Filed under: Estates

For the next couple of weeks we will be checking out some homes in the most costly zip codes in the United States, up today, 20815. This zip code is in Chevy Chase, Maryland has a median price of $2,020,000 and an appreciation rate of 253% since 1990. This residential Maryland suburb offers simple access to Washington D.C. and is home to a variety of traditional homes.

Today’s home, Wirelawn was first bought from the Chevy Chase Land Company in 1905. It’s full of political history, Harry Truman’s presidential inaugural ball was held here and the home, which is now a private residence, once served as an embassy. The ten-bedoom home has a grand foyer, formal living room, formal dining room, music room (with a beautiful Egyptian-themed mural), family room and ballroom. The first floor is also home to the sunroom, kitchen, butler’s pantry and mudroom. The upper levels are home to the bedrooms including the master suite with his and hers baths and dressing area, bedroom suites with sitting rooms, and staff quarters. There’s also a temperature-controlled wine cellar and a gentleman’s study. The 1.36 acre property includes a covered veranda off the ballroom, large heated pool and spa, three-car garage, gazebo and pool home, tented terrace and deck, a circular drive, motor court and a lawn massive enough to accommodate football and soccer games, or a tennis court. This home is listed at $6.9 million.

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Filed under: Estates, Auctions

Louis Kahn only designed 3 major architectural homes in his career and one of them, the Escherick Home (named after the woman for whom it was built, Margaret Escherick) is up for auction. Its address is in Philadelphia and according to some it’s his ideal residential creation and has “mature style” and a “warm and human quality” to the interior (and I tend to agree).

So the home will be sold, but unlike most houses its price won’t only reflect the local regular real estate market but also the art market. Valued at $2 million only about half of that is unbiased structural and land values — the rest is all artistic and historical sentiment.

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Filed under: Estates

For the next couple of weeks we will be checking out some homes in the most pricey zip codes in the United States, up today, 02114. This zip code is in the Beacon Hill area of Boston, Massachusetts has a median price of $2,070,000 and an appreciation rate of 271% since 1990. In this part of Boston, you’re paying for history, convenience and also for the picturesque beauty of the area.

Today’s selection is a townhouse located near Charles Street, Beacon Hill’s main drag which is backed with antique stores, small cozy restaurants and small gourmet grocery stores. This four-bedroom home has a bottom floor with a sitting room, kitchen, and a classic shuttered bay windo. The second floor includes a southern-orientated music room with s its own wood burning fireplace. The second floor also features the formal living room with moldings and hardwood floors. The master suite is on the third floor and has a marble vanity, his and her sinks, and a dual shower as well as a separate office/dressing room with built in shelving. The au-pair suite is on the lower level and has a living/kitchen area that could be converted to a media room. This home is listed at $4.25 million.

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Filed under: Estates

For the next couple of weeks we’ll be checking out some homes in the most high-priced zip codes in the United States, up this day, 75205. This zip code is in the area of Highland Park, Texas, part of Dallas, and is one of the wealthiest cities in the nation. It has a median price of $1,470,000 with an appreciation rate of 149% since 1990.

The area has been known for exclusive housing since the early 1900s and gets its name from the fact that it is on high land that overlooks Dallas. According to Wikipedia, a a 2007 estimate reported that Highland Park has a median family income of $373,327. Celebrities in the area include Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman.

The top house currently for sale in this prestigious area is this home on Lakeside Drive facing Lakeside Park. The home was built in 1918 but was taken down to the studs and completely rebuilt a few years ago. The home is nearly 10,000 square feet but sits on just a half acre of land (with a small pool tucked in between the home and the garage). This home is listed at $14,995,000.

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Filed under: Estates

For the next couple of weeks we will be checking out some homes in the most expensive zip codes in the United States, up today, 75220. This zip code refers to a part of Dallas, Texas. This zip code includes the prestigious Preston Hollow area and has a median price of $1,530,000 with an appreciation rate of 160% since 1990.

Today’s estate is done in an English Country style and is over 15,000 square feet. There are three levels, plus a lower level which are accessible through
seven staircases and an elevator. The first level includes a two-story entrance, living room, dining room, library, family room, office, sunroon and a big kitchen that includes a Viking stove top and a hammered copper vent hood.

The second level is home to the master bedroom with his and hers baths, dressing rooms and a sunroom. There are also three additional en suite bedrooms on this level as well as a playroom, a five-desk computer/office area and a full-service laundry with a drip-dry area. The third level is a furnished space that also has a kitchenette and a full bath. The bottom level has a den or game room; a stone floored corking room; a pine-paneled smoking room; a media room; a sunlit workout/fitness center and a fifth bedroom with full bath. The property also includes a three-car garage, an outdoor area with a fireplace and grilling space and a swimming pool with a dramatic slate-backed water wall. This new home has been expertly staged (read an article about the stager here). It is listed at $8.6 million.

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Filed under: Estates

In Tel Aviv, Israel, the G Tower offers Tel Aviv’s most expensive apartment, a flat priced at $34-million apartment. The Gindi Group, which developed the G Tower recently announced the selling price for the triplex flat which combines a former duplex and penthouse apartment on the 24th, 25th and 26th floors. The new apartment is located just under the triplex which was bought by the holder of controlling interest for Bank Hapoalim, Shari Arison, for $13 million.

The tower has 31 floors with 40 apartments. Building amenities include a culture center with a library and bar, a fitness center, swimming pool, conference center, underground parking and tight security. The new apartment has 360 degree views of the city and measures 1,500 square meters (around 15,145 square feet) for a price of over $22,000 per square meter. According to an article on Haaretz.com some real estate agents in Tel Aviv think the price is way too high, especially since a $25 million penthouse in the Sea One Project on Hayarkon Street failed to sell.

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Filed under: Estates

For the next couple of weeks we will be checking out some homes in the most costly zip codes in the United Says, up this day, 29401. This zip code refers to the beautifully historic town of Charleston, South Carolina. This zip code in the fast-growing Southern city has a median price of $1,590,000 with an appreciation of 228% since 1990.

To explore this town we’ve got one beauty of an old home. This home on King Street in the historic district is the Patrick O’Donnell home it was built by O’Donnell over the period of 1852-1870 who was building the house for his bride but took so long finishing the job that his fianc

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Filed under: Estates

For the next couple of weeks we’ll be checking out some homes in the most pricey zip codes in the United States, up today, 33924. This zip code brings us to Captiva Island, Florida a spit of land stretching into the Gulf of Mexico. This tranquil and warm area has a median price of $2,060,000 with an appreciation rate of 382% since 1990.

Captiva island is reached by car via the Sanibel Causeway and Sanibel-Captiva Road. Its location makes it a bit of a hurricane magnet and the island was damaged in 2004 when Hurricane Charley rolled through. That doesn’t stop people from building some massive houses though. Case in point, today’s estate, a massive three-story home with six bedrooms. The overall decor relies far too much on the beige but the home does have a salt water aquarium, gourmet kitchen, elevator, arched gallery, marble floors and large mahogany double doors. The swimming pool includes a spa and an area for in-water dining and most importantly a short walk brings you directly to the Captiva Isand’s famously beautiful white sand beaches. This property is listed at $10,900,000.

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Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

Musician Moby is facing real estate woes on both coasts this week. He has been trying to sell his charming New York co-op in the El Dorado since last summer (check out pictures from our estate of the day posting here) but seems to be having trouble finding a buyer his co-op board will love. Moby purchased the two-bedroom tower apartment for $4.5 million in September 2005 and it is spread out over four levels and has terraces with terra cotta tiles, stone parapets and of course, mega views. He originally listed it at $7.5 million and found a buyer but the El Dorado co-op board turned the buyer down. Moby got smart and Main Street reports that he is now offering $75,000 as a finder’s fee to anyone who can help him find a buyer that can pass muster.

As we heard a couple months ago, Moby and his friend fashion designer Stacey Bendet bought a $3 million home in the Hollywood Hills with the plans to turn it into a showplace for stylists and celebs with the garage as Moby’s recording studio. Now neighbors aren’t thrilled with idea of a music studio in the area and are warning him not to pursue the renovation. A neighbor said to the NY Post that they kicked Prince off the street for making noise and so Moby should be careful. Gee, life as a peace-loving vegan millionaire is tougher than I thought.

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Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

Controversial pastor Reverend Jeremiah Wright is getting a luxurious retirement home. The Tinley Park Southtown Star reports that Barack Obama’s former pastor will have a four-bedroom home in Tinley Park, Illinois, a southern Chicago suburb. Wright’s home, which is being paid for by his church, the Trinity United Church of Christ, will include an elevator, butler’s pantry, exercise room, a master bedroom with a whirlpool and a spare room for a future theater or swimming pool. The mansion is estimated to cost $1 million.

Wright was recently in the news for his controversial polemics against U.S. foreign policy and Obama’s Democratic rival, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton. He has retired from preaching and it is the policy of the church to provide housing for retiring clergy even though I’d guess that usually the lodging isn’t quite so lavish.

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