Mansion Global is celebrating its one-year anniversary today. Here’s a look at the year’s most popular, newsworthy and memorable stories.
EXCLUSIVE NEWS
Chinese History Hits the New York Luxury Market
Mansion Global was the first to report that Madame Chiang Kai-shek’s former Long Island estate—known as Fieldstone Manor—hit the market for $11.8 million. (Madame Chiang, also known as Soong May-ling, was the First Lady of the Republic of China and the wife of President Chiang Kai-shek.) The property found a buyer just 18 days later.
HSBC to Halt Mortgage Loans to Certain Chinese Nationals
We were also the first to report that international bank HSBC stopped providing mortgages to certain Chinese nationals buying property in the U.S, as part of a larger crackdown on money laundering and repatriating assets. The story was picked up by The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, the Daily Mail and China Daily, among other news outlets. Reporter Miao Li discussed how this move could influence the global luxury property market with Singapore’s 938Live radio, the only English language news radio station in the country.
France Back in Fashion for International Property Investors
Knight Frank, the global real estate consultancy, released a report about the state of France’s second-home market—and Mansion Global had the story exclusively. International buyers are returning to France amid price stabilization and a weak euro, with areas such as Provence, Côte d’Azur and the Alps proving to be particularly popular.
15 Central Park West Strikes Again
Two condominiums in one of Manhattan’s most exclusive addresses hit the market for $31 million and $26.5 million, respectively. Designed by architect Robert A.M. Stern, 15 Central Park West is attached to a number of notable names, including Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein, actor Denzel Washington, hedge fund founder Daniel Loeb, and musician Sting.
Miami Beach Spec House Asks $22.9 Million (Damien Hirst Is Extra)
Some say Miami is New York’s sixth borough. For Manhattanites seeking warmer weather—and far more space—this 11,500-square-foot spec house on Biscayne Bay is available for $22.9 million. The contemporary home throws in Hermès pillows, colorful Missoni furniture, Baccarat crystal, and a boat elevator, but you’ll have to cough up the cash for the artwork.
Are ‘Micro-Mansions’ the Next Big Thing?
Sure, there’s been a surge in interest for micro-apartments and tiny homes, but what about micro-mansions? Frank McKinney, a Florida property developer, unveiled what he’s dubbed a ‘micro-mansion’: a 4,042-square-foot, ultra-modern spec home stuffed with amenities, which is under construction near Palm Beach. McKinney is betting houses like these will attract ultra-wealthy homebuyers, who prefer their luxury in a smaller, more manageable space.
Most-Viewed Stories
1.) Is ‘Lenny Kravitz’ Music to a Homebuyer’s Ears?
Rocker Lenny Kravitz’s former Miami Beach home—complete with a ‘sexy switch’ and 100 feet of waterfront—listed for $7.995 million last year. The Miami real estate market sees a fair number of listings with celebrity connections. But while celebrity cachet may bring potential buyers to the front door, it doesn't always guarantee a sale.
2.) Michael Jackson’s ‘Neverland’ Estate Courts Chinese Buyers
The King of Pop’s former California ranch is on the market for $100 million, making it one of the most expensive residential properties for sale in the country. After failing to attract an American buyer, the current owners are now looking east, according to CNBC.
3.) The Most Expensive Homes in the Most Expensive ZIP Codes
In November, Forbes released its annual ranking of the most expensive ZIP codes in America. We combed the Mansion Global listings to find the priciest properties in each of the 10 locations. Which home cost the most? A compound on 80 acres in Aspen, equipped with a trout-stocked pond, an entertaining hall, and a $100 million price tag.
4.) Mansion Global’s 2015 Listing of the Year
Meet the winner of Mansion Global’s Listing of the Year competition: Australia’s Mandalay House. Perched on the coast of Queensland near the Great Barrier Reef, the estate features a Mediterranean-style mansion, in addition to a marina, a helipad and an infinity-edge pool with views of the Coral Sea. To determine the Listing of the Year, Mansion Global readers selected their favorite homes from a list of 60 properties featured as Listings of the Day over the course of 2015.
5.) Celine Dion’s Jupiter Island Estate Now $27 Million Cheaper
A Titanic-sized swimming pool has failed to impress at Celine Dion's Jupiter Island estate. The Los Angeles Times reports the Canadian singer slashed the price of the property by more than 37%—from $72.5 million to $45.5 million. The home was one of Florida’s costliest when it hit the market about two years ago.
Original Video
In September, Mansion Global jetted to Miami to shoot its first original video series. From interviews with key players in the South Florida real estate market to tours of splashy waterfront estates, here’s a look at what we produced.
Write to Gina Faridniya at gina.faridniya@dowjones.com
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