Seafarers would call out with glee when land appearing on the horizon marked the end of an arduous voyage, and possibly signified the beginning of a new life.  A look at the positioning of this luxury real estate in Manalapan Beach, Florida could inspire anyone to dream of their ideal waterfront lifestyle. 

The amazing plot in Florida’s Gold Coast encompasses over five-and-a-half acres with approximately 500 feet of frontage on both the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway.  Private beach and dockage possibilities add to the appeal of the perfect spot for the ultimate Florida luxury home or homes.  This slice of South Florida waterfront paradise is listed by Premier Estate Properties, Inc. for $42,900,000.

I don’t know much about the city of Marrakech, but after looking at this Marrakech luxury home, I think I want to learn more.  The property is designated as a “riad,” which is defined as “a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden”…see, I’m already learning. 

The palace-like estate features interior courtyards and an amazing indoor pool that harmonize with the traditional Moroccan stylings.  What I also find interesting are the contemporary touches, including a fully automated theater and an elevator, which add modern convenience but don’t take away from the amazing home’s conventional charms.  The magnificent home is listed by WETAG Consulting.

Now I’m off to read up on Marrakech…or should I say the “Red City”?

Dubbed Coral Cove, this 1937 estate was designed by Phineas Paist, noted for his work on Miami’s famous Villa Vizcaya on scenic Biscayne Bay.  The charm and grace of a bygone era remain in the estate and combine with modern amenities, including tennis court and an Olympic size swimming pool.

If the 11,200 square feet of living space offered by the Coral Gables luxury home and 1.5 acres of property on the Coral Gables Waterway don’t offer enough room to stretch your legs, fear not: the property also includes a private island in the Florida Keys.  Situated 18 miles from Miami in the waters of Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, the island features two guest houses, swimming pool and boat dockage. An even more private getaway from your private getaway, I suppose.

The historic and unique $22,000,000 luxury property is listed by Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell, Inc. 

My French skills (read: Google’s ‘Language Tools’) tell me that Le Reve is French for “the dream.” Sited on 70 acres north of Atlanta, the Le Reve estate is a magnificent property with a $45,000,000 listing price that will keep its acquisition a dream for most.  The buyer who is fortunate enough to obtain the amazing estate will enjoy unmatched amenities, which include a private 18-hole world-class golf course, 12-car garage, first-class equestrian facilities, regulation bowling alley, and a replica of Atlanta’s famous Fox Theatre.

Talk about a dream: play a round of golf, bowl a few games and catch a couple of movies in an amazing theater- all without leaving the intimate confines of your own 70 acres and 47,000 square foot home.

Georgia’s most expensive estate is listed by Jenny Pruitt and Associates, Inc.

In Chicago, we have the famous Old Water Tower which survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.  Today the tower serves as a visitor information center and stands as a landmark reminding citizens of the Second City’s recovery from the blaze.  Along with an impressive shopping center, nearby Water Tower Place showcases some amazing luxury homes, including this corner unit with breathtaking city views.  The home also boasts exquisite finishes including stone and marble, Smart Tech home technology, and a master suite with his and hers baths and closets.

Almost halfway around the world from Water Tower Place in Chicago stands a luxury home that takes the notion of water tower luxury living to a different level.  Brussels, Belgium is the setting for this unique luxury property that has been refitted from an actual old water tower.  The bright and spacious residence with a contemporary flair includes two apartments and boasts amazing views from the terrace.  And I’m guessing the plumbing is top-notch.

Last year, after a trip through rural Canada, Montana and North Dakota, those grand expanses of wilderness and/or nothingness, I was relieved to get back to Chicago and city life.  But now, after hardly leaving the city (except to travel to other cities) for quite a while, I am eager to escape.  Seeing the movie Into the Wild made me want to shred my credit cards, burn my money, grow a beard* and hike through the wild to live on my own.  Luckily, the end of the movie changed my mind before I took such drastic measures - but I did find a compromise that would allow me to get rid of my money (at least $52.5 million of it)* and immerse myself in nature: buying the Canaan Valley Ranch in Suches, Georgia.  The 185-acre property in the North Georgia Mountains, with its lakes, streams, apple orchards and grazing horses, would certainly quench my thirst for escape.  This soul-satisfying property is listed with Jenny Pruitt and Associates.

*Author has neither $52.5 million nor the ability to grow a beard.

The scenic and spectacular El Rojo Grande Ranch (which of course is Spanish for The Rojo Grande Ranch) is an extraordinary piece of property sited on 173 acres amid the picturesque red rocks of Sedona.  This amazing acreage is divided into three major sections: the Residential Complex, El Rojo Grande Ranch equestrian facility, and The Park at El Rojo Grande Ranch.

The main luxury home of the Residential Complex encompasses over 6,700 square feet and showcases a Southwestern style interior that melds the home with its breathtaking surroundings. Check out the view from the living area below- it’s okay if you’re into the whole jaw-dropping beauty thing. Terraces, patios and a pool allow further enjoyment on the environment. Additional residential space is offered in a large guest house, as well as caretaker’s quarters.

At just over 9 acres, the equestrian facility offers a veterinary clinic, offices, multiple barns, storage areas and arenas, and even a locker room and shower for ranch hands.  The park is 2.5 acres at the base of the dramatic red rocks with picnic tables, grass areas and stone fireplace.  You can enjoy it as a peaceful retreat or as a gathering place for special events.  After seeing the pictures and reading the features of this slice of Southwestern sophistication, the $29,000,000 price tag seems like a bargain.  More gorgeous photos and information on El Rojo Grande Ranch can be found here. The property is listed by Russ Lyon Realty Company.

When I picture a “green” house, I imagine a mud hut with a thatched roof and no electricity.  That, or a glass building full of plants.  My preconceived notions have been shattered, however, thanks to the James Dean House in Delaware Township, New Jersey, listed with N.T. Callaway Real Estate.  This former farmhouse has been completely restored using green design strategies to minimize its environmental impact - while ensuring that the outcome was a gorgeous luxury home (no thatched roof).

Builder and owner Lise Thompson of Conservation Development used recycled and “healthy” materials wherever possible and equipped the home with high-tech amenities.  Among the green features: a high-efficiency HVAC system to reduce energy consumption, zero-VOC paints (which, after some research, I learned basically means that the paints are not made with harmful chemicals), ozone-friendly rigid spray foam insulation and an advanced drainage system that channels water to a rain garden in the lower corner of this former farm’s 2.4 landscaped acres.

In addition to being earth-friendly, this pastoral home – surrounded by magnolia trees, pink dogwoods, weeping cherry apple trees, forsythias and white birches – is luxurious as well.  The master bedroom occupies a wing by itself and commands a broad view of the property.  In the tower, the family bathroom – equipped with a platform soaking tub, luxury fixtures, radiant heated marble floor and clerestory windows that gaze up to the trees and sky – is a place to relax and indulge. 

Yes - you can indulge in a “green” house - and it doesn’t require pumping your bathwater from a well.

I recently wrote about a former dairy barn that had been turned into a luxury home. The home is amazing, and while browsing other luxury homes recently I found that the barn to luxury home transformation isn’t an isolated occurrence.  I discovered three more luxury former barns- all listed by Houlihan Lawrence.  The first offers supreme luxury on 7 beautiful acres.  The barn is from 1935, with additional house built in 2001, all renovated to perfection in 2005.  Contemporary bathroom design and fresh fixtures mingle with beamed ceilings and fieldstone walls to create a luxury home filled with both history and modern style and convenience.  Try and remember not to stack hay on top of the pool table located in one of the lofts. 

This next barn dates back to the 1800s and has been renovated into an amazing 4,400-plus square foot luxury home.  The great room shows the cathedral beamed ceiling hovering beautifully over the cozy living area with bluestone floors.  The completely updated home rules over three acres including lush pines and a pond. View the exterior, amazing setting, and other photos here.

A converted 1850s cow barn in Katonah, New York is the last stop on today’s luxury barn tour.  Original barn doors open into the architect renovated interior with exposed-beam ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, brick-floored dining area, barn-sided kitchen and much more.  The home rests on 9 bucolic, gated acres with mature trees, perennial gardens, meadowland and an in-ground pool- which I believe the cows once dove into head first. (That last statement is completely false…everyone knows cows prefer to dive into a pool cannonball style).

Were you born in a barn?

If that traditionally derogatory question is posed to you, wouldn’t it be nice to shoot back with ‘no, but I live in a luxury barn!’? You could do just that if you were privileged enough to call this award-winning former barn home.  This luxury home was built inside the shell of a 1940s dairy barn and sits on a tranquil acre within prestigious Fairfax County, Virginia- the county with the highest median household income of any county in the United States.

The barn (home) boasts an open floor plan with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths and a two-car garage.  The interesting history of the home (barn) is combined with modern amenities to create a truly unique luxury residence.  Some of those amenities include a media room, bar, parlor, flagstone patio and chef’s kitchen with all the modern finishes. 

You can see more, read more, or send an inquiry to McEnearney Associates, Inc. regarding this barn (home) here.