Engel & Völkers Expands in Tampa Bay with New Pinellas County Franchise

Dec 20

SAFETY HARBOR, Fla. December 17, 2024 - Engel & Völkers Florida, a global leader in luxury real estate, today announced its latest expansion in the Tampa Bay area with the launch of Engel & Völkers Upper Tampa Bay. The new franchise is led by License Partner Stacy Kitchell, a respected industry veteran and former owner of Kitchell Group Real Estate, now rebranded as Engel & Völkers Upper Tampa Bay. This new addition marks the brand's ninth franchise in the Tampa Bay region and will serve clients throughout the northwestern part of Pinellas County, including the communities of Safety Harbor, Dunedin, Oldsmar and Palm Harbor, as well as the Greater Tampa Bay area.

“The decision to join Engel & Völkers was inspired by the exceptional people and culture within the brand,” Kitchell said. “The leadership team is sharp, motivated, and genuinely collaborative, and the brand itself is known for its elegance, timeless luxury, and truly global reach. As the Tampa Bay area continues to attract more international clients, I am excited to provide them with Engel & Völkers’ renowned level of service and connectivity.”

Kitchell, who brings more than 30 years of diverse real estate experience to the Engel & Völkers network, has a history of success across residential sales, commercial leasing, real estate investment, and corporate investment analysis. Her prior brokerage closed over $140 million in sales, and she has been recognized annually with the Angie’s List Super Service Award since 2013. With a background spanning multifamily, retail, office, and high-rise property management, Kitchell has worked with top companies such as MetLife Real Estate, Equity Office Properties, and Lucent Technologies. She also has extensive experience in real estate technology, investment, and analysis, including helping to take two companies public.

“We are thrilled to welcome Stacy to Engel & Völkers,” said Peter Giese, CEO of Engel & Völkers Florida. “Her depth of experience, track record of excellence, and commitment to her clients align perfectly with our values. Kitchell Group’s transition into Engel & Völkers Upper Tampa Bay strengthens our presence in the growing Tampa Bay market, and we look forward to supporting Stacy as she brings our brand’s premium services to the communities her company will serve.”

Engel & Völkers Upper Tampa Bay will temporarily operate out of OfficeWerks, a coworking space located at 737 Main St #100 in Safety Harbor, while Kitchell and her team seek an ideal retail location to showcase the brand’s signature shop concept. Joining her in this new venture is her longtime Executive Administrator, Anita Kersey.

As part of her growth strategy, Kitchell has launched an aggressive talent attraction campaign to recruit some of the area’s top full-time real estate professionals. With a focus on Engel & Völkers’ unique offerings, she aims to build a high-caliber team of advisors who are motivated, collaborative, and dedicated to delivering unparalleled service to clients throughout the Tampa Bay area.

The Tampa Bay area has seen impressive growth in its high-end real estate market, with approximately 3,202 transactions recently closed over $1 million in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas Counties combined, according to the Stellar Multiple Listing Service. Leading the way, Pinellas County accounted for 1,681 of these transactions, underscoring the demand for luxury properties in the region. This thriving market makes Engel & Völkers, with its reputation for exceptional service and global reach, a perfect fit for the area’s affluent clientele.