The high end of the building market has its own set of demands, says the “Billionaire’s Builder.”
Manny A. Varas is the master builder and developer at the Miami-based construction company MV Group and his specialty is homes for the ultrawealthy, including, he says, celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Giorgio Armani. He is building roughly 15 homes in the $50 to $100 million range, he says, including at least six for billionaire families.
So, he should be pretty knowledgeable about what those clients want in their new homes. Also, what they don’t want. Varas said features like home theaters are pretty much out these days. “There’s been an increased demand for wellness and a decreased demand in bars, media rooms and cigar lounges in what was the typical estate home,” Varas said.
In addition to wellness features like home spas, cold plunge pools and saunas, the other top things the uber-rich are demanding in their new homes are: high-end sound systems, but hidden from view rather than in the past when big speakers were all the rage; privacy, not just on the exterior of the home, but inside too so household staffs are not around; multiple kitchens even if the current owner doesn’t cook much; and, finally, for the occupant who has multiple homes, keeping climate controls consistent across all properties regardless of where they are located.
And that’s how the rich people live.
