the study of how hues and shades affect people in all aspects of their lives — the color white often evokes ideas of purity, simplicity and cleanliness. What is also interesting is that according to creative suite company, Adobe, the color white typically serves as a background rather than a color in its own right. I see this as a symbolic phrase for everything we do and who we are at Eklund | Gomes. We recognize that success, as a team and to our clients, requires that we all show and respect each other’s “true colors” and appreciate that we are stronger when we understand that not one person is a color in his/her own right (or in the background), but rather, we are a conglomerate of colors that, all together, create a beautiful masterpiece — a harmonious symphony. You’ll experience this as we share with you an exclusive interview where a diverse panel of Eklund | Gomes team members discuss what it means to be a part of a team that celebrates differences as well as the initiatives of diversity looking into the future.
As the color psychology study suggests, the color white represents simplicity. It is this representation that personally draws me to the fashion world of Winter Whites. Perhaps because I’ve always been told that wearing white is something that is only allowed between Memorial Day and Labor Day, I enjoy exploring the notion of blending whites into my attire repertoire in the “off season.” It layers in a rebellious simplicity that goes against the grain of status quo yet is also aesthetically pure. I look forward to showcasing what dressing in winter white chic in 2023 looks like with the help of fashion consultant Chantal Hughes.
Additionally in this issue, we dive deep into all great things winter and the hot things to discover this season. We offer a look at what’s new in Aspen and allow you to warm up to the idea that mushrooms are perhaps the latest and greatest in wellness serendipity. Journey along with ESTATE magazine and explore exciting new adventures, trends and destinations — from dog sledding expeditions to the world of maximalist home design trends to the new electric Rivian to the five destinations to check off your bucket list. ESTATE magazine wouldn’t be complete without our insights into the latest in real estate and property happenings. Meet Eklund | Gomes’ renowned NYC photographer Evan Joseph and learn more about the hottest new real estate app, RealApp. Dive into some of Eklund | Gomes’ incredible new development offerings, including the Four Seasons Austin ands NYC’s 53W53; and familiarize yourself with the latest and greatest in regional E|G property listing spotlights.
From all of us at the Eklund | Gomes Team, welcome to the WINTER WHITE ISSUE.
THE INTERVIEW
The Eklund | Gomes team has a conversation with Evan Joseph, the most sought-after photographer in New York City real estate.
PHOTO BY EVAN JOSEPH
In remote areas across the world, dog sledding expeditions are for adventurers to explore the arctic back country.
14 PARTNER
18 HOME DESIGN CURATED CHAOS
Maximalism is making a bold comeback — and this time with more personality.
22 FAVORITE THINGS
THE GOOD LIFE
Eklund | Gomes agents share the places and products they can’t (or don’t want to) live without.
42 ARCHITECTURE
GRACE AND ART IN ARCHITECTURE
53 West 53 rises high above the Museum of Modern Art as a step into the city’s next generation of residential living.
50 CULTURE
DIVERSITY (OR LACK THEREOF) IN REAL ESTATE
Eklund | Gomes co-founder John Gomes has a conversation about inclusion with members of his team.
58 FASHION
WHITE OUT Fashion consultant
Chantal Hughes talks about the winter white fashion trend.
72 CUISINE
THE MAGIC OF MUSHROOMS
Mycologists, psychologists and health conscious brands are discovering how mushrooms are the Magic Kick we need to feel whole again.
78 ARTS
THE ART OF WINE LABELS
Winemakers are using the power of photography and design to bring a new dimension to their beloved vintages.
92 REAL ESTATE LUXURY LAKEFRONT LIVING
Four Seasons Private Residences Lake Austin is the brand’s first standalone residential property in Texas.
16 PRODUCT LINE SCINTILLATING SCENTS
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26 AUTO NEW KID ON THE ELECTRIC BLOCK
The Rivian R1T can rumble up mountains, through snow and across unrelenting desert.
110 MOVING IN
BACK IN THE WEST VILLAGE
The Eklund | Gomes team moves in to 41 Bank.
The EG team gathers for events at the Four Seasons Lake Austin, Soho Beach House in Miami Beach, their new unique boutique storefront at 936 Broadway and the Waldorf Astoria Residences Miami Project.
142 THE VIEW FROM HERE SNOW MAGIC
Photographer Evan Joseph’s bird’s eye view of Central Park in the snow.
FOUNDING PARTNERS
Fredrik Eklund
John Gomes
CEO Julia Spillman
Seth Nelson EDITORIN-CHIEF
EDITORIAL & DESIGN
EDITORIAL DIRECTORS
Steve Zepezauer
Justine Amodeo
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Tracy Powell
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Dante Amodeo
Geoff Nudelman
Larry Olmsted
Ashley Ryan
Ashley Ward
Joe Yogerst
Erin Zilis
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
CREATIVE & MARKETING DIRECTOR
PRODUCTION MANAGER SALES/MEDIA PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Steve Zepezauer
Scott Sanchez
Tiffany Thompson
Tracy Powell
Tina Leydecker
Taryn Metkovich
Created by real estate agents, for real estate agents, REAL Messenger is the rst social media app created for the real estate industry. e app — which connects real estate agents and potential clients with properties they want to sell or buy — uses arti cial intelligence to de ne a buyer’s preferences for architecture and features based on other properties the buyer has liked. is AI-driven algorithm will display a custom feed of properties that match these requirements, resulting in a focused approach for getting buyers the latest on hot properties that t exactly what they’re looking for.
e app enables agents to promote themselves for free, without costly online ads and ine ective cold calls and emails. Agents are able to connect with interested customers, engage with users directly within the app and build a following in its social network-style feed. e light-speed chat function allows buyers and agents to communicate quickly and e ectively. Agents control their own business and brand themselves through the properties, content and chats they feature. Properties are featured with immersive posts and entertaining videos, and highlighted stories attract additional exposure. Agent proles can include past sales and reviews.
“ WE ARE DEDICATED TO CREATING VALUE FOR EVERYONE IN THE REAL ESTATE COMMUNITY WITH THE FIRST TRULY GLOBAL LISTING APP. ”
— FREDRIK EKLUND
g E INSIGHTCo-founders real estate icon Fredrik Eklund, (right) and Hong Kong real estate entrepreneur Thomas Ma
e app works like a matchmaking tool, helping buyers and sellers get a feel for agents’ personalities, style and expertise. Users follow the agents they feel have the experience they’re looking for and the chat feature enables them to reach out when the time is right. In addition, if a user likes houses they nd, the app will suggest properties with similar characteristics, curating a list of dream home possibilities. Listings are updated in real time, allowing buyers to nd the newest properties on the market and contact agents directly through the app’s integrated chat feature to get their questions answered. Buyers can take a virtual house tour or guided video tour of the listing through “FirstLook,” a video messaging feature. Options to share listings with contacts or on Facebook makes the app even more social. In the rst quarter of 2023, users will be able to make an o er with the click of a button.
Co-founded by real estate icon Fredrik Eklund and Hong Kong real estate entrepreneur omas Ma, REAL could change the way real estate is bought and sold. A er watching the industry shi toward large proptech platforms that presented steep nancial hurdles for agents, the duo decided to develop a new way for agents to showcase their listings.
“We are a communication app,” says Ma. “We don’t monetize by taking a cut of an agent’s commission. In fact, we want to empower real estate agents. New or experienced agents can start building up their reputation and attracting followers immediately on the app. We’re giving agents more tools to engage with their clients and followers, and we’ll be building additional functions as we go.”
On that note, the team has hired Kamal Shaik as chief data o cer to help enhance
the app’s user experience. A technology leader with 15 years of experience, including a previous position as director of data products and programs at Meta, Shaik brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in data sciences and AI to help elevate the real estate world technologically.
“Buying and selling real estate has gone digital and being able to operate quickly has become a necessity. REAL Messenger includes the most beautiful properties, which you scroll like you would on other social media sites.” says Eklund. “Imagine you’re scrolling, and you see a beautiful penthouse, you can click and make an o er right there. What’s faster than that?”
With more than 250,000 downloads in its first four months, REAL is available to download in nearly 60 countries and nine languages via the App Store and Google Play.
16
WITH THE LAUNCH OF A NEW LIFESTYLE COLLECTION,
|
PRESENTS THREE DESTINATION-THEMED CANDLES THAT ALLOW SHOPPERS TO BRING THE BRAND’S AROMAS INTO THEIR OWN HOMES.
By ASHLEY RYAN
Creating custom scents isn’t a new thing for the team at Eklund | Gomes — in fact, John Gomes, founder and licensed real estate broker, has long had a role in crafting fragrant settings for open houses. “I used to bake breads,” he recalls. “I would have an open house and take a bread that I prepared —l ike a cinnamon bread — and I would put it into the oven and … bake it so that it had a beautiful, warm, ‘welcome home’ kind of scent.”
Later transitioning to candles and room sprays, the team became known for the
beautiful scents that are now an integral part of touring an Eklund | Gomes property. “Sense of smell is the strongest of all your senses and we have found, over time, that when we introduce people to a space [with our scents], they like the experience,” Gomes says. And, with the desire to launch a luxury lifestyle collection, candles felt like the perfect fit.
The inaugural line of Eklund | Gomes Home features three distinct candles, inspired by three prominent cities where the brand has offices: Los
Angeles, Miami and New York. Gomes himself helped develop the fragrances, and says they hope to expand in the future with aromatic products for the living room, kitchen, bathroom and beyond.
“We thought that this could be a good way to market our brand and could introduce someone to the Eklund | Gomes brand through our lifestyle line,” Gomes notes. “We’ll be doing an online store. The candles are our first foray into the lifestyle sector — however, it’s just the beginning for us.”
TOP NOTES: crisp white grapefruit, Anjou pear, watery accord, fern leaf, white lily
MIDDLE NOTES: hawthorn, peony, mimosa, linen, freesia
BASE NOTES: amber, white musk
LOS ANGELES
TOP NOTES: green, cypress, sage, rosemary
MIDDLE NOTES: cedarwood, galbanum, pine needle, thuya wood
BASE NOTES: frankincense, tree moss, patchouli, aldehydes
NEW YORK
TOP NOTES: green, citrus, lemon, herbal
MIDDLE NOTES: cedarwood, wood smoke, hickory
“ SENSE OF SMELL IS THE STRONGEST OF ALL YOUR SENSES…WHEN WE INTRODUCE PEOPLE TO A SPACE [WITH OUR SCENTS], THEY LIKE THE EXPERIENCE. ”
g E
INSIGHT
In the middle of it all, but a world apart. Introducing
aximalism need not be confused with materialism. While, to the minimalist eye, the overthe-top trend can appear loud with its bold patterns and array of collectables on display, maximalism is less about the stuff and more about the person who bought it.
It’s about showcasing everything that has meaning to you; objets d’art, colors, concepts, and mementos that not only capture the essence of life, but the essence of your life. In a sense, it is an exhibition of you, albeit maybe a tad dramatic.
“White boxes are for presents, not homes,” said interior designer Alex Alonso, founder and creative principal of Mr. Alex Tate, which has design studios in Los Angeles and Miami. Alonso, who refers to himself as a maximalist at heart, said he launched his studio “to embrace a global perspective and celebrate the power of storytelling through spaces, reflecting a distinct design approach that is all about the mix. The result is a bold sensibility I call ‘modern Victorian.’ We see every project as an opportunity to curate fearlessly and tell a unique story for each client.”
“Our project goals were to give this vintage home an eclectic, updated point of view while keeping the overall charm of the residence intact,” said interior designer Alex Alonsoof Mr. Alex Tate. “I’m a maximalist at heart, and so incorporating vibrant tiles, rich colored wood and patterned textiles was second nature to me. This waterfront Miami Beach home was eventually given new life with an eclectic/modern twist.”
Maximalism is making a bold comeback — and this time with even more personality.
By ASHLEY WARD
“ MAXIMALISM IS ABOUT BEING EXTRAVAGANT WITH YOUR DESIGN CHOICES, WHERE MORE IS MORE. ”
— FREDRIK EKLUND
Maximalism isn’t a shy trend by any means. Bursting with life, maximalism welcomes lovers of color, textures, layered patterns, accessories and art. It includes what top designers describe as “bold gestures:” the art of “more-is-more.”
If minimalism was the responsible adult, then maximalism is the inner child, painting empty spaces with life and joyful bravado. Even though the rising trend is known for its hyperbolic ethos, that doesn’t mean you
need headache-inducing wallpapers or claustrophobic mantlepieces filled to the brim. In fact, maximalism adopts the idea of decluttering anything that is neither useful nor beautiful to you.
In essence, it’s a dramatic display of one’s inner expression: a spacial artwork in itself or a wonderland for the senses — something Lewis Carroll would call your “muchness.”
It’s no surprise then, why maximalism is resurfacing once more as an ageless friend to interior design.
Inside the airy lobby of h2hotel in Healdsburg, CA, designed by San Francisco architect David Baker to attract sustainability minded tourists with its eco-chic decor and environmentally conscious details, guests can chill on lowslung Missoni fabric couches and a rotating display of art, objects, books and games set in a steel display grid. Floating on lobby shelves are Healdsburg’s SkLO Studio’s colorful misshapen glass sculptures and instead of a gas fireplace, a single flame is surrounded by bound copper Steinway piano wires.
“This staircase design is punctuated with a simple massing of steel for the stair, edited to maintain a bold yet sleek silhouette which is juxtaposed with a colorful layered custom wallpaper,” said Lisa McDennon of Lisa McDennon Designs.
“The paper concept was developed as a collaborative concept between myself, the client and local textile designer Diana Garreau. We wanted to create a graffiti wall that looked like it also had layers of paint and torn wallpaper underneath.”
Maximalism has been making the rounds in the design world for centuries. In early history, wealthy figures were taken to the trend as a way to display their affluence.
The story is not much different for maximalism in the Victorian era, where material goods were more affordable, and those who had accessories loved to display them in their homes with grandeur.
However, much like today, there was an ulterior motif that maximalism satiated for Victorian culture: to showcase one’s own personality and inner world. After years of more frugal or conservative trends like minimalism, it’s safe to say that many are once again ready to be seen expressing their spaces in living color.
While “more is more” has become the motto for maximalism, it doesn’t suggest careless or chaotic design. Many designers stress the importance of being selective with one or two focal points when it comes to featuring accessories or artwork in a space. Too many becomes visual overload; a maelstrom of artistic ideas. Though, if you want to showcase a melting pot of ideas, textures, and patterns, design experts advise to draw from the same color palette to create a more cohesive look. Grounding finishes like marble or wood on side furnishings also help to avoid visual overwhelm when it comes to maximalist design.
According to SoCal interior designer Lisa McDennon, founder of Lisa McDennon Design in Laguna Beach, CA, maximalist design “is rooted in bold sweeping color and layered pattern over pattern. The concept is more is better, yet in a carefully curated way — if not, it will just look and feel like a total mess. Often times taking a core group of colors and using repetition in your layering creates rhythm and harmony in the design. This helps connect the elements in a cohesive and visually appealing style.”
Whether designing a dark and moody Victorian-esque bedroom or accessorizing a Bubblegum pink studio, the boldness of maximalist design has no category or boundaries. Perhaps that’s why many of us have, once again, fallen prey to the trend of maximalism; a visual rabbit hole of “muchness,” texture and visual splendor. There’s just something about the colors that make you want to fall in.
Wilfredo Emanuel’s home décor is a reflection of the designs he loves, paying homage to a life well-lived. Everywhere in and around the Naples, Florida home Emanuel, an interior designer and TV personality, has created are artful vignettes, just as he is famous for doing for his clients. In each room, each scene has a beginning, middle and end — all tiny productions that tell the tale of its inhabitants. “A house can tell a story in a thousand beautiful moments, unique to its owner and in my case, I really enjoy being at home,” said Emanuel.
FAVORITE THINGS g E GLOBAL IS THE NEW LOCAL
THE TASTEMAKERS AT EKLUND | GOMES SEEK A WORLD BEYOND ORDINARY. HERE, FOUR AGENTS SHARE THE PLACES AND PRODUCTS THEY CAN’T (OR DON’T WANT TO) LIVE WITHOUT.
ESTATE MAGAZINE
MONKEY 47 GIN
Boasting an ostentatious 47 botanicals, it might be the most complicated gin on the market. The very drinkable gin is incredibly complex and brightly aromatic
“There’s nothing like a Deer Valley, Utah skiing experience. Staying slope side makes the experience extra special,” Kelly says. “We have spent the last three Christmases there. The staff at Deer Valley know that visitors are expecting a high-end, luxury holiday, and they never disappoint.”
The Helle Mardahl Studio in Copenhagen, Denmark uses the ancient technique of mouth-blowing to give each creation its own unique shape and personality. Every piece is a one-off and signed by Helle Mardahl.
“I’m really into anything Helle Mardahl right now. Especially the Bon Bon lamp fixtures and cocktail glasses. They make fabulous gifts and brighten up any home,” says Gingery. (hellemardahl.com)
The Day-Date was the first watch to indicate the day of the week spelled out in full when it was first presented in 1956. The new Rolex Oyster perpetual daydate 40 in 18 ct Everose gold has a white dial, fluted bezel and a president bracelet.
The Rivian R1T can rumble up mountains, through snow, and across unrelenting desert, all with a design that provides premium comfort.
By JOE YOGERST
They’re starting to pop up here and there along the Southern California coast, a sleek truck with eye-like stadium headlights and an emotive front end that almost seems to smile at oncoming traffic.
No, it’s not one of the characters from the Pixar movie Cars come to life — it’s the new Rivian R1T, a revolutionary all-electric pickup that features a mind-blowing mix of performance, luxury, comfort, utility, capability and personality.
The Rivian R1T ‘s eye like headlights and an emotive front end almnost seems to smile at oncoming traffic
Along with the R1S sports utility vehicle, it’s the long-awaited first offering from Rivian Automotive Inc., an Irvine, CA-based company aiming to take a huge bite out of the rapidly growing electric vehicle market over the next few years and beyond.
“Much of what makes our R1 vehicles unique lies within both the product and the process by which it was created,” says a Rivian spokesperson. “Being a new company, we were able to design our vehicles from a clean sheet, envision a truck and SUV from the ground up unlike anything else that’s on the road.”
Rivian’s innovations include a “skateboard” battery platform that allows placement of a “gear tunnel” behind the cab, a large storage space they were able to save by not having to include a gas tank. Same goes for the front trunk, 11 cubic feet of storage where an engine would normally sit in a vehicle with an internal combustion engine.
Depending on which electric motor and battery pack combination the owner chooses, the pickup can range between 260 and 400 miles on a full charge. And Rivian claims the battery systems will remain fully functional from as high as 130ºF to as low as -25ºF.
Clockwise from left: Camp Mode makes camping out as convenient and comfortable as possible; an optional Camp Kitchen module for cooking anywhere is currently in development; right center and bottom: the design offers multiple storage options
Price starts at $70,000 for the base model
Gets between 260 and 400 miles on a full charge
An onboard sair compressor system can reach all four tires (or inflate kayaks)
Camp mode makes the flatbed horizontal for sleeping inside a tent or beneath the stars
The front trunk has 11 cubic feet of storage
Can drive through three feet of water, rock crawl at 100% grade and tow up to 11,000 lbs
Accelerates from zero to 60 mph in just three seconds
Among its other performance superlatives, there’s an ability to drive through three feet of water, rock crawl at a 100 percentgrade and tow up to 11,000 lbs. Ground clearance is 14.9 inches and the R1T can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just three seconds. Eight drive modes range from offroad and tow mode to all-purpose for tooling around town and a “conserve” setting that optimizes range for longer trips by switching to front-wheel drive only and lowering the vehicle into a more aerodynamic stance.
So, it’s set to rumble up mountains, through snow, and across unrelenting desert. But what about the comfort level for the driver and passengers inside the cab? “Our R1T and R1S are designed with premium comfort in mind for adventurers of all kinds including families, friends and pets,” says the Rivian spokesperson.
The pickup interior seats five in vegan leather heated and ventilated seats. Owners can opt to activate Alexa for voice control over nearly anything managed from the 16-inch touchscreen center display including navigation, media, climate, and drive modes.
The separate 12-inch driver display provides gear, speed, range, navigation, status indicator, and drive mode information alongside real-time vehicle visualizations. Between the flatbed, the front truck, and the aforementioned gear tunnel there’s plenty of storage space. There’s also on onboard air compressor system with an extended hose that can reach all four tires (or inflate kayaks, pool floaties, etc.).
Rivian recently launched a Camp Mode to make camping out as convenient and comfortable as possible via an auto leveling feature that makes the flatbed perfectly horizontal for sleeping inside a tent or beneath the stars. An optional Camp Kitchen module for cooking anywhere is currently in development.
Manufactured at a reworked Mitsubishi Motors factory in Illinois, the first R1Ts rolled off the assembly line in September of 2021. But they didn’t roll into auto showrooms. Customers must order online — a process that includes appraising your trade-in vehicle, arranging financing and insurance, registration and scheduling delivery to the nearest Rivian service center (there are three in Southern California including one in Costa Mesa). Many service centers also offer test drives (appointment only).
The company is creating a nationwide Rivian Adventure Network of DC fast chargers. The first launched this past summer Salida, Colorado while the latest just opened outside an REI store in Sacramento.
Meanwhile, the Rivian Waypoints Network of Level 2 (11.5 kW) chargers is currently in its second year of growth, with
charging sites in 16 states as well as Yosemite National Park. Both networks are powered by 100% renewable energy.
And what about that smiley face front end?
“Apart from being inspired by a carabiner, our signature stadium headlights presented us with an opportunity to build our brand identity,” says the Rivian spokesperson. As the new kid on the pickup block, the company felt it was important to have an instantly recognizable face.
“We don’t have history. We’re a new brand,” said Jeff Hammoud, Rivian’s head of design, while introducing the vehicle at the 2018 L.A. Auto Show. “It does want to feel like it’s strong, confident, intelligent. It’s not like a traditional truck where you differentiate it with a big, huge grill. We don’t need that. That’s not how we’re going to make our vehicle look tough.”
Evan Joseph, the most sought-after photographer in New York City real estate, talks to Eklund | Gomes co-founder John Gomes and West Coast-based Eklund | Gomes Realtor
Seth Nelson about how he creates romantic stories that inspire the experience of luxury, the meaning of his mantra: “Think like a broker, shoot like a broker,” and who The Medici are to his Michelangelo.
Before Evan Joseph began jumping into helicopters and climbing rooftops to become the leading luxury architectural photographer in New York City, he trained as an artist at Vassar College and the Slade School of Art in London, then received his Master’s degree from the Interactive Telecommunications Program at NYU. Seen across the city on billboards, subway ads and rolling down Broadway on double-decker buses, his brand-defining images have been used in media campaigns by the world’s top tourism, real estate and hospitality firms who have regularly entrusted Evan Joseph Studios to create iconic marketing
photography for the most recognized landmarks in New York City.
Through his many projects, including publishing five major books of photography and limited-edition art prints of New York City, Joseph has photographed the work of the world’s finest architects, as well as many distinguished private residences: His work has been featured at The Venice Biennale for Architecture in Italy.
In the few hours each week when Joseph is not taking pictures for his clients, he can be found at home with his wife, dogs and two children.
“For various reasons, I wanted Evan Joseph, the superstar of photographers, to have a big juicy feature in our magazine,” says Eklund | Gomes co-founder Fredrik Eklund. “He’s not just a bestselling published author, he’s an artist that goes beyond just photographing the properties. I think what’s interesting is that as he’s grown, so have we. There are very few people like Evan that we have worked with since the inception. It’s been a very intimate relationship: He’s seen the good, bad, and ugly with us and literally captured it on camera.”
Says Eklund | Gomes west coast Realtor Seth Nelson, “What Evan does is so extremely important to the process. We live in a world of storytelling, and he tells stories through the lens. In a world where the average consumer has a three second bandwidth of attention, we rely on what guys like Evan can create. It’s probably one of the most important parts of the entire process.”
JOHN GOMES: How did you get started in residential photography?
EVAN JOSEPH: I’ve always been the art kid. If there was a spirit week painting to be hung in the gym, I would make it. If you wanted to have the graphic for Dark Side of the Moon with skull and roses painted on the back of your denim jacket, I could hook you up with that. My uncle got me my first camera when I was 13. I loved it. It was such a great way to sketchbook for ideas in composition, in light and color. I couldn’t believe how much easier it was than painting and drawing.
I’ve always been a still painter. Today, if you leave me alone with nothing to do, I’ll paint a couple of bottles on a windowsill to practice my sense of composition, and it translates into interior/architectural photography. I try to capture the fundamental feeling that you get when you’re in a space. Not just the square footage; anybody can stand in the
corner with a wide-angle lens and show you that the place looks big. For me it’s about finding these compositions and moments to build a visual story about what makes a place so special.
In high school, I was the school yearbook/newspaper photographer. I had a dark room next to the chemistry lab and I would stay for hours after school developing pictures. After college, I ran an art gallery in Beverly Hills, on Rodeo Drive of all places. Because I had this language for speaking about art — I looked older than I was, and I acted older — I fell into this sales job. That became a good foundation for understanding what goes into creating romantic stories that inspire the experience of luxury.
When the digital revolution came around the turn of the millennium, I went back to school and got a master’s degree in digital media at NYU and then started a digital media company. One of our first clients was a real estate agency. I asked, “Where are the photos gonna come from for your new website?” They said, “Anybody, our photographer just quit.” I said, “Oh I’ll do it. Can I sell that old film camera and get one of these newfangled digital cameras?” They said, “Sure, go for it.” And so, 25 years ago I became one of the very first photographers using digital cameras and Photoshop in the real estate and interiors business. That changed the game. It made it possible to make images that were way more perfect looking than had ever really been made in the past.
The photography is the hunter gatherer part. Although I have a lot of fun in real estate, I do go out into the city to capture ‘neighborhood photography.’ I’m sneaking up on people holding hands and eating ice cream cones and walking down a treelined street and capturing those moments. Photoshop is the cooking part. This ever-evolving process is I how I was able to scale. I’ve systematized it to the point where I may not be able to take every photo, but I can participate in the creation of every photo.
SETH NELSON: When did you and John and Fredrik first meet?
EVAN JOSEPH: We all met in Sarah Jessica Parker’s house. I was so intimidated by you guys. You were already such a big deal and I had been working with every other superstar agent in the city at that point. I had plenty of big shot clients who were super demanding, but I remember asking out of curiosity, “Why am I here? Why did you guys reach out to me?” And John was the one that
said, “Your post-production is amazing, the level of finish and your photos are perfect.” I said, “All right, this guy gets it.”
JOHN GOMES: Clearly, you’re an artist, but at the same time you’re running this huge business. How do you manage that?
EVAN JOSEPH: I have to give props to my wife, Amy. She was a broker before the kids were born, so she has a sense of how the business works. But building the business is a direct result of my philosophy, which is to say yes to everything. When that happens, suddenly you find that you can’t be everywhere at once. When I started on my own, I paid such close attention to every detail and over delivered by a factor of a million on
every photo that I was able to snowball that effort into a career.
So, to serve my clients, I’ve had to clone myself a little. I credit my master’s degree in digital media, which helped me understand how to leverage technology to create processes that can be scaled. Right now, it’s steady growth, but I want to be more in Florida, Texas and California. Firstly, I want to make sure that it’s seamless: When you are in California and you work with our team, you’re getting the same experience that you get in New York where my eyes are on everything.
The other way to build a business is with the trust of clients. And I think of our studio the same way that I would like to think of the painting and sculpture studios of Renaissance Italy. They all
depended on patrons that believed in them. So, I look at you and Frederick like the Medicis. You’re able to use your resources both to build your own brand, but also to help us develop as artists.
I appreciate how you guys don’t micromanage and believe in me as an artist. I always tell people, “Just let me shoot.” You’re gonna get so much more by just letting me do what I do, not just in terms of creativity and vision. You get more pictures too, because I’ve got more time to focus and think because I want to impress you. That’s where I’m coming from. I want you to be thrilled. I want every single photo shoot to get an email back that says, “Oh my god, these are amazing.” I never get tired of hearing it because I put my heart and soul into
every single image. And it’s gratifying to know that it’s received.
JOHN GOMES: I just described you as an artist, but I could also describe you as a perfectionist. You have a very high standard that matches your high level of quality. So how do you find new talent?
EVAN JOSEPH: I start by working with friends and I think that really helps. The people on my team have become very close to me. When you share an artistic vision, that really goes beyond a business relationship. There must be an incredibly high level of trust, understanding, and an approach not just to art, but to client services. Anybody that shoots for our studio represents all of us and they need to act the part to look the part. I know
“My new personal art project obsession: aerial photos of the infrastructure around NYC, including the ports and refineries, which I think are super-cool and will be the focus of my new NFT offering and gallery shows. This material is my “passion project” for sure — it requires trespassing via small helicopter over secure facilities that are belching burning methane at me, but the images are worth it! They are quite abstract and different from my other work, and I might be the only person in the world who thinks they are interesting...but I hope not!” -
Evan Joseph
that you guys understand that, too. You have a beautiful bouquet of individuals on your team, and all of them have that Eklund Gomes magic. I’m sure that’s not easy to find.
JOHN GOMES: Listening to you speak, it’s clear that you have a passion for your work, but watching you in action, seeing your results, is really remarkable. Now I know of at least five books that you published. What are some of your other projects?
EVAN JOSEPH: It’s fun to have a long form project to work on, to sink my teeth into, something that’s going to take months working with a team of people that are outside my normal business. That process excites me, and it’s led to several gallery shows of the work in the books. That’s led to this increased visibility, to see my work in Chelsea right
now for Edge on a giant billboard on 25th Street or rolling down Broadway on double decker buses, it’s very special. I’ve photographed the advertising for every one of the observation decks in New York City. There are five of them. There’s the Empire State Building, Edge, World Trade Center, One Vanderbilt and Top of the Rock. All of them use me for their advertising. They need to capture and convey the romance and visual appeal of New York City and I find a way to tell that story about how magnificent this city is and convey that to the whole world. That’s very much a career highlight and it’s a result of the increased visibility from the books and the gallery shows.
JOHN GOMES: So, I just wonder, with all of this, what is on the horizon?
EVAN JOSEPH: New York From Above,
my most recent book, while it’s only a couple years old, is already kind of outdated because the city changes every time you blink. I want to create a new version of that with all new photography and this time, I’m not going through a publisher. I’m going direct and I want to take the reins away from the big international publishers that I’ve been working with and connect directly with my audience and with my friends, to do something where I’m the last word on which picture goes where in what book. I’m cooking up an NFT project that will allow collectors and supporters and patrons to own NFTs of the images in the book and use those funds to print a new version of the book directly. So, I’m excited about that and about celebrating a decade of being in the air over New York City taking pictures.
SETH NELSON: There’s clearly no shortage of photographers out there. What separates you and your photography from the rest?
EVAN JOSEPH: I think the ability to empathize with my clients and to understand their business needs is an important part of what we do at the studio. It’s certainly an important part of the training that all our photographers go through. We always say: “Think like a broker, shoot like a broker.” You have to understand this, because there’s not a lot of intersectionality between artists and brokers. Those head spaces are very different. And you need to dig into what a developer, real estate broker, designer, or an architect needs from their images. This is a “business to business” business. And I think that’s a very distinguishing quality. We can use our empathy and vision to see the world through our
clients’ eyes. It’s not enough for it just to be a pretty picture. These pictures go to work, and I want them to do their job.
JOHN GOMES: As you stated, when you began in the industry, your competitive advantage was that you were digital and that was really the beginning of the digital era of photography in residential real estate and interiors. How has the business changed over the years with new technology?
EVAN JOSEPH: Occasionally, I get a panic attack that photography’s going to become irrelevant. So far it hasn’t happened because I think that there’s always a need to linger over an image. As beautiful as video can be, it never gives you time to just sit and be with that image and those feelings that are aroused by it. Technology has raised expectations. Being Quickly adapting to those improvements in technology to create increasingly better
pictures is what I’m all about. With video, it’s a challenge to create a feel like our photos and that’s what we’re trying to do. We may never get there, but that’s my quest to make, to incorporate new technologies into our vision so that it feels like us. So that video from Evan Joseph Studios doesn’t feel like the YouTuber with the $54 million across the front. When we get into VR, I want to make stuff for it. I have 3D cameras now. I don’t know what the heck they’re gonna be applicable for to my clients, but I have 3D cameras and 3D stereo video so that we can capture imagery that can be used in virtual reality. Does it make buyers sick? I don’t know. I don’t care. I’m just experimenting. I want to be there for every new thing and to try to make it my own.
JOHN GOMES: Yeah, one of the reasons I keep picking up the phone to call you
to shoot our listings is because you are experimental, because you are collaborative and it’s exciting to work in this space as the industry has evolved over the years. I think that’s one of the biggest parts of your success because every now and again, in your experiment, you find a new way. One of the things that I love about you is you have a very high standard that you hold to yourself and your whole entire team. So again, I think that’s a huge part of your success. I thank you so much for everything that you do and for your friendship as well over the very many years that we have worked together.
EVAN JOSEPH: Thank you. And John, I could not do it without you.
JOHN GOMES: That’s what I mean about collaborative.
EVAN JOSEPH: You and Fredrik are The Medici to my Michelangelo. So, thank you.
Nouvel utilized multiple tapered surfaces to create a silhouette that pays homage to the Big Apple’s skyline as well as what a future view of New York City could look like.
53 West 53 rises high above the Museum of Modern Art as a step into the city’s next generation of residential living.
By GEOFF NUDELMAN
PHOTOS By EVAN JOSEPH AND GILES ASHFORD
MIDTOWN IS EXPERIENCING ITS OWN QUASI-RENAISSANCE THESE DAYS, AND THAT’S NO MORE APPARENT THAN WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE 82-STORY RESIDENTIAL TOWER AT 53 WEST 53. RISING HIGH ABOVE THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART, THE BUILDING FEATURES 161 RESIDENCES, INCLUDING FULL-FLOOR HOMES AND DUPLEX PENTHOUSES WITH PRIVATE ELEVATORS.
One of the flagship attributes of 53 West 53 is its starstudded architectural approach, headlined by world-renowned architects Jean Nouvel and Thierry Despont. Both put their individual marks on a building that feels angular, modern, inviting and as much of a spectacle as the museum it presides above.
“From the moment you enter this property’s doors, it’s evident that every aspect of the living experience at 53 West 53 has been considered, and the result is on par with a five-star hotel,” says Shari Scharfer-Rollins, Licensed Broker at Douglas Elliman and Director of Sales at 53 West 53. “The building is an architectural masterpiece that will never be replicated and because of that, the building continues to capture the attention of ultra-luxury buyers who are seeing a one-ofa-kind home in the heart of New York City.”
Comprising the entire 64th floor at 53 West 53, this palatial residence features four bedrooms, four-and-ahalf bathrooms, and north-, south-, east-, and westfacing exposures. Gracious proportions and ceilings ranging up to approximately 11 feet set the awe-inspiring stage for world-renowned designer Thierry Despont’s masterfully conceived interiors.
While the design is certainly unlike anything else, the amenities on offer at 53 West 53 are also simply a cut above. No matter a resident’s interest, there’s something to meet their needs. Film fans can enjoy a private, state-of-theart viewing theater; residents and their guests can admire the breathtaking views from the 46th-floor double-height dining room and lounge; food enthusiasts can savor exquisite meals at 53, the new contemporary Asian restaurant by famed award-winning hospitality company Altamarea Group, located at the base of the building; and the building’s on-site staff are available 24 hours a day to cater to any and every possible need.
Continuing through the building, the architectural impression is as much indoors as it is on the exterior with bold lines in each home with striking marble and beautifully accented dark and white tones throughout. Residents will also find these cues in the building’s private spa and Wellness Center, which features products from the luxury brand Bulgari.
The wine room at 53 West 53 is more than a home for prized collections and labels, it’s an experience. Residents can enjoy that special vintage in a dramatic setting that feels as much in place in a Michelinstarred restaurant as it does within their own building. The building also offers temperaturecontrolled wine vaults, which residents can purchase to store their personal wine collections.
“Purchasing at 53 West 53 goes beyond buying a home, as residents have access to an unprecedented level of exclusive amenities and personalized services that truly set the building apart,” says Samantha Sax, Chief Marketing Officer of Pontiac Land U.S. “53 West 53 boasts one of the most comprehensive offerings at a private residential building in the city with over 30,000 square feet of sophisticated amenity spaces. Residents also enjoy a robust lifestyle partnership program that provides access to VIP services and priority status at a curated selection of internationally recognized luxury brands and famed New York establishments, including the John Barrett Salon, BLADE, Morrell Wine, Frette, and more.”
Perhaps the only thing more stunning than the grandiose architecture and amenities? The views. The building was purpose-built with sweeping floor-toceiling windows to visually explore every corner of the city from above, almost as a crystal-clear glimpse into the future.
“53 West 53 is unlike any other building in the luxury market today,” says Fredrik Eklund, Licensed Broker and Founder of The Eklund | Gomes Team at Douglas Elliman. “With its iconic location, internationally-recognized architecture, distinguished interiors, world-class lifestyle offerings, and much more, 53 West 53 checks every box and sets the bar for truly elevated living.”
Right: The striking lobby has multiple separate sections: two entry foyers, a main area, a library and an elevator bank guided by a ceiling covered in gold leaf. Despont’s inspiration for the lobby feels classic and timeless with just enough modern sensibility to be powered into the future and is a grand statement for all who enter — residents and guests alike.
Clockwise from left: In the library, residents can bask in the warm glow of a roaring fireplace; The full-floor Wellness Center at 53 West 53 is an oasis. Managed by the premier fitness lifestyle brand, The Wright Fit, the Wellness Center includes a full gym, golf simulator, and 65-foot lap pool, among other fitness-oriented amenities. Residents can also enjoy the tranquil, spa-like spaces within the Wellness Center, which are exclusively appointed with Bulgari products.
To address the diversity issues in the Real Estate industry, Eklund | Gomes co-founder John Gomes has a conversation about inclusion with members of his team.
By JOHN GOMESWe have a problem and I’m not afraid to talk about it. So I’ve invited five Eklund | Gomes team members to have a frank discussion about the diversity problems in real estate.
I’m talking about black people, women, Asians, and Hispanics and so on; there’s just not much diversity in the real estate industry across the board. It’s an issue we all know about, but there’s a sensitiv-
research, read different books and learned about racism in real estate.
We shared that knowledge every week with one-and-a-half-hour round table discussions which we invited all people in the industry to partake in our zoom. It was powerful and very moving.
While we were going through that process, I came across something that somebody wrote that I reposted and I made some edits to it, but I’d like to share it here: “Some 400 years ago, white men enslaved black
then 60 years ago, white people made it legal for black people to vote and to quote, “be free from discrimination.”
While schools were segregated, neighborhoods were created for white people only. It was harder for black people to get bank loans, quality education, healthcare, or to even marry a white person, all while another two to three generations of white families got to grow and pass their wealth down to their children. Then we entered the age where we have the technology to make public
ity around it and it’s a little taboo to talk about. Our hope is that the platform we have at Eklund Gomes to have these types of frank discussions will help continue that conversation.
During the pandemic while we were on lockdown, we wanted to help ourselves and our industry understand what was going on in the world around us, so for eight consecutive weeks, we ran a Black Lives Matter seminar where seven of us did lots of
people and sold them for 250 years. White men built the country, created its laws and its systems of government. While 10-plus generations of white families got to flourish 150 years ago, white men “freed” black people from slavery. They created laws that made it impossible for them to vote, own land or to have the same rights as white people. Another five-plus generations of white families got to grow and accumulate wealth, gain land and get an education. And
the things that were already happening in private — the beatings, the stop and frisk laws, the unequal distribution of justice, the police brutality. And only now, after 400plus years and 20-plus generations, are we starting to truly have a dialogue about what it means to be black in America.
White privilege doesn’t mean you haven’t suffered, fought or worked hard. It doesn’t mean that white people are responsible for the sins of our ancestors. It doesn’t mean
“The one word that keeps coming up for me is representation, because it’s important to have REPRESENTATION OF ALL PEOPLE WITHIN OUR INDUSTRY.”
- JOHN GOMES
that you can’t be proud of who you are. It does mean that we need to acknowledge that the system our ancestors created is built for white people. It does mean that black people are at a disadvantage because of the color of their skin. It does mean that we owe it to our neighbors of all colors to acknowledge that and to make our world more equitable.”
I’m not here to point fingers. I’m not blaming white people for where we are today. And certainly, I’m not blaming the generation of people that surround us today who are much more informed and a lot less ignorant than many people in this country were a long time ago. However, I do think it’s important to acknowledge the history and the facts, because those facts are very important to understanding where we are today and where we can go in the future, on a path together.
The one word that keeps coming up for me is representation, because it’s important to have representation of all people within our industry. But also, when I think about representation, I think about real estate brokers;
we represent people. We know that there’s fair housing laws that were created and amended. It should be noted that while there are fair housing laws that protect people of race and color and so on, we are not protected by sexual orientation, nor by gender identity.
So that everyone is aware, there is an Equality Act, which is a bill that has been proposed in Congress, but it has not become law. We’re very excited about the recently passed Respect for Marriage Act which acknowledges all gay marriages or same sex marriages in all of our states. Even if you can’t get married in each state, at least each state must acknowledge it. I want to underscore the fact that gay people and people who are gender identifying as a different sex than what they were born as are not protected classes.
Then of course we had are all sorts of practices like redlining that made things really difficult for black people. Redlining is when the banks just drew a red line and said, “nope, we’re not going into that neighborhood.”
That also caused further segregation and all sorts of problems. My point is that we don’t see a lot, or certainly enough representation from black people in our industry and it’s no wonder it’s been difficult for black people to ultimately own real estate. It’s important to me that we talk about this and make black people more visible in our industry, specifically because we want other younger generations to see people like them who will inspire them to want to enter the industry.
It should be noted that more than 75% of the people that are real estate executives are white men. Only 2% are black men of all those men that are in the C-suite. Also important to note, there are differences within our industry between commercial real estate and residential real estate. Commercial is far worse. That is a male dominated sector for sure. Only one third of the people practicing in commercial real estate are women. Here, I’d like to share some of the conversations we’ve had with our team on these issues.
JOHN GOMES: Janet, because we worked together on the Black Lives Matter initiative, I would like you to tell me about representation. How do you feel about racism in real estate in general, and racism towards black women specifically?
JANET TEMIDAYO: There’s definitely not enough (representation). I’ve had the pleasure of building a network of black and brown brokers, but the reality is we want to be part of a bigger real estate community that involves all colors, races and genders.
Black agents don’t get invited to a lot of the top launches and listings. Even when we’re invited, it’s kind of this feeling of, “Oh, that person’s probably not going to do a deal here.” I know when I first started, I was looked at a certain way, even though I came to the table ready, looking like I was about business. The first thing they saw was that I was a black woman. The energy was like, “Yeah, she’s probably not going to really do much.” I remember one time I was told, “Well if this doesn’t work out, you could be a model.” And I’m like, if I wanted to be a model, I would be a model. Trust me, gotten offers, don’t get it twisted.
For representation, I think it’s more so about inclusion, really connecting with brokers that are people of color. I feel like a lot the agents in this industry don’t make it a point to know who the black brokers are, even though a lot of them are doing top deals.
JOHN GOMES: That’s amazing. Jase, I would like to have your perspective being a trans identifying human. Maybe you could give us a new perspective from your time of being in the industry?
JASE CANNON: Absolutely. There’s so much gratitude in my heart to have these types of conversations that bring awareness. From the first walkthrough in your offices on Broadway, you were very much, “I wanna change the industry, really spearhead these types of conversations and most importantly, take action.”
The fact that we’re all here on your and Fred’s team is incredible. The best way to approach this conversation in a big corporate setting is to ask: “Where are we lacking as a company, as a team? Where can we show up? Where can we learn?” All the companies are trying to hit that diversity inclusion mark, but I think when you do it with integrity and with intention it means everything. There are some trans individuals across the US in real estate, but we have zero platform, not like the one we’re having here. There’s great responsibility within this. It’s education, it’s continuing these conversations throughout the industry. I noticed this past year there are more parents raising gender nonconforming children and they feel unsupported. I want them to feel like their organizations are there for them. The statement that you all are going to be making with this magazine with us being featured is huge.
“I’ve had the pleasure of BUILDING A NETWORK OF BLACK AND BROWN BROKERS, but the reality is we want to be part of a bigger real estate community that involves ALL COLORS, RACES AND GENDERS.”
—JANET TEMIDAYO
JOHN GOMES: I think that’s what we as a team and as leaders, are trying to do for the industry. I would like to bring our attention to Corey to talk about all this recent anti-Semitic crap that has come out of left field and has really disturbed me.
CORY CHARLUPSKI: The crazy thing is, it’s not that recent. It’s recent now because of Kanye West. But we’ve been dealing with this in LA even before “Ye.” It was around the Black Lives Matter movement and the riots we had in LA when people were afraid to walk into a synagogue.
There was a really great story about this martial arts master that offered to walk orthodox Jews to and from synagogue or even drive next to them as they were walking to feel safe. That’s the first time that it really hit that I need to pay more attention. Let’s say I’m a grandchild of Holocaust survivors. So I based my entire life around my grandparents who both lost most of their families in the war and didn’t know each other before the Holocaust. But my grandparents are both Auschwitz survivors and my grandma was even in line for the gas chambers
before she was sent to another camp. So it’s an issue that I’m aware of and I don’t know, maybe I’m not doing enough to speak out against it. I think some people are just ignorant. Some people just suck and I don’t have time for it and I don’t want to give them attention.
JOHN GOMES: Speaking of white Jewish men, one of my heroes is Eli Weisel, who has now since left us. He had this quote when he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize, in 1986. He said that “we must always take sides. Neutrality helps the opressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the normented. Some times we must interfere.” So, I think what happens so often in our society is that we
all see and hear these little acts of hate and kind of tune it out because it doesn’t specifically involve us. I’m just trying to encourage everyone to be a little bit bolder, tune in more, turn your ears up, to be alert, to look out for what’s happening. I would like to ask you, Ari, how you feel as a white woman working in the industry where women are very underrepresented, particularly in commercial real estate?
ARIANA GAFFOGLIO: I feel like people all wake up the same, go to bed the same, so we should all be treated equally. I’m a big believer in treating others how you want to be treated. It’s crazy to me that we're going into 2023 and this is still an issue. But working as a woman in this indus-
“I ALWAYS LAUGH AND SAY, THERE IS WORK ARI, who is super firm and direct, then there’s Ari at home, WHO IS SUPER SHY, LAID BACK, QUIET.”
ARIANA GAFFOGLIO
try has been very challenging. I’m going on my 12th year now and I’ve worked my way from the bottom making $12 an hour as a receptionist to now being on this amazing team. It’s been hard freaking work. You have these super powerful successful male brokers who look at me like I don’t know what I’m talking about.
I’ve learned to have a tough skin. When I first started, I was very just sweet and innocent and a little shy. But you’re dealing with super high net worth people. You have to put yourself on their level.
And when you’re dealing with men, I’ve learned to be more assertive and firm in my conversations. I educate myself on real estate, what’s happening in the world economy markets, so that when I’m speaking to people, I am on their level and can have those conversations. And it’s just, as a woman, when you are successful and strong, people just will naturally consider you to be a bitch.
But you’re just assertive, you’re direct and you have to deal with these super powerful men and you have to be on their
level. If a man walks in, they’re assertive, direct, they’re not considered a bitch or rude. They’re just being successful at their job and assertive. In order to be seen, you have to just be firm. And I always laugh and say there is work Ari, who is super firm and direct, then there’s Ari at home, who is super shy, laid back, quiet. And just for them to respect you, you have to have that confidence because otherwise why would they want to work with you as a woman in the business where you have all these super top dog amazing men?
“IT’S AN ISSUE THAT I’M AWARE OF AND I DON’T KNOW, MAYBE I’M NOT DOING ENOUGH TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST IT.”
—CORY CHARLUPSKI
JASE CANNON: Alright, that just hit such a chord for me in my heart right now. I’m vibrating a bit. I represented as a male most of my adult life in suffering. Now I know in certain situations I’m perceived as a bitch, or complicated, but I never had the conflict that I had as Jason in these spaces.
And so, I have to make sure that I go for it, that I demand respect. And most importantly, I think what I learned this past year is owning my worth and owning my value. And I feel that women, we always go to
our work as our value, our work ethic, how we show up. And men, they just go in and they just take, so it’s really owning and navigating that space and letting go.
JOHN GOMES: By the way, I just want to say that this is a new revelation for me, this whole bitch thing. And I want to be completely honest. I have been on the side where I’m a male and I’m dealing with a female broker who is what I think overly assertive and aggressive in that way. And I myself have actually
caught myself thinking of that woman as a bitch and I’m ashamed of it. And at the same time, I’m proud to acknowledge it, I know recognize thatit was coming from a place of ignorance. And a lot of our ignorance comes from our society where we ultimately learn bad habits. So, it’s this kind of stuff that I want people to read about. We have to be willing to be open, we have to be willing to admit our own faults, to share that with others, to lead by example, to propel things forward.
“THERE ARE SOME TRANS
INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE US
IN REAL ESTATE, BUT WE HAVE
ZERO PLATFORM.” —JASE CANNON
JASE CANNON: I appreciate that responsibility that needs to be with an individual. I have my own accountability to be in this workspace. I have my own responsibility to uphold the team’s legacy and name. So I have to present my best self. It goes both ways.
JOHN GOMES: I wanna throw a little spice into the conversation and get a Latin perspective on things. So Angel, you’re in a unique place, right? Because you are of Latin heritage and you’re living in a city like
Miami that’s known for having a large Latin population. You mainly work there, but you did work for years in California as well. I’m curious to hear your perspective.
ANGEL GONZALEZ: There is a huge difference in the deal making in the industry in the day-to-day from being a Latino in Miami and being a Latino in California. Latin American culture in California and doing business and real estate altogether is almost nonexistent. In California, the first thing
that comes to people’s mind is, are you Mexican? And I’m like, no, I love Mexicans, but ‘‘I’m not Mexican, I’m Cuban, but you wouldn’t know because there are no Cubans here anyway. There are not many Cubans, there are not many Puerto Ricans, there are not many Dominicans. And I would say the same, even about African Americans, and I sold property everywhere from Westchester by the airport all the way up to Beverly Hills.
So, it wasn’t like there’s different areas, it’s just across the board. Whereas Miami is the complete opposite. I think everybody knows that you’re basically living in Latin America here. It’s almost like you don’t need to speak English. I don’t know that I love that so much, but I do feel more at home, more accepted. Something so simple as communicating with an agent in Spanish and this and that. I feel more at home and not so much because I’m from here, but it’s just friendlier. People say that in California, there’s a lot of diversity. I disagree completely. I would say New York and Miami have way more diversity in general.
ANGEL GONZALEZ: Eklund | Gomes is, of course, very diverse and there are all walks of life in this team, but I don’t think people see that from the outside yet. They will soon enough.
JOHN GOMES: I agree with you there. Our goal on this topic is to make a huge dent on the topic of diversity in RE. Our hope in doing that is that together we can fix the problems we’ve inherited from the past.
“ In California, the first thing that comes to people’s mind is, ARE YOU MEXICAN? And I’m like, no, we love Mexicans, but ‘‘I’m not Mexican. I’M CUBAN!”
—ANGEL GONZALEZ
WINTER WHITES ARE NOW A MICROTREND, WITH TAILORED, HEAVY CREAMS, OFF WHITE PIECES AND TONAL SHADES THAT CELEBRATE WHITE YEAR-ROUND.
By JUSTINE AMODEOOn the red carpet, celebrities are wearing dramatic white gowns, furs and puffers with no wedding plans in sight. The Fall/Winter 2022/23 runways were full of white statement looks, as well as the recent Golden Globes, where host Jerrod Carmichael’s several changes of clothes included an Atelier Cillian white doublebreasted suit and semi-sheer turtleneck draped with a pearl necklace.
On Instagram, #WhiteOnWhite is trending with white ensembles ranging from flowy hippie chic to structured and formal. And on Tik Tok, “Vanilla Girl” and “wearing vanilla” have clocked up 98.9 million views.
We asked Chantal Hughes, a fashion consultant and personal stylist who works with luxury brands, about her take on the latest white-on-white fashion trend.
“ I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY ALL WHITE SEEMS INTIMIDATING, BUT LUCKILY, WE LIVE IN AN ERA WHERE WE SEE BEAUTY IN DIFFERENT BODY TYPES AND SHAPES.“
— CHANTAL HUGHES
Wearing head-to-toe white in the winter is now considered chic, including this wardrobe staple — a white faux fur coat that says monochromatic luxe.
ESTATE MAGAZINE: Is social media amplifying the trend –“Vanilla Girl” on TikTok and #whiteonwhite on Instagram is trending in the millions?
CHANTAL HUGHES: Social media definitely amplifies fashion trends. I think tonal dressing in general is very chic, no matter what color — beige on beige, white on white, black on black. A head-to-toe white look in colder months is fresh and portrays a feeling of hope and elegance, or even coziness. It is a style both fashion forward and less fashion conscious people alike can attempt with ease. Whether you’ve got tens of millions in the bank or not, you have to be smart with how you dress, and white is like black, a non-color that really elevates a look if you wear it head to toe. It’s an easy way to look polished, thoughtful and fashionable.
“A HEADTO-TOE WHITE SUIT IS EQUAL PARTS COOL AND ELEGANT.”
-CHANTAL HUGHES
“Peter Do knows how to create a monochromatic look that is anything but boring. This look is perfect for a man or women looking to stay cozy in all beige, but breaking away from a traditional sweater silhouette,” says Hughes.
EM: What happened to the no white after Labor Day rule?
CH: That’s been thrown out the window. I think it’s a trend that’s so wearable it’s now a staple year-round. Just look at the Fall Winter 2022/23 and Spring 2023 runways in Paris and New York. White, white and more shades of white.
EM: What’s the best way to wear all white?
CH: It depends on the silhouettes and the fabrics you are wearing. Tonal white, where there are variations, is easier to wear than a true white head-totoe look, which is harder to pull off. A sweater on top of a white jean where the shades slightly vary, where one shade is a little more eggshell and one is a little more snow white, is a good look. I recommend adding a bit of color with a shoe or handbag or scarf. I’m also a fan of lots of white with black to break up the look.
MALENE BIRGER
“Consider trading in a traditional khaki colored trench for a whiter shade,” says Hughes of this Malene Birger trench coat.
“White accessories are so fresh, especially when given this type of rich texture,” says Hughes of this Bottega
Top Handle
in chalk.
EM: Is this a unisex trend?
CH: I’ve seen the same variation of white in a suit set that can look equally chic on both men and women. The white on white look is extremely global, there is something very jet set about it. Both men and women are going to fit in in Miami, Dallas, New York, any global city really, and it’s also a very friendly color when it comes to shopping across a diverse budget. You can get the luxury white shirt or achieve a similar look from a more mainstream brand. A crisp white shirt is still a crisp white shirt.
EM: Is white unforgiving?
CH: I can understand why all white seems intimidating, but luckily, we live in an era where we see beauty in different body types and shapes. The all-white look can be appealing on any body, whether you’re a size 0 or a size 18. The key is to find the silhouette and fabrics that suit your personal style and figure.
EM: I know you’re friends with John Gomes. Would you dress him in white?
CH: OMG he’s a prime candidate. He has his own immaculate sense of taste and style. He has the most beautiful glowing skin and can carry off a bold statement look. Our fashion sensibilities often mesh because we both like going for something bold but making it feel effortless.
DOLCE & GABBANA
“White linen tailoring, who could resist?” says Hughes of this Dolce & Gabbana Deconstructed linen jacket from The “Corallo” Collection.
“Maria McManus
is a designer who emphasizes less water, less chemicals and creating less waste.
It’s exciting to see luxury fashion giving us all the style, but with less harm to the environment,” says Hughes.
IN
By DANTE AMODEO
Imagine you and your own pack of dogs traveling through untouched wilderness, jagged granite peaks, lush, enchanting forests and the kaleidoscopic Northern Lights. From the Alaskan arctic to the Grand Tetons to the northern European and Canadian wilderness, a vast array of landscapes is available to give mushing— a mode of transportation that relies on dogs, particularly Siberian huskies—a try. Here are five dog sledding journeys around the world that are sure to be an unforgettable experience.
g E INSIGHT
“ I’VE HAD GUESTS DESCRIBE DOG SLEDDING LIKE BEING INSIDE A SNOW GLOBE...”
Alaska, the last frontier, is an enchanting land filled with jaw dropping mountain scenery, untouched wilderness and vast silence that opens the heart. The best way to access the state’s remote areas is via Fairbanks, the largest city in Alaska’s interior. This countryside is best explored by dogsled, particularly Arctic Dog Adventure, founded by third generation musher Lisbet Norris, who revels in helping travelers experience “the mystique of the arctic.”
Norris is one of only two guides certified to lead dog sledding expeditions into the feral Alaskan wilderness. She can identify each of her Siberian huskies by name just by their back side, a testament to the deep connection between human and dog necessary to mush ethically. Her young dogs are eager pupils, trained by the older retired huskies in the art of mushing to participate on the expedition team. A select few join the company’s racing team, Anadyr, which participates in
the Iditarod, a 1,000-mile dogsled journey known as earth’s “last great race.”
Norris’ overnight or multi-day expeditions into the arctic are the quintessential Alaskan experience, and participants can expect attention to detail: Alaskan style meals (including a fantastic vegetarian selection), aurora viewing, cozy cabins or heated tents, off-the-grid natural hot springs, and above all, a focus on providing “a challenging and empowering experience.” (arcticdogco.com)
From world class skiing, beautiful lakeside dining and boundless exploration available in the surrounding Grand Tetons, there’s no shortage of options to enjoy the Jackson Hole Area, a haven for adventurers and vacationers alike.
Continental Divide Dogsled Adventures adds to this list as one of the area’s top destinations for dogsledding. Founded by third generation Wyoming cowboy Billy Snodgrass, Continental Divide upholds the adventurous spirit of the west by offering the perfect way to explore the hidden gems of this majestic mountain landscape, such as the jagged
granite peaks of the Wind River range and the volcanic Absarokas.
“There are two ways to explore our winter landscapes: by snowmobile, or by sled dog,” said Victor Lazo, Snodgrass’s protégé who now runs the operation.
“Comparing the two gives some perspective on why there’s nothing like dogsledding. Imagine travelling at high speeds with the motor roaring on a snowmobile. The landscape becomes a blurry background. I’ve had guests describe dogsledding kind of like being inside a snow globe, snow falling as we silently traverse a winter wonderland. All you can do in
that time is appreciate what would otherwise be an inaccessible landscape.”
With the option of being transported from Jackson Hole to their headquarters, the Togwotee Mountain Lodge, there’s no more convenient way to enjoy a half day tour with a pack of sled dogs that “go wild in excitement for a run as soon as they notice a harness in hand.” Guests, who enjoy a complimentary lunch, will explore the Bridger-Teton National Forest on a wild, two-hour ride through mountains, snow-capped groves and sparkling meadows. (dogsledadventures.com)
In French, Entre Chien et Loup translates to “between dog and wolf.” It’s a commonly used expression to convey that odd valley resting between the slopes of the familiar and the unfamiliar.
Three hours up the St. Lawrence River, one leaves the familiar urban setting of Quebec City for the lush boreal forests, and in the heart of the Saguenay Fjord Mountains, the dogsledding company Entre Chien et Loup strives to help guests connect with nature.
Here you’ll find a crossroads between traditional French Quebec hospitality and the expansive excitement offered by the North American wilderness.
“L’Anse-Sain Jean is a very wild and
mountainous territory with a lot of character,” and the best way to tap into this unspoiled Canadian landscape is via Vanessa and Goulwen’s pack of 40, free roaming, malamute /wolf dogs. Vanessa’s method is to allow her dogs time off leash to develop cohesiveness and it shows by their endurance, good howling spirit and obedience to limited commands.
After a full or half-day excursion traversing untouched powder, frozen lakes and towering mountains, mushers, who enjoy lunch at Lac Enmuraillé, have the option of staying the night at “La Grangette,” a cozy French style cabin built by the owners with wood from the nearby forest. (entrechienetloup.ca)
Over 700 miles from the capital city of Stockholm, Kiruna is the country’s northernmost city, known for its access to the Laponia, “Europe’s last true wilderness.” The town of Kalixforsbron is 15 km outside of Kiruna, the opposite direction of the mainstay tourist destinations, and that’s one of the reasons we love Kiruna Husky Tours, a family run company that does everything to make their dog’s lives great, from post-sled massages to recovery sock booties. Their dogs are always in good spirits and love to cuddle
with guests. Beyond the cute stuff, these dogs offer a sledding experience to explore “untouched landscapes with almost no traffic, except the occasional reindeer herders.”
Guests are picked up from Kiruna town’s central area and taken to Kalixforsbron to meet the huskies, learn how to handle and harness them, and cozy up in winter clothing before heading out into the snow covered marshland. Far from civilization, this is also a prime location to witness the northern lights. The evening tour is perfect for mushers
who want to steer a sled through the arctic night under the light show that is the Aurora Borealis, which will hopefully be dancing in the sky above through April.
Kiruna goes out with no more than eight guests at a time, so travelers get a real impression of the lifestyle and learn a lot about dog sledding. They treat their dogs like family and are free to roam the property 365 days a year. After a long day sledding, one can expect a warm fire, good stories, salmon soup and lingonberries. (kirunahusky.com)
Senja, Norway’s second largest island, is known for being an adventurer’s paradise. Winter activities include skiing untouched slopes, ice climbing, snowmobile driving, or simply searching for the highly sought-after northern lights. Add dog sledding to the list, and there’s a ton of reasons to journey North from Oslo.
Senja Husky Adventures is a family run dog sled kennel that offers yearround expeditions to explore the beautiful regions of Senja. If there’s no snow, the dogs will still revel in pulling a four wheeled sled alternative through the summer months. Because the kennel breeds its own team, it’s very common to meet
some of their young puppies in training. This small company strives to treat their dogs like family and offer a personal and exclusive experience for anyone yearning to try dogsledding. If you’ve ever dreamed of dashing through powdery groves on a sleigh under the Aurora Bourealis, Senja is also a great option. (senjahusky.no)
With even more research on the rise, mycologists, psychologists and health-conscious brands are discovering how mushrooms are the Magic Kick we need to feel whole again.
By ASHLEY WARD
hen we hear the word “fungi,” a mushroom isn’t always the first image that comes to mind. Many of us shrivel at the thought of decay; a moldy orange, a growing disease, or harmful bacteria sporing beneath our floorboards. However, more research about mushrooms has been surfacing, proving that the fleshy, fruiting fungi growing on Earth’s soil isn’t a catalyst for death. It’s quite the opposite, and its magical properties are starting to turn heads.
Turkey tail mushrooms, which grows on stumps and the decomposing wood of trees, contain PSP and PSK which might boost the immune system.
There are over 1.5 million species of fungi. Of those, around 20,000 produce various types of mushrooms. Mycologists have documented over 2,000 types of mushrooms in 99 countries that humans can safely consume, though some of the most nourishing mushrooms on the market can be found in the U.S; Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Chaga, Tremella, Shiitake, and Maitake mushrooms. Other nutrientdense types you may find include Button, Portabello, Crimini and Clamshell.
What do all these mushrooms have in
common other than the mycelium they sprout from? Almost all of them are super immune boosters. Studies have also shown that they play a large role in improved memory, focus, energy and skin and bone health. There are also adaptogenic mushrooms, like Reishi, which have been used for over 4,000 years to promote healthy aging, support stress and balance moods. Now, you don’t have to eat mushrooms to get all the benefits; varieties like Reishi and Cordyceps are available in capsules, tinctures, gummies and extract powders you can add to any of your favorite foods or drinks.
Nutrition isn’t the only value we’ve been extracting from these “fantastic fungi” since their early discovery. Mushrooms and microfungi began revolutionizing modern medicine in 1928 when Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming discovered the antibacterial properties of “Penicillium rubens,” a species of fungi that came to make up the first ever antibiotic, Penicillin. Another curious find was the discovery of the Turkey Tail mushroom, the most widely researched mushroom used in Japan for decades as a supportive cancer therapy treatment.
We also can’t forget the increasingly popular species of psychedelic mushrooms known as Psilocybin: the “Magic Mushrooms” themselves. While many users describe the plant’s effect to be indeed “magical,” its therapeutic effects on mental and behavioral health on patients throughout the years has had psychologists describing the drug in the same light.
The non-addictive psychedelic became known for its therapeutic use in the 1960’s by psychologist and researcher Timothy
mer orfall in North America or Canada more and more research is evolving on the benefits of microdosing
Lion’s mane mushrooms grow on hardwoods like walnut, beech, maple, birch and black walnut, and can help suport memory and immune function.ARTUR KORNAKOV
More and more research is showing the benefits of microdosing psilocyibin, or “magic mushrooms.”
Leary. Leary’s first controlled experiments of psychedelics and Psilocybin revealed less violent behavior in U.S prison inmates and fewer relapses in patients with alcohol and substance addiction. Today, leading researchers at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland and other universities have discovered Psilocybin to be effective in the treatment of depression, anxiety and PTSD. The same researchers at JHU are also exploring the use of Psilocybin to slow
the progression of memory loss caused by Alzheimer’s. And to think, we thought mushrooms were only good for gravy.
Many of the day-to-day drinks we consume have some sort of physiological effect on us. Indeed, that’s the intention; to wake up, to focus, to calm down. But what if mushrooms could change the way we do those things too? Today, several species of mushrooms like Reishi, Lion’s
Mane, and Cordyceps are being incorporated in drinks like matcha, coffee and tea with the same thought in mind. Many health-conscious cafes have even introduced adaptogenic mushroom lattes as an alternative to coffee.
When made right, these earthy drinks are as delicious as they are effective in stimulating focus and energy while reducing the body’s response to stress. The best part? No caffeine crash. No jitters. Just the magic of mushrooms.
One of Eklund | Gomes’ own, Fredrik Eklund, has also begun to tap into the versatile healing power of mushrooms. What started as a decision to become sober and give up the draining effects of alcohol led to Eklund developing Magic Kick: a mushroom-based alternative that is putting life and flavor back into non-alcoholic drinks. Bottled in California, this new anti-inflammatory favorite is packed with healthy ingredients that ward off hangovers and welcome those who want to party, have better sex, and sleep throughout the night. When the quality of our lives comes down to choice, we can’t help but agree with Eklund: “We want fancy, we want fun, we want crazy, but most of all we want to be present…. We choose LIFE.” Nothing is more magical than that.
By GEOFF NUDELMAN
NO LONGER ARE WINERIES simply sticking to the juice in the glass to show the exquisite nature of the craft. More and more vintners are enlisting the help of the design world to bring a sense of art and beauty to the label itself in incredibly creative ways. The following are five examples of wines that won’t just please the eye in the glass, but on the cellar or shelf as well.
Andevine Wines is a boutique wine brand designed by Sydney-based agency Co Partnership, a young firm based in Surry Hills in Australia’s Hunter Valley. Created for Australian Hunter Valley winemaker Andrew Leembruggen’s first ever release, as a signature wine, it was important for the design to reflect Leembruggen’s two biggest influences; his Dutch ancestry and his Australian upbringing. According to Co Partnership, “We illustrated this story with the national flowers of Holland, Australia and New South Wales, intertwining with the letter A to create a memorable icon in the style of the Dutch oil masters. The brand is given further meaning with the name Andevine, a fusion of the winemakers first name and the very beginnings of the story, the grape vine.”
The poster featured here is an example of a storied winery moving the idea of art away from the label and back to what many would consider to be a traditional home. The Oregon winery recently collaborated with renowned French illustrator Mathieu Persan on a very limited series of these prints, featuring one of the winery’s most important and lauded Pinots. Persan specializes in recreating 1920’s-era French brasserie style for modern uses, and that’s certainly come to life here. These prints are statement pieces perfect for true vinophiles.
WINEMAKERS ARE USING THE POWER OF PHOTOGRAPHY AND DESIGN TO BRING A NEW DIMENSION TO THEIR BELOVED VINTAGES.NICHOLAS-JAY L’ENSEMBLE PINOT NOIR PRINT
This 2018 8 Track Sally Sangiovese from Linnaea Vineyards, a family owned Australian urban winery, has a label designed by Australia’s Mash Design, who says they created images that feature characters with knowledge of plant life, nature and the workings of the universe, a fitting link to the brand founders, who have backgrounds in medical anthropology and plant biochemistry.
In 1945, Baron Philippe de Rothschild began the tradition that would become the visual hallmark of Mouton Rothschild when he brought together some of the most celebrated artists of the time, including Picasso, Miro, Chagall, Dali and film director, art love, writer, actor and painter John Huston, whose watercolor for Mouton Rothschild’s 1982 label is one of the last pictures he ever painted. His symbolic theme of the ram, leaping in dionysiac joy, accompanied by the sun and the vine, was dedicated to his “beloved friend Baron Philippe’s sixtieth harvest at Mouton.”
Contemporary landscape artist Sarah Winkler is responsible for this bright Sonoma County label, inspired by the “Upper Ridge” location in Imagery’s vineyard. “I imagined the volcanic history of the landscape that creates such good minerals in the soil for growing grapes in the region,” she says. It’s certainly a vibrant piece reminiscent of warm California summers.
The portraits on the labels of Matsu wines were shot by renowned photographers Bèla Adler and Salvador Fresneda. Representing different wines from Matsu, “El Pícaro,” “El Recio” and “El Viejo, the labels each have their own personality, with the resembling some of the key strengths of the Toro, Spain winery, namely family values and three generations of experience.
The evolution of labeling isn’t limited to a sticker on glass. Boxed wine is being elevated through beautiful designs, such as this option from California’s Central Coast. Los Angeles designers Kinley Danger Winnaman & Noelle Roth collaborated on this effort, taking cues from prior work in various CPG and culturefocused branding exercises. Above all, the design speaks to the elegance and sophistication of this particular varietal.
2020 ZWEIGELT
Many of Johan Vineyards’ labels are designed by Yong Hong Zhong, an accomplished watercolor artist who has also done animation work for Disney and MTV. However, these light, playful watercolor labels seem a far cry from that more commercial work. Zhong’s watercolors are deep, yet simplistic and reflect the wines in a way that only a soft touch such as watercolor can.
Brooks Wine has long been a steward of pushing the regenerative agriculture movement forward, and this newer blend highlights an ongoing partnership with Kiss The Ground, a non-profit dedicated to a more regenerative future. The art comes from designer Erica Wagner, who has extensive experience bridging the gap between design, farms and food. This label, like other design work she’s done, aims to tell the stories of healthy soil and the people who help create it.
FURNISHED BY REBECCA ROBERTSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY EVAN JOSEPH
Balancing grand scale living with the intimate feeling of home, Residence 53A at 53 West 53 comprises 3,889 square feet, offering three bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms, a windowed study and expansive north-, east- and west-facing exposures that span across Central Park, the city skyline and beyond. Located on the 53rd floor of Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel's iconic tower, Residence 53A' s gracious proportions, magnificent details and ceilings that range up to approximately 11 feet set the awe-inspiring stage for legendary designer Thierry Despont’s masterfully conceived interiors. Bespoke detailing typically reserved for privately commissioned homes abounds, while a rich yet soft palette of museum-quality finishes imbues each space with both modern glamour and timeless elegance.
ADDRESS RESIDENCE 53A 53 WEST 53RD ST. NEW YORK, NY 10019
LOCATION/NEIGHBORHOOD: MIDTOWN MANHATTAN
PRICE
$17,890,000
BEDROOMS 3
BATHROOMS 3.5
SQUARE FOOTAGE: 3,889 SQUARE FEET
LISTING AGENTS: INFO@53WEST53.COM 917-268-9903.
Designed by AD100 firm Olson Kundig, the East Penthouse at 8899 seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor space with floor to ceiling windows and is completely surrounded by glass. Located in West Hollywood, California, the penthouse has extensive balconies that offer incredible views of Los Angeles. The property also features Gaggenau and Miele appliances, Dornbracht fixtures, Smart home features and French White Oak flooring. Residents can enjoy 24 hour surveillance, a doorman, valet, and a bellhop that are all included with the building.
ADDRESS
8899 BEVERLY BLVD., WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA 90048
LOCATION/NEIGHBORHOOD: HOLLYWOOD’S ARTS & DESIGN DISTRICT.
PRICE $50M
BEDROOMS 4
BATHROOMS 4.5
SQUARE FOOTAGE: 7,940 SQUARE FEET
LISTING AGENTS: FREDRIK EKLUND CORY CHARLUPSKI GRACE KLICKMAN
INFO@8899BEVERLYBLVD.COM 424-273-8899
“The best residential project in California, par none. It’s a great honor to work on something where everything is done right: the ceiling heights, the Swiss sliding glass, the travertine cladded terraces, the jetliner views, the gorgeous amenities, the timeless finishes, architecture from Olson Kundig, and the ultimate LA location.”
- FREDRIK EKLUND OF EKLUND | GOMES AT DOUGLAS ELLIMAN
This landmark estate, nestled in the heart of Coconut Grove, has a total structure area of 9,534 square feet on a 40,000+ square foot lot. Indulge yourself in the magic of this Mediterranean revival villa, renovated in 2015 with an elevator, as well as smart home technologies. Built atop Coconut Grove’s famous silver bluff, the home includes views over manicured grounds and mature oak trees through large windows that give the modern finishes and refined interiors. Entering the home, the foyer and formal living room feature details of marble and stone, high ceilings, an updated open kitchen, and a sprawling formal dining room with floor-to-ceiling glass throughout. Luxury and modernity are exemplified within the 7 oversized bedrooms with en-suite baths and primary suite. An adjacent garage leads to staff quarters and a laundry room.
ADDRESS
1653 S BAYSHORE DRIVE MIAMI, FL
LOCATION/NEIGHBORHOOD: COCONUT GROVE
PRICE
$23,000,000
BEDROOMS 7
BATHROOMS 7.5 +
SQUARE FOOTAGE: 7,677 SQUARE FEET
LISTING AGENTS:
PIETRO BELMONTE
PIETRO.BELMONTE@ELLIMAN.COM
ANGEL GONZALEZ
ANGEL.GONZALEZ@ELLIMAN.COM
305-695-6070
At the end of the most desired street in Clarksville is a gorgeous, refined, and luxurious reimagining of the McCullough House, built in 1912 with downtown views at every level. This 4-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home is just under 3,700 ft. of interior space and sits on a very generous .20-acre lot. The main level living room has multiple, sizable art walls and is highlighted by one of the three fireplaces on the property. Through the living room, you enter into what is truly an entertainer’s kitchen with an enormous island that functions as a dining space with gorgeous, rich toned natural stone counters and custom tile work. A den is adjacent to the kitchen and is a perfect place for imitate gatherings. Upstairs you find the primary bedroom suite with fireplace, a primary bath with soaking tub and separate shower. There are two additional bedrooms on the second level, and the third level is a private ensuite guest retreat with dedicated entrance to a city-view rooftop deck. The exterior of the home is designed for entertaining, with custom steel edge work leading you to the pool, flanked by a plein-air copper soaking tub with a separate outdoor shower. By the pool, you have an eating and socializing space with custom stone gas fireplace and outdoor kitchen steps away.
MICHAEL.REISOR@ELLIMAN.COM 512-866-3795
Located minutes from the Strip, in the heart of the Las Vegas medical district, is the historic Scotch 80s. Completed in 2021, this new construction boasts 6,502 square feet of living space with an all SubZero/Wolf chefs kitchen, full butler kitchen with Miele range, a walk-up bar, dual ice makers, 850-bottle climatized wine room, and 18-foot ceilings, making it an entertainer's dream. The primary suite features a spa-like bath with dual water closets, walk-in closet, separate sitting area and direct access to the pool and spa. A junior suite and two guest rooms all offer ensuite baths and walk-in closets. Attached casita houses a gym, full bath and walk-in closet. The resort-like backyard is complete with a 20 x 42 pool and spa, outdoor kitchen, and mature landscaping. Laundry room with dual LG washtowers, attached 3-car garage, Savant A/V system, top of the line security with cameras and high-end materials round out this exceptional Las Vegas property. Seller is a licensed Real Estate Agent.
FOUR SEASONS PRIVATE RESIDENCES LAKE AUSTIN IS THE BRAND’S FIRST STANDALONE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY IN TEXAS.
BY DANTE AMODEO
“ THE SHEER EXPANSE OF AMENITIES AND SERVICES OFFERED IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED IN MARKETING RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES IN TOP URBAN MARKETS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, AND BEYOND. THERE ARE SO MANY FIRSTS HERE. ”
— FREDRIK EKLUND
For years, Austin, Texas, one of the most popular metropolitan areas for the young, has now matured into a whole new persona as one of the world’s fastest growing tech hubs. Soon to lead the nation in attracting venture capitalists and digital innovators, the state’s rustic capital is now fast tracked to be a popular home for the affluent. Where will they go? Undoubtedly to Lake Austin.
“Although Lake Austin has always been home to the most luxurious and sought-after property in town, our market is finally gaining recognition on a global scale by major developments such as Four Seasons Private Residences Lake Austin,” says Eric Moreland of Eric Moreland Group, the Austin affiliate for Christie’s International Real Estate, which handles sales for the project. Indeed, the Four Seasons has found a star upon a hill overlooking what Moreland deems “a major part of what makes our city so special and desirable. To have a freshwater lake that is at a constant level run through a downtown core is truly rare.”
Set to be completed by 2025 and already selling fast, The Four Seasons Private Residences Lake Austin is in a class of its own for its incredible modern design and extensive collection of five-star amenities and services characteristic of the Four Seasons. Above all, the crown jewel of the property is the stunning setting: With over 2,000 acres of surrounding natural landscape mirroring that of the Italian countryside, there’s no doubt this location is worthy of hosting one of the brand’s exclusive standalone residential properties — one of only three currently established in the world.
Initiated by serial entrepreneur Jonathan Coons and his group, Austin Capital Partners, Eklund Gomes is excited to facilitate the involvement of Global Real Estate Firm Hines and The Four Seasons to actualize the project. “Eklund Gomes always had the Four Seasons Private Residences Lake Austin in our sights. I am proud to show the world this incredible project, the first to deliver unprecedented levels of service and amenities,” says Eklund | Gomes co-founder Fredrick Eklund. “Our job is to further expand the project’s reach where it has already had early success. This includes Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, followed by Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Miami, combined with an international
tour. All eyes are on Austin.”
“We are proud to align with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts to introduce the brand’s purely residential private resort on Lake Austin,” says Jonathan Coon, CEO of Austin Capital Partners. “Coupled with legendary five-star service and amenities, the community will offer a rare combination of hilltop views, private boat slips on Lake Austin, privacy and security.”
According to Coon, responsible environmental stewardship to preserve and protect this iconic location “has been central to our vision for this project,” he says. “Our plan — supported by our neighbors and approved by the city — includes safe and accessible public parking for the overlook and cliff. In addition to
donating half of our lakefront property to the city, we will continue to invest in the responsible development of the project’s green space, creating the first new park on Lake Austin in decades.”
Residents of Four Seasons Private Residences Lake Austin will have exclusive access to a private waterfront, boasting a clubhouse and marina with over 50 boat slips, some available for purchase, others through membership to the boat club. This lakeside utopia can only be accessed by a two-minute ride in one of two air-conditioned glass funiculars, fixed with a panoramic view making for an inspiring descent. Over $5 million went into engineering this luxury elevator, and it demonstrates the property’s vision to bridge nature with modern architecture. Back up the hillside, this connection becomes even clearer in the design of
the community’s 179 residencies. With expansive views from 280-300 feet above the water, these homes, starting at $4 million, come with floor-to-ceiling windows, a large terrace, and for larger four-bedroom and penthouse options, a back garden, a 40-foot private pool, chef’s kitchen and much more.
At the heart of the property, a beautiful Garden Plaza grows at the summit and gently points its residents towards Michelin star dining, an 80-foot infinity pool and the start of countless world-class amenities.
The Orangerie – a serene, indoor garden with an 82-foot indoor pool draped in surrounding foliage and ample room for movement, yoga, and meditation — is available to residents and their guests with private wellness, spa, beauty and athletic experiences. Residents can also access the 60,000-square-foot athletic center, a dream for fitness enthusiasts with virtually every option available from weights to wellness amenities, including two golf simulators, squash and basketball courts, an indoor clay tennis court, an outdoor tennis court, four pickleball courts to accommodate the sport’s growing popularity and a children’s gym and play area.
A plethora of wellness options can’t be forgotten, such as a marble cold plunge, steam and sauna rooms, locker rooms equipped with the finest men’s care and grooming tools, and a royal beauty salon.
On the corner overlooking the 90-degree bend in the lake, The Clubhouse includes a 300-foot infinity-edge pool with three lounging and swimming zones tailored for adults and families adjacent to a game room and private cabanas. The Theater and Theater Lounge — equipped with an infinite contrast, high-resolution, 60-foot Samsung Onyx Cinema LED screen — will be a premier venue for viewing films, concerts, lectures and sporting events with a rear wall designed to open to the Theater Lounge
above, creating a mezzanine-like experience for resident gatherings and private events.
A quintessential element of Four Seasons legendary hospitality is its signature approach to culinary arts, and the dining experience at Four Seasons Private Residences Lake Austin will be no exception, crafted exclusively for residents and their families and guests. With floorto-ceiling windows, the private, two-story restaurant will pair a spirited community experience with dedicated private spaces. While booths will provide intimate seating on the main level, the second level will hold three private dining rooms and a separate chef’s kitchen that may be reserved for special celebrations. A more casual cafe will also serve inspired, everyday essentials such as artisanal brews, fresh bread, and pastries. A private residency catered by the Four Seasons is nothing without its world class hospitality and service. With advances in technology, residents will be able to embrace new software that enables the Four Seasons to understand personal preferences and to better anticipate needs and desires before they are even demanded. Hidden corridors below the floors allow the staff to operate without ever impeding on the resident’s privacy.
John Davison, President and CEO, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, says the collection of standalone Private Residences “is a natural extension of the Four Seasons brand — guided by the same principles of service and quality excellence — while offering a one-of-akind lifestyle experience outside of our hotels and resorts,” he says. “We are excited to partner with Austin Capital Partners on this exceptional new project, providing residents with a breathtaking setting on Lake Austin, extraordinary design and an extensive collection of amenities and experiences delivered by Four Seasons and curated for Lake Austin residents.”
BY CHANGING THE NARRATIVE AND STAYING MINDFUL OF MARKETING, KYLE ROSKO AND MARCY BRAUN WERE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE HIGHEST SALE EVER IN MONTAUK OUTSIDE OF ITS WATERFRONT PROPERTY.
By ASHLEY RYAN
Set back from the coastline — but still offering spectacular ocean views from New York’s Long Island — the modern, six-bedroom home located at 14 Maple Street was consistenly on the market for seven straight years. But that all changed when Kyle Rosko, a licensed real estate salesperson for The Eklund | Gomes Team, got involved.
After first visiting the house in 2015, Rosko told a friend that he would one day sell a house just like that one. The home had only been on the market for a couple of months, and it wouldn’t be until 2021 that he took over the listing.
“The problem was this house rented for a ridiculous number every single year and the brokers were not mindful of allowing access and allowing it to be presented properly,” Rosko explains. “… And if you’re not able to see a property and you really want to get a true feeling of it, it has to be represented perfectly.”
g E
“ WE DIDN’T HAVE TO CHANGE THE PROPERTY, WE HAD TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE OF THE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY. ”
— KYLE ROSKO
The power team of Kyle Rosko & Marcy Braun record the highest sale in Montauk for a non-waterfront property in history.
14 Maple St., Montauk, New York 11954 6 beds | 8 baths
7,300 square feet
SOLD: $14,000,000
His solution was to partner with DroneHub Media, a company that often assists Eklund | Gomes in creating high-quality video content. Though Rosko is selective about the visuals he uses to showcase his listings, he says the video crafted by the media group was executed perfectly and allowed him to persistently and impressively market the property. Rosko was able to get the home on multiple magazine covers, including Douglas Elliman Magazine, where it was able to shine.
Ringing in at 7,300 square feet, the house, which was built in 2014,
was groundbreaking for its time. “It’s immaculate,” Rosko adds. “It’s a very unique experience for Montauk. You feel like you’re in Malibu, which is very different than the typical aesthetic of the Hamptons.”
As such, it wasn’t the house itself that was holding the team back from a sale. “We didn’t have to change the property, we had to change the narrative of the investment opportunity,” Rosko says. “… The analytical, in-depth work that we did as a team to present it to potential buyers was a lot more than had been done previously.” He cites Julia
Spillman-Gover, CEO of The Eklund | Gomes Team, as one of the most pivotal parts of the deal, as the two worked closely to get everything organized and completed. Through talented teamwork and marketing, Rosko sold the property in October 2022 for $14 million.
Through it all, Rosko says he learned to never give up. “Always take a step back and allow a reset,” he says. “This property, we had it on the market for a year then took a fresh look as a team and … relaunched it like it had never been on the market before. And I think that push really got us the attention … to get the property sold.”
Iam a first generation Nigerian American woman. I was born and raised in Maryland and currently reside in New York City. Working as an agent allows me to wear many hats that have contributed to my success. I am assertive, smart, savvy and focused. Being able to listen and guide my clients in some of the biggest transactions of their lives is something that I am proud of. My clients trust me to keep it real and have honest communication with them. I believe buyers and sellers and really just people in general want to feel that what matters to them also matters to the individual they are entrusting in.
ONE
WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF PERFECT HAPPINESS? Success in my business and personal relationships. Also being financially free and creating generational wealth for my family.
TWO
WHAT IS THE TRAIT YOU MOST DEPLORE IN OTHERS? People that don’t do what they say they are going to do.
THREE
WHICH LIVING PERSON DO YOU MOST ADMIRE? My mother.
FOUR
WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT STATE OF MIND? Tunnel vision.
FIVE
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I would like to slow down and not be in such a rush for everything.
SIX
WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION? My baby ring given to me by my mom when I was a child.
SEVEN
WHAT IS YOUR MOST MARKED CHARACTERISTIC? I’m kind.
EIGHT
WHAT DO YOU MOST VALUE IN YOUR FRIENDS? Loyalty.
NINE
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST REGRET? Not starting my business and career as a real estate agent earlier.
TEN
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO? Mind the business that pays you.
Outside of the classic characteristics that make a person a great agent— experience, market knowledge, connectedness, to name a few—I genuinely care about my clients and their needs. Authenticity is where I build trust with my clients and sharing my true love of Austin and why I feel it’s such a unique place to call home. This allows us to build a bond long after a transaction has closed.
ONE
WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF PERFECT HAPPINESS? A day at my ranch in Montana with my family, with no technology hiking, fishing, skiing or just being out in nature. Ideally, seeing some wildlife!
TWO
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST FEAR? It already happened—losing one of my parents at a young age, my mother, who was the greatest love of my life.
THREE
WHAT IS THE TRAIT YOU MOST DEPLORE IN YOURSELF? I don’t deplore any traits about myself. “Bad” traits or things we may want to change about ourselves I consider to all be a piece of the pie that makes me, me.
FOUR
WHAT IS THE TRAIT YOU MOST DEPLORE IN OTHERS? Lack of selfawareness and the current excess of selfishness we seem to have in the world these days.
FIVE WHICH WORDS OR PHRASES DO YOU MOST OVERUSE? “I saw a TikTok…”
SIX WHO IS YOUR HERO OF FICTION? Harry Potter.
SEVEN WHICH TALENT WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE? Playing guitar professionally.
EIGHT
IF YOU WERE TO DIE AND COME BACK AS A PERSON OR A THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE? A professional football player. I already have my touchdown dance nailed.
NINE
WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION? My dog, Gibbon.
TEN
WHAT IS YOUR MOST MARKED CHARACTERISTIC? Open and honest communication.
Perfect happiness to me is being surrounded by the people I love the most — friends, family, work colleagues who have become my family. It’s also having the perfect balance in my life with self-care, work, travel and just enjoying life each day. I’m a pretty simple person and don’t need much to be happy.
ONE
WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF PERFECT HAPPINESS? Being surrounded by the people I love the most and having the perfect balance in my life with self-care, work, travel and just enjoying life each day.
TWO
WHAT OR WHO IS THE GREATEST LOVE OF YOUR LIFE? My 5-year-old nephew is the greatest love of my life.
THREE
WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU HAPPIEST?
I can truly say that right now is where I’ve been the happiest in my life. My career is thriving and I’m surrounded by the most amazing team, business partners, clients, friends and family.
FOUR
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I give people the benefit of the doubt too often and I need to be better at seeing someone for who they are the first time and not give so many chances.
FIVE
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT? Being a partner on the top ranked real estate team in the world.
SIX
WHERE WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO LIVE? If I could bring my family and friends with me, Italy!
SEVEN
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE OCCUPATION? I absolutely love my career as a luxury real estate advisor. It’s allowed me to build an extremely successful career and give myself a life that I love and am beyond grateful for.
EIGHT
WHAT DO YOU MOST VALUE IN YOUR FRIENDS? People who treat me like family, because I’ll make you mine. Someone who will respect and value our relationship.
NINE
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST REGRET? I regret investing time into people who aren’t deserving of it. I’m a very busy person and I want to give my time to people who value me.
TEN
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO? I have two mottos I try to live by every single day. Stay humble, hustle hard and be the change you wish to see in the world.
FIRST PERSON GETTING TO KNOW THE EKLUND GOMES FAMILY
How many real estate agents drafted over $500 million of real estate contracts and honed their negotiation skills as a real estate attorney, before becoming an agent?
I received Douglas Elliman’s 2017 “California Rookie of the Year” award, which I attribute to my honest and businessfocused approach, dedication to my clients and experiences in law and hospitality.
Now I specialize in new development and was selected to represent sales at 8899 Beverly, th architectural firm Olson Kundig’s “Love Letter to Los Angeles. I also travel to markets across the globe to continue my education and knowledge of the newest developments and trends.
ONE
WHAT IS THE TRAIT YOU MOST DEPLORE IN OTHERS?
Selfishness.
TWO
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST EXTRAVAGANCE? Traveling for sports and love for ski trips.
THREE
WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST LIKE IN A WOMAN? Independence.
FOUR
WHICH WORDS OR PHRASES DO YOU MOST OVERUSE?
I don’t speak French, but…
FIVE
WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU HAPPIEST? In the mountains with my dog, Frankie.
SIX
WHICH TALENT WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE?
Sing/play piano.
SEVEN
WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION? A portrait of my grandparents.
EIGHT
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE OCCUPATION?
Police Officer/First Responder.
NINE
WHAT IS YOUR MOST MARKED CHARACTERISTIC?
Generosity and a love for people.
TEN
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO? The worst thing anyone can say to you is “No.”
The Eklund | Gomes
Team officially opened their second New York office in the iconic building located at 41 Bank Street at the corner of West 4th Street in the West Village.
The salon-style office designed by Paris Forino once was the home to the quintessential brands Tiffany & Co. and Marc Jacobs.
Because both John Gomes and Fredrik Eklund lived in the West Village when they first moved to New York more than 20 years ago, to be able to open an office in this neighborhood is very special to them.
“I used to peek in through the windows of this building and dream,” says Eklund. “And now our second New York office will be here amidst the townhouses and tree-lined streets.”
The passionate and diverse team at Eklund | Gomes 41 Bank is open for business and ready to make a positive impact on the neighborhood with their world-class service, positive vibes and real estate acumen.
“IF LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR HILLEL SPINNER RECOMMENDS A TRAVEL DESTINATION, START BOOKING YOUR FLIGHTS.
FIVE DESTINATIONS TO CHECK OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST.
By DANTE AMODEOWith the travel restrictions imposed by Covid-19 seemingly far in the rear window, the urge to travel has never been stronger. They only question remains, “Where to?” Estate Magazine asked luxury travel advisor Hillel Spinner of Embark Beyond about the hottest destination to visit right now.
f Argentina wasn’t on your radar before, Lionel Messi and World Cup fans in Beunos Aires have put it there now. “One of the greatest aspects of travelling to Argentina is that it has something to offer everyone, from honeymooners to multi-gen families” says Spinner. “Argentina offers memorable nightlife, excellent dining and plenty of urban offerings in Buenos Aires. Some of Spinner’s favorite places to visit in Argentina include: The Alvear Palace in Buenos Aires and Bariloche, a city in the foothills of the Andes with a ski resort and the lavish Llao Llao Hotel & Resort.
Beyond the city limits there’s expansive wine country and of course, an amazing adventure awaiting in Patagonia which offers hiking, skiing, and jaw dropping scenery. The best part of Argentina is: There is no wrong way to enjoy it.
Visitors to Argentina should also consider the short flight to Uruguay to enjoy Punte Del Este, says Spinner, “a chic destination that attracts many jet setters.”
Italy is a much sought-after destination that can vary from sightseeing in Rome, to beaching on the Amalfi coast. One of Spinner’s most frequently requested Italian destinations is Lake Como and he highly recommends visiting the intimate, 24 suite Passalacqua, which Frederick Eklund has described as “the most perfect hotel.” Here, there’s a strong sense of history and place in this 17th century palace sitting on land once owned by Pope Innocent IX and on which Count Andrea Lucini Passalacqua built a sprawling villa
in the early 1800s. Across the lake, a more contemporary option is the Mandarin Oriental, a chateau that once belonged to a count. The whole lake is what Hillel describes as his “idea of paradise.”
From the far north, Spinner suggests travelling to the opposite end of the country; Sicily. Specifically, to check out the setting of the popular HBO series “The White Lotus” at the luxurious Domenico Palace, Taormina, a Four Seasons Hotel, the perfect staging point to enjoy Sicilian architecture, volcanoes, beaches
“One of the most underrated countries,” were the words Spinner to describe travelling across the Strait of Gibraltar to Spain’s neighbor.
“Morocco’s not just “camels and carpets,” it’s a dynamic destination,” says Spinner. “Perched inside the confines of the Atlas Mountains, Morocco’s climate is surprisingly delightful. From Tangier to Casablanca, the country feels “unspoiled” by modernity and the exotic architecture dates back over 700 years.
Spinner mentions one can find one of the best hotels in the world with unrivaled service in Marrakesh at La Mamounia, “a six-star hotel conceived by the Royal Mansour as a place for the king’s personal guests.” Each room offers a house butler. He also recommends Sir Richard Branson’s 28-room Kasbah Tamadot in the gorgeous Atlas Mountains, a property he purchased during one of his famous ballooning expeditions.
Beyond Marrakesh, travelers can explore the majesty of the Sahara Desert, travel the coast, and hop from Tangier to Casablanca to Chefchaouen, the iconic “Blue City,” all the while being able to retreat to a luxurious oasis at will.
Saint Barts has long been a familiar destination for the jet set, though Spinner recommends New Years as the optimal time to visit this island for glamorous festivities. What could be better than a New Year’s yacht on the turquoise waters of Shell Beach? This time of year, there’s a great balance of peace and partying.
Out from the waters and onto the island, Spinner recommends Le Toiny, a beautiful 22-suite villa, simple in design, that achieves “rustic luxury” perched on a hill overlooking the bay. For a more refined design, there’s Cheval Blanc, the only property in the Caribbean with Palace distinction, surrounded by great beaches, gorgeous weather and beautiful people, “the same clientele who go to Lake Cuomo go to this island,” says Spinner.
If the party scene is what you’re after, Hotel Eden Rock, founded in the 1950s by aviator-adventurer Remy de Haener, is the place to be. This is a glamorous scene with “all bay rose lunches” that make you feel like a rockstar. The entire place has been redone and refurbished since Hurricane Irma. Of St Barts, Spinner says it’s not common to find a place that hits the mark on “food, service, and design.” But St. Barts is so polished, you get everything in the trifecta.
Spinner tells a story about one of his most active clients, a couple that had seen and “done it all.” They asked Spinner for something memorable, to which he replied, Africa.
This is a journey Spinner raves everyone should experience. Specifically, going on a safari in Tanzania/ Kenya or Gorilla tracking in Rwanda. Many of Spinner’s clients who have literally done it all have wanted to cross seeing a Silverback gorilla off their bucket list.
The Serengeti, says Spinner, is a class in of itself, “right out of The Lion King, you feel like a visitor in the animal kingdom and there is nothing like the roar of a lion.”
If summiting Kilimanjaro and trekking through the forest and savannah is not your cup of tea, there’s a way to experience all the magic in luxury in the form of Singita. Meaning “place of miracles” in Swahili, this collection of unique lodges has hosted Bill Gates, the Obamas, and Oprah, all of whom have raved about the experience. With lions at the doorstep and buffalo and bison perusing past the room at night, this is an experience “literally out of film.”
The exclusive travel advisor for the Eklund Gomes team, Spinner can be reached via email at Hillel.Spinner@ EmbarkBeyond.com
By LARRY OLMSTED
Skiing and snowboarding have exploded in popularity since the pandemic, and cool winter vacations are hotter than ever. No U.S. ski town is better known for its style, design, dining and all-around glamour than Aspen, which more than ever is the “It” place to be this winter. But as travel ramps back up, there are a lot of exciting changes going on, and whether you go every year or are visiting for the first time, the scene this winter is a little different – and a little better.
“ASPEN IS OUR FAVORITE WINTER VACATION SPOT. AS OPRAH WINFREY SAYS, ‘SKIING IS THE NEXT BEST THING TO HAVING WINGS.”
— JOHN GOMES
Arts: For more than 70 years, the non-profit Aspen Institute has been a national leader in humanistic studies, and new to its campus this winter is the Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies. The inaugural exhibit is Herbert Bayer: an Introduction, which will be on view through May 2023. Bayer was an influential modern artist and designer who studied at the Bauhaus before relocating to Colorado in 1946, where he helped lead the postwar revitalization of Aspen and shaped the artistic and programmatic vision of the Aspen Institute.
Day Club: The beach club/day club model inspired by legendary hotspots like Miami’s Nikki Beach has long been a fixture at European ski resorts, such as Val d’Isere’s famed La Folie Douce, but the concept is largely absent in the United States. That changes this winter with the first full season of the AspenX Beach Club, from creative director and famed photographer Gray Malin. Swap snow for sand and suddenly the beach chairs, cabanas, DJs and free flowing champagne all make sense. The Club will be open on a plateau atop Aspen Mountain for 12 weekends this winter.
New Menus: With more than 60 restaurants, Aspen has long been one of the best dining ski towns, but as the pandemic impact fades away, this is an unusually big winter for new openings. Las Montañas, a Tex-Mex concept with Austin, Texas roots, just opened in the former Jimmy’s space (205 S. Mill St.) serving fajitas, ceviche, margaritas, and other Tex-Mex classics. Parc Aspen opened in December in the former L’Hostaria space (620 E. Hyman Ave) as a locally sourced, modern farmto-table concept, doing double duty with an affordably priced local’s bar menu and contemporary fine dining room. Sant Ambreous, an Italian eatery with several locations in and around New York, City, Palm Beach and Milan, will open this winter (520 E. Hyman Ave) offering refined Italian classics. Madame Ushi, a Japanese steakhouse, bar, and nightclub plans a midwinter opening in the former 7908 space (415 E. Hyman Ave.).
Over in Snowmass Village, the largest of the four ski mountains comprising the Aspen Snowmass resort, James Beard Awards “Best Chef” semifinalist Mawa McQueen is opening Mawita, a Mexicaninspired kitchen in The Collective building. It will be focused on Latin inspired flavors and cuisine, and the popular local chef is the owner of Mawa’s Kitchen, The Crepe Shack, GrainFreeNola, and McQueen Hospitality.
ASPEN IS FAMED FOR ITS GLITZY, BOUTIQUEDRIVEN TAKE ON SKI TOWN SHOPPING AND POST PANDEMIC, NEW RETAILERS ARE RUSHNG TO OPEN.
FREDRIK EKLUND AND JOHN GOMES SHARE GOOD TIMES AND MAKE PRECIOUS MEMORIES WITH THEIR FAMILIES DURING A RECENT TRIP TO ASPEN.
New Digs: One of the longest running lodgings properties in town, the Aspen Meadows Resort has been reborn, and is now under the management of Sheila Johnson’s Salamander Hotels & Resorts. Co-founder of television network BET, Johnson was the first African-American female billionaire, and is known for her very hands-on approach to the design and management of her resorts. After a multi-million-dollar propertywide improvement, all 98 suites (each with living, working, and sleeping areas) will be completely overhauled by early 2023, with the first renovated accommodations debuting just in time for ski season. The resort has historic ties to designer Herbert Bayer and to keep this aesthetic alive, they turned to Michael Suomi of Suomi Design Works, whose approach was to “reimagine what the interiors would have looked like if designed by the Bauhaus with contemporary Scandinavian warmth.”
New Retail: Forget the typical T-shirt shops and ersatz cowboy flair, Aspen is famed for its glitzy, boutique-driven take on ski town shopping and postpandemic, new retailers are rushing to open. Recent additions include Hermès (521 E. Hyman Ave.), Rue Stiic, a women’s apparel and accessories boutique with locations in Sydney, Bali, and Los Angeles (630 E. Hyman Ave.), ALO Yoga (601 E. Hyman Ave.), and Fusalp, a luxury French ski wear brand, just added a boutique in Miller Sport (408 S. Hunter Street). Also opening this winter is Canada Goose (516 E. Hyman Ave.)
AspenX is a new experiential collaboration company created by the Crown Family, owners of the Aspen Snowmass ski resort, and the brand includes activities, the Aspen X Beach Club and a new retail store in the main gondola terminal at Aspen Mountain,
next to the Little Nell Hotel. It houses a full-time café and bar, as well as limited edition partnership collections. For this winter the highlights are AspenX x Aether, a high-end outdoor fashion and skiwear brand, and AspenX x Prada.
On Mountain: Aspen-Snowmass ski resort is comprised of four individual mountain resorts and this season, the biggest changes come at family and beginner friendly Buttermilk, where the entire base area has been redone with the opening of a new 9,000-plus square foot lodge with new dining, drinking and skier services. Under construction at flagship Aspen (Ajax) Mountain is the biggest terrain expansion in more than 35 years, a 20% increase with the Pandora’s area, full of glades and trails served by a new high-speed quad chairlift. Pandora’s will open for the 2023-2024 ski season.
EG TEAM TO LEAD THE PROMOTION OF THE LANDMARK PROJECT: THE FOUR SEASONS
PRIVATE RESIDENCES LAKE AUSTIN.
IN MARCH OF 2019, THE EG TEAM CELEBRATED THE LAUNCH OF THE TEAM’S EXPANSION INTO MIAMI BEACH.
THE EG TEAM MOVES IN TO THEIR BOUTIQUE STOREFRONT OFFICE
DESIGNED BY PARIS FORINO, IN THE FALL OF 2018.
THE 100-STORY BUILDING WITH BE THE TALLEST RESIDENTIAL BUILDING SOUTH OF MANHATTAN. THE EVENT OCCURRED IN OCTOBER 2021 AT THE 936 BROADWAY OFFICE.
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SHOT FROM: A HELICOPTER JUST HOURS AFTER LAST YEAR’S LARGEST SNOWFALL
WHERE: CENTRAL PARK, NEW YORK CITY
PHOTOGRAPHER: EVAN JOSEPH
The musical theme of The Godfather is etched in our collective cultural consciousness, and now the new Jacob & Co. Opera Godfather masterpiece integrates this iconic music, the logo of the film and even a miniature Godfather figure, into a timepiece. This combination of high watchmaking (gravitational triple axis tourbillon, 658 movement components) with a traditional Swiss music box (two cylinders turn against two combs, playing the 120 notes of The Godfather theme) is a world first in Swiss watchmaking.
