Global luxury real estate player strengthens Aussie scope

Christie’s International Real Estate has revealed its Australian agents Darren Curtis and Sean Cussell will be looking to widen their purviews across NSW, Queensland, and Victoria, starting with a name change.

While the pair were previously known under the “Prestige Homes of Australia” banner, the global firm reported that Mr Curtis and Mr Cussell’s respective (separate but strategically aligned brokerage firms) will now rebrand to the Christie’s International Real Estate name.

According to Christie’s International, the rebrand, renewal, and extension of their partnerships will better reflect their affiliation with the network and see them “capitalise on the nation’s growing high-end property market and increased demand from foreign investors”.

Mr Curtis, who owns Christie’s International Real Estate Sydney, and currently serves the state of NSW, is set to expand into Queensland as part of the rebrand.

Mr Cussell, who is based in South Yarra, will operate under the Christie’s International Real Estate Victoria banner — and is set to primarily focus on greater Melbourne.

The global real estate firm has touted the accolades of both men, stating that they “currently hold more than two dozen area price records between them”.

“Both gentlemen are responsible for selling some of Australia’s highest-priced homes and, between them, currently hold price records for the top residential sale in 26 separate neighborhoods,” the network’s announcement read.

“Cussell recently sold an AU$30 million penthouse in one of Melbourne’s Bayside suburbs, as well as an AU$8.2 million estate in the Melbourne suburb of Wonga Park, a record for that municipality. Curtis recently sold a waterfront property for AU$13.5 million that set the sales record in the Sydney suburb of Greenwich, as well as an AU$11.5 million, 11-acre estate just outside of Sydney.”

For Mr Curtis, the continuous and exclusive affiliation with Christie’s International comes as “Australia has really emerged as a luxury destination on the world stage”.

“The global brand recognition of Christie’s International Real Estate is very important for our clients in this environment.

“We’re looking to build on the trust and familiarity with the brand as our high-end market grows broader and deeper,” Mr Curtis continued.

For Mr Cussell, it’s an exciting prospect to continue his partnership with the global player, and “take advantage of the brand’s expanding network and marketing programs”.

“Christie’s International Real Estate’s ability to align luxury sellers and purchasers, both in Australia and the world over, is unparalleled,” he quipped.

According to Christie’s International, Australia’s high-end market is currently operating in a similar way to other prestige markets across the world: It’s “currently experiencing limited supply and strong demand from high-net-worth individuals seeking a safe harbor from inflation and stock-market volatility”.

The brand also reports that the recent lifting of more stringent and longstanding pandemic restrictions in Asia-Pacific countries including Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, and China, has also created its own flood of new interest from international buyers.

But in some respects, Australia’s top-end of property is “a relative bargain” — especially in comparison to the likes of Hong Kong and Singapore, as well as global centres such as London, Paris, New York, and Los Angeles.

Mr Curtis explains: “The top end of our market is perceived to be undervalued compared to many other countries, making Australia very attractive to outside buyers.”

And with numerous real estate developers looking to capitalise on foreign interest with luxury new-construction projects, particularly branded residences, Mr Curtis and Mr Cussell have both indicated their expectation to benefit from the growing market segment.

Weighing in on Mr Cussell and Mr Curtis’ decision to fortify their allegiance with the brand, the managing director of Christie’s International Real Estate in EMEA and APAC, Helena De Forton said, “Sean and Darren are two of Australia’s most respected names in luxury real estate.”

“Their unparalleled expertise in their respective markets, along with the collaboration that comes from working together under the Christie’s International Real Estate umbrella, will strengthen the brand in Australia and set the stage for future growth,” she continued.

It’s the latest announcement following a string of sign-ons with the global brand, with new affiliates popping up across the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Estonia, Malta, Japan, the United States and the Carribbean — all within the past 12 months.