One of the most discussed issues since the beginnings of the Covid-19 pandemic has been the long-term consequences of working remotely and the implications it will have on the office market. At first glance, the main take away is that the demand for office space will decrease since most companies will have already adapted successfully to working virtually. There is no doubt that this pandemic will forever change the way in which we work, communicate, and socialize. However, it is important to explore some of the overall trends that will continue to shape the office market when the crisis is over so that we fully understand opportunities in that sector.
With a “multicamera global livestream” in place of its usual New York sale, the auction house tried breathing life back into a pandemic-numbed market.
From left: “Omi Obini” by Wifredo Lam, “Triptych Inspired by the Oresteia of Aeschylus” by Francis Bacon and “PH-144 (1947-Y-No.1)” by Clyfford Still were among the works included an online auction at Sotheby’s on Monday.Credit…Wifredo Lam/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York/ADAGP, Paris; The Estate of Francis Bacon/DACS, London/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York; City and County of Denver, via Clyfford Still Museum/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York; via Sotheby’s
LONDON — “This is what we like: the ping-pong between New York and Hong Kong. We see them on the split screens in perfect clarity,” the auctioneer Oliver Barker said late Monday, sounding like a prime-time TV game show host. He was taking seven-figure bids at a Sotheby’s sale of Impressionist, modern and contemporary art, presented as a “multicamera global livestream.”
The marathon 74-lot auction at Sotheby’s, which replaced the postponed May evening sales in New York, used the latest technology to try breathing life back into the pandemic-numbed top end of the international art market.
The hybrid format featured the suavely suited Mr. Barker taking bids on a rostrum in an empty room in London, facing a bank of screens showing telephone-wielding colleagues in an adjoining room, as well as in New York and Hong Kong.
The auctioneer Oliver Barker took bids from international colleagues on screens in an empty salesroom.Credit…via Sotheby’sREAD MORE
Discrepancies exist as to when and for whom the first wristwatch was created. Some say Abraham Louis-Breguet created the original in 1810 for the Queen of Naples, Caroline Murat. Others credit the Swiss watch company, Patek Philippe, for designing the first to fit the wrist of Countess Koscowicz of Hungary in 1868. Though the beginnings may appear foggy, what is clear is that this timepiece was popularized worldwide in the early 20th century.
Sotheby’s International Realty is pleased to announce the launch of the new sothebysrealty.com. The revamped website exemplifies the brand’s continued commitment to innovation and reinforces its position as the leader of global luxury real estate. With more than 60% of website traffic coming from outside the U.S., the new sothebysrealty.com features human translations in more than 15 languages and nearly 60 currency conversions to continue serving the brand’s growing international clientele and fuel referrals worldwide.
“With an international presence in 72 countries and territories around the world, Sotheby’s International Realty is the preeminent global luxury real estate brand,” said Brad Nelson, chief marketing officer for Sotheby’s International Realty. “The new sothebysrealty.com reflects the brand’s international identity and provides our sales associates the best platform to promote their listings and themselves on a global scale.”
The evolution of the website delivers an amplified experience that stays true to the Sotheby’s International Realty® brand’s commitment to rich, high-quality content. The launch of sothebysrealty.com is being done in collaboration with global experience design agency, Huge, which has previously worked on campaigns with leading brands such as Four Seasons and Google.
“The approach to real estate search today can often rob joy for the sake of convenience. Users are either working harder through overwhelming content to find their ideal property or missing out on the little details that make you fall in love with a home,” said Jon Judah, group vice president, strategy of Huge. “At Huge, we’ve always been about making things users love, so we were inspired by the Sotheby’s International Realty brand’s vision of translating their immersive approach into a modern brand experience for selective clients of all backgrounds. They’ve always seen a premium experience as much more than just price and we’re excited to bring that idea into this initial phase of their digital initiatives.”
With nearly 70% of traffic coming from mobile users, the website was designed with a mobile-first approach to emphasize the method in which today’s clients are now buying and selling homes. To directly connect agents and potential clients, mobile users will have the opportunity to text an agent directly from an agent’s profile or listing page, enabling them to forego the generic industry approach and communicate with agents in the same manner they communicate in their personal lives.
