(Bloomberg) -- The headaches inherent in owning a home on the beach—flooding, erosion, storms, plus the inevitable corrosive effects of salt water on furniture, books, and decoration—provide a powerful argument for finding homes in a more benign setting. The following mountain homes fit the bill: They've got views, space, and, most important, the privacy necessary for stress-free living, be your preferred clime sunny Mediterranean or alpine American West.
Tuscan Chianti Estate, $18.2 Million
The estate dates to the 13th century.
- Size: 20,451 square feet
- Price per Sq. Foot: $890
- Acres: 12.35
- Bedrooms: 28
- Bathrooms: 28
A living area.
This compound, set on a hilltop in the Chianti region of Tuscany, dates from the 13th century and most recently was the home and atelier of the dutch painter Karel Appel.
The estate is roughly a 30-minute drive from Florence and is broken up into two main villas: The first, Casa delle Rose, has five bedrooms and four bathrooms, while the second, Villetta, has an additional three bedrooms and two baths. There are further bedrooms in what was once Appel's atelier, and yet more bedrooms and baths in the renovated farmhouses.
The estate comes with three swimming pools, its own chapel, a vineyard, olive groves, and ancient, manicured gardens. It's been renovated recently and currently serves as a high-end rental. The décor is somewhere between Under the Tuscan Sun and Il Gattopardo, though presumably if the next owners are spending $18 million on the property, they'll be able to add their own touch without too much hand-wringing.
The property has three pools.
Christie's International Real Estate
Mallorca Hilltop Mansion, $18 Million
The house has sea views.
- Size: 10,763 square feet
- Price per Sq. Foot: $1,676
- Acres: 0.741
- Bedrooms: 8
- Bathrooms: 13
The home is full of glassy, clean lines.
This contemporary residence, perched on a steep hill overlooking Mallorca's Port Andratx, comprises a main building, a guesthouse, and staff quarters.
The two main buildings (the guesthouse and main house) are separated by an open terrace, while discrete pavilions—both covered and uncovered to shade from the island's enviable, nearly year-round sunshine—surround the home. There's an infinity-edged pool (of course) with views of the sparkling Balearic Sea below.
The main house, which has a master suite and four bedrooms with en suite baths, also contains vast entertaining spaces over its two levels, along with a gym and cinema. The underground garage can be reached via glass elevator; the see-and-be-seen town of Andratx is about a 10-minute drive away.
A view of the infinity pool and the bay beyond.
Sotheby's International Real Estate
Jackson Hole Contemporary, $18 Million
The core of the house is an open-plan layout.
- Size: 7,302 square feet
- Price per Sq. Foot: $2,465
- Acres: 35
- Bedrooms: 4
- Bathrooms: 6
The house has views of Grand Teton.
Set on the private development of Crescent H Ranch, an upscale subdivision near Jackson Hole, Wyo., this contemporary home faces the Grand Teton.
The house's core is an open-plan combination of a living room, dining room, and kitchen sheathed in floor-to-ceiling glass windows, flanked by stone walls. The north side of the house has a guest suite and master suite, while the building's western wing contains two guest bedrooms and a media room.
The house, about a 20-minute drive from the Jackson Hole ski resort, has access to horseback riding trails, fishing on Snake River, and miles of hiking trails. Despite the house's situation in the middle of a developed community, a series of artful tree lines, rolling hills, and views of distant creeks mean its 35 acres feel infinite.
The house is set on 35 acres.
Christie's International Real Estate
To contact the author of this story: James Tarmy in New York at jtarmy@bloomberg.net.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Justin Ocean at jocean1@bloomberg.net.
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