In welcoming the Chinese Year of the Rooster, Mansion Global has selected a 10,000-square-foot mansion on a park-like property in Houston as having the world’s best feng shui out of the more than 200 luxury homes featured in our "Listing of The Day" columns last year.
The 9,893-square-foot, six-bedroom mansion, situated in the coveted neighborhood of River Oaks, Texas, is considered to best exemplify the key principles of feng shui or "wind and water," a Chinese traditional belief that the health and wealth of human beings are a result of interaction with natural elements.
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Feng shui in architecture emphasizes a property’s location, design, landscaping, lighting and is the belief that every aspect should be designed in such a way as to enhance the flow of qi (energy), the origin of all things.
To select the best feng shui mansions, Mansion Global invited two guest feng shui masters, Master Zhihai from New York and Master Sarah Mcallister from London, both of whom have extensive experience in practicing feng shui as well as in architecture and urban planning, to pick and rank four of the 15 most-viewed listings (out of more than 200) on the site in 2016.
Surprisingly, the best of the best—the Houston mansion—is still up for grabs, and its price has just dropped to $7.5 million from last year’s listing price of $11.5 million.
The other three mansions showcasing excellent "feng shui" include Playboy founder Hugh Hefner’s mansion in California (which sold last August), a millionaire’s modern manse steps from Sydney Harbour, and a contemporary Santa Fe oasis focused on flawless simplicity.
The judges based their selections primarily on photos and listing information. They also stressed that feng shui should be tailored to the homeowner’s sign in the Chinese zodiac and isn’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all equation.
Here’s a look at the winners.
In Houston, a Park-Like Property Topped With a 10,000-Square-Foot Mansion
Home: 9,893-square-foot, six-bedroom mansion Location: Houston, Texas Status: For sale at $7.5 million, after a price cut of $4 million
Mcallister: Although it’s a little cramped at the sides and with oversized columns at the front, this property has the water (pool) in the right location and has elegant proportions and a lovely light-filled stairway inside that helps to distribute the qi. It is also beautifully situated in a gently curving neighborhood area with an ideal meandering river to the north.
Zhihai: This red-brick mansion is in near-perfect proportion and symmetry. Indoors there are no large boxed corners or chandeliers, allowing ample light and energy to spread throughout.
Home: The Playboy Mansion Location: Los Angeles, California Status: Sold for $100 million, half of its original asking price
Mcallister: Not surprisingly, this has a lot of water in the East/Southeast which feeds the tree element and the yang (male) energy and is also good for wealth. Water in excess though can cause financial difficulties and excessive drugs/sex addiction etc. With some landscaping modifications, it could be improved.
Zhihai: The mansion exerts very strong energy around it. There is water, mountains and living animals on the property, a good balance between nature and human. The mansion’s energy is further strengthened by its historical, cultural and social significance.
A Millionaire’s Modern Manse, Steps From Sydney Harbour
Home: A Millionaire’s Modern Manse Location: Sydney, Australia Status: Listed at A$45 million (US$32.29 million)
Mcallister: Depending on the onsite energy readings, this could be a good example of "site empty, facing full," which means the back has the views and the front is higher and protected. It is in a lovely location nestled within a nature reserve at the end of a quiet street, and the curved and asymmetric design details of the property suit its waterfront location.
Zhihai: The wavy design fits neatly with its waterfront location. The grasses on the wall and water are a good balance. The structure itself is modern and clean, which allows energy to flow.
Contemporary Santa Fe Oasis Focused on Flawless Simplicity
Home: Contemporary Oasis Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico Status: For sale at $4.45 million, after a price cut of $1.3 million
Mcallister: Fundamentally, this property has the classic mountain support behind but I would have located the pool differently and set the house a little away from the hillside. Nevertheless it benefits from auspicious orientation and beautiful "horizon qi" from its views–its neutral and simple design showcases the surrounding nature well. I wouldn’t expect people here to be great innovators, but it is a great holiday home to find deep relaxation.
Zhihai: This property has a feel of seclusion. Looking outside from the house, there is a bending dragon (hill) on the left, which sends out auspicious qi throughout the premises and protects the owner. The building materials and landscape fade well into nature.
Write to Fang Block at fang.block@dowjones.com