The Connecticut home was last on the market for $3.475 million

It was Frank A. Miller’s dream house: A stately, whitewashed red-brick Colonial in Darien, Connecticut, built and lived in for decades by the same wealthy family.

Miller, an entrepreneur who owned multiple car dealerships in the area, chose to live in a condo in the mid-1980s in nearby New Canaan, while he waited for the day when the Yardley family—makers of the eponymous British soap brand—would eventually part with the coveted home, a 4.5-acre estate about 50 miles north of New York City.

“My dad had always eyeballed that house. He could have bought any house in Darien, but he was very particular,” said John Miller, Frank’s son who is now involved in selling the property for only the second time in its history.

The historic six-bedroom house, which hit the public market for $3.475 million following the elder Miller’s death last year, is now headed for auction without reserve on Nov. 30.

Read the full article by Becky Strum here!

This Saturday, 335 acres in central New York will be offered for sale at a live auction. The large-acreage, equestrian property is located in the village of Fly Creek, just outside of Cooperstown, NY. It was previously for sale for nearly $3 million. The financial institution that owns the property retained Miami-based auction house Platinum Luxury Auctions to manage the sale in cooperation with listing brokerage Keller Williams Capital District. Listing agent Jill Cunningham is representing Keller Williams in the sale.

The +/-335 acres represent the sum of two, separate parcels that comprise the property. One, +/-133-acre parcel contains a large residence along with a collection of outbuildings and equestrian amenities. A vacant, +/-204-acre parcel includes a conservation easement, but allows for limited development and other uses. The parcels may be offered separately or collectively at the auction, depending upon bidder interest, according to Platinum.

Each parcel will be sold subject to lender confirmation, meaning that the lender that owns the parcels can accept, reject, or counter the highest bid(s). “While this form of lender-directed auction represents a very small percentage of our annual sales, it is an effective model for the sale of properties owned by financial institutions, largely because buyers understand that banks don’t want to be in the property business. They want capital, hence their motivation to sell,” stated David Enriquez, Platinum’s Vice President of Operations.

The property’s +/-133-acre parcel includes a beautiful, stone-and-shingle residence of more than 9,000 sf, with 8 bedrooms, 10 full and 2 half baths. Prominent features include two kitchens (one with commercial-grade appliances), an indoor pool and spa accented by a lounge and stone fireplace, a large bar and lounge, and a multi-sport court.

Equestrian amenities are ample, and include a 22-stall barn with a heated tack room and viewing lounge that offers two full baths, a laundry area and office. There is also an indoor riding arena measuring 80-ft x 140-ft. Outside, a 100-ft x 200-ft arena beckons when the weather warms, while a separate carriage house offers an additional 10 stalls and one-half bath, in addition to an upper-level apartment with 2 bedrooms, 1 bath and a workshop.

The adjacent, vacant parcel includes +/-204 beautiful acres. While much of the acreage is subject to an “Open Space/Farm” easement with the Otsego Land Trust, 14 acres are designated as buildable area. The parcel also includes extensive forestation/timber. Details of this easement are on file in a formal Deed of Conservation Easement that is available for review by prospective buyers.

Bidders who are interested in participating in the auction are encouraged to preview the property between the hours of 11am and 3pm ET each day this week, through Friday. For directions to the property, information on bidder registration or other auction procedures, visit NewYorkLuxuryAuction.com, or contact Platinum’s project manager, Tawny Wolf, at 800.936.2865.

At least two of the condos at Epic Residences and and one at Trump Towers will be offered without reserve, or a minimum bid

Six waterfront condominium units in downtown Miami and Sunny Isles Beach will be offered at an auction!

Read the entire article by Mike Seemuth at The Real Deal HERE.

Platinum Luxury Auctions to Offer Portfolio of Units in Two Weeks

On Saturday, October 20^th, six waterfront condominiums in Miami will be offered for sale at one auction event, according to Platinum Luxury Auctions, the Miami-based auction firm and real estate brokerage that is managing the sale. At least three of the properties will be sold without reserve, meaning the highest bidder will prevail regardless of the bid price. Two of the condominiums are located in the Trump Towers in Sunny Isles Beach, while the other four units are located in the Epic Residences in downtown Miami. The live, luxury auction^® sales event will be held at the Epic site, and is scheduled for 7pm ET.

“With many of Miami’s real estate experts suggesting now is the time to buy a condominium, we’re excited to offer the marketplace auction pricing on these luxurious, waterfront units,” stated David Enriquez, Platinum’s Vice President of Operations.

Mr. Enriquez pointed to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal’s Mansion Global section, wherein a number of Miami brokers noted that the city’s remaining condo inventory is from a development cycle that began in 2012, and nearly all of those units are likely to be absorbed within the next 12-18 months. With very few new developments planned, upscale condo inventory may soon be scarce rather than excessive, thus shifting the market in favor of sellers.

The four condominiums at the Epic Residences offer 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom floor plans, and all units offer views of downtown Miami and its surrounding waterways. Unit features include professional-grade appliances, Snaidero cabinetry, Italian marble floors, and floor-to-ceiling, impact-glass windows.

At least two of these four Epic units will be sold without reserve, while the remaining units will be sold subject to the seller’s confirmation, meaning the seller has the option to negotiate the high bid.

The Epic development offers its residents 24-hr front desk/security, high-speed elevators, and multiple pools (including a 13,000-sf, “wrap-around” pool). It also houses the Epic Kimpton hotel, which adds world-class restaurants, a spa and meeting/conference amenities. The upscale hotel is housed in a separate building that adjoins the private residences.

North of the downtown area in Sunny Isles Beach, the Trump Towers offer a more serene lifestyle, with direct access to the sugar-sand beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. The oceanfront development consists entirely of private residences, with amenities such as beachfront cabanas, floor-to-ceiling windows, 24-hour valet, and a concierge and security staff.

The two Trump condominiums also offer two and three bedrooms, and feature lofted ceilings, large terraces, European-style cabinetry, granite countertops, and elegant master baths complete with frameless showers and soaking tubs. One of the Trump units will be sold without reserve, with the other unit selling subject to the seller’s confirmation of the bid.

“While the seller is committed to offering three units without reserve, he also has the option to offer more units in this fashion,” added Enriquez. “We therefore encourage all active condo buyers and ‘deal-seekers’ not to miss this event.”

Final previews of the properties are being held today. The deadline for bidders to register for the auction is also today at 5pm ET, although Platinum noted that registrations may be permitted through Saturday for qualified parties. Interested buyers should contact a Platinum representative at 800.727.0594 for details. Additional information is also available at MiamiLuxuryAuction.com.

Platinum Luxury Auctions Announces Upcoming Sale of Basking Ridge, NJ Estate

Next Friday, a live auction sale will be held for a luxurious residence in Basking Ridge, New Jersey that was once home to Pro Football Hall of Fame running back LaDanian Tomlinson. The suburban estate was previously listed for nearly $3 million, but will now be sold to the highest bidder without reserve and regardless of the high bid price on September 28^th. Luxury real estate auction house Platinum Luxury Auctions, a firm specializing in the non-distressed sale of multimillion-dollar homes on behalf of their private owners, is managing the luxury auction^® in cooperation with listing broker Michael Lattmann of Kienlen Lattmann Sotheby’s International Realty.

The upcoming sale marks the second auction orchestrated between the two firms in 2018. In June, Platinum and Kienlen Lattmann sold a home in New Vernon, NJ for approximately $2.2 million. “We’re pleased to work again with Michael Lattmann and his team on another exciting auction opportunity,” stated Trayor Lesnock, Platinum’s president and founder. “The home next door just sold for $2.3 million in April, and it sits on only 3 acres and is nearly 700 square feet smaller, so the value opportunity for this auction is very real.”

Although the home is owned by an entrepreneur who no longer resides in New Jersey, Tomlinson leased the property during his stint with the New York Jets in 2010 and 2011. The legendary running back then retired, and was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August 2017, his first year of eligibility.

The property sits on more than 9 private acres, and is located within a boutique, residential enclave named Pheasant Crossing. The 45-acre development features only ten estates, and was developed by Mark Built Homes, an award-winning, family-owned company. Michael Markovitz, the firm’s principal, boasts several Community of the Year awards from both the Community Builders Association of New Jersey and the New Jersey Builders Association.

With three living levels offering 6 bedrooms, 6 full and 2 half baths throughout nearly 7,200 interior square feet of living space, the residence can accommodate larger families and serves as an exceptional venue for entertaining.

One bedroom is located on the main floor, while the remainder of the four guest bedrooms and the master suite are on the upper level. Prominent features include a gourmet kitchen with dual islands, a two-story foyer and a large backyard patio done in hand-laid bluestone.

The home’s lower level includes an entertainment lounge with wood-burning fireplace, wet bar/kitchen, dining area, enclosed home theater, 1,000-bottle wine cellar with tasting/cigar room, and a fitness center with an adjacent bathroom, walk-in steam shower and sauna.

Previews of the property are available by appointment between the hours of 12 and 4pm ET each Friday through Sunday, until auction. For information on property previews, bidder registration or other auction procedures, visit NewJerseyLuxuryAuction.com, or contact Platinum’s project manager, Chase Boruff, at 800.825.4694.

Carlton Woods Residence on 1.5-Acre Lot Selling Without Reserve

An impressive residence in the upscale Carlton Woodscommunity within The Woodlands, TX has been scheduled for sale via luxury auction^® on August 18^th. Recently asking $6.75 million, the property is now being auctioned without reserve, meaning that the highest bidder will become the new homeowner regardless of the bid amount. Luxury real estate auction house Platinum Luxury Auctions, which previously produced the Woodlands’ record sale of $7.1 million in 2016, is working in cooperation with veteran listing agent and top-producer Beth Ferester of Beth Ferester and Company for the transaction.

The homeowners relied heavily on Ferester’s input when electing to auction the home. According to Ferester, Platinum’s intensive deal management and focused service model were decisive factors in selecting the Miami-based firm. “Like Platinum, it is quality rather than quantity that is the base of our business model, and it has worked well for us over the past 36 years,” she stated.

“Beth is a proven force in the luxury real estate industry, and has probably already forgotten more about selling Texas property than most of us will ever learn,” noted Trayor Lesnock, Platinum’s president and founder. “We’re excited to work together on a home that is sure to impress even the most particular luxury homebuyer.”

According to Lesnock, the hardly two-year-old residence is fit for a showroom. “What is perhaps most impressive is that the home is in ‘camera-ready’ condition even while serving as a primary residence for a growing family,” he added. “It’s an excellent sign of pride of ownership.”

The home was designed by Sullivan, Henry, Oggero & Associates and newly completed in 2016 by Matt Powers Custom Homes. Built in accord with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, it offers 11,150 interior square feet throughout two living levels, with 5 bedrooms, 8 full and 2 half baths. A “bonus” room can be used as a sixth bedroom.

All bedrooms are quite spacious and include en-suite baths. Custom built-ins in the children’s rooms offer ample work-study and storage space. A sumptuous master suite on the upper level features a private vestibule entrance and his-and-hers bathrooms, while a “junior master” suite on the entry level is perfect for guests or live-in staff.

Additional interior features include an elevator, grand salon, gourmet kitchen with oversized island, upper and lower entertainment lounges, and a gentlemen’s “sports cave” offering 3 wall-mounted televisions for the avid sports enthusiast. Fine finishes are located throughout the residence, and include bespoke molding, hand-beveled and scraped French oak floors, and wood-paneled walls.

Outdoor amenities are also sure to impress. The neatly manicured grounds were created with the help of Moss Landscaping, and include an English-style garden, firepit with seating area, and an in-ground trampoline offering fun for all ages.

The home’s outdoor living area – located just off the lower-level family room and entertainment area – features a covered lounge with a fireplace, television, built-in audio/video system, and an adjacent summer kitchen with a Wolf grill. A custom pool and spa surrounded by a paved pool deck are just steps away from the lounge.

Carlton Woods requires that property previews are conducted by appointment. Interested parties may contact Platinum to schedule their visits between the hours of 12pm and 5pm CT, each Friday through Sunday until the auction date. Visit WoodlandsLuxuryAuction.com, or contact Platinum’s project manager, Brian Raymond, at 800.983.7817 for additional information.

Ridgefield, CT Property Boasts Extensive Home Automation Features

On July 28^th, a luxury home in Ridgefield, CT with a home automation system that has garnered exposure in media outlets such as Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Archi-TECH Residential and Tech Home Builder, will be sold at a live auction. Although once asking $4 million, the residence will now be sold without reserve, meaning the highest bidder will prevail, regardless of the high bid amount. The property owner, John Russell Patrick, retained Miami-based auction firm Platinum Luxury Auctions to handle the sale. Platinum is working in tandem with the property’s listing agent, Harry “Chip” Neumann, Jr. of Neumann Real Estate, for the transaction.

Mr. Patrick, who is a former vice president of IBM and a founding sponsor of the World Wide Web Consortium at MIT in 1994, was involved in the development and growth of the Internet. His tech background, combined with the fact that he also authored a book entitled, Home Attitude: Everything You Need to Know to Make Your Home Smart, makes it no surprise that Mr. Patrick developed a very tech-centric, automated residence for his family.

“Whether you want to change the temperature, adjust lighting, open the garage door, or even create custom responses to incoming visitors or a change in weather, you can do it with the simple press of a touchscreen,” stated David Ashcroft, Platinum’s director of business development.

A series of one-touch, wall-mounted digital panels located throughout the home provide control over the automation system. In addition, sensors throughout the property are set to trigger customized commands in the event of snow, rain or the arrival of guests. A 25-kW generator and battery backups assure power is uninterrupted, even in inclement weather.

Despite all of its tech features, the property does not present itself as a “techie” home, and instead offers an elegant, traditional design with an ambiance of relaxed luxury. Situated on 2.7 manicured acres, the residence is approx. 6,800 sf, with 5 bedrooms, 3 full and 2 half baths.

Built in 2002, construction emphasized the use of reliable, low-maintenance materials. The home’s siding, shingles, and exterior trim are constructed of components that are especially impervious to weather.

Interiors feature handsome wood molding and hardwood floors. A large, mahogany-paneled office – designed by a leading architect in workplace planning – maximizes productivity. There is also, 1,700 sf of “bonus space” ready for custom completion, as well as an attic offering another 1,267 sf of flexible space.

An attached, 5-car garage is complimented by a detached, 2-car garage that includes a space ideal for use as a studio, office or “man-cave.”

The home’s grounds and outdoor living areas include a 60-ft pond, in-ground spa with rock waterfall, multiple gardens and a gazebo (plans are available for an in-ground swimming pool). Nearly 6,000 sf of paved driveway and 3,000 sf of stone terraces and walls serve to enhance the beauty of the landscaping.

Open house previews of the property are available between the hours of 12 and 5pm ET daily, through Friday, July 27^th. For information on property previews, bidder registration or other auction procedures, interested parties may visit ConnecticutLuxuryAuction.com, or contact Platinum’s project manager, Walter Cerini, at 800.745.8323.

Former IBM Vice President John Patrick’s Whipstick Road home in Ridgefield will be auctioned off by Platinum Luxury Auctions on July 28. Designed by MacMillan Architects in collaboration with Phoenix Audio Video of Fairfield, the “smart house” features fully-integrated home automation.

Check out the full Habitat article by Anna Quinn here.

John Russell Patrick’s fully automated home, once listed for $4 million, will go under the hammer, without reserve, on July 28