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Bonne Année from Nice

Fireworks display for New Year's in Nice

This has not been the usual holiday week for us. I can remember when I gave the entire staff the week off between Christmas and New Year, a paid vacation, so we could all relax and regroup for the new year. That wasn’t possible this year, what with the deadline of getting Le Palais du Soleil Fractional Ownership property ready for usage next week.

Le Palais du Soleil Logo

Martine di Mattéo and her team came down to Nice to work round-the-clock to get it done. I have made myself available to assist. Thursday, Martine and I spent seven hours at IKEA to purchase most of the accessories. We had four carts stacked high with very full bags that we loaded into two different Uber cars to take us back to the apartment. The most challenging part was when we wheeled them out to the cars, their wheels locked up rendering us helpless. We learned that they automatically do this to prevent theft, but it was one of those moments when you don’t know what to do first. Since we couldn’t leave them unguarded, and the cars couldn’t stay long in their spot along the road, our only choice was to find an attendant who could unlock them. With the help of a kind woman, we were able to manage it and fortunately got it all back safely.

Martine with our full carts at IKEA in Nice

Martine with our full carts at IKEA

Friday while they were working away at the apartment, I made another run to a store called “Nice Home” to find some of the things IKEA couldn’t provide. I filled a marketing cart and rolled it to the apartment. And on Saturday, I made another trip to Bricorama for even more things. Still missing a few things, I got online and ordered them up for delivery next week.

Martine became very upset when they couldn’t locate the antique coffee table she worked so hard to get for us. We’re not sure what may have happened to it, but believe it might have been stolen. We’re doing what we can to recover it, but I don’t have high hopes.

As of this writing, the apartment is looking absolutely gorgeous and I am jealous I didn’t keep it for myself! As soon as it’s ready, I’ll take plenty of photos for all to see. There is one share available—Share Letter A. Now’s the time to claim it, so email us to do so!

Martine’s handiwork was proudly shown off by the owners of a penthouse duplex apartment that she recently completed here in Nice. They have come for three months to enjoy their new digs. When we found the apartment for our clients, there was an issue with the title that our Notaire didn’t want to deal with, so we found another Notaire who was willing to take the case and make it work.

The apartment is nothing like it was, and is now absolutely a work of art, decorated with the most gorgeous taste. The ceiling was opened up and eliminating one bedroom of no real necessity, a custom-made spiral staircase to the upper level replaced a long, contemporary and very unpretty stairwell. The kitchen and living room were switched to opposite sides of the apartment and the 86 square meter terrace is furnished but about to get planted to turn it into a jungle. No detail has been overlooked. Every inch is custom designed and finished. We were all in awe as we walked from room to room.

Here are more photos, along with the proud owners, Jennifer and Dave Cardy…

New Year’s Eve, Martine’s immediate right arms of her construction crew, Raphael (carpenter/blacksmith) and Corinne (seamstress), who came from Paris just to work on the apartment, and I, pulled together a pot-luck dinner at the apartment where they were staying, which also happens to be that of one of our clients. These clients bought and renovated the property totally sight unseen and even to this date have not yet seen it. It’s a beautiful two-bedroom/two-bathroom in a bourgeois building in a residential part of town that has been totally transformed from its original floor plan. It was perfect for their stay and our party.

I had carted over a couple of bottles of champagne and much of the goodies. While taking our time through the courses, starting with foie gras on toast, we watched music videos on Youtube, danced to some, and reminisced about the music of the 70s. Not long before midnight, Martine had the bright idea to watch the fireworks from the balcony of another client’s apartment—one that she recently completed located directly on the Promenade des Anglais—another absolute masterpiece of hers. The owners, who had been here not long ago, agreed to let us feast our eyes from there, and so we did. It was perfect.

Corinne and Martine on the apartment's balcony

Corinne and Martine on the apartment’s balcony

The Promenade des Anglais was beautifully lit, as the trunks of the palm trees were each encased in threads of white lights. The fireworks did not launch from one spot, but from many points along the Baie des Anges. We had to keep our eyes peeled for each burst of light. They didn’t last all that long, but it was enough for us to each head home and crash, happily ringing in the new year.

Sunday was New Year’s Day, but the crew went back to work to finish the last bits. I visited it in the afternoon to see it in its final stage and make the first “punch list” of things to do or buy…just a few things, like with any project.

Stay tuned for later this week when I can take final photos and we can all celebrate!

Happy New Year to all!

A la prochaine…

Adrian Leeds in Nice for New Year's celebrationAdrian Leeds
The Adrian Leeds Group®

P.S. Fractional Ownership is a perfect way of combining lifestyle with investment! To learn more, visit our website and see all of our fractional ownership properties on the market today!

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3 Comments

  1. Susan Carter on January 2, 2023 at 2:57 pm

    Bonne Annee, Adrian.
    Susan

  2. Lew Seiler on January 3, 2023 at 9:42 am

    Hi Adrian,
    Really enjoyed reading about the preparations of the apartment in Nice, what an effort! All the best in 2023, stay well and safe.
    Lew S.

    • Adrian Leeds Group on January 3, 2023 at 9:52 am

      Thank you!

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