Extraordinary Properties: Living Smart

A dvances in “smart home” systems far exceed your favourite Jetsons episode and help turn a home into a sanctuary.

“The appeal of smart living is to elevate the comfort of living in luxury homes,” says Andres Klein, a founder of Maxicon, a custom smart home design and installation firm with headquarters in Miami, Florida. “It makes our lives easier and brings experiences into our homes that, without smart technology, would not be possible.”

“Our customers have multiple homes in different countries and can monitor them using one app,” Klein says. Lighting, entertainment, thermostats, garage doors, pools, door locks and gates can be controlled at the touch of a button or through a voice user interface.

Peace of mind comes with a comprehensive smart house system: “Intelligent home innovation extends further into wellness and safety,” Klein says. Automated air and water quality controls filter impurities and odours, and new technologies help adult children remotely monitor elderly parents who live alone.

In the seaside community of Marina Del Rey near Los Angeles, a four-storey, 4,767 sq ft smart house with a lift, an eight-seat home cinema and a trio of amenity-rich rooftop decks is “like an X-factor house. You have everything,” says Robert Radcliffe of Sotheby’s International Realty.

Its LED lights are on a dimmer system that’s programmed to come on at sunset, and the motorised blinds close automatically. Quartzite kitchen worktops, a fireplace wall in the living room and an onyx bathroom sink can be illuminated on demand. Two-zone heated porcelain floors have wifi thermostats. A 1,000-gallon rooftop hot tub has lights programmed to display a rainbow of hues and the deck’s wet bar has four speakers integrated with the home’s voice-activated 13-zone indoor-outdoor Sonos surround sound system.

Security plays a significant role in the home’s automation, with video doorbells on the front and back gates, 21 cameras, an intercom system that can be answered from anywhere, a bulletproof safe room, four networked garage doors and interior and exterior doors that can be opened remotely. A fingerprint-access control system determines who enters the wine cellar. “It’s not just a smart house,” Radcliffe says. “It’s a safe house.”

“A smart home is a more convenient home,” Radcliffe adds. “It provides you more comfort to enjoy a luxury lifestyle and freedom to enjoy things other than needing to maintain miscellaneous home functions. Therefore, investing in a smart home is also investing in you.”

This seaside four-storey, four-bedroom smart home boasts 4,767 sq ft of luxurious living space and approximately 2,000 sq ft of outdoor entertaining space, which includes three rooftop decks: one with an impressive 360-degree view overlooking the city. Inside, you will find a safe room, a climate-controlled glass wine room for more than 400 bottles, a lift and a surround sound home cinema complete with eight leather power-reclining seats and a 4K Sony HDR projector.

$6,395,000
_{Property ID: 2YC69T}
sothebysrealty.com
_{Sotheby’s International Realty – Pacific Palisades Brokerage
Robert Radcliffe +1 310 317 9900}

This award-winning luxury property has been carefully considered to work with the surrounding landscape – the level differences of the plot became part of the design. Innovation is recognised throughout the villa with state-of-the-art home automation, such as motorised doors and curtains, including its 7.2m high entrance door and the 6.3m high terrace doors. The exterior lighting and irrigation of the exquisite garden, which features native vegetation, are also programmable.

€4,850,000
_{Property ID: DDF399}
sothebysrealty.com
_{VIVA Sotheby’s International Realty
Juan Torregrosa, +34 971 721 000}

Situated on the bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean is this stunning modern two-storey home with four bedrooms and four full bathrooms. The open-plan living area flows into spacious outdoor patio areas, all featuring thoughtfully curated architectural details and interior design. Some amenities include Lutron Lighting and Savant AV control systems, a full security system, custom pivot entry door with keyless entry, automated integrated Lutron window shades and infrared heating.

$14,995,000
_{Property ID: VHSG5X}
sothebysrealty.com
_{Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty
Connie Pittard +1 619 733 6815}

The just-completed penthouse at The Pacific showcases large-scale rooms with soaring ceilings, windows on three sides, contemporary design and topline infrastructure. This five-bedroom, five-and-a-half bathroom property is expansive, spanning 5,310 sq ft, while remaining warm, thanks to elegant finishes that are rich in texture. All the insulation, glue and paint used throughout are certified organic and toxin-free, delivering the purest, cleanest indoor air. Plus, flooring in the northern bedrooms and windows are designed to shield from external electromagnetic frequencies.

$19,995,000
_{Property ID: PXV8W2}
sothebysrealty.com
_{Sotheby’s International Realty – San Francisco Brokerage
Gregg Lynn +1 415 595 4734}

Situated on the edge of national forestland, this modern mountain estate offers the rare opportunity to live off-grid in ultimate luxury. The inspired design is complemented by state-of-the-art components, including a Savant smart home system, power supplied by an extensive 41kw solar array, nearly 300kw hours of battery backup, six 1,000-gallon propane tanks and an extensive commercial water filtration system with over 1,000 gallons of water storage.

$25,900,000
_{Property ID: FFVSEH
sothebysrealty.com
Summit Sotheby’s International Realty
Thomas Wright +1 801 652 5700}

This impeccable construction on the El Cid waterfront provides every modern luxury and unimpeded water views. Set on a nearly 19,000ft corner lot, which has been landscaped by Nievera Williams, this smart home is a contemporary take on classic Palm Beach architecture, with iron-look windows and handmade Mexican roof tiles. A 52ft two-lane lap pool sits off the electric- screened terrace. The three-bay garage is fitted with two lifts, can accommodate up to five cars and is complete with an electric vehicle charger.

$26,900,000
_{Property ID: VDWEKL}
sothebysrealty.com
_{Sotheby’s International Realty – Palm Beach Brokerage
Lisa Cregan +1 847 910 1303
Christine Franks +1 561 685 5387}

A one-of-a-kind designer residence in the Tribeca area, this full-floor unit offers lofty space and sweeping views of the downtown New York skyline. It has been fully renovated by Voorsanger Architects and built by Paolo Cassina, ensuring the highest-quality finishes and bespoke design touches. With gorgeous Wenge floors, smart home automation, a built-in sound system, custom lighting, motorised blinds and a multi-zone heating and cooling system, this state-of-the-art home offers every convenience imaginable.

$9,950,000
_{Property ID: TCX2Q2}
sothebysrealty.com
_{Sotheby’s International Realty – East Side Manhattan Brokerage
Kevin B. Brown +1 917 886 8850
Craig George +1 917 886 4760}