Architecture

For Rent

Emilio, Photography
3--5

A test shot from my new Fujifilm X-T1 with 23mm lens

This is one of the largest floorplans designed, a 2200 square foot excecutive unit with panoramic views.

The views from this 30th floor end unit are extensive and spectacular.

2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms.

Furnishings include 2 flat screen televisions (great room is 65″), bedding, dishes, towels, rugs, artwork, and all furniture.

There are two balconies, one off of the great room and one off of the den, which is currently furnished as a formal dining room.

All windows are equiped with remote controlled motorized blinds.

Ammenities include: complimentary valet parking in parking garage, 24 hour consierge and security, complimentary limo service, pool, hot tub, state of the art fitness center with racquetball, steam, jacuzzi, and yoga studio.

2 indoor, secure parking spaces are included. Both spaces are located very near to the entrance to the building, so no need to use valet parking (unless you choose).

Minimum 6 month lease.

The above was lifted directly from Craigslist with all spelling intact. Seems to me, if you were the agent renting a high end apartment, you’d know how to spell “executive”, “amenities”, and “concierge”. Or at least know how to use spellchecker! Oh, and being a brand name, Jacuzzi should be capitalized.

Quintessentially Paris

Black And White Photography, Photography
The Seine with Pont Neuf and Eiffel Tower in the background.

(Color version on Visual Venturing.) A favored Paris tourist experience is to view the city from the waters of the Seine. Here, one of the legendary “Bateaux-Mouches” sails toward scenic Pont Neuf, while the Eiffel Tower and the Institut de France beckon in the background.

And, now, for those of us old enough to remember The Kingston Trio, I can’t get this song out of my head! (If you click on the link to listen, I guarantee you’ll never think of Paris or the Seine again without humming this song 😉)

The Seine

One night along the river at St. Germain de Pre,
I first met my beloved at a small sidewalk cafe.
We walked along the river, the shadows passing by
but we only saw each other, the shining water and the sky.
The Seine, the Seine, when will I again meet her there,
greet her there on the moonlit banks of the Seine?
Standing there across the river, mid sound of horn and tram,
in all her quiet beauty, the cathedral Notre Dame,
And as we passed beside her, I said a little prayer
that when this dream was over, I’d awake and find you there.
We walked along the river, ’till dawn was coming nigh.
Beneath the Eiffel Tower we said our last good-bye.
There on that splendid morning, I left you all in tears
and the beauty of that hour will shine within me through the years
The Seine, the Seine, when will I again, meet her there,
greet her there on the moonlit banks of the Seine.

Mirrored

Black And White Photography, Photography
Parker Meridien Hotel, New York City, lobbyLobby, Parker Meridien Hotel, New York City

(Equally as stunning in color on Visual Venturing.) The perks of accompanying my husband on a recent business trip to New York City: staying in a Manhattan hotel with this amazing lobby. Sitting on the opposite side waiting for our names to be called for lunch in the hotel restaurant, I just had to take a picture — as much for the stunning mirrored architecture as for the two suited gentlemen busy on their respective electronic devices.

 -shot with Fuji X100T-

Windows and Shadows

Black And White Photography, Photography

Windows and shadows on the exterior corner of a house

Driving to town to run some errands, I spied the afternoon light falling on the lovely lines of this house. I just had to pull over. Photography – always an adventure!

Visit Visual Venturing for more of my photographic adventures.

Haunts of the Rich and Famous

Black And White Photography, Emilio, Photography

Haunted Storefront

 For a high res split tone version, please click on the image

(Though the following history of the property is quoted directly from Wikipedia, it is definitely interesting and worth reading.)

Lake Las Vegas is a 320-acre man made lake surrounded by 3,592 acres developed by 5 companies.

When first opened in 2003, the area included several hotels and casinos including the Monte Lago Village Resort, the Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort, the Hilton Lake Las Vegas, and Casino MonteLago.

Lake at Las Vegas Joint Venture, LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on July 17, 2008. Debts were estimated at between $500 million and $1 billion.

Lake Las Vegas emerged from bankruptcy in July 2010. The creditors have filed a lawsuit against the former insiders. In a related action, resort property owners are suing lender Credit Suisse as part of a multi-billion dollar lawsuit claiming the bankruptcy was caused by a scheme between the bank and resort developers.

The golf course was purchased by Nevada South Shore LLC, a Hawaii based corporation for $4.5 million on February 17, 2011.

The Ritz Carlton, Lake Las Vegas, closed after 8 years of operation on May 2, 2010.

The former Ritz Carlton was reopened on February 11, 2011. The property was renamed Ravella at Lake Las Vegas. On April 30, 2013, Kam Sang Co. announced that the Ravella would be renamed the Hilton Lake Las Vegas. The Hilton opened June 6, 2013. The casino closed in October 2013, as a result of a lease dispute between Kam Sang and the casino’s operators.  

From a TripAdvisor.com review dated October 18, 2014:
“Ghost Town”
The golf course is closed, the casino is closed (“seeking a buyer”), the village is eerie and empty. There are “For Sale” signs on several properties around the area. Everything shut down when the economy crashed in 2008. Will not return any time soon.