LOS ANGELES, US

9200 Swallow Drive, Sunset Strip/Hollywood Hills West

It’s difficult to tire of Hollywood glamour. Los Angeles has been home to the world’s film industry for a century, and its palmfringed boulevards, extravagant mansions and endless sandy beaches epitomise glitz and opulence. And it’s not only the older palatial properties that get heads turning; architects have made use of the latest technology in new designer homes to create exciting, easyliving environments. At 9200 Swallow Drive, a thoroughly modern home constructed by Doheny Estates Contemporary, a multitude of mod cons has been installed, from a home cinema to French doors that disappear into the walls when retracted, to a Vantage home control system that manages domestic utilities.

The seven-bedroom house has a den and living rooms, three bars, including one that’s part indoors and part outdoors, a lounge area with TV, a built-in barbecue, a spa and a four-car garage. Two waterfalls reinforce the sense of cool, calm sophistication.

Wow factor: The view. Whether it’s through glazed walls from within the house, or while relaxing on the terrace or in the infinity pool outside, residents get a huge view across the expanse of Los Angeles spreading out in the valley below. At night, residents can watch the lights of La La Land twinkling below.