20 years of leadership on the luxury real estate market

After more than a year of intense preparation, the global brand in the sphere of high-end real estate is now present on the Bulgarian market. The office is situated in Sofia in the area of the Doctor's Garden, at 21 Shipka Street.

BARNES Bulgaria is a result of the cooperation between the leading Bulgarian agency for elite properties LUXIMMO FINEST ESTATES and the emblematic French brand. The local representative office is led by Nikola Stoyanov and Nevena Stoyanova, well known in the real estate sector, and their French partner count Guillaume de Villiers.

The company was officially presented during an exquisite event at The Residence Club, where Nikola and Nevena Stoyanovi, together with count Guillaume de Villier, shared their vision for the brand’s development in Bulgaria. But today we are presenting to you the founder of the company – Heidi Barnes, who will tell us more about Art de Vivre, what it is like to create a leading company in the field of luxury and how to combine art, real estate, yachts, and collector automobiles.

Heidi Barnes

Уou are an example of a successful woman and an inspiration for anyone wishing to make a career in the field of luxury real estate. Let us take you back and ask you how it all started and what led you to this profession?

Heidi Barnes: The BARNES story began 20 years ago in London when I created a company dedicated to global high-end service for an international clientele wishing to buy or rent in London or Paris. The international approach was very much at the beginning of this family adventure, and I envisioned a positioning on luxury real estate. A few years later, the business developed to address the needs of our clients. We then opened our first office in Miami with 5 collaborators and have been developing ever since. We are currently present in almost 20 countries with 90 offices and more than 900 consultants.

What are the most important leadership skills to create a sustainable company like BARNES?

Heidi Barnes: Sharing a vision with the teams and making sure everyone is on board is critical to feed a positive and entrepreneurial spirit. BARNES has always been a family and entrepreneurial adventure. We pay a lot of attention to each and every one of our employees, the key to our success and development on the international scene. A true leader will not be judged on how he or she leads others but ultimately on how he or she served others.

What is your definition of a luxury property and how did it change over time?

Heidi Barnes: I would say that space is today's luxury and the home regardless of size is our sanctuary.

Traditionally, BARNES partners with all French luxury brands that profess the philosophy of Art de Vivre. Were you the initiator of this union policy in the company or is it part of doing business in the French way?

Heidi Barnes: BARNES celebrates the French art of living everywhere in the world. We have British and French roots but International values (Global, Vision, Excellence, Elegance, Trust) and we make them shine on all continents and countries we operate in. Our association with the most emblematic French and International Luxury Brands fuels our brand’s DNA and enables us to offer a one-of-a-kind experience to our clients.

Are all of the BARNES' customers interested in art, wine, yachts, cars, and real estate?

Heidi Barnes: Our clients often need us to accompany them in their real estate projects, beyond the acquisition of a primary or secondary residence. They operate in different countries and different cities and BARNES can comprehensively address their expectations thanks to its International network and teams of 900 consultants all around the world. A lot of our clients share common passions and centers of interest, such a wine, arts, yachting, or classic car collection. Our mission is to bring them a piece of global advice and expertise in a trustworthy relationship.

As of today, you are focused on the development of the Barnes Art Advisory. What skills should an art broker have and where are the touchpoints with the real estates?

Heidi Barnes: BARNES Art Advisory has 2 missions: managing our clients’ art assets, advising them to buy or sell artworks, and supporting young talents on the contemporary art scene by allowing them to network with experienced and amateur collectors. Carrying out a real estate project often involves the management of art assets or specific administrative or logistic procedures. We have the best teams to address our clients’ needs and bring them the best advice. Working alongside creators to share our passion and emotion is key.

Can we say the things that BARNES sells are with intransient value?

Heidi Barnes: What is intransient is the excellence and elegance we put in the relationship with our clients every step of the way!

What is your definition of a BARNES’ level service?

Heidi Barnes: We aim to offer the utmost level of service whether it is acquiring a pied-à-terre or a spacious villa. Our success is built on the tight and long-term relationship we maintain with our clients.

How you would like to see BARNES in 10 years?

Heidi Barnes: I would foresee BARNES as a leading international player in luxury services around the art of living. That’s what we are currently working on. In 10 years, our position in this market will be strongly established.

What is the impact of Covid19 on the real estate business and do the luxury remains a safe investment?

Heidi Barnes: After the shock of the lockdown, our business has immediately picked up and is back on track. We are confident that high-end real estate remains a safe investment across the world.

Does Covid19 already reflect in the contemporary artists’ works and could it be an inspiration for them to reflect this era for the times ahead?

Heidi Barnes: The crisis we have gone through is certainly a great source of inspiration for the artists. Our perception of the world has changed. Our certainties have wavered. I can already feel the creativity that all of this is generating.

How did the idea of BARNES magazine’s creation come about?

Heidi Barnes: The real estate industry did not have its way to communicate. Therefore, we decided to create our magazine in which our clients would learn more about our activities, our values, and the way we celebrate the art of living. More than 10 years later, we issue the BARNES magazine twice a year and print 200,000 copies. An entrepreneurial and visionary personality in the Luxury sector graces the cover of each publication and takes us within his / her property. The BARNES magazine is now consubstantial with the brand and offers us great visibility in all the distribution points that are frequented by our clients.

Is it difficult to combine the creation of an iconic company as BARNES with the career of a mother?

Heidi Barnes: It has definitely been challenging but extremely rewarding. As my mother used to say to me, quote, “If you want something done, ask a busy person” unquote.

Where will you go on holiday this summer?

Heidi Barnes: A couple of years ago we were fortunate enough to visit your beautiful country but this year we shall probably take a road trip. A singularly exciting way to discover and gauge a country and its people. Enjoying the local sights and cultures sometimes reminding us of things we too often take for granted.