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CHRISTIE’S GREAT ESTATES STRENGTHENS PRESENCE IN SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA WITH PACIFIC UNION INTERNATIONAL, INC. PDF Print E-mail
Monday, 14 September 2009 09:39


CHRISTIE’S GREAT ESTATES STRENGTHENS PRESENCE IN SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA WITH PACIFIC UNION INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Two Dominant Brokerages Named Affiliates in the
World’s Largest International Network of Luxury Real Estate Specialists

San Francisco, CA -- Christie’s Great Estates announces that Pacific Union International, Inc. has been awarded exclusive status as the only Christie’s affiliate in the San Francisco Bay Area. Pacific Union International is the new entity formed from the recent acquisition of Pacific Union Real Estate by Mark A. McLaughlin of Morgan Lane Marin, Inc.

Morgan Lane in Marin and Pacific Union in greater San Francisco will continue to operate under their existing names. Both will be entitled to market their properties under the Christie’s brand, recognized and respected worldwide, and provide their clients with the international programs and services of Christie’s Great Estates. Under previous ownership, Pacific Union has been a Christie’s Great Estates affiliate since 2005.

The combination of these two longstanding brands creates a locally owned and operated powerhouse in the Northern California marketplace. The two entities have a total of 17 offices, more than 430 real estate professionals and 2009 sales volume projected to be $2.2 billion.

“Extending the affiliation to Pacific Union International, Inc. will be seamless,” said Kay Coughlin, President of Christie’s Great Estates. “Morgan Lane and Pacific Union share the highest standards of professionalism, unrivalled expertise in the luxury market, and strong core values of exceptional client service. The consolidated new company will be a tremendous addition to our international luxury network.”
 
Coughlin and Gregg Antonsen, Senior Vice President of Business Development, will host three initiation presentations to introduce the Christie’s Great Estates Programs and Services to 400 of the company’s real estate professionals. A private cocktail reception for 100 top clients and real estate professionals will take place on September 16 at a magnificent private estate represented by Pacific Union in the heart of San Francisco.

Wholly owned by Christie’s, the world’s leading art business, Christie’s Great Estates is represented in 42 countries by 143 affiliates in 900 offices. Affiliates in luxury enclaves of Italy, Canada, Mexico and the United States have also been invited to the network this year. Pacific Union International, Inc. joins this carefully selected organization of brokerages with proven records of success in both high-end property sales and exemplary client service.

“Our combined companies, and across-the-board-talent, have unprecedented strength and breadth to serve the residential real estate market in the Bay Area and beyond,” said Mark A. McLaughlin, CEO of Pacific Union International, Inc. “With the alliance of these two companies and our affiliation with Christie’s Great Estates, we are poised to become the leading international luxury real estate organization in Northern California. Now our real estate professionals will have the capability to serve their clients with the high-quality Christie’s programs and services that have successfully sold fine real estate around the world for more than 20 years.”

About Christie’s Great Estates

Christie’s Great Estates is the largest international network of real estate companies dedicated to the sale and marketing of luxury homes and a subsidiary of Christie’s, the world’s leading art business. Christie’s clients who buy and sell works of art often request real estate services.  To satisfy this demand, Great Estates, founded by Kay Coughlin in 1987, was acquired by Christie’s in 1995.  Today, the Christie’s Great Estates global network spans more than 40 countries with 900 offices and approximately 36,000 brokers. Committed to the auction house’s two-century-old tradition of exceptional customer service and expertise in high-value marketing, the network achieved total combined sales in excess of $128 billion.
 
Admittance to the Christie’s Great Estates network is offered by invitation only to those real estate companies with proven records of success in high-value home sales and who exemplify Christie’s traditional value of service. Once awarded affiliate status, brokers may then display the coveted Christie’s brand and use the proprietary marketing services of Christie’s Great Estates, which have successfully marketed high-value real estate around the globe for more than 20 years. Exceptionally skilled local real estate specialists, a client-focused approach, and strategic global marketing to a qualified audience of proven luxury consumers are the hallmarks of Christie’s Great Estates.


About Pacific Union International, Inc.
Pacific Union International, Inc. was formed in August 2009 when the principal executive of Morgan Lane Marin, Inc. led the acquisition of Pacific Union Real Estate from Brookfield Residential Property Services. With two highly regarded brands in Pacific Union Real Estate and Morgan Lane Marin, the two firms continue to operate under their existing names. The companies have 17 offices serving Berkeley, San Francisco (Opera Plaza), San Francisco (Presidio), Danville, Larkspur, Mill Valley (downtown), Mill Valley (Strawberry), Montclair, Napa Valley (Napa), Napa Valley (St. Helena), Orinda, Sonoma, Sonoma Plaza, Kentfield, Ross, Mill Valley and Belvedere. 

Morgan Lane Marin (www.morganlanemarin.com) was founded in 2006, and is a fast-growing real estate brokerage firm specializing in luxury properties in Marin County. The company’s team philosophy and unique marketing and advertising strategies distinctly set it apart from other real estate firms. Since 1975, Pacific Union Real Estate (www.pacunion.com) has thoughtfully matched generations of buyers and sellers throughout the entire Bay Area. Pacific Union focuses on delivering outstanding quality and unparalleled service to a full spectrum of discerning clients. Morgan Lane Marin and Pacific Union Real Estate are associated with Christie’s Great Estates, an international network of independent companies that specialize in marketing luxury residential real estate.

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See the world’s most beautiful homes at www.christiesgreatestates.com.
 
Christie’s Great Estates, Inc.
125 Lincoln Avenue
Santa Fe, New Mexico  87501  USA
tel 505 983 8733  fax 505 982 0348
www.christiesgreatestates.com