BY: CAROLINE ROLF
There’s no shortage of spectacular homes to lust over from behind your computer screen, but what are the chances you’d actually get to explore one of these places without breaking in? This startup caters (literally) to those who want to experience fine dining and high-end living for one night only. PlaceInvaders provides a unique dining experience and an exclusive view of some special homes around New York, Chicago and Detroit (so far).
PlaceInvaders is a company created by Hagan Biount and Katie Smith-Adair, a couple passionate about travel and trying new experiences. It’s a great way for the pair to travel and share their passion with others searching for an experience out of the ordinary. “Everyone loves to see interesting real estate, and not even just super high-end real estate,” Katie tells 6sqft. “New Yorkers spend so much time in restaurants and bars, so it can be a luxury just to share a home-cooked meal and conversation with interesting strangers in an apartment that isn’t their own.”
Hopeful guests sign up for tickets on the website, at which time they will receive an e-mail from the founders with an invite to the next event in the area. The location of the meal is only given to those who RSVP ‘yes.’ Upon arrival, guests meet each other, take a tour of the host space and finally sit down to a five-course meal cooked by Smith-Adair and Biount. The only catch is that you might get caught—the homeowner isn’t home and hasn’t exactly approved a dinner party in their space. They find the locations from friends, tips from previous guests, social media and simply walking the streets knocking on doors. This could be an Upper East Side penthouse or a graffiti-adorned West Village studio.
The next meals are brunch and dinner in an undisclosed Hudson Valley location July 8th to 10th. The menu is typically seasonal, but a few favourites seem to resurface. No matter what, the food and accommodations are always first-rate.
Image Sourcing: placeinvaders.co, nydailynews.com, lamag.com
