Trophy Homes: 4 Residences Defining Ultra-Luxury

The so-called “trophy home” is a bit of a misnomer. It signifies, for lack of a better term, those grand estates that occupy the rarefied air high above the rest of the luxury real estate market.

Their buyers are akin to collectors of great art. They seek one-of-a-kind magnificence, often with a compelling provenance and, of course, resplendent finishes, fixtures, and architectural detail, all manner of creature comforts and amenities, utmost privacy and security—and the all-important location, location, location.

This edition of Luxury Defined explores those heights from these vantages: beautiful views, exquisite architecture, the collector’s art, exclusive environs, and world-class recreation available for $50 million and above.

For your consideration, then, choose among a stately pleasure-dome high in the Hollywood Hills; a classic Palm Beach Mediterranean Revival mansion on the Intracoastal Waterway; a boutique wine resort on the isle of Mallorca; and an Art Deco seafront villa on the Cap d’Antibes.

Hollywood Hills Haven in Los Angeles, California

Rising five levels high above the Sunset Strip, this striking contemporary haven of luxury, comfort, and wellness was designed and developed over 14 years by its owner, the Grammy-nominated music producer Alex Da Kid, in collaboration with architect Paul McClean and interior designer Jeff Corney.

Corney’s elegant interior spaces, framed by tall glass walls and the LA cityscape, unfold across roughly 24,000 square feet. The warm, monochrome palette derives from rift oak, suede wall panels, limestone, marble, and light oak floors. There are four expansive bedrooms and seven bathrooms. A separate, 6,500-square-foot guest house provides five more bedrooms.

The interiors flow effortlessly between indoor and outdoor living spaces, while a central light shaft and cascading water feature bring light and movement into the core of the main house. A sculptural staircase wraps around the glass elevator and the four-story digital art wall, a showcase for high-resolution art installations.

The lower levels feature a two-lane bowling alley, a theater seating 40, a glass-walled nightclub, a games lounge, and a basketball half-court. The 65-foot glass-framed car elevator lifts showpiece automobiles into a dramatic, subterranean nightclub gallery. Lowermost, the full-floor wellness complex provides a gym, massage room, hot and cold plunge pools, a sauna, and cryotherapy room.

Eight swimming pools are integrated across the property, including a wraparound interior pool, an 80-foot outdoor pool, and a two-person infinity pool extending from the primary suite.

The rooftop terrace offers cinematic city views with a retractable movie screen, spa, and ample entertainment space.

Casa del Ensuenos in Palm Beach, Florida

Casa del Ensuenos is a grand, gated, estate rambling across nearly 1.5 landscaped acres and 200 feet of frontage on the Intracoastal Waterway in the prestigious Estates Section of Palm Beach.

The Venetian-themed Mediterranean Revival home, designed in 1923 by the acclaimed society architect Addison Mizner, underwent a multi-year renovation for the 21st century. The result is a 27,000-plus-square-foot estate with a covered loggia, eight fireplaces, 15 bedrooms and 18 full bathrooms (and five half-baths).

The amenities are truly world class: there’s a boat house and a private dock with a 20-ton boat lift; a tennis pavilion and sunken red-clay tennis court; a full performing arts theater and stage; and a heated, resistance infinity pool. Infrastructure includes an elevator, video security system, backup generator, exterior landscape lighting, a six-car garage, private beach access, and a new seawall.

The property, with sunset views of the Intracoastal Waterway, is just minutes from Worth Avenue, Mar-a-Lago, and the growing ‘’Wall Street South’’ in downtown West Palm Beach.

Wine Resort and Country Retreat in Mallorca, Spain

This 60-acre country estate on the Balearic isle of Mallorca offers a unique experience for wine connoisseurs and sports enthusiasts alike.

The complex includes several interconnected buildings: The main house has a commercial kitchen, several barbecue stations, indoor and outdoor lounging and dining spaces, and an expansive pool and deck with a bar.

There are currently two guest houses with a combined 16 suites. Three self-contained finca houses are under construction and will each offer four bedrooms and self-contained accommodations, all connected by internal pathways.

Guests are pampered with a plethora of amenities, including a clubhouse, beach volleyball court, football pitch, sauna and spa areas, and a state-of-the-art video conference room. The established vineyard creates the potential for a unique winemaking experience for guests.

Within the beautiful palm-lined gardens is a chapel with a crypt. Adding to the charm is a resident herd of alpacas that roam the grounds.

Art Deco Seafront Villa in Cap d’Antibes, France

This magnificently restored Art Deco villa overlooks the Mediterranean Sea from 2.75 acres of splendid seafront grounds in the heart of the Cap d’Antibes.

This glamorous setting and Art Deco architecture echo that Jazz Age lifestyle of writer F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda, frequent visitors to the Cap d’Antibes: stylish, elegant, light-filled interiors give way to basking decks and shaded terraces, and a swimming pool with stairs down to the sea.

The property’s three distinct dwellings are crowned by the three-level main house and its tower with a glass-topped observation lounge overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Further appointments include formal reception and dining rooms, five sumptuous en suite bedrooms, a private office, a fully equipped kitchen, and a state-of-the-art gymnasium—all served by elevator.

Seaward, the guest house consists of three suites, a staff apartment with two bedrooms, a sauna, a steam room, and a massage room. The property also features a tennis/multisport court and a garage that accommodates up to eight cars. The beach house is self-contained, with a living room, dining room, and three bedrooms beside the water’s edge.

Lawns and landscaped gardens replete with enchanting, shaded courtyards complete the picture.

Trophy hunting? More $50 million-plus listings for your consideration.