Real Estate Information Archive

Luxury Insights is making a North-American search for the best realtors in the luxury market devoted to marketing themselves and their properties. The sixth-annual 'Our  Leaders in Luxury National Marketing Competition' is receiving entries in the following categories:

• Best Marketing Campaign for a Luxury Property (domestic or international)
• Overall Excellence in Personal Marketing with Emphasis on Agent Branding
• Best Online Marketing
• Best Market Data Report
• Outstanding Personal Achievement (during the last three years)

The competition not only recognizes leaders in the industry in the United States and Canada, but allows competitors to showcase various marketing strategies and tactics they have implemented successfully. Winners will be announced at our annual Leaders in Luxury symposium and networking event to be held October 20-22, in Austin (TX).

Hey neighbors! I just wanted to let you know that I recently took advantage of a few blessed days off to escape away with the wife. We ate some amazing food, indulged in couples massage, and played tennis and golf. Basically, we were able to unwind and be pampered and forget our busy lives for a few days and just enjoy each other's company. It was wonderful.

The best part? It was right around the corner! The Fairmount Turnberry Isle is right here in our own backyard, and I can testify that it is most definitely a gem of South Florida. The Mediterranean-style retreat offers great amenities, such as their award-winning Willow Stream Spa for adults and the waterslide and waterfall in the Laguna Pool is fun for the whole family. Kids under five even eat free. And this summer they are offering exceptional deals and 10 percent extra discounts for Florida residents.

For example: We played their world-famous 18-hole island green for free; we stayed in a spacious guest suite for just $59 per night; and paid half the normal price for a 90-minute massage ($99.)

And speaking of the Laguna Pool, in addition to its waterslide and waterfalls, we set up camp at the private poolside cabanas and grills. And I can't neglect to mention the exclusive Ocean Club with its pristine stretch of beach and casual dining on the sand.

I'm looking forward to returning in a few days for their Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular, spreading out a blanket on the lush fairway, and take in the 'explosive' event from the famous Zambelli Fireworks team with my family and friends. If you are looking for a luxurious but convenient summer getaway, check out South Florida's own Fairmount Turnberry Isle. This little hide-away is truly a jewel of South Florida.

Disney's Imagineers are creating a brand new project to delight the public: a luxurious gated community in Orlando, Florida.

The 980-acre Golden Oak resort community at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando will feature homes from $1.5 million to $8 million, concierge service, pool, spa services, golf course, access to Four Seasons hotel and a 'conservation area.'

Each of the 450 homes will be between a quarter and three-quarters acre in size and the first residences are planned for construction next year.  

The missing piece of a $1 billion Metropolitan Miami complex, Met 3, at 200 SE Third Ave, is scheduled to begin construction in the beginning of 2011. Originally set to break ground in early 2009, the project was placed on hold after several investors pulled out. However, MDM Development Group is shifting the details of the project and preparing to get started.    

The development group moves forward with a scaled-down version that seeks to meet two downtown needs: a supermarket, which downtown residents are currently lacking, and more parking.

Met 3 aims to not only provide benefits to office tenants and residents, as well as hotel guests for nearby Met 1 and 2, but to contribute to the overall community by providing a supermarket in the form of 'Whole Foods.' The national chain is in line with the theme of an affordable and healthy lifestyle.

"That's our goal. Our intention is to have Whole Foods," said MDM vice president Tim Weller, adding "we are actively working on that."

After more than six years of designing and building, the envisioned Metropolitan Miami complex is coming together.
The 447-unit Met 1 condominium is occupied with new residents and home to Chophouse Miami on the ground floor. Met 2 is nearing completion, with office tenants expected to move in starting in July and the hotel to open in October.

"It's a great service to the downtown area, which has been lacking something like this forever," Weller said.

Sunny Isles Beach, located mere minutes from Bal Harbour, is providing buyers with more than 100 new condominiums. The first months of 2010 saw the average price of condos drop 12 percent, sending buyers into a frenzy to snap up the luxury market homes on the beautiful island in South Florida, heavy with investors including Donald Trump.

The discounting helped the booming resort town outsell their counterparts with an average price of $508 per square foot in comparison to $1,350 in South Beach. By contrast, greater downtown Miami condos sold at an average price of $326 per square foot.

"The buying pool for new South Florida condos is proving to be extremely deep despite the fact that financing is difficult to obtain," said Peter Zalewski, a principal with a Bal Harbour based real estate consultancy. "The trend continues to be strong sales at projects where the developers have discounted their prices deep enough to grab the attention of all-cash buyers."

"The unwillingness of developers of South Beach developers to cut their prices on new units has worked to drive buyers to other areas such as Greater Downtown Miami and Sunny Isles beach."

Starwood Hotels & Resorts, one of the leaders in the hospitality industry and well-known for their luxury and lifestyle brands like the Westin, W Hotels, and Le Meriden, has completed a real estate milestone in completing the St. Regis Bal Harbour.

The landmark hotel, once known as the Sheraton Bal Harbour, now rises 27-floors above the ground and will include luxury, oceanfront residences.

The residential project is scheduled to be complete in 2011, and will be located across from the famed Bal Harbour Shops. Adding a bit of beauty and glamour to the shoreline, the Residences at the St. Regis is setting the bar for luxury living in South Florida. Only a short drive from downtown Miami, the St. Regis Bal Harbour includes 205 beautifully-appointed suites, 270 private residences, 37 condo units, a 12,000 square foot deluxe spa called Remede Spa, a prime-spot for their upscale, oceanfront restaurant, the elegant St. Regis wine bar, meeting and event space, as well as a private beachfront access area amongst the immaculately manicured landscaping.

The guest rooms are outfitted in St. Regis’ distinct style and grace, with floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies with breathtaking views of the ocean.

Prepared and created for those with discerning tastes, the Residences at the St. Regis are the ultimate in luxury home living.