Finding Your Oasis – Top Holiday Homes To Invest And Indulge In

From idyllic seafront homes to marina-focused luxury abodes, these showstopping top holiday homes are sure to sate the most discerning homeowner.

Luxueux, Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia

Finding the right location for a vacation home can present a paradox: ideally the property should be easy to reach, but it should also be remote enough to feel like an escape – as the pace of life in cities becomes increasingly hectic, it’s more and more vital to have a refuge, a special place to relax and connect with loved ones. As part of our Special Report, we’ve gathered some of the world’s top vacation homes currently on the market. Whether you prefer being on a beach, whacking balls on a golf course or skiing on mountainous terrain, these properties and their luxury appointments are sure to help you unplug your devices and indulge in the life extraordinary.

 

Kukui’ula Hawaii

Kauai’s vine-choked forests, plunging waterfalls and broad sand beaches have served as the backdrops for films like Jurassic Park and Pirates of the Caribbean and the island has also long been a favoured playground of celebrities and executives on their second or third homes. Set in Kukui’ula, a former sugar plantation that has been transformed into a lavish private golf club, this four-bedroom 4,238 sq ft villa was designed by Seattle’s Olson Kundig Architects and features elevated garden pathways, outdoor showers and a sliding glass door in every room that opens to verdant views of the mango and papaya orchard and the sea in the distance.

Price: USD 6.95 million

https://kukuiula.com

 

Casali di Casoli, Italy

The perfect estate for oenophiles who are also seeking a taste of farm to fork living. This restored 17th-century Tuscan farmhouse, located near Siena, was recently refurbished by New York-based Champalimaud Studio and features four bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms, dual living rooms with fireplaces, a wine cellar and a separate annexe with gym, yoga studio and a heated infinity pool that overlooks the Tuscan hillside. Owners will also enjoy the property’s organic olive grove with over 200 mature olive and fruit trees and an irrigated vegetable garden. Management comes courtesy of Timbers Resorts who purchased and restored the collection of farmhouses in 2015.

Price: USD 10.6 million

www.casalidicasole.com

Grandeur Villa, Greece

Grandeur Villa, Greece

The advantage of an island residence is that islands, by virtue of their isolation and slower pace of life, also force us to slow down. Towns and beaches are located nearby in this newly constructed property on the Greek island of Mykonos, but there’s not much reason to leave the eight-bedroom, 1,000 sq ft villa. The home features generous indoor and outdoor living areas, sweeping views of the Aegean Sea, as well as a cinema, a steam and massage room, a gym and an outdoor Jacuzzi. And with seven suites and a master bedroom, five on the lower floor and three on the first floor, and additional staff quarters, it means there’s something for everyone in the family.

Price: USD 11,992,000

www.sothebys.gr

Read about other luxury homes in Greece here.

Victoria, Canada

Victoria, Canada

Perfect for architecture buffs seeking a nature retreat. This six-bedroom 10,700 sq ft residence, designed by Vancouver architect Marko Simcic, is perched on a sprawling 67-acre oceanfront parcel at the southern end of Vancouver Island. Simcic designed the property to sustainably entwine with its site in the heart of one of Canada’s most endangered natural ecosystems – the Garry Oak Savannah. The property is cantilevered above a concrete armature, clearing the critical tree root zones, and the floor plan branches across a canyon carrying hydrothermal seawater, effectively blurring the boundaries of nature and structure.

Price: USD 9,757,000

lwilson@sothebysrealty.ca

Keyaki Villa, Japan

Keyaki Villa, Japan

Ski resorts are no longer designed only for winter. This serene five-bedroom, 4,520 sq ft home, nestled in a grove of trees in the Ginto woodlands of Hirafu forms part of a new all-season luxury resort anchored by The Pavilions Niseko Hotel. The home fuses traditional Japanese features, such as fusuma and shoji, with a contemporary design aesthetic and includes a family onsen bath media room and staff quarters. With Ginto Village nearby, owners will have access to restaurants, retail options and regular shuttle service to the ski lifts.

Price: USD 6.5 million

https://ift.tt/2uGZjou

Monaco Yacht Club Residences, Miami

Monaco Yacht Club Residences, Miami

For boating enthusiasts who like to keep it simple, this nautically themed project in Miami Beach features interiors by Piero Lissoni who has fitted the one- to four-bedroom residences with Boffi kitchens, Fantini faucets and walk-in closets. Units feature floor-to-ceiling glass and spacious wraparound terraces and there’s 12-slip marina with yachting concierge for maintenance needs, charters or sailing to the Bahamas or the Florida Keys.

Price: From USD 1.1 million

https://monacoyachtclubresidences.com/

 

Luxueux, Australia

Luxueux, Australia

Ideal for large families or those who love entertaining, this property, located on 27 acres in the Byron Bay hinterland, is designed with two separate bedroom wings. Bridging the wings is the “great room”, the hub of the home that features double-height ceilings, a banquet table and lounge set around a wood fire and central kitchen. The wall of glass panels is designed to fold away, connecting the interior with the covered exterior patio and infinity pool. The property’s five en-suite bedrooms are located in the bedroom wings. In addition, there is a 12-seater media room, study and two guest bathrooms. The property currency runs 40 head of cattle and there’s a 180-tree avocado orchard.

Price: USD 4,072, 200

https://ift.tt/3aTBBpx

Villa Emare, Spain

Villa Emare, Spain

Sometimes beachfront simplicity is key. This brand new boutique development on Costa de Sol features a collection of 28 apartments with sweeping views of the Mediterranean. Designed to feel like villas, the three- and four-bedroom apartments have large living areas that range from 4,360 sq ft to over 8,500 sq ft and they offer seamless vistas from terraces to the heated infinity pool to ocean horizons beyond. The residences are accessed via private elevators from the basement garage – each unit has a minimum of three parking spaces – and each is equipped with Miele appliances and a state of the art home automation system.

Price: From USD 2,620,600

https://thespanishestateagent.com/

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Voodoo Priest (1937 Lincoln Zephyr)

The revered American musician and songwriter, James Alan Hetfield is being honored yet again, this time with a public exhibition at the Petersen Automotive Museum of Los Angeles. The display entitled ‘Reclaimed Rust: The James Hetfield Collection’, celebrates his time as frontman of Metallica as well as his love for automobiles and guitars.

Petersen Automotive Museum Honors Metallica Frontman with a Public Exhibition

Aquarius (1934 Packard)

Built from scratch with the assistance of esteemed engineer, Rick Burn; Hetfield is a proud life-long car enthusiast, channeling a different form of creativity and artistic expression through his distinctive collection, whilst forging a bridge between the two industries.

Crimson Ghost (1937 Ford Coupe)

Of all his extensively meticulous work both in music and in manufacturing, Reclaimed Rust will feature the 1948 Jaguar ‘Black Pearl’, 1934 Packard ‘Aquarius’, 1953 Buick Skylark ‘Skyscraper’, 1937 Lincoln Zephyr ‘Voodoo Priest’, and the 1936 Auburn ‘Slow Burn.’

Custom 1961 Lincoln Continental

The exhibition on 1^st February 2020, also marks the first time James Hetfield’s collection will ever be showcased to the public.

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Housed in the grand dining room on the second floor of Fotografiska Museum along Park Avenue, the 150-seat picturesque Veronika restaurant was designed by local studio, Roman and Williams with reference to an array of artistic styles.

Dine at Veronika New York: The World’s Most Picturesque Restaurant

Named after the patron saint of photography, the Veronika’s 20-feet high ceiling is generously adorned with hand-painted murals and multi-tiered brass chandeliers, whilst its interior is fully furnished with leather chairs and cushy blue banquettes.

Serving an indulgent variety of classical Eastern European and French cuisine, the restaurant is revered for its osetra caviar and pays tribute to the all-day cafes of Vienna, St Petersburg and Budapest, under the expert culinary direction of esteemed chef Robert Aikens.

Greeted by artist Dean Barger’s ethereal murals of a forest landscape, the restaurant features a series of contrasting elements through utilizing both earthy and cyan tones, reminiscent of Dutch painter, theoretician and arguably one of the greatest artists of the 20^th century, Pieter Cornelis Mondriaan’s iconic work.

Alluding to the historically strained relationship between the art of painting and photography, the restaurant’s design aims to convey the idea of an intertwined evolution across different art forms – focusing on the early days of photography and how the new medium of expression impacted traditional art.

With seven tiers of apothecary bottle shelves and a bar made of honed black Saint Laurent marble, backed by a stained glass window, the Veronika features pale oak flooring, dark mohair seating, polished Rosa Perlino marble tabletops, custom egg-shaped lights, and blackened brass doorways – creating an atmosphere of eclectic modernism and romance.

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Vietyacht Displays Jeanneau Motor Boats in Spectacular New Showroom

Vietyacht launched its new showroom in a spectacular opening ceremony in Ha Long City, well known as the gateway to world-famous Halong Bay. Founded by Duc Thuan Nguyen, the dealership has described the facility as the ‘first yacht showroom in Vietnam’.

Vietyacht founder Duc Thuan Nguyen (third left) launches the Ha Long City showroom

The showroom covers an area of 1,000sqm – or about four tennis courts – and includes an indoor area containing the Vietyacht office and a display for yacht models from the six brands it represents, which include Jeanneau and Prestige from the Beneteau Group, and catamaran builder Fountaine Pajot.

For the launch, its large outdoor area featured several newly imported Jeanneau motor yachts including a Velasco 43F, Leader 40, Cap Camarat 7.5, Merry Fisher 1095 and a Merry Fisher 1095 Fly Legend, a model that debuted at last September’s Cannes Yachting Festival.

Entertainment at the launch included a band on stage and a violinist performing on the foredeck of the Velasco 43F, while guests had the chance to go on board the yachts. Vietyacht also displays yachts in Tuan Chau Marina, allowing customers to experience the boats on the water.

Vietyacht’s 1,000sqm showroom features a spectacular outdoor area

Two days before the showroom launch, Vietyacht staged a ceremony for a new Prestige 520 as well as a Merry Fisher 795 and Cap Camarat 6.5 Walk Around.

The dealership said it expected the arrival of three more yachts by early 2020 that would also be brought to the showroom. As well as its headquarters in Ha Long City, Vietyacht also has sales offices along the coast and a charter division, VietyachtClub.

Meanwhile, Paul Blanc has been appointed General Manager of the Jeanneau brand. In his new role, Blanc will report to Gianguido Girotti, the Group’s Deputy CEO in charge of Product and Brand Strategy.

Paul Blanc will move from Hong Kong to France to become General Manager of Jeanneau

Blanc is currently Asia Pacific Sales Director for the Jeanneau and Prestige brands, as well as Managing Director of the Groupe Beneteau Asia Pacific office in Hong Kong, and will leave the city in March before taking up his new role in April. Hong Kong-based Mathilde Delfour will take over as Asia Pacific Sales Director for Jeanneau and Prestige.

After graduating from French business school ESSCA, Blanc moved to China in 2001 to study Mandarin. After a career start in Beijing in the automotive sector, he decided to combine his passion for boating with his job and joined the Jeanneau and Prestige teams in 2010 as Sales Director for Asia Pacific.

Initially based in Shanghai, he established the Jeanneau Prestige regional office in Hong Kong in 2011, then in 2018 was appointed Managing Director of the new Groupe Beneteau Asia Pacific office in Hong Kong, which covers all the Group’s brands.

www.vietyacht.vn

www.jeanneau.com

The original article appears in Yacht Style Issue 51. Email subscribe@lux-inc.com for print subscription enquiries or subscribe to the Magzter version at: www.magzter.com/SG/Lux-Inc-Media/Yacht-Style/Fashion/

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Auspicious Fortune Bamboo crafted from Indian Lao Shan Sandalwood by Ace Wood

In this season of the Lunar New Year, Singaporean artisans Ace Wood has conceived of new, everlasting exquisite masterpiece – auspicious fortune bamboo (富贵竹) and Tangerine Tree (大吉大利) handcrafted from exotic Indian Lao Shan Sandalwood. Suffice it to say, this novel creation is a real boon to folks who aren’t gifted with green fingers, often, many of us will buy small plants from IKEA only to have them perish two weeks later and the Lunar New Year season is no different; purchased during the festive period, enjoy over a few days and then casually thrown away as the plants start to wither and brown.

Auspicious Fortune Bamboo and Tangerine Tree crafted from Indian Lao Shan Sandalwood by Ace Wood

For the first time in Singapore, the popular Feng Shui houseplants like fortune bamboo and tangerine trees are handcrafted by Ace Wood artisans using Lao Shan Sandalwood, a small tropical tree native to India and Southeast Asia. Valued for its fragrant and medicinal qualities and considered sacred in some cultures, Indian sandalwood historically commands high prices for its essential oil while larger species of the Lao Shan sandalwood are rarer still, and no longer used for fine woodworking. Hence a specimen like this exquisite carved Ace Wood Fortune Bamboo carving is a real interior feature.

Everlasting and not requiring water (thus no risk of mosquito breeding unlike most house plants), the Ace Wood carved fortune bamboo stands at 17cm tall (with larger models as tall as 23cm), with a base diameter of 14cm and weighs 473g. Larger models are as tall as 23cm.

Indian Sandalwood is one of the most sacred herbs of Ayurveda. Sandalwood powder and essential oil are renowned for their many medicinal and spiritual uses. Strictly regulated as a result of immense demand for its cosmetic and therapeutic value, Indian sandalwood is an extremely expensive material for carving artefacts. Early sandalwood carvings were of deities, or special boxes used to house important curios and precious goods. The distinctive aroma sets sandalwood creations apart from all other woodwork and Ace Wood’s feng shui house plant sculptures hand-carved in a variety of positions representing luck and wealth, emit a sweet, rich, woody, exotic and lingering scent – enough to be noticed but not domineering.

Available in bamboo and tangerine tree forms, the Ace Wood’s Indian sandalwood feng shui house plants continue the artistic traditions of thousand year old handcrafts which originated from artisans in Shimoga, Mysore, Uttara Kannada and Bangalore districts of Karnataka which made India world-famous for its elegant figurines with intricate details and designs inspired by nature. Why settle for a mere feng shui house plant when you can own a spell-binding eternal masterpiece from Ace Wood?

Ace Wood is a leading Rosewood Company in Singapore which offers craftsmanship and bespoke rosewood and sandalwood products for your decorative needs. [Shop Ace Wood sandalwood feng shui house plants here]

Open Daily (Except Wednesdays) – 10.30am to 7pm
55 Serangoon North Ave 4, #01-11, Singapore 555859
Contact: +65 6909 2364

 

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Asiamarine Driving Galeon Sales in Region; Numarine Hires Karl Gilding

Asiamarine has announced that it sold seven Galeon motor yachts in Asia in 2019, a strong return for the regional dealership. Galeon, which has two facilities in Gdansk, has grown to become one of the world’s leading builders of luxury motor yachts in its sector (30-78ft), especially after MarineMax became its dealer in the Americas in 2016, helping establish the Polish brand as a huge seller in the US.

Asiamarine’s Galeon sales last year included a 640

Asiamarine’s sales of Galeons into Hong Kong and Southeast Asia last year included a 640, a model that debuted in 2018 and built
on the iconic 500 model, also deploying drop-down sides – increasing its beam to 7.4m – and a portside bar.

The 640’s features include an innovative front window passage that allows direct central access from the saloon to the foredeck, an area that features two folding sofas with integrated tables that can also be converted into a large sun lounger.

The 500 Fly continued to prove popular in Asia, with Asiamarine selling another three units of the model that helped Galeon garner a global reputation. The 500 won multiple awards for its fold-down sides, open bar and a cockpit bench that revolves 180 degrees to allow guests the option of facing forward or aft.

Galeon’s new generation of yachts includes the 680 Fly

Asiamarine also sold 300, 360 and 420 models in 2019, but is now looking ahead to promoting the fourth generation of Galeon motor yachts, including the upcoming 400 Fly, the smallest model to offer the innovative ‘beach mode’ innovations first shown on the 500. The fourth generation also includes the 680 Fly, which features lightweight carbon-fibre and a flexible foredeck that can be transformed into a seating area at the touch of a button.

Asiamarine, which has its headquarters in Hong Kong and offices in Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam, is also a dealer for Turkey’s Numarine and American builders Hatteras and Wellcraft.

Numarine, which builds motor yachts from 62-148ft, has appointed Karl Gilding as its business development consultant, with responsibility for enhancing and growing the Turkish builder’s existing worldwide dealer network.

Karl Gilding will help Turkey’s Numarine with its dealer network

Gilding, whose mission is to support existing dealers and attract new ones, has attended international boat shows for 43 years in his roles with Fairline, Sunseeker and Sea Ray, as a retail dealer, yacht consultant and international dealer manager.

His latest role as one of the directors responsible for the rebirth of Fairline saw him drive sales at the newly formed company to 186 units in three years as Business Development Director. Gilding retired from full-time work last April to pursue personal investment projects

Asiamarine’s other services include charter, pre-owned yachts and yacht management.

www.asiamarine.com

The original article appears in Yacht Style Issue 51. Email subscribe@lux-inc.com for print subscription enquiries or subscribe to the Magzter version at: www.magzter.com/SG/Lux-Inc-Media/Yacht-Style/Fashion/

Yacht Style Issue 51: ‘The Personalities Issue’ Is Out Now!

 

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Maritimo’s Custom Sport Fishers Attract Strong Interest in Asia-Pacific

The first delivery is Maritimo’s imposing M-Series 72 Flybridge Motor Yacht custom-designed for serious sport fishing in challenging waters between New Zealand’s North Cape and the Kermadec Islands Marine Reserve 1,000 km to the northeast. The vessel has more than 200 custom changes from the production model, including an extended fishing cockpit and transom redesign.

“Maritimo is renowned for the level of customisation it allows, whereas other brands have set limitations,” the company’s lead designer and brand director Tom Barry-Cotter told a media conference.

“The Maritimo One concept takes this to another plane. Owners get a boat that is a complete one-off. In this case, we worked with a three-time Maritimo client who had specific needs. The yard is in advanced discussions with other international buyers on projects that will take up to 28 months to complete.”

Modifications were made to the M72 hull’s running surface, transom, tank capacities and engineering, requiring fully customised weight studies and hydrostatic reports. The boat can back up better on fish in testing conditions.

Its extended water line incorporates a fully custom sport cockpit with live wells, bait tanks and a mezzanine cockpit, while the flybridge has a hardtop with enhanced window openings, rear sight lines, and a custom helm pod and seating on its aft deck.

An M59 Flybridge Motor Yacht is similarly being provided with a full sports cockpit, shortened flybridge, game tower and further custom fishing touches.

Third off the Maritimo One slips is an M51 Regency Suite Flybridge Motor Yacht, in which the master stateroom is expanded in lieu of a starboard guest cabin. The master ensuite is relocated to starboard, and the day lounge and wardrobe enlarged.

Maritimo has just completed an A$13 million expansion of its production facility at the Coomera Marine Precinct on Queensland’s Gold Coast, which includes the Maritimo One facility.

“We can now handle projects up to 100ft,” said Phil Candler, General Manager of Operations. Total plant area now covers 4.7 hectares, an overall increase of 52 per cent.

The Maritimo product line presently consists of 11 models across its M-Series Flybridge Motor Yachts (70-64-59-54-51 feet LOA), S-Series Sedan Motor Yachts (70-59-54-51) and the new X-Series Sport Coupe (60-50). It is the only production boat builder in Australia with 9001 ISO accreditation.

The expansion is timely. Maritimo CEO Garth Corbitt said that following November’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in Florida, American sales were “on an absolute blinder”, up 60 per cent compared with the same period in 2018.

Most popular models were the M51s and the X-Series, with the X50 outselling the X60 two-to-one.

“Never before have we been so well established to take the brand forward and increase our awareness levels and ultimately sales in the most significant international markets,” Corbitt said.

Singapore dealer is Eric Koh of SGBoating at Raffles Marina in Tuas. The Singapore Yacht Show, usually in April, has been moved forward this year to March 19-22.

On the home front, Maritimo has been the anchor exhibitor at Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show since the yard was founded 15 years ago, and has always done well there. Results at Sydney International Boat Show needed to improve, Western Australia was strong, and New Zealand is humming. Overall Maritimo sales are up 30 per cent year-on-year, an impressive result.

www.maritimo.com.au

The original article appears in Yacht Style Issue 51. Email subscribe@lux-inc.com for print subscription enquiries or subscribe to the Magzter version at: www.magzter.com/SG/Lux-Inc-Media/Yacht-Style/Fashion/

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Sunreef Claims Pole Position in ‘Evolution’ of Large Catamarans

Francis Lapp, founder and President of Sunreef Yachts, has described the recent surge of large catamaran projects as “one of the most interesting evolutions” in the luxury yacht industry. The Polish yard has long been a leader in the sector and staged the world premiere of the 80 Sunreef Power at the Cannes Yachting Festival last September before announcing it was building a 110ft version as well as a 49M Sunreef Power (161ft) for an owner represented by Imperial.

The 80 Sunreef Power world premiere was held at Cannes last September

A notable number of large catamarans were announced or launched in 2019, a year that witnessed new brands enter the market and others announce they would, with production focused in Europe, China and Australia.

“Over 20 years of involvement with the yachting world, I have observed many trends in the field of yacht design. Today, we are witnessing one of the most interesting evolutions of the industry: an increasing demand for voluminous catamarans,” Lapp said.

“As part of the monohull superyacht market gradually shifts towards multihulls, we see more big catamaran designs emerging. Superyacht owners look for a better length-to-volume ratio, more stability, fuel efficiency and green solutions. They seek wide, open spaces to enjoy with friends and family.”

The first 110 Sunreef Power is scheduled for delivery in late 2021

Lapp said “monohull brands are now trying their hand at luxury multihull design” and was keen to position his company as the long- time frontrunner in the sector.

“In this industry, there is a distinct line between trendsetters and trend-followers. When I founded Sunreef Yachts, luxury catamarans were non-existent. Nobody believed multihulls would ever achieve their current status,” he said.

“In 2003, we launched the world’s first catamaran with a flybridge – the Sunreef 74. We built the world’s first double-deck catamarans, launched the first carbon-built multihull superyacht, installed a folding mast on a 24m-plus craft and so on. Our power catamarans were the first to feature pod propulsion and achieve Atlantic range. Our quest for innovation never stops.”

The 49M Sunreef Power is also due to be ready in late 2021

Lapp admitted competition was inevitable as more owners seek the benefit of twin hulls, increasingly in larger-sized yachts, and said his company was prepared to tackle the increase in demand as it continues to transition into its new production facility in Gdansk.

“Our facilities are in full expansion. A completely new office
and production site with Europe’s biggest CNC machine are being developed. We are going in the right direction and at the right pace. The momentum around and within Sunreef is exceptional,” said Lapp, whose company more than doubled its 2018 turnover last year.

“The 49M Sunreef Power and other superyacht projects like the 110 Sunreef Power will become landmarks in the industry. Today’s trend for big, oceangoing multihulls is a fact. The future belongs to multihulls and we begin this next journey in pole position.”

www.sunreef-yachts.com

The original article appears in Yacht Style Issue 51. Email subscribe@lux-inc.com for print subscription enquiries or subscribe to the Magzter version at: www.magzter.com/SG/Lux-Inc-Media/Yacht-Style/Fashion/

Yacht Style Issue 51: ‘The Personalities Issue’ Is Out Now!

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Yacht Industry Leaders Work Together to Encourage Sustainability

For those working in the yacht industry, visiting Metstrade in Amsterdam is always an exhilarating experience. I like how the world’s largest B2B marine equipment trade show is so efficiently organised, despite a record number of exhibitors (1,670 from 53 countries, with 7,297 stand personnel) and unique visitors (17,792 representing 115 nationalities).

The ‘End-Of-Use Boats’ panel discussion at Metstrade’s I-nnovationLab

It is truly an international marketplace
for networking, information exchange and doing business. Three-and-a-half days are jam-packed with the exhibition, seminars, discussion panels, workshops, drinks, parties, Boat Builders Awards gala and the Superyacht Forum running in parallel. Most visitors schedule their meetings way in advance and many yachting-related associations use the event as a place to convene.

The latest Metstrade carried on the sustainability momentum created in the previous years. Ideas by Show Director Irene Dros and Sustainability Coordinator Peter Franklin for keeping the topic on the agenda were endorsed by leading people in the industry and led to valuable presentations and lively panel discussions in the ‘I-nnovationLab’ and ‘E-nnovationLab’ stages (the epicentres for sustainability) and further engagement throughout the show.

The theme started off with the keynote address by Henk de Vries, CEO of Feadship and Chairman of the Water Revolution Foundation, which was established after sustainability discussions at Metstrade last year.

Investing heavily in sustainability, Feadship is one of the nine founding partners of the Foundation along with the likes of Lürssen, Benetti, Heesen, Amels and Abeking & Rasmussen, builders that have recognised the urgency to reduce our ecological footprint and share a desire to establish a collective to accelerate the shift towards sustainability.

The aim is to neutralise the footprint of the yachting industry and preserve the world’s precious oceans, and the partners have made sure there is at least 10 years of solid funding for the organisation to accomplish real results.

ZERO EMISSIONS

De Vries stated that, while the shipping industry aims to stop emissions by 2050, Feadship wants its yachts to be zero-emission by 2025. He is convinced this is realistic because of results in the past (the first hybrid-propulsion yacht was built by Feadship in 2009); the status of technological developments of hybrid and hydrogen (now also at ambient temperature with miniaturised systems); and the investments being made together with technology partners. “If you want to be the leader, you have to be ahead of the pack,” he said.

Keynote address by Henk de Vries, Chairman of Water Revolution Foundation

He pointed out that his team needs to constantly exceed the high expectations of clients in a design-and-building process that’s already complicated. Adding the search for sustainable solutions, not only for the yacht itself but also for the building process and infrastructure, increases complexity.

Propulsion, power and emissions are not the only issues to address. It’s also important to trace all materials to their source. Where is the steel and aluminium purchased from? Are the materials produced with electricity generated by coal or hydro plants? Where does the teak come from? Is the wood certified and the plantation approved? What are its daily practices? What about paint? And how green is the yard where the yacht is being built?

IN THE DRIVING SEAT

But who’s driving this demand for sustainability? Although there are owners passionate about sustainability, the demand is not currently coming from the majority of yacht buyers. So, what to do when a hybrid solution is more expensive than a traditional solution? Should owners be ‘forced’ to pay the extra investment or should the yards absorb the extra costs from their margin, as De Vries hinted at?

Andrea Fabretti, CEO of Sunseeker, agrees that sustainability is not a priority for the majority of clients, so says the technology needs to be positioned in a different way.

“We need to attract the customer by creating comfort,” Frabetti said. “The advantage of staying at anchor without the genset running and no dirty smells or dirty water for swimming. Or to spend the night without noise and vibrations. That’s how we need to sell it.”

And how to determine ‘how green’ a yacht is? To answer that, the Water Solution Foundation has created a Yacht Assessment Tool, developed by the Foundation’s initiator and vice-chair, Dr Vienna Eleuteri, together with the University of Bologna.

It’s “a software tool based on ‘computational sustainability’, an interdisciplinary field that combines techniques from computer science, information science, operations research, applied mathematics, and statistics for balancing environmental, economic, and societal needs for sustainable development”.

BIOFOULING IN FOCUS

Albert Willemsen, environmental consultant for ICOMIA and involved in the IMO GloFouling Project, chaired the show’s first panel session, focused on biofouling. The panellists represented AkzoNobel, Antifouling Coatings Committee of IPPIC (International Paint and Printing Ink Council), Waterways Netherlands, NRG Marine, Finsulate and World Sailing.

The UN has reported that alien invasive species (AIS) are an important cause to loss of biodiversity in general, a silent killer, equal to the effects of climate change. In the marine world, invasive species are distributed globally by vessels through hull growth (biofouling) and ballast water. Antifouling solutions are essential in reducing invasive species attached to a vessel’s underwater structure.

Toxic (or biocidal) anti-fouling coating systems deliberately leak chemicals into the water to kill microorganisms, plants, algae and barnacles on the hull, but kill or change other sea life as well. An IMO Taskforce, Glo Fouling Partnerships, addresses this issue of biofouling in the wider commercial shipping industry.

Solutions include the use of biocide-free paintings and coatings, already available on the market, and more frequent cleaning of vessels before they leave for new destinations. Even cargo ships now get in-water cleaning, although this practice is not allowed in all ports.

Alternative solutions include the ultrasonic Sonihull system or Finsulate fibre wrapping. The panel agreed on the benefits of combining biocidal free coating, ultrasound or fibre wrapping, and cleaning more often. Using new solutions requires a mind-shift from people managing boats, ports and marinas.

A question from the audience addressed the need for industry standards and labels to show the effectiveness of biocidal-free coatings and paints for certain areas (fresh, salt, tropical, etc) as there isn’t a one-fits-all solution.

CIRCULAR COMPOSITES

Barbara Amerio, CEO of Amer Yachts, said the Italian builder has been testing 3D printing of a helm station using a fully circular composite called Filava, based on volcanic rock and recyclable at the ‘end of life’ of the component or boat.

The results are very encouraging and the company plans to use the material for other parts in the future, possibly even hulls. In line with this, Enrico Benco, co-founder of GS4C (Go Sailing, for a Change), stressed the need for a cradle-to-cradle solution for fully re-usable materials.

“Reuse is better than recycle,” he said, referring to both reusable components and reusable material that can be broken down into its initial ingredients without using huge amounts of energy or generating toxic emissions during the process.

The current recycling procedure for GRP often involves a large amount of new GRP being added in order to create new products, so the process is not fully circular.

Igor Kluin, Managing Director of Vaan Yachts, said the company’s first sustainable catamaran uses recycled, high-grade aluminium, reducing energy by 95 per cent compared to using new aluminium.

RECYCLING BOATS

End-of-life boats create huge challenges for the environment. Issues are the costs of transport, the huge amount of labour involved in taking the boat apart, how to recycle 
the resulting materials, and government regulations.

“Solutions for recycling boats will never properly take off without a viable business model for the recycled materials and components,” says Pål Hernes, who works with Norway’s EcoFiber Recycling, which seeks to recycle GRP boats and reuse the materials to create new products.

“The main problem is that the 
current heritage fleet wasn’t designed 
and constructed for reuse or recycling in
the first place. Dismantling a boat into reusable materials – taking it fully apart and separating the elements and then grinding down the GRP to reusable material – is a very labour-intensive process. It only works if the rest of the materials have sufficient value as new source material.”

What can be done with existing GRP? Various companies and universities are already recycling fibreglass into new materials and products. There are two components: the resin and the fibres. The Rhode Island Marine Trades Association’s Fibreglass Vessel Recycling Pilot Project uses the material in cement kiln co- processing.

In the Netherlands, reused GRP materials have been used for lining canals. Composite experts at universities are looking into combining boat-waste material with other [waste] materials to create thermoplastic sheets for furniture.

Crucial for the business model of recycling is to create synergies and sufficient scale 
with other industries, such as automotive and furniture. Government policies and regulations are important as well, as the last owner of a yacht is usually not the most solvent one.

Marnix Hoekstra, partner and Creative Director at Vripack, stresses the importance of designing new yachts with the end-of life requirement in mind from the start.

“Computer programmes can be used
to design yachts or yacht modules for
 easier disassembling later on,” he said. “Sustainability seems to be in the same line as uncomfortable, but the challenge is to create comfortable new sustainable solutions for owners, in the same way as we sold carbon-fibre or teak decking to clients in the past.”

Metstrade will continue discussions on sustainability and if you are interested in more information or in contributing, email Peter Franklin, Sustainability Coordinator, Metstrade, at yachtmedia.buz@gmail.com

SUPERYACHT SERVICES GUIDE

Marieke Derks, Zara Tremlett
and Bert van Muylwijk form the Superyacht
 Services Guide’s author team for Asia, 
the Indian Ocean and Australia. The SSG 
features personal recommendations from
 professional yacht Captains and crew for
the best services used around the world.
 From a convenient marina, a reliable taxi
 driver, a five-star hotel for guests, that tiny but 
recommended engineering shop in town to the best hair
dresser in a remote location, the guide has all the recommended services, big and small, needed to run a superyacht anywhere. The quick-search online directory is constantly updated, fast-tracking users to the most reliable, efficient and effective services available globally. Some Captains say the SSG is “by far the most-used publication on board”.

marieke@superyachtpublications.com

www.superyachtservicesguide.com

www.issuu.com/superyachtservicesguide

The original article appears in Yacht Style Issue 51. Email subscribe@lux-inc.com for print subscription enquiries or subscribe to the Magzter version at: www.magzter.com/SG/Lux-Inc-Media/Yacht-Style/Fashion/

Yacht Style Issue 51: ‘The Personalities Issue’ Is Out Now!

 

 

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Going under the hammer for an expected $6,547,466 to $7,103,040 USD in RM Sotheby’s, Paris, the iconic seventh customer 1955 Jaguar D-Type ever produced is revered as one of the best active race cars in existence today.

The Iconic 1955 Jaguar D-Type Goes Under The Hammer at RM Sotheby’s in Paris

Built in 1955, the model returned to production in 2018, achieving a mythical status with its extensive racing pedigree. Auctioned under the chassis number XKD 520, the prestigious car was initially delivered to Australian motor racer, Bib Stillwell, who later went on to become a four-time victor ludorum of the open-wheel Australian Drivers’ Championship from 1962 to 1965. Both setting and breaking records, Stillwell raced the 1955 Jaguar D-Type till the day it was sold in 1957.

In a short-lived ownership, the D-Type’s subsequent possessor invested his time in repair – racing only a handful of times before reselling the car a year later. Refit with a factory-supplied 3.8 litre engine, the D-Type remained competitive, snatching first place at the 1961 Queensland Tourist Trophy.

Passing through a multitude of expert hands, the 1955 Jaguar D-Type’s front end was temporarily restructured with a long-nose design which mimicked the build of every Le Mans-winning race car, before being restored to its original form by British racer, Chris Keith-Lucas.

Remaining fully drivable and in impeccable condition, the 1955 Jaguar D-Type will go on sale February 5^th, complete with its long-nose spare part, extensive related-documentation and an authentic FIA Historical Technical Passport to prove its legitimacy.

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One Sanlitun Beijing expressed in the style of Casa Fendi apartment by Cheng Chung Design

Traditional Fendi VIP Apartment

Founded in Rome in 1925, Fendi is an Italian luxury fashion house perhaps better known for its fur and leather accessories. The house eventually expanded to ready-to-wear, shoes and eyewear but where Fendi’s philosophy of combining traditional artisanship and innovation truly shines, is in its tragically underrated but gorgeously well-appointed luxury apartments furnished with their Fendi Casa line.

Fendi is no stranger to interior design, having expressed their upscale Roman aesthetics in an exclusive waterfront condominium in Miami named – Fendi Chateau; and even dressing the gardens of the Grand Principe di Savoia Milano. Fendi’s own private suites themselves reflect the Italian capacity for rinascimento, most recently espoused in exquisite Bvlgari jewel-crafts and watchmaking.

One Sanlitun Beijing expressed in the style of Casa Fendi apartment by Cheng Chung Design

The Italian Renaissance or Rinascimento marked humanity’s transition from the Middle Ages to early Modernity and hence, it is fitting that the contemporary purveyors of luxurious baroque have tempered their penchant with Italian grandiosity with refined minimalist aesthetics. Hong Kong-headquartered Interior Architects Cheng Chung Design (CCD) working out of their Senzhen offices recently marked the arrival of Beijing as a modern metropolis in the same league as New York and London with a new architectural landmark – One Sanlitun Beijing.

Joining international architectural titans like One 57, One Hyde Park and One Shenzhen Bay, Beijing’s One Sanlitun soars into the skyline and enjoys a rare serene ambience while being situated at the busiest and prosperous commercial hub of China’s capital city. Within One Saniltun Beijing, CCD envisioned the interior opulence of its series of luxury serviced apartments by taking inspiration from the industry’s most famous marques, featuring themes, from Armani, Aston Martin, Chanel, Hermès and Bottega Veneta, but it appears that the design studio latest magnum opus draws inspiration from Fendi.

Images are courtesy of CCD / Cheng Chung Design

Beijing’s One Sanlitun ‘Fendi apartment’ takes inspiration from the Italian fashion house and with its array of plush materials and use of grand spaces, it looks something out of Italy’s Palace of Caserta (the real world interior of Star War’s Naboo Theed palace) dressed with contemporary finishing. The result is a classic Fendi aesthetic of strong contrasts and surprising juxtapositions, history and imagination; an elegant dialogue between old and new, from layout to the décor.

Images are courtesy of CCD / Cheng Chung Design

A palatial 6.2 metre high foyer provides plenty of Italian grandiosity by way of luxurious brass, velvet and white marble backed by the dominant sculptural staircase inspired by Rome’s famed steps but the linear light fixtures and furnishings within are kept tastefully elegant, hence avoiding the over-the-top elements which often characterised the Renaissance.

Boasting impressive views of the city below, the large-scale dining and living area are designed to provide a sense of immense space via large be french windows on three sides bathing the magnificent Fendi apartment in light by day and then a romantic stargazing experience by night.

The dining area is expansive, designed to incorporate both western techniques and Chinese cuisine while a bar counter and large table meets the needs of differing social situations from simple house parties and cocktails to Lunar New Year re-union dinners, dining with the backdrop of one of the world’s ever-changing cityscapes redefines ‘luxury’ for those who look for private yet unique living experiences in the city center.

In the bedrooms are well appointed and immensely welcoming with use of sumptuous fabrics and the joining of a spacious yet intimate atmosphere where the theme of large french windows continues to abound – windows to the city on demand or an enclosed private boudoir for rest and recompense, all executed by practitioners of superb craftsmanship. Fendi’s One Sanlitun Beijing is your Caserta Palace in the sky.

Images are courtesy of CCD / Cheng Chung Design

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The Kuala Lumpur Real Estate Industry Still Shines

Melding modernity with elegance, these vacation homes undeniably attract local and foreign investors alike who are seeking for ample amenities in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

Conlay’s aerial perspective in Kuala Lumpur

If you are looking to buy properties in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is a great property investment destination. The city is one of the friendliest places to live in than some of its regional neighbours. Additionally, foreigners will find it relatively easy to purchase property and live in Malaysia under the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme.

It is relatively easy to travel to the city centre from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 by train, bus, taxi, car. Kuala Lumpur city centre is a vibrant metropolis, the panorama here is a slice of nostalgic KL surrounded by heritage buildings, and friendly locals.

Swimming Pool at Conlay

From savoury local dishes to fine international cuisines, shopping to entertainment facilities, travellers will be spoilt for choice here in the city centre. On the other hand, Western, Korean and Japanese grocers and specialities are readily available for the expatriates working and living here in the city centre. Conlay is the latest offering to the thriving city centre of Kuala Lumpur. This new distinguish development features an iconic sleek façade designed by Kerry Hill Architects. This Australian architecture firm is internationally renowned for its expertise in resort hotel design across Asia and has won numerous awards and accolades.

Located along Jalan Conlay and Jalan Kia Peng, this exclusive development offers convenient access to all major amenities around Kuala Lumpur like TRX Financial District, KLCC Twin Tower, Pavilion Shopping Mall, Royal Selangor Golf Club, 5-Star Medical Centres, Embassies and many more.

Besides that, Conlay offers unparallel connectivity. The development is directly across the upcoming Conlay MRT Station Integrated Development (comprising three office towers with a podium, shopping mall and retail plaza) with direct links to Kuala Lumpur’s major transportation hub, for example, the proposed High-Speed Rail to Singapore.

Modern Look, Inspiring Views
Conlay is a landmark of understated luxury that meets every need of discerning buyers who demand nothing but the best from city living. An international collaboration between the publicly-listed Eastern & Oriental Berhad (E&O) and Mitsui Fudosan Group, Conlay is designed by the world-renowned Kerry Hill Architects. Located in the prestigious Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Conlay is a striking 51-storey freehold building designed with a modern look. It features a bezel-roof tower creating a striking architectural form, allowing residents to take in different views of the city skyline and the surrounding parklands.

The appointed firm is no stranger to the architecture industry, having won Australian Institute of Architects’ Gold Medal for the City of Perth Library as well as numerous award-winning hospitality projects such as Aman Tokyo. Even the iconic The Datai Langkawi and Martin No.38 Singapore emanate timeless aesthetics.

Type A unit at Conlay

A Masterful Touch
Creating Conlay, Kerry Hill Architects carefully used modern architecture techniques to create this soaring structure where three distinctive picture-framed bezels offer sweeping views of the city’s vistas. Not just limited to the façade, Kerry Hill Architects take pride in meticulous detail in every level’s design. There’s a sense of refinement and prestige in each residential unit. Kerry Hill Architects nod to open floor plans jettisons physical demarcations, allowing its occupants to mingle as families or couples. The devil is in the details: luxurious, branded fittings and fixtures create a graceful and elegant lifestyle, resulting in a space that’s cohesive and connected.

Conlay’s essential amenities have not been ignored. Residents can find their leisure and recreational spaces on level 11 and 36. To satisfy the lifestyle pursuits of residents, there will be a library for page-turning moments, a meeting room, music room, billiard tables, multimedia room, multi-purpose lounge, heated infinity swimming pool, fitness centre, Jacuzzi, yoga and sauna rooms, children’s playroom, and games room, to name a few.

The serviced apartments are located from level 12 to 48 while the penthouse resides on level 51. Level 50 is a dedicated commercial space offering unique F&B and lifestyle retail options.
Located right opposite the Conlay MRT station, Conlay enjoys superb connectivity, with easy access to the financial district, international airport, shopping malls, healthcare facilities, embassies, as well as facilities in education, the arts and culture. Read more about Conlay here.

Everything Is Close By
In fact, the project is near to KLCC East and TRX Station. There is also direct access to the proposed High-Speed Rail to Singapore at Bandar Malaysia South MRT Station. For residents who love to indulge in shopping, they can head to nearby Pavilion Shopping Mall, KL and Bukit Bintang shopping belt. For residents’ added convenience, a shuttle service operates to the city centre and nearby shopping venues.  Conlay features a dedicated lobby and generous themed communal space. With so many lifestyle amenities, residents can spend their weekends fruitfully without leaving their homes. Available in various configurations from 1-bedroom units starting at 732 sq ft to 2+1-bedroom units up to 1,432 sq ft, all homes come with terraces that capture panoramic city views, and fins that shade the sun to reduce heat in the units. Prices start from RM 1.5 million (approx. USD 358K).
www.theconlay.com

Oxley Towers Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC)
This is a freehold mixed-use development located along Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, and within close proximity to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers and Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Oxley Towers Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC)

Ideally situated in the most exclusive and highly sought-after spot of KL, the development offers two hotel towers, SO Sofitel and Jumeirah with residences, one office tower and a retail podium. Enjoy exceptional living at SO Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Residences – the world’s first SO Sofitel branded serviced residences. Standing 78 storeys tall, you will have a bird’s eye view of the city. An investment for those who aspire to enjoy the very best in life.  Located a stone’s throw away from lifestyle venues, major businesses, KL convention and key amenities, Oxley Towers Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) is the forefront of innovation and prestige, blending elegant and bold architecture in a pledge to a luxurious lifestyle with a local flair.
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