Apropos of nothing: One of the wildest degradations of meaning in the last few decades is "luxury."
"Luxury" homes have the same appointments as everyone else's, by and large due to for-profit home-building. There is zero artisan involvement in, like.
Anything.
And Minimalism! The complete victory of Minimalism, which means engineered and machine-finished materials EVERYWHERE. Glass, laminate, steel. Again: The same materials used in everyone else's homes. But LESS of it. So they CHARGE YOU MORE.
Wild.
Compare Carson Mansion, built in 1886, to a modern estate.
Even if you don't dig Victorian architecture, you have to admit there is MUCH more artisan involvement in Carson.
Whereas the La Jolla house has plaster, engineered wood, and concrete. Way cheaper. And we're conditioned to accept it.
A quibble: you're comparing a bespoke mansion to spec mansions. The 1886 reflected the tastes of the owner, the 2024 monstrosities are designed to appeal to those with no taste. The luxury you seek, by your definition, is not advertised to prospective buyers as it has already been bought & paid for.
