Day: 19 March 2019

An extraordinary collection of the most exclusive and rarest supercars in the world will be on display, and for sale, in Monaco this May at the annual Top Marques automobiles show.

Monaco and the automobile have shared a beautiful love story since 1911 when the world’s first car rally took place in the Principality. Top Marques Monaco is proud to continue this tradition.

Amongst the exhibitors already confirmed for the 2019 edition of the internationally-acclaimed supercar event, to be held in Monaco’s Grimaldi Forum from May 30th to June 3rd, are iconic brands Aston Martin, McLaren, Ferrari, Bugatti, Bentley, Porsche and Lamborghini.

And whilst organisers have remained tight-lipped about which state-of-the-art models would be displayed at the show, under the high patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, they did announce that McLaren will unveil its latest supercar for the first time ahead of its worldwide release; Aston Martin will present its’ allusive ‘Special Project’ in an exclusive preview; and Rolls Royce will reveal a limited edition Wraith, the ultimate luxury grand tourer.

“I am very pleased with how this edition is shaping up,” said Salim Zeghdar, the new director of Top Marques, “it is going to be rich and unprecedented. The team and I have focused on developing the DNA of Top Marques:  supercars and hypercars. You can come and discover unique models by iconic manufacturers but also those from other independent constructers who bring innovation, new technologies, high performance, luxury and refinement to the Principality. 

In this edition, we have also reinforced our preoccupation with the environment and will present a number of new-energy luxury vehicles.”

Francesco Grosoli, Head of Private Bank – EMEA, Private Bank and & Overseas Services, Barclays added: “Barclays Private Bank is built on a deep understanding of our clients’ passions and long-term goals. This, coupled with nearly a century of experience in Monaco, allows us to offer the right expertise, opportunities, solutions and networks to support our clients.

“We are excited to be the lead sponsor of this unique event that will focus on luxury, innovation, and green technology.”

Founded 16 years ago in Monaco, the undisputed international capital of luxury, Top Marques has become a unique event for all those interested in supercars and hypercars, and the revolutionary innovations which shape the transport of tomorrow. This year it will shine the spotlight on a number of niche supercars from smaller, independent manufacturers such as Anibal Automotive from Canada, Militem from Italy, and Engler Automotive from Slovakia, who will be bringing the Engler F.F – the ‘fastest superquad’ in the world.

The 2019 edition will arguably be the show’s greenest yet, with a number of electric vehicles including the latest models from Tesla, the Audi e-tron, the Puritalia Berlinetta – the Italian ‘superhybrid’, and the 100% electric concept car from Pininfarina.

There will also be new, ground-breaking technology from NanoFlowcell. The Swiss company has invented an ingenious concept for its electric cars which are powered by a pair of 200-litres tanks holding ionic liquids and will be presenting two vehicles at Top Marques Monaco this year.

Top Marques is supported by a number of Monegasque partners such as La Société des Bains de Mer, la Direction du Tourisme et des Congrès and La Mairie de Monaco.

For more information, visit www.topmarquesmonaco

Since Brexit was decided upon almost three years ago, potential buyers have been reluctant to invest into the Prime Central London real estate market. Next to the increased purchase tax (stamp duty) and the threat of a Corbyn-led Labour Party government, Brexit is still a major reason of the currently flat market. Nevertheless, Prime Central London keeps being part of many property investment strategies. Wanting to invest and score a good deal, investors as well as private buyers are waiting for the right timing. The question asked is, is it better to invest before or after Brexit? Will the prices fall or rise after 29th of March?

It is not possible to predict the future, but to consider your investment opportunities, you have to look at several aspects of the London real estate market.

What is going on in the Prime Central London market place?

When you are looking to invest in the Prime Central London property market, the amount of information available will leave you mostly more confused than before. Whether we have a “no-deal” Brexit, a delayed decision or even a completely new vote, each decision will have an impact on the current Prime Central London property market. Most of the statistics come from property agents, which all use their own in-house research departments, favouring of course the outcomes that will be most beneficial for their niche. Preparing for assumptions, which change again the next day or week, will make us delay our decision even further.

This has led to a currently inactive marketplace, where investors are waiting on the side lines, waiting to make the perfect move and seize the opportunities Brexit provides to their maximum.

Ups and downs of the current situation

The current market situation presents us with risks as well as opportunities and there is certainly not the perfect advice for everyone. Of course, when buying now, we risk even lower prices after Brexit, but in the long-run the London property market will certainly recover.

As mentioned, the clear risk is of having prices stagnate or even going down further. What many people don’t see are the advantages London always offered for potential buyers. When viewing global political and economic trends, the world is dealing with many crisis’ as well as political instability. International market forces push investors and those accumulating wealth into economic and political save havens. Because of London’s timeline, the English language, our legal and educational system and the welcome of different nations and arising opportunities, real estate investment into London will globally always attract buyers.

The current situation is an opportunity, especially for long-term investment. From the past we know that when the market in Prime Central London regains its strength it can bounce back faster than most people expect. Due to the low market, we advise many of our clients to invest into a rental portfolio in Prime Central London. Aiming at their capital preservation, we can convert an underperforming asset into Ultra Prime residential apartments as a strategy for capital preservation. This produces a significant higher capital appreciation and rental yields while owning a very secure capital asset.

Why investors should be proactive

Purchasing a house or a flat in prime Central London, is always a discretionary or emotional purchase as nobody needs to rent or buy. To entice buyers, investors and developers, but also private individuals wanting to sell their property, have to improve their homes and the overall buying experience. Attracting the buyer’s unconsciousness and putting them in the mind set of thinking: “I actually can imagine myself living here”, is what a successful transaction is currently depending on. This experience is not narrowed down to one aspect to improve, but everything from the entrance, the space itself as well as the marketing aspect and the communication on a personal level.

A lot of investors and developers still struggle to finding the right approach and have asked us to support them all the way through – from newer marketing to redesigning their show units. The show apartments need to be fit for the market and not only for the portfolio of the designer. We focus on enhancing the given space instead of aiming for any particular style.

This is an approach not only needed in London, but we are also working on projects in the South of France around the Côte d’Azur and in Monaco, which struggle with the same issues.

Author:

Alan Waxman is the Founder & Chief Executive of Landmass based in Soho, London.

The hugely successful Women in Monaco series continues, highlighting females of the Principality who empower, excel and inspire. This week, thanks to She Can He Can, we talk to Claudia Morandini, former professional skier and current CEO of CMTSport Exclusive Events.

What does success look like to you?

Sometimes the word success is linked to one’s work, to results. We think about sport. You are successful when you win: universal law. Success is deeper. Success is a subjective concept. Personally, success is when I set goals and I can reach them. When I do all things in the best way, when what I do makes me feel good inside, sometimes euphoric, happy. Personally I have always done jobs that made me feel quite accomplished, but inside I felt I could always do more, I was never enough for myself. Then my children were born and I understood that that something I lacked in life was just that. The moment I joined all the pieces of the puzzle of my life, from the work I had chosen to the family, inside I felt at the height of my personal success. Success is also being able to do what you love most, understand your personal talents and do the job that suits your personality. Each of us has enormous potential, only that sometimes we can not find out.

What is the main thing that needs to change to improve entry into your field of work, including opportunities for development and the day-to-day life of women at work?

I think the situation is already improving compared to past years. Women are taking a job position with charisma and creativity. In the past it was really difficult, especially in some extremely male environments, like the ones I have faced. Women have never had much credibility in sports, sports journalism. Today, I have my own agency of exclusive sport events, I believe a lot in the value of women and I try to make them actively participate in the projects. In some fields, the role of women who have to show their value in the face of many prejudices is still questioned. Educating is essential. To educate women to believe in themselves and to educate men to accept that in the world of work the female figure is necessary because we have the creative characteristics necessary for success. In fact, I believe that if a woman manages to build herself and have personality she can emerge. There is still much to do, in my small way, I try to give space to the female world, also creating projects focused on “women’s power”.

Tell us about a woman you admire and how she’s inspired you to become who you are today?

My best friend Renee. She is such a successful woman from LA, one of the best fundraisers in the US. She built on her own, step by step without fear of facing a masculine and very delicate environment of American politics. I recognize myself in her. We have both struggled a lot to have credibility. I have also grown up in male environments, where women have always had to prove much more than a man in terms of ability. From her I have learned how to manage stressful situations, to face the powerful male figures and to assert my position. She is one of those women that when you see in action you think “I want to get involved”. I have always chosen works of great responsibility in my life because this is what I need to give the best of myself and the bigger the responsibility the more I can get the best out of me.

A giant artwork highlighting global warming has been installed on the dock of the Monaco Yacht Club. The piece was created by Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra and has been signed by Prince Albert.

The work, titled ‘Global Warming’, is inspired by Salvador Dali’s ‘The Persistence of Memory’. Prince Albert II was present for the unveiling on Monday 18th March, together with Guy Antognelli, Director of Tourism and Congresses, Luciana De Montigny, President of the Brazil Monaco Project Association, and a host of personalities.

The piece includes Dali’s classic melting watch draped on the branch of a dead tree, floating on an iceberg. It refers to the passage of time as unforgiving of the climate.

Like the Prince and Monaco, Kobra is committed to sustainable development and the protection of the environment. Born in 1976 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Eduardo Kobra creates giant, colourful and identifiable frescoes that he installs in the world’s largest cities. His works challenge issues of concern such as saving animals or deforestation. Kobra also paints portraits of famous characters, symbols of peace or of the contemporary era such as Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, Bob Marley, Albert Einstein and Salvador Dali.

‘Global Warming’ was offered to the Principality and was signed by Prince Albert II, before being installed on Fort Antoine for the public to enjoy. The Brazilian artist also offered a canvas, an exact replica of the work to 1 / 10th, to the Prince.