The Steeple Times

Tag: America

  • Jobbing Wine

    Jobbing Wine

    A dream job for wine lovers; get paid to drink and drive your way across America

     

    An Oregon winery is seeking a ‘Canbassador’ to join them on a roadtrip across America to hawk their range of wines – including their ‘pinot in a can’.

     

    The Union Wine Company, founded by Ryan Harms in 2001 with the aim to create good wines at affordable prices, are looking for an individual to join them in their 1972 Citroën mobile wine bar as it tours US music festivals, store openings and outdoor events. The position encompasses 30-40 hours per week in terms of time commitment, 4-6 months per year and as Guest of a Guest reported last week, here is a chance to “drink and drive the legal way”.

     

    Applicants must be over 21, be able to drive large, manual transmission vehicles with trailers and have good navigation skills. Naturally, they must also have “an appreciation for wine”. A salary is not specified on the company’s website but it will be “commensurate with experience”.

     

    To apply, email [email protected]

     

  • Pete Cashmore (AKA ‘The Sage of Media’)

    Pete Cashmore (AKA ‘The Sage of Media’)

    Born in Banchory, Aberdeenshire in 1985, Pete Cashmore founded Mashable, a “one-stop-shop” digital media news and blogging site, in his bedroom in 2005 with the aim of “changing the world”. The firm now has over 120 employees, is based in New York and has 9 million followers on Twitter and achieves over 45 million unique views per month. He was once described as “one of the most influential voices of his generation – on and offline” and was also called “more than just a superb head of hair” by Hearst’s Town & Country magazine in 2016.

     

  • Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’

    Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’

    As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?”

     

    Last May, the acerbic Spectator columnist Taki wrote a brilliant opinion piece bemoaning the ghastly affair he believed New York’s Metropolitan Museum Gala had become. It perfectly summed up the vulgarity of an age where Kardashians have replaced Vanderbilt Sloanes and where Anna Wintour and her condescending ‘club’ have seized the mantle. This week, Primates of Park Avenue author Wednesday Martin took the debate one stage further and asked: “Is it time to say bye-bye to the black tie charity ball?” in an article for Town & Country magazine.

     

    Whilst Martin quoted a “titan of finance” as saying: “No one really wants to attend a gala”, she also suggested that “showing up feels somehow retro, tangible, genuine”. Society is still forced into the routine of putting on black tie and parading out in both America and Britain yet in reality, everyone would most likely rather be down their local spit-and-sawdust.

     

    Aside from the rubber chicken (and vomit inducing wine), the likelihood of being stuck with nine crushing bores and the inevitable raffle of rubbish, such affairs are now mostly the preserve of a club of Z-listers and desperados. At such gatherings, you’ll find trolleyed trailer trash like Dawn Ward of The Real Housewives of Cheshire clucking with titleless tosspot twits like David Furnish and each and every Friday’s ES Magazine bears testimony to this fact. The black tie bash deserves to come to its natural end, but what on earth will replace it?

     

    Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’ – Death of Black Tie Balls – As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?” – Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Tamara Ecclestone, Jay Rutland, Dawn Ward, Ashley Ward, Elliott Spencer, Stephen Fry, Alexa Chung, Esther Rantzen, Anthea Turner, Grant Bovey
    The inevitable rent-a-crowd that now dominates at black tie gatherings in Britain these days is focused on daytime TV presenters and obscure reality wannabes
    Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’ – Death of Black Tie Balls – As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?” – Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Tamara Ecclestone, Jay Rutland, Dawn Ward, Ashley Ward, Elliott Spencer, Stephen Fry, Alexa Chung, Esther Rantzen, Anthea Turner, Grant Bovey
    Tamara Ecclestone and husband Jay Rutland (pictured with Donna Air behind them) might be moneyed, but where’s the class?
    Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’ – Death of Black Tie Balls – As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?” – Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Tamara Ecclestone, Jay Rutland, Dawn Ward, Ashley Ward, Elliott Spencer, Stephen Fry, Alexa Chung, Esther Rantzen, Anthea Turner, Grant Bovey
    Stephen Fry and husband Elliott Spencer are a duo willing to turn up to the opening of an envelope
    Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’ – Death of Black Tie Balls – As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?” – Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Tamara Ecclestone, Jay Rutland, Dawn Ward, Ashley Ward, Elliott Spencer, Stephen Fry, Alexa Chung, Esther Rantzen, Anthea Turner, Grant Bovey
    If you really want to lower the tone, invite champagne swiller Dawn Ward and her ex-footballer husband
    Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’ – Death of Black Tie Balls – As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?” – Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Tamara Ecclestone, Jay Rutland, Dawn Ward, Ashley Ward, Elliott Spencer, Stephen Fry, Alexa Chung, Esther Rantzen, Anthea Turner, Grant Bovey
    Alexa Chung is the ultimate guest if you want to make it to the ‘ES Magazine’s’ party pages (in spite of the fact she’s actually pretty pointless)
    Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’ – Death of Black Tie Balls – As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?” – Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Tamara Ecclestone, Jay Rutland, Dawn Ward, Ashley Ward, Elliott Spencer, Stephen Fry, Alexa Chung, Esther Rantzen, Anthea Turner, Grant Bovey
    No party is complete without legendary crasher and shopping aficionado David Pun; last night he was spotted lingering outside the entrance to the opening night of the 2017 London Motor Show and given his antics he even has a Twitter account named in his honour
    Bored of Black Tie, Crushed by ‘The Club’ – Death of Black Tie Balls – As black tie bonanzas deservedly take a bashing, we ask: “What’s next for Britain and America’s party paraders?” – Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Elizabeth Hurley, Tamara Ecclestone, Jay Rutland, Dawn Ward, Ashley Ward, Elliott Spencer, Stephen Fry, Alexa Chung, Esther Rantzen, Anthea Turner, Grant Bovey
    Anthea Turner and Grant Bovey used to host an annual ball in their garden; their marriage is now toast and the ball, for them at least, is most definitely over
  • The Commerce of Selfies

    The Commerce of Selfies

    A review of the showcase of vanity that is the Saatchi Gallery’s ‘Selfie to Self-Expression’ exhibition

     

    The first ever ‘selfie’ was supposedly taken on the roof of the Marceau studio on Fifth Avenue in New York. Featuring a photographer named Joseph Byron and his colleagues, the image was captured in December 1920 and now, an exhibition at London’s Saatchi Gallery examines the story of what has become a modern day social phenomenon.

     

    The Commerce of Selfies – Selfie to Self-Expression, Saatchi Gallery – A review of the showcase of vanity that is the Saatchi Gallery’s ‘Selfie to Self-Expression’ exhibition. Open until 30th May 2017.
    The first ever selfie

     

    Aside from images of Hillary Clinton during the 2016 American election and lookalikes of the British royal family by Alison Jackson, this exhibition – sponsored rather appropriately by a mobile phone manufacturer plainly desperate to get its product into the public eye in England named Huawei – features everything from selfies taken with selfie sticks to selfies taken underwater. It is an array of ridiculousness and most definitely a display of extreme vanity that is present here, but with opportunities for visitors to participate, it is also something that anyone except a true killjoy will have a little fun with.

     

    The word ‘selfie’ was announced as the Oxford English Dictionary “word of the year” in 2013 and subsequently, Business Insider, published a story that referenced selfies of groups as “usies”. Huawei Technologies, it transpires, trademarked the word “groufie” around the same time and thus it’s no wonder they managed to cut a deal with the ever-so-commercial Charles Saatchi.

     

    ‘Selfie to Self-Expression’ is on display at the Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s Headquarters, Kings Road, London, SW3 4RY until 30th May. The exhibition is free and open seven days a week, 10am to 6pm.

     

    #SaatchiSelfie

     

    The Commerce of Selfies – Selfie to Self-Expression, Saatchi Gallery – A review of the showcase of vanity that is the Saatchi Gallery’s ‘Selfie to Self-Expression’ exhibition. Open until 30th May 2017.The Commerce of Selfies – Selfie to Self-Expression, Saatchi Gallery – A review of the showcase of vanity that is the Saatchi Gallery’s ‘Selfie to Self-Expression’ exhibition. Open until 30th May 2017.The Commerce of Selfies – Selfie to Self-Expression, Saatchi Gallery – A review of the showcase of vanity that is the Saatchi Gallery’s ‘Selfie to Self-Expression’ exhibition. Open until 30th May 2017.The Commerce of Selfies – Selfie to Self-Expression, Saatchi Gallery – A review of the showcase of vanity that is the Saatchi Gallery’s ‘Selfie to Self-Expression’ exhibition. Open until 30th May 2017.The Commerce of Selfies – Selfie to Self-Expression, Saatchi Gallery – A review of the showcase of vanity that is the Saatchi Gallery’s ‘Selfie to Self-Expression’ exhibition. Open until 30th May 2017.The Commerce of Selfies – Selfie to Self-Expression, Saatchi Gallery – A review of the showcase of vanity that is the Saatchi Gallery’s ‘Selfie to Self-Expression’ exhibition. Open until 30th May 2017. The Commerce of Selfies – Selfie to Self-Expression, Saatchi Gallery – A review of the showcase of vanity that is the Saatchi Gallery’s ‘Selfie to Self-Expression’ exhibition. Open until 30th May 2017. The Commerce of Selfies – Selfie to Self-Expression, Saatchi Gallery – A review of the showcase of vanity that is the Saatchi Gallery’s ‘Selfie to Self-Expression’ exhibition. Open until 30th May 2017. The Commerce of Selfies – Selfie to Self-Expression, Saatchi Gallery – A review of the showcase of vanity that is the Saatchi Gallery’s ‘Selfie to Self-Expression’ exhibition. Open until 30th May 2017.The Commerce of Selfies – Selfie to Self-Expression, Saatchi Gallery – A review of the showcase of vanity that is the Saatchi Gallery’s ‘Selfie to Self-Expression’ exhibition. Open until 30th May 2017.

  • Jack Turner – What’s on your mantelpiece?

    Jack Turner – What’s on your mantelpiece?

    A 20-question interview with English born, Los Angeles based actor and musician Jack Turner

     

    The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?

    Treat people well. Try and learn your blind spots.

     

    “Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?

    Be nice, but don’t get shat on.

     

    Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2017?

    Everything seems to be acceptable. People are being absolutely despicable because of messaging they see from those in power. Perhaps the only unacceptable thing is calm and clear discourse.

     

    Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?

    My family and Weymouth Beach.

     

    What might you swap all your wealth for?

    Everyone having some.

     

    Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the state of the financial system?

    That, and the political system (similar principles), make me most unhappy to be an atheist.

     

    What phrase or word do you most loathe?

    “Reach out”. The word I maybe most love is “tosspot”.

     

    In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?

    I think there’s a threshold of financial and social safety below which there is no hope to ascend, and that people below that threshold need help. What we have in the UK and US would be considered a ludicrous luxury in many places. I personally just donated a pretty solid sum to Syria and Somalia.

     

    The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?

    I wish my phone would blow me up. These devices are ruining people’s presence, empathy, and ability to talk. I just read a great summary of the evidence linking socialization and our neurobiology. When you consider socialisation is being replaced by phones, I fear sociopathy will rise massively. Put the fucking phone away, or on silent if you just can’t be without it, you tosspot.

     

    If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?

    People without phones, who can like each other even if they disagree. I pick my girlfriend and my mate Monte. Anyone else is welcome. That should ignite some fun.

     

    If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?

    Curry from Mirch Masala in Tooting, and bitter. Followed by red velvet cake and some Law Estates Cab.

     

    What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?

    Not so much a case of “Is this acceptable?” as: “Will my body reject this now?”

     

    A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?

    I don’t know what a Negroni is. Martinis are frightening. So I’ll go for some tea, please.

     

    Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?

    Those I curate carefully to avoid tosspots. Because I loathe tosspots.

     

    Who is the most positive person you know?

    My girlfriend. I’m lucky enough that this is a pretty competitive decision, but she takes the cake.

     

    What’s your most guilty pleasure?

    Aforementioned red velvet cake. And guitars.

     

    If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?

    I don’t like tattoos, which I think sums me up.

     

    If you were a car, what marque would you be?

    Public transport or a bicycle. I now realise both sound dirty.

     

    Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.

    To my shame I didn’t know what an incredible singer she was. I thought she was just a host. That surprised me. I’m a terrible singer. Which maybe makes it surprising that I was in a great band and continue to make music. Check out our old stuff if you’re interested – Cable Car on Spotify, iTunes, etc.

     

    What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?

    Our place isn’t fancy enough to have a mantlepiece. However, we do have a cupboard, upon which we put meaningful things. My mum potted me an Oscar statue, which we call ‘Oscar’. Probably unoriginal, but, I think it’s very sweet, and I’ll take what I can get.

     

    Jack Turner grew up in Weymouth, Dorset, where he was a dubiously-skilled mackerel fishing tour guide. He studied psychology at Oxford before working for Google in London and San Francisco. He’s now an actor in Hollywood and has starred in Netflix’s ‘The 10 Year Plan’ and Hallmark’s ‘My Summer Prince’.

     

    Follow him on Twitter at @jackoturner and Instagram at @jaxonturner.

     

  • Stoddart Stateside

    Stoddart Stateside

    A preview of John Stoddart’s exhibition at Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

     

    Tonight, in California, an exhibition of the works of photographer to the stars John Stoddart will be opened with a reception at Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills.

     

    Stoddart Stateside – Photographer to the Stars John Stoddart exhibition at Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills – Opening reception 3rd May 2017
    John Stoddart and Claire Rubinstein at the Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills yesterday

     

    A whole array of guests are expected at the event and amongst them will be a bevvy of Brits including Lady Victoria Hervey and occasional contributor to The Steeple Times, Claire Rubinstein. Liverpool born Stoddart, no doubt dressed to the nines and surrounded by American beauties, will showcase the finest of his images of Hollywood greats and amongst those on display will be Daniel Craig, Anthony Hopkins, Martin Scorsese, Tilda Swinton and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

     

    The exhibition will remain on display at the hotel for several months and part of the proceeds from all works sold will be donated to the Caterina’s Club charity.

     

     Stoddart Stateside – Photographer to the Stars John Stoddart exhibition at Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills – Opening reception 3rd May 2017Stoddart Stateside – Photographer to the Stars John Stoddart exhibition at Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills – Opening reception 3rd May 2017Stoddart Stateside – Photographer to the Stars John Stoddart exhibition at Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills – Opening reception 3rd May 2017

  • Tall Poppy Syndrome

    Tall Poppy Syndrome

    Asking price for America’s tallest single-family residence – a 124-foot tall tower in Phoenix, Arizona – slashed by 74%; it is somewhat dated but costs nearly nothing to heat and nearly nothing in property taxes either

     

    They say “the bigger, the better” but in the case of Falcon Nest at Prescott in Arizona, it seems as if the tallest single-family residence in America has little appeal given its asking price has been slashed by nearly two thirds during the two years it has been on the market.

     

    Reduced in price from £2.2 million ($2.8 million, €2.6 million or درهم10.3 million) in 2015 to £1.2 million ($1.5 million, €1.4 million or درهم5.5 million) this year, 124-foot tall Falcon Nest is to be auctioned by Concierge Auctions for a minimum price of £581,000 ($750,000, €688,000 or درهم2.8 million) on 25th May. For that, a buyer will not only get a truly unique structure but also views that range over 120 miles as far as the San Francisco Peaks.

     

    Tall Poppy Syndrome – North America’s tallest single-family residence – Falcon Nest, 2365 Skyline Drive, Prescott, Arizona, AZ 86303, United States of America – £1.2 million ($1.5 million, €1.4 million million or درهم5.5 million) through Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and to be auctioned with a minimum price of £581,000 ($750,000, €688,000 or درهم2.8 million) on 25th May by Concierge Auctions – Designed by Sukumar Pal, AIA in 1994
    Sukumar Pal, AIA faced some opposition when he decided to construct Falcon Nest but the resulting building he designed is certainly striking
    Tall Poppy Syndrome – North America’s tallest single-family residence – Falcon Nest, 2365 Skyline Drive, Prescott, Arizona, AZ 86303, United States of America – £1.2 million ($1.5 million, €1.4 million million or درهم5.5 million) through Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and to be auctioned with a minimum price of £581,000 ($750,000, €688,000 or درهم2.8 million) on 25th May by Concierge Auctions – Designed by Sukumar Pal, AIA in 1994
    Falcon Nest, 2365 Skyline Drive, Prescott, Arizona, AZ 86303 is situated at the head of a cul-de-sac and the base of Thumb Butte
    Tall Poppy Syndrome – North America’s tallest single-family residence – Falcon Nest, 2365 Skyline Drive, Prescott, Arizona, AZ 86303, United States of America – £1.2 million ($1.5 million, €1.4 million million or درهم5.5 million) through Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and to be auctioned with a minimum price of £581,000 ($750,000, €688,000 or درهم2.8 million) on 25th May by Concierge Auctions – Designed by Sukumar Pal, AIA in 1994
    It is priced at just $242 per square foot (at $1.5 million) and enjoys long-reaching views
    Tall Poppy Syndrome – North America’s tallest single-family residence – Falcon Nest, 2365 Skyline Drive, Prescott, Arizona, AZ 86303, United States of America – £1.2 million ($1.5 million, €1.4 million million or درهم5.5 million) through Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and to be auctioned with a minimum price of £581,000 ($750,000, €688,000 or درهم2.8 million) on 25th May by Concierge Auctions – Designed by Sukumar Pal, AIA in 1994
    An aerial view of the extraordinary structure

     

    Built to the designs of Calcutta born Sukumar Pal, AIA for his own occupation, Falcon Nest took four years to build and was completed in 1994. This was in part due to high winds making it difficult to use cranes on a site that was already at 5,920-foot at its base on the slopes of 6,514-foot tall Thumb Butte – a prominent geographical feature of the Sierra Prieta mountain range – but also because Pal was so stringent about creating a residence that was not only striking architecturally but also one that was energy efficient.

     

    Featuring a tubular tower portion that causes heat to rise and ventilate the residence in the summer but capture it in the winter, Mr Pal, in a video interview, claimed that “heating and cooling [the building] is automatic and without any cost”.

     

    Accommodation in the 24-foot by 24-foot square base, ten-floor residence – linked by a staircase with 144 steps and a hydraulic elevator that provides access to six levels – includes three bedrooms and four bathrooms. Living space is primarily located on a central floor known as ‘the solarium’ that is mostly built of glass so as to catch as much sun as possible and centres around a vast entertaining area described as a ‘great room’.

     

    Falcon Nest stands on a 1.08-acre plot that offers potential for further development and of the existing “multi-functional structure” itself, selling agents Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty suggest there is potential to turn it into a bed and breakfast, ham radio tower, event space or even a ranger station and museum connected to the Prescott National Park.

     

    Of this “architectural and engineering treasure”, which is defined as a ‘palsolaral house’, Mr Pal commented:

     

    “I chose the height, for several reasons: I wanted to enjoy the views but I didn’t want to cover vast areas on the ground as open ground separates the tower from the neighbouring buildings”.

     

    “[But the most] important [reason] is the tax. The tax is proportional to the ground cover of the building. If this building was flat like tortilla, it would have a tremendous tax burden. This building does not have that. It is 6,200 square foot but I’ve been paying much less [tax] because the ground print is so small”.

     

    In a feature on Falcon Nest in March, Lauren Ro of property blog Curbed rather curtly remarked: “Time has not been kind to this property, which feels like it was left behind in the ugly part of the ’90s”. She has a point but anyone wanting to live like the ultimate super-villain could indeed do a lot worse.

     

     Tall Poppy Syndrome – North America’s tallest single-family residence – Falcon Nest, 2365 Skyline Drive, Prescott, Arizona, AZ 86303, United States of America – £1.2 million ($1.5 million, €1.4 million million or درهم5.5 million) through Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and to be auctioned with a minimum price of £581,000 ($750,000, €688,000 or درهم2.8 million) on 25th May by Concierge Auctions – Designed by Sukumar Pal, AIA in 1994Tall Poppy Syndrome – North America’s tallest single-family residence – Falcon Nest, 2365 Skyline Drive, Prescott, Arizona, AZ 86303, United States of America – £1.2 million ($1.5 million, €1.4 million million or درهم5.5 million) through Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and to be auctioned with a minimum price of £581,000 ($750,000, €688,000 or درهم2.8 million) on 25th May by Concierge Auctions – Designed by Sukumar Pal, AIA in 1994Tall Poppy Syndrome – North America’s tallest single-family residence – Falcon Nest, 2365 Skyline Drive, Prescott, Arizona, AZ 86303, United States of America – £1.2 million ($1.5 million, €1.4 million million or درهم5.5 million) through Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and to be auctioned with a minimum price of £581,000 ($750,000, €688,000 or درهم2.8 million) on 25th May by Concierge Auctions – Designed by Sukumar Pal, AIA in 1994Tall Poppy Syndrome – North America’s tallest single-family residence – Falcon Nest, 2365 Skyline Drive, Prescott, Arizona, AZ 86303, United States of America – £1.2 million ($1.5 million, €1.4 million million or درهم5.5 million) through Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and to be auctioned with a minimum price of £581,000 ($750,000, €688,000 or درهم2.8 million) on 25th May by Concierge Auctions – Designed by Sukumar Pal, AIA in 1994 Tall Poppy Syndrome – North America’s tallest single-family residence – Falcon Nest, 2365 Skyline Drive, Prescott, Arizona, AZ 86303, United States of America – £1.2 million ($1.5 million, €1.4 million million or درهم5.5 million) through Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and to be auctioned with a minimum price of £581,000 ($750,000, €688,000 or درهم2.8 million) on 25th May by Concierge Auctions – Designed by Sukumar Pal, AIA in 1994 Tall Poppy Syndrome – North America’s tallest single-family residence – Falcon Nest, 2365 Skyline Drive, Prescott, Arizona, AZ 86303, United States of America – £1.2 million ($1.5 million, €1.4 million million or درهم5.5 million) through Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and to be auctioned with a minimum price of £581,000 ($750,000, €688,000 or درهم2.8 million) on 25th May by Concierge Auctions – Designed by Sukumar Pal, AIA in 1994 Tall Poppy Syndrome – North America’s tallest single-family residence – Falcon Nest, 2365 Skyline Drive, Prescott, Arizona, AZ 86303, United States of America – £1.2 million ($1.5 million, €1.4 million million or درهم5.5 million) through Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and to be auctioned with a minimum price of £581,000 ($750,000, €688,000 or درهم2.8 million) on 25th May by Concierge Auctions – Designed by Sukumar Pal, AIA in 1994Tall Poppy Syndrome – North America’s tallest single-family residence – Falcon Nest, 2365 Skyline Drive, Prescott, Arizona, AZ 86303, United States of America – £1.2 million ($1.5 million, €1.4 million million or درهم5.5 million) through Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and to be auctioned with a minimum price of £581,000 ($750,000, €688,000 or درهم2.8 million) on 25th May by Concierge Auctions – Designed by Sukumar Pal, AIA in 1994 Tall Poppy Syndrome – North America’s tallest single-family residence – Falcon Nest, 2365 Skyline Drive, Prescott, Arizona, AZ 86303, United States of America – £1.2 million ($1.5 million, €1.4 million million or درهم5.5 million) through Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and to be auctioned with a minimum price of £581,000 ($750,000, €688,000 or درهم2.8 million) on 25th May by Concierge Auctions – Designed by Sukumar Pal, AIA in 1994Tall Poppy Syndrome – North America’s tallest single-family residence – Falcon Nest, 2365 Skyline Drive, Prescott, Arizona, AZ 86303, United States of America – £1.2 million ($1.5 million, €1.4 million million or درهم5.5 million) through Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and to be auctioned with a minimum price of £581,000 ($750,000, €688,000 or درهم2.8 million) on 25th May by Concierge Auctions – Designed by Sukumar Pal, AIA in 1994Tall Poppy Syndrome – North America’s tallest single-family residence – Falcon Nest, 2365 Skyline Drive, Prescott, Arizona, AZ 86303, United States of America – £1.2 million ($1.5 million, €1.4 million million or درهم5.5 million) through Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and to be auctioned with a minimum price of £581,000 ($750,000, €688,000 or درهم2.8 million) on 25th May by Concierge Auctions – Designed by Sukumar Pal, AIA in 1994Tall Poppy Syndrome – North America’s tallest single-family residence – Falcon Nest, 2365 Skyline Drive, Prescott, Arizona, AZ 86303, United States of America – £1.2 million ($1.5 million, €1.4 million million or درهم5.5 million) through Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and to be auctioned with a minimum price of £581,000 ($750,000, €688,000 or درهم2.8 million) on 25th May by Concierge Auctions – Designed by Sukumar Pal, AIA in 1994Tall Poppy Syndrome – North America’s tallest single-family residence – Falcon Nest, 2365 Skyline Drive, Prescott, Arizona, AZ 86303, United States of America – £1.2 million ($1.5 million, €1.4 million million or درهم5.5 million) through Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and to be auctioned with a minimum price of £581,000 ($750,000, €688,000 or درهم2.8 million) on 25th May by Concierge Auctions – Designed by Sukumar Pal, AIA in 1994Tall Poppy Syndrome – North America’s tallest single-family residence – Falcon Nest, 2365 Skyline Drive, Prescott, Arizona, AZ 86303, United States of America – £1.2 million ($1.5 million, €1.4 million million or درهم5.5 million) through Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and to be auctioned with a minimum price of £581,000 ($750,000, €688,000 or درهم2.8 million) on 25th May by Concierge Auctions – Designed by Sukumar Pal, AIA in 1994Tall Poppy Syndrome – North America’s tallest single-family residence – Falcon Nest, 2365 Skyline Drive, Prescott, Arizona, AZ 86303, United States of America – £1.2 million ($1.5 million, €1.4 million million or درهم5.5 million) through Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and to be auctioned with a minimum price of £581,000 ($750,000, €688,000 or درهم2.8 million) on 25th May by Concierge Auctions – Designed by Sukumar Pal, AIA in 1994Tall Poppy Syndrome – North America’s tallest single-family residence – Falcon Nest, 2365 Skyline Drive, Prescott, Arizona, AZ 86303, United States of America – £1.2 million ($1.5 million, €1.4 million million or درهم5.5 million) through Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and to be auctioned with a minimum price of £581,000 ($750,000, €688,000 or درهم2.8 million) on 25th May by Concierge Auctions – Designed by Sukumar Pal, AIA in 1994Tall Poppy Syndrome – North America’s tallest single-family residence – Falcon Nest, 2365 Skyline Drive, Prescott, Arizona, AZ 86303, United States of America – £1.2 million ($1.5 million, €1.4 million million or درهم5.5 million) through Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty and to be auctioned with a minimum price of £581,000 ($750,000, €688,000 or درهم2.8 million) on 25th May by Concierge Auctions – Designed by Sukumar Pal, AIA in 1994

  • A Pointedly Pricey Plot

    A Pointedly Pricey Plot

    Seriously expensive waterfront building plot goes on sale outside San Francisco; it comes with plans for the perfect home for a tech titan

     

    14.5 acres of forested land with 2,000 feet of frontage to San Francisco Bay shoreline has gone on sale for what could be one of the highest prices ever for a single residence building plot in Northern California.

     

    2800 Paradise Drive in Tiburon, Marin County comes with planning permission for a 16,000 square foot main residence, a 2,200 square foot guest house and a 700 square foot caretaker’s cottage and is also described as ‘The Bluff Point Estate’. It is situated six miles east of the US 101 Tiburon Boulevard interchange and is described as being “within minutes of downtown Tiburon and the Golden Gate Bridge”.

     

    A Pointedly Pricey Plot – 2800 Paradise Drive, Tiburon Peninsula, Marin County, California, CA 94920, United States of America – For sale through Bill Bullock and Lydia Sarkissian of Global Estates Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International Realty for £36.3 million ($47 million, €43.1 million or درهم172.7 million)
    A rendering of the proposed house at 2800 Paradise Drive, Tiburon Peninsula, Marin County, California, CA 94920, United States of America
    A Pointedly Pricey Plot – 2800 Paradise Drive, Tiburon Peninsula, Marin County, California, CA 94920, United States of America – For sale through Bill Bullock and Lydia Sarkissian of Global Estates Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International Realty for £36.3 million ($47 million, €43.1 million or درهم172.7 million)
    An aerial view of the entire plot
    A Pointedly Pricey Plot – 2800 Paradise Drive, Tiburon Peninsula, Marin County, California, CA 94920, United States of America – For sale through Bill Bullock and Lydia Sarkissian of Global Estates Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International Realty for £36.3 million ($47 million, €43.1 million or درهم172.7 million)
    Real estate investor Maxwell Drever pictured at the adjoining Drever Estate, Paradise Drive, Tiburon in 2012

     

    The last remaining piece of land of this size to remain undeveloped in this area is adjoined by the palatial Drever Estate – which, according to SF Luxe’s Damion Matthews, was marketed for $37 million in 2010 (the equivalent of $41 million, £31.7 million, €37.6 million or درهم150.6 million today) by Concierge Asset Management chairman Maxwell Drever and his wife, Janice. It is described as providing an opportunity to create “a world class super low density single owner residential estate”.

     

    Offered by Bill Bullock and Lydia Sarkissian of Global Estates Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International Realty, 2800 Paradise Drive is vacant, entirely fenced and has a dirt fire access road. It includes native oak, bay, eucalyptus and pine woodland, sandy beaches and proposed designs by Booth Hansen architects of Chicago illustrate a 6 reception room, 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom residence that will come with “an art gallery entrance, a swimming pool, a terrace garden and a photovoltaic renewable energy (solar) collection area”.

     

    2800 Paradise Drive will likely be sold to a Bay Area tech titan seeking the ultimate in “privacy and security”. They’ll need to have £36.3 million ($47 million, €43.1 million or درهم172.7 million) spare (before building costs).

     

    A Pointedly Pricey Plot – 2800 Paradise Drive, Tiburon Peninsula, Marin County, California, CA 94920, United States of America – For sale through Bill Bullock and Lydia Sarkissian of Global Estates Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International Realty for £36.3 million ($47 million, €43.1 million or درهم172.7 million)A Pointedly Pricey Plot – 2800 Paradise Drive, Tiburon Peninsula, Marin County, California, CA 94920, United States of America – For sale through Bill Bullock and Lydia Sarkissian of Global Estates Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International Realty for £36.3 million ($47 million, €43.1 million or درهم172.7 million)A Pointedly Pricey Plot – 2800 Paradise Drive, Tiburon Peninsula, Marin County, California, CA 94920, United States of America – For sale through Bill Bullock and Lydia Sarkissian of Global Estates Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International Realty for £36.3 million ($47 million, €43.1 million or درهم172.7 million) A Pointedly Pricey Plot – 2800 Paradise Drive, Tiburon Peninsula, Marin County, California, CA 94920, United States of America – For sale through Bill Bullock and Lydia Sarkissian of Global Estates Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International Realty for £36.3 million ($47 million, €43.1 million or درهم172.7 million)A Pointedly Pricey Plot – 2800 Paradise Drive, Tiburon Peninsula, Marin County, California, CA 94920, United States of America – For sale through Bill Bullock and Lydia Sarkissian of Global Estates Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International Realty for £36.3 million ($47 million, €43.1 million or درهم172.7 million)A Pointedly Pricey Plot – 2800 Paradise Drive, Tiburon Peninsula, Marin County, California, CA 94920, United States of America – For sale through Bill Bullock and Lydia Sarkissian of Global Estates Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International Realty for £36.3 million ($47 million, €43.1 million or درهم172.7 million)A Pointedly Pricey Plot – 2800 Paradise Drive, Tiburon Peninsula, Marin County, California, CA 94920, United States of America – For sale through Bill Bullock and Lydia Sarkissian of Global Estates Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International Realty for £36.3 million ($47 million, €43.1 million or درهم172.7 million)A Pointedly Pricey Plot – 2800 Paradise Drive, Tiburon Peninsula, Marin County, California, CA 94920, United States of America – For sale through Bill Bullock and Lydia Sarkissian of Global Estates Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International Realty for £36.3 million ($47 million, €43.1 million or درهم172.7 million)A Pointedly Pricey Plot – 2800 Paradise Drive, Tiburon Peninsula, Marin County, California, CA 94920, United States of America – For sale through Bill Bullock and Lydia Sarkissian of Global Estates Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International Realty for £36.3 million ($47 million, €43.1 million or درهم172.7 million)A Pointedly Pricey Plot – 2800 Paradise Drive, Tiburon Peninsula, Marin County, California, CA 94920, United States of America – For sale through Bill Bullock and Lydia Sarkissian of Global Estates Decker Bullock Sotheby’s International Realty for £36.3 million ($47 million, €43.1 million or درهم172.7 million)

  • Gilded Glory

    Gilded Glory

    New York’s “last intact Gilded Age mansion” for sale for £38.75 million; it comes with a room that cannot be wiretapped

     

    An Upper East Side “Beaux Arts palace on a small scale” described as “Manhattan’s last intact Gilded Age mansion” has gone on sale for £38.75 million ($50 million, €45.96 million or درهم183.65 million) with Douglas Elliman.

     

    Gilded Glory – 854 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, New York, NY 10065, United States of America – £38.75 million ($50 million, €45.96 million or درهم183.65 million) with Douglas Elliman – New York’s “last intact Gilded Age mansion”
    854 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, New York, NY 10065, United States of America

     

    Offering 20,000 square foot of accommodation over nine floors, 854 Fifth Avenue stands opposite Central Park and between 66th and 67th Streets. It was built in 1905 for a stockbroker named Robert Livingston Beeckman and constructed by architects Warren & Wetmore at a cost of $60,000 (the equivalent of $1.6 million, £1.2 million, €1.5 million or درهم5.9 million today). The residence was landmarked by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission as a “superb example of the French classic style of Louis XV” in 1966 and to this day, the 32-room property retains original features including hand-carved balustrades of white marble, ceiling frescoes of angels and clouds, an original working stove and two of the city’s first private elevators.

     

    Gilded Glory – 854 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, New York, NY 10065, United States of America – £38.75 million ($50 million, €45.96 million or درهم183.65 million) with Douglas Elliman – New York’s “last intact Gilded Age mansion”
    Robert Livingston Beeckman (1866 – 1935), Emily Thorn Vanderbilt Sloane White (1852 – 1946) and Henry White (1850 – 1927)

     

    Sold next to George Grant in 1912 after Beeckman – later 52nd Governor of Rhode Island – abandoned New York to spend more time at his Newport estate, Lands End, for a then record sum of $725,000 (the equivalent of $18.3 million, £14.1 million, €16.8 million or درهم67.2 million today), 854 Fifth Avenue was then offloaded to Henry White and his heiress wife Emily Thorn Vanderbilt Sloane White for the much lower sum of $450,000 in 1925 (the equivalent of $6.3 million, £4.9 million, €5.8 million or درهم23.1 million today).

     

    Twice married financier of New York’s Sloane Hospital for Women Thorn Vanderbilt Sloane White and her ambassador husband are said to have “added their own touches” to the mansion and after she died, 854 Fifth Avenue was sold to the then nation of Yugoslavia. It has served as a government building since and was most recently used as the Permanent Mission of Serbia and Mission of Serbia to the UN.

     

    Bombed on 11th July 1968 but thankfully subject to little damage in that attack, the mansion still to this day features a ‘Faraday Cage’ – a secret metal-padded room where officials could meet without the fear of being wiretapped – as well as bulletproof windows to its Central Park elevation.

     

    Last week, of the property, Tristan Harper of Douglas Elliman told The Real Deal:

     

    “Everything is virtually intact. Whoever buys it will own a piece of New York history. [The six individuals who have already expressed interest in purchasing 854 Fifth Avenue are] all extremely high-net-worth individuals of different backgrounds”.

     

    Once bordered by houses of a similar scale, 854 Fifth Avenue is now adjoined by two behemoth-like apartment complexes. It stands sturdy and represents a little reminder of the glorious era of Carnegies, Rockefellers, Vanderbilts and Whitneys.

     

    Gilded Glory – 854 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, New York, NY 10065, United States of America – £38.75 million ($50 million, €45.96 million or درهم183.65 million) with Douglas Elliman – New York’s “last intact Gilded Age mansion”Gilded Glory – 854 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, New York, NY 10065, United States of America – £38.75 million ($50 million, €45.96 million or درهم183.65 million) with Douglas Elliman – New York’s “last intact Gilded Age mansion”Gilded Glory – 854 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, New York, NY 10065, United States of America – £38.75 million ($50 million, €45.96 million or درهم183.65 million) with Douglas Elliman – New York’s “last intact Gilded Age mansion”Gilded Glory – 854 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, New York, NY 10065, United States of America – £38.75 million ($50 million, €45.96 million or درهم183.65 million) with Douglas Elliman – New York’s “last intact Gilded Age mansion”Gilded Glory – 854 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, New York, NY 10065, United States of America – £38.75 million ($50 million, €45.96 million or درهم183.65 million) with Douglas Elliman – New York’s “last intact Gilded Age mansion”Gilded Glory – 854 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, New York, NY 10065, United States of America – £38.75 million ($50 million, €45.96 million or درهم183.65 million) with Douglas Elliman – New York’s “last intact Gilded Age mansion”Gilded Glory – 854 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, New York, NY 10065, United States of America – £38.75 million ($50 million, €45.96 million or درهم183.65 million) with Douglas Elliman – New York’s “last intact Gilded Age mansion” Gilded Glory – 854 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, New York, NY 10065, United States of America – £38.75 million ($50 million, €45.96 million or درهم183.65 million) with Douglas Elliman – New York’s “last intact Gilded Age mansion”Gilded Glory – 854 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, New York, NY 10065, United States of America – £38.75 million ($50 million, €45.96 million or درهم183.65 million) with Douglas Elliman – New York’s “last intact Gilded Age mansion”Gilded Glory – 854 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, New York, NY 10065, United States of America – £38.75 million ($50 million, €45.96 million or درهم183.65 million) with Douglas Elliman – New York’s “last intact Gilded Age mansion”Gilded Glory – 854 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, New York, NY 10065, United States of America – £38.75 million ($50 million, €45.96 million or درهم183.65 million) with Douglas Elliman – New York’s “last intact Gilded Age mansion”Gilded Glory – 854 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, New York, NY 10065, United States of America – £38.75 million ($50 million, €45.96 million or درهم183.65 million) with Douglas Elliman – New York’s “last intact Gilded Age mansion”

  • Remembering Michael Bienes

    Remembering Michael Bienes

    Witty Fort Lauderdale based philanthropist Michael Bienes passes away

     

    Philanthropist Michael Bienes sadly died of cancer on 5th April according to the Sun Sentinel.

     

    New York born Mr Bienes, a multi-millionaire many times over until falling prey to Bernard Madoff’s crooked Ponzi scheme, was known for hosting lavish parties and supported everything from the Holy Cross Hospital in Broward County to the Royal Opera House in London. He was generous to a tee and known for his dry sense of humour and wit.

     

    The 80-year old, whose accountancy firm, Avellino & Bienes was an early feeder fund of Bernard L. Madoff Securities, leaves a widow, Dianne. She told the Sun Sentinel:

     

    “Michael was never a man who would take advantage of anyone simply because he was always afraid of doing anything wrong. He loved people and valued the relationships he cultivated”.

     

    Michael Bienes will be missed by many in both America and Britain. We offer our condolences to his wife and family.