Annaliese Kondo
Ann Harrell and Susan Imhoff of DeLoach Sotheby's International Realty
The local real estate market is buzzing, and even the world has noticed. Ann Harrell and Susan Imhoff, both of DeLoach Sotheby’s International Realty, have made history. The talented real estate team, along with listing agent, Atlanta-based broker Chase Mizell of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, closed the most expensive house ever to sell in the state of Georgia—and the number is breathtaking: $30M.
Brief pause. Take it in. Now let’s give a huge round of applause for the home team. Well done, Ladies, well done.
Entelechy II, designed by the late architect John Portman, sits oceanfront, an ode to modern design, lush gardens, and organic, sculptural forms. To walk through the home is to enter a world-city museum – a space unlike any other – think Getty, Guggenheim, or Tate. It also graced the cover of Elegant Island Living last April.
The best house for sale in the world right now, and we're furious that it's not in the UK.
Country Life UK
Bartolotti Media
Entelechy II
Positioning the estate for the global luxury market was universal in scope, requiring skill, preparation, and lots of time, both on and off property. One hour to prep for a showing. Two hours on average for an actual showing. Potential buyers were welcomed onto the estate, given a tour with champagne, and encouraged to linger amongst the gardens, walkways, and architectural vistas for as long as they desired. The tour concluded with a custom, jasmine-scented candle by Diptyque and printed book about the architect and estate in a lovely gift bag.
“We understood the property – that it’s a collector’s item – a piece of art, and how we needed to market it.”
Ann Harrell
But real estate is always a numbers game. Harrell sums it up: “We’ve sold a lot of properties. Our numbers were good. That’s what people look at. And presentation was very important to the client.” Imhoff agrees. “The seller was vested in the way the property was marketed. They didn’t want it being sold as a party house.”
Imhoff adds, “And we both specialize on Sea Island. It was a natural fit.”
To market this special property, they interviewed photographers from Palm Beach, California, Nashville. They went with Atlanta’s Bartolotti Media, who spent days on-property, lighting, filming, and even rising early to capture the full moon as seen in the cinematic film (video doesn’t do it justice) to present Entelechy II.
The sweeping drone footage and photography capture the magic of Portman’s signature design elements like atriums, suspended bridges, fountains, and art, some of which was included in the sale.
Bartolotti Media
Entelechy II exterior back
“It was a privilege to work with the Portman Foundation. Janna Portman was delightful,” says Harrell. “She really wanted to honor her father’s legacy. And that was part of our goal.” She adds, “I felt like we accomplished that.” Imhoff concurs, “That was very important to us – we worked really hard to do that.”
In a lot of ways, Ann and I do business very similarly. We respect what is important for the client, and in a professional way, we try to meet those needs in a very elegant, respectful way. That was very important to the seller.
Susan Imhoff
And the big question: are the numbers coming here? Palm Beach? Big Sky? The Hamptons? Harrell and Imhoff exchange a smile, and it’s off to another showing.
