A NEW ERA IN COPENHAGEN
In April, Jens Peter Friis and Mark Teddy Petersen took over Fantastic Frank in Copenhagen. Shortly after the acquisition, thoughts began to emerge on how to stand out from the traditional real estate setup and how to further develop Fantastic Frank’s motto inspire to buy.
In August, they met curator Caroline Bøge, owner of the Gallery 2112, who inspired them to transform their office in Bredgade into a gallery. A gallery featuring contemporary art on the walls, showcasing works by both Danish and international artists such as Caroline Achaintre, Ruth Campau, Ursula Reuter Christiansen, Lars Christensen, Jeannette Ehlers, Gun Gordillo, Imi Knoebel, and Malene Landgreen. The first exhibition is called ‘Home is where the art is’, because what is a home without art? Among the pieces on display are works from ‘House’ by Dan Stockholm. The exhibition runs until February 2025.
How will you convey properties in an inspiring way?
Teddy: We will do it by not fully revealing the entire property, but rather offering small glimpses of the home. The images should tease just enough to spark an idea of the property. For those who are curious and interested, they will often want to visit and see if it matches their expectations. It is about not showing everything but instead selecting the best aspects and presenting them in an appealing way. It is also about taking the time to do it properly.
Jens Peter: I believe it’s about creating an evocative framework, both visual and written, that supports the visual elements. The visual representation of a unique property should inspire you as a buyer to imagine yourself living there. Does the atmosphere speak to your senses? Is there a special mood? It could be the architecture that resonates with you as a buyer. The mood in the images, the way they visually nourish the eye, plays a significant role in revealing the property’s essence to potential buyers. Distilling the essential elements and presenting them in a refined or inspiring manner is more than enough to showcase a property. If this is then complemented by an artistic universe like the one we are working in, it becomes a cohesive and exciting environment to immerse yourself in.
What inspired your collaboration with 2112? How did it come about?
Jens Peter: We were invited by a close friend, an art collector and enthusiast, to Enter Art Fair at Lokomotivhallerne. The first person we were introduced to was Caroline Bøge, the owner of 2112, whose presentation sparked an idea. It was incredibly exciting to immerse ourselves in it, and we started wondering: what if we had the time and opportunity to surround ourselves with this in both our work and home? The idea of art as a communicator that brings joy was compelling. The happiness that art brings, being something you can enjoy every day, was the catalyst for rethinking our setup and merging properties with art, both in the properties themselves and through art.
What does art mean to you?
Jens Peter: It awakens curiosity and creates a sense of escapism, offering a mental break. Art is a sanctuary. I feel the same when I am sailing, no two days are alike. One day it is stormy, the next it is full of sunshine or calm waters, showing different nuances. This parallels art: when studying a painting or sculpture, you can notice something new each time. It is a luxury to be surrounded by so much creativity, to reflect and develop ideas inspired by beautiful works.
Fantastic Frank’s motto is ‘inspire to buy,’ but what inspires you in your daily life?
Teddy: For me personally, it is about progress, competition, and doing things differently from everyone else. It is about going against the tide. If you only follow the crowd, things become monotonous, and there is little inspiration in that. It is much more exciting to think creatively, to take risks on projects that others might dismiss with, “Oh, you can’t do that.”
Jens Peter: I am inspired by the development of relationships, of children and young people, of partnerships, and of something static being set into motion. Movement, whether in relationships or on a corporate level, is inspiring. Not just change for the sake of change, but the curiosity about what it might lead to, or whether it can inspire others. It is about making intentional decisions to develop, in this case, a business, and making it fun, exciting, and dynamic. While there is always a commercial aspect, being able to chart a course and work toward a goal is deeply inspiring.
From left: Jens Peter Friis, Caroline Bøge & Mark Teddy Petersen
Where do you see Fantastic Frank Copenhagen in three years?
Teddy: The concept is not meant to become big, like a classic real estate chain, except on an international level. Of course, we want to grow, but it is crucial to maintain quality. It is important not to lose sight of quality in the process.
You have thought outside the box by creating a gallery. What other things could you pair real estate with?
Jens Peter: I think there are many directions to explore. The list is not exhaustive, quite the opposite. Art itself is not confined to a defined frame. There could be obvious connections to real estate, such as architecture, winemaking, or agriculture. There are many paths we could take, creating hybrids or new constellations beyond paintings, like jewellery, home interiors such as glass art or ceramics, or anything else, really. It depends on whether there is a compatible value in the collaboration with the way we present properties. It could also involve an exciting collaboration with an innovative restaurant, cars, or a sustainable hotel. The possibilities are endless. The mind is a wonderful tool, and sometimes wild ideas emerge at night, during a run, or in a productive brainstorming session. These dynamic, “ping-pong”-discussions we often have are where some of the most exciting ideas come from. Sure, some might not be practical, but that is okay too.