Luxury home
'Luxury Defined' Global Report Significant Sales

10 Significant Luxury Homes Sales From 2023

…and what they say about their local real estate market

From beachfront compounds in the Caribbean to historic Swiss estates, Christie’s International Real Estate was involved in a number of notable home sales throughout 2023. While some transactions, like the $76,000,000 record-breaking sale of a home in Aspen made headlines, others flew under the radar but were no less significant in terms of informing luxury market trends. Here’s a look at 10 of Christie’s International Real Estate’s most significant home sales of 2023 and what they tell us about luxury real estate.  

1001 Ute Avenue, Aspen, Colorado  

Sold Price: $76,000,000  

Sold By: Stephanie Lewis, Christie’s International Real Estate Aspen | Snowmass 

Contemporary home

The Story: When this home closed in September, it made headlines as the priciest residential transaction in Aspen history. The listing was originally marketed at $95 million, but the final deal involved an unusual concession the seller gave the buyer a $25 million credit in exchange for a different home in Aspen. Although the number of home sales in town dropped in 2023, Aspen remains a seller’s market due to a continued low supply and restrictions on new development 

Port Royal, Naples, Florida 

Sold Price: $46,800,000  

Sold By: John R. Wood Christie’s International Real Estate  

Naples, Florida

Despite the $65 billion in damage that Hurricane Ian caused when it made landfall in Florida in 2022, Naples’ luxury real estate market is unfazed. This off-market home sale was the most expensive transaction in Naples in 2023. It is located in Port Royal, which, alongside Naples’ Aqualane Shores neighborhood, is among the communities with the highest home values in the nation.  

Domaine Beau-Pré, Switzerland 

Sold Price: $43,000,000 

Sold By: Maxime Dubus and Pierre Revay, SPG One Christie’s International Real Estate 

Castle

The Domaine Beau-Pré, a large Swiss estate that has played host to scholars, artists and other notable guests for three centuries, was sold to a pair of buyers who plan to undertake a complete renovation of the property. Switzerland’s luxury market remains highly competitive, due to low inventory and strong demand. High-end buyers continue to seek the safety of hard assets like real estate and art.  

La Ceiba, Paradise Island, Bahamas  

Sold Price: $37,500,000  

Sold By: John Christie and Dylan Christie, H.G. Christie’s 

Tropical estate

A record-breaking transaction in Nassau, Bahamas’ Ocean Club Estates, this waterfront compound was sold fully turnkey with exclusive access to the amenities offered by the Ocean Club Estates private community and the prestigious Four Seasons resort. In today’s luxury resort-home market, discerning buyers are seeking properties that provide utmost convenience and lifestyle amenities. 

1575 Capri Drive, Pacific Palisades, California  

Sold Price: $24,950,000.00  

Sold By: Aaron Kirman, Dalton Gomez and Morgan Trent, Christie’s International Real Estate AKG 

Los Angeles mansion

This home, which was reportedly occupied by Sylvester Stallone in the 1970s and later acquired by Emmy-winning producer Steven Bochco (L.A. Law), originally came on the market at $35 million. In 2023, Los Angeles’ luxury real estate market saw a pronounced drop in activity following the implementation of Measure ULAan increased transfer tax on high-end property sales.  

80999 Old Highway, Islamorada, Florida  

Sold Price: $23,000,000 

Sold By: Kelly Shaw and Trent Shaw, American Caribbean Christie’s International Real Estate 

Tropical estate

Another home that speaks to the resiliency of South Florida’s home market, this 2023 waterfront property set a record for the most expensive single-parcel sale in the Florida Keys when it sold in May, after receiving three simultaneous offers. The home has provided a tropical backdrop for photo shoots for several famous fashion brands including Victoria’s Secret and Calvin Klein.  

La Vida Mar, Costa Rica  

List Price: $16,000,000 (Sold Price: Undisclosed) 

Sold By: Robert F. Davey and Brian Bratton, Costa Rica Estate Properties 

Costa Rica estate

Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region is experiencing a surge in luxury real estate activity, evidenced by the speedy sale of this waterfront home within a month of its listing. The region’s stability, large ex-pat population, and reputation as a top surfing destination have attracted attention from European and American buyers. High-end properties and resort communities are being developed at a rapid pace, reflecting rising demand. 

71 Adams Gulch Rd., Blaine County, Idaho 

Sold Price:  $14,900,000 

Sold By: Williams | Hendrick, Sun Valley Real Estate 

Idaho estate

The Story: Often ranked as one of the top ski resorts in the country, Idaho’s Sun Valley region has seen a surge in ultra-luxury sales in recent years, as buyers are searching for high-value alternatives to popular ski destinations like Aspen, Colo. In 2023, the Sun Valley market saw an increase of over 30% in reported sales over $10 million from the previous year. 

691 Sheridan Rd., Winnetka, Illinois  

Sold Price: $12,500,000 

Sold By: Jena Radnay, @properties Christie’s International Real Estate  

Chicago’s luxury market was well off the highs of the record-breaking years of 2021 and ‘22, both in terms of homes sold and top-end pricing. But 2023 was solid by any other measure, with ultra-luxury transactions up 27% compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019. On Chicago’s North Shore, homes along Lake Michigan continue to lead the market. Built in 2005, this home on a little less than an acre, with 94 feet of private beach, was the year’s priciest transaction, closing less than two months after coming on the market.  

21 Caladenia Close, Elanora Heights, Australia 

Sale Price: $10,000,000 

Sold by: Darren Curtis, Christie’s International Real Estate Sydney  

Mansion

Nicknamed the Star Trek house for its spaceship-like footprint, this home was commissioned by a Star Trek super-fan who included a 15-seat home cinema decorated with a space image taken from the Hubble telescope. This sale highlights the extent to which Australia’s home prices have risen in recent years; the house sold for $5.6 million in 2014. The 5-acre property just 45 minutes outside of Sydney underscores another trend in Australia: a desire for large estates within an hour of the city.  

For more trends and insights, read the 2024 Global Luxury Real Estate Forecast here.