Sinanation

All those years in the U.S. and I have never been to Canada. The closest I got to it was when we drove up to Stowe, VT for skiing. So it is with somewhat of a regret when I talk about this unique apartment in Montreal. It is located inside the 1929 Sir Mortimer B. Davis building, named after the first knighted (by King George) Jewish Canadian tobacco king businessman, Sir Davis. This 600 m2 pad, although not among my favorites, reveals one of the most refreshing and well-preserved interiors and terraces I have seen in a long time. The 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom apartment is on sale for USD 5.8m.

You wake up one morning, get on the computer and check the balance on your bank account. 400-500 million casually lounges in your primary checking. What to do? What to do? Why not buy a private island? You can be the ultimate host with amazing parties or the cool businessman with a luxury boutique hotel.

Here it is. Your very own private island next to the Joe Cay in the Bahamas. 11 rooms, 13 bathrooms, pool, spa, helipad, water-sports station, wildlife and virgin beaches…all the goodies you need to pamper yourself. Going for USD 75m. Ready to make that wire transfer?

A chalet that was originally built in 1760! and renovated in 2007. It is located in Champery, a town 2 hours away from Geneva by car with 1,200 residents, overlooking the Dents du Midi Mountains. 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 fireplaces. The famous Champery – Planachaux cable-car is right at the town center to take skiers to Les Portes du Soleil, the largest international ski area in the world. Can’t get any better than this.

On sale for USD 4m.

First it was that great record company. Then it was that airline everyone couldn’t stop drooling about. Then there was the private island estate even the Hollywood stars craved to go. And this time Sir Richard Branson is back with a full-service private ski lodge in Verbier, Swtizerland. Here is the description from the website:

 The Lodge, Sir Richard Branson’s luxury chalet, can accommodate up to 18 adults in nine bedrooms and up to six children for a superb skiing holiday in Verbier, Switzerland. Rates during the winter season are quoted on seven nights’ exclusive hire for 18 guests, and are priced in British Pounds. You can reserve individual rooms during the winter ski season if the chalet has not been booked for exclusive use six weeks prior to the set arrival date. Rates during the summer season are quoted per room per night based on two adults sharing and priced in British Pounds. The Lodge can be hired exclusively during the summer season. The 13 friendly and experienced staff include a Necker Island trained General Manager, an activities co-ordinator, spa therapist, Raymond Blanc trained chef and Bam Bam – the chalet dog. Each one is dedicated to tailor-making each guest experience…. People may arrive as guests but often leave as friends. The Lodge is part of Virgin Limited Edition, Sir Richard Branson’s collection of unique retreats.

Guests will need to fly to Geneva and then, drive, take the train to Martigny or rent a helicopter to their comfy luxurious ski vacation. The average minimum rate per person for a night’s stay  (minimum stay is 3 nights) at The Lodge comes up to 500 Pounds including all the meals, drinks and the use of the facilities inside the ski in/out chalet. Yes, it is a little pricey but what else can you expect from one of the wealthiest men in the world?

Thanks to the Internet we are all entitled to a bit of violation of privacy and get to learn about the lives of intriguing people we have never personally met. From geniuses such as Steve Jobs to the extravagant rich such as the Ecclestone Family, hundreds of biographies are just a click away on our computer and TV screens.

I got caught up in John Traina’s (deceased in 2011) world after I received an online auction notification from Sotheby’s with his precious cufflinks on display. What struck me about this California magnet was that unlike many other self-made billionaires he was curious, social and daring enough to use his wealth as a means to a hand-picked unique luxurious life. Traina was a San Francisco cruise magnet, the owner of Pearl Cruises which was the first cruise line to reach China from the Americas. The items Mr. Traina left behind certify that he spent his fortune on high quality living. Luxurious mansions, Faberge collections, art, classic cars, tailored suits, rare cufflinks and precious wine were among his list of musts. He was cherished by the business elite, the Hollywood and the European high society. Sophia Lauren was eager to be one of his guests at his summer homes and the famous author Danielle Steel was his 2nd wife. Mr. Traina was married 3 times, all to amazing women who loved him dearly and had 8 children with them.

I have never met John Traina and can’t in any way judge his character, but from what I have read and seen I can tell that he was good at savoring life the way he wanted it to be savored. In the end, isn’t life too short to do it any other way?

Below are a few snapshots from this gentleman’s life and a few pieces from his collection that will be auctioned off by Sotheby’s in New York on 7 December 2011.

Steps away from and overlooking the legendary Eiffel Tower, this 205 m2 Champ De Mars apartment has the potential to be one of the best bachelor pads in Paris. One master bedroom with its own bathroom and walk-in closet opening into the cozy living room and 2 more bedrooms with their own bathrooms. A big dining room to entertain large parties. The kitchen in this one is a definite favorite. Going for USD 6.5m.

Finally a magnificent property from my hometown. A diamond in the rough. The Zeki Pasha Waterside Mansion from the Ottoman Era built in 1900s for an officer of Sultan Abdülhamit now sits quality below the European feet of the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge running over the magnificent Bosphorus.

This 5-story, 3,000 m2 gigantic residence is supposedly owned by two old sisters who can no longer look after the premises. Yes it needs extensive care. Yes the interior decoration has to be completely redone. Yes there will be a constant dirt shower from the traffic on the bridge above (especially during rain). No matter what, I consider The Zeki Pasha Mansion to be one of the most private, glorious and unique houses found on the shores of the Bosphorus.

The unofficial sale price is set at USD 100m+. With that tag, I expect the new owner to be a Russian or an Arab.

Lara, I think you are going to love this one:

This 10 room, ski in/out chalet is located on the ski slopes of Corbeau in Morgins, a unique two-hour drive from Genève (if you take the lac Leman-side route) as you start in Switzerland, pass through France and make it again into Swiss soil. This wooden gem was fully renovated in 2009. 3 floors come with 5 bedrooms, multiple terraces and 6 bathrooms. Offered at USD 5m.

Morgins is part of the Portes du Soleil, known to be the largest ski domain in Switzerland with 200 ski lifts.

Nothing can compete with the comfort of a deep bathtub, but then again we can’t quite disqualify the shower. The one below is from a contemporary villa in La Tour-De-Peilz, Vaud, Switzerland (10 min. drive to Montreux).

This is simply the best shower I have ever seen (although I am not a big fan of the house). Looks cool, rains on you, keeps the feet warm. What else can you ask for?

Incredible weather. A penthouse overlooking one of the most famous beaches in the world. 850 sq. meters. 2 floors. On Ave. Atlantica, next to Copacabana. A private rooftop infinity pool and soaring views from almost all the rooms. Carnivals, New Years, etc. Great friends, unlimited music day and night.

Consider it a vacation home. Consider it a getaway. It is a little far from Istanbul, but who can complain when it is inside a full service luxury condo? The final step is to have the guts to spend USD 8.5m.