Onyx Realty — Our Story

Our Story

Four Decades of
Unmatched Excellence

Since 1984, Onyx Realty has redefined what it means to represent extraordinary property — quietly, precisely, without compromise.

40+Years Active
1,200+Transactions Closed
6Continents
98%Client Retention

Who We Are

Elevating the Standard of Luxury Real Estate.

Onyx Realty was founded on a single conviction: that the world's most extraordinary properties deserve representation that is equally extraordinary. We do not merely list homes — we curate legacies, connecting singular estates with those discerning enough to appreciate them.

Our philosophy is rooted in discretion, precision, and an unwavering commitment to the interests of those we serve. We operate where the market is thinnest and the stakes are highest, trusted by heads of state, global executives, and generational families alike.

Bespoke Curation

Every property we represent is personally vetted against our proprietary 47-point quality standard.

Global Private Network

Access to off-market inventory that never enters the public domain — our most prized asset.

Absolute Discretion

All client relationships and transactions are protected under ironclad confidentiality agreements.

White-Glove Service

A dedicated senior advisor accompanies every client from first consultation through final acquisition.

Our Heritage

Forty Years in the Making

A carefully composed history of trust, innovation, and record-setting transactions.

1984

Founded in Manhattan

Onyx Realty opens its first office at 2728 Prestige Avenue. Founder Charles Whitmore establishes the firm's hallmark: by appointment only.

1991

First International Office

A Monaco headquarters opens, anchoring our presence on the French Riviera and establishing our first European private network.

1999

The Landmark Transaction

Onyx Realty closes the largest private residential sale in New York state history at that time — a record that stood for nearly a decade.

2007

Asian Markets Entry

Offices established in Hong Kong and Singapore, opening our Pacific Rim private network to qualifying clients worldwide.

2014

Middle East Expansion

Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices launch. Onyx becomes the first Western luxury brokerage with a permanent presence in all six major Gulf markets.

2024

Four Decades of Excellence

Celebrating 40 years, 1,200+ closed transactions, and a client retention rate that the industry has never seen replicated.

The People Behind Onyx

Our Leadership

A team of specialists who have spent careers at the intersection of architecture, finance, and private wealth.

Charles Whitmore

Charles Whitmore

Founder & Chairman

Four decades defining the ultra-luxury market. Former Knight Commander of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

Victoria Ashford

Victoria Ashford

Managing Director, Europe

Oxford-educated, Monaco-based. Overseeing our European and Mediterranean portfolio with 18 years of trophy property transactions.

James Okafor

James Okafor

Head of Investment Advisory

Former Goldman Sachs Managing Director. Advises sovereign wealth funds and family offices on trophy asset allocation.

Sophia Laurent

Sophia Laurent

Director of Client Relations

Multilingual (French, Mandarin, Arabic). Manages the onboarding and ongoing care of our most valued private client relationships.

Where We Operate

A Truly Global Platform

Onyx Realty maintains permanent offices in the world's most significant luxury real estate markets, staffed by local specialists with irreplaceable relationships.

New York Global Headquarters — 2728 Prestige Avenue
Monaco European Headquarters — Avenue Princess Grace
London UK Office — Mayfair, W1K
Dubai Middle East Office — DIFC, Gate Village
Hong Kong Asia-Pacific Office — Central, HK Island
Sydney Oceania Office — The Rocks, NSW
340+

Active exclusive listings

$4.2B+

Transaction volume since founding

62

Senior advisors worldwide

12

Countries with active inventory

Recognition

Awards & Industry Standing

Recognition from the institutions that define the pinnacle of global real estate.

2024

#1 Ultra-Luxury Brokerage

Robb Report Real Estate Awards — ranked first for transactions above $20M globally.

2023

Best Private Sales Advisory

International Property Awards — recognised for our off-market transaction methodology.

2022

Top Client Satisfaction

Wall Street Journal Real Estate Survey — 98.4% client satisfaction across 340 surveyed transactions.

2020

Global Luxury Network Leader

Forbes Real Estate Council — named among the 10 most influential private luxury brokerages worldwide.

2018

Best Overseas Property Firm

The Luxury Property Forum, London — for our cross-border acquisition expertise.

2015

Heritage Excellence Award

Christie's Estate Partners — recognising 30 years of unbroken service to the global UHNW community.

As featured in
Financial Times The Wall Street Journal Architectural Digest Robb Report Forbes Condé Nast Traveller

Begin Your Journey

Experience the Onyx Difference

Let us demonstrate what forty years of excellence looks like in practice. Your first consultation is private, bespoke, and without obligation.