While man grapples with the fear of the unknown such as stronger hurricanes and solution to rising seas that they worry will eventually turn inland cities such as Orlando and Philadelphia into beachfront property, a Florida company has found a solution for the very wealthy: the houseboat of the future. Equipped to run on shore power or the sun, Arkup’s “first electrical livable yacht” combines a luxury yacht, waterfront villa and self-sustainability into a glamorous floating-motoring home. Able to run completely off grid via 2,300 square feet of rooftop solar panels, the boat has four spuds that can lift it above the water on its automated hydraulic pilings. It can withstand a Category Four hurricane and provide a grand lifestyle off the grid almost anywhere there is water. With no yard work or property taxes.
Measuring 75 feet in length with a 32-foot beam, the Arkup has 4,350 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space divided between the main and upper decks. It can cruise to new locations, tie up at a dock or hydraulically rise and stand above the water. Cutting-edge contemporary design with open floor plan and floor-to-ceiling glass walls bring in unobstructed ocean, bay, lake or river views and extend out to five terraces with glass railings. The main deck contains the main living area and fully equipped Miele kitchen. There is also a two-berth crew cabin that can be used as an office, a bathroom, laundry room with washer and dryer, trash room with compactor, outdoor kitchen and helm station. The upper deck has four ensuite, king-size bedrooms. The master suite has a walk-in closet, balcony and free-standing Jacuzzi.
Whether one’s intent is to contribute to a light footprint on the planet or to assuage fear of getting their foundation wet from the melting ice cap, Arkup offers several options. Charter before making the decision to buy at $6,000 a night for eight guests or purchase starting at $5.5 million up to $12 million. The existing floating villa on offer is priced at $5.9 million completely furnished and decorated. Arkup is co-brokered by Marius Koller of MK Miami Real Estate and Antonio Maldonado, Advantaged Yacht Charters, both located in Miami.
Source: TopTenRealEstateDeals.com.
Photo courtesy of Craig Denis.
YOTELPAD Mammoth is set to break ground this spring in the heart of the popular Mammoth Mountain village as the first major on-mountain resort development in more than a decade.
YOTEL is a pioneer in modular building with a signature design concept that centers around transformative spaces with multi-purpose furniture and convertible configurations to maximize interior space along with built-in technology and a modern minimalistic design.
The property will implement the newest technologies, such as robot butlers making in-PAD deliveries and a robotic luggage concierge, as well as an interactive app offering ski and car valet, check-in, keyless entry, on-demand Fix-it (IT) and Cabin (housekeeping) Crews, mobile dining orders, Amazon lockers, and more. PADS (condos) range from 410 to 629sf and start in the $300,000s. The property will also unveil the brand’s new DOMO concept with 21 townhomes offering 1,503sf of living space that can sleep up to 10, priced from $1.5 million. Owners will have access to:The Terrace social hub with a bar, numerous fire pits, year-round pool and hot tub, a dog park, a dedicated area for yoga, table tennis and bocce ball courts.
The community fireplace lounge will have the first-ever YOTELPAD bar that connects the outdoor social spaces with the indoors. KOMYUNTI will serve as a multi-generational space, offering a place for guests to warm up fireside, mingle at the bar, dine at the on-site restaurant or takeover the fully-equipped kitchen available to owners.
Little ones will be plenty occupied with endless activities in dedicated zones for kids and teens, and other amenities in and around MISSION CONTROL (the central lobby area) will include a 24/7 gym, steam room and GRAB+GO light bites. Gear storage, as well as bike storage, will be available to owners seasonally.
Photos courtesy of YOTELPAD Mammoth.
Through its Random Acts of Kindness campaign, real estate marketing leader Parkbench.com encourages good deeds in every neighborhood.
By Roger Grody
One of the fastest-growing start-ups in the real estate industry is Parkbench.com, an innovative, neighborhood-based collaborative through which real estate professionals enhance their presence in the community. The platform also hosts businesses, residents and nonprofit organizations, connecting people on multiple levels and strengthening communities throughout the U.S. and Canada.
The Toronto-based company was founded by entrepreneur Grant Findlay-Shirras and his wife Amanda Newman, a local Realtor. The concept, which establishes an exclusive website for a Realtor in every neighborhood, provides a vehicle through which that real estate professional can build his or her business while creating a more cohesive, tightknit community. After launching his wife’s website in 2013, Findlay-Shirras founded Parkbench.com to accommodate demand from Realtors in every state and province.
Parkbench.com CEO
Grant Findlay-Shirras
“Everybody who lives, works or plays in a neighborhood has something to say, and this platform provides immense value to the community while building a Realtor’s brand,” says the CEO. Findlay-Shirras explains Parkbench.com allows Realtors to elevate their roles to what they once were: pillars of the community who generate referrals by collaborating with local businesses, residents and organizations. It is a technology-driven approach to old-fashioned relationships.
“All Realtors want to provide value to their communities and expand their spheres of influence, but most don’t know how to go about it,” says Findlay-Shirras, who adds, “We believe in the Law of Reciprocity. Those who provide value to their communities will prosper.” Parkbench.com has also become the largest single provider of local news, aggregating local content from around the Internet and updating it daily on its Realtors’ respective websites.
Because Parkbench.com’s mission is to make neighborhoods stronger, both socially and economically, a corporate culture of giving comes naturally. After Hurricane Harvey hit Texas last August, Parkbench.com donated 10 percent of its revenue the following month to the nonprofit Feeding Texas. This past February, the firm implemented a Random Acts of Kindness campaign in honor of National Random Acts of Kindness Week, February 11-17, 2018.
“The entire company is built on this motto: Give value first, and have faith that you will receive something in return,” says Findlay-Shirras, who adds, “And why not give it randomly to see people’s awesome reactions?” The Parkbench.com CEO, who created the Local Leader® Marketing System used by his network of 1,000-plus Realtors, reports that members in cities throughout the U.S. and Canada — including New York, Vancouver, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Austin, Philadelphia, Seattle, Toronto, and Miami — participated in the February campaign.
Among the random acts of kindness extended by Parkbench.com, Realtors were buying coffee for the neighborhood, handing out flowers on Valentine’s Day, reprising the lost art of dispensing compliments to strangers, and cleaning up litter in the community. Local Realtors videotaped and posted their random acts for a companywide competition, with the winning Realtor receiving $1,000 to donate to his or her favorite charity.
Parkbench.com also supports nonprofits beyond the neighborhood level, and selected causes have included fostering entrepreneurship in Kenya, assisting the homeless and funding disaster relief. “The spirit of the company is giving to the community,” reminds Findlay-Shirras of Parkbench.com’s core value. “That’s who we are.”
Photo courtesy of Parkbench.com
