Photo Credit: MS2 Design Studio

While no one could have anticipated the unprecedented circumstances in which the world has found itself over the past two years, principal at MS2 Design, Michael Scigliano, reveals he designed his business to be able to function under any condition.

Haute Design: With the global pandemic going into its second full year, how has MS2 Design Studio adapted to this “new normal?” Was the beginning of the pandemic a particular shock in terms of business?

Michael Scigliano: Before opening MS2 Design Studio in 2010, the original business plan took into consideration the lessons that were learned from the previous firms that I had worked with. One firm had gone out of business because of the 2008 recession and the other because of conflicts with the partners. I made a conscious decision to keep our firm more boutique; therefore, eliminating the need for a large office space and the corresponding overhead.

Our team has always worked from home when possible and we meet when needed. This boutique design also kept us from bringing on too many employees and therefore, not needing too many projects at once. We’re able to hand-select the projects that challenge and interest us.

I’m humbled that MS2 Design Studio has thrived these past two years; having two of the best years in our history. This pandemic has negatively impacted so many companies and my heart goes out to all those that have fallen on hard times.

HD: What are some of the ways you have managed to maintain your high standards throughout all of this?

MS: Managing our high standards during the pandemic was actually easier than expected. Being stuck inside and having nothing else to concentrate on but work, made getting our job done much easier. There was literally nothing to do…but work. The beginning of the pandemic, March- May 2020, was surreal for everyone. Trying to make sure we were still taking care of our clients, while they were stuck in their own homes, helped to take the focus off being stuck at home ourselves.

Photo Credit: MS2 Design Studio

HD: How have you managed client expectations throughout the pandemic?

MS: We’ve been blessed that our clients have been very understanding to the current situation. Being business owners themselves, they understood that the entire world was being affected and that those delays would impact their projects as well. Oddly enough, within the last year and a half, we finished a gut renovation in Miami Beach at the Continuum and a design project at 40 Bleecker in New York City, in record time. The team we’ve assembled has gone above and beyond to keep things on track.

HD: Given the amount of time folks have been forced to remain indoors, have any of your residential design plans changed?

MS: The biggest change we have noticed is that we have signed several new projects from clients moving to the Miami area from New York and California. The need to have a home with combined indoor and outdoor social areas became a necessity to see friends and family in a somewhat-safe environment. This made Miami more popular than ever. Add to that, major companies changing to “work from home” formats, living in a warm, open-air environment, just seemed like the best choice. The exploding Miami real estate market is a clear sign of that.

HD: What is the biggest takeaway you've gotten from these unprecedented times?

MS: My biggest takeaway from all this change, is that HOME is the most important place. It doesn’t matter how big your home is or how many things you have, but having a sanctuary where you feel safe and can detox from all that the world is throwing at you, is incredibly important. When you aren’t allowed outside or allowed to live a normal life, your home is where you gather with those you love.  It’s the place you celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, etc. The feeling of “being home and safe” has become paramount to our physical and mental well-being. And we get to design those spaces for our clients.

Photo Credit: MS2 Design Studio

The post MS2 Design Studio was Built to be COVID-Proof appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Join our upcoming webinars:

Friday, April 24th at 4PM EST

Three of the top agents that cover some of the highest-regarded real estate markets in the country: Susan Breitenbach (The Hamptons), Chris Cortazzo (Malibu), and Jill Eber (South Florida). REGISTER: https://hauteliving.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nlBLUB7cSiyEqFmXmDOgnA

Monday, April 27th at 4PM EST

We host our second “Coast to Coast” real estate webinar, featuring top agents in their respective markets: Cristal Clarke (Santa Barbara, CA), Darlene Streit (New Mexico), Chris Karas (Paradise Valley, AZ), and Sylvia Fragos (Aventura, FL). REGISTER: https://hauteliving.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TgokTM4pTaiV-e7G7FsEgA

Highlight quotes from the webinar:

Brian Guiltinan: "The good thing about real estate is that, with technology, we have moved this way for a few years... I think we will see a lot of product (homes) hit the market this summer... You have to know your marketplace. It takes time to build relationships."

Moira E. Holley: "Zoom has now become part of my daily routine. I feel comfortable with my iPhone, iPad and Facetime walking through a property with clients on the other end, or just sending them a video so they can take a look."

Frank D. Isoldi: "Manhattan is an awesome place; Brooklyn is off the charts. But we are seeing a shift towards the suburbs. Now more than ever, people are going to be looking for outdoors, home gyms, home offices... It's crucial to have the right people working on the transaction on both sides." 

Devin Kay: "Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook play a pivotal role to keep in touch with people. I have 10-12 buyers from outside of Florida looking to get into the market. Having a huge presence in social media and marketing is going to make a difference... With rates where they are now, banks are going to be more careful on who they lend to and how they qualify people." 

Watch previous Haute Residence webinars with agents, brokers, developers and other industry leaders here.

The post Coast To Coast: Real Estate Webinar With Top Agents In San Diego, Seattle, New Jersey And South Florida appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

The webinar was hosted by Haute Living's Seth Semilof. Hundreds of live viewers joined from different corners of the world to listen as Conn gave his remarks, which touched on many aspects of the luxury real estate market. Semilof asked Conn questions submitted by the live audience. Conn also spoke about some of the high-end events that the company has held through the last 12 months around the world. Watch the video below.

Conn joined Christie's International Real Estate, an invitation-only network of luxury real estate specialists in 49 countries and territories around the world, after managing Brookfield Asset Management's Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (HRHC) investment, overseeing all property level departments, including finance, strategy, legal, marketing, and human resources as well as developing the HRHC franchise business.

Sign up for upcoming Haute Residence webinars:

Thursday, April 23rd at 7PM EST

A "Coast to Coast" webinar with top brokers Brian Guiltinan (San Diego, CA), Moira E. Holley (Seattle, WA), Frank D. Isoldi (Westfield, NJ), and Devin Kay (South Florida), who will weigh in on the latest in their markets. REGISTER: https://hauteliving.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_plrhinyTQum9iON6_60mww

Friday, April 24th at 4PM EST

Three of the top agents that cover some of the highest-regarded real estate markets in the country: Susan Breitenbach (The Hamptons), Chris Cortazzo (Malibu), and Jill Eber (South Florida). REGISTER: https://hauteliving.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nlBLUB7cSiyEqFmXmDOgnA

Monday, April 27th at 4PM EST

We host our second “Coast to Coast” real estate webinar, featuring top agents in their respective markets: Cristal Clarke (Santa Barbara, CA), Darlene Streit (New Mexico), Chris Karas (Paradise Valley, AZ), and Sylvia Fragos (Aventura, FL). REGISTER: https://hauteliving.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TgokTM4pTaiV-e7G7FsEgA

Highlight quotes from today's webinar with Dan Conn:

"Our business has survived in the luxury world because of the way we think about servicing clients... You should think about your clients and your relationship with them. When you ask 'How can I help?', it makes a difference... For the agents, try to be careful. Stay out of harm's way and keep your clients out of harm's way. Do things virtually... If they can afford it, people want to get away from the density they were feeling as this (the pandemic) started to hit... The change in tax policy was helping and will continue to help Florida, but now there is another variable, that people will shy away from urban centers to go to less dense areas (like Florida)... In 2020, the most important thing is to focus on the team, try to keep everyone together, engaged... I don't see a scenario where the future of real estate is negative. People will always want a home."

Watch previous Haute Residence webinars with agents, brokers, developers and other industry leaders here.

The post Watch: Dan Conn, CEO of Christie’s International Real Estate Joins Haute Residence To Talk Latest In The Industry appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.