Majestic Moorish-style Castle in the Woods

Designed by renowned Shiflet Group Architects and brought to life by the unequivocal builder Gary Reissig, “The Castle in the Woods”, exudes splendor and prestige. Spotted on Sotheby’s Realty, this luxurious 16,722 square foot, 7 bedroom estate spans 5 premium lots in stately Barton Creek, just a few miles from downtown Austin, Texas. The home took five years to complete, costing $22.5 million to build and designed to reflect two centuries of Moorish design. The Castle captures that time period and delivers it in 21st century luxury with details including a top-of-the-line clay flat tile roof, Zeluck custom mahogany lancet style windows, hand glazed plaster walls, designer plush carpets, hand scraped exotic wood floors, mahogany and cherry custom cabinetry, artist crafted iron railings and extraordinary light fixtures.

The Castle includes a state of the art media room, game room and two huge, private executive offices to accommodate the work at home resident. Never find yourself without electricity with the commercial size generator. Four additional private retreats offering rich wood details, opulent finishes and en-suite baths round out the main house. The estate includes a well-equipped, detached coach house with a generously appointed, two bedroom residence complete with a washer, dryer and private garage. This is the perfect getaway and guest home in one.

This stunning property is listed for $10,900,000, from here.

A massive fireplace adorns the handsome library which was created to resemble a chapel and features an incorporated safe room for storage.

The masterfully designed kitchen includes every upgraded stainless steel appliance imaginable, a large island and a home management center. The well-appointed catering kitchen is off of the formal dining room along with the 1,500 bottle wine cellar and fully stocked bar which form a spectacular space for entertaining.

Set away from the entertainment space is the master suite comprised of the salon, luminous spa bath, two expansive dual closets, wet bar and reading nook. Find a secluded patio off of the master which boasts a private hot tub.

Located adjacent to the 6th green, the home has many elevated patios with views of the exclusive Barton Creek Country Club Golf Course. The Castle is surrounded by sumptuous outdoor living venues.

Spread over 5 different elevations the main patio features a fully equipped outdoor kitchen and a warm, intimate fireplace.

Discover the beautifully landscaped English gardens with spectacular views. The exquisite resort-style infinity edge pool is second to none complete with beach front entry and a large commercial spa. A private cabana with a shower, private bathroom and wet bar completes this outdoor oasis.

Attached is a 4,000 square foot, world class gym with complete cardio and bathroom. This completely air-conditioned escape includes additional garage space, ample storage and large space which serves as office, living room or lounge.

Moorish style castle on the island of Grenada

A unique and highly desirable residence of spacious proportions, Azzurra Castle encompasses a 26,500 square foot site set at the end of a peninsula on The Caribbean Sea. The property, owned by international entrepreneur Peter de Savary, is nestled on a peninsula on the south side of the island with stunning coastal panoramas at the end of Lance aux Epines in St. Georges, Grenada on the Caribbean Sea. The castle sits amongst flowering tropical gardens, terraces and two aviaries, leading down to a small private sandy beach and sunbathing deck. The Moorish style home has 9,500 square-feet of interior living space and 7,500 square-feet of exterior living space. The interiors feature bold and bright colors throughout, vaulted ceilings, accents of over-sized, scattered cushions, antique decorations and private nooks filled with ottomans, giving this property a laid-back Moroccan feel. The open living spaces take in natural breezes from the ocean.

Azzurra Castle features two private gated landscaped entrance courtyards with garage and parking. There are several extensive living and dining areas, roof and garden terraces, patios and beautifully managed tropical gardens. There are five dramatic bedrooms with private bathrooms and a self-contained apartment in the turret with its own roof terrace. And of course, no Castle comes without a folly; you’re turreted get-away in the gardens. The Castle also has a dungeon, thoughtfully converted into an air-conditioned luxury cinema and board-room/office/exercise room and numerous reception rooms/areas. Azzurra Castle is the ultimate in private locations, enjoying two small sandy beaches in a serene and secluded bay; alternately enjoy the view from the beachside Jacuzzi or lay out on the terraced decking or sunbathe/stargaze on the vast roof terrace.

Azzura Castle is available as a vacation rental sleeping 12, with rates ranging from $9,500 – $15,000 per week, including live-in housekeeper/cook, from here.

The great room is the home’s main living space, there are no walls or windows here, it is all open to the exterior elements.

Fine dining area.

Each of the bedrooms features an en-suite bath.

The pool area, which is accessed via the great room or the bedrooms, has a large terrace with a beautiful terra cotta tile pattern. The pool is 50 feet long and features a decorative mosaic.

The front side of the castle facing the ocean.

Outdoor private dining terrace.

Walkway leading to a private outdoor sitting area.

A two-story turret.

The turret features a guest bedroom with a kitchen and bathroom.

Photos: Alex Smailes

Charming sanctuary surrounded by a tropical garden

This luxurious villa is within the attractive countryside of Tarifa, Spain, not too far from the beaches. Natural beauty, peace and harmony intertwine in this beautiful home that facilitates comfort and rest. It consists of three bedrooms, two bathrooms and several outdoor terraces with magnificent views. This lovely house features 2,690 square feet (250 square meters) of living space with a capacity for six people, built in a Moorish style. As a mean of unifying all the spaces, all the flooring is of polished concrete and the predominance of natural materials such as stone and wooden beams. There are exposed stone walls, whitewashed work benches and solid wood untreated and in harmony with modern sculptures, design lamps and classic seating of the 20th century.

The house is oriented towards the South and is located in the Natural Park of Los Alcornocales one of the largest parks in Europe. The house is surrounded by a tropical garden with a small pond with water lily leaves. In order to enjoy the outside, the villa has three porches with different orientations. The estate is crossed by a Stony River with oleanders and populated by many turtles. Just 10 minutes from the farm, you can swim in a natural pool in a tropical paradise. The organic farm is working with solar panels and a generator. The villa is an idyllic place, privileged, quiet and with no nearby roads. The owners are a pair of Belgians who desired to have a vacation retreat in a warmer climate. The home is also used as a vacation rental for the periods of time when they are not staying the home.

To stay at this beautiful retreat, prices range from $1,573 – $3,147 per week, from here.

Rustic dwelling in the Pyrenees Mountains

Hidden deep in the Pyrenees Mountains of Spain rests an old farmhouse which has recently been restored for the owners to reside in, and also for their visiting guests, who are seeking peace and serenity. The owner of this rustic haven is an artist who has decorated the home with very unique design features. Infused into the home are African details, Moorish elements, and a feeling of tranquility that has been captured in every view. Whether it is the vista over the mountains towards the old village, or the view over the pool towards the Mediterranean, this house is truly a place to forget the rest of the world.

Photos: Courtesy of Verne Photography