Hamptons International
Hamptons International is an estate agent (real estate broker) chain that has an international network of more than 85 branches. The business was established in 1869 by William Hampton who started his career with a furniture shop on Cranbourn Street, London. Hamptons International was bought by Countrywide in 2010 from real estate giant Emaar Properties.
History
Over the years, the business grew and in the 1920s, a successful auction house arm was created which was involved in the sale of, amongst other things, the luxury liner RMS Mauretania and the Cameroon Islands.
In 1936 the Estate Office moved to the former French embassy building on Arlington Street and 21 years later, the Estate Agency was separated from the parent company when a partnership was formed by the founder’s grandson.
During the 1980s there was a period of expansion and acquisition, culminating in Hamptons being bought by Bristol and West Building Society. In February 1996, Hamptons was purchased by Cluttons London Residential Agency. In 2005 it was purchased again by Wheelock Properties (Singapore) limited. In August 2006, the global real estate giant, Emaar Properties bought Hamptons International. In June 2010, Hamptons International was acquired by Countrywide Plc, the UK’s largest estate agency and property services group.
Operations
The Company has an international network of more than 85 offices throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia.