Essential Summer Events

The warmer summer months open up an array of activities around the world to enjoy. Whether you are a golf enthusiast, foodie or cultural lover, there are festivals near and far to enjoy. Here are our picks for Summer 2017.

Porto Cervo Wine & Food Festival, Sardinia, Italy

Set against the stunning backdrop of Italy’s Costa Smeralda, the Porto Cervo Wine & Food Festival brings together wine experts and food specialists. For its ninth outing, the festival brings together big names and small producers alike, who will showcase their products during a weekend of tastings, masterclasses, demonstrations, gourmet dinners, book launches, and more.

Chelsea Flower Show, London, UK

RHS Chelsea—or Chelsea Flower Show, as it is commonly known—is arguably the most famous garden show in the world. It returns to its central London home again this year, offering visitors the chance to be inspired by show gardens, to buy plants and flowers for their own outside spaces.

The Shire Walking and Sunset Picnic Tour, Portland, Oregon

John Yeon was known for hosting memorable summer picnics for friends at The Shire. This Portland Art MuseumMembers Event begins with a guided tour led by guest curator Randy Gragg, followed by an informal picnic on the great lawn prepared by acclaimed Portland chef John Taboada (Navarre and Luce). Bring your own favorite blanket and chair and settle in to watch the sun go down, all while taking in the unparalleled view across the river to Multnomah Falls.

America’s Cup, Bermuda, Carribean

Bermuda is the chosen host for the 35th America’s Cup, which begins in May. Composed of 181 islands spread over 21 square miles, it’s no wonder that Bermuda has long been the location of choice for luxury water-based sports. With its crystal-clear blue water and unique pink-sand beaches, Bermuda’s Great Sound—a natural amphitheater—will provide the backdrop for 2017’s event. Racing begins with the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifiers. Interested in learning more about real estate in the Carribean, click here.

Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance, California, USA

Founded in 1950 as an add-on to the Pebble Beach Road Race, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance (literally a “competition of elegance”) celebrates collector cars, which it judges for authenticity, function, history, and style. Classes include type, marque, and time period, with first-, second-, and third-place finishers selected for each.

Pronghorn and Crosswater NW Golf Guys Players Club Tournament, Bend, Oregon

Two day Central Oregon event on two of the areas favored courses. First, enjoy an optional round at Pronghorn on Friday. Saturday, also hosted at Proghorn is a round of play on the esteemed Jack Nicklaus Course. The event wraps up on Sunday at Crosswater. For more information, visit NW Golf Guys.

Christie’s International Real Estate Network

The Christie’s International Real Estate global Affiliate network reported a number of record-breaking sales in 2016 and 2017. As market leaders in the luxury real estate space, the associates within our firm have participated in a number of notable sales throughout the Portland Metro market.

The Playboy Mansion- Holmby Hills, California
$105 Million

The Playboy Mansion served as a private retreat for owner Hugh Heffner and has been notable for its ultimate setting for large-scale entertaining. The castle-like residence features 29 rooms, a catering kitchen, game room, swimming pool with a cave-like grotto, wine cellar and comes with an LA zoo license. For a Portland estate that exudes similar grandeur, detail and playfulness, click here.

La Brisa-Coconut Grove, Florida
$35 Million

Circa 1920 Mediterranean mansion with 208 feet of bay frontage. This stunning architectural gem features nine bedrooms, over 3300 square feet of exterior living space with a number of balconies and covered porches. To search for global real estate, click here.

One Hyde Park-Knightsbridge, London
$18.95M

Located adjacent to the Mandarin Hotel, this fifth-floor unit has one of the best vistas of Hyde Park Corner, Sloane Street, and Brompton Road, towards Harrods, Managed by the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, this property comes with bespoke services and amenities commonly associated with the best hotels in the world.

Pallisades Terrace-Lake Oswego,Oregon
$6.3M

This distinctive estate sits on 1.4 acres of coveted lakefront property in Lake Oswego, one of Oregon’s most desirable addresses. Situated on a bluff high above the lake with breathtaking 180-degree views of Oswego Lake and Mt. Hood, the estate consists of a gorgeous 8,800 sq. ft. home, saltwater pool, pool house, and boathouse with mahogany dock, kitchen, and indoor/outdoor entertaining space.

Christie’s New Los Angeles Art Space and Opening Exhibit

From April 20 to 28, Christie’s will open the doors of its new West Coast arts space with a special exhibition of more than 60 paintings, sculptures, photographs, and works on paper, as well as a selection of jewels, watches and private sale items. The exhibition was curated from the auction house’s signature May sales of Impressionist, Modern, Post-War, Contemporary and Latin American art, which take place in New York, and was designed to create an engaging visual dialogue between the major artists of each era, from Europe to the Americas.

This event will mark the premier exhibition of this new space for our parent company. To design this new multi-functional flagship location in Beverly Hills, Christie’s engaged wHY, the interdisciplinary design team known for collaborating with important Los Angeles clients such as the Marciano Art Foundation, CalArts and Los Angeles County Museum of Art, as well as top artists and collectors.

Creative Director of wHY highlights that his firm has one language, which is essential design — tight and timeless with a focus on the essences of architecture in terms of space, light, proportion and tectonics.

Speaking to the significance of the opening, Sonya Roth, Managing Director, Christie’s LA: “This is Christie’s moment to shine in LA and we are delighted to have assembled such a stellar exhibition of fine art, jewelry, watches and private sale items to celebrate our grand opening in Beverly Hills. Our goal over these next few weeks is to welcome in both new and established collectors to acquaint themselves with all that Christie’s has to offer the LA community — whether it is expertise, education, or simply engagement with the beautiful objects Christie’s has been entrusted with. This first exhibition is just the start of a dynamic program to come, and we look forward to officially embarking on this exciting next chapter in the growth of Christie’s on the West Coast.”

Among the highlights of the exhibition are masterpieces by the titans of 20th century art, including Three Studies for a Portrait of George Dyer (1962), the first triptych Francis Bacon painted of his great muse (estimate on request – exceeding $50 million); Leda and the Swan (1962) by Cy Twombly ($35-55 million), a celebrated tour-de-force by the artist that is emerging from a private collection after nearly 30 years unseen by the public (estimate $35-55 million); andFemme assise dans un fauteuil (1917-1920) by Pablo Picasso, a Cubist portrait of the artist’s first wife, the Russian ballerina Olga Khokhlova (estimate $20-30 million). The Grand Opening exhibition at Christie’s LA marks the first time these three museum-quality masterpieces will be exhibited together publicly in the U.S.

Leading Industries in Portland Metro Area

Portland is commonly referred to as one of the most environmentally friendly and greenest cities in the world. With a metropolitan labor pool growing at six times the national average, companies in Portland have a well-established recruiting base that includes deep pools of skilled workers across all industry sectors, notably in technology, software, clean tech, and active/outdoor apparel and footwear. In fact, a New York Times article said that Portland is where Millennials go to retire. As such, Portland has become the hub for innovation and a magnetic destination to acquire international talent drawing from the Bay Area, Seattle, and metropolitan regions from around the world. Many reports and articles suggest that Portland metro workforce has the lowest turn-over compared to other competing economic regions like the Bay Area, Seattle and Southern California.

Some of the largest and most recognizable companies in the Portland region include Nike, Intel, Adidas, Precision Castparts Corp., Daimler, Columbia Sportswear, FLIR Systems, StanCorp Financial Group, and Schnitzer Steel Industries. In addition, the Portland metro area hosts a range of unique and growing businesses, including microbreweries, micro-distilleries, and high-end coffee and food brands.

In 2015, Forbes Magazine ranked Portland #3 in the United States on its “Best Places for Business and Careers” list, for its remarkable growth, economic diversity, innovation and ability to attract the international workforce.

Portland Metro Area’s Largest Industries:

High tech: Portland’s high tech industry continues to grow, reaching a 12-year high in 2016. The software side of high tech has grown almost 50%, nearly doubling its size, within the last 10 years. High tech companies include Jive Software, Puppet Labs, and Jama Software. In fact, to rival the high tech region in the Bay Area known, as Silicon Valley, the Portland metro area hosts the Silicon Forest, which has become the rival tech, nestled within the Beaverton and Hillsboro area, and also includes a presence in Downtown Portland.

Software IT: The Greater Portland software industry continues to enjoy steady growth for more than 10 years, and also contributes to the growth of the Silicon Forest that rivals Silicon Valley in the Bay Area. The existing workforce within the software/IT industries indicate a robust talent base comprising of professionals from all over the world. Once Portland attracts the talent, it keeps it, and the greater Portland region has the lowest turn-over rate compared to many of its competing regions.

Athletic/outdoor apparel: Known as the athletic gear capital of the world, Portland is home to the highest number of large and small athletic apparel and outdoor recreation companies, which is inspired by the lush, serene and seasonal environment Portland is internationally famous for. Locally headquartered companies include Nike, Columbia Sportswear, the North American headquarters of Adidas, Icebreaker, Keen, LaCrosse Footwear/Danner Boots, Poler Outdoor Stuff, Wildfang, and Leatherman. Other internationally known brands include Nau, Lucy, Under Armour and Dakine.

Manufacturing: Greater Portland’s highly productive manufacturing workforce comprises of nearly 11 percent of Portland metro’s workforce with 107,000 jobs. In fact, the Portland metro area is a national leader in specialized areas of manufacturing, especially in high tech electronics and specialty metal fabrication. An example of this, is Precision Castparts Corp., a worldwide, diversified manufacturer of complex metal components and products.

International Wholesale Trade: The Port of Portland is the third largest export tonnage port on the West Coast, and manages import and export shipments of $15.4 billion annually. Portland is an ideal trading destination due to its easy access to the north/south and east/west interstate freeway system, international air service, and its west coast and intercontinental railroads make Portland a significant international distribution trading center.

Healthcare: In Greater Portland, and in nearly every major U.S. metro region, the healthcare industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in today’s economy. Healthcare is one of the largest job generators in Portland, and four of the top ten employers in the region are healthcare providers, including notable names such as Oregon Health & Science University, Providence Health Services, Legacy Health, and Kaiser Permanente Northwest. As of 2014, the Portland metro area held more than 113,000 healthcare jobs, and revenue generated by traded-sector activities amounted to $1.9 billion.

Educating and Training a Better Workforce: The Portland region is home to more than 30 higher education institutions, seven of which offer well-established degree programs in computer science, software engineering, electrical engineering, and digital media. Combined, these programs generate nearly 1,000 graduates annually, and local university records indicate that an estimated 69% of these graduates will stay within the region to work, following graduation. Recognizing that talent acquisition is a critical issue for business growth, Portland regional business leaders are partnering with public organizations to fill the talent pipeline by training more than 10,000 Oregonians annually to earn high-paying coding and technology-oriented jobs.

Growth in the Luxury Market

Five years ago Terry Sprague strategically placed himself and his company at the forefront of real estate when he founded Luxe Platinum Properties in Lake Oswego and affiliated with Christie’s International Real Estate, the real estate arm of the esteemed auction house that was founded 250 years ago. The global exposure, strength of brand, network collaboration and access to high-net wealth individuals made sense to Sprague.

Terry knew that his focus would start with a niche Lake Oswego market however he admits, “luxury properties hadn’t quite come back” from the depths of the real estate crash of 2007-2009.

But he saw tremendous potential in the high-end market — and his instincts paid off.

Today, Luxe Platinum Properties, as a company, has excelled in this space with over $122 million in sales volume in 2016 from just nine full time brokers, making the average sales volume per broker much higher than other area real estate firms. Why is this important? When a client chooses to work with one of the Luxe Platinum Properties brokers, they are actually hiring an entire firm of brokers that specialize in selling homes over $1 million.

According to a Sept. 8 article in the Portland Tribune, Lake Oswego is the most expensive real estate market in Oregon, with an average price of $652,682. Luxe Platinum Properties average sales price in Lake Oswego was $1,134,000 in 2016, far more than average for the market.

“The luxury market is healthy and continues to grow in the Portland metro area,” said Rebecca Green, who recently came to the Christie’s International Real Estate Affiliate as Director of Brand Management & Development after working for years with a local Sotheby’s International Realty franchise. Luxe Platinum Properties Vice President, Kendra Ratcliff who represents vineyards, legacy estates and recreational properties throughout Oregon and Washington notes, “Our markets represent sound real estate investment options for our clients that view real estate as the global currency.”

Sprague has recently sold several homes valued above $2.0 million and as a broker continues to lead the market in this price point with higher volume than any other area broker.

In January of 2017, Terry Sprague set the pace for the luxury market in Lake Oswego with the closing of a home in Palisades Terrace for $6.3 million and another lakefront home for just over $4.6 million. Last year Kendra Ratcliff participated in the highest priced sale in Dunthorpe. All setting records for the time.

”The luxury market will continue to grow in 2017, according to the research I’ve seen,” said Sprague, defining “luxury” as homes above $1 million. “That’s our sphere.”

The reach for buyers for such transactions is international. “Last year, Luxe Platinum Properties worked with buyers from China, Russia and Dubai. With broker Jenny Zeng, our Asia Pacific Director, we have a great platform for continued reach into Asia. Our company has also had the pleasure of working with local sports figures, such as Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard and former Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard as well as fashion and entertainment industry professionals.

Not only is Oregon – and Lake Oswego in particular – appealing as a place to live, but also as a part-time retreat or an investment.

The connection to Christie’s is key to his company’s success, said Sprague.

“In the first interview with many of my clients, I ask ‘Why did you call me?’ Many respond ‘Because you’re Christie’s.’” The name carries cachet worldwide, has access to that clientele and this helps with the marketing our properties, he added.

“When we list a home, it reaches the entire Christie’s network, made up of 32,000 brokers. We’re an international company.” Our brokers have traveled to China, Ireland, Chicago, Los Angeles and are soon heading to London for another global conference.

Sprague praises the brokers that he hand-picked to power the company to success: Mimi McCaslin and Anne Marie Knapp, who represent some of the finest homes in our market; and Matt Tercek who works with Stoneridge Custom Development is a leader in new construction and millennial Michael Woodley is a driving force in our technology enhancement.

In such a small boutique firm, there is tremendous collaboration that exists. A business plan and marketing plan are created for each property that we represent and our brokers collaborate to bring the best experience possible to our clients. Sprague says they specialize in properties that have a story to tell and they employ writers, photographers, videographers and graphic designers to create and present that story in a compelling way.

Sprague is confident the upward trajectory for luxury business with continue. Our company is currently working on completing the marketing launch packages on a lakefront home priced at $2.5 million, an extraordinary riverfront home just over $2 million, a high profile SW Portland home at $4.7 million and another exclusive vineyard listing.

“We are confident about the market,” said Sprague. “We have a good group of buyers coming to us and an exceptional group of brokers in our office to represent them. There will always be a place for high-end real estate — and our results speak for themselves.”

“I had a vision for the company. I saw an opportunity to create a company known for meeting and exceeding the expectations of luxury sellers and buyers.” – Terry Sprague, Luxe Platinum Properties.

2098 Crest Drive, Lake Oswego, Oregon

Terry Sprague of LUXE Platinum Properties, the Exclusive Affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate, introduces this Luxury Lake Oswego home.

As you travel down the meandering private drive leading to this 7,700 sq. foot Dutch Colonial Hamptons-style home in the exclusive Portland suburb of Lake Oswego, the magic of this location begins to unfold. Built atop Uplands Ridge at the crest of Iron Mountain on the site of the original tee box of the 15th hole of the Chandler Egan- designed Lake Oswego Country Club golf course, the view here is unparalleled.

Panoramic views of Mt. Hood in all its glory from sunrise to sunset and Oswego Lake as it twists through the valley below are the highlights of this property overlooking the stunning Willamette Valley.

Built with both entertaining and family gatherings in mind, this incredible home has five bedrooms, a home theater, wine cellar and gorgeous outdoor entertaining space. The location itself is the culmination of an exhaustive multi-year search which included a letter writing campaign to all residents of the Uplands Ridge area seeking a potential property. Once this perfect location was finally found, the building process took over two years to complete. Known for his attention to detail, award-winning builder Dale Lumpkin assured that every aspect of the home was crafted to perfection. Ultimately, the location and design earned the home a coveted feature in Architectural Digest magazine.

The incredible panoramic view is showcased immediately upon entering the front door. Across the 2-story foyer through the living room french doors open to the bluestone patio, outdoor fireplace and beautifully landscaped grounds beyond. Keeping in mind the inevitable rainy season, the outdoor space includes a covered portion with built-in heaters to keep everyone warm and dry while they enjoy Mt. Hood at sunset.

Back inside, the kitchen is a large and inviting space. The gleaming black walnut floors are offset with crisp white cabinetry and professional grade stainless steel appliances. The huge marble island is the perfect gathering place for parties and lazy weekend breakfasts with the family. A black, white and grey mosaic tile back splash adds contrast and interest over the six-burner range. Huge windows in the breakfast nook fill the space with light and provide another vantage point for the incredible view. Open to the family room, the space is the likely heart of the home where family and guests will congregate. The family room’s ceilings have hearty white beams and french doors that lead to the covered patio. A cozy stone fireplace is flanked by inviting window seats and more crisp white built-ins bookshelves and cabinets.

The formal dining room is accessed from the kitchen through a butler’s pantry/wet bar complete with glass-front cabinets and a custom-built display space for collectibles or china and crystal. Tray ceilings and a sparkly crystal chandelier help define the dining room as the perfect location for holiday meals and celebrations.

Across the foyer through a set of double doors, is a beautiful light-filled suite with vaulted ceilings, rustic wood beams and a full-height stucco fireplace. Though this room is ideally suited for a main-floor bedroom with attached bath, it could also be used as a cozy library or music room.

Just down the hall is the masculine study paneled in beautiful high-gloss African mahogany with built in cabinetry and bookshelves. French doors lead to a private balcony overlooking the back yard.

Upstairs, the 1,250 sq. foot master suite is the size of the entire home that originally sat on the property. Enter the space though a grand set of double doors into a comfortable seating area with a gas fireplace. It’s the perfect spot for a cup of coffee in the morning or a good book in the evening. Through an arched opening is the bedroom with arched ceilings and more incredible views from its private balcony. The spacious master bath has a soaking tub, glass-walled shower and dual vanities. Even the walk-in custom designed closet has a view of Mt. Hood.

There are two additional spacious bedrooms upstairs, each with it’s own walk-in closet, en suite bath and window seats. A large bonus room with skylights rounds out the second floor.

A partially finished wine cellar awaits the perfect finishing touches downstairs in the daylight basement. The adjacent home theater room is complete with a bar furnished with a dishwasher, refrigerator and microwave. Blackout shades provide the perfect ambiance for family movie time. Finally, a lovely bedroom with it’s own private entrance is ready for the arrival of guests.

This home, inspired by the simplicity and sophistication of Hampton’s style, is a comfortable and welcoming space. It’s a home where you can relax and enjoy the view while feeling far away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It’s a sanctuary from our stressful days that feels far away from the city while being conveniently close to it. Just minutes from the restaurants, golf, boating and many community activities of Lake Oswego and a short drive to downtown Portland, this location is unparalleled in both its beauty and pragmatism.

For more information please reach Terry Sprague at Terry@luxecir.com or 503-459-3987.

2016 Global Luxury Real Estate Report

From prime to ultra prime and beyond, the world of luxury real estate continues to evolve alongside the changing lifestyles, shifting financial objectives, and diverse preferences of those who purchase high-value homes. In this year’s Luxury Defined report, Christie’s International Real Estate offers a fresh perspective on how macroeconomic factors are impacting luxury home prices, inventory, and sales globally. This annual in-depth white paper examines data from our Affiliates in more than 100 prestige real estate markets worldwide. The Portland Metro area was ranked as the 8th hottest market in the world. To learn more, click here.

Room With a View

Interior design trends in doors and windows today lean towards the bigger the better. Large scale glass doors and windows are becoming more and more popular. The west coast benefits from stunning scenery from the waterways, coast to mountain ranges to expansive city views. Blending the indoor and outdoor living spaces makes sense.

Not only are large scale window and door designs popular today in new construction but extending living spaces from the inside out has also quickly become a design prerequisite. Patio doors are no longer just sliders and no longer just frame and glass. High-tech versions can be accordion or can stack or can completely disappear into a wall. These doors can incorporate screens to keep the bugs out but also shades to help with sun and temperature control.

For more inspiration, homes for sale in Oregon and Washington can be viewed here.

Unlocking the Potential of a Home


“Home- staging unlocks all of the potential of a home in a way that most people cannot envision” – Andrew Bowen of ASH NYC. Making homes more attractive to buyers not only increases the potential for a higher sales price but also can greatly shorten the selling period. People can only see what they can see. It’s invaluable to show and not just tell. As brokers, we want clients to be entranced by a home as soon as they open the front door. Scale, texture, tone and highlighting specific rooms are all important elements of a well staged property. Luxe Platinum Properties provides complete concierge services for all of our listings. This can include interior design consultation, interior and exterior staging and/or cosmetic upgrades to enhance the presentation and ultimately value of the property.  The following 6 home staging secrets from Architectural Digest take a peek inside some stunning homes, as well as provide a glimpse of what we look for in order to yield the best results.  To read more…..

Oregon Executive Relocation Tax

While some relocating employees — particularly millennials (born between the early 1980s and early 2000s) — are initially excited to be handed a lump sum of money to spend as they see fit, they often are dismayed to discover that such allowances are treated as taxable income.

According to Jeff Ellman, president and co-founder of UrbanBound, lump-sum allowances usually are taxed around 40 percent. In other words, a $10,000 lump sum is really only worth $6,000 to the employee.

To alleviate the tax burden on its employees, Walmart Stores Inc. tax-assists its lump-sum relocation benefit, says Kandi Kelley-Pritchett, system, payments and compliance manager for Walmart’s corporate relocation shared services. However, companies have to be careful when determining what expenses they tax assist or they may inadvertently “gross up” excludable benefits. (For instance, payments for household-goods moving services made directly by an employer to the moving company are excludable and do not need to be reported by the employee to the Internal Revenue Service.)

“If you give somebody a lump sum and you tax-assist it and part of that lump sum was meant to be used for household goods, you’re giving them more than they really need,” says Donna Barber, manager of consulting solutions at Cartus Corp. “A better approach is to carve out the household goods because of the excludability for income and then give them a lump sum to cover taxable travel and living expenses, like house hunting, temporary living and return trips home. Continue reading here.

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