In a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, this week Bill Gates continued his discussion about philanthropy by taking it to the business world. He talks about what he calls “Creative Capitalism.” The essence of this Creative Capitalism is “…an approach where governments, businesses, and nonprofits work together to stretch the reach of market forces so that more people can make a profit, or gain recognition, doing work that eases the world’s inequities.”

Now, it’s one thing to speak about individual philanthropy, but it’s quite another to speak about corporate philanthropy. It sounds like an oxymoron; how could a company make a profit being altruistic? But the genius of what Gates is talking about is the idea that a company can make a profit if it can find a way to provide goods and services needed by the world’s people.  One example he cited was the ability of a company in India to find a way to produce a vaccine for meningitis that was inexpensive for people there.  In another example, Gates talked about (RED), which uses the sale of products to fund campaigns against AIDS and other diseases.

No, this isn’t a new idea.  Adam Smith talked about it in The Wealth of Nations.   It just takes someone with worldwide power and force of a Bill Gates to get something like this off the “tipping point” and moving.

I need to think more about this.  What about you?  Any thoughts?

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Filed under: Estates

It’s not exactly a Frank Lloyd Wright home but it is definitely inspired by the legendary architect. This home near Jackson, Wyoming was custom built for someone who definitely has a taste for the Arts and Crafts style. The woodwork here is stunning, especially the chandelier in the dining room. If you aren’t a fan of this style it can all be a bit much but the overall theme is very consistent and rather restful. The four-bedroom home has an exterior of pressed brick, elaborate cornices, and wrap-around terraces. It sits on 5.37 acres and is listed at $11.4 million.

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We visited North Bay Road in Miami Beach last month for an estate of the day but a reader, Marie, sent me the link for this one. I figured it was worth sharing with you. I’m not quite sure what sort of happy money cocktail designers are sipping along North Bay Road but it makes for some interesting decorating decisions, especially as newer owners with lots of money try to bend older homes to their will. The last estate we saw in this area was a strange amalgam of modern and absurd baroque. This one is a less obvious and more lavish case, but there are still some interesting juxtapositions here. The current owners seem to have a hankering for the modern, hence the new spare and bare contemporary kitchen and bathrooms, but this home still has the particularly Miami affliction of gold paint details on the walls. The home is over 10,000 square feet with nine bedrooms and it has a nice chunk of bay frontage with a dock. This estate is listed at $18.9 million.

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It’s not exactly a Frank Lloyd Wright home but it is definitely inspired by the legendary architect. This home near Jackson, Wyoming was custom built for someone who definitely has a taste for the Arts and Crafts style. The woodwork here is stunning, especially the chandelier in the dining room. If you aren’t a fan of this style it can all be a bit much but the overall theme is very consistent and rather restful. The four-bedroom home has an exterior of pressed brick, elaborate cornices, and wrap-around terraces. It sits on 5.37 acres and is listed at $11.4 million.

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Filed under: Estates, Journeys

What is the cut-off for size for boutique hotels? I generally think it is under 150 rooms but a new multi-use project in Knoxville, Tennessee bills itself as having a boutique hotel even though it’s got 200 rooms. The Metropolitan Plaza project is actually a fairly big project, including a 15-foor tower with as many as 32 condos above the hotel room as well restaurants, a bank and retail shops on the lobby level. There is also an office tower planned that would stand about 7-8 floors tall. The $78 million project from Knoxville-based Commercial & Investment Properties also includes an enclosed pedestrian bridge linking the complex to the Knoxville Convention Center.

The proposal beat out two other proposals for the redevelopment of the downtown say Supreme Court Building.The project does not have a hotel brand linked to it yet but the developer says that several are interested. Once approved, construction on the project could start as early as this fall and be completed by early 2010.

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We visited North Bay Road in Miami Beach last month for an estate of the day but a reader, Marie, sent me the link for this one. I figured it was worth sharing with you. I’m not quite sure what sort of happy money cocktail designers are sipping along North Bay Road but it makes for some interesting decorating decisions, especially as newer owners with lots of money try to bend older homes to their will. The last estate we saw in this area was a strange amalgam of modern and absurd baroque. This one is a less obvious and more lavish case, but there are still some interesting juxtapositions here. The current owners seem to have a hankering for the modern, hence the new spare and bare contemporary kitchen and bathrooms, but this home still has the particularly Miami affliction of gold paint details on the walls. The home is over 10,000 square feet with nine bedrooms and it has a nice chunk of bay frontage with a dock. This estate is listed at $18.9 million.

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This one in Cohasset, Massachusetts is an interesting example of what happens when an older house meets a new owner with a taste for the modern. This home sits on a promontory called Cary’s Point, which overlooks Sandy Cove. The current owners bought the home around 2003 for about $4.75 million and gave it a total renovation and expansion. Believe it or not, this home was built in 1903-04 but has been completely renovated with new floors, new windows, new heating, audio, video and lighting systems and more. The details here are pretty fantastic; the kitchen counter for example appears to be composed of agate slices. The windows are all custom made with curving metal accents. There is not just a heated three-car detached garage but also a two-car garage with a turntable floor so the owner never has to back out of the garage again. The reflecting pool has a big sculpture. The current owners have a taste for modern design and so the home is currently a showcase for all sorts of contemporary furniture and an expansive art collection. The property has a dining patio and gazebo with perfect views of the water. The property has access to two private beaches and two moorings. The owner is even offering his 46-foot Sunseeker powerboat along with the estate. The estate is listed at $19.5 million with Dean and Hamilton.

[via Wicked Local]

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Filed under: Estates, Journeys

What’s the cut-off for size for boutique hotels? I generally think it is under 150 rooms but a new multi-use project in Knoxville, Tennessee bills itself as having a boutique hotel even though it’s got 200 rooms. The Metropolitan Plaza project is actually a fairly huge project, including a 15-foor tower with as many as 32 condos above the hotel room as well restaurants, a bank and retail shops on the lobby level. There’s also an office tower planned that would stand about 7-8 floors tall. The $78 million project from Knoxville-based Commercial & Investment Properties also includes an enclosed pedestrian bridge linking the complex to the Knoxville Convention Center.

The proposal beat out two other proposals for the redevelopment of the downtown say Supreme Court Building.The project does not have a hotel brand linked to it yet but the developer says that several are interested. Once approved, construction on the project could begin as early as this fall and be finished by early 2010.

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Filed under: Estates

Why this one? Because it’s a lighthouse, in Bigfork, Montana. Okay, it’s not so much a lighthouse as a home with a lighthouse-like structure appended to it. Still you’ve to admire the commitment to the nautical in this one. Most of the houses we see in Montana are full of antler chandeliers, roughhewn logs and western fabrics. Not so here. this one could easily be plunked down on an East Coast shoreline. Boat-shaped bookcases and nautical art add to the rather relentless theme decorating. The house is located south of Woods Bay and is perched above Flathead Lake for some truly beautiful views. The home is under 4,000 square feet and sits on one acre. It is listed at $2.95 million.

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This one in Cohasset, Massachusetts is an interesting example of what happens when an older house meets a new owner with a taste for the modern. This home sits on a promontory called Cary’s Point, which overlooks Sandy Cove. The current owners bought the home around 2003 for about $4.75 million and gave it a total renovation and expansion. Believe it or not, this home was built in 1903-04 but has been completely renovated with new floors, new windows, new heating, audio, video and lighting systems and more. The details here are pretty fantastic; the kitchen counter for example appears to be composed of agate slices. The windows are all custom made with curving metal accents. There’s not just a heated three-car detached garage but also a two-car garage with a turntable floor so the owner never has to back out of the garage again. The reflecting pool has a huge sculpture. The current owners have a taste for modern design and so the home is currently a showcase for all sorts of contemporary furniture and an expansive art collection. The property has a dining patio and gazebo with perfect views of the water. The property has access to two private beaches and two moorings. The owner is even offering his 46-foot Sunseeker powerboat along with the estate. The estate is listed at $19.5 million with Dean and Hamilton.

[via Wicked Local]

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Continue reading Cary Point, Estate of the Day

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