Douglas Elliman Expands to Sarasota, Florida

Douglas Elliman announced the opening of its new office in Sarasota, Florida, with a roster of founding agents that includes one of the region’s top producers. Continuing its expansion in key Florida markets, the company welcomes the region’s leading luxury real estate specialist Lisa Rooks Morris and her powerhouse team, The LRM Group, responsible for over $300 million in sales since 2020 alone.

“Sarasota is a critical market as we expand Douglas Elliman across Florida’s west coast,” said Howard M. Lorber, executive chairman of Douglas Elliman Realty, LLC. “Our strategic growth continues to attract the industry’s finest talent and Sarasota is no exception to that rule. Lisa Rooks Morris and her remarkable team are already leading the market in Sarasota — just imagine what they will achieve with the power of Douglas Elliman.”

“We are proud to firmly plant roots in Sarasota with the area’s leading agents joining Douglas Elliman’s newest office,” said Scott Durkin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Douglas Elliman Realty. “Lisa Rooks Morris and her team embody the market knowledge, superior client service and charisma that Douglas Elliman agents are known for in every market we service. They are sure to be an invaluable asset to the firm.”

“Sarasota is one of the most exciting and dynamic markets on the Gulf Coast and Douglas Elliman is committed to expanding in the region to service our clients there,” said Jay Phillip Parker, CEO of Brokerage, Florida Region and President of Douglas Elliman Development Marketing, Florida. “We couldn’t be more enthusiastic about opening this new office with the agents who have led and defined the Sarasota market for years.”

Currently ranking number one in Sarasota and Manatee counties, Lisa Morris is recognized as the preeminent luxury sales specialist throughout Sarasota and Longboat Key. She comes to Douglas Elliman from Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, where she spent the past eight years building her incredible team, The LRM Group, and

representing the region’s most exquisite, historic and important homes, from resales to new development. Morris stewarded the sellout of 1350 Main, VUE Sarasota Bay, The Mark in Downtown Sarasota, and Sage-Longboat Key’s boutique luxury development. In her tenure, she also individually ranked number one for office sale volume and set a record for the highest-priced closing in the history of Manatee County at $16 million.

With Morris at the helm, The LRM Group brings over 60 years of combined experience to Douglas Elliman with team members Amy Drake and Julie Guirguis. Drake is a preeminent new development specialist. Prior to joining The LRM Group, she served as Director of Marketing and Managing Director for New Homes & Condominiums. Working with developers, Morris and Drake combined are responsible for closing and managing over half a billion in new development sales. Exhibiting exceptional service to the team’s resale clientele, Guirguis, a former bank executive, completes the team.

“I am honored to join Douglas Elliman as a founding member of the Sarasota office and to share the culture of exceptional service with our clients. The prestige of Douglas Elliman in leading luxury markets is a perfect complement to the distinguished properties and clients that the LRM Group is honored to represent. We look forward to launching this new chapter together,” said Lisa Rooks Morris.

Also joining Douglas Elliman from Sotheby’s is Kenneth Ipox, who has sold over $100 million in his career. Followed with Elliman agents transferring from the St Petersburg office Inbal August, Tal August, Maria Babaev, Laly Ballard, and James Ballard.

Sue Wolverton will serve as the managing broker for the office located at 1350 Main Street in Downtown Sarasota’s Bayfront district. Lena White is the senior regional director, west coast, Florida. With the opening in Sarasota, the brokerage now has 27 offices and approximately 1,300 sales associates across Florida. Douglas Elliman continues to attract the best talent in markets across the country.