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The real estate industry’s guide to Art Basel

Notes from the Agency Art House on what to see and where to be seen during Miami Art Week

What Real Estate Should Do At Art Basel 2024
Mauricio Umansky (Getty)

’Tis the season in South Florida, but we’re not talking about the holidays. Locals and real estate insiders are all focused on festivities surrounding Art Basel, the annual art fair that brings thousands of well-heeled, keen-eyed potential luxury home buyers to Miami Beach.

Miami Art Week has become a bonanza for brokers and developers who hope to piggyback on the party to market their own projects or listings. And of course it’s a see-and-be-seen atmosphere for top names in the industry. Already, developer Craig Robins has hosted a kickoff party at his firm’s Design District headquarters. According to ARTNews, top galleries reported seeing “strong sales” after Wednesday’s early access VIP day. (We’ll have to wait and see if that means strong sales for luxury homes, too.) 

But it’s not all about the sales. TRD’s Katherine Kallergis reported earlier this week about agents who are creating what they call a “concierge” approach to the week, showing the world a lifestyle that goes beyond real estate opportunities. 

The Agency founder Mauricio Umansky took his Basel plans a step further — he partnered with art dealer Arushi Kapoor to launch a new venture, an advisory service called the Agency Art House. For Basel, Kapoor created a special list of must-hits for clients and colleagues looking to get the most out of their experience.

Kapoor’s guide varies from experience recommendations — get the VIP pass if you want quiet time in the galleries, arrange a private tour and check out simultaneous art fairs — to favorite restaurants and places to stay. TRD snagged a copy of her recs, so you can check them out below.

Hospitality hot spots

Included on Kapoor’s hit list are classics like Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami Beach and trendy Korean steakhouse Cote, if you’re willing to brave traffic on the causeway. Also on the list is the restaurant at Fort Partners’ Surf Club. (Closings for the Seaway at Surf Club condos started in October.) Industry favorites like Klaw (where TRD had our pre-Forum VIP dinner) and Casa Tua were further down.

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Hotel recommendations stuck to Beach favorites, including another rec for the Surf Club, where the Four Seasons hotel remains a fan favorite and Four Seasons Residences continue to break records. Kapoor also mentioned the Faena Hotel, the Setai, the Standard (another TRD hangout) and 1 Hotel South Beach (of Nir Meir infamy). 

What to see, where to be seen

At Art Basel, there are more than 280 galleries from 38 countries represented at the Miami Beach Convention Center this weekend. If that isn’t enough art for you, though, Kapoor suggests checking out one of the museums in Miami’s blossoming art scene, like the Pérez Art Museum (yes, as in Jorge Pérez), Superblue, the Rubell Art Museum or ICA Miami. 

But there are a whole lot of less-artsy, more-party events to enjoy, too. Kapoor cites a few “sought after” private events hosted by galleries like Gagosian and invite-only parties that range from DJ Khalid’s birthday party on Star Island to the “Art of the Party” at the Fountainebleau to events hosted by a16z and East West bank. 

If you’ve got an in for those, enjoy. If not, though, there are events to be enjoyed all week at Faena Art Week and the Untitled Art Fair, where Kapoor and Umansky will host a panel on Friday at noon. 

Or, of course, you can always go to E11EVEN – even Miami’s favorite “ultraclub” gets into the Art Basel spirit, with multiple events and performances from Steve Aoki and Lil Wayne. 

Oh, and don’t forget to check out the elephants on the sand.

Enjoy your weekend. 

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