Synergy Sotheby’s International plans for future

Gene Northup buys out Las Vegas partner

Synergy Sotheby’s International, a local franchise of the globally known luxury real estate company, is readying for the future.

Gene Northup, who’s owned Synergy Sotheby’s with his partner Dale Thornburgh since the start of the Great Recession, bought his partner out of the luxury real estate firm a few months ago. Synergy will move from its 2,500-square-foot office at 8330 W. Sahara Ave. to a 3,000-square-foot space at 10100 W. Charleston Blvd. Oct. 1. The new headquarters will be next to the Vintner Grill.

Thornburgh said he wanted to focus on his own business. He is now a broker/sales agent at Acclaim Real Estate, which is owned Richard Robleto, a longtime friend.

“It was a great partnership and company and experience. I will always be happy that I was able to work with Gene and Sotheby’s. I look forward to working on my own personal listing and sales,” he said.

Northup is focused on the Sotheby’s brand in an economically recovered Las Vegas.

“We really weren’t postured to sell foreclosures during the recession,” Northup said. “That’s not what Sotheby’s does. This is the first time that we’re got enough market — a good solid market — with our brand and our company ever.”

Northup isn’t going to be alone on his journey in the positive era. Northup said a Sotheby’s corporate representative recently bought a home in the Lake Las Vegas area and is going to support the local franchise office and other locations throughout the Western region.

Northup is expecting his luxury real estate business to grow as a new type of buyer enters the local market — the pre-retirement class or wealthy buyer looking to establish residency before completely retiring. He also sees an increase in homebuyers from California seeking lower taxes.

Northup, who has worked alongside son, Kyle, for the past several years, said the face of Las Vegas has changed over the decades, opening the city up to a luxury destination.

Northup referenced the days of old when Las Vegas was a simple gambling town but has now transformed into a mecca of luxury shops and rows of restaurants along the boulevard.

The Strip might also be the next target for Synergy Sotheby’s. Northup said he sees potential in highrise buildings inside the resort corridor. That market is separate from the luxury home product the company offers.

Gene Northup