Luxurious Homes in 2010

Megan Gates is an active blogger and handles communications on behalf of Elliman.com.  She provides written work to the blogosphere pertaining to NYC Real Estate and the latest architecture and design.

2010 was not the best year for luxury real estate sales. Yet, highly motivated, luxury home buyers still managed to roll out the red carpet this past year and make purchases totaling almost one billion dollars. Below is a list of the most lavish and luxurious homes purchased in 2010. If the sheer size and design of these homes does not blow you away, their amenities will.

1. Sonoma is located on the northern coast of California, it is the location of home number one – one of the five most lavish and luxurious homes sold in 2010. This 11,605 square foot Shanel is in the southwestern county of California’s wine region. The last listed price of this home was $35 million dollars.

The Shanel has picturesque views of the wine country and rolling hills. There are vast amounts of greenery on the grounds of the home. Included in the greenery are hundreds of varieties of trees, a vegetable garden, orchard, and shrubs. The home offers a great deal of amenities for the outdoor lover. There is a barn, multiple stables, riding arena, and farm storage building.

2. The second lavish and luxurious home on our list is the Santa Barbara Villa located in Santa Barbara, California. This 8,592 square foot villa style home was built in 2000. The villa originally listed at $16 million dollars and 
sold for $13 million dollars. The aesthetic of the home draws on the warmth of Tuscan architecture, warm brown and yellow stucco, honorably arched columns, wooden box beam ceilings, brown-specked granite floors, expansive terraces with winding ivy, and countless stone montages. The villa also has gorgeous ocean views.

The benefit of the home’s 2000 construction is it’s Tuscan charm and detail while not requiring much in the way of repair and maintenance. The main building has 5 bedrooms and 6.5 baths as well as a guesthouse with 1 bedroom and 1 bath.

La Belvedere French Chateau

3. Le Belvedere is an estate located in Bel Air, California. The original listing was at $85 million
dollars and then the home was sold in 2010 for $50 million dollars.

Le Belvedere has received a flood amount of media attention as it was owned by the real estate developer Mohamed Hadid – then sold to a Turkish businessman, Sarp Turanligil for around $50 million dollars.

This French chateau has 2.2 acres of property, and 48,000 square feet. Le Belvedere has wine cellar, three master suites, and seven bedrooms. Le Belvedere wins the award for the MOST expensive home sold in 2010.

"Dunnellen Hall", Greenwich, Connecticut

4. Last but not least we move back to the east coast. In Greenwich, Connecticut the mansion dubbed Dunnellen Hall is the last stop on our lavish and luxurious tour of homes sold in 2010. Dunnellen Hall has an impressive 21,897 square feet of space, 14 bedrooms, 13 full bathrooms, and sold for 55 million dollars in 2010.

This northeastern gem offers a panoramic landscape view of the home’s 40 acres of property. Some of the views that can be seen when looking out from this property are orchid gardens, and a reflecting pool with a fountain. This home has 9 fireplaces, both an indoor and outdoor pool, and full sized wine cellar.