A Note From Liza Lamar
DIRECTOR, EMEA
ONE SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
Vibrant, distinctive, and unmistakably global, Madrid and Miami share an energy that rises above borders. Each city instantly recognizes the other’s spirit.
At ONE Sotheby’s International Realty, we honour that connection with this first edition of Global Insider: Miami to Madrid - a publication created to link two destinations united by a passion for living well, surrounded by culture, design, and authenticity.
Madrid has long been a true global crossroads, where people from every continent converge. Its European heritage, strong Latin American ties, natural connection to the Maghreb, deep relationship with North America, and growing influence in Asia make it an international meeting point like no other. Its pace may be relaxed, but its essence is electric: a city alive with elegance, tradition, and a constant pulse of creativity.
Miami, in turn, stands as a modern world hub - a place where cultures, investment, innovation, and lifestyles from across the globe collide and thrive. From its sunlit beaches to neighbourhoods filled with art, gastronomy, and bold architecture, Miami represents contemporary diversity and the vibrant rhythm of a city where ocean light, global culture, and modern elegance naturally intertwine.
Between these two cities flows a constant exchange of talent, ideas, vision, and opportunity. They remain distinct, yet share a common worldview: seeing a borderless future and understanding that true value lies in relationships that endure.
Welcome to Global Insider: Miami to Madrid - a journey between two shores, united by culture, language, energy, and a truly international way of living.
From Miami to Madrid
CURATED WITH INTENTION. CONNECTED. ALWAYS AHEAD.
Welcome to your insider report from the cultural vanguard. This is not your typical newsletter. It’s the shortlist for those who collect ideas - not just art - and want to know what’s coming before it hits the page.
From next-generation gastronomy in Miami’s most iconic neighborhoods to ephemeral architectural experiences in Madrid, this edition is your passport to the most intriguing and most unexpected cultural moments happening right now.
This season, we trace a line of cultural voltage from Miami’s cinematic heat to Madrid’s vibrant sophistication: a transatlantic conversation where design is bold, gastronomy is conceptual, and the experience is everything. In this world, luxury isn’t loud - it’s precise.
Intentional.Personal.Andalwaysafewstepsaheadofthemainstream.
Mayi de la Vega
FOUNDER &
CEO
ONE SOTHEBY´S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
“We want to be the epicenter of communication between Madrid and Florida’s East Coast”
Founder and CEO of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty, Mayi de la Vega, on hard work, vision, and global connection through real estate.
As global migration patterns continue to redefine luxury real estate, few figures have done more to cultivate meaningful international ties than Mayi de la Vega, Founder and CEO of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty. With a deep global footprint and a front-row seat to Miami’s transformation into a world-class cultural and financial hub, de la Vega is steering her leading real estate company toward a future defined by collaboration, creativity, and connection.
Her leadership philosophy blends discipline and vision with an innate ability to build community, a quality rooted in her own journey of resilience and ambition. Today, she stands at the forefront of a new era of global real estate, one that celebrates the synergy between markets like Madrid and Miami, and the people who move between them.
Q: You came to the U.S. as a child. How did that experience shape your outlook?
A: My family fled Cuba when I was three or four, not speaking a word of English, and I watched my parents start from nothing. My father worked long hours in a factory and I would tag along with my mother while she cleaned offices. We couldn’t afford much, but there was never a shortage of love or optimism. My father would sing as we walked miles to buy groceries because we couldn’t afford the bus both ways. That optimism, even in hardship, defined my childhood. Those years taught me that success is built, not given. While other little girls played with dolls, I imagined running a business and would sell cafecito for five cents. That discipline and determination have fueled my drive ever since.
Q: Your father seems to have played a major role in your journey. What did you learn from him?
A: My father was my greatest mentor. He taught me discipline, focus, and respect for hard work. He was also cautious and valued security. I encouraged him to take risks and start his own business, and I helped him build that company while I was still in school. When he took that leap, it changed everything. When we eventually sold that company, I realized how powerful it is to bet on yourself and it inspired me to chase my own dreams. That mix of courage and discipline became my foundation. It guides how I lead today, with purpose, passion, and the belief that resilience and hard work create opportunity.
Q: How did that courage translate into real estate?
A: I turned to real estate because I have always loved architecture, art, and people. When the opportunity came to bring the Sotheby’s International Realty brand to Florida in 2008, the timing couldn’t have been tougher. The market was in crisis, but I had a vision. I could sense the world was changing and I knew Miami was destined to become a true global city and hub for business, art and culture. I believed an
international luxury real estate firm was the future and the Sotheby’s brand, one that connects people, places, and ideas, would bring that vision to life. Everyone thought it was the wrong time. I thought it was the perfect time, and that conviction and belief in myself led to ONE Sotheby’s International Realty.
Q: How has ONE Sotheby’s International Realty grown since then?
A: The growth has been incredible and intentional. We have grown to more than 30 offices across Florida’s East Coast and expanded the depth of services and innovation we provide. Our real estate advisors are true area experts; insiders who know their local markets intimately and serve as trusted connectors for their clients within their communities. Our trajectory reflects a commitment to resilience, smart growth, and building lasting relationships with clients and communities alike.
Q: What drives you as a leader today?
A: Purpose and people. You don’t build great companies alone, you build them with a team that feels valued and inspired. My mission is to create a culture that empowers our advisors to be the best version of themselves. Every advisor is a CEO of their own business, and I want them to feel supported and heard. We have built ONE Sotheby’s International Realty around excellence and empathy. Our commitment goes beyond the transaction, it’s about trust, service, and lasting relationships.
Q: What defines luxury in 2025’s real estate world?
A: Luxury has evolved. It’s not a price point, it’s about the way you feel. True luxury is authenticity. It’s the art of living beautifully, intentionally, and with purpose. Clients today are seeking experiences and emotional connection. They want homes that tell their story, art that inspires them, and spaces that make them feel connected to nature, to culture, to community. We help them find the spaces that do just that.
Q: You’ve been building a strong dialogue between Spain and Florida. Why that connection?
A: The energy between Madrid and Miami is incredible. They share a cultural rhythm and lifestyle with creativity, warmth, sophistication, and a love for design, food, and art. We are seeing more Spanish investors acquiring landmark properties across South Florida, and Spanish brands expanding here. One of Madrid’s most celebrated restaurants, will soon open at Ponce Park in Coral Gables, a project we represent exclusively. There’s a synergy between these cities that’s only getting stronger. My vision is for ONE Sotheby’s to be the epicenter of communication between Madrid and Florida’s East Coast, a bridge for people, investment, and inspiration.
Q: What challenges and opportunities do you see in real estate today?
A: The best real estate advisors want more than a brand, they want purpose, innovation, access, and a genuine sense of belonging. That’s why we focus so much on culture and technology. We are constantly evolving, integrating AI, data, and storytelling tools, but always with a human touch.
These advancements create incredible opportunities to unlock new levels of efficiency, creativity, and personalized service, ultimately reshaping the way clients and agents experience real estate. Technology enhances what we do, but authentic connection is what truly sets us apart
Q: After everything you’ve achieved, what still drives you?
A: Curiosity. I love to learn. I’m endlessly inspired by architecture, art, and the way people live. Real estate, for me, is about building bridges between people and ideas, between markets, between cultures. Every day brings the chance to create something meaningful. That’s what drives me, shaping a company that connects Miami to the world, and the world to Miami.
CREDITS: DANIEL SCHÄFER
Sven Odia
EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT
SPAIN SOTHEBY´S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
“Luxury homes will become spaces of balance between privacy, technology, and wellbeing— reflecting the true value of time and tranquility”
Sven Odia, executive chairman of Spain SIR: “Madrid and Miami are magnets for talent and capital, with global connectivity, a vibrant cultural scene, and an aspirational lifestyle.”
The Partner and Executive Chairman of the board at Spain Sotheby’s International Realty (SIR) has built an uncommon career path in the real estate sector. He began as an intern and quickly stood out for his leadership skills and strategic vision. His determination, combined with outstanding results, propelled him rapidly to the top ranks of the excellence and luxury market.
Sven Odia (Hamburg, Germany, 1977) welcomes us to the warm and sophisticated offices of Spain
Sotheby’s International Realty in Madrid, where he talks about the challenges facing the real estate sector, the company’s firm commitment to heritage preservation, innovation in the service of beauty, the Madrid–Miami connection, and the opportunities that this growing relationship offers.
Q: What do today’s Madrid and the Miami you know so well have in common?
A: Both are magnets for talent and capital, with global connectivity, a vibrant cultural offer, and an aspirational lifestyle. They share a younger, more mobile international buyer profile that values efficiency, safety, and turn-key residences in prime locations.
Q: What can you tell us about the new Global Insider project between Florida and Spain?
A: It was born out of an undeniable reality: there is a constant flow of buyers between Miami and Madrid— two markets that share energy, lifestyle, and a growing mutual interest in real estate investment. With this new catalog, we aim to connect both cities by offering our clients a curated selection of the best investment opportunities, along with a cultural and lifestyle guide highlighting the most distinctive aspects of each destination. It’s a tool designed to inspire, inform, and facilitate decision-making across two of the most vibrant luxury markets worldwide.
Our transaction pipeline confirms that international buyers will continue to be a key driver of Spain’s luxury market—particularly the strong demand in the high-end segment from U.S. buyers, whose presence is growing significantly.
Q: How have the expectations of luxury clients evolved in recent years?
A: Expectations have changed radically. Today’s buyers—mostly high net worth individuals and ultra high net worth individuals—prioritize privacy, discretion, and exclusivity. Spain has become a top destination for this profile, with a 60% increase in the presence of international buyers.
Madrid has emerged as a reference point for Latin American and North American investors, while Barcelona attracts mainly Europeans. On the coast, Marbella, Ibiza, and Mallorca continue to lead demand among buyers from Europe, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.
The ultra-luxury market has shown resilience and diversification despite macroeconomic factors. It is evolving toward a more personalized, experiential form of luxury, marked by the rise of branded residences and properties designed to deliver unique experiences and an exceptional lifestyle.
It is precisely this understanding of the market—and of the people who drive it—that shapes Sven Odia’s vision as Executive Chairman of the Board of Spain Sotheby’s International Realty and Advisory Board Member at PINKTUM, an e-learning company. In his book Lage, Lage, Leadership (Location, Location, Leadership, Murmann Verlag, 2025), he reflects on his professional journey—after spending over 27 years at Engel & Völkers—and offers a grounded perspective on the real estate world.
In its pages, he openly shares the tensions, triumphs, and crises that shaped his approach to leadership. He recalls how, as a shy teenager in the 1990s, he made the unusual choice to send out just one internship application—and, against all odds, signed his first apprenticeship contract on August 1, 1997.
That mix of determination and serendipity led him to open his first real estate franchise in Mallorca at just 21, backed by his parents’ support. It was there that he discovered what it meant to be an “entrepreneur within a company.” After a strong start on the island, he drove the expansion into the United States, becoming the first non-American to succeed in such a fiercely competitive market.
He drew several key lessons from his career: to take risks, to learn discipline even in the most tedious tasks, to balance intuition with metrics, and to maintain inspiring leadership. In Location, Location, Leadership, he shares insights on leadership with one core message that still guides him today: “People follow people. Leaders who genuinely care about their employees—not just during the annual performance review—have a much easier job.”
Q: In your book, you describe your rise from intern to CEO. What has been your greatest professional lesson?
A: That leadership is built on consistency, humility, and long-term vision. I started from the ground up, and after more than 25 years, I’ve learned that the most valuable asset is people—and the culture that drives them. My time as CEO and Chairman, leading international expansion across more than 30 countries, taught me two key principles: the discipline of executing strategy every day, and the commitment to empowering exceptional teams to create their own success stories. That’s also the essence of my book Location, Location, Leadership: the combination of focus, hard work, and service to the team.
Q: How do you handle pressure at the top of major corporations?
A: Pressure is an inherent part of leadership. It’s managed through purpose, structure, and balance. Having a clear mission, empowering people, and building sustainable growth help maintain focus even in the most demanding moments. Operational discipline turns pressure into action, while personal balance— time to reflect, learn, and recharge—prevents pace from consuming vision. It’s not about eliminating pressure but channeling it into progress.
Q: With the recent opening of your new offices on calle Lagasca in Madrid—which feel nothing like a traditional office, by the way—what are your short- and mid-term strategic goals?
A: Our goal is to strengthen our local presence in the most exclusive areas, such as the prime districts and La Moraleja, to increase our share of high-quality properties. At the same time, we’re transforming the client experience with a new client lounge concept focused on personalized consulting, curated properties, and smoother interactions. Additionally, we aim to enhance the connection between Madrid, the Balearic Islands, Marbella, and Seville—creating synergies that accelerate relationships between properties and qualified buyers.
Q: How is Spain Sotheby’s International Realty innovating to improve the client experience?
A: We’re integrating innovation at every stage of the process, combining advanced technology with the human expertise that defines luxury. Through Salesforce, we manage every interaction with full
traceability, allowing us to prioritize real opportunities and deliver precise follow-up. We’ve incorporated artificial intelligence to match lifestyle, purchase intent, and property attributes, achieving more efficient results. This is complemented by real-time market data, providing transparency and supporting better pricing and negotiation decisions.
Q: How does Spain Sotheby’s International Realty approach sustainability and social responsibility?
A: From a holistic perspective. We prioritize energy efficiency, sustainable materials, and advising property owners on meaningful improvements that impact demand and value. We also maintain a firm commitment to heritage conservation and support cultural and educational initiatives tied to the Sotheby’s ecosystem. For us, integrating beauty, functionality, and responsibility is the foundation of contemporary luxury.
Q: What are the main challenges ahead, and how do you envision the future of the luxury sector?
A: The main challenge today is the shortage of inventory in truly prime locations, along with the gap in expectations between buyers and sellers. Even so, the outlook is optimistic: international demand continues to grow, driven by those seeking not only a solid investment but also a fulfilling lifestyle connected to Spain’s beauty, safety, and culture.
Luxury is evolving toward a more authentic sophistication—where quality takes precedence over quantity. We will see more ultra-prime projects featuring signature architecture, true sustainability, and integrated services that simplify life. The luxury home of the future will be a space of balance between privacy, technology, and wellbeing—reflecting the true value of time and tranquility.
CREDITS: DANIEL SCHÄFER
MadrIAMI
MIAMI AGENDA
EMERGING ARTISTS UNDER THE RADAR AT ART BASEL
Miami Beach. December 3–7, 2025.
Every December, Miami’s heart beats to the rhythm of contemporary art. Art Basel Miami Beach turns the city into a constellation of galleries, collectors, and creators from all continents, celebrating—and challenging—what art can be. This year, 280 galleries from over 40 countries will converge, bringing an energy that extends beyond the fair, from the masters to the emerging artists eager to take their place. It’s the emerging artists who are especially worth watching. In this world, artists may grab the spotlight, but it’s the galleries that set the pace—and the rules. If you want to get a sense of who will define the art of the future, you’d better get a map of the newly exhibiting spaces at Art Basel 2025, because the chances of discovering an under-the-radar gem are higher than ever.
Alongside the debut of El Apartamento, the first Cuban gallery to join the fair, other Latin American newcomers include: Crisis (Lima); Lodos (Mexico City); Galería Mapa (São Paulo); Galería Elvira Moreno (Bogotá); Parallel Oaxaca (Oaxaca); Pasto Galería (Buenos Aires); Proyecto Nasal (Mexico City, Guayaquil); W—galería (Buenos Aires, Garzón); and Zielinsky (Barcelona, São Paulo).
There will also be room for a selection of emerging exhibitors from New York’s alternative art scene, including David Peter Francis, Candice Madey, Margot Samel, Theta, Kate Werble Gallery, and YveYang. The West Coast presence at Art Basel Miami is also expanding significantly, with nearly 50 new California galleries such as Rebecca Camacho Presents, Catharine Clark Gallery, Diane Rosenstein Gallery, and The Pit. If there’s any unexpected breakout at the fair, it will come from here. www.artbasel.com/miami-beach
CARLOS CRUZ-DIEZ’S DISRUPTIVE CHROMOSATURATION
Pérez Art Museum Miami. Through September 27, 2026.
In a city where sunlight is omnipresent, a Carlos Cruz-Diez installation stands out as truly disruptive. A pioneer of kinetic and optical art, his experiments with light, sound, and space have fascinated and bewildered viewers alike. Cruz-Diez sought to awaken “an awareness of the instability of reality.” In Chromosaturation, the immersive installation now at the Pérez Art Museum, color is reimagined as a bodily experience. Composed of three interconnected chambers, each lit in red, green, or blue, “visitors receive a retinal overload that pushes the limits of visual perception,” explains the museum. A journey in every sense.
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MASTERPIECES AT ART DECO WEEKEND
January 9–11, Miami.
Prepare for a sensory experience the moment you enter a home - every detail carefully considered. One of the creative forces behind this is Luciana Fragli, founder of Design Solutions, a premier luxury interior design firm in Miami. With more than 20 years of experience, Fragli has completed over 400 high-end residential projects throughout the city, “transforming spaces into exquisite masterpieces” and “blending creativity and functionality for South Florida’s discerning clientele,” according to Design Solutions.
“From the initial consultation through project completion and beyond, we ensure every detail reflects the client’s vision,” the firm notes. Luxury crafted down to the smallest detail.
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THE ARCHITECTURAL EXPERIENCE AT CARBONE Carbone Restaurant. 49 Collins Avenue, Miami.
Earlier this decade, designer Ken Fulk transformed this already iconic space with decadent colors— terracotta, cream, emerald green—to highlight the malachite beams and columns on the ceiling, damask-covered walls, and leather-upholstered benches and doors. Fulk says: “I love the ritual of making a cocktail, the tradition of taking time to craft and savor it. Most of all, I miss the connection— seeing an old friend or making a new one in a space full of energy.”
Carbone, from Major Food Group, serves classic Italian-American dishes with inventive haute-cuisine techniques: carpaccio piemontese, baked clams, veal parmesan… But the experience goes beyond food. It is architectural and artistic. Classic service in burgundy tuxedos, a lavish ambiance, and an unconventional menu by chef Mario Carbone. Come, (eat) and see.
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MadrIAMI
MADRID AGENDA
LATIN ART AT ARCOMADRID’S 45TH ANNIVERSARY IFEMA Madrid. March 4–8, 2026..
The fair of all fairs. From collectors to families, ARCO turns 45 this year. Alongside its General Program featuring national and international galleries, one of the standout curated sections is Profiles / Latin American Art, directed by José Esparza Chong Cuy, which explores historical ties between ARCO and Latin American art. Its goal: “to build community, proposing new ways of doing, thinking, and living together,” says the curator. “From different generations and cultural contexts, these artists break physical and symbolic barriers, opening new spaces to imagine how we relate to the world. Through practices spanning painting, sculpture, performance, installation, and fashion, they invite us to envision more dynamic, inclusive, and expansive futures—where the multiplicity of possible realities becomes visible.” A who’s who of emerging Latin art. Lo que está por venir.
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SHOPPING ON THE MILLA DE ORO
Calles Serrano, Ortega y Gasset, and Velázquez. December.
Over the past two decades, Madrid has undergone a remarkable urban transformation, positioning itself among the world’s most desirable capitals to live, visit, and be seen. Yet some things remain unchanged—like the enduring magnetism of the Barrio de Salamanca, Madrid’s timeless residential and shopping district. At its heart lies the Golden Mile, where Serrano, Ortega y Gasset, and Velázquez meet. Luxury brands pull out all the stops: Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Cartier, Prada, Dior, Loewe, Chanel, Ferragamo, and Bvlgari unveil dazzling window displays that turn shopping itself into a festive art form.
MADRID’S CULINARY FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
Madrid Fusión. January 26–28, 2026.
Since Spanish chefs first began topping global rankings three decades ago, gastronomy has flourished as both a cultural and industrial phenomenon. Within that context, Madrid Fusión Alimentos de España has become a must-attend event.
Last year’s figures speak for themselves: 1,874 delegates, 26,104 visitors, and 232 exhibitors. If you want to know where haute cuisine is heading next, this is the place to be.
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A CENTURY OF MARTÍN CHIRINO. MEMORIA DEL CÍRCULO
Círculo de Bellas Artes, Madrid. Until January 11, 2026.
A hundred years of Martín Chirino’s sculpture and a century of the Círculo de Bellas Artes—one of Madrid’s most storied and dynamic cultural institutions. This exhibition pays tribute to the Spanish sculptor (1925–2019), co-founder of the El Paso group, whose “sculptures in the air” express both strength and sensuality. The Círculo describes his aesthetic as one where “the spiral form evokes wind and breath, embodying the creative force of chaos and its resolution into moments of suspension filled with beauty.” Long live the king of the circle—and the curve.
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Tropical inspiration and sophistication for a new Miami
CMA Homes is changing the city’s architectural narrative with a design that defies the passage of time.
Sophistication, intelligent design, and a tropical vision for a cosmopolitan client who values being surrounded by beauty. That’s how the homes conceived by American architect Cesar Molina and his wife and partner, Shana Willinsky, founders of CMA Homes, are defined. Created five years ago as a natural extension of CMA Design Studio —founded by Molina in 2003— the development firm
ensures that the essence of each project remains intact, without intermediaries diluting their vision. Unlike other developers who outsource each phase, they integrate architecture, interior design, landscaping, and real estate management, achieving something essential for true lovers of luxury: time.
“We offer a fully furnished home, ready to move in so that you can arrive and… find everything ready, designed and furnished. The only thing you need to bring is your toothbrush,” explains the couple, so in sync that Cesar finishes
the sentence Shana begins. Far from the Mediterranean aesthetic that dominates Florida, their proposal draws on more than fifteen years of travel through Asia and the Caribbean —and on their Cuban and Jamaican roots, respectively— with a philosophy as logical as it is innovative: reconciling Miami’s architecture with its tropical environment, connecting the city with nature through lattices, interior gardens, and plays of light and shadow.
With decades of experience designing for highprofile clients but no time for marketing (“this is the first time we’ve spoken publicly about our work,” says Shana), the director of CMA Homes is clear: “Mother nature always wins.” That’s why they use authentic, noble, locally sourced
materials —hurricane-resistant exotic woods, stones such as travertine, coral stone, oolitic limestone— in sustainable environments where interior and exterior blend through water gardens and green spaces that evoke faraway places.
“We design everything adapted to Miami’s climate. We have lots of sun and rain, we like to live outdoors, so we integrate gardens and terraces into homes that feel like small, understated resorts meant for relaxing as if you were on vacation. You can put your feet on the table, wear sandals, take a swim in the pool. That’s our silent luxury,” explains Cesar.
These are homes that bring together everything the most demanding clients are looking for.
“We have offices —continues Shana— that can be accessed without going through the main residence, guest suites, media rooms, wellness areas, separate zones for children and adults that come together in a large family room, spaces that, even though they’re ample, feel intimate.”
Technology is present in every corner — everything can be controlled from an iPad— but true luxury lies in the intelligence of the design because, as Cesar says, these are homes “conceived from an organic approach, with choices like deep terraces that naturally reduce heat.” In addition to their green and efficient focus, well-being plays a central role: lighting that follows circadian rhythms, gyms, cold
plunge pools, massage rooms, and spas that reinforce the feeling of belonging to a small personal paradise.
One of their most recent projects perfectly sums up this philosophy: an inspiring tropical waterfront retreat in exclusive Gables Estates, in Coral Gables. Designed by Molina, the eightbedroom, ten-bathroom, and three half-bath residence spans 23,534 square feet (approx. 2,180 m²), blending contemporary architecture with serenity and a deep connection to nature. In this masterpiece, which invites you to enjoy its private theater or dock on the bay, the gaze is always drawn toward something beautiful — planters and green areas that bring freshness and movement to the second level. Choices that other builders might skip due to cost but that give the whole project a unique air.
CMA Homes also embodies the evolution of that Miami that has become an epicenter of creativity, design, and sustainability. Their projects integrate energy efficiency and local materials —they are not monuments to excess, but tributes to proportion, light, and serenity. Cesar and Shana conceive each home as a contribution to its surroundings, a way to beautify neighborhoods and strengthen their human fabric. CMA Homes is their ideas laboratory, the starting point for projects born from the same question: what if we lived here?
When they founded the company, Shana obtained her real estate license and shortly
after joined ONE Sotheby’s International Realty. The connection was natural: Cesar has known the Founders of One Sotheby’s for 20 years, and both admire its elegance and way of working. Today, that collaboration allows them to project globally a shared philosophy based on authenticity, beauty, and attention to detail.
CMA Homes reflects the new rhythm of Miami, a city that, like Madrid, has become a refuge for those seeking stability, light, and a new way of living. In their hands, architecture becomes storytelling: a tale of tropical sophistication that continues to redefine the art of feeling —and being— at home.
CREDTIS: COLIN STRUNK OF LIFESTYLE PRODUCTION GROUP
Madrid pulses with emotion with Teresa Sapey
The Italian architect transforms the new offices of Spain Sotheby’s International Realty
Architecture and contemporary design reach new heights when blended with emotion, sophistication, history, and discretion. At this extraordinary intersection works the renowned designer Teresa Sapey, born in Cuneo (Piedmont) in 1973, who is redefining the meaning of corporate space in the high-end real estate world and speaks to us about the evolution of her adopted city.
“Madrid is a profoundly emotional city, shaped by its people, its climate, and its character. Living in Madrid is a unique experience that changes every day,” she tells us about a city that encourages movement, offering “unforgettable walks under a privileged climate, with light unlike anywhere else, and skies that shift from blue to red, gifting sunsets that remain in memory.”
These are just some of the reasons Sapey is convinced more people are coming from Miami: “It’s not about saying Madrid is a small Miami, but it offers many of the advantages of a major international city on a more human scale, easier to navigate, and with a more direct and authentic personal connection between people.”
It is within this creative energy—visible in every corner of the city through lovingly renovated apartments, studios that blend classic and modern, and meticulous attention to detail—where her latest project for the Spain Sotheby’s International Realty offices in Madrid comes to life as an
experience, an aesthetic manifesto that asserts silent luxury as a mark of identity. In a sector where spaces often feel like showrooms with glossy surfaces, glass, and imposing logos, Sapey’s unique vision rises through a calm, disruptive approach. A palette of soft tones like off-white and greige with delicate touches of blue and mustard; materials soft to the touch; a central library symbolizing history, knowledge, and the intellectual weight of this iconic brand.
At her studio, Teresa Sapey + Partners, she and her daughter Francesca Heathcote showcase the evolving expectations of today’s luxury clients. Spectacular views, prime locations, or sheer square footage are no longer enough. Today, service spaces must reflect values: discretion, quality, aesthetics, environmental commitment, and sensory comfort.
Respect is demanded—for time, for the experience, for what happens within the walls rather than what is seen from the outside. Sapey addresses not only aesthetic preferences but also the desire to feel good, making every visit, meeting, or reception an experience where light, materials, and space engage the senses with elegance.
Lagasca Street, at the very heart of Madrid’s elegant Barrio de Salamanca, leaves no room for compromise. Its surroundings breathe history, luxury, and timeless tradition: venerable façades, grand entrance doors, classic cafés, fine-dining restaurants, and discreet terraces. Within this refined context, Sapey has seamlessly introduced her project, exuding a distinctive aura—composed, polished, and thoughtfully considered. A threshold that invites one to enter. From the moment you step into the lobby, it becomes immediately clear: this is no ordinary space. It is a declaration of intent, an invitation to pause, to linger, and to experience luxury in its most subtle, sophisticated form.
The Lagasca renovation is part of an architectural manifesto that has already reached Marbella, La Moraleja, the Balearic Islands, Cádiz, and the rest of our offices in pain, consolidating a new chapter of understated exclusivity and quiet luxur at Spain Sotheby’s International Realty.
In this first issue of Global Insider Miami to Madrid, the designer emphasizes that the connection between the “2Ms” is stronger than ever. Both cities are vibrant, beloved by the international Latin community, culturally active, sophisticated, and uniquely charming. For Sapey, Madrid is becoming an “international urban icon” and is establishing itself as “one of the most interesting cities to live in across Europe. Its strategic location, excellent air connectivity, and scale—large enough to be a capital yet still human and manageable—make it an ideal place.”
Sapey studied architecture in Turin, completed her training in Paris, and moved to Madrid in the 1990s, where she established a studio that combines boldness and craft. “We design spaces with feelings,” she often remarks about her philosophy. This means working meticulously with color, light, and form. Every wall, carpet, railing, curve, or edge is intended to generate emotion: serenity, admiration, surprise, comfort.
Recipient of the Wallpaper Young Breakthrough Designer award and the UN Women Together Award, among other honors, Sapey brings the intangible to life: a seamless aesthetic, a quality you can feel, and details that, while subtle, leave a lasting impression. She continues to cultivate a reputation where style quietly whispers luxury, spaces stir emotion, and creating a memorable experience is the hallmark of her work.
Global Insider Musts
MIAMI
CHEF LOGAN MCNEIL AT TAMBOURINE ROOM
Tambourine Room Restaurant, 6801 Collins Ave, Miami
Signature dishes such as Key Largo snapper with jalapeño-kombu sofrito and Kyushu hamachi with mango, carrot, and smoked chili oil define the menu at Tambourine Room, which earned its first Michelin star this year. Now under the direction of chef Logan McNeil - following the restaurant’s founding by Michelinstarred chef Tristan Brandt - the intimate dining room continues to push Miami’s culinary boundaries since its 2022 debut at the Carillon Wellness Resort.
Recognizing dining as both food and ritual, the restaurant also features The Lounge, a dedicated space for Miami’s late-afternoon social scene. Recently refreshed, its cocktail program pays tribute to the neighborhood’s Art Deco heritage, featuring drinks like Le Can Can and The Jetsetter.
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THE ART OF LIVING IN CORAL GABLES: PONCE PARK RESIDENCES
Eleven floors, 58 residences, and Mediterraneaninspired air define this newest icon of Coral Gables luxury living. Zen pools, meditation courtyards, and a private spa create a calming oasis in the heart of the city. Located on Ponce de León Boulevard - steps from fine dining, art galleries, tennis clubs, and golf courses - Ponce Park is poised to become a landmark address.
Designed by celebrated neoclassicist John Cunningham, with interiors by Meyer Davis Studio, gardens by Andrés Arcila, and gourmet kitchens throughout, every detail reflects the essence of refined contemporary living.
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SURF ROW RESIDENCES, AN OASIS OF LUXURY AND WELLNESS Surfside, Miami.
CULT VINTAGE AT PRIMARIED STUDIO 55th Terrace, Miami.
Part gallery, part shop, and part design studio, Primaried has become a cult destination in the heart of Little Haiti. A haven for vintage lovers, it offers an eclectic mix of unique pieces for the home - from a 1970s Bastiano leather chair to a retro-chic 1960s Caori coffee table. With offerings spanning mid-century modern to classic European design, Primaried has earned recognition as Best Furniture Store by Miami New Times and is listed among North America’s top vintage shops by Architectural Digest. An appointment is essential - this is a place where design enthusiasts come to discover treasures.
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Surf Row is a boutique residential development rising in one of Miami’s most evocative coastal neighborhoods, Surfside - where the ocean surrounds daily life. Designed by Alfonso Jurado Architecture and Boris Peña Architects, the project uses natural light and open layouts to elevate everyday relaxation, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living.
More than 6,500 square feet of amenities have been intentionally curated to enrich residents’ lifestyles, including a gym, zen spa, and a rooftop that blends seamlessly with the sea. Optional interior packages by RH Furniture bring elevated design and premium furnishings to each home.Comfort, serenity, ocean breeze - Surf Row transforms the shoreline into a state of mind.
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CUBAN TRADITION IN A LIMITED EDITION FOR CONNOISSEURS
El Titán de Bronce, 8th Street, Little Havana
Using traditional rolling methods - slow, meticulous, and deeply rooted in Cuban craftsmanship - the artisans at El Titán de Bronce create cigars with exceptional consistency and flavor. Located in the heart of Little Havana, the factory instantly evokes Cuban culture: the clatter of dominoes, the aroma of Cuban coffee, and the unmistakable scent of hand-rolled cigars.
Family-run for three decades, the workshop produces limited editions such as Titan de Bronze Gold and Titan Redemption Sun Grown, alongside ultra-premium lines like Herrera Esteli, Warped, and La Palina. These handcrafted cigars offer a sensory, introspective experience. LEARN MORE »
AMAZÓNICO: A BRIDGE BETWEEN MADRID AND MIAMI, PULSING WITH THE RHYTHM OF LATIN AMERICA
Restaurante Amazónico, 800 Brickell Ave, Miami.
From Madrid to London, Monte Carlo to Dubai - and now Miami - Amazónico arrives as the group’s most ambitious global project, offering a luxury dining experience that connects two vibrant cities. Spread across three immersive floors with skyline views, its open kitchen, bar, and lounge blend volcanic stone, tropical woods, and lush greenery, evoking the Amazon rainforest through a distinctly Latin American lens.
The menu fuses Peruvian, Japanese, Argentine, and Mediterranean influences, crafted by founders Sandro Silva and Marta Seco. Recently opened, Amazónico celebrates the natural link between Madrid and Miami, beating to the rhythm of Latin America.
Global Insider Musts
MADRID
GLENDA LEÓN: VISUAL ART BETWEEN MADRID AND HAVANA
Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas, 27 de noviembre-Enero de 2026.
Cuban-born, Madrid-based artist Glenda León works across drawing, video art, installation, sculpture, and photography. Her work invites viewers to engage with everyday materials poetically, revealing hidden symbolic meaning within the ordinary.
Her pieces will be featured in the collective exhibition Juguemos en el mundo at the Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas, part of BIENALSUR’s “Let’s Play” series, which interacts with the museum’s permanent collection. León’s recent works - shown at PAMM Miami - explore the role of typewriters as metaphors for the written word.
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TRADITION AND ATELIER, TWO-IN-ONE
BY RAMÓN FREIXA
Restaurants Tradición and Atelier, Velázquez 24.
LIVING IN THE HISTORIC BARRIO DE LAS LETRAS
Exceptional grandeur at calle Verónica, 13.
Verónica 13, a historic building rooted in the city’s literary past, has been restored to its former splendor through a renovation that blends authenticity with contemporary design and modern comfort. The result is an urban retreat that balances tradition and presentday sophistication. Carefully curated materialsporcelain floors with the warmth of wood, kitchens designed as architectural elements, and subtle lighting that highlights textures and volumes - create a home that feels refined yet welcoming.
Ideal for those seeking calm without sacrificing urban vibrancy, Verónica 13 places residents steps from the Prado and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museums, surrounded by galleries, signature restaurants, and some of Madrid’s most coveted terraces.
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After reaching culinary acclaim in Barcelona with his twoMichelin-starred restaurant at Hotel Único, Ramón Freixa takes on a new challenge in Madrid: two restaurants - Tradición and Atelier - housed within the same building on Velázquez 24. Each restaurant offers its own vision, yet the two connect subtly through shared creativity. Spanning 6,500 square feet across two floors and serviced by two distinct kitchens, the project reflects Freixa’s ongoing evolution as a chef.
“This project comes from knowing who I am, what I want to express, and how I want to express it,” he says. “It’s not just a challenge - it’s a vital need.” Designed by interior designer Alejandra Pombo, the space blends tradition and modernity to create a unified experience where cuisine and design meet.
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THE TIMELESS CRAFT OF MALABABA, BEST KEPT SECRET AMONG MADRILENIAN WOMEN
Rooted in Madrid and committed to local craftsmanship, Ana Carrasco’s brand Malababa creates accessories entirely in Spain using expert artisans who attend to every detailfrom selecting the finest leathers to the final finishing of each bag and shoe. Malababa’s aesthetic blends nature, art, and design with contemporary sensibility.
Among its iconic pieces are the Minihontas and Nanohontas bags, each pairing natural leather with individually selected agates. These signature creations reflect Malababa’s spirit and will be showcased in February at an event where clients can personally select the stone and leather for their own bag.
FROM MADRID TO THE SKY IN 360°
Terrace & Sky Bar, Hotel Riu, Plaza de España.
Dine and sip beneath the expansive blue sky once captured by Velázquez. One of Madrid’s most iconic rooftops, the Riu Hotel at Plaza de España offers sweeping views across the city and beyond - Royal Palace, Casa de Campo, financial towers, and distant mountains.
The Sky Bar occupies the 27th floor, while one level below lies El Edén Gastrobar. A striking 15-foot glass walkway connects the two rooftops, creating the thrilling sensation of floating above Madrid. Beautiful views and unforgettable moments await.
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ONE Exclusives
MIAMI
THE VILLAGE AT CORAL GABLES
Coral Gables
2-4 Bedrooms
Delivery Q1 2026
From $2.5M
ALHAMBRA PARC
Coral Gables
1-3 Bedrooms
Delivery 2027
From $1M
PARKSIDE Brickell
Studio-2 Bedrooms
Delivery 2028
From Low $400k
THE STANDARD RESIDENCES, BRICKELL MIAMI
Brickell
Studio-3 Bedrooms
Delivery 2027
From Mid $600k
THE LINCOLN Coconut Grove
1-4 Bedrooms
Delivery 2027
From $1.5M
OASIS HALLANDALE
Hallandale Beach
1-4 Bedrooms
Delivery 2026
From Mid $700k
Exclusive Listings
RENOVATED APARTMENT WITH SPECTACULAR TERRACE IN RECOLETOS
3 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
5,372 SF
From €8,750,000
DUPLEX WITH PRIVATE GARDEN IN EXCLUSIVE URBANIZATION NEAR MADRID
3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
3,025 SF
From €1,195,000
MODERN APARTMENT WITH TERRACE IN ALMAGRO
4 Bedrooms
5 Bathrooms
3,144 SF
From €3,600,000
BRAND NEW BRIGHT APARTMENT IN JUSTICIA
3 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
1,076 SF
From €1,145,000
EXQUISITE PENTHOUSE DUPLEX IN ALMAGRO
4 Bedrooms
4 Bathrooms
10,161 SF
From €12,500,000
EXCLUSIVE LUXURY PENTHOUSE WITH FANTASTIC TERRACE
4 Bedrooms
5 Bathrooms
4,164 SF
From €10,800,000
Penthouse in a magnificent 19th-century palace in the heart of Madrid
A palatial residence with a historic past and exquisite décor, designed for a refined buyer who appreciates the elegance of the 19th century and the prestige of the palaces that have housed Spain’s noblest families. Spain Sotheby’s International Realty offers this exclusive 12,900 squarefoot penthouse in the most distinguished and diplomatic neighborhood of the capital, Almagro, featuring six bedrooms and four bathrooms.
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