HONG KONG MEGAMANSION HITS THE MARKET FOR HK$2.2 BILLION, THE CITY’S PRICIEST LISTING

A Hong Kong megamansion with views of Repulse Bay has hit the market for a whopping HK$2.2 billion (about US$281.1 million), making it the city’s priciest listing.

The residence is also among the most expensive homes on the market in the world, pricier than the $250 million penthouse at Central Park Tower in New York City, currently the U.S.’s most expensive publicly listed property. In addition, earlier this year, a new mansion in an exclusive Hong Kong neighbourhood known as The Peak reportedly sold for HK$1.2 billion from a mainland Chinese buyer, Mansion Global reported.

The more than 18,000-square-foot residence was completed in 2019, but protests in the city and the Covid-19 pandemic kept the developer from listing the home. Now that they are ready to sell, however, property prices are cooling, according to Victoria Allan, managing director at Habitat Property, which listed the property last week.

“2022 was a rough year in Hong Kong,” Allan said, noting the city shutdowns. “Now that the city is open again, Hong Kong Chinese and mainland Chinese are actively buying for self use. As prices soften, we expect activity to increase as buyers [secure] property for self use at reduced prices.”

For the seller, that may mean being negotiable to a lower price, she noted. Still, the sheer size of the house, its proximity to the water and its location in the tony Repulse Bay neighborhood is likely to attract buyers who are finally able to return to Hong Kong, Allan said. In addition, high-end real estate is very limited in supply because of the island city’s limited building space, she added.

The residence features oversized black casement windows and marble floors and bathrooms, listing photos show. An imperial staircase leads to the main level that has an open layout, and there’s also an elevator.

With 11 bedrooms and eight bathrooms, the house is “ideal for families,” the listing said. There are several outdoor areas, including a roof deck with water views and a lap pool surrounded by a lounging area.

The underlying property was previously occupied by an apartment building, and was purchased by local property firm First Group Holdings in 2014 for HK$350 million, The Business Times reported, citing government data. Representatives from the developer were not available for comment.

Despite falling home prices, Hong Kong’s strict lending requirements have protected the market from the effects of rising interest rates and property owners from being over leveraged, Allan said. “This has helped keep the market more stable, and rising rates have not had as much of an impact on values as other global markets.”

A Mid-Century Modern home in Carmel, California, hit the market on Friday for just the third time in 70 years with a listing price of $4.25 million.

Located in the community of Carmel Highlands, the house is just steps from the coastline and comes with private beach access, according to the listing with Tim Allen of Coldwell Banker Realty in Northern California. Allen was not immediately available for comment.

The property last changed hands in 2010 when Hollywood screenwriter Richard Outten bought it for $990,000, public records show. Outten penned the screenplays for the 1992 movie “Pet Sematary Two” and the 1987 film “Lionheart,” and created the story for the 2012 “Journey to the Center of the Earth” sequel, “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.” He was not immediately available for comment.

Built in 1953, the home’s mid-century charm has been preserved over the years while still being updated for modern living. Interior details include wood paneling, exposed-brick walls and beamed ceilings.

The single-level house has 1,785 square feet, which includes three bedrooms and two full bathrooms. Though not directly on the water, large windows flanking the adobe-brick, wood-burning fireplace look out at the ocean.

Sliding glass doors create a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living. Outside, there’s a large patio surrounded by lush landscaping, and there are also meandering paths through sustainable succulent gardens, according to the listing.

In addition to its close proximity to the beach, the home is a 10-minute walk from downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea.

As of July, the median list price in Carmel is $3.1 million, up 8% from last year, even as active listings have increased 50% year over year, according to data from Realtor.com.

HONG KONG MEGAMANSION HITS THE MARKET FOR HK$2.2 BILLION, THE CITY’S PRICIEST LISTING

Owned by Richard Outten, who’s penned screenplays for films including “Pet Sematary Two” and “Lionheart,” this is only the third time the home has been on the market