Vodka Vaults and Human Centerpieces: Real-Estate Pros Dish on Over-the-Top Open Houses

What is the most elaborate catering you’ve ever done for an open house?

Samantha Rose Frith, real-estate agent, Coldwell Banker Warburg, New York City 

In February 2016, my partner, Joel Moss, and I were representing the seller of two duplex penthouses on the 22nd floor of a prewar building in Chelsea that were listed for $1.795 million and $3.395 million. It was the dead of winter, and absolutely freezing outside, but we wanted the 200-or-so guests at our open house to experience the beautiful terraces and, especially, the views of the city. So, we decided to throw what we called a “vodka vault party” to encourage people to sample vodka on the terraces. We hired a fabulous bartender and offered the guests vodka tastings from brands such as Anestasia, Barr Hill and Purity. To encourage people to go outside, we bought fluffy white faux-fur coats, as well as RH faux-fur hats, and guests took turns putting on the coats and hats to wear outside. We hired a prominent chef to cater the event. It mostly Portuguese tapas, and it was incredible. We also hired a DJ, and by the end of the evening, everyone was dancing in their faux fur. We raffled off a Bose speaker too. The event cost $8,000, but it was the most fun open house I’ve ever been to. The penthouses sold a few months later. One sold in August 2016 for $1.625 million, and the other in September 2016 for $2.999 million.