1. 5/11/11 6:33 PMTHE ADDRESS : The Business of Extraordinary Living : Presented by Sotheby's International Realty
Page 1 of 4http://online.wsj.com/ad/article/sir-address-legends
LIVING LEGENDS
Every House Has a Story; Truly Special Properties Have History
By Paula Story
Imagine sitting above the southern curve of the Grand Canal, reading She Walks in Beauty in the same
Venetian apartment once owned by England’s preeminent Romantic poet, Lord Byron. Or picture
yourself strolling the halls of an ancient castle that for centuries has played host to European
politicians and royal families. You could research your lineage and perhaps find a stone castle in
Slovakia where an ancestor once ruled. Maybe there remains a hacienda in Mexico where a great,
great uncle once roamed vast acres of grazing land. Who knows? A spectacular example of turn-of-
the-century architecture and environmental planning in the mountain wilderness outside New York
City could be the site where a great aunt hosted grand picnics in a nature preserve now known as
Tuxedo Park.
Buying an historic property is more than purchasing a unique piece of the past; it is an investment in
a living legend. Residing in such a place of craftsmanship, lore and genuine old-world beauty takes
you far beyond simply following in the footsteps of noble princes, scandalous poets, nameless master
craftsmen, family relatives or celebrated personalities of earlier eras. Owning a truly historic home
opens a window to hundreds or even thousands of years of insight into who we are as a people,
culture and society.
While many properties have a story, only a very select few have authentic history. The definition of an
historic home depends upon a combination of criteria, of which only one is age. In some cases,
location alone is enough to secure historic status. Other times, designation by a governing body
signifies an area of special historical interest. Or it could be as simple as who was born there, who
visited, who designed it, or its cultural, political, religious or archeological significance.
The Sotheby’s International Realty network has unique insight into some of the world’s most
extraordinary historic properties. We talked to a selection of firms in some of the most desirable
markets to discover what to look for, what the benefits are, and what you need to know when seeking
to purchase a spectacular historic home.
New York
By Cindy Booth Van Schaack, President/Owner Towne & Country Properties Sotheby’s International Realty
Located about 45 minutes northwest of Manhattan in the Ramapo
Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, United States
$1,595,000 USD
About This Property
Just Reduced. 4 Remaining. Mesmerizing river views are yours to
enjoy from nearly every room at this beautifully built new home,
now available in River Landing just… View Details »
Andy Warhol’s “Sixteen Jackies” Expected to Sell for $30
Million at Sotheby’s in New York:… http://fb.me/sCwVUZmW
Location vs. Price:
http://www.coloradodreamhouse.com/index.php/real-estate-
and-internet/location-vs-price/ http://fb.me/EJ4qP2FZ
Check out Living in: Miami on BBC.com!
http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20110503-living-in-miami
http://fb.me/V4LWwSTe
Like No Other: The Auberge Residences at Element 52 are
located at the base of the Telluride Ski Resort,…
http://fb.me/Yv9YdJcQ
The Fall and Rise of Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema:
http://online.wsj.com/ad/article/sir-brand?WC=TABBrand
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A Selection of Fine Properties
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2. 5/11/11 6:33 PMTHE ADDRESS : The Business of Extraordinary Living : Presented by Sotheby's International Realty
Page 2 of 4http://online.wsj.com/ad/article/sir-address-legends
Mountains, the 2,600-acre Tuxedo Park is widely known for its
collection of eclectic historic homes. Conceived in the late1800s by
tobacco magnate Pierre Lorillard IV, Tuxedo Park was the country’s first
gated community.
Lorillard commissioned an architect by the name of Bruce Price, who was known primarily for his
stone and shingle style of architecture, to design some of the most prestigious homes, including Turtle
Point and Boulder Point. In the early days, an owner had to be invited to build at Tuxedo Park.
Consequently, many of the original owners were very wealthy or famous people who also had estates
in areas such as Newport, Rhode Island. Such famous turn-of-the-century architects as McKim Mead
& White, James Brown Lord, Bruce Price and Warren & Wetmore were hired to design the early
homes, many of which have maintained their architectural integrity. In fact, it is not uncommon to
encounter families that have lived in Tuxedo Park homes for more than 50 years, while other homes
have had only a few owners in more than a century.
Typical of the Tuxedo Park homes are burled walnut fireplaces with hand-carved mantelpieces, high
ceilings, intricate crown and base moldings carved from imported wood, leaded-glass diamond-paned
windows, exquisite brickwork, beautiful railings and handmade marble staircases with solid bronze
railings. Many homes have beautiful hand-painted murals on the walls. To recreate a house built in
that time period today would be astronomically expensive.
Mexico
By Edgar Santamaria, Chief Executive Officer, Sotheby’s International Realty Mexico
From the pre-Hispanic pyramids, palaces and lost cities, to the colonial
churches, monasteries, government mansions and haciendas, you can
find a rich variety of historic properties in Mexico, each of which
contributes to the structure of Mexican society today and is a silent
witness to the country’s past and present.
Haciendas were primarily designed as farming units that eventually transformed into authentic
microcosms of social, economic and political life, similar in importance and influence to the capital
cities of the Mexican provinces. The hacienda system worked very effectively and had a major place in
Mexico’s history for more than 300 years as the epicenter of the wealth in the country’s major
industrial regions.
Since they concentrated the principal wealth of a region, haciendas were the main centers of
development, and each was designed for a specific agricultural purpose – forestry, cereals, viniculture,
tobacco, cotton, tequila, henequen (a fiber used for rope or twine), sugar, cattle, mining, or tropical
fruit. Some were even constructed to house religious orders.
The open construction of the hacienda is generally defined by a wall or structure called the “casco” –
an area where the owners would work, rest and perform daily chores and activities. The casco evolved
from being a modest construction during colonial times to larger and more luxurious designs toward
the end of the presidency of Porfirio Diaz in 1911.
In recent years, hacienda living and vacationing have become increasingly popular, providing a
lifestyle of old-world elegance and romance. Some haciendas maintain their original structure; others
have been remodeled or upgraded to include all the modern conveniences. Thick walls, high vaulted
ceilings, frescos and huge patios – as well as the gardens full of trees and fountains and the chapels
infused with incense – are exceptionally special.
Mallorca
By Stefan Greim, Managing Director M.B.A, Mallorca Sotheby’s International Realty
Distinct architecture and style are what make a Mallorcan property truly
stand out as a historical residence – with features such as stone façades,
thick walls, inner courtyards, bodegas and wine cellars. Between the 17th
and 19th centuries, owning one of these palaces, located either in the
center of a city or within walking distance of the sea, was regarded as a
sign of wealth and nobility.
Some of these buildings have been passed down through the generations, while many have been
converted over the years into apartments, museums, or even luxury boutique hotels.
In the historic Mallorcan countryside, income came primarily from almonds, olives, grapes, oranges
and lemons. Although tourism has since replaced agriculture as the island’s leading revenue stream,
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3. 5/11/11 6:33 PMTHE ADDRESS : The Business of Extraordinary Living : Presented by Sotheby's International Realty
Page 3 of 4http://online.wsj.com/ad/article/sir-address-legends
historic rural fincas and their accompanying land continue to be of great value as either residences,
hotels, or agrotourism destinations.
The architecture and interior décor of a typical Mallorcan home – clay tile, wooden beams, high
ceilings and precision carpentry – add significant value to a historical property where age and
authenticity are equally important.
Slovak Republic
By Veronika Blahova, Managing Partner, Corpia Sotheby´s International Realty
What makes a home or property in Slovakia truly historic? It’s the age,
the story, the legend. Slovakia is rich in monuments, castles and
chateaux, and every region boasts numerous historical buildings.
According to the Monuments Board of the Slovak Republic, there are as
many as 12,919 immovable cultural monuments in the country; the
greatest part of which is represented by burgess houses, churches, folk
architecture, manor houses and palaces.
The first stone castles were built in the 11th and 12th centuries, but the major building expansion
began shortly after the Tatars invaded the territory in 1241. Every Slovakian castle or mansion has its
own unique value or legend. No two castles even look or seem alike.
Generally speaking, a Slovakian property’s value depends on many factors, the most important being
its location and state of repair. If you go deeper in exploring the real beauty of Slovak historical
properties, you will find many very special qualities that are unique to the national culture, like the
baroque style. You can feel and see this influence of unique Slovak culture everywhere.
November 8, 2010— I recently read an article pondering the long term affects of the iPad on the
newspaper industry. For years we have been hearing that print media is dead; however, now with the
advent of this hybrid digital print medium which has offered a new avenue to consume news we are
left to wonder what the future holds for newspapers. I believe the new tablet technology and recent
mass market introduction will force newspapers to once again adapt. The iPad and other tablets are
exactly what newspapers need right now to continue to be a game player in our world of free, easily
accessible news. In addition to news consumption, consumers are reaching to these new devices for the
next big thing in real estate. Many real estate companies have begun developing apps for property
searches so consumers can easily access and digest market information. The days of MLS books are
long gone and computer based searches are falling quickly in line to be out dated. Tablet technology is
exactly what the real estate market needs right now to efficiently guide consumers through the buying
and selling process.
So what do you think: Is the iPad really the savior of the newspaper industry and how are you using
your iPad to navigate the uncertain real estate waters?
— David Boehmig, president and founder, Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty in Georgia

4. 5/11/11 6:33 PMTHE ADDRESS : The Business of Extraordinary Living : Presented by Sotheby's International Realty
Page 4 of 4http://online.wsj.com/ad/article/sir-address-legends
Bob Mitchell @ Home
Center Sotheby's
International Realty
11/26/10 4:06pm
Note on Flash:
I too, was hot for the iPad until I test drove one. Our SIR website uses
Flash to play the great hi-def slide shows of our listings. On an iPad
there’s a prompt to download Adobe Flash but when you do, you’re told
that is not compatible. No Flash makes the iPad a no-go for me.
Tablets are iffy as well. After trying a bunch, it seems that any tablet
running Android 2.1 or less won’t work. The Samsung Tab (Android 2.2)
worked well but at a price around $600.
There’s also an alternate browser that I bought for my iPhone (no Flash
there either), which does play Flash files. It’s called Skyfire. It may be
compatible with some of the non-Flash tablets as well but it does not
support the Flash used on the SIR site.
Another concern is the tablet size. They seem to fall into the iPad 10” size
or the tablet 7” size. I wonder if PowerPoint on a 7” screen is too small.
On the other hand is a 10” tablet a little too big to be with you all the
time?
Magical Marrakech
In 1938, George Orwell and his wife made their way to a Marrakech villa for the winter to help improve the author’s health.
The Rabbi and Frank Lloyd Wright
Rabbi Mortimer J. Cohen was a visionary with chutzpah
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Casa Ventana
Tamarindo, Costa Rica
$2,500,000 USD
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