Crawford Hotel now overlooks the station’s sumptuous Great Hall, where restorations of the original 1,200-pound chandeliers create a dramatic scene shared by hotel guests and rail passengers. The westernmost monument to the golden age of rail in America is Los Angeles’ Union Station, which presents an artful melding of Spanish Colonial Revival and Art Deco architecture.

Bruce Scottow, former program coordinator at the Los Angeles Conservancy — he continues to conduct walking tours of Union Station for the organization — reports the building has always exemplified the California lifestyle. “Completed in 1939, it was late in coming and is often regarded as the last of the great railway stations,” explains Scottow. L.A.’s Union Station has appeared in movies such as Blade Runner, Bugsy, Catch Me If You Can, and The Dark Knight Rises, prompting preservationist Scottow to comment, “Any movie star would be jealous of its film credits.”

Today, in addition to accommodating Amtrak service, the station is the hub of L.A.’s underappreciated subway and commuter train networks, and its restoration has attracted trendy restaurants and brewpubs. “Union Station is no longer the end of the line…it has never been busier than it is now,” states Scottow.

Among the world’s most beautiful trainstations, and representing an innovativeadaptive reuse, is the formerGare d’Orsay onthe banks of the Seine in Paris, inaugurated in 1900. The magnificent Beaux-Arts building is better known today as Musée d’Orsay, which houses one of the greatest collections of Impressionist art on the planet, including iconic pieces from Monet, Van Gogh and Renoir.

The Napoli Afragola railway station, a vision of pioneering architect Zaha Hadid, has become a metaphor for modern Italy.

At Musée d’Orsay, two giant clocks face the river — highly Instagrammable is the glass dial of one that doubles as a window — and the museum’s restaurant itself is a work of art. Across town, however, is arguably the world’s most glamorous rail station restaurant, the gilded Belle Époque-style Le Train Bleu at Paris’ Gare de Lyon, an historic station where passengers climb aboard aerodynamic, 200 mile-per-hour TGV trains to Barcelona, Milan or Geneva.

Occupying the site of a former 16th-century monastery in Porto, Portugal is the São Bento Railway Station, another Beaux-Arts masterpiece clad in remarkable wall murals. The historic scenes were created from 20,000 ceramic tiles, mostly the blue-and-white azulejo tiles that are a signature of Portuguese craftsmanship. Designed by architect José Marques da Silva, the station was completed in 1916 after a decade of painstaking labor. São Bento makes a memorable first impression for tourists arriving in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.

Not all notable stations are historic, and a renaissance in train travel — particularly fueled by investments in high-speed rail in Europe and Asia — has resulted in extraordinary new stations being designed by world-class contemporary architects. The soaring World Trade Center Transportation Hub in New York and the dramatic Liège-Guillemins train station in Belgium (both designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava) demonstrate that infrastructure can be aesthetically elevated, even sexy.

Naples, Italy has a 3,000-year history but the ancient city’s Napoli Afragola railway station could not be more futuristic. A vision of the late pioneering architect Zaha Hadid, the ultra-modern facility accommodates high-speed trains to Rome and connections throughout Europe, while its curvilinear design is evocative of a moving train. As much an engineering marvel as an artistic expression, the station’s interior is flooded with light yet its innovative skeleton moderates the region’s often-oppressive heat.

“This extraordinary station is the work of a great architect and of enormous strategic value, proclaimed Gioia Ghezzi, former president of Ferrovie dello Stato, the Italian state-run railway, of the opening of Napoli Afragola in 2017. Lauding the new station’s progressive state-of-the-art design, then-prime minister Paolo Gentiloni used the project as a metaphor for his nation’s acceleration into the 21st century. “With this inauguration we send a message that Italy is moving, the country is growing,” he proclaimed.

In contemporary America, where the expedience of travel tends to be valued more than its experience, the joys of touring by train have almost been forgotten. The rails were abandoned when speedier modes of transportation emerged, but the glorious architecture of rail culture has outlived the trains. Not only can the cavernous structures be appreciated for their physical grandeur, but these noble landmarks may even inspire a nostalgic journey. The ticket window is still open.

July 10, 2023 Leave a comment