Architect Richard Landry started Landry Design Group in 1987. In its 30 years, the company has built houses ranging from classical estates to modern mansions—reaching around 500 homes in 17 countries.
The Quebec-born American architect has made his name designing multimillion dollar mega-mansions for top A-listers, including Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady, Mark Wahlberg and Sylvester Stallone, earning him the name "King of the Megamansion."
We caught up with Mr. Landry, 60, to talk about designing his own dream homes, the importance of technology in high-end homes and much more.
More:Integrate—Don’t Decorate—the Outdoors, Says Landscape Architect
Mansion Global: Describe your dream property.
Richard Landry: It changes. I have a dream property in Malibu. It’s on the sand, it’s clean and it’s open and very serene. But I also have a ski chalet in Mammoth Lakes in California, that’s also a dream property. I have a lake house in Quebec that’s a little white cottage and near my parents’ place. That’s also a dream. It’s not just one dream.
Dreams are less about the property itself and more about the environment you create, and what you do there.
MG: Do you have a real estate property that got away?
RL: No, if it was not meant to be, it was not meant to be. I’ve looked at houses before, that I think, in hindsight, I should have bought. But I wasn’t ready at the time, and they were all conscious decisions. Nothing’s slipped through my fingers.
More:Mauricio Umansky Can’t Believe Los Angeles Home Prices Either
MG:What does luxury mean to you?
RL: In many ways, luxury is just a roof over your head and running water. Beyond that, if you’re able to have a quality of craftsmanship, and are able to use beautiful materials and finishes, that’s one form of luxury.
There are other luxuries, too—like being able to have a gym in the house, or a home theater in the house— it’s luxury to be able to do that all from your home.
MG: What area do you think is the next hub for luxury properties?
RL: Los Angeles has always been a great hub for luxury properties. There are areas, like Venice Beach, that are on fire. Even Culver City. They’re not the highest end, like Bel Air or Beverly Hills, but they’re pockets where things are getting more luxurious.
MG: What’s the biggest surprise in the luxury real estate market now?
RL: From my point of view, it’s how many very large mansions and estates are being built in very modern styles. For many years, you didn’t see modern homes of that scale. Nine out of 10 clients used to ask for more traditional styles, but now more than half of our clients are going for modern. We’ve seen some of them fetch high resales.
I think the next wave is a hybrid of two styles. People might love traditional architecture, but they also love the open floorplan and big sliding doors that open to the outside. You’re going to see more contemporary features integrated into older-style properties.
There’s a new language there that we’re using. Sometimes it’s renovating an older home in a modern way, and sometimes it’s building it from the ground up. We have several new projects where the clients are asking for houses to be designed from the ground up with both styles. We can bring the two together, using our knowledge from both ends of the spectrum.
More:Always Design a Home With an Eye Toward Resale, Says Australian Agent
MG: Where are the best luxury homes in the world and why?
RL: I see some beautiful houses in Beverly Park, in Beverly Hills, with great details. Hancock Park also has some amazing older homes that are really luxurious. Pasadena has them also. In Europe, too, you find amazing spaces. They’re all over.
MG: What’s your favorite part of your home?
RL: The ability to be flexible. I design my homes so that if I want to entertain, I can do that, and it’s easy, but if I want to retreat, I can do that, too. I don’t have one particular room that I love the most—I use them all at different times. I love my theater, I love my beach house terrace, but I’m not a creature of habit. I like different environments and different things on different days. I like the change.
MG: What best describes the theme to your home and why?
RL: The beach house was a modern, white canvas where the ocean was the star. I have a lot of beautiful, colorful art there, too. For the house in Mammoth, it was about creating warmth, because it’s a winter house, and it’s a great gathering house. The themes vary, but when I’m designing I’m always looking at lifestyle: How will I be using it on a daily basis and how does that affect the flow?
Quality is always a focus. I want to make sure it’s all well done.
There’s always a little whimsy. I don’t take myself too seriously, and I love having fun.
More:Take Your Time When Searching for Real Estate, Says Time Equities Chief
MG: What’s the most valuable thing in your home?
RL: Waterproofing. It’s kind of a funny answer, but it’s true. Ninety percent of problems people have in their houses have to do with water and leaking.
A house that is beautiful is not enough. It’s what’s inside the walls, too.
MG: What’s the most valuable amenity to have in a home right now?
RL: The technology we have that brings you security, control and management of your house—whether it’s your lighting system or A/V systems. To have great control that serves you well makes it easier to manage larger homes. You can look at your energy consumption every day, for one.
Technology installed properly and used properly is a great amenity to have. ... You can be anywhere in the world and keep an eye on your house.
MG: What’s your best piece of real estate advice?
RL: You make money when you buy. You always want to try and get a good deal when you’re buying.
When you’re selling, appreciate a good deal. Don’t be too greedy, and don’t let a good deal slip through your fingers.
When building, you need to build for yourself. But at the same time, think about the importance of resale to you... that’ll inform a lot of the decisions that you make.
For me, it’s not about following trends, but doing the things that are important to you.
More:Click to Read More Luxury Real Estate Professionals Share Their Insights
MG: If you had a choice of living in a new development or a prime resale property, which would you choose and why?
RL: It would depend on the quality of both. I also have a brand new condo in Century CIty, in a Robert Stern building, that I use as a pied a terre, and I love it.
On the other hand, there are homes in Hancock Park with a lot of history that I’d love to buy and remodel. No matter what it is, I’d probably like to remodel it myself.
I have such an open mind, I don’t want to have to pick one. I can see potential and beauty in so many different kinds of real estate.
MG: What area currently has the best resale value?
RL: If we’re looking around L.A., it’s still underpriced compared to New York and London. There’s still amazing value. However, if you compare L.A. to places like Atlanta, you can get a lot more real estate there than in L.A.
Good resale value comes if you don’t overbuild and if you understand your market. If you build too much house, it’s harder to sell in certain areas where there aren’t other comparables.