Villae 12 - European Real Estate Network, WETAG CONSULTING

12 For connoisseurs of the good things in life...

VILLÆ 1

ON THE COVER...

An exclusive home.

A beautiful home immersed in nature welcomes you with spectacular views as you cross the door gate Enjoying beautiful sunrises regardless of the time of year Have breakfast on the terrace or all together by the fireplace Ease of living.

Feeling constant peace of mind as you know that every detail has been designed and impeccably executed to perfection.

As time goes by, this house will continue to be a unique home: an extraordinary home for extraordinary lives.

To learn more, please contact Rimontgรณ. valencia@rimontgo.es Ref. V2273

Dear Reader, We take great pleasure in presenting you with the latest issue of VILLAE INTERNATIONAL. This luxury magazine is the official publication of EREN, The European Real Estate Network and showcases some of Europe’s finest homes and provides interesting articles on international lifestyle.

It continues to receiving accolades for its quality of concept, content and design.

European Real Estate Network is a London-based association of family-based highend luxury brokers throughout Europe. The shared philosophy of the EREN-members is to render the very best possible service to sophisticated clients, a service based on personal commitment, on sense of ethics and integrity, and on a love for excellence in everything regarding real estate, be it making this magazine, our websites or indeed helping to find the most beautiful properties across Europe.

Big companies and large organizations may rise and fall, but the EREN members share their belief that the golden way to long term excellence is the personal dedication of a creative owner and his family, striving to achieve consistent results through generations.

Wetag Consulting is a founding member of EREN, and since many years Ueli Schnorf is serving as a member of the board of directors for EREN. We wish you an enjoyable reading.

Philipp Peter Owner

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Ueli Schnorf Owner

What is the cost of “free”?

Never before in history have we witnessed and played such a key role in technological changes that have such a great effect on our lives. Technological advances are visible everyday and make daily activities much easier. We are living in a period of great change, unlike any before.

All of us, including our youngest children, benefit from access to fast, quality and supposedly free information.

José Ribes Bas

Technological innovations applied in the world of medicine, engineering, agriculture and education allow us to achieve our aims quickly and easily; they assist and improve our work, studies, nutrition, leisure time; they monitor our health, and ultimately have changed and will continue to change our way of life.

EREN Director

3D printers used in almost every field, smart kitchens, robots that build houses or take samples to determine the quality of waters and the nano-robots that assist surgeons, biometric sensors, selfdriving cars, drones that not only carry small packages but also people, returning to the hangar automatically, sensors to determine if we need to fertilise or water our gardens, buttons that allow us to order washing detergent or let us know when we are running low on food, sensors that measure air pollution and contamination of water helping to create preventative measures, control of public transport and streetlights, etc. The list is as expansive as the imagination. It’s certain that all of this technology makes our daily life so much easier, but is it all that it’s cracked up to be?

This supposedly ‘free’ and convenient technology does actually come at a price, generally this price would mean having to tolerate the constant influx of unwanted advertising; however there is no doubt that the most worrying factor is our vulnerability and exposure to breaches in security.

The improved connectivity among electronic devices makes us more vulnerable when confronted with possible malicious cyber attacks. A financial misdemeanour may not have as many consequences as the theft of sensitive or confidential information, company secrets, patents or client data.

For this reason, two years ago European Real Estate Network decided to take measures to protect the information handled by our members. The security of EREN’s internal administrative and IT systems is guaranteed by one of the top companies in Europe, in regards to matters of cyber security that collaborates with and offers services to national security agencies across Europe.

We at EREN, have assumed the responsibility of preserving the integrity and confidentiality of our client data. This requires our organisation to be constantly alert and innovative, not just in regards to marketing and selling our properties but also in relation to our system security and access to sensitive information.

Charles Darwin is the author of the quote in this edition of Villae International. Darwin said that those that adapt to change are those that survive. If Darwin was still with us today and witnessed the current technological panorama, we could stretch ourselves to say that he would add that it is not only necessary to adapt to change but to anticipate it.

In the next edition of Villae International, we will tell you more about these fascinating topics.

Until then, we hope you enjoy reading this latest edition of the magazine.

José Ribes Bas. Publisher VILLÆ 4

Wie hoch ist der Preis für “gratis”?

Noch nie zuvor in der Geschichte der Menschheit waren wir Protagonisten und zugleich Zeugen technologischer Veränderungen, die das Leben derartig betreffen, wie jetzt. Die Fortschritte der Technologie nähern sich uns immer mehr und erleichtern unseren Alltag. Wir leben in einer Zeit großer Veränderungen, die kaum mit vergangenen Epochen verglichen werden kann.

Wir alle, sogar unsere jüngsten Kinder, profitieren vom schnellen, hochwertigen und scheinbar kostenlosen Zugang zu Informationen.

Die technologischen Neuerungen, die in der Medizin, dem Ingenieurwesen, der Landwirtschaft oder der Bildung Anwendung finden, ermöglichen es uns, unsere Ziele schneller und leichter zu erreichen. Außerdem helfen sie uns, indem sie Arbeit, Studium, Ernährung sowie Freizeit verbessern oder unsere Gesundheit überwachen. Im Allgemeinen kann man sagen, dass sie uns verändert haben und uns, sowie unseren Lebensstil auch weiterhin noch verändern werden.

3D-Drucker, die in fast jedem Bereich verwendet werden; fast selbstständige Küchen und Herde in Privathaushalten; Roboter, die Häuser bauen oder Wasserproben nehmen, um deren Qualität zu bewerten; Nano-Roboter, die bei chirurgischen Eingriffen zum Einsatz kommen; biometrische Sensoren; intelligente Autos; Dronen, die nicht nur kleinere Pakete, sondern auch Menschen transportieren können und automatisch zum Hangar zurückkehren; Sensoren zur automatisierten Bewässerung und Düngung der Gärten; Knöpfe, die nach Berechnung des Waschmittels in der Waschmaschine oder des Essens im Kühlschrank automatisch nachbestellen; Sensoren zur Bestimmung von Luft- und Wasserverschmutzung und zur Erstellung von Prognosemodellen; die Überwachung der öffentlichen Verkehrsmittel und die Systeme zur Beleuchtung der Städte, etc.: Die Liste ist von einem so großen Ausmaß, wie die menschliche Vorstellungskraft selbst. Sicherlich erleichtert uns diese Technologie den Alltag ungemein, doch ist all das wirklich so vorteilhaft wie es scheint?

Der Zugang zu diesen scheinbar kostenlosen Errungenschaften, die uns das Leben erleichtern, hat in der Realität seinen Preis: generell bedeutet dies für uns einfach, dass wir einen kontinuierlichen Zufluss an unerwünschter Werbung akzeptieren müssen, doch noch beunruhigender ist zweifellos unsere Anfälligkeit und das Ausgesetzt-Sein einer Sicherheitslücke. Über das Internet sind alle Geräte miteinander vernetzt; das führt dazu, dass wir zu einem leichteren Ziel möglicher Cyber-Attacken werden. Ein hypothetisches Wirtschaftsdelikt kann weniger Folgen haben als der Diebstahl von sensiblen oder vertraulichen Daten, Unternehmensgeheimnissen, Patenten oder den gesamten Kundendaten eines unserer Unternehmen.

Aus dieser Sorge heraus haben wir vom European Real Estate Network vor zwei Jahren einige Maßnahmen getroffen, um die Informationen zu schützen, die unsere Partnerunternehmen handhaben. Das umfassende Schutzprogramm für alle Systeme von der zentralen Verwaltung und der Informationsverarbeitung EREN‘s ist von einem der führenden Cybersecurity-Dienstleistungsunternehmen Europas garantiert worden, das mit nationalen Sicherheitsagenturen in ganz Europa zusammenarbeitet.

Die Integrität und die Geheimhaltung der von uns verwalteten Kundendaten zu wahren ist für uns bei EREN selbstverständlich. Dies bedeutet, dass unsere Organisation stets wachsam und innovativ sein muss - nicht nur im Bereich Marketing und der Immobilienvermittlung, sondern auch um die Sicherheit unserer Systeme und den Zugang zu sensiblen Daten sicherzustellen.

Von Charles Darwin stammt das Zitat in der neuen Ausgabe von Villae International: “Die natürliche Auslese sorgt dafür, daß immer die Stärksten oder die am besten Angepaßten überleben.” Wäre Darwin heute noch unter uns und würde ebenfalls Zeuge von allem, was wir täglich sehen, könnten wir beherzt davon ausgehen, dass er seinen Satz um den Anhang “und diejenigen, die der Veränderung zuvorkommen” anpassen würde.

In der nächsten Ausgabe von Villae werden wir weiter über diese faszinierenden Themen sprechen.

Bis dahin wünschen wir Ihnen viel Freude beim Lesen dieser Ausgabe.

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INTERNATIONAL

12

VILLÆ INTERNATIONAL is a publication of:

European Real Estate Network, Ltd., 73 Watling Street London EC4M 9BJ T. +44 0203 178 6154 F. +44 0203 178 6155 www.europeanrealestate.org info@europeanrealestate.org EREN Board of Directors Ueli Schnorf Giancarlo Bracco José Ribes Bas bod@europeanrealestate.org EREN Executive Director Eric Bryn eric@europeanrealestate.org Original Concept by Benedetta Viganò, Diana Morales & José Ribes Bas Writer Michel Cruz MANIFESTO DESIGN s.l., Marbella info@manifestodesign.com (+34) 952 880 923 Art director and Design Modesto Granados ESTUDIO MODESTO, Valencia modesto@estudiomodesto.com (+34) 667 208 071 Photo credits Shutterstock Thomas Dressler Morgan Motor Company Advertising ads@europeanrealestate.org Editor José Ribes Bas Printing and distribution controlled by PGD D.L.: V-757-2006

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CONTENTS

44 04 EREN ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Trust and accountability

10 THE PRICE OF A METRE

The most expensive sites in the world 16 CHOOSING A TOP CITY

CENTRE LOCATION

Our members’ feedback on what people are looking for 22 CHOOSING THE BEST SECOND

HOME SPOT

Which piece of paradise do you desire?

26 EUROPE’S FINEST

The finest museums in the world 32 FROM JUGENDSTIL AND BAUHAUS TO MODERN BERLIN AND VIENNA

Design movements that shaped a continent 36 AFRICA’S BIG GAME

In search of the Big Five 44 MORGAN

Keeping the British motoring tradition alive

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56 48 THE CIGAR WORLD

Cosima Aicholzer’s seminal study of cigar smoking pleasures 52 THE FUTURE OF BUILDING

For many, wood is the way forward 56 THE EVOLUTION OF HOME COOL

Today’s home is a rapidly changing environment 64 MAXWELL BAYNES, BORDEAUX

A new member joins EREN 65 EUROPE’S FINEST REAL ESTATE

A selection of the finest villas, penthouses, mansions and historic properties in Europe 90 SUCCESSFUL INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

The cross-border efficiency of EREN members 94 EREN DIRECTORY

Eren boutique office addresses

by Eric Bryn

EREN ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Trust and Accountability BARCELONA June LISBON November

2016 VILLÆ 8

“for this global clientele, Europe is the most soughtafter location to live and to invest in property”

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EREN held two productive member meetings in 2016. The first was held June 9th and 10th in Barcelona, hosted by member Amat Immobiliaris, and the second meeting was held November 10th and 11th in Lisbon, hosted by member Quintela & Penalva. At both meetings, EREN members discussed the international property, investment and lifestyle needs of its high net worth clientele. Importantly, for this global clientele, Europe is the most sought-after location to live and to invest in property due to its relative safety and unparalleled lifestyle opportunities. Understanding these needs and delivering on them with quality service and expertise is the raison d’être of EREN.

As a values and performance driven organisation the mission of each EREN member is simple: representing and finding the most exclusive and appropriate properties for high net worth clients while serving such clients with the highest degrees of accountability, confidentiality and ethics. Underlying these core values is a bond of trust between the members of EREN. This bond of trust ensures that EREN members cooperatively maintain high standards of service while maintaining individual independence. And this balance between trust and independence enables each member to faithfully serve their clients’ pan-European property needs. All EREN members’ clients can rely on one another to faithfully serve their needs. It was this tenet of trust that was reinforced during the Barcelona and Lisbon meetings, especially as it relates to another core value of EREN member: accountability. One of the benefits and privileges of working with an EREN member is that a client is working directly with the owner of the real estate company, which naturally promotes the highest degree of accountability.

Relating to this overarching theme of trust and accountability, EREN launched several designs for digital and mobile and interactive marketing vehicles that will further appeal to the digital sensibilities of high net worth individuals, while enabling EREN members to reinforce their trust and accountability core values. High net worth clients are typically digitally savvy. Thus, the goal of these designs is to simplify the digital experience at every client touchpoint, while reinforcing the human engagement that’s required to best serve the needs of clients. This balance between human-centeredness and technology creates trust through performance, informational and design attributes inherent in the EREN mobile-web-digital platform. In this regard, one of the most of important initiatives launched VILLÆ 10

“EREN launched several designs for digital and mobile and interactive marketing vehicles that will further appeal to the digital sensibilities of high net worth individuals while enabling EREN members to reinforce their trust and accountability core values�

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“One of the benefits and privileges of working with an EREN member is that a client is working directly with the owner of the real estate company, which naturally promotes the highest degree of accountability” in 2016 for EREN members was a multilingual, truly international, customer relationship management (CRM) platform that enables EREN members to better manage client inquiries and activities related to the leads and transactions that EREN routinely delivers to its members. This CRM system, called RENEW, is seamlessly integrated with the mobile-web-digital presence that’s available to international audiences in the English, Spanish, German, Italian and French languages, where each property and all content maintained by the platform is translated by a human translation team.

Since RENEW is seamlessly integrated with this platform it enables each EREN member to quickly, authoritatively and effectively respond to client requests and transactional matters in the client’s preferred language and within their preferred timeline.

Additional topics of discussion at both the Barcelona and Lisbon meetings were the unique and nuanced markets of each member represented within EREN. Specifically, during the Lisbon meeting, EREN members enjoyed the privilege of listening to the following speakers discuss the international and European investment and development markets, and opportunities in a post-BREXIT era: Professor Luis Menezes Leitão, President of the Lisbon Association of Property Owners, Vice Chairman of the Lisbon National Bar Association and University Law Professor; Pedro Sáragga Leal, Lawyer, Senior Partner of PLMJ Law Firm; Gonçalo Nascimento Rodrigues, Independent Property Finance Consultant, Managing Director of OTBX; and Pedro Silveira, Developer, Chairman of the Board of Grupo SIL. An important topic of discussion during this roundtable session was the difference between various Golden Visa programmes and tax incentives offered by several European countries, and what investment

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opportunities these programmes offer international buyers. Furthermore, each member shared detailed information on their local market, which other members use to properly and confidently advise their clients. For instance, top markets like Kitzbühel, Vienna, Bordeaux, Berlin, Verona, Rome, Lisbon, Barcelona, Javea, Sardinia and Lugano can see prices ranging from €6,000/ m2 to €20,000/m2 for luxury properties in prime locations within these areas, with properties in these locations sold by EREN members ranging in price from €3,000,000 to €50,000,000. Indeed, our members work diligently with their international clientele to advise and find the perfect property in the most ideal location that meets the needs of the most discerning homebuyers and investors.

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Hong Kong VILLÆ 14

By Michel Cruz

THE PRICE OF A METRE

The price per square metre of real estate is one of the clearest indications of its desirability and status. Where the purchasing price is reflective of the property itself, square metre values are above all a function of its setting, or address. Here is an overview of some of the most important locations around the world in terms of $/m2.

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A

measure and means of comparison used in both commercial and residential real estate, square metre price is directly indicative of the demand for a certain location. In commercial property this is linked to rental income capacity, where prime locations command the highest sums because they guarantee higher footfall and/or project status. The primary real estate market has a similar dynamic in which the technical value is derived from proximity to major centres of work and amenities such as schools, shops, dining and recreational opportunities, but where lifestyle factors such as aesthetics, views and how fashionable the address is carry even greater weight.

However, regardless of whether you are planning to develop or buy commercial or residential property, the ultimate value comes from the land, its location and above all, its relative scarcity.

People are drawn to good locations - however they are defined - and will pay for the privilege, but it is the relative lack of substitutable options that drives price to a premium, not unlike the very dynamic that determine the value of art, antiques, classic cars, precious stones and raw materials. Strong demand is therefore one thing, but when coupled with limited supply it produces the kind of stratospheric prices per square metre that propel the likes of Hong Kong, Monaco, New York, London, Paris and Tokyo to the top of the list.

Paris

Price as a factor of density A very desirable setting, be it urban or scenic, which offers lots of scope for further development will therefore achieve a decent square metre price, as one sees in luxury residential areas, fashionable country districts and secondary markets in coastal and ski destinations where lifestyle and status considerations predominate and accessibility is the main practical factor affecting desirability and price. Regardless of how exclusive they are, such areas generally lack the density to produce very high values per metre squared, although very strict planning regulations can cause a deviation from the mean.

Overall though, you need density – as in limited land for development – to create the staggering values seen in the world’s leading urban centres.

This is why you could spend VILLÆ 16

Moscow

Sydney

millions purchasing a beachside villa in Hawaii or Florida but when you factor in the large gardens the price per unit of land does not begin to compete with New York or even Seoul in South Korea. This explains the apparently great square metre disparity between ostensibly equally exclusive millionaire hotspots such as London’s Mayfair and southern Spain’s Marbella, and it is something EREN members report too, with luxury country property specialists such as Cofim, who specialise in the region around Verona, Veneto, Trentino Alto, Adige and Lake Garda, setting the rate between €4,000 and €5,000 per square metre, while Maxwell Storie Baynes in the Bordeaux, Charente, Cognac, Dordogne and Lot areas experience average prices of €3,000-€4,000.

In resort areas such as the north-

ern Costa Blanca land is a little less abundantly available and values start to rise to €5,000/m2 for villas and nearer €6,000 for apartments.

The distinction in square metre price between these two property types again emphasises the importance of density in determining such values and this interrelationship ultimately explains why it becomes very hard to find beachfront villas in prime locations. A greater sense of scarcity is evident in mountain resort destinations such as Lugano, Locarno and Ascona, with prices rising to over €10,000/ m2, while fashionable ski resorts like Kitzbühel can command between €12,000 and €20,000. With this they join a league that even leaves behind some of the major cities, where density tends to be a given and relative desirability becomes an overriding factor.

Singapore

New York

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London

Monaco

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What €1 million will buy

Monaco Hong Kong London Singapore Geneva New York Sydney Paris Moscow Shanghai

15m 21m 25m 33m 35m 40m 41m 42m 43m 46m

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

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City rankings In Barcelona, Amat Luxury reports rising property values now taking villas up towards €6,000/m2 and prime apartments beyond €7,500.

Such figures are registered in Berlin, with Vienna ‘scoring’ around €7,000/m2 for villas and up to €14,000 for apartments. Similar figures are also seen in Rome, with other big hitters in Europe being Geneva, Moscow and Paris. In the largest cities values can vary greatly depending on area, and this naturally also applies to the likes of Tokyo, New York and London. The latter is seeing a decline in property values post Brexit but still averages above €30,000/m2, a figure comparable to that of Hong Kong, another classic global business hub where huge income potential blends with acute land shortage to produce at times heady rates for a parcel of land.

Given all the above there is one place on planet earth that totally defies the rules, for it is not a major capital nor business centre that VILLÆ 19

tops the list but the most exclusive residential coastal resort of all. With an average square metre price of above €60,000, Monaco stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Yes it is densely built, with over 30,000 inhabitants on a tiny area, but this is a result of its desirability, not in itself the original reason for the premiums being paid here.

Those can naturally be traced back to Monaco’s exalted fame as perhaps the leading playground of the world’s rich, and ultimately to its tax-free status. The power of this combination becomes even more evident when you consider that much of Monaco’s real estate is of marginal quality, meaning that truly luxurious new properties are in short supply and command values well in excess of the overall average of €60,000/m2.

In a world that is becoming ever more cosmopolitan and globalised, where land is ever scarcer and business more intensely concentrated in a series of global hubs,

one can only predict that square metre prices will continue to soar, densities continue to grow and the innate desirability of exclusive beauty spots accrue further value.

The rankings will not remain totally static, however, as established classics retain their appeal but new players make their presence felt.

One thing that is certain is that the competition for the best sites in the world will continue to grow in intensity, putting even more emphasis on the luxury, quality, distinction, privilege and security that they – and the projects developed upon them – offer.

Source for m2 prices quoted in Spain, Italy, France, Switzerland, Austria and Germany: EREN Source for m2 prices quoted in London, Paris, Monaco, the USA, Japan and South Korea: Global Property Guide 2016 Source for 10 most expensive cities by m2: Knight Frank’s Prime International Residential Index 2016 Apparently divergent prices come from different sources and reflect a different selection of areas and/or methodology.

Vienna sunset city skyline as seen from the top of St. Stephan dome. Aerial view of Wien, Austria VILLÆ 20

By Michel Cruz

CHOOSING A TOP CITY CENTRE LOCATION What makes the ultimate city pad? The answer is: style, luxury, privacy, security and a location that is not only a prime address with good accessibility but increasingly also one that is surrounded by quality dining, shopping and culture.

The definition of prime urban location as defined by the finest big city addresses is becoming more flexible of late. Demand for the enduring classics remains very high, but competition together with exciting urban mobility and rejuvenation of city districts is making today’s discerning buyers consider new up-and-coming areas that might once have been summarily overlooked. Today’s sophisticated urban buyer still wants the status and classic appeal, but is also more and more after the fresh authenticity of an as yet unpolished diamond. EREN’s members report on what drives the market in cities across Europe.

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BARCELONA “In my opinion top city centre locations have the optimal combination of unique architecture, culture, retail activity and a good selection of restaurants. In Barcelona these elements come together beautifully in Eixample, where you will find much of the best gastronomy, top retail brands and cultural activity in the city. Within it, the Quadrat d’Or (Golden Square) offers the pinnacle of luxury apartments in the unique Barcelona architectural style known as Modernisme.”

“Right now this is a very dynamic market, and the preference among buyers from Europe and the US is for such classical properties, but they also expect them to be fully up to date, often with modern interiors and the latest technological features. Among local buyers there is more of a trend towards newer buildings featuring avant-garde architecture. This is something shared by Russian, Middle Eastern and Chinese investors, for whom being close to the up-and-coming Barcelona seafront is an important factor. Prices will top €10,000/m2 in properties with classic sea views.”

Guifré Homedes Amat Manager at Amat Luxury International

BERLIN “Versatility! And Berlin is one of the most versatile cities in Europe today, with a youthful dynamic spirit and colourful districts that offer an up-and-coming feel and great potential within close proximity of more classical, established addresses.

Perhaps even more than London, it is a city where those areas with a growing reputation are very much sought after, which adds to Berlin’s eclectic appeal. There is a real sense of pioneering creativity in art, culture and gastronomy, and this attracts an important section of today’s discerning buyer.”

“Berlin-Mitte is a classic address, but also Prenzlauer Berg and the Ku’damm are particularly in demand. The focus is more and more on quality of design, luxury and refinement, so in both renovated and modern buildings the standards are very high. Top architects are also increasingly active in Berlin, following the rising status of Berlin as a city of global appeal.

It’s a very dynamic market with newly emerging addresses where for instance Russian and British buyers like the historic houses in Berlin-Charlottenburg and Asian homebuyers prefer being very central. Currently, prices are around €8,000/m2 and strong demand is pushing this further upwards as people pay a premium for the urban lifestyle offered by the best city locations.”

Thomas Zabel

CEO of Zabel Property AG VILLÆ 22

BORDEAUX “Not surprisingly for France, excellent food choices are a very important consideration, but so are exclusivity, safety and a location with an historic city centre characterised by architectural beauty. Bordeaux offers all of the above whilst retaining a manageable scale and a link to the surrounding wine-growing country. The top areas are the Jardin Public, Triangle d’Or and Les Chartrons. Even as other neighbouring areas gain in value and prestige, it only serves to make the top addresses more valuable and attractive.”

“Historic homes are most sought after, though here too there is much demand for modern interiors and luxuries. A level of €4,000/m2 means Bordeaux offers sophistication at great value when compared with many other European cities, and it benefits from a very mild climate.”

Michael Baynes Executive Partner of Maxwell-Baynes Real Estate

LISBON “Lisbon is bustling now because it is one of the last great capitals to have been ‘discovered’. It offers a very central and scenic location, with excellent access at a meeting point between three continents, but also a fantastically picturesque setting full of history, culture and gastronomy. The international market is growing strongly as people discover Portuguese cuisine, wines and architecture, and areas such as the Avenida de Liberdade – Lisbon’s Champs Elysees – is lined with beautifully renovated historic buildings and top designer brands.”

“Attractive tax laws and friendly, multilingual people are further incentives, but ultimately the climate, quality of life and authenticity of this capital appeal. The most asked for top addresses include Rua Garett, Rua Serpa Pinto and Largo da Academia das Belas Artes in Chiado, in the centre, and also Praça do Principe Real and the Rua Àurea in the Baixa. They are established addresses but with a sense of rejuvenation where you can find luxurious modernised apartments within historic buildings with all of Lisbon close to hand. Prices top out at €12,000/m2 but range down to €4,000/m2 within the prime areas.”

Marta Catemario di Quadri Director of International Business at Quintela & Penalva Real Estate VILLÆ 23

ROME “Top locations in Rome are usually situated in the historical centre, more specifically on those streets and squares that are close to famous monuments. For those in the know there are also exclusive residential areas outside this inner core, but they tend to be favoured by Romans whereas foreign buyers look mostly for historic properties with iconic views and if possible private terraces and roof gardens.”

“The most desired addresses include the Piazza di Spagna, Via Condotti, Via Borgognona, Fontana di Trevi, Piazza Navona, Foro Romano and the Aventine Hill. This is classic Rome, where a penthouse apartment with panoramic rooftop terrace makes the most of the views and climate. There is a mixed demand for modern renovated properties and more authentically classical ones, with the very finest on the Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Navona still commanding up to €18,000/m2.”

Maurizio Pezzetta Sole Director of La Commerciale Srl Promozioni Immobiliari

VALENCIA “Quality of construction and aesthetic value are a must, while the area must offer a full range of conveniences and services, a vibrant cosmopolitan atmosphere, security, cultural amenities, fine gastronomy, clean pleasant surroundings and green zones with sports facilities. It is a lot to ask for, but the best zones offer exactly this. They include the area around the Colón Market and Colón Street (Ensanche), the City of Arts and Sciences, the IVAM and MUVIM museums, San Pío V Museum and the central city area near Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Plaza de la Reina and Plaza de la Virgen. An upcoming new area is near the city’s beach frontage at Malvarrosa.”

“Above all, a city centre needs to emit a sense of prestige through beautiful historical architecture, important cultural institutions, fine dining, high end shopping and professional services, but also first class education, health services and international connectivity. A city has to be authentic and exciting but also linked to the wider world. Top end clients here are roughly split between modern apartments featuring fantastic luxuries, style and views, and those who seek contemporary comforts and refinement within beautifully preserved classical buildings. The latter still offer a prestige that is hard to match, and the best properties and areas command prices of €6,000 to €7,000.”

José Ribes Bas, Rimontgó VILLÆ 24

VIENNA “Buyers in this category want an excellent infrastructure surrounding them, with a wide range of cultural institutions such as notable galleries, museums, opera and theatre. This is something Vienna stands out for, but they also want outstanding restaurants, the best shopping, top service facilities, convenient underground parking and the noble charm of an historic district. This is something unique that Europe offers.”

“Tuchlauben has become known as the Golden Quarter because it brings together the above elements, but also ‘Golden U’ (Kärntner Straße-Graben Kohlmarkt), around the Vienna Opera House and near St Stephen’s Cathedral. The properties people seek here are set within classical buildings but very often modern inside. Currently, prices range between €25,000 and €35,000/m2.”

Peter Marschall Owner of Marschall Real Estate

ZURICH “A very sought-after historic quarter that offers the classic tenets of city lifestyle, close to fancy restaurants, nice cafés and means of transport. People will look for different specifics in different cities, but they come to Zurich for the security, service, efficiency, ease of doing business and also the architectural and scenic beauty. The top address remains the Seefeld (Kreis 8), but very up and coming is Wiedikon (Kreis 3) and the historic centre retains its appeal.”

“Zurich offers a great lifestyle and picturesque surroundings not just in the centre, but also around the prestigious lakeshores. This creates a good range of choices, with renovated historic properties most popular in the centre and modern ones in suburban areas. Prices in the top areas go up to €20,000/m2.”

Ingrid Goeckenjan

Agent at Walde & Partner Immobilien AG VILLÆ 25

By Michel Cruz

CHOOSING THE BEST SECOND HOME SPOT Different locations and property types need to fulfil varying criteria to impress. For primary homes it is a top address close to all amenities, including work, but for a second home it is also very much about the beauty, climate, security and glamour appeal of the setting.

Which are the factors that draw affluent people to second home locations, and what makes them choose one over another?

EREN’s agents on the ground use their local knowledge and extensive experience to shed light on what moves this market.

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COSTA SMERALDA

JÁVEA

“The most important factors determining top locations are proximity to the sea, with views an important consideration, so waterfront and pieds dans l’eau settings are most prized. Next comes easy access to Olbia International Airport and amenities such as the yacht clubs, leisure and sports activities, golf, restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, cafés, social events and nightlife. This along with the standard of the properties helps to determine the quality of the residential area, and naturally top end buyers look for all elements to be in place before they opt for the elegance and privacy of Porto Rotondo, Porto Rafael, Romazzino, Cala di Volpe, Pevero Golf and La Celvia, where prices tend to be upwards of €10 million.”

“In a seaside location natural beauty and clean, clear waters are what first captures peoples’ hearts. When they start to search for individual locations they want to be within this environmental beauty, with panoramic coastal views, but also begin to factor in closeness to social, dining, shopping and nightlife hotspots, as well as practical considerations such as health and educational facilities. Quality of life is determined by all these factors, including privacy and security. The top addresses offering all of this are close to Cap Negre, San Martín, San Antonio and also those near the yacht clubs. Here villas range between €3 and €10 million.”

Silvia Miorini Marketing Director at Immobilsarda

José Ribes Bas Inmobiliaria Rimontgó

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VENICE

KITZBÜHEL

“Views are a classic ingredient that remains as important as ever. In our market Venice is the jewel that sparkles through inimitable, iconic vistas that the top buyers are after, along with bright, tastefully renovated properties with historic appeal. It makes them feel like they truly are part of this unique place.

Here the town districts (sestrieri) of Dorsoduro and San Marco are the most sought after. It is an international buying audience that falls in love with Venice for its glamour and sense of uniqueness, but naturally they also want gastronomy, culture and comfort. Prices in this part of the world range from €6,000 to €8,000/m2.”

“An alpine ski resort has a very special kind of attraction. Naturally it appeals to people who enjoy winter sports, but the popularity of Kitzbühel extends well beyond the ski season, so it is also the beautiful scenery, charming architecture and natural, easygoing surroundings that draw people. They come here from around the world to relax, spend time with friends and family, and love homes that offer typically alpine cosiness and comfort. Around this has grown up a very high level of gastronomy and dining, while connectivity is also an important factor.

The top areas are the Sonnberg, Lebenberg, Kochau and locations near golf and ski pistes, where prices for plots go for up to €5,000/m2 and apartments up to €15,000/m2.”

Marco Argentieri Administrator of Cofim Immobiliare VR

Karin Gornik Owner of Gornik Real Estate

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AUSTRIAN ALPS

LUGANO

“What our clients look for in alpine locations is of course to fall in love with the scenery, but the right candidate must also have an excellent infrastructure and quick access to international airports. The residential areas must be attractive, the properties exclusive and close to a wide range of leisure activities. Naturally safety and political stability are other factors that draw people to this region, where ski resorts such as Kitzbühel and Arlberg, as well as the lakes around Salzburg, the Salzkammergut and the Wörthersee in Carinthia are the top spots. Prices here vary between €5,000 and €10,000/m2.”

“Not all second home markets are alike. People in the top end of the market have a very broad scope of choices, so they look for places where service is excellent and things work smoothly yet they can also let their hair down and enjoy themselves. This means such combinations as easy access to flights and privacy, security and proximity to social life and amenities. A second home should above all offer what the main residence does not, and this includes a pleasant climate, beautiful natural scenery, a relaxed quality of life and optimal leisure opportunities. Top addresses that also offer this are the Lago Maggiore near Ascona and Locarno, and the Lago di Lugano.

Holiday homes, classified in Switzerland as being up to 250m2, vary between €12,000 and €25,000/m2 in these areas, but they offer the ultimate glamorous getaway.”

Peter Marschall Owner at Marschall Real Estate

Ueli Schnorf Owner at Wetag Consulting

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By Michel Cruz

EUROPE’S FINEST Europe’s most famous museums are not just among the continent’s greatest attractions, they are also works of art in their own right.

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alled into life to safeguard the cultural and artistic patrimony of a richly creative continent, Europe’s finest museums are in reality monumental palaces that house the finest collection of art in the world. No wonder the Louvre, Prado, National Gallery, Uffizi and Rijksmuseum are among the most popular and venerated attractions in their respective cities, nay all of Europe.

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By Michel Cruz

MUSEO DEL PRADO, MADRID Established not long after the culmination of the Peninsular Wars, the Prado is a treasure trove of art and culture that ranks among an international elite. The museum features 7,600 paintings, 4,800 prints, 8,200 drawings, 1,000 sculptures and hundreds of historic documents. Even though many of these are sent to exhibitions around the world, it takes the better part of a day to take it all in, and much longer to really come to grips with what is one of the finest collections of European art. This must be why many among the almost 2.5 million visitors per year keep coming back to admire masterpieces by Velázquez, El Greco, Goya, Rubens and Hieronymus Bosch, to name a few. Goya’s ‘Las Meninas’ is arguably the most iconic piece in the museum, which is located on a grand avenue in the elegant heart of the city.

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MUSÉE DU LOUVRE, PARIS The world’s largest museum is also one of its most refined.

Set within the Palais du Louvre, a former fortress rebuilt as a royal palace in the 16th century and subsequently added to, it contains over 35,000 works of art dating from prehistory to the present day. The beautiful complex bordering the Tuileries Gardens is a fine example of classical French architecture and one of the most important monuments in Paris. With over nine million visitors a year, the Louvre is the second most visited museum in the world, a status assured by a collection that includes such iconic pieces as the Venus de Milo and Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.

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THE NATIONAL GALLERY, LONDON The grand neoclassical façade of the National Gallery dominates Trafalgar Square in the heart of London. Behind its columns are over 2,300 paintings from the medieval period up to the present, illuminating the story of western art in marble halls visited by almost six million people a year. Here you will find works by the likes of Titian, Van Eyck and Holbein, with special attention for British masters such as Turner and Constable, who’s emblematic The Hay Wain is perhaps the most famous piece on display.

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THE RIJKSMUSEUM, AMSTERDAM One of the most popular sights in a city renowned as a tourist centre, the Rijksmuseum moved from The Hague to Amsterdam in 1808 to eventually occupy the graceful red brick complex designed by Pierre Cuypers. With its many famous painters, it is not surprising that The Netherlands is represented on this list, so the Rijksmuseum is the natural home for works of Vermeer, Frans Hals and Rembrandt, whose The Night Watch is a large, awe-inspiring masterpiece almost synonymous with this classic museum.

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UFFIZI, FLORENCE The fact that this prominent art history collection, which calls itself a gallery, is housed in the iconic 16th century Piazzale degli Uffizi – an erstwhile office complex from which the museum takes its name – is typically Italian. The fact that Italy’s most famous art museum is housed here and not in a grand palace is, however, down to the fact the Uffizi was first founded in 1581, before the era of bestowing such buildings upon museums. Now it finds itself in the heart of what is sometimes called an open-air museum city, surrounded by the profusion of works that make this country the glorious centre of the art world.

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By Michel Cruz

From Jugendstil and Bauhaus to modern Berlin and Vienna Berlin and Vienna are modern, vital capitals with renewed zest and elegance, but look around carefully and you will also discover that these cities have a rich design tradition that continues to add beauty today.

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e have a picture of German speakers as being somewhat rigid, severe and enslaved to meticulous detail. This stereotype may seem a little ungenerous, but don’t knock it, it’s why we implicitly trust German made products, rave about Germanic engineering and efficiency, and tend to buy German cars.

There is a strong element of truth in the above, but as with all such preconceived ideas it does not do justice to the diversity of each and every nation. A people’s character can be summarised but not accurately encapsulated in bold slogans. Take design and architecture. While we associate the humanistic artistry of Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts Movement with the ‘gentler’ French and British, and always speak of the passion of the Italians, our concept of German design is rooted in the functionalistic geometry of Bauhaus.

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Jugendstil

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his is neither fair nor accurate, for in common with a great many other nations the Germans and Austrians were prominent pioneers of Art Nouveau and all it embodied. Indeed, the Mitteleuropa dominated by these two powers at the time produced some of its greatest works. The turn of the 20th century gave birth to a great flowering of creativity at the confluence of the old and new worlds, where ancient crafts and new technologies created a whole new world of opportunities.

Jugendstil was the German branch of this design movement that sought to return to nature and had an idealised vision of medieval European simplicity that was born out of the Romantic genre. Frightened off by industrialisation and rapid urban expansion, its artists used modern materials and technologies as they sought to regress into a more florid world. The furniture, buildings and artwork that flowed from this was beautifully detailed and sinuous, a visual folly with the human pursuit of happiness at its heart.

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In Austria it was called the Secessionsstil after the Wiener Secession, an association of artists officially known as the Vereinigung Bildener Künstler Österreichs. These pioneers took Art Nouveau in the direction of the newly emerging Art Deco, but behind it all was progressive social thinking that is embodied in the motto: “To every age its art. To every art its freedom.”

Walk around Vienna today and you will spot the works of the Secessionists and their most famous member, Gustav Klimt, while the Karlsplatz district is particularly rich in Austrian Jugendstil heritage.

Bauhaus

Art Nouveau led to Art Deco and to Modernism, styles which were already evolving in the early part of the 20th century. It is here that we meet the Bauhaus style, which was in reality also a movement that encompassed more than design alone. Set up as the Staatliches Bauhaus in Weimar, it later moved to Dessau and eventually Berlin during the troubled years of the Weimar Republic. With its largely leftist views, this movement was always going to be at odds with the regime that followed, but in spite of this it has made an enormously important contribution to what we still know as modern architecture today.

With its minimalist efficiency, this forerunner of the Modernist movement does at first glance gel with our concept of German design: sleek, linear and engineer-

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ing based lines, that however have gone on to influence everything from architecture and industrial design to graphic arts and typography. Today you can effectively find authentic, listed examples of Bauhaus in Tel Aviv, Los Angeles, Moscow and, of course, Berlin, an indication of the cross-fertilisation between it and other movements such as Modernism and Art Deco.

To say this is a typically German rigid style is to miss the point, for its simple efficiency was the product of an industrialising age that also had the likes of Le Corbusier, Theo van Doesburg and Oscar Niemeyer under its spell. In many ways, the current evolution of modern technologies and style is another phase in an ongoing process to which the cities of Berlin and Vienna contributed greatly.

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Photos by Thomas Dressler Text by Michel Cruz

AFRICA’S

BIG GAME THE AFRICAN CONTINENT BEWITCHES WITH ITS LANDSCAPES;

EXPANSES OF SAVANNAH WHERE WILD ANIMALS ROAM WITHIN A NATURAL KINGDOM RULED BY THE MIGHTY LION BUT ALSO PRESIDED OVER BY THE RHINOCEROS, THE ELEPHANT, THE GIRAFFE, THE AFRICAN BUFFALO AND THE LEOPARD.

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The elephant is the elder statesman; the giraffe his gangly understudy, but both these giants of the African plains are much loved in the public eye as they remind us that even a creature this big can be gentle and peaceful.

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With its glorious manes, the lion remains the true ruler of the African steppe, though it is the lither female that is the dominant predator. Its even more beautiful night shadow is the leopard, which waits out the heat of the summer day in the shade of a tree.

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To spot a leopard is a rare treat, and it is testament to the patience and dedication of Thomas Dressler, one of the leading wildlife photographers, that he has captured their grace in the wild. Almost as elusive is the ‘tank of the savannah’, the rhino.

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Now heavily endangered, it survives under precarious protection, there where the almost equally heavy African buffalo can still graze unperturbed.

“Each of these animals in its beauty and grace not only represents Africa but is its symbol,” says Dressler.

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By Michel Cruz

KEEPING THE BRITISH MOTORING TRADITION ALIVE There are classic cars, retro-inspired models and the genre more or less invented by Morgan: the modern classic that keeps the motoring spirit of yesteryear alive and well.

Images courtesy of Morgan Motor Company

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nyone who loves cars and in particular the classic era of motoring will have come across – and most likely fallen in love with – legendary marques such as Bentley, Bugatti, Jaguar and Ferrari, whose 1950s and 60s creations continue to dazzle the senses today. In addition to the super cars and exquisitely crafted limousines of the time, however, one of the enduring legacies of those halcyon days is the tradition of open top touring, a style of motoring most commonly associated with British icons such as the MG TC, Austin Healey and Triumph TR4.

The idea of chasing through country lanes flanked by undulating pastures is quintessentially British somehow, and popular models such as the Austin Sprite, Sunbeam Alpine and Daimler SP250 proved that light cars could both be nippy and offer a true motoring experience. This 2+2 format was to inspire the

likes of Alfa Romeo and Lancia to great heights, as well as give birth to the Anglo-American AC Cobra, but the classic British roadster continued to be so popular that it only died out with the MG TF some 40 years later.

Classic cars made today That would have been it were it not for Morgan, a small family-owned carmaker that continues to make classically styled and inspired 2+2 and 4+4 roadsters from its workshop factory in Malvern, Worcestershire. The English countryside that surrounds this small town is where this enduring classic belongs.

Its handmade wooden body, authentic chestnut dashboard with the clock dials, leather cup seats and 1950s styling may hark back to the workmanship of another era, but make no mistake, the drive is exhilarating.

While contemporaries during successive decades attempted to bring the classic roadster concept up to date, the Morgan remained unashamedly retro, and the fact that its order book has consistently remained full confirms the popularity of the unique niche the marque has created for itself. Indeed, it has inspired others, such as Wiesmann, PGO, Caterham and Hurtán, but Morgan remains the benchmark for luxury, handtooled retro sporting cars that continue to keep the iconic roadster tradition alive today.

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Always a niche brand The fact is, Morgan has always been a somewhat quirky carmaker operating on the fringes of the mainstream automotive industry. Founded in 1910 by Henry Frederick Stanley Morgan, the ancestor of the family that still runs the company, Morgan Motor Company began to deviate from the norm at an early stage when it specialised in three-wheeled cars. Not only were they light and accessible, but these Morgans also built up a telling reputation for speed, agility and fun that had them winning more than their share of races, rallies and especially hill climbs.

The market changed after the war, and like many British car manufacturers of the time, Morgan had to shift its focus to the US export market. The last nifty three-wheeler was made in 1952, by which time the company had set upon its present course of producing roadsters with nostalgic, retro-inspired looks. This would have run its course by now had it not been for the authenticity, fine craftsmanship and noble materials used in the manufacture of a luxurious sports roadster that is, in effect, far more than just a classic folly.

Today Morgan produces in excess of 1,000 models a year, with the familiar Roadster providing the mainstay to which the Aero range adds a more contemporary alternative. While enjoying continued success with these models because they offer style, refinement and a fantastic ride, this most British of brands has returned to its roots with the newly launched Morgan 3-wheeler. Together, these good-looking cars are introducing a new generation of drivers to the thrills of a more authentic motoring era.

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THE CIGAR WORLD This seminary title is dedicated to what those in the know regard as one of life’s finest pleasures – a fine quality cigar.

What’s more, it’s written by a woman.

By Michel Cruz

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“For me, smoking a cigar is like opening a good bottle of wine. Every cigar is unique – feel it, look at it, smell it, taste it and listen.”

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igars have a long and noble history that evokes the sights and colours of Cuba, the sounds of Bizet’s Carmen and the unique fragrance of a finely crafted, hand-rolled Monte Cristo or Cohiba.

With this, the mind’s eye conjures up an image of fine leather fauteuils, crystal tumblers filled with a good whisky or cognac and a stylish gentleman smoking a cigar with evident pleasure.

Author and cigar connoisseur Cosima Aichholzer beautifully captures the history and essence of the cigar, and provides the reader with fresh insights into a fascinating world of cultivation, artistry and enjoyment. She also alerts us to the fact that this traditionally male-orientated luxury product is of course not exclusive to men.

Indeed, not only is Cosima extremely knowledgeable about this world, she also lists the smoking of fine cigars among life’s greatest pleasures. “For me, smoking a cigar is like opening a good bottle of wine. Every cigar is unique – feel it, look at it, smell it, taste it and listen,” says the author for whom this passion fits in beautifully with her love of art, travel and fine food. A reigning world champion and record holder in the women’s slow smoking category, she has used her expertise in this field to consult for those who share her love of cigars – including creating private collections, organising cigar dinners and tastings around the world, and also advising

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on the best designs for functional and beautiful humidors and cigar lounges.

“It is a fascinating, compelling world that I enjoy sharing with others, and one that is interesting even if you don’t smoke yourself,” says the author of the book that also features interviews with celebrity aficionados about their most cherished cigar memories and personal collections. This fine, unique publication takes the reader around the globe to discover a world that starts at the cultivation of special tobacco strains, the heritage of the finest brands and then proceeds on to elegant smoking lounges, famous cigar shops, beautifully crafted lighters and smoking accessories such as of course the smoking jacket. It is a world of time-honoured traditions that recall the elegance and refinement of the classic era.

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The proposed ‘wooden’ skyscraper in London’s Barbican.

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Text Michel Cruz Photos courtesy of: www.plparchitecture.com www.lainer.at www.waughthistleton.com

THE FUTURE OF BUILDING If you think wooden buildings are a thing of the past think again. Wood is an environmentally friendly, renewable material with great structural and aesthetic qualities that can help us rise to the challenges of the future.

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ood is an old building material, and a new one. It was one of the first building blocks of mankind and with stone the foundation of what we now call architecture. Wooden huts and cabins of some sort have been made by different cultures at various times in their history, but in Europe it was gradually replaced by brick and concrete.

As we realise now that these are not the most energy-efficient building materials and we dabble with prefabricated synthetic alternatives that are dubbed eco-friendly but are so unnatural that this seems like a

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contradiction in terms, the call for a return to wood grows stronger. And why not? It is certainly not unprecedented, as the comfortable, luxurious homes in North America and Scandinavia continue to be mostly made of wood – a process that not only reduces construction time but thanks to the application of modern technology to a natural material, also has the potential to be far more environmentally friendly.

From such traditional centres of wood construction, this form of building and architecture is now spreading around the world.

Vienna’s new 24-floor HoHo Wien tower.

RLP. Rüdiger Lainer + Partner VIENNA

Wood is a resource that is produced faster than it is consumed, and is now one of the most affordable materials with a high emotive quality

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RLP is a Vienna-based architectural practice whose expertise spans the range from the design of individual villas through to commercial towers, social housing projects and town planning. The company is well versed in a variety of construction methods that use different materials both conventional and avant-garde.

In recent years this has increasingly come to include wood, a material that Rüdiger Lainer and his associates are more and more excited about.

“Wood is a resource that is produced faster than it is consumed, and is now one of the most affordable materials with a high emotive quality. Now is the time when urban areas can also benefit from these economical, technical and cultural advantages. The current technical possibilities offer opportunities to use wood as a key element in high-rise construction,” said the prominent Austrian architect.

Following a variety of smaller projects they are now realising the tallest wooden edifice in Vienna - rising 24 floors and 84 metres into the Vienna skyline, the brand new HoHo Wien tower will be a pioneering landmark showcasing what can be done with this natural material. The frame is made up of a hybrid construction of 75% wood and 25% concrete to create a total of 25,000m2 of space that can be used as apartments, offices a hotel or any combination thereof.

London is also warming to the possibilities of wood.

Waugh Thistleton Architects LONDON Think of London and architecture, and names such as Norman Foster and Richard Rogers come to the fore.

It seems that Waugh Thistleton Architects is inspired by both, for this is a practice that searches for sustainable ways of creating the impressive, often large structures our times demand. Moreover, like Richard Rogers they are also mindful of the important societal role that architecture of this kind plays in the fabric of a city. As a result, Waugh Thistleton is a leading international pioneer in the field of engineered timber.

The result is a series of groundbreaking projects that includes offices, retail spaces and housing in and around London, a residential estate in France and two landmark high-rise developments that were the world’s tallest housing timber structures when completed in 2015.

Murray Grove in Hackney was the first nine-storey building of its kind to be built with timber load-bearing walls and floor slabs. It even features stair and lift cores made from wood in a process that is called CLT (CrossLaminated Timber) construction. Dalston Lane, also in London, similarly appears conventional inside and out yet features the latest CLT technology. The cladding in non-load bearing face brick provides a very British contemporary look to the world’s largest CLT-built project, totalling in all 121 apartments and 3,500m2 of offices and retail space. It goes to show that modern CLT projects need not even look like a wooden structure but can quite easily be finished to blend in with their surroundings.

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Wooden skyscrapers The sky seems to be the limit for tall timber structures as PLP Architecture, Smith and Wallwork Engineers and researchers from Cambridge University’s Department of Architecture are studying the possible of exceeding the mid-level and building a true skyscraper using the CLT method. The timber-based tower would rise 80 floors (300 metres) in the Barbican. If successful, it could change the path of the megalomaniacal glass towers of today into something rather more inclusive and sustainable.

The advantages are many: the structural softwood used is a renewable material with a low carbon footprint that is produced locally within the European Union. It is also quicker, cheaper and cleaner to build with and produces lighter buildings with excellent structural qualities. Also, would you believe that when properly prepared wood is more fire-resistant than bricks, steel and concrete, not to mention safer during a fire?

The prospect of a more natural urban landscape is an exciting one, and for once it needn’t come at the expense of nature, for there is sufficient softwood forestry capacity in the world to provide for a significant conversion to wood construction not just in ‘typical’ timber countries but across the world.

By Michel Cruz

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THE EVOLUTION OF HOME COOL What was de rigueur just a short while ago can change almost overnight. Not so long ago the dominant home styles were more traditional and organic, interiors darker and the must-have accessory a home cinema or automated lights and shutters. As we move further into the 21st century, the picture is changing…

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In many parts of the world the financial crisis and ensuing ‘Great Recession’ formed a watershed in architecture. Gone were the more faux traditional styles that had been dominant since the 1980s and in come a whole new wave of ‘modern’ styles that saw a return to white as the fresh, sleek tone of the future.

It’s back to the future because we’ve been here before, through early experiments in the 1920s and 30s, and the Modernism of the post-war era, but while there is a direct link of inspiration and a ‘picking up of the thread’ it wouldn’t be fair to label this latest outpouring of creativity a mere chapter in a book already begun.

Today’s design movement may search for references in the past but its materials, relevance and urban context are entirely of our age.

At any rate, it feels very different showing homes now that are open-plan, full of panoramic glass, sliding doors that disappear into the wall at the touch of a finger and architectural forms that can vary from rigidly geometrical to sculpted and rounded. It’s a process that is already in motion, evolving away from white minimalism to the inclusion of more natural materials and more playful elements, all the while building on a great new era of technological development that

places novel materials, engineering techniques and software technologies under the skin of your house.

Water features, floor to ceiling windows, large open-flowing living areas and kitchens where you can cook up a storm and then hide the evidence, add a sense of drama to today’s luxury home. We are seduced by soft LED lighting, white acrylic furniture and brushed steel, but also by ingenious blends of the aforementioned with richly veined matt wood, earthy stone and oxidised steel, not to mention an array of potentially brightly coloured synthetic materials.

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New trends.

Today’s homes have become a little smaller and more efficient than before, attempting to do away with dead spaces such as long corridors through innovative design concepts, and the technology now available makes early home automation positively archaic. Just as you can ‘hook up’ your car, you can do the same with your home, enabling it to fulfil a range of duties that leave mere shelter far behind and turn it into an energy-efficient entertainment centre, state-of-the-art workplace or a well-secured private home.

Living areas are now open-plan, bathrooms sleeker and simpler in a Zen kind of way, and split levels are also making a comeback, indoors as well as in the garden. The latter is more geometrical than before, less subtropical paradise and more Japanese garden, with large terrace areas that extend the indoor comforts outdoors and an inviting splash pool that perfectly frames the horizon.

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Home cinemas, traditional wine cellars, gyms and early home spas used to be separate entities, often occupying the basement floor of a villa, but here too an integrated open-plan approach is taking over that also brings natural light and direct garden access to what were once dark spaces. The chill-out zones found as an extension of your terrace are also in evidence indoors, where one great interactive entertainment area brings spa, gym, home cinema, games room and sometimes even bowling alley together in great style.

Many a wine cellar has migrated up to the kitchen and shed its traditional brickwork to become a design feature made of LED-lit glass and your personal collection of wines. Even garages, once the musty home of your prized luxury cars, are now celebrating the automotive works of art in what looks like a gallery complete with panoramic windows and lighting that showcases your collection.

While most of us focus on the return to modern architectural styling, the changes going on inside the home are more revolutionary by far, as they open the door to a whole new lifestyle experience.

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EREN NEWS

A new “market number one” joins EREN

Maxwell Baynes from Bordeaux

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very local real estate market the world over has a small group of professionals that lead from the front and command such respect that they become the de facto market makers. Sellers seek them for advice, valuation and access to the market. Buyers require them if they are to see the properties no other agents could show them and competitors watch them to see where next to go. Since 2008, Maxwell-Baynes Real Estate has attracted an all star team of experts that have established the pace for the premium real estate market in South West France. Its sister company Maxwell-Baynes Vineyards, is by any measure the market leader for vineyard transactions, and M&A work for the worlds biggest name in wine – Bordeaux.

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Ticino finest real estate

Listed monument - “Castelletto al Lago“.

Ranzo , Lake Maggiore, Ticino, SWITZERLAND. 5 bedrs., 6 bathrs., house: 500 m2, land: 3.310 m2.

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Asian beauty in Ticino.

Ronco Sopra Ascona, Lake Maggiore, Ticino, SWITZERLAND. A Swiss interior designer with offices in HongKong instructed the Philippine architect, Ramon Antonio, to design his villa high above Lake Maggiore. The result is an intriguing style exercise in highly elegant relaxation!

3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, house: 400m2, land: 1.658m2.

Price: CHF 9.800.000. Ref: 88383

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Ticino finest real estate

Superb new penthouse a short walk from the lake promenade.

Ascona, Lake Maggiore, Ticino, SWITZERLAND Oversized 2015 penthouse with a panoramic roof terrace in Ascona’s most exclusive neighborhood just steps from the lake and a short walk from the lake promenade and the luxury hotels. A stunning layout for two, a cutting edge design, luxurious materials and finishes, a gourmet kitchen for a demanding chef, 6 garage places and a unique outdoor pool area with pond round off this amazing property.

2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, house: 228m2, terrace: 146m2.

Price: CHF 5.800.000. Ref: 88352

Wetag Consulting +41 (0) 91 751 3106 info@wetag.ch www.wetag.ch

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Large estate with park and lakeview, very private city position.

Sorengo, Lake Lugano, Ticino, SWITZERLAND Through a high entrance gate you drive to the very elegant bungalow villa, beautifully set between a guesthouse and a cartetaker’s house.

From the marvellous lawn in front of the villa you see Lugano, the lake and the mountains, and the large private park with secular and rare trees shields from the city’s noise and curious views. Very unique indeed!

9 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, house: 1.000m2, land: 15.440m2.

Price upon request. Ref: 88269

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Ticino finest real estate

Stately villa overlooking nature. Bellinzona, Ticino, SWITZERLAND. Very representative and stately villa featuring a provencial style located in Bellinzona. Lovely garden, very quiet, sunny and central. Very luxurious building, easy access and indoor swimming pool. A unique combination of tradition and luxury.

7 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, house: 682m2, land: 1.833m2.

Price: CHF 3.000.000. Ref 88327

Wetag Consulting +41 (0) 91 751 3106 info@wetag.ch www.wetag.ch

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Dreamlike penthouse in top central location.

Muralto, Lake Maggiore, Ticino, SWITZERLAND. Take the elevator, cross the road and enjoy a walk on the lake promenade, a coffee in Swiss award winning ‘Café Lago’, step into a world class boutique or rejoice at the thought of being able to comfortably stroll to a different fine dining venue each night: can this be true? Yes and not only: the lifestyle offered by this luxurious new penthouse overlooking Lake Maggiore is simply: dreamlike.

3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, living: 255m2, terrace: 190m2.

Price: CHF 5.300.000. Ref: 88334

VILLÆ 74

Ticino finest real estate

Period villa “Mezzaluna” restored into a piece of art.

Brissago, Lake Maggiore, Ticino, SWITZERLAND. With a superior taste, the owner restored this period villa to a highly unusual combination of tradition, modernism and internationalism.

Fascinating, to wander through the rooms, laid out around like a spiral around an open staircase. Stunning, the luxurious solutions within the smallest detail, and simply gorgeous the panoramic views from each room.

3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, house: 400m2, land: 1.101m2.

Price: CHF 4.950.000. Ref 88321

Wetag Consulting +41 (0) 91 751 3106 info@wetag.ch www.wetag.ch

VILLÆ 75

Car collector’s heaven!

Gordola, Lake Lugano, Ticino, SWITZERLAND. The perfect retreat for anybody dreaming of showcasing their private collection of cars...! This pristine property namely encompasses an oversized hall ideal to display cars, combined with workshops and machinery to maintain and clean the vehicles, an elegant lounge, a gym and a sauna, further storage rooms, offices and an apartment for a caretaker. Large terraces round off this unique estate.

3 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, land: 1.140m2.

Price: CHF 2.900.000. Ref: 88347

VILLÆ 76

Ticino finest real estate

Architectural masterpiece by arch. Francesco Buzzi.

Ponto Valentino, Ticino, SWITZERLAND Cathedral ceilings, vast modern design blended in with the natural context: the owner, arch. Francesco Buzzi achieved his goal of combining the landscape, the cultural context and the local materials harmoniously. The villa, built in 2009, is a masterpiece which has been published many times. Guest apartment with separate entrance. Superb South oriented location with complete peace.

3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, house: 259m2, land: 1.815m2.

Price: CHF 4.000.000. Ref 88309

Wetag Consulting +41 (0) 91 751 3106 info@wetag.ch www.wetag.ch

VILLÆ 77

Architectonic villa with spectacular outdoor pool.

Verscio, Lake Maggiore, Ticino, SWITZERLAND. Modern and charming villa built in 2014 and designed by an architect in a very sunny and quiet position. Spacious and bright rooms over three levels connected by a lift.

Beautiful living room with open kitchen, wellness area with sauna and spectacular outdoor pool and jacuzzi.

3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, house: 380m2, land: 538m2.

Price: CHF 3.000.000. Ref: 1354

VILLÆ 78

Ticino finest real estate

Modern villa in the municipality of Mendrisio.

Somazzo, Lake Lugano, Ticino, SWITZERLAND. Beautiful villa located in Somazzo, 8km from Chiasso and the border with Italy, 22 km from Lugano. Completed in 2014, it covers 2 levels and offers exclusive and luxurious finishes. Fitness area, spacious living area, hobby, 3 bedrooms and a studio are just some of the advantages of this property. Outside: swimming pool of 26m², 2 car-garage and 1 uncovered parking.

4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, house: 222m2, land: 1.346m2.

Price: CHF 3.200.000. Ref: 88423

Wetag Consulting +41 (0) 91 751 3106 info@wetag.ch www.wetag.ch

VILLÆ 79

Modern Villa with stunning views onto the Gulf.

Lugano, Lake Lugano, Ticino, SWITZERLAND. Modern villa over 3 levels, built in 1957 and renovated in 2012, located in the residential area of Sorengo, approx. 3 km. to the city centre and to TASIS. The villa offers bright and large interiors, as well as a guest aparment on the lower floor. Beautiful rooftop terrace overlooking the lake and infinity pool at the garden level. Possibile enlargement of further 100m². Large garage for 6-9 cars.

4 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, house: 450m2, land: 1.356m2.

Price: CHF 8.800.000. Ref: 88399

VILLÆ 80

Ticino finest real estate

Elegant modern villa with 180° lake view.

Aldesago, Lake Lugano, Ticino, SWITZERLAND Located in quiet and sunny top panoramic location in Aldesago, one of Lugano’s sought-after areas, this modern style villa, built in 2005, is developed on 4 levels, with breath-taking views on the lake and the Mount San Salvatore. Features a indoor swimming pool and wellness area, rooftop terrace, 2 garage and 1 outdoor car place. Also perfect for families!

4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, house: 358m2, land: 491m2.

Price: CHF 4.500.000. Ref 88397

Wetag Consulting +41 (0) 91 751 3106 info@wetag.ch www.wetag.ch

VILLÆ 81

Sophistication in prestigious position.

Ruvigliana, Lake Lugano, Ticino, SWITZERLAND. Luxurious estate hallmarked by a Mediterranean overlooking Lake Lugano. Elegant spacious interiors defined by striking finishes.

Outstanding amenities such as a sumptuous master suite with an en-suite bathroom, gourmet kitchen and large wine cellar. Different terraces and an oversized portico. Bucolic park with wonderful plants offering pristine panoramic vistas of the lake and the mountains.

4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, house: 500m2, land: 1.950m2.

Price upon request. Ref: 88294

VILLÆ 82

Ticino finest real estate

Beautiful villa with swimming pool in Collina d’Oro. Montagnola, Lake Lugano, Ticino, SWITZERLAND. This family home is located in Montagnola, in Collina d’Oro, close to TASIS and just 4 km to the center of Lugano. Featuring a brick façade, the villa offers refined and bright interiors, as well as Botticino marble floors and walls painted with “stucco veneziano” technique. Outside: a portico of 36m², a swimming pool of 34m², as well as a garage for 2 cars. Three outdoor parking places.

3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, house: 270m2, land: 916m2.

Price upon request. Ref 88412

Wetag Consulting +41 (0) 91 751 3106 info@wetag.ch www.wetag.ch

VILLÆ 83

Ticino finest real estate

Protected historic landmark from 1335.

Soazza, Lake Maggiore, Ticino, SWITZERLAND. 4 bedrs., 4 bathrs., house: 195m2, land: 209m2.

Price: CHF 1.600.000. Ref: 88408

Modern villa by architect Arnaboldi, Aldesago.

Lake Lugano, Ticino, SWITZERLAND. 3 bedrs., 2 bathrs., living: 196m2, land: 724m2.

Price: CHF 3.100.000. Ref: 88343

Luxurious modern villa, Agno, Lake Lugano, Ticino, SWITZERLAND. 3 bedrs., 4 bathrs., house: 400m2, land: 2.564m2.

Price: CHF 6.700.000. Ref: 88336

Elegant attic apartment in Ascona, Ascona.

Lake Maggiore, Ticino, SWITZERLAND 2 bedrs., 2 bathrs., living: 172m2, terrace: 54m2.

Price: CHF 2.900.000. Ref: 88382

Wetag Consulting +41 (0) 91 751 3106 info@wetag.ch www.wetag.ch

VILLÆ 84

Europe’s Finest Real Estate

VILLÆ 85

A castle with a long history in carinthia, AUSTRIA A magnificent property for aficionados, already existing since 1243 as a fortification Land: 36.400m², house: 2.000m² Price upon request. Ref: GM308

VILLÆ 86

Property section. Austria

Country house in Kitzbühel / Reith, AUSTRIA 3 bedrs., 3 baths, house: 263m², land: 737m² Price: € 3,500.000. Ref. GM307

Typical Tyrolean country house in Kitzbühel, AUSTRIA Near the centre of the city, 5 bedrs., 5 baths, house: 380m², land: 990m² Price upon request. Ref. GM109

New built villa near the golf course in Kitzbühel / Reith, AUSTRIA Stunning views to the mountains.

6 bedrs., 6 baths, house: 490m², land:810m² Price upon request. Ref. GM272

New built apartments in the centre of St. Johann / AUSTRIA 2-3 bedrs., 2 baths, living space: 60m²-112m² Price upon request. Ref. GM300

Gornik Immobilien +43 5356 72160 office@immobilien-kitz.com www.immobilien-kitz.com

VILLÆ 87

Noble Living, Vienna City Center, AUSTRIA Luxury penthouse apartments 376-567 m², refurbished palais building, terraces, garages.

Price upon request. Ref. MI-1682 VILLÆ 88

Property section. Austria

Unique Penthouse, Vienna, AUSTRIA City Center, top location, living space 243 m², garage.

Price € 4.510.000. Ref. MI-1687

Prestigious villa, Vienna, AUSTRIA Living space 961 m², garage, historical wine cellar.

Price upon request. Ref. MI-1218

Outstanding development, Vienna, AUSTRIA Apartments 207–254 m², gardens, terraces, garages.

Prices from € 1.950.000. Ref. MI-1657

Classic luxury apartment, Vienna, AUSTRIA Living space 262 m², 2 garages, private garden.

Price upon request. Ref. MI-1186

Marschall Real Estate +43 1 533 20 30 office@marschall.at www.marschall.at

VILLÆ 89

Château Gaby, Bordeaux, Nouvelle Aquitaine, FRANCE. AOC Canon-Fronsac Vineyard.

11 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, 780m², 22 ha.

SOLD. Château Rousseau de Sipian, Bordeaux, Nouvelle Aquitaine, FRANCE. Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois vineyard.

8 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, 15 ha.

SOLD.

VILLÆ 90

Property section. France

Château Renon, Bordeaux, Nouvelle Aquitaine, FRANCE. Beautiful and elegant château.

6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 780 m², 5.6 ha.

SOLD. Château Prieure la Caussade, Bordeaux, Nouvelle Aquitaine, FRANCE. Beautiful 15th and 18th property with bedrooms, bathrooms, 400 m², 4.6 ha SOLD. Chateau Auguste, Bordeaux, Nouvelle Aquitaine, FRANCE. Bordeaux Superieur Vineyard.

4 bedrooms and 2 bath/shower rooms, 230 m², 30 ha.

SOLD.

Maxwell-Baynes Real Estate and Vineyards +33 (0)557 840 882 info@maxwellbaynes.com www.maxwellbaynes.com VILLÆ 91

Grand Tower - Highest Residential Tower in Germany, Frankfurt, GERMANY 1 to 3 bedrs, 1 to 2 bathrs. House: 61 m² to 300 m² Price: € 198,500 - € 8,311,000. Ref: BCI-6369

VILLÆ 92

Property section. Germany

Grand Tower - Elegant apartment, Frankfurt, GERMANY 3 bedrs., 2 bathrs. Apartment: 112 m² Price: € 812,451. Ref: BCI-7539

Metropol Park: Spacious apartment. Berlin-Mitte, GERMANY 2 bedrs., 2 bathrs. Apartment: 99 m² Price: € 671,500. Ref. BCI-8624

High Park: Large penthouse with roof terrace, Berlin-Mitte, Potsdamer Platz, GERMANY 3 bedrs., 2 bathrs. Penthouse: 123,2 m² Price: € 1,295,000. Ref: 6766

Guardian: Penthouse with 3 terraces, Berlin-Mitte, GERMANY 2 bedrs., 2 bathrs. Penthouse: 140 m² Price € 1,050,000. Ref: BCI-5875

Zabel Property AG +49 (0) 30 88 66 000 request@zabel.com www.zabel.com

VILLÆ 93

XVI century villa Valpolicella, Veneto, ITALY 7 bedrs., 5 bathrs., house 500 m2, stonehouses 500 m2 garden & wineyards 8.000 m2.

Price € 1.800.000. Ref. CF0980 Italian ranch Monti Berici, Vicenza, Veneto, ITALY 8 bedrs., 7 bathrs., house 400 m2, ground & garden 3 hectares.

Price € 1.500.000. Ref. CF1018

VILLÆ 94

Property section. Italy

Castle in Valpolicella, Veneto, ITALY 15 Bedrs., 6 bathrs., houses 2.450 m2 and a park 4.000 m2 Price: € 2.700.000. Ref: CF0519

Luxury XVIII century complex, Venice, Veneto, ITALY houses 5.000 m2, convention area 5.000 m2, park 7 hectares Price upon request. Ref: CF0999

Apartment “piano nobile”, Verona, Veneto ITALY Mastersuite, 2 bedrs., 3 bathrs., house 300 m2, 3 carpark Price: € 2.200.000. Ref: CF0838

Apartment with garden, Venice, Veneto, ITALY 3 bdrs., 3 bathrs., house 220 m2, garden 600 m2 Price: € 2.200.000. Ref: CF1052

Cofim Immobiliare VR sas +39 045 800 11 99 info@cofimimmobiliare.it www.cofimimmobiliare.it

VILLÆ 95

Hidden waterfront paradise. Costa Smeralda, Pevero Bay, Sardinia, ITALY. Stunning newly built villa, private direct beach access, spectacular views over Pevero Bay, exclusive neighborhood of Costa Smeralda.

6 bedrs., 6 bathrs., elegant outdoors facing the sea. 2.500 m2 private garden, pool, jacuzzi.

Price on request. Ref. IMSCSM1600V

VILLÆ 96

Property section. Italy

Unique waterfront villa. Porto Cervo. Costa Smeralda, Sardinia, ITALY. Enchanting seafront property, premium location in Porto Cervo, direct beach access. Fascinating sea view over the coastline and the Marina, large garden of design, Jacuzzi, premium finishes, privacy, security Price upon request. Ref: IMSCSM1557V

Lifestyle villa, Porto Rafael. Costa Smeralda, Sardinia, ITALY. A selection of magnificent waterfront villas or small maisonette-villas, all wisely immersed in nature and settled in the finest location few minutes from Piazzetta and Marina, unrivaled Archipelago sea views, manicured Mediterranean gardens, close to the beach.

Price upon request. Ref: IMSPRF011R

Luxury apartments and penthouses. Porto Rotondo. Sardinia, ITALY. Innovative residential development, elegant apartments and penthouses, splendid setting close to the Marina, generous living spaces, captivating views of the bay, refined gardens, panoramic terraces, private pools.

Five star luxury services.

Price upon request. Ref: IMSPRT1542

Majestic coastal estate. Costa Smeralda, Sardinia. ITALY. Luxury seafront villa, lush 2 hectares Mediterranean garden, direct private access to the beach, stunning views over the Archipelago, 8 bedrs., 8 bathrs., guest house, delightful outdoors, infinity swimming pool, tennis court, indoor spa, private dock.

Price upon request. Ref: IMSCSM1580V

Immobilsarda Srl +39 0789 909000 portocervo@immobilsarda.com www.immobilsarda.com

VILLÆ 97

Historical Frescoed Apartment in Palazzo Doria D’Angri. Naples, ITALY. Building projected and built by the Architect Vanvitelli.

Formal rooms, five salons, mirror room, 8 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, house: 1.255 m2.

Price upon request. Ref: LC308

Luxury Villa in the Montemario District. Rome, ITALY. Formal rooms, 9 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, swimming pool, independent building, private theatre, house: 730 m2; land: 1.200 m2.

Price upon request. Ref: LC315

VILLÆ 98

Property section. Italy

Splendid Penthouse in front of the Coliseum. Rome, ITALY. Completely luxury restored with a breathtaking view and formal rooms.

3 bedrooms, office, 5 bathrooms, house: 270 m2, veranda, terrace: 44 m2.

Price upon request. Ref: LC159

Luxury Penthouse in the Aracoeli area. Rome, ITALY. Completely luxury restored with a spectacular view on Rome and formal rooms. Situated in an important noble historical building.

2 bedrs., 5 bathrs., house: 350 m2, terraces: 270 m2 of which more than half is possible to close and is equipped with air conditioning system.

Price upon request. Ref: LC158

Wonderful Villa on the Aventine Hill. Rome, ITALY .

Suitable for diplomatic headquarters, offices or important residences.

Formal rooms, fantastic location, house: 600 m2, park: 1.550 m2, terraces, independent building: 50 m2.

Price upon request. Ref: LC196

Villa “Il Sorbo”. Lucca, ITALY. Situated in an hill area that dominates on a wide valley from which you can enjoy a wonderful view and it has been the buen retiro of Marcello Mastroianni.

Different buildings; Land: 24 ha.

Price upon request. Ref: LC156

La Commerciale Srl (+39) 06 3200 613 lacommerciale@lacommerciale.org www.lacommerciale.org

VILLÆ 99

Exceptional 19th Century Palace with adjacent chapel amidst lush green, ponds and pathways.

Situated in mystical Sintra, Portugal.

6 bedrs., 6 bathrs., house 965 m2, land 15.570 m2.

Price: ₏ 7.000.000. Ref: PAL8295 VILLÆ 100

Property section. Portugal

Elegant fully renovated modern apartment with stunning views of the Tagus River, situated in the exclusive residential Lapa area, Lisbon, Portugal.

4 bedrs., 4 bathrs., 260 m2.

Price: € 1.250.000. Ref: APT9200

Magnificent apartment in luxury condo with a panorama of the sea, situated in Cascais, Portugal.

3 bedrs., 3 bathrs., 180 m2.

Price: € 2.300.000. Ref: APT9563

Exclusive contemporary villa in Quinta da Marinha Resort, situated in Cascais, Portugal.

6 bedrs., 9 bathrs., house 1.000 m2, land 2.500 m2.

Price: € 5.500.000. Ref: MOR7331

Fabulous apartment with garden in traditional luxury building situated in the heart of historic Chiado, Lisbon, Portugal.

3 bedrs., 3 bathrs., 204 m2.

Price: € 2.150.000. Ref: APT9575

Quintela & Penalva Real Estate +351 212 454 059 geral@quintelaepenalva.pt www.quintelaepenalva.pt

VILLÆ 101

Monestir. Barcelona, Barcelona, SPAIN. 8 bedrs., 6 baths, house 968m2, land 2.669m2.

Price upon request. Ref: 13659

VILLÆ 102

Property section. Spain

Modolell. Sant Just, Barcelona, SPAIN. 3 bedrs., 3 baths, house 193m2 Price: € 2.150.000. Ref. 20028

Rosselló. Barcelona, Barcelona, SPAIN. 3 bedrs., 2 baths, house 152m2 Price: € 1.600.000. Ref. 20182

Vía Célere. Barcelona, Barcelona, SPAIN. 3 bedrs., 2 baths, house 115m² Price: € 636.400. Ref. 21625

Carril. Sant Cugat, Barcelona, SPAIN. 6 bedrs., 7 baths, house 663m2, land 1150m2.

Price: € 1.700.000. Ref. 20324

Amat Luxury (+34) 934 529 960 guifre.homedes@amatimmo.cat www.amatluxury.com

VILLÆ 103

Luxury property located on a golf resort Exclusive villa with consolidated garden and private pool.

Valencia, SPAIN. Exclusive villa located in the highly-valued El Bosque development, a luxury residential area that sits at 25km from the city centre of Valencia, with an 18 hole golf course, gym, horse riding area, public transport and surveillance service running 24 hours with access control. The spectacular construction has been recently renovated in a unique style that combines the Mediterranean charm with the practicality of modern elements. The privacy is one of the strongest points of the villa.

6 bedrs., 5 bathrs., house: 900 m2, land: 3.752 m2 Price: â‚Ź 1.650.000. Ref: RMGV2151

VILLÆ 104

Property section. Spain

Superb villa with panoramic views on the Costa Blanca Located in an elevated area of a prestigious residential complex Jávea, Costa Blanca, SPAIN. Exceptional villa settled in Puig Molins, a residential area in Jávea, Costa Blanca boasting panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea. Puig Molins is located close to the old town and the Port of Jávea, Alicante.

The six bedroom property has recently been refurbished with excellent qualities and enjoys a south-facing aspect. The villa combines a traditional style with a more modern touch, and the huge windows that provide lots of natural light are particularly outstanding, creating a welcoming atmosphere in one of the best locations in the area.

6 bedrs., 5 bathrs., house: 281 m2, land: 1.100 m2 Price € 1.500.000. Ref: RMG4833

Rimontgó +34 963 504 444 rimontgo@rimontgo.es www.rimontgo.com

VILLÆ 105

Privileged living: majestic, exquisitely redecorated villa from 1911, Zürich, SWITZERLAND 9 rooms. Living area: 326 m2, plot: 746 m2 Price upon request. Ref: 20.12.064

A history of manorial living at the lake shore, Zollikon, SWITZERLAND 14 rooms. Living area: 615 m2, plot: 2071 m2 Price upon request. Ref: 20.04.971

Reside in peace and privacy: splendid villa in Zumikon, SWITZERLAND 8.5 rooms. Living area: 370 m2, plot: 1450 m2 Price upon request. Ref: 20.11.466

Lavish lifestyle in a magnificent town house with far-reaching view, Zürich, SWITZERLAND 10 rooms. Living area: 368 m2, plot: 1212 m2 Price: CHF 6’580’000. Ref: 20.11.512

Property section. Switzerland

Historic country estate with a large park, bathhouse and pool, Weiach, SWITZERLAND 18 rooms. Living area: 700 m2, plot: app. 35’0000 m2 Price upon request. Ref: 80.11.297

Right by the lake: historical property with a touch of subtle refinement, Brunnen, SWITZERLAND 23.5 rooms. Living area: app. 640 m2, plot: app. 2000 m2 Price upon request. Ref: 80.11.653

Villa with fantastic, protected views of the lake and the Alps, Brunnen, SWITZERLAND 20 rooms. Living area: app. 620 m2, plot: 24’568 m2 Price upon request. Ref: 80.12.232

Perfect privacy, outdoor pool: authentic 1966 bungalow-style villa, repeated renovations and additions, Brütten, SWITZERLAND 8 rooms. Living area: 343 m2, plot: 2407 m2.

Price upon request. Ref: 70.11.544

Walde & Partner Immobilien AG +41 44 396 60 66 eren@walde.ch www.walde.ch

VILLÆ 107

Listed monument - “Castelletto al Lago“, Ranzo, Lake Maggiore, Ticino, SWITZERLAND. 5 bedrs., 6 bathrs., house: 500 m2, land: 3.310 m2.

Price: CHF 11.500.000. Ref: 88395

VILLÆ 108

Property section. Switzerland

Rare and luxurious waterfront penthouse with guest apartment, Brissago, Lake Maggiore, Ticino, SWITZERLAND. 4 bedrs., 3 bathrs., house: 334 m2, terrace: 176 m2.

Price: CHF 5.850.000. Ref: 7220

“Villalta” near Lugano - one of Ticino’s largest estates, Castelrotto, Lake Lugano, SWITZERLAND. 21 bedrs., 20 bathrs., house: 3.400 m2, land: 100.000 m2.

Price: CHF 11.000.000. Ref: 1019_1

Luxurious modern villa, Agno, Lake Lugano, Ticino, SWITZERLAND 3 bedrs., 4 bathrs., house: 400 m2, land: 2.564 m2.

Price: CHF 6.700.000. Ref: 88336

A private Mediterranean paradise high above Lake Maggiore, Minusio, Lake Maggiore, Ticino, SWITZERLAND. 7 bedrs., 4 bathrs., house: 450 m2, land: 2.804 m2.

Price: CHF 7.450.000. Ref: 1365

Wetag Consulting +41 (0)91 751 31 06 info@wetag.ch www.wetag.ch

VILLÆ 109

www.europeanrealestate.org

Successful international cooperation “The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more,” Dr. J.E. Salk

The productive cooperation between members of EREN continues to grow, and this implies not only an increase in cross-border transactions but also the ability to offer an ever-improving service to our international clients. A signature benefit of working with an EREN member firm is the expertise and high quality of service each member gives its clients, while working cooperatively with the highest degrees of trust and accountability. Here is a sample of case studies from the past few months.

VILLÆ 110

La Tiara di Cervo.Porto Cervo.

...from Ticino to Sardinia...

La Tiara di Cervo.Porto Cervo.

”Realizing that La Tiara di Cervo would likely interest clients of Wetag Consulting, Immobilsarda contacted Wetag Consulting to coordinate a co-promotion to Wetag’s international and Ticino clients.”

The embodiment of EREN’s core values is evident in the recent cooperation between two member firms, Wetag Consulting in the Ticino region of Switzerland, and Immobilsarda in Sardinia, which represents La Tiara di Cervo, a luxury development overlooking the marina of Porto Cervo.

Realising that La Tiara di Cervo would be of interest, Immobilsarda coordinated a co-promotion to Wetag’s international and Ticino clients. The Swiss company created a personalised email newsletter showcasing La Tiara di Cervo, which was sent to appropriate clients. Additionally, Wetag dedicated two articles in its property and lifestyle magazine, WETAGjounal (journal. wetag.ch), and created social media marketing campaigns to further support its EREN colleague. These efforts have brought 20 qualified buyers to La Tiara di Cervo.

Sardinia

VILLÆ 111

…from Vienna to Portugal and Switzerland...

Marschall Real Estate introduced not only a client to its Portuguese EREN partners Quintela & Penalva, but also facilitated a property – an interesting plot of land for development in the Algarve. Its Austrian investor client, meanwhile, has been reviewing properties in Lisbon. Marschall repeated this feat with Wetag in the Ticino region of Switzerland when it helped them list a historic convent in Neggio as well as introduced a client interested in a property in the area.

Algarve

Neggio

Sardinia

“This exclusive detached villa in the traditional Costa Smeralda style was designed by a well-known architect, who as a boy lived on the island and fell in love with it.”

Sardinia

…from Vienna to Kitzbühel...

The collaboration between EREN members is of course not limited to cross-border situations.

Gornik Real Estate and Marschall Real Estate collaborate on a regular basis as a lot of requests for the alpine regions come in via the Austrian capital, and recently they shared the listing of an apartment in a highly sought after area of Kitzbühel.

These are just some examples of the on-going interaction between members of EREN that enables its agents to react quickly, efficiently and effectively offer a service that extends well beyond their immediate borders.

VILLÆ 112

Kitzbühel

Sardinia

... and from Valencia to Sardinia.

It was on the 21st august of 2015, through the award winning Rimontgó´s website that we received an urgent request for a property in Sardinia. The client wanted to know more about a villa boasting incredible views over the bay of Pervero. She also asked if it was possible to demolish the property in order to build a new one.

This exclusive detached villa, in the traditional Costa Smeralda style was designed by a well-known international architect who as a boy had lived on the island and fell in love with it. The property was situated only a short distance from the stunning beaches and amenities of Porto Cervo and Abbiadori.

Immediately, Rimontgó contacted the client to better understand what she was looking for. While we were trying to make contact with her, we received a similar request, from another client contacting Rimontgó´s office, requesting the same details about the same house.

The earlier caller turned out to be his assistant. He planned to be in Sardinia for a few days and wanted to visit some villas during his stay.

We immediately referred the client to our colleagues in Sardinia, Immobilsarda, and they took care of the client’s request, keeping us updated.

Immobilsarda arranged a first viewing with the client Eric, his wife and five month-old baby, on the 19th September 2015. Eric visited several houses including

VILLÆ 113

Sardinia

the one he initially enquired about, as well as some plots to develop. During the viewings the couple fell in love with one house, Casa Nana, and Eric rescheduled a viewing for 30th September to meet with its Austrian owner, who had built the home and taken care of every little detail, from building to furnishing and landscaping. They instantly liked each other and got on like a ´house on fire´.

The property however had some permit issues that needed to be resolved, pushing the sale back to October 2016. This did not put Eric off, who patiently waited for all the documents to be in place.

Eric and his family are now enjoying their lovely villa in Sardinia, an idyllic place for sailing - one of their personal passions.

MEMBERS OF EREN 2017

AUSTRIA MARSCHALL IMMOBILIEN. Vienna A modern, dynamic company that combines its technical know-how and knowledge of the local property market with a customerorientated service. Providing a key brokerage and surveying service to private buyers and investors, embassies, trusts and foundations, the firm offers a portfolio of upmarket residential properties, commercial real estate and industrial premises.

Währinger Straße 2-4 1090 Wien – Austria Tel: +43 – 1 – 533 20 30 Fax : +43 – 1- 533 20 30 30 office@marschall.at • www.marschall.at

GORNIK IMMOBILIEN. Kitzbühel For more than 20 years a well established real estate agency primary specializing in premium properties in Kitzbühel. The clients trust our professional and reliable consultation as well as our absolute discretion. The company also offers legal advice and after sale services with local authorities, craftsmen and property management.

Aschbachfeld 5 A-6370 Kitzbühel - Austria Tel.: +43 5356 72160 Fax: +43 5356 62032 office@immobilien-kitz.com www.immobilien-kitz.com

FRANCE MAXWELL BAYNES REAL ESTATE. Bordeaux Bringing Bordeaux to the World and the World to Bordeaux. Long established market leaders listing the finest real estate that no one else hears about. Specialist teams include: residential sales, vineyard transaction management and vineyard M&A work.

Le Presbytère Gabiran 33350 Mérignas +33 (5) 57 84 08 82 info@maxwellbaynes.com www.maxwellbaynes.com

GERMANY ZABEL PROPERTY AG. Berlin A leading property firm in the heart of the German capital, Zabel Property AG services clients from all corners of the globe in the selling and buying of high-end residential projects exclusively in central Berlin. Zabel Property AG is a reputed property consultancy for developers, and is deeply involved in the project planning, individual marketing and sales strategies of its development projects.

Unter den Linden 14 10117 Berlin, Germany +49 (0) 30 88 66 000 info@zabel.com www.zabel.com

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ITALY

PORTUGAL

SPAIN

COFIM. Verona Founded in 1978, Cofim is a leading property firm in the Veneto region that specialises in both sales and rentals. A reputation for exhaustive due diligence gives their clients the assurance that the properties offered have been objectively and critically assessed.

QUINTELA & PENALVA. Lisbon A dynamic leading boutique real estate agency, situated in the heart of Lisbon and Estoril. Quintela & Penalva Real Estate specializes in the high-end and luxury residential market. With a team of over 40 professional consultants and local expertise, Quintela & Penalva Real Estate offers one stop advisory solutions to meet clients needs.

AMAT LUXURY. Barcelona Ambassadors of the Mediterranean Way of Life as we offer a selection of properties characterized by Mediterranean culture, Amat Luxury is focused on luxury properties in Barcelona and primarily residential areas.

We are a family business with over 70 years in the Catalan real estate market which supports our experience, professionalism and excellence in customer care.

Stradone Porta Palio, 16/A. 37122 Verona - Italy Tel: +39 – 045 – 800 11 99 Fax: +39 – 045 – 800 26 96 argentieri@cofimimmobiliare.it www.cofimimmobiliare.it

IMMOBILSARDA. Sardinia - Porto Cervo.

Leading high-end real estate specialist in Sardinia – Costa Smeralda for over 35 years. Providing brokerage and surveying services as well as project management and valuations. Immobilsarda guarantees an invaluable local knowledge and an extensive portfolio of high quality properties for sale and rent, seafront villas and estates, luxury golf resort projects, championing sustainable developments.

Via Nazionale 28.

07028 Santa Teresa di Gallura - Italy Tel: +39-0789-754500 Fax: +39-0789-754371 Piazzetta degli Archi, 2 07020 Porto Cervo - (OT) - Italy Tel. +39-0789-909000 Fax. + 39-0789-909022 Piazza Quadra 7 07026 - Porto Rotondo (OT) - Italy Tel. +39.0789.381024 Piazzetta Mare 07020 Porto Rafael – (OT) - Italy Tel. +39.0789.700381 immobilsarda@immobilsarda.com www.immobilsarda.com

LA COMMERCIALE. Rome This property specialist for Rome and the surrounding province of Lazio is a leading brokerage, accredited by the Chamber of Commerce to operate with the Real Estate Stock Exchange of Rome, and entrusted with the sale of luxury city properties, large historical country estates and commercial real estate.

Lungotevere dei Mellini 44.

00193 Rome - Italy Tel: +39 06 3200613.

Fax: +39 06 3218100 lacommerciale@lacommerciale.org www.lacommerciale.org

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Rua Rodrigo da Fonseca, 178A 1070 – 243 Lisbon Tel: +351 212 454 059 Avenida de Sabóia, 514 2765 – 277 Monte Estoril Tel: +351 211 972 056

Balmes 345 08006 Barcelona- Spain Bonavista 63 08960 Sant Just Desvern (Barcelona)-Spain Pl. Can Cadena 2 08197 Vallodreix (Barcelona)- Spain

international@quintelaepenalva.pt www.quintelaepenalva.pt

Rambla de Can Mora 10 08172 Sant Cugat (Barcelona)- Spain

SWITZERLAND

Tel: (+34) 934 529 960 guifre.homedes@amatimmo.cat www.amatluxury.com

WALDE & PARTNER IMMOBILIEN AG Zurich, Lucerne.

Walde & Partner Immobilien are the leading independent real estate agents for prime, exclusive properties in the Germanspeaking region of Switzerland. Founded in 1985, Walde & Partner operates with a staff of 50 at its four offices in and around Lake Zurich and Lucerne. The Brand Walde & Partner Immobilien stands for quality, professionalism and the highest level of customer satisfaction.

RIMONTGÓ. Valencia, Jávea Specialising in Valencia and northern Costa Blanca regions, Rimontgó is a wellestablished family business that has been building, marketing and selling quality villas and apartments since 1959. Rimontgó’s multilingual team offers a full range of residential and commercial property services, ensuring the company’s success in a vibrant region of Spain.

Alte Landstrasse 107 CH-8702 Zollikon - Switzerland Tel. +41 44 396 60 60 Fax. +41 44 396 60 90 eren@walde.ch • www.walde.ch

WETAG. Locarno, Ascona, Lugano A leading specialist in high-end real estate in the Ticino region of Switzerland since the 1970s, Wetag is also the exclusive representative of leading international real estate organisations such as EREN and The Leading Real Estate Companies of the World.

Via della Pace 1 a CH-6601 Locarno - Switzerland Tel: +41-91-751 31 06 Fax: +41-91-751 96 38 Via Beato Berno, 10 CH-6612 Ascona - Switzerland Tel: +41-91-791 29 20 Fax: +41-91-791 77 66

Avda. Cristo del Mar, 21 03730 Jávea (Alicante) - Spain Tel. +34 965 791 035 Fax. +34 965 795 129 Po. Amanecer, bl 9, local 10 03730 Jávea (Alicante) - Spain Tel. +34 966 470 983 Fax. + 34 966 470 983 Gran Vía Marqués del Turia, 62 46005 Valencia - Spain Tel.+34 963 504 444 Fax. +34 963 504 445 rimontgo@rimontgo.es www.rimontgo.com

UK EREN HEAD OFFICE London 73 Watling Street London EC4M 9BJ - United Kingdom bod@europeanrealestate.org www.europeanrealestate.org

Riva Antonio Caccia, 3 CH-6900 Lugano - Switzerland Tel: +41-91-994 68 51 Fax: +41-91 -994 68 52 info@wetag.ch • www.wetag.ch

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It is not the strongest of species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change.

Charles Darwin English Naturalist, 1809 – 1882

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LONDON GENEVA BERLIN ROME VALENCIA MARBELLA BARCELONA ZÜRICH KITZBÜHEL TUSCANY PARIS LISBON JAVEA VENICE MADRID LUGANO VERONA MILAN SARDINIA VIENNA

EREN HEAD OFFICE 73 Watling Street London EC4M 9BJ - United Kingdom

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