James H. Herbert II, the chairman and chief executive of the First Republic Bank, listed his penthouse at Trump Parc East on Central Park South, shown above, earlier this month for $38 million, nearly four times what he paid back in 2005. The listing is here.

via luxist.com

When the time comes for you to move out of your home and into a facility, be it a nursing home, assisted living center, or just a retirement community, get ready to pay a huge rent check. The estimated average annual cost of living in an assisted living facility starts above $30,000, not including the entry fee that could be over $100,000.

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Financial whiz turned "lifestyle designer" Richard Nilsson apparently felt that plain old luxury had lost its luster, so he decided to focus on "extreme luxury." When he was running a business empire Nilsson was only able to take one week off per year, so for his first project he came up with the "Résidence Supérieur" concept as an ultimate retreat where vacationing moguls and movie stars could pack as much luxury and privacy into their vacation as possible, cost be damned.

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This Newport, Rhode Island home is a beauty with a long history. The home was built in 1881 for Edwin Dennison Morgan III, of the J.P. Morgan family and became a studio for sculptor Felix de Weldon, who created the statue of The Flag Raising on Iwo Jima. The home sits on three acres of rolling lawns and boasts beautiful harbor views.

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This might be the most beautiful house in Boulder, Colorado, it's definitely one of the most expensive. The glass home sits on 1.24 acres and backs to the historic Chautauqua Park with views of Boulder, Denver and beyond. The two things that make this five-bedroom home so extraordinary are the ample use of glass walls, and the way that the property's large stone features have been incorporated into the home.

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Vietnam wants your tourism dollars and is going after them with a bit of Vegas-style. Las Vegas architectural firm, Steelman Partners is behind the plans for the $4.2 billion Ho Tram Strip, which will be Vietnam's largest single tourism venture. The resort will be built on the white sand beaches of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province, in southern Vietnam.

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This 19 inch high room decorated with glittery chandelier featured with Swarovski crystals, opulent red curtains, gold and velvetfurniture and a marble fireplace can take your breath away. This miniature room is actually a replica of the King's Study at the Palace of Versailles and hence called The Versailles Cabinet. Designed by British designers Susie Rogers and Kevin Mulvany in just a span of three months the place is styled as mid 18th Century.

via luxurylaunches.com

Thirty five well-to-do Italians have managed to procure an apartment suite in the very prestigious Trump SoHo Hotel Condominium in New York. Everyone from Italian actors, movie directors, producers and VIPs are in the group of 35. they will be treated to a 360 degree panoramic view of the island of Manhattan. It will include a spa, a gym room, room service and a swimming pool.

via luxurylaunches.com

The buzz about the 2012 Olympics would stay alive until the game gets over. If it one end, the debate is about the proceedings scheduled then the other worth-considering issue seems to be the demountable nature of the erected stadium. Idea is to reutilize the stadium after a particular event gets over. If it happens it would be the first ever step with a revolutionary approach that would keep the cost within budget and invite poorer countries to play host.

via elitechoice.org

Writer Ryan Murphy created two shows which take a slant look at the focus on appearance, the plastic surgery drama "Nip/Tuck" and the underrated high school dark comedy "Popular" as well as writing the screenplay and directing the 2006 movie "Running With Scissors." This talented man has some lovely taste in real estate. The Real Estalker Mama reports that he bought the home in the hills above West Hollywood in 2001 which has been restored into a modern beauty.

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Spread over 48,000 square feet, this self-effacing little chalet sitting on 140 acres is 15 minutes away from the north of Dallas Airport, Texas. Taking inspiration from numerous buildings, almost four-long years were invested constructing it. It features an indoor pool, an L-shaped outdoor pool that’s bordered by courtyard of uneven flagstones, shade trees and vast stretch of turf. An entry into this villa would make you realize the level of profligacy done on this two-story master clandestine and ballroom is evocative of Versailles.

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Today' estate in Miami Beach, Florida (thanks, designer) was once home to Cher and has also served as a temporary residence for Janet Jackson and Julio Iglesias. Cher bought the property in 1993 for $1.5 million and rebuilt it. She sold in 1996 for $4.35 million to Barry Schwartz, former chairman and CEO of Calvin Klein who sold to real estate developer Todd Glaser and investment partner Armin Mattli, president of Clinique La Prairie, the Swiss spa/hotel/medical center ten years later.

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And here comes another luxury yacht but with a bang. Built in 1994 and refitted in 2007-08 by Oceanfast PTY, Australia, OceanSeven gushes with a cruising sped of 16 knots. At watersports front, it offers facilities 6.5m and 4.5m Novurania tender via Yahama outboards and amongst other include flying fish, water skis, wakeboard, donut, bananas, dive gear and compressor. Riding with Zero speed stabilizers, the yacht has an integrated Jacuzzi and features Satcom & cellular communications facilities, internet access, Comprehensive audio-visual systems, satellite television, Playstations, X box and many others.

via elitechoice.org

The buzz at big photo auctions lately has been all about nude supermodels. Perfectly understandable, of course, but how many times can you really stand to see Gisele naked? (OK, no need to answer that). At Sotheby's latest photo sale in London on Tuesday, we're pleased to see some stunning images on offer which while short on supermodel cleavage nonetheless have plenty of appeal. Take for instance this portrait of the beautiful Brigitte Bardot taken by Terry O'Neill 1971 with an estimate of $8,000 - $12,000. Not one of the more expensive items on offer, but worth every penny in our estimation.

via trendir.com

This contemporary villa located in the European playground of St Jean Cap Ferrat was created by designers Lazzarini Pickering and is a stunning contemporary residence which has beautiful ocean views. The home is located on the exclusive Avenue de Rothschild in this Mediterranean resort of the wealthy. There is a large main villa with views along the French Riviera and living areas on three floors. The main villa can be purchased separately or with two smaller three bedroom guest houses and a staff apartment.

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