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, is now operating as Christie’s International Real Estate First Coast and is led by founder Corey Hastings.
Hastings, who played football at Ohio University before moving into real estate, established the brokerage in Jacksonville in 2018. The company currently employs 130 agents and serves the Jacksonville metropolitan area through six offices located in Amelia Island, Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Johns, San Marco, and Neptune Beach. Plans are underway to open an additional office in St. Augustine.
The addition of First Coast follows recent industry developments such as Compass’ acquisition of Anywhere Real Estate for $1.6 billion in an all-stock transaction. First Coast is part of the Compass group of brands after Compass acquired @properties and Christie’s last year for $444 million.
Industry consolidation has been increasing as brokerages seek to expand their reach within Florida, a state that experienced significant real estate activity during the pandemic period. In 2022, One Sotheby’s International Realty purchased First Coast Sotheby’s International Realty—a separate firm with 93 agents and offices across several cities—for an undisclosed amount after it reported $770 million in sales volume the previous year.
Although the Jacksonville metro area saw strong growth during the pandemic-driven housing market surge, recent trends indicate a slowdown. As reported by the Jacksonville Business Journal, housing inventory was up 23.5 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels as of July, while median home values have begun to decline. Redfin data shows that the city’s median single-family home price stood at $325,700 as of August.
