UNUSUAL AND SPECTACULAR CASTLES

Castles That Will Inspire and Haunt You.
Arguably born the day that villagers -- and the people who profited off them -- decided that wood wasn’t strong enough to keep them safe, castles quickly became more than just edifices dedicated to security.



Instead of repelling borders, real or imaginary, castles became THE status symbol of status symbols. Monuments to bravado, they were stone and mortal proclamations to the age-old idea that "mine is bigger than yours."



If you want an picture-postcard example of a castle, you don’t have to go anywhere but the Château de Pierrefonds in France.



Although it may have started out as a structure designed to keep some folks out and others safely in, it was later partially sugar frosted by none other than Napoleon the 3rd, who was shooting for a true nobility status symbol: a iced cake that no one but the very rich and very privileged could eat.



Pierrefonds is still a beautiful place, even if its fortifications were overly gilded –- or maybe because of it. It’s no wonder it's used to this day when central casting gets a call for a classic castle.

THE WORLD'S FIRST SEVEN- STAR HOTEL

Milan's Town House Galleria is the world's first official seven-star hotel.


Italian hotelier Alessandro Rosso wanted to create a hotel so good, it needed a whole new rating system. That's how the world's first seven-star hotel was born.


The Town House Galleria is not an experience that everyone can enjoy. For one thing, room rates start at EUR1000 ($2035) a night, rising to EUR3900.


Each room is individually furnished, there is a luxury chauffeur service and butler service available 24 hours a day.


The hotel's interiors are stunning. As the building is a historic monument, each room has been designed to fit into its existing layout.


Individual layouts, four-metre-high ceilings and windows, and original features that, depending on the room, may include frescoed ceiling borders or stone angels watching over you.


Add brilliantly coloured velvet furniture, sweeping satin curtains and a vast bathroom and you've got a room made for cocooning.


The Town House Galleria is small, exclusive and intimate - a home-away-from-home for those for whom money is no object.


Town House Galleria is located inside the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele II - a magnificent Belle Epoque construction that is part palazzo, part thoroughfare and part upmarket shopping arcade.


Any hotel can apply for the SGS seven-star hotel specification, so Town HouseGalleria may not retain its exclusive hold on the rating.


Until it does, however, this hotel is definitely a cut above the rest

MOST EXPENSIVE PRIVATE ISLANDS

Isla de sa Ferradura, Spain

The Isla de sa Ferradura sits in the Bay of San Miguel just off the north coast of Ibiza, Spain. This 14 acre resort island is fully developed with a hacienda, kitchen, pool, bar and even a wine bodega. With 300 days per year of sunshine, and a view of the bright blue Mediterrannean Sea, this truly is living large. Most people will never be able to experience even a vacation here. The island rents out for about US$230,000 per week. Price : US$39,700,000.


Cabbage Cay, Bahamas

Cabbage Cay is a private, 35 acre, fee-simple island, located in the World Famous Bonefish flats, within the inner bay of North Eleuthera in the Bahamas. A road has been pushed to the island, so whatever you decide to build on it, your access will be guaranteed for years to come. The island carries up to 24′ elevations. Three sandy beaches, lush vegetation, a protected anchorage area, and abundant exotic wildlife are some of the more amazing amenities. Turtles, fishes and birds abound. Did we mention the sailing is nice in the Bahamas? Price : US$2,500,000.


Cerralvo Island, Mexico

Cerralvo Island is 60 square miles of undeveloped terrain. The island is mountainous as it was a former volcano. It is located in the Cerralvo Channel, in the Sea of Cortez, off the coast of Baja Mexico. These waters are prime for big game fishing. This massive private island could contain several enormous mansions and you still would never see your neighbors. This sandy beach island gets plenty of warm Mexican weather and sunshine, and offers plenty of privacy, yet is only about 30 miles away from the mainland. Price : US$35,000,000


Singer Castle on Dark Island, Canada

The island sits in the St.Lawrence river between Ontario, Canada and New York, USA. Dark Island isn’t known for its tropical jungle or white sand beaches. The real gem is the 100 years old castle on the island. It was originally built in 1905 as a hunting lodge family retreat by Fredrick Bourne, the president of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. With towers and secret passages abounding you could literally be your own King of the Castle. The island would be a great getaway from the hustle and bustle, and is still only a short helicopter ride away from New York or Toronto. But it is currently only available for rent. Price available upon request.


Necker Island, British Virgin Island

Virgin Record’s super mogul Richard Branson took private islands to a whole new level in the late 1970’s by purchasing Necker Island. Branson built an unparalleled resort, that now rents for approximately US$329,000 per week. The island is int the Caribbean and surrounded by a coral reef with extremely diverse sea life. The island hosts pristine beaches and vibrant plant life. Rock stars party here, Hollywood notables and Google founders get married here, and the closest you’ll ever come is on a Caribbean cruise line. The 360 degree open bedroom provide one of the best views of the sunset you’ll ever likely to see. Price : US$47,000 per day.


Musha Cay, Bahamas

Musha Cay is actually 4 private islands owned by renowned magician David Copperfield. The islands are located 85 miles southeast of Nassau, Bahamas, and has its own runaway for top secret celeb landings. This private island resort has 5 houses. The resort offers activities such as snorkling, diving, windsurfing, a gym, and walking paths, but you could always choose to sunbathe on one of Musha’s seven gorgeous private beaches. Also, Copperfield reportedly has found the “Fountain of Youth” on the island. Price : US$32,250 per day for 12 or fewer people.


Tetiaroa, French Polynesia

Tetiaroa is located 40 miles north of Tahiti, and is actually an atoll comprised of 12 small islands. The island was made famous by the late Marlon Brando. The island currently has only one full time resident : Teihotu, Brando’s son. The island is mostly undisturbed and boasts a tropical bird sanctuary, but there are currently no accommodations on the island for visitor until the new hotel, aptly named “The Brando” is completed sometime this year. Price : N/A.


Ciftlik Island, Turkey

Just 250 meters from off the coast line of Turkey in the Agean Sea sits a gorgeous castle-style house, along with a guest house, and servants quarters. One of the few developed island in the region with water, electricity and telephone. Although this island isn’t much for beaches, the sunny, warm weather, the proximity to mainland Turkey and Rhodes, and the finished house put this island right up there with the best in the world. Price : Approx. US$25,000,000.


Piedade Island, Brazil

Piedade is only 2.5 hours from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and is one of 365 islands in the Angra dos Reis archipelago. The island is fully developed with a resort, full time staff, and four beaches to choose from. What makes Piedade Island unique is the location. This island is one of the rare private tropical islands outside of the Caribbean, and is a perfect addition to trip to Brazil. Available upon request for rent.


Nygard Cay, Bahamas

Think Robinson Caruso. This Mayan architecture tree house island is an affluent traveler’s perfect getaway. The Cay lies on the tip of Lyford Cay in Nassau, Bahamas. With waterslides, pools, hot tubs, tennis courts and an 85 foot yacht, this is an adult playground in the rain forest. This is the only way to vacation in the Bahamas. Price : US$42,000 per day.

TOP TEN DUBAI ARCHITECTURE

Burj Al Arab

The Burj Al Arab (Arabic: برج العرب, "Tower of the Arabs") is a luxury hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates managed by the Jumeirah Group and built by Said Khalil. It was designed by Tom Wright of WS Atkins PLC. At 321 metres (1,053 ft), it is the tallest building used exclusively as a hotel.[2] However, the Rose Tower, also in Dubai, which has already topped Burj Al Arab's height, will take away this title upon its opening in April 2008. The Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 metres (919 ft) out from Jumeirah beach, and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. It is an iconic structure, designed to symbolize Dubai's urban transformation and to mimic the billowing sail of a boat.



Burj Dubai

Burj Dubai (Arabic: برج دبي "Dubai Tower") is a supertall skyscraper currently under construction in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. When it is completed in late 2008, it is predicted to be the tallest man-made structure in the world, as well as the tallest building by any measure. Scheduled for occupancy in September 2009, the building is part of a 2 km² (0.8 sq mi) development called 'Downtown Burj Dubai' and is located at the "First Interchange" (aka "Defence Roundabout") along Sheikh Zayed Road at Doha Street.
The building is being built mainly by a South Korean company Samsung, along with the Belgian company Besix and the UAE company Arabtec. It was designed by American Adrian Smith before he left Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP (SOM) of Chicago to start his own independent practice, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture in October 2006. However, SOM continues to lead the architectural, structural engineering and mechanical engineering of Burj Dubai. The total budget for the Burj Dubai project is about $4.1 billion US and for the entire new 'Downtown Burj Dubai', $20 billion US.



The Palm Jumeirah

The Palm Jumeirah is an artificial island created using land reclamation by Nakheel, a company owned by the Dubai government. It is one of three islands called The Palm Islands which will increase Dubai’s shoreline by a total of 520 km. The Palm Jumeirah is the smallest and the original of three Palm Islands (Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira) under development by Nakheel. It is located on the Jumeirah coastal area of the emirate of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).



Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina is a district in the heart of what has recently become known as 'new Dubai', in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is located at 25°4′52.86″N, 55°8′38.67″E on Interchange 5 between Jebel Ali Port and the area which hosts Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and the American University in Dubai. The first phase of this project has been completed.
The marina is entirely man-made and has been developed by the real estate development firm Emaar Properties of the United Arab Emirates. The marina will contain over 200 high-rise buildings and some supertall skyscrapers, Dubai Marina Towers, The Torch Dubai Marina, Infinity Tower, The Princess Tower, Number One Dubai Marina, Marina Terrace, Le Reve and Horizon Tower to name a few, and comprise of an area of 4.9 million m² (50 million ft²), which includes the 40 residential and hotel towers of the Jumeirah Beach Residence. Upon completion, it is claimed to be the world's largest man-made marina. The current largest man-made marina in the world is Marina del Rey in Los Angeles County, California, USA.



Roze tower

The Rose Tower is a 333 metre (1,093 feet), 72 story skyscraper on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE. This skyscraper, whose construction began in 2004, was to be 380 m (1,247 feet) high, but its projected height was reduced in further design modification. Even at this reduced height it will still become home the world's tallest hotel, Rose Rotana Suites, surpassing the Burj Al Arab at 321 m (1,053 ft), also in Dubai once it is occupied. As of October 24th 2006, the building reached its full height with the addition of the spire.



Emirates Office Tower

The Emirates Office Tower, also referred to as Emirates Tower One is a 54-floor office building along Sheikh Zayed Road in the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Connected with the 56-floor Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel by a retail boulevard, they form what is commonly referred to as the Emirates Towers complex. The tower has a total structural height of 354.6 m (1,163 ft) and roof height of 311 m (1,020 ft) making it the 12th tallest currently-standing fully-habitable building in the world. Emirates Office Tower One is taller than Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel despite having two fewer floors. Construction was completed in November 1999.



21st Century Tower

21st Century Tower is a 55-story skyscraper along the Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai . At a height of 269 m (883 ft) it is the world's third-tallest residential building.
It was the world's tallest residential building when it was completed in 2003, but later the Eureka Tower in Melbourne, Australia and the Q1 tower in Australia's Gold Coast bumped it to its current position.
It is occupied by Cabin Crew members of Emirates Airline, and boasts a gym on the top floor and a pool on the roof.



Al Fattan Tower and Oasis Beach Tower

The Al Fattan Tower, also referred to as Al Fattan Tower One is a 51-floor residential tower in the Dubai Marina section of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This building stands right next to the Oasis Beach Tower in the Al Fattan Marine Towers complex. The tower has a total structural height of 245 m (804 ft) and roof height of 230 m (755 ft), making it currently the 7th tallest building in Dubai. Construction of the Al Fattan Tower was completed in 2006.
The Al Fattan Marine Towers, is a complex in the Dubai Marina section of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This complex consists of two twin towers, the Al Fattan Tower, and the Oasis Beach Tower. Both towers stand at an official height 245 m (804 ft) and roof height of 230 m (755 ft), making both towers currently the 7th tallest buildings in Dubai. Construction of both towers was completed in 2006



Park Place

Park Place, architecturally designed by an international team, will become a spectacular addition to the skyline on Sheikh Zayed Rd and is set to be the most exclusive city address for corporates and residents.
The 60-floor building, designed to harness the elements, will implement a heat refracting technology never used in the Middle East before, to assist in keeping the building cool, thereby saving money and reducing the effects of air conditioning on the environment.
The building will be sheathed in a 'second skin', protecting it from the heat generated by the fierce Arabian sun as well as channelling cooler air around the inner layer of the building.
Originally inspired by the shape of a perfume bottle that Mr Bin Drai came across ten years ago, the building has been designed by an Australian firm, Cox Architecture Planning Design, following a design competition between six top international architecture firms who competed to meet the brief.



10Grosvenor House West Marina Beach

Grosvenor House West Marina Beach is the first building completed and fully operational in the prestigious Dubai Marina.
Housing twelve restaurants and bars, Bar 44, located on level 44, offers views over the whole Dubai Marina.
This 5-star hotel, located in the Dubai Marina, officially opened on June 21, 2005.
This hotel, operated by Le Meridien, shares the beach facilities with the Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, which is located just across Al Sufouh Road.

DUBAI OPERA HOUSE

We are surprised the closest architect Zaha Hadid has reached our radars is metonymic Dongdaemun World Design Park near the Teardrop post. This is an example of Zaha's work. This is her firm's recently-announced Dubai Opera House.


The reason I find this most amazing? Most of the popular buildings being built now, like Burj Dubai, Chicago Spire and almost any Gehry project is that it stands out from its surroundings.


See a city of bricks and glass? Throw a building that's all curved metal. Why put up a building when you could put up a building that twists? but there's something dreamy about Hadid's projects where she embraces the surroundings. Look at this project again.

This looks like a pile of sand dunes to me. It is being built on a new island off the city of Dubai (new islands are so the rage these days).


Inside this project, we find a 2,500-seat opera house, an 800-seat playhouse, arts gallery with 54,000 square feet of space (5,000 square meters), performing arts school and a themed hotel. Of course, everything's state of the art, as is the norm in Dubai these days. The island:
Here's the entrance to the opera house.


The interior will be just as amazing.



I can't get over how elegant and appropriate this project is. It's like an eroded mound sticking out of sand dunes. Jaw on floor.


Here are some more photos for your digestion. Construction on the island started in 2006, but we'll keep tabs as this project develops and is completed at an un-announced future date.