Luxury Living: Homes with Earth-friendly features

Earth Day is near — 22 April — and if that’s got you thinking about buying a home with environmentally friendly technology, here are 5 to think about, from Hawaii to North Carolina, and all available through Christie’s International Real Estate

Jewel of the ReefBedarra Island, Queensland, AustraliaPrice upon request

Jewel of the Reef is a luxury eco villa on nearly an acre of white-sand and coral seafront on Bedarra Island, a tropical idyll just 2.5 miles off the coast of Northern Queensland. Designed to take in the sea breezes and breathtaking ocean and island vistas, the serene indoor-outdoor living spaces include a gourmet kitchen, king suite with rain shower, queen suite with reef views, and a covered deck floating above a natural granite tidal pool. The villa’s Earth-friendly features include a natural spring, captured rainwater system, and a separate, solar-powered caretaker’s cottage.

Makena estateKihei, HawaiiUS$12,000,000

This private two-acre ocean-view estate (also pictured top) in Makena on the south coast of Maui was built to connect with the land. The seven-structure property is equipped for sustainable living with 116 PV solar panels and an abundance of fruit trees. Tropical gardens with lush lawns and lava rock stream beds traversed by ipe-wood bridges provide a seamless indoor-outdoor living experience. The estate’s amenities include South Maui’s only private, fully lit tennis court with viewing trellis and wet bar, a half-Olympic-sized lap pool, and infinity lounge pool and gym. The location on Ahihi Bay offers swimming, snorkelling, and water sports just a few steps away.

Lake Norman waterfront estateDenver, North CarolinaUS$6,800,000

This grand waterfront estate has a spectacular setting on the shores of Lake Norman, offering 180-degree water views that stretch for miles. Situated on a 2.5-acre point lot in a private gated community, the stone manor house is introduced by a cobblestone drive lit by gas lanterns. The home’s inviting Old-World details, which include lake-hued stonework and reclaimed-wood ceilings and floors, are complemented by green technologies and deluxe amenities, including a gym and a two-storey wine cellar. The lakefront grounds feature a pool and spa deck, pier with a rooftop deck, and a helipad.

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Modernist eco villaTicino, SwitzerlandCHF6,350,000

Earth-friendly design and amenities for health and wellbeing converge at this modernist villa overlooking Lake Maggiore. The unique three-story residence was built to incorporate ecological construction materials and green technologies, including solar energy and a heat pump. The light-filled living spaces open to terraces on each floor, oriented to capture panoramic vistas of the lake and the surrounding countryside. The gardens are a haven of tranquility composed of natural pools and waterfalls, native grasses and wildflowers, terraces and footpaths, surrounded by private woodland.

Caribbean villaSt. Thomas, US Virgin Islands US$2,750,000

This exclusive gated estate enjoys ultimate privacy and sweeping views of St. Thomas Harbor and the port city of Charlotte Amalie. The property spans 8,000 square feet under roof and 1.3 acres of walled gardens, with an infinity pool and Jacuzzi. An array of sustainable and environmentally friendly features includes a 96-panel solar system, generator, 60,000-gallon cistern, and a water purification plant. The elegant two-story main house is appointed with a luxurious master suite, great room, office, gourmet kitchen, and garage. The guest quarters house an additional three en suite bedrooms, a gym, and a one-bedroom cottage.

The property has been fully updated and includes a 10,000-square-foot Colonial-style main house, four cottages, a beach pavilion, pool complex, and croquet lawn.

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