The futuristic apartment of Karl Lagerfeld has finally found a buyer

Karl Lagerfeld, the famous couturier and iconic artistic director of Chanel, left behind an impressive legacy not only in the fashion world but also in real estate and art collection. Known for his avant-garde aesthetic and undeniable influence on the fashion industry, he was also a savvy investor. In addition to his revolutionary fashion creations, the Kaiser of fashion had a vast estate including an impressive collection of contemporary furniture, designer outfits by the wardrobe-full, artworks, a collection of luxury watches and jewelry, as well as several real estate properties. Among these were a pavilion in Louveciennes, a villa and a studio in Monaco, as well as four apartments in Paris. These apartments were located at 8 rue des Saints-Pères, rue de Lille, rue de Verneuil, and 17 quai de Voltaire. Last Tuesday saw the auction of the apartment where he spent his final years, located at 17 quai Voltaire in the VIIe arrondissement. The auction, which started at 10 a.m., lasted about 19 minutes. The starting price of the apartment was 5.3 million euros. However, it was sold for an impressive amount of 10 million euros, almost double the initial price.

In this apartment acquired in the 2000s, the designer had managed to create a space perfectly reflecting his avant-garde aesthetic and love for contemporary design. These 260 square meters were transformed into a sanctuary of light, glass, and metal over the course of two and a half years of renovation. From the entrance, the futuristic atmosphere is palpable, with a silicone and cement floor and large frosted glass walls allowing light to circulate freely. Its main rooms such as the monumental living room and the master bedroom are imbued with the very essence of its owner. The white, gray, or silver furniture, with clean and organic lines, created a minimalist yet sophisticated aesthetic. Each element, whether it was Marc Newson's chromed armchair or Amanda Levete's futuristic leather sofa, had been carefully selected to match the atmosphere imagined by the couturier. For him, this apartment was not only a living space but also a workspace. He spent most of his time there, working on his creations with passion and dedication. The apartment was equipped to meet his creative needs, with iPod stations scattered throughout the space, as well as an abundance of art books and magazines to fuel his inspiration.

It didn't take long after his death in February 2019 for it to be put up for sale. The sale followed several auctions of properties belonging to the couturier in 2021 and 2022. Thomas Jousselin, partner notary of the Althémis firm in charge of the sale, emphasized the uniqueness of the property by stating: "It's an exceptional property, both in terms of its location, its size, and the personality who lived there." The auction for this property was a highly anticipated event. "The sale lasted only nineteen minutes and this property was sold for 10 million euros, twice the starting price set at 5.3 million euros," reported Le Parisien. The sale took place at the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry, attracting a crowd of determined bidders. To participate, potential buyers had to pay a deposit of over one million euros, 20% of the starting price. The auctions were conducted both in person, by phone, and online, allowing a wide range of contenders to participate in the event. Bertrand Savouré, founding partner notary of the Althémis firm, commented: "It's a good price. Given the property's location, characteristics, and the person who lived there, we expected it to sell, but it's not common to almost double the starting price. It's exceptional." The competition was intense, with fast-paced bidding and offers quickly rising. The final buyer's lawyer described the moment when the price exceeded 9 million euros: "Yes, it's ok," indicating his client's approval to continue the bidding.

Although the Althémis study chose to keep confidential the details regarding the identity and nationality of the buyer, one cannot help but wonder who will have the privilege of enjoying the colossal 50-square-meter dressing room of the late designer. While some may consider this property to have the look of an unattractive hospital but in a very good location, the massive success of its sale nonetheless testifies to Lagerfeld's lasting legacy, which will continue to inspire and captivate fashion and design enthusiasts for years to come.