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      in Vacation Homes

      This Wooded Private Island in Canada Can Be Yours for $1.5 Million

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      While the thought of an island may bring about visions of a tropical destination, that’s not always the case. For those who seek complete seclusion in a less sultry climate, this picturesque private island in Canada is the ultimate wilderness escape.

      The two-and-a-quarter-acre wooded oasis, dubbed Island 7, is located in the middle of Cowichan Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes on southern Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Nestled amidst thick pine forests and reachable only by boat, the island boasts a ten-person dwelling and a large dock ideal for swimming, sunning, kayaking, or fishing. The cabin is powered by an off-grid system that includes an array of solar panels but don’t worry, there’s also full cell service to keep in touch with the outside world, plus a genny shed as a backup.

      The island’s cabin features cathedral ceilings and a wood stove.

      Silas Poon/Unique Properties

      “One of only a handful of private islands on Cowichan Lake, Island 7 is an exceedingly private and accessible recreational retreat,” notes the listing. On the market for a cool $1.5 million CAD (or roughly $1.2 million) with Alan L. Johnson at Colliers International Unique Properties, the centerpiece of the serene, lushly forested spread is a 1,500-square-foot West Coast-style estate that keeps things simple and rustic. Think soaring cathedral ceilings, tons of exposed timber beams, a large deck, and oversized windows that frame the surrounding mountains and water.

      In addition to the wood-clad residence, there are also lots of fun amenities that let you enjoy lake life, like a wood-fired hot tub, a studio workshop for artsy types, and plenty of pristine low-bank shoreline, which means you’re able to walk directly to the water and back. This being an island, there won’t be any other humans except for the guests you bring along, but do do expect to find wildlife aplenty.

      There are views of Cowichan Lake from every room.

      Silas Poon/Unique Properties

      Cowichan Lake is about a 90-minute drive from Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, and is considered the second-largest body of fresh water on Vancouver Island. Come summertime, the lake is the perfect venue for canoeing, water skiing, paddle boarding, or bird watching. Of course, if you’re ever interested in leaving your own private island paradise and want to check out the mainland, there are plenty of scenic hiking trails, bike trails, and campgrounds to explore.

      Click here to see more photos of Island 7.

      Silas Poon/Unique Properties

      Authors

      Abby Montanez

      Abigail Montanez is a staff writer at Robb Report. She has worked in both print and digital publishing for over half a decade, covering everything from real estate, dining, travel and topics…

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      in Vacation Homes

      Island 7 in Photos

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      Published on December 28, 2023

      Silas Poon/Unique Properties

      Authors

      Abby Montanez

      Abigail Montanez is a staff writer at Robb Report. She has worked in both print and digital publishing for over half a decade, covering everything from real estate, dining, travel and topics…

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    • 175 Shares129 Views

      in Luxury

      Rams Quarterback Matt Stafford Throws Down a Record $28 Million on an L.A. Estate

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      Out in the famously affluent Southern California community of Hidden Hills, the sales price record has been broken once again. An all-new spec mansion set atop a high ridge has quietly transferred for $28.2 million, making it the priciest area home ever sold and comfortably besting a $26 million Hidden Hills deal recorded earlier this year.

      Records reveal the buyers are Matthew and Kelly Stafford, he the $160 million man who led the Los Angeles Rams to Super Bowl LVI victory. As it turns out, the couple’s new mansion on the hill happens to sit right next door to a 1980s red-brick house and vineyard that the Staffords have owned since March 2022, when they bought it for $10.5 million. With the acquisition of the more modern estate next door, they now preside over a 3-acre compound with two extravagant homes and two swimming pools, all of it collectively valued at nearly $40 million.

      An aerial view shows Stafford’s new $28 million house (right) next door to the $10.5 million vineyard estate he bought last year. Combined, the two estates give him more than 3 acres of prime hilltop land.

      Google Earth

      The Staffords really love Hidden Hills—they’ve now owned at least five houses in the guard-gated neighborhood within the past three years alone. Last year, they sold a glassy mansion elsewhere in the enclave for $21 million to private aviation CEO Bill Papariella.

      And while it was just built this year, the new Stafford homestead lies atop hallowed celebrity ground. After all, the hilltop lot represents one-half of a giant property once owned by Jennifer Lopez, who lived there from 2010-2017. During Lopez’s ownership, the estate sported a huge house that she extensively redecorated. But in 2021, that older mansion was demolished, and the estate was broken up into two separate parcels. Stafford’s $28 million house sits on one of those parcels, while the other parcel is occupied by another brand-new spec mansion that’s currently listed for sale on then open market, saddled with a whopping $40 million asking price.

      Stafford’s new house and the house next door replaced Jennifer Lopez’s former Hidden Hills mansion, which was demolished in 2021 by developers.

      Google Earth

      Since construction was only recently completed on Stafford’s new home, and the property sold entirely off-market, we were unable to dig up any interior photos. But online resources reveal confirm the place is huge—sporting at least 15,000 square feet of living space—and is a striking glassy contemporary-meets-modern farmhouse sort of structure, with a dash of Napa Valley retreat style thrown in for good measure. The many-gabled roofline is juxtaposed against broad expanses of glass and a wood- and stone-sided exterior.

      Hidden Hills, a guard-gated community deep in L.A.’s San Fernando Valley, has become the unofficial hangout spot for the Rams. In addition to Stafford, other residents include Cooper Kupp, Jalen Ramsey, Aaron Donald and Sean McVay. More

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      in Vacation Homes

      These New Beachfront Condos in Tulum Will Each Have a Private Plunge Pool

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      Tulum has long been a popular getaway for travelers, but there’s a new residential development raising the bar for luxury real estate in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.

      INKU Tulum, a high-end boutique condominium defined by its asymmetrical, curvilinear balconies draped with plantings, is part of the 130-acre master-planned Selvazama community by D&G Tulum Developers. The 12-unit property merges cutting-edge architecture with sustainable design and takes its inspiration from its tropical surroundings. The homes range in size from two- and three-bedroom condos to two-story penthouses, priced up to $1.3 million. Construction on the project is expected to be completed at the end of 2024. 

      “INKU Tulum, born out of our profound love for Tulum, encapsulates the essence of this captivating destination by seamlessly blending Caribbean allure, Mexican culture, and the lush jungle landscape,” developers Michael Dee and James Gold said in an email to Robb Report. “As a testament to our vision, INKU, meaning ‘my nest’ in Mayan, stands as a harmonious retreat, honoring local history and natural beauty.”

      Each of the 12 condos at Selvazama’s INKU Tulum will have a pool.

      Courtesy of Selvazama Tulum

      Highlights of the homes include buyers’ choice of a private plunge pool on the biomorphic balcony of the upper units or, if you’re located on the ground floor, a meandering, full-sized swimming pool. The condos will also sport additional water features, high-quality finishes, open-plan living and dining areas, and 24/7 security. Residents will also have access to concierge services, which can handle everything from airport transfers to dinner reservations and spa bookings.

      “We understand what makes the biggest difference to those looking to invest and live in this beautiful space,” the developers told Robb Report. “Socially and environmentally responsible, INKU fosters local employment, utilizes sustainable materials, and sponsors community initiatives, embodying a commitment to both luxury and community well-being in the heart of Tulum.”

      The residences will feature sustainable materials and pay homage to its jungle environment.

      Courtesy of Selvazama Tulum

      In addition to INKU Tulum, the Selvazama community is also planning for two luxury villas to join its residential portfolio. Dubbed Casa Cinq and Casa Siet, the properties are part of 11 custom-built home sites inside the ultra-exclusive, guard-gated Mondo neighborhood. Casa Cinq measures more than 2,800 square feet with four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms. Meanwhile, Casa Siet spans over 5,225 square feet with five bedrooms and five-and-a-half bathrooms. Both will comprise fully-equipped kitchens and living areas that spill out to tons of outdoor space to enjoy the scenery. Elsewhere, the Selvazama development, when complete, will comprise a hotel component, Mexico’s first sustainable school, retail shops and fine-dining restaurants, a natural park, and exhibitions by local artists.

      Click here to see all the photos of INKU Tulum. 

      Courtesy of Selvazama Tulum

      Authors

      Abby Montanez

      Abigail Montanez is a staff writer at Robb Report. She has worked in both print and digital publishing for over half a decade, covering everything from real estate, dining, travel and topics…

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      in Vacation Homes

      INKU Tulum in Photos

      by

      Modified on December 28, 2023 ,

      Published on December 27, 2023

      D & G Tulum Developers

      Authors

      Abby Montanez

      Abigail Montanez is a staff writer at Robb Report. She has worked in both print and digital publishing for over half a decade, covering everything from real estate, dining, travel and topics…

      Read More More

    • 138 Shares99 Views

      in Luxury

      Zoe Saldana Drops $17 Million on a Grand Old Montecito Estate

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      Today’s real estate market is sluggish, but Zoe Saldana has not been deterred by the slowdown. Last week, the Daily Mail revealed—and property records confirm—that the prolific Hollywood actress, 45, was the buyer who earlier this year paid $17.5 million for a historic estate in prime Montecito, complete with sweeping mountain and ocean views.

      Built circa 1930, the home was designed by prolific Santa Barbara architect George Washington Smith. In 1933, following Smith’s death, the Spanish Revival-style villa was expanded by Lutah Maria Riggs, the noted pioneer who became Santa Barbara’s first licensed female architect. In the 90 years since, much of the estate’s original period details have survived — the light fixtures, tilework and windows remain largely intact — though the place has also seen upgrades over the years.

      Owned by the same family for the past several decades, the house first hit the market last December, asking $18.9 million. It’s perhaps not surprising that Saldana saw the place as a prime candidate for an overhaul—as noted by Siteline Santa Barbara, the quirky old house has a very atypical floorplan. There are two guest bedrooms on the main floor, neither of which currently sports an ensuite bathroom. The kitchen, while large, appears to have undergone an unfortunate 1980s remodel. And upstairs, there’s a third guest bedroom that is only accessible via traipsing through the carpeted master bedroom.

      The rambling 1930s mansion is surrounded by lush grounds equipped with a swimming pool and full-size tennis court.

      Google Earth

      Still, some quirkiness is to be expected in an old house, and charm abounds here. There are rambling hallways that seem to go on forever, a gorgeous wood-paneled library with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, intricately crafted ceilings, and grand public rooms with big windows.

      And then there are the 4.7 acres of grounds, where vast terraces spill out to gardens containing dozens of ancient oaks, charmingly overgrown flowers and grassy lawns. A proper north/south tennis court abuts a classically oval swimming pool. Also on the estate are a detached art studio, a guesthouse with ocean views, two three-car garages and a two-bedroom staff apartment attached to the main house.

      In addition to their newly-acquired Montecito classic, Saldana and her husband Marco Perego also maintain a lavish tennis court estate in the mountains above Beverly Hills. That property, once owned by Kimora Lee Simmons, was up for grabs at $16.5 million over the fall but is now available for longterm lease at a princely $47,500 per month. More

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      in Luxury

      Restoration Hardware’s CEO Pays $28 Million for His Second Malibu Beach House

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      Move over Larry Ellison, there’s a new mogul cutting into your longtime Malibu turf. On exclusive Carbon Beach, where Ellison owns no fewer than 13 houses, two eye-catching contemporary homes recently sold. Back in August, a 5,600-square-foot 1990s build went for $26.7 million, and now a 4,000-square-foot stunner about 12 doors away just closed for $28.5 million.

      Records reveal both lavish beach houses were bought by the same man: Gary Friedman, the billionaire chief executive of the high-end furnishings juggernaut formerly known as Restoration Hardware.

      It’s not clear why Friedman wants or needs two spacious and vaguely similar-looking houses on the same stretch of sand, but it’s entirely possible that one will serve as his temporary “crash pad” while the other is undergoing renovations, or perhaps one is intended to be guesthouse for friends and family.

      Friedman’s second Carbon Beach house is a 1950s structure that’s been radically reimagined in recent years.

      Whatever the case, Friedman’s latest acquisition has a bit of a interesting ownership history. From 2018 until 2021, the house was owned by billionaire Robert F. Smith, who used the place as a high-end income property, frequently renting the place out to short-term tenants. In late 2021, Smith sold the house for $21.8 million to noted property developer Saffron Case and her husband Timothy. The Cases held onto the place for two years, giving it a thorough remodel, before flipping it to Friedman for the aforementioned $28.5 million.

      Guarded by an electronic driveway gate, the redwood-sided structure includes an expansive great room adorned with custom rift cabinetry and plaster walls, plus a separate bar area. Fully remodeled, the kitchen includes stone countertops and white oak cabinetry. Three of the home’s bedrooms are located on the main floor, while the lavish primary suite rungs the full length of the house and includes a private office, a spa-style bathroom and boutique-style closet.

      Out back, a 60-foot wooden deck fronts the beach. Ideal for entertaining, the backyard area also includes a built-in barbecue center, a fire-pit and an outdoor shower for hosing off the sand.

      With just one brief interruption, Friedman has been CEO of RH, the company formerly known as Restoration Hardware since 2001, and has overseen multiple reinventions of the luxury home furnishings retailer. Today, the San Francisco native sports a net worth that tops $1.6 billion, per Forbes. In addition to his two new Carbon Beach retreats, he also maintains a Beverly Hills mansion, that recently popped up for sale with a $44 million asking price. Last year, the San Francisco native sold a half-built Los Angeles estate for $24 million to an anonymous buyer. More

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      in Luxury

      Television Super-Producer Marcy Carsey Drops Millions on Her 13th California House

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      She already owns at least 12 multimillion-dollar homes scattered across Southern California, including four extravagant Malibu properties collectively worth upwards of $150 million, but Marcy Carsey is still flush with syndication cash. And so it’s no surprise that the real estate fanatic and retired TV super-producer (“That ’70s Show,” “Roseanne,” “The Cosby Show,” “3rd Rock From the Sun”) was the buyer who recently shoveled out $5 million for a Brentwood home that’s right next door to another house she already owns.

      Because Carsey’s latest acquisition was never on the market, photos and details are scant. But tax records indicate the modern-style home last sold in 1987, going for about $1.4 million to a non-famous medical doctor. Sited a few blocks south of Sunset Boulevard and originally built in the 1950s, the house offers four bedrooms and three bathrooms in 2,100 square feet of living space. There’s also a detached building of some sort on the 0.32-acre premises, likely a garage but possibly a converted guesthouse. The place is unusually private, set at the end of a tiny cul-de-sac and obscured from public view by multiple palm trees.

      Carsey has owned the house next door since 2007, when she bought it for $4.4 million. But it’s not clear if the legendary TV producer has ever actually spent a night at that 1930s Tudor-style stucture—the property is or was reportedly occupied by her adult daughter Rebecca, while Carsey’s main residence has long been a far larger and more extravagant estate in the nearby Brentwood Park neighborhood.

      Carsey’s latest acquisition gives her a two-house, two-pool compound at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac.

      Google Earth

      Whatever the case, Carsey’s new $10 million compound gives her about two-thirds of an acre on a posh Brentwood cul-de-sac, plus two swimming pools and two houses with a combined 5,600 square feet of living space. The property is just a short drive to the popular Brentwood Country Mart, and a very short walk to Marilyn Monroe’s final residence.

      Carsey, 79, sports a personal net worth widely believed to top $500 million. In addition to her many properties in Malibu and Brentwood, the Massachusetts native also owns homes in the California neighborhoods of Montecito, Pacific Palisades and Westwood, plus a ski chalet in Park City, Utah.

      Carsey’s longtime Malibu estate served as Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston’s extravagant July 2000 wedding venue.

      Getty Images

      Perhaps Carsey’s most impressive—and certainly her most valuable—house is her clifftop mansion on Malibu’s Encinal Bluffs, which happens to sit right next door to Kim Kardashian’s smaller $70 million vacation house. Astute celebrity followers may recall that way back in 2000, Carsey’s Encinal Bluffs estate served as Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston’s heavily publicized wedding venue. More