Buying a home, especially a brand new one, is often the most personal purchase one can make. While it can be a daunting prospect, the experience can be uplifting and invigorating with the right people in your corner. Doug and Esther Cohen, owners of Douglas Properties, have been successfully supplying St. Louisans with beautiful homes, townhouses and condos for almost three decades. Now, the residential developer is branching out with its own retail brokerage component.
Douglas Properties has built about 300 luxury homes and 44 condo units since it was established in 1998. Its projects are located in St. Louis’ central corridor, predominantly in the Ladue and Clayton school districts. Currently, the company is working on a 33-unit townhouse development in Olivette that is scheduled to be completed in February of 2025. Units are priced between $699,000 and $799,000. It’s also developing a four-unit condo development in Old Town Clayton, priced at $2.3 to $2.7 million. “We just finished construction on a 9,000-square-foot home in Laude on a two-acre lot on Conway Road,” Doug says. “With all of our projects, there is a level of detail and finish that the public has come to expect. We continue to be a leader in construction in St. Louis.”
Douglas Properties has been able to navigate the complexities of the ever-changing real estate and construction landscape. That experience is now being leveraged into a retail brokerage division. Doug will continue to manage and sell the new construction projects, while the new initiative will be helmed by Esther, who has more than a decade of retail brokerage experience. “Even before Esther became licensed, she had a head start in the industry through consulting with me,” Doug notes. “We always had the plan of doing the brokerage together after she had more experience under her belt. Now, she’s ready to branch out on her own.”
While Doug will be less involved with day-to-day operations for the retail brokerage, his role as developer will provide clients with a unique benefit. Sellers who choose to list with Douglas Properties will have the advantage of having their homes prepared for the market by a builder. “We can tackle any renovations or improvements needed to prepare a home for sale,” he explains. “This helps increase a property’s value and ensure the highest dollar amount possible for the seller. And it doesn’t only benefit sellers. Our team also can help buyers with renovations they want completed following the purchase of their home.”
Both the construction and retail brokerage components of Douglas Properties reflect the Cohens’ dedication to providing St. Louis’ central corridor with exceptional living spaces. “We’re a husband and wife team, who work with clients from start to finish on projects,” Doug says. “People are constantly asking us when the first episode of our HGTV show will air. Esther has her fingers on the latest trends in terms of the housing market and interior design. On the development side, I strive to deliver outstanding quality and craftsmanship. That’s what Douglas Properties is known for.”
Douglas Properties provides luxury residential building and remodeling services. Pictured on the cover: Owners Doug and Esther Cohen with current construction projects in Olivette and Clayton. For more information, call 314.280.2041 or visit douglasproperties.com.
Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photos courtesy of Douglas Properties
Pictured at the top: Owners Esther and Doug Cohen
Photo courtesy of Douglas Properties
