Updown Court

Category: By Eddie Tan




History
The original Updown Court, built in 1924 and owned by Prince Sami Gayed of Egypt, was severely damaged by a fire in 1987. The estate is set in the centre of 58 acres of grounds, comprising a stable and lake within its gardens and woodland.


Developer Leslie Allen-Vercoe then proceeded to purchase the property, which was just a burnt-out shell of the property it had been, for the approximate equivalent of $38.4 million. He has since invested a further $60 million, through the backing of an Irish bank, with the new property designed by John B Scholz, an Arizona architect. Notable aspects of the architecture include the double staircase that is modeled on the one that fashion designer Gianni Versace had in his mansion in Miami, its grey-slated rooftops, and the bathroom's honey-colored granite and green Guatemalan marble. It has been described by The Times newspaper as Californian Neo-classical.


The Estate
Entered by a £3million heated marble driveway, Updown Court has 103 rooms, of which the 24 bedrooms each has its own marble en-suite bathroom. Among other features, it has a two lane bowling alley, five swimming pools, squash court, floodlit tennis court, wine cellar, and panic room in the event of a terrorist attack, five acres of more than 30 different types of imported Italian marble, expansive terraces, and a 50-seat cinema. It also features an underground garage, with granite flooring, that has enough room to harbor eight limousines. The first floor is the main residential area, featuring 8 generous bedroom suites. The penthouse floor contains two separate penthouses, each with 2 bedrooms and occupying an entire wing of the property.
The estimated cost for upkeep alone is over £250,000 (Over $360,000 USD) a month.


Location
Updown Court is set in the centre of 58 acres of grounds, gardens and woodland. Also, neighbors include the Elton John, Duchess of York, and, at nearby Windsor Castle, the Queen.

Inside
  • Eight bedroom suites
  • 2,650 sq ft master wing
  • Two penthouse apartments
  • Two indoor swimming pools
  • Squash court Bowling alley
  • 15 reception rooms
  • Nine private balconies
  • Kitchens and storerooms
  • Garaging for seven cars
  • Panic room
  • Security control centre

Outside
  • Two escape tunnels
  • Guest lodge
  • Gatehouse
  • Staff quarters
  • Stables
  • Summer houses
  • Three outdoor pools
  • Floodlit sports court
  • 40ft fountain
  • 11 acres of manicured gardens and lawn
  • 46 acres of woodland
Price: £70,000,000 (143,591,000 USD)
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Gulfstream G550 Private Jet

Category: By Eddie Tan


             The G550 was released to the market in 2003, and has increased performance. Range is increased to 6,750 nautical miles (12,500 km), mostly due to reductions in aerodynamic drag. The Gulfstream 550 has the longest flight range in its class. Additionally, this aircraft has a "PlaneView" cockpit, (which consists of 4 Honeywell DU-1310 EFIS screens, and a Gulfstream-designed cursor control system), and an Enhanced Vision System (EVS), an infrared camera that displays an image of the view in front of the camera on a head up display. The EVS permits the aircraft to land in lower-visibility instrument meteorological conditions than a non-EVS-equipped aircraft. 

This aircraft may be distinguished from the legacy Gulfstream V by a seventh passenger window on both sides of the aircraft, and by the square outflow valve on the aircraft right side as compared to the circular one on the GV. More than 124 Gulfstream G550 aircraft have been produced as of 2007. The Gulfstream 550 competes against the Airbus Corporate Jet, Boeing Business Jet, and the Bombardier Global Express.


Interior:
Fourteen Passenger Fireblocked Gulfstream "Selected Interior". Seven Aircraft Modular Products 16G single seats, full berthing, Four placeAircraft Modular Products 16G mid-cabin conference group with Enflite Conference Table, One Aircraft Modular Products 76¨ Three Place Divan aft cabin, Nine ATG Electric Window Shade assemblies, Four ATG Emergency Exit Electric Window Shades, One ATG Non-operational Window Shade. Forward and Aft Lavatory (Enviromax vacuum type).


Two TIA 1603 Coffee Makers installed side by side, trackable with mechanical overboard vent, One BE Aerospace model 2510-0069-03 High Temperature Oven, One Sharp R-21HT Microwave Oven, One Dirty Dish Drawer, China Storage, Crystal Storage, Stainless Steel Sink, Two Ice Compartments, Thermoelectric Cooled Food Storage compartment with adjustable shelves, three 115v/60 hz outlets. Two O2 Corporation Therapeutic outlets, Thirty gallon Pressurized Water System, Lavatory floor activation switches, Three Dynamo Water Heaters (forward lavatory, aft lavatory and galley). Remote Cabin Temperature Controllers
located at the VIP panel at the No. 2 right hand single seat, the VIP panel at the aft private area and in the galley switch panel.

Cabin Video Equipment:
Two multi-region Digital Video Disc Players, One 20¨ LCD Monitor, One 17¨ LCD Monitor, Seven 7¨ Rosen LCD Monitors (l/h), Three Rosen LCD Monitors (r/h), Two MCM Digital multi-system Converters, Two Pacific System Color Touch Screen Remote Controls, Two RF type Remote Control Units, Ten 115 volt AC Outlets in Cabin, One 115 volt Outlet located in baggage compartment. Securaplane External Camera System with selector at VIP location, One fuselage mount Forward View Camera, One Fuselage Mount Aft View Camera, One Tail Mount Camera.

Passenger Audio Systems:
Ten DT Systems mid/tweeter Speakers, Four DT Systems Subwoofer
Speaker, Seven DT Systems Paging Speakers, One Compact Disc
Player/Controller, Sixteen Stereo Headphones.


General characteristics
  • Crew: 2 pilots, 0-2 attendants
  • Capacity: 14-19 passengers
  • Length: 96 ft 5 in (29.4 m)
  • Wingspan: 93 ft 6 in (28.5 m)
  • Height: 25 ft 10 in (7.9 m)
  • Empty weight: 48,300 lb (21,909 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 54,500 lb (24,721 kg)
  • Useful load: 6,200 lb (2,812 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 91,000 lb (41,277 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2× Rolls-Royce BR710 turbofan, 15,385 lbf (68.4 kN) each
  • Maximum ramp weight: 91,400 lb (41,459 kg)
  • Maximum landing weight: 75,300 lb (34,156 kg)
  • Maximum fuel weight: 41,300 lb (18,733 kg)
  • Cabin length: 50 ft 1 in (15.3 m)
  • Cabin height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
  • Cabin width: 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m)
  • Cabin volume: 1,669 ft³ (47.3 m³)
  • Baggage compartment volume: 226 ft³ (6.4 m³)


Performance
  • Maximum speed: 0.885 Mach
  • Cruise speed: 488 knots (0.85 Mach, 904 km/h)
  • Range: 6,750 nm (12,501 km)
  • Service ceiling 51,000 ft (15,545 m)
  • Takeoff distance: 5,910 ft (1,801 m)
  • Landing distance: 2,770 ft (884 m)
Price: 59,900,000USD
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Royal Caribbean Cruise - Freedom of the Seas

Category: By Eddie Tan


             In 2006, Royal Caribbean International embarked on an ambitious project called Project Genesis. Their mission was to build the world’s largest cruise ship. Scheduled to sail in fall of 2009, Project Genesis isn’t just the largest ship. It’s also the most expensive cruise ship in the world.

Project Genesis isn’t Royal Caribbean International’s first enormous cruise ship. Their last endeavor, Freedom of the Seas, also broke records with its ability to carry over 4,000 passengers and its weight in excess of 150,000 tons.



Project Genesis will, of course, break both records. The 1,180 foot long ship will weigh 220,000 tons and carry a maximum of 6,400 passengers and 2,100 crew members. The ship is so big, in fact, that it will have a common area, as large as a football field, called Central Park. Central Park’s piazza will even host street performers and live concerts. Additionally, the park will be surrounded by a variety of restaurants, including fine dining at 150 Central Park, Italian cuisine at Giovanni’s Table and steakhouse fare at Royal Caribbean’s own Chops Grille.

The ship will also include a number of bars ranging from wine bars to the impressive Rising Tide bar—an engineering marvel that actually moves through three decks from Central Park to the public spaces below.

Norway’s Aker Yards is handling the construction of the ship. Their price for building the most expensive cruise ship in the world: $1.24 billion!


Ship Highlights
  • FlowRider®
  • H2O Zone
  • Cantilevered whirlpools
  • Rock-climbing wall
  • Ice-skating rink
  • Royal Promenade
  • Extensive WiFi capabilities and connectivity for cell phones
  • Full-size, flat-screen TVs in every stateroom
  • Themed bars and lounges
  • Adventure Ocean® youth facilities
  • Fitness Center and Day Spa
  • Full-size Everlast boxing ring
  • Casino RoyaleSM
  • Presidential Family Suite
  • Sports Pool
  • Full-size sports court
  • 9-hole miniature golf course
  • Johnny Rockets® '50s-style restaurant
  • Portofino Italian Restaurant
  • Chops Grille
  • Ben & Jerry's® ice cream
  • Vintages wine bar
  • Boleros Latin-themed lounge
  • Sorrento's pizza
Ship Facts
Maiden Voyage: June 4, 2006
Passenger Capacity: 3,634 double occupancy
Godmother: Katherine Louise Calder
Gross Tonnage: 160,000
Length: 1,112'
Max Beam: 184'
Draft: 28'
Cruising Speed: 21.6 knots


Conference Facilities
Dedicated meeting space with breakout rooms and reception area to accommodate up to 400 people
High-tech presentation rooms
Color touch screens, wireless remote controls, teleconferencing equipment and more

Price: 599USD - 22,000USD (7 days sailing)
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Dolce & Gabanna’s Sunglasses

Category: By Eddie Tan



                  If you are hunting for designer sunglasses and have enough extra dough to ink expensive deals then how about going with world’s most expensive sunglasses. There is no dearth of designer brands but which one delivers long lasting models is a big question. Designer Dolce & Gabbana has taken a step ahead in building confidence amongst you via a word of mouth. Two things worth considering before you enter the store: you should know the brand name and the product number. Following this, I came across an elite model by Dolce & Gabbana with gold frame, lenses tinted brown, crystal detail on temple, silver-toned D&G logo on side, adjustable nose pads, and 100% UV protection.

Bearing a product number DG2027B, the sunglasses demand a handsome sum of $383,609, leaving no doubts in calling it the world’s most expensive sunglasses.
Price: 383,609USD
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Chopard: Three Heart-Shaped Diamonds Watch

Category: By Eddie Tan

              This watch by Chopard features three heart-shaped diamonds, the pink weighs 15 carats, the blue weighs 12 carats and the white weighs 11 carats. They are set in a bracelet encrusted with clusters of white pear-shaped diamonds arrange in flower motifs, with a yellow diamond standing up from the center of each. Total caratweight of the white and yellow diamonds is 163 carats, while the total caratweight of the watch is 201 carats. The watch has a spring-loaded mechanism which, when pressed, allows the three heart shapes to mechanically open up, much the way the petals of a flower will in the sunshine. The watch face, pavé-set with small round yellow diamonds, is exposed from underneath the heart-shaped diamonds.

The specifications for a number of the diamonds are as follows:
  • 1 heart-shaped diamond, natural Fancy Pink, Internally Flawess, 15.37 carats.
  • 1 heart-shaped diamond, natural Fancy Blue, VS2, 12.79 carats.
  • 1 heart-shaped diamond, D color, Flawless, 11.36 carats.
  • 3 pear-shaped diamonds, natural Fancy Intense Yellow, 8.45 carats total.
  • 26 pear-shaped diamonds, natural Fancy Intense Yellow, 17.07 carats total.
  • 48 round diamonds, natural Fancy Yellow, 8.81 carats total. 
  • 260 pear-shaped diamonds, all D color, Flawless, 60.94 carats total.
  • 91 round diamonds, D color, Flawless, 10.29 carats total. 
  • 443 FC diamonds, natural Fancy Intense Yellow, 4.95 carats total.
Price: 25,000,000USD
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Burj Al Arab

Category: By Eddie Tan

              The Burj Al Arab is a luxury hotel located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At 321 metres (1,053 ft), it is the tallest building used exclusively as a hotel. However, the Rose Tower, also in Dubai, which has already topped Burj Al Arab's height at 333 m (1,090 ft), will take away this title upon its opening. 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 sail of a boat.

Burj Al Arab Hotel, a 6-star hotels and attracts people from all over the world. It is impossible to visit Dubai and not to watch Burj Al Arab! Burj Al Arab tower soares 321 meters above the famous Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Wild Wadi water park. The unique building stands on a man-made island some 280 meters offshore, linked to the mainland by a causeway.

Accommodation
The hotel stands 28 double storeys high, providing 202 duplex suites. All suites have beautiful views of the gulf and are equipped with the latest technology, laptop computers and Internet access. Topping all other suites there are 2 Royal suites spread over the 25th floor. These suites offer matchless peaks of luxury including a private elevator, private cinema, rotating beds, and Arabic meeting room.



Restaurants & Bars
Al Muntaha, a skyview restaurant offering Mediterranean cuisine
Al Mahara, seafood restaurant
Al Iwan Arabic cuisine and coffee shop
Bab Al Yam, cafe restaurant for informal dining
Juna, an intimate lounge which offers a fine selection of Havana Cigars
Sahn Eddar, tea and coffee lounge


Sports & Leisure
Assawan, Spa and Health club, is a fully equipped private health and fitness club.

Conferences & Banquets
The Hotel offers a grand ballroom for up to 1,200 persons. For the smaller occasions, the hotel offers a variety of rooms for seminars, conferences, and meetings.

Price: 1,000USD - 28,000USD per night

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Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport

Category: By Eddie Tan
             The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport, the exciting new holder of the title of world's fastest roadster, has made its exciting debut at the 2008 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. While other supercar-level convertible models such as the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster go with a "true convertible" design with a fully stowable roof, the Bugatti goes a different route.

The Veyron Grand Sport offers open top motoring at the supercar level, though it is not a true convertible model. Bugatti determined that releasing a Veyron convertible would not provide the safety at high speed the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is known for, so they opted for a Targa model in the Grand Sport, with a removable polycarbonate roof.

The Grand Sport roadster model is not simply a chop job on a standard Bugatti Veyron 16.4. Bugatti has taken great pains to ensure the structural rigidity of the Grand Sport, making changes throughout the canopy and adding structural enhancements for both stability at speed and safety in the event of a crash. The front windshield is taller with a more upright look, and carbon fiber longitudinal beams and other structural enhancements protect the occupants and the Veyron Grand Sport's sheer speed capabilities.
And fast the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport is. An advantage to going with the targa top is that Bugatti has tuned the Grand Sport to maintain the hard top Veyron 16.4's top speed of 253 mph when the roof is in place, with the top speed dropping to a still-ridiculous 223.7 mph! Imagine the wind blowing your face off at speeds like this, and you can get a feel for why the Veyron Grand Sport should be as exciting as any convertible or other roadster model on the market.

Price: €1,400,000 (2,059,429USD)
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The Diamond Crypto Smartphone

Category: By Eddie Tan

             Looks like even the million dollar cellphone has its own competitors in the form of the Diamond Crypto Smartphone. Luxury accessory producer Peter Aloisson has created this expensive cell phone. The justification behind the high price lies in the cover that comes in white and pink gold and embedded with 50 diamonds, where 10 of them are blue in color. The Ancort logo and the navigation key are made of 18 carat rose gold.

Built on the Windows CE, the most expensive cell also features a high-resolution color TFT display and a 256 bit cryptographic algorithm. This expensive mobile phone is capable of SMS, MMS, E-mail, Internet, WAP, JAVA support and also has a media player. Encryption technology is also included for an added layer of security to provide information to the relevant authorities in case of kidnapping, blackmail, or even financial racketeering.
Price: 1,300,000USD
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