Christie's International Real Estate Strengthens Position in South Africa with the Addition of Durban-Based Affiliate

South Africa —Christie's International Real Estate, the world's leading luxury real estate network represented in 46 countries and a subsidiary of Christie’s auction house, awarded Affiliate status to Tyson Properties, a noted brokerage based in Durban, South Africa.

Established in 2005 by Chris Tyson and Gavin Cunningham with initially a single real estate office servicing the residential sector of the market in the greater area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Tyson Properties will represent Christie’s International Real Estate in Durban’s luxury real estate sector. Both Tyson Properties and Christie's International Real Estate share the same values of exemplary client service, trust and insightful expertise. 

In a very short space of time, Tyson Properties has grown to dominate the market in most of the areas it operates in and currently has over 3,500 listed properties. The company’s team of over 250 agents in 19 offices across the province has established Tyson as one of the leading estate agencies in KwaZulu-Natal and provides unparalleled regional capabilities.

KwaZulu-Natal is one of the country’s most beautiful provinces with world-class beaches, mountains and wilderness areas, the second largest contributor to national gross domestic profit, and home to Africa’s busiest port. The area’s sublime weather, great infrastructure with a new state of the art international airport complete around the 2010 World Cup and high-end residential-gated estates make it ideal for prime investment opportunities. Suburbs such as Durban North, La Lucia and Umhlanga have experienced superb growth at the top end of the residential scale, as have gated communities like Izinga and Mount Edgecombe.

“We selected Tyson Properties for its market knowledge and great entrepreneurial flair, having known the company for a number of years” said Joachim Wrang-Widén, Christie’s International Real Estate’s Senior Vice President for Europe, Middle East, and Africa. “It is with great pride that I welcome the company to our network of exclusive Affiliates. Tyson’s supreme offerings and standards are entirely in line with those of Christie’s International Real Estate.”

Chris Tyson, co-founder and CEO of the award winning Tyson Properties, said that this agreement was an important endorsement of the company’s professionalism and high service standards. He said that the Christies International Real Estate brand was an internationally recognized brand of excellence with which Tyson Properties is proud to be affiliated.

About Chris Tyson

Chris Tyson is chief executive of the Tyson Property Group, one of the leading property brands in the KZN residential market. As head of the company, Chris is hands-on and active within the market place, enabling him to keep abreast of trends in the sector. He has steered the group’s growth from a single office servicing the residential sector in 2005 to an operation with over 250 agents in 19 offices across the province.

Chris brings together extensive experience in the property sector, knowledge of trends and developments within his market and entrepreneurial flair. Having been born into a property family, he moved in the industry in 2002. In 2005, together with respected Durban businessman, Gavin Cunningham, he realised a lifelong dream of opening an independent real estate agency that would have a positive influence on the property market and act as a platform from which highly qualified, professional agents could operate.

About Gavin Cunningham

Gavin Cunningham, a successful businessman who owns and heads a national company, brings years of entrepreneurial and business experience to the Tyson Properties’ team.  His passion for property is evident in his spearheading the design and project management of selected commercial developments as well as his family’s home.

About Christie’s International Real Estate

Christie’s International Real Estate is an invitation-only Affiliate network composed of the world’s most proven and qualified real estate specialists in the luxury residential sector. The company has offices in London, New York, Hong Kong, Beverly Hills, Chicago, and Palm Beach, and more than 135 global Affiliates with 25,000 real estate professionals in 45 countries. For additional information about Christie’s International Real Estate, please visit www.christiesrealestate.com.