Tommy Kanarellis, a real estate agent with experience in both Houston and Aspen, has returned to Houston to take on the role of associate sales director for the Ritz-Carlton Residences of Houston. The appointment was announced by Redeavor Group, which is overseeing sales for the development.
Kanarellis previously held the distinction of being Houston’s top-ranked condo sales agent in 2021 while at Compass Real Estate. After leaving Compass in 2022 and working briefly at Douglas Elliman, he rejoined Compass in 2023. He later focused his efforts on helping clients find second homes in Aspen before returning to Texas.
Local agents report that although there is an abundance of general housing options in Houston, luxury homes remain scarce. The demand for luxury residences is high, with properties selling more quickly than in other major Texas cities. The majority of these homes are concentrated in areas such as River Oaks and Memorial Villages.
The Ritz-Carlton Residences project is one among several branded condominium developments underway in Houston. Other projects include those branded by Auberge and St. Regis, as well as another Ritz-Carlton development planned for the Woodlands area. These projects are attracting buyers from sectors including aerospace, medicine, and energy.
In related news within the city’s real estate sector, Ryan Fassett has joined Oxford Partners as senior vice president after a career focused on office and industrial tenant representation at firms such as UGL Equis, Moody Rambin, and Lee & Associates.
Additionally, Premier—a Dallas-based architecture and engineering firm owned by Ashford—has promoted Johannes Michalsky to CEO effective January 1. Michalsky has been with Premier for twelve years and most recently served as COO since 2024. While Ashford primarily operates in hospitality through its ownership of Premier, the company also works within student housing and multifamily residential markets.
