Christie’s International Real Estate has expanded its presence in Northeast Florida by adding a brokerage that recorded $1 billion in sales volume last year. The firm, formerly known as Engel & Völkers First Coast, will now operate as Christie’s International Real Estate First Coast. Corey Hastings, who founded the brokerage in 2018 and is a former Ohio University football player, will continue to lead the company.
The brokerage employs 130 agents and serves the Jacksonville metropolitan area. It currently operates six offices located in Amelia Island, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Johns, San Marco, and Neptune Beach. There are plans to open an additional office in St. Augustine.
The addition of First Coast comes amid increased consolidation within the real estate industry. Compass recently announced it would acquire Anywhere Real Estate for $1.6 billion through an all-stock deal. First Coast is part of Compass’ portfolio following Compass’ $444 million acquisition of @properties and Christie’s last year.
In recent years, brokerages have been expanding their reach in Florida following a surge in the state’s real estate market during the pandemic. In 2022, One Sotheby’s International Realty acquired First Coast Sotheby’s International Realty—a separate firm with 93 agents and multiple offices across Jacksonville, Palm Coast, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, and Amelia Island—which had achieved $770 million in sales volume prior to its acquisition.
Market data shows that while Jacksonville experienced rapid growth during the pandemic years, conditions have stabilized since then. As reported by the Jacksonville Business Journal, inventory levels were up 23.5 percent as of July compared to before the pandemic. According to Redfin data for August, the median price for single-family homes in Jacksonville is $325,700.
