Tag Archives: las olas

Las Olas Art Fair Celebrates 25th Anniversary This Weekend

Posted in Events, Ft. Lauderdale, South Florida Art Scene Comment
 
jim-holehouse-las-olas-art-festival-poster

Festival poster by Jim Holehouse.

The 25th annual Las Olas Art Fair takes place the first weekend of March on Fort Lauderdale’s beautiful, tree-lined boulevard and features some of the newest names in the contemporary art scene, as well as established favorites.

The art fair, produced by Howard Alan Events, Ltd. is a juried, first-class outdoor art gallery showcasing 250 artists from 30 different states.

Works on sale include paintings, photography, ceramics, collage, wood, mixed media, life-size sculpture, and more, with prices up to $30,000. Unique, handmade jewelry, including that of West Palm Beach designer Don Marksz, will also be available.  Marksz works in sterling silver with pearls and gemstones.

Las Olas Boulevard itself is a local’s favorite, featuring sidewalk cafés, art galleries, specialty stores, jewelers, spas, salons, boutiques and more.  Located next to the New River, Las Olas Boulevard is easily accessible by water taxi.  The boulevard is also home to One Sotheby’s International’s office in Fort Lauderdale.

The art fair opens from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. on March 2 and 3, 2013. Admission is free. The navigational address is 600 East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.

For more information, visit artfestival.com.

– Maria de los Angeles is a freelance wordsmith based in Miami.

Fort Lauderdale Waterfront Living

Posted in Ft. Lauderdale, Uncategorized Comment
 
fort-lauderdale-skyline

Urban Fort Lauderdale is surrounded by water.

Known as the Venice of the Americas, Fort Lauderdale boasts over 300 miles of navigable canals from the Atlantic Ocean to the Everglades with the Intracoastal Waterway in between.

With so much access to water, the city also has a thriving marine industry — over 42,000 yachts are registered. Fort Lauderdale is also a favorite port of call for some of the world’s largest and most opulent mega-yachts. Many are owned by celebrities, but the real eye-catchers are the vessels themselves.

Close proximity to the Gulf Stream makes Fort Lauderdale an ideal spot for blue water sports fishing and the nearest Bahamian islands are just 50 miles away  – perfect for an overnight pleasure cruise trip.

fishing-fort-lauderdale

Anyone who loves fishing or simple pleasure cruising will find Fort Lauderdale an ideal place to call home.

Mansions dot the banks of many canals alongside lush, tropical landscaping. The New River affords high-rise living next to upscale boutiques and art galleries along quaint Las Olas Boulevard, as well casual waterfront dining, museums and theaters in the downtown area — all accessible by Water Taxi.

fort-lauderdale-waterfront-mansion

A ONE | Sotheby's exclusive listing. Deep water supports docking for big boats. Photo by ONE | Sotheby's.

In Fort Lauderdale, there’s water, water everywhere and all of it enjoyable. For boaters, anglers, nature lovers and beach goers, Fort Lauderdale is a water baby’s paradise.

For ONE | Sotheby’s exclusive waterfront properties, please visit our Listings Section.

– Maria de los Angeles is a freelance wordsmith based in Miami.

PHOTO CREDITS: All photos from Sunny.org unless otherwise noted.

Agents and the Social Media Community Gathered at Ft. Lauderdale Tweet-Up

Posted in Ft. Lauderdale, OneSir Press Room, South Florida Luxury Homes Comment
 

Last Thursday we hosted our second tweet-up at the new Fort Lauderdale offices located right in the heart of Las Olas Boulevard. More than 70+ guests enjoyed sunset cocktails and bites and buzzed about social media, real estate and the new One Sotheby’s iPad app. Miami Beach based associate Alistair Powell was the lucky winner of a brand new iPad, which he will use to blog, tweet and use to show clients full color photographs of luxury properties.

Make sure to follow @onesir on Twitter to stay updated on our next events!

Welcome New Associates to the One Sotheby’s Realty Team

Posted in Coconut Grove, Cocoplum, Coral Gables, Ft. Lauderdale, Key Biscayne, Marquis Residences, Miami Beach, OneSir Press Room, South Florida Luxury Homes Comment
 

We would like to introduce you to the new agents that have recently joined One Sotheby’s Realty. Each one is a trusted expert in the South Florida luxury real estate market and is prepared to help our clients buy and sell providing excellent service and top professionalism. Please join us in giving them a warm welcome.

Melanie Schrand

Melanie Schrand

Melanie Schrand

Melanie Schrand brings to One Sotheby’s International Realty over 20 years of Real Estate and Marketing expertise that appeals to a broad base of clients. Her portfolio of services incorporates a range of luxury real estate sales from waterfront estate homes to new construction and condominiums. Her ability to research for the best value is of special interest to her clients. Being a native of South Florida, Melanie has listed and sold in many of the most notable communities in South Florida, including Las Olas Isles, Harbor Beach, Rio Vista, Coral Ridge, Bermuda Riviera , Bay Colony, Hillsboro Mile, Bal Harbour, Aventura, Palm Beach, Boca Raton and much more. Her depth of knowledge and understanding of the South Florida Real Estate market is crucial when working with Buyers and Sellers. She is a strong and persistent negotiator who knows how to close the deal. One of Melanie’s main specialties is her knowledge and expertise in Marketing and Internet services. Her international marketing and presence on the Web is outstanding and sets her apart from other agents and is an asset to her clients. This ability and talent has made it easy for her to list and sell properties quickly, establish a large data base of Buyers and Sellers and a strong Referral Network. As a long term resident of Fort Lauderdale and homeowner in Coral Ridge with a strong background in Sales and Marketing, this approach has made Melanie one of the most sought after Real Estate agents at One Sotheby’s International Realty. Please visit Melanie’s website at www.melanieanddavesell.com or email her at mschrand@onesothebysrealty.com

David Schrand

David Schrand

David Schrand

David grew up in Ohio and after his Military Service in the US Marine Corps he moved to St. Petersburg, Florida in the seventies. He soon became aware of the almost endless days of nice warm weather offered only in Florida and he decided to make Florida his permanent home. After years as a successful franchise business owner and gaining the experience of buying commercial properties to refurbish and sell with the business as a package, he decided to focus on Real Estate only. With his wife Melanie being a top producing agent in South Florida, it was an easy decision to join her as a husband and wife team. With David’s business and construction experience combined with Melanie’s sales, marketing and people skills, the new team could offer more value in building customer relationships. Starting before the recent boom in South Florida Real Estate, he was able to help hundreds of clients find their perfect home during the most active period of Ft. Lauderdale real estate in recent history. With over 30 million dollars of production they have become one of the top partnerships in this area. Our goal is to offer our clients added value from knowledge of the neighborhoods and market trends to a referral network of related partners to help you with legal advice, mortgages, insurance needs, home inspections, appraisals and other services to facilitate a smooth transaction for either a buyer or a seller. With a positive attitude, a real estate transaction will seem easy with the right expertise and information from the right team to get the job done efficiently. Since joining ONE SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY in Ft. Lauderdale, David has made a seamless transition by offering his personal and professional service through a company with a global marketing platform and cutting edge technology to the Real Estate Industry. David is currently a homeowner in Coral Ridge and has a strong commitment to the community.

Linda Bassitt

Linda Bassitt

Linda Bassitt

To broker associate Linda Bassitt, real estate is much more than simply selling and buying a home- it involves catering and listening to buyers to help them find a home that fits their lifestyle, and providing unique and efficacious marketing services to sellers. Having handled properties in excess of $12 million, from ocean front residences to golf club estates, she is well equipped to adapt to the changing demands of the marketplace. As a finance, marketing, and business administration major, from Florida State University and Florida Atlantic University, Linda understands the fluid trends in advertising and the real estate market, all while maintaining a modern day perspective. Superb customer service is key to building a lasting relationship with clients, and Linda focuses on guiding buyers and sellers throughout each step, going above and beyond what is typically expected. Having been born and raised in Miami, Linda is well adept on the area. Coming from a family of prominent real estate developers in Brazil, including designers of the largest skyscraper in the country the Mirante do Vale, Linda has continuously been exposed to real estate and was naturally inclined to the business. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and with education in French, her multi-lingual abilities enable her to communicate and work with the demands of international clients. Real estate is a 24/7 career, one which she elatedly engages in.

Sean Hansen

Sean Hansen

Sean Hansen

With over 10 years of experience in luxury real estate, Sean Hansen was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts and grew up with real estate development in his family. His father, preeminent custom luxury homebuilder in the exclusive Boston suburbs, taught him the importance of quality construction and involved him early on with the development of luxury homes. Sean relocated to Miami 7 years ago having met a French entrepreneur with whom he has been developing ultra luxury waterfront properties in Miami Beach and as a result, his own personal experience of luxury real estate reaches far beyond that of a regular Realtor. Sean is known by his colleagues as the “secret detective” – often knowing the unique history behind each home! As a result of his strong European connections, Sean has established relationships across the globe and gained a wide experience of international real estate which, in today’s market, is one of the strongest assets available to a South Florida Realtor. Sean builds unparalleled relationships with his clients, taking time to listen and understand their needs fully, helping him to select and introduce the client to the most appropriate property for their needs. Sean is a people person and his love of languages and approachable personality makes him a firm favorite with celebrities and wealthy clients who admire his ability to be discreet, efficient and elite. He is available 24/7 as his client base is truly global; is fluent in English, French, conversational Spanish and has recently started learning Russian taking the meaning of ‘International’ to the next level. His unrivalled skills and knowledge gives his clients access to the greatest luxury properties from Miami Beach to Palm Beach and Sean’s connections worldwide allow him to refer and connect his clientele to the finest real estate specialists across the globe. Sean’s passion for his work goes beyond the buying and selling experience, for him, real estate is about uniting extraordinary clients with extraordinary lives…

Welcome New Associates to the One Sotheby’s Realty Team

Posted in OneSir Press Room, South Florida Luxury Homes Comment
 

We would like to give a warm welcome to the new associates who have joined the ONE Sotheby’s family in South Florida. Each agent specializes in the South Florida luxury real estate market and is eager to meet the needs of buyers and sellers with high standards and the exceptional professionalism of the Sotheby’s brand. Please join us in welcoming Jim, Joe, Linda, Susan, Victoria and Peter!  Read more about them here:

Jim Cunningham

Jim Cunningham

Jim Cunningham

 

 

BIO: Jim Cunningham is a Fort Lauderdale real estate specialist and an expert in the buying and selling of luxury homes, condominiums and investment real estate. He represents Buyers and Sellers in all luxury real estate communities of Fort Lauderdale, including Las Olas Isles, Harbor Beach, Coral Ridge, Coral Ridge Country Club, Fort Lauderdale Beach area, Victoria Park, Wilton Manors and the downtown sector. For the past 10 years, Jim has consistently ranked in the top 5% of Realtor’s based on closed sales. Jim attributes his success and continued referrals from clients in large part due to his professionalism, unparalleled work ethic as well as an ambitious, driven and persistent approach to go above and beyond to exceed client expectations.

 

Joe Ando

Joe Ando

Joe Ando

 

 

BIO: A Top Producer every single year he has been in the business, Joe Ando has helped hundreds of people navigate the real estate marketplace. With a career spanning Pittsburgh and Southeast Florida, Joe’s passion for assisting people in the midst of making some of the biggest decisions of their life has catapulted him to the top of the market. Born and raised in North Providence, Rhode Island, Joe attended Northeastern University in Boston where he received a degree in Industrial Engineering. His unique combination of experience and education has benefited each of his clients, and his extensive knowledge and close attention to detail have provided them with the highest level of customer service.

 

Linda Gustafson

Linda Gustafson

Linda Gustafson

 

 

BIO: In her 20+ years selling luxury real estate, Linda “G” Gustafson has been privileged to not only work with the world’s most affluent clientele, but with the leading developers and luxury homebuilders on the East coast. Linda “G” is proudly heading her own team of professionals who serve the upper echelon of luxury homebuyers and property owners in the South Florida market. After taking the Southern Maryland and Washington DC regions by storm with her success in the first half of her career, Linda “G” relocated to Florida and quickly became the top-producing realtor at the premier development firm, WCI. While there, she not only had the coveted opportunity to sell the most desirable luxury waterfront residences on Florida’s East Coast in Bal Harbour – the Rodeo Drive of Miami and Williams Island; she also sat in a class all her own averaging over $100 million in sales volume per year. Years of dedication to providing the absolute best, most discreet service earned Linda the prestigious Prudential WCI Realty Chairman’s Circle Platinum Award for two consecutive years, as well as the Overall Top Producer status nationally. Her affluent clientele’s demand for specialized training and knowledge as a real estate professional also led her to become a proud and select member of the Institute of Luxury Home Marketing, where she received the Million Dollar Guild Award for multiple million-dollar-plus transactions. Linda’s unparalleled expertise and impressive accomplishments reinforce her sensitivity and understanding of the process of selling or buying a property. She will listen to what her client’s needs are and begin to develop a personal real estate portfolio to find that “perfect” property or create a marketing plan designed to sell her client’s existing property. Extremely tenacious and dependable, Linda works 24/7 and is always available to her extensive roster of loyal repeat and referral clients. You can rest assured that when you need her, she is just a phone call or email away. After years of dedication to her work, giving her high end clientele the service and loyalty they deserve, Linda G has earned the respect throughout the real estate industry in South Florida.

Susan Rindley

Susan Rindley

Susan Rindley

 

BIO: Susan Rindley, a South Florida native, has joined ONE Sotheby’s International Realty®. Rindley brings to Sotheby’s International Realty® over 13 years of experience in the South Florida luxury real estate market. “I was drawn to Sotheby’s International Realty® for many reasons,” says Rindley. “With over 500 offices in 40 countries and territories, I will be able to provide my clients with an exceptional global reach—not to mention our local presence with offices in South Beach, Coral Gables, and now Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale.” “We first got to know Susan because of her amazing advertising,” says Daniel de la Vega, broker of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty®. “I feel that Susan is a true professional. She takes pride in everything from the way she dresses to the way she markets herself. Susan is someone who can deal with any kind of client in any kind of situation.” Rindley graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in finance. Real estate is her passion, and she loves what she does, often interweaving her personal and professional lives. That’s why her clients often turn into friends. “Susan is an outstanding executive—she’s dynamic, hardworking and has every admirable trait I can think of,” says Tom Cundy, chairman and CEO of Cundy Inc. in Fort Lauderdale. “Her knowledge is remarkable, and her honesty and integrity are beyond reproach.” Rindley, who lives in Harbor Beach, is active in the community. She is the 2010 co-chairwoman of the Tiara Ball, The White Ball -White Out Cancer, a fundraiser for The Royal Dames of Cancer Research, and she volunteers for the Heart Gallery of Broward County, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Victoria Cooney

Victoria Cooney

Victoria Cooney

 

BIO: Before moving to South Florida I studied law in my native country and later, I had the opportunity to travel around the world. Here in Miami I studied Interior Design. When the opportunity to become a Realtor came, it felt like I was preparing all my life for this career. Working with sellers & buyers I can see the hidden potential in a property. My background in law helps me understand and negotiate contracts, and the chance that I had to travel around the world, allows me to appreciate what South Florida is all about. The first time I sat in a café on South Beach and had the opportunity to hear other people speaking in Russian, French, Italian, Portuguese… I was happily surprised. People from all over the world were enjoying this beautiful city and embracing each other’s culture. If you are relocating to South Florida let me not only find your new home but show you a piece of your country waiting for you here in South Florida.. Having two small children, I learned that South Florida is family oriented as well. Blessed by beautiful weather, I enjoy spending time with my friends & family in the outdoors. I understand the needs of families with small children and their desire to provide the best environment for their growth. Either urban lifestyle or suburban lifestyle, South Florida offers some exciting choices to pick from. Fort Lauderdale is considered “The Venice of America” and living surrounded by water, I started to understand the need of the avid boater in finding a new home for their boat. I created www.Home4myboat.com, a website geared to the boater community, where they can find a home based on the size of their boat. All the properties that are featured on the website are located on deepwater, no fixed bridges and have direct ocean access. I am proud to say that sellers & buyers love it and when searching for a “home4myboat” our website is a favorite. When representing a seller, my experience as an Interior Designer allows me to recognize and highlight architectural & interior features that buyers are looking to find in their new home. If we need to stage a home, we will create a furniture arrangement that is inviting and that allows the prospective buyers to feel like they are in their new home. Buyers on the other hand, when looking at a home, will like a floor plan that works for their family style and needs. I can give them some suggestions about remodeling and how to enhance existing features of the home. I pay special attention to the details of preparing and reading a contract and the negotiation of the terms. I believe that is a crucial moment in the transaction and clients need to know that they are in the hands of a professional and that their interests are protected. Close follow up makes the difference between an agent and a great agent. My goal is to give you all the support that you need to make a seamless transaction and enjoyable experience.

Peter Hall

Peter Hall

Peter Hall

 

 

BIO: Entered the exciting world of real estate after many years in hotel management in the UK, Bahamas and Jamaica. Myexperience and expertise lies mainly in pre-construction condominium hotel developments.