Media rooms and five-car garages used to be the kind of amenities that would set a luxury home apart (cue the MTV "Cribs" reruns), but these days, it takes a little more imagination -- and a lot more money -- to reach the upper echelon of home ownership.
The latest bell-and-whistle to strike luxury buyers' fancy: Moats, according to the Los Angeles Times, who also lists amenities like dental chairs and botox stations among a growing trend in over-the-top real estate. (Yes, we said dental chairs.)
Jennifer Lopez's former Bel-Air villa has a moat, as does Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady's Brentwood mansion, the Times reports, noting that the lavish water feature is making its biggest splash since medieval times.
Moats were historically used to provide castles and towns with a preliminary line of defense. In some places, moats evolved into more extensive water defense systems, including lakes and dams, though in later periods they became largely ornamental.
Here's a look at 10 modern examples from our friends over at Houzz.
Rustic Exterior by Richmond Architects & Designers Birdseye Design
Contemporary Exterior
Contemporary Landscape by Austin Design-Build Firms CG&S Design-Build
Modern Entry by Los Angeles Architects & Designers TempleHome
Mediterranean Exterior by The Woodlands Architects & Designers JAUREGUI Architecture Interiors Construction
Traditional Pool by Boulder Landscape Architects & Designers MARPA DESIGN STUDIO
Mediterranean Landscape
Modern Exterior by Other Metro Architects & Designers AR Design Studio Ltd
Contemporary Pool by Sydney Architects & Designers Slater Architects
Mediterranean Exterior by Fontana Building Supplies Coronado Stone Products
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