Following a series of preview events and media tours, the Kirkland Branch Office of Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty along with the Connoisseurs of Life Showroom was officially opened to the public on Saturday, March 1, 2014.
“We extend a warm welcome to Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty,” says Amy Walen, Mayor of The City of Kirkland. “The vision statement for Kirkland is to be ‘an attractive, vibrant and inviting place to live work and visit’ and as I tour the Connoisseurs of Life Showroom I am experiencing this very doctrine come to life.”
But for an estimated 500 guests, the 3,200 sq. ft. venue was host to an even more spectacular open house preview party, which dazzled party-goers with fine wine, exclusive properties, extraordinary art, furnishings and a taste of Kirkland’s finest restaurants.
“I think the Connoisseurs of Life Showroom has the potential to become the Times Square of downtown Kirkland,” says Bruce Wynn, Executive Director of The Chamber of Commerce for Kirkland. “With its central location, high visibility and digital displays it’s not only one of Kirkland’s newest lifestyle attractions but will likely become one of the most popular.”
Now servicing the Eastside, Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty is positioned to grow attracting new brokers and clients as the firm proudly represents all property types and price points.
“It was a weekend of celebration and excitement as our real estate firm enters the Eastside four years after opening in Seattle and three years after expanding to Bainbridge Island,” said Chad Zinda, Director of Sales and Managing Broker for the Kirkland Branch Office. “I’ve been in this industry for a long time and I’ve never witnessed a launch quite like this, but then again there’s never been a real estate operation like Kirkland.”
Zinda refers to Connoisseurs of Life Showroom, which in addition to housing the fulltime brokerage operation features a unique retail storefront called Maison DeLille, a wine lounge and retail store operated by DeLille Cellars. In a showcase of other lifestyle products and services, the collective includes an office for Cobalt Mortgage, an art installation by LightArt® and The Island Gallery as well as fine furnishings by Masins and Alchemy Collections and a high-tech, audio-visual installation by Wipliance providing Kirkland window shoppers with a means to explore homes, art and wine. There’s even an integrated, high-tech photo booth operated by SnapBar to capture the moment during special events networking being planned in the space.
In addition to the many guests local media applauded the unique retail concept including stories on King 5 TV, in the Puget Sound Business Journal, on Curbed.com and in the Kirkland Reporter to name a few.
Designed by lead architect Henry Walters of Atelier Drome and developed by Richard Adatto and Paul Peterson of Adatto Construction the dynamic environment boasts flexible chambers of space defined by movable wall partitions that create the retail space, entry atrium, central gathering room and conference center as well as the brokerage Great Room overlooking the Kirkland Marina and Lake Washington. As demonstrated during the Grand Opening Party, the unique space can open up completely from street to bay but quickly convert back to its corporate work spaces.
Among the many guests that attended the opening were senior executives from Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, including Fran Santangelo, SVP Global Operations, Jon Meshke, Vice President Affiliate Services and Cal Lyford, Regional Vice President of Membership Sales.
“This is an impressive space that redefines the brokerage office,” said Meshke. “It’s really superb.”
A flagship for Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty on the Eastside, the Kirkland Branch office is already home to more than 30 brokers that specialize in all property types and price points. The firm, acknowledged by the Puget Sound Business Journal among the “Fastest Growing Private Companies” in Washington State (two years in a row), also has branch offices in downtown Seattle and on Bainbridge Island.
“Now that construction is complete and our doors are open, it’s time to get busy,” said Shelley Cribby, Director of Operations I Eastside for Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty. “It felt great for us to host our first broker meeting in this beautiful environment and the best part, it works — sales began occurring almost immediately. I think we’re off to a tremendous start.”
- PICTURED ABOVE: Brokers converge in the Great Room for an office meeting and take advantage of integrated technology and a beautiful view of Lake Washington.
For career opportunities contact Chad Zinda at 206.579.4939 or email .