Record-Breaking Luxury: Top Residential Sales of 2023

Despite the market challenges of 2023, Christie’s International Real Estate continued to expand its network, adding new affiliates in key luxury markets across the globe.  

Affiliate sales broke records in several markets and made international headlines, clear evidence that demand is still high in that rarefied space atop the luxury residential market: the trophy home.  

Exclusivity is the hallmark of the trophy home, and pride of place goes to a $76 million estate in Aspen, Colorado—that most chic of ski towns—where low inventory, high demand, and tight controls on new development keep pushing home prices to the stratosphere.  

The other record sales were just as significant, breaking records in their markets and positioning the luxury real estate network for a successful 2024. 

Read on to discover the top-four reported sales of 2023 from the affiliates of Christie’s International Real Estate. 

1. 1001 Ute Ave., Aspen, Colorado

Sold Price: $76,000,000 
Sold by: Stephanie Lewis, Christie’s International Real Estate Aspen | Snowmass

The Story: Our top reported sale of 2023 is the most expensive property ever sold in an off-market transaction in Aspen: 1001 Ute Avenue fetched $76,000,000 last September.  

This one-of-a-kind contemporary mansion on Ute Mesa has ski-in access from Aspen Mountain. Completed in 2020, the four-story, seven-bedroom property was detailed with the finest materials sourced from around the world; technological innovations enhancing its prime location; and amenities worthy of a five-star resort: an indoor pool, sauna, steam room, cold plunge, hot tub, a bowling alley, and three outdoor tennis courts. 

2. Chateau de Beau-Pré, Genthod, Switzerland 

Sold Price: US$43,000,000 
Sold by: Maxime Dubus and Pierre Révay, SPG One Christie’s International Real Estate

The Story: Built between 1728 and 1731, Chateau de Beau-Pré is the former estate of Swiss naturalist and philosopher Charles Bonnet, and its illustrious guests have included luminaries from the arts and sciences. 

The estate has a private, secluded setting on more than 10 acres in the Swiss canton of Geneva. The castle extends to 12,917 square feet with 10 bedrooms and magnificent vaulted cellars. 

A six-bedroom guest house, three self-contained apartments, an outdoor swimming pool and pool house, and formal French gardens are further highlights. 

3. La Ceiba, Paradise Island, Bahamas

Sold Price: $37,500,000 
Sold by: John Christie & Dylan Christie, HG Christie Christie’s International Real Estate

The Story: In August, La Ceiba sold for its asking price: $37,500,000—a record-breaking transaction in Nassau, Bahamas‘ exclusive Ocean Club Estates. 

The 20,800-square-foot, multi-generational family compound includes an Asian-inspired main house, two guest cottages, covered seaside verandas, and a spectacular entertainment hub—with cinema, games room, croquet/bocce ball green, infinity-edge pool, lap pool, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, and a hot tub in the dunes.  

Adding to the resort ambience are Zen-worthy gardens with waterfalls, two pools, and a 300-foot white-sand beach. The Tom Weiskopf-designed championship golf course is a golf-cart-ride away.  

4. 11870 Ellice St., Malibu, California

Sold Price: $26,500,000 
Sold by: Aaron Kirman & Daniel Milstein, Christie’s International Real Estate AKG 

The Story: Inspired by kaizen, the Japanese philosophy of “continuous improvement,” the Kaizen Home thus hints at the lengths the developers took in creating this spectacular Malibu estate. 

The 20,000-square-foot contemporary mansion sits on a one-acre, Pacific Ocean-facing plot and was masterfully designed in keeping with the ancient art of feng shui. 

The property was constructed from concrete and covered in paneled composite wood, travertine, and carved stone—and engineered to withstand fires, floods, and earthquakes. 

Read more market insights from Christie’s International Real Estate here.