The Sotheby’s International Realty® brand today announced that its 2025 U.S. sales volume increased 9.3% year over year—more than triple the National Association of REALTORS® reported overall market growth of 2.6%.1 Globally, the brand achieved US$182.4 billion in sales volume in 2025, up from US$157 billion in 2024, representing nearly 16% year-over-year growth. This performance marks the brand’s second-strongest year on record and its highest annual sales volume since the pandemic-era surge. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Sotheby’s International Realty further solidified its position as a global premier luxury real estate network, now comprising more than 1,100 offices across 86 countries and territories. The milestone underscores the strength of the brand’s global footprint, the caliber of its agent network, and its continued resonance with discerning buyers and sellers worldwide. “For five decades, Sotheby’s International Realty affiliated agents have been the trusted advisors for clients navigating the luxury real estate market at the highest level,” said Philip White, President and CEO of Sotheby’s International Realty. “The brand’s sustained growth is the result of a deliberate global strategy—expanding into key markets, strengthening the connections within our network, and delivering exceptional referral opportunities that drive meaningful results. Coupled with our industry-leading marketing platform that showcases extraordinary properties to a truly global audience, we empower our affiliated sales professionals to connect discerning buyers and sellers across borders. As we celebrate 50 years of the brand, our success reflects the power of collaboration, innovation, and expertise that continue to define Sotheby’s International Realty worldwide.” An Unrivaled Platform for Global Success In 2025, Sotheby’s International Realty continued to elevate its position as a premier global network for real estate professionals, empowering them to serve clients seamlessly anywhere in the world and expand their business beyond local markets. The brand’s network generated nearly US$7 billion in global referrals—high-quality, relationship-driven leads that translate into meaningful, incremental revenue opportunities for affiliated agents. Strengthening its international presence with new affiliates in Hungary and the Philippines, Sotheby’s International Realty now offers even greater access to key global markets, reinforcing its role as a trusted connector for high-net-worth buyers and sellers worldwide. “Our global network empowers Sotheby’s International Realty affiliated agents to seamlessly serve clients anywhere in the world,” said Tammy Fahmi, Senior Vice President of Global Servicing and Strategy for Sotheby’s International Realty. “By facilitating high-quality, trust-based referrals across markets, we’re not only expanding opportunities for our network but driving meaningful results for their clients—turning global connections into measurable growth.” With nearly 26,000 sales associates across its network, Sotheby’s International Realty delivers an unparalleled level of collaboration, uniting top professionals who provide exceptional service, expert local insight, and access to a truly global client base. Unmatched Media Visibility and Digital Reach Sotheby’s International Realty reached a new benchmark in its digital growth strategy, closing the year with 1.38 million followers across social media—making it the most-followed luxury real estate brand for the first time. This achievement highlights the brand’s dynamic storytelling and its ability to engage discerning audiences worldwide through visually compelling, aspirational content. The brand’s digital presence remained a cornerstone of its success, with sothebysrealty.com attracting approximately 42 million visits in 2025. The site continues to serve as a global showcase for extraordinary properties, providing an elevated user experience that connects clients to the world’s most desirable homes and leading real estate professionals. Sotheby’s International Realty remained the #1 most profiled luxury real estate brand in the news2 underscoring its authority and influence within the global real estate conversation. This prominence was amplified through engagements and media collaborations with some of the world’s most respected and influential brands, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Financial Times, Architectural Digest, and Sotheby’s Auction House. Together, these alignments reinforce the brand’s unmatched connection to the worlds of art, culture, design, and international luxury. “Our ability to consistently reach and engage a global audience speaks to the strength of our marketing, storytelling, and digital strategy,” said Bradley Nelson, Chief Marketing Officer, Sotheby’s International Realty. “We continue to invest in platforms and content that helps elevate agents, showcase extraordinary properties, and connect with today’s globally minded luxury consumer.” A Global Brand Built for the Modern Luxury Homebuyer and Home Seller As luxury buyers increasingly operate across borders, Sotheby’s International Realty continues to set the standard for global real estate advisory services, combining deep local expertise with unmatched international scale. The brand’s award-winning Luxury Outlook® Report and related thought leadership program further reinforces its authority in the high-end property market, delivering proprietary insights and forward-looking analysis to affluent consumers and media worldwide. With continued expansion, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to excellence, the Sotheby’s International Realty brand enters 2026 positioned for sustained growth and long-term leadership in the global luxury real estate market. Cover Property: British Columbia, Canada Photos: Sean Yoro, Eibner Saliba, unsplash.com
A new survey of Nordic architecture showcases bold innovation alongside a deep commitment to rest and retreat, writes Riya Patel Fleinvær Refugium (2017) by Rintala Eggertsson & Tyin Tegnestue, Fleinvær, Norway. Photograph: © 2026 Richard Powers The standout homes in “The Iconic Nordic House”—the latest compendium of a series on striking residential architecture—are designed to protect from wild and rugged landscapes. They offer spectacular views of nature from a safe and warm place. Even in urban examples, there’s a sense of interior space as a retreat from the outer world. That domestic coziness has been construed into a number of popular lifestyle trends, notably the Danish concept of hygge. Yet as this new survey shows, there is much more to the Nordic sensibility. Binding these extraordinary homes from the past 125 years is the luxury of tranquility and a deep philosophy of quality, craft and care. “There’s real sensitivity to the landscape that you see in both contemporary Nordic architecture and the past,” says author Dominic Bradbury, whose research took him to far-flung islands and archipelagos as well as the Scandinavian mainland. “There’s use of organic material and natural textures, even if the forms and composition are very modern.” Villa Mairea (1939) by Alvar Aalto, Noormarkku, Finland. Photograph: © 2026 Richard Powers The timber-panelled ceiling and forest-like columns of Alvar Aalto’s Villa Mairea (1939) in Ahlström Noormarkku, Finland, exemplify a softer, more layered type of modernism. The house’s design cleverly adapts the usual language of pristine white forms with local materials and reverence to the Finnish landscape. Although mid-century style has become associated with the Nordics, the book shows regional variations in constant play with multiple ideas and aesthetics. “I think that there is a real spirit of innovation in Nordic architecture,” says Bradbury. “These architects were at the vanguard of a lot of different styles and movements.” The experimental prefab plastic Futuro House (1968) by architect-designer Matti Suuronen is a stark departure from the typically spare Nordic look. The cliffside creative atelier Nurmesniemi House (1975) on Kulosaari island is another Finnish outlier. Its generous double-height spaces and exposed steel structure make it more akin to the famously inventive Eames Case Study House in California. Villa Birkedal (2016) by Jan Henrik Jansen, Møn, Denmark. © 2026 Richard Powers More recent homes manifest a quest for innovation in their mastery of sustainable technologies. Blending with the birches on the Danish island of Møn is Villa Birkedal (2016) by Copenhagen-based architect Jan Henrik Jansen. A cluster of cylindrical volumes is clad in rough tree trunks, making the lustrous brass kitchen island inside all the more surprising. For the cubist Villa Sagalid (2023) on the Stockholm archipelago, architects Sandell Sandberg chose bespoke ceramic cladding to withstand water and rain, but also to catch the light so the building shimmers. The sheer number of sea cabins, summer houses, coastal escapes, mountain retreats and treehouses show how architecture integrates with a commitment to leisure and family time. In Norway, PAN Tretopphytter (2018), a trio of A-frames on stilts by Espen Surnevik, immerse guests among the trees of a farm in Gjesåsen, while Snorre Stinessen’s timber-lined Manshausen Cabins (2023), built on a private island in the Steigen archipelago, feel gloriously isolated in the dramatic fjords. Manshausen Sea Cabins (2015) by Snorre Stinessen, Manhausen Island, Norway. Photograph: © 2026 Richard Powers Although some are too remote or compact to be permanent homes, these treasured holiday spots can be kept in families for generations and returned to year after year. “The craft and quality is often quite extraordinary,” says Bradbury. “I think there’s a luxurious element in the way these buildings are designed and then put together.” Time, space and immersion in nature unite this most enviable collection of Nordic architecture. Wherever in the world we live, there are plenty of lessons to take home on the art of living well. “The Iconic Nordic House: Modern Masterworks Since 1900” is published by Thames & Hudson These epic rural homes around the world bring “Wuthering Heights”-style drama
From a US$50.7M sale in New York, New York, to a €13.5M sale in Nice, France, here are five sales represented by the Sotheby’s International Realty global network in January. New York, New York Elizabeth L. Sample, Brenda Powers | Sotheby’s International Realty – East Side Manhattan Brokerage, US$50.7M View properties in New York, New York Byron Bay, Australia Will Phillips| Byron Bay Sotheby’s International Realty, AUD$17.5M View properties in Byron Bay, Australia Nice, France Peter Illovsky| Côte d’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty, €13.5M View properties in Nice, France Water Mill, New York Beate V. Moore, Vanessa Moore| Sotheby’s International Realty – Bridgehampton Brokerage, US$13.3M View properties in Water Mill, New York Cernobbio, Italy Eugenia Monti Crivelli Visconti| Italy Sotheby’s International Realty, €9.5M View properties in Cernobbio, Italy Discover previous editions of Significant Sales on the blog
This 40.66-acre estate boasts a 8,500-square-foot home, two guesthouses, an infinity-edge pool and spa, a lap pool, an acre of cabernet vines, mature gardens, multiple alfresco entertaining areas, tennis and bocce courts, and an enviable vista of Lake Hennessey. With its stately pitched rooflines, gently curving eaves, august ironwork, ivy-draped walls, charmingly distressed and white-washed woodwork, and lovely cream-toned stucco, this timelessly elegant residence could, at first blush, be mistaken for an enchanting escape in the French countryside. Rather, the location is some 40 acres in the St. Helena foothills, one of the area’s most idyllic, picturesque communities. The property boasts a 8,500-square-foot home, two guesthouses of roughly 1,000 square feet each, an infinity-edge pool and spa, a 60-foot lap pool, an acre of Pritchard Hill cabernet vines, mature gardens, multiple alfresco entertaining areas, a tennis court, and a bocce court—culminating in a truly inimitable wine country compound. St. Helena, California | Ginger Martin | Sotheby’s International Realty – St. Helena Brokerage A paver courtyard with a fountain, flourishing green vines, and a gracefully arched entry introduce the main residence, which was recently remodeled to blend classical influences with contemporary conveniences and an impossibly placid view. Pervasive sophisticated touches—Venetian plaster walls, Chinkapin oak pocket doors, custom ironwork, and floors of walnut and French limestone—begin in the home’s centerpiece, an airy, fluid formal living and dining space with vaulted beamed ceilings. The adjoining cook’s kitchen features top-caliber appliances, abundant counter and cabinet space, and a casual dining area with built-in semicircular banquette. Completing the enviable picture are four peaceful bedrooms—including a primary suite with a luxurious bath and a private covered terrace—two offices, a family room, a gym, a solarium, a capacious wine cellar with Old World flair, and a thoughtful catering kitchen. Throughout, the light is soothingly gentle, and the palette is serenely subdued. Multiple sets of regal glass doors give way to the idyllic main terrace, where organic lines, thriving mature trees, and colorful landscaping draw the eye toward the mesmerizing pool and spa, which, in a trompe l’oeil effect, appears to flow directly into the distant water. Nearby is a vine-draped dining pergola with an Old World–inspired fireplace. Beyond, the land cascades down the hill toward the lake, with terracing creating quiet spots for rest, contemplation, and appreciation of the spectacular setting. The view—rolling hills enveloping a refreshing lake—is a rare and unexpected boon for a wine country estate. Further afield on the acreage are the two guesthouses, each of which echoes the soigné style of the main residence. Visitors will appreciate the ability to relax and unwind in these refined settings and to take advantage of the sparkling lap pool. An adjacent 60-acre buildable parcel with a prolific well is also available for purchase, affording the opportunity to create an expansive, exclusive compound and the consummate wine country escape. Discover luxury homes for sale and rent around the world on sothebysrealty.com
From traditional Finnish design to high-end finishes and tech, saunas are a sanctuary in the home, writes Emma Reynolds Varsinais Suomi, Finland | Finland Sotheby’s International Realty Forget a wine cellar or car showroom; saunas are the ultimate status-defining amenity in today’s luxury home. While neither new nor novel—the ancient Finnish tradition dates back millennia—in recent years, saunas have skyrocketed into mainstream wellness culture, propelled by mounting scientific evidence linking traditional sauna use to muscle recovery and cardiovascular benefits and reduced inflammation. The current sauna revival extends beyond health benefits alone. It’s reshaping how people socialize, relax and live together. In major cities such as London and New York, urban bathhouses are emerging as social gathering spaces among screen-fatigued, health-conscious young professionals seeking community. Meanwhile, biohacking trends and the interest in preventative health and longevity are an increasing influence on at-home amenities, like the sauna, among homebuyers across generations. Luxury buyers are commissioning custom saunas for their homes as essential design features, with some installations even commanding six-figure budgets. Ilene Chase, a Chicago-based interior designer, says her high-net-worth clients are prioritizing wellness suites in both their primary and vacation properties. North Holland, Netherlands | Netherlands Sotheby’s International Realty “Our homes dictate the lives we lead,” Chase says. “When we bridge extraordinary design with high-level wellness, we’re sculpting a spiritual sanctuary. There is something deeply personal about recovery in the privacy of your own home. You have the luxury of being completely unobserved. This is where the real work happens.” If traditional Finnish saunas are the design blueprint, today’s high-end versions are the architectural evolution. Standard saunas generally follow a Finnish design template, incorporating wood cladding (usually pine or spruce), a central stone stove, tiered benches and airtight insulation. Where design-focused commissions diverge is in materials and intention. Luxury installations may swap or integrate softwoods for cedar or thermally modified hardwoods; incorporate floor-to-ceiling glass walls, ergonomic seating and integrated artwork; or include tech-driven features, such as red light panels, chromotherapy lighting, aromatherapy, or savvy speaker systems Uusimaa Finland | Finland Sotheby’s International Realty Finland is the sauna capital of the world, where the habit is inscribed into the list of UNESCO Intangible Culture Heritage. So it comes as no surprise that this remote contemporary residence on the secluded island of Sorpo in southwest Finland is outfitted with two spacious and modern saunas, one in the main residence and another overlooking the Archipelago Sea. Between sessions, residents can take a dip in the water to reap the benefits of hot and cold contrast therapy. Jasper Pääkkönen, founder of Helsinki’s renowned Löyly eco-sauna and AITO, which crafts authentic Finnish saunas, emphasizes outdoor positioning whenever possible. “Saunas are used far more when placed outdoors in a garden or by a pool,” Pääkkönen says. “It’s a completely different experience when you’re overlooking nature—the calming and relaxing effect is much stronger. Having said that, if your home doesn’t have the outdoor space for a sauna, a bathroom sauna is better than no sauna at all.” Riga, Latvia | Latvia Sotheby’s International Realty The historic 19th-century Manor Zēluste is just 30 minutes from Latvia’s capital Riga, yet feels worlds away. The nine-acre property set along Lake Jugla has been thoughtfully renovated with modern amenities, while retaining its original architectural features. The property also has two saunas: a glass-walled space overlooking an indoor pool and a rustic wooden-barrel sauna outside beside a tranquil pond. They are also a must for high-end ski properties. This 6.5 acre Aspen estate sits within the gated Starwood community, in a prime position overlooking Ajax and Mount Sopris. The modern mountain home has just about every amenity, but the wellness offering particularly shines. A luxe home spa rivals five-star resorts with an infrared sauna, cold plunge, steam room and gym. Aspen, Colorado | Aspen Snowmass Sotheby’s International Realty Meanwhile, a designer-done residence in the Netherlands pairs traditional architecture with modern, warm and textural interiors. The highlight of the lower-level wellness wing is a luxury sauna with soothing ambient lighting and decorative mosaic tiling that brings an artistic element to any relaxation routine. For Pääkkönen, and most Finns, saunas are designed above all for connection. “The most beautiful moments in a sauna are social, shared either with my wife and children or with good friends,” he says. “There is something magical about sweating it out in a hot room with others. It creates very honest, sincere and authentic human connections.” Read our guide to the ultimate wellness features to install in your luxury home
A striking Santa Fe estate once owned by legendary actor Gene Hackman has sold in record time, capturing a buyer after just one month on the market. Set within the gated Santa Fe Summit and surrounded by more than 53 acres of pristine high‑desert landscape, a remarkable estate once owned by acclaimed actor Gene Hackman has changed hands after only one month on the market. The property went into contract in just eight days, with Tara Earley and Ricky Allen of Sotheby’s International Realty – Santa Fe Brokerage representing the seller, and Chris Pearson Kramer of Sotheby’s International Realty – Santa Fe Brokerage representing the buyer. Its swift sale speaks to the rare blend of design, setting, and serenity that defines this singular property. Santa Fe, New Mexico | Ricky Allen, Tara Earley, Chris Pearson Kramer Tucked just 15 minutes from the Plaza yet worlds away in atmosphere, the residence was conceived by architect Ed Boniface and built by Doug McDowell. Glass, stone, and steel create a quiet, sculptural presence that settles naturally into its hillside. Inside, the materials continue the dialogue with the outdoors. Floor-to-ceiling windows pull vast views—from the Jemez Mountains to the distant edge of Colorado—directly into the living spaces, giving the home a shifting, cinematic quality as light moves across the terrain. The main residence unfolds through a series of spacious, fluid rooms designed for both reflection and gathering. A grand living room anchors the core of the home, accompanied by a generous dining area and a warm, wood-lined library. The primary suite forms its own retreat with a sitting area, office, dual closets, and spa-like baths that open to the landscape. Below, a gym, game room, and media room provide additional layers of livability while maintaining the home’s understated aesthetic. Across the property, two additional structures extend its versatility. A three-bedroom guest house offers privacy and comfort for visitors, while a large studio stands ready for art, music, yoga, or other creative pursuits. Thoughtfully positioned outdoor spaces encourage time spent in the open air: a pool suited for early swims, terraces placed for taking in the changing sky, a secluded putting green bordered by native plantings, and an enclosed hot tub where city lights shimmer in the distance. Garages with room for six vehicles complete the compound. As the estate begins its next chapter, its sale underscores the continued appeal of thoughtfully designed homes that offer both a strong connection to the landscape and access to the cultural centers. Properties that strike this balance remain highly sought after, and this residence stands as a clear example of how architecture, setting, and livability can come together in a way that continues to resonate across the market. Discover luxury homes for sale and rent around the world on sothebysrealty.com
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