Letter from the Editor: The High Life
11/01/2007
We are continually striving to find both innovative and efficient ways of living, and recent building developments are certainly reflecting this. As our needs change, so do the homes we create for ourselves, and those homes are shifting upward, literally. High-rise condominiums are breaking ground and selling out faster than we can announce them to our readers, condo hotels are cropping up everywhere and buyers are flocking to sleek luxury apartments, lofts and penthouses. In fact, we launched a new magazine just to keep up, Robb Report Vertical Living (www.verticallivingmagazine.com). So why the sudden rush toward the sky?More than ever, view-rich, light-filled condominiums are being built with their residents’ every need in mind. Architects are using sustainable, nontoxic materials; units are being outfitted with state-of-the-art appliances and smart technology; and developers are piling on tempting amenities, from pools and spas to gourmet restaurants and 24-hour concierge service. Empty nesters, retiring boomers and up-and-coming singles alike are seeking a more communal lifestyle that is smarter, friendlier and healthier than before.
We sought the best examples of this way of life for our feature on luxury condominiums and condo hotels. Aside from notable architecture styles, the developments we included also seem to offer an accommodation for every possible whim, from sleek gyms to community lounges to personal valets, sommeliers and trainers.
And for those of you who love those amenities but prefer to stay beneath the cloud line, there are brilliant low-rise options, especially on the West Coast and in exotic locales around the globe. The whitewashed Mediterranean-style villas on Anguilla—under the prestigious St. Regis hotel brand—beckon with attractions such as private golf course privileges and varied ownership options. Established names like Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons and the Ritz-Carlton are offering luxurious choices in delicious locations as well.
In addition to our focus on high-rises this month, we explore the world of stylish, green prefab houses that go up in a snap; we visit an art collector’s sophisticated pied-à-terre above the rooftops of Manhattan; and, if we’ve tempted you enough to make an offer on a penthouse, we found stunning furnishings to make it perfect. It just might be time to snag your piece of the sky.