We’re looking at dream homes this week on Mansion Global, and while everyone’s pie-in-the-sky, real estate fantasy may be subjective—dependent as it is on factors like location, personal tastes and relationship statuses—we’ve discovered through our weekly column, The Insiders, that certain things are coveted by the gamut of real estate experts we’ve interviewed. Spaces that seamlessly connect indoor and outdoor living, and breathtaking views, for example, almost always top the list of "wants" no matter whom we’re asking and where they live.
Here, a look at what some of our column subjects have had to say on the matter:
Claudio Saputelli, Zurich-based managing director and head of global real estate investment at UBS Wealth Management
I adore pretty, rustic chalets built using primarily natural building materials (such as wood, natural stone, etc.). I’m also particularly keen on historic homes that have been elegantly and stylishly renovated, ideally in the middle of a mountain village. The atmosphere of houses like that is truly unique.
Elizabeth Stribling-Kivlan, New York-based president Stribling & Associates Sometimes it’s a castle in Scotland, sometimes a beach bar in St. Maarten. But for me, waterfront beachfront property is my dream. And I’d kill for a pool in New York.
Daniel Lobitz, New York-based architect, partner at Robert A.M. Stern Architects
A dream property is one with no tradeoffs. I would like five minutes from work, resort-like, spacious beyond belief, yet intimate and manageable. I’d like it to be in the middle of the action but totally private, and it would have views for days, but be completely hidden.
Jamie Mi, Australia-based international relationship executive at Kay & Burton
A period home that’s completely renovated. In Melbourne, you’ll see a lot of beautiful, original homes that are run-down inside. And it’s becoming a real trend to redo them entirely on the inside.
Nela Richardson, D.C.-based chief economist at Redfin First, I would start by describing my dream neighborhood. A place that’s near coffee and doughnuts, and is lively. A vibrant environment helps me think better. But I’d also need a place where you could drop my family of four and have enough room and also be cozy enough to spend time together.
Ryan Serhant, New York-based agent, Nest Seekers International, star of Bravo’s "Million Dollar Listing New York" I am pretty obsessed with the [now no-longer-on-the-market] penthouse at 10 Sullivan St. It’s got that SoHo style—the ceilings are 25 feet, for example—without being in the shopping district of SoHo. And the roof deck is amazing because it’s the tallest residential point in SoHo, so the views are incredible. It’s also massive. It’s like being in a big, beautiful mansion in the sky.
Hana Cha, Los Angeles-based managing director of New Development for Compass California
Close to the beach, but not on the beach, because maintenance of homes on the beach is a pain. I’d want views of the water and to be able to stand on the balcony and smell the ocean.
Michael Neumann, Miami-based sales director of Privé at Island Estates
A vacation home with all the bells and whistles, on a cliff, with my boat waiting for me on the dock down below.
Billy Macklowe, New York-based founder and CEO of William Macklowe Company
For me, it’s about space, volume, light, air and livability. As an urban developer, those are all truly luxuries.
Yolande Barnes, U.K.-based leader of the World Research team at Savills
It’s the one I live in now, when we’re finally finished renovating it. It’s a big, Georgian house in Kent with lots of land. But I think what really makes it a dream is its capability to generate an income (because events will be able to be held there). Rather than being slaves to our properties, I think we’re wanting our properties to do something for us—either to let out for events, or to use them as a workplace in addition to a home.
Drew Scott, Las Vegas-based realtor and TV personality, star of HGTV’s "Property Brothers
Your home should make your life easier, and my home has to be a retreat for me, my family and friends—home theater, fully decked-out game room and outdoor pool for water volleyball and relaxation. Being a sports enthusiast, a full-size basketball court in the basement, a personal gym with all the latest equipment and even an outdoor surf simulator would fit in perfectly.
Alfred Wojciechowski, Boston-based architect, principal at CBT Architects
All of my dream properties always have full connections to outdoor space—a garden or terrace or rooftop; that indoor-outdoor connection is so important to me. Having amazing natural light is important, too. And I like space in a walkable city.
Susan Breitenbach, Hamptons-based real estate agent, Corcoran
I love waterfronts. I live in a traditional house, but I love new modern homes, too. My dream home might be in Sag Harbor, but anywhere looking out at the water, really. In the Hamptons, there are lots of places that are not quite as known. I live on a property right now with beautiful views, way up high in the woods, and people don’t know it’s there. We have the most beautiful sunsets.
Jeffrey Beers, New York-based architect and designer, founder of Jeffrey Beers International
I enjoy a rich palette of materials. I’m not a stark Richard Meier-style modernist. And I love the water—I love sailing and would like to be on the water. I’d love to be on a cliff in the South of France, in a modern glassy house overlooking the Mediterranean.
Kobi Karp, Miami-based architect, founder and principal of Kobi Karp Architecture and Interior Design
A place that is connected with nature, that gives me quiet, peace of mind, relaxation, and an ability to enjoy life on a moment-by-moment basis.
Clelia Warburg-Peters, New York-based president of Warburg Realty
The attributes of a dream property for me are something with a view. A beautiful open view of the park, or the harbor are ideal. Even though I grew up in an apartment, I love vertical living—a house or a duplex. I love prewar features, like a working fireplace or casement windows. My in-laws live in a spectacular apartment and it’s almost like a little house built on top of a building with a wrap-around terrace, and they have working fireplaces. I love that little touch of country in the city.
Oriol Font, Dubai-based founder and CEO of Luxhabitat
My personal preference is a property in front of the sea. And it would be well designed, with a good connection between the indoor and outdoor space, and on a single floor ideally.
Jamie Drake, New York-based interior designer, founder of Drake/Anderson
A place that I walk into and immediately feel a "wow" moment, which speaks to me on a gut level as a place of comfort, repose and retreat. That could be in Manhattan or Paris, or St. Bart’s or the Hamptons. It could be anywhere in the world. A spectacular view is great, too.
Vanessa Grout, Miami-based president of CMC Real Estate Condo living really can’t be beat. Especially these days when we all have such mobile lifestyles. The fact that you can lock the door and go, and have security while you’re gone, that’s amazing.
Sandra Christensen, Bermuda-based sales and marketing manager for Coldwell Banker, Caroline Bay
We love the indoor-outdoor space in our home, and its openness. It’s especially nice to be able to entertain outdoors when you live in Bermuda. An open concept with a large kitchen and an island is part of my dream home, too, because I love to entertain and socialize. Also I would always want a place to keep our boat, either in front of the home or in a marina.