Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

COTTONWOOD Monday, the Cottonwood Planning and Zoning Commission will consider the conditional use permit and design review requested by the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church to allow the construction of a new senior housing complex, a rectory for priests, a new social hall, and new parish offices.

The Catholic Church, located 700 N. Bill Gray Rd. in Cottonwood, has redeveloped a master plan for their property to consist of a multi-story senior center to complement the existing church, school and cemetery.

The faith-based living facility will provide housing for those with interdependent living needs, and those with assisted and memory care living needs. It will also house current and retired priests. The housing is not exclusive to Catholics.

Mark Carlile, chair of the finance council, said its always been a part of the Catholic Churchs mission to help the youth and elderly of the community.

There is a need in the Verde Valley, he said.

The Catholic Church wants to help people on all sides of the financial spectrum, said Carlile.

The proposed facility will be a 150,000 square foot senior housing center, with a rectory for local and retired priests, which will include 155 beds.

The second phase will consist of an additional 75,000 square feet for senior housing, with an additional 55 beds, as growth warrants.

Future growth of the Catholic Church property may include a middle and/or high school, expansion of the cemetery, and sports fields.

The Planning and Zoning Commission will meet Monday at 6 p.m. at Council Chambers, located 826 N. Main. St. in Cottonwood.

Agendas and minutes can be found at http://cottonwoodaz.gov/384/Planning-Zoning-Commission.

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Immaculate Conception Catholic Church plans to build senior ... - Camp Verde Bugle

That's why when Fred and his wife Francine asked us this very question, we didn't just answer back from $19,000 to $25,000 on average, no, we designed this very two car garage addition package so that all the Fred and Francine's across America would know approximately how much money they need to invest to build a garage like this.

Well there are the obvious options like garage door types, lighting details, flooring: some people want an epoxy resin coated garage floor, so that is looks nice and it's easy to clean. How about windows, how many windows and what size of windows do you want. Should the windows be energy star rated?

There are some details to mull over before you start building your garage, but it is one of the easiest home extension that you can build. All garage builds on our website are factored with a slab on grade foundation which is a building standard.

Check out the pictures above, the construction costs below, and use our Automated Contractor Locating Service by filling out the form below, to find out who your neighbors picked to build their nice looking garage. Check out this garage addition story.

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2 Car Garage Plans - Simply Additions

Lonnie Huhman Daily Telegram Staff Writer @lenaweehuhman

ADRIAN Volunteers came together Friday to help beautify the east side of Adrian.

Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee Countys Rock the Block program and United Ways Day of Action teamed up again Friday to lend a hand to some renters, homeowners and families in need of a little help. From power washing the outside of the home to doing some landscaping work, around 80 volunteers came together along such streets as Frank and Church to give of their day.

I appreciate all that they do in this neighborhood, Frank Street resident Robert Allen said as a crew of volunteers worked across the street getting ready to power wash the rear of a home. I think it means a lot to the people they are helping because these are things they may not be able to do, either because of finances or energy.

The sites selected for the day of volunteer work were picked through an application process with Habitat for Humanity.

As part of United Ways effort, 21 young adults from six different cities in southeast Michigan participated in the Day of Action in Adrian. This group is part of Michigan Works! Southeasts Jobs for Michigan Graduates program.

Sandy Vallance, program services manager at Michigan Works! Southeast, said the group gains hands-on experience with tools and learn general maintenance skills while also tying the application of these skills to four different relatable employment areas.

She said through collaboration, they will cover the ability to work cooperatively with others, positive attitudes, work ethics and behaviors, ability to communicate and work with customers to satisfy expectations and explore opportunities for personal development.

The Day of Action aligns with our program goals, giving young adults the opportunity to participate in community service while networking with their peers and people from differing backgrounds, Vallance said. Through working with our youth, we know that this is an opportunity for them to work in a capacity that they may not have otherwise been able to participate in.

Rainesha Loftin of Ypsilanti was part of the group. She was born and lived in Adrian for the first three years of her life and then moved to Ypsilanti. She said she didnt know they would be visiting Adrian as part of the community service assignments, but she pleasantly was surprised when she heard they would.

It feels great to come back here and help out, she said.

While looking over a group of volunteers at work at a home on Frank Street, Lynne Punnett, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee County, said this is what the day is about.

Weve done this for four or five years now and each time its made me proud of our community, she said. To see our residents come together with others from outside the community, its just a good thing.

She said its about helping people realize some of the aspirations they have for their homes.

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Volunteers come together to beautify Adrian's east side - The Daily Telegram

Elderly woman's home may have been damaged by 'rogue traders' to get her to pay up to 6k for roof repairs, High Court hears

BelfastTelegraph.co.uk

An elderly dementia sufferer's home may have been deliberately damaged by suspected rogue traders trying to get her to pay up to 6,000 for roof repairs, the High Court heard on Wednesday.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/elderly-womans-home-may-have-been-damaged-by-rogue-traders-to-get-her-to-pay-up-to-6k-for-roof-repairs-high-court-hears-36038566.html

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/incoming/article36038574.ece/b03e3/AUTOCROP/h342/court.jpg

An elderly dementia sufferer's home may have been deliberately damaged by suspected rogue traders trying to get her to pay up to 6,000 for roof repairs, the High Court heard on Wednesday.

Prosecutors claimed one of the gang targeted the 81-year-old Co Down woman just days after being bailed on nearly identical alleged offences against another pensioner.

Details emerged as the 23-year-old man accused of masterminding last month's scam was ordered to remain in custody.

Charles Ward, of Gortview Park in Coalisland, Co Tyrone, denies charges of fraud by false representation, possessing leaflets, identity badges and invoices in connection with fraud, and acting as a pedlar without a certificate.

He faces further counts of failing to give a consumer notice of their right to cancel, and engaging in aggressive and misleading commercial practice.

Ward was said to be part of a three-man team who called at the woman's home in Warrenpoint on July 29.

Crown lawyer Adrian Higgins revealed the alleged victim, who lives there with her 95-year-old husband, is considered vulnerable due to her dementia.

He claimed Ward tried to pressure her into having roof tiles replaced and power-washing carried out.

She was initially quoted 1,600 for the work, only for the price to rise to 3,000, the court heard.

According to the prosecution the woman received no paperwork and was not advised of her rights.

Mr Higgins claimed the workmen informed her they had noticed other damage to the roof and would fix it for another 3,000.

"She refused, saying she couldn't afford it and wanted to speak to her son, but they told her they would return the next day to conduct the work," the barrister contended.

The pensioner then allegedly received a series of phone calls seeking payment for the power-washing services.

Police alerted by the woman's son arrested Ward and one of his co-accused when they returned to her home on August 1.

The court was told an independent evaluator assessed the work carried out as coming nowhere near the prices quoted.

Mr Higgins also claimed CCTV footage appeared to show men physically removing roof tiles.

"It's suspected that damage was caused by them in an attempt to create a repair job that would not otherwise have been required," he said.

Opposing bail, the prosecutor confirmed Ward had just been released from custody on JUly 27 for the same type of alleged fraud offences against an elderly woman in Bangor, Co Down.

"Police believe he's the mastermind behind the operation," Mr Higgins added.

Defence counsel Sean Mullan countered that his client strenuously denies the charges.

Suggesting the case could come down to a contractual dispute, he stressed: "These men have carried out work, it's not a situation where they have taken money and then disappeared into the night."

Mr Mullan further argued that another Dundalk-based firm had previously carried out work on the Warrenpoint pensioners' home, raising issues about when any damage was caused.

Refusing bail, however, Mr Justice O'Hara held there was a risk of further offending and cited the need to "protect the vulnerable and elderly".

Belfast Telegraph Digital

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Elderly woman's home may have been damaged by 'rogue traders ... - Belfast Telegraph

Provider of industrial power washing in Vancouver, BC teams up with digital marketing firm

This press release was orginally distributed by ReleaseWire

Burnaby, BC -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/14/2017 -- Hydro Tech Power Washing, a provider of industrial and commercial power washing and painting services, announced today that it has teamed up with BizIQ, a Phoenix, Arizona-based online marketing company that works with small businesses throughout Canada and the United States.

By partnering with BizIQ, Hydro Tech Power Washing hopes to expand its client base and build its business through a stronger and more modernized digital presence and a focused marketing campaign. BizIQ has decades of combined experience in working with clients across a vast range of industries, including the industrial power washing sector.

Among the first steps BizIQ is taking with the providers of industrial power washing in Vancouver, BC is the development of a new company website that covers Hydro Tech Power Washing's service offerings and general information related to commercial and industrial power washing and painting. The site will also include monthly blog content written by professional copywriters with knowledge and understanding of the industry. BizIQ's goal with all content on the new website is to provide informative, engaging reading material that highlights Hydro Tech Power Washing's services and encourages customer interaction.

A key feature of the new site for Hydro Tech Power Washing will be BizIQ's incorporation of search engine optimization (SEO), which is seen as an effective strategy for boosting web traffic and increasing client visibility. Prospective customers searching for industrial power washing in Vancouver, BC will be more likely to see a search engine optimized website near the beginning of their Google search results.

"As a local business, we understand the importance of both word-of-mouth and online marketing strategies to the success of a small company," said Glen Del Frarri, owner of Hydro Tech Power Washing. "We believe that working with BizIQ to bring our marketing efforts in line with today's cutting edge is going to play a critical role as we grow our business in our second decade."

About Hydro Tech Power WashingHydro Tech Power Washing offers commercial and industrial power washing and painting services to clients in the greater Vancouver area. The company has the resources to clean industrial equipment as well as building exteriors, sidewalks and parking lots, and is a provider of comprehensive mobile power washing services. Hydro Tech Power Washing serves clients across numerous industries, including construction, healthcare, manufacturing, marine and more.

For more information, please visit http://hydro-tech.ca/.

To learn more about BizIQ and its expertise regarding local search engine optimization, or to view its extensive list of service options, please visit http://www.ebiziq.com/.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/hydro-tech-power-washing-partners-with-biziq-847609.htm

Originally posted here:
Hydro Tech Power Washing Partners with BizIQ - Digital Journal

Business leaders rally against a planned special service area tax that would bring beautification and marketing for the cultural destination. View Full Caption

DNAinfo/Joe Ward

CHINATOWN New banners have been installed along one of Chinatown's main commercial corridors, but they do not welcome visitors or promote a local attraction.

Instead, they slam a proposal that would create a special tax to beautify and promote the area.

The Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce has petitioned the city to create what's known as a Special Service Area for the neighborhood's main business and entertainment corridor. The areas, which are citywide, help commercial districts to fund enhanced public services through the collection of an additional property tax.

Such a tax would fund needed beautification, marketing and other improvements to one of the South Side's biggest cultural and entertainment districts, according to those in favor of the plan. But there are some business and property owners in the area who say the tax is not in their best interest and would bleed them dry after a series of recent tax increases.

Community forums and City Council committee meetings have seen a vocal opposition to the proposal, officials said. Banners decrying the special service area were hung up throughout Chinatown Square the mall along Archer and Wentworth avenues that is perhaps the most heavily trafficked area of Chinatown.

"Now the city wants to do one more tax," Joanna Moy, director of the United Chinatown Organization, said at a recent news conference. "We'll end up having problems making ends meet."

Others say that the special service area is needed because the area is a growing destination in the city with new attractions, millions in public infrastructure improvements and even a new neighborhood being built directly to the north. The tax modest by special service area standards would complement those improvements and help attract people to the area, supporters said.

Chinatown is the only major cultural or entertainment destination in the city not to have a special service area, according to officials.

"We feel the city has invested a lot of money in Chinatown. This money is making it a better place," said Darryl Tom, a local property owner and member of the chamber's special service area committee. "We think people will get a lot more than that in return."

Signs in opposition to the Special Service Area tax have been hung around Chinatown Square. [DNAinfo/Joe Ward]

A special service area would need City Council approval and the support of 25th Ward Ald. Danny Solis, who said he is working to clarify misinformation about the proposal. At least one more hearing on the proposal will be held, he said.

"Some people that were very against were turned around," Solis said. "There's some people who are not."

The special service area would cover Chinatown Square, 2133 S. China Place, down to the area around Wentworth and Cermak Road. The $160,000 it would seek to raise per year would cost about $860 per year for each property owner within the area's boundaries, according to the chamber.

That amount is considerably less than what many of the city's 53 service areas bring in. (A Roger Park special service area covering Devon Avenue another diverse, cultural destination collects nearly $450,000, according to a city contract.)

Those funds would provide beautification and landscaping, power-washing, garbage cans and collection and marketing for the commercial district, Tom said. It would also fund a staff position to administer the newly collected tax, he said. Such improvements would boost Chinatown's appeal as the neighborhood makes strides in attracting more people.

A new Chinatown library opened in 2015 and a 30,000 square-foot park field house opened in the area two years before that. A $60 million plan to improve Wentworth and Wells venues has begun in earnest, and a 62-acre strip of land just north of Chinatown will be built into a "new riverfront neighborhood."

"It is not unreasonable for the city to ask for a sustainable system in which to maintain their investments," Ernie Wong, executive with the Chinese American Service League, wrote to business owners in an open letter. "The one thing that both proponents and opposition of the Chinatown SSA can agree on is that there are problems with trash, landscape and pavement maintenance, security, lighting, etc. All things that the [special service area] has the ability to address."

Business owners rally against the proposed special service tax in Chinatown Square on Tuesday. [DNAinfo/Joe Ward]

Not every business leader feels the same. The special service area proposal suffers from "bad timing," Tom said, because of the newly implemented pop tax, bag tax and a looming property tax increase. Business owners in the Chinatown Square Association pay an additional fee to pool resources, they said.

"It's going to effect all the retail businesses and restaurants in the area," said Pat Jan, a member of the Chinatown Association of Retail Space. "If businesses close, there will be no money for the [special service area]. Chinatown will be a ghost town."

There's no way to measure the economic impact of improvements made from special service areas, both sides said. But Chinatown already is seeing positive effects from its new amenities and changes to the area, and those could only be strengthened by the special service area, supporters say.

"We've got a new $20 million library, a new field house that is one of the jewels of the Park District," Solis said. "We think this [extra assessment] to complete beautification is a small price to pay."

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Chinatown Beautifcation Tax Ripped By Opponents, But Supporters Forge Ahead - DNAinfo

Those ugly black streaks and/or green stuff growing on your roof are not only an eyesore that detracts from the beauty and value of your home, but they are also feeding off of the limestone in your shingles. The black streaks staining the roof are actually bacteria called Gleocapsa Magma. Moss and Lichens can be present as well, but only show up after the fungal growth has started.

While these growths were originally present only in the southeast, they have spread throughout the northeast and to the west coast in recent years and are a common site in many regions. You will mainly see these organisms grow on the north and west side of the roof because of the warm, moist environment that a roof creates, and due to the lower levels of sunlight on these sides.

The good news is that advances in cleaning techniques in recent years have been developed that will safely remove these microorganisms. Soft wash systems are now being used with environmentally safe chemicals.

Paul Guglielmi from Window Genie of South Jersey states, We have invested in the equipment and training to professionally remove these stains. The service is relatively inexpensive when you consider the cost of a new roof, and that a typical 20-year shingle may only last 10 years and a 50-year shingle 25 years with bacteria infestation.

Please contact Window Genie at (609) 600-1894 for more information on roof washing, power washing, window cleaning and window tinting services. Visit Window Genie online at South-Jersey.WindowGenie.com.

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What's Eating Your Roof? - Cape May County Herald

When the lights went out in downtown Norman Saturday night, the Porch Fest party didn't stop.

Normanites strolled through the Miller Historic District, mostly ignoring the power outage, voices soft as they stopped to visit with friends and listen to acoustic performances. Some seemed hardly aware that a major portion of downtown Norman running through the Porch Fest area had lost power.

Others thought it added to the community-friendly atmosphere of the event.

It's kind of cool because the power did go out, and it makes it more intimate, said Stevie Michelle. We have amazing talent in Norman. Our community is so cool.

Irrational Consumers, a skunk (ska-punk fusion) band comprised of middle and high school students, performed with gusto in front of McMichael Music despite losing their microphones and amplifiers during the set.

Parents and fans joked that they had blown out the power in the whole block.

Porch Fest is really magical, said Kyle Bergersen, the father of two Irrational Consumers members. Bergersen said the family had been out of town for last year's festival and only returned shortly before Porch Fest, so this was the boys' first chance to participate as performers.

We just accidentally stumbled on it last year, and it's awesome, he said.

For some, enjoying the Miller neighborhood was a big part of the draw.

I came last year and loved it. I've always admired the porches on this block, said Lauren Hale. It's pretty amazing. They're going to power through despite the power outage.

Elaine Kumin said she's old enough to remember when people sat on their front porches and strolled along the sidewalk visiting with neighbors, then air conditioning and garage doors came along, and things changed.

People go in their houses, and they don't come out, Kumin said. This is a taste of what was. It's great to see children out, playing. It's a wonderful sense of community.

Friends and neighbors greeted one another, kids ran through the grass and people brought their dogs on leashes with hosting porch owners often providing bowls of water for the visiting canines.

I like listening to this kind of music, said Abram, who added that he is four-and-a half before jumping up and running circles through the grass.

We were listening to some acoustic around the corner, said Jeff Mlekush, who said they hadn't realized that Porch Fest was affected by the power outage, though he and others had been at nearby downtown businesses when the power went out and decided to come on over to the neighborhood music festival.

Despite the positive attitudes, many performers were affected and a couple of porches shut down performances, but most kept going. Only three participating porches, all located on Miller Avenue still had power.

We shifted a few people who were electric only over to Miller where they had power, said co-organizer Sara Kaplan. There were only a couple of people who cut their sets short.

The early crowd was smaller this year with temperatures back on the rise Saturday, but with darkness descending, the crowds seemed to expand, even around houses with torchlight or no lights at all.

It would be better if the power would come back on, said Janelle Powers. It's hard on the musicians. We like singer, songwriter music. We came last year and were looking forward to it this year. We like this neighborhood.

Carol Danko said the heat and the bugs made for a lighter crowd this year, but the event was still worth showing up.

It's amazing that this all happens in people's yards, said John Sandridge. I think It's really good for the community.

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Porch Fest lights up community spirit - Norman Transcript

It is hard to move through San Francisco without coming into contact with a [Lawrence] Halprin landscape, said Charles Birnbaum, president and chief executive of The Cultural Landscape Foundation(TCLF).

Born in New York, Halprin moved to the Bay Area in the mid-1940s and established his own practice in San Francisco in 1949. His initial work focused on residential properties, but by the 1950s, he was working on larger campuses and transitioning to the public realm.

Now, TCLF is hosting a photography exhibit on view at the Palace of Fine Arts that celebrates Halprin's life and legacy. The exhibition also highlights the risk of losing the landscapes Halprin created in San Francisco and beyond.

His work and design concepts broadly affected the infrastructure of the city during his lifetime, Birnbaum told Hoodline.

Some of Halprin's earliest urban designs include Ghirardelli Square (1962-1968). According to Birnbaum, the square was one of the first efforts to recycle a historic building.

While he was working on Ghirardelli Square, Halprin also spent a decade working on Embarcadero Plaza, since named after Justin Herman.

The landscape architect was also responsible for the design of United Nations Plaza, Levis Plaza, Washington Square, the Lucas Studio campus in the Presidio, and even the layout of Market Street between the Embarcadero and the Castro.

Plans for the three-mile stretch also included Hallidie Plaza around the Powell Street Muni/BART, down to the various sizes and shapes of brick pavers and decorative lamp posts, an homage to San Francisco's City Beautiful movement.

At the end of his life and career, Halprin designedStern Grove, which today hosts summer Sunday concerts in its one-of-a-kind amphitheater.

Halprin viewed cities as theaters and designed urban landscapes that directed how people should interact with his spaces, Birnbaum said. He wanted people to play in his fountains, and used a variety of surfaces and structures to change the pace of people moving through his landscapes.

But many of his works are at risk of disappearing, due to the lack of maintenance and neglect. For example, United Nations Plaza was at risk a few years ago, with a chain link fence erected around a dry fountain.

Although the fountain is working again, there are still challenges in the plaza, and going forward, it is not clear whether the city intends to maintain the design as Halprin intended, Birnbaum told us.

For the most part, Halprin was always looking forward to the next project, but he lived long enough to be saddened by the sight of his projects moving away from his original intent or coping with a lack of maintenance.

In many cases, his landscape design was blamed for the social challenges associated with that neglect, rather than the stewards. According to Birnbaum, Halprin once related his frustration with spending ten to 20 years trying to get a project built, only to spend the next two decades fighting to keep it from being torn down.

TCLF is trying to raise awareness of Halprins legacy to prevent such loss, through the photography exhibit and its ongoing Landslide program. The program and the photography exhibit were launched last year to celebrate what would have been Halprins 100th birthday.

Through September 4th, visitors can see the 56 newly-commissioned photos of his work and learn more about his legacy at the Palace of Fine Arts.

The Palace of Fine Arts is located at 3601 Lyon St. and is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm.

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Exhibition Highlights Landscape Architect's Impact On San Francisco - Hoodline

Renowned landscape architect Hank White, founder of New York City-based HM White, has designed residential, civic and, commercial outdoor spaces, including the Madison Square Park public urban space, the garden court and sky garden at The New York Times building, and the courtyard and common roof gardens at the celebrity-heavy 443 Greenwich condo development.

We caught up with Mr. White to talk about the importance of architectural integrity, his grave concerns about climate change and why he thinks fringe areas surrounding urban cores offer the best real estate opportunities

Mansion Global: Describe your dream property.

Hank White: Anything that has access toand relentless views ofbeautiful landscapes. Thats what does it for me personally, but if you think about high-quality and high-value urban space in general, waterfront, park views and park visibility are all important. That applies to suburban and rural space as well.

More:For the Obamas Former White House Designer, Bigger Isnt Always Better

MG: Do you have a real estate property that got away?

HW: When we were looking to move out of the city because of our expanding family, in that classic cliche, we found an ideal Cotswalds cottage in the neighborhood we wanted to be in, but they wanted to close right away. And we just werent ready to pull the trigger.

And theres another house, that we looked at before we had children. I introduced my wife to a summer community in Rhode Island that I grew up in.

We saw a house on a knoll with amazing waterfront views that needed a lot of work and was 150 years old. I couldnt get the capital to buy it, but I was planning on putting about $300,000 into it to transform it and preserve it, and then flip it. We could have gotten it for about $700,000 in the latter part of the 90s. If the house was on the market in a fine condition now, it could ask $9 million.

MG: What does luxury mean to you?

HW: Primarily, its quality of space, quality of materials, abundance of natural light and refinement of architecture and detailed expressions. Its how materials are put together and how theyre crafted. Whether in a modernist palette or in an accurate historic palette, it has to have design integrity and intelligence.

More:Spains Market is Surprisingly Hot, Says Brokerage Co-Founder

MG: What area do you think is the next hub for luxury properties?

HW: Its about the overall demographic shift toward millennials, and how much technology is transforming our world. Over 75% of the world will be living in an urban area in the next five years or so. That number used to be much, much lower.

The next hubs are probably neighborhoods on the fringes of high-valued urban neighborhoods.

The big news is surrounding population growth as well as climate change. Sea level rising is a big issue. Places by the water need to be reinvented, and dealt with.

And I think places all need a form of public access. Youre likely going to see denser developments around train stations.

MG: Whats the biggest surprise in the luxury real estate market now?

HW: You see these over $10,000-per-square-foot apartments on the 80th floor of sliver towers. Those prices are driven by emotion not a quantitative, or realistic, economic model. These places are so ego driven, that its hard to price them.

Plus, they slap on the word luxury to everything, and you walk in and its a 500-square-feet one-bedroom. It may have a Miele appliance, but does that make it luxury?

More:Sothebys Executive Says Consumer Confidence Is Strong Across the Globe

MG: Where are the best luxury homes in the world and why?

HW: I just came back from Italy and Greece, and every time I travel, what Im drawn to are places where the architectural history and heritage has been preserved, valued and nurtured. Its not only about the built environment, but the surrounding open space, and natural-world qualities that give it so much of its character.

Those are the places I find to have the biggest impact, and thats what lifts my spirits, because of the awe of the antiquity. Its humbling to be in a place where so many other people have inhabited it before you, and so many generations have respected that history.

As you drive into these European towns you feel the difference. In America, a great deal of the country is sprawl. We have to go through the commercial crud to get through to something we see as charming or beautiful.

MG: Whats your favorite part of your home?

HW: My house is an 1874 Victorian. My favorite view is looking up the stairs. It has something of a spiral quality to it. When you stand on the bottom floor looking up, its the core of the house. It speaks to the quality of the architectural design.

Also, I love sitting outside on a terrace enclosed by vegetation, looking onto my gardens, and reading a book. As a landscape architect, Im in the business of creating outdoor rooms, and this is one of my outdoor rooms.

More:Treat Your Home Like a Crush, French Designer Says

MG: What best describes the theme to your home and why?

HW: Its warmth. A friend told us, whenever I come here, I feel very calm. Because its a Victorian, there are a lot of rooms, and its not loft-like, but we removed a lot of doors so the openings were maintained. The large openings between the rooms means that the flow is great, and it creates warmth, and a sense a movement.

Because theres a lot of historic millwork and casing around the moulding, and high ceilings, we literally stripped the interior clean of all clutter so you can see that. We introduced a lot of warm colors too.

My friend said its like being in a spa lounge. Lighting is a big part of that. Furniture selection and decluttering is really important too.

MG: Whats the most valuable thing in your home?

HW: The millwork. Otherwise, a collection of paintings. What we try to do when we travel is dig into as much of the local art scene as we can. We have a piece from a young artist in Barcelona, and one from Quebec City. The art acknowledges memorable occasions in our lives; we were captivated by the beauty and art and the representation of that special time.

More:Chicago-Based Interior Designer Says Nothing Beats a Killer View

MG: Whats the most valuable amenity to have in a home right now?

HW: Creating a nexus where people want to gather. Kitchens are now big social centers, but it didnt used to be that way at all.

MG: Whats your best piece of real estate advice?

HW: Look at the edges of high-valued districts and neighborhoods. And the other thing to look out for are access to beautiful, open space, conservation land or waterfront.

One warning: Being mindful of our global climate, trends, and the vulnerability of waterfront property at this point. Your real estate dreams may be wiped out.

Its alarming whats happening and the speed in which its occurring. I see it in the waterfront community I grew up inthe tides are higher.

More:Beautiful Homes Pop Up in Some of the Most Unexpected Places, Says Daniel Libeskind

MG: Whats going on in the news that will have the biggest impact on the luxury real estate market?

HW: Global warming, and a lot of developers are already pursuing low-carbon emission buildings. Hopefully more and more will start supporting that kind of thing. New York City is doing what it can with changes to building code. In part, the private sector may need to lead the way.

Our European colleagues are much more ahead of the game.

MG: What is the best area now for investing in luxury properties?

HW: Islands, like Manhattan. Any place that has sustainable value and resources but physical limitations in terms of space, is always where people will want to be.

The challenge will be how to accommodate more and more people in a confined area in a way that improves livability and increases the value. Thats part of our job, working with so many developers, were taking a sows ear and making it into a silk purse.

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?

HW: Im attracted to history, so it would always be resale. Im of the mind that while we need to respect our past, with technology theres an opportunity to reinvent the past and make it relevant to how we live today. Its important to do that without erasing that past, that heritage, and keeping an eye on the environment footprint.

MG: What area currently has the best resale value?

HW: Places that have architectural integrity, whether thats modern or historic. It has to be authentic to whatever period of architectural style or expression it is. And it helps when its in a place where neighbors have been concerned with preservation and care.

The same is true for the landscape as much as the building. When sprawl development is resisted and care is given to an open landscape, thats how you uphold resale value.

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Original post:
It May Be Up to Private Sector to Confront Climate Change, Says Landscape Architect - Mansion Global