-
Hillwood Mansion- Washington, DC
Although lovely, the substantial Neo-Georgian Arbemont Mansion was not one of the most architecturally interesting buildings constructed in the 1920s. Although stately and respectable, it did not become truly remarkable until renovated by cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post. Designed to showcase her professionally curated art collection, the mansion contains some of the finest objects money can buy. Built in the 1920s by architect John Diebert for Helen Blodgett Erwin, the 36 room mansion known as Arbemont sat on 25 acres at the edge of Rock Creek Park. In 1926, well known landscape architect Willard Gebhart laid out an elaborate garden to compliment the house, with a strong central axis and…
-
Raptor Bay Golf Club- Bonita Springs, FL
Raptor Bay is a fabulous resort course, with scenery for days. Although located adjacent to the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point, you don’t have to stay there to play. Not too challenging, it makes for a great warm up course for some of the areas more challenging tracks. Winding through low lying marshland, the wildlife here is as exciting as the golf. Full of osprey, great egrets and herons, the bird diversity at this Audubon International Certified Sanctuary is an absolute dream. Immensely playable, and kept in immaculate condition, it’s a fabulous course for a fun round.
-
United States Capitol- Washington, DC
One of the most recognizable buildings in the world, the United States Capitol is a neoclassical masterpiece. Inside and out, it is befitting of the important business that takes place inside its hollowed halls. Built and renovated many times over, it is a historical landmark almost as old as the country itself. Built shortly after the capital city of Washington, D.C. was established, on land selected by Pierre L’Enfant, its construction proved to be a monumental task. In 1792, at the suggestion of Thomas Jefferson, an architectural competition was held for the design of the Capitol building. With the original 17 submissions deemed unsuitable, in 1793 George Washington selected Dr.…
-
The Glass House- New Canaan, CT
Located less than an hour from the extravagant Rockefeller and Gould estates is a completely different yet equally interesting property. Standing in stark contrast to the egregious excess of the Gilded Age, Philip Johnson’s modern masterpiece The Glass House is magnificently minimalistic. At just 1815 square feet, it absolutely proves less can be more. Built in 1949 by eccentric modern/postmodern architect Philip Johnson, the glass and steel structure seems to disappear into the landscape, like a Special Ops agent. It is a fabulous study of angles and reflection, where the built structure is enveloped by the surrounding environment. Inspired by Meis van der Rohe’s model for the undeniably similar Farnsworth…
-
Lyndhurst- Tarrytown, NY
Lyndhurst is an absolute architectural dream. Plucked straight out of the English countryside, it is without question one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in the United States. Former home of universally detested Robber Baron Jay Gould, the estate offered a retreat for the already isolated tycoon. While he may have had no friends, he did have a ridiculous amount of money, which allowed him to purchase one of the finest houses in all the land, and fill it with beautiful objects. Originally built as a country villa in 1838 by renown architect Alexander Jackson Davis for former New York City mayor William Paulding, its Gothic Revival style…
