The very mention of basement flats used to convey vibes of a dark, dank and malodorous coal-hole but the news about £16 million Basement Flat in Knightsbridge has upgraded its image. Two flats on the floor and “lower-ground” floors of period residence blocks in SW1 are inviting prospective dwellers with a sale price of £9 million for St James’s three-bed room flat and £16 million (£15.95 million) for a four-bed in Knightsbridge. Out of the two entrances, the communal one is guarded by a janitor whilst the other one is to maintain the privacy of Sir and Madam. Besides having a reception room on the ground floor, the Knightsbridge maisonette features a master bedroom on the first floor.

Located on Hans Place, the property spread over 4,200 sq ft was once a home to Jane Austen and Shelley and is very close to worldwide punter i.e. Harrods. The estate features innovative paneling and tailored handmade furnishings. The attention-grabbing rooms are the drawing room and adjacent kitchen/dining room, massive and well-ventilated, with towering ceilings. The walls are clad with artwork valued at £100,000 and cabinets are adorned with elegant hand-embroidered silk panels accommodating audiovisual apparatus.

Via TimesOnline

Futuristic concepts hardly touch reality and feel fortunate if your most-wanted thingamajig becomes functional. Whilst in February we featured Disney’s creation of “Home of the Future,” built in 1957 with an indication about the under-processing of another Disney’s Innoventions Dream Home along with other big technology moguls to be completed in May. And now with running June the elite edifice, which is a collaborative effort between Disneyland, Microsoft, HP, Life|ware and home-builder Taylor Morrison, is behaving no less than a celebrated advertising campaign for its feature-packed products than any standard “home of the future.” Announcing the grand opening of their new Innoventions Dream Home located in Tomorrowland in Anaheim, Calif, this futuristic hi-tech dwelling sports state-of-the-art technology-driven luxurious setting of getting domestic jobs done, practically without someone elating a finger.

The reach of its inter-connectivity feature is not restricted to only family members but also to the amusement and information world at large. The Innoventions Dream Home is an invitation for guests from all age-group who are curious to keep their fingers on revolutionary in-home technologies. The illusory Elias family of this Dream Home is expected to greet all guests by June End. Activated via RFID tags, the entrance of these creatures into the room would alter the lighting preferences, play different music and all slapped LCD picture frames exhibited various images (all networked). Each room in integrated touch panels that allows interactivity via streaming HD feeds and HP media servers running Microsoft’s Media Center.

Another interesting feature of the house is the magic mirror installed in daughter’s room that dons virtual outfits on the user in real time that is complimented by the youngest son’s room occupied with two projectors and a host of mechanization to build the story of Peter Pan comes alive. The hi-tech kitchen chooses not be ordinary and hence sports a voice-activated HP TouchSmart PC that reads recipes for you while cooking. Other specks include a 100-inch rear-projection screen of a Star-Glas-like material in a home theater, a 7.1 speaker system for aural distinction and the Microsoft surface postioned in the dining room is worth stealing a look. Currently, the house is inviting limited visitors and it was disclosed in February that the digital house spread over 5000 sq ft of floor space may cost $15 million.

Via Hemagazine/Gizmodo/ NewLaunches

Zaya, an Abu Dhabi-based real estate corporation has commenced its first of many property luxurious ventures. Known as Nurai, it is an impressive private community of limited edition resort beach-front estates and water villas standing on the ordinary island off the coast of Abu Dhabi. Having roots attached to Arabic word “nour” denoting light, Nurai is enclosed by pure waters and ringed with unspoiled sandy seashores. Positioned at the northeast of Abu Dhabi, the island is set in seclusion away from the crowd of the city life yet is only minutes away from the mainland.

Spread over 130,000 sq.mtr, the island is expected to be shaped like a fascinating and deluxe resort and elite private residential estate, consisting of one boutique luxury lodge resort equipped with 60 suites, 31 beachfront manor and 36 water villas.

The colossal project is am association between New York based Studio Dror, led by Dror Benshetrit and the Paris-based firm AW2; both accountable for the blueprint of the lodge. Those interested in resort beachfront property can pick from two designs viz. ‘The Shoreline’ or ‘The Seaside’.

The seashore estates would comprise of six bedrooms, seven bath, private beach and rooftop garden constructed over geography of 12,275 sq. ft. On the similar lines, the seaside estate would feature five bedrooms and six baths. Other highlighting features of the property include garden, infinity swimming pool, concealed service quarters and al fresco bathe. Anticipated to be open in 2010, the price of the luxurious residences start at $30 million.

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Via Zawya/ CoolHunter

Spread over 48,000 square feet, this self-effacing little chalet sitting on 140 acres is 15 minutes away from the north of Dallas Airport, Texas. Taking inspiration from numerous buildings, almost four-long years were invested constructing it. It features an indoor pool, an L-shaped outdoor pool that’s bordered by courtyard of uneven flagstones, shade trees and vast stretch of turf. An entry into this villa would make you realize the level of profligacy done on this two-story master clandestine and ballroom is evocative of Versailles.

The media room imitates the Paris Opera, equipped with theater boxes. Its 78-foot-high rotunda is pinnacled by a crows nest offering distant views. Other striking highlights of the estate include hand-carved moldings, custom-made Italian chandeliers, imported fabrics, carpets and much more. How can I forget to mention that it has no less than nine fireplaces, six bedding and 6.8 baths?

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Via LuxuryPortfolio

For past couple of months, the localities of Tilburg in the Netherlands got bore hearing about the artistic creation of rotating house by renowned architect John Körmeling. Seemingly weird, the making of the project took nearly a decade and its pro-active nature involves a 360 degree churn by standing on the smack dab in the Hasselt roughly. The dot has been chosen to feature artistc creation and the parody is it is being witnessed as the essential gateways to the city. Driven by solar panels, the full-scale model house (5 meters wide, 8.5 meters deep and 10 meters high) starts its rotation in the direction of the traffic and completes a single revolving every 20 hours, which is been seen as a disturbing factor for visitors commuting all the way from remotest corner of the world. The house is unoccupied, but if a drunken bum happens to enter it then he would be in for one hell of a menace.

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Offering friendly look and feel, this house won’t be entertaining human habitation as it comprises of steel construction enclosed with red brick strips and tiles. Featuring front and back garden, the windows are made of plastic-coated glass with white window frames. The monumental creation by Körmeling would surely become a landmark for the cultural city of Tilburg. It would make its recognition not only at national space but would attain visibility at International geography as well. The house will lead to relations with the fair, traffic and emblematically reinstates the ribbon building characteristic of Tilburg. The anticipated budget for this artistic assignment amounts to € 350,000 excluding VAT.

The floor behavior and the groundwork will be approved out by the company Liebregts from Middelbeers and the structure of the house by the company Moker from Belgium. The house will be finalized by John Körmeling. The rotating apparatus will be primed by KMG from Neede.

Via RandomGoodStuff

I feel handicap to portray the beauty of this beautiful estate via limited six pictures. But actually I can’t help, as there aren’t available. The much-in-news estate is the Newport Beach beauty positioned on the double layer of sand at Peninsula Point. This eye-catching estate is successful in inviting ongoers via its elegant appeal. Thanks to Michael Collins, the creative mind behind this who designed it with a purpose to showcase a striking modern art collection. The home features two homes i.e. five-bedroom house and two-bedroom guest house. Other facilities include a pool, spa, koi ponds, oceanfront terraces, a beach-front lawn, cabana, pool cum bar plus other amenities. It has an open floor plan featuring huge “invisible” wood and glass doors.

It’s subterranean level is designed for relaxing and lounging purpose with media-packed capabilities viz. saltwater aquarium window offering gorgeous submarine pool views. If it interests you then you can ink a neat deal for $29.5 million.

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Via McmonigleGroup

Lynching off a hill close to Riberac in the Dordogne region of France is a house developed and designed in 1972 offering an appeal similar to that of Bond villain’s summer retreat – Mas Marguerita. Constructed by an anonymous Italian architect, this glass and steel house was erected for his own living. It features two bedrooms, an open-plan kitchen, dining room, living room, bathroom and a south-facing balcony overshadowing the countryside garden together with swimming pool. Due for listing in France, this prominent estate is up for sale demanding £230,000.

If you don’t have this spare amount then you can relish your stay here by being on rent. Unfortunately the house is already booked for this summer.

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Via TheModernHouse

Fingers crossed as the construction of this would-be world’s most expensive home is under controversy. A billionaire has plans to convert the vacant Athlone House in Highgate into a majestic estate by investing £80m over its revamp. There are number of issues involved. To begin with it is now difficult or rather impossible to expel Harry Hallowes, an unlawful tenant who’s been residing here for past 21 years. Harry claims to have access to squatters’ rights since last year that allows him to continue staying in his tent. His small plot is valued at astounding £4million. But after a revamp, the house will hold a value worth £130mn beating the preceding tag of £80 mn for a house located in Kensington, South-West London.

Hallowes is hoping to look to a meeting with his neighbor to acquire his £16m estate as he hasn’t been living here since he bought this. Once everything settles down, the luxury site will feature an impressive driveway, a subversive swimming pool, tennis courts and staff cottages. But critics have their own take and thus defined the artists’ impersonation of the new home as a “traverse between a Stalinist place and a Victorian madcap refuge.” The Highgate Society will counter planning consent and is seeking legal advice on ways to combat the progress. Property forecasters are of the view that the manor will overhaul a £115m flat in St James’s Square, Central London, to be honored as the world’s most expensive home.

Small background: Athlone House was erected in 1855 with 5 acres of countryside garden considered to imitate the palace at Versailles. It was constructed especially for MP Edward Brooke, who made a kismet in aniline dye and is also used as a military recuperative home in both world wars.

Via DailyMail

Featured above is a Trust Ranch located in Topanga area and built in 2005, an elite possession of actress Jane Sibbett. The ranch is up for sale earlier demanding $7 million and now cutting down at $5.2 million just because of an imminent move with her spouse to the seashore of Hawaii. Sibbett & her husband author Karl Fink inked this ranch to their name almost 10 years ago by spilling over $750,000. Since then the duo is being making necessary innovations to the manor. It features 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, spacious kitchen, vegetable garden, six-horse barn & large deck for entertainment, a profitable deal in the vicinity of Los Angeles.

Spread over 17 acres, this tawny spiral entry tower offers spectacular view of a 360-degree sunrise, sunset and the engulfed paradise. With wide planked flooring and ceilings, the attracting features of the ranch include three romantic stone fireplaces, plus a rough-hewn marble epicurean kitchen that is enough to seduce your wildest garden of ardor. This ranch sings to calm & lift up strength.

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Constructed in 1917, Waterfront Property based in old HP is markedly exceptional. Spread over 7,162 sq.ft, this Italian villa is erected on enchanted Lakeside Dr. and orders a splendid comprehensive vision of Exall Lake. Decorated with metaphorical millwork, limestone flooring and gorgeous ironwork, this Medici manor features a 2-story foyer, front gallery, superb formals, parlor, solarium, three outsized bedrooms well equipped with fireplace, 3.2 bathrooms, paneled study with rightly fitted wine room & wet bar, chef’s kitchen, spacious breakfast area and many more facilities. The beauty of this estate is inviting eyeballs as it is available for sale at $9,999,000.

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