The Barry Plant brand is celebrating both its history and its future, with the first dedicated commercial sales office opening in Melbourne as Barry Plant Reservoir marks 41 years in the industry.
Located on St Kilda Road right on the edge of Melbourne’s CBD, the commercial sales office is the only dedicated commercial office in the group.
It is headed by Director Benjamin Klein with a growing team who are highly experienced in the marketing, selling and managing of commercial and industrial properties all across Victoria.
Mr Klein has almost a decade of experience in the real estate industry, the majority of which came from working at Gross Waddell Real Estate.
“I really wanted to build a business from the ground up, and the opportunity to do this in the commercial sector with a group like Barry Plant was an opportunity that was too good to pass up,” Mr Klein said.
“I love that the Barry Plant network includes a significant number of offices on the outer belt of Melbourne, which is where I see the major growth potential in the property market.
“I think this will be important in terms of working with these offices to help us on the commercial side. Conversely, these offices can utilise us as another tool in their toolbox to help them on the residential side”.
One of the offices drawing on this new service may be Barry Plant in Reservoir, who recently notched up a remarkable 41 years in residential real estate in the area.
Established in 1979 as EJ Doherty Real Estate by current owner, Harry Kontossis, the agency quickly established itself as a team that achieved benchmark results throughout the northern suburbs, particularly in Preston and Reservoir.
Mr Kontossis still leads the team today as Director and Auctioneer and is proud of the fact that over all those years, he has established a reputation for leading a team that focuses on credibility, local expertise and exceptional service.
“I’m so proud to be part of this remarkable business, and to have had the privilege of working with so many fantastic people over the last 40 years is something quite special,” Mr Kontossis said.
“To think where we started all those years ago, and all the properties we’ve sold and auctions we’ve done over four decades, and that we’re still going strong in the area. It’s simply amazing!”
Barry Plant Reservoir has sold over 9000 properties in its 41 years of operation, and has conducted in excess of 8000 auctions in Reservoir and surrounds. And there are no signs of slowing down.
“After all these years I still love the excitement of a Saturday auction and the adrenaline created by the healthy competition between bidders,” Mr Kontossis said.
“I also take great satisfaction in now being able to assist the children of past and present clients, and helping them purchase their first home or investment property.
“It’s not something I could have imagined when I opened the doors for the first time all those years ago.”
As icing on the 41-year birthday cake, Barry Plant Reservoir was just recognised as Agency of the Year 2020 in Reservoir by “Rate My Agent” and Ross Kontossis was awarded Agent of the Year in Reservoir for three consecutive years 2018, 2019, 2020.
