Leave the price-range box blank when you surf real estate listings, and you’ll see some serious embarrassments of riches: mansions of mind-boggling size that sprawl tens of thousands of square feet or houses built with outrageously expensive materials and finishes. In their over-the-top grandiosity, these houses almost seem to taunt their middle-class counterparts.

But there are some pricey houses whose aesthetics may earn your envy and shatter your expectations.

Editor’s note: The following item is republished with permission of AOL Real Estate. View the original article.

By TEKE WIGGIN

Leave the price-range box blank when you surf real estate listings, and you’ll see some serious embarrassments of riches: mansions of mind-boggling size that sprawl tens of thousands of square feet or houses built with outrageously expensive materials and finishes. In their over-the-top grandiosity, these houses almost seem to taunt their middle-class counterparts.

But there are some pricey houses whose aesthetics may earn your envy and shatter your expectations.

Source: Realtor.com.

Star Of The ’70s

Location: Los Angeles, Calif.
Price: $4.995 million
Beds/Baths: 5/4
Sq Ft: N/A

Nestled in the Hollywood Hills, this gleaming architectural feat could be one of the oldest glass houses out there: It was erected all the way back in 1972. The gated two-story home offers city and ocean views. Special features include a pool, office and guesthouse.

View the full Gallery: Shimmering, Heavenly Glass Houses.

…CONTINUED


Source: Realtor.com.

Overhanging Lake Hollywood

Location: Los Angeles, Calif.
Price: $10.8 million
Beds/Baths: 5/8
Sq. Ft.: 9,385

This masterpiece is a whopping 9,385 square feet and overlooks Lake Hollywood through retractable walls of glass. The home offers a gourmet kitchen, screening room and massage room.

See images of other stunning amenities.

View the full Gallery: Shimmering, Heavenly Glass Houses.

…CONTINUED

Source: Realtor.com.

‘The Glass Pavilion’

Location: Santa Barbara, Calif.
Price: $19.995 million
Beds/Baths: 5/6
Sq. Ft.: 13,875

The listing touts this single-story home as a landmark in modernist architecture. Sited on 3.5 oak-dotted acres, the structure contains 14,000 square feet and boasts a giant wine room, grand hallway and art gallery.

See the listing to further explore its intricacies.

View the full Gallery: Shimmering, Heavenly Glass Houses.

…CONTINUED


Source: Realtor.com.

Nevada Waterfront

Location: Crystal Bay, Nev.
Price: $43 million
Beds/Baths: 4/5
Sq. Ft.: 8,694

Thought California or New England coastline was about as pricey as it got? Well, it turns out that Nevada waterfront can cost you a pretty penny, too — like $43 million.

See why it carries such a hefty price tag.

View the full Gallery: Shimmering, Heavenly Glass Houses.

…CONTINUED

Source: Realtor.com.

Floating Glass Home

Location: Laguna Beach, Calif.
Price: $9.995 million
Beds/Baths: 4/5
Sq. Ft.: 5,300

This oceanfront double-decker floats over a white-sand beach. Nearly cantilevered over its cliffside perch, the home is contemporary in style and boasts a magnificent underground garage that connects to the house through a tunnel with ocean views.

See AOL Real Estate’s full profile of this exceptional home.

View the full Gallery: Shimmering, Heavenly Glass Houses.

More from AOL Real Estate:

©2011 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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