Feng Shui in New York.....Apparently The Mandarin Hotel hit a home run with Nita Ambani as well.
I thought this was interesting enough to pass along. Especially since the economy is not at it's best at the moment. Custom homes are one thing, but THIS is the world's first BILLION dollar home---and it's built on the principles of Vastu.
The lobby of The Mardarin Hotel in New York City (Manhattan).
Vastu and Feng Shui have been intermingled for years as many of the properties and the ideas behind it (such as The Elements and The Energy) remain the same. Vastu is at least as old as Feng Shui (which is estimated to be between 3 to 5,000 years old) and is practiced in India primarily.
There are not many (if any) Vastu Practitioners to my knowledge in the United States so it's likely that people from India that believe in Vastu (and many do) also believe in Feng Shui and will call a Feng Shui Consultant. I have done several homes in the tradition of Feng Shui for my Indian clients and some businesses as well.
The Mandarin hotel has caught my eye as well on one occasion when I was in New York City and passing by. I had decided to stop in and see it and of course took a few shots of it. Nita was impressed as well and decided to make her home using the principles of Vastu/Feng Shui from this New York City hotel.
Beautiful Views from one of several restaurants in The Mandarin Hotel.
This home, if you read the article by Forbes, was built with the Principles of Vastu. Custom built of course. I was interested to see the pictures (which you can view from the link) of both the Interior and Exterior. Some of the way it was built, from a Feng Shui Perspective, would not be considered the best aspects. But with the money invested in it, I hope it came out to be a dream home for its owners!
Inside The World's First Billion-Dollar Home
**Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Practitioner since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island, New York providing on site Feng Shui Consultations for all of New York and Long Island and distance consultations are available by phone. Feng Shui Consultations for Businesses, Homes, Apartments, Offices, Corporations, Condos and Studios and for Renovations and New Construction.
Aaaa, whats a billion dollars. I'm sure somebody will buy it, just wonder who?
Sean Allen
The Billion Dollar Home Photos are interesting - especially since the first 6 floors are just the parking garage - the BALLROOM is over the Top - your photos of the NY Hotel are also lovely. Carole - thanks for sharing this post which expands our imaginations !
Sincerely,
Grace
Billion dollar home? I can't fathom billion...let alone million. Great story and pics!
Carole - Can you give us an example or two of how this home was "was built with the Principles of Vastu" From the photos it's hard to tell anything except the wife likes to spend money! <G> The silver staircases to the ballroom - is that significant? The rest of the room seems to be done up in gold.
Wow! Can you imagine the cost of utilities, insurance, taxes, etc.? Fun to look at and admire but can't imagine living there.
Hi Carole,
Love the pictures of The Mandarin. The billion dollar home is far to over the top for me, also to modern for me I love old, warm and cozy!
Wow Carole - you just access the most fascinating places and scenes ever - I do remember your discovery of the Mandarin Hotel - thrilling to see more of it!
Hi Carole,
It's a beautiful place however not exactly my cup of tea......I would rather have an energy efficient cosy home in the forest on a beautiful lake.
Intriguing that they are incorporating feng shui into the design and lay-out......especially all the way from a stay in New York!
You write about the most interesting things imaginable and I always know I'm in for a treat when I open one of your posts.
((-:
Jo
Sean, They had it built....this home already has owners...and it was closer to two billion then one.
Jeff & Grace, It's not very "homey" to me. I can't imagine a place could actually be too BIG!
Rob, I couldn't believe it either. Apparently these people can afford to live VERY well.
Sally, I can't fathom a billion either but there are lots of homes in the Hamtons here for Millions. They are absolutely unbelievable!
Gary, We were going to stay for dinner until we saw the menu. Way, WAY out of my reach (and I was expecting expensive in there but not a mortgage payment :)
Joan, Vastu is very popular with people from India. Since there are only one or two in the US they call Feng Shui Consultants because the principles are pretty much the same.
Rosario, I thought if I lived there I wouldn't feel protected in some way...it feels like a hotel to me.
Clint, I am guessing they need several maids on each floor -- not to mention butlers and other servants
Cynthia, I can't imagine living there either, it is way over the top for me :) And there's no backyard--I guess they don't like to garden.
Debbie, I'm sorry, it's late and I missed your comment...almost. I'm not sure about the staircases, I belive the should not be straight up and couldn't quite tell from the picture if they were. We certainly use some crystals (but nothing like that) and the different shapes of the furniture as well as placement. What didn't follow Feng Shui principles was the garage underneath. We wouldn't have advised that because energy rises and you would energically "feel" in and out motions. They also made mention of the special sinks in the bathroom though I'm not familiar with that leaf.
Trace, It was funny I happened to have stopped in the Hotel and had those pictures when I read the article. No, I don't believe I could live there either, I don't see how it could FEEL like HOME.
Deborah, I had put a few pictures of the Mandarin up when I saw those Foo Dogs outside and decided to see what it was. I never thought it would inspire a billion dollar house :)
Nestor and Katerina, I am always taking photos these days...and am constantly surprised that no one asks me WHY. They don't seem to mind. One person at a local restaurant did ask and I told them I was a writer and then they allowed me to take pictures....which reminds me I never posted about it :)
Jo, It's so funny what we all come across sometimes. I couldn't live their either--I definitely need a backyard although I remember loving the home in Dynasty!
Fernando, You'd have to make friends with the owner, it looks like a hotel but it's a home. If you happen to make friends with them and get in, let me know!
Nancy, I don't see why they'd mind, I did write about them :) I checked the prices there and I believe it was almost $600 a night. I remember when hotels were pricey but you could still spend a night in Manhattan, not anymore :(
Carole, my mind is having a difficult spending a billion dollars on building materials. I could have a blast spending a million but not a billion. I believe in Feng Shui although I only know what I've read about in the occasional article and book. I tried to learn but I guess I'm limited in the ability to comprehend it all.
When my hubby and I repainted the house I read all about colors and the affects they have on different parts of the house. Do you recommend any particular book or articles that could help explain the intricacies? I am fascinated and admire what you do. Later in the rain~Deb
Carole, how awesome, what a beautiful place.