- Ab kasha
Infobox company
company_name = a+b kasha - THE ART OF THE PIED A TERRE™
company_
company_type = Private
foundation =Paris ,France (incorporated 2004)
location_city = flagicon|FranceParis
location_country =France
slogan = The Art of the Pied a Terre
industry =Real Estate Interior Design
products = Architecturally restored apartments
num_employees = 5
homepage = [http://www.abkasha.com/ www.abkasha.com]
footnotes =a+b kasha - the art of the pied-a-terre™, is a French
company specialized in the restoration of historicapartments in theSaint-Germain-des-Prés area ofParis . The company is noted for its ability to faithfully restore the architectural details of apartments built in the 17th and18th century and at the same time update them for modern living. Architectural details are refurbished by craftsmen using techniques similar to those originally used. [Mark Grischke, "Pied à Paris", Forbes Life Magazine, September 2007]Unlike most
property developers , the company's Left Bank properties are purchased, designed, restored and furnished before being offered for sale asturnkey apartments, [Serge Gleize, "Petites Surfaces", Architectural Digest (France), February 2008] in order to maintain the integrity of the original architecture without influence from potential buyers. As the apartments are not pre-sold, the company's clients are not involved in the design or restoration. The apartments are designed by the company owners, Alon and Betsy Kasha. Ms. Kasha is a formermarketing executive at Cartier, and Mr. Kasha is a formerbanking executive. Both have studied Parisian architecture extensively.a+b kasha apartments, typically ranging from 700 to 2,000
square feet (65 to 185square metres ), are sold for $800,000 to more than $2 million, [C.J. Hughes, "Best of Both Worlds", Executive Woman Magazine, April 2008] a premium of 15 to 20 percent above market values. The company views its products less asreal estate , and more as luxury fashion. [cite web |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/23/garden/23paris.html?scp=1&sq=paris%20romancing%20the%20deal&st=cse |title=Deborah Baldwin, "In Paris, Romancing the Deal", The New York Times, June 23, 2005]Because of its prices and positioning, the company has been a subject of
controversy . Detractors contend that a+b kasha drives up Left Bankreal estate prices, forcing French families from the neighborhood, and enticing wealthy foreigners to take their place. The company responds by saying that its higher prices are necessary to provide thepublic service of faithfully restoring historic apartments.At any given time a+b kasha has up to ten properties in various phases, from purchase offers to
renovation tocontract . [C.J. Hughes, "Best of Both Worlds", Executive Woman Magazine, April 2008]References and footnotes
External links
* [http://www.abkasha.com/ Official website]
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