Designed by influential San Francisco architect Ollie Lundberg, this rare modernist residence combines a truly inimitable architectural pedigree with the prestigious location of Pacific Heights, sweeping views of the bay, and effortless access to serene green spaces. Over his decades-long career, legendary San Francisco architect Ollie Lundberg earned a reputation for crafting exceptional designs from modest industrial materials such as metal, stone, and timber. “Architecture is about composition—form and light and material coming together in ways that are beautiful, functional, and elegant in their simplicity,” he once said, and this striking contemporary residence on Jackson Street in Pacific Heights exemplifies those ideals. In many ways, the home represents a paradigm of his work and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of architectural history and a modernist San Francisco landmark. San Francisco, California | Stacey Caen, Joseph Lucier | Sotheby’s International Realty – San Francisco Brokerage Lundberg worked in tandem with the current owners to create the residence, transforming a pair of nondescript 1950s homes into a singular bold expression of sculptural modernism that would be virtually impossible to replicate today, given current codes and allowances. The façade is composed of Neopariés, a crystalized glass ceramic material from Japan; Basaltina, volcanic stone quarried in the Lazio region of Italy; and stainless steel, seen in a dramatic 30-foot-tall column. Interior floors are clad in wenge, an African hardwood, and bluish-gray Brandy Crag stone. Exhibiting the clarity of Lundberg’s vision, confidence, and precision, the interiors allow surfaces of glass, steel, and stone to shape interiors distinguished by an airy openness. Floor-to-ceiling glazed windows allow natural light to flow freely and reveal a spectacular sweeping view of the San Francisco Bay. Long sightlines conjure a sense of impressive continuous volume rather than a sequence of individual rooms. The result is a home that is both pioneering and deeply livable. It is a testament to progressive design in a neighborhood typically known for its historic character. The subdued entryway—on the second level—merely hints at the splendor of the space beyond, which unfurls with assurance. A cinematic curvilinear staircase crafted from stone and steel links the three floors and stands in pleasing contrast to the rectilinear geometry of the enveloping architecture. The open, unified public spaces consist of a streamlined kitchen with black countertops, warmly hued cabinetry, and superior-caliber appliances; a dining area with sweeping bay views through an expanse of windows; and an inviting, light-filled family room with a gas fireplace. The home is crowned by a full-floor primary suite, a true sanctuary that includes a contemplative office with art walls and a private deck. The bedroom’s spa-inspired en suite bath features an open dual-head shower, a soaking tub, and a substantial double vanity. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame vistas of the city and bay, transforming the sky, horizon, and water into dynamic art to be enjoyed every day. Two guest bedrooms are secluded on the lowest level, and each benefits from natural light and direct access to the tranquil backyard. The capacious temperature-controlled wine cellar is a work of art in its own right. While practical in many ways—the laundry area and garage are located here—this floor remains dedicated to Lundberg’s architectural aesthetic. The estate’s double lot—particularly rare for this neighborhood—encompasses a level backyard oasis professionally landscaped by award-winning designer Andrea Cochran. The garden is a space of peaceful privacy, while charming Alta Plaza Park sits steps away, just across the street. This effortless access to communal greenery secures the residence as a rare gem indeed—one that combines a connection with nature, the prestigious location of Pacific Heights, and a truly inimitable architectural pedigree. Discover luxury homes for sale and rent around the world on sothebysrealty.com
Luxury is in the eye—and tastes—of the beholder. But when a high-end home was built can offer hints about its characteristics. The “January 2026 Luxury Housing Report: Old Versus New,” published by Realtor.comⓇ on February 11, 2026, compares luxury U.S. homes that have a median year of construction before 2002 with those built after 2002. The newer luxury homes are notably bigger: the properties built most recently average 3,187 square feet in the US$1-2M bracket, compared to 1,430 square feet (Urban Honolulu) and 1,929 square feet (New York Metro Area) in those older luxury markets. However, the older luxury homes are generally more expensive. In January 2026, luxury homes in the five most expensive older markets commanded higher prices than those in newer markets, with one eye-catching exception: Heber, Utah. Despite a median construction date of 2024, luxury properties in Heber, Utah were priced at an entry point of US$7.6M in January 2026—higher than anywhere else in the U.S. Yet, according to the same report, when it comes to selling, the age of a high-end home does not significantly correlate with time spent on the market, making the insight of a well-informed real estate agent all the more valuable. Cover Property: Heber City, Utah
Our monthly series asks: How do you bring color into luxury design? Green lends itself to older properties, thanks to its historic links, writes Jill Krasny Leinster, Ireland | Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty Some homes make a lasting impression while others quickly fade from the mind. The design scheme is always a factor. Used with care, yellow can be uplifting and pink is surprisingly grounding, while green—which our series on color in luxury design turns to next—is perfectly suited to old-world interiors, given its rich history. In ancient Egypt, the color was tied to life and vegetation, but also to the afterlife. Tomb paintings and artifacts feature green pigment and verdigris, and Osiris, the Egyptian god of fertility, death and resurrection, was often shown with green skin. Meanwhile, in 18th- and 19-century Europe, the color came to symbolize wealth and power, says Jessica Iwaniec, the design director of Pembrooke & Ives, a New York-based interior design firm. “Emerald green is definitely a standout you would see on walls [of the period],” she says, while rich jewel tones appeared in everything from velvet furniture to drapery, she adds. Portland, Oregon | Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty Today, Iwaniec says she tends to see clients choosing lighter shades of green when it comes to paint, while deeper shades remain a popular choice for textiles. Yellows and oranges work well with green due to their earthy tones. “I think about the leaves changing colors and the different variations you might see in the fall,” she advises on the most successful color combinations. The paintwork of this estate in prestigious King’s Heights in Portland, Oregon, complements the myriad colors of its garden. “This green blends in with the surrounding landscape but brings out the details of the architecture, too,” says Iwaniec. It also draws out the white components. The home has a sense of timelessness, despite the exterior being painted a teal-leaning hue that is not common on the U.S. West Coast. “You might encounter it in New England,” she says. Dark and bright shades of green can feel overpowering in warmer climates and Iwaniec warns also against pairing them with red, which can feel too Christmassy. But lighter shades of green are almost adjacent to neutrals, making them ideal for contemporary homes where light is prized. She cites a recent project on Shelter Island, New York, featuring a serene sage green with a high-gloss finish that accentuated the woods outside. Leinster, Ireland | Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty The Village at Lyons, a completely remodeled 20-acre luxury resort in County Kildare, half an hour from Dublin, likewise plays off its rolling pastoral landscape with subtle green detailing across the piece, particularly on windows, doors and balconies. Lush climbing vines transport you to older interiors in Europe, says Iwaniec, who likens the site’s meticulously landscaped gardens and courtyards to the floral designs of English textile designer William Morris. London, England | United Kingdom Sotheby’s International Realty By contrast, a spacious central London apartment in a Grade II listed building, a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace, features neutral colors throughout, except for one monochromatic room. Here, designer David Linley has deployed a channel-tufted wall panel and bench in acid green that creates a “dramatic, moody environment,” says Iwaniec. Adding further drama: the wall upholstery, which enhances the feeling of being enveloped by the soft green textures. Explore our Color Chart series, from zingy orange, bold red and joyful pink to calming white, crowd-pleasing blue and uplifting yellow
One couple’s remarkable private collection perfectly captures the transportive power of photography, writes Katie Armstrong A 2024 exhibition of photography at Sotheby’s New York. Photograph: Sotheby’s The world’s oldest surviving photograph, “View from the Window at Le Gras,” was taken by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce in the mid-1820s. The subject was simple: a dusty view from the inventor’s window, overlooking his estate in Saint-Loup-de-Varennes, eastern France. Was it art? Some 30 years later, the French writer Charles Baudelaire declared photography to be “art’s most mortal enemy” in his 1859 review of the Paris Salon. And incredibly, this is a debate still aired from time to time, even as recently as 2014 when one British newspaper’s art and photography critics went head to head on the matter. At Sotheby’s, “fine art photography” is no oxymoron. While the auction house originally sold photographs alongside books and manuscripts, it has pioneered a market for the medium over the past half century, holding the first dedicated photography auctions in London and New York, in 1971 and 1975 respectively. This April, Sotheby’s Breuer Building—formerly the Whitney Museum of American Art—will host its inaugural photography sales series. Tina Modetti’s “Roses, Mexico,” 1924, part of the Jill and Marshal Rose collection, soon to be auctioned at Sotheby’s New York. Photograph: Sotheby’s As an auction category, photography spans the entire history of the form from experimental 19th-century daguerreotypes to striking contemporary works. But it is very much anchored in the 20th-century classics. “Over the last 20, 25 years, the artists that collectors are buying haven’t actually changed that much,” says Aimee Pflieger, senior specialist, photographs, at Sotheby’s New York. “Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Andreas Gursky, Richard Avedon and, of course, Cindy Sherman—that’s our bread and butter, and continues to be so.” Gerhard Richter’s “Untitled (5.2.89)” from a distinguished American collection. Photograph: Sotheby’s. The place of photography in contemporary practice has further elevated the medium and its market. Pflieger singles out German artist Gerhard Richter. “His oil on chromogenic prints have exploded,” she says. “We used to sell them for between US$20,000 to US$30,000, but in May 2025, we sold one for over US$400,000.” Female artists including Nan Goldin, Barbara Kruger and the late Marcia Resnick are also growing in popularity at auction. Photography offers plenty of range, with room to be focused in your collecting, but also an opportunity to be playful, says Pflieger. “One collector named Henry Buhl only bought pictures of hands,” she notes, “and I know people who literally just want pictures of cats.” “Train Coach Waiter, New York 1951,” one of a series of Irving Penn portraits soon to be auctioned at Sotheby’s New York. Photograph: Sotheby’s A series of Irving Penn images, taken in the mid-1950s for Vogue, will be a highlight of the Print and Photographs Part I auction on April 14. The works feature regular tradespeople, shot stylistically. “You have men in these very humble professions elevated to something very special because they’re shown in these very dignified, full-length portraits,” says Pflieger. “They’re also rendered in platinum palladium, which is this lush, time consuming and technically difficult type of printmaking process. They are absolutely fantastic.” At the heart of the April sales series will be the remarkable Jill and Marshall Rose Collection. The recognition of photography as fine art was not lost on this collector couple, who were vocal advocates for the arts and cultural philanthropists. Real estate developer Marshall championed and chaired a range of organizations and initiatives across New York, while Jill was pivotal in transforming the International Center of Photography into one of the city’s most significant institutions. Together, they collected thoughtfully and enthusiastically. Edward Steichen’s 1908 photograph “Balzac, The Open Sky, 11 P.M”, from the Jill and Marshal Rose collection, to be auctioned at the Modern Day Sale at Sotheby’s New York. Photograph: Sotheby’s The collection’s undeniable centerpiece, to be auctioned at the later Modern Day Sale on May 20, is Edward Steichen’s “Balzac, The Open Sky, 11 P.M.” A rare and monumental photograph of Auguste Rodin’s sculpture of the French writer Honoré de Balzac, it was captured in 1908 using long exposures to create the enigmatic scene. The image reportedly gave Rodin faith that his sculpture would finally receive the recognition he believed it deserved. Art and photography, it turns out, are more friends than enemies. Our Collecting Focus series features expert advice on contemporary art, high jewelry, watches, wine, rare whisky, historic books, fashion history, natural history, Chinese art and antiques and Americana
Providentiales, Turks and Caicos Islands | Turks and Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty This month, explore luxury residences shaped by their environments, highlighting thoughtful design that brings together wellness-focused spaces, considered amenities, and strong connections to place. A Limestone Estate in Greenwich’s Field Point Circle Greenwich, Connecticut | Sotheby’s International Realty – Greenwich Brokerage Hidden behind the gates of Field Point Circle Association, this French-inspired limestone manor unfolds across level, park-like grounds in one of Greenwich’s most discreet coastal neighborhoods. Formal rooms are balanced by generous natural light and an intuitive flow between east and west wings, allowing the home to function as comfortably for everyday living as for larger gatherings. Terraces, a pool, and mature landscaping reinforce the sense of enclosure, while proximity to the water underscores the estate’s enduring appeal. A Contemporary Retreat at Quinta da Baroneza, Brazil Sau Paulo, Brazil | Bossa Nova Sotheby’s International Realty Surrounded by preserved green space within the quinta da Baroneza community, this contemporary residence embraces transparency. Expansive glazing draws the landscape inward, connecting social spaces to gardens and a heated pool beyond. Architectural lines remain disciplined, letting stone, wood, and light define the experience. Access to golf, equestrian facilities, and nature trails positions the home within a lifestyle defined as much by environment as architecture. Modern Lake Living at Black Rock, Couer d’Alene Coeur d’Alene, Idaho | Tomlinson Sotheby’s International Realty Set within the estates at Black Rock, this single-level contemporary residence commands views across Lake Coeur d’Alene and forested hillsides. Designed as a complete retreat, the home extends beyond the main residence to include guest accommodations, water features, and outdoor living areas integrated into the natural terrain. A private bloat slip and close connection to the golf course anchor the property firmly in its setting, where recreation and privacy coexist with ease. Hummingbird Nest Ranch, Simi Valley Simi Valley, California | Sotheby’s International Realty – Westlake Village Brokerage Few Southern California properties operate at this scale. Spanning acres of rolling terrain in the Santa Susana Mountains, Hummingbird Nest Ranch is anchored by a grand Spanish Colonial villa supported by multiple guest residences, curated landscapes, and event space. Long recognized as a premier filming and entertaining venue, the estate also carries approved plans for future hospitality use, offering rare flexibility while remaining a singular private compound just outside Los Angeles. A Janu Residence on Providentiales’ Northwest Point Providentiales, Turks and Caicos Islands | Turks and Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty Villa 8 at Janu Residences marks the Caribbean debut of Aman Group’s more social, wellness-focused brand. Set along Providenciales’ protected northwestern coast, the villa is conceived as a series of shaded pavilions wrapped around gardens and open horizons. Architecture by Manuel Cervantes Estudio emphasizes natural materials and seamless indoor-outdoor living, while ownership provides access to Janu’s forthcoming spa, dining, and cultural amenities. A Reimagined Sanctuary in Pacific Palisades Pacific Palisades, California | Sotheby’s International Realty – Brentwood Brokerage Behind gates in the Riviera Palisades, this recently transformed residence occupies a lush, elevated setting with views that stretch from canyon to ocean. Interiors rely on calm proportions, warm materials, and walls of glass that dissolve the boundary between indoors and out. Wellness elements, meditation gardens, and meandering paths shape the grounds, creating an atmosphere of retreat within minutes of Los Angeles’ most established destinations. Vita at Grove Isle, Coconut Grove Miami, Florida | ONE Sotheby’s International Realty Accessible by private bridge yet minutes from Coconut Grove, this residence at Vita Grove Isle offers island seclusion without isolation. Direct elevator access opens to light-filled interiors and expansive terraces overlooking the water. The building’s amenity program, including marina and wellness spaces, supports a lifestyle defined by privacy, service, and proximity. A Shingle-Style Estate in Mount Desert Island Mount Desert, Maine | Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty Anchored to granite ledges above the Atlantic, this shingle-style estate on Seal Harbor commands sweeping ocean views along one of Maine’s most dramatic stretches of coastline. Covered porches and ocean-facing rooms are designed to engage the landscape year-round, while the home’s position offers easy access to Acadia National Park. The result is a property with generational scale, shaped by the rhythm of the coast and the permanence of it setting. Discover luxury homes for sale and rent around the world on sothebysrealty.com
In one of San Francisco’s most peaceful, prestigious neighborhoods, this stately four-level home dates to 1908 and offers a collection of irreplaceable period details, sophisticated spaces for living an easy urbane life, and views of the skyline and the bay. Prestigious Pacific Heights—one of San Francisco’s most coveted neighborhoods—is a nexus of architecturally significant estates and luxurious landmark manors with dramatic vistas. On one of its iconic sloping streets lined with unmistakable pollarded plane trees, this stately 1908 residence exemplifies the unique combination of period finery with modern comforts. Designed by the prolific Oliver Everett, it is both grand in scale and welcoming in ambience, offering four levels of inviting spaces, each with eye-catching details that serve as reminders of its revered provenance and artistry. San Francisco, California | Mary Lou Castellanos | Sotheby’s International Realty – San Francisco Brokerage A captivating brick and paver drive and herringbone-patterned front patio introduce the home’s distinctive style. The entry level continues the timeless panache with richly hued wood and a rare, enviable testament to history: adorning the walls of the foyer and powder room is a 1930s fresco attributed to Bolivian-born artist Antonio Sotomayor—known fondly as San Francisco’s “artist laureate”—whose esteemed murals adorn the Palace Hotel, Grace Cathedral, and the Bohemian Club. Completing the ground level are a single-car garage with laundry facilities and abundant storage space with built-ins. On the level above, striking moldings, wainscoting, decorative leaded-glass windows, ceiling beams and coffers, and fireplaces framed in stone and wood conjure a sense of early-20th-century grandeur in spaces that are nevertheless consummately urbane. The floor plan’s classic rectangular configuration creates an effortless flow and allows for lovely natural light in nearly every room along with views of the bay and Alcatraz from numerous vantages. Areas designed for relaxation and entertaining include living and dining rooms—each with a fireplace—a den lined with built-in bookshelves, and an impressive chef’s kitchen boasting ample cabinetry, marble counters, a six-burner Thermador range with two ovens and a grill, and an island with a convenient bar sink. Adjoining is a light-flooded breakfast and sitting area with a glass ceiling and a verdant outlook on the enveloping trees and an enchanting garden terraces, both covered and open air. In addition to a thoughtful elevator, the home’s regal stairway ascends to the third floor, a place of serene seclusion. Here, the generous primary bedroom enjoys bay views, a fireplace, and a spacious sitting room. Adjoining are a boutique-worthy closet area with dazzling accents and a lavish bath suite with a soaking tub and a glass-enclosed steamshower. Completing the floor are a comfortable guest bedroom and a bath with period-inspired fixtures and a light-filled flexible living space. French doors lead to a colorful landscaped terrace and a lush, tranquil garden paved with flagstone, both shaded by a towering tree. The main stairway continues to the home’s uppermost level, which features a third bedroom, a full bath, and a versatile space—ideal for use as an office—with abundant storage and sweeping views of the city skyline and the bay. Just outside is a rooftop terrace—also accessible from the garden via a whimsical spiral staircase—that offers a spot for private repose amid natural greenery, blue sky, and views of the landmarks and the bay’s waters, which have drawn so many to Pacific Heights and San Francisco for more than a century. Denizens of Pacific Heights benefit from an array of fine dining destinations, tony boutiques, and diverting entertainment venues; the proximity of delightful Lafayette and Alta Plaza Parks; and the lush refuge of Presidio. Discover luxury homes for sale and rent around the world on sothebysrealty.com
A new wave of inspiring French interiors offers everything from hushed elegance to whimsical theatricality, writes Caitlin Gunther The Dorothée Delaye-designed holiday home, Les Bords du Lac, in Hossegor, north of Biarritz, France. Photograph: Mr Tripper For design inspiration, the world has long looked to France, where visual languages become enduring styles, from the gilded opulence of the Napoleonic era to the stately lines of Haussmann’s Paris, and the cool, functional minimalism of Le Corbusier. “Arbiters of Style: The New Wave of French Interior Design” by Eugenia Santiesteban Soto, in collaboration with Paris-based writers Alice Cavanagh and Lindsey Tramuta, seeks to capture French design in its most contemporary manifestation, via some of its key tastemakers. Soto, style director at Frederic magazine, highlights a range of aesthetics and approaches here, from “poetic restraint to theatrical spaces teeming with fantasy.” One common thread, according to the author, is a spirit of innovation. “I think the French truly celebrate and respect creativity, and that mindset has deeply permeated the culture,” Soto tells Sotheby’s International Realty. “Designers—not only in interiors and furniture design, but also in fashion—aren’t content to sit on their laurels. They keep moving, reinventing.” That same cultural fabric explains why personal style and individuality are so genuinely celebrated in France. Another recurring theme, Soto notes, is the sculptural quality of many French interiors. “I get the sense designers are thinking about interiors as a three-dimensional canvas. They pay close attention to blank space and the flow of objects in a room,” she says. Many schemes are co-created with clients as creative as the designers themselves. Craftsmanship is also a throughline, with a focus on local artisans. “I think it’s natural that [French] designers are looking in their backyards—there is such a rich history of craft in their native country,” Soto says. At the same time, they don’t limit themselves to L’Hexagone; the respect for craft transcends national borders. Among the designers featured in the book, a few standouts illustrate this “new wave.” Claves A sculptural mantelpiece by Claves, co-created with Hugo Marchand, artistic director of Christian Louboutin, for the main salon of his whimsical Paris apartment. Photograph: Alice Mesguich Anyone who follows the contemporary Paris hospitality scene knows the name Claves. The interior architecture studio, founded by Laure Gravier and Soizic Fougeront in 2022, has made a name for itself with bold, imaginative spaces—from uber-cool restaurants like Le Cornichon in the 11th arrondissement to Villa Junot, a painstakingly restored and reimagined hôtel particulier in the hills of Montmartre. The book details how the team looks to French decorative arts for inspiration, especially movements that defined the early 20th century, such as art deco. Think: a serpentine mosaic fireplace or a ribbon-like wooden spiral staircase bathed in natural light. “The aim is to create spaces where you feel like an actor in a film set,” Gravier tells the authors. The result is design-forward—without ever taking itself too seriously. The spaces feel at once stylish and playful. “We like to inject an element of surprise,” Gravier adds. Dorothée Delaye Bold sculptural combinations by Dorothée Delaye for the poolhouse at Les Bords du Lac. Photograph: Mr Tripper Stepping inside Mimosa, the Paris restaurant led by celebrated chef Jean-François Piège, feels like entering a hidden world tucked into the 8th arrondissement. Its curved, rich-hued wood surfaces, a soaring ceiling inspired by a ship’s hull, and tufted banquettes the color of salicorn, give you a taste of Dorothée Delaye’s sensibility. This project, in particular, channels the French Riviera of the 1950s. As the book’s authors explain, the Paris- and Marseille-based designer credits her distinctive aesthetic to childhood trips with her parents to antique fairs, as well as to her own adventures to far-flung, sun-soaked destinations like California, Brazil and Beirut. “Those early trips meant that, unconsciously, I developed an eye for the eclectic, foreign and culturally unique,” says Delaye in the book. Her signature lies in transporting color palettes, always punctuated with eclectic, one-of-a-kind touches. “I always need to add some slightly wild or crazy detail to make it me,” she adds. Festen Festen’s cross-braced wardrobes are a call back to the 17th-century provenance of fashion designer Theirry Gillier’s home, while a Tracey Emin painting hangs over the bed. Photograph: Matthieu Salvaing The Marais-based studio Festen is another “It” design duo in Paris. Founded by Charlotte de Tonnac and Hugo Sauzay, recent notable projects include Paris Fashion Week favorite Chateau Voltaire and the elegant 8th arrondissement boutique haven Hotel Balzac. The book describes their style as “hushed restraint and classic rigor”—tonal palettes, natural materials and meticulous attention to craftsmanship. Examples include an antechamber sheathed in brushed silk, accented by a Picasso hanging from a bronze picture rail, and an oatmilk-hued bedroom with clean, simple moldings livened up by two floral-upholstered Louis XIII armchairs. “We try not to be ostentatious,” says Sauzay. “We want to be fairly understated but not minimalist.” It’s easy to linger over Soto’s carefully curated photographs and daydream how to incorporate these perspectives into one’s own home. At the very least, the reader comes away with a few bright-line rules of thumb: balance, restraint, craftsmanship and the occasional wink of fun and whimsy. “This book is really for anyone who loves design,” Soto says. “You don’t have to be a Francophile to appreciate it.” “Arbiters of Style: The New Wave of French Interior Design” is published by The Monacelli Press in April 2026. Read more about the design trends defining 2026 here.
From a CHF$16.5 sale in Saint-Prex, Switzerland, to a US$19.7M sale in Newport Beach, California, here are five sales represented by the Sotheby’s International Realty global network in February. Saint-Prex, Switzerland Davide Marra | Switzerland Sotheby’s International Realty, CHF$16.5 View properties in Vaud, Switzerland Upperville, Virginia Daniel Heider, Laura Farrell, Michael Rankin| TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, US$19.8M View properties in Upperville, Virginia Newport Beach, California Richard Trey Dewey| Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty, US$19.7M View properties in Newport Beach, California New York, New York Nikki Field| Sotheby’s International Realty – East Side Manhattan Brokerage, US$18.25M View properties in New York, New York Cayman Kai, Cayman Islands https://www.sircaymanislands.com/cayman-kai-rum-point " src="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20201207-CompoundKai15027-SIR-bright-001-1-1024x682.jpg" alt="home on beachfront " class="wp-image-346353" srcset="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20201207-CompoundKai15027-SIR-bright-001-1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20201207-CompoundKai15027-SIR-bright-001-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20201207-CompoundKai15027-SIR-bright-001-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20201207-CompoundKai15027-SIR-bright-001-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20201207-CompoundKai15027-SIR-bright-001-1-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20201207-CompoundKai15027-SIR-bright-001-1.jpg 2000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" Jonathan Sparrow| Cayman Islands Sotheby’s International Realty, US$11.25M View properties in Cayman Kai, Cayman Islands Discover previous editions of Significant Sales on the blog
From record-breaking Birkins to playful Chanel collectibles, the handbag market has never been more exciting, writes Mandi Keighran Hermès Beton Matte Alligator, Blanc Togo, Bleu Brume Chèvre and White, Orange H and Craie Swift, Blanc Sombrero Neige Faubourg Birkin 20 Sellier Palladium Hardware, 2022. Photograph: Sotheby’s In July 2025, a slightly battered black leather bag—complete with the original owner’s nail clippers hanging from the strap—sold at Sotheby’s Paris for US$10.1m. The bag was the original Hermès Birkin, the prototype of the now-iconic style, crafted for actress Jane Birkin in 1984 after a chance encounter with Hermès chief executive Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight. Bidding opened at €1m (US$1.15m) and nine collectors fought over it in a 10-minute bidding war that proved, without a doubt, that the handbag market is one to be taken seriously. “The first auctions with handbags started around 2008 to 2010, and since then the market has expanded significantly,” says Gabrielle Hollenbeck, an associate specialist in handbags at Sotheby’s. “With social media, and knowledge and awareness of brands like Hermès and Chanel, it has really grown.” Mandatory Credit: Photo by Mike Daines/Shutterstock (255529e) Jane Birkin at her mother’s house in London, UK VARIOUS – 1996 " src="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Handbags_Jane-Birkin_Copyright-Mike-Daines_Shutterstock.jpg" alt="Jane Birkin with her original Hermes Birkin in her home" class="wp-image-346335" srcset="https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Handbags_Jane-Birkin_Copyright-Mike-Daines_Shutterstock.jpg 2500w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Handbags_Jane-Birkin_Copyright-Mike-Daines_Shutterstock-300x240.jpg 300w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Handbags_Jane-Birkin_Copyright-Mike-Daines_Shutterstock-1024x819.jpg 1024w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Handbags_Jane-Birkin_Copyright-Mike-Daines_Shutterstock-768x614.jpg 768w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Handbags_Jane-Birkin_Copyright-Mike-Daines_Shutterstock-1536x1228.jpg 1536w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Handbags_Jane-Birkin_Copyright-Mike-Daines_Shutterstock-2048x1638.jpg 2048w, https://www.sothebysrealty.com/extraordinary-living-blog/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Handbags_Jane-Birkin_Copyright-Mike-Daines_Shutterstock-1200x960.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 2500px) 100vw, 2500px" Jane Birkin with her original Hermès Birkin. Photograph: Copyright Mike Daines_Shutterstock Today, around 90 per cent of Sotheby’s handbag sales are Hermès, with styles such as the Birkin and Kelly proving most popular. Current tastes lean towards smaller sizes, such as the Mini Kelly or the Birkin 25, plus limited-edition pieces. Among the most coveted are the Birkin 20 bags in exotic skins and Faubourg Birkins: exquisite miniatures of the brand’s flagship store in Paris, complete with tiny windows and awnings, which routinely fetch upward of US$150,000. “The Faubourg Birkins are very playful—like small pieces of art,” says Hollenbeck. “It’s definitely a special-occasion bag.” While there may never be a sale that matches the record set by the original Birkin, there have been some notable pieces on the market in recent years. One of the ultimate “it” bags is the Hermès Diamond Himalaya Birkin 30, which is crafted from Niloticus crocodile skin and features diamond-encrusted 18-karat white-gold hardware. In 2022, Sotheby’s sold one in a private sale for US$450,000. Chanel’s Casino Monaco Slot Machine Minaudière, 2023, and Pink, Clear and Blue Resin Coco Beach Ball Minaudière, 2019. Photographs: Sotheby’s Chanel also commands attention at auction, particularly the highly embellished minaudières (small decorative handbags). These whimsical designs, which take the form of anything from a Chanel No5 perfume bottle to a cupcake, can cost up to US$20,000 in store and tend to hold their value at auction. “They’re beautiful pieces—very rare and very collectible,” says Hollenbeck. As this market grows, the collector base is broadening. Hollenbeck has noticed growing numbers of male buyers drawn by the investment opportunity, which she compares to watches. “They retain their value over time, and you might not be able to access many of the rarer pieces easily in store,” she explains. Younger collectors gravitate towards trendier, smaller styles, while more established buyers seek out larger sizes and exotic skins. Vintage Hermès, which is defined as anything pre-2000, is an underrated entry point, says Hollenbeck. “These bags have stood the test of time and they’re still beautiful luxury leather pieces.” A selection of ‘buy now’ luxury handbags on view at Sotheby’s Salon. Photograph: Stefan Ruiz For many, luxury handbags are investments and objects of art rather than accessories for everyday use—and to retain their value, Hollenbeck’s advice is to think of them as you would a sculpture. “You really have to treat it like a piece of art,” she says. Avoid direct sunlight, which can alter the color of sensitive leathers, and maintain a stable temperature. Bags should be kept stuffed with acid-free tissue to hold their shape and stored in their dust bags when not on show. Some collectors go further, housing prized pieces in glass or acrylic cases, which truly elevates them to the status of artwork. For those considering a first purchase, the secondary market—including Sotheby’s auctions and its digital Buy Now platform—offers something the boutique often cannot: choice. “We have a wide variety of bags in different shapes, styles and colors,” Hollenbeck says. “There’s no guarantee you will be able to buy the bag you want in store, but at auction, chances are you’re going to find something you like.” Our Collecting Focus series features expert advice on contemporary art, high jewelry, watches, wine, rare whisky, historic books, fashion history, natural history, Chinese art and antiques and Americana
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