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Cocktails were served in the Astor Library where renowned authors and international art collectors Laurence and Judy Cutler signed copies of their coffee table tome, �Maxfield Parrish and the American Imagists�. Recognized at the vanguard of American illustrative art, the Cutlers have long been ardent collectors of Parrish; their American Illustrators Gallery in Newport, Rhode Island, houses the greatest private collection of this unique genre.

Parrish�s iconographic �Old King Cole� mural is a New York �must see� and is currently undergoing the first major cleaning and restoration effort in fifty years. Painted in 1906, the King has held court to the city�s elite and powerful from his throne in the mahogany paneled bar since the 1930�s. Argus guests busied themselves seeking answers to the �Passport to Luxury� trivia program, designed as a passport and tucked inside a scrumptious leather cover from boutique leader, Takashimaya. Boldly claiming the bearer a �Citizen of the World�, the passports lead guests through a �discovery� of the remarkable history of the St. Regis, underscoring the unique opportunity to become an owner of Residence real estate.

In the Astor�s private dining room, appropriately named �Versailles�, guests were indulged in a six course culinary tour of Italy�s finest cuisine, aptly themed, �La Dolce Vita�, conducted by the twin star power of celebrity Chef Scott Conant (L�Impero and Alto), and the Italian Wine Merchant�s owner and authority, Sergio Esposito. Conant visited the tables of guests in between his forays into the kitchen, proving his accessibility as a part of his popularity, while diners raved about the polenta. Esposito exhibited the knowledge and conversational style that has marked him as the continent�s leading Italian wine authority, entrancing the crowd with his personal recollections of vineyards and their legendary vintners. Italian Wine also contributed to the evening�s grand prize bounty with a certificate to their famed �Vintage Room�, located in the 16th Street boutique.

The evening concluded with guests motored to the Carnegie Club, where a private smoke was sponsored by Argus and Michael Herklots, Davidoff of Geneva. Rumor has it the group closed the club � but of course, with impeccable style.

The carefully selected guests were VIPs of Argus Hospitality Group, real estate experts specializing in affinity sales and marketing of luxury properties. Argus was retained as the first non-resident marketing arm to expand the awareness of the St. Regis Residence and Residence Club New York program, specifically targeting high net worth individuals based in Southern California.

�The Envoy process is unique in all of luxury real estate sales,� said Carol Ackerman, event director. �Our concept creates a virtual club of affluent brokers, agents and buyers of luxury properties internationally, while our affinity partners (i.e., Robb Report, Takashimaya, Davidoff, Fraser Yachts and Italian Wine), contribute to and benefit from cross-marketing to the same defined demographic. The person that chooses to call the St. Regis Residence New York �home� is also likely to purchase a luxury automobile, an interest in a yacht or private airplane, and invests his or her time understanding fine wines, all the while traversing the globe for both business and pleasure. Argus provides an �event experience� commensurate with the individuality and scarcity of the real estate offering, thus creating a value proposition that underscores the individual�s interests and capital capability.

�We are fortunate to be able to expand the Envoy concept with the world�s finest luxury residential developer (Starwood/SVO), in their flagship property, the St. Regis New York, where history, location and value speak so effectively to our proprietary clientele. Everyone under the direction of Jamie Klein, SVO, has been remarkable to work with; we hope that our success in New York will lead to additional engagement throughout the brand,� stated Rick Vesci, broker and Director of Hospitality Offerings.

In addition to the Cutlers and Butera, guests included Milton Pedraza, CEO of the Luxury Institute; Doug Quinn, President of Soccer United Marketing; Tatiana Odorica, Grupo Loma, Mexico City; Maria Tobia and Eve Bollin, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars of North America; Steve Sy, Lamborghini Bergen County; Linc Jackson, Group Publisher, Curtco Robb Media; Chris Deas, VP Italian Wine Merchants and leading west coast real estate agents Liz Davies and Jeanette Andersen of Sotheby�s, Santa Monica; Miguel Nunez, Prudential California; Jamie Klein and Andy Alexander, SVO; and Argus Hospitality Group Broker and Director, Rick Vesci.
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St. Regis Residences, New York - The eighth and ninth floors of the legendary St. Regis Hotel house the luxurious St. Regis Residences and Residence Club. Offering both fractional and whole ownerships, the St. Regis New York opened with twenty two studios, one- or two-bedroom suites in October 2006. Only seven whole ownership suites remain, averaging $3.75 million; fractional ownership, sold in 28 day increments, range from $300,000 to $750,000 per unit.

Built in 1904 by the world's wealthiest man, John Jacob Astor IV, the St. Regis stands as a lasting tribute to his vision of bringing the style and comforts of the �grand hotel' from Europe, coupled with innovations unique to America. The St. Regis is the most highly acclaimed luxury property in North America. www.stregisresidences.com/newyork