These are unprecedented times, and that extends to luxury real estate. High-end buyers are taking advantage of historically low mortgage rates and a reinforced desire to hunker down in a bigger, better, more luxurious, or more lifestyle-appropriate space with surprising vigor and velocity. In fact, properties in the $10-million range are in such high demand that we had to replace two of the homes we were showcasing this month because they sold right out from under us.
If that’s your budget for a new place, you still have plenty to choose from, all around the country—and the world. We’re featuring a couple of stunning waterfront manses stateside, a lakeside estate in British Columbia, a Venetian Follies castle in France, and the perfect place for a Roman Holiday in the historic center. Take your pick.
31071 Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA
4 Bedrooms
4 Baths
4,916 Square feet
Entertain in the airy living room with a view of the sparkling sea. Prepare dinner in the gourmet kitchen with a view of the sparkling sea. Lounge in the luxe master bedroom with a view of the sparkling sea. Are your sensing a theme? Vistas of the Pacific Ocean flood nearly every inch of this gorgeous, contemporary waterfront home thanks to its setting overlooking famed Laguna’s Aliso Beach. Walls of glass showcase the California coast and Catalina from inside and across the two wide balconies. On the top floor, the master suite has its own view-oriented sun deck, and on the ground level, you’ve got direct access to the sand and the home’s 50 feet of beach frontage down a few stairs.
This property is listed for $10,995,000 by Timothy Smith of Coldwell Banker Newport Beach.
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146 S Kalaheo Avenue
Kailua, HI
7 Bedrooms
5 Baths and 1 partial
6,154 Square feet
On coveted Kalaheo Avenue and overlooking Kailua Beach, rated the No. 1 beach in the United States, this gated waterfront estate is a rare offering. You’ll enjoy your privacy, with a locale at the end of the bay and ensconced behind gates and towering palms, but with unmitigated access to white sands, hiking trails, and dynamic Kailua Town. Indoor-outdoor living gives this Hawaiian dream another level of luxe. View the turquoise waters and Koolau Mountains from the expansive living room, formal dining room, or Thermador- and Sub-Zero-outfitted island kitchen. Or, slide open the doors to the large lanai and let those ocean breezes in.
This property is listed for $10,995,000 by Tracy Allen of Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties.
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Montpellier, Languedoc Roussillon, France
10 Bedrooms
30,903 Square feet
Your home is your castle, alright. When nothing less than royal environs will do, head for this exquisite French estate. From the Florentine façade, to the Corinthian columns, to the Venetian lions that grace one of the terraces, the Italian architectural influence is unmistakable. But the lush, parklike grounds and gardens are 100 percent French. So, too, is the glorious location, nestled between Montpellier and Narbonne in the seaside town of Cap d’Agde on the Mediterranean coast. The massive scale invites reception rooms of incredible proportions while numerous guest quarters cater to any type of travel, entertainment, or corporate retreat scenario. Details including beautifully realized stonework and intricately carved moldings are juxtaposed nicely against newer renovation work, which has brought a welcome level of modernity to this history-laden offering.
This property is listed for $10,537,284 by Eric Castellazzi of Coldwell Banker Occitania Properties.
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6 Bedrooms
5 Baths
4,305 Square feet
Welcome to your piece of historic Rome. This one-of-a-kind property in the storied Piazza Mignanelli has been completely refurbished, inside and out, and features views of the Spanish Steps. From the professionally equipped white-and-stainless-steel kitchen to the generous living room with modern fireplace and walls of bookcases, to the sparkling, renovated bathrooms, the interior is immaculate. The large, private terrace offers a unique opportunity for outdoor entertaining or simply enjoying a quiet moment surrounded by history and the energy of the city.
This property is listed for $10,478,416 by Coldwell Banker Mignanelli Real Estate.
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180 Sheerwater Court 10
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
5 Bedrooms
8 Baths
13,327 Square Feet
When it comes to gated communities in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, it doesn’t get more exclusive than Sheerwater. This is the place to be for lakeside living with a luxury bent, and this contemporary waterfront estate on 8.5 acres with 600 feet of water frontage is a prime showcase for all its gorgeous spectacle. Natural beauty is on display throughout the 13,000-plus square feet, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing lake and mountain views. The interior features a movie theatre, recording studio, poker room, gym, wine cellar, and state-of-the art technology, as well as a detached guest home. Outside, there are several outdoor living areas, a vanishing-edge pool with swim-up bar and hot tub, three boat slips reached by tram, and a private staircase that leads to a secluded cove. There’s also a heated garage that can accommodate as many as 10 cars and toys.
This property is listed for $9,807,776 by Jane Hoffman of Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty.