What I Saw as a Fake Billionaire | Fakes, Frauds and Scammers

VICE2022-05-09

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9M views|2 years ago

💫 Short Summary

"In 'Meet the Woman Who Posed as a Billionaire to Get Into New York's Luxury Buildings,' Andi Schmied discusses her project of pretending to be a billionaire in order to gain access to exclusive apartments and photograph their views for a book. She highlights the inequality and absurdity of ultra-luxury real estate in New York, where buildings sit mostly empty while casting shadows over the rest of the city."

✨ Highlights

📊 Transcript

✦

Andi Schmied, a photographer, infiltrated New York's most exclusive properties to capture the views for her project.

00:00

Andi spent three months pretending to be a billionaire named Gabriella to gain access to luxury apartments.

She was driven by curiosity about the views from the tallest and most expensive buildings in New York.

Andi's project aimed to showcase the inaccessible and surreal world of ultra-luxury real estate.

✦

Andi went to great lengths to maintain her billionaire persona and gain entry into the exclusive properties.

02:21

She adopted the name Gabriella, used it as her middle name, and even worried about her nails and accessories.

Andi's unusual behavior and attitude actually helped in convincing the agents that she was a billionaire.

She received special treatment and access due to her perceived wealth.

✦

Andi discovered that the ultra-luxury real estate market in New York is inaccessible to the average person.

04:01

Access to these apartments is highly regulated, requiring a network of agents and specific terminology.

The properties boast extravagant amenities and target the super-wealthy, with some apartments standing empty for years.

The presence of these ultra-luxury buildings contrasts starkly with the issue of homelessness and lack of affordable housing in the city.

✦

Ultra-luxury real estate in New York features standardized designs, limited variation, and a focus on investment rather than creating unique living spaces.

06:33

Buildings compete by offering extravagant amenities like golf simulators, Michelin-starred restaurants, and even a gift of a yacht.

Many apartments in the Billionaires’ Row towers are investments that remain empty, driving up the value of other properties.

These buildings cast long shadows over the city, impacting sunlight and the living environment for others.

💫 FAQs about This YouTube Video

1. What was the motivation behind Andi Schmied's project of pretending to be a billionaire to access exclusive apartments in New York?

Andi Schmied's project was motivated by a desire to showcase the views from the most exclusive apartments in New York and to highlight the obscene differences in society reflected in the ultra-luxury real estate market.

2. How did Andi Schmied gain access to the most exclusive apartments in New York?

Andi Schmied gained access to the exclusive apartments by pretending to be a billionaire in order to book viewings and photograph the luxurious views for her project.

3. What did Andi Schmied discover about the impact of ultra-luxury real estate on society?

Andi Schmied's project revealed the obscene differences in society and showcased how the ultra-luxury real estate market in New York reflects and contributes to societal segregation and inequality.

4. What amenities and features are offered in the ultra-luxury buildings showcased in the video?

The ultra-luxury buildings in the video offer amenities such as a golf simulator room, Michelin-starred private restaurant, theaters, swimming pools, and even a yacht as a gift with the purchase of a penthouse.

5. How does Andi Schmied's project highlight the impact of ultra-luxury real estate on the rest of the city?

Andi Schmied's project showcases the impact of ultra-luxury real estate on the rest of the city by highlighting the casting of shadows over landmarks and the cityscape, as well as the segregation and inequality perpetuated by the ultra-luxury real estate market.

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