Engel & Völkers is continuing its North American expansion with the opening of its first shop location in Chicago, led by esteemed area broker Jennifer Ames. Joining Engel & Völkers with nearly 25 years of experience, Ames and her team have been recognized by the Chicago Association of REALTORS® as one of Chicago’s Top 10 residential agents since 1997, and by The Wall Street Journal as one of the top 50 agents in the country. Ames and her husband, Paul Lazarre, will serve as license partners overseeing the newly established Engel & Völkers Chicago brokerage.
“As the third-largest city in the United States and a gateway to the West, Chicago is an extremely significant market within our expansion strategy,” says Anthony Hitt, president and CEO of Engel & Völkers Americas. “Jenny’s passion for real estate, commitment to quality, and dedication to upholding the highest standards of client service mirror our brand in every way. She is a true industry thought leader with a deep knowledge of the local real estate market, and we’re thrilled to have her leading our flagship location in Chicago.”
A leader in the Chicago residential market, Ames has sold more than 1,800 homes aggregating $1.8 billion-plus in sales. Eleven years ago, she founded Ames Group Chicago and has sold in excess of $100 million each year since 2012. She feels that bringing Engel & Völkers to Chicago is critical to her ability to continue to provide clients with the best possible exposure for their homes.
“Buyers come from all over the world; the Engel & Völkers global network enables us to showcase our listings to buyers far beyond our city limits,” says Ames. “Another significant point of differentiation with Engel & Völkers is the emphasis on quality. It’s a premier company, ideal for full-time professional advisors who want to work in a collaborative, boutique environment and take their career to the next level. It is not for everyone—only those who share an unwavering commitment to be the best.”
Nine advisors in addition to Ames have already joined the new company. A founding partner, Kai Schirmacher, was born in Bremen, Germany, about 60 miles from Hamburg, where Engel & Völkers’ global headquarters resides.
“I have been aware of Engel & Völkers for many years, as they are the premier brand in Europe,” says Schirmacher. “Consistently on the cutting edge of marketing and technology, I am very excited to affiliate with such a distinguished and respected company making its mark on the Americas. I look forward to sharing the many benefits it provides with our clients.”
The flagship shop will be located prominently at the corner of Fullerton and Clark Street in East Lincoln Park.
“It will feel more like an upscale retail shop than an office, with inviting window displays that showcase the homes we have for sale here in Chicago, as well as in other markets where our clients may travel or want a second home,” Ames says.
The award-winning firm Chipman Design Architecture was hired to design the interior layout and finishes. The grand opening of the new shop will be in Spring 2019.
In addition to working with clients and running her team, Ames Group Chicago, Ames enjoys speaking to REALTOR® audiences around the country, and in 2017 had a weekly radio program on WLS. Proud of her family’s deep roots in the city, Ames believes in the importance of giving back. She has served on a number of boards, including The Board of Directors of the Lincoln Park Zoo and on The Auxiliary Board of The Art Institute of Chicago, where she is a past president.
Ames shares, “In 2019, we are excited to support Engel & Völkers’ sponsorship of the Athlete Leadership Campaign for Special Olympics, which strives to build inclusive communities through sports.”
For more information, please visit chicago.evusa.com.
