The first thing people will say when they hear the news, “Does a charity organization need a $500 million headquarters?” You might debate that all night long and question the decision’s sensibility but we believe that its Bill’s money and he has every right to spend it any way he wants… As simple as that. Now with the morality issue out of the way, what is so special about this building that it will cost Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation a whooping $500 million when Russell Investments paid one-third of that for its 42-story building not very far away from the project location.

Add to that the structure to be constructed is just two six-story, boomerang-shaped buildings on 12 acres near the Seattle Center and you can imagine what the interiors of this expensive real estate might look like.

The latest structure that is about to be built will sport a living roof on the parking garage, a million-gallon rainwater storage tank to reduce water use, Gates museum and will try and achieve an LEED Gold Rating just to ensure that it is all green and eco-friendly. So, whether you like the idea or not the headquarters will surely add a new charm to Seattle and if you actually think about it, could help increase both the image and employment opportunities of the city.

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The ‘oh so famous’ intersection of Hollywood and Vine is all set to get even more famous thanks to a grand project that goes by the name of W Hollywood Hotel and Residences. This spectacular feat is being designed by HKS and shall include a 300-room hotel as well as 144 luxury condos spread across the sprawling 40,000 square feet streer-level retail. Boy, this one will definitely be something to watch out for!

An MTA transit plaza, an upscale signature restaurant and a nationally recognised bar, spa, roof top pool and fitness facility will be made an intrinsic part of the project. As for the hotel, it will reflect nothing but unadulterated luxury that too Hollywood style. You will be able to spot so to say ‘movie’ elements like the silver screen being reinterpreted as a rather crisp and clean glass facade. Not to mention the red carpet that will practically follow you everywhere you go on this turf.

The W Hollywood Hotel and Residences will open roof top terraces for public and private funcway, you will have several luxury shopping options too. A stay here would easily cost you an arm and a leg.

Via worldarchitecturenews

The famous Italian fashion label Prada has given things in plenty to put in our wardrobe. But now, the powerhouse of style and exuberance has shifted its focus on to our bookshelf what with the recent unveiling of a ‘big’ (stress intended) book. This 706-page tone has tried to capture 30 years of innovations and experiments in a whole lot of related worlds like art, fashion, cinema, communications and even architecture.

With a simple name like ‘Prada’, this one impresses enough to make a bookworm out of us. Prada Progetto Arte has published this exciting venture that is quite sure to have the entire reading world as well as non-reading world swooning all over.

The main motivation of the endeavour was to illustrate all aspects of fashion and entertainment with a strong dose of history thrown in. The presentation is very appealing and it ensures that there isn’t a single dull moment in your reading experience. You can lay your hands on this heavy collection for your home library at all the Prada stores across the world. The price is 100 Euros.

Via hypebeast

Daniel Radcliffe sure has the best of both worlds – the magic one as well as the one that we all live in. This piece is about the latter. News is that the Harry Potter superstar has just emerged as a pretty serious player on the Big Apple property market. Well for starters he has just bought his third asset in NY that is worth  £4 million. Quite a match for HP co-star Rupert Grint  who bought his fourth home recently, this house has quite an enviable layout.

Spread across a sprawling 3,000 sq. ft, the new house has five lavish bedroom spaces with a 39ft long garden. We are told that this house was built by a sea captan in 1847 for his daughter. So, once can expect a lot of old world charm in this abode.

A Sotheby’s brochure claims that this NY property has one of the most stunning tree-lined landmark cobblestone blocks. Standing 18 feet tall, the house gets ample amount of sunlight all through the day. The landscaping is gorgeous with several old trees lining everywhere.

Via dailymail

If you are one of those privileged ones who love their poohes and are not affected by the financial downturn, then the Alabama dog house from Best friend’s HOME demands your attention. This pooch mansion has been targeted at wealthy pet owners who do not want to leave any stone  unturned in making their furry beasts feel any less special that their masters.

A lot of thought, planning and detailing has gone into the making of the Alabama dog house which comes with its very own lattice windows, real bitumen shingles and even a removable roof that proves quite useful in rain and shine. On top of all this, you get a dormer too to protect the entrance as and when its required.

High quality wood and weather resistant paint have been used to make this dog house. You also have the option of having your dog’s name engraved on the front door. Each of the Alabama dog houses have been made individually. They come in three different sizes with a price tag of €4,050, €4,250 and €4,400 respectively.

Via bestfriendshome

Originally owned by US based Haworth Inc, a manufacturing firm, it was built Smed family of Calgary. The total area of this estate is 27,000 square feet. A main home, guest house, porch and a water tower apart, there is a lounge with fireplace, and a training and conference area.

The main residence measures 15,000 square feet, has seven guest suites, an industrial chef kitchen, dining room and lounge. Its  media room can seat over 20 people. The guest house of 12,000-square-feet has six separate suites. It has been a famous luxury executive retreat, hosting politicians and celebrities.

It has put to rest a prior sale in June 2008 – a six-bedroom Crescent Heights home that garnered $7.5 million.
The Falkridge property has been dubbed an architectural masterpiece.

Other features of the property include heated tile flooring, spa-like ensuites, private balconies with mountain and gold course views.

Via: sothebyrealty

Ritz-Carlton’s award-winning rooftop bar O2 Lounge is located on the hotel’s 12th storey. It has the essence of all that the city has to offer. That Moscow is a mix of the old and new, the modern and the ancient, is visible in all corners. The interiors are luxe. But you have a bit of Russia in all things at the lounge.

It has a sushi bar with sushi prepared using fish flown all the way from Japan’s Tsukiji market! The sushi lounge also has oysters and lobsters. Alternatively, enjoy an afternoon smoke from…hold your breath – hookah pipes made in Czech Republic, from Bohemian Crystal.

Moscow is no longer the communist regime flagship with its soberness, but an economic epicenter. A look at the futuristic glass dome with floor to ceiling system at 02 Lounge signifies the new-age design and couture that the city has embraced.

The lounge also has prism windows, amazing views of the famous St Basil’s Cathedral, Kremlin, Spasskaya tower and Red Square. Or sip those heady cocktails. Demonstration of opening a champagne bottle the old Russian way using a saber is integral.

Via: Luxury Insider

Oh Jesus! How else do you react to the news of a celebrity buying a luxury New York apartment costing $2.73 million for someone who could be best described as a ‘current flame’? The celeb in question is popstar Madonna and the flat is for her boytoy Jesus Luz. Tabloids have been keeping the curious updated on the flaming relationship between the two. And from what we hear, Madge and Jesus are all eager to celebrate a commmitment ceremony, which is really one step short of a wedding!

Madonna has not shied away from declaring to the world that she loves Jesus very much and wants him to stay near her $40 million house in NYC. That said, she isn’t ready to marry him because of her bitter marital experiences from the past.

But that hasn’t stopped the multi-millionaire singer from pampering her young lover in every possible way. She buys him top notch DJ tuition as well as expensive musical equipment that cost nothing less tan $48,000. Jesus, on his part, looks a stunner all the way!

Via contactmusic

The royal families are loyal to the brand of Baccarat. This maker of exquisite glassware and lightings has sold many of its creations to the blue blood of France, Japan, Russia, Arabia, Morocco, India and even to the White House. Established in France in 1764, the brand has always striven to deliver ingenious handcrafted work of the highest quality to the world.

We are informed that even today the crystal used in many of the Baccarat design is hand crafted in the village of Baccarat that is situated in Loraine, eastern France. And that is the reason why these precious ices are so divine. Of all the things, Baccarat is best known for its chandeliers like the one the Maharajah of Gwalior ordered for his new Palace. This chandelier weighed a ton.

Then there were the candlebras especially created for Czar Nicolas II’s St. Petersburg Winter Palace. To match the aura of the client, Baccarat lends ethereal qualities to its creations with the incomparable luster of crystals. It is believed that nothing emits light better than the Baccart crystal and nothing tastes better than the one drunk from a Baccarat crystal glass.

Via baccarat

As sexy as she might be, actor Sharon Stone is have a lot of trouble to find her way in the intricate cross paths of the real estate world. She has just re-listed a Beverly Hills mansion of hers at 8,995,000 that she purchased for a higher price of $10,995,0000 back in 2006. What a bummer! But looks like the global economic recession had a major role to play here for Stone did offer the house at $10 million initially.

Seeing no positive responses, she took it off only to offer it once again at $58,000 monthly lease. Unfortunately, that did not work either. Insiders reveal that she could get nothing more than $35,000 a month. Finally, the spirited lady of the big screen has decided to find the easy way out by greatly reducing the selling price of her abode.

By the way, this Mediterrarean property in question spreads across fives acres and enjoys privileges to a private road. Then there is a resort-style lagoon pool as well as a north-south tennis court. The listing agent for this one is Valerie Fitzgerald of Coldwell Banker.

Via luxist