1. Sylvester Stallone’s desert retreat packs a punch.
Photos via Estately

Hollywood action legend and aspiring artist Sylvester Stallone has put his Mediterranean Revival-style estate on the market for $4.19 million. The four-bedroom, 5,173-square foot mansion is located in La Quinta, an upscale community just outside of Palm Springs, and is more subdued than one might expect. The bright and airy abode features elegantly arched doorways, exposed beams, a carved stone fireplace, a combination of stone and hardwood floors, and a sumptuous master suite complete with a private terrace that overlooks the Coachella Valley. Outside, the retreat boasts lush, landscaped grounds that include a man-made creek, a pool, a dining loggia, a tiled fire pit, and a spa. Click here to view the full listing. 

2. Talk about amazing! How about a Rafael Vinoly home one hour from NYC.
Photos via Sotheby’s International Realty

Rafael Vinoly is best known for his spectacularly modern, cutting-edge creations, including the Cleveland Museum of Art’s sleek West Wing expansion and the forthcoming 432 Park Avenue tower, which will be the tallest residential building in the Western hemisphere upon completion. This concrete-and-glass stunner proves that Vinoly’s residential designs are just as commanding as his commercial works. Set on nearly sixteen acres in Ridgefield, Connecticut, an affluent town in sought-after Fairfield County, the three-bedroom, 16,000-square-foot residence features a master suite housed in a private tower, a penthouse office with a rooftop observation deck, guest quarters, and indoor/outdoor pools. The expansive property includes the Vinoly house, magnificent gardens, and High Meadow Farm, which is located across the street from the main residence and boasts a 3,500-square-foot home, a barn, stalls, and a riding area. The jaw-dropping estate is on the market for $19.5 million. Click here to view the full listing.

3. A grand estate owned by business titans Sulzberger and Haroche is now $20 million less than in 2008.
Photos via Sotheby's International Realty

This European-style stone manor known as Hillandale has quite the provenance. Built in 1900, the 20,043-square-foot estate was originally owned by the Sulzberger family of New York Times fame and was later purchased by Liberty Travel co-founder Gilbert Haroche, who passed away in April 2015. The historic home, which sits on the Connecticut-New York border between Stamford and Pound Ridge, is the largest property currently on the market and is adorned with antique marble, limestone, onyx, mosaic tile, and stained glass. The palatial, eight-bedroom residence features paneled formal living and dining rooms, a cloakroom, a library, a conservatory and a breakfast room. In addition to the main house, the sprawling property is outfitted with formal gardens, a chapel, a private lake, two barns, indoor and outdoor pools, a pool house, a teepee, a tennis court, a greenhouse and four guest/staff residences. Hillandale, which was last listed by Haroche and his wife, Charlene, in 2008 for $95 million, carries a $75-million price tag. Click here to view the full listing.

4. Now that's what I call an Aspen ski lodge.

 
Photos via Sotheby's International Realty

Grand in scale yet exceedingly cozy, this 10,761-square-foot home in one of Aspen’s most sought-after neighborhoods is everything you would want in a ski lodge. Featuring log timbers imported from Yellowstone Park and custom-cut Colorado sandstone, the residence, known as Castle Creek Valley Ranch, has never before appeared on the market. The custom-built, six-bedroom retreat is tucked away on 11 acres of beautiful aspen groves and features several stone and wood patios, including an elevated overlook point with rare, breathtaking views of Mt. Hayden. Amenities include a hot tub, an artist’s studio and a home theater. Castle Creek Valley Ranch is on the market for $15.9 million.  Click here to view the full listing.

 

5. The newly renovated Swan House holds onto its stylish mid-century appeal.

 
Photos via Cyr and Stray

Built in 1960 by architect Jack McCallum and renovated in 2015 by Palm Springs’ H3K Design, the Swan House is brimming with mid-century modern charm. Located in Rancho Mirage, a resort city just outside of Palm Springs, the quintessential desert retreat features walls of glass, cantilevered overhangs and a free-flowing layout that wraps around an inground pool. The four-bedroom home boasts 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape, a spacious central great room with an oversized fireplace, a media room, and a private dining room. The home is available fully furnished with spectacular modern and contemporary furnishings. The Swan House is listed for $3.66 million. Click here to view the full listing.