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Marriott International Debuts Its New Global Headquarters, Unveiling Technology and Design for an Intuitive Workplace

October 27, 2022

The 21-story, 785,000-square-foot facility in Bethesda, Maryland will be home to corporate associates supporting over 8,100 hotels in 139 countries and territories

BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — After six years of planning, design, and construction, Marriott International has opened its global headquarters in downtown Bethesda, Maryland. The 21-story, 785,000-square-foot, LEEDv4 Gold-certified building is the new workplace for corporate associates, supporting over 8,100 hotels in 139 countries and territories around the world.

J.W. "Bill" Marriott, Jr., Chairman Emeritus of Marriott International, cuts the ribbon at the grand opening of the company's new Bethesda, MD, headquarters. Flanking Mr. Marriott are David Marriott, Chairman of the Board (left), and Tony Capuano, CEO (right). Also pictured: Marriott President Stephanie Linnartz (third from right), and Debbie Marriott Harrison, Board Member (third from left). — J.W. “Bill” Marriott, Jr., Chairman Emeritus of Marriott International, cuts the ribbon at the grand opening of the company’s new Bethesda, MD, headquarters. Flanking Mr. Marriott are David Marriott, Chairman of the Board (left), and Tony Capuano, CEO (right). Also pictured: Marriott President Stephanie Linnartz (third from right), and Debbie Marriott Harrison, Board Member (third from left).

“We are thrilled to be welcoming associates to our new headquarters,” said Anthony Capuano, Chief Executive Officer of Marriott International. “The campus has been designed to better connect our global workforce in support of our hotels and teams around the world. Empowering associates and accelerating innovation were our key priorities and central in every decision we made to deliver a compelling environment for associates to work, learn and thrive.”

Marriott’s new HQ campus, which includes the new Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ hotel next door, is designed to enable connectivity, collaboration, growth, ideation, and wellbeing through diverse and dynamic spaces and state-of-the-art technology. The new building will also serve as a global hub for Marriott’s research and development operation, featuring its Innovation and Design Lab, a premium test kitchen and beverage bar, as well as “model” hotel rooms in the adjacent Marriott hotel, where new concepts, design elements, service approaches, and amenities will be tested for potential use across the company’s portfolio of 30 brands.

“Unveiling

Conan O’Brien Buys Cape Cod Style Carpinteria Home for $23 Million

October 1, 2022

Late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien is swapping his longtime Carpinteria home for a new dwelling in the coastal California city. After seven years of ownership, the comedian listed his 2,142-square-foot beachside home with a $16.5 million ask earlier this summer. Dirt reports that O’Brien just shelled out $23 million to upgrade to a 3,476-square-foot abode with sweeping ocean and mountain vistas.

The four-bedroom, four-bathroom Cape Cod-style house was built in 1963, but has since been rebuilt and remodeled with modern touches. Situated on a lot slightly larger than an acre within the exclusive and private Sand Point community, the exterior of the split-level structure is sided with milky white wooden shingles complemented by sage-green trim. Dreamy rose gardens and other lush landscaping decorate the property and rustic stone steps lead directly to the beach.

Inside, the neutral color palette of the home’s exterior is continued with cream-hued walls and matching painted wood-beam ceilings set high above oak floors. French doors and an excess of windows invite plenty of natural light and blur the indoor spaces into their outdoor surroundings, which offer multiple patios, decks, and a fire pit. The owner’s suite in particular offers views of the ocean, mountains, and the Channel Islands with a private deck outfitted with a built-in spa. A walk-in closet and an ensuite bathroom with dual sinks and a sleek glass-walled shower complete the primary quarters. The three other bedrooms all enjoy their own recently refurbished ensuite bathrooms.

See the video.

The common spaces include a deluxe kitchen with a skylight and breakfast nook, a living room with a stone fireplace, a formal dining room, a family room, and an office. All are decked out in neutral but cozy trappings that utilize lots of natural materials like wood, stone, and rattan.

O’Brien

HOME DECOR

Spacious east Louisville home featured on 2022 Tour of Remodeled Homes

August 4, 2022

A Louisville couple and their dogs were comfortable in their previous home — but they just wanted more land.

“I told my husband I wanted some acreage for our dogs,” the homeowner, who asked not to be named, told The Courier Journal. “We looked at 100 acres, we looked at 60 acres, we looked at everything — acreage everywhere, from Shelbyville to Louisville.”

One day, she was driving down a street and saw a for sale sign in front of a 5,000-square-foot, traditional-style home in east Louisville that had just enough land. Soon enough, she and her husband were moving in, and about three years ago, they decided it was time for a renovation.

“We really concentrated on being able to see from through (from the front to the back), like a southern house,” she said of the remodel.

Enlisting expert help

A screened-in porch on the back of this recently renovated home in eastern Louisville. It will be featured on the 2022 Tour of Remodeled Homes. July 19, 2022

The homeowner and her husband knew just who to call, as they had hired Karen McKechnie and the rest of the Stonehenge Construction team to renovate their previous home. In addition to reconfiguring the space for a clean view, the homeowners also worked with McKechnie to move the laundry room to the second floor, convert the attic into a main suite, and add an elevator, among other changes.

“I (also) told Karen we’ve got to have a screened-in porch,” the homeowner said. “And it just turned out outstanding. Better than I ever thought it would.”

What used to be just a deck is now a large screened-in porch that boasts a fireplace, a flat-screen TV, and a view out toward the massive yard and a fence lined with Norway Spruce trees. It also features a railing that McKechnie designed specifically to prevent the homeowners’ three dogs from breaking through the screen.

Home of the WeekOne with nature:

HOME DECOR

Average Cost of a Basement Remodel

July 31, 2022

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Once considered gloomy spaces void of much glamor, basements are now being pushed to the spotlight as an opportunity to reclaim space.

The popularity of having a finished basement is a side effect of the pandemic, says Jamil Damji, co-star of the A&E series “Triple Digit Flip” and a wholesale real estate expert based in Phoenix. “When we were cooped up during the quarantines, we became very aware of how small some of our spaces were,” Damji says. “That led people to add space or remodel their homes.”

Basement remodels may cost more than you have in cash reserves, though. The average cost of a basement remodel is $21,632, according to HomeAdvisor. As with most home remodeling projects, that figure varies widely, depending on factors like the scope of the project, the square footage of your basement, the quality of the materials you use, and the cost of labor in your area.

That can be an expensive project, and many homeowners don’t have tens of thousands of dollars sitting in savings. There are ways to finance a basement remodel, including home equity loans, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), and other options.

Here’s a breakdown of the average cost of a basement remodel, with how to save money and finance the work toward that perfect finished basement.

How Much Does a Typical Basement Remodel Cost?

On the cheaper end, a basement remodel starts around $9,000 for a 700-square-foot area. Remodeling a space twice that size puts the price range around $21,000 to $112,500. You can

Average Cost of a Bathroom Remodel

July 1, 2022

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Renovating your bathroom won’t just bring you that steam shower or soaking tub you’ve been dreaming about. It could also improve the resale value of your home.

Bathroom renovations have an average return on investment (ROI) of 60% to 68%, according to HomeGuide, with some upgrades adding more value than others. But you’ll need to spend some money before you can increase your home’s value – enough that you might need to consider home equity loans or other financing to pay for it. You should expect to spend somewhere between 5% and 10% of your home’s value on a bathroom remodel, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association. Based on that, if your home is valued at $200,000, your bathroom remodel might cost somewhere between $10,000 and $20,000.

While there are a variety of factors that affect bathroom remodel costs — from materials to room size to labor— understanding the average cost of a bathroom remodel can help you plan your budget.

How Much Does a Typical Bathroom Remodel Cost?

The cost of a bathroom remodel will vary depending on the scope of the project, cost of the materials, size of the room, and other factors. Choosing to DIY your project may keep costs down, whereas hiring a contractor or plumber will add to your bill.

More minor, low-cost changes could involve painting walls, swapping out fixtures, or refinishing a bathtub. Pricier remodels could be installing a shower, retiling a floor, or replacing cabinets.

“Bathroom remodels may range in scale from a simple refresh,

Summerlin home lists for $4.75M after full remodel

June 21, 2022

Located in Summerlin’s traditional luxury neighborhood Mountain Trails, the fully renovated two-story estate on Glenrock Drive lists for $4.75 million through Anthony Spiegel with the Ivan Sher Group, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Nevada Properties.

“We’re in an economy where you’re able to buy a home like this for what I believe is below replacement cost,” Spiegel said. “I promise you to build to this level of quality would cost more than it would cost to buy it today.”

Based on the price, it reflects $725 per square foot compared to over $1,000 a square foot in The Ridges, a newer Summerlin community.

“Right now, you can buy a home at a 25 percent to 30 percent discount compared to The Ridges, on a significantly larger lot,” Spiegel said. “The value proposition is significant.”

According to Spiegel, the property, when it sells, will be the highest price per square foot ever traded in Mountain Trails. Glenrock Drive represents a trend Spiegel sees happening in the more established luxury neighborhoods throughout the valley.

“This is the next evolution of the flip business,” Spiegel said. “Where someone is coming in and rethinking what the home could be.”

The sophisticated 6,729-square-foot property sits on an expansive half-acre. It features five en suite bedrooms including two primary suites, six baths, office/gym, an upper-level bonus room and incredible finishes throughout including over 7,000 square feet of hand-laid white French limestone.

“We wanted to use something that was a forever material,” property owner Levi Streiter said about the limestone used throughout the property. “It gives it that special Mediterranean feel but still has that contemporary look.”

Levi and Shany Streiter purchased the home in 2021 with plans to reimagine the neglected property.

“We couldn’t believe what the prices of the homes were compared to other large custom homes

How Much Are Home Renovation Costs? Home Remodeling and Renovation Costs Explained

June 13, 2022

Photo: istockphoto.com

Typical Range: $18,161 to $76,367
National Average: $46,748

The housing market can be a dog-eat-dog world, and finding a home that fits your needs is challenging. Rather than dealing with the hassle of moving, consider a home renovation project to update your home’s appearance. Not to be confused with a remodel, home renovation usually keeps existing structures in place but updates the materials and surfaces.

The size of the room (or rooms) being renovated, underlying repairs, scope, materials, and labor make up the bulk of home renovation costs. There’s a wide price range of $18,161 to $76,367, with an average of $46,748. Estimating a home renovation cost can be complex, but here are the top factors to determine how much it might cost you to renovate your home.

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Factors in Calculating Home Renovation Costs

Home Renovation Costs Factors in Calculating the Cost

Photo: istockphoto.com

The complexity of the room being renovated affects the price range. Repairs and updates to kitchens, bathrooms, or mechanical equipment are costlier home renovations. A kitchen renovation averages $25,000, but a bathroom is $10,000. Basements usually cost around $20,000. Other factors like permits and labor, site preparation, and materials also influence the price.

Permits and Labor

Almost any renovation project that includes additions, electrical or plumbing work, or a major overhaul will require permits, so be sure to check with local authorities. Permits cost $400 to $1,800, on average.

Depending on the scope, a renovation requires multiple different subcontractors. The average hourly cost of any laborer on a construction project ranges between $20 and $150—sometimes more. General contractor fees usually account for 10 to 20 percent of the total budget.

Location

Costs can vary up to 40 percent