Author Archives: admin

The $100M Smeralda, World’s Largest Aluminum Super Yacht

Posted on August 7, 2012 by admin
After two years and 550,000 man hours, the superyacht Smeralda finally launched this Spring and is currently cruising around the world showing off her beauty.  And of course she’s looking for an owner.  At 77 meters, the luxury craft is the world’s largest aluminum motor yacht and is also the most expensive product ever exported from Australia.  Built by German enviro-industrialist Guido Krass, the Smeralda ... Read more
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Newest Celebrity Must-Have: A Private Island

Posted on August 2, 2012 by admin
Marlon Brando started the whole thing.   Whether as a source of inspiration for a new lifestyle, or a cause to curse because islands can be money pits, he stands out as a trailblazer for buying his own private undeveloped island near Tahiti back in 1965.  The concept of a celebrity actually owning an island was virtually unheard of until he completed his purchase of the 1400+ acre Tetiaroa Atoll.  He instantly ... Read more
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Luxury Timekeeping from the World’s Oldest Watchmaker Since 1735

Posted on July 31, 2012 by admin
In addition to being known for its Swiss bank accounts, rich chocolates and cheese with holes, the tiny country of Switzerland’s top point of pride remains in its manufacture of the world’s finest watches.  Historically, Swiss watch making came about after the wearing of jewels was banned in the middle of the 16thcentury and jewelers turned to the art of watch making.  With that, the industry was born and watches ... Read more
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Finally a Permanent Berth for the Beloved QE2

Posted on July 27, 2012 by admin
Even though the Queen Elizabeth 2 took its last voyage in 2008, it was actually purchased in 2007 by Dubai for $100 million, guaranteeing it wouldn’t be dismantled and sold for scrap.   The legacy would continue, to the relief of fans the world over.  The original intent of Dubai was to gut it and redo it into a high end floating hotel but that plan fizzled as not economically viable, and in the meantime the ... Read more
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Production Begins on New Eclipse 550

Posted on July 25, 2012 by admin
When you fall down, you get right back up.  That’s the lesson learned by Eclipse Aviation recently after the successful launch in late 2006 of their first plane, the Eclipse 500.  The company  was the originator of the Very Light Jet (VLJ) category with over 250 planes in the air before a lack of funding forced them into bankruptcy in early 2009.  The assets of the defunct business were purchased a few months ... Read more
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What Happens in Macau Stays in Macau

Posted on July 23, 2012 by admin
Next time the gambling bug hits and you feel the need to hop the next private jet to Vegas, you may want to rethink your plans.  The real action is on the other side of the world in the tiny territory of Macau.  Macau is a Chinese entity which had been under Portuguese control for over 100 years before its administration was turned back over to China in 1999.  Actually it is an island city of 500,000 and is officially ... Read more
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A New Breed of Student at New York Universities

Posted on July 20, 2012 by admin
Paris, London and New York are no longer just the style capitals of the world; they are also the capitals where the super rich from around the world are sending their children to school. At the beginning of the year Russian fertilizer mogul Dmitry Rybolovlev bought the most expensive apartment in New York for his daughter Ekaterina Rybolovleva. The Potash Prince paid a cool $88 million so that his daughter could ... Read more
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Executive Private Jet Travel: Necessity or Luxury?

Posted on July 13, 2012 by admin
Many businesses are working hard to dispel the image of private jet charters as a lavish luxury, instead insisting that they are a necessary business tool.  While private jet travel is indeed more luxurious than flying commercial, business travelers often don’t have an option.  For business travel, time is money and every minute counts.  And in the business world efficiency and convenience rule the day.  Private ... Read more
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Beverly Hills Newest Luxury Hotel Costs $12,000 to Check In

Posted on July 11, 2012 by admin
For the discriminating traveler who is tired of mediocre extended stay hotels, a dream will soon come true just around the corner from Rodeo Drive when the AKA Beverly Hills opens on October 1st.  AKA  is well known for their high end luxury extended stay residences with properties in New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC.  They’re currently redeveloping a 2006 Beverly Hills apartment complex with a $10 million ... Read more
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Oops — $100 Million House Valued at $50 Million

Posted on July 9, 2012 by admin
Of course we’ve all wondered how someone actually gets from zero to a billion dollars in net worth.  Are they smarter?  Was it connections?  Luck?  Or maybe just a good idea of what works in the money making business?  If you’re speaking about Russian billionaire venture capitalist Yuri Milner, the answer is simple:  invest in social media and internet startups.  He has made big money investing in businesses ... Read more
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