Architects and designers like Tom Givone, who was recently interviewed in Architectural Digest, are tasked with creating inspiring spaces every day.

From former warehouses and factories, to churches and even prisons, what once was old can be new again when historic buildings are adapted into innovative private residences.

From modern to traditional, cozy to enormous, Key Biscayne has more than its fair share of incredible homes. This month’s residence is no exception, a stellar property, it showcases why living on the Key can be so breathtaking. The Mediterranean Estate sits on an exclusive private road at the end of a cul-de-sac on Biscayne Bay. Truly one-of-a-kind, this treasure is the most expensive home on the market today and boasts 10,000 square feet of under-air living space, over 5,000 square feet of patio and over 4,000 square feet of storage underneath the house. Built in 1993 on 28,000 square feet of land uniquely positioned to the bay, only a tiny handful of homes on the Key have more than its 300 feet of bay front.

“It’s like a constant show and it changes several times a day”, says the current resident of The Bay Watch House – Sydney about the uninterrupted 180 degrees view of the famous Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House: “always the same, never the same!” Because of its position on the north-west hill of Rose Bay, The Bay Watch House faces directly the Sydney Harbour and its historical bridge.

This summer’s sale of New York City’s Stanford White Mansion for US$49 million is the most recent example of the program’s success

This spectacular gated estate is nestled in a private 3.5+ acre parcel in a beautiful park-like setting.

WELCOME TO BRIDGEMAN HOUSE Facing the tranquil gated inner courtyard of Kew Bridge West, Bridgeman House is characterised by its strong angular lines and extensive glazed balconies. Offering a selection of one, two and three bedroom apartments set over nine floors, all of the apartments feature generous external spaces in the form of terraces or balconies and all of the two-bedroom apartments feature ensuite bathrooms to the master bedroom. QUALITY. IT’S ALL IN THE DETAIL

Behind the unique grandeur of the beautiful Baroque façade at Roehampton House, St James is creating 22 spacious and highly luxurious one, two and three bedroom premier apartments in one of the UK’s most distinguished residences. With two charming Gate Houses and a selection of five new contemporary Garden Villas within the grounds, the Roehampton House development offers a selection of exquisite new properties for any astute purchaser to now consider.

Chengdu, the 3,000-year-old capital of Sichuan Province, is embracing big changes. Modernisation, urbanisation and changes in lifestyle are making the city more comfortable to live in. Today’s Chengdu Cut through by the snaky Jin River and surrounded by farmland, the ancient capital is bursting with modern development. The highway from the airport leads to the city’s south side, where luxury brands, department stores and imported cars populate the four-lane Tianfu Avenue and new buildings by international architects twinkle in the sun – the new Municipal Building by Paul Andreu and Polar Ocean World by RPVA Daniel Romero, as well as those under construction: the Opera House by Zaha Hadid Architects and Raffles Square by Steven Holl.