How can luxury residential buildings stand out in a crowded market?

At a time where many cities are booming with luxury developments, new projects must go above and beyond to gain an edge over the competition and stand out. A popular method used to achieve this is by aligning themselves with art! This of course goes beyond curating a set of prints or photographs in a tower’s lobby. Developers and real estate agents are now partnering with galleries and art specialists, as well as commission site specific works by renowned artists. Art is even being incorporated into the sales gallery of a new development in order to attract a certain clientele.

A large part of the reason art has gained such a prominent part in new luxury developments is because buyer’s relationship with fine art has changed. Over the past decade, the art industry has grown dramatically. The long-termed, worldwide trend of increasing wealth, in addition to the growth in knowledge about the art world led to an increase in the number of people interested in collecting and investing in artworks. People are much more comfortable and confident viewing, discussing and interacting with art.

Today’s clients have travelled the world, have the finest luxury goods at their fingertips and expect the best in architecture, design and lifestyle! They want to invest in luxury properties that have been thoughtfully executed, and the attention to artistic detail indicates a quality development and originality. There’s a level of prestige that comes with having original art within a property; it elevates the perceived value. Art adds a certain atmosphere to the home that might otherwise feel sterile or incomplete and this atmosphere can influence the client’s decision in purchasing the property. Also, the provision of a curated art collection often encourages people to spend more time in the apartments – a boon for both the developers and gallerists alike. The art pieces on display are not just for the benefit of the real estate agency but also for the gallery. Art is being used to sell apartments, and conversely, apartments too are being used to sell art. The works are on sale and this allow art dealers to connect with prospective clients. Even if during the showing the art doesn’t sell, the gallery still gains exposure.