November/December: Our 40th Anniversary Issue

Unique Homes Cover Story   

Profiles in Luxury
40 Years in the High End — We take a look at real estate professionals who have been in the business as long as we have in this final celebration of all things 40. What does it take to thrive over four decades? Persistence is essential, of course, but the pros we profile also point to a love of the business and passion to help people as key. We start with a centenarian who still drives herself to work every day…  Read more...


Luxury Worldwide: Looking For a Safe Harbor
With wealth creation back in high gear, the worldwide race for prime properties is back on. However, even for the ultra wealthy, things have changed. Security and stability, from both an investment and a political perspective, have become top motivations to purchase. Everyone, it seems, is looking for a safe harbor.  Read more...


A House for Spaceship Earth
After moving back to her hometown of Santa Barbara and earning a master’s degree in environmental science, Helen Marsh intensified her environmental advocacy … and resolved to build an eco-friendly home like no other.  Read more...


Paradise
Constructed on the site of a residence once owned by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the estate at 219 Ocean Boulevard was designed by architect Carlos Zapata. It was the first single-family estate designed by Zapata, who went on to worldwide prominence for works that include Chicago’s Soldier Field and New York’s Cooper Square Hotel.  Read more...


Art and Interior Design Converge in Chelsea
Spread over two residences in the new +aRt premium condominium development at 540 West 28th Street, this show house features rooms finished by 10 up-and-coming designers deemed by ELLE DÉCOR as “Ones to Watch.”  Read more...

Online Extras Archive

Unique Personalities Unique Personalities
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  3 For The World

Global cachet on the slopes, in the city or at the beach

By Kimberly Turner

Constructed using wood and natural stone in the traditional Savoyard-style, luxurious three- and four-bedroom chalets are set for completion in December 2012 in the Les Balcons de la Chapelle, a new development in Meribel, France. Built by Terresens, these residences boast a floor plan that can be modified and changed. For about $2 million euros for a four-bedroom chalet, these homes are just a short walk from the ski lifts, shops and restaurants.

Source: Terresens, Les Balcons de la Chapelle, Maribel, France




Defining luxury and elegance, Century Properties has combined efforts to develop a 53-story high-rise condominium with Versace for a deluxe interior-designed building in Manila, Philippines. It will feature penthouses, ranging up to $2 million and three-bedroom suites ranging up to $400,000, among others. Buyers at the Milano Residences will have the option to adopt the luxurious fashion-inspired Versace design that is seen throughout the building’s lobby, hallways, pool, garden and spa, in their own penthouse or suite.

Source: Century Properties, Manila, Philippines




Combining a quiet and beautiful atmosphere with an architectural design of an old hacienda lost in time, Puerto Los Cabos, located on the Sea of Cortez, provides the ultimate in relaxation. This five-bedroom, five- and one-half-bath home is currently listed for $5.9 million and is tastefully furnished and decorated in a Mexican beach motif. Within the Fundadores Community, this home features miles of pristine beach and a golf course overlook; it is the perfect vacation home away from home.

Source: Puerto Los Cabos, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico

Unique Homes Magazine Cover
  • Cover Home:
    A Magical Setting
    Some homes are designed solely to take advantage of the views. In others, the views are incidental to a wonderful house. In the stunning estate in Aspen’s exclusive Starwood section on our cover, both work in tandem.
    By Camilla McLaughlin
  • A View From Above
    By Betty Graham, President Coldwell Banker Previews International NRT
  • The Magic of Maserati
    Of all the exciting,glamourous and historic Italian sports car brands, this nameplate may embody the most grace .
    By Matt Stone
  • It’s Good To Be King
    Chris Cortazzo began his career 17 years ago with a celebrity sale. It didn’t take him long to become ‘The King of Malibu.’
    By Ken Weingartner
  • A Site to Behold
    By marrying an age-old industry with modern technology, Michael Bruno brought “The Most Beautiful Things on Earth” to the web.


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40th Anniversary Issue, Nov/Dec 2011

  • Profiles in Luxury
    40 Years in the High End — We take a look at real estate professionals who have been in the business as long as we have in this final celebration of all things 40. What does it take to thrive over four decades? Persistence is essential, of course, but the pros we profile also point to a love of the business and passion to help people as key. We start with a centenarian who still drives herself to work every day.
    By Camilla McLaughlin
  • Luxury Worldwide: Looking For a Safe Harbor
    With wealth creation back in high gear, the worldwide race for prime properties is back on. However, even for the ultra wealthy, things have changed. Security and stability, from both an investment and a political perspective, have become top motivations to purchase. Everyone, it seems, is looking for a safe harbor.
    By Camilla McLaughlin
  • Cover Home:
    A Magical Setting
    Some homes are designed solely to take advantage of the views. In others, the views are incidental to a wonderful house. In the stunning estate in Aspen’s exclusive Starwood section on our cover, both work in tandem.
    By Camilla McLaughlin
  • A View From Above
    By Betty Graham, President Coldwell Banker Previews International NRT
  • The Magic of Maserati
    Of all the exciting,glamourous and historic Italian sports car brands, this nameplate may embody the most grace .
    By Matt Stone
  • It’s Good To Be King
    Chris Cortazzo began his career 17 years ago with a celebrity sale. It didn’t take him long to become ‘The King of Malibu.’
    By Ken Weingartner
  • A Site to Behold
    By marrying an age-old industry with modern technology, Michael Bruno brought “The Most Beautiful Things on Earth” to the web.
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Fall 2011

  • The Future is Now
    As part of our 40th anniversary celebration, we thought it would be fun to look back at “Homes of the Future” predictions from throughout the years. Take a look at some of most interesting predictions through the decades, and see what has come true and what has not.
    By Camilla McLaughlin
  • Cover Home:
    In A Stunning World of Its Own
    Nestled on a private bluff overlooking Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, this 20-acre, European-inspired masterpiece embraces So-Cal living at its best.
    By Camilla McLaughlin
  • Sand Wedges & Tuscan Villas
    Just outside of L.A.,
    the Palos Verdes Peninsula
    features a luxury lifestyle
    framed by fairways and sea.

    By Roger Grody
  • A Club for Everyone
    Unique Homes takes a look at
    some of the hottest markets
    for those who dream of the
    golf-resort lifestyle.

    By Jennifer Martin
  • America’s Riviera
    Like France’s Côte d’Azur,
    the Hamptons are symbolic
    of fame and fortune. It is
    where American royalty
    shops for grand estates.

    By Roger Grody
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Summer 2011

  • 40 Things You Should Know Before Buying a Luxury Home
    It’s been 40 years since Unique Homes
    began. Though the process of buying luxury
    real estate has dramatically changed, some
    things have stayed the same. In the fourth
    installment of Unique Homes’ 40th
    Anniversary Series, writer Camilla
    McLaughlin lists the 40 things you should
    know before you buy a luxury home.

    By Camilla McLaughlin
  • Cover Home:
    A Modern Marvel
    On Miami’s Indian
    Creek Island, this
    2-acre property with dramatic
    bay views fuses land,
    water and light to create
    an unmatched living
    experience.

    By Camilla McLaughlin
  • FIABCI Introduces New Leader
    The International Real Estate
    Federation’s new president,
    Alexander Romanenko,
    inked a deal days
    into his term.

    By Sarah Binder
  • Life on the Water
    The time to buy
    waterfront properties,
    lakefront or ocean view,
    is now.

    By Jennifer Martin
  • Surfboards & Academy Awards
    Malibu, one
    of the most coveted
    areas on the California coast,
    offers many distinct lifestyles.

    By Roger Grody
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Ultimate 2011

  • The Most Expensive Homes You Can Buy
    If you’re looking for the most expensive real estate in the United States, you’ve come to right place. Ultimate Homes features every home in the country listed for $20 million or more. Here we offer unmatched coverage of the 10 most expensive offerings, an exclusive list of the highest-priced homes in each state, and our list of the more than 300 amazing $20 million-plus luxury homes in the U.S.
    By Camilla McLaughlin
  • The 40 Luxury Must-Haves
    Forty years ago, Unique Homes was founded to showcase upscale real estate. During that time, we’ve seen a parade of extraordinary features, from from discos and ballrooms to helicopter pads and rooftop observatories. Here, in honor of our 40th anniversary, we name 40 features you may expect to find in the best of today’s high-end homes.
    By Camilla McLaughlin
  • Cover Home:
    Unrivaled Grandeur
    In a Palm Beach location,
    this new residence is
    almost matchless.

    By Camilla McLaughlin
  • The New Living Room
    Celebrity Chef Todd English
    and other industry experts
    talk about the hottest kitchen trends.

    By Camilla McLaughlin
  • She’s Got the Whole World…
    Betty Graham, President of
    Previews International
    for Coldwell Banker NRT,
    buys and sells the world’s
    most luxurious homes.

    By Ken Weingartner
  • Vive la France
    Homes in Paris, the
    French Riviera
    and Monaco tend
    to hold their value.

    By Roger Grody
  • Bull Market Estates
    Wall Street bonuses
    are fueling sales of
    Manhattan penthouses
    and beachfront estates
    in the Hamptons.

    By Roger Grody
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Spring 2011

  • The 40 International Markets to Watch
    To celebrate Unique Homes’ fortieth,
    we’re looking at where the jetsetters are going
    and profiling 40 global markets.
    Some have already come into their own
    while others are just beginning their ascent.
    The list includes more U.S. locations
    than it would have in the past.

    By Camilla McLaughlin
  • Sun-Kissed
    The Florida luxury market is as
    diverse as the Sunshine State itself.
    And in the pristine islands scattered
    across the Caribbean, not far off the
    Florida coast, even more
    exotic opportunities await buyers.

    By Roger Grody
  • Equine Traditions
    Horse lovers find welcome space in high-end ranches and farms.
    By Jennifer Martin
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Winter 2011

  • Congratulations to the Homes of the Year
    To kick off our 40th year,
    the staff of Unique Homes
    combed all six 2010 issues
    (a total of exactly 1,000 pages)
    to find our favorite homes.
    We did not rank them,
    that was your job.
    Here we present your
    Homes of the Year!
  • 2011 Luxury Outlook:
    Going Up?

    The beginnings of a recovery have arrived,
    but will it last? Experts believe it’s a
    long, shaky road from here. Our 2011
    Luxury Outlook explores the questions
    that remain for the year ahead.

    By Camilla McLaughlin
  • Split Personalities
    St. Martin and St. Maarten offer very different Caribbean lifestyles.
    By Roger Grody
  • Warming Up
    The market in Tampa and St. Pete is steadily returning to normal.
    By Jessica Decina
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Global 2010

  • The Road to Recovery
    ‘It’s the economy’

    The housing market is
    so important to the U.S. economy
    that it is hard to talk about real
    estate without thinking about
    the economy as a whole. Here,
    we try to make sense of the
    latest housing numbers.

    By Camilla McLaughlin
  • It’s A Small World After All
    Worldwide wealth is up,
    and there is value to be found
    in many corners of the globe.
    Internationally, luxury real estate
    has never looked like this.

    By Camilla McLaughlin
  • Who Says You Can’t Go Home?
    The taboo about living with your folks
    is gone. As a result, Realtors and designers are accommodating multi-generational housing needs at an increasing rate.

    By Camilla McLaughlin
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Fall 2010

  • The Road to Recovery
    Relationships, Not Residences

    The high end continues
    to lead a muted comeback,
    but for how long? The economy
    may hold the answer. But whatever
    happens in the short term,
    one thing is clear: luxury
    consumers are adjusting
    to a new norm.

    By Camilla McLaughlin
  • 5 Top Resort Retreats
    From Maine to Mexico,
    these vacation-home markets
    are among the hottest
    in North America.

    By Jessica Decina
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Summer 2010

  • Ultimate Homes
    The More Things Change…

    We’re in our sixth year of
    compiling the most exclusive
    and complete list of luxury
    real estate offerings in
    America. Here we present
    our annual look at the most
    expensive homes in the country.
  • 5 Top Waterfront Markets
    From Maryland to South Carolina,
    and Florida to California, we profile
    five of the country’s best luxury
    waterfront markets.

    By Roger Grody
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April/May 2010

  • The Road to Recovery
    What A Difference A Year Makes

    In some areas, it may seem
    little or no progress has
    been made on the road
    to recovery for luxury
    real estate. But think back
    to January, February and
    March 2009, and you realize
    what a difference a year makes.

    By Camilla McLaughlin
  • Holding Steady
    In Cape Cod and Southern Maine,
    luxury values are stable,
    helped in some areas by
    increased interest in
    in-town properties.

    By Rick Dandes
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February/March 2010

  • The Road to Recovery
    Everywhere A Sign

    Inventories are down,
    consumer confidence is
    rising and all signs indicate
    the housing market is on
    its way back. This is the first
    part in a yearlong series
    dedicated to tracking luxury
    real estate’
    s Road to Recovery.
    By Camilla McLaughlin
  • Speculators Need Not Apply
    St. Maarten and St. Barth attract
    homebuyers who actually
    want to live there. It’
    s not
    hard to figure out why.

    By Lauren Varga
  • Tried and True
    Homeowners on Florida’s Treasure
    Coast find themselves
    in one of the world’
    s
    finest luxury locales.

    By Jessica Decina
  • A Silver Lining
    Clouds are lifting for
    Southern California real estate.

    By Jennifer Martin
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December/January 2010

  • 2010 Luxury Outlook: The Road to Recovery
    It’s going to be a long road back to the top for luxury real estate. In some areas, the journey has begun. In others, we’re still “skimming along the bottom.” We asked the country’s real estate leaders what we should expect to see in 2010.
    By Camilla McLaughlin
  • 25 Markets to Watch
    Like everyone else, including
    the White House, we’
    ve been
    keenly watching indices that
    measure changes in home prices
    and sales this year. This year we
    paint a picture of real estate in
    the U.S. and internationally,
    using snapshots of 25 key
    markets that many will be
    keeping an eye on
    throughout 2010.

    By Camilla McLaughlin
  • Turning the Corner
    Ski markets in Colorado are
    picking up speed again.

    By Jennifer Martin
  • Making Space In The Heart of Boston
    New full-service, high-rise
    buildings and the conversion
    of brownstones into condos
    provide more space to buyers
    willing to pay the price.

    By Lauren Varga
  • Where the Sun Always Shines
    It’s no surprise that Palm Beach
    has held its own in the down
    market. Experts expect an
    even better 2010.

    By Sarah Binder
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October/November 2009

On The Rise

The summer of 2009 saw increases
in housing starts, existing-home
sales, new-home sales and home
prices. Encouraged by this news
and the positive tidbits that
continue to filter to our desks,
we’
re taking the real estate
temperature of cities
throughout the U.S.

By Camilla McLaughlin


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August/September 2009

Almost Heaven

We’ve identified seven areas you won’t
want to overlook in your search for
that perfect resort/vacation home:


June/July 2009