Carolwood Estates Shatters Records, Dominates LA's Luxury Market with $5 Billion in Sales

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – March 16, 2026 – In a real estate market defined by shifting dynamics and a return to relative normalcy, boutique brokerage Carolwood Estates has unveiled a 2025 annual report that defies trends, showcasing a year of explosive growth and cementing its status as the dominant force in Los Angeles's ultra-luxury sector. The firm announced a staggering $5 billion in total sales for 2025, a massive 156% increase year-over-year. This performance brings its total sales volume to over $10 billion since its founding in November 2022, signaling a rapid consolidation of power in one of the world's most competitive property markets.

The report, released today, provides a detailed look into the mechanics of a firm that has not only captured unprecedented market share but is also actively shaping the way high-value properties are transacted in an increasingly private and globalized landscape.

A New Reign in High-Value Transactions

Carolwood's 2025 performance is a story told in breathtaking numbers. The firm handled an astonishing 71% of all brokered residential transactions in Los Angeles County with a sales price above $50 million. This dominance extended across various price points, with the brokerage capturing a 27% market share of sales over $20 million and a 24% share of sales over $10 million in prime LA neighborhoods.

Spearheading this success were several landmark deals that topped the charts for the year. Carolwood agents were on both sides of the two highest residential sales in Los Angeles, a pair of monumental $110 million transactions. The first involved the sale of the iconic former Spelling Manor in Holmby Hills to a tech CEO, a deal where Carolwood's CEO and Co-Founder Drew Fenton represented the seller and agent Linda May brought the buyer. In the second, Fenton represented Australian billionaire James Packer in the acquisition of the reimagined 630 Nimes Road in Bel Air, the former childhood home of models Gigi and Bella Hadid. These sales not only tied for the highest in the county but also ranked among the top ten in the nation, according to the Wall Street Journal.

While the broader LA market in 2025 saw a stabilization—with homes spending more time on the market and price growth moderating to single digits—Carolwood accelerated. The firm’s agents secured the highest-priced sale of the year in a multitude of coveted neighborhoods, including Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Holmby Hills, Pacific Palisades, and Manhattan Beach. This success is driven by a roster of some 200 elite agents, including top-producers like David Parnes and James Harris, who joined the firm in early 2024.

The Ascendancy of the Off-Market Deal

A key insight from the report is the growing importance of privacy and discretion in the ultra-luxury sphere. A substantial $1.5 billion, or 30% of Carolwood's total 2025 sales volume, was conducted through off-market transactions. These "pocket listings," which are not publicly advertised, have become a preferred method for high-net-worth individuals seeking to buy or sell properties away from public scrutiny.

This trend is a strategic response to several market factors, including a desire for exclusivity and a method to navigate complexities like the city's "mansion tax," which has encouraged more discreet deal-making since its introduction. Carolwood has institutionalized this practice, developing an in-house pocket listing app available exclusively to its agents, giving them a powerful tool to match a curated list of qualified buyers with its $1.3 billion inventory of off-market homes. This reliance on a private, network-driven market underscores a fundamental shift in how the most valuable real estate is traded, prioritizing connections and confidentiality over public listings.

A Diverse Portfolio from Iconic Estates to Market Mainstays

While nine-figure sales capture headlines, Carolwood's report illustrates a strategy that embraces a wider spectrum of the market. In 2025, the firm brought a series of iconic and architecturally significant properties to market, including a $135 million trophy compound from developer Ardie Tavangarian, a $40 million Brentwood residence by Getty Center designer Thomas Juul-Hansen, and the historic Kallis-Sharlin Residence by mid-century master Rudolph Schindler. Even culturally significant properties, like Babyface's famed Studio A at Brandon's Way, were part of its portfolio.

However, the brokerage’s growth isn't solely built on the ultra-wealthy. Demonstrating significant reach, the firm closed over $1 billion in transactions for properties priced at $4 million and below, a segment that saw a robust 54% increase from the previous year. This indicates a comprehensive business model that leverages its luxury brand halo to drive volume across multiple price tiers, building a broad client base and a deep market presence.

From Local Powerhouse to Global Player

Capping off a year of record-breaking growth, Carolwood made a pivotal strategic move in January 2026 by announcing its exclusive Los Angeles affiliation with Knight Frank, the leading independent global property consultancy. This partnership marks a significant milestone, transforming the Beverly Hills-based firm from a local market leader into a key player on the international stage.

The alliance provides Carolwood’s clients with access to Knight Frank's vast network, which spans 50 territories and over 600 offices, effectively opening a global marketing channel for its portfolio of Los Angeles properties. For Knight Frank, the partnership secures a crucial foothold in the vital U.S. market with a dynamic and proven partner. The synergy allows ultra-high-net-worth clients to access specialized services like Knight Frank's Private Office, which offers bespoke guidance on global property portfolios. This move is set to further fuel the internationalization of the LA luxury market, connecting global capital with some of the world's most desirable real estate.