Sitting here on beautiful Lago Maggiore (Ticino, Switzerland) and thinking about my next travel plans. Right now, I would like to opt in for some lazy and relaxing beach vacation where I can relax in the sun, enjoy crystal blue waters and get my batteries recharged before ski season kicks in all over the Swiss Alps which starts right in my front yard.

It’s been far too long since I have been on my best beach vacation ever – Soneva Gili Maldives. Sweet memories are attached to that trip and I always wanted to go back there again. Maybe it’s just going to be the right time for doing so since I heard that the 1st ever residences to foreigners in the Maldives are becoming available and this would be a perfect time to check them out. Located within one of the largest lagoons and smallest islands in the Maldives, set in the Indian Ocean, Soneva Gili by Six Senses is the first in the country to offer foreign ownership. There are 14 luxury over-water villas planed to be sold as “Leasehold.”  Each of them offers 4 bedrooms, spacious entertainment areas, private sun decks, an over-water pool and many more distinctive highlights. Leasehold, by definition of Wikipedia basically means: “A leasehold estate is an ownership of a temporary right to land or property in which a lessee or a tenant holds rights of real property by some form of title from a lessor or landlord. Leasehold is a form of property tenure where one party buys the right to occupy land or a building for a given length of time. As lease is a legal estate, leasehold estate can be bought and sold on the open market. A leasehold thus differs from a freehold where the ownership of a property is purchased outright and thereafter held for an indeterminate length of time, and also differs from a tenancy where a property is let (rented) on a periodic basis such as weekly or monthly.”
 

In this particular case of the Soneva Gili resort, the owner is entitled to sign on a 50 year leasehold with an option to extend to 90 years. This form of ownership is very common in Asia and with the extension to 90 years it’s an even more comfortable situation for the owner. Ok, so Maldives might be a option for my next holiday vacation and if you would like to know more about the Maldives real estate ownership opportunities, please feel free to contact me at .
 

Posted by:  Peter Rabitz

Just recently, I received a reminder to pay attention on a great deal to own a luxury view estate on the cost of the Dominican Republic. Villa Cielo at Trump Farallon Estates at Cap Cana is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own the very first villa in one of the Caribbean’s most picturesque locations. The Trump Farallon Estates are part of the Dominican Republic’s most luxury destination of Cap Cana. Located in the heart of the Caribbean, you will find the most exclusive gated community and the World’s New Great Destination, Cap Cana. Located in the south-eastern of the Dominican Republic, with world-class golf, angling, and pristine beaches, Cap Cana is only seven minutes from the Punta Cana International Airport, a direct destination from the United States, Latin America, and important European cities. Trump at Cap Cana will be a resort destination like no other in the Caribbean. Trump Farallon homeowners will enjoy an unprecedented lifestyle and special membership privileges to an array of clubs and amenities within Cap Cana. Located more than 200 feet above sea level, Trump Farallon Estates present dramatic views of the entire Cap Cana property and the crystalline waters of the Caribbean Sea.

And now, the prestigious Villa Cielo is being offered for 50% off its original price and is now listed for only $6.75 million. Completed of course. It’s a great opportunity to purchase this dream property and begin making plans for your 2010 December holidays in your new Caribbean haven. Not to forget that there is the possibility to have 80% financing, so with only $1.35 million down you can call this magnificent villa your own. Please send me an email should you wish to receive even more detailed information on this property or any other options within Cap Cana. 

Posted by:  Peter Rabitz

Berlin, Germany’s capital has always been a focus point by the worlds rich and famous as well as some of the most influential people world wide. BUT, the city’s face changed quite a bit and with today, Berlin is one of the most recognized metropolises for fashion, music and the creative scene. Long time, real estate investments in luxury properties weren’t first choice when purchasing in Germany, but with the city’s increasing importance in fashion and also due to the fact Germany being one of the leaders in European politics, Berlin real estate market started to show first signs for increasing demand for luxury properties. Traditional regions for high-end luxurious real estate used to be neighborhoods a bit outside of Berlin’s city centre where sumptuous villas and houses could and still can be found. Neighborhoods like Dahlem, Grunewald and Zehlendorf are amongst the most well-known for luxurious living. Not to forget Potsdam, a near by city in the south of Berlin which always has been a sought-after location for the upper class to own a mansion on one of the many lakes you can find in that region. For a long time, the most preferred neighborhoods for apartments and penthouses used to be Charlottenburg and Tiergarten, but with the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989, the focus on Berlin’s centre and the former east part increased with plenty of opportunities to invest. Now, neighborhood like Prenzlauer Berg and Mitte are the most sought-after locations for a trendy apartment or penthouse.

Berlin is one of the world’s most vibrant cities, and the heartbeat at its centre is Berlin-Mitte. Here, artists, entrepreneurs, politicians and celebrities alike all share centre stage. You’ll find streets lined with the most exclusive shops, as well as the hottest galleries, restaurants, cafés and bars. Mitte is also home to Museum Island, beautiful squares and the new government district. The city is also well-known for being Germany’s event epicenter with glamorous events like Berlin Fashion Week and the Berlinale Film Festival beside many others.

Furthermore, architecture always played a big part in the city’s history. In the past, luminaries such as Richard Neutra, Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe designed houses for clients in Berlin and Potsdam. With all the changes over the last 20 years, Berlin became a center of attraction for architecture enthusiasts. Some of the worlds most famous and leading architects came to Berlin to design many of the new embassies, commercial buildings and residential buildings. Names like Frank Gehry, David Chipperfield, I.M. Pai, Daniel Libeskind and Norman Forster just to name a few who pop up in my mind right now, read like the who’s’ who in architecture and who all designed some more or less iconic buildings.

These days, just another big caliber of the design and architecture scene made his appearance with Berlin’s newest and maybe most glamour’s project. Philippe Starck – the illustrious magician of design – comes to Berlin. Philippe Starck, the man who is not only the most renowned designer of our time, but also the most versatile. His creations are already considered classics. With Yoo Berlin by Philippe Starck, he now draws upon his wide-ranging talents to create something entirely new, designer luxury apartments. Having already garnered accolades in London, New York, Sydney and Miami, as well as in many other cities around the globe, this innovative property developer is now coming to Germany’s capital. Extravagantly luxurious living spaces that would reflect the esprit and individualism of the people who lived there. Today, yoo is a brand sought after like no other. Each apartment or penthouse is unique – as original as the people who live there.

Back in May, right after the ground breaking ceremony, I visited the construction site and the showroom. Without a doubt, Yoo Berlin is located in one of the most historic and sought-after neighborhoods Berlins - a place where the legendary Friedrichstadtpalast once stood and a place that in the 1920’s toasted stars like Marlene Dietrich. To your right, historical façade of the Berliner Ensemble and to your left, Friedrichstrasse with its boutiques and restaurants. With gorgeous view of the Spree River, further attractions like the government district, Museums Island, Gendarmenmarkt and the Hackesche Höfe are all just a stone’s throw away. The showroom already offers the feel of the upcoming lifestyle at Yoo Berlin. All rooms boast the design language of Philippe Starck as well as some of its iconic design features. The showroom is conceived like an apartment with all the bedrooms, baths and living areas. When walking around you will forget that you are in a temporary space and you feel already pretty much at home. Two bathrooms and two bedrooms feature just two of the four interior designs available from where the future owner can choose from. Each of the four styles – Classic, Minimal, Nature and Culture – will inspire you to add your own elegant and stylish details to your home. Of course, the Yoo design team is always happy to help you run with your imagination. The sky is the limit!

Posted By: Peter Rabitz

Palazzo Tornabuoni is one of the very few urban residence clubs in Europe, and the first in the world to occupy a site of such historic and artistic significance (this is still the only Medici home in private hands). This special status is reflected in its unique title of “Palace Residence Club,” and its unrivalled membership services and privileges.

The Palazzo is located on one of Florence most famous streets – Via Tornabuoni. This neighbourhood of Florence is today the vibrant Tuscan city’s ‘fashion central,’ lined with stylish boutiques of all major label brands. Only steps away from the famous Duomo and a five-minute walk from Ponte Vecchio, the Palazzo is perfectly located to enjoy the bustling and vibrating city life of Florence.

The Awards for Excellence competition by the Urban Land Institute is widely recognized as the land use industry’s most prestigious recognition program. ULI describes the program as follows: “The competition is part of the Institute’s Awards for Excellence program, established in 1979, which is based on ULI’s guiding principle that the achievement of excellence in land use practice should be recognized and rewarded. ULI’s Awards for Excellence recognize the full development process of a project, not just its architecture or design. The criteria for the awards include leadership, contribution to the community, innovations, public/private partnership, environmental protection and enhancement, response to societal needs, and financial viability.”

Quite a time ago, I was able to travel to Florence and was visiting Palazzo Tornabuoni. The city of Florence is fascinating for itself, but Palazzo Tornabuoni capped it all off. When I entered the door to Palazzo Tornabuoni, I could feel the historic significance and the history of the past. I was totally amazed by the high quality of the restoration. My experiences in Italy are not that great when it comes to quality of finishings, but the restoration of Palazzo Tornabuoni has been done with highest care into the last detail and the finishings are just perfect.

Dave Purpora, Director of Sales at Palazzo Tornabuoni, met with me at the library and invited me for delicious glass of vine at the palazzo’s courtyard. He told me all about the history of Palazzo Tornabuoni and provided a short background of the building’s restoration. It took the developer five years to restore the Palazzo into residences. All residences are designed by Michele Nonan, who is an award-winning interior designer. A blend of great care to historic details for example at the original 16th-century frescos or the exquisite fireplace adorned with beautiful micro-mosaics in a mixture with contemporary elements, the Palazzo features high-end living in an historic environment, but with all the modern comfort of these days.

Palazzo Tornabuoni is a perfect getaway for all Italian lovers, art enthusiasts and friends of fine living. There are several options to become an owner of one a few residences available at Palazzo Tornabuoni. Some residences are fractionalized into 1/8 shares, but there is also whole ownership offered. Whole ownership residences are part of the Palazzo Tornabuoni and each property is set among the various courtyards and terraced gardens. A few residences boast their own roof-top views of Florence and the Duomo. Whole ownership residences are between one and two bedrooms, with from one to three baths and range in price from 1.6M to 5.1M Euro. Various luxurious amenities and special offerings for its members are included and provide a perfect environment for a great stay in your own residence. Palazzo Tornabuoni will make you fall in love with Florence so you never want to leave again.

Posted By: Peter Rabitz

The Caribbean is a true paradise on earth. Turquise blue water, white sandy beaches, sunny blue sky and exotic vegetation lure thousands of tourists on its islands each year. But, it’s also known as a great place to buy a property either as a holiday retreat or even to become your first residence. Now, the Caribbean announced new residency rules – the Economic Citizen Partnership what allows purchasers to become islands residents.

This Partnership agreement states, that people making a minimum investment of US$350’000 in a property are now entitled to apply for island citizenship. Advantages of a dual citizenship provide the purchaser with better relocation alternatives, ease access to the destination and of course more likely much favourable tax conditions than in many major economies. The first Islands like St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominican Republic, Belize and Dominica (more to follow) who participate in this agreement quickly become sought-after destinations for this type of purchaser.

Posted By: Peter Rabitz

The Canary Islands are an archipelago of seven main islands and six smaller islands in the eastern central Atlantic approximate 100km to 500km western of Morocco. They form one of the 17 self-governing communities of Spain. All islands are of volcanic origin where approximately only 5% of the “Canary Mountains” tower out of the water. One of the main islands is Lanzarote, the most north-eastern of the main islands. The island became a biosphere reserve in 1993 by the UNESCO and measures 58 km from the north (Punta Fariones) to the south (Punta Pechiguera) and 34km in its biggest east-west dimension. Lanzarote’s biggest city is Arrecife with its international airport which connects to the European mainland and some big cities.

The island is dominated by two major mountain ranges. Southward of the Famarra-Massif extends the sand dessert El Jable which divide the Famara–Massif from the Timanfaya National Park. Just bordering with the reserve and in an absolute stunning and one-of-its-kind location you will find a rare Mediterranean/Moroccan influenced property in a commanding position with great views on its surroundings and the ocean. The approximately 450sq.m or 4’800sq.ft villa is located in a tranquil location with an unobstructed view and absolutely privacy. The owner, a Swiss, built the house with care to finishing’s and designed it in a Canary typically charm. He imported many of the features like windows from Switzerland to accomplish his own demand on quality and usability. The rural location and its complete privacy make this villa a great getaway to relax and to find oneself.

Posted By: Peter Rabitz

Old meets new. Classical meets contemporary. To call their house a mere abode would be a gross understatement in fact. From the location and positioning of their home, to the pastel colours chosen for the facade, accentuated by bright red geraniums you can easily tell that this is definitely not the run of the mill when it comes to Maltese houses.

The house, just to put you in the picture, is called Il-Palazz tal-Kontessa (The palace of the countess), and a palace it is. But not in the sense of the oft garish and overly ornate baroque and rococo ambiences generally associated with palaces.

This is a place which oozes with contemporary grandeur. Actually the word which comes to mind is taste, with more than a touch of class too. These people obviously know what they’re doing, they are A-class strategists at planning any space to the most minute of details.

Inside is another matter. If you had any shred of a doubt concerning what these home-owners did for a living, stepping into their front door would confirm any initial speculation or suspicion.

The first two rooms to greet visitors are the working studios. Here functionality and fun meet and literally embrace. The ceiling lights double up as potent fans; the skirting along the walls serves not as a decorative feature, but has rather been devised in such a way to hide all the wiring of the rooms. Books, sketches, swatches of paper and assorted paraphernalia just help give the added feel that this is where the ‘magic’ happens. Moving into the heart of their home, the eye quickly travels along a spacious corridor and settles on an open space with thick transparent glass flooring. This beautifully roofed courtyard is a quasi cloister which doubles up as a mini art-gallery. Interestingly, this space transforms into a modest dancing-floor, which can sustain the weight of some 60 people. And should anyone suffer from vertigo, a faux turf carpet is stashed away and “on call” should the need arise to hide the glass flooring.

Natural light abounds, yet it is suffused by the UV-filtering skylight, and one can only imagine the gorgeous atmosphere this place possesses at night. Needless to say, the place is pointedly punctuated with several design prototypes from their various enterprises; these eye-catching pieces often free-standing, dominate the individual spaces, and could easily be mistaken for contemporary sculptures or installations.

The eye travels further and is met by a lush green garden, complete with a green mosaic swimming-pool, just the right garden furniture and standing lamps – all of which merge perfectly into the natural surroundings whilst simultaneously complementing the overall ambience.

The house is moreover divided into segments, the formal entertaining part on the ground floor comprises a gorgeous wet bar/small sitting room alongside a formal dining room, off of which a children’s room was planned for their ‘younger’ guests. Upstairs however, a much larger sitting room and adjacent library clad with antiques and contemporary pieces alike, establish a true note of excellence the likes of which are only seen in historic house museums.

The kitchen on the other hand, is a spectacle – a haven for any gadget or electric appliance connoisseur. Although it is the room where function prevails, form has definitely not been compromised or sacrificed – even a top chef would have a fieldtrip given the run of such a space.

Their home also boasts an elevator, an ample basement, a sauna, a wine-cellar, a meditation room, walk-in closets and a wonderfully tranquil conservatory-cum-dining area.

All the while the A to Z of the household ensures complete security, child friendliness, and energy efficiency, without compromising on the entertainment, fun, style and cutting-edge design.

The Palace of the Countess - Luxurious Villa on Malta - View this property for all details >>

Posted By: Peter Rabitz

While in 2001 and 2003 government has seen 80 billions Euros repatriated to Italy, with over 20% of these funds flowing into real estate, there is a similar picture these days. So far, Italy’s third tax amnesty, so called Scudo Fiscale, has brought in an estimated 95 billion Euros already. Owner of the repatriating cash will have to pay a one-off 5 percent penalty, but than they can invest the rest or pay into an account. There is no doubt that the new money flowing back to Italy will be used in a variety of ways. It is expected that much of this will find its way into the property sector as analysts estimate as well. The effect might be positively driving the market from 2010.

Analysts are not sure yet how much will be invested in real estates and also when it will hit the market. People might park the money for a while, waiting for the market to become more interesting. Regions who will benefit the most from the repatriation cash flow might be Lombardy, Emilia Romagna, Veneto and Tuscany, whereby Tuscany is still pretty much dominated by foreigners as it proved quite stable during the recent economic turmoil’s. BUT, also in Tuscany, prices where put under pressure. Old Tuscan farmhouses in great locations are still on shopping lists of wealthy foreigners. 2010 will be the year of the breakthrough for fractional in Europe with several new fractional developments in place or to be launched. One of the great examples is Castello di Casole near Siena, a fractional ownership model for beautiful farmhouses offering the finest luxury amenities part with fine Tuscan living. As far for repatriating Italians, professionals and small businessmen are among those to take advantage of the tax amnesty and they are also expected to invest in real estate.

In general it can be said, that the overall impact on the market by Italy’s Scudo Fiscale will not be extraordinary and more likely niches such as high-end residential property will benefit more than others.

Posted By: Peter Rabitz

In 2001, King Mohammed VI announced his vision during the National Meeting on Tourism, and since Morocco has officially been engaged in a new tourist policy, the ambitious plan is aimed to increase tourist arrivals to around 10 million over the next years. State has begun to set up tourism as a national economic priority focusing major developments such as the improvement of Morocco’s infrastructure in general, and the countries pleasantness for investments. In fact and quite in contrast to most countries in Africa and the Middle East, Morocco has long emboldened foreigners to buy and invest in property in the country. Foreign investors are welcome to buy, rent and invest in land and real estate almost freely (except agricultural land). “The 2010 Vision” sets itself the goal of achieving the following figures-based objectives:

• Based on tourist arrivals, it is planned to reach 10 million of tourists against 5,5Million in 2005, 7 million of 10 million are supposed to be international tourists;
• Increase of hotel capacity, 160.000 beds will be created (130.000 beds in coast line tourist resorts and developments and 30.000 beds in the cultural destinations of the country), putting the national capacity up to 230.000 beds;
• Investments: the volume should reach 8 to 9 billion Euros, (planning of the new sea tourist resorts, infrastructures, hotel trade and entertainment);
• Jobs: 600.000 new jobs will be created;
• Contribution of tourism to the GDP: this contribution should annually rise by 8.5% (on average), which would bring it to around 20% by the year 2010 Despite the global slowdown over the last few years, the government has continued to increase investing on construction and regeneration of its transport infrastructure. Since 2007, Morocco’s economy has grown at a quite impressive number despite the overall economic situation (2007: 2.7%, 2008: 5.6%, 2009: estimated 5.0%).

The real estate market hasn’t been hit that heavy like in some neighboring countries or close by European states. However, Morocco has seen also a decline in prices especially in the high-end property. Demand in the lower sector is still strong and government is working to reduce housing shortage for the low- and medium income housing. Supply on the second home market will also increase when finishing all six large resorts which are part of the government’s national tourism strategy “Plan Azur”. Another issue what will affect the second home property market are flight connections from and to Morocco. Several low-cost carrier cancelled routes from some European locations to some of the main resort locations in Morocco. These flight connections will definitely impact the success of some of the resorts. Foreigners such as UK and French buyer depend on their decision where to invest on easy accessibility of their vacation home.

Riads are still in demand by foreign buyers. Cities like Casablanca, Fes and of course Marrakech lead the list of the sought-after locations for riads. The traditional Moroccan houses within the ancient cities also called Medina, are the most charming way to explore the Moroccan lifestyle of living. However, speaking for Marrakech, we have seen an increase in supply what will impact prices especially in the high-end sector. Like always, it all depend on location and uniqueness so some properties will prove their asking prices.

Morocco as being the country of the ‘Thousand and the one Nights’ still benefits from a more and more increasing media presence about jet setters and famous celebrities visiting the country. In a result to that, new 5* hotels open its doors to the wealthy clientele like the La Mamounia. Marrakech for example is home to not less than 27 of its kind. Of course, the lifestyle, exotic food and vibrant bustling life proof Morocco’s appeal not only for tourists.

Posted By: Peter Rabitz

Bilanz Homes, Switzerland’s real estate magazine just published a very interesting article on some of the world’s most interesting tax havens worth to by a property. Switzerland itself is one of the investment friendliest countries in the world so Swiss citizens more likely looking for a place to escape the cold and wet winter weather, but where they still enjoy financial advantages.

Countries on that list who are offering a very mild and warm climate, white sandy beaches with palm trees and a relaxing lifestyle are St. Kitts, Bahamas , Croatia and Malta just to name a few. St. Kitts for example features a very tax friendly climate for foreigners. The 168 square miles big island, part of the British Commonwealth, is a independent country located in the northern group of the Antilles and only approx. 2000km south-east of Miami, Florida. Besides its stunning beaches and crystal blue water it also offers no income tax, no capital gain tax and no inheritance tax. When purchasing a property, there is a 6% stamp duty of the sales price and further 0.2% to be paid into a state insurance fond. The annual property tax is 0.2% of the market value. A nice side effect when buying in St. Kitts is that you will be able to become resident when buying real estate worth more than $400’000. So without a doubt, this is really of interest if you are living in a country where it’s of great advantage to be able to hold dual citizenship so traveling for example will become easier.

One of the rising stars in Europe as being a tax haven is Malta, a small island in the Mediterranean Sea south-west of Italy. The small country with a population of round about 400’000 and with one of the lowest GDP’s in Europe joint the EU in 2004 and the Euro zone in January 2008. Furthermore its part of the Schengen Country. Malta has a unique tax infrastructure featuring very interesting fiscal incentives not only for individuals but also for organizations. Malta has no value added tax and no sales tax. A 5% transfer duty has to be paid when purchasing real estate on the island. There are also no regularly recurring taxes or fees on properties. Officially, you don’t generate income with real estate so there is also no income tax to be paid. A foreign individual who takes tax residence in Malta, is taxed at 15% on the income brought into Malta, whilst organizations that set up a real office in Malta, although still attract a corporate tax of 35%, the foreign shareholders are refunded 30% of the tax within 20 days. Malta is also named “little Hollywood” because its ideal for filming and many box office movies have been shot on the island. The country offers a variety of incentives for aviation and vessel industry. Wetag is offering one of the most sought-after luxury properties on Malta. The townhouse like villa or palazzo is located in Rabat and features stunning interior design by Schembri Design Studio, boasting all luxurious amenities of these days. High end finishing’s and a great setting with the possibility to have also your own office in house make this property a rare find on the island. With all these above mentioned advantages combined with 300 days of sunshine all year round, Malta has seen a huge influx of high net worth individuals, organizations and foreign investment.

Posted By: Peter Rabitz

According to a recently published study by Forbes, European country of Austria is the best retirement haven. Forbes also states that there is no overall paradise and each country is unique. The ranking is based on a variety of criteria ranging from safety to retiree-friendly visa requirements to decent medical care. Earlier this year, Vienna already gained first place in a ranking for cities offering the best quality of lifestyle so the country’s ranking doesn’t come by surprise. Austria scores with high standards in lifestyle and medical service. The countries private clinics are world-class. The charming architecture in Vienna impresses thousands of tourists each year and some choose the city to stay there for a longer time. Thailand holds the second position for being the best place for retirees considering its comfortable warm climate and best buys for quality health care at reasonable cost within Asia. Thailand is perfect for living on modest budgets. Thailand also features great upscale living with exciting architecture. Dolce Vita in Bella Italia makes Italy come in third. Without a doubt, Italy is well known for its famous food with its olive oil, grilled vegetables and homemade pasta as well as all the beautiful cities with its old and charming architecture, but what is quite new to me, it also scored with the less known fact that it is supposed to have one of the world’s best health care systems. One of the most sought-after regions to life is Tuscany with its famous Tuscan style villas and farm houses. The unappreciated 4th place is taken by Panama. Well known for its low taxes, the country also offers year-round sun, massive discounts for seniors, quality private hospitals, a dollar economy and great accessibility from the US and Europe. Panama City is also considered safest of all Central American cities and last but not least it’s a great business centre in Central America not only because of the famous Panama Canal. Real estate is considered good deal with high standards. The list of the 10 Best Retirement Havens is continued by Ireland, Australia, France, Malaysia, Spain and Canada. I am just wondering what place Switzerland comes in, but maybe the overall quite higher cost of living are the fault to have Switzerland not making it in the top ten.

Posted By: Peter Rabitz

Ueli Schnorf, CEO of Wetag Consulting, the exclusive affiliate of Christies Great Estates for southern Switzerland, attended the annual conference in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. More than 100 of the leading real estate brokerages from around the globe, all active in the high end luxury real estate market, came together to discuss market situations, important current updates in luxury real estate, and kept a strong focus on networking news. The summit was held at The Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston which provided an elegant old-world-charm background for the attendees. The conference, with its slogan “Meeting the Challenges of Today’s Market”, was a cutting-edge luxury real estate forum specially targeted to principals and senior management to discover new ideas to strengthen their business. Wealth and mortgage experts presented opportunities. Panel discussions featuring the network’s trend-spotters were focusing on the latest innovative marketing, social networking, and recruiting strategies. Ueli Schnorf said: “As a panellist of the “Risk Management in the Age of Social Networking” session, I explained about Wetag Consulting’s engagements in Blogging, Facebook, Twitter and Co and what Wetag’s experiences are”. After two days of successful meetings and seminars, I was invited by Melanie Delman, our Christies affiliate of luxury real estate firm Lila Delman Real Estate, to spend the weekend at the Carnegie Abbey Club where I stayed in the Royal Dornach Cottage. Together with friends and business partners José Ribes Bas of Rimontgo in Spain, and Philip Sherry of Sherry Fitz Gerald, Ireland, we were taken care of in the most generous way by Melanie Delman and Catherine Gazder of Lila Delman. We all hope that the Delman crew who spent a night with us at famous Boom Boom Room, don’t see their image and name damaged too much by their wild European ‘cousins’…..

I toured some of the greatest properties on Rhode Island currently on the market. We have seen the gorgeous penthouse at the Carnegie Abbey Club which is on the market for $14.5mio and the Puesta del Sol property, also located on the grounds of the Carnegie Abbey Club. Afterwards we toured two of the most prestigious mansions on Rhode Island. The first was Gray Graig which is owned by famous actor Nicholas Cage. Gray Craig is an estate of unparalleled refinement. The setting for this remarkable home is stunning, 27+acres of lush landscape, dramatically extending to Nelson Pond with outstanding views of the Atlantic Ocean beyond. All I can say is: Very very beautiful property indeed. No less impressive than Gray Graig was Oakwood, the next important property we visited and where we had cocktails. Oakwood is revered as one of the finest historic properties of coastal New England. Its traditional setting and interior design is stunning and perfect into the last detail. It was amazing to see what great properties are currently on the market and they are almost a steal compare to other listings in the world.”

Posted By: Ueli F. Schnorf

Como, especially Lake Como is well-known world wide not only because of its dream like setting, but more likely because of its very famous resident, George Clooney, who is living part-time in his beautiful period time villa in Cernobbio, a village right on the western shore of Lake Como and opposite the city of Como. However, the region of Lake Como is also known for its large period style mansions either direct on the lake or nestled on the hills surrounding the lake with beautiful panoramic views.

Just recently, I came across a fascinating remodeling of a former monastery located in the outskirts of the city of Como which has been converted into a residential complex where the young architecture firm JM Architecture connected two adjacent units into a stunning duplex apartment.

The shape of the original units is clearly enhanced by the different pitched ceiling direction as well as by their different heights. The architect and owner of JM Architecture, Jacopo Mascheroni, thought to keep the shell intact, maintaining the entire length of the unit open and invading the space minimally. In a result to that, he placed an enclosed box on one side containing a small bedroom and two bathrooms. The rest of the unit is dominated by a huge open space featuring all the main functions of the home. When entering the home through the main entry, the very small foyer creates a sense of compression before entering the main gallery where the spacious open living space features a grandiose living area, open kitchen and dining, all separated from the master bedroom by a lacquered block. A great gimmick is a video projector who is screening pictures on the wall above the kitchen. To allow the maximum projection surface, the upper kitchen cabinets are hidden behind the wall and slide down with a motorized system. An almost sculptural element of the home is the staircase, which is an assembled steel beam with open treads made by a cantilever steel plate covered in wood. Jacopo Mascheroni explains further characteristics and details of its work: “Canadian maple has been carefully selected for the hardwood floors, and since maple wood isn’t stable with radiant floor heating, the floor planks were custom built with 2.5mm Canadian maple top and back layers on a particle board. The 20cm width of the floor planks modulate the position of all the elements, from the walls to the millwork. The floor planks also run up the master suite wall, which is lit by an upper light cove.

All perimeter walls and ceilings hide an additional layer of thermal insulation and the bathrooms are equipped with radiant panels in the ceiling. The walls adjacent to other units have been covered with a led layer to give additional acoustical insulation. Glacier white Corian is used for counter tops and sinks in the kitchen, laundry room and bathrooms, for the bath-tub, showers and parts of the bathroom walls. The house is fully automated and is managed by a server located in the studio on the second level. Everything has been custom designed, including the entire kitchen, bathroom sinks, beds, dining table, desks and bath-tub.”

Without a doubt, this duplex is a great example of Italian design and architecture skills and is fascinating by its minimalistic style and ingenuity.

Posted By: Peter Rabitz