When looking at luxury listings on the market around the world this month, the Washington Post noticed housing trends that also speak to what buyers are looking for. Today's buyers no longer want large, luxury mansions, and will trade space for amenities that suit their high-end lifestyle. They crave private gyms, home theaters, wine cellars, and smart home automation.
Washington Post reporter Kathy Orton presents 10 luxury homes on the market. Here are a few:
WILDING ROAD, QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND- $13 million
Features: The sprawling property is part of the Terraces community of Lake Hayes, which is in the Wakatipu Basin on New Zealand’s South Island. It is near two championship golf courses, the Hills and Millbrook. The 7,534-square-foot house was designed by Wellington architect Hugh Tenant and built by Mark Stewart of Arrowtown. The five-bedroom, four-bathroom home has concrete tilt slab walls on the exterior. On the interior, Euro Beech ply sourced from Denmark and hardwood floors in Pacific poplar sourced from Papua New Guinea add warmth to the concrete walls covered in plaster. The outdoor decks cover more than 2,000 square feet. The indoor pool has a diving board and jet system. The cedar-lined sauna can accommodate five people. The property includes a pond with a waterfall and meditation platform.
SATURNUSRINGEN, LIDINGO, SWEDEN- $4.2 million
Features: Lidingo, an island in the inner Stockholm archipelago, is Sweden’s third-wealthiest municipality. Located northeast of the city, Lidingo was founded in the early 1900s and has a population of just over 31,000. It is known for hiking and biking trails, beaches and large meadows. Located 20 minutes from Stockholm, the modern villa is on the southern shoreline of Lidingo. The three-level home was built in 2008. A glass facade offers sweeping water views. Multiple terraces and patio enjoy morning and evening light. The 3,616-square-foot house has six bedrooms. The master suite is on the top level. Long stairs descend to a large dock that is sailboat depth and has space for multiple boats. The gated property is well secured with alarms and camera surveillance.
PETITE-RIVIÈRE-SAINT-FRANÇOIS, QUEBEC, CANADA- $1.3 million
Features: About an hour east of Quebec City, Petite-Rivière-Saint-François is the oldest settlement in the Charlevoix region, dating back to 1675. The narrow strip of land tucked between Le Massif ski resort and the St. Lawrence River is home to fewer than 1,000 people. Le Massif features the highest vertical drop in Eastern Canada. The 4,059-square-foot chalet was designed by Canadian architecture firm Bourgeois Lechasseur. It was featured in the magazine Wallpaper. Built in 2014, the three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is perched on a promontory that overlooks the St. Lawrence River. Large panes of glass that stretch from floor to ceiling offer unimpeded views. Rich wood slats on the ceiling warm the sleek, modern interior.
