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| photography courtesy of Ritz-Carlton, San Fransisco |
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Live large in the historic building that once housed the San Francisco Chronicle. The Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences has restored and expanded this 19th-century building and now offers 52 condos and 49 shared-ownership residences. Every unit is loaded with luxury—from marble baths to full gourmet kitchens, formals, and balconies with vistas of the foggy bay. Owners can mingle in the 12th-floor lounge; work out at the fitness center; or hike the hills of Union, Post, Sutter, and Geary streets. But perhaps the best part of living there would be the 24-hour Ritz concierge service. Make a list of wants, and your personal concierge will have them waiting for you upon your arrival and throughout your stay. This 1,960-square-foot residence features two bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, and a laundry. Devon Kessler for the Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences. 415-247-1155.
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| illustration by Tyson Smith |
The Snore Room
Separate bedrooms, please.
According to the National Association of Home Builders, dual-master-bedroom suites in upscale homes are on the rise. The group predicts that 60 percent of new homes will feature twin “owner suites” by 2015. It makes sense: sleep studies claim that one out of every four people leaves his or her bed at night—and much of that migration is due to a snoring spouse.
Noise control isn’t the only reason for multiple masters. Luxury home builder Mickey Munir has had clients ask for two “separate-but-equal” master suites in the houses they wanted him to build (which never came to fruition). Munir, who makes a second “mini master” standard in almost every Sharif-Munir product, thinks the trend is due in part to a desire for knockout guest quarters. Of course, anyone who’s ever hosted an overly amorous couple knows that the sound of snoring would be a blessing.
