Celebrating a Century of Excellence: The Keyes Company’s 100-Year Legacy in Florida Real Estate

Celebrating a remarkable milestone, The Keyes Company, a proud member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (LeadingRE), is marking its 100-year anniversary this February 2026. Founded during a period of immense growth in Florida real estate, this exceptional organization has established a legacy characterized by resilience, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to serving both buyers and sellers.

Established by Kenneth Keyes when Florida was on the cusp of a real estate boom, The Keyes Company has withstood various economic, social, and market transformations—from the hard-hitting Great Depression and the challenges of World War II to the digital revolution in real estate and the fast-paced dynamics of today’s housing market. At each critical juncture, the company has thrived thanks to owners and leaders who continuously evaluated consumer needs, allowing them to adapt effectively to changing circumstances.

Christina Pappas, the president of The Keyes Company, emphasizes, “It’s quite rare for companies to reach a century mark, especially in such a cyclical and competitive field as real estate. This milestone holds significance because Keyes has thrived by embracing change. Successive generations have thoughtfully assessed the market, our clients, and the challenges at hand, always opting for evolution. Over the past century, Florida has undergone dramatic shifts, presenting numerous opportunities for failure. Instead, Keyes has chosen to adapt.”

Today, The Keyes Company operates as a comprehensive real estate organization, offering a full spectrum of services, supported by thousands of real estate professionals across the state. This extensive network underscores Keyes’ deep-rooted history while embracing a forward-thinking mindset.

Mike Pappas, CEO of The Keyes Company, shares insights into their longevity: “Surviving and thriving is not a matter of chance; it’s a deliberate choice. From my father Ted, to my brother Tim, to Christina and our current leadership team, our guiding question has always been: What do consumers need at this moment, and how can we deliver that better than anyone else? This philosophy has propelled Keyes through wars, economic downturns, technological disruptions, and significant population surges in Florida. A century later, this same vision continues to steer our path forward.”

A Journey Through 100 Years: Highlights from The Keyes Company Timeline

• 1926–1930: Kenneth Keyes establishes the brokerage in February 1926, while overseeing property management at the Miami-based Tatum Brothers. Rapid expansion necessitates multiple office relocations, culminating in a second office on Miami Beach’s Lincoln Road by 1930. That same year, Keyes gains visibility at the National Association of Realtors (NAR) conference in Chicago.
• 1930–1945: Following the enduring mantra, “Give the world the best you have, and the best will come back to you,” The Keyes Company relocates its headquarters to the Biscayne Building in downtown Miami (1933) and exceeds $1 million in annual sales (1934). By 1936, the firm is recognized as Florida’s largest real estate brokerage and one of the biggest in the South. During World War II, Keyes serves as the local real estate office for the federal government, identifying suitable sites for military housing and taking leadership roles in key real estate associations.
• 1950s–1970s: Keyes chairs the National Association of Realtors in 1957. Ted J. Pappas joins the company in 1962, enhancing leadership capabilities. 1968 marks a high point with $90 million in sales, and after acquiring the firm in 1969, Pappas leads both The Keyes Company and Keyes Realty International while becoming President of the Miami Association of Realtors in 1975.
• 1990s: Brothers Mike and Tim Pappas take ownership, and in 1996, Keyes emerges as a pioneer in Florida real estate by offering virtual realty services, embracing technology long before it became mainstream.
• Early 2000s: Keyes enhances its Family of Services, incorporating title, property management, insurance, and mortgage services to better assist buyers and sellers in their needs.
• 2016: The acquisition of Palm Beach-based Illustrated Properties catapults Keyes into becoming one of the nation’s largest independent brokerages, setting a framework for successful future mergers.
• 2023: Christina Pappas is appointed President, with Mike Pappas continuing as CEO, marking the transition into the third generation of Pappas family leadership. Christina has made her mark in the industry, serving as the youngest-ever President of Florida Realtors in 2022 and as the 2017 Residential President of the Miami Association of Realtors.

As The Keyes Company embarks on its second century, its gaze remains fixed on the future – innovating through technology, broadening its services, and empowering real estate professionals to address the shifting requirements of Florida’s diverse communities.

“A century ago, this company was built on the principles of service and adaptability,” states Christina Pappas. “Those values are not only still relevant today but will lead us confidently into the next century.”

For more information, visit https://www.keyes.com/.