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“When you’re dealing with a lot of these entrepreneurs and business people, executives, time is money to them,” said Evernden. “When they land here, the plane operated from Albatros Aircraft Corporation pulls into the Million Air operation. From there we would then put them on a private helicopter and go look at properties.

“Just to give you an example, I have a $10-million property and a $38-million property out in the Priddis area. We’re four and a half minutes from tarmac to property. That’s how fast we can get them to a property.”

Sotheby’s also announced on Tuesday the expansion of its current operations and services as it forecasts continued strength in the city’s conventional and luxury real estate market segments.

Plans include the doubling of the company’s office space at a new location at 815 – 17th Avenue S.W. this summer.

The luxury home market in Calgary is on pace this year to break the all-time record for sales of properties of more than $1 million — a record that was set last year. In May, there were 94 luxury home sales in the MLS market, setting a new high for transactions in any month.

“Calgary has undergone a massive transformation in recent years. Top-tier real estate in the city and surrounding areas is in high demand not just from local homebuyers, but from those travelling and moving here from other parts of the country and around the world,” said Ross McCredie, president and chief executive of Sotheby’s International Realty Canada. “Our growth here reflects confidence in Calgary’s appeal locally and internationally.”

Mary-Ann Mears, managing broker for Sotheby’s in Calgary, said home sellers now need marketing solutions that showcase their properties beyond Calgary.

“Expanding our operations helps us offer our local and global marketing platform to meet that demand — not only from luxury clientele, but clients with homes at every price point,” she said.

Sotheby’s started in the spring of 2011 with just over a dozen associates and now has 50.

mtoneguzzi@calgaryherald.com

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From the Calgary Herald