Philip Weiser was hosted by Haute Media Group Cofounder Seth Semilof. Watch their conversation below.

The topics included Philip Weiser’s illustrious career from working in the hotel industry abroad, joining the highly esteemed Carlton International team, and his eventual ascendancy in French and international luxury real estate.

Philip Weiser has worked within the luxury hotel and hospitality industry for decades in London before transitioning to real estate when he and his young family settled in France. Weiser has held his French real estate license for over 40 years and assisted hundreds of buyers and sellers in the sale and acquisition of luxury homes and villas throughout the French Riviera. Launching Carlton International in 1995, the first of the Carlton International brands, Weiser and the Carlton International team collectively speak 14 languages to cater to an international clientele as a leading estate agent on the Cote d'Azur.

Here are some of the questions and answers from the exclusive interview with Weiser.

Seth Semilof: What made you think of moving to France and getting into real estate? Did you move to France first to do hotels, and then do real estate?

Philip Weiser: Not at all. My pre-Airbnb adventure was very successful. I sold the business and decided that I would move my family into a more international environment in the south of France where we have a good selection of schools with the English language. I was on a trip from Paris to Nice international airport and I sat next to a property developer who had opened the state agency in the town where I was living, and he was about to close the agency. Since I had nothing to do, I said, “I will be happy to see if I can make your agency run.” The Monday following, he forgot it, but he was as good as his word. He took me across the road, introduced me to my new boss, and suddenly I was a real estate. That was in 1982.

SS: Tell us how the business evolved from 1982. Where did you go from there?

PW: We were very successful as brokers as well buying, selling, renovating, and constructing. A lot of money was made at that time and I reinvested all the resources into other projects. The banks were throwing money at this time and in 1992, there was the first Gulf War when Iraq invaded Kuwait. Property prices around the world were heavily affected by that. In Europe, especially because we are closer to North Africa, prices dropped by 50% and interest rates were at 18.6%. I had 50% borrowings and 50% cash, but my properties all lost value of 50%, so I lost everything. It was the end of a glorious 10-year adventure.

SS: How is the real estate changed over the last 20 years? Are people building contemporary homes in the south of France?

PW: The architecture is sort of Mediterranean, with a lot of bay windows and tiled rooms like you have in California. That was the staple that together with traditional homes in the area are the two trends, but in the last five years, the word contemporary has become part of the local architecture dictionary. We never spoke of contemporary architecture. It was modern, but it was never contemporary. Now, we have some magnificent contemporary homes. It is very much the trend today. We must have, at least right now, 10 potential buyers looking for land to build a contemporary home or readymade contemporary homes designed by a local architect they can move straight into. There are very few standardized materials, so the cost of construction in spite of that it is clean, nice, and easy is that it is an expensive item here.

SS: What advice would you give to somebody getting into real estate to be successful?

PW: First is never believe anybody until you have proof of what they are saying is correct whether it is a buyer, seller, colleagues, or other brokers. The second is you need resilience because you have to have face the fact that you cannot win them all. The other self-discipline is being able to get up in the morning, go out, do the job, and stick with it. There is no day off. The last one is that when you are successful, do not spend the money. You may be successful this time. Ultimately, I tell everybody, you cannot sell a house. There are no sales in this job. It is understanding the needs of the buyer.

SS: Do you think your experience, training, and education in the hotel industry is what made you successful? Did you bring that to your real estate company?

PW: Certainly, that aspect played a very important role. A hotel is like a small town. You have lots of people of different nationalities and different characteristics. If you are managing, you have to move the people and the visitors first, not just the staff. All these people have their specific needs, their behaviors, and the way in which they react. If you go to have any peace and quiet managing, I will tell you to have to manage the staff and the guests with a lot of psychology, understanding, and great service.

For more information, please contact Philip Weiser at +33 6 14 34 13 14 or info@carlton-group.com

To watch more real estate webinars curated by Haute Residence, visit http://dev.hauteresidence.com.

The post Chat With Haute Residence Leaders, Episode 12: Philip Weiser appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Piero Lissoni

Photo Credit: Studio Lissoni Associati

Located at 6800 Indian Creek Drive, Monaco Yacht Club & Residences is an exclusive enclave of thirty-nine luxurious waterfront residences and a private marina in collaboration with two of the most esteemed names in design, Piero Lissoni and Bernardo Fort-Brescia of Arquitectonica. It is slated for completion in Fall 2021.

HR: What was the design inspiration for Monaco Yacht Club & Residences’ interiors?

PL: In part, we were inspired by Mediterranean environments, particularly the Italian Riviera and the Côte d’Azur, and in part by the nautical world, especially by the Riva Aquarama boat. From the realization of the lobby floor as if it were the deck of a boat, to the choice of the chandelier that recalls a lobster net, to the nautical styling, everything is reminiscent of a yacht club.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Monaco Yacht Club & Residences

HR: What colors and materials did you incorporate into the design in order to capture the South of France and the Mediterranean lifestyle?

PL: We were inspired by the nautical world of the 1950s. We used chrome, natural fabrics, soft and neutral colors with some dashes of stronger color. The Riva Aquarama is also renowned for this contrast between the wood and the light blue cushions. The reception desk is instead a deep-sea blue.

The apartments have two different typologies in terms of the “shades” employed. One version features soft and muted colors that are evocative of morning sea mists, with light, desaturated wood and some darker colors to provide contrast, while the second version features darker colors inspired by the night sea, the contrast here given by areas of white.

HR: Walk us through the design features that you are incorporating throughout MYC’s residences, including in the kitchen and bathrooms. What was the vision for the design, and what can residents expect to feel and see upon walking into their homes?

PL: We wanted to reproduce the feeling of being on a boat, both when entering on the ground floor, with the jetty that connects directly to the yachts, and also inside the apartments, with their magnificent views of the sea. The extensive use of large windows seeks to accentuate the relationship between the inside and the outside, as if you’re always living in the open air. In addition, the terraces are equipped with cooking facilities, further expanding the possibilities of life outdoors.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Monaco Yacht Club & Residences

HR: How did you go about choosing each design and what makes them different from other residences you have designed for?

PL: Undoubtedly the floor in the reception, conceived as if it were the deck of luxury yacht, is fairly unique, as is the large chandelier reminiscent of a lobster net, which was the work of an artist we engaged. In the apartments themselves, there is this continuous dialogue between the inside and the outside, which is very special: as soon as you open the window, you have the whole expanse of the sea in front of you.

HR: Elaborate on your design of MYC’s lobby and “Resident’s Lounge” that features a library and breakfast bar for waterfront dining. How does the design reflect the building’s fun lifestyle and laid-back environment?

PL: Our aim was to realize a community, a true yacht club, so the communal spaces have been conceived with this in mind and to allow the whole structure and all the facilities to be used and lived, also by invited guests. The inhabitants and their guests can, for example, pause to read the newspaper or have a coffee in the communal areas. Also, here we wanted to bring a European way of living.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Monaco Yacht Club & Residences

HR: Please briefly describe what role the Bayfront location played in the design of the project. How will the building’s design reflect Miami and its natural surroundings?

PL: The Bayfront relates directly with the structure. Features such as the floor or the model boats on the bookshelves, as if it were indeed a yacht club, are certainly elements that are special with respect to other residences.

HR: What type of lifestyle do you envision for residents at MYC?  What type of buyer do you envision will be interested in living at the property?

PL: Without a doubt, Monaco Yacht Club & Residences will attract buyers who love traveling and who are attracted by a European atmosphere, especially that of the Mediterranean, who like the leisurely feeling of a place where you have the sensation of being on holiday all year round.

HR: Tell us about your collaboration with Arquitectonica. How did you work with Arquitectonica to blend your ways of thinking, expertise and experiences together?

PL: There’s a very close relationship between the inside and the outside: in some ways the interior completes the architecture, and vice-versa.

HR: What is special or different about working on a project like MYC?

PL: The really special thing was to have been able to bring to America a particular area of Europe and its atmosphere.

For more information about Monaco Yacht Club & Residences, call 305.508.9832 or visit https://monacoyachtclubresidences.com/.

Monaco Yacht Club & Residences

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Monaco Yacht Club & Residences

The post Interior Designer Piero Lissoni Talks Monaco Yacht Club & Residences And Bringing The French Riviera To South Florida appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

On the heels of the Monaco Yacht Show, undeniably the glitziest event of the yachting calendar, South Floridians have the exclusive opportunity to experience a taste of the Côte d’Azur in their own backyard with Monaco Yacht Club & Residences, a new luxury Bayfront condominium located in Miami Beach.

Situated on one of the last remaining waterfront properties in the area, Monaco Yacht Club & Residences are being developed by Optimum Development USA in collaboration with two of the biggest names in design, interior designer Piero Lissoni and international architecture firm Arquitectonica.

The nautically-themed, 12-story boutique project features 39 exquisite waterfront residences that celebrate the very best of urban waterfront living. World-renowned Italian interior designer Piero Lissoni meticulously curated each of the unit interiors with precise attention to detail inclusive of the refined Italian-made fixtures and finishes throughout, as well as the lobby and the premier “Resident’s Lounge” featuring a library and breakfast bar for leisurely waterfront dining.

Elegant private elevators will lead to sophisticated one to four-bedroom residences ranging in size from 918 to nearly 5,000 square feet. Featuring floor-to-ceiling glass windows with stunning direct water views, each of the signature modern units will be delivered fully-finished with European custom wood flooring curated by Piero Lissoni. Primed for indoor/outdoor living and entertaining, the residences feature oversized wraparound terraces with finished floors and ceilings that offer sweeping views of Biscayne Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Miami skyline.

A limited collection of two impressive penthouses will offer expansive living areas, including private terraces with summer kitchens, starting at 2,888 square feet.

Punctuating the style and sophistication of the project are Boffi contemporary Italian kitchens with stone countertops, 10-11-foot high ceilings throughout, large walk-in closets, pre-wired for Home Automation systems with the latest “Smart Building” technology. Imported Italian marble flooring, spacious tubs and frameless, glass-enclosed rainfall showers with designer faucets add to the premium bathroom interiors.

Offering the best of a yachtsman’s lifestyle, Monaco Yacht Club & Residences features a 12 slip marina available exclusively to residents, as well as a yachting concierge available for maintenance needs, yacht charters or sailing and fishing excursions for the day to the Bahamas, the Florida Keys or to enjoy the Atlantic Ocean and the best of South Florida’s coastal living. Additional waterfront amenities include paddle boarding, kayaking and more.

A myriad of additional first-class amenities includes a breathtaking rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the Miami skyline featuring a pool with poolside chaise lounge chairs, Jacuzzi and shaded lounge areas with a grill for entertaining, as well as a state-of-the-art fitness center overlooking Biscayne Bay.

Monaco Yacht Club & Residences is slated to break ground in October, when it will also open its official sales gallery. The project is scheduled for completion in 2021.

With exclusive sales and marketing handled by Fortune Development Sales, Monaco Yacht Club & Residences is priced from $1.1 million.  For more information, please call 305.749.9126 or visit: https://monacoyachtclubresidences.com/.

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