Aspen real estate agent Tommy Kanarellis has returned to Houston to take on a new role as associate sales director for the Ritz-Carlton Residences of Houston, according to Redeavor Group, which is overseeing sales for the development. Kanarellis previously worked in Aspen and was recognized as Houston’s top-ranked condo sales agent in 2021 while at Compass Real Estate. After leaving Compass in 2022, he briefly joined Douglas Elliman before returning to Compass in 2023. His recent experience included helping Houstonians purchase second homes in Aspen before focusing his efforts on Colorado.
The move comes amid growing demand for luxury housing in Houston, where such properties are limited primarily to areas like River Oaks and Memorial Villages. Local agents note that luxury homes tend to sell faster in Houston than in other major Texas cities.
Houston is seeing a rise in branded condominium projects targeting buyers from industries such as aerospace, medicine, and energy. In addition to the Ritz-Carlton Residences of Houston, developments with Auberge and St. Regis branding are underway, along with another Ritz-Carlton project planned for The Woodlands.
In other real estate news from Houston, Ryan Fassett has joined Oxford Partners as senior vice president after a 15-year career focused on office and industrial tenant representation at firms including UGL Equis, Moody Rambin, and Lee & Associates.
Additionally, Dallas-based architecture and engineering firm Premier has promoted Johannes Michalsky to CEO effective January 1. Michalsky has been with Premier for 12 years and served as COO since 2024. Premier is a subsidiary of Ashford, which mainly operates in hospitality but also works within student housing and multifamily sectors.
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