Sotheby's International Realty Extraordinary Living Blog When someone mentions that they own a beach house, they often mean a charming cottage with coastal-themed decor and a view of the ocean, a convenient location a block or two from the sunny shore, or a perch just above the strand on a cliff or promontory. This 2,861-square-foot gem, however, takes the notion to a new level, sitting as it does on a rocky outcropping amid the sand itself, where the waves of Matador Beach wash up almost to its very verge. The interiors are a bastion of dazzling light and views as well as clean, minimalist c ..read more

The beachfront compound, which sold for $44.1 million, is a few houses down from the property Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates bought in 2020 The Wall Street Journal | E.B. Solomont A beachfront compound near San Diego has sold in an off-market deal for $44.1 million, according to San Diego County Assessor Jordan Marks. The “monumental” deal is a record for the county, said Marks, who is also the county recorder and clerk. The compound, on just over an acre, is located in Del Mar, a few houses down from a property purchased by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his then-wife, Melinda Fren ..read more

Enterprising collectors are creating luxurious locations where lovers of art, architecture, wine, and fine food can experience them all, says Christina Makris RESIDE Magazine People who love art usually enjoy the other finer things in life, such as good food, wine, picturesque landscapes, and elegant architecture. Now it is increasingly possible to enjoy these pleasures all at once. Across the world, owners of historic buildings and vineyards are boosting their potential as tourism destinations by using them as a backdrop for their art collections. From wineries in Chile, Tuscany, and Californ ..read more

The glass- and wood-clad new build in Brentwood was carved into a hillside, requiring the removal of about 680 truckloads of dirt Liz Lucking | Mansion Global A newly constructed mansion in Los Angeles’s tony Brentwood neighborhood with a pickleball court, a putting green and a candy station has hit the market for just shy of $29.888 million. Dubbed “Allure,” the glass- and wood-clad home was carved into a mountainside, requiring the removal of approximately 680 truckloads of dirt to create over an acre of flat land. Designing and building the house “was an opportunity to push the boundaries ..read more

Sotheby's Extraordinary Living Blog Respecting the past while embracing the future, award-winning architect Rich Granoff brought his creative talents to bear at this extraordinary estate in the midst of Greenwich’s glorious greenery. The 16.11-acre property is an unprecedented private getaway and an equestrian’s dream, featuring a five-bedroom 10,800-square-foot residence, a swimming pool and spa with a pool house, stately stables, a guesthouse or caretaker’s quarters, paddocks, vineyards, gardens, an orchard, and a superior-caliber riding arena. The home feels pulled from the pages of a sto ..read more

Venture capitalist Kevin Comolli and his wife, Hannah, fetched $29 million for the distinctive California property Katherine Clarke | Mansion Global The Butterfly House, an architecturally distinctive home in Carmel, Calif., has sold for $29 million, in one of the priciest deals ever to close in the area, according to a spokeswoman for the buyer’s agent. The sellers are venture capitalist Kevin Comolli and his wife, Hannah Comolli, who purchased the property for $16.5 million in 2014, records show. In an email, Kevin Comolli declined to comment on the specifics of the transaction, but said th ..read more

The Institute for Luxury Real Estate Marketing If you were to ask 10 people about their thoughts on “Biophilic Design,” it is possible that eight of them would respond with a blank stare. Although the term may be new, the concept is already familiar to most of us, and the development of this trend began at least 20 years ago. Biophilic design simply revolves around the idea that individuals will experience greater happiness if their interior living spaces are meaningfully integrated with the natural world outside. This integration encompasses aspects such as interior light and ventilation, ap ..read more

Axel and May Vervoordt are marking 50 years of collecting together, guided by traditions from both the east and the west RESIDE Magazine Axel and May Vervoordt in their home near Antwerp Axel Vervoordt is a man with many hats: art and antiques dealer, interior designer, initiator of groundbreaking exhibitions and an impresario of musical, artistic and architectural experiences. Central to all this activity is his long marriage to his wife, May. Their evolving interests have been the guiding thread in their esteemed family business. Whether in their private home, the 12th-century Kasteel van ..read more

Secluded behind private gates, this one-of-a-kind Malibu estate is situated on a blufftop and surrounded by stunning ocean views. Sotheby's RESIDE At first blush, this singular home and its verdant surroundings could easily be mistaken for a remote retreat, a consummate contemporary escape with nary a neighbor or thoroughfare in sight. This serene space of seclusion, however, is tucked into swaths of mature trees and other flora on a Malibu bluff, not far from seemingly countless boutiques, restaurants, entertainment venues, and other attractions—not to mention sandy beaches and the cool blue ..read more

This one-of-a-kind 20,000-square-foot residence unites soothing surfaces of blonde hardwood with aluminum, steel, and expanses of glass, resulting in bright, airy interiors and a façade that seems to disappear amid sunsets, clouds, and sky from its perch on one of the finest estate sites in Los Angeles. Sotheby's RESIDE Recognized for their impact on the architectural landscape of Los Angeles, Mehdi and Mandi Rafaty of the lauded firm of Tag Front create homes with a unique modern aesthetic, incorporating refined textural and sculptural details that bring complexity, simplicity, and functiona ..read more