The Lone Star State’s luxury real estate landscape is ablaze, and nowhere is this more evident than in Austin. While the Dallas-Fort Worth market consistently impresses, Austin’s high-end housing sector is experiencing an unprecedented surge, attracting significant attention and investment. It’s a natural progression, then, that real estate powerhouses are setting their sights on the vibrant capital city. Among them, Dallas Cowboys tycoon Jerry Jones and his nephew, Jerry Mooty Jr., CEO of @properties Christie’s International Real Estate, are strategically expanding their footprint into this red-hot market.
Yesterday, @properties Christie’s International Real Estate made a landmark announcement: the launch of a new Austin affiliate this fall. Jerry Mooty Jr. will lead this exciting venture as its owner and operator, with the new Austin office projected to be fully operational by November 1st. This move represents a calculated expansion into one of the nation’s most dynamic luxury markets, promising to redefine high-end real estate services across Texas.
This territory is far from unfamiliar for Mooty, whose proven leadership and strategic vision have already made a significant impact in the Texas real estate scene. He successfully launched the Dallas affiliate of @properties Christie’s International Real Estate in mid-2021. Starting as a lean three-person operation, he meticulously cultivated it into a technology-driven market leader, now boasting nearly 80 agents within just two years. This impressive growth, coupled with a focus on cutting-edge solutions, positions Mooty perfectly to replicate and expand this success in Austin.
Mooty views the Austin addition not merely as an expansion but as a powerful synergy. “With our new office opening in Austin, we are incredibly excited to maximize the connection between the dynamic DFW and Austin markets,” Mooty stated. “This strategic linkage will significantly expand opportunities for both our valued clientele and our dedicated agents. Our core mission is driven by the goal of delivering unparalleled service throughout Texas. To achieve this, we have strategically positioned ourselves to leverage the most advanced, cutting-edge technologies, seamlessly integrating them with our extensive, nuanced market knowledge.” This vision underscores a commitment to innovation and client-centric service across key Texas metropolitan areas.
Forging a Powerhouse Partnership: Mooty and Manzanilla Lead the Austin Charge
To spearhead this ambitious Austin expansion, @properties Christie’s International Real Estate has secured the expertise of Romeo Manzanilla, a highly respected and seasoned veteran of the Austin real estate market. Manzanilla joins the venture as Principal, Chief Operating Officer, and Broker of Record, bringing an unparalleled depth of experience and a sterling reputation to the new firm. His most recent role saw him leading Texas operations for Compass Real Estate, where he demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic acumen. Prior to that, he served as the esteemed Broker in Charge at Realty Austin, a period during which he oversaw the phenomenal growth of the firm from a modest 25 agents to an astonishing 600, solidifying its position as a dominant force in the local market.
Manzanilla is no stranger to navigating complex and challenging market conditions. His leadership was particularly critical during his tenure as President of the Austin Board of Realtors, a period coinciding with the turbulent housing market brought on by the global pandemic. His calm demeanor and strategic insights proved invaluable during this time. Currently, he continues to contribute significantly to the industry, serving as a dedicated board member for both Texas Realtors and the National Association of Realtors, positions that underscore his influence and commitment to advancing real estate professionalism and standards across the state and nation.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Manzanilla shared in a prepared statement, “I am absolutely delighted to lead Christie’s International Real Estate’s expansion into Austin. As the universally recognized gold standard in luxury real estate, we are incredibly eager to introduce this prestigious and iconic brand to the Austin community. This expansion will significantly enhance the already robust luxury real estate options available for clients who are seeking to invest in and become part of the extraordinarily vibrant and rapidly growing Austin community.” His statement highlights a clear vision to elevate the luxury real estate experience in Austin by leveraging Christie’s globally renowned prestige and service.
The dynamic duo of Manzanilla and Mooty has already begun making significant strides, demonstrating their combined prowess and market appeal. They have successfully secured relocation commitments from several top-producing Austin agents, highly respected professionals who are eager to join their ranks and contribute to the firm’s burgeoning success. This early recruitment success underscores the appeal of the @properties Christie’s International Real Estate brand and the leadership of its new Austin team. Looking ahead, the firm is actively working to establish its Austin headquarters in a prominent and strategically advantageous location within the highly desirable Westlake/Barton Creek area, known for its upscale residences and affluent clientele.
While Manzanilla will be firmly rooted in Austin, Mooty will provide crucial oversight of Austin operations from his established @properties Christie’s offices in Dallas and Frisco. The Frisco office, notably, is conveniently located just down the street from The Star, the state-of-the-art practice facility and headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys, further cementing the strong Texas roots and connections of the leadership team. This dual-city oversight model ensures seamless integration and maximum leverage of market insights across both major Texas luxury markets.
Austin’s Unstoppable Rise: A Premier Destination for Luxury Living
In recent years, Austin has undergone an extraordinary transformation, emerging as one of the most sought-after luxury housing markets in the United States. This remarkable surge is not merely anecdotal; home prices in Austin have seen substantial appreciation, with median home values climbing over 30 percent in just the past five years. This exponential growth can be attributed to a confluence of powerful economic and lifestyle factors that have solidified Austin’s status as a magnet for talent, innovation, and high-net-worth individuals.
Austin’s reputation as a burgeoning tech hub dates back to the 1980s, earning it the moniker “Silicon Hills.” The city proudly hosts corporate or significant regional headquarters for globally recognized technology giants such as Dell, Apple, Facebook (Meta), IBM, and Google, establishing a robust foundation for innovation and employment. However, more recent high-profile relocations by titans like Tesla and Oracle have acted as a powerful turbocharger for the market. These major corporate shifts have attracted a new wave of affluent buyers, many bringing substantial capital from higher-cost-of-living areas, particularly California. This influx has intensified demand, especially for luxury properties, creating a dynamic and competitive market environment.
The relentless demand for homes in Austin has, predictably, driven up property values across all segments, but with a particularly acute focus on the luxury sector. Buyers in this market segment are increasingly seeking properties that offer a unique blend of modern architectural design, eco-friendly features, expansive living spaces, and access to premium amenities. Popular luxury enclaves include waterfront properties along Lake Austin and Lake Travis, sprawling estates in the scenic Texas Hill Country, and sophisticated high-rise condominiums in the vibrant downtown core. The city’s distinctive blend of a laid-back, “Keep Austin Weird” culture, a world-renowned live music and culinary scene, and abundant outdoor recreational opportunities continues to attract discerning buyers from across the country and even internationally. This unique synthesis of economic opportunity, cultural richness, and superior quality of life firmly positions Austin as one of the hottest and most desirable luxury real estate markets in the entire United States.
The Global Powerhouse: @properties Christie’s International Real Estate
Agents and clients of the new Austin firm are poised to enjoy unparalleled national and international exposure through the esteemed Christie’s International Real Estate network. This expansive network boasts a formidable presence with market-leading affiliates in all major U.S. luxury markets, as well as an impressive global footprint spanning nearly 50 countries and territories. From the historic estates of the United Kingdom to the sun-drenched villas of Italy and the modern marvels of Japan, Christie’s International Real Estate connects the world’s most discerning buyers and sellers, offering a truly global reach for exceptional properties.
The genesis of @properties Christie’s International Real Estate lies in a headline-making acquisition in December 2021. In a strategic move that captivated the luxury world, the Chicago-based brokerage @properties, renowned for its innovative technology and agent-centric model, acquired Christie’s International Real Estate business. This acquisition brought together two powerhouses: @properties’ cutting-edge approach and Christie’s International Real Estate, which historically served as the luxury real estate arm of the iconic art auction house, Christie’s. The Christie’s auction house itself boasts an unparalleled legacy, captivating art collectors and luxury consumers worldwide since its founding in 1766.
This landmark partnership masterfully married the distinct yet complementary realms of high-end real estate with the exclusive world of art and luxury goods. Clients engaging with @properties Christie’s International Real Estate benefit from a unique synergy that extends beyond property transactions, offering connections to a universe of unparalleled luxury, including fine art, exquisite jewelry, prestigious watches, designer handbags, and rare wines and spirits. This holistic approach to luxury positions the brand uniquely in the marketplace, offering a sophisticated experience for a discerning clientele.
Since its transformative acquisition, Christie’s International Real Estate has embarked on an aggressive and highly successful expansion spree. The brand has strategically added market-leading independent brokerage firms across key U.S. luxury markets, including the glamorous enclaves of Los Angeles, the vibrant metropolis of Miami, the thriving Southern hub of Atlanta, its home base in Chicago, and the innovation-driven San Francisco Bay Area. This rapid growth underscores the brand’s appeal and its robust operational framework. Collectively, the company and its network of affiliated brokerages have achieved a staggering record of approximately $500 billion in real estate transactions over the last five years. This impressive figure not only highlights their substantial market presence but also firmly establishes @properties Christie’s International Real Estate as a dominant and trusted force in the global luxury real estate market.
Looking Ahead: A New Era for Austin Luxury Real Estate
The arrival of @properties Christie’s International Real Estate in Austin, under the seasoned leadership of Jerry Mooty Jr. and Romeo Manzanilla, signifies a pivotal moment for the city’s luxury real estate sector. This strategic expansion is more than just opening a new office; it’s about elevating the standard of service, bringing global prestige to a local market, and fostering unparalleled connections across Texas and beyond. As Austin continues its upward trajectory as a magnet for innovation, culture, and upscale living, @properties Christie’s International Real Estate is perfectly positioned to serve the sophisticated demands of this dynamic market, shaping the future of luxury property transactions in the heart of Texas.