Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Beautiful, Stately, All Brick, 2 Story/Basement, GOLF COURSE (9th tee box) Home w/3 car garage located on nearly half acre lot in highly desirable River Run community of Davidson! Easy, short walk to River Run Club House! Home is perfectly located close to front of community w/large, expansive road entry! Grand, Impressive, 2 Story Foyer features gleaming hardwood floors & flows into OPEN PLAN w/plenty of architectural details & extensive millwork! Formal Dining & Living Room! 2 Story Great Room w/gas fireplace, offers massive windows to showcase perfect Golf Course Views, while enjoying privacy & shade w/mature trees! Custom, Gourmet Kitchen offers quartz counters, stainless steel appliances, gas cook top, custom tile back splash, spacious breakfast area & more! Keeping Room w/wood burning fireplace! Butler's Pantry! Spacious Primary Bedroom on main features private bath & his & her walk in closets w/custom shelving/cabinetry! Spacious, Secondary, en suite Bedrooms on upper level!

See the article here:
Expensive homes on the market in Cabarrus County - Independent Tribune

Australia's real estate market is rampant at the moment, following on from a year where property values increased 22.1 per cent.

While almost all homes across the nation have seen values swell, though, it's the blue-chip, top-end of the market where prices have really been kicked into overdrive.

Just last week, we brought you news of a very weathered fisherman's shack in the coastal Victorian locale of Portsea that had been listed with a price guide of $27.5 million to $30 million.

READ MORE: World's most expensive home fails to sell at auction

However, the remarkable asking price of the humble beach house is just the tip of a particularly exxy iceberg.

And, while most of us sadly can't fork out the requisite coin needed to call these mega-mansions home, it is undeniably a guilty pleasure to have a sticky beak at what eight figures will buy in today's market.

So, here are four properties that will break the bank and your concept of what a home can be:

Spread over 4258-square-metres of pristine, serene grounds in the perennially upmarket suburb of Hamilton in inner-city Brisbane, this six-bedroom, seven-bathroom home typifies what the postcode exudes pure class.

Built in 1910 and named 'Ruhamah', this stunning home boasts every modern convenience and luxury you could think of while also providing a level of grace and sophistication that modern McMansions simply can't match.

The gorgeous two-level residence offers a massive indoor pool house, championship tennis court, chef's kitchen with butler's pantry, lower level seven-car garage and an alfresco dining area with a unique Tepanyaki terrace.

With sweeping 360-degree views that enable occupants to gaze out to Melbourne's arresting CBD silhouette and Port Phillip Bay, this penthouse is what sky-high living for the ultra well-heeled looks like.

With a devastating, wince-inducing asking price of $20.4 million, it's easily one of the most expensive apartments ever listed in Melbourne.

And, for that coin, buyers could easily opt for an equally staggering mansion just about anywhere in the state.

But, by ditching terra firma for the dizzying heights above the clouds, this home offers buyers something truly unique in the South Yarra property market the new owners would probably have to unfriend anyone who suffers from acrophobia, though.

Everyone living in Perth may well be trapped at the moment, but if you were the individual lucky enough to call this palatial mansion in the sky home, would you ever want to leave?

Called "Perth's finest penthouse" by real estate agency William Porteous Properties International, this multilevel residence in the revered Mardalup Building in East Perth more than lives up to its lofty title.

Six bedrooms, eight bathrooms and eight parking spaces only tell half the story of this high rise home.

The total living space nudges 1900-square-metres in totality, split between 898-square-metres of internal living space and 774-square-metres of outdoor living space.

Private rooftops pool, wine cellar, private elevator, home theatre, sweeping views - this penthouse is the residential equivalent of a lobster thermidor with the lot.

Set smack-bang in the dress circle of the coveted neighbourhood of Hope Island, this architecturally designed home boasts elegance and a huge foothold in the primest of prime Gold Coast locations.

Encompassing five blocks worth of real estate, the property has no less than 5371-square-metres of land, which has the potential for future subdivision/development.

The mansion itself is spread over three levels of boasts seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms and eight-car spaces.

Opulent features include Romanesque columns, Swarovski crystal chandeliers, golden Versace swan tapware and marble lion sentinels.

According to the listing, there's also a 10-person home theatre, billiard room with wet bar, pool with spa and cabana, and even room for a helipad.

Read more:
These are some of Australia's most expensive homes on sale today - nine.com.au - Nine

The most expensive new listing in the Massachusetts real estate market has it all at least, whatever can fit in 10,000 square feet, though everything outside the property isn't so bad, either.

According to Redfin, 159 Main St. in Barnstable recently hit the market at $18.5 million. The listing had us at "an additional 2.11-acre parcel with a sandy beach and secondary dock enhances the main property."

See more the full list of the top 10 most expensive new listings via Redfin by clicking the addresses below.

159 Main St., Barnstable $18.5 million

"Breathtaking water vistas and luxurious appointments complete this grand waterfront property, with an impressive 4 acres, 400' of water frontage, an infinity edge pool with cabana, a private dock with a boathouse and waterside deck."

69 Scotch Pine Rd., Weston $9.5 million

"One of a kind new construction, features spectacular modern design with soaring floor to ceiling glass showcasing woodland/water views. A lushly landscaped 2.34-acres private setting in a prestigious Southside location offer ultimate luxury living in a 9200-sf open floor plan."

1536-1542 Tremont St., Boston $7.5 million

"Opportunity Abounds! ~ 1536-1542 Tremont St. is seconds from Brigham Circle. The property is a free-standing brick building with 8 apartments and 2 retail storefronts plus a 16X28 garage."

6 Joy St., Boston $5.99 million

"Presenting Beacon Hill's newest boutique collection of luxury residences less than one block from the Boston Common. Each residence at 3 Joy has been meticulously designed to offer a classic yet contemporary aesthetic featuring graciously scaled interiors that harmoniously integrate with expansive private outdoor space."

16 Exeter St., #1, Boston $5.45 million

"Fabulous location in Boston's Back Bay at the corner of Exeter & Marlborough Streets. This impeccably updated Townhouse offers 4 bedrooms and 4 baths with 3,882 sq. ft. of living space, a well-designed floor plan and light filled interior spaces."

166-168 Auburn St., Cambridge $5.35 million

"166-168 Auburn Street in Cambridge is a unique 4-unit building centrally located just steps to Central Sq. and the MBTA/Redline, and is situated between MIT and Harvard University."

211 Westerly Rd., Weston $5.29 million

"European grandeur blends superbly with contemporary living in this spectacularly renovated estate with museum-quality craftsmanship and breathtaking 2-story windows overlooking lush 1.44 grounds. The marble foyer dazzles with trompe l'oeil mural and grand arched entries to dining & living rooms unequalled in splendor with antique mirrored glass, exquisite molding."

1266 Monument St., Concord $4.69 million

"Exciting opportunity on pastoral Monument St to own this stunning custom built Shingle Style Estate. Meticulously constructed in 2009 on 3.3 acres this extraordinary property features professional landscaping w/ mature plantings, trees and gardens."

100 Howard Gleason Rd., Lot 26, Cohasset $4.5 million

"New Super home to be constructed on Cohasset Harbor. The 60070 square foot lot with a Path to a "Private Sandy Harbor Beach" provides the canvas for a 4500 square foot home designed by EMBR architects, built by Bob Shepard. Rolling flat land gives plenty of room for a swimming pool, pool house, tennis or pickle ball court."

6 Marys Way, Truro $4.49 million

"Spectacular oceanfront home overlooking Cape Cod Bay and Provincetown Harbor! Located on the bluffs of Truro, this 4100 square foot beach front property has fantastic water views from almost every room in the house!"

The rest is here:
Breathtaking $18 Million Property Sight To Behold - Patch.com

Gorgeous 3 Bedroom Waterfront Home w/No HOA's! Perfect for VRBO! Located on Private Cove with 4-8ft Water! Elegant Dining Area w/Custom Built-In Cabinet, Rosewood Hardwood Floors Throughout Main Level, Gourmet Kitchen w/Quartz Counters, Kraftmaid Cabinets & SS Appliances, Huge Primary Bedroom w/Access to Back Deck, Spa Like Master Bath w/Soaking Tub & Walk-In Shower, Secondary Bedrooms w/Plenty of Closet Space, Upstairs Bonus Room, Office & Craft Area, Lower Level Boasts Second Living Quarters! Great Room/Media Area w/Motorized Projector Screen, 2nd Kitchen w/Quartz Counters, New LVP Floors, Full Bath, Rec Area, & Flex Room. Outdoor Shower, Covered Deck & Patio for Entertaining, Shoreline Boardwalk Leading to Pier & Covered Boat Slip, Never a Problem Getting your Boat Out! Fire Pit Area Overlooking Lake Norman, 2 Car Detached Garage w/Tons of Storage Space Above & 8x24 Shop Below, Excellent Location Close to Shopping, Restaurants w/Low Iredell County Taxes & Award Winning Schools.

Read more here:
Expensive homes on the market in Mooresville | Local News | mooresvilletribune.com - Mooresville Tribune

No. 2. New, A/V set-up. From aSuper Bowl Watch Party, Sun., Feb. 13, to outdoor movies nights all summer long, our state-of-the-art set-up makes it fun to gather at Town Center.

No. 3. Pet-friendly rentals.Plus, a dog park facilitates playtime.

No. 4. Whooping Crane Festival 25th Anniversary, Feb. 24-27.Cinnamon Shore is the perfect place to return after watching remarkable birds in their winter habitat.

No. 5. Spring Break fun. Cinnamon Shore offers all the activities families love, from outdoor movies and live music to sandcastle lessons and more. Search rentals now.

No. 6. New property release from Cinnamon Shore Realty during the First Quarter!Prime homesites in the newest phase at Cinnamon Shore South will be released! Watch for details.

No. 7. Texas SandFest, April 8-10.Don't miss this annual celebration with music, food, and sand sculptures. Beach homes and condos fill quickly.

No. 8. Easter at the shore, April 17. A beachfront sunrise service and Town Center egg hunt make the celebration meaningful and fun.

No. 9. Stunning, new pool at 'South.'Cabanas, hammocks, infinity edges, and lake views offer a luxe experience.

No. 10. Mother's Day extras, May 5-8. Cinnamon Shore makes it a special weekend for Mom.

No. 11. New vacation rentals.Brand-new options at Cinnamon Shore South range from cottages to beachfront homes. Browse to see what's new.

No. 12. Memorial Day weekend, May 27-30.A full range of summer fun and activities kicks off.

No. 13. Fishing with Dad. Cast intoPort A's fishing waters and Cinnamon Shore lakes. Father's Day is Sun., June 19.

No. 14. 4th of July Bike Parade.Peak summer fun culminates with this favorite tradition.

No. 16. Sandcastle and surf lessons. Kid-friendly classes await!

No. 17. Beachside fitness fun. From yoga to cardio workouts, guests love these seaside sessions.

No. 18. Quiet season beaches.Broad, walkable beaches clear out by October.

No. 19. A beachy Thanksgiving, Nov. 24. Thanksgiving week beckons families grateful for beach time together.

No. 20. Dune crossover views. You'll relax the minute you glimpse the Gulf.

No. 21. Santa's First Stop. Pictures with St. Nick kick off holiday cheer.

No. 22. New Year's Eve dinner at Lisabella's.Close out the year at this on-site Mediterranean bistro.

Book time at Cinnamon Shore to experience all the fun and beachside beauty. Browse our vacation rentals. Learn more about what properties are available and get future property release news. Connect with Cinnamon Shore Realty.

SOURCE Cinnamon Shore

Excerpt from:
22 Reasons to Return to Cinnamon Shore in 2022 - PRNewswire

A spate of new hotels arrived in 2021, and 2022 is also looking bright for debuts. Coming from big players like Hyatt and IHG as well as independent hoteliers, this year's openings convey a strong sense of place while spotlighting history, design, wellness, and gastronomy. From the Windy City to Vietnam, here's a selection of luxury properties slated to launch this year.

Beginning Spring 2022,The LaSalle Chicago, Autograph Collectionwill transport guests to the 1920s through an Art Deco-designed high-rise downtown. The hotel is positioned on the top five floors of the landmark building at 208 S. LaSalle St., assuming the grace and grandeur of the first LaSalle Hotel that was demolished in 1976.

We are excited to bring the sophistication and luxury of the original LaSalle Hotel back to the center of Chicagos Financial District, says General Manager Stefan Gruvberger. The 232-key LaSalle will house a library, solarium, and the signature restaurant and lounge Grill on 21.

Grace Bay ResortsRock House,an anticipated cliffside property in Turks and Caicos, will be marked by privacy, space, and gorgeous interiors. On track for a May opening, the five-star Providenciales refuge will offer 46 villas and studio suites imagined by AD100 designer Shawn Henderson.

My inspiration for Rock House came from the glamorous hotels in the French Riviera and Amalfi Coast, Henderson explains. Since Turks and Caicos is surrounded by some of the most beautiful water in the world, my goal was to create interiors that felt calm, uncluttered, and serene to maintain the focus on the ocean and take advantage of the beautiful, unobstructed views from every home. Outdoor shower gardens, private pools, oceanfront dining, and a 100-foot jetty will enhance the Caribbean setting.

Honoring Casco Antiguo, Panama Citys historic district,Hotel La Compaiawill be the first in Central America from The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. Providing 88 rooms, the UNESCO World Heritage Site and former Jesuit convent dating to the 17th century will blend old and new, respecting the history of the structure and neighborhood while realizing a contemporary design concept. Five restaurants and two taverns will be on site, with a stockpile of notable eateries a skip away, not to mention the Palacio de las Garzas (Presidential Palace), Plaza de Francia, and other historical jewels nearby.

Opening in March, the five-starCashel Palace Hotelwill be a 51-key Relais & Chteaux property set in a restored 1732 Palladian manor in County Tipperary, Ireland. The once country house for the Archbishops of Cashel will feature amenities ranging from a Klafs steam room and sauna to The Bishops Buttery, an upscale restaurant plating contemporary Irish cuisine, to an Equine Concierge planning equestrian experiences on Tipperary's Thoroughbred Trail. The estates location in the Mid-West region also brings myriad things to see and do, including ancient historical and cultural sites to visit, mountains to climb, rivers to kayak, paths to cycle along, reports Adriaan Bartels, general manager of Cashel Palace.

The town of Blois in the Loire Valley is the site ofFleur de Loire,expected to open in June.This elegant five-star, eco-friendly hotel is the brainchild of Michelin-starred Chef Christophe Hay, awarded 2021 Chef of the Year by the famed French restaurant guide Gault et Millau. Once owned by the brother of King Louis XIII, the boutique property will showcase 33 guest rooms and 11 suites, a swimming pool, Sisley spa, two restaurants, and a pastry kiosk. As Chef Hay advocates for sustainable cuisine, he plans to serve foie gras from Villermain, Osetra caviar from Sologne, Wagyu beef from his Angers farm, his signature carpe la Chambord, among other locally-sourced dishes, all representing the fertile terroir of the Loire Valley.

Perched on the northern coast of Mallorca, Spain, Hotel El Vicen de la Marfrom the lifestyle hotel group Mallorca C Collection is scheduled to launch in April. The property will house 35 rooms, five suites, a multi-tiered rooftop terrace with a pool, and two restaurants steered by acclaimed Chef Santi Taura. A dreamy locale adds to the hotels allure, revealing dramatic Mediterranean and Tramuntana mountain views.

With the beach just steps from the property, in fine weather months, this is magical because you don't need a car or bike, says Rubn Zamora, the companys General Director. Just step outside the front door to Cala Molins, a sparkling bay, one of four bays in the area.

In early 2022, South Africa will welcomeThe Homestead,an intimate ecolodge striving to support local communities and champion conservation. With just 12 accommodations, this sustainable property in Nambiti plans to connect travelers to the region through tailored game drives, cooking classes, community elders visits, birding excursions, and more. Situated between Durban and Johannesburg, the Nambiti game reserve is a malaria-free zone where visitors can experience the Big 5 and over 50 other wildlife species.

Toward the end of 2022, Dorchester Collection, in partnership with OMNIYAT, plans to premiereThe Lana Dubai, its first property in the Middle East. Designed by U.K.-based Foster + Partners with interiors curated by Parisian duo Gilles & Boissier, the 30-story tower in the Business Bay area features floor-to-ceiling windows, with 225 rooms and suites revealing sweeping vistas of the Burj Khalifa, Dubais futuristic cityscape, and the Arabian desert. The hotel's crown jewel may be the rooftop pool and its cabana service. The retreat will be open exclusively to hotel guests during the day before morphing into a starry nightclub after dark.

Poised to open in the first quarter of 2022,Regent Phu Quocin Long Beach on Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam, is IHGs first property since it acquired the brand in 2018. The beachfront hideaway will accommodate 176 suites and 126 villas with private infinity pools, six restaurants and bars, and a full-service spa.

Phu Quoc is famous for its beautiful beaches where warm, turquoise waters lap against the beautiful white sand," says general manager Juan Losada. More than half of Phu Quoc Island is dedicated to national parklands and set inside the UNESCO-designated Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve, making the destination ideal for travelers craving a nature-fueled getaway.

More:
Exclusive Luxury Hotels Slated to Debut in 2022 - Barron's

Whether it's a chic city hotel or a wild rural resort, New York is wrapped up in a big red heart

Whether its Manhattan or Brooklyn, remote Niagara or genteel Westchester, the bucolic Hudson Valley or the far reaches of Long Island, New York State offers sumptuous, romantic hotels and resorts to suit all tastes. Here are 10 places to consider for your next romantic retreat.

Outdoor space at Oheka Castle Photo courtesy of Linda Laban

Located on remote West Gate Drive in leafy Huntington in mid-Long Island, this legendary mansion, the second largest private home in America when it was built in 1919, is a dreamy, French-styled mansion. The walled, cobblestoned courtyard leads to the entrance hall where a stone horseshoe staircase unfurls, modeled after one at Fontainebleau in France.

The second floor of Oheka Castle houses a splendid library sitting room, ballrooms and dining rooms overlooking the courtyard or the classic formal French terraced gardens, recreated from the Olmsted Brothers original design. Among the 32 individually designed rooms and suites is the spectacular glittering Egyptian-themed suite with trompe loeil stone blocks emulating a pyramid.

Bar at Pendry Manhattan West Photo courtesy of Linda Laban

Located on West 33rd Street in the new Manhattan West development in the far reaches of Midtown West, this luxury boutique hotel is perfectly positioned for the ultimate city stay. Explore Manhattan Wests and adjacent Hudson Yards superb dining and shopping. Take in spectacular views from Edge, the open-air observation deck 100 floors up at 30 Hudson Yards. Then, relax in Pendrys cosseting service and soak in the warm, modern design of this 23-story tower.

Pendry Manhattan West has 164 guest rooms, including 30 to-die-for suites. Wander from the lobby into Zou Zous, an Eastern Mediterraneaninspired restaurant helmed by heralded New York chefs Madeline Sperling and Juliana Latif. Breakfast in Vista Lounge, an exotic Havana-chic restaurant and bar lined with palms. And take drinks in the hotels signature cocktail bar, the gold leaf-lined Bar Pendry, or on the rooftop Japanese whiskey bar.

Outdoor beauty at Troutbeck Photo courtesy of Linda Laban

Located in the beautiful Hudson Valley, this incredibly picturesque English-styled manor house is a country retreat surrounded by natural, landscaped grounds. Rooms and suites are located in the main house, which dates to 1920; in the more secluded Garden House, a later addition behind the idyllic original walled garden; and in the small 250-year-old Century Lodge, originally a tavern and now bookable as a private retreat, complete with kitchen and living room.

Troutbeck has lots of playful activities, including tennis courts, an outdoor pool with food and drinks service, and hiking and walking trails through its 250 acres. Perhaps best of all, The Barns spa offers daily classes and wondrous treatments, including the trauma- and stress-combating Somatic Experiencing. Lie back in one of the many hammocks dotted about the property and enjoy only birdsong as background noise. Complete the day with a tasty meal inspired by local and on-property foraged ingredients.

Bar at the Baccarat Hotel New York Photo courtesy of Baccarat Hotel New York

The stunning, sparkling Baccarat Hotel New York is named for the French luxury crystal maker, and its design is inspired by the lauded company's sought-after goods. Oversized crystal chandeliers catch the eye throughout the lobby, the Grand Salon dining room and the sultry-toned bar. Uniquely, in the guest rooms and suites, bedside phones include a "champagne button" for prompt provision of that most romantic of wines.

For all its design grandeur, the hotel feels intimate a suave love nest in the heart of bustling Manhattan. Book a couples massage in Spa de La Mer and a private cabana by the glamorous indoor pool. Lovers may even enjoy the citys very best dining right there in the hotels Grand Salon, which is overseen by two Michelin-starred chef Gabriel Kreuther, whose namesake restaurant Gabriel Kreuther is located nearby, across from Bryant Park.

Bar at The Maker Photo courtesy of Linda Laban

It might be located in once-industrial Hudson, 120 miles north of Manhattan, but this is the place to party. This eye-catching boutique hotel pairs La Belle Epoque with La Boheme, with the result spread throughout a three-building complex rooted in a restored grand Georgian home in the center of artsy Hudson. Explore Warren Street, where art browsing meets artisan shopping, often in the same fetching storefront.

The Maker includes a cafe straight from a Montmartre storybook; a palm-lined conservatory restaurant; a bar and lounge that can only be described as super-sexy, and an outside patio overlooking the guest-only seasonal pool. Rooms are each individually curated with unique art and furnishings. Choose an attic-level penthouse with a private outdoor terrace with day beds, perfect for a more private party, or just plain relaxing.

Bar at Baron's Cove Photo courtesy of Baron's Cove

Storied Sag Harbor sits on the most eastern tip of Long Island, just north of the fabled ritzy Hamptons, at the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean. Though Barons Cove was built in the 1950s, a 21st-century renovation saw it reopened as a modern luxury resort with a nautically inspired lobby, and a bar and lounge with cozy wood-burning fireplaces.

The restaurant gives water views of the harbor, and the luxurious guest rooms offer a choice of vistas: either with private garden terraces or harbor loft suites with balconies. Relax by the harborside heated saltwater pool, play tennis and enjoy spa services. Explore Main Street, where this iconic boating towns restaurants and shops provide gentle indulgence.

Guest room at The Point Photo courtesy of Linda Laban

If solitude together amongst nature be the stuff of love, this is the most romantic spot youll find. Dating to the early 1930s, this private lakefront Adirondack estate on Upper Saranac Lake was originally built as a so-called great camp for William Avery Rockefeller II. Rustic luxury is still what dominates now that The Point is a resort. A discreet, exclusive resort, that is, with only 11 guest rooms located in the main lodge and in four original log buildings.

Furnished in period style, including many original Rockefeller antiques, and surrounded by the stillness of the forest, simple pleasures are matched by the very best service and finest food and wines. There are no TVs and Wi-Fi only in the main office outbuilding. Whether its relaxing by the bonfire on the promontory overlooking the lake, boating in a vintage yacht or hiking to Camp David (a cabin serving fireside cocktails), being in the middle of this very special nowhere is not exactly roughing it.

Exterior of The Abbey Inn & Spa Photo courtesy of The Abbey Inn & Spa

Set at the foot of the Hudson Highlands, an hours drive north of Manhattan, and overlooking the mighty Hudson River, the Abbey Inn and Spa was repurposed from the former Episcopal Sisters of Saint Marys Convent, situated on historic Fort Hill.

The property brings 42 luxurious rooms and suites to this village off the Croton Expressway. It also adds the Mediterranean-inspired Apropos Restaurant & Bar, whose menus are directed by Hudson Valley farms and the changing seasons.

The spa, a 2,500-square-foot sanctuary, also favors local products, and offers a hair and nail salon, saunas and hot tubs and a tranquil relaxation room where you may await a sumptuous massage, taken together or not. Explore the surrounding historic old Dutch country and stroll Peekskills waterfront and the towns dining and entertainment.

Bar at The Giacomo Hotel Photo courtesy of Niagara Falls USA

Niagara Falls is known as the honeymoon capital of the world, and Niagara Falls USA, the town not on the Canadian side of this wondrous water feature, includes this beautiful hotel built for romance. Actually, what is now The Giacomo Hotel was built in 1929 as the United Office Building (once the largest skyscraper in Niagara Falls), and designed in an Art Deco-era Mayan Revival architectural style.

It's now a luxury boutique hotel with guest rooms boasting Whirlpool baths, fireplaces and, if you ask nicely, views of the Upper Niagara rapids. Relax over cocktails in the Giacomo Lounge before enjoying a downtown restaurant for dinner. The Giacomo includes a bedtime snack of warm cookies and cold milk, delivered right to your room, as an inclusive treat for all guests.

Exterior of The Inns of Aurora Photo courtesy of The Inns of Aurora/Bryan Peck

This most unique development of five impeccably restored historic homes by Cayuga Lake in Upstate New York also includes shops and restaurants, all of which make up a storybook village, set apart from the daily grind. Guest rooms boast a private balcony to fully take in views of the lake.

Enjoy the bespoke Spa at the Inns of Aurora, a healing and wellness center offering classes and Ayurveda-inspired treatments. After a days outdoor activity, a farm-to-table candlelight dinner at 1833 Kitchen & Bar, the propertys main restaurant led by chef Eric Lamphere, may be followed by s'mores and a nightcap by the lakefront fire pit, where stargazing is recommended.

Continued here:
Cozy up at 10 of the most romantic hotels in New York State - USA Today 10Best

Set 9,600 feet below the Rocky Mountains Ten Mile Range, Breckenridge is an idyllic ski town with five peaks for skiers of all abilities. The former queen of the Summit County mining towns, its also home to streets lined with weathered saloons and colorful Victorian homes from its boomtown days.

Breckas regulars call itmay be best known for its almost 3,000 acres of lift-served terrain, but it has much to love beyond skiing, from an award-winning craft beer and distillery scene to a thriving arts district. And there are plenty of non-skiing outdoor activities, so you can still soak up the 300 days of annual sunshine even if youre not hitting the slopes.

As you plan your next trip to Breckenridge, heres everything you need to know, including the best restaurants, bars, and places to stay. Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, remember that the amenities and services of many hotels are always subject to changemake sure to check local COVID restrictions and contact businesses directly for operating hours before visiting.

All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Located along the I-70 corridor, Breckenridge is more accessible than ever thanks to Uniteds new Landline luxury bus service, which runs from Denver International Airport to Brecks Main Street. Once your plane lands in Denver, all you have to do is make an in-terminal transfer to your shuttleUnited will even load your bags on board.

The trip from downtown Denver to Breckenridge is roughly 90 minutes, pending traffic. You could make the drive yourself, but once in Breckenridge you dont really need a car. The town is situated right at the base of the mountain and theres a free, easy-to-use hybrid bus system. If you do decide to rent a car, four-wheel drive is strongly encouraged (you dont want to be that person on the snowy ascent to Eisenhower Tunnel).

Breckenridge Ski Resort

During the winter months, Breckenridge Ski Resort brings most people to town. A Vail Resorts property, the ski area spans five peaks of the Ten Mile Range and features 187 trails, from easy-going greens and meandering blues to challenging bowl runs that wind above the treeline. Advanced skiers and riders can also look forward to the highest lift-served terrain in the country at 12,998 feet, accessed via Peak 8s Imperial Express SuperChair. From the top of the lift, you can hike to the summit for fresh powder and 360-degree views of the Ten Mile Range, the Gore Range, nearby Lake Dillon, and a few neighboring ski resorts. For beginners or those looking to find their ski legs first, both private and group lessons are available for kids and adults.

Continue reading here:
The Best Things to Do in Breckenridge, Colorado, from Ski Lodge Hot Toddies to Sledding - Cond Nast Traveler

Hundreds of Superfund sites face flood risks

Hundreds of the nation's most polluted places are at an increasing risk of spreading contamination beyond their borders as a result of more frequent storms and rising seas. Almost 2 million people live within a mile of these at-risk toxic sites. (Dec. 22)

AP

PLAINFIELD Federal environmental experts in the coming months will put the finishing touches on their latest review of a Plainfield Superfund site now home to an energy plant expected to funnel more than $1 million in tax revenue to the town this year.

The former Gallups Quarry property off Route 12 is one of 14 Superfund sites in New England where the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will conduct its mandatory five-year reviews aimed at ensuring previous remediation and ongoing monitoring efforts are paying off.

"Ensuring completed Superfund site cleanup work remains protective of human health and the environment is a priority for EPA," said Deb Szaro, the agencys New England acting regional administrator in a press release."By completing reviews of the cleanups every five years, EPA fulfills its duty to remain vigilant so that these communities continue to be protected."

Superfund sites are polluted locations that require long-term hazardous material clean-up efforts and monitoring. At Gallups Quarry, that pollution took the form of barrels of waste and free-liquid chemicals illegally dumped in the 1970s, according to a 2017 EPA report.

For several months beginning in mid-1977, the owner of the former sand and gravel quarry, once used as an asphalt batching plant by the state Department of Transportation, accepted chemical waste without a permit, prompting the 29-acre property to be placed on the EPAs National Priorities List in 1989.

More: A look behind use of force by Norwich police: What does it mean? How often does it happen?

Chemicals containing volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds and heavy metals were dumped in three areas, including into a seepage bed that was razed during construction of the nearby Plainfield Renewable Energy Plant, a 37.5-megawatt biomass facility that supplies power to Connecticut Light & Power.

In all, more than 1,600 drums, 5,000 gallons of liquid waste and 3,500 tons of contaminated soil were removed by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection beforelong-term monitoring began.

More than 50 contaminants were initially identified on the property and though there is no exposure risk via soil, it was determined the chemicals had the potential of leaching into groundwater.

More: 23 bridges in New London County rated in poor condition. What inspection data tells us.

According to the 2017 federal report, water - both ground-level and surface - has been sampled yearly since 2009 though a series of monitoring wells with soil samples taken every five years. The sampling is done by a contractor hired by 23 of the 40 potentially responsible parties, or individuals or companies found liable for the contamination.

Dan Keefe, the EPAs Superfund New England section chief, said the monitoring is done with agency oversight to ensure EPAs monitored attenuation approach to the site, or one in which residual chemicals are allowed to break down naturally over time, is occurring.

The other remedy is to institute future land-use restrictions, he said. The biggest risk-reduction there was the removal of the chemicals by the state.

Land-use restrictions were placed on six property parcels to prevent soil disturbance and groundwater is not used as a potable supply.

More: Local Flavor: Here are five places to grab a bite and warm up in Eastern Connecticut

EPA has completed four Five-year Reviews for the site, and has determined that the cleanup is protective of human health and the environment, the agency found, according to a January status statement. There is no current use of, or exposure to, site media containing contaminants in excess of the applicable State and Federal standards identified for the site.

John Bryant, EPAs remedial project manager for the Plainfield site, called the initialclean-up a success and various static control measures, including fences and signs were placed throughout the property to prevent unauthorized access.

In January 2014, after a decade of planning, the Plainfield Renewable Energy Plant was fired up on a portion of the quarry land on Mill Brook Road south of the main contamination site the only business operating on the property.

The Class 1 plant, a 12-story building lacedwith conveyors, has the potential to power the equivalent of 37,000 homes using a variety of fuel sources, including construction and demolition wood debris, recycled wood pallets and land-clearing materials.

More: Public will have a say on options for Plainfield annex building: Fix it or take it down

First Selectman Kevin Cunningham said since the quarry site is on private property, the town has little to do with the site except tosit back and take in tax revenue.

Officials will let us know when they plan to conduct their reviews, but thats it for us, he said. Its a producer of tax revenue and jobs for the town. And though there are only a few people actually working at the plant, there areother jobs created by the deliveries of materials to the site.

According to the tax collectors office, the plant is due to provide the town this year with roughly $1.4 million in tax revenue from real estate, personal property and other bills.

Keefe said the EPA has been ahead of the curve in the last two decades in pursuing re-use and re-purpose strategies for Superfund sites, like Gallups Quarry.

Whether thats for passive use, like recreation or solar panels, or for more active things, like the bio-mass plant, he said.

More: For Norwich schools, the struggle to remain open while omicron surges is 'day-to-day'

Keefe said the new report, expected to be released in the fall, will incorporate the latest monitoring information, which will be examined for any data trends. He said the five-year reports will continue to be issued in perpetuity.

That happens with any Superfund site on the priority list that doesnt allow for unrestricted access or use, he said.

John Penney can be reached at jpenney@norwichbulletin.com or at(860) 857-6965.

Read more here:
Gallup's Quarry was so polluted the EPA took over. Here's how much it pays Plainfield now. - Norwich Bulletin

The complexity of a proposed new wetland buffers and drainage ordinance came to light during a Jan. 11 Sussex County Council public hearing. Many who testified during the nearly five-hour hearing said there is no reason to make it complicated.

And the hearing is not over. Council voted to continue the public hearing during its Tuesday, Feb. 22 meeting to allow time for more public comment by those who have not testified.

Several former working group members and members of the public suggested council should delete Section 10G of the ordinance allowing developers to take advantage of buffer options.

The section was added by county staff after a council-appointed working group was disbanded. The working group of stakeholders met nine times between February and August 2019 to develop a new draft ordinance, which was presented Sept. 10, 2019, to county council.

Under the section, developers would have several options which could result in buffer widths narrower than what is required under the old ordinance.

Could a buffer be less than what is in code now? asked District 4 Councilman Doug Hudson.

In certain circumstances, the answer is yes, replied county engineer Hans Medlarz.

The incentives in Section 10G are designed to offer developers more flexibility, including conservation easements for off-site property preservation in the same watershed, and to provide more options to developers who preserve existing forests as buffers.

Vince Robertson, assistant county attorney, presented the final draft to council and outlined amendments approved by the planning and zoning commission, which has recommended approval of the ordinance.

Among those amendments are a requirement to indicate walking trails, and what materials will be used, on a subdivision's final site plan, removal of the selective cutting option in buffers but still allowing control of invasive species, and clarifications stating that isolated wetlands are not considered nontidal wetlands, and agricultural ditches are not subject to the ordinance.

Robertson outlined some of the most significant changes to the old ordinance, including wider and new buffers, a more defined list of what can be placed in a buffer, a requirement for a resource maintenance plan, incentives to preserve existing woodlands, and removal of building lot lines in buffers.

Chris Bason, director of the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays and a member of the working group, commended county officials for updating the ordinance. He said the new buffer widths and many of the other regulations included in the ordinance will provide more protection for the county's wetlands and waterways.

However, he said, there should be no options available to reduce the width of buffers. In addition, he said, because wooded areas are the best buffers, forests should always be retained, and new forests should be required to be planted where they don't exist in buffers.

He said Section 10G should be eliminated from the ordinance. The options would actually allow for no buffers along tidal waterways in some cases. It's not worth trying to fix this section, Bason said.

Bason said, in comparison, even with the proposed amended ordinance, Sussex County's buffer regulations would not match other jurisdictions, including New Castle and Kent counties, New Jersey, and critical areas in Maryland. For example, he said, those jurisdictions all require forested buffers or revegetated forested buffers along wetlands and waterways. The Sussex ordinance allows for meadow, grassland buffers as well as forested buffers.

He said taking all proposed buffer widths into account, the average minimum buffer width in Sussex County would be 53 feet, compared to 116 feet in the other jurisdictions.

Bason said the ordinance would allow developers to retain an existing forest in a buffer and receive a 50 percent buffer-width reduction and a reduction in a development's perimeter buffer. And retaining a forest connected to but not within a buffer also allows for a 50 percent buffer-width reduction.

I'm trying to understand the need for resource buffer options, said Sussex Alliance for Responsible Growth spokesman Rich Borrasso of Milton, another working group member. It's a solution looking for a problem, he said.

Borrasso said SARG supports the following: removal of Section G; requiring reforesting of all meadow buffers and/or prior forest buffers that have been deforested in the past five years prior to the date of an application; approval of the wetland buffers working group recommended water-resource buffer widths with an exception to allow buffer averaging; establishing criteria for posted signs delineating the upland boundary of buffers that clearly state no clearing or disturbance permitted; and establishing a schedule of financial penalties for cutting and/or removal of trees or shrubs within a buffer, filling or hard-surface construction, and all other violations of non-permitted uses.

Borrasso also said if county officials are serious about preserving forests, a separate study is needed for tree conservation throughout the county.

Carol Stevens of Lewes agreed with the removal of Section 10G. It's wide open to interpretation, with loopholes, she said. In addition, she said, the working group should be reconvened to clean up the proposal.

However, environmental scientist Ed Launay, another working group member, said he supported Section 10G with some changes he has proposed to county staff.

He said regulations pertaining to off-site easement areas and conservation easements need more clarification, including what is prohibited and penalties for violations, who is the designated steward of an easement and what role the county has in the easements.

He said it needs to be made clear that farming activities are prohibited in buffers.

Launay said one of the key goals of the new ordinance is to discourage major alterations to land, including forest clear-cutting, before an application is filed. He said adding larger buffer widths for development where major changes to a parcel occur before an application could dissuade that practice.

In addition, Launay said, the working group's recommendations did not include walking trails in Zone A areas of buffers, and that option should be deleted from the ordinance.

Buffer widths have been increased, and areas not previously protected have been added.

Changes include an increase from 50 feet to 100 feet for tidal water and wetlands buffers, and 30 feet for nontidal wetlands and streams. The county currently does not require buffers along nontidal waters and wetlands.

Under the proposal, a buffer is divided in half Zone A, the area closest to the resource with the most protection, and Zone B. A list is provided for what activities and construction are permitted in each zone.

For example, sewage disposal plants, landfills and waste storage, and amenities such as pools and clubhouses would not be permitted in either zone. Anything not listed in the ordinance is prohibited.

Buffer averaging would be permitted, allowing a developer or landowner to reduce buffer width in one area if an increase in buffer width is provided in another area. Averaging would be permitted only in Zone B.

The proposed ordinance includes:

Property lot lines would no longer be permitted as part of a buffer

Tidal waters and tidal wetlands: 100 feet

Perennial nontidal rivers and streams: 50 feet

Nontidal wetlands: 30 feet

Intermittent streams: 30 feet

Tax ditches: no buffers required

Resource buffer management plans in community covenants

Incentives to allow developers more flexibility in design

Preservation of established native forests and non-forested meadows to eliminate clear-cutting.

A better definition of buffers and their function is included in the new ordinance to enhance water quality, provide habitats, and provide flood mitigation and improved drainage.

Jeff Seemans, a retired Milton landscape architect who was a planner in New Castle County, said the ordinance lacks enforcement and penalties.

He said provisions could be made requiring the delineation of buffers with highly visible signs, and fines could be added with a dollar amount for each square foot of violations of tree clearing, fill-in and construction of hard surfaces within buffers. It needs to be high enough to get somebody's attention, he said, adding that fines in Maryland range up to $10,000 with mitigation at a 4-1 ratio for any disturbance in buffers.

In addition, he said, when a new ordinance is adopted, it should go into effect immediately. If not, there will be a flood of applications, resulting in more lost trees, he said.

THE NUMBERS

On average, 51 percent of forested land on parcels was cleared in developments approved from 2017-19.

From 2010 to 2017, Sussex County had the third-highest number of homes built in a 10-year flood risk zone of any ocean coastal county in the United States.

2021 was a record year for fish kills in the Inland Bays, with 15 recorded resulting in the loss of about 2 million fish, mostly menhaden, due to low dissolved oxygen in waterways.

Source: Delaware Center for the Inland Bays

Read the ordinance at: tinyurl.com/2p9fdrfv.

The rest is here:
Buffer ordinance in hands of Sussex council - CapeGazette.com