WEALTH

AUTOS

The Refreshed Chrysler 300 SRT Is Hot—But It’s Officially Dead for North America

– The mainstream Chrysler 300 lineup received a thorough update for 2015 with nary a peep about the nuclear-grade SRT version. While that was a clear message that the burliest 300 was truly buried in North America—our sources also said as much last year—multiple sightings of refreshed 300 SRTs testing in the U.S. sowed confusion and seemed to indicate otherwise. Well, the answer is now definitive: It’s gone, man. – But not everywhere. Those cars we spotted testing? They were doing

Audi Tech Update: Virtual Cockpit for A3, Anti-Hacking Measures, 1-Teraflop A8

– Four decades ago, automotive engineers dealing with electronics had to make sure the distributor’s rotor kept whizzing, the air conditioners didn’t kill the alternators, and nothing would cause shorts to put the eight-track on the fritz. Times have changed. Now such engineers are involved in every area of a car company. For proof, here’s a peek at what Audi’s electronics department, headed by Ricky Hudi, has been up to lately. –

Donning the Blue Blazer: What It’s Like to Judge at the Pebble Beach Concours [Sponsored]

– With 2015 marking its 65th year, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Élégance, held on the 18th green at Pebble Beach Golf Links, is the world’s premier vintage-car event. The coveted Best of Show trophy at the Concours is the holy grail of the old car world. As a Pebble Beach judge for 26 years, I’ve witnessed the joy of victory and the agony of defeat countless times. Jay Leno, a frequent

REAL ESTATE

Alexandria REIT lures biotech investors with lab space, not drugs

By David Randall NEW YORK (Reuters) – The booming biotech sector is putting a premium on lab space, and fund managers are buying in. One of their favorite targets is Pasadena, California-based Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc, which owns the largest collection of high-end lab space in such research clusters as San Diego, San Francisco and Cambridge, Massachusetts. A total of 64 mutual funds and hedge funds have reported adding

Macau billionaire aide's bail set at $2 million in U.N. bribe case

By Nate Raymond NEW YORK (Reuters) – An assistant to a Macau billionaire facing U.S. charges that he helped bribe a former United Nations General Assembly president may be released on a $2 million bond, despite prosecutors’ concerns he might flee, a U.S. judge ruled Thursday. Jeff Yin, an aide to real estate developer Ng Lap Seng, previously suffered the loss of an earlier $1 million bail package, after federal

Canada housing agency sees overvaluation in most cities

Canada’s housing market is overvalued in most major cities, with price acceleration not supported by economic and demographic fundamentals in Toronto, the largest market, the federal housing agency said on Thursday. In a report that highlights the nation’s uneven real estate market, The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp said there is strong evidence of overvaluation in Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City, and moderate risk in most other cities, while overbuilding

Canada housing agency sees overvaluation in most cities

Canada’s housing market is overvalued in most major cities, with price acceleration not supported by economic and demographic fundamentals in Toronto, the largest market, the federal housing agency said on Thursday. In a report that highlights the nation’s uneven real estate market, The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp said there is strong evidence of overvaluation in Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City, and moderate risk in most other cities, while overbuilding

LUXURY

Saks ups 10022-Shoe’s stride with Manolo Blahnik boutique

Manolo Bhalnik pumps Retailer Saks Fifth Avenue is stepping up its 10022-Shoe salon game with the opening of a permanent boutique dedicated to shoemaker Manolo Blahnik. The shop-in-shop will be one of Manolo Blahnik’s largest boutiques in the world as well as the first time the brand has been physically present within a Saks Fifth Avenue storefront. To introduce the boutique, Saks has taken a multichannel approach that includes in-store

Shiseido partners with Lane Crawford to examine most meaningful things

Shiseido’s Apple of Your Eye exhibition Japanese personal care brand Shiseido is partnering with Chinese department store chain Lane Crawford to highlight the things most precious to people in a new charitable photography exhibition. “Apple of Your Eye” will be on display at Tsim Sha Tsui, Harbour City shopping mall in Hong Kong from Aug. 21-23. The exhibit will feature unique portraits of Hong Kong celebrities, exploring the objects, people and

Mandarin Oriental teams with Harrods for the holidays

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London will bring holiday cheer to its guests through a partnership with its neighbor department store Harrods. During the Christmas season, Mandarin Oriental will have placement in Harrods’ window display, while the hotel will serve a taste of Harrods with a themed afternoon tea. Holidays are often a time of camaraderie between luxury establishments, giving them more of an opportunity to make a

Berluti streamlines the production process with new Italian facility

Berluti artisan at work French apparel and accessories label Berluti is boosting its expansion possibilities with a new workshop in Ferrare, Italy. This newly opened 86,000-square-foot space allows Berluti to double the number of artisans working at the atelier, helping the label as it grows its business internationally. These expanded production capabilities will support Berluti’s goal to be an all-around lifestyle brand. New home Berluti has housed production facilities in Ferrare

Roche Bobois shows off design sensibility with first Hampton horse show sponsorship

Hampton Classic Horse Show, photo by Kristin L. Gray Home furnishings maker Roche Bobois is aligning with equestrian sports as the official sponsor of the 2015 Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton, NY. During the event Aug. 23-30, Roche Bobois is furnishing the VIP lounge where top guests can go to relax during the tournament. Having this placement at one of the largest horse shows in the U.S. will enable