December 2 to 5. Abu Dhabi Collectors’ Week. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.
As this year draws to a close, these are dates worth circling twice on the calendar, for an inaugural event that marks a cultural high point on Abu Dhabi’s arts agenda.
Sotheby’s, in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), has announced an exclusive programme of auctions, masterclasses, panel discussions, and exhibitions taking place next month in the capital. Designed as a four-day gala celebrating the art of collecting, the event reaffirms the city’s role as a beacon of innovation and a leading regional powerhouse for artistic expression and cultural depth.
This year, the programme expands further with the inclusion of Sotheby’s Concierge Auctions, bringing to Abu Dhabi a curated repertoire of the world’s finest real estate. For the first time, super prime properties will auction alongside Sotheby’s RM collector cars and Sotheby’s rare timepieces and a high jewellery number assembled over decades by one single collector.
From French Riviera private estates to an architectural masterpiece conceived by legendary designer Zaha Hadid in Graz, Austria, the residential offering at Abu Dhabi’s Collectors’ Week reinforces the growing appeal of collectable living spaces as part of a refined, global lifestyle.
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat: The most Prestigious Address within the French Riviera
This rare Mediterranean sanctuary at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, French Riviera in France, commands a staggering 7,319 sq. ft. of resplendent living spaces across 0.72 acres of immaculately landscaped gardens replete with indigenous species. A most prestigious address within the French Riviera, this 1954 waterfront estate takes pride of place on the western Cap Ferrat, revealing a spectacular seafront panorama from every turn, nook and angle. Steps from Four Seasons Grand-Hôtel, the property boasts seven en-suite bedrooms, including a magnificent primary suite with all-encompassing Mediterranean panoramas and independent guest accommodations. Living areas include a 70-square-metre grand reception room and an 80-square-metre panoramic terrace that commands awe-inspiring coastal views.
A separate 75-square-metre guest apartment, with private access and outdoor space, provides customised accommodation for visitors, while outdoors, an infinity pool appears to merge with the sea, complemented by a 60-square-metre pool house, alfresco summer kitchen, and a wellness centre with hammam and sauna. Multiple terraces and secluded corners further infuse the estate with character and unmatched elegance, paving the way for quiet gatherings or contemplative retreat.
With additional staff quarters, an enclosed garage, ample secure parking, and direct access to the waterfront, this palatial home is a truly rare offering in one of the Riviera’s most distinguished enclaves.
Location: Un Rêve sur le French Riviera
Words could hardly do justice to the appeal of the location where this vast estate is resting. Framed by the azure Mediterranean waters all around, the property lies moments from the charming Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat’s port and a short drive from both Monaco and Nice. This heavenly peninsula perfectly reflects what a lifestyle of quiet privilege and refined leisure truly stand for.
The celebrated Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild also sits nearby, anchoring the area’s cultural prestige and heritage. An impressive residence surrounded by nine resplendent gardens, the villa was constructed during the Belle Époque by Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, whose taste for art is forever etched throughout the home, with museum-worthy collections.
The coastline invites days spent paddleboarding, sailing, or exploring secluded coves via an eleven-kilometre coastal path with fantastic Mediterranean views and Michelin-starred dining at Le Cap, Four Seasons or in the nearby village of Villefranche-sur-Mer.
Private yacht charters, world-class golf, and the glamour of Monaco’s Grand Prix are all found here, yet the peninsula remains a sanctuary of discretion and old-world poise.
The property is listed at $40,500,000, with bids expected at approximately $16,000,000 and a $10,000 bidder deposit required.
Graz, Austria
As Austria’s second-largest city and its cultural capital, Graz is known for its UNESCO World Heritage Old Town recognition, along with Eggenberg Palace. A city replete with medieval alleyways, Renaissance courtyards, and Baroque palaces, Graz reflects centuries of cultural and architectural history.
Brought to auction as a landmark investment, this Graz property offers a rare chance to acquire a revenue-generating asset of cultural significance, designed by the late Dame Zaha Hadid, one of the most celebrated architects of this century.
Positioned in the city centre, this fully operational boutique aparthotel spans approximately 20,900 sq. ft., including 21 serviced apartments, ranging from 320 sq. ft. to 860 sq. ft. Managed by Limehome, a respected name in premium hospitality, the property delivers stable, consistent income. Three fully leased retail units and 3,200 sq. ft. of first-floor offices further complement its investment profile. The jewel in the crown is an exceptional penthouse residence, which, whether retained for private use or positioned as an exclusive short-let, carries considerable revenue potential.
This fully operational boutique aparthotel is a portfolio in motion, in a city with enduring cultural value and no foreign ownership restrictions, which makes it accessible to non-EU investors.
Location Appeal
Rising from the city’s heart, Schlossberg hill offers commanding views from its historic Clock Tower, which sits at 473 metres above sea level.
Culturally, Graz is rich with treasures. The UNESCO-listed Schloss Eggenberg, a 17th-century Baroque masterpiece, awaits with its lavish staterooms and formal gardens. The city’s opera house and the annual Styriarte Festival provide a year-round calendar of classical music at its best.
Beyond the city, the Styrian countryside unfolds in a spectacle of picturesque scenery, rolling vineyards and thermal spas that offer a restorative counterpoint to city life – a reminder that in Graz, heritage and nature are never far apart.
The property is listed at $22,000,000, with bids expected at approximately $12,000,000 and a $10,000 bidder deposit required.
