North America’s Finest Estates 2013 Issue 5

Presented by The Andrea Crossman Group

Enjoy Lake Michigan at its finest in this private, gated family compound with 10 acres, 180 degree views of Lake Michigan and four miles of private beach.

Lake Michigan Waterfront Specialists

The custom-built, 6,500 square foot, three-story home includes five bedrooms and five-and-a-half baths.

The property, which is priced at $1,800,000, also includes a hot tub, sauna, wine cellar, gym, an electric tram to the beach and a huge commercial 80′ x 40′ barn with four commercial doors.

2855 11 Mile Road, Bear Lake, MI 49614 • (616) 355-6387
Waterfront-LuxuryHomes.com

This beachfront site is the crown jewel of Grand Haven! It offers 240 degrees of lakefront and channel views, with over 169 feet of Lake Michigan frontage on the north side of the pier head.

You will never find another beachfront site with this kind of view! Offered at $1,975,000, this two-bedroom, two-bath, 1,800 square foot home can be added on to or enlarged with a 3,500 square foot footprint.

18530 Main Street, Spring Lake, MI 49456-9426 • (616) 355-6387
Waterfront-LuxuryHomes.com

IMI Design Studio And Smart Luxury

Life is too short! It should be lived and it should be lived well. That is luxury!” says Anita Lang of IMI Design, LLC. If “living well” is the true essence of luxury, how can it be incorporated into an interior design? According to Lang, everyone wants the best of the best, from the softest sheets to the most exotic stone floors. There is, however, one consideration …

In a recent TV interview, Lang was asked about budgets. “How expensive is it to work with an interior designer?” asked the AZ-TV anchor woman. Lang smiled. “Budgets can vary drastically, but there is inevitably a number. The only difference is the amount of zeros at the end.” Creating a luxurious experience within that number is what Lang calls her “Smart Luxury.”

“Recently, a client of mine gave me the most wonderful of compliments. She said my design was smart,” Lang says. The reason behind the comment was because Lang and her team at IMI had been able to provide the client with a unique experience within her desired project budget. “I always treat my clients’ money with respect, and that is the heart of my guiding principle: do what is in the best interest of my clients.”

Lang’s Smart Luxury includes a variety of techniques to maintain project costs while producing the beautiful and luxurious design the clients will love. One way to increase the impact of a space is to harness the design of the structure itself through architectural detailing. Another method Lang uses is the incorporation of local, natural materials such as stone, wood and metals. “Not only do these materials bring the local environment into the design, they generally also cut costs on everything from shipping to storage.”

Creating this luxurious experience within the budget without the feel of being “on a budget” is where a designer can bring expertise. “My goal is to guide my clients to where their money will make the biggest impact, where it counts the most.” The end result is a space that provides an impactful and uplifting experience on a daily basis for all who live there.

IMI Design Studio’s Scottsdale studio is located at:
8355 E. Hartford Drive, Suite 100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255.
For more information, visit online at
IMIDesignStudio.com
Allied Member ASID, LEED AP Certified,
NCIDQ Certified, Certified Interior Designer California CID#6539

Rare Rocky Mountain Beauty

Curtis Ridge Ranch is a rare opportunity to own a large parcel of beautiful Colorado high country in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Located in the Williams Fork Valley southeast of the town of Parshall in Grand County, Colorado, this 2,266-acre ranch has a private reservoir and borders the Arapaho National Forest with views of the Williams Fork Reservoir and the Continental Divide.

Throughout the ranch, there are several pristine locations on which to build structures, each having its own private views of the surrounding mountains, meadows, pastures and water features. The current owner has completed a conservation easement on portions of the ranch to ensure the long-term preservation of the open space and scenic values as well as to preserve the natural habitat for wildlife.

The ranch is comprised of native sagebrush and grass rangeland, irrigated hay meadows, aspen/conifer forest and riparian wetland area, and has excellent elk and mule deer habitat, as well as private fishing in Sylvan Reservoir. The ranch is currently used for cattle grazing, hay production, mountain recreation and hunting elk and mule deer. This would make a wonderful family retreat or could be used as a development opportunity.

Mason & Morse Ranch Company
Affiliate of United Country Real Estate
Bill George [email protected]
(970) 485-1052 US$12,533,246
RanchLand.com/CurtisRidge

Private Texas Family Ranch

Enjoy endless scenic views on this luxurious and very private ranch. Boasting the finest improvements, this spectacular property is set on 106 wildlife-exempt acres in the Texas Hill Country, part of the historic “711 Ranch.” Five beautifully positioned and architecturally significant buildings include a main home, pool and party house, detached garage with offices and fitness center, guest home and a metal barn with staff apartment. Built in 2009, 6823 Ranger Creek Road is the epitome of Hill Country architecture.

Limestone and masonry exteriors and standing seam metal roofs are just a few of the green building techniques that were used throughout the property. A well-engineered, eco-friendly 87,000 gallon rainwater catchment system is another unique feature of this luxurious ranch.

The 5,100 square foot main house features a magnificent two-story great room with limestone fireplace, a chief’s kitchen with commercial-grade appliances and large dining room. The first floor also touts a master suite with coffee bar. Throughout the rest of the home are spacious bedrooms, 41/2 baths, and a media room. Expand the entertainment options with a pool and party house which features an air-conditioned gaming area with a full bath and changing room. While outside by the pool, cook your favorite BBQ on the built-in grill with under-counter refrigerator, sink and granite counters.

The other buildings on the property include a fantastic detached garage including a fitness center, full bath, wet bar and large office suite spanning the entire second floor. The very quaint and inviting guest home features a full bath with dual vanity, vaulted and unique ceiling treatments throughout, stained concrete floors, full kitchen, granite counters and covered patios. An insulated metal barn/workshop includes a clear span area for storage, and adjoining the barn is a very nice two-bedroom, one-bath with loft apartment. Located only 40 minutes from San Antonio International Airport, this property was designed for privacy, outdoor recreation and entertaining. Call today for a private tour!

Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty
6823 Ranger Creek Rd, Boerne, TX
Kevin Manner (210) 722-5822
[email protected]
MannerPropertyGroup.com

Canadian Luxury Renaissance

Discriminating buyers in the market for an unparalleled experience in luxury living and a place to call their weekend getaway will want to see this upscale development nestled in the Rocky Mountains near Banff National Park and Canmore. This exclusive retreat is believed to be perfect for those looking for the ultimate blend of natural and manmade beauty, contemporary mountain living and a quiet place to relax and unwind.

The development, when complete, will feature 52 units in eight buildings, each named after a region in Italy: Abruzzo, Brindisi, Capri, Diamante, Elba, Firenze, Genoa and Hortus. The three units available in the current building vary from 1,500 to 4,000 square feet and range from one bedroom to four bedrooms with prices starting at $800,000 to $3 million.

The Renaissance concept is one of retracing the past to the present, with timeless elements that make the development unlike anything else anywhere in the region. Dramatic panoramic views and reverse-pitch roofs with soaring floor–to–ceiling double-paned windows allow you to experience your surroundings from the comfort of your own home.

Each unit has direct access to the parkade and features a gourmet kitchen, two-way fireplaces, natural stone, open-rise staircases, and bathrooms with steam showers and free standing soaker tubs. The upper suites have a private elevator and balcony overlooking the very private inner courtyard which includes a natural gas flame fire pit, hot tubs, and a unique art feature.Ownership includes membership to the Renaissance Club, a resort amenity center members can use to foster balance and wellness in their lives. The club includes a fitness center, yoga room, cool pool, hot tubs and private spa.

World-famous snowfalls, glorious summers and epic skies make the area a year round destination for outdoor adventure or rest and relaxation. The Renaissance is located just minutes away from the Stewart Creek Golf Course, one of the top courses in Alberta. Situated a mere 45 minutes from Calgary, the Renaissance makes the perfect weekend getaway. It is a place to gather the family and to enjoy the majesty of the vast natural surroundings of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Renaissance in Canmore is luxury living redefined … an exclusive invitation to live in perfect balance with nature. This is your time, your Renaissance.

Renaissance Canmore
Calgary Office: 1130, 396 11 Ave SW
Showsuite: 101G Stewart Creek Rise, Canmore AB
(403) 244-9215 • [email protected]
RenaissanceCanmore.com

Exceptional Lifestyle In California Wine Country

Redwood Hill Ranch Vineyard Estate

This extraordinary ranch sits like a crown atop the ridgeline of the Mayacamas, located in Northern California at the heart of Sonoma County Wine Country. This impressive ranch offers all the amenities that define wine country living. Private and serene with unparalleled views and beautiful vineyards.

Sotheby’s International Realty
Sheri Morgensen • BRE# 00554052
[email protected] • (707) 431-0777
2050 Redwood Hill, Santa Rosa CA 95404 • $5,950,000
RedwoodHillRanch.com
UniqueResidences.com

Healdsburg Modern

Stunning modernist home overlooking Healdsburg’s renowned Dry Creek Valley. Soft modern design elements blend harmoniously with the environment creating a warm and inviting retreat in a resort like setting. Artfully designed interiors and additional guest house. Panoramic views, pool, spa, gardens and Petanque court.

Sotheby’s International Realty
Sheri Morgensen • BRE# 00554052
[email protected] • (707) 431-0777
5208 Chemise, Healdsburg, CA 95448 • $3,950,000
5208ChemiseModern.com
UniqueResidences.com

Rocky Mountains Luxury Hidden Beauty

Kessler Canyon is one of the crown jewels of the state of Colorado. Hidden deep within the canyon along the banks of Brush Creek, Kessler Canyon awaits travelers and hunters ready to awaken their adventurous spirits. Spanning across 23,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness on the Western Slope of the Colorado Rockies, this rustic retreat offers luxe facilities and total solitude with plenty of options for guests to discover the magic of the outdoors.

The ranch experience comes complete with inspiring luxury accommodations, gourmet cuisine and a friendly, professional staff attending to guests’ every need. Choices for outdoor recreation activities include everything from guided ATV and Jeep tours, mountain hiking and biking, fly fishing, upland bird and big game hunts, to shooting instruction at the premier Kessler Canyon Shooting Academy.

The detail and artistic inspiration of Kessler Canyon continually amazes guests, from the fine art and handmade bronze statues, to original historic pieces and handcrafted furniture, intricately made by local artisans. Hunting enthusiasts particularly enjoy the Kessler family’s personal trophy collection on display throughout the property, which include local elk, mountain lion, mule deer and black and brown bears, as well as African plains game.

Trophy elk and mule deer dot the landscape on the Kessler property. Remote high-mountain cabins await the big game hunter who traverses the canyons that surround the property. A personal camp cook joins the party to make sure that great food is always there to satisfy a hearty appetite. If high-flying birds are a passion, Kessler Canyon’s pointers and labs will present a wing-shooting day unlike any other – at a location unlike any other.

Those who are searching for the finest shooting and personal defense instruction in the country need to look no further than Kessler Canyon’s Shooting Academy. Pistol, rifle and shotgun training are on the menu – either up close and personal or long-range shooting. Shooters of all skill levels will appreciate the one-on-one instruction found at the academy. If high risk – high net worth personal defense is called for, Kessler Canyon offers both one-on-one and group sessions.

Kessler Canyon’s luxurious accommodations, its quintessential service and five-star amenities provide the perfect setting for guests, whether enjoying the Shooting Academy, a corporate retreat, the hunt of a lifetime or a leisurely getaway with friends and family in awe-inspiring Colorado.

Kessler Canyon
4410 CR 209, DeBeque, CO 81630
(970) 283-1145
KesslerCanyon.com

Stunning California Log Estate

Victory Lodge is an architectural masterpiece set against the backdrop of California’s magnificent Sierra Nevada Mountains. Overlooking Gull Lake, this exclusive 16,400 square foot private residence offers spectacular views of Carson Peak and the June Lake ski area. One of the largest hand-hewn log homes ever built, this nine-bedroom/nine-bath trophy property is an example of masterful craftsmanship.

This exquisite log-and-stone structure blends rustic flavor with top-end amenities. A stunning dual staircase made of matched split logs graces the grand foyer. The expansive great room features a hand-laid stone fireplace with copper finishes, and the room’s towering wall of windows showcases the breathtaking views. The world’s largest elk antler chandelier dazzles from the thirty-foot ceiling.

The home’s large gourmet kitchen features granite countertops, custom cabinetry and state-of-the-art appliances, while the additional commercial-grade butler’s kitchen is perfect for entertaining. An elegant formal dining room accommodates eighteen guests. Spacious bedrooms in the designer-decorated main house are appointed with fireplaces and luxurious en suite baths. The event room is accented by a cherry wood bar, walnut flooring, copper-stamped ceiling and stone fireplace. A sauna, steam room and massage room complete the professionally-equipped gym.

Extensive decks and patios capture the spectacular vistas. Also situated lakeside on this 3.22-acre estate is a Sport Court®. A one-bedroom caretaker’s quarters includes a family room and complete kitchen. The most desirable feature of this extraordinary residence is its setting in the fishing and skiing paradise of June Lake, which is centrally located between Yosemite National Park and the celebrity sports playground of Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort. The Mammoth Yosemite Airport makes this a true destination point for jetsetters.

Sotheby’s International Realty
Gwen Banta
[email protected] • (323) 656-0714
Victory Lodge: 333 Leonard St., June Lake, CA • $14,900.000
GwenBanta.com
VictoryLodgeInfo.com

Sothebys International Realty Hosts

Monterey Car Week Events

Sothebys International Realty agents Michele Altman and David McDonald held a series of special events during Monterey Car Week in August, including a final wrap party for 150 clients at Tres Paraguas, a newly-listed residence designed by visionary designer Ron Mann. Hosted by the Interluxe Group, an experiential marketing agency specializing in the luxury sector; the events were attended by clients including representatives from Monterey Auto Week’s leading automotive marques, along with Mann, Altman and McDonald. Altman and McDonald also provided numerous guests exclusive previews of the property during the week.

The construction of Tres Paraguas was completed this year by Mann, who has been listed as one of Architectural Digest’s top 100 designers year after year. Offered at $36 million, the home occupies its own five-acre hilltop with views extending over Monterey Bay to Jacks Peak Park.

Translated as “Three Umbrellas,” Tres Paraguas includes three large rectangular roofs of corrugated Corten steel mounted on 26-foot high, 30 by 30-inch square columns of Douglas fir. The buildings are designed in the modern pueblo style, with stucco in three earth tones, 18-foot walls and 12-foot pocket sliding glass walls that open to pavilion courtyards and terraces.

“Crafted by true design visionary, this exceptional residence exists in its own private world”, says Altman. “It offers luxury, privacy and a unique approach to California contemporary design, all in one of the most magnificent settings in the Central Coast area. It was an enormous pleasure to welcome our guests to Tres Paraguas during this premier Monterey automotive event week and to introduce them to this extraordinary offering.”

Altman presented exclusive previews of the property on Wednesday and Thursday of Monterey Auto Week, and provided an intimate pit-stop lunch for a group of leading lifestyle and automotive journalists on a special driving tour to Tres Paraguas.

After the conclusion of the annual Concours d’Elegance auto show, which features collector cars and motorcycles on Pebble Beach’s famed eighteenth fairway, Interluxe, Altman and McDonald invited their exclusive clients to celebrate the annual wrap party at Tres Paraguas which was also attended by Mann and Aston Martin’s lead designer. In a party highlight, the 1930 Bentley Blower was parked in front of the property for guests to admire.

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