Sotheby's History

The Sotheby's International Realty® brand's rich history goes back to 1744, when the venerable Sotheby's Auction House was established. The Auction House founded the brand in 1976 to service the real estate needs of the most prestigious clientele in the world.

In February 2004, Realogy Corporation (then Cendant Corporation), the world's leading real estate brokerage franchisor, entered into a long-term strategic alliance with Sotheby's Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BID; LSE:STBA). The agreement provided for the licensing of the Sotheby's International Realty name, the acquisition of the 15 company-owned offices and the development of a full franchise system by Sotheby's International Realty LLC, a subsidiary of the Realogy Corporation.

Today, the Sotheby's International Realty luxury real estate network continues to expand worldwide, with offices located in luxury markets within metropolitan areas and destination communities around the world.