Brown Harris Stevens acquires luxury brokerage in Lake Worth

An aerial view of Palm Beach (Credit: ) and Ava Van de Water of Brown Harris Stevens

In its bid to further tap South Florida markets, Brown Harris Stevens has acquired the Manatee Cove Realty luxury brokerage in Lake Worth.

Manatee, which specializes in “coastal listings” throughout Palm Beach County, was founded in 1998 by Jennifer Spitznagel.

The merger brings 14 agents to Brown Harris Stevens’ roster of agents in South Florida. Manatee will take on its new owner’s name, while Spitznagel will continue leading the office with her new title of director and senior broker associate.

Altogether the firm had about 100 listings at the time of the acquisition, according to a press release.

Brown Harris Stevens has been actively expanding in South Florida as of last year. The firm’s most recent move was the acquisition of Zilbert International Realty, a well-established brokerage on Miami Beach that was home to 30 agents.

“The vibrant South Florida market is an ideal site for our expansion,” Ava Van de Water, Brown Harris Stevens’ executive vice president, said in the release. “Manatee Cove Realty’s agents possess unsurpassed knowledge of the market and a commitment to excellent client service that aligns precisely with the principles that Brown Harris Stevens has stood for since 1873.” — Sean Stewart-Muniz