Whether it’s a contemporary retreat on a hilltop outside Santa Fe or a penthouse atop the hemisphere’s tallest residential tower, these homes have views that make staying at home satisfyingly scenic.

In a city known worldwide for its storybook Victorians, this 1889 Queen Anne home, located on a lovely block in Pacific Heights, fits right in. Its eye-catching façade features decorative millwork, stately columns and marble steps, elegant sashed and bay windows, and whimsical trim, all telltale elements of the period style.

Offering a veritable triple crown of distinctive style, consummate luxury, and the finest accommodations for horses and their human friends, these equestrian estates from West Coast to East will have distinguished buyers champing at the bit.

Floods of natural light lend this loftlike penthouse a stylish cheerfulness that is both effortless and inescapable. Three exposures of impressively oversized windows and soaring 12-foot ceilings contribute to a sense of open, inviting airiness throughout, and the home’s enviable wraparound terrace encourages relaxed living and festive entertaining outdoors. Every inch of the 4,017-square-foot floor plan benefits from a chic minimalist palette; clean, crisp lines; and astutely employed organic materials that maintain a natural softness and welcoming quality. Nearly every space enjoys some aspect of the home’squintessential Manhattan skyline views, which include the Chrysler Building and the last hand-painted billboard in the city.

From a striking penthouse in Dubai to a historic Venetian villa in Italy, these are this month’s four featured notable properties for sale over $16 million.

American architect Charles Frederick Whittlesey is best known for his work across the American Southwest—where, as chief architect for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, he designed stations, hotels, and a handful of Harvey Houses. Whittlesey relocated to California in 1907, and during his early days there—in 1908—he crafted this striking Spanish-Revival residence. Its lines, hues, details, and eye-catching façade subtly bring to mind the most iconic structures of the Southwest.

In 1978, four friends set out to buy a house in Napa, Calif., and quickly discovered that they couldn’t afford what they wanted. So they enlisted a larger network of friends—acquaintances, really—to chip in to buy an $850,000, 950-acre property that they broke into 17 shares.

“We set up this communal landowning experiment,” says Bob Dickinson, one of the property’s stakeholders and the owner of Full Flood, a lighting design company. “We all were in our 20s or thereabouts, and we bought it—probably didn’t analyze it correctly—but got lucky. It turned out that we owned a piece of the most outstanding property, the kind people in California dream of.”

Timeless views are here. Perched atop buildings from Manhattan to Montecito, these enviable roof terraces allow for alfresco relaxation in lofty locations with breathtaking backdrops.

On 1.45 acres at the base of Mount Tamalpais, just north of San Francisco and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, this unprecedented five-bedroom residence—the result of years of dedication on the part of Quezada Architecture and a team of designers, engineers, and contractors—was built in 2014 and has been lovingly maintained by its sole owners. Composed of classic contemporary lines formed from oxidized steel, cedar, glass, and metal, it seems to jut forth, a dramatic extension of the land that surrounds it.

Inside an Architect’s Home in Greenwich | Rarely does a renowned architect decide to sell his personal residence. Richard Granoff, at the top of the field in Greenwich, and his wife, business executive Jill Granoff, renovated and expanded this timeless home, portions of which date to 1907, creating a warm modern estate that blends traditional and contemporary styles. Over the years, the more-than-6,000-square-foot residence has been featured in numerous publications, from The New York Times to Cottages & Gardens.

Beyond this home’s façade of striking contemporary lines and bold geometric angles, a path at the center of a landscape pool creates the uncommon sense of walking on water as it leads past thriving bamboo and fountains to the entrance. This feeling of other worldliness and serenity is fitting for a residence that was designed for health and wellness and that communes with its natural surroundings thanks to walls of glass that all but disappear, blurring the line between indoors and out and admitting floods of natural light.

The New Workout | 6 Inspiring Home Gyms : The new year ushers in a fresh start and new goals, and, for many people, the urge to get moving. It’s no surprise gyms are flooded with new members at the beginning of the year, which can make for a crowded workout experience. When the movement mood strikes, there’s a lot to be said for the luxury of working out in the privacy of your own home. The beautiful gyms and high-tech equipment in these six stunning properties will inspire anyone to start the new year in motion.

Prestigious Contemporary Residence in Westmount, Quebec, Canada | Nestled on a manicured 13,000 square-foot lot, this prestigious Upper Westmount home is a triumph in contemporary design, style, function, and luxury.

Inside a Modern Spanish-Inspired Estate in the Hollywood Hills | Sweeping views and sophisticated style are hallmarks of this unique new estate in the Hollywood Hills. An effortless indoor-outdoor flow between the chic light-filled interiors and multiple alfresco living areas makes it a consummate setting for glamorous gatherings.

Brand Power | When it comes to branded residential developments, the name can make all the difference. “Luxury brands resonate with people,” says Deirdre O’Connell, chief executive officer for Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty in Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. “There’s a certain confidence customers enjoy when buying a luxury-branded product because the company’s reputation is based on it.”

Marking a Grand Entrance | It’s often said that you only get one chance to make a first impression. Thankfully, there are many ways to impress when it comes to designing a compelling entryway. The first thing visitors see when they step inside your home, an inviting entry can set the tone for the rest of your décor and establish your aesthetic at a glance. Let these six elegant properties inspire your own grand entrance and make that first impression one worth capturing for posterity.

7 Stylish Dining Rooms That Are Feasts for the Eyes | Whether hosting a quiet, casual solo meal or a formal fête for a crowd, the dining room is an essential space in the welcoming modern home. From classical to contemporary, subtle to striking, these dining rooms invite everyone to gather ‘round the table – just in time for the Holiday Season!

Luxury Properties For Sale Over $37 Million | December 2019 - From a private mansion in Paris, France to the palatial Swan Lakes Castle in Granite Bay, California, these are this month’s four featured notable properties for sale over $37 million.

Living the High Life | 6 Superior Penthouses - Perched on their buildings’ highest floors, these six sophisticated penthouses—in desirable locations from West Coast to East—benefit from privacy, views, style, and amenities that go above and beyond.

Luxury Properties for Sale Over $30 Million | From an architectural masterpiece in Cote d’Azur, France to the Heathfield House, an exceptional modern mansion in London, England, these are this month’s four featured notable properties for sale over $30 million.