Unique Homes Blog

An environmentalist builds a home that gives as much as it takes.

By Jennifer Martin Traveling through Eastern Europe in the 1990s, Helene Marsh saw two different worlds. On one hand, the Velvet Revolution had created a new, energetic free market. On the other, the environment was degraded from many years of industrial activity. “I experienced intense smog, walked through forests that were devastated by acid rain, saw the grime of factories on buildings,” Marsh said. “I met people affected by the pollutants in their workplace.” The experience was a sobering one. After moving back to her hometown of Santa Barbara and earning a master’s degree in environmental science, Marsh intensified her environmental advocacy … and resolved to build an eco-friendly home like no other. She made her dream come true in 2008, after moving to San Francisco with her family. Choosing a home with views of the North Bay, she converted the residence into a building that would receive accreditation from the renowned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating Systems. “We deconstructed the old house by hand,” Marsh said. “Ninety percent of the house was donated, recycled and/or reused, including 10 tons of lumber.” Marsh worked with architects and general contractors...Read more

This acclaimed South Florida architectural marvel captivated a neighboring couple so much that they bought it.

By Ken Weingartner

Wherever Ira Lampert and his wife Ileene look, the beauty of Golden Beach surrounds them. The fact that they enjoy these views from any room in their home makes it all the more special.

“You’d think we’d brought the tranquility and beauty of the outdoors and ocean into the house,” says Ira Lampert of the couple’s South Florida oceanfront estate. “The house is an architectural masterpiece. There’s nothing like it in the world.”

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.

In 2004, the Lamperts’ home was designated one of the 20 best commercial and residential properties in Miami by the Miami Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

“My favorite part of the design is the way the sunlight enters the house,” says Zapata. “The big floating roof is hovering and shading a large skylight over the living room, allowing for indirect light to enter the...Read more

The ELLE DÉCOR Modern Life Show House opened to the public May 20^th in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood. Spread over two residences in the new +aRt premium condominium development at 540 West 28^th Street, the show house features rooms finished by 10 up-and-coming designers deemed by ELLE DÉCOR as “Ones to Watch.” The show house itself aims to embrace a decidedly modern lifestyle, reflected both in the design of the interior spaces and the fresh, artistic vibe of +aRt’s surrounding neighborhood. “What’s great about the concept house is that it is so relatable — many of our readers, myself included, live in two-bedroom condos,” says ELLE DÉCOR’s editor-in-chief, Michael Boodro. “And these are reflective of the more casual way that people live today, with open kitchens, televisions in the living rooms, bedrooms as private retreats. But the designers have proven that casual doesn’t have to be slipshod or messy, and that high style and easy living can co-exist.” Walking through the show house proves exactly that. Clean lines are met with unexpected texture — as seen in the fabric covered walls of Aurelién Gallet’s bedroom design — and open spaces are personalized with unique statement pieces. Beth Martin, who designed one of...Read more

In Chicago, home prices in some neighborhoods are showing signs of life.

By Jennifer Martin

In January, Chicago-area home prices reached their lowest levels since 2009. The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller index of Chicago-area single-family home prices fell 7.5 percent from the year-ago period and dropped 1.8 percent in January from December. But in Chicago, there’s always a silver lining behind a gloomy market. “We have seen a sharp increase in properties under contract between February and March 2011,” says Mark Pullinger, vice president of marketing and technology for Koenig & Strey Real Living. “Though some of the 58.6-percent increase is due to seasonal demand cycles, this is a far greater increase than from February to March 2010 .” Chicago is an area full of diverse neighborhoods and suburbs, and at any given time, prices are rising in the next “hot” area. Pullinger says in the first quarter of 2011, the most prominent price spikes occurred in popular areas such as Lincolnshire (where prices rose 32.4 percent), Lake Forest (28.9 percent), Barrington (22.3 percent) and Hinsdale (19.0). The city’s long-term strength is rooted in its economy. Chicago has the third largest gross metropolitan product in the United States (about $506 billion) and is home to...Read more

Lately it seems like Mexico can’t get a break when it comes to negative headlines and bad press. Tourists have been cautious when planning trips, often avoiding the country altogether, and a number of non-Mexican homebuyers have decided to look elsewhere for retirement and vacation properties. But for the people of Mexico — both native and transplant — the past months have proven to be a call to arms, a rally to restore positive feelings toward their beloved home. It was decided early on that the Mexico Real Estate Coalition, a collection of national developers and real estate related businesses, would need to launch a program to educate Americans on the real Mexico, not what was being touted in some headlines. And so the LiveMexico campaign was introduced online at LiveMexico.org as a promotion and education vehicle for the MREC.

LiveMexico Packs a Punch With American and Canadian Testimonials

The team assembled to combat the American press includes industry heavy hitters such as Grupo Questro, Capella Pedregal, Querencia, RCI International and Stewart Title Latin America. “As soon as we started reading and learning about the bad press, we knew we were going to be affected by...Read more

We all know how easy it is to browse real estate listings anywhere around the world from the comfort and convenience of our own homes thanks to the Internet. Now, N-Play, the industry’s first online offer management service, is bringing the convenience of online real estate bidding to Atlanta homebuyers. The Offer Center, as it has been dubbed, is being introduced exclusively through a growing network of broker and agent websites, and by over 1,000 agents in the greater Atlanta metro area. The process of placing an offer is quick, easy, and non-binding, and can be completed by either the buyer or their agent. A prospective bidder simply has to visit a N-Play partner website, submit their offer, payment type (cash or finance), qualification, earnest deposit, contingencies, offer expiration date, and other information typical of a written offer. “This is the first and only service of its kind and offers consumers a buyer-friendly platform to begin offers and negotiation on any home in a simple and non-binding way,” says Mark Bloomfield, founder of N-Play. “Our broker and agent partners are opening the door wide for buyers to become actively engaged in the properties they are interested in without having to jump...Read more

By Gina Kramer

The global travel market has already begun to redefine itself during the economic crisis, offering more options than ever for travelers that are quickly becoming hot new trends. Vacation rentals such as condos, whose owners used to give renters not much more than a key to the main door, are now determined to prove equal, if not better, than all-inclusive resorts and upscale hotels. Current developments such as an increase in the supply of vacation rentals, as well as changing preferences of travelers are encouraging the growth of this trend. One of the reasons why new vacation rentals are appearing on the market is also the pressure to rent, as vacation homeowners feel a declined income from pensions, investments, or employment. The demand for vacation rentals also has increased. Travelers are now looking for more of an authentic experience, providing more privacy and value. This trend was influenced by the altered consumer mentality that emerged during the crisis, when hotels tried to create beyond-luxury experiences to lure clients. In response to the growing trend, even well established luxury hotel chains, such as Ritz Carlton and Rosewood, have started to add the option of vacation rentals. Vacation Home Rentals, LLC,...Read more

The Mountain West has some of the best slopes in the world. Yet, talk to those who live there, and you’ll find a list of other reasons to call this region home.

By Ken Weingartner

When Kristi Hood left New York for Lake Tahoe 14 years ago, she never thought it would be permanent. She headed west for the skiing, but extended her visit into the summer. That was all it took.

“The winters drew me here, but I fell in love with the summers,” says Hood, an agent with The Sharp Team at Coldwell Banker in Truckee, California, near the northwest shore of Lake Tahoe. “The summers are absolutely amazing, with warm days and cool nights. It’s beautiful.” It is a story as old as the hills, or in this case, mountains. Numerous renowned ski resorts populate the West, but those locations offer much more than powder, as visitors often discover. Popular summer activities include golf, mountain biking, hiking, fishing and boating. Following is a glimpse at several places that combine the allure of snow with year-round charm. PARK CITY, UTAH Home to the U.S. Ski...Read more

  The helicopter’s blades rev up to a whine and the ground quickly falls away. The sparkling surface of Biscayne Bay rushes beneath the tiny glass cabin. Pure as the sunlight and wind, the view from ‘above it all’ gives instant perspective on the coast’s best waterfront properties.  “The color of the water tells the story,” exclaims Niki Higgins. A prominent luxury real estate specialist, Higgins flies with the helicopter doors open in order to photograph with precise clarity the waters that surround Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Palm Beaches’ most exclusive waterfront enclaves and luxury tower residences.  Her expertise as a broker of multi-million dollar Manhattan apartments translates well to South Florida. “Affluent clients have no time to bother with seeing less than the best,” she states emphatically. Clients seeking waterfront property look to Niki Higgins and Seaside Properties Group for the “Palm Beach to South Beach” overview.  Five hundred feet below, a private ferry cuts a bright white wake through pristine aquamarine waters on its way to the very private Fisher Island. “This is the best of the best: silky white sands, Caribbean clear oceanfront, immaculately landscaped homes and villas tucked among yacht harbors and fairways,” says Higgins. Hovering above South Beach at penthouse level, the ultra-luxury...Read more

Developers address security concerns South of the Border as Mexico turns 200.

By Sonja York

Mexico celebrated its bicentennial this year, and developers and vacation clubs took advantage of the festivities to address safety and welcome all to enjoy the country’s vast and opulent locations. In this feature we explore Las Villas Hotel & Spa in Estrella del Mar, Mazatlan Mexico; homes in Puerto Los Cabos, San Jose del Cabo Mexico; membership at the Quintess Destination Club in Los Cabos Mexico; and the Costa Baja Resort & Spa in La Paz Mexico. Las Villas Hotel & Spa Las Villas Hotel & Spa in Estrella del Mar, Mazatlan, Mexico offers a unique combination: a crowd-free, 3.5-mile beach with the onsite amenities of Mazatlan’s premiere resort development, Estrella del Mar, allowing guests both the privacy and amenities not found in the Mazatlan, Sinola, Mexico area. Las Villas Hotel & Spa is inspired by traditional colonial Mexican design. Traditions stay alive at Estrella del Mar, as residents celebrated the bicentennial with families from Mazatlan and Torreon, enjoying a traditional Mexican dinner and fine entertainment in a clubhouse restaurant while cheering the traditional “Viva Mexico” at midnight, then retiring to the beautiful, newly opened Las Villas Hotel &...Read more