Christie's International Real Estate, the world’s leading luxury real estate network and a subsidiary of Christie’s auction house, has awarded affiliate status to Tyson Properties, a leading real estate brokerage in KwaZulu-Natal.
Now exclusively representing the Christie’s brand in KwaZulu-Natal, Tyson Properties joins a carefully selected organization of 138 affiliates, with 25 000 agents in over 1 100 offices in 44 countries. Those brokerages have been recognized for their records of success â€" both in high-end property sales and due to their exemplary client service.
Wholly owned by Christie’s, the world’s leading art business, Christie’s International Real Estate was launched in 1995, combining the success and prestige of the world’s oldest art auction house with a focus on selling high end properties that meet the lifestyle requirements of a discerning clientele. It balances a worldwide scope with personal attention and is regarded as a global authority on the effective marketing of fine properties. The business philosophy behind the brand is based on trust, integrity, discretion and excellence.
“It gives us great pleasure to add this distinguished company to our affiliate network, not only furthering our presence in South Africa as a whole but also in establishing a presence in this vibrant marketplace,” said Joachim Wrang-Widén, Senior Vice President â€" Regional Director Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Up until now, Christie's International Real Estate has been represented in South Africa by Greeff Properties in the Western Cape and Ennick Estates in Gauteng.  
Chris Tyson, co-founder and CEO of Tyson Properties, said that the association with Christie’s International Real Estate is by invitation only and was not only an endorsement of his company’s professionalism and high service standards but also of the KwaZulu-Natal property market.
He said that the KwaZulu-Natal property market was experiencing a great deal of interest both nationally and internationally. “Up until now, it has been South Africa’s best kept secret when it comes to high-value real estate. We believe that our affiliation with Christie's International Real Estate will provide an invaluable international network and platform for marketing top properties in the province. Through Christie's International Real Estate, we can now position properties offered for sale in a global context and reach those buyers that local real estate brokers have difficulty accessing,” he added.

Tyson Properties, long recognised as a trail blazer within the Kwazulu-Natal property industry, is a contemporary regional brand with an excellent grasp of both global and local trends as regards the changing needs of property buyers and sellers. The company was established in August 2005 by CEO Chris Tyson and business partner Gavin Cunningham and has grown rapidly to become one of the leading estate agencies in KwaZulu-Natal with over 250 agents in 19 offices across the province. The company is home to many of KwaZulu-Natal’s top property professionals in the commercial, industrial and residential sectors.
“Being 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, KwaZulu-Natal is the perfect home for a company that prides itself on both innovation and professionalism. This is the province which offers everything from sublime weather to sensational holiday accommodation, high-end residential gated estates to prime investment opportunities,” he said.
However, he stressed that the property landscape in KwaZulu-Natal was full of surprises for those not in the know. For investors and homeowners alike, dealing with Tyson Properties’ experienced estate agents with their regional insider savvy was the smart route to go. Having secured an affiliation with Christie's International Real Estate, Tyson Properties is more perfectly positioned than ever to guide them in purchasing the properties of their dreams. 
“As Africa’s fastest growing city, KwaZulu-Natal is an exciting place to work. In addition to investment running into billions by the private sector in key industrial and commercial nodes such as Bridge City, Cornubia and the Dube Trade Port, this province has been earmarked for massive infrastructural development. Projects such as the dig out port will soon begin to gather momentum. Professionals in fields such as engineering and construction are likely to come to Durban from other centres in South Africa as well as abroad, significantly boosting the residential property market,” he added.
He said it was no secret that Durban’s northern suburbs like Durban North, La Lucia and Umhlanga had experienced superb growth at the top end of the residential scale as did gated communities like Izinga and Mount Edgecombe. There was also significant potential in areas such as Ballito, Morningside, Glenwood, Hillcrest and Kloof.
Tyson Properties has been at the forefront of much of this growth and the group is expected to conclude 1 300 in unit sales this financial year.
Tyson Properties offers clients an established presence in the market, highly trained real estate agents and a strong marketing focus not only on the upper end of the residential market, but also on commercial and industrial markets.  The company also has a strong rental division.

EDITORS’ NOTES
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 138 global Affiliates with 25,000 real estate professionals in 44 countries. For additional information about Christie’s International Real Estate, please visit www.christiesrealestate.com.
Released on behalf of  Tyson Properties
Released by   Nicola Chaning-Pearce - Tynago Communications
Contact    +27 82 458 0280 / nicola@tynago.co.za


For information about Christie’s International Real Estate:
Antonia Koumantaropoulou, PR & Communications Manager EMEA
Tel    +44 (0)20 7389 2855 (direct) or +44 7769 365 613 (mobile)
E-mail    akoumantaropoulou@christies.com