Latest news with #Kitson
Boston Globe
07-05-2025
- Boston Globe
Peek inside the most wish-listed Airbnb in Massachusetts: the ‘Gingerbread House' in the Berkshires
Located in the town of Tyringham (population 427), the Gingerbread House is part of Kitson 'began transforming the property around 1920, turning the existing dairy barn into his art studio and called it Santarella,' the 'Affectionately known as the 'Gingerbread House,' the most striking feature of his studio is its 80-ton, asphalt-shingled storybook roof. He created a cluster of other fairytale-inspired buildings, including a cottage and detached tower, which he used as additional studio space. These projects, along with an enchanting garden with exotic plants and fish, would become Kitson's primary focus for the last 25 years of his life,' it says. According to Massachusetts Historical Commission records, Kitson's artistic vision for his property was not always appreciated by locals, some of whom 'called him a 'bit titched in the head,' for to them his home and studio, inside and out, even his few acres, were plain crazy.' Advertisement The Gingerbread House Tower was named the most wish-listed Airbnb listing in Massachusetts. Airbnb Community But to Airbnb guests, the property can provide a magical escape from day-to-day life. There are four units on the Santarella estate. The owners live in one unit, and the other three are available as Advertisement The It's situated on nearly four acres that includes 'lovely gardens, beautiful lily pond, stone bridges, a running brook, stone bench seating area with 'chiminea', and wooded area,' the Airbnb listing states. Visitors can also explore nearby walking trails. 'The open concept living space filled with plants brings the outdoors inside and offers ample room to relax,' the listing states. One of the bedrooms in the Gingerbread House Tower. Airbnb Community There's a sitting area with a sofa and hanging chair where guests can watch TV or enjoy views of the gardens outside. 'To the right, a bohemian bedchamber with full-sized bed is hidden behind a sliding door,' the listing states. 'Up one step, the 'Tower' section has a suitable kitchenette with microwave, fridge, Ninja Foodi XL, induction cooktop, and a Chemex coffee maker. There is also a cozy eating area with table and chairs. A large bath contains a double vanity, huge walk-in shower and private water closet. Climb the stairs to a loft bedchamber that sleeps two in a queen-sized canopy bed.' The Gingerbread House Tower was named the most wish-listed Airbnb listing in Massachusetts. Airbnb Community Santarella's owners, Joshua Williams and Shaun Mosley, purchased the property in October 2020. Williams was visiting a friend in the Berkshires when first discovered Santarella in the summer of 2020. As soon as he saw the Gingerbread House, 'I immediately fell in love,' Williams said in a phone interview. 'I told my partner Shaun, and he fell in love with it also.' Advertisement Joshua Williams and Shaun Mosley own the property known as Santarella. Joshua Williams and Shaun Mosley Williams said the income they receive from the rentals is used for maintenance and repairs. One of the latest projects has been fixing the 'One third of the roof is done, the front portion facing the road,' he said. They would like to finish the rest of the roof 'in the next year,' he said. Williams said living at Santarella has been 'amazing' and they enjoy having guests experience what they get to see every day. 'We get a lot of visitors,' he said. 'A lot of people driving past and stop very quickly because they're surprised by what they just saw.' Williams said Santarella can provide an escape from reality, something akin to a getaway to a health and wellness retreat, and they're working hard to keep up the structures and surroundings so they can continue to be enjoyed in the years to come. 'It's just so wonderful,' he said, and we're 'glad our passion and hard work is benefitting others.' Emily Sweeney can be reached at
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
Petrol station attack 'isolated incident'
An attack at a petrol station which left a customer seriously injured was believed to have been an "isolated incident", police have said. A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and possession of Class A drugs following the assault, which happened at a garage on Bradley Road in Huddersfield just before 13:30 BST on Saturday. The victim, a man in his 40s, remained in a serious but stable condition in hospital after being attacked by an assailant who entered the petrol station's shop with a bladed weapon, a West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said. The suspect remained in custody, they added. Anyone who saw what happened, or who had mobile phone or dashcam footage of the incident, was asked to come forward. Insp Nicholas Kitson said: "We are well aware of the understandable concern this very serious incident has caused in our communities. "I want to reassure residents everything possible is being done to investigate what occurred. "We are limited in what we can say due to an arrest being made, but do want to clarify that, contrary to some rumour we have seen, this attack appears to have been isolated." Insp Kitson added that the assault was not believed to be connected to "any wider criminality or incidents elsewhere". Reassurance patrols in the Bradley Road area were being carried out, police said. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. West Yorkshire Police
BBC News
28-04-2025
- BBC News
Huddersfield petrol station attack 'isolated incident'
An attack at a petrol station which left a customer seriously injured was believed to have been an "isolated incident", police have said. A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and possession of Class A drugs following the assault, which happened at a garage on Bradley Road in Huddersfield just before 13:30 BST on Saturday. The victim, a man in his 40s, remained in a serious but stable condition in hospital after being attacked by an assailant who entered the petrol station's shop with a bladed weapon, a West Yorkshire Police spokesperson suspect remained in custody, they added. Anyone who saw what happened, or who had mobile phone or dashcam footage of the incident, was asked to come forward. Insp Nicholas Kitson said: "We are well aware of the understandable concern this very serious incident has caused in our communities."I want to reassure residents everything possible is being done to investigate what occurred."We are limited in what we can say due to an arrest being made, but do want to clarify that, contrary to some rumour we have seen, this attack appears to have been isolated."Insp Kitson added that the assault was not believed to be connected to "any wider criminality or incidents elsewhere".Reassurance patrols in the Bradley Road area were being carried out, police said. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Forbes
07-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Kitson Sells $2 Billion New Build And Brokerage Yachts In 4 Years
They're young. They're driven. And they're focused. Kitson Yachts was founded in 2021, just four years ago, but they're already ranked second among U.S. yacht brokerage firms in number of yachts over 164 feet sold between 2022 and 2024. They've sold half of all preowned Feadships that have come to market, 2015 or newer, since 2021. Kitson's sales made up 8 percent of the total number of yachts over 230 feet sold to U.S. clients between 2022 and 2024. There's more. Two of the three co-founders, Michael Tabor and Brandon Kummer, made five sales totaling over 240 feet in less than two years. Brandon was the first broker younger than 32 to sell three Feadships. Feadship Royal Dutch Shipyards is one of the leading superyacht shipbuilders. Kitson's average yacht charter transaction size is $1.3 million, with an average charter boat length of 228 feet. Their average sale transaction features yachts over 164 feet. In late February, Kitson announced the successful sale of the under-construction, 240-foot Admiral Yacht Project Il Primo, acting as the seller's representative. Adding to the strong resume for this young firm, Kitson recently signed a partnership with TISG, The Italian Sea Group, as the authorized sales agency for North, South, and Central America. TISG is the parent company for Admiral, Tecnomar, Perini Navi, Picchiotti, NCA Refit, and Celi yacht brands. TISG delivered more than $440 million in revenues for 2024 and has more than 700 employees working on seven European production sites. Kitson commented, 'Kitson Yachts is thrilled to partner with the largest shipbuilder in Italy, The Italian Sea Group. We look forward to elevating the presence of TISG craftsmanship across the vast geography of the Americas,' aligned with Giovanni Costantino's accord, "I am sure that Kitson Yachts will be the perfect ambassador for TISG in a free market.' Kitson also recently unveiled ultra-posh new digs in Miami's Sunset Harbour neighborhood, making it an inviting space for clients to embrace the yachting pursuits of their family business. Needless to say, with a growing list of billionaires in North America and the fact that Americans make up about 45 percent of the superyacht industry, they are busy. Tabor comes from an investment banking and shipbuilding background. Kummer, Tabor says, is a yacht broker through and through. Their business model approaches these large transactions in an institutional, business-like way, working hard to understand what makes each client tick. Approaching clients in a concierge, family office philosophy, they earn trust and build confidence as they educate an already very astute client list. Kitson makes the programs work for their clients, rather than making the programs work for the industry. Tabor refers to it as unwriting the rules. Kummer adds that the industry status quo for new yacht brokers expects them to take progressive steps leading up to the sales of bigger, more prestigious yachts. Kitson ignored the learning curve and went right to the top, calling Feadship with a client early on, saying, 'Let's do this!' That one sale turned into three, and their trajectory has gone nowhere but up. These guys get it. A sale is not always about price. The superyacht industry is pushing its own limits in terms of amenities, technology, and absolute luxury, and those shiny new details are often attractive to buyers. Kitson helps clients sort through the details to build the yacht they want, which is often quite different from the yacht clients thought they wanted earlier in the buying process. Tabor and Kummer spend many all-nighters analyzing and comparing vessels, ideas, designers, and shipyards. They often end up building something very different from what was discussed in early conversations. Tabor adds that their job is to help clients through the process safely, with consistency, while having fun throughout the process. The easiest part of it all is to buy the boat. The work that goes into taking a client from 'I want a yacht,' through the entire process, to delivery and beyond. Tabor explains that their approach gets them thinking three to five years out, having those hard discussions with the client and solving problems through discussions that shape the brief. Some of the realities explored in those discussions are awkward. Elephants in the room, if you will. Kummer adds, 'Addressing that head-on is where you create the bond with the client.' He also noted that's what they love about the yachting business. One minute they are challenged by new construction, acting as technical surveyors, and the next minute they may be fulfilling the role of a therapist, working to understand the nuances of client behavior. If they have a 5-minute elevator pitch, they delivered it to Feadship. The conversation went something like, 'Let's not overcomplicate this. Let's go build you a yacht. We'll put the right team in place. We'll have your best interests at heart, but we're going to make it really fun, pain-free, and not stressful.' Working with Admiral Yachts, Kitson announced the 288-foot Project Spyder, scheduled for delivery in 2027. Working closely with the owner, Kitson developed a brief, then began their process, selecting TISG for its 3D technology and integrated digital platforms, Espen Øino for his exceptional, sleek exteriors, and FM Architettura for their chic interior design perspective. What's different about Spyder? Amid the gracious indoor spaces and expansive outdoor lures, Spyder welcomes 18 guests in nine staterooms. The owner's bridge deck suite features a circular private deck with great views. An upper deck and a forward-facing observation lounge, a 10 by 30-foot pool overlooking a 1,000 square foot expandable beach club, and an exterior silhouette, all designed around the owner's desire to bring several generations of family together for memorable journeys. In the end, Tabor concludes, 'It's all about taking really, really good care of our clients.' Kummer adds, 'Your reputation is everything.' All of the pieces of creating a custom superyacht come together on the day that puts owners on board for their first voyage on the superyacht of their dreams. Kummer admits that some owners are so overcome by emotion that it prompts a teardrop or two as they realize the sheer number of workers it has taken to build this precious new addition to their family. Kummer notes, 'It's the best reward ever because you're sharing that moment with some of the more powerful people in the entire world … it's just raw emotion. It's pretty special.'
BBC News
28-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Lancashire man's '100-mile round-trip for life-saving medicine'
A man with cystic fibrosis who has to do a two-hour round trip to get medication to keep him alive said a shortage of the drug was an "appalling disaster".Jonathan Kitson, 29, from the Ribble Valley in Lancashire, said he sometimes had to travel 50 miles to Manchester to pick up his prescription of a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (Pert) which helps digestion, has been hard to obtain for the last year and global shortages are predicted to last until 2026, according to Pancreatic Cancer government said it was working closely with manufacturers and the NHS to resolve the supply issues as quickly as possible. It is understood that more than 61,000 people in the UK need the drug, including those with pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis. The Department of Health and Social Care said the shortage was caused by a limited availability of raw ingredients and manufacturing capacity constraints. Mr Kitson has been on Creon from birth and has to take 30 tablets a day so he can eat properly and live a normal life. He said his pancreas has "degraded" with age, and because of that he has had to take eight to 10 tablets per meal and between two and four with a snack."If I was totally unable to take Creon I would suffer malnutrition. Thankfully I haven't as of yet, as I have been able to get intermittent supplies."But it is not constant," he said. 'Basic but vital' Mr Kitson noticed there were problems when, at the end of 2023, when his delivers began not to turn up. He was moved onto a stronger dose which meant he would need fewer tablets, but he said these also stopped coming."At one point I was no longer able to get Creon from my local pharmacy whatsoever. I was surprised," he said."I had to drive to the Cystic Fibrosis health centre in Wythenshawe, 50 miles away, and they gave me short-term supply that only lasted me a few weeks." He said he was now managing his situation, but added that it has been very stressful."I can't just go and have a snack. I've got to think, do I have enough Creon to get me through?"This is such a basic medication, but it is so vital for people to have a normal, daily life. That's all that people want". A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "We know how frustrating and distressing medicine supply issues can be for patients, and the pharmacists and clinicians caring for them."We've issued guidance to healthcare professionals and encourage anyone concerned to consult their clinician". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
