"Is that a Sugimoto, darling, or am I just enjoying the view?" Faena House renderings, courtesy of Foster + Partners

Is this Larry Gagosian’s new Foster apartment?

The world’s biggest art dealer has reportedly bought a new pad, ready in time for Art Basel Miami Beach

If you see Larry Gagosian today at Frieze compliment him on his choice of architect.  A couple of real-estate blogs have reported that the world’s most successful art dealer, whose gallery is showing a series of new Ed Ruscha paintings at stand B57 during the fair, has bought an apartment in the Foster + Partners designed Faena House at 3201 Collins Avenue on Miami Beach.

The beachfront development will house 47 residencies and is due to be completed later this year. Foster + Partner’s say “the sleek, modern lines of the 14-storey apartment block resonate with this local style, while the building’s efficient passive form is designed to reduce the need for mechanical cooling during the hot summer months.”

 

Faena House renderings, courtesy of Foster + Partners
Faena House renderings, courtesy of Foster + Partners

The architects go on to explain that “each apartment is designed to maximise ocean views and all feature generous full-height living spaces. Large wrap-around terraces dissolve the boundary between inside and outside, creating ‘verandas in the sky’ that take advantage of South Beach’s exceptional climate, capture cooling sea breezes and encourage an outdoor lifestyle.”

Sounds nice. Luxe Miami Real Estate says the Faena’s asking prices range from $3 to $50 Million; hardly pocket change, though eminently affordable for a man whom the Wall Street Journal estimates to be selling around $1 billion worth of art each year. If he’s in there by the time of Art Basel Miami Beach (December 4–7), there'll only be one place to be come cocktail hour.

 

Faena House renderings, courtesy of Foster + Partners
Faena House renderings, courtesy of Foster + Partners

If you aspire to becoming an art-world master, or maybe just assembling a modest collection you love, do read a copy of our book, Collecting Art for Love, Money and More. Arranged into ten topics that are approached through a key question and answer format, art advisors Thea Westreich Wagner and Ethan Wagner offer an accessible yet unrivalled insider’s view into the often opaque world of collecting art, drawing from their extensive experience in working with collectors and institutions of contemporary art.

Meanwhile, for further insight into architectural developments across the world, download the Phaidon Architecture Travel Guide App and check out The Phaidon Atlas of 21st Century World Architecture in our online store. Also, take a look at our new online architecture project, The Phaidon Atlas. Practices can sign up for a free trial, here.