Less than a month ago—on November 9^th—a single painting by Amedeo Modigliani fetched the breathtaking sum of $170.4 million at Christie’s Fine Art Auction House, in New York.  In doing so, it established a new world record for a painting by Modigliani; and achieved one of the highest prices ever paid for a work of art at auction.

Naturally, not a few people were astounded by the sale price; with many wondering who could possibly afford such a mind-bending extravagance.   As it turns out, the buyer was Liu Yiqian, a Chinese art collector whose fortune is of fairly recent vintage—with most of it acquired in the 1980’s and ‘90’s.

Fine Art and Luxury Properties: A Natural Synergy
In the event that Mr. Yiqian wanted a new home to match the importance of his prized new painting, he wouldn’t have to travel far to begin the search.  The same location in Rockefeller Center where the Modigliani masterpiece was auctioned also serves as the principal sales gallery for Christie’s International Real Estate, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Christie’s Fine Art Auction House, founded in 1766.   Within the same auction gallery, Mr. Yiqian would find himself at the intersection of the finest collection of luxury homes and properties ever assembled.

Christie’s formed its groundbreaking luxury real estate venture more than 20 years ago in order to both capitalize on the natural synergy that exists between the acquisition of fine art and properties.

An innovative cross-marketing program between Christie’s Auction House and Christie’s International Real Estate has resulted in an international marketing powerhouse designed to satisfy the lifestyle requirements of its very discerning clientele, who are accustomed to all the finest things that money can buy—including only the finest properties.

Art Miami and Michael Saunders & Company
Fast forward to this week’s 26^th annual edition of Art Miami, one of the country’s longest-running contemporary and modern art fairs, where Christies International Real Estate will once again reprise its role as exclusive real estate sponsor.  Art Miami runs concurrently with Art Basel as part of Miami’s annual Art Week, one of the world’s seminal art events that makes headlines everywhere.

Held in Miami’s Wynwood Arts District, nearly 100,000 international collectors, curators, art enthusiasts and museum professionals will attend Art Miami this year, but not before passing the Christie’s luxury property exhibit, which dominates the main entrance to the fair.

On hand to welcome those who stop-in to inquire about properties are the luxury experts from Christie’s International Real Estate, as well as local ambassadors representing an elite group of co-sponsoring brokerages—including Michael Saunders & Company.   Together, they greet the fair attendees, dispense luxury property brochures, provide market information, answer questions; and preview select property videos.

From a strategic point-of-view, this is all happening just as both the art and luxury real estate markets are enjoying record-setting sales; and just as worldwide interest in Southwest Florida has never been higher.

A Legacy of Luxury
To perfect the fine art of luxury living along Florida’s Gulf Coast is why Michael Saunders & Company was formed nearly 40 years ago.  It is also why we choose to align our decades of local expertise with the worldwide marketing prowess of Christie’s International Real Estate, a by-invitation-only network of brokers that co-brands its legacy of luxury and refined living with properties priced at the $1 million threshold and above.  With offices in London, New York, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Moscow, and Palm Beach, Christie’s has more than 135 global affiliates with 32,000 real estate professionals in 47 countries.

Alas, Art Miami wraps up this weekend; but will return again next year.  Still, on any given day, Michael Saunders & Company—through its longstanding affiliation with Christie’s International Real Estate—offers sellers of high-value properties unrivaled year-round access to the most capable network of discerning buyers and luxury brokers in the world.