All I want for Christmas is an indoor car wash
By Lori Mcleod - Globe and Mail
Luxury homeowners are making a list but it’s us everyday Joes who’ll be checking it twice when we see what the wealthy are wishing for to kit out their homes this Christmas.
Forget pedestrian desires like walk-in closets and multiple-car garages; indoor car washes and walk-in refrigerators are the new rage, according to a top 10 list compiled by a leading real estate brokerage.
Accessorizing the property with the hottest must-haves is a natural extension of the luxury lifestyle and a way to stand out from the crowd.
Tops of the list for most sought-after luxury home accessories are an elevator car lift and indoor car wash to pamper the BMW or Mercedes-Benz. Total price tag? $2,500 to $6,500 for the lift and $30,000 for the car wash. For avid car collectors in the city the elevator lift is a way to expand garage capacity on a property of limited size.
Number two on the list is a walk-in refrigerator, while multiple ovens, sinks and dishwashers are also becoming de rigueur for even the novice cook. Price tag? $7,000 to $20,000 depending on the finishing.
No luxury home is complete without a spa, gym and a yoga and Pilates studio designed as a “complete health and wellness” facility. It’ll set you back at least $50,000, depending on the finishes and equipment.
Wine cellars and tasting rooms are spreading from the tony neighbourhoods of Rosedale, Westmount and Forest Hill into the home of the everyday connoisseur. The price ranges from $60,000 to $150,000 at the upper end.
On the fifth day of wishing and not exhausted yet, million-dollar homeowners are looking for concierge services to take care of those nasty chores like making dinner reservations, picking up dry cleaning and purchasing opera tickets. The cost of your live-out butler will range from $50 to $75 per hour, with some companies requesting a minimum buy of 50 hours per client.
For $50,000-plus, wealthy homeowners can furnish number six on the list: a media room that rivals the local movie theatre with a huge screen, surround-sound and plush seating to accommodate large groups.
Number seven is a relative steal, a room dedicated to hobbies such as sewing or gift wrapping, at a price of $5,000 or more depending on finishing.
Wireless and remotely controlled homes offer luxury residences entertainment options, light setting and security that can be accessed with the click of a button. Property owners can also arrange to remotely control their vacation properties and second homes and remotely monitor all of their residences. The cost? $25,000-plus.
It’s not just the car that needs a lift. With homes growing in size, an elevator is “becoming an accessory of convenience as well as necessity,” according to the luxury wish list. Equipment and installation will set you back $30,000, the cost of construction is extra.
After the weekend’s dumping of snow, who could blame a wealthy homeowner for this final request, a heated driveway, walkway and garage that instantly melt away those troublesome white flakes? The equipment for a 600 square foot driveway is $5,000, installation is extra, and the absence of pain in your arms and lower back - pure luxury.
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