COLDWELL℠ Magazine Winter 2026

COLDWELL

“I’m fearless — I’ve never been afraid of taking a risk.”

Revealed!

COLDWELL 100

Photography by Nigel Barker

first ARCHITECT, RISING

WHEN BEST FRIENDS DECIDE TO HAVE THE ADVENTURE OF THEIR LIVES... SO COOL.

When you combine a grueling 1,200-mile trek across the African countries of Kenya and Tanzania—that takes all of nine full days to complete while, by the way, maneuvering classic cars over the dusty, dangerous nerve-wracking course—you’ve discovered the adrenaline rush known as the East African Safari Classic Rally. Here, Brooklyn-based architect Jared Della Valle is behind the wheel with his best friend, Rob Bernardino, MD, as they get airborne at last December’s epic rally. Now, this is the best buddy activity ever. I mean, like, ever.

Is there any wonder why the East African Safari Classic Rally landed at No.62 in our first annual COLDWELL 100? See page 44 for the complete ranked list of people, places and things disrupting the global luxury marketplace in the best way possible.

— RICHARD PÉREZ-FERIA PHOTOGRAPHY BY ACTIONGRAPHERS

Jean-Georges: The Hunger

BY HAL RUBENSTEIN | PHOTOGRAPHY

BY JAMES LONG | PHOTOGRAPHY

SCOTT FRANCIS

KEVIN SESSUMS

TARA SOLOMON

on the cover

Jean-Georges Vongerichten was photographed by Nigel Barker exclusively for COLDWELL; grooming by Corey Jason Crysler, NYC; suit by Issey Miyake; sneakers by Hermès; (opposite) shirt and pants by James Perse. Shot on location at ABC Kitchens Dumbo, Brooklyn, NY, on December 10, 2025.

Marisa Tomei photographed by Platon

Bugatti Tourbillon

Hubert Le Gall Pilou Console

House in Naucalpan, México, designed by Javier Senosiain

BETH McDOUGALL 17 COVET Oui, Chopard BY TARA SOLOMON

68 HE WANTS Cufflinks, Oh My BY RICHARD PÉREZ-FERIA

68 MACHINE Robots BY SIMON MURRAY

70 GORGEOUS Skin Deep BY MARCO MEDRANO

144 NEXT The Future Of Style BY FERN MALLIS

COLDWELL BANKER GLOBAL LUXURY®

happy meals “I feel, at 68, I’ve just found my rhythm,” Vongerichten says from his latest well-received eatery, ABC Kitchens Dumbo in Brooklyn, NY. “I’m doing more satisfying things now than I’ve ever done in my life.”

Nautilus

COLDWELL Sm

Richard Pérez-Feria

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Kathleen Gates

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

James Long

MANAGING EDITOR

Sarah Carpenter-Peck

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Erika Phenner

PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR

Marco Medrano

BEAUTY & LUXURY EDITOR

Linda Gates DESIGNER

Toni Gerunda

EDITORIAL ASSOCIATE

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Greg Calejo, Rebecca Hardiman, Fern Mallis, Carole Radziwill

Hal Rubenstein, Kevin Sessums, Tara Solomon

WRITERS

Abbe Aronson, Rebecca D’Ambrosio, Dan Koday

Dr. Beth McDougall, Simon Murray, Todd Plummer

ARTISTS + PHOTOGRAPHERS

Quentin Bacon, Nigel Barker, David Cowles, Bryan Derballa

Lisa Mazur, Robert Risko, Mike Ruiz, Myrna Suárez

Jacqueline Kuron

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR, AGENTS

Heather Hartle

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR, BRANDS

Susan Gates

FINANCE DIRECTOR, GATES SISTERS STUDIO, INC.

Brandon Newman

VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING

Michael Altneu

VICE PRESIDENT OF LUXURY

KEVIN SESSUMS

Former Executive Editor of Interview and Contributing Editor of Vanity Fair—where he wrote dozens of headline-grabbing celebrity cover stories—Kevin Sessums is the author of two New York Times bestselling memoirs, Mississippi Sissy and I Left It On The Mountain. He currently writes the Substack column, SES/SUMS IT UP PHOTOGRAPHY: LIZ HAFALIA/SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

SIMON MURRAY

An award-winning writer based in the Hudson Valley, NY, Simon Murray’s work explores the intersection of travel, design and technology. As the former Senior Editor at Power & Motoryacht, he has written extensively on yachts and automobiles. Murray has contributed to many luxury magazines throughout his career and is currently focused on AI and emerging technologies, examining how innovation is reshaping modern luxury.

HAL RUBENSTEIN

The globally renowned fashion and dining expert, Hal Rubenstein is a writer, fashion designer and Fashion Director at InStyle, Style Director at The New York Times Magazine, restaurant critic at New York and author of his latest best-selling book, Dressing The Part: Television’s Most Stylish Shows (HarperCollins). He recently launched the Substack column, The Happy Grownup PHOTOGRAPHY: NIGEL BARKER

FERN MALLIS

The award-winning creator of New York Fashion Week, Fern Mallis has been hailed as an industry titan, a fashion doyenne and is widely known as the “Godmother of Fashion.” After two decades of influential leadership at the Council of Fashion Designers of America and IMG Fashion, she’s currently president of her own international consulting firm.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SOPHIE ELGORT

the team

CAROLE RADZIWILL

The celebrated author of What Remains, her New York Times bestselling memoir, Carole Radziwill won an Emmy as a producer at ABC News and was a former star of The Real Housewives Of New York City. Radziwill currently writes her Substack column, The Voice Of Reason With Carole Radziwill

PHOTOGRAPHY: MYRNA SUÁREZ

TARA SOLOMON

A seasoned pop culturist covering luxury, travel, fashion and design, Tara Solomon frequently contributes to The Miami Herald, Los Angeles and Interview

PHOTOGRAPHY: NICK D’ANNUNZIO

For decades, Nigel Barker has been a defining voice in fashion, entertainment and entrepreneurship. The world-class photographer has expertly captured the planet’s biggest celebrities and powerbrokers. A judge on Tyra Banks’ hit America’s Next Top Model for 17 seasons, Barker’s Shaken & Stirred Show podcast is being adapted for television.

PHOTOGRAPHY: JEAN-GEORGES VONGERICHTEN

ROBERT RISKO

Beginning his career at Andy Warhol’s Interview at 19, Robert Risko is inarguably the premier celebrity magazine illustrator in the world. An original contributor to Tina Brown’s Vanity Fair, Risko helped define the look of that influential publication. The award-winning artist has been frequently published in The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, Playboy and Esquire

NIGEL BARKER

PICTURES + WORDS

ith COLDWELL, I’ve come home yet again. For the entirety of my life, I’ve been acutely aware of the palpable force I experience in my own personal Venn diagram—at the confluence of home and magazines.

Growing up in Boston, and later in the bucolic suburbs of Miami, I was surrounded by compelling forces: a beautiful home filled with interesting magazines. It certainly helped that both of my parents prioritized education and storytelling at home. I took those attributes on with everything I had. As a kid, I read every book I could get my hands on—including Jack Kerouac’s On The Road and Gabriel García-Márquez’s One Hundred Years Of Solitude—and wistfully wondered what wonders lay ahead for me: What’s coming next?

From Sports Illustrated (I’ve always been obsessed with sports) to National Geographic (we had dozens of issues right next to the World Book Encyclopedia), and

from Architectural Digest to, of course, Vanity Fair, magazines became my drug, my lifeline to a bigger life I believed I was destined for.

Reading every detail about how the famous and powerful lived—and how they lived in those impossibly stunning mansions—fed my teenage mind. But I was also intrigued by how magazines were built, as if they were homes created by a talented architect. I started reading the fine print in those magical publications: “Who designed the cover?” “Who photographed that image?” “Who edited that story about that star?” Those were the questions I wanted, or rather, needed answers for. And thus my fate was sealed. Magazines were calling me home.

My first job after graduating from Tulane University in New Orleans was at Esquire in New York City. A dream, really. Whenever I think back on those halcyon days, I invariably remember how and where I lived, what my apartment looked like and what furniture I managed to buy. As I got more experience at some of the country’s best magazines, the quality of the homes I lived in markedly improved, with the requisite better furniture and a sharper critical eye to my own surroundings.

“I was

intrigued by how magazines were built, as if they were homes created by a talented architect.”

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate that some of my dearest friends have been world-class interior designers who’ve unknowingly influenced me in my own work creating powerful pictures and words from a blank canvas all editors in chief know all too well. Crafting effective, memorable pictures and words into a winning magazine isn’t all that different from designing a beautiful sanctuary you’re proud to call home. Both require a discerning eye, yes, but also a sort of surrender acknowledging the process must end at some point. Art is art, even when there’s a deadline looming.

The publication in your hands is the premiere issue of COLDWELL, and I’m so proud to bring together many of the magazine titans who’ve enriched my professional life and whose efforts I can now direct to lift this magazine to the highest possible standard, a standard we strive to set anew. This magazine’s “Murderers’ Row” includes the likes of Kevin Sessums, Hal Rubenstein, Carole Radziwill, Nigel Barker, Fern Mallis, Robert Risko, Tara Solomon and so many other talented warriors. What a thrill that these extraordinary geniuses agreed to join our best-in-class magazine stars, just as you have. Now, a brief moment to acknowledge my indefatigable team of experts responsible for the pictures and words and sublime details that indisputably make this magazine a certifiable work of art: Bravo!

COLDWELL is a magazine that takes its name seriously—the worldwide standard of excellence the name so boldly stipulates. As I think about all the magazines I’ve been so very lucky to lead and all the homes I’ve been so happy to inhabit, I’m cognizant that it has all led to this moment, right here and right now.

Welcome to COLDWELL, friends. I look forward to our sweet journey home.

— RICHARD PÉREZ-FERIA EDITOR IN CHIEF

PEAK PERFORMANCE

WHILE THE WORLD WATCHED THE WINTER OLYMPICS, THE DOLOMITI STILL CLAIMED THE SPOTLIGHT.

By James Long

f all my youthful trips to Europe, Italy returns to me most often, not as a single memory but as a mosaic of impressions layered over the years since my visit. Other countries—France, Spain,

England, The Netherlands—are sepia-colored like the 35mm photographs painstakingly affixed in my cloth-covered albums amassed in bookshelves. Italy unfolds for me, however, like a conversation you resume without effort. I’ve crossed it diagonally—and somewhat messily,

subject matter for another time—from the watery glamour of Venice to the quieter elegance of Vicenza, from Rome’s palimpsest of empires to Pantelleria, that volcanic asterisk adrift between Sicily and Africa. Each place left its mark, but none quite prepared me for Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Cortina sits differently in my thoughts. Having worked in professional theater, it’s not Italy as a proscenium stage set with ruins; its curtain raises to something more rarefied. I remember sitting on the front passenger seat of a car—driven by my Italian host, an architect who lived in Vicenza—as we approached: the road tightening, the air thinning, the Dolomites revealing themselves not all at once but in deliberate increments, as if aware of their power and in no hurry to display it. The Dolomites don’t simply rise; they declare. Pale stone catches the light in ways that feel almost architectural—my friend appreciated the analogy—as though nature, too, studied scale and proportion before committing to spectacle.

An earlier Italian itinerary, also guided by my friend, had taught me how to look at Cortina. Rome tutored me in accumulation, centuries stacked like the coins in the Trevi Fountain (albeit before tossing pennies only in the newly designated area). Vicenza taught me reflection with Palladio’s calm symmetries and grandeur while an excursion to Venice was a tutorial in resilience with its floating aesthetic of Eastern and Western influences. A week at my friend’s vacation home on the island of Pantelleria taught me austerity, how black rock and wind can be utterly seductive. Cortina, though, taught me transcendence.

I visited the upscale resort in summer, when the town feels both intimate and attentive but not tilting into arrogance. The streets are elegant without being precious; shop windows nod to luxury but remain grounded by the seriousness of the mountains that frame them. Everything here seems to understand its context. Even the chic cafés where we had lunch felt positioned for contemplation, chairs angled not merely toward

couture-clad companions but toward views that insist on being part of the conversation.

The Dolomites dominate not through scale alone, though they’re vast, but through character. They famously shift color throughout the day, blushing at dawn, whitening at noon, then catching fire in the alpenglow as evening approaches. Watching this transformation feels less like sightseeing and more like witnessing a holy act. I remember standing quite still in awe outside our chalet, aware that whatever I held important was irrelevant. The mountains were teaching humility.

Cortina, as part of a joint bid with Milan, just hosted the world as part of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Preparations started with the announcement in 2019, but it’s clear they didn’t intrude. If anything, they underscored the town’s quiet confidence. After all, Cortina had done this before—the 1956 Olympic ski jump, officially called Trampolino Italia, long evoked the anticipation of this year’s spectators wrapped in fur à la the 1963 film The Pink Panther, and the impossibly groomed slopes populated with the branded ski attire of the slalom set. That said, while I’m not a skier—I’ve always found satisfaction simply in watching and letting a glass of wine remind me of my body’s limits—even as the world watched with cameras trained and medals counted, the true achievement couldn’t be televised.

It’s the joy one feels, sharpened by air that seems to strip away excess thought, the sudden intake of breath when the Dolomiti peaks reveal themselves and the humbling calm that follows. That’s their own gold medal. No podium is required for their recognition. Long after the Olympic flag was taken down and athletes had departed, these glorious mountains remain, indifferent to applause, continuing their slow dialogue with the light.

When I think back on that trip to Italy, Cortina d’Ampezzo anchors my memory. Rome still murmurs, Venice still shimmers, Pantelleria still smolders—but Cortina stands apart, crystalline and exacting. It decrees that the most enduring travel experiences aren’t those that overwhelm us with information, but those that gently adjust our internal compass as though something essential has been recalibrated.

Perhaps that’s what transcendence feels like when it’s offered without the drama that muddies our lives. Italy gave me many memories, but Cortina dissolved my self-imposed ceilings with a heightened perspective—and that, even in a country so generous with beauty, is rare.

space mountains

The Dolomites don’t simply rise; they declare. Pale stone catches the light in ways that feel almost architectural as though nature, too, studied scale and proportion before committing to spectacle.

digits

MONEY & SHARE

Infographic by LISA MAZUR

millionaires

billionaires

NEW YORK CITY

384,500123

remains the world’s unrivaled capital of wealth, home to 384,500 millionaires and 123 billionaires — more billionaires than any city on Earth. Forbes as reported in The New York Times

342,40082

millionaires THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

billionaires

follows close behind New York City with approximately 342,400 millionaires, and now quietly claims the crown for billionaire density, surpassing NYC with 82 tech-fueled fortunes.

Henley & Partners in collaboration with New World Wealth

9,800

new millionaires

THE UAE

is set to retain its status as the world’s top wealth magnet in 2025 once again, drawing an estimated 9,800 new millionaires last year — more than any other country.

Henley & Partners Private Wealth Migration 2025

fact check

LOUVRE OUEVRE

DID PABLO PICASSO STEAL THE MONA LISA? UM, WHAT?!

By Richard Pérez-Feria

Stay with me here.

For real, the forthcoming fantastical tale reminds me of the time I came back from an eye-opening lunch in Las Vegas to tell my magazine team that I had eaten at what may be the greatest restaurant in America: “Has anyone ever been to The Cheesecake Factory?” I asked my crew triumphantly. Their shocked expressions and uproarious laughter still haunt me. Listen, I had just moved to Vegas after decades of living in tony Manhattan, never entering a single franchised restaurant. Sue me.

Risking the same reaction from you, gentle reader, I just stumbled upon a story that’s so improbable, so mind numbing I had to verify it wasn’t an AI fake out.

It’s real.

$6.8 WELLNESS is a $6.8 trillion global business — larger than Germany’s entire economy and nearly four times the size of the pharmaceutical industry.

$1.64 trillion

Global Wellness Economy Monitor 2025 trillion

THE GLOBAL LUXURY MARKET

spanning luxury goods and high-end experiences — was valued at around $1.64 trillion in 2024, fueled by rising wealth and strong demand across regions including Asia-Pacific.

Bain-Altagamma Luxury Goods Worldwide Market Study

In light of last year’s audacious heist from the Louvre Museum in Paris, a wave of stories recalling a similar over-the-top theft there kept popping up: When the world’s most famous painting, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, was stolen on August 21, 1911.

Instantly going into shock and mourning, the art world demanded to know who was behind the horrific deed. Enter Pablo Picasso, whose name was apparently given to the police by Honoré-Joseph Géry Pieret, the former secretary of Picasso’s friend, the famed poet, Guillaume Apollinaire. Pieret had previously stolen two Roman-era Iberian sculptures from the Louvre and sold them to Picasso, who allegedly used them as inspiration for his famous painting, Les Demoiselles d’Avignon Still with me?

So, the surely terrified Picasso and Apollinaire were brought to court, where it was determined that the Spanish master painter was indeed in possession of stolen art—just not the Mona Lisa. Luckily for everyone involved, the Iberian statues were returned and the judge let both artists off with a warning.

Two years later, in December 1913, Vincenzo Peruggia—an Italian employee of a firm that cut glass for the Louvre—emerged as the real thief of the Mona Lisa. Peruggia served eight months in prison.

Well, who in the world knew that? I certainly didn’t; but given my track record, you, almost certainly, did. As it should be.

PABLO PICASSO

“You should think of your energy as if it’s expensive. As if it’s like a luxury item. Not everyone can afford it.”

—Taylor Swift

Illustration by ROBERT RISKO exclusively for COLDWELL

SO, HOW LONG CAN WE LIVE?

THAT’S THE WRONG QUESTION. WE ALL SHOULD BE ASKING: HOW WELL CAN WE LIVE? By

Dr. Beth McDougall

Since we’re in a time when longevity dominates headlines and biohacking promises more years, I’m often asked how long we can live. My answer is rarely about lifespan alone.

What matters far more is vitality— the ability to think clearly, move freely and bring energy and purpose to the life you’re living.

What’s the point of living a long life if you can’t enjoy the years you have?

As an integrative medical doctor for nearly three decades, my work has focused on unwinding the factors that lead to chronic illness. Armed with the right information and guided appropriately, it’s often possible to prevent—and in many cases reverse—the trajectory of chronic disease. When people begin to feel better, something shifts. They regain clarity, reconnect with their goals and rediscover a desire to live fully, for as long as possible.

Longevity, however, has become oversimplified. There’s no supplement, device or protocol that alters aging. Biology is complex and interconnected and lasting change comes from restoring balance across metabolic, neurological, structural and cellular systems. Technology can amplify results, but it can never replace the foundation.

There’s also a misunderstanding that longevity medicine is about fighting nature. I see it

differently. The most effective interventions don’t override the body—they restore its capacity to regulate itself. When inflammation is reduced, when mitochondria function properly and when the nervous system is supported rather than overstimulated, the body does what it has always been designed to do: repair, adapt and persist.

Living better, and often longer, begins with lifestyle. The essentials I personally follow and encourage in my patients are simple but emphatically non-negotiable: consistent movement with increasing emphasis on strength as we age; optimized sleep supported by routine and environment; a whole-food, unrefined diet rich in vegetables and adequate protein to preserve muscle and structure; meditation and mindfulness to clear chronic stress; meaningful social connection; and regular time outdoors in natural light and nature.

Once this foundation is established, additional longevity tools—from targeted supplements and hormone support to sauna, cold exposure, red light and mitochondrial therapies—can significantly elevate health further.

So, how long can we live? Longer, perhaps—but more importantly, more fully. When we shift our focus from resisting aging to supporting vitality, we open the door to a life marked by resilience, presence and possibility for decades to come.

balance beam

“Biology is complex and interconnected, and lasting change comes from restoring balance across metabolic, neurological, structural and cellular systems,” says Dr. McDougall. “Technology can amplify results, but it can never replace the foundation.”

Icovet

IN ONE EAR (THEN THE OTHER)

CHOPARD’S GLISTENING HAUTE JOAILLERIE AMETHYST MASTERPIECE REALLY KEEPS US UP AT NIGHT. By Tara Solomon

dreamt in shades of amethyst—to paraphrase novelist Gina Marinello-Sweeney—in devotion to my new gem crush: A pair of glistening Chopard Haute Joaillerie Collection earrings with massive amethyst pendants so fanciful they almost dance.

Designed by Caroline Scheufele, Co-President and Artistic Director of Chopard, the enchanting one-of-a-kind creation—giving Tinker Bell Goddess Diva vibes—is set in lustrous titanium and features 43.67 carats of amethysts, 14.48 carats of pink sapphires and 5.64 carats of diamonds. The price is upon request. I’m requesting. Are you?

my space

A WINDOW FOR THE SOUL

THE CELEBRATED NEW YORK CITY WRITER AND TELEVISION STAR TELLS US WHY THIS CORNER OF HER HOME IS EVERYTHING.

By Carole Radziwill

Photography by Myrna Suárez exclusively for COLDWELL

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with creating beautiful surroundings. There’s something deeply aligned in me with shaping an outer world that mirrors my inner life. As a little girl, I redecorated my bedroom constantly—moving the dresser from one wall to another, painting an “accent” wall before I knew what that meant, taping up posters of movie stars I had serious crushes on.

After college, when I moved to New York City, my first apartment was a fourth-floor walk-up on York Avenue over the Raccoon Lodge bar. I had $300 in the bank, but I decorated that studio anyway—with flea-market finds, hand-medowns and used furniture—determined, even then, to make a small life feel intentional.

Later, as I got older, the apartments grew larger, but my eye for beauty and visual order never wavered. When I bought my current place in 2001, it had just been renovated by the previous owner. That didn’t stop me from gutting it to the studs and starting over. Since then, I’ve done three full renovations—roughly every five to seven years—each one a way of recalibrating not just the space, but myself.

My most recent redesign may be my last. I’ve entered my peace era. The previous one was in 2017, during my reality-show years, a chaotic, drama-filled time in my life. My apartment reflected that—loud, restless, always performing. When I left TV and finally slowed down, the dissonance became impossible to ignore. I could no longer reconcile the drama of my surroundings with the quiet I’d worked so hard to create in my life.

Gone now are the black linen hallways and the hotpink bedroom. The living room—once all chrome, silver and four competing shades of blue—has been quieted. Beige walls in Farrow & Ball’s Joa’s White have replaced the drama and the once-bare walls are now adorned with traditional

home run “I’ve entered my peace era,” Radziwill says about the interiors of her New York City home. “The previous one was in 2017, during my realityshow years, a chaotic, dramafilled time in my life. My apartment reflected that—loud, restless, always performing. When I left television and finally slowed down, the dissonance became impossible to ignore. I could no longer reconcile the drama of my surroundings with the quiet I’d worked so hard to create in my life;” (from top) window seat with nine-foot mahogany windows; “I used the remains of the Manach silk velvet tiger fabric—once famously upholstered on a custom sofa designed by Lee Radziwill in the late sixties—on two perfect French Louis chairs I found in an antique shop in Princeton, NJ,” she says; Portrait of Marilyn Monroe by Bert Stern, 1962.

French architectural molding, framing my Marilyn portrait like a thought finally given its proper sentence.

The black lacquered floors have been stripped back to their natural oak. My vintage Dunbar credenza and wall cabinet were taken down to the wood as well, their age allowed to show. I used the remains of the Manach silk velvet tiger fabric—once famously upholstered on a custom sofa designed by Lee Radziwill in the late sixties— on two perfect French Louis chairs I found in an antique shop in Princeton, NJ.

Everything in my home now has a purpose, a history—either my own or someone else’s. I believe in pre-owned everything. I’m drawn to objects with a collective memory. If something doesn’t already carry a life before me, I’m not interested. Even the building I live in agrees: a converted schoolhouse built in 1886.

My latest find is a marble fireplace that once lived in the original Waldorf Astoria Hotel. It dates to 1931. I found it in a salvage yard in Scranton, PA, along with its wooden overmantel mirror. Both pieces still bore the customs stamp on the back: Made in France

The salvage company hired to remove the hotel’s 300 fireplaces documented the entire process. Mine came from room 3404. I often wonder what it witnessed—whose letters were read there, whose trysts lingered, whose face once stared back from that mirror.

But my favorite spot of all is the window. I had new nine-foot mahogany windows installed, creating the perfect place for an extra-wide window seat. It’s here you’ll find me most days—writing my Substack, napping or watching out over the neighborhood I’ve called home for 25 years.

hair: Anna Galazka , NYC

makeup: Katie Nova, NYC

The Hvnger exclusive!

put on notice “I always seem to find a way in,”

Vongerichten says about his first opportunity to be a chef. “I just did what I wanted. And people began to notice.”

Why one of the greatest chefs of his generation Jean-Georges Vongerichten may also be the smartest.

By Hal Rubenstein photography by Nigel barker exclusively for COLDWELL

Though I’ve never been one of those food critics compelled to show up at a restaurant in a costume to rival Mrs. Doubtfire, I agree it’s beneficial for a reviewer to maintain anonymity.

So, when I was escorted to my table on the cozy second floor of JoJo soon after its opening in 1991, there was no special fuss. No one there seemed to know I was the restaurant critic for Interview magazine. I was simply one more obsessed foodie curious about the new restaurant’s young chef.

Jean-Georges Vongerichten was born in IlkirchGraffenstaden, a small town outside Strasbourg, in Alsace, France, surrounded by a family full of cooks, except none of them owned a restaurant. Instead, his mom and aunts prepared lunch daily for the dozens of workers at the family-owned fuel company. Though he loved to eat, lunch duty didn’t inspire Vongerichten’s passion for cooking. It happened almost by accident, as the aimless young man became as curious about restaurants as he was eager to avoid entering the family business.

Jean-Georges Vongerichten first earned recognition for his innovative fusion of French and Southeast Asian cuisines as chef at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Bangkok. He then commanded kitchens in Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Boston, before arriving in midtown Manhattan with a fourstar splash at Lafayette, the former restaurant in the Drake Hotel. JoJo, however, was Vongerichten’s debut as a chef/

owner, and the menu boasted dishes unlike any that had earned him honors at his previous kitchen.

That included the first dish I noticed on JoJo’s menu, “Shrimp in carrot juice with Thai chilies.”

The host, Lois Freedman (now co-CEO and president of Vongerichten’s empire), insisted we try it. I did. And after two euphoric can-anythingtaste-more-wonderful-than-what-I’m-chewingright-now bites, I abandoned professional protocol, walked into the kitchen holding a halfeaten shrimp and asked the compact, elfinly attractive man in chef whites, “Are you the guy who thought this up? Because this shrimp is so goddamn amazing I need to order another because I have no intention of sharing this one.” I’ve been delighted to be friends with and in awe of Jean-Georges Vongerichten ever since.

Now an Upper East Side staple, JoJo’s success set off a stunningly swift expansion of J-G in town outposts. But what was uncanny and inexplicably eerie was that during a three-week period in the early 2000s, as restaurant critic for New York magazine, I dined at his Spice Market, Vong, Nougatine, Perry Street and Mercer Kitchen, yet at each location, Vongerichten popped out of that kitchen to say “Hi!” The press just made such a fuss about Tom Brady cloning his dog yet overlook a far more confounding reality: How can this limitlessly gifted chef be everywhere at once? Vongerichten insists he’s the OG with no mutations or doppelgängers, matter-of-factly insisting, “You should know by now—I love to work.”

So relentless is that love, that Vongerichten’s culinary kingdom has expanded globally to include some 60 restaurants, including outposts in Doha, Sao Paolo, Kyoto, Shanghai and St. Barthélemy with plans for even more. And yet, Vongerichten sits serenely at ease opposite me on a strawberry mousse pink banquette a few weeks into the opening of ABC Kitchens, his newest destination on the waterfront in DUMBO, Brooklyn, as if he’d just come in from paddleboarding in St. Barth’s.

Why do you always look so damned content when you’re at work?

I’m never happier than when I’m in one of my restaurants. Being in the kitchen is my career, my hobby and salvation. But I didn’t grow up wanting to be here. I was a lazy, aimless student, with no ambition. One trip to a restaurant changed everything.

What happened?

It was 1973. I was 16. We never went out to eat.

My family was big and always together. There were usually 16 sitting down to dinner and everyone cooked, so we never went out to eat. But for one celebration, my father took us to a three-star Michelin restaurant. The food—incredible, but, more importantly, I discovered something I hadn’t expected. I didn’t know being a chef could be a job.

How did you go after it?

Actually, my father went to the chef, whom he knew; described me as a total failure who loved food and needed a job. Dishwashing. Anything. Turns out the chef was looking for someone to do prep. I began work immediately at a threestar kitchen and for four months did everything except washing dishes. Then they transferred me to the legendary L’Oasis restaurant in the south of France outside Cannes. And I stayed there for two years, until I met [world-renowned master chef]

family business (top) Vongerichten’s family photo from the summer of 1965 (from left): his brother Christian; his mother; his brother Philippe; Vongerichten is standing behind with his sister Martine next to him alongside his grandmother, uncle and aunt; Vongerichten as a young boy in France; (opposite page) his son Cédric Vongerichten is also a globally acclaimed chef with several restaurants in New York City and abroad.

Paul Bocuse, who hired me. So I went from tomatoes, rosemary and garlic along the Mediterranean to steaming cabbage, slicing potatoes and sautéing frog legs in Lyon.

No cooking school?

All on-the-job training?

Never more so than when I was offered to chef at the new Mandarin Oriental hotel in Bangkok. I said no for three months. I hadn’t even been a sous chef. But the owner persisted. Chef Bocuse insisted. So I took the job. I was 22. I didn’t speak English let alone Thai, but something compelled me to take the risk. I was more excited than afraid.

Tell me, how hard a learning curve was it?

It wasn’t. And I think it’s because I’m fearless. I’m not sure why I’m this way. I’m not being arrogant, but I’ve never been afraid of a risk. I always find a way in. And since I was already an outlier in Bangkok, I felt I had nothing to lose. I was so excited at the opportunity to create without restrictions. I just did what I wanted. And people began to notice.

Sitting here with you in Brooklyn’s DUMBO at your latest successful restaurant in New York City begs the question: Just how many places do you have in NYC? 14, with ABC Kitchens Dumbo.

Since I can’t find definitive proof you’ve been cloned, you have got to be tired, my friend.

[Laughs] No, I feel, at 68, I’ve just found my rhythm. I’m doing more satisfying things now than I’ve ever done in my life. I run to work in the morning. Actually, I drive but I drive myself. I find cooking and driving both spiritual activities for me. And because I love doing both, I wind up with too many ideas in my head.

Is that the reason why, unlike many of your contemporaries, you rarely open multiple versions of the same restaurants? There are 50 Nobu spots globally.

Nobu is an extraordinary chef, but repetition isn’t for me. I’m too curious about new tastes and smells. More produce is readily available than ever. Fresh scallops arrive overnight from Hokkaido, freshly caught fish in hours from coastal towns. I find six different color carrots at the greenmarkets. Why get locked into a formula?

I want each of my places to offer discovery, for me and especially for customers. I like to think they are as adventurous as I am. Also, restaurants need to be aware of their zip code and in touch with their neighborhood. Neighborhoods are rarely identical. You want regulars living within ten blocks of your place. Fifteen years ago, I never would’ve opened a restaurant like abcV in Brooklyn. It didn’t fit. Now, I know it will work.

lois’ lane (above) The chef’s award-winning creations on display; (right) 1986 photo of Jean-Georges alongside Lois Freedman, his longtime collaborator and current co-CEO and president of Vongerichten’s global culinary empire; (opposite) with the opening of Vongerichten’s latest critical hit, ABC Kitchens Dumbo in Brooklyn, he’s opened an astounding 14 New York City restaurants thus far.

How have your diners’ tastes changed?

They know all what’s out there, but they want food that’s lighter, fresher, simpler but with more variety, bigger flavors. What they can’t make at home. And they want to be appreciated. You know what can kill a restaurant faster than bad food or an inattentive staff?

Bad lighting?

Yes! It ruins everything! If a space has the ambience of a dentist’s office, I don’t care what the kitchen is serving. I’m going home.

When you’re home, what do you cook?

Breakfast is the only meal I regularly eat at home. I always have yogurt, fruit, chocolate and champagne in the fridge. If I do cook for myself, it’s always something simple like cacio e pepe— oil, pasta, parmesan, pepper. On the rare times I do entertain at home in Waccabuc [northeast of NYC], it’ll be a one pot meal, like Coq au Vin, delivered right to the table.

You travel one week a month to your restaurants. What are the most exciting food cities right now?

Istanbul, Shanghai, Marrakech, México City, Dublin and, of course, New York, London and Paris get better and better, but it’s not necessarily restaurants that excite me. Wherever I land, the first thing I do, sometimes even before unpacking, is head to the local greenmarket. And wherever I am I gravitate toward street food from pushcarts, trucks and vendors. Some of the most inspiring ideas start with something I ate standing up in a market.

When traveling to multiple destinations, how much do you pack?

I haven’t checked luggage in more than 30 years. I pack two pairs of shoes, two pairs of underwear, two socks, two chef’s jackets, one sweater, one white shirt and a blazer either black or white. I use the hotel laundry every day.

Any new restaurant concepts you’re working on?

We just opened Chez Margaux in the old Spice Market space in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. It’s a private nightclub. I want to revive nightlife to New York. I now feel the city is more vibrant and youthful than ever. Remember when everything was open all night? I want to help bring that back.

Do you ever stop, relax, exhale, sleep?

Yes, yes, yes. [Laughs] I enjoy my life. I have five grandchildren and spend as much time as I can

with them. I’m so proud of my son Cedric, who, with his wife, Ochi, now have ten restaurants of their own. [Vongerichten also has two daughters, Louise and Chloe.] As for me, I go to the gym every morning. I ski. In St. Barth’s, which is as close as I get to calling anywhere my happy place, I paddleboard and snorkel, take my shoes off and don’t put them on for three weeks. I disconnect as best as I can except for one habit I cannot give up.

What could possibly be so important? I never miss a meal.

Ever?

Never! Why deny myself the opportunity to eat more good food? I can’t imagine doing that.

great adventure “Fresh scallops arrive overnight from Hokkaido, freshly caught fish in hours from coastal towns,” Vongerichten says. “I find six different color carrots at the greenmarkets. Why get locked into a formula? I want each of my places to offer discovery, for me and especially for customers. I like to think they’re as adventurous as I am.”; (left, from top) with fellow French New York City-based master, Daniel Boulud; with early culinary mentor Louis Outhier; with fellow icon, Martha Stewart.

PARTNERS IN DREAMS

Extraordinary homes are born from rare chemistry—the client who welcomes bold ideas and the architect who elevates them.

By James Long

photography by Scott Frances

higher meier For emerging architect Richard Meier, refining a language of light, geometry and immaculate white surfaces, the commission to build Saltzman House required patrons willing to imagine a house in East Hampton, NY, unmoored from shingle style nostalgia; model photography by Ezra Stoller.

There will never be great architects or great architecture without great patrons,” wrote legendary English architect Edwin Lutyens in 1915. Indeed, more than a century later, in the realm of residential architecture, there exists a small, inspiring subset of houses that bear the unmistakable stamp of artistic symbiosis—the place where a visionary architect meets an equally visionary client.

These projects, unburdened by developers’ mass-market practicality and compromises, approach the idea of “home” philosophically. One might call it a “sanctuary manifesto.” They’re the modern descendants of the great architect— patron histories: think Richard Morris Hunt for Cornelius Vanderbilt II; Frank Lloyd Wright for Edgar Kaufmann, Sr.; and Zaha Hadid, the only private residence of her career, for Russian billionaire Vladislav Doronin. In each case, a partnership—sometimes formal, likely emotive— propels shelter into risk, experimentation and, ultimately, timelessness.

Today, as architecture leans more earnestly toward sustainable and material intelligence, examples of these notable residences also stand as emissaries—modest or multifaceted, they’re conceived by architects who amplify innovation, but also by their clients who can afford to live inside its most daring expression.

Back in the late 1960s, though, the Saltzman House was the preeminent act of conviction—on both sides of the drafting table. For emerging architect Richard Meier, refining a language of light, geometry and immaculate white surfaces, the commission required patrons willing to imagine an East Hampton, NY, house unmoored from shingle style nostalgia. For Renny and Ellin Saltzman, it meant trusting that restraint could be radical, that clarity could feel luxurious and that a modernist vision wasn’t merely a passing fashion. The collaboration was less about persuasion than alignment: shared faith in proportion, precision and the sustaining power of daylight as a structural element. Meier’s three-story composition—gleaming monochromatic planes

layered for movement and shadow— would later define his career and beget future patrons prepared to live inside his idea. The Saltzman House didn’t merely challenge its moment but anticipated longevity—it still stands on the site where it was built near the Atlantic shoreline—proving that true patronage isn’t about compromise, but about confidence.

full faith and credit

The collaboration between architect Richard Meier and homeowners Renny and Ellin Saltzman was less about persuasion than alignment: shared faith in proportion, precision and the sustaining power of daylight as a structural element.

At first glance, Javier Senosiain’s Nautilus House, in Naucalpan, México, appears less like a dwelling and more like a fantastical creature that has surfaced from the deep. Designed in close dialogue with its nature-loving clients, the house coils into a monumental seashell, its gleaming mosaics and curvilinear openings capture the ecological sensitivity of the surrounding landscape. The interior, with its

forces of nature

Designed by Javier Senosiain in close dialogue with its natureloving clients, Nautilus House in Naucalpan, México, coils into a monumental seashell, its gleaming mosaics and curvilinear openings capture the ecological sensitivity of the surrounding landscape; photography courtesy of Javier Senosiain, Arquitectura Orgánica

winding pathways, dissolves the boundary between rooms, defined not by corners but by flow as sunlight glides along curving surfaces and inhabitants wander through the house as if through a living organism.

Where Nautilus House embraces the fantastical, Sky Garden House, in Sentosa Cove, Singapore, is a study in tropical modernism pushed to its lyrical extreme by award-winning architect Guz Wilkinson. Rising in sculpted layers of concrete and glass, the residence unfolds as a sequence of elevated, lushly planted gardens. Light pours through open-air breezeways, cooling teak interiors and blurring the lines between home and horizon. Inside, grand, lofted volumes meet the quiet drama of water features—including a stunning tiled pool—and shaded terraces, creating a resort-like refuge designed for both spectacle and serenity. For the client who values the connection to nature with unapologetic luxury, Sky Garden House stands as a contemporary icon of coastal living.

On a rugged plot overlooking the Colorado River, Bercy Chen Studio reimagined the ancient pit-house of the American Southwest through an environmental lens. Edgeland House is carved into the earth rather than perched upon it, a graceful incision rendered in glass, steel and native plantings. Conceived for a client passionate about ecological performance, the house splits into two slender wings, crowned by wild, grassy, steeply sloping planes. Seen from a distance, the roof system blends seamlessly into the prairie, while geothermal systems and

passive heating strategies make the house one of Austin, TX’s, most environmentally progressive residences. If luxury can be defined as the privilege of living lightly on the land without sacrificing beauty, then Edgeland House is its exemplar. It proposes that the future of high design may lie not in grand gestures above ground but in smart, almost invisible alterations that honor the earth’s original contours.

Dupli Casa, as its name suggests, is an exercise in doubling. Completed in 2008, nothing about architect Jürgen Mayer H.’s crisp, angular composition is merely repetitive. Situated near Marbach, Germany, the residence uses duplication as a conceptual strategy: two distinct living zones, two perspectives on the surrounding countryside. The clients, a couple seeking communal family spaces, invited Mayer to translate these dualities into architecture. The result is a house with mirrored precision and sculptural bravura— reinforced concrete with planes that cantilever with surprising grace, glass expanses that dissolve into valley views and pathways that loop and converge like a Möbius strip. It’s a residence designed for those who appreciate the abstraction of contemporary European architecture, as well as the pleasure of inhabiting a space that reads differently with each hour of the day.

Together, these houses form a constellation of modern residential architecture—and the confidence of a client’s vision perfectly paired. They remind us that when architects are given the freedom to build without compromise, they return a home distinct in voice, each shaped by collaborations so aligned they can’t be replicated. Such fervent alliances design more than shelter, they design possibility.

casa blanca The result of Jürgen Mayer H.’s stunning Dupli Casa in Marbach, Germany, is a home with mirrored precision and sculptural bravura; photography by David Franck, courtesy of J. Mayer H. Architects, Berlin

PLATON PLANET

THE LEGENDARY PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER TAKES ON THE POWERFUL, THE POWERLESS AND HIMSELF. By Kevin Sessums

photography by Platon

Ialways arrive at a Zoom call early, prepared to wait a bit for an interview subject who is likely to have a busier life than mine. But at the precise moment the call was scheduled, Platon popped up on my computer screen. A thoughtful precision is, in fact, the mark of a Platon portrait. It matters not whether it is a person vested with too much power, a celebrity delineated by too much fame or a humble villager in Greece, his homeland, whose only luxury is to have lived a life beneath its ancient sun so that the rugged geography of such a place becomes the rugged geography of such a face. First impressions are an integral part of a photographer’s professional life, the opening act of the performative intimacy about to be crafted with some light and a shutter and a lens. So it makes a kind of narrative sense that the first impression that I had of the man—not the photographer—was just that: the guy is thoughtful, precise.

stage manager “A big part of my job is managing my stress, managing my energy,” says the celebrated New York City-based photographer.

ne of my first ever shoots when I was still a student was to photograph the legendary film director, Mike Leigh,” he told me when I complimented his punctuality. “Makes beautiful films. Amazing face. Kinda always grumpy. But has this wonderful wit. I was so paranoid about being late and not professional that I set five alarm clocks all around the house to go off four hours early. I have never really lost that. I don’t set five alarm clocks anymore, but I do care as much as I did that day. And I still get nervous before a big photo session not because I’m

not confident in what I do, but I am so invested in the moment. It can be with someone who’s a president or it can be someone who is completely unknown and has been robbed of all power in a human rights situation. It’s the same. I don’t know what they are going through. I don’t know what they’re feeling or what struggles they’ve had that morning. So I can’t make a judgment if they’re difficult or seem to be reserved. I have to be alert and present and engaged and observant to catch everything and to go beyond that first barrier of resistance. That takes a lot of emotional commitment.”

PLATON: ALL ACCESS

GLENN CLOSE

Glenn was a lovely lady. It was a very emotional, powerful shoot. She really appreciated the atmosphere of respect on my set because I think she was feeling a little vulnerable when she came in. I don’t know why. We’re all human. I would feel vulnerable going into any shoot myself. It was a nice experience to look after her as best I could. This moment of her touching her neck…psychoanalysts say that’s a kind of self-soothing thing. Depends. Sometimes it’s about protection, because your neck is very fragile.

KIERAN CULKIN

He’s such a character: fidgety, nervous, uncomfortable with praise. I told him I really liked his last few movies and he was all, “come on, man, don’t be an asshole, I don’t want to hear that.” He brings a sort of nervous, quirky energy to his work as an actor which is brilliant—but it was at the shoot, too. I couldn’t control him in the way I would guide another subject to a perfect shape. He’s just free. Always moving in all different places. So what you get is his character coming through rather than a beautifully sculpted composition.

Platon balances his work with celebrities and politicians who wield their fame and power sometimes in questionable ways with the work he does with the human rights causes dear to his heart. But should all judgment be left at the studio door when he’s photographing Donald Trump or Vladimir Putin, both of whom he’s photographed for the cover of Time’s Person of the Year issue? “The illusion of supremacy” is a term that Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke about which resonates with Platon’s own world view. But isn’t he shaping the illustrative aspect of it—its image—which is in service to that illusion?

MATT DAMON

This was the early days. He was just becoming a movie star. He was wearing this giant peacoat which I liked a lot. We did this in my studio. It was all still exciting for him. He was at the stage where you’re transitioning into a major player. People were calling him on his cellphone all day. He asked me what music I liked. I don’t really like Coldplay, but their first album was good and it had just come out. So I told him about Coldplay, that they were cool and were going to be big. He actually made a note to himself, wrote it down.

“I’m Greek,” he said, although he immigrated to England in 1972 when he was 8 years old with his father, who was an architect and illustrator, and his mother, an art historian.

“As a young child in the village where I lived, I listened to stories about Greek mythology. It was just part of the conversation. Each story has a kind of message of how you should steward your life forward. There is often something hidden inside those stories, a message of some sort. The story of Icarus was always one of my favorite stories. When I was a kid I just liked the story,” he says of

DAVID BECKHAM

One of the most successful celebrities in history. I’ve never met anyone who understands better how this game works. He plays it perfectly, which includes learning from his mistakes. Plus, he’s so handsome. He’s just a beautiful man. He knows where his light is when he’s being photographed and how his body looks. So I didn’t have to guide him too much. But it was all a bit too much looking at this beautiful man. I’m a straight guy but I’ve never seen anything so beautiful in all my life.

PRINCE

Prince was the most mystical person I’ve ever met in my life. The shoot didn’t last long. He was eight-and-a-half hours late. And I was on time. Pacing up and down. By the time he walked in, I was emotionally exhausted. It was backstage at a stadium in Tennessee where he was going to perform. He was late to perform for the crowd, let alone me. So the crowd was banging and shouting, “Prince! Prince!” You could feel the thumping because we were underneath the stage. With that tense atmosphere, he came up to me…and... well, talk about in control This guy was calm, chilled, whispered. Complete control of his artistry and consequently the crowd. I remember saying to him after the shoot, “Prince, you’re so mystical. Can you slip me the answer? What’s the meaning of life?” He puts his arm around me and said, “I have it.” So he puts his hand inside his lapel of the jacket he’s wearing in the picture and finds a hidden pocket. He takes something out and places it in my hand and then finally goes onstage and starts playing. I look down at my hand and it’s a Jehovah’s Witness pamphlet. I thought: Is that it? OK. The next day I was going home on my flight and I thought I should read this pamphlet. I’m not a Jehovah’s Witness but I did get it from Prince. So I started turning the pages and it’s the usual stories. Community. God. Pictures. Bits of text. It’s like a little booklet. Then I noticed something funny in the binding. When I got to the center of it, I discovered that he’d wedged his guitar pick there. Written on the pick in purple letters was “With love always, Prince.” If I hadn’t read that pamphlet, I wouldn’t have found it. I think the message was that you’ll only get the pick if you’re curious enough to read the pamphlet. Most people would’ve probably thrown it away and never bothered to look at it.

the mythic boy, the son of an architect as well, who also loved light but loved it so much that he tragically flew too close to the sun. “As I started to go from my village life to London to get educated and then I started to permeate this bubble of power through photography, I had—I have—no desire to acquire any of that power. I have been around so many entourages and hangers-on,” he continued. “It’s gross. It distorts the human character. I have always said to myself that I don’t want to be a hanger-on. I don’t want to cling to this. What I want is to capture a moment that is as true to the sensation I’m feeling as possible. We are all seduced by power. And I have been seduced by it too many times, I confess. It’s amazing to be in the room with the President or a movie star like George Clooney or to be with Prince. I do feel the pull. But I try to keep myself in-check by reminding myself not to get too close to the sun. It’s dangerous.”

The illusion of power can be limned with the reality of its reliance on regimental danger which was displayed for him when he and his bags of equipment were searched at gunpoint before being led into Putin’s private fortresslike dacha to which he had been unexpectedly taken as if in a kidnap caper after having set up their meeting for the Kremlin. Putin kept him waiting for a while until he arrived with the entourage and the hangerson in tow. Platon was alone— no assistants—with only his signature apple box on which he poses both the powerful and the powerless. He nervously, nose dribbling from the Moscow cold, struck up a conversation with Putin about the Beatles since he knew they shared a love of them. He

asked him who his favorite Beatle was. Putin’s favorite: Paul. Platon asked him his favorite Beatles song. Putin told him to guess. “Back in the USSR?” Wrong; “Yesterday.” He told Platon to think about why he would choose that one, implying that, to him, even a forlorn love song can have a geopolitical subtext, then dismissed his entourage and his hangers-on, leaving only Platon and his apple box with him in the room. Once they began their session, the photographer got so close to him he could feel his “cold breath” on his arm, he once told an interviewer from Foreign Policy. Platon returned to Russia to photograph human rights activists who had experienced more than the display of the danger that Putin put on for him and posed them on that same apple box on which Putin had posed.

The Beatles were the bridge to Putin but Miles Davis is the muse who connects Platon to his work. “For me the Miles Davis album, Kinda Blue, is as near to perfect as music can ever be. There’s a spaciousness to it. A discipline that’s also free. If there is a heaven, it is the sound of heaven to me. When you listen to that music, everything calms down. In my world before a shoot everything is very stressful and chaotic. There’s a million problems that we are solving. And I’m also dealing with a lot of weird energies from the entourage we’re meeting before The Person walks in. If we’re doing a human rights project,

SERENA WILLIAMS

This was a really difficult shoot. We were supposed to photograph her as the ultimate athlete. That’s how the shoot was set up. The day before the shoot she was in the finals of the US Open. It was going to be a big victorious moment. But she lost. She would’ve broken a record of some sort if she had won, so she was devastated. They almost cancelled the shoot because she was not in the right frame of mind. I mean, no one wants to be photographed when you’re feeling like a failure. I persuaded her team to go ahead and do the shoot. So what I photographed instead was someone so vulnerable. You can see it in her. Her body language that day was not that statuesque strength that she’s known for. She’s gentle and floppy and in many ways more sensuous. As I took this picture, I said to her, “Where do you go from here?” She told me, “Don’t you worry. I’ll be on court at 6am tomorrow morning training again. And I promise that I will come back as the champ.” She did. Everyone thinks it is the shoot of the loser, not the winner. I actually think, no, it is the shot of the winner. Because real winners pick themselves up quickly and do the work needed to win again.

HEATH LEDGER

This was a weird shoot. He really struggled making eye contact with me. A beautiful, sweet human being but he was struggling at the time. There was lots of scratching. At one point we talked about acting and I told him, “It’s only my opinion but I really do think you’re one of the greatest actors of your generation.” And he looked down at the floor as I took this picture and laughed at himself and the absurdity of celebrity, about the craziness of it. What everyone’s impression of it is on the outside is so different from the inside. When he left, I thought, “he doesn’t seem to be enjoying life.” He died a few months later.

we’re dealing with frightened people and security issues. There is a different set of problems. I want to listen to something at those moments to help me calm down so I can feel the details and be delicate with myself first and then I can be gentle with my subjects and not clumsy. Because when you’re nervous it’s like a shot of adrenaline going through your veins and it can make you clumsy. How can you be delicate and gentle and kind and curious when you’re rushing with nerves and anxiety and stress? A big part of my job is managing my stress, managing my energy. I always put on Kinda Blue about half an hour before someone walks in the room if we’re in my studio. It helps my team. It helps me. Because it is the sound of concentration. It helps in tidying up your mental dashboard.”

You mentioned kindness. When Richard Avedon was about to photograph Henry Kissinger, Kissinger leaned in and whispered to him, ‘Be kind.’ Should kindness actually play a part in a photographer’s work?” I ask him. “Or does being kind get in the way of it?”

“I’ve worked with Kissinger quite a lot. What he is saying is that he feels vulnerable in front of you. ‘Here I am a man,’ he must think, ‘who has acquired incredible power in my life and suddenly here I am feeling powerless.’ At the end of my first shoot with Kissinger, I was just beginning with this idea of also recording people’s voices because before that I was mostly keeping a diary of my shoots. So I said to Kissinger, ‘Would it be all right if we turned out all the lights in this room and I just asked you some questions about life?’ He said sure. So there we were in complete darkness. I could hear his breathing. He’s got this epic deep voice.

I’m sitting on the floor at his feet He’s sitting on the apple box. I’m actually leaning on his knee. I said, ‘Tell me about Sinatra.’ I’m a huge Sinatra fan, too, so I’m excited to meet someone who knew him. There was a pause. More deep breathing. Then he goes, ‘Picture this. I’m at the Sands in Vegas. I’m on the front row at a table with the Rat Pack around me. Count Basie’s Orchestra is ready. Quincy Jones is conducting. The room is so tense. It goes silent. The lights go dim. A tiny spotlight hits the corner of the stage and this shadowy figure walks onstage immaculately dressed. He walks up to the mic. The spotlight follows him. No one dares breathe in the room. Still: silence. The guy puts his hand in a pocket of his dinner jacket and pulls out a cigarette. He puts his hand in another pocket and takes out a Zippo lighter. Flicks it. Lights his cigarette. Closes the lighter. Puts it back. Takes a drag from the cigarette. Blows the smoke into the light and the light catches the smoke. He leans into the mic. He says, ‘Good evening, Vegas.’ And the crowd goes wild.’ I said, ‘Dr. Kissinger, why did you tell me that specific story?’ He said, ‘Because that’s power I wish I had.’”

“Have you ever photographed that apple box all by itself?” I ask. “It could be like one of those still lifes Irving Penn photographed for Vogue.”

“No, I never have,” Platon says. “But that’s a really great idea. Maybe it will be my next self-portrait.”

The selfless self-portrait: thoughtful, precise.

COLDWELL 100

In the ultra-luxury galaxy, there are those who know and those who don’t; those who lead, and those who follow; those who make the list and those… well, better luck next year.

reported by Sarah Carpenter-Peck, Rebecca D’Ambrosio

big story

Dan Koday, James Long, Marco Medrano

Simon Murray, Richard Pérez-Feria, Todd Plummer

metamorphosis The sublime amethyst, pink sapphire and diamond butterfly brooch of everyone’s dreams was created by Wallace Chan,

one of COLDWELL 100’s honorees. (He’s No.10).

COURTESY OF WALLACE CHAN

Introducing the first annual COLDWELL 100, the most comprehensive—and, importantly, ranked—list of the people, places and things defying the odds in this most competitive playground. Being the best actor, hipster, chef and TikToker may not be enough to make it on here; nor being the trendy restaurant, resort, mixologist or global destination.

COLDWELL 100 celebrates disruptors, brazen rule breakers that show by example that they’re indeed the people, places and things worthy of recognition. This took time to get right. And now for the reveal: the honorees await.

—Richard Pérez-Feria

1 ⁄100

JETSON ONE EVTOL

From the flying chariots of the gods to the flying vehicles in Albert Robida’s 1882 novel, Le Vingtième Siècle: La Vie Électrique, to the onslaught of reimagined flying cars of 20th century entertainment, let’s just say we humans have wanted this for a long time. Jetson is the pioneering eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) Palo Alto, CA, company behind the Jetson ONE, a personal aircraft in aluminum and carbon fiber powered with eight powerful electric motors that get you up to 102 km/h with no pilot’s license required. Race you to it.

2 ⁄100

ASADOR EXTEBARRI

The restaurant is globally famous for a reason. Experience a mastery touched by fire at Asador Extebarri, set within the mountains of Basque Country in Axpe, Spain. Chef Bittor Arguinzoniz transforms the simple into the extraordinary with custommade grills and the freshest of ingredients rotating each season. This is no-frills elegance where fire takes center stage; it’s intimate and rustic, the dishes are unpretentious with layers of flavor, all kissed by the flames. Sublime.

3 ⁄100

CARLOS ALCARAZ

For the tennis obsessed, as millions upon millions are globally, no single player has come on the scene as unexpectedly, as dramatically and as unbelievably magical as Carlos Alcaraz. The youngster has left the sport breathless and speechless. Alcaraz, who hails from Murcia, Spain—with a healthy assist from his rival and friend, the talented Italian star, Jannik Sinner—has answered the question tennis fans were wondering: After Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, who would follow? At 22, Alcaraz is already the winner of six grand slam titles; and his model good looks and ripped physique have luxury brands Rolex, BMW and Louis Vuitton making him a global juggernaut. ¡Vamos!

4 ⁄100

DACORA MOTORS

Dacora looks like a car from an alternate universe where Art Deco rules—sleek, sculpted, glamorous. Inside, swappable upholstery and modular seating adapt effortlessly to any lifestyle. Its tactile, antiTesla interface disappears into the hand-hewn walnut dashboard when not in use, reappearing almost like a whisper. This seamless blend of old school and new—call it analog intuition for the modern era—is Dacora’s calling card, and a good one at that.

5/100

BERES 09 5-STAR IRON

The world’s top-ranked golfers know precision is mental before it’s mechanical. The BERES 09 5-Star Iron

is mastery made tangible. Crafted entirely in-house and adorned with 14-carat gold and platinum, it pairs indulgent luxury with commanding stability, resonant sound and towering flight. Now that’s the ultimate psychological edge.

3 ⁄100

Carlos Alcaraz

7⁄100

L’Observatoire by JR

6⁄100

TAYLOR SWIFT

There have always been musical moments, even musical years, but until the arrival of one Taylor Swift, the planet’s unrivaled biggest star, no one singer, band or even genre of music has ever taken over an entire era worldwide (save The Beatles). Swift’s record-shattering Eras Tour was such a gargantuan and epic pop cultural seismic explosion that its massive financial impact was felt across global markets. In

short, there’s popular, then there’s Taylor Swift. And we’re so damn ready for it.

7/100

L’OBSERVATOIRE BY JR

Aboard the Venice SimplonOrient-Express—the world’s most luxurious and storied train—artist JR’s suite, L’Observatoire, isn’t just a room, it’s a carriage-sized canvas gliding across Europe. Every marquetry panel, hidden hinge and library shelf feels intentional; then there’s the overhead oculus casting

shifting light, fantastical stained glass and the ability to dine privately while the world outside becomes a cinematic blur. Train travel truly doesn’t get more mythical than this.

8/100

GUERLAIN FRAGRANCE

For a minimum of $130,000, Guerlain offers a one-ofa-kind, private, bespoke fragrance—for life. Your personal parfum is specific to you created by Guerlain’s legendary master perfumer Thierry Wasser.

Guerlain assures that your commissioned scent will be refined as many times as necessary. Delivered in a fantastically clad trunk from master trunk maker Moynat, this magnificence comes with spray bottles and travel sizes, and they’re yours forever.

9/100

LIONEL MESSI

For those of us who’ve been watching fútbol (yes, soccer) in the US since the former GOAT, Brazil’s greatest athlete, Pelé, wore a New York Cosmos uniform late in his career more than half-a-century ago, the arrival of the current GOAT, Lionel (Leo) Messi, to our shores as captain of MLS’ Inter Miami CF newly-minted champions was a b-i-g deal. How team co-owner David Beckham convinced him to join him in Miami will make a fascinating movie one day. You see, Leo Messi is to fútbol what Leo Da Vinci is to art: unquestionably, irrevocably, unequivocally the best there ever was. So, yeah, Messi is as GOAT as advertised.

10/100

WALLACE CHAN

Too transcendent for any colloquial title, “gemstone alchemist” suits this venerable innovator in his field. Let’s not forget this man created a new material five times stronger than steel and used it to create the first work of art by an Asian jewelry artist to become part of the British Museum’s permanent collection. His latest work, much like his renown, spans the globe with a dual exhibition “Vessels Of Other Worlds” opening May 6, 2026, at Venice’s Chapel of Santa Maria della Pietà and at the Long Museum in Shanghai, July 18, 2026.

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CRAYOLA PET SCULPTURES

AT NEIMAN MARCUS

There are portraits that show what one looks like, then there are portraits that capture who they truly are. Crayola’s collab with Neiman Marcus turns your dog or cat into art that feels warm and full of personality. It’s whimsical and surprisingly chic, a gift that becomes a centerpiece and a reminder that the creatures who love us deserve their place not only in our hearts, but on the wall. In vivid color.

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JAGUAR ALL-ELECTRIC SUPER GT

The name Jaguar has always channeled decades of cultural cachet and cinematic allure—from the cheeky Union Jack-clad “Shaguar” of Austin Powers to the ice-drifting Jaguar XKR in Die Another Day. Jaguar’s latest All-Electric Super GT redefines the pulse of luxury performance, a four-door with a targeted 430-mile range, underscoring Jaguar’s enduring presence in slick, cinematic luxury and a bold, electrified future. And it’s sexy.

13/100

CARAN D’ACHE PEN

For those who seemingly hold the world in their hands, the

Straw Marquetry Dragon Roller Pen, Limited Edition, may be a perfect fit. At $40,000, this is a true homage to ancient traditions, using Chinese lacquer, gold and absolute rarest rye straw. Limited to 20 pieces a year, the handengraved dragon with 18K gold is the perfect writing instrument or collector’s item. For advanced scribes—or those in it just for the bragging rights—this rarest of writing instruments is also available as a fountain pen. Of course it is.

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Crayola Personalized Pet

14/100

COCO GAUFF

The American tennis sensation, Coco Gauff, is still only 21. Winner of two Grand Slam titles, in 2025 she once again topped Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid female athletes for earning $33 million ($25 million in endorsements including New Balance and Mercedes Benz). A passionate athlete, a knowledgeable activist and a charming brand ambassador, Gauff’s future is limitless. And wonderful.

(7) LUDOVIC BALAY; (8) GUERLAIN; (10) WALLACE CHAN; (11) NEIMAN MARCUS; (12) JAKUB “FLYZ1” MACIEJEWSKI; (13) CARAN D’ACHE

15/100

VOLONAUT AIRBIKE

We live in a moment when startups are racing to build the first eVTOL—“electric vertical take-off and landing”—that anyone can fly without a pilot’s license. Leading the pack is Polish inventor Tomasz Patan, who’s followed up his Jetson ONE with a hoverbike straight out of Luke Skywalker’s Speeder Bike playbook. Details are scarce beyond its promised “jet power” and price tag, but Patan is already taking preorders.

16/100

DANI MICHELLE

Ever wondered how Kendall Jenner elevated her style to the chef’s-kiss red carpet looks we’ve seen from her lately? Los Angeles-based Dani Michelle is the fashion stylist responsible for dressing her in that iconic red Fendi Couture gown with Studio Amelia heels at the Academy

Museum Gala, and so many other looks for her other highwattage superstar clientele. Her Instagram alone serves as fructuous fashion inspo and proof that this is who you’re gonna want to call when you need your next chic ensemble—but given her recent recruitment to the BCBG Fall 2025 collection campaign, expect her books to fill faster than ever.

17/100

NORMAN VILALTA

Norman Vilalta, the Argentine lawyer-turned-Florentine–trained shoemaker, brings a decade of custom-fit mastery to every pair he crafts. His legendary Barcelona atelier marries sculptural lasts, sophisticated asymmetric pattern-making and hours of hand-finishing. The result: ready-to-wear shoes and boots elevated to quiet luxury with the soul, fit and refinement of true bespoke.

18/100

TATSUTO YAMANO

A family legacy cut short by the untimely death of an 11th generation Samurai swordsmith is carried forth by his father’s apprentice, Tatsuto Yamano, a young, certified Katana swordsmith who’s proven himself more than worthy of the ancient art. His mentor, Yoshindo Yoshihara, has previously been regarded as the best Katana smith of our time,

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Norman Vilalta

and Yamano is already earning global recognition as an emerging artist after a soldout 2023 collaboration with Tosho Knife Arts on a luxury set of kitchen knives and with continuing collaborations with the scrutinous Komon in Kyoto, Japan.

19/100

STEVEN LEVINE, MD

Is anyone more in-demand right now than Dr. Steven Levine? Known as the surgeon behind Hollywood’s best-kept secrets, the New York Citybased plastic surgeon is the go-to for A-listers, CEOs and anyone serious about looking exceptional—subtle and harmonious without looking “done.” Most spectacularly, Dr. Levine’s incredible transformation of Kris Jenner sent shockwaves around the globe. Undeniably, his Park Avenue practice is discreet, exacting and boldly elite. Appointments are scarce—for very good reason.

20/100

READY SET JET

So, now that you’re probably already planning an excursion into space for an upcoming getaway, have you given any thought to your skincare regimen while you’re touring the galaxies? Space causes our skin to dehydrate and age much faster. Ready Set Jet is made with a skin-intelligent marine complex that’s performance tested in zero gravity specifically for space travel, meaning your results perform under extreme conditions until you return to your home planet.

Tatsuto Yamano

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AMAN SINGAPORE

The sanctuary wellness refuge is going to become part of Singapore’s changing skyline inside the Garden City’s soon-to-be tallest skyscraper, The Skywaters. A rare mix of seclusion and peace with the city within reach, Aman Singapore will offer their signature world-class facilities including a spa, infinity pool, dining and hotel suites offering “sweeping views of Singapore’s iconic metropolis while imbuing every element of the design with a profound sense of serenity.”

22/100

MOSKITO

ISLAND

With four absolutely insane estates for rent—choose to be right at the water’s edge or vaulted up to 360-degree views of the Caribbean Sea and surrounding islands—private chefs, private boat charters, a dedicated entertainment ambassador and customized adventures, their tagline really captures it all: “welcome to the most exclusive all-inclusive on Earth.” Clever marketing that happens to be true.

23/100

MICHELLE GARABITO

When the data was last analyzed, 2025 was set to break records for US citizens moving abroad. Enter LuxNomads, the company Michelle Garabito and her husband, Paul, started after their own move to help Americans relocate to Spain. The Dominican girl from New York City has a dynamic social media presence and her company—with their soup-tonuts VIP service—has expanded nearly instantly. Timing is everything, they say, and Garabito and LuxNomads may provide exactly what you’re looking for as you prepare to make that big move to Spain.

24/100

MICHAEL ANDREWS

One doesn’t simply become New York City’s most soughtafter custom tailor on mere hype alone. Operating out of a near-mythical studio on Great Jones Alley in Noho, Michael Andrews has spent two decades crafting full bespoke garments for Manhattan’s most discerning clientele. In an era of speed and shortcuts, Andrews proves that the greatest luxury is actually taking the time to make each buttonhole and every lapel as perfect as humanly possible. As it should be.

25/100

HÄSTENS GRAND VIVIDUS BED

An iconic bed so masterful in both design and construction, only one company could be responsible for it. Each Grand Vividus bed from Swedish bed maker Hästens, designed in collaboration with world renowned interior designer Ferris Rafauli, takes four highly trained artisans more than 600 hours to build by hand. The in-demand horsehair mattresses are owned by members of the Swedish Royal Family, Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie and Drake.

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(15) JETSON; (17) SCOTT HAYASHIDA, COURTESY OF NORMAN VILALTA; (18) KOMON; (20) READY SET JET; (21) AMAN SINGAPORE (23) BOBBY KANODE; (24) MICHAEL ANDREWS BESPOKE 21⁄100

Aman Singapore

Michael Andrews

26/100

ART MACHINES’ ÆLLA-60

The Ælla-60 from Art Machines by Anthony Jannarelly isn’t simply driven— it’s inhabited. A sculptural resurrection of the Ferrari 360 Modena, stripped to its essence and reborn with 473 horses of raw, hand-tuned purity. Only 60 will exist, each a meditation on obsession and transcendence. It’s the car you don’t just covet—you need, like oxygen or prayer. For the one who wants it all, it becomes less a possession than a cure.

27/100

HARDY FISHING REEL

Since 1872, Hardy of Alnwick, England, has outfitted anglers who cast in the rarefied air of remote rivers—think Patagonia, Iceland or the Highlands. Its

30/100 SENNHEISER HE1 HEADPHONES

Because escaping privately into your favorite album of the moment should feel like a luxury experience, Sennheiser has set out to relive their 1990s claim to fame as the makers of “the best headphones in the world.” Each cosmetic and acoustic detail is finely crafted and tuned with intention; relish the momentary pause as the tubes of the amplifier, which sits on a housing crafted from glass and a solid block of Carrara marble, reach the optimum temperature before positioning the handmade ear pads and slipping into audio bliss.

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Art Machines’ Ælla-60

saltwater Fortuna Regent Fly

Reel with a multi-pad, carbon fiber disc drag system will handle the strongest runs and protect your leader, so that while trying to land the elusive permit fish, you’ll remain impeccably outfitted.

28/100

CLOUD 22 SKY POOL

At Cloud 22, Atlantis Dubai’s premier sky pool, fashion and luxury converge in a spectacle of glowing colors and pure sensory indulgence. Located in Atlantis The Royal, its Dolce & Gabbana x Ounass Carretto palette transforms Cloud 22 into a Mediterranean dreamscape. Expect a symphony of world-class cuisine and sweeping, cinematic vistas, a tapestry of profoundly unforgettable moments.

29/100

E-SALT CABIN

If this doesn’t look like the future nothing does. For $75,000, Eleve Health serves up a sci-fi pod that integrates four longevity treatments simultaneously: salt therapy, red light therapy, oxygen therapy and aromatherapy. It would make for the ultimate birthday gift.

CXC RACING SIMULATOR MOTION PRO II

Sure, your buddy’s 911 Turbo S makes for good track-day bragging rights, but a CXC Racing Simulator lets you run laps without ever leaving the basement. The customizable rig can be outfitted with everything from vintage steering wheels to full Formula 1 setups—paddle shifters, squealing tires, the works. And with CXC’s multiplayer system, you can stage full-blown grands prix in the same room. Now that’s the future those of us who spent our childhood in the arcade were promised.

32/100

BULGARI RESORT BODRUM

The eleventh property in the Bulgari Hotels & Resorts collection will be set on the tip of its own private peninsula in Bodrum, a coveted Mediterranean destination with a rich ancient history. Spanning ten hectares of terraced gardens, each villa will offer an astounding view of the surrounding Aegean Sea, plus all the signature dining, wellness and entertainment experiences Bulgari is known for.

33/100

RASMUS MUNK

The only thing better than winning The Best Chef In The World once is winning it twice, in back-to-back wins. And none other than Denmark’s Rasmus Munk, the

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E-Salt Cabin

undeniable visionary behind the avant-garde, doubleMichelin-starred Alchemist, could accomplish such a seemingly Sisyphean feat.

34/100

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER

When the once-in-ageneration golf wünderkind Tiger Woods exceeded the world’s expectations of him only to see his dénouement expose a darker, sadder side of the sport’s undisputed icon, many were wondering “If not Tiger, then who?” Enter Scottie Scheffler. The understated Dallas native has already won four major titles and he’s still in his 20s. Every season, Scheffler quietly demolishes longstanding golf records; it’s par for the course, one might say. Scheffler’s not flashy; and he’s definitely not Tiger. But maybe he’s just an extraordinarily talented golfer quietly in our midst. We’ll take it.

35/100

RUF AUTOMOBILE GMBH

RUF builds ultra-limited, high-performance cars that blur the line between Porsche specialist and fullfledged manufacturer. Its legend began with the 1987 CTR “Yellowbird,” a 211-mph marvel that still sends the

most unflappable collector you know into a tizzy. Modern icons such as the SCR and CTR Anniversary edition combine classic 911 spirit with bespoke carbon-fiber chassis and pure rear-engine driving. Each RUF feels like a handcrafted declaration: raw, rooted, relentless.

36/100

BOTTEGA VENETA ANDIAMO VOYAGER

Bottega Veneta’s bi-color weekender transforms travel into theater. Crafted in Italy in scarlet, black canvas and leather, it’s finished with the house’s iconic knot and a detachable cross-body strap. More than luggage, it’s a statement—effortless star power for those who want to arrive already seen.

37/100

VARJO XR-4 VIRTUAL REALITY HEADSET

With the world’s first gazebased autofocus camera system, Varjo’s latest virtual reality headset, the XR-4, mimics the human eye at 33 pixels per degree. And with a field of view of 120º X 105º, it’s designed for more than mere gaming. The goal? Be the bestin-class choice for militarygrade simulation training across air, land and sea.

38/100

JEREMIAH BRENT

You know when you can just tell someone’s a good person? Expert interior designer—and half of a superstar design team with husband Nate Berkus—Jeremiah Brent more than wears his heart

on his sleeve; good thing, his connection with his human emotions serves him well as one of the Fab Five on Netflix’s smash, Emmy-winning show, Queer Eye. Brent’s taste is understated, like a butterfly kiss, and his demeanor is not unlike the sweetest golden retriever in the litter. He’s almost, well, irresistible.

39/100

BLUE LAGOON ICELAND

It’s wonderful when an advertisement matches the real experience. Imagine a rare 2300 sq. meter Blue Lagoon filled with a milky, baby blue bath water that’s actually healing geothermal seawater spewing from the volcanic earth below. Coating your body with bioactive elements including ancient silica, algae and minerals. With two topshelf accommodations—Silica Hotel and Retreat Hotel—this is one spa destination that speaks to the very best in wellness and indulgence. 38

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Jeremiah Brent 39 ⁄100

Blue Lagoon Iceland

(26) ART MACHINES; (27) HARDY OF ALNWICK; (29) ELEVE HEALTH; (33) MATHIAS EIS; (35) RUF AUTOMOBILE (38) ERIC CHARBONNEAU/GETTY IMAGES FOR PARAMOUNT PICTURES; (39) BLUE LAGOON ICELAND

40/100

BASQUIAT WHITE SKI HELMET

We selected the Evil Thoughts Helmet in White from Bomber Ski because, frankly, we couldn’t resist. A rare fusion of legendary artist JeanMichel Basquiat’s 1982 genius and cutting-edge design, it turns alpine safety into artful indulgence—where accoutrement, rebellion and performance meet on the most stylish slopes. Now, track down the matching skis for the coolest carving.

41/100

RITZ-CARLTON CRUISE LINE

We thought we knew The Ritz-Carlton—until we stepped aboard, figuratively speaking. What began as a hotel legend has become the ultimate atsea indulgence. First came Evrima, a 298-passenger superyacht whispering exclusivity. Soon Ilma and

Luminara will join her, carrying the brand’s signature grace onto open waters. It’s not a cruise—it’s The Ritz, afloat in ultraluxe perfection.

42/100

LOUIS LAMPERTSDÖRFER

Winner of the 2025 World Championship of Shoemaking in London, Louis Lampertsdörfer is a star shoemaker in Munich, Germany, who studied the English style of bespoke shoemaking. His work is subtle, intricate, beautifully restrained and flawless—and with the top prize in hand, his brand, Mogada, is bound to become highly sought after in the next few years.

43/100

FRANCIS KURKJDIAN

BACCARAT ROUGE

ÉDITION MILLÉSIME

With only 54 bottles released per year for the next decade, you’ve just met your next DNA-

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Ritz-Carlton Cruise Line

defining scent. Maison Francis Kurkjdian is known worldwide as an exquisite, artisanal perfumer. Édition Millésime is an extravagantly enriched interpretation of its beloved original fragrance, Baccarat Rouge 540. This newest coveted parfum concentration exudes ambergris, a rare and mysterious raw material whose decadent notes have been refined to the extreme. It’s something else. This precious flacon rests inside your perfect Baccarat creation. Price upon request.

44/100

VEGGIE BURGER RING BY NADINE GHOSN

We went back and forth between aghast and agog at this 18K 6-ring combo featuring no less than 260 stones. After careful consideration, we’re obsessed. It’s intrepid in its playfulness and undeniable in its allure. We can’t unsee it and we want it, badly

45/100

LEWIS HAMILTON

Is Lewis Hamilton the greatest Formula 1 (F1) driver ever (statistically there’s no question with his record 105 wins, 104 poles and 202 podiums) and he even shares the record with seven World Championships with the other contender for the title, Michael Schumacher. Hamilton even

45⁄100

Lewis Hamilton

entered the non-sports cultural zeitgeist last year serving as executive producer for the Brad Pitt vehicle and global hit movie, F1

46/100

AMAN JET EXPEDITIONS

The most diverse expedition yet from the luxury travel collaboration between Aman and Remote Lands arrives in 2026 with their tenth anniversary together: a threecontinent hopping, 22-day adventure in a spacious, custom-outfitted, Airbus ACJ 319 aircraft with indulgent and private experiences in each curated stop, including a private car, driver and guide for each couple or solo traveler.

47/100

GARIA GOLF CAR

Garia’s luxury golf car is stealth wealth on wheels: quietly impeccable and beautifully made. Its murmur-smooth performance turns a simple ride into a lifestyle benchmark— equally at home between fairways, private drives and gated communities where taste and tires travel softly.

48/100

KEN FULK

World-renowned interiors

visionary Ken Fulk doesn’t design rooms so much as create fantasies. His layered, textured, theatrical spaces feel not just like places you visit, but worlds you want to inhabit. From grand homes and private jets to historic hotels, Fulk’s signature is a susurrating glamour, proving that true luxury is atmospheric, never excessive.

49/100

HUBERT LE GALL

PILOU CONSOLE

Limited to just eight signed and numbered pieces, this handmade Carrara marble and wrought-iron console captures Hubert Le Gall’s whimsical mastery. A sculptor, painter and scenographer celebrated worldwide, Le Gall fuses vegetal and bestiary inspirations into functional art—playful yet refined, a lyrical continuation of the surrealist spirit of JeanMichel Frank and Dalí.

50/100

FAMILIA DEICAS

Familia Deicas has redefined enotourism in Uruguay, elevating the nation’s wines to global acclaim. Under the visionary hand of awardwinning Santiago Deicas, micro-terroirs yield highly desirable expressions—most notably the legendary Preludio and Tannat Liqueur, timeless icons of Uruguayan winemaking. Set among rolling vineyards, a visit here is an immersion in stunning landscapes, craft and the future of fine wine at its source.

51/100

SYMPOIESIS BY IRIS VAN HERPEN

The designer broke jaws at Paris Fashion Week with her living dress made of 125 million bioluminescent algae in partnership with a bio-designer at University of Amsterdam. The entire collection articulately captures its name, a word that means no entity exists in isolation, and is instead a result of complex interactions and relationships with other parts.

52/100

BUGATTI TOURBILLON

The Bugatti Tourbillon feels less like a possession than a revelation. For those who’ve long had everything, it redefines what desire feels like. Conceived from a blank canvas, its V16 harmony and electric precision fuse art and engineering into motion. Every curve, every pulse, whispers that luxury isn’t excess—it’s nirvana. The Tourbillon isn’t driven. It’s experienced, like the one thing money alone can never buy: awe.

53/100

MINDY WEISS

Known across the globe for planning imaginative, impeccable and one-of-akind events for the likes of the Kardashians, Justin and Hailey Bieber, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, Mindy Weiss may be the most notable and in-demand wedding and event

planner in the world. Wait, how many Kardashian weddings has she done already?

54/100

ELEMMENT PALAZZO

SUPERIOR MOBILE HOME

Marchi Mobile’s eleMMent Palazzo Superior looks less like an RV and more like something driven onto solid land by the denizens of Atlantis. That wild, fishbowl cockpit could pass for a submarine bridge, and the extravagance only ramps up from there: a pop-up rooftop deck, a spa-style bathroom with rainfall shower and a front end inspired by industrial designer Luigi Colani’s outré

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1970s design. With this “mobile mansion,” road tripping is finally a luxe experience.

55/100

CATHERINE DENEUVE

At 82, actress Catherine Deneuve still haunts the cultural imagination, her image a slow-burn of sultry luxuriousness that never dims. She moves through memory like the trail of Chanel N°5 perfume—unmistakable, provocative, impossibly elegant. As iconic as Helen of Troy, her beauty feels mythic, eternal, the kind that imprinted itself on our minds and refuses to let go.

(40) BOMBER SKI; (41) EDGARDO CONTRERAS; (43) FRANCIS KURKJDIAN; (45) BRADLEY COLLYER/PA IMAGES VIA GETTY IMAGES; (47) GARIA GOLF (50) FAMILY DEICAS WINERY; (51) KRISTY SPAROW/GETTY IMAGES; (52) BUGATTI; (55) PATTY McCONVILLE, ALAMY

Bugatti Tourbillon

56/100

SHAI

GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t just win championships this year. He redefined what greatness looks like as MVP, Finals MVP and a three-time All Star. Factor in a YSL beauty campaign and a Netflix series soon to hit watch lists, and he’s no longer just a basketball star— instead, Gilgeous-Alexander is becoming a cultural force and stepping into a future that already feels legendary.

57/100

LE DICTATEUR MORSE POLYCHROME DESK

For the true sybarite, Le Dictateur’s Morse Polychrome Desk is irresistible—a

sculptural, yet functional objet d’art. Designed by Milan’s visionary Federico Pepe, it translates Morse code into sculptural rhythm and color. Handcrafted with impeccable precision, its bold geometry and lacquered hues embody Pepe’s avant-garde spirit celebrated by MoMA and Tate Modern alike.

58/100

ERIK SPEER

Few creatives have the clarity of vision and precision of technique as fiber artist Erik

Speer. Found in the world’s most stylish homes and hotels, his lavish yet restrained pieces feel quietly luxurious and faintly aquatic. That’s no accident: Speer draws on his own past as a marine biologist and scuba diving instructor to create each of his exquisite handmade creations.

59/100

STUART PHILLIPS

HAIR SALON

Gold-plated scissors? Need you ask? Covent Garden, London’s hairstylist Stuart Phillips once made headlines in 2007 with the Guinness World Record for the most expensive haircut—a $16,000+ package that included firstclass flight, limousine service and a champagne lunch. Take a breath, his VIP “Diamond Service” is still available, catering to celebrities and the ultra-wealthy who prefer their grooming with undeniable bragging rights.

60/100

THE FENNELL FAMILY

In the Fennell household, creativity isn’t a trait, it’s the family business, London style. Emerald has already conquered film and television with stories that stay in your head long after the credits. Coco shapes silhouettes and confidence in every piece she designs. Louise writes with

sharp wit and a knowing eye for glamour. Theo crafts luxury jewelry pieces that endure. Together they create their own universe, where imagination comes first and a sense of spotlight has become a family trait.

61/100

BRUNELLO CUCINELLI MAHJONG SET

Mahjong is having its moment. It seems every luxury brand worth its salt has designed vanity mahjong sets from Louis Vuitton to Prada and Brunello Cucinelli. Even if you don’t know the rules yet, a beautifully made set feels like an invitation. The right one can be playful and colorful or understated and elegant, a little piece of luxury you can stack on your coffee table. It’s a ritual, a design object and a conversation-starting flex all in one. Such is the case with the beautiful offering from Brunello Cucinelli.

(56) THE HAPA BLONDE/GC IMAGES; (57) LE DICTATEUR; (61) BRUNELLO CUCINELLI (60) DAVE M. BENETT/GETTY IMAGES (62) ACTIONGRAPHERS / COURTESY OF JARED DELLA VALLE; (64) MICHAEL REAVES/GETTY IMAGES (67) KELSEY RANDALL

The Fennell Family

62/100

EAST AFRICAN SAFARI

CLASSIC RALLY

What started as a celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation has transformed into the world’s greatest classic rally covering more than 2,000km (1200 miles) across Kenya and Tanzania, taking place over nine days. Drivers around the world gather to take on the challenging terrain in classic cars, driving through incredible wildlife and communities of East Africa. Sometimes humans are just really cool.

63/100

THE AUSTRALIS SUITE

The legendary cross-country Australian train experience welcomes brand new luxury suites in 2026, making the journey by rail a luxury experience for the very first time. The Australis Suite is the most luxe of the two, at three times the size of a Platinum cabin, with a separate bedroom, premium skincare amenities, butler service, exclusive off-train experiences and a private chauffeur for your arrival and departure, with plenty other luxe details to discover in every aspect of the onboard stay.

64/100

SHOHEI OHTANI

Has anyone been better at the game of baseball than the charming, but enigmatic Japanese Los Angeles Dodgers’ superstar, Shohei Ohtani? His sheer domination as both an elite hitter with homerun power and as a legit staff ace starting pitcher is at the fore of the ongoing conversation. But he lets his multiple MVP awards and World Series titles serve as his receipts. Play ball, indeed.

65/100

MAXIME FRÉDÉRIC

Great pastry lures with the promise of perfection— texture, flavor balance, artistic presentation—and sheer indulgence. Maxime Frédéric is

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East African Safari Classic Rally

a pastry virtuoso of delicious contradictions: savoring the savory even as he dazzles with desserts for Louis Vuitton and Cheval Blanc. At 36, running his Paris bakery, Pleincoeur, he refined classics including ParisBrest and millefeuille, earning the well-deserved World’s Best Pastry Chef crown.

66/100

CAITLIN CLARK

The very principle of sport is that the man or woman or team on that day who’s

even slightly better than their opponent will win. It’s supposed to be fair, regardless of the underlying factors of gender, race, popularity or marketability. Well, Caitlin Clark, the breakout supernova of the WNBA and the principal reason why women’s sports has earned such a hard-earned (mostly) equal footing with the men in American fans’ eyes (along with women’s soccer), is carrying the burden of expectation, cultural bias and gender equality with ease and

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Shohei Ohtani

class. It’s a lot for anyone, to be sure. But, like the leader she is, it’s a burden Caitlin Clark was apparently born to carry.

67/100

KELSEY RANDALL CHAINMAIL DRESS

You may never know the life of a showgirl…but she’ll tell you who made her dress. Kelsey Randall is the impeccable, dopamine-rich fashion designer behind the custom chainmail dress the world’s biggest pop star, Taylor Swift, wears in the epic “The Fate Of Ophelia” music video, paired with a fuzzy blue cropped jacket.

68/100

THE TIGER, A GUCCI FILM

Setting a new standard for artistry and storytelling in fashion marketing, Gucci’s new creative director, Demna Gvasalia, dropped a 33-minute short film in the fall, featuring looks from the La Famiglia collection. Directed by Spike Jonze and featuring an allstar A-list cast, The Tiger is surprisingly self-aware and self-deprecating even while delivering glamorous competence and high-level filmmaking that recenters the brand’s commitment to greatness and to its audience. More of this, please. A lot more.

69/100

HOLLAND & SHERRY

BLAZER BUTTONS

Savile Row, London’s Holland & Sherry crafts blazer buttons with quietly masterful precision—cut from solid brass, gold or silver, then kilnfired with enamel for lasting brilliance. They evoke the set your grandfather might pass down, an iconic coming-ofage token that carries its own reserved lineage in every polished detail, a reminder of stepping, finally, into your own.

70/100

PEDI:MANI:CURE STUDIO

Self-care and self-worth go hand-in-hand—and even down to your nails. Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio by Bastien Gonzalez turns grooming into a moodboosting ritual, pairing expert technique with indulgent ease. Found within ultraluxury hotels and spas such as The Metropole Monte-Carlo and Raffles Singapore, each visit blends medical know-how with spa-like pleasure, making hands and feet a refined expression of personal care. We feel better already.

71/100

CÉDRIC GROLET

This pastry chef exists in his own triangle of genius—as if being a master pastry chef weren’t enough; his content creation and business acumen catapult this celeb baker to a whole new level.

72/100

CHENOT PALACE

Priceless. “Imagine feeling thoroughly, unequivocally, well” is a perfect introduction to your head-to-toe wellness search when you want nothing more than your brain and body to match your soul, harmoniously. Far beyond a luxury med-spa, vetted biohacking, superb equipment and state-of-the-art everything, this Swiss palace on stunning Lake Lucerne offers outstanding hospitality and a chance to completely reset. Your personalized journey toward ultimate

optimization awaits. Come see why for five years in a row the Chenot Method has been voted the “World’s Best Detox Programme.”

73/100

JEREMY FREY BASKETS

A 2025 MacArthur Foundation fellow, Jeremy Frey’s exquisite brown ash and sweetgrass creations—descended from generations of Passamaquoddy mastery— are not vessels but visions. To own one is to possess an undeniable artwork, a museum-worthy object meant for admiration, not use, elevated to pedestal status.

72⁄100

74 /100

CIRCU FANTASY AIR BALLOON BED

Up, up, and away! This visually arresting bed is handcrafted and hand tailored with the highest quality materials in Portugal. This work of art is more than a place to sleep, it’s a haven of imagination, where your child’s uninhibited fantasies seem possible every single night.

75/100

LOUIS VUITTON X MURAKAMI

It’s a rarefied occurrence when a sequel tops its original and the recent Louis Vuitton x Murakami collab (two decades after their first) accomplishes just that, presenting the 2024 collection with the ineffable beauty that is Zendaya. The limited edition Artycapucines VII, which dropped in October 2025, are as exclusive as they come, a coveted array of Murakami’s psychedelic genius.

76/100

TAUCK TRAVEL

You thought solo travel meant going it alone—until Wilton, CTbased Tauck quietly slipped into your itinerary. This isn’t a lonely

Chenot Palace

planet; it’s your beautifully choreographed universe, every journey curated to feel personal yet protected, your quiet guardian angel of discovery. Tauck strives to make every journey feel like destiny, the refined stamp on your passport.

77/100

FROM LOUIS TO VUITTON

Louis Vuitton, long ranked among the world’s most valuable brands, is both a cultural touchstone and a symbol of modern luxury. From Louis To Vuitton (Assouline) captures that ascent in an elegantly rendered coffee table book, charting the house’s origins, global influence and enduring mystique through striking photography in a richly told narrative. Very LV.

78/100

DUBAI MALL

To the sheer euphoria of luxury shopaholics worldwide, Dubai Mall is a veritable mecca for the luxe-minded. With more than 150 luxury shopping and dining experiences in a gorgeous retail environment with stunning architecture and interiors, not to mention their delivery service and family entertainment options, this place just completely gets it

79/100 BARK AIR

We’re in the era of the best pet parents this world has ever known, and luxury travel companies are taking note. Several private jet charters now offer shared cabins for humans

and their pets, but only Bark Air goes all-in as a “dog-first hospitality brand.” Every aspect of the travel experience is catered to your dog’s preferences, down to what kind of music they want to hear in the chauffeur ride over.

80/100

PIET OUDOLF

Mother Nature is a notoriously uncompromising collaborator, so when Piet Oudolf creates, it’s an art form that relies on a deep understanding of her natural forces. The abundant and serene gardens he designs—notably, The High Line in New York City, the gardens at Hauser & Wirth Somerset in the United Kingdom—are practically divine intervention.

81/100

DAMŌNE ROBERTS

In support of the notion that we should all pick one thing and do it exceptionally well, Damōne Roberts has earned his name as the “Eyebrow King” of Hollywood. He’s shaped the eyebrows—the foundation of any look, he says—of Oprah, Beyoncé, Madonna, Rihanna and Ariana Grande.

82

/100

SMYTHSON OF BOND JOURNALS

Smythson journals remain the smart choice—objects of quiet luxury that turn thought into art. Handcrafted from the finest leather, they transform handwriting into heritage.

(69) HOLLAND & SHERRY; (72) CHENOT PALACE WEGGIS; (74) CIRCU MAGICAL FURNITURE; (78) DUBAI MALL; (79) BARK AIR; (80) DELAWARE BOTANIC GARDENS

⁄100 Bark Air

80⁄100

Piet Oudolf

83/100

GRACE WALES BONNER

Grace Wales Bonner is the first Black woman to lead design at a major luxury fashion house as creative director of menswear at Hermès. She seemingly manifested the appointment, stating in an interview years earlier that working for Hermès would be a dream job—and her own collections have aligned strongly with the Hermès identity: a restrained confidence and elegance in pieces designed at heirloom quality. Her style, energy and devotion to meaningful work will make Hermès a brand to watch during her tenure.

84/100

MICHELL GYRODEC TURNTABLE

There was a time when a turntable was little more than a spinning circular disk and

lowering the needle just right. The Michell GyroDec doesn’t just play records—it reinvents what a turntable can be. Its gleaming brass weights and acrylic platter are engineered for precision, quietness and longevity. Owning one, you realize what your first records were always meant to sound like. Groovy.

85/100

ANDREW HO

Andrew Ho is the mixologist cocktail acolytes crave. From starting behind the bar—doing everything—with partner Bastien Ciocca, he’s built five bars across Guangzhou and Shenzhen, China. Co-owner of Hope & Sesame and 2025 Altos Bartenders’ Bartender, Ho delivers drinks with razor focus, lavish technique and flavors designed to stop leisurely chit-chat mid-sip. Happy hour indeed.

86/100

AMINA MUADDI

Jordanian-Romanian fashion designer Amina Muaddi is renowned for her high-impact footwear and collaborations with Rihanna and A$AP Rocky. Having honed her craft in Italy’s Riviera del Brenta, the eponymous Paris designer has carved out a distinctive style, everything from crystalembellished sandals to pumps with her signature fluted heels, found in virtually every fashion-conscious woman’s wardrobe.

87/100

JULIA VELCHEVA-LUTAK

The modern Renaissance woman of luxury, with nearly ten million followers online, Julia Velcheva-Lutak is a woman who truly follows her nose as a perfumer and culinary artist. If anyone has seen her social media posts— with her unbelievable cooking at her fab home segments— you’ll instantly realize why she’s such a hit. VelchevaLutak’s refined sense of style and her slow, indulgent, scrupulous approach to mealtime embodies a luxury lifestyle in a world where speed is vastly overvalued.

88/100

EBO AIR 2 PLUS FAMILYBOT

Who knew the future would be so darn cute? With customizable expression, this little security-deviceslash-family-companion is an adorable addition to the home

that earns its keep with two-way audio and 3K video, smart patrol, AI person and pet tracking and AI chat assistant features.

89/100

AUREL BACS

Aurel Bacs has redefined what it means to curate luxury, reminding us that the most valuable objects aren’t merely owned, but deeply understood and respected. The cofounder of Bacs & Russo and the king of timepiece auctions, the sometime auctioneer is globally known for his impeccable taste—which eschews fleeting hype in favor of timeless craftsmanship, integrity and rarity.

90/100

TAG HEUER CARRERA CHRONOGRAPH

Owning the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Extreme Sport TH-Carbonspring isn’t about keeping time—it’s about commanding it. Limited to just 50 pieces, this $45,000 masterpiece embodies power and precision, its revolutionary TH-Carbonspring oscillator and forged carbon case marking you as one of the few built for extremes.

91/100

AUROOM WELLNESS SAUNAS

These fully assembled indoor or outdoor, traditional or infrared saunas may be built for your

Michell Gyrodec Turntable

wellbeing—but they’re also just plain gorgeous. The outdoor Natura model was created in cooperation with Italian architect Luca Donazzolo, and is designed to exist in a beautiful place, with a large front window to keep you connected to the outdoors while sweating it out.

92/100

KHAITE

Khaite is a name that’s been quietly rising to the surface in luxury retail circles and now the buzz is impossible to ignore. Its Madison Avenue flagship store, with Japanese architectural elements and a striking industrial minimalism, is as exceptional as the pieces found within. It just feels like Manhattan.

93/100

SHENZHEN

NONGKE ORCHID

And now for a rare beauty that carved its own entry in the floriography lexicon as a symbol of innovation, patience and extreme luxury. Developed over eight years by scientists at Shenzhen Nongke University, this man-made orchid only blooms every four or five years and remains the most expensive flower ever sold, going at auction for 1.68 million yuan in 2005 (close to $300,000 today if you adjust for inflation). It would make the ultimate status symbol—if you can track it down.

94/100

HOUSE OF PARIS DOLLHOUSE

Want to be a hero to your child? This is for you. Intricacy and craftsmanship

92 ⁄100

blend together seamlessly to produce a dollhouse inspired by the charming neighborhoods of the worlds’ iconic cities—Paris, London and New York. Handcrafted by Little Forest Animals with responsibly sourced wood, these dollhouses are a perfect opportunity to foster a child’s imagination and creativity. Or mom and dad’s.

95/100

HUSSAR ON THE ROOF

SABRAGE SABER

For those of us who remember John Belushi’s samurai, here’s our far more refined rendition—the Hussar On The Roof sabrage saber. Equal parts elegance and Napoleonera ritual, it turns every Champagne bottle-opening into performance art, forged for wine enthusiasts—and archetypal comedians— with a flair for theater, with one effortless swipe of chilled bravado.

96/100

LA GUERRE DE L’INDEPÉNDANCE

AMÉRICAINE WALLPAPER

The scenic, non-repeating wallpaper of the American Revolution, first carved in 1852 by the French manufacturer Zuber & Cie, is still printed today “à la planche” with the original 2300 antique woodblocks. Zuber is the very last company in the world

to print wallpaper using this meticulous method, the result of which is an unparalleled visual impact and a treasure to behold.

97/100

BOTTEGA VENETA X JENGA

Handcrafted by Italian master artisans, this set of mixed natural and colored walnut wood Jenga blocks, housed in a red signature Bottega Veneta intreccio calfskin leather case, isn’t intended for children.

98/100

WILLIAM ABRAHAM SOCKS

than cashmere or vicuña and much more durable—they’re the most exclusive socks in the world. Better not lose one in the dryer.

99/100

NEWTREE RANCH

Tucked within the hills of Healdsburg, CA, surrounded by the rolling hills of Sonoma wine country, NewTree Ranch is a deluxe getaway for the meditative traveler. Private villas, farm-to-table dishes with ingredients grown steps away and guilt-free luxury fueled by more than 30 regenerative practices— California is California-ing very well here. And its proximity to tech’s super powerful sure isn’t hurting the bottom line.

100/100

SPARKS BRAIN PRESERVATION

Some things are impossible— for now. Sparks Brain Preservation is currently the only company in the world offering perfusion-based aldehyde preservation, the gold standard for preserving the structure of the whole brain, which they claim is most likely to keep memory intact when a transhumanist future arrives. The organization has already begun freezing brains and offers a service to set preservation into motion as soon as possible after death. Is this the ultimate flex?

The superfine down fibers of a rare species of New Zealand red deer, cervelt is the scarcest luxury fiber in the world. These buttery-soft, full-bodied socks made in Italy from 100 percent cervelt, with only 20 grams of down fiber collected from each deer, are not only finer (83) FRED DUVAL, DREAMSTIME.COM; (84) MICHELL GYRODEC; (88) ENABOT; (92) ERIC PETSCHEK; (93) DAYALGURU, DREAMSTIME.COM; (98) MCR, WILLIAM ABRAHAM

Khaite

wish you were here

Paris, A Love Story

FROM COCO CHANEL’S STUNNING APARTMENT TO THE OPULENT SPLENDOR OF VERSAILLES AFTER HOURS, MAGNIFIQUE MUST-DOS FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE 48 HOURS IN THE CITY OF LIGHT.

By Tara Solomon

As

James

pending just two days in Paris is like eating just two bites of cake. C’est impossible!

For a maximalist like me, just the thought of packing for said trip is enough to make me go en Seine

Bad pun but fitting. The bucket list of extraordinary things to do in Paris—that one can only do in Paris—is endless.

As American humorist James Thurber observed, “Paris is a post-graduate course in everything.”

For such a whirlwind stay, I needed an expert fluent in Parisian art de vivre. Enter Sophie de Freitas, a Paris-based travel concierge for the high-net-worth set, recommended by a jet-setting girlfriend in Miami. With a résumé at legendary couture maisons, de Freitas was savvy and discreet—and I was eager to absorb whatever superpower she has that allows her to turn travel into an art form.

In discussing accommodations, de Freitas was very decisive on the subject of “palace” hotels—five-star-plus properties awarded a special distinction by the French Ministry Of Tourism. Staying at one of these landmark palace hotels, which offer top-drawer amenities, such as Michelin-star restaurants and private butler service, “makes a huge difference,” de Freitas told me.

After reviewing Paris’ 12 current palace hotels—many I recognize from my friends’ vacay posts on my Instagram feed—I start narrowing down the choices, asking myself the hard questions. What’s more life-enhancing: A bridal party’s worth of flowers throughout the hotel and a threeMichelin-starred restaurant (Four Seasons George V) or my own private elevator entrance and 24-hour personal butler who can send up room service from Nobu plus help me pack (Le Royal Monceau–Raffles)?

The butler won out.

Le Royal Monceau, a 1928 property whose illustrious guest roster includes Josephine Baker, Ernest Hemingway, Madonna and various maharajas, was redesigned by Philippe Starck in 2010. The art-filled palace hotel has its own art gallery and cinema for private screenings and staffs a team of art concierges for private tours outside of museum hours.

old school The bucket list of extraordinary things to do in Paris—that one can only do in Paris—is endless.

American humorist

Thurber observed,

How does an early morning or after-hours private tour of The Louvre when the world’s most famous museum is closed to the public sound? Imagine spending quality time with Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, or marveling at the lavishly appointed (and typically off-limits) Napoleon III Apartments in the Richelieu Wing. Incroyable!

A private appointment at the atelier of Chanel, Hermès or Maison Schiaparelli is a quintessential fashion experience, de Freitas suggested, allowing a rare glimpse of the inner workings of Parisian haute couture. The Chanel flagship boutique at 31 Rue Cambon is a global fashion pilgrimage—with only the privileged few gaining access to the mirrored staircase leading to Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel’s private apartment on the second level. Closed to the public, the opulent space was used for entertaining only (the designer kept a room at The Ritz) and has been preserved with Chanel’s black lacquer Coromandel screens, lion figurines (she was a Leo) and gifts from famous suitors.

The Chanel lovefest continues on the sixminute walk to the storied Ritz Paris, where

Chanel maintained a suite until her death in 1971 at age 87. Recharge with traditional afternoon tea service at the hotel’s posh Salon Proust, or something stronger at the cozy Bar Hemingway, named for the legendary American writer, a celebrated Ritz regular. Pro Tip: If you want your friends/kids/employees to ever talk to you again, save a few minutes to stop by the Ritz Boutique for classic Paris gifts to take home (or have shipped),

the butler did it

For my hotel selection, what’s more lifeenhancing: A bridal party’s worth of flowers throughout the hotel and a threeMichelin-starred restaurant (Four Seasons George V) or my own private elevator entrance and 24-hour personal butler who can send up room service from Nobu plus help me pack (Le Royal Monceau–Raffles)?

The butler won out; (top) Louvre Museum; a Paris brasserie.

including the hotel’s signature cotton robes in peach or white and chic limited-edition tote bags made from sumptuous hotel fabrics.

Of the many exceptional restaurants in Paris, there are three I’ve carefully selected and singled out. All high-concept, each will nourish both body and soul, reminding you of its culinary greatness long after the meal has ended.

Arpège, Chef Alain Passard’s pristine temple of haute cuisine, has held its three Michelin stars since 1996. Leading with a field-to-table philosophy that gives vegetables a starring role, Passard sources his glorious produce directly from his own gardens. Table by Bruno Verjus, a 24-seat, two-Michelin-starred restaurant known for its seasonal, organic ingredients from small producers, has a warm, counter-style setting with an open kitchen where diners see dishes prepared à la minute—everything made to order. Don’t miss the dark chocolate and caper tartlet topped with caviar.

At Plénitude at Cheval Blanc Paris, the three-Michelin-starred restaurant inside LVMH’s flagship hotel, Chef Arnaud Donckele places sauces at the center of the culinary experience— most memorably a warm shellfish reduction sharpened with seaweed and citrus. The seasonal degustation menus feature vegan options—a welcome rarity in Paris.

Day Two begins with a stop at the famed Marché Aux Puces, the largest antiques market in the world, where interior designers and celebrities—including Kate Moss—hunt for vintage treasures. To conserve both time and sanity, go early with a private antiques consultant in tow to vet potential purchases and arrange for shipping.

From Les Puces, it’s a short 40-minute car ride to the breathtakingly grand Palace of Versailles, our dream home and museum of French history which served as a royal residence for French kings starting in the 1600s. In a genius move, the on-property Le Grand Contrôle, Airelles Château de Versailles allows guests to move in, as it were, wandering the Hall of Mirrors and the Queen’s Apartments at leisure. The gardens, vast and perfectly manicured, feel even more expansive when experienced without the crowds.

Not unlike a private wing of the palace, the vibe is opulence overload: High ceilings with crystal chandeliers and ornate moldings, Petit Trianon-inspired drapery, period furnishings and parquet floors are unique to each suite, the escapism heightened by idyllic views of the Orangery Garden.

QUOI / OÙ

Arpège, 84 Rue de Varenne

75007 Paris (7th Arr.), +33 1 47 05 09 06 alain-passard.com

Chanel Boutique, 31 Rue Cambon

75001 Paris (1st Arr.), +33 1 44 50 66 00 chanel.com

Hôtel Ritz Paris, 15 Place Vendôme

75001 Paris (1st Arr.), +33 1 43 16 30 30 ritzparis.com

Le Grand Contrôle, Airelles Château de Versailles, 12 rue de l’Indépendance Américaine, 78000 Versailles +33 1 30 83 78 00 airelles.com/destination/chateaude-versailles-hotel

Le Royal Monceau–Raffles Paris 37 Avenue Hoche 75008 Paris (8th Arr.) +33 1 42 99 88 00, raffles.com/paris

Les Puces de Saint-Ouen

Rue des Rosiers 93400 Saint-Ouen, +33 1 40 12 14 00, pucesdeparissaintouen.com

Plénitude at Cheval Blanc Paris 8 Quai du Louvre 75001 Paris (1st Arr.), +33 1 79 35 50 11 chevalblanc.com

Schiaparelli, 21 Place Vendôme 75001 Paris (1st Arr.), +33 1 40 20 09 83 schiaparelli.com

The Louvre, Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris (1st Arr.), +33 1 40 20 50 50, louvre.fr

Sophie’s Conciergerie sophie@sophiesconcierge.com

The hotel’s Airelles Spa by Valmont beckons with its 15-meter heated indoor pool, conveniently located near the Léonard Salon, named in honor of Marie-Antoinette’s favorite hairdresser.

A private tasting of Château wines on the estate grounds is followed by lunch at the hotel’s Ducasse au Château de Versailles, which combines theatrical staging and contemporary French cuisine served on vintage porcelain plates—a perfect way to savor the many wonders of a perfect Paris weekend. Au revoir, dear friends.

CASA SMART HOME, SMARTER CHOICES

ARCHITECT ELLEN MARTIN SHARES WHAT HER HIGH-NETWORTH CLIENTS GET RIGHT— AND WRONG—WHEN TECH ENTERS THE HOME.

By Simon Murray

If you’ve ever stood in front of a touchscreen wall panel wondering whether pressing the wrong button might accidentally lower the blinds in the wrong wing, you’re not alone. Even among the ultrawealthy, “smart home” is often a misnomer—because without the right approach, the tech may quickly become more trouble than it’s worth.

Enter Ellen Martin, a New York Citybased residential architect who has been navigating the intersection of luxury living and home technology for more than three decades. She’s designed brownstones for people who want every bell and whistle, second homes for clients who happily retreat to a world before screens and everything in between.

“These tips aren’t what everyone is doing,” she says. “These tips are what I see most typically across my own clients.” And if there’s one thing Martin has learned after so many years inside the homes—and minds—of Fortune 500 executives, founders and legacy families, it’s this: Smart tech only works when it supports the way you live.

Full Automation Or DIY?

Crestron Electronics has worked with ultra-high-net-worth homeowners on the tech for many of the world’s most exclusive residences, penthouses, compounds and superyachts. “For our

tv remote When it comes to designing the perfect smart home, there’s definitely less of that ‘gathering around the TV’ moment and more personal media use,” Ellen Martin (below) says. “People don’t want to wire a whole house for music as much anymore.”

clients, luxury is no longer defined by how many devices they own, but how little they have to think about them,” says Michael Short, vice president of marketing operations and residential at Crestron. “When a home can naturally support your rhythms, protect your family and feel familiar whether you’re in the city apartment, the beach house or on the water, that’s when technology stops being a feature and becomes part of the lifestyle.”

Martin agrees. “Back in the 1990s, clients were far more enamored with the technology and needed racks of hardware just to make it work,” she says. “Now you can create a semi-smart home without relying on a professional just to turn it on and off.”

Today, brands such as Nest, SimpliSafe, Ring and Control4 let homeowners tailor systems to their comfort level. Some clients still want the full Lutron, Crestron or Savant command center—“maybe a third,” Martin estimates—but many prefer something lightweight, customizable and easily accessible from their phone.

Build For How You Use Media

Two decades ago, clients wanted full-fledged theater rooms with built-in projectors, stepped seating and acoustical paneling. Today, the technology has outpaced the need. Ultra-thin OLEDs, stunning micro-LED displays and smart TVs with cinemagrade sound processing have made the dedicated theater room—once the pinnacle of luxury—largely superfluous.

“There’s definitely less of that ‘gathering around the TV’ moment and more personal media use,” Martin says. “People don’t want to wire a whole house for music as much anymore.”

Instead of centralized media temples, her clients are building beautiful moments of flexibility: a 100-inch OLED in the living room, a Sonos speaker or a pair of noise-canceling

headphones in the bedroom, an iPad that also sometimes doubles as a travel companion, etc.

Entertainment hasn’t disappeared; it’s simply become individualized. And thanks to the leap in quality across screens and speakers, you no longer need an acoustically sealed room to enjoy a cinematic night in.

Connectivity Is The Cornerstone

If there’s one hill Martin is willing to die on, it’s Wi-Fi.

Across all setups, one requirement is non-negotiable: flawless connectivity. Dead zones are a dealbreaker in sprawling estates or brownstones. “Like everyone, my clients freak out about Wi-Fi the most,” she says. “It’s the first thing we test—no dropped calls, no streaming interruptions.”

High-end routers (Ubiquiti, Netgear Orbi, Eero Pro) plus strategically placed extenders are now fundamental infrastructure, right up there with HVAC and plumbing. In one recent 3,000-square-foot apartment remodel, the main router feeds the network, but five additional repeaters ensure every corner is covered. The client’s tech team even walked the space to confirm full coverage. As Martin says, “There’s no dropping any calls in that apartment.”

Longevity, Not Annual Upgrades

Her clients don’t want to update their homes along with their phones every two years. “In my 30 years,” she says, “I’ve never been asked to come back and update something. People learn to use what they have, and they live there.”

That means avoiding overly proprietary systems and choosing tech that ages gracefully—lighting controls that won’t be obsolete in three years, modular audio and security devices you can replace without ripping open walls.

Less Can Always Be More

Minimalism can be luxe—no dashboards, no logins, no software updates at inconvenient times. Just acoustically quiet home offices, good lighting and yes, reliable Wi-Fi, because even the techaverse still need to be reachable.

CAVE FAVE

VETERA

MATERA,

A TRULY LUXURIOUS ITALIAN STAY, PUTS A NEW SPIN ON LIVING UNDER A ROCK. By

Abbe Aronson

Show me another beige cookie cutter hotel suite and I’ll just scream. I was chatting with friends over dinner a few months back, as they were sharing their itinerary for an upcoming trip to Puglia, Italy, when they casually mentioned that one of the planned accommodations was, um, a cave.

Now I was interested. These are friends who’ve elevated traveling in Italy to an art form, who’ll go three hours out of their way for the perfect sandwich, who’ll bring home the most exquisite, thoughtful gifts and who are rarely impressed with luxury for luxury’s sake. I was deeply interested.

They’d scored one of the carved-into-the-rock suites at Vetera Matera, the new five-star cave hotel in the ancient Sassi district of Matera, Italy (about an hour from Puglia). Part of the Relais & Chateaux collection, a stay at Vetera gives guests the utmost in high-end hospitality in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage site known for these prehistoric limestone caves. Designed in the manner of albergo diffuso (scattered hotel), Vetera integrates multiple buildings into one seamless experience with an underground spa, restaurant by Chef Eduardo Estatico, outrageous city views and rooms that incorporate every modern amenity into these original rock-walled guest quarters.

cave inn Vetera Matera, which took eight years to restore and construct in the Paleolithic hills of Puglia, Italy, delivers an up-close-and-personal interaction with history, wrapped in the exquisite comfort of a luxury hotel where no detail has escaped focus.

Vetera, which took eight years to restore and construct in these Paleolithic hills, allows the kind of access that pleasure-seeking travelers rarely experience, an up-close-and-personal interaction with history, wrapped in the exquisite comfort of a hotel where no detail has escaped focus. From the complete climate control features in even the deepest of the caves, to the balconies on which to take in the light that falls off the cream-colored buildings of Sassi at sunset, Vetera just may be setting a new gold-standard in luxury immersive exploration.

HE

WANTS ON THE CUFF(S)

STOP WHAT YOU’RE DOING NOW AND CALL JACOB & CO. IT’S TIME TO BUY THE PLANET’S MOST BEAUTIFUL CUFFLINKS.

By Richard Pérez-Feria

Jacob & Co. cufflinks are proof that the smallest details can carry the most weight. Their stunning $4.2 million Canary Diamond pair with yellow diamonds set in 18K white gold bring wit, confidence and unmistakable presence to the wrist. What are the specific details of this eye-popping man-fantasy? We went straight to the source.

For the Jacob & Co. Platinum and 18K White Gold Masterpiece Cufflinks, the center diamonds are GIA certified 21.39 carats and 20.03 carats of fancy yellow radiant cut diamonds (two stones, VS2 clarity), bezel set and surrounded by white baguette cut diamonds totaling to 7.52 carats (28 stones). Wingbacks are in 18K white gold and invisible set with 10 princess cut diamonds (0.94 carats) and 12 baguette cut diamonds (2.30 carats).

Here’s the part that really got to me: This extraordinary accessory is a one-of-one piece; singularly unique on this planet and a pair has never been sold. I mean... Really, who’s gonna claim this unbelievable prize? So, yeah, your French-cuffed shirts will forever be in your debt.

WHY, ROBOT

THE PROMISE OF A BRAVE NEW WORLD IS HERE. NOW WHAT?

By Simon Murray

Call it a hunch, but I’ve long believed that the more successful you are, the more likely you were raised on, and eventually internalized, the mantra: If you want something done right, do it yourself. The irony, of course, is that the higher you climb, the more “doing it yourself” becomes the one luxury you can’t afford. So, you get a guy (or gal) for that. And the best ones, the ones you trust, tend to stay with you for life: an executive assistant who triages your time like

an ER doctor, a family office director who quietly arbitrages your financial complexities, a property manager who keeps your homes behaving like assets instead of liabilities and so on. (Not to mention the myriad gardeners, landscapers, cooks and other team members.) Each invaluable individual fills a necessary function so you can keep focusing on the things that matter. Such a dialed-in team begs the question: With all this human infrastructure already in place, what problem is an advanced bipedal robot supposed to solve for again?

“The robots are here; our future is no longer science fiction!” screamed The

Terminator’s Sarah Connor in a desert somewhere. Just kidding—that was the current First Lady, speaking to tech executives recently. She was mostly referring to driverless cars, remotely controlled drones and surgical instruments. But bipedal robots aren’t far behind in their awkward plod toward relevance.

Several robotics companies—Boston Dynamics, 1X, Apptronik and Tesla—are racing to build humanoid machines that could, given enough time, become a cheaper alternative for basic housework (a one-time payment in return for an “infinite money glitch,” to borrow a line from Elon Musk) and eventually move on to more advanced tasks. A tireless

stranger thing Doesn’t it feel a little foolhardy to invite a fully mobile, Wi-Fienabled stranger into your house that could, in theory, be reprogrammed, hacked or repurposed to some nefarious aim? Was Will Smith right? Why, robot indeed.

team of laundry-folding, groceryfetching, pool-scrubbing T-800s with their sights set not on global dominance, but on managing your properties, balancing your investments, scheduling your appointments and keeping your household running smoother than any flesh-and-blood team ever could. Perfect reliability, no complaints, no human drama. Or at least, that’s the promise.

The problem, especially for someone living a private life behind gates and security, is the unknown. Not to be a Luddite, or as paranoid as Will Smith in I, Robot, but it feels a little foolhardy to invite a fully mobile, Wi-Fi-enabled stranger into your house—let alone a damn army—that could, in theory, be reprogrammed, hacked or repurposed to some nefarious aim.

Even ignoring the potential for exploitation, some of these androids aren’t exactly ready for prime time. Battery life for the 1X NEO, announced for pre-order last fall, is short enough to turn a simple chore list into a carefully scheduled production. And just when you think you might get some hands-off help, you realize NEO isn’t even autonomous: every new task must be guided by a VRheadset-wearing “1X Expert” who helps NEO learn while it works—and could, if properly motivated, be casing your home. Perfect reliability? Hardly.

The jury’s still out on whether the upcoming Tesla Optimus, or any of its rivals, will ever be more than a flashy toy. For now, domestic automatons are mostly novelties, impressive at cocktailparty demos but not exactly pulling their weight. But give it a few Moore’s Law cycles and suddenly they’ll be everywhere, moving so quietly and efficiently you won’t even notice until you realize the one thing you always insisted on doing yourself might finally be done for you… by a human-like machine you barely recognize, let alone understand.

GORGEOUS

SKIN IN THE GAME

WHEN VERIFIED SCIENCE AND ANTI-AGING SERUMS COLLIDE, GOOD THINGS HAPPEN. By

Marco Medrano

K, yes, skincare makes me happy. There, I said it. Skin rejuvenation and science-backed facial remedies have become one of the most expensive activities most of us participate in. Today’s luxury skincare has morphed into an enviable largesse, so much so that a singular one-ounce facial serum could easily set you back thousands of dollars.

I’ve been in the beauty industry since I was 19—a few decades ago—and have been licensed nationally as a cosmetologist for nearly as long. But it wasn’t until 2003 that I purchased my first age-reversal serum, Dr. Babor’s Sea Creation, at some $200. Today, that same serum sells for $500 because the price of extracting rare minerals from the ocean floor has drastically increased. But I still love it. And when the promise of any product I use is of line free, bright, uplifted and chiseled facial contouring… well, some may think I have a skincare infatuation, others may use the term addiction. I don’t care much about labels: the goal’s the same, the most gorgeous you possible.

So, what’s currently happening in the luxury anti-aging marketplace? Billions spent on clinical research proving cellular stimulation, collagen building, deeper tissue rejuvenation and the total repair or semi-removal of spotty skin and lines is, in fact, attainable. These anti-aging heroes include Retinols (the OTC version of Retin-A/ Tretinoin), topical vitamin C, NAD coenzymes and antioxidants, peptides, hyaluronic acid (gentle plumper) and, more recently, exosomes, which are amplifying messenger cells for all of the above.

In conjunction with LED facial tools, handheld electronic muscle stimulation devices (EMS) and tightening contour wands using radio frequency (RF), adding results-oriented skincare to this regimen has kept many skincare aficionados away from plastic surgery. Even with moderate Botox use, I find myself using all of the above.

What I can say is quality skincare brands inarguably do make a visible difference in your appearance and, consequently, your confidence. When my face feels bouncy, rubbery, bright and dewy— and the fine lines have been plumped—it’s just going to be a better day. I know you know what I’m talking about. What follows are some marvels I found you may want to know about as well.

Made from three rare honeys, Youth Watery Oil Serum ($194) is truly deluxe. When mixed with a Bee Lab Shot sphere, they become a seven-day intensive treatment. For decadent transformation try Orchidée Impériale Black’s Symbioserum ($1,640) guerlain.com

When it comes to age-defying tightening and smoothing, iS Clinical’s “go beyond the surface” tagline says it all. Copper Firming Mist ($42) and Youth Serum ($166). Add a tub of Youth Intensive Crème ($402) isclinical.com

Wild, organic botanics meets luxury. The Fermen’tonic ($121) is an exfoliating skin refiner. The Alche’Mist is a super active serum spray ($228) The Cure for Men ($243) is a molecular cell moisturizer. seedtoskin.com

Listen to this: l’Elixir des Glaciers’ glacial waters and gold sturgeon DNA is serious skincare. Sérum Précieux Votre Visage ($750)

Crème Merveilleuse means ultimate regeneration ($1,200). Fluide Merveilleux is a re-mineralizing preserum ($435) lamaisonvalmont.com

CellLift Serum-XT holds advanced CytoPep cell extracts ($900) CellLift Cream is an antiwrinkle, volume restorer ($615)

The effect is in the name. Intensité Anti-Gravity Lifting Treatment serum ($495) Fermitif Neck Renewal Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen ($175) And great as a nightly renewal activator is Peau Magnifique Serum ($775) reviveskincare.com

UltraCell Intensive-XT is a potent 24-day skin renewal treatment ($1,270) cellcosmet.com

Get in line! Beyond exclusive, L’Or de Vie le Cérémonial presents a gorgeous, glamorous and unparalleled anti-aging collection for transport, the L’Or de Vie Trunk by the Dior Couture Ateliers. The case contains the complete skincare collection, along with refills and massaging applicators for the ultimate longevity ritual (price upon request) dior.com

Once you experience The Lymphatic Brush drainage, your (beauty) life will change ($130). Puffy eyes, congestion and overall medical body detox will become the norm. For instruction videos and unbeatable quality, go to thelymphaticbrush.com

Far beyond LED red light therapy, JOVS 4D Laser Light Therapy Mask is the world’s first and only FDA-cleared laser therapy mask for deeper penetration. Worth every penny. ($706) jovs.com

Clé de Peau’s science accomplishes dramatic firming and re-sculpting. Synactif Lotion an active pre-serum essence Synactif Cream prompts major lifting ($1,160) cledepeaubeaute.com

THE PORTFOLIO

The State Of Luxury

After a relatively stable 2025, buyers and sellers are taking a breath.

BY MICHAEL ALTNEU Vice President, Coldwell Banker Global Luxury®

Years ago, I was talking with one of the most accomplished agents in the business, someone who has spent decades advising buyers and sellers at the very top of the market. We were discussing a particularly singular property. After a pause, she posed a question that has stayed with me ever since: When there are no true comps, how do you decide what a home is worth?

Her point was not an argument against data. At the highest tier of luxury real estate, numbers still matter. But they rarely tell the whole story. Agent experience, judgment, and intuition often fill in the gaps that data cannot. Selling at this level requires a careful balance of science and art: knowing when to rely on the numbers, and when to trust instinct.

That distinction has become increasingly important in the market we’re navigating now.

Helping the next generation of real estate advisors strike the right balance between science and art has long been central to the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury® program and our award-winning, twice-yearly report series. The newly released Trend Report 2026 aims to guide agents (and, by extension, their clients) through a market that has grown more complex, more selective, and less reactive to short-term cycles. By examining trends across sales, inventory, pricing, demographics, and consumer behavior, the report challenges the assumption that luxury real estate simply mirrors the broader housing market.

Looking back on 2025, the data bears this out. The luxury housing market entered a more stable phase. Prices held firm, inventory grew at a sustainable pace, and demand remained resilient—particularly for single-family homes. It marked a clear departure from the volatility that followed the pandemic-era surge and a return to a more balanced buying and selling landscape.

This balance has been met with less urgency in the market. Buyers are taking more time, scrutinizing long-term value rather than reacting to headlines. Sellers, often financially secure and under no pressure to transact, are behaving just as deliberately. Across both single-family and attached segments, quality has emerged as the defining differentiator. Turnkey, well-located, and lifestyle-aligned homes command premiums, while dated properties face longer timelines and sharper negotiation.

Inventory gains were among the year’s most notable developments, reversing years of post-pandemic scarcity. Yet increased supply has not translated into broad price pressure. Desirable homes remain limited, and buyers—armed with better data and higher expectations—are rewarding properties that deliver genuine value. Sellers, for their part, are adjusting expectations to these new market realities and are pricing their properties with realism rather than aspiration.

“The state of luxury” is anything but fixed. As we move through 2026, local conditions will continue to diverge, and national narratives will matter less. Expertise matters more. The central question remains where buyers and sellers will place their trust. Our aim is for it to be with the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury® program—an established platform with a long track record of guiding clients through changing markets. H

PARTY PEOPLE

Luxury On Location: Boston + Miami

BOSTON 1. Linda Martin, Jason Waugh; 2. Kristal Doctor, Kelly Nigro, Michael Altneu; 3. Laura Igrassia, Brandon Newman, Michael Altneu; 4. Joseph Sarkar, Todd Lamothe, Rob Norman, Lindsay Listanski, Judy Zeder, Frank Isoldi

MIAMI 5. Brandon Newman, Marlene Fernández, Liz Gehringer, Lindsay Listanski, Michael Altneu; 6. Shaun Dalton; 7. Natalia Echeverri, Gemma Viladegut; 8. Missy Starling, Lisa Alleva, Debra Johnston

Poised on a coveted point in Harbor Acres, this two-story bayfront estate is defined by walls of glass framing sweeping panoramic views of Sarasota Bay. Offering 171 feet of prime waterfront, a private dock and resort-style pool, the home delivers seamless indoor-outdoor living with effortless access to the Gulf of Mexico—an exceptional expression of refined coastal luxury.

6 Bedrooms | 7 Full & 2 Half Baths | $21,000,000 represented by Stephanie Church 941.724.5448 | stephanie@stephaniechurch.com | stephaniechurch.com Coldwell Banker Realty

SARASOTA | FLORIDA

Panoramic Bayfront Luxury In Harbor Acres

Majestic Ocean Views In The Florida Keys

This monumental oceanfront estate, nestled at the end of a quiet cul-del-sac, features three bedrooms and four bathrooms over its 4,065 SF of living space on a 17,900 SF lot on exclusive Plantation Island. A massive waterfront saltwater pool, incredible dockage along 200 feet of seawall, high-end furnishings throughout the home and endless ocean views highlight this astonishing property. Tranquility, elegance and ease await at this extraordinary seaside retreat.

DUCK KEY | FLORIDA KEYS

Bal Harbour’s Ultimate Waterfront Trophy Estate

A true trophy estate redefining luxury waterfront living in Bal Harbour. This custom four-level masterpiece spans 21,927 SF on nearly an acre with 150 feet of Biscayne Bay frontage. Soaring ceilings, refined finishes, rooftop amenities, dual heated saltwater pools, private principal terrace, state-ofthe-art theater, outdoor kitchen and Crestron smart home technology define visionary coastal living.

9 Bedrooms | 11 Full & 2 Half Baths

$78,000,000 represented by Danny Hertzberg, The Jills Zeder Group 305.505.1950 | danny@jillszeder.com Coldwell Banker Realty

Architectural Icon On Exclusive Indian Creek

Experience a rare architectural masterpiece on prestigious Indian Creek. Designed by Ferris Rafauli, this 27,889 SF estate sits on an 80,000 SF lot with 200 feet of pristine waterfront. A limestone façade, dramatic 38foot skylit staircase and meticulously curated interiors create unmatched sophistication. Offering sweeping views, privacy and seamless indoor-outdoor living, this residence defines timeless luxury.

9 Bedrooms | 11 Full & 4 Half Baths

$200,000,000 represented by Jill Hertzberg, The Jills Zeder Group 305.788.5455 | jillh@jillszeder.com jillszeder.com | Coldwell Banker Realty

BAL HARBOUR | FLORIDA

INDIAN CREEK | FLORIDA

| FLORIDA

Beachfront Estate On Miami Beach

Rising above Miami Beach’s only oceanfront enclave, this contemporary 3-level estate by Ramon Pacheco & Coastal Construction features soaring ceilings, walls of glass, dual chef’s kitchens, wine cellar, smart home automation, oceanfront primary suite and resort-style pool with terrace and fire pit.

5 Bedrooms | 6 Full & 1 Half Baths | $24,990,000

| FLORIDA

Entertainer’s Waterfront Dream Estate

This contemporary waterfront oasis, just steps from Miami Beach, offers resort-style living on a 25,850 SF lot with 237 feet of water frontage. Highlights include dual primary suites, a chef’s kitchen, wine cellar, heated saltwater pool, roof deck, and lush landscaping.

9 Bedrooms | 8 Full & 1 Half Baths | $17,900,000

MIAMI BEACH | FLORIDA Premier Point Lot Estate

Impeccably renovated, gated estate on an 18,253 SF point lot with 264 feet of open Biscayne Bay frontage in San Souci. Six suites, soaring 20-foot ceilings, chef’s kitchen, grand primary level, new roof, seawall, and refinished exterior for waterfront living.

6 Bedrooms | 7 Baths | $12,975,000

HILLSBORO BEACH | FLORIDA

Beachfront Estate, Ultimate Privacy

Experience unparalleled ocean-to-Intracoastal luxury at 1091 Hillsboro Mile. This nearly 10,000 SF estate on 1.35 acres features 125-foot ocean frontage, 130-foot dockage, 6 bedrooms, expansive living and entertaining spaces, resort-style pool, summer kitchen, private beach access and ultimate privacy mid-island.

6 Bedrooms | 6 Full & 1 Half Baths | $30,000,000

MIAMI BEACH

MIAMI BEACH

MIAMI | FLORIDA

Ultra-Luxury Penthouse Living

Ultra-luxury redesigned 10,338 SF penthouse at One Thousand Museum spans the entire 51st floor with stunning 360° bay, ocean and skyline views. Features dramatic great room, 1,200 SF terrace, chef’s kitchen, media room, theater, lavish principal suite, staff room, four-car parking and world-class amenities.

6 Bedrooms | 6 Full & 1 Half Baths | $23,800,000

FISHER ISLAND | FLORIDA

Epitome Of Luxury On Fisher

Exquisite 4,039 SF ground-floor residence fully remodeled with wide-plank wood floors, custom millwork, Dornbracht fixtures, wine room and Ornare kitchen with Gaggenau appliances. Expansive open layout, sumptuous principal suite and spectacular 4,000 SF wraparound terrace with direct ocean views, steps from the beach and pool.

4 Bedrooms | 4 Full & 1 Half Baths | $15,250,000

BEACH | FLORIDA Hibiscus Tri-Level Masterpiece

Spectacular tri-level contemporary waterfront home on guardgated Hibiscus Island offers panoramic bay, Miami skyline views. Features soaring ceilings, lux designer finishes and chef’s kitchen. Expansive living areas, bayfront principal suite, rooftop lounge, pool, summer kitchen, cabana bath and large dock with direct ocean access.

5 Bedrooms | 6 Full & 1 Half Baths | $21,500,000

FISHER ISLAND | FLORIDA Beautiful Oceanside Corner Unit

Completely renovated 3,959 SF Oceanside corner unit with hardwood floors, designer finishes and an east-west flowthrough layout with floor-to-ceiling glass. Features a 1,721 SF wraparound terrace with ocean and skyline views, Bulthaup kitchen with Gaggenau appliances, wet bar, luxurious principal suite and two additional ensuite bedrooms.

3 Bedrooms | 4 Full & 1 Half Baths | $12,700,000

MIAMI

FISHER ISLAND | FLORIDA

Stunning Modern Bayview Residence

Stunning Bayview residence with 4,109 SF and chic modern décor. Three terraces showcase Biscayne Bay and sunset skyline views. Features include porcelain and English oak floors, a custom bar, gourmet Viking/Sub-Zero kitchen, elegant living areas, a luxe bayside principal suite and three ensuite guest bedrooms.

4 Bedrooms | 4 Full & 1 Half Baths | $11,980,000

FISHER ISLAND | FLORIDA

Luxury Oceanside Corner Unit

Enjoy stunning sunrises from this Oceanside corner unit with direct, unobstructed views of the Atlantic, beach and Government Cut. This 3,849 SF residence features marble floors, a wraparound oceanfront terrace, spacious living/ dining areas, a Gaggenau/Sub-Zero kitchen, a terrace-access principal suite, ensuite bedrooms and 5-star Fisher amenities.

4 Bedrooms | 5 Baths | $10,870,000

KEY LARGO | FLORIDA Iconic Keys Waterfront Estate

Set on a 7,300 SF point lot at Adam’s Cut, this 2-story estate offers 167 feet of WF, Largo Sound views and ocean access. Features 3,723 SF, elevator, chef’s kitchen, principal suite with rooftop infinity pool-jacuzzi. Ground level pool, summer kitchen, wine cellar, and 77-ft dock with permitting. True indoor-outdoor luxury living.

4 Bedrooms | 5 Full & 2 Half Baths | $11,380,000

|

FLORIDA

A Beachfront Home In The Sky

This stunning Upper Penthouse with 4,521 SF and four terraces showcases panoramic ocean, bay and city views. Features include a private elevator, elegant living/dining areas with wet bar, Mia Cucina Kosher kitchen with Wolf/Sub-Zero appliances, a luxurious principal suite, five ensuite bedrooms, custom millwork and access to five-star amenities.

6 Bedrooms | 6 Full & 1 Half Baths | $6,350,000

SUNNY ISLES BEACH

PINECREST | FLORIDA

Pinecrest Architectural Masterpiece

Elegant North Pinecrest estate on nearly two acres featuring classic and modern luxury. Designed by Portuondo Perotti, it offers grand interiors, soaring ceilings, exquisite details, a long gated drive, water features, tennis court, pool, spa and refined outdoor spaces.

8 Bedrooms | 7 Full & 2 Half Baths | $22,500,000

CORAL GABLES | FLORIDA

Waterfront Luxury In Coral Gables

This Contemporary 5,681 SF waterfront home on the Coral Gables Waterway offers sunlit interiors, a gourmet kitchen, marble staircase and family room with wine cellar. Outdoors feature a heated saltwater pool, fire pit, summer kitchen, private dock and access to nearby City Park.

5 Bedrooms | 5 Full & 1 Half Baths | $6,275,000

MIAMI | FLORIDA Gated Chateau-Inspired Residence

This chateau-inspired 9,289 SF gated residence features a grand foyer with marble staircase, a chef’s kitchen, media room, wine cellar and smart-home systems. Outdoors include covered terraces, summer kitchen, heated pool, jacuzzi, lush landscaping and complete privacy on a 29,292 SF lot.

7 Bedrooms | 8 Baths | $9,795,000

MIAMI | FLORIDA

Prime Miami Luxury Gated Residence

Ideally located near Coconut Grove, Brickell, and the Design District, this 8,881 SF gated residence offers bright interiors, a chef’s kitchen, hardwood floors, wine cellar and a stunning outdoor area with summer kitchen, heated pool, jacuzzi, lush landscaping and ample parking.

6 Bedrooms | 6 Full & 1 Half Baths | $11,500,000

MIAMI | FLORIDA

Waterfront Luxury In The Moorings

Nestled in The Moorings, this 17,873 SF waterfront estate features 7 bedrooms, 7+2 baths and timeless craftsmanship. Enjoy a gourmet kitchen, primary suite retreat, covered terraces, rooftop terrace, pool, private dock and direct Biscayne Bay access near Coconut Grove.

7 Bedrooms | 7 Full & 2 Half Baths | $31,000,000

MIAMI | FLORIDA

Coconut Grove Rooftop Residence

This 11,810 SF Coconut Grove penthouse at Grovenor House features 5 bedrooms, 5.2 baths, rooftop pool, and 360° Biscayne Bay views. Highlights include tray ceilings, hardwood and marble floors, gourmet kitchen, wine cellar, wraparound terrace, private elevator and smart-home technology.

5 Bedrooms | 5 Full & 2 Half Baths | $23,850,000

CORAL GABLES | FLORIDA

Elegant Estate In Prestigious Enclave

This 8BR, 8.3BA waterfront estate by Hugo Mijares offers soaring ceilings, spiral staircase, elevator and impact glass. Features include a chef’s kitchen, marble fireplaces, wine room, main suite with spa bath, infinity pool, summer kitchen, terraces and smart-home amenities.

8 Bedrooms | 8 Full & 3 Half Baths | $39,490,000

COCONUT GROVE | FLORIDA

One Park Grove Luxury Residence

This 5,257 SF One Park Grove residence by Rem Koolhaas/ OMA offers 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, two private elevators and floor-to-ceiling windows with ocean and bay views. Features include gourmet kitchen, spa-like principal suite, terraces, high-end finishes and resort-style amenities.

4 Bedrooms | 4 Full & 1 Half Baths | $17,850,000

Modern Beachfront Sophistication

Modern sophistication meets exceptional beachfront living in this Indian Rocks Beach new construction coastal estate by Tulia Home Designs. Designed for refined living in 9,271 SF of expansive light-filled spaces, panoramic beach views, premium finishes and dramatic appointments. From the floating staircase and impressive wine cellar, to the beachfront pool and rooftop terrace, enjoy beachfront luxury in a main house and attached guesthouse.

8 Bedrooms | 8 Full & 3 Half Baths | $12,900,000 represented by Jennifer Zales

813.758.3443 | jennifer@jenniferzales.com | jenniferzales.com Coldwell Banker Realty

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH | FLORIDA

Casey Key Gulf Front Estate

Stunning on Florida’s Southwest Gulf Coast. An extraordinary offering, where cutting-edge design meets sea-to-sky vistas. Nestled on the exclusive barrier island of Casey Key, this newly constructed Modern Coastal estate by Modesta Homes defines luxury beachfront living in 7,977 SF. Positioned directly on the sand with spectacular Gulf views, this striking residence showcases the pinnacle of craftsmanship and architectural innovation.

6 Bedrooms | 6 Full & 1 Half Baths | $9,950,000 represented by Jennifer Zales

813.758.3443 | jennifer@jenniferzales.com | jenniferzales.com Coldwell Banker Realty

NOKOMIS | FLORIDA

Modern Luxury In Pinecrest

Experience refined Pinecrest living in this classic-meets-modern estate offering 8,143 SF on a 15,225 SF corner lot. The 6-bed, 7.5-bath residence features soaring double-height living spaces, walls of glass and a chef’s kitchen with Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances. Enjoy seamless indoor-outdoor living with a resort-style pool and spa, expansive entertaining areas, a 3-car garage with lift capability and art curated by Valentina Bilbao.

6 Bedrooms | 7 Full & 1 Half Baths | $6,990,000 represented by Denice Landaeta 954.914.6339 | denice.landaeta@dluxuss.com | dluxuss.com Coldwell Banker Realty

PINECREST | FLORIDA

LAUDERDALE | FLORIDA

Waterfront Living In Rio Vista Isles

An exceptional waterfront opportunity in one of Fort Lauderdale’s most desirable enclaves. Currently renovated under the existing floor plan and rented through January 2027 at $15,000 per month, this property offers immediate income with long-term upside. Set on deep water with direct ocean access and dockage for a 65-foot yacht, it presents the ideal canvas for developers or end users to create a bespoke mega mansion on the water.

3 Bedrooms | 4 Baths | $3,500,000 represented by Denice Landaeta 954.914.6339 | denice.landaeta@dluxuss.com | dluxuss.com Coldwell Banker Realty

FORT

| FLORIDA Casa Mar Azul Welcomes You To Islamorada

Discover a rare oceanfront estate in Islamorada with 200 feet of shoreline, a private jetty with dockage and sweeping Atlantic views. This elegant retreat features vaulted ceilings, sun-filled living spaces and seamless indoor-outdoor living. A bonus room opens to a covered lanai and your own sandy beach. Lush tropical landscaping and close proximity to dining and boutiques complete this serene coastal escape.

3 Bedrooms | 3 Full Baths | $7,499,000 represented by Alina Davis 305.393.0541 | alina@yourflkeysagent.com | yourflkeysagent.com Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate Co.

ISLAMORADA

LONGBOAT KEY | FLORIDA

Boutique Luxury On Longboat Key

Evolve introduces a new vision of boutique coastal luxury on Longboat Key. Limited to eight residences, the project is designed around privacy, architectural refinement and an elevated sense of space. Each home offers private arrival, approximately 6,500 SF of indoor/outdoor living, and a signature rooftop suite that functions as a distinct upper level. With a private marina, residents’ beach access, and thoughtfully scaled wellness and recreation spaces, Evolve delivers a complete modern coastal living experience within one exclusive address.

4 Bedrooms | 4 Full & 1 Half Baths | Price Upon Request represented by Agnieszka Kroczek and Brandy Sheldon 941.724.0469 | coldwellbanker@evolvelongboatkey.com | evolvelongboatkey.com | Coldwell Banker Realty

A Most Coveted Home In Premier Islamorada

SALE PENDING. Built for the refined angler’s lifestyle with its 100 feet of dockage and immediate deep-water passage to the ocean and bay. The spectacular outdoor waterfront living is complimented by the light-filled interior with 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 elevators, a high-end chef’s kitchen, a dedicated office and a luxury casita.

A more balanced luxury market is taking root as buyers become more selective and sellers become more strategic

WHAT’S REALLY HAPPENING

After years of volatility, the luxury housing market is settling into a more stable phase. Prices are holding firm, inventory is replenishing at a healthy pace, and demand remains strong — particularly for high-quality single-family homes.

WHY IT MATTERS

Market stability is further reinforced by increasing discernment on both sides of the transaction. Luxury buyers and sellers are not reacting to headlines or short-term market swings. They are making decisions with greater scrutiny, evaluating property decisions against long-term wealth strategies, shifting value perceptions, and lifestyle alignment. Homes that meet modern expectations are being rewarded; those that do not are facing longer timelines and negotiation pressure.

Offering walk-to-beach living, Third Street access, and direct boating, this designer-furnished new-construction retreat by Broad Avenue Studios, Toscana Homes, and Stofft Cooney Architects sits within Aqualane Shores, one of Naples’ most coveted coastal enclaves. The home includes 4 bedrooms, a study, and a loft along 107’ of protected Kite Cove waterfront with direct Gulf access. European oak floors and a Wolf/Sub-Zero kitchen lead to expansive indoor-outdoor living with a resort-style pool, spa, outdoor kitchen and firepit deck.

Just one block from the beach and steps to Third Street South, this custom Grand Bay home defines Naples luxury. With 5 bedrooms, 2 dens, a poolside flex room and curated global finishes, it blends refined design with seamless indoor-outdoor living. A Cristallo Quartzite kitchen, elegant great room, gulf-view primary suite, rooftop terrace and a southwest lanai with saltwater pool create a private coastal oasis.

Experience Luxury Living

Stunning 4,045 SF, three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath residence featuring a private foyer entrance, elegant marble floors and floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing breathtaking direct ocean views.

TREND #2

Affluent buyers are treating real estate decisions as part of a broader wealth and lifestyle strategy.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Despite volatility in equity markets and investment performance, the affluent have steadily expanded their real estate holdings since 2020.

WHY IT MATTERS

Luxury real estate is no longer viewed as a standalone investment or pure lifestyle purchase. It is increasingly treated as a stabilizing counterweight to market volatility, offering tangible value, long-term wealth preservation, and geographic mobility.

3 Bedrooms | 3 Full & 1 Half Baths $4,150,000 represented by Attila Yildiz 786.333.3727 | attilaoyildiz@gmail.com attilayildiz.com | Coldwell Banker Realty

TREND #3

2.0

The luxury map is expanding beyond traditionally “resilient” wealth havens.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Legacy wealth havens like NYC and London will never lose their luster, but affluent buyers are widening their lens. Wealth creation is spreading across new industries and regions, mobility has increased, and buyers are actively diversifying where they live and invest. Result? A broader set of markets showing resilience.

WHY IT MATTERS

Luxury demand is no longer concentrated in just a handful of cities. Buyers are comparing markets through a resilience lens, weighing taxes, long-term stability, lifestyle, supply constraints, and mobility benefits.

Mansion In The Sky FLORIDA

A singular penthouse residence at The Seasons at Naples Cay, reimagined by C&E Builders and Theory Design. Expansive interiors, refined materials and sweeping Gulf-to-Bay views, creating one of Naples’ most exclusive offerings.

5 Bedrooms + Den | 6 Full & 1 Half Baths | $24,990,000 represented by Ashley Baird Fenttiman & Dawn McKenna The Dawn McKenna Group | 239.300.8476 ashley@dawnmckennagroup.com | Coldwell Banker Realty

A North Shore Legacy Estate

A preserved 9.35-acre Tudor Revival estate showcasing 1927 Ambrose Cramer architecture, grand rooms, a pool, pond and coach house. Privately set on a wooded drive just moments from Lake Bluff’s beloved community amenities.

Elevated Waterfront Living

UNDER CONTRACT. 6,500 SF bayfront estate offers direct Gulf access, resort-style pool and spa, and indoor-outdoor living.

5 Bedrooms + Den | 5 Full & 2 Half Baths | $15,995,000 represented by Ashley Baird Fenttiman & Maureen Runzel | The Dawn McKenna Group 239.300.8476 | ashley@dawnmckennagroup.com 239.595.3906 | maureen@dawnmckennagroup.com Coldwell Banker Realty

Crown Jewel Awaits

A fully restored French Eclectic masterpiece featuring dramatic living spaces, a show-stopping 16-foot coved-ceiling kitchen and a two-bedroom coach house on an iconic half-acre corner lot just steps from town.

7 Bedrooms | 7 Full & 2 Half Baths | $6,250,000 represented by Annie Royster Lenzke

The Dawn McKenna Group | 847.414.4045 annie@dawnmckennagroup.com | Coldwell Banker Realty

6 Bedrooms | 6 Full & 1 Half Baths | $4,995,000 represented by Lauren Walz and Dawn McKenna

The Dawn McKenna Group | 708.846.5676

lauren@dawnmckennagroup.com | Coldwell Banker Realty

NAPLES | FLORIDA

NAPLES | FLORIDA

LAKE BLUFF | ILLINOIS

HINSDALE | ILLINOIS Hinsdale’s

English Manor Estate In Buckhead

Located in the exclusive Paces neighborhood on the west side of Buckhead sits this rare three-acre private estate featuring formal English gardens and a spectacular pool and pavilion. Designed and built as a custom stone English manor, the residence combines enduring architectural detail with refined modern living—set within a serene, gated landscape of exceptional privacy.

Residences At The Tampa EDITION

Discover this residence at The Tampa EDITION, with breathtaking views, thoughtful design and couture-level finishes. This property defines luxury with panoramic vistas and resort-style amenities in the Water Street district.

3 Bedrooms | 3 Full & 1 Half Baths | $4,500,000 represented by Savas Group and Andrea Webb Group (co-listed) | 727.967.0955 | alecia.savas@cbrealty.com savasrealtors.com | Coldwell Banker Realty

6 Bedrooms | 9 Baths | Price Upon Request represented by Debra Johnston 404.312.1959 | debra.johnston@cbrealty.com debraajohnston.com Coldwell Banker Realty

Luxury. Masterfully Designed.

Lakefront estate on private Lake Cardinal in the prestigious Lake Toxaway Estates, an oasis of serenity in the mountains featuring world-class amenities, offered by invitation to those who demand perfection. Refined mountain elegance at it’s finest. $5,790,000 represented by Jeff Ramm | 614.332.1563 jeff@nthliving.com | nthliving.com Coldwell Banker Advantage

TAMPA | FLORIDA

LAKE TOXAWAY | NORTH CAROLINA

ATLANTA | GEORGIA

WASHINGTON D.C.

Exquisite Home In Kalorama

This grand 1905 Kalorama residence offers soaring ceilings, elegant formal rooms, a chef ’s kitchen, seamless indoor— outdoor living, elevator to all levels, luxurious bedroom suites, plus a media room, gym, in-law suite, wine cellar and two-car garage.

6 Bedrooms | 6 Full & 2 Half Baths | $8,750,000

WASHINGTON D.C.

Grand Kalorama Cooperative

Sun-filled Kalorama cooperative with three exposures, large living and dining rooms, eat-in chef’s kitchen, and sunroom with Cathedral views. The private bedroom wing has three bedrooms and two baths. Gated parking and separate storage space. The building has four connected roof terraces and more.

3 Bedrooms | 2 Full & 1 Half Baths | $2,750,000

WASHINGTON D.C.

Historic Kalorama Condo

Grand Beaux Arts home in Kalorama features expansive rooms, with views over Connecticut Avenue. The elegant gallery is perfect for art. Large kitchen and three spacious bedroom suites. The renovated roof deck, with elevator access, has sweeping city views. Two parking spaces and a separate storage space.

3 Bedrooms | 3 Baths | $2,999,000

WASHINGTON D.C.

Light-Filled Kalorama Classic

Grand Beaux Arts Kalorama residence offers intricate Parisianinspired molding throughout, light-filled public rooms, formal dining and living rooms, a private bedroom wing with en suite baths, plus a separate small bedroom/bath that’s perfect for an office. Gated parking and a separate storage space.

4 Bedrooms | 4 Baths | $2,750,000

represented by Marin Hagen and Sylvia Bergstrom 202.257.2339 | marin@cbrealty.com | hagenbergstrom.com | Coldwell Banker Realty

Beautifully Transformed Home

This updated custom home features an open layout nestled on a landscaped 1.76-acre lot. A two-story foyer leads to formal living and dining rooms, a chef’s kitchen with two-tier island, and a grand family room with stone fireplace and palladium windows. The first-floor primary suite offers a spa-like retreat. Additional bedrooms include a Jack-and-Jill en-suite, while the lower level adds a spacious rec room and full bath. Private grounds include a deck, patio and three-car garage.

5 Bedrooms | 4 Full & 1 Half Baths | $1,650,000 represented by Frank D. Isoldi 908.787.5990 | frankisoldi@gmail.com | theisoldicollection.com Coldwell Banker Realty

SCOTCH PLAINS | NEW JERSEY

This beautiful equestrian estate is located directly on the North Salem Bridle Trail system which is one of the most meticulously maintained networks in Westchester County. The gracious colonial home is a wonderful place to entertain with spacious rooms and easy flow from indoor to outdoor living. The location is perfect for an easy commute to the airport, train, schools and shopping. This property provides everything for the next owner to enjoy including an inground heated pool, barns, an apartment and more!

5 Bedrooms | 6 Baths | $2,795,000 represented by Marcie Nolletti 914.424.5545 I marcie.nolletti@cbmoves.com I marcienolletti.com Coldwell Banker Realty

NORTH SALEM | NEW YORK

WESTPORT | CONNECTICUT

Unrivaled Gold Coast Luxury Estate

Nestled along Westport’s prestigious ‘Gold Coast,’ this estate on 4+ acres of park-like grounds with a breathtaking pool and professional-grade Har-Tru tennis court is a haven for luxury living and distinguished entertaining. Located in one of the most sought-after coastal regions in the Northeast, it boasts access to pristine beaches, sophisticated amenities and renowned schools, all within an easy commute to NYC.

6 Bedrooms | 6 Full & 1 Half Baths | $6,500,000

WESTPORT | CONNECTICUT Compo South Modern Luxury Estate

SIR Development presents the last of two luxury residences set back on beautiful property, each with their own distinct Modern style and pool. Officially designated by the State of CT as a Scenic Roadway, this location offers ultimate convenience to every amenity that makes Westport one of the most highly desired towns in the nation.

7 Bedrooms | 7 Full & 1 Half Baths | $4,150,000

WESTPORT | CONNECTICUT

Experience the elevated ease of modern luxury in this new SIGNATURE Home by SIR Development, Westport’s most respected ground-up RE developer with 30+ years and 300+ completed homes. Set on a scenic park-like acre with gunite pool and circular drive, this move-in ready home avoids delays and financial uncertainty of a proposed new build all walking distance to Long Lots School, shops, and 1.7 miles to the train.

6 Bedrooms | 6 Full & 6 Half Baths | $5,000,000

WESTPORT | CONNECTICUT

Final Unit Available In This 31-Unit Development | Welcome to Duplex 2 at The Mill Westport, a spectacular unit with spacious rooftop deck which offers high-end luxury living with all the amenities of a fine custom home in the heart of downtown Westport—with a concierge on-site and 10,000 square feet of spectacular interior and exterior amenity spaces.

2 Bedrooms | 2 Full & 1 Half Baths | $2,495,000

Rare Classic Estate With Exceptional Craftsmanship

This magnificent custom-built estate offers exceptional craftsmanship, timeless design and an impressive array of luxury amenities. From the grand entryway to the beautifully appointed living spaces, every detail has been thoughtfully curated by the home’s original owner. Enjoy resort-style living with an oversized pool, a private tennis court, a state-of-the-art media room, a rare custom elevator and separate his-and-her baths. The home is surrounded by complete privacy on all four sides, enhanced by stunning stone walls, mature specimen plantings and beautifully landscaped grounds. Option to buy furnished.

6 Bedrooms | 8 Baths | $5,495,000 represented by Susan Morelli 203.912.7840 | susanmorelli2@gmail.com | Coldwell Banker Realty

PROVINCETOWN | MASSACHUSETTS

Say Hello To Eden West

Eden West, a collection of 36 residences, introduces an entirely new level of sophistication and living in Provincetown, designed for effortless coastal living. Blending timeless Cape Cod design with contemporary, warm finishes, this landmark development by awardwinning New Boston Ventures offers a lifestyle defined by light, elevated living and leisure. Just moments from Commercial Street, the Harbor Pier and Provincetown’s celebrated art, dining and culture, Eden West beautifully captures the essence of Ptown.

Ranging from 1-2+ Bedrooms & 1-2+ Baths | Price Upon Request represented by Ricardo Rodriguez

617.823.0072 | ricardo.rodriguez@nemoves.com

Coldwell Banker Realty

Private

Estate Living At Its Finest

A sophisticated sanctuary of unrivaled estate living, this magnificent residence is nestled on a private lane bordered by 7,000 acres of protected land within the Blue Hills Reservation. Spanning over 10,000 SF, it offers unmatched privacy minutes from Boston. The home features 6 beds, 6 baths and 20 impeccably curated rooms, including a grand foyer, vaulted ceilings, sitting room, richly paneled library with fireplace, home gym, family rooms and movie theater. Set on 4+ acres, the stone terrace includes an outdoor kitchen, fireplace and jacuzzi.

6 Bedrooms | 6 Baths | Price Upon Request represented by Ricardo Rodriguez 617.823.0072 | ricardo.rodriguez@nemoves.com | Coldwell Banker Realty

MILTON | MASSACHUSETTS

Where Skyline Views Meet Unrivaled Luxury

An exclusive offering within the Millennium Residences at Winthrop Center, this 61st-floor penthouse features 12-ft ceilings and panoramic views from West sunsets to Boston Common and the Charles River. Refined details include Christopher Peacock kitchen and bath cabinetry, marble baths, and custom architectural elements. Residents enjoy unmatched amenities—terraces, lounge, bar, FLX fitness, a 75-ft lap pool and five-star services.

3 Bedrooms | 4 Baths | $13,955,000

represented by Ricardo Rodriguez

617.823.0072

ricardo.rodriguez@nemoves.com

Coldwell Banker Realty

A Masterpiece Of Modern Penthouse Design

An extraordinary expression of urban luxury, this penthouse redefines refined city living. Approx. 2,515 SF on one level with three sunny exposures, it offers 4 beds, 4 baths and direct elevator access. The bespoke kitchen by award-winning Planeta Design Group anchors an open living area with a two-sided fireplace and custom wet bar. The corner primary suite features a terrace, Back Bay views and a spa-inspired bath. Two garage parking spaces with EV.

4 Bedrooms | 3 Full & 1 Half Baths Price Upon Request

represented by Ricardo Rodriguez

617.823.0072

ricardo.rodriguez@nemoves.com

Coldwell Banker Realty

Modern Craftsmanship Grounded In New England Nature

The Homes at Teakettle Lane, six new single-family residences, where architecture and nature live in quiet harmony. Crafted by NFB Design, these homes embody timeless New England architecture with modern elegance featuring bespoke finishes, curated details and layouts blending family living with spaces for retreat. Set in historic Duxbury, they offer classic coastal style, refined craftsmanship and an inviting, upscale lifestyle.

Ranges from 4-6 Beds & 3-5 Baths

Prices Upon Request

represented by Ricardo Rodriguez and Chris Swem | 617.823.0072

ricardo.rodriguez@nemoves.com

Coldwell Banker Realty

Classic Architecture Elevated for Contemporary Living

Welcome to The Gardens on Silver, where historic charm meets luxury elegance. Built in 1890 for industrialist Frank B. Williams, the home showcases Dover’s turn-of-the-century grandeur with its original staircase, six fireplaces, beamed ceilings, and mahogany details. A European-inspired garden and pool create a tranquil escape, while refined modern finishes elevate the kitchen and outdoor entertaining spaces. Dover’s crown jewel awaits.

4 Bedrooms | 2 Full & 1 Half Baths

Price Upon Request

represented by Ricardo Rodriguez and Laura Cote | 617.823.0072

ricardo.rodriguez@nemoves.com

Coldwell Banker Realty

CAMBRIDGE | MASSACHUSETTS

An Extraordinary Opportunity To Own A Legacy Estate

An extraordinary opportunity to own a legacy estate set on over an acre of park-like grounds close to Harvard Square. The landscaped gardens seem to magically transform with the seasons, offering an ever-changing tapestry of color, texture and botanical variety. This remarkable property offers a rare combination of privacy, luxury and timeless natural beauty in one of the area’s most sought-after locations. This is a rare and refined retreat offering amenities such as a pool and separate caretaker’s apartment.

7 Bedrooms | 6 Full & 1 Half Baths | $35,000,000 represented by Gail Roberts, Ed Feijo & Team 617.844.2712 | gail@gailroberts.com | gailroberts.com 617.780.4354 | ed.feijo@cbrealty.com | Coldwell Banker Realty

| MASSACHUSETTS Private Retreat On 8+ Acres

Remarkable legacy estate spanning over 14,000 square feet on eight secluded acres. Distinguished by exceptional craftsmanship, the residence showcases a grand three-story foyer, hand-carved millwork, imported stone, and Venetian plaster. Elegant living spaces, a custom kitchen and six ensuite bedrooms include a serene primary retreat with spa bath, dual dressing rooms and sitting area. Resort-style lower level featuring a home theater, indoor pool/spa, basketball court, gym and bunk room, seven-car heated garage, elevator and generator complete this once-in-a-generation offering.

6 Bedrooms | 11 Baths | $12,500,000 represented by Jamie Genser and Denise Mosher

617.515.5152 | jamie.genser@nemoves.com | jamiegenserrealestate.com 781.267.5750 | denise.mosher@nemoves.com | denisemosherhomes.com | Coldwell Banker Realty

WESTON

CONCORD | MASSACHUSETTS

Concord Architectural Masterpiece

This 23.5-acre estate offers rare privacy just minutes from town and highly ranked public and private schools. Manicured gardens, a koi pond, and a pool styled as a reflecting pond create a peaceful sanctuary. Surrounded by trails for year-round recreation, the 10,395 SF smart-home blends elegant architecture, new-construction condition, and exquisite craftsmanship – an ideal retreat for refined living in a natural setting.

6 Bedrooms | 7 Full & 1 Half Bathrooms

$10,890,000

BROOKLINE | MASSACHUSETTS

Country Setting 4 Miles From Boston

Set in Brookline’s prestigious Sargent Estates, this renovated stately Georgian Colonial offers timeless architecture, peaceful surroundings and prime access to Boston. Located near top schools, shopping, dining, cultural institutions, the Financial District, Longwood Medical Area and Logan Airport, this property is ideal for those seeking both elegance and convenience. A rare offering in one of Brookline’s most desirable neighborhoods.

5 Bedrooms | 6 Full & 1 Half Bathrooms

$7,500,000

Private Setting On Nearly 4 Lush Acres

Set in a popular neighborhood this carefully crafted home offers a contemporary style and beautiful views from the private 3+ acres of land yet boasts a walk to all locations. High ceilings, spacious rooms, open floor plan and walls of glass allow natural light to beam throughout.

TREND

The next luxury buyer is already here

WH AT’S REALLY HAPPENING

A historic wave of wealth is shifting from Baby Boomers to Gen X, Millennials, and the first wave of Gen Z heirs. The transfer will arrive in phases, with Gen X inheriting first and younger generations following. As ownership changes hands, luxury real estate is becoming a primary vehicle for preserving, repositioning, and reallocating inherited wealth across markets.

WHY IT MATTERS

This intergenerational transfer is beginning to reshape luxury demand and supply at the same time. Some heirs will retain legacy properties, while others will sell, upgrade, or diversify into new locations and property types resulting in new inventory alongside sustained demand from younger buyers who prioritize lifestyle. Over time, these shifts will influence how luxury is defined, where it concentrates, and how long assets are held.

5 Bedrooms | 5 Baths | $2,850,000 represented by Elena Price 508.577.9128 | sales@elenaprice.com elenaprice.com | Coldwell Banker Realty

WESTWOOD | MASSACHUSETTS

Where History Meets Modern Luxe

Elegant West Newton Hill Victorian with over 6,300 SF, blending historic charm and modern luxury. Features a chef’s kitchen, spa-like primary suite, 5 additional bedrooms, gym, sauna and playroom.

6 Bedrooms | 6 Full & 1 Half Baths | $5,548,000 represented by Jeff Groper, The Jeff Groper Group 617.240.8000 | jeff.groper@nemoves.com thejeffgropergroup.com | Coldwell Banker Realty

Stunning New Construction

Magnificent estate on West Newton Hill with grand foyer, chef’s kitchen, formal rooms, first-floor ensuite, luxurious primary suite, three additional ensuites and a full lower level offering playroom, bar, gym, sauna, bedroom and bath and direct walkout.

6 Bedrooms | 6 Full & 1 Half Baths | Price Upon Request represented by Jeff Groper, The Jeff Groper Group 617.240.8000 | jeff.groper@nemoves.com thejeffgropergroup.com | Coldwell Banker Realty

Paris, France

LA VIE EN VILLE

Perched on a high floor of a prestigious building in Paris— near Place de l’Etoile and Champs-Élysées—this penthouse delivers “absolute privacy and the ultimate expression of Parisian luxury,” says realtor Vanda Demeure, “This is a truly once-in-a-generation opportunity to own one of the largest and rarest penthouses currently available in Paris.”

The layout features a vast reception area with a fireplace, formal dining room and modern kitchen, plus two elegant suites, an independent studio, two panoramic terraces offering iconic views of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe and two parking spaces available for purchase. VANDA DEMEURE card.pm/coldwellbanker/6c5516

Key Colony Beach Florida Keys

COASTAL OPULENCE

This refined, luxurious home—with character and symmetry worthy of a Wes Anderson film—is perfectly positioned to watch those famed Florida Keys’ sunsets along the shimmering shoreline of the exclusive Key Colony Beach.

Realtor Lisa Ferringo says this “stunning oceanfront estate” boasts a private beach, saltwater pool and spa, an expansive composite dock and a palatial primary suite with a private balcony, sitting area, spa bath and endless ocean views. “It offers unrivaled opulence with resort-style living in the fantastic Florida Keys,” she says, plus an additional lot included. Guest house, anyone?

LISA FERRINGO lisaferringo.com

NEWTON | MASSACHUSETTS

NEWTON | MASSACHUSETTS

50 Howard Street #5 Somerville, MA

SANCTUARY IN THE SKY

“This isn’t just a penthouse—it’s a private sanctuary in the sky,” says realtor Ricardo Rodriguez. The industrial-chic top-floor home floats above Davis Square like a modern treehouse, surrounded on three sides by intentional greenery. “A truly one-of-a-kind home that blends urban energy with the calm of treetops and open air, offering a lifestyle rarely found in the city.”

From the spa-like bathroom (deep soaking tub and steam shower) to the high-lift windows that dissolve the boundary between outside and in, this spot is a treasure of a find amid the urban bustle below.

RICARDO RODRIGUEZ ricardoboston.com

STOWE | VERMONT

This masterfully re-imagined two-residence estate offers more than 10,000 SF of refined living minutes from Stowe Mountain Resort featuring artisan craftsmanship, luxe finishes, guest house, stone terraces, pond and sweeping mountain views.

4543 Aukai Avenue Oahu, Hawaii

TROPICAL MODERN LUXE

This brand-new luxury home reimagines seamless indooroutdoor living with striking modern architecture and nextlevel comfort. And realtor Tracy Allen says the location can’t be beat: “It’s situated on a premier street in the coveted neighborhood of Kahala on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, just three minutes to sandy beach access, world-class golfing, dining, shopping and more.”

Every detail—Shou Sugi Ban siding, Iroko wood accents, wood-inlaid ceilings, Italian porcelain tile, Dekton counters, a tadelakt plaster bath and natural lava stone—expresses a high caliber rarely seen on the market in Hawaii.

TRACY ALLEN tracyallenhawaii.com

5 Bedrooms | 7 Baths in the Main House | $4,999,000 represented by The Smith Macdonald Group 802.375.5009 | info@stowere.com | stowere.com Coldwell Banker Carlson Real Estate

| VERMONT

Classic New England design meets modern ease with premium craftsmanship and thoughtful detail. Sunlit living spaces, a private apartment and landscaped surroundings with a bluestone patio, heated pool and pond. A year-round retreat.

5 Bedrooms | 6 Baths | $4,495,000 represented by Nancy Warren | 802.734.5024 nancy@asknancywarren.com | hickokandboardman.com Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman

SHELBURNE

| TEXAS

Luxury For The Car Enthusiast

This one-of-a-kind home is truly a masterpiece for the soul of the car enthusiast who loves a private escape. Collector’s garages bookend this exclusive mansion offering both 3- and 6-car enclosed spaces. If you need a true getaway, escape to the exclusive retreat tucked upstairs and overlooking the luscious backyard. Home to 5 bedrooms, 6 full baths and 2 half baths, enjoy 6,599 SF of true luxury and convenience in this quaint and coveted community.

5 Bedrooms | 6 Full & 2 Half Baths | $2,300,000 represented by Caralee Gurney, The Mariposa Group 214.364.8677

Coldwell Banker Realty

COPPELL

Executive Retreat For Active Living

Mediterranean Heath, TX estate with lake views, designed for entertaining and enjoying life. Offering 9,925 SF of expansive living on nearly an acre— dual offices, millwork, multiple living spaces, theatre room, four-car garage and the show-stopping backyard oasis.

5 Bedrooms | 4 Full & 3 Half Baths

$2,650,000 represented by Patty Sheets

832.585.3739

Coldwell Banker Realty

TREND #5

Nest investing is accelerating

WH AT’S REALLY HAPPENING

Affluent buyers are directing more spending toward the home, a shift driven by “nest investing.” Instead of prioritizing conspicuous luxury goods, they’re investing in design, wellness, tech, and personalization. While turnkey homes remain the preference, limited supply and high premiums are prompting buyers to reconsider well-located homes with strong fundamentals and renovation potential as a strategic alternative.

WHY IT MATTERS

Luxury consumer spending is more value-driven. Homes are now viewed as lifestyle anchors and long-term assets, making customization a form of wealth preservation. As turnkey inventory remains tight, homes in prime spots needing renovation offer a pathway into the luxury market, creating opportunity for buyers to trade perfection for personalization, equity creation, and long-term relevance.

Paradise Valley Resort-Style Luxury Estate

Indulge in elevated luxury at this exquisitely updated 6,388 SF Paradise Valley estate on over an acre. A sophisticated main residence and elegant guest house showcase designer finishes, a chef’s kitchen and grand living spaces. Outside, resort-style amenities abound—sparkling pool and spa, pickleball court, putting green, pergola barbecue and lush, private grounds. A rare sanctuary crafted for those who desire beauty, comfort and unforgettable entertaining.

5 Bedrooms | 5 Full & 1 Half Baths | $6,975,000 represented by Trish Gore 480.295.6062 | trish@trishgore.com | trishgoreazproperties.com Coldwell Banker Realty

PARADISE VALLEY | ARIZONA

Discover refined living in this elegant gated estate, where mountain views, seamless design and tranquil luxury define every space. Four ensuite bedrooms, a chef’s kitchen, sunlit living areas and a serene primary suite set the tone for sophistication. Enjoy a resort-style backyard with heated, negative edge pool, spa, fire pit, BBQ, lush turf and covered patio. With a den, bonus room, casita and fully owned and transferable solar, this meticulously cared-for home offers privacy, beauty and effortless living.

4 Bedrooms | 4 Full & 1 Half Baths | $2,128,500 represented by Trish Gore 480.295.6062 | trish@trishgore.com | trishgoreazproperties.com Coldwell Banker Realty

Stunning High-Floor Living At Esplanade Place

Experience an exceptional high-rise lifestyle at award-winning Esplanade Place. The versatile 3,550 SF floorplan provides stunning views, spacious rooms, view balconies, office and media rooms. The rooftop pool, valet parking, 24hr lobby desk and full fitness center are a few of the most desirable services and amenities. Discover the perfectly positioned location at the heart of Phoenix’s prestigious Biltmore/Esplanade area.

3 Bedrooms | 3 Baths | $3,125,000 represented by Susan Polakof susan.polakof@azmoves.com | susanpolakof.com Coldwell Banker Realty

PHOENIX | ARIZONA

TREND #6

LIVING LARGE BEYOND THE PRICE TAG

Space, function, and flexibility are what put the “luxury” in a luxury home—not price.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Affluent buyers are redefining luxury around experience rather than cost. Larger homes, higher bedroom counts, land, and distinctive property types are in growing demand as buyers prioritize flexibility for work, wellness, entertaining, and multigenerational living.

WHY IT MATTERS

Price thresholds are becoming less meaningful indicators of luxury. Buyers are willing to pay premiums for properties that deliver space, views, privacy, and long-term usability.

LYONS | COLORADO

WISCONSIN |

LAKEWOOD | WISCONSIN Charming Home With Lake Frontage

Discover Wheeler Lake’s beauty with direct access, island views and a cozy wood-interior home. Enjoy boating, fishing and nearby forest trails in Lakewood, a welcoming community with year-round recreation and Northwoods charm.

3 Bedrooms | 2 Baths | $899,000 represented by Adriane Bartels

715.850.0725 | coldwellbankerbartels.com

Coldwell Banker Bartels Real Estate, Inc.

Modern Retreat — Boulder County’s Best Views

Set above the charming town of Lyons, just north of downtown Boulder, this remodeled, modern four-bedroom home offers an open, flexible layout with multiple private gathering spaces. Tiered native gardens, decks and patios unfold toward open space and dramatic mountain views. Boulder and Rocky Mountain National Park are a short drive away. Everything you want in a Boulder County retreat is here.

4 Bedrooms | 4 Baths | $1,475,000 represented by Laura Levy 303.931.8080 | lauralevy.com Coldwell Banker Realty

| COLORADO

Brilliant Design In Aspen’s West End

Completely custom seven-bedroom residence combining sophisticated design, modern comfort and exceptional Aspen convenience. Completed in 2020, the 4,393 SF home features curated finishes, elevated furnishings and beautiful views of Aspen Mountain. Three inviting living areas, a private primary suite with balcony and an all-season outdoor lounge create a true mountain retreat. With close proximity to trails, culture and transit to downtown, this home offers a turnkey Aspen lifestyle.

7 Bedrooms | 6 Full & 1 Half Baths | $18,600,000 represented by Carrie Wells 970.948.6750 | carrie@carriewells.com | carriewells.com Coldwell Banker Mason Morse

ASPEN

Grand Penthouse West at the Cirque Viceroy blends elevated style, residential comfort and unmatched amenities in the heart of Snowmass. The 2,386 SF ski-in/ski-out alpine retreat features vaulted ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, luxe furnishings, chef’s kitchen and a heated terrace. Enjoy acclaimed restaurants, room service, pool and spa, wellness facilities, a fitness center, valet parking, transportation around the village and to Aspen, skiing and concierge services through the Viceroy.

4 Bedrooms | 4 Baths | $13,950,000 represented by Carrie Wells 970.948.6750 | carrie@carriewells.com | carriewells.com Coldwell Banker Mason Morse

SNOWMASS VILLAGE | COLORADO

Luxury Ski Lifestyle At Cirque x Viceroy

Lincoln Ranch, 544 acres of river, views, towering trees, wildlife and a rare opportunity to build multiple single family residences in Pitkin County. A stone and log home is ready to enjoy if you wish to keep the ranch to yourself. With Snowmass Creek winding through the property and exclusive access to adjacent BLM and Forest Service land, this property blends natural beauty, privacy and potential. Forest bathing Approved. Minutes to Aspen and located near the base of Snowmass Mountain.

5 Bedrooms | 5 Full & 1 Half Baths | $49,000,000 represented by Maureen Stapleton 970.948.9331 | maureen@maurenstapleton.com | maureenstapleton.com Coldwell Banker Mason Morse

SNOWMASS | COLORADO

Lincoln Ranch

Luxury Retreat Blending Nature and Wellness

Escape the urban sprawl and take in sweeping views above the Conundrum and Castle Creek Valleys. This wellness-focused retreat offers a cold plunge, sauna, fire pit and gym, all designed to enhance relaxation and connection to nature. Created by Madderlake, the Conundrum House blends vintage and contemporary design with rare French pieces, earthy materials and a warm palette. A custom Boffi kitchen and luxurious marble bathrooms highlight the meticulous craftsmanship and refined elegance.

4 Bedrooms | 4 Full & 2 Half Baths | $25,500,000 represented by Chris Souki 970.948.4378 | chris@masonmorse.com | cbmasonmorse.com Coldwell Banker Mason Morse

ASPEN | COLORADO

COLORADO

SAN FRANCISCO | CALIFORNIA

Nestled in the heart of San Francisco, this home is a symbol of sophistication and luxury. Illuminated in natural light through a vast 15x13-ft Rollomatic skylight, the grand living areas with bespoke finishes transition seamlessly into five meticulously landscaped outdoor retreats, including an expansive roof deck with 360-degree views.

The residence boasts Gaggenau appliances and spa-inspired, marble-wrapped bathrooms. Luxury amenities include an entertainment room with bar, eight-person dry sauna, cold plunge pool, rooftop Jacuzzi, al fresco shower and private balconies off each primary suite. Coming summer 2026.

3 Bedrooms | 5 Baths | $18,000,000 represented by Rachel Swann, The Swann Group SF rachel@swanngroupsf.com | swanngroupsf.com Coldwell Banker Realty

Le Cap du Roc

Le Cap du Roc is an architectural masterpiece sited on 2.8 acres, boasting 400 feet of pristine and wild oceanfront on the highly sought-after Big Sur Coastline. Located in the private haven of the prestigious Sea Meadow Community, its sweeping coastal views are framed by floor-to-ceiling windows allowing breathtaking vistas of the Pacific from every room. Other highlights include an in-ground, oceanside hot tub off the primary suite and an expansive terrace with multiple lounging areas.

CARMEL | CALIFORNIA

Far Afield, the recently restored 10.5 acre ocean & mountain view estate in the heart of Montecito, invites you on an elegant and opulent adventure delighting the senses at every turn. The estate’s fabled origins trace back to 1917 when the residence was designed by Francis T. Underhill and the gardens by Lockwood de Forest. The classic layout has the spirit of a European salon, creating an anthology of spaces celebrating art, conversation, and a life well lived.

8 Bedrooms | 13 Baths | Price Upon Request represented by Joyce Rey 310.291.6646 | joyce@joycerey.com | joycerey.com Coldwell Banker Realty

MONTECITO | CALIFORNIA

Set on five private acres at the end of a gated drive, this newly constructed Napa Valley compound redefines modern Wine Country living with its seamless blend of refined architecture and natural beauty. The estate is a masterwork of craftsmanship where every line, material and proportion reflects thoughtful intention. Expansive glass walls, dramatic ceiling heights and natural textures create a sophisticated indoor-outdoor flow, framing sweeping vineyard and valley views at every turn.

7 Bedrooms | 8 Full & 1 Half Baths | $24,777,000 represented by Erin Lail 707.333.5596 | erin@erinlail.com | erinlail.com Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley

NAPA | CALIFORNIA

Ultimate Living + Wine Country Serenity

Casbah Cove

Welcome to Casbah Cove, a Moroccan-inspired masterpiece with a dramatic retractable glass roof, perched within the prestigious gates of BIGHORN Golf Club. Offering complete privacy, timeless design and breathtaking mountain and city-light views, this estate features resort-style pools, refined living spaces and exceptional craftsmanship throughout. An architectural work of art in an unparalleled setting.

5 Bedrooms | 7 Baths | $13,995,000 represented by Jade Mills and Karista Smith

310.285.7508 | homes@jademills.com

760.641.6895 | ksmithre@live.com jademills.com | Coldwell Banker Realty

Spectacular Rancho Mirage Estate

Set behind the guarded gates of Mission Ranch, this 1.26-acre estate offers rare luxury, including an unmatched 10-car garage and eight ensuite bedrooms. Nearly 9,400 square feet of refined living includes grand entertaining spaces, a chef’s kitchen, resort-style amenities and a private outdoor oasis with pool, pavilion and sports court. An exceptional desert retreat of remarkable scale and privacy.

8 Bedrooms | 11 Baths | $9,999,000 represented by Jade Mills and Karista Smith

310.285.7508 | homes@jademills.com

760.641.6895 | ksmithre@live.com jademills.com | Coldwell Banker Realty

RANCHO MIRAGE | CALIFORNIA

PALM DESERT | CALIFORNIA

Trophy Estate Located Within Mission Ranch

One of Rancho Mirage’s most exclusive communities off Clancy Lane. Stunning landscaped estate begins with a circular drive featuring inlaid granite accents. Leaded and beveled double-glass entry doors surrounded by columns of Sandstone give hint to the beauty within. Jewel-like tiles grace the entry hall with floral design. Walls of picture windows and panoramic views of the mountains greet you in the formal living room.

5 Bedrooms | 7 Baths | $8,999,000 represented by Sean Downs and Mike Kline | The Downs Team

760.797.5651 | sean.downs@cbrealty.com

760.902.8874 | mike.kline@cbrealty.com thedownsteam.net | Coldwell Banker Realty

Coveted Westgate Estate In Mission Hills CC

This home features stunning architecture—almost two-thirds of an acre with sunfilled southern exposure and a 180-degree views of lake, fairway and mountains. The homeowner spent more than $1M upgrading this home. Expansive great room features a custom fireplace, buffet and wet bar. The morning room and gourmet kitchen are complete with stainless steel appliances, black honed granite counters and custom pearwood and wenge cabinets including wine storage.

4 Bedrooms | 5 Baths | $3,995,000 represented by Sean Downs and Mike Kline | The Downs Team

760.797.5651 | sean.downs@cbrealty.com

760.902.8874 | mike.kline@cbrealty.com thedownsteam.net | Coldwell Banker Realty

RANCHO MIRAGE | CALIFORNIA

RANCHO MIRAGE | CALIFORNIA

Discover an exceptional opportunity to build your dream home in the prestigious new Ball Estates Development located in Westside Alamo. Phase 1 consists of 14 lots offering approximately half-acre homesites surrounded by beautiful pastoral scenery, rolling hills and the privacy that defines this sought-after enclave. Exclusive builder, Branagh Development, offers semi and fully-custom options to create your unique estate.

5 Bedrooms | 4 Full & 1 Half Baths | $6,450,000 represented by Khrista Jarvis Diebner, The Khrista Jarvis Team 925.856.5948 | homes@khristajarvisteam.com | ballestatesalamo.com Coldwell Banker Realty

ALAMO | CALIFORNIA

Experience Newport Beach’s ultimate lifestyle in this industrial-modern live/work loft by Brandon Architects and furnished with Tommy Bahama & Barclay Butera. Ideally located in the vibrant Cannery area, the three-level design offers over 3,300 SF of living and workspace, highlighted by floor-to-ceiling windows, soaring ceilings and designer finishes. Walk to Lido Marina Village, cafes and the beach—a rare blend of design, function and coastal luxury.

3 Bedrooms | 3 Full & 2 Half Baths | $5,750,000 represented by Georgina Jacobson 949.285.8380 | georgina@georginajacobson.com | georginajacobson.com Coldwell Banker Realty

NEWPORT BEACH | CALIFORNIA

Breathtaking Four Seasons Condominium

The Four Seasons...Just the name evokes feelings of luxury, refinement, comfort, sophistication, full-service and living well. This spectacular view condominium can now be yours. The open floor plan highlights the spaciousness of the entertaining areas and the chef’s kitchen creating the perfect scenario for relaxing and entertaining. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring in abundant natural light. Two suites plus the den/office add to the enjoyment of calling this your home.

TREND #7

No single feature defines luxury anymore

WH AT’S REALLY HAPPENING

Today’s luxury homes are expected to support every dimension of life—work, play, wellness, entertaining, and multi-generational living. It’s the cohesion of location, design quality, condition, and amenities that elevates a property into the top tier.

WHY IT MATTERS

Luxury demand is concentrating around homes that deliver lifestyle first. Properties that successfully integrate setting, design, privacy, outdoor living, and move-in-ready quality are sustaining demand, while those that fall short face longer market times and greater scrutiny. For sellers, understanding this blueprint is critical to competitive positioning in 2026.

2 Bedrooms | 2 Full & 1 Half Baths $3,250,000 represented by Laurie Nierenberg & Bruce Lyon 415.710.6900 | laurietri@gmail.com isellsfhomes.com | Coldwell Banker Realty

Casa

Earth—An Architectural Experience

This exceptional award-wining estate blends modern, low-profile architecture with the natural textures of San Miguel de Allende. Twelve rammed-earth volumes connect through central corridors, creating fluid spaces inspired by grand Mexican haciendas. A sculptural cactus roundabout reveals warm, understated forms. Within La Candelaria, the home offers privacy, quick access to the historic center and a serene courtyard with pool, jacuzzi and firepit.

8 Bedrooms | 8 Baths | $7,000,000 represented by Daniel Ortiz +52 415 113 9779 | daniel@coldwellbankersmart.com Coldwell Banker SMART

SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE | MEXICO

Rammed

Five Bedroom Beachfront Vacation Rental Home

Discover a rare North Shore opportunity: a 5-bedroom, 5-bath beachfront home at 5-6920 Kūhiō Highway in Hā‘ena, paired with an adjacent vacant lot for a combined 27,650 square feet. This licensed and highly successful vacation rental offers both lifestyle and income potential. The home features ocean-view living spaces, four lanais and two private suites. Step onto the sandy beach and enjoy proximity to Hanalei, Tunnels and the Nā Pali Coast.

HANALEI | KAUAI, HAWAII

Maui’s Ultimate Legacy Opportunity

Set within the unspoiled landscape of Makena, this exceptional 160-acre estate represents one of Hawaii’s most significant land offerings. Surrounded by open space, the property delivers rare privacy, scale, and long-term value. Equipped with a private water system and infrastructure, this gated estate offers multiple premier homesites with sweeping ocean and mountain views. Minutes from world-class beaches, golf, resorts, and dining, this is a truly rare generational opportunity in South Maui.

WAILEA-MAKENA | HAWAII

A Rare Oceanfront Retreat In Prestigious Kahala

Welcome to an extraordinary oceanfront estate in the heart of Kahala, offering exceptional privacy on 1.3 acres with an impressive stretch of prized frontage. This newly reimagined single level residence blends contemporary design with Hawai‘i’s natural beauty. A gated arrival opens to a grand motor court that leads to soaring interiors framed by endless ocean views. The expansive primary suite with spa inspired bath evokes resort-style tranquility. Impossible to duplicate, this is oceanfront living perfected.

6 Bedrooms | 6 Full & 2 Half Baths | $45,000,000 represented by Tracy Allen 808.927.6415 | tracy@tracyallenhawaii.com | tracyallenhawaii.com Coldwell Banker Realty

HONOLULU | HAWAII

Modern

Luxury Living With Endless Ocean Views

Designed by esteemed Hawaii architect Jim McPeak, this remarkable residence captures the essence of sophisticated island living. Light filled interiors flow naturally to expansive outdoor spaces that embrace sweeping views of Diamond Head, the ocean and the coastline. Set above Maunalua Bay, this six bedroom, seven full and one half bath estate offers exceptional craftsmanship, thoughtful design and a private resort style ambiance that celebrates comfort, beauty and the elevated coastal lifestyle unique to Oahu.

6 Bedrooms | 7 Full & 1 Half Baths | $16,900,000 represented by Tracy Allen 808.927.6415 | tracy@tracyallenhawaii.com | tracyallenhawaii.com Coldwell Banker Realty

HONOLULU | HAWAII

Framed By The Pacific. Inspired By Maui.

This alluring oceanfront West Maui estate rests on a half acre of prime land with over 250 feet of ocean frontage. With nearly 10,000 square feet of living space, this residence and private ohana epitomizes Pacific Rim architecture. Glass pocket doors slide into rock walls bordering the spacious great room which includes grand living and dining areas, a newly designed open kitchen and custom pool and water features. A floating mezzanine soars above the great room with an elegant lounging area and sports bar. All seven suites are oceanfront with sweeping ocean and neighbor island views. Offered turnkey.

8 Bedrooms | 8 Full & 3 Half Baths | $19,750,000 represented by Mary Anne Fitch 808.250.1583 | maryanne@soldmaui.com | Coldwell Banker Island Properties

KAHANA | MAUI, HAWAII

A Living Work Of Art

A rare, oceanfront jewel, Maui’s premier estate blends timeless architecture and design with a magnificent setting. Perched 25 feet from the shoreline, of all concrete construction. Large glass doors open the great room, with its 17-foot vaulted ceilings and romantic star-shaped skylights, to ocean views including neighbor island views. Enjoy year-round sunsets and whales in season. Gracious lanais set the stage for the inviting palapa, perfect for casual outdoor living and dining. Steps away, the heated swimming pool and inset spa await. A garden lap pool, fully stocked koi pond and lush, mature landscaping enhance the setting.

4 Bedrooms | 4 Full & 1 Half Baths | $19,750,000 represented by Mary Anne Fitch 808.250.1583 | maryanne@soldmaui.com | Coldwell Banker Island Properties

KAHANA | MAUI, HAWAII

DOMINICAL, PUNTARENAS | COSTA RICA

Château Montage—The Epitome Of Luxury

Located in Escaleras near Dominical, Costa Rica, Château Montage is a one-of-a-kind estate set along the Whales Coast. Thoughtfully designed to blend architecture with jungle and ocean views, the residence offers intimate living spaces, curated gardens and seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Elevated above the landscape, it delivers breathtaking sunsets, privacy and a deep connection to nature.

4 Bedrooms | 7 Baths | $6,149,000 represented by Daveed Hollander +506 8822 3939 d.hollander@cbcostarica.com daveedhollander.com

Coldwell Banker Vesta Group

El Palacete—An Iconic Costa Rica Masterpiece

El Palacete is a newly completed seven-bedroom luxury estate commanding a rare elevated position above Playa Flamingo’s white sands. Located just 200 meters from the Pacific, the residence captures sweeping ocean and marina views, paired with impeccable craftsmanship, museum-quality materials and state-of-the-art technology. A landmark home in Costa Rica’s most coveted coastal enclave.

7 Bedrooms | 8 Baths | $4,900,000 represented by Matt Rosensteele +506 8702 5538 | matt@cbpacificrealty.com cbpaciicrealty.com

Coldwell Banker Pacific Realty

PLAYA FLAMINGO, GUANACASTE | COSTA RICA

SAINT-BARTHÉLEMY | FRENCH WEST INDIES

Crafted For The Rare Few

This 648-square-meter architectural masterpiece offers sweeping ocean views, exquisite luxury materials, dramatic 30- and 52-meter heated infinity pools and an elegant aquatic garden with a cascading waterfall. A truly rare and exclusive sanctuary crafted for the world’s most discerning collectors.

9 Bedrooms | 9 Baths | 36 400 000 € represented by Gabriel Montigny +590 690 52 34 25 | gabriel.montigny@coldwellbanker.fr

Coldwell Banker St. Barth

SAINT-BARTHÉLEMY | FRENCH WEST INDIES

A Sanctuary Above The Sea

Nestled in Toiny, this serene retreat overlooks endless ocean blues, offering private pavilions, refined living spaces and a lush garden with an infinity pool. A rare sanctuary where luxury, tranquility and the rhythm of the sea come beautifully together.

| FRENCH WEST INDIES

The Icon Of St. Barth

An iconic seaside villa that blends Mediterranean grace with endless light. Terraces and a secret beach invite escape, while its rare beauty, celebrated in leading magazines, awakens a deep and timeless emotion shaped by the ever-changing sea that surrounds it.

5 Bedrooms | 5 Baths | 23 100 000 € represented by Gabriel Montigny +590 690 52 34 25 | gabriel.montigny@coldwellbanker.fr

Coldwell Banker St. Barth

| FRENCH WEST INDIES

Serenity Above The Endless Blue

Perched above Devet, this contemporary villa opens to endless ocean blues. Light, serenity and refined design flow seamlessly toward the horizon. A rare Caribbean sanctuary where every sunrise becomes a living masterpiece.

4 Bedrooms | 4 Full Baths | 15 000 000 € represented by Pearl Bonvallet

+590 690 37 37 23 | pearl.bonvallet@coldwellbanker.fr

Coldwell Banker St. Barth

4 Bedrooms | 4 Full Baths | 12 900 000 € represented by Gabriel Montigny +590 690 52 34 25 | gabriel.montigny@coldwellbanker.fr

Coldwell Banker St. Barth

SAINT-BARTHÉLEMY

SAINT-BARTHÉLEMY

| FRANCE

Majestic Penthouse Near Place de l’Étoile

Steps from the Arc de Triomphe, this rare 512 sq.m penthouse defines Parisian luxury. Spanning the top floors, it boasts two immense terraces with breathtaking panoramic views of the Eiffel Tower and Paris skyline. A private elevator opens to grand reception areas and a state-of-the-art kitchen. Features include four en-suite bedrooms with walk-in closets and multiple parking spaces. A unique residence offering absolute privacy and dominance over the city.

4 Bedrooms | 4 Baths | $10,524,105 represented by Vanda Demeure + 33 6 72 95 68 30 | vanda.demeure@coldwellbanker.fr Coldwell Banker Paris, France

PARIS

| FRANCE

Ideally located near top schools and the Bois de Boulogne, this rare dual-aspect property flawlessly blends period charm with contemporary luxury. It features vast reception areas with antique fireplaces, a modern eat-in kitchen with a family lounge and three refined en-suite bedrooms. A sophisticated, turn-key home in a premier neighborhood. Includes a cellar and live-in concierge.

3 Bedrooms | 3 Baths | $4,819,140 represented by Vanda Demeure + 33 6 72 95 68 30 vanda.demeure@coldwellbanker.fr Coldwell Banker Paris, France

PARIS

STYLE GUILE

GOTHAM’S OG FASHION QUEEN HAS SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF STYLE. LISTEN UP.

By Fern Mallis

As the creator of New York Fashion Week and someone who has been at the forefront of the fashion industry for more than four decades, I’ve seen trends and forecasts come and go. Today, we’re at a truly pivotal moment—one shaped by rapid shifts in politics, AI, technology and the environment. With that in mind, these are my personal predictions for the future of fashion and style.

WHEN IT COMES TO PERSONAL STYLE, I want people to own who they are without apologizing. Go back into your closet and wear the pieces you’ve had forever. Fast fashion and rapid trend cycles encourage people to chase short-lived trends and lose sight of their own personal style.

THIS YEAR, I HOPE PEOPLE TAKE BETTER CARE OF THEMSELVES, recognizing that health and well-being matter more than what they’re wearing. Prioritizing self-care should always come first.

THERE’S A CLEAR SURGE IN VINTAGE AND SECONDHAND SHOPPING, along with growing interest in sustainable fashion. This reflects

perfect fit There’s a surge in vintage shopping, along with growing interest in sustainable fashion, Mallis says. This reflects a desire to eliminate excess and pass items along so others can use them—Hollywood legend Audrey Hepburn, at home in Capri, Italy, in 1953, would agree.

a desire to eliminate excess and pass items along so others can use them. I hope consumers increasingly support brands that actively prioritize environmentally conscious practices.

A MESSAGE TO COSMETIC AND BEAUTY BRANDS marketing “antiaging” products: please package your products so that people older than 40 can clearly read and understand the directions. Accessibility matters.

I HOPE PEOPLE LEARN TO ACCEPT WHO THEY ARE and age appropriately. Aging is one of life’s greatest gifts—a privilege, not a flaw. It’s difficult to see so many “Benjamin Buttons” and celebrities who are barely recognizable. I wish more people would embrace aging with confidence.

A PIECE OF CHIFFON OVER A NAKED BODY ISN’T FASHION. True style is substance, and sometimes a beautifully fit body in a simple turtleneck says far more. Skin can be shown in a tasteful, elegant way, letting the form speak for itself.

Wishing you all a fashionable, meaningful and healthy future.

A resort where the day is yours to de ne. A destination brimming with extraordinary adventures, from y shing to legendary golf, world-class entertainment, an award-winning spa, and beyond. A mountain retreat where you can enjoy a spectacular stay in one of three luxury hotels or a range of private homes and estates. Discover it all at Nemacolin. A world of possibilities awaits.