Far & Away | Art & Home

The latest edition of Art & Home is here! From an East End compound to a mountain retreat in the Pyrenees, Iyna Bort Caruso explores six homes that share the ultimate luxury: privacy.

For some, getting away from it all means arriving at a destination where solitude is sacred. A private island. A tucked-away peninsula. A secluded rainforest.

A place that’s under the radar and away from the crowds.

And yet finding that perfect cloistered patch of land is becoming harder by the day, which is why it holds more than a measure of prestige. “Privacy and exclusivity are important attributes in luxury retreats,” says Joe Zahm of Turks and Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty.

Among the rarest of real estate trophies are private islands, scattered throughout the world, where one can become chief of their own sandy fiefdom. Some islands are available only through long-term leases, particularly those in Asia and the South Pacific. Others can be purchased outright. Islands in warm-weather climes tend to attract the most interest from would-be developers and wannabe castaways.

Turks and Caicos has emerged as a strong market for private islands, and Zahm predicts long-term demand will rise in response to development on the main island of Providenciales. But hideaways exist in Providenciales, too, even within easy access of the international airport. Turtle Tail Estate, a custom compound with panoramic water frontage, an infinity-edge pool and multiple outdoor lounge areas and cottages, has all the perks and privileges of a secret sanctuary: it’s set on a private 4-1/2-acre peninsula.

Goodbye nightlife. Hello to the good life.

In Costa Rica, architect David Konwiser found his own oasis on a swath of greenery outside Manuel Antonio National Park. To reach it, one must fly from the capital of San Jose on a 19-seat turboprop and then travel by vehicle up a steep, gravel road.

What started as his plan to build a beach house morphed into Villa Punto de Vista, a 10-bedroom estate cantilevered over the rainforest. The private villa is used for destination weddings, corporate retreats and charity events as well as for occasional stays by Konwiser and his family, who are based in a suburb of San Jose. Konwiser sited the estate to channel the 180-degree views of the jungle below and the bay beyond, creating “almost a perfect reality,” he says. The only sounds are ocean waves and the calls of toucans and howler monkeys.

No street clamor, no car horns, no crowd noise. “Silence,” says Zahm, “is the new luxury.”

$85,000,000 USD | Montauk, New York | Sotheby’s International Realty – East Hampton Brokerage

A rare opportunity to own one of America’s greatest and most storied summer compounds. Few locations in the world afford the unparalleled combination of an approx. 30-acre oceanfront compound with an historic equestrian farm. Surrounded by miles of riding trails and hundreds of acres of adjoining oceanfront reserve, this property provides ultimate privacy while being located in desirable Montauk.

A true East End landmark, the approx. 5.7-acre estate was built in the early 1930s as a ‘fishing camp’ by the Church family (makers of the Arm & Hammer baking soda fortune). Subsequent owner Andy Warhol made the compound famous frequently entertaining a host of luminaries including Jackie Onassis, Mick Jagger, Elizabeth Taylor and John Lennon.

$14,000,000 USD | Exuma Cays, Bahamas | Damianos Sotheby’s International Realty

A once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase a 75-acre private island with endless possibilities.  Located in the heart of the Exuma Cays and nestled in the famed Bock Cay Archipelago, Lignum Vitae Cay is one of the most stunning natural Cays with unspoiled beaches, lush vegetation and elevations capturing breathtaking views.

$25,000,000 USD | Fisher Island, Miami | One Sotheby’s International Realty

This exquisite oceanfront Penthouse is one of the most important properties found on the exclusive Fisher Island, which is only accessible by ferry or helicopter. A dramatic terrace frames endless unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean.

$25,000,000 USD | Providenciales, Turks & Caicos | Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty

Turtle Tail Estate is a dynamic and spectacular compound privately located on almost 5 acres of peninsula. The newly completed estate combines the personalization of a custom home with the amenities of an ultra-luxury resort. Masterfully executed on an architectural and interior design level in every sophisticated detail. With approximately 1’400 of breathtaking, panoramic water frontage, the property also features an adjacent 90′ private dock for yacht mooring.

10.000.000 € | Saint Julia De Loria, Andorra | Andorra Sotheby’s International Realty

This true masterpiece of modern luxury is located in the residential area of Aixirivall, within the area of Sant Julià de Lòria. Both the interior and exterior of this property is characterized by a minimalist design and it is ideally located for those who want to live in a real mountain retreat, surrounded by comfort and exclusivity.

$1,495,000 USD | South Hero, Vermont | Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty

Comprised of 11 acres of meticulously manicured grounds and sweeping, panoramic mountain and lake views, Fish Bladder island is pristine private island in Lake Champlain. Complete with a wide shale southwest beach and additional beaches on the north and east side, this island features two residences. The new carriage house and historic cottage are perfectly secluded for the ideal island escape.

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