Lobby waterfall
First Team Real Estate recently opened a new office at a time when most brokers are closing or consolidating outlets.
But not just any office. The Costa Mesa-based chain has announced that it’s opening a $2 million facility in Newport Beach that “breaks new ground in luxury real estate marketing.”
The new office — featuring a 40-foot-wide waterfall in the lobby, a “sun-splashed” circular floor plan, custom-designed furniture and specially commissioned artwork — also will be a center for charitable events for up to 200 people, ranging from concerts to lectures.
“With commissioned artwork by local artists, the office evokes the tranquil beauty of an art gallery and incorporates many green design principles,” a company statement says. (Click on photos to enlarge.)
The waterfall was created by artist Charles Jerome Broquard. The upper floor overlooks the first “with a clear, atrium style view.”
“First Team Estates is serious about contributing genuine value to the community,” the company statement quotes founder Cameron Merage as saying. “We have spared no effort to create an upscale custom-designed venue that can be used without charge by charitable organizations and community service agencies.”
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Come use the office free of charge…who says brokers are just in it for themselves. Nice job cam…it is a beautiful facility, speaking from first hand knowledge here.
This is another perfect example of how out of touch RE agents are. They think that all anyone thinks about is granite countertops, “luxury” living, etc. Want to really show you’re in it for the community? Start a soup kitchen or a place where homeless and under-cared for people can sleep, get medical care, etc. Or simply a place where people can come for companionship and a hot meal. Society does not need more luxury venues for self-aggrandizing “charity” events where the richest can sip champagne and eat caviar while they congratulate themselves as being a (plug in list of fake-named tier, e.g., “special friend,” “very special friend,” etc.). Just as society does not need more buildings named after self-promoting donors. I wish there was something positive to be said for watching the rich pat themselves on the back for donating money that isn’t even a noticeable part of their net worth. People are hurting all across the country - -and I’m not talking about those with 401Ks…they need help right now.
Let them eat cake!
median down to 420K, ouch! Only 100K to go!
well this is fake them try to impressed to who for what any ways i know small office can produce more that huge and expensive office is not the office is the people inside now re and brokers are broke .
Any bloggers want to bet that this place will be empty in two years and that first team will either be gone or 1/10 its present size.
We had the same sort of posturing in silicon valley by the law firms that took companies public in 2000. As things slowed down, many of them started spending more money thinking that would solve the problem of dropping revenues…….soon after the big public displays, the firms died.
In the end, the owners/managers at first team are clueless about the gravity of the situation in the real estate market. Houses that were selling for 4 million in newport beach will be selling for 1 million by 2013.
Seeing how little First Team’s market share is in the coastal areas of OC and these overall times, I just don’t see that move as being very prudent.
nano- gary watts might take that bet — or pat “real data” veling–
Not Impressed, your point is well taken, but your comment “Just as society does not need more buildings named after self-promoting donors,” needs to be addressed. The number one reason you see donor names on buildings is not because the donor wants his name there, but because the school/charity wants to encourage others to give.
You would be surprised how many well to-do donors do NOT want their names plastered on the buildings. Charities correctly believe that publicizing large gifts encourages others to give as well, and yes, it works. Recently, Shwartzman (billionaire owner of Blackstone) gave $100 million to the NYC public library, which convinced Koch (2nd richest man in NYC) to give $100 million to the Lincoln Center, and Koch said as much. Ironically, he too wanted to be anonymous, but was persuaded to publicize his gift.
First Team ?? They are classically known for their market leading expired and cancelled listings. Wonder what is going on?
I only take bets with folks that actually have a hundred bucks.
It is indeed honorable to support the Arts.
$100…you are on nano.
OJTrojan, what a bunch of malarkey. False modesty (i.e., faking it) may seem “plausible” - -but no way the big donors who get buildings named after themselves can’t avoid it. I have known many huge donors to universities, churches, etc. and they have no problem remaining anonymous. The size of the gift gets published, but not the donor. The fact that someone “says” they decided to donate to a cause simply b/c someone else does is either lying or hasn’t a clue about what they really want to do (which is very unlikely). To only donate because someone else does - -again, another awful reason to contribute - -just so you can “one-up” someone else - -is sick. Trust me, there have been plenty of anonymous donors making enormous gifts in all walks of life, and even sacrificially- -anyone can donate anonymously without the pressure from charities.
It’s all about self-promotion……First Team sees this as a way to get more business.
Nanowest.. try doing your homework before you speak…
and anonymous.. what do you base your facts on ? do you have any “real” basis for your charge that FT has a low market share in the Coastal OC area ? ever heard of Sean Stansfield ? or John Stanaland…
Take a look at the data. Facts dont lie.
Braindead!
Of course they probably started this nonsense before they knew what was going to happen but you’d think they would have stopped it if at all possible. Maybe they are expecting a bailout?