Latest news with #BenBarry
Miami Herald
24-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Bookworm's dream home with 7,000 books hits market for $1.6M
By Ben Barry A bookworm's dream has hit the market for $1.6m - a property with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with 7,000 hardbacks. The home, in Columbus, Ohio, was designed by developer Guy Marshall to look like an old German Village cottage. The 4,536 square foot two-unit is constructed to look like a 100-year-old building, with eight bedrooms, six bathrooms and the capacity to sleep 24 guests. Nicknamed 'The Book House', the property is stacked floor to ceiling with around 7,000 books that Guy Marshall paid 10 cents a book for. The listing says the property is designed to specifically function as a large party entertaining space with modern amenities - located not far from a Children's Hospital, ALL German Village and downtown Columbus. It adds: "One of the more notable features includes floor-to-ceiling bookshelves with library ladders and 7,000 plus hardcover books spanning every room. "Proformas from top-rated short-term rental companies project an average. $273k in gross annual income." Guy Marshall, designer of 'The Book House' said: "Everything about the project was intentional. "The exterior is made entirely of concrete block, each unit dyed and flashed to emulate the burnished, sooted appearance of historic masonry. "The single-wythe, one-foot-thick walls mirror those of buildings constructed in the early 1900s. "The structure honors old-world craftsmanship through and through-from vintage materials and custom ironwork to antique lighting, barn beams, and one-of-a-kind installations like library ladders and thousands of books. "My goal was to seamlessly blend charm and character with the luxury and comfort expected in today's most finely appointed homes. "This building is a reflection of my passions-design, craftsmanship, and construction. "It wasn't the cheapest route; in fact, it cost significantly more than a conventional stick-built home with vinyl siding and drywall. "That's why I designed it to operate as a high-end short-term rental: to increase revenue and share it with guests from all over." The property is currently listed by Emily Groza Yoko, at The Brokerage House. The post Bookworm's dream home with 7,000 books hits market for $1.6M appeared first on Talker. Copyright Talker News. All Rights Reserved.
Miami Herald
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Eisenhower's secret message announcing WWII victory in Europe up for auction
By Ben Barry President Dwight D. Eisenhower's top secret message announcing victory in Europe is set to fetch $30k at auction - alongside with other WWII artifacts. The sale - run by RR Auction - will take place on June 11, 2025. The top secret document signed by President Eisenhower, announcing allied victory in Europe, is expected to fetch $30k plus. Another document, written by President Eisenhower on June 13, 1944, stated he was looking forward to the "destruction of the Nazi military machine". The surrender negotiation document, signed by Reich President Karl Donitz and presented to allies by Col, Gen. Alfred Jodi, is expected to fetch more than $100k. Speaking about the historic documents, Bobby Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction, said: "The Dönitz authorization represents one of history's most dramatic ideological reversals. "With Hitler dead, the Nazi 'fight to the last man' mentality-where every German was expected to die rather than surrender-was completely abandoned. "These generals suddenly faced an entirely different mission: save as many German lives as possible by negotiating time for millions to flee from the Eastern Front to Western lines. "While Eisenhower firmly rejected their request and demanded immediate surrender, the delay in announcing the capitulation created the crucial window that saved 1.5 million people. "This document captures that extraordinary transformation-from a regime demanding mass death to leaders desperately trying to preserve life." The post Eisenhower's secret message announcing WWII victory in Europe up for auction appeared first on Talker. Copyright Talker News. All Rights Reserved.
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Miami Herald
Man donates all his possesions to live life of non-ownership
By Ben Barry A man gave away his home, all his possessions and every dollar in his bank account to live a life of "non-ownership." Robin Greenfield, 38, set out to experiment with having nothing to his name, while walking 1,600 miles along the Pacific Coast from the US/Canada border to Los Angeles, California. He wanted to prove ownership and money is a concept he can live without - and Robin is continuing to live his life "below the federal poverty threshold" and live with what he needs to meet basic needs. When he reached LA, Robin gave away all his possessions to strangers and friends, including the clothes off his back and every dollar he had. He then entered into a three-month experiment of non-ownership, having absolutely nothing to his name, and he sat naked in Griffith Park for five minutes until a kind stranger gave him a blanket. Robin spent the next three months living in Griffith Park, relying on the kindness of strangers, going on foraging walks and speaking to people about his mission. Robin, an environmental activist from Asheville, North Carolina, said: "Living simply and non-ownership have been core aspects of my life since I awoke in 2011 to the reality that the 'American dream' is the 'world's nightmare'. "Through living a life of consumeristic individuality designed around the ownership of countless possessions, I was wrapped in a web of exploitation, inequity, injustice and incredible destruction. "Nearly every possession I had and every action I was taking was harming the Earth, my global neighbors and the plants and animals we share this home with. "I decided to unravel the web of consumerism that was my life, taking my life back and living more harmoniously with life upon Earth." In November 2019, Robin's journey to non-ownership truly began when he gave away his 10 ft by 10 ft tiny home. In July 2024, Robin set off on a 1,600-mile "walk of gratitude" from along the Pacific Coast from the Canada/US border to Los Angeles. Robin said: "The last home I had was the tiny home in Orlando, Florida, when I was growing and foraging 100% of my food. I gave away that tiny home in November 2019 when I left Florida. "On January 26th, 2025, I sat naked in Griffith Park without a single physical possession or dollar to my name. "I have no ID - no passport, driver's license, social security card or birth certificate - no keys, no car, no phone, no computer, no clothes. "I have no bank account, no savings, no investments, no credit card, no credit, no insurance." After seven months on the road - sleeping in a tent and foraging for food - Robin arrived at his destination on January 26, 2025. Before he got there, he gave away all his belongings - including his home, clothes and dollars to his name to friends and strangers - entering into an experiment of non-ownership. Robin said: "For three months, I lived in service to the community, practiced simple living, practiced compassionate communication, deepened my connection with earth and our plant and animal relatives. "I practiced living in the present moment with mindfulness, deepened my wholeness and completeness within and shared my messages with those who find benefit and meaning in my experience and perspective." Robin said many people labeled him as crazy, and "assumed" he lost his mind. But insists he "refuses to have so much, while others have so little". Robin said: "I refuse to meet my basic needs at the expense to others. I refuse to let my life be a burden upon life on Earth. "In 2016, I simplified my life down to 111 possessions and in 2020, to just 44 possessions. "I have everything I need. I am a whole and complete human being, just as I am." Robin says ownership is not required to grow as a human being, and after doing his experiment, he's realised money and ownership are "just a concept". He said: "Some say money makes the world go around. I've been watching, and I see no evidence of this. "Money is a recent advent of humanity. We have lived without it for thousands upon thousands of years. The world was indeed going around then, and would continue to do so if we lost interest in this concept tomorrow. "The reason that money works is because enough people believe it and choose to act upon this belief. "Thus, I am fully confident that I can exist without money." The post Man donates all his possesions to live life of non-ownership appeared first on Talker. Copyright Talker News. All Rights Reserved.
Miami Herald
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Deion Sanders' former home hits the market for $5.5M
By Ben Barry Former home of American football coach Deion Sanders hits the market for $5.5m - and comes with an indoor basketball court and bowling alley. The mega-mansion was built in 1999 by Deion Sanders - a two-time Super Bowl winner, former professional football and baseball star, who is now coach for the Colorado Buffaloes. This iconic estate in Prosper, Texas, includes nine bathrooms, 11 bathrooms, a home theater, an indoor pool, a bowling alley and an indoor basketball court - all located on a 112-acre plot. The estate was sold by Sanders in late 2014 and roughly 100 acres of his former property was bought by developers who turned the land into a residential community, according to Mansion Global. The listing states: "Once the legendary home of Deion Sanders, this iconic estate awaits a stunning restoration. "The architectural masterpiece offers nearly 6 acres of luxury living in true Texas fashion. "Spanning almost 30,000 square-feet, the estate makes an unforgettable first impression with a dramatic grand foyer, highlighted by a floating double staircase, towering ceilings, marble floors that carry throughout the home, and floor-to-ceiling windows that bathe the interiors in natural light. "Crafted for extraordinary living, the manor features an expansive entertainment wing complete with a home theater, indoor pool, two-lane bowling alley, indoor basketball court, sauna, steam shower, barbershop, recreation room with bar, and a fitness center." The property is currently is listed by Heather Stevens, The Agency. The post Deion Sanders' former home hits the market for $5.5M appeared first on Talker. Copyright Talker News. All Rights Reserved.
Miami Herald
19-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Pope Leo's childhood home in Chicago up for auction
By Ben Barry The Pope's childhood home in Chicago is up for sale again, after being taken off the market and re-listed for more when the owner discovered the famous former occupant. The three-bedroom home in Dolton, Chicago, Illinois, that Pope Leo XIV's grew up in was initially put up for sale on May 5 for $245,957 but was quickly taken down after Robert Prevost was elected pope. The 1,050 sqft home was bought by the Pope's parents in 1949 - who paid a monthly mortgage of $49 on it - and was owned by the Prevost family for nearly 50 years. But now the "piece of papal history" is up for sale as part of a luxury private auction with Paramount Realty USA, and bidding is due to start on June 18, 2025. The reserve price for the property is $250,000, and the listing states that the seller may accept or reject bids at any time. The listing states: "A truly one-of-a-kind opportunity, this beautifully updated home isn't just a charming 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom residence. "It's the childhood home of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in history. "Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago and raised right here in Dolton, Pope Leo XIV's journey from this humble neighborhood to the Vatican is a testament to faith, perseverance, and purpose." The post Pope Leo's childhood home in Chicago up for auction appeared first on Talker. Copyright Talker News. All Rights Reserved.
