Briggs Freeman Sothebys and Museum Tower to Partner on Sales

I feel like this is a deja vu moment: Briggs Freeman star agent Claire Dewar was marketing Museum Tower back when it was just a gleam in Brook Partner’s eyes. Now it has come full circle: Museum Tower has announced a sales partnership with Dallas-based Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty to market and move those 42 luxury condominiums we have heard so much about.

Note: some media outlets are saying Museum Tower “hired” Briggs — well, that’s not quite accurate. According to the press release (below) it’s more of a partnership. Steve Sandborg, vice president of sales and marketing at Museum Tower, will continue to oversee all sales and marketing efforts of the combined team.  Lea Anne Laughlin will continue on as Director of Sales for the new Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty- Museum Tower… or shall I say POWER… team. Briggs will have a three-member team at Museum Tower focused on marketing Museum Tower.

As soon as I know who they are, you will know, too!

(Who do you think they will be? My bets are on Claire, Pogir, Joan…)

We also do not know how many actual homes have been sold as yet at Museum Tower. In November, the Dallas Morning News reported that 15 of the more than 100 units were sold. As I have said before, that is not terribly unusual for a luxury product, and the 24-month buy-back will certainly kick out more sales.

Condo pricing at Museum Tower starts at $1.4 million.

Tried to get a phone interview today, but my phone died. Robbie Briggs told the Dallas Business Journal’s Candace Carlisle he isn’t concerned about selling the controversial  luxury homes one bit.

“We have had clients that have already closed that have shown their confidence in Museum Tower,” he said. “One of the reasons why I’m wholeheartedly confident in marketing it is the buyback program. There’s no guarantees in real estate or life, but here’s a guarantee.”

Well, a TWO YEAR guarantee. Museum Tower officials also say that the negative media publicity of its reflective issues with The Nasher did have a negative impact on potential buyers in the marketplace, which they hope will be overcome with the buy-back and the global steering power of this Briggs-Freeman Sotheby’s partnership — here’s the release:

DALLAS, TX (January 10, 2013) As part of its 2013 strategic plan, Museum Tower announced today that it has selected Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty as its marketing partner for sales at the 42-story luxury condominium project.

“It has always been the strategy to enhance our sales capabilities once Museum Tower was completed and ready to be shown to the world. Partnering with Robbie Briggs and his Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty team is part of a natural transition that dramatically expands the capabilities of our in-house sales team as we enter the phase to generate the majority of our sales. They are a great partner and we are truly excited,” said Steve Sandborg, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Museum Tower.

The strengths that Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty offers are a perfect fit with our identified sales strategies, Sandborg says.

“The sophistication of the Briggs Freeman agents, the firm’s extensive network throughout the region and the international reach of the firm’s Sotheby’s Realty affiliation will assist in attracting the sophisticated buyer who desires and understands the high quality product which Museum Tower represents,” Sandborg continued.

Briggs Freeman has partnered with Museum Tower on sales over the past few years, having represented a number of current homeowners.

“With my training in architecture, I have been intrigued from the start by the sophistication of what Museum Tower brings to Dallas in terms of design and lifestyle.  This is the perfect season for life downtown with the opening of the Perot Museum of Science and Nature and the Klyde Warren Park.  I am very excited for us to be involved in letting the world know about the incredible vertical living opportunity we have at Museum Tower,” said Robbie Briggs, President & CEO, Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty.

“Our team of sales agents and our network of Sotheby’s brokers know how to market and sell communities and neighborhoods to the world.  Museum Tower is an amazing asset for Dallas and our region.  With our city being so interconnected, it is gratifying to see one of our neighbors building a landmark that will surely offer an extraordinary and sophisticated lifestyle,” Briggs continued.

The existing sales and marketing team at Museum Tower will remain as part of the new organization. Mr. Sandborg will continue to oversee all sales and marketing efforts of the combined team.  Lea Anne Laughlin will continue as Director of Sales for the new Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty- Museum Tower team.

To support sales efforts, Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty will assign a select team drawn from its 192 agents to work on the Museum Tower project.

Museum Tower is a 42-story luxury residential high-rise located in the heart of the Dallas Arts District between the Nasher Sculpture Center and the Meyerson Symphony Center, and adjacent to the thriving center of Downtown Dallas, as well as Uptown and West End. The building offers owners the rare distinction of living among the works of four Pritzker Prize-winning architects. Designed by renowned architect Scott Johnson of Johnson Fain, the contemporary tower offers a collection of 115 residences in nine floor plans, ranging from an intimate 1,800-square-foot pied-à-terre to a sprawling 9,000-square-foot penthouse with 12-foot-high ceilings. The dramatic one-, two- and three-bedroom interiors will feature floor-to-ceiling glass, direct-access elevators, outdoor terraces, and state-of-the-art Miele kitchen appliances. Offering unobstructed views of Dallas and fronting Klyde Warren Park, Museum Tower provides an exceptional array of services and amenities, including a concierge, private gathering and event spaces, outdoor pool, great lawn and outdoor terrace, state-of-the art fitness center and more. Museum Tower opened in January 2013 and is anticipated to become an iconic addition to the Dallas skyline. For more information, please visit (www.museumtowerdallas.com)

Museum Tower Sales Gallery: The Sales Gallery is located in Museum Tower, 1918 Olive Street. For more information or a personal tour, please contact the Sales Gallery at 214-954-1234 or visit www.museumtowerdallas.com.

Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty is Dallas’ luxury leader, with more than 190 agents in five offices located throughout the Metroplex and access to the global Sotheby’s network including more than 11,000 agents in 600 offices worldwide. For more information go to briggsfreeman.com