Zishan Ansari, owner of high-end private concierge service Quintessentially, just opened an art gallery in the former ING bank building located at Avenue Louise in Brussels. Named after the vaults still present in the building, The Vault will take a new approach in its artistic line on international and contemporary artists, as well as the rental of artworks.
When multi-entrepreneur Zishan Ansari had the opportunity to take over the former ING bank building, he didn’t hesitate. He had been considering the idea of opening an art gallery for some time. With nearly 20 years of experience in the luxury services industry, he also recognized that, beyond time, the ultimate luxury is art.
“I started acquiring pieces for myself while visiting galleries in New York, France, and London, and I realized there’s a niche in contemporary art that may not be very well known in Belgium – artists who are successful abroad but lack representation here. Once you’ve invested in real estate, luxury products, and adopted the lifestyle, it’s about investing in and enjoying art, which for me, remains the pinnacle of the luxury sector.”
The Vault retains certain elements from the bank, including the vault room with over 800 safe deposit boxes of various sizes. With high demand for safe deposit box rentals and a decreasing supply due to the rapid closure of banks, the entrepreneur saw an opportunity to combine multiple elements in the space: an art gallery, the operation of the safe deposit boxes which ensures regular foot traffic through the gallery and inevitably increases exposure for the artists and artworks, as well as the possibility of dining surrounded by art through Nest, another business in the group that offers private dining experiences.
The Vault will showcase just over 20 artists, featuring names such as Jonty Hurwitz, an engineer and contemporary artist known for his holographic works and anamorphic sculptures; David David, a French painter and sculptor who presents his view of society through metaphors that are as ironic as they are relevant; Lis Sam, an artist based in Cannes whose works incorporate floral arrangements and butterflies to symbolize his personal rebirth and convey a message of hope and freedom; Jean-Paul Kala, a Belgian sculptor and designer who creates minimalist works inspired by mechanics and the powerful nature of his native region, North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo; and finally, David Kracov, an American sculptor and visual artist who is currently the official sculptor for Disney Studios. His limited-edition wall sculptures in steel are distinguished by vibrant, shimmering colors, with each piece being unique thanks to a meticulous process of drawing, laser cutting, and acrylic painting.
Through a partnership with Bail Art, clients will be able to rent a piece for a period of 12 to 48 months, with a monthly rent that is tax-deductible.
In addition to the traditional acquisition route, the gallery will also offer artwork rentals. Through a partnership with Bail Art, clients will be able to rent a piece for a period of 12 to 48 months, with a monthly rent that is tax-deductible. At the end of the contract, the client will have the option to purchase the artwork for a residual value, typically around 5%.
About Quintessentially
Quintessentially is a British group offering private concierge services to high-net-worth individuals and businesses. Quintessentially Belgium was founded in 2006 by Zishan Ansari. Their mission is to enable clients to enjoy every aspect of the luxury lifestyle, offering a range of services across various categories, including travel, leisure, gastronomy, and access to top-tier sporting events such as the Champions League, Grand Slam tennis tournaments, and Formula 1, as well as music events, festivals, concerts, and art fairs like Art Basel or Frieze Art. These services are complemented by facilitating everyday requests, such as delivering a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of wine, arranging a chauffeur, or booking a train ticket. Much like a concierge in a luxury hotel, Quintessentially simplifies the daily lifestyle needs of their clients.
