With the new year will come new opportunities. Chances to reinvent ourselves, renew our curiosities, explore new careers, new hobbies or even new countries abound within the unrestricted horizon of the next 12 months ahead. And what better way to embrace the unbridled future than to relocate to a new territory and start a whole new chapter of one’s life?
DDW selects three of the most incredibly unique properties now available on the market to make your new home…
Starburst House
Film producer Chris Hanley has a secret; he knows the Mojave Desert better than anyone. His long standing history with the area best known as Joshua Tree dates back to when he started his film career and introduced the world to classic such as American Psycho and The Virgin Suicides.
It was in the desert that he and his wife Roberta found their inspiration for independent film and connected with fellow luminaries like Bret Easton Ellis and Sofia Coppola. It was from here also that he furthered his love of art, representing icons such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Julian Schnabel, Bickerton, Anselm Kiefer, Richard Prince, Andres Serrano and Damien Hirst through his fine art company – Art Associates.
Finding creative solace in Joshua Tree, Roberta and Chris eventually moved to the desert and built The Mirror House; an appropriately artistic home that preserved the beauty of its surroundings. Composed of a 22-story steel and glass skyscraper flipped on its side and fused into the boulder covered mountainside (and complete with a dramatic 100 foot swimming pool that runs the length of the open living room) – this is indisputably one of the world’s most spectacular homes. Amazingly it is also available on AirBnB.
Nearby however, there are plans for an even more incredible home, the already Instagram-famous Starburst House. A jigsaw of 21 shipping containers assembled in a ‘burst’ formation jutting out of the desert rocks of its surroundings, this is a contemporary wonder and its for sale.
Designed by London’s Whitaker Studio the home at Zero Wagon Wheel Road is positioned at the most breathtaking hight point in Monument Manor within 22.5 acres of private land, complete with jaw dropping views and a fair few Joshua Trees to boot.
The location of each container towards the sky is different and provides unrivalled views of the night sky whilst a stark interior preserves the futuristic appeal of the project. It is available now for £2.8 GBP / $3.5 million USD and will undoubtedly go quickly – get in now and join Hollywood and Art royalty.
The Bubble Palace
In 1975 Hungarian architect and designer Antti Lovag decided that it was about time we finally broke free of our right angled confinement. Driven by the prevailing sense of rebellion that encompassed the era, Lovag set about to refine how we lived and worked by constructing the Palais Bulles (or ‘Bubble Palace’) – an architectural pièce de résistance high above the bay of Cannes on the French Riviera.
Working alongside fellow visionaries, artist Pierre Bernard and fashion magnate Pierre Cardin, Lovag created what was to become an iconic complex complete with 13,000 square-feet of indoor space which include a lounge, a reception room, and 10 suites. The outdoors are equally as generous with grounds that contain exotic plans, three swimming pools (including a stunning horizon swimming pool) and even a 500 seat Roman-style outdoor auditorium overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
The project was finally completed in 1984 and immediately became the host of some of Cardin’s wildest and most glamorous parties. Endless tales remain of that era – with stories of Monaco royalty and Hollywood A-list making history within its domes. Now – this can all be yours for the modest price tag of £ / €300M.
Aynhoe Park
There are very few homes in England that can boast to be true party palaces but certainly none that could rival the magnificence or history of Aynhoe Park. The 39 room Palladian mansion originally built in 1615 (and subsequently reconstructed a number of times) features incredible grandeur in combination with exquisite elegance.
Built as a showpiece home for John Cartwright (the famous political reformer) and incorporating parkland designed by Capability Brown, this country pile has hosted its share of historic events and dinner. However, it was only until 2006 when the 90’s Fantazia rave entrepreneur James Perkins bought the home with his with Sophie that the magnificent venue rediscovered its roots.
Like many grand homes across the country, Aynhoe had been split into flats – but following the 2005 recession the whole building came up for sale, posing a once in a lifetime opportunity for the Perkins family to remould the storied home into a singular dwelling. Painstakingly restoring the building back to its former glory, James and Sophie created a dream-like estate where Palladian and Baroque touches rubbed shoulders with the classic Jacobean.
Inside, the couple exhibited their eclectic collection of classical and contemporary art, sculpture, design and surrealist taxidermy gaining the attention of the world’s design and society press – as well as rock and Hollywood royalty including Jude Law, Noel Gallagher (who celebrated his 50th there) and even becoming the official backstage bar of the Wilderness Festival.
Now, as the Perkins move on to their next project; Parnham Park, in Dorset – Aynhoe is once again on the market and it’s interiors for auction. Undoubtedly this is one of the very most exciting private sales in recent memory and one certainly not to be missed.
UP NEXT: December’s best new music releases….