Since I frequently write about green homes, anything related to energy efficient real estate grabs my attention, as did the recent release by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and its Committee on the Environment’s (COTE) top 10 examples of sustainable architecture for 2009. These projects will be honored at the annual AIA convention in San Francisco from April 30 to May 2. While this annual list typically includes commercial and government buildings, schools and churches, this year’s honorees include two residential projects: Synergy at Dockside Green and Gish Apartments.

Synergy at Dockside Green is a mixed-use development on a former brownfield site in Victoria, British Columbia. The first community in the world to receive a LEED Platinum certification, according to designer Perkins+Will, Synergy includes a nine-story residential tower with commercial units on the ground floor; a two-story townhouse building; a six-story building with commercial units on the ground floor; and a four-story residential building. Sustainable elements include an integrated energy system that ensures the development will be greenhouse gas neutral, on-site wastewater treatment estimated to save more than 70,000 gallons of water annually, rooftop gardens, a car co-op with a Smart Car, Energy Star appliances, heat recovery ventilation units and Low-E double-glazed windows.

Gish Apartments in San Jose, Calif., is a transit-oriented apartment complex that breaks new ground for both design and green building. Also located on a brownfield site, Gish was built using locally produced materials and it offers a 25.7 percent improved efficiency over the state’s standards and a 36 percent reduction in indoor water usage compared to a conventional home. Gish is the only affordable housing development in the U.S. to receive both LEED for Homes and LEED NC Gold certification.

According to AIA, projects honored by the Top Ten Green program have an integrated approach to architecture, natural systems and technology. Typically, the projects use strategies such as the re-use of existing structures, a connection to transit systems, low-impact and regenerative site development, energy and water conservation, the use of sustainable or renewable construction materials and implementing designs that improve indoor air quality.

Unlike other awards, the Top Ten Green program pays as much attention to design as it does to performance. “In architecture, performance and aesthetics are inextricably linked. The COTE Top Ten is one of the very few awards that evaluates performance and design,” said the jury.  “Other awards and organizations look strictly at performance without care for how a building looks.” Look for more green stories in the next issue of Unique Homes magazine. Photo courtesy Synergy Dockside Green. —Camilla McLaughlin

During a recession, tons of deals jump up all over the place. Some are worth the price and others are accompanied by catches and fine print sure to cause a headache. Decide for yourself concerning this deal:

In Leesburg, Va., a 2-story, 2,500-plus-square-foot, 1880s farmhouse is being offered for $1, but the land beneath it is not for sale, so the future owner will have to pay to have the house moved to his or her location of choice.

Currently on the 8-acre property of the Loudoun Country Day School, the home will have to be removed from the lot when the school moves this summer to a new $32 million, 70-acre campus. Blacksburg, Va.-based company H.H. Hunt is turning the 8-acre lot into a $12 million assisted living residence.

Bo Cook, director of development at H.H. Hunt, explains that the buyer will need to seek permission from the town, the county and possibly the Virginia Department of Transportation in order to cart the house away. So far, three serious offers have been made on the farmhouse, by a nonprofit organization, a medical facility and someone who wanted to convert it to short-term housing.

– Sarah Binder

After reviewing 678 entries, the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) has reported 10 latest kitchen and bath trends for 2009. The finalists’ designs will be presented in a photo gallery display at the NKBA’s Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference from April 30 to May 3rd at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga.

"The trends spotted in this year’s competition are a great example of what’s to come in kitchen and bath design," said President of the NKBA Suzie Williford. "Each new trend will help turn a room into a well-designed, classic space."

The top 10 design elements for 2009 are as follows:

Steel counters: Stainless steel is emerging as a new countertop favorite in kitchen design by creating a sleek, modern look that ties in perfectly with stainless-steel appliances. It’s part of a styling trend, which combines the ingredients of a commercial-style kitchen with the warmth of cherry cabinets and natural stone floor, creating a room that is efficient, yet comfortable.

Black and white kitchens: Eschewing color, dramatic black and white color schemes are becoming the norm with its contrast in both value and sheen. The versatility and functionality create visual interest while blending together for a simple feeling.

Mirror, mirror off the wall: We’re seeing mirrors creatively popping up as freestanding furniture pieces, including back-to-back mirrors, sinks and faucets to provide a clear his-and-hers space. 

Resin panels: This year we’re seeing a number of designs with backsplashes made of interesting items such as fabric, mesh and bamboo, encased in plastic panel.

Tin ceilings: Tin ceilings are being increasingly used to make kitchens more visual and provide symmetrical focal points.

Floating cabinets: To create a cleaner, more open feel, many of the latest bathroom designs are eliminating cabinet legs and toe kicks in favor of floating, wall-mounted units. This leaves a large open area beneath the cabinet, which makes the room feel more spacious. 

Stone hearths: Huge, dramatic hearths made of natural stone are becoming more common in kitchens.

Shoji screens: The Asian-influenced shoji screen is now gaining popularity in a number of kitchen designs as they provide separation between kitchens and other living spaces when needed, while still allowing light to pass through.

Chrome is back: After years of yielding to finishes like brushed nickel and oil-rubbed bronze, polished chrome is making a comeback, particularly in bathrooms.

Glass elements: Glass is turning up in countertops and backsplashes.

CHARLOTTE, NC—RealEstate.com recently launched a real estate channel on YouTube for its RealEstate.com, REALTORS® company-owned brokerage, which can be found here: www.youtube.com/realestate. RealEstate.com, REALTORS® will display real estate listings from 20 national markets on YouTube in a video format by collaborating with CirclePix, a national provider of virtual tour services, offering an additional level of exposure for sellers and their listings.

Visitors to the new RealEstate.com, REALTORS® YouTube Web site can search for videos of thousands of homes for sale by entering in criteria such as MLS number, address, city or zip code. After browsing listings details and a virtual tour of the inside and outside of the property, a visitor can call 1.866.285.3226 to be directly connected with a local real estate agent. An agent will help guide the potential homebuyer through the MLS listings and set up appointments to view houses for sale.

"Launching RealEstate.com, REALTORS® on YouTube creates a new, fantastic vehicle for us to reach consumers in way that makes real estate shopping fun and easy," says Greg Hanson, Senior Vice President and General Manager of RealEstate.com. "With the help of CirclePix, we can now provide a way for potential customers to see a virtual tour of available properties while providing our more than 1,100 real estate agents with greater exposure for their real estate listings. It’s certainly a win-win for our customers and our agents."

According to a January 2009 comScore survey, nearly 77 percent of total U.S. Internet users viewed online videos, and YouTube attracted more than 100 million viewers to its millions of online videos. Mr. Hanson adds, "We know most homebuyers start their search online. We also know that Internet users are diverse and that videos of homes for sale provide a new outlet for home shopping versus seeking a local real estate brokerage Web site in each market they are searching. Showcasing our listings to this highly engaged, Internet-savvy audience creates a huge opportunity of greater exposure for our sellers’ listings."

Sarasota, Fla.

In the most significant sale of its type since August 2008, an 18th-floor penthouse above the Ritz-Carlton Hotel—located at 1111 Ritz-Carlton Drive—sold on Monday, March 9th for $3.3 million. Listed on January 26th for $3.995 million, the condominium sold for 90 percent of its original list price and was bound to contract in a mere 16 days. Representing the seller was Linda Driggs of the Main Street office of Michael Saunders & Company. The buyer was represented by Prudential Palms Realty.

With more than 5,000 square feet of living space, the penthouse includes four bedroom suites, a dramatic entry foyer, spacious living room and formal dining room, an eat-in kitchen and a den/library. Incomparable sunset views over the Gulf of Mexico, along with stylishly appointed interiors and the finest in amenities and concierge services offered by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, contributed to the property’s exceedingly short stay on the market.

Monday’s sale was the highest for a luxury condominium since August of 2008, when another penthouse in the same building sold for $3.6 million. In that transaction, Lyn Wiley—of the Main Street office of Michael Saunders & Company—represented the seller; Beth Afflebach and Joan Dickinson, with the Ritz-Carlton office of Michael Saunders & Company, represented the buyer.

– Sarah Binder

Undeveloped, exotic areas such as Costa Rica and Azerbaijan are attracting developers who are creating uber exclusive residences.

In Guanacaste, Costa Rica, resorts such as Rosewood and Ritz-Carlton are in the early stages of development, meaning there is still time to purchase your piece of tranquility.

On Zira Island—located off of Azerbaijan within the Caspian Sea—plans have begun on one of the world’s largest eco-developments. The project will mirror the seven peaks of Azerbaijan, the Bjarke Ingels Group  (architect) tells the New York Times.

—Lauren Varga

Luxuryrealestate.com will award Shari Chase, CEO and president of Chase International, with its Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual spring retreat, which will be held from Sunday, April 26 to Wednesday, April 29. Being held in Las Vegas, Nev., the retreat will host Olympic gold medalist Mary Whipple as its keynote speaker.

Winning an Olympic gold medal and being awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award are not simple tasks; they take perseverance, teamwork and energy. Both Chase and Whipple have exemplified these traits throughout their careers and continue to do so.

According to luxuryrealestate.com, the Lifetime Achievement Award is given twice a year to the Luxury Real Estate member who has set an example for the real estate industry, displayed excellence throughout their career and is truly a legend. For the past 23 year, Chase, president and CEO of Chase International, has been fitting the bill.

An award-winner herself, Whipple will discuss turning weaknesses into strengths, recognizing your place in a team environment as well as acknowledging the importance of one’s teammates. 

—Lauren Varga
 

The Fawcett Ranch House, near Los Banos, Calif., is the state’s only Frank Lloyd Wright residence in the context of a working farm. Listed for $2,700,000, the house is sited on approximately 80 acres of fertile farmland, which support produce and a walnut orchard, in San Joaquin Valley and would make an excellent executive retreat, gentlemen’s farm or single-family home.

A long private drive leads to a flowering parking court in front of the five-bedroom, four-full- and one-half-bath home. The complementary pool, Koi pond and palms create an oasis amongst the valley’s many farms. A separate studio with bath, wine cellar, tractor bay, Japanese garden, aviary, workshop and three-car carport complete the luxurious grounds.

For more information about the event, or to become only the second owner of this sprawling property, contact listing agent Crosby Doe at 310.428.6755 (cell) or 310.275.2222 (office).

– Sarah Binder

The National Auctioneers Association, the nation’s leading association of auction professionals, recently released its 2008 industry survey, which found real estate auctions saw a growth of 1.1 percent from 2007.

"The results of the industry survey are consistent with what we continually hear from auctioneers across the country," said NAA President Randy Wells. "While some sectors of the industry have been impacted by the economy, other have grown or held strong."

Gross receipts from real estate auctions have increased every year since 2003 when the NAA began tracking the industry.

On Sunday, April 19, Sheldon Good & Company Auctions Northeast, a real estate auction company, will be auctioning off 16 band-new, one- and two-bedroom condos at the Hyatt Regency Jersey City Hudson 2 Exchange Place.

Located within The Aristocrat, a luxury condominium in Weehawken, N.J., is positioned for easy access into Manhattan.

"These residences are absolutely stunning inside and out, with an ideal location, plenty of garage parking and amenities throughout," said Lawrence Samberg, managing director of Sheldon Good & Company Auctions, Northeast. "The Aristocrat Condominiums, situated only one block from the ferry into Manhattan, were designed to appeal to those who want the ultimate in luxury with close proximity to Manhattan."

Ranging from 865 to 1,161 square feet in size, the one- and two-bedroom condos were originally priced from $378,900 to $683,900. Suggested opening bids will begin at $150,000. A certified or cashier’s check in amounts from $15,000 is required to buy.

"The development community throughout the United States is increasingly utilizing the real estate auction marketing program as an alternative marketing tool to accelerate the sales of finished and to-be-built residential inventory," said Executive Managing Director of Sheldon Good & Company Auctions, Northeast Jeffrey L. hubbard. "This is truly a win/win scenario for seller and purchaser alike.”

—Lauren Varga

If you don’t mind your neighbors throwing loud, out-of-control parties, you can live next door to the Playboy mansion for only 28 million dollars. Hugh Hefner and his wife, Kimberley Conrad Hefner, who have lived in adjacent mansions since their 1999 separation, are listing Ms. Hefner’s Los Angeles home for $28 million. Standing next door to the Playboy mansion in Holmby Hills, the 1929 brick and wood English manor-style house, on 2.3 acres, measures 7,300 square feet and has a pool and a three-car garage, as well as a door in the wall separating the home from the Playboy mansion. Original wood paneling and a hand-carved staircase are just a few fine highlights.

Joyce Rey and Stacy Gottula, of Coldwell Banker Previews International, are representing the listing, according to The Wall Street Journal.

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Patrick Dempsey, also known as Derek Shepherd/Dr. McDreamy on ABC’s staple drama Grey’s Anatomy, is listing his four-bedroom, five-full- and one-half-bath New England Traditional in Bel-Air for $3.595 million. Though, with his character’s long-awaited nuptials soon to air, the actor’s well equipped home might garner an even higher price.

Perfect for entertaining with adults and children, the gated and hedged property features a pool, brick patio, flat lawn and a matching treehouse with a porch, which sits high up on the slope of the property.

Brett Lawyer, of Sotheby’s International Realty, is representing the listing, according to the Los Angeles Times.

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Eli Stone’s Natasha Henstridge has listed her 3,825-square-foot, five-bedroom, five-bath Sherman Oaks Traditional for $1.75 million. Boasting views of the San Fernando Valley, the home includes an entertainment deck, formal dining room, and hardwood floors and high-beamed ceilings in the public areas. The half-acre lot also offers a pool and a pool deck area.

Henstridge, 34, plays lawyer Taylor Wethersby on the ABC comedy-drama.

Matt Epstein, of RE/MAX on the Boulevard, is representing the listing, according to the Los Angeles Times.

– Sarah Binder