Thibault de Saint Vincent or the art to celebrate the luxury

BARNES, through its excellence and its demands, is the reference in high end real estate for an international clientele. Meeting with Thibault de Saint Vincent, Founder and Chairman of Barnes, leading player of international prestige real estate.

To dream of grandeur and custom-made: a wish that is more than fulfilled by BARNES, which accompanies its international clients  in the long term fulfilment of their real estate dreams. Luxury, as perceived by the Chairman of BARNES, Thibault de Saint Vincent, consists in “accomplishing one's dreams.” BARNES is the best associate to develop annex projects, notably related to the artistic world. BARNES thus organizes numerous exhibitions and imposes itself as a unique company growing in the universe of luxury for the international clients who wish to realize their real estate projects in Europe and in the United States.

« Entrepreneur, the adventurer of the modern times »

Thibault, who has always been an entrepreneur, turned towards entrepreneurship at a very young age. This universe inspires him way more than that of being an employee. Consequently, prior to finishing an internship at La Banque de France, he realized that he was not made to be an employee and left. Since professional life represents one, or even two thirds of the daily life, “it must be exciting.” The entrepreneur for him is “the adventurer of the modern times.”

Starting a company requires one to adopt an ex-nihilo approach in which you start from nothing. “One must strive to create and inspire new projects and dreams with passion and enthusiasm and stop at nothing to bring them to life,” states Thibault. Success lies much more than in one individual, he believes. “Success lies in truly believing in the project one is aiming to realize.”

While he was a student in University, he created his own association by gathering various students with a multitude of skill-sets and started coordinating and planning different jobs for them depending on their capabilities. In no time he had a pool of 300 individuals that was growing daily. Soon enough he officialized this endeavour and created an LLC. Needless to say, all along the journey to where he is now, Thibault knew very well how to see an opportunity and seize it.

« Real estate, a profession of encounters »

He first started a company in renovation. Then, he invested in real estate, insisting it was “a profession of encounters.” The relations developed with the clients are close. A house, a flat, “these are a part of life,” he explains. “When we change houses, it is a big decision.” After several years in the first company that he created, he sold it.

He then heads West. Towards the other side of the Atlantic, always keeping real estate in his sights, he lands in Key Biscayne, an island in Miami. He praises this 'grand energy' that suits the United States so well: the climate, the quality of life, a possibility to flourish professionally like nowhere else, to realize exciting projects. “They encourage the entrepreneurs there.”

To settle down is to  “flourish with the projects you realize.” And projects there are plenty. Originally incorporated in London and Paris by his spouse Heidi Barnes in 1995, since 2004 he’s been developing the company, which at the time specialized in renting furnished apartments for an expat clientele. It was successful. The international dimension of the clientele and BARNES’ capabilities in accompanying them have since the start been at the heart of their DNA

The Gated Communities modelled on Anahita in Mauritius are a big success. This clientele has integrated international mobility. They have properties in Paris, London, New-York, Miami and Geneva… Regarding the holiday locations, BARNES will seek to retain the inimitable Aspen, Megève, Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Monaco, Miami… as these are all strong and sure locations. When asked about the cities where resurgence springs and where it is good to invest, right away he evokes with enthusiasm, “Lisbon and its old neighborhood.”

With a never-ending thirst to advance and create new projects, Thibault has gone far and will surely continue to do so, always with a permanent connection to his clients who, like him, uphold the values of luxury.

Mathilde Aubinaud