Luxury Insights

Dual Kitchens

Our friends at LuxuryProperty.com have a post on their blog about the growing popularity of multiple kitchens in homes.   Newsday covered it too.  It reminded me of one of the quirks of life in New York City--like many other areas, city building code prohibits multiple kitchens (actually multiple cooking areas) in a single family residence.   

Not surprisingly, in a city full of loopholes and angles, there is a way around this regulation.  A note from your Rabbi.  Yes, your Rabbi.  The city has a religious exemption for kosher kitchens and the building department will typically issue a waiver when the homeowner presents  a letter from her Rabbi.   

You'd be surprised how many  wealthy and notable folks in New York keep a kosher kitchen!  (wink, wink)

Camping out for condos

As markets in many parts of the US fizzle, Toronto is proving to be a hot spot for at least one new luxury condo development. 

The sales office for the new luxury condo at 1 Bloor Street East won't open until next Tuesday, but there are already over 100 people camped out waiting for their doors to open, and the builder says they are expecting the line to grow to as many as 1,000 people by this weekend. 

Coverage on CBC News and Luxist.

Pop-Up Mansions

Existing-home sales fell to a nearly 10-year low last month, and major builders are reporting big losses. But a small group of wealthy people unfazed by the downturn are paying big premiums to have houses erected in record time.

So says an article (Pop-Up Mansions) in last week's Wall Street Journal's "Wealth Report" highlights the growing trend of rapid construction in luxury enclaves around the country where some folks feel like they have more money than time. 

Robert Frank follows up on the story in The Wealth Report Blog.