BUILT LIKE A FORTRESS
If for some reason, an intruder does make it past a monitoring system in one of today’s well-outfitted homes, the next level of security is physical fortification – starting with the front door. Wunder of Premiere Systems says ballistic security doors with vault-strength locking systems, similar to those used in embassies, are becoming more common. The doors can be custom-built with access controls such as biometric cameras or video peep holes.
Savane Properties recently installed a ballistic door for a primary bedroom suite at a cost of $15,000, apparently a small price to pay for a good night’s sleep.
Safe rooms and vaults are another heavily fortified feature sought by upper-bracket homebuyers. “In the past eight months, the majority of the big homes we’ve sold include safe rooms,” says Aaron Kirman, founder and CEO of Beverly Hills-based Christie’s International Real Estate Southern California. Kirman regularly deals with eight- and sometimes nine-figure listings. One such home, a $57.5 million mansion in Bel Air, includes a large walk-in vault that can be used as a safe room or to store art and other valuables. Some people take it even further. Paul Reizen is the broker-owner of PureWest Christie’s International Real Estate in Sandpoint, Idaho, a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities ranging from mountain sports and boating to hunting and fishing. He is aware of at least two homes in the area with fully functioning underground bunkers.
Ironically, he notes, “This is a town where people leave their homes and cars unlocked. Crime is almost non-existent.”
However, Sandpoint has been gaining a following among tech entrepreneurs and other well-known individuals looking for a quieter alternative to nearby Coeur D’Alene. “The knowledge that a home has certain security features gives comfort to high-net-worth buyers, but you’re reminding people that the chances of ever needing them are slim to none,” says Reizen.
ON PATROL
Agents who specialize in the high-end market report yet another trend: the increased use of private security forces. In Chicago, following a wave of break-ins and car thefts, homeowners in a small, upscale section of Lincoln Park, where single-family homes range up to $15 million, pooled resources to hire off-duty police to patrol the neighborhood during overnight hours. The cost is estimated at between $250,000 and $500,000 annually. Neighbors in Bucktown, another upscale area of the city, have a similar arrangement. In more formal neighborhood associations, security services are an increasingly popular feature. “In South Florida, many communities are patrolled 24/7,” says Elmer, who notes that the security presence is felt. “I’ve been stopped on my way to showings. They know who lives in the community and who doesn’t.” SPG’s Dubus says hiring professional security services will be more common in 2025 and beyond. “Despite Geneva’s reputation as a safe city, many high-profile buyers including executives, diplomats and public figures prioritize privacy and controlled access as essential lifestyle elements,” he says. The intricate blend of high-tech systems, physical reinforcements, and community measures isn’t just about security. It’s about creating a private oasis amidst a world filled with uncertainty. After all, what is luxury worth if it doesn’t feel safe?
39
Powered by FlippingBook