Celebrity Life

The luxury real estate market in Switzerland offers a selected range of high-end properties in the most beautiful areas amid picturesque mountains and lakes. Given the high level of demand from homeowners and buyers, real estate agencies provide impeccable quality services to meet the expectations of clients. One of the most prominent examples is Luxury […]

The post Interview with Daniel Ittig, CEO and Co-founder of Luxury 778 Ltd appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.

The luxury real estate market in Switzerland offers a selected range of high-end properties in the most beautiful areas amid picturesque mountains and lakes. Given the high level of demand from homeowners and buyers, real estate agencies provide impeccable quality services to meet the expectations of clients. One of the most prominent examples is Luxury […]

The post Interview with Daniel Ittig, CEO and Co-founder of Luxury 778 Ltd appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.

Triazza, the latest luxury residential property development at Kowloon Mid-Levels, offers space, privacy and convenience, as well as state-of-the-art interiors and amenities.

Until you see the opulence of Triazza, one could be forgiven for thinking that many Hong Kong residential projects have a dreary sameness about them.

Instead, Triazza presents a unique new low-rise luxury residential living in the urban area by setting new benchmarks for unparalleled privacy for discerning clients, offering diverse choices of special units with spacious configurations, and featuring premium building materials as well as designer fittings and appliances throughout.

Set among the elevated greenery of Kowloon Mid-Levels, Triazza is a world apart, taking full advantage of sweeping views across the city towards Hong Kong Island from large, airy and fabulously appointed family-sized units that are distinctly different in layout and design. Unusually for such a low- density residential project, the residents’ clubhouse includes a 19-metre-long pool with jacuzzi, a stylish function room with private kitchen, a multi-purpose activity area, a wine room, along with a gym and sauna.

Triazza attends to every detail to strengthen the brand, thereby carving a unique niche in the luxury residential market. This allows the project to meet the demands of discerning clients and prominent families who are seeking a quality way of life in an ideal residence.

The developer has spared no effort in offering a wide range of design choices, including apartments for large families that greatly resemble typical homes in the West, or penthouses with spacious rooftops and large stairhoods that make the most of the splendid location.

The nearly three dozen units at Triazza are arranged in a V-shape that not only allows each one to enjoy views across Kowloon towards Hong Kong, but also offers a high degree of privacy – for example, by allowing direct access to the car parking space from the house. This is a rare offering in the local market that redefines the standards of luxury living – in this case some residents can step out from their living room and into their car. This feature is especially accommodating to celebrity residents or others seeking a discreet lifestyle.

Unit 12 and Unit 25 in Block 2 are decorative units with saleable areas of 1,879 and 1,867 square feet respectively. The living and dining room is 16 feet wide and 29 feet long and is connected to a large balcony that brings the outdoor environment into the living space. The roomy layout emphasises the spaciousness of the large en suite master bedroom, which aligns perfectly with the corner-window design, giving the indoor space a special ambience.

The exotic poolside villa-style special Units 1 and 2 in Block 2 boast saleable areas of 1,463 and 1,824 square feet respectively. These units are fronted by a large resort-style garden pool, providing a setting that is reminiscent of an exotic Southeast Asian resort – yet another unique offering. Combined with car parking spaces located on the same floor, the units offer unrivalled privacy and a sense of distinctiveness.

Triazza also features premium building materials and designer fittings and appliances throughout. Each decorative and “typical handover” unit features sleek Arclinea kitchen cabinets from Italy and Sub-Zero refrigerators from the United States, along with Gaggenau appliances and Miele washing machines from Germany. Custom-designed double-glazed windows provide superior sound insulation, while fresh air ducts are installed in living rooms, dining rooms and master bedrooms.

Located at 383 Tai Po Road, near the junction of Caldecott Road at Kowloon Mid-Levels, Triazza comprises 35 units in three blocks, ranging in size from 1,352 to 2,496 square feet, with the largest offering three or four bedrooms. This low-density, low-rise development offers seclusion with convenient access to a comprehensive transport network, backing on to Piper’s Hill, Eagle’s Nest and Kam Shan. The renowned Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School is located nearby, while the Festival Walk shopping centre in Kowloon Tong is about a five-minute drive away.

triazza.com

The post A Dreamy Sanctuary: Triazza is the Epitome of Luxury Living appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Today, London-based bespoke property management company – Footman & Butler – has been announced the winner of the UK’s ‘Best Property Management Company’ in the 2020 Luxury Lifestyle Awards. The luxury tailor-made property management and concierge company provide an on-demand professional service to look after your home as if it were their own, from taking […]

The post Footman & Butler wins ‘Best Luxury Property Management Company’ appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.

The lakefront estate has played host to some of the 20th century's most celebrated figures, including authors Ernest Hemingway and Thomas Mann, and Nobel laureate Eugenio Montale.

The post An Inside Look at Villa Mondadori, Donatella Versace’s New 50-room Lakefront Mansion appeared first on LUXUO.

Tranquil and yet sophisticated, easeful living takes on spectacular new dimensions at IL PICCO, Discovery Bay.

Having the space and privacy of your own detached residence is a luxury enjoyed by only the fortunate few in Hong Kong. However, at the magnificent new IL PICCO development, which is perched high above the self-contained community of Discovery Bay on Lantau Island, it’s a reality that, even more unusually, comes with beautiful views of coast and mountains, as well as unspoiled natural greenery and a reservoir nearby.[1]

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IL PICCO comprises 21 two-storey detached houses with saleable areas of 2,023 or 2,171 square feet[2], each with a private garden and roof – and some boasting their own swimming pool[3]. All feature an 8.2-metre-wide living and dining room on the ground floor[4]; the properties have either three or four ensuite bedrooms[4], with some coming with a family room[3].

Every house has an open pantry and a kitchen that’s equipped with appliances by renowned brands such as Sub-Zero and De Dietrich[5]. Bathrooms are equally luxurious, with fittings by Duravit, Hansgrohe and AXOR[5].

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Not only are the countryside and a placid reservoir close by, but the 27 holes of three world-class courses at Discovery Bay Golf Club[6] are also just minutes away from IL PICCO. Residents can travel around Discovery Bay in style aboard their dedicated golf cart[7] and enjoy the community’s relaxed yet vibrant international ambience, as well as amenities that range from international and local schools, and two well-equipped clubhouses for residents, to superb restaurants and shopping[8].

Despite its peaceful and tranquil location, Discovery Bay is connected to Central Hong Kong by ferries[8]. Hong Kong International Airport[8] and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge[8] are also both easily accessible, making Lantau a Double Gateway[9] to the Greater Bay Area, and the One-Hour Intercity Traffic Circle of the Pearl River Delta[9].

Secluded and yet sophisticated, calm and yet connected, luxury living IL PICCO-style strikes the perfect balance – and all with a degree of privacy and elegance that selective Hong Kong homes can match.

The post Easeful Living Takes on Spectacular New Dimensions in Discovery Bay appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Rising over Kadoorie Avenue, St. George's Mansions is the epitome of timeless elegance.

For the best part of a century a favoured location in what’s certainly one of the most desirable areas in Hong Kong, Kadoorie Avenue is treasured for its period villas that sit in tranquil seclusion behind high walls and are shaded by the lush foliage of mature trees. The avenue’s apex, Kadoorie Hill, offers an unobstructed viewpoint over the rooftops and greenery to Hong Kong’s mountainous skyline.

Not only has this neighbourhood served as the long-time address of some of this city’s most famous residents – including the Kadoories themselves, one of Hong Kong and the region’s most established business dynasties – but close at hand are also several of Hong Kong’s most notable educational institutions. And it’s right here, at the very epicentre of privileged and easeful living, that the CLP Group and Sino Land have chosen to construct their magnificent new residential development, St. George’s Mansions.

Named for a pair of apartment blocks that once occupied the same site, the project was entrusted to the famed New York architectural practice of Robert AM Stern Architects, whose team sought to reflect the site’s historic significance and exclusive, low-density character through a modern classic design and the use of the best materials, sourced from around the world. “We are creating a landmark,” said Stern, a former Dean of Yale University’s School of Architecture, “a very desirable address that will be passed on from generation to generation.” After lengthy consideration, the team came up with a design that comprises three connected towers, which together house 175 spacious residential units.

A sense of classic modernity that typifies many of Stern’s New York projects is achieved through the natural stone finishing of the building’s elegant facade, which combines Portuguese Gascogne beige limestone, and windows clad in bronze-coloured aluminium. Together, these materials emanate a warm refulgence that empathises perfectly with the understated graciousness of the surrounding trees and villas.

Behind the graceful exterior of St George’s Mansions lies an inventory of residential apartments that are unusual both in their spaciousness and the quality of their appointments. Most units have three or four bedrooms, but along with a smaller number with two, there will also be five generously sized simplex apartments.

[caption id="attachment_208309" align="alignnone" width="1667"] St. George's Mansions' sophisticated living and dining area[/caption]

Regardless of size, all units feature a spacious layout with formal living and dining rooms and high ceilings, with a classic contemporary aesthetic. Most units have three or four bedrooms, but along with a smaller number with two, there will also be five simplex apartments. Floor areas range from approximately 760 square feet for the two-bedroom units, and from 1,800 to 2,100 square feet for the three- and four-bedroom apartments, to an extremely generous 3,300-3,600 square feet for the simplex units.

It goes without saying that the interiors are created using the highest- quality craftsmanship, materials, fittings and equipment. Kitchens, for example, are fitted out by the esteemed German company Poggenpohl, with appliances by brands such as Miele, Gaggenau and Sub-Zero.

[caption id="attachment_208390" align="alignnone" width="2000"] The clubhouse's classically inspired swimming pool[/caption]

Naturally residents have access to the clubhouse, where facilities include The Great Hall in which residents can meet guests and socialise with neighbours; a pair of Great Rooms, where private events and dinners can be organised; The Garden function room with an “inside-outside-living” concept; a beautiful landscaped garden with outdoor lounge and courtyard designed by Philip Liao and Partners; a stunning swimming pool; a Children’s Playroom; and a Gymnasium and Yoga Room.

Not only does St. George’s Mansions offer the opportunity to own one of the most prized addresses in Hong Kong, but it will be a home that you and your family will be able to treasure, one that can be passed from generation to generation long into the future.

The post St. George’s Mansions is a Landmark in Luxury appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

On the hunt for Hong Kong's most exclusive properties and developments, we head to Happy Valley and discover an address of unusual grace and space at 23-39 Blue Pool Road.

When it comes to luxury homes and properties in Hong Kong, there are many areas in the city that spring to mind. Mid-levels, The Peak, Tai Tam and Repulse Bay are prime examples, but there are very few that match up to what I’ve seen at this particular stretch of Happy Valley.

Besides the prestigious address and the well-known racecourse, Happy Valley is a neighbourhood that offers much more than it seems. Some of the city’s most historic buildings and distinguished private schools, boutiques and restaurants make this urban area what it is today — a far cry from the marshland it once was in the 1800s.

Indeed, Happy Valley today is one of the most sought-after residential locations in Hong Kong — and it’s also home to 23-39 Blue Pool Road.

Here, instead of the high-density or high-rise living that we’re used to, stand 18 semi-detached homes. The environment is quiet and tranquil — a quality we all yearn for in our bustling city — and its location is perfectly tucked between the mountainous interior of Jardine’s Lookout and the lively districts of Wan Chai and Causeway Bay.

This long-standing collaboration project began as far back as 1992 between top developer Hang Lung Properties and the preeminent American firm of architects Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF).

The practice, which is best known for recently transforming New York’s Museum of Modern Art and designing the largest private real-estate development in US history — Hudson Yards in Manhattan — was brought in to design 23-39 Blue Pool Road. The two have also partnered on landmark projects across Hong Kong and mainland China; these include Tianjin’s Riverside 66 mall and the large-scale commercial complexes Spring City 66 in Kunming and, currently under development, Westlake 66 in Hangzhou.

[caption id="attachment_208448" align="alignnone" width="1276"] The first-floor[/caption]

James von Klemperer FAIA, RIBA, president and design principal with KPF Associates, explains that “whereas neighbourhoods in London, New York and Chicago were historically built with great three-, four- and five-storey homes, a series of houses forming its own street is a very unusual situation in Hong Kong because of the city’s topography and density”. The result seems to transport one to a different country almost, where space and openness are abundant.

Von Klemperer adds, “Semi-detached dwellings like this enable a lifestyle that’s very different from what’s normally possible in a typical Hong Kong apartment, or even a duplex.”

Upon entering the properties, more surprising elements await as all 18 houses at 23-39 Blue Pool Road feature their own private balconies, foyers, roof terraces, courtyards and garages — prized real-estate areas of outdoor space for enhanced living.

Privacy and sustainability were key considerations in the design. The facades of the properties were inspired by Chinese folding screens, which create a sense of separation between exterior and interior, but also ensure discreet views, both in and out, with a high degree of insulation, too. What’s more, a system of mechanical blinds helps to absorb sunlight and combat heat gain, the biggest culprit when it comes to energy consumption in Hong Kong buildings.

As we walk along the stretch, two spacious properties are showcased to illustrate the kind of luxury living and higher quality of life that can be enjoyed here.
The first, ouse A or The arisian Mansion, was designed by international hospitality-design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), with young couples and individuals in mind. According to HBA, the design focuses on “a timeless interior with a French/European flair that embraces a luxurious residential quality, while the inspiration for it stemmed from an idea to “create a sophisticated lived-in space that has its own character and personality”.

From the moment you step into 35A, that character is apparent across the board. The elegant European-style space feels clean and modern, but at the same time unique, with Asian aesthetics and elements blended in.

Spacial considerations were central in the planning of the property, too, and can be seen in the way all spaces and floors have been used and maximised with minimum compromise. One such example is the expansive second-floor master bedroom, which is connected to the large master bathroom, before leading on to the generously wide walk-in wardrobe; a smart and very practical use of the space.

On the partnership with Hang Lung Properties, HBA notes that close dialogue was crucial “throughout all design phases and the success of this project”.
Bespoke finishes and layers lend touches of character with pops of colour, texture or light to the rooms. When designing the home, HBA also curated an eclectic art collection to inject a sense of refined luxury that feels as contemporary as it does opulent.

Inside, the chic colour palette takes inspiration from French blue and grey tones, highlighted with reflective accents of silver and champagne Meanwhile, Italian marble floors, exotic wood veneers, hand-blown glass chandeliers and hand-tufted carpets add distinctive details of lush textures.

As an extension of the interior, the property’s rooftop makes use of the space most connected with nature — making open-air dining and entertaining an effortless occasion, too — while a whirlpool soaking tub adds to the unparalleled living experience offered at Blue Pool Road.

We continue our tour a few doors down at 39B. Named The Crystal, the design for this house was inspired by the crystalline exterior of the development and was executed by global architectural and design studio, PDP London.

Alexandra Byrne, director of PDP London further elaborates that the interior was designed to reflect the buildings exterior within the house “This is how we came to the idea of The Crystal; a luxurious expression of that same theme,” she explains. “I was also inspired by the fabulous, urban location and didn’t want to disengage with that on the inside.”

As this was Ds first project with ang Lung Properties, Byrne talks about the passionate teams on both sides and how “Hang Lung was instrumental in managing the process smoothly and added many great ideas to the project. It was a real collaboration.”

As I walk into the home, a calming story of green threads its way through the house, designed to bring a sense of the outside in. “It’s actually not a colour I’ve used much before, so we had to search for the perfect green stone and found an amazing Verde Antigua from the Middle East,” says Bryne. “I decided to do the entire Master Bathroom in this stone, even the cabinet doors.”

Moreover, green can be found naturally from the first-floor picture window that frames the outdoor landscape, while the courtyard and rooftop provide more space for lush green environments.

Honing in on the luxury of space and privacy, PDP’s design focus sees the master suite taking up the top floor, relocating the master bedroom to the back of the property, which overlooks the development’s green wall and waterfall.

“This gave us the space for a sensational master closet, one of the biggest we’ve completed in Hong Kong, completely custom-made in walnut,” Byrne said.
The suite is also attached to a master bathroom with fluted glass screens for privacy and a large lounge with study — using the whole floor as a private escape if need be.

Over and above the individual design of the properties, it’s obvious that what Blue Pool Road offers is overall appeal — blending Western style with Asian sensibilities seamlessly in a environment that affords space, privacy, nature and the utmost in luxury like no other property in Hong Kong.

The post 23-39 Blue Pool Road is Luxury Living Redefined appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Selecting the picture perfect movie set is just as important as casting the right actors and actresses to tell the story.

From the whimsical landscapes of Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel, and the gothic beauty of Gotham City in Batman, to the pastel avenues of suburbia in Edward Scissorhands, these movie sets, and many more, are not just spaces where the action occurs. They contribute to the action.

With Bong Joon-Ho’s movie Parasite sweeping the Oscars 2020, the attention paid to film sets has never been more prevalent. In particular, the house, where the award-winning Korean film unfolds, is so intricately constructed that it is every viewer’s second-best takeaway from the movie — naturally, the characters and plot twists take first place.

So, as Parasite enters the cinematic hall of fame for set design, we offer a retrospective at other recognisable homes that make the movie it features in more memorable. Most of the houses, which have since shed their film fame, have become private properties, too.

Parasite (2019)

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When we first see the Park’s lavish estate in the film, the housekeeper introduces the modernist building as one designed by star architect Namgoong. Namgoong is of course fictional, so in reality, credit for this impressive set goes to production designer Lee Ha Jun, who built the house from scratch to director Bong Jun Ho’s specifications. There were numerous aspects to factor in the design, from camera angles to the manipulation of natural light to enhance the mood in certain scenes. The home was built solely for the film in an outdoor lot of a studio, so, unfortunately, it is not a liveable space, but this fact makes the detail of the set all the more impressive.

A Star is Born (2018)

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The rockstar character, famously played by Bradley Cooper, Jackson Maine in A Star Is Born has a beautiful home in which action with Ally, played by Lady Gaga, takes place. The house was revealed to be a real home, housed in the Monte Nido neighbourhood of Calabasas. Designed by Douglas Rucker, this estate in the outskirts was recently sold for US$2 million (approximately HK$15.5 million).

Django Unchained (2013)

[caption id="attachment_208332" align="alignnone" width="1585"] Image: Wikimedia[/caption]

Quentin Tarantino’s films may court controversy, but there’s one thing that garners unanimous approval when it comes to his body of work: excellent set designs. Django Unchained is a prime example thanks to Don Johnson's character Big Daddy’s house, revealed to be a historic sugarcane plantation known as the Evergreen Plantation in Louisiana that dates back to 1790. The facade of the house was designed in the Greek Revival style, with the sprawling staircases from the verandah curving out to the lawn as the most memorable element. Parts of the film were shot here, along with some of the 36 other buildings on-site.

Twilight (‎2008–2012)

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Regardless of your opinion on teen cult movie Twilight, what is not terrible about Stephanie Meyer’s ode to sparkling vampires is the house where the vampire characters, the Cullens, call home. The leading vampires flaunt excellent taste in architecture, though all real-life nods ought to go to Skylab Architecture. Known as Hoke Residence, the property is located on the border between Portland and Oregon’s forest park, designed to show the interplay between the elements and interior drama — an adult treehouse, if you will.

The Lake House (2006)

[caption id="attachment_208336" align="alignnone" width="1589"] Image: The Lake House[/caption]

As much as we all love Keanu Reeves, the American romantic drama The Lake House is forgettable. It is in actual fact, a remake of Il Mare, the Korean original, which is far better in our books. What we do remember from the Hollywood copy though, is the lake house of its namesake. A glass house reinforced by beams that suffused the building with serene light in the day. Architectural styles referenced include the Regency period from the 1800s in England. The house was built entirely for this film in ten weeks, but later torn down and replaced with a fishing dock as it did not fit certain building codes.

Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

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Famed American architect and pioneer of the Googie style, John Lautner, is the man behind this famous house from the classic Bond film. The futuristic villa is called the Elrod House, and is the site for billionaire Willard Whyte’s holiday home in the film. Designed in 1969, the space spans a staggering 9,000 sq. ft. and has five bedrooms. It has changed hands since its cinematic debut, and was last sold in 2016 for US$7.7 million (HK$59.6 million) — slashed by almost half from a previous US$13.89 million (HK$107.6 million) price tag in 2009.

The Godfather (1972)

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There are many impressive houses in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather, but Jack Woltz’s mansion is the cream of the crop. This palatial abode spans 50,000 sq. ft., with 18 bedrooms and 29 bathrooms, and has a whole laundry list of famous comings-and-goings outside of Coppola’s masterpiece. Built in 1927 by Gordon Kauffmann, who would later go on to design the Hoover Dam, the Beverly Hills home was famously owned by publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst. The property later became the honeymoon destination for John F. and Jackie Kennedy, and is now looking for a buyer. A cool US$125 million (HK$969 million) is all it takes.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

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Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is a teenage comedy classic that will go down in history for two things: the story, obviously, but also the Ben Rose House, the family home to his sidekick Cameron Frye. The glass-walled estate is designed by A. James Speyer, protégé of Mies van de Rohe. The house was briefly slated to be demolished until it was bought for US$1.06 million (HK$8.2 million) in 2016, and then renovated, complete with a new garage that can house not one, but two Ferraris.

This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Singapore.

The post The Most Recognisable Luxury Houses in Film History appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Most of us live in flats or condos in buildings that appear to be getting taller by the day, as if in a race to the top. According to the Singapore Department of Statistics’ 2019figures, just 5 per cent or 69,000households live in landed properties. Of these, only about 2,500 are Good Class Bungalows (GCBs) […]

The post Good Class Bungalows: Who’s buying and who’s selling appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

Most of us live in flats or condos in buildings that appear to be getting taller by the day, as if in a race to the top. According to the Singapore Department of Statistics’ 2019figures, just 5 per cent or 69,000households live in landed properties. Of these, only about 2,500 are Good Class Bungalows (GCBs) […]

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

Looking for a new pad? We've got our eyes on these places.

The post Three luxury property launches to look out for in 2020 appeared first on The Peak Magazine.