The world’s wealthiest are favouring sumptuous ‘whole life’ homes where they can seclude themselves from the Covid-19 pandemic and other disasters WORDS VIVIAN WARBY
The ultimate
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PICTURE TARYN ELLIOTT
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HE ULTRA-RICH have turned to “whole-life” homes – places in which they can live, work and play without having to set foot in the “real” world. Some of these homes even have nightclubs (yes, you read right) and theatres in them and are certainly not the dark and heavy bunkerstyle homes sometimes built in times of pandemic. Experts say high net worth Individuals (HNWI) worldwide are spending millions to acquire one or more of these “whole-life” homes. Alternatively, says Rory O’Hagan, head of the Luxury Portfolio division of marketing agency Chas Everitt International, they are upgrading their existing properties, turning them into self-contained safe havens where they and their families can ride out the current pandemic or any future world disasters without loss of income or major lifestyle adjustment. Pellerade Design House chief executive Stephen Pellerade says these whole-life homes are highly-customised, luxurious retreats which often resemble seven-star boutique hotels. Some of the “extravagant necessities” most favoured by the owners and buyers of such properties, he says, are spas and gyms; hairdressing salons; home cinemas; cigar and champagne bars; bowling alleys; double kitchens; cold rooms; multi-layered security systems; smart home-automation; clean-air systems and water and power back-up systems. One such local home, known as Gatsby, designed and furnished by Pellerade Design House, fits the bill and is on the market for R64.8 million, says O’Hagan. M A R C H
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