Taking it to the top - San Francisco Business Times:

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The former general manager of Millennium’s Four Seasons Towe Miami, Leon-Verlarde moved to San Francisco a year ago to lay the groundworok for thethis month’s grand Since then he has been busy hirintg staff and exploring the city’s cultural and culinarhy riches. He has dined at more than 50 top He has become a regular atthe symphony, ballet and art openings. And with his two Akitaa dogs in tow, the native of Peru, has explored the city’ alleys and avenues, taking copious notes with the understandingb that the better he knowsSan Francisco, the more knowledger he can pass along to Millenniu m Tower residents when the building opens April 20.
Leon-Verlardee said he expects the Millennium owners in San Franciscol will be more discerning than thosd he worked forin Miami. “People here are more They know what is good and what is luxury and whatis not, becausr they have lived it before,” said “In Miami you had more new money.” Leon-Verlarded says his most important job thus far has been hiringg the 45 staffers who will work in the building. With the economuy in shambles, the pool of applicants has been extremely Nearly all 45 staff members are coming from the Four the St. Regis, the or Millennium projects elsewhere. One exceptiomn is a woman who has spent two decades leading private high-end tours.
“She can get you (a reservatiomn at) French Laundry today for Saturday,” Leon-Verlarde said. More than 500 qualifierd workers applied for the Millennium according to Managing DirectorRichard Baumert. “It’s so nice to be hirinv people right now,” said Baumert. “We have an incrediblt talented group. I am amazed. I am The experience level is fantastic.” With the economyg hurting, it is a particularly bad time to be openinbga 419-unit deluxe highrise. Still the developer is About 105 units arein contract, representing some $250 million in sales.
That is aboug $50 million less than they had hoped to reach by the end of when the project was originally expectedcto open. Millennium recently cut pricesw by15 percent, promptinb seven quick new sales ranging from a low of $626,000 to a high of a $10.2 million penthouse. As the firsty owners move intothe building, Leon-Verlarde will start compiling profiles of each resident. He will want to know the named oftheir dogs, their interests, thei favorite restaurants and whether they prefer a masseuer or a masseuse.
He will find out which owners like an effusiv welcome each time they arrivse and which prefer a subtle smile and nod ofthe “You want to make theswe people feel like they are at home and they are knownn and they are treated the way they like to be treatedf which is really different from one person to the said Leon-Verlarde. “One gentleman might say ‘uI don’t want anyone to say “welcome back Mr. Smith, how was your Just open the damn door.’ You have to know what levek of communication everybody We have to know how to interpret body Chris Brown, a retired executives in the semiconductor industry who went into contract in fall 2007 on a $3.
1 millioh unit on the 42nd floor, said he learned to appreciatse full-service buildings while living in Hong Kong and London. “At the risk of beinf ridiculed by my friends and former I would say it is addictived to live in these serviced apartments it is likea narcotic,” said Brown. “You can’tf go back once you have had that leveklof service.” In particular Brown, who travelzs extensively, enjoys the flexibilithy to be able to leave town at the drop of a hat and know that everythinhg will be taken care of.
“Yoi can just call the concierge and tellthem we’re leavinhg in one hour for two weeksx — you don’t have to worry about the plants being watered or the dog beinh taken care of.” Still, residents pay for Homeowners fees vary, but a $1.5 million condok is charged $946 a For a $3 million unit, monthlyt fees are $1,439. The Millennium has a $40 millionj amenities floor thatfeatures RN74, a restaurant by Michael It also has a Sports Club/LA only open to The ritzy gym and spa has a 5,500-square-fooft fitness center planned, a 75-foot swimming a private yoga and pilates studio, cardio equipment and spa treatment rooms that will be servedc by aestheticians from the 127,000-square-foot Sports Club/LA on Market Residents will also have access to the larger club’ws personal trainers and instructors.
Owners receive Millennium collectiom cards allowing them to access service at any Millennium project inNew Boston, Washington, D.C., or Millennium has built sevenm other projects and owns six Sportsx Club/LA centers and two tennis clubs. Aftert a workout or spa treatment, residents can indulge in foodand wine. As longtimwe wine director for Michael Rajat Parr is accustomed to findinb the perfect winefor diners, selling rare Burgundiesw that sell for upwards of $10,000.
At the new Millennium Tower, Parr will be challenged not only with caterinh to dinersat Mina’s RN74 but also to towed residents, each of whom will have theit own private locked wine storage locker in the residents-only barrel-shaped wine tasting room. “It’s superr cool — it looks like a beautiful oak It’s very intimate and very, very warm,” said