Berlin, Germany – no other German city is linked that tight to the country’s history. Berlin has been and still will be a focal point of Germanys politics and is also becoming an even more important player in the lifestyle world by all world wide metropolises. Berlin’s Mercedes Benz Fashion Week or the international film festival Berlinale have put Germany’s capital into the first row of international interest not only by members of the movie or fashion industry. More and more creative and lifestyle oriented PR, marketing, advertising and media companies made Berlin their global hub and want to profit from the city’s energy. Most foreigners feel set back in times when New York or London radiated this certain and very special flair.

After the wall came down, the city quickly metamorphosed from a more likely working class dominated development into a more lifestyle and quality of life influenced metropolis. Still, there are other German cities such as Hamburg, Munich or Düsseldorf which are better known for their high-end living and luxury lifestyle throughout, but Berlin experienced a higher than average demand for luxury living these days. High end real estate, especially in Berlin’s city center, is rare and much sought-after.

With Yoo Berlin by architect Eike Becker and iconic design star Philippe Starck, this demand should be satisfied to the highest expectations. On a history-charged location, right in the middle of Berlin Mitte and on site of the former and famous Friedrichstadtpalast, the new crystal like solitaire will be home to luxury apartments, penthouses and townhouses as well as a hotel inclusive Wellness-spa, bar and a café.

Thursday, September 16^th 2010, marked another milestone in the developments progress. Representatives of the development like John Hitchcox (co-founder of YOO), Berlins Cabinet Building Director Regula Lüscher, Dr. Thomas Wolfelsberger (CEO of Peach Property Group) and Eike Becker (Architect of Yoo Berlin) (f.l.t.r. at the main photo) executed the groundbreaking ceremony with a symbolic turn of the first spade full of earth.The first phase of construction consists of all the foundation works where more than 350 concrete piles will be brought in the swamp like underground almost 35m deep. The construction of approx. 124 underground parking spaces, special construction is needed due to the Berlin’s typical sandy and hydrated grounds. Once the costly foundation work is completed, the building can go up. Yoo Berlin is scheduled for completion by end of 2012. The sale of all real estate available started already and the first residences are sold. Some of the best units facing the river Spree or some of the penthouses boasting amazing views onto Berlin’s skyline are sold already. With a further increasing interest we are confident that Yoo Berlin is as successful as its predecessors in London, Sydney or Munich just to name a few. The Yoo brand became a much sought-after label for high-end living where pretty much each unit is a unique property for itself. Fans of Yoo watch closely all news about any new developments by the Yoo brand because they know the properties not only feature a much sought-after lifestyle, but also offer quite some appreciation of their investments. Feel free to contact us under info@wetaginternational.com to get to know more about this exciting new development. Just wanted to mention that because of the strength of the Swiss Franc against the Euro, an investment in a stylish city dwelling could be of great interest. Not only for your own use, but also to rent it out since there is also an increasing interest for high-end and furnished apartments in Berlin.

Posted by:  Peter Rabitz

There are dozens of great architects these days, but only a handful can be considered iconic, given by their controversial design or ingenuity of their works. Most of them such as luminaries like Frank Gehry, Shigaru Ban, Richard Meier, Tadao Ando, Santiago Calatrava and Rem Koolhaas just to name a few, are also ever-present in medias across the globe. Definitely not to be missed in that list is Daniel Libeskind. Not many architects split their audience that drastic into two opposite camps just by the look of their architecture and Mr. Libeskind is definitely one of them. People either hate or love what he is doing, but it doesn’t go without notice that he is quite successful. Maybe one of his biggest successes has been winning of the Ground Zero design competition where he was chosen to become the lead architect. Unfortunately, his involvement soon was disregarded and narrowed when he got some colleagues on his site who soon took over the overall design process creating a less spectacular architecture for Ground Zero.

Some of Daniel Libeskinds current most recognized works include the Las Vegas MGM Mirage City Center, the Extension to the Denver Art Museum, the Jewish Museum in Berlin, the Military History Museum in Dresden and the Fiera Milano project only to name a few. All its past, current and future works make him one of the big players in commercial architecture leaving some people dreaming of a Daniel Libeskind designed single-family-residence to call it their own Libeskind. Up to that point a few months ago where he announced his latest coup – the design of “The Villa-Libeskind Signature Series.”

The New York-based architect has teamed up with the German builder Proportion to produce a limited-edition series of 5,500-square-foot dwellings dubbed “Villa Libeskind.”

“This is the first small intimate house that I have designed for an individual or a family, which really reaches into the depths of a new experience of living and architecture,” says Libeskind, who calls the residence a “walk-in sculpture.” A prototype was unveiled in October 2009 in Datteln, Germany, on the campus of Rheinzink, the zinc panel manufacturer, where the villa serves as their welcome center what led into a slightly different use than the villa was originally planned.

This first week in September, I was able to finally make a trip to visit the prototype. We at Wetag Consulting market the projects first to be built villa on a beautiful lot in a sloping hillside position in Locarno/Orselina, Switzerland, overlooking gorgeous Lake Maggiore. It is a very prominent but still hidden location what totally reflects the building’s story. Daniel Libeskind designed the building like a crystal growing from rock, where a dramatic structure emerges from the ground.

Turning into the parking lot of Rheinzink, your eyes will immediately focus on the villas imposing appearance. Without a doubt, the building is right away recognized as a work of Daniel Libeskind. A trio of interlocking architectural bands envelops the Villa in striking angles, creating a dramatic, asymmetrical interior of spiraling, two-story peaks and smooth transitions to secluded terraces. Mimicking the Jewish Museum in Berlin and other architectural masterpieces by Daniel Libeskind, the Villa’s exterior is enveloped by an elegant standing-seam zinc façade, which enables the use of 21st Century technologies such as a solar thermal system and a rain water harvesting system.

Entering the entrance area, the dramatic lines and the allegedly wild use of angles continues in the interior as well, shaping a dramatic and eye catching living space. The ground floor consists of 2 rooms which could work as bedroom, library, home office, guest quarters or whatever else you would like them to be. The entrance area with the staircase, leading to the upper floor with all the private areas, is divided by a wall from the loft like open living room, featuring an open kitchen (optionally also designed by Libeskind) as well. Floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides flood the living area with natural light. Incline planes, Libeskind like ribbon windows, light wells and strange angles in the villas overall construction proof the building to be an original Libeskind throughout and give it an even surreal guise. It’s not a secret, but “The Villa-Libeskind Signature Series” is not for everyone. The future owner should be an architectural enthusiast, should love design and most of all should appreciate and understand Daniel Libeskind’s design language. In my opinion, gallery owners, artists, creative’s or similar will have their joy on this villa and will most likely impress not only their friends and acquaintances, but also their neighbors.

Posted By: Peter Rabitz

Condé Nast Traveller is a magazine dedicated to travelling all over the world. The fifth annual Gold List is a selection of hotels around the world that spoils their guests with the best rooms, service, food, location, ambience and design as well leisure facilities. Parameter of this ranking is explained by Condé Nast Traveller as the following: “ Entries include the edited comments of readers and are intended to reveal a property’s character rather than to catalog its facilities. Each score represents the percentage of respondents who rated a property excellent or very good on specific criteria. Criteria for hotels, resorts, and cruise lines vary. Rates ($, $$, $$$, and $$$$) reflect the average price for a double room in 2009. The Gold List is based on data collected from the annual Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Survey; to qualify for inclusion in these rankings, a property had to receive a required minimum number of responses.”

I was not surprised when I read the announcement that Soneva Fushi has been awarded by Condé Nast Traveller Gold List 2009 as one of the best locations to stay. “No news, No shoes” is not only the slogan of this great island resort it’s also a refreshing way of lifestyle separating from other destinations. The eco friendly environment where the furniture is built from renewable or sustainable sources, and bathrooms are open to private gardens, offers a relaxing and very laid back surrounding for all stressed business people and one or the other celebrity.

Soneva Gili, also in the Maldives, made it on the Gold List for Best Rooms what is again, no surprise to me. Couple Weeks ago I stayed in both “resorts” and only can agree and totally confirm that they have been honored with good reason.

Imagine living in a house where you can not only enjoy being in of the greatest spots in Thailand, but also the great and eco-friendly design married with top of the line service and treatment. That’s Soneva Kiri Private Residences on Koh Kood, Thailand where you can own your very own hideaway by Six Senses. It will be truly an experience unparallel like no other.

Fractional ownership seems to be the “Messiah” of owning a vacation home abroad. Without a doubt, this is definitely the trend in luxury real estate for the next years. Just recently, the World Forum on Fractional Ownership was held in London, England, an event which was sold out do to the overwhelming popularity of the hottest new trend in real estate. Professionals from all over the globe met to listen to hot market tips from fractional ownership gurus.

Fractional Ownership, unlike its predecessor vacation timeshare, offers the investor a real equity stake in the asset, in most cases the assets are vacation properties, or unique residences in idealistic locations. The concept of fractional ownership developed in the US quite a time ago and is now on its worldwide march to victory. Many developer look closely to the opportunities given by fractional ownership and realize its potential long term benefits as a business model. In simple terms, it allows the participants to co-own an asset, and to share the costs, and to benefit from maximum utilization.

Take a look at the following example of great fractional ownership opportunity. Castello di Casole is a five star luxury resort and residence club currently under development. Located within easy proximity to Siena and Florence, this historic estate is also home to the 18th century Castello, what will house an intimate 41-suite plus luxurious penthouse hotel. Several villas are being restored or will be restored where you can purchase 1/10th share to become part owner of that property. This will enable you to spend a certain amount of time in the year in your property, but also rent it out for your income. The property is managed by a well known managing group, what will take care of all arising problems you would usually have to deal with. They also manage the rental of your property. This is a fantastic opportunity to own your own little Tuscany.

Posted By: Peter Rabitz

Living in New York or any other packed cities makes it very difficult to find a parking space for your car. Also you might be tired of scratches in your car paint, kicked off exterior rear-view mirror, snapped off antennas and all other dents and dings on your car.

If that’s the case, then you should look after a new form of inner city living. CarLoft© in Berlin is a pioneering modular loft scheme with a garden and a garage on every floor. All brand new flats are coming at least with one adjacent parking space known as the CarLoggia. Imagine, you are on your way home, tired from work, peeved by the traffic and totally frustrated by looking for a parking space near your house; what else could be better than just call the CarLift while you getting closer to the house (actually, this is happening automatically by a transponder in your car which knows that you are authorized to enter and also which story to take you to). You enter the lift who is already awaiting you and you will be brought up to your loft, right in front of your door. How much more lazy can life be?

Posted By: Peter Rabitz

Spain, more likely hit by the worldwide turmoil, and Portugal seem to be on their jump back on everyones vacation property list - at least for golf properties.

A recent report by KPMG identified Portugal and Spain as the countries likely to emerge as the next “hot spots” for golf. Golf tourism is expected to continue to grow more quickly in Portugal than any other country in Europe, including Spain. Green fees on a weekend round on a course cost only an average of €78 in Portugal compared to €121 in the Emirates. Just add the year round mild temperatures and Portugal’s golden beaches and sunny blue sky’s and you will definitely consider Portugal your next second home location. There are several amazing golf property developments like the “troiaresort”, one of the most exciting new developments in Portugal. This exclusive residential and golf resort is located south of Lisbon on a spectacular ocean peninsula setting, featuring more than 12km of amazing beaches and encompassing the existing championship Tróia Golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr.

Golf properties in Spain spoil their residents with exclusiveness and stunning setting like at the La Zagaleta Country Club, located at the heart of one of the most sought-after areas of the Costa del Sol and only a few kilometers from famous Puerto Banús. Residences in this area belong to the most desirable real estate in Spain and feature luxurious lifestyle throughout. Palazzo delle Luce is one of the most important mansions within La Zagaletta Golf & Country Club and offers quality and luxury finishing and interiors. No less remarkable are properties in Marbella. Marbella, famous as celebrity hot spot, offers numerous stunning villas in one of Spain most well-known location. Beautiful beaches, great nightlife with restaurants and bars and private estates near some of Spain’s best golf courses can be found at this idyllic spot.

Posted By: Peter Rabitz