Movers: Elliman’s Stephen Apelian Expands to Austin

A high-profile luxury real estate agent from Los Angeles is expanding his business to Austin.

Stephen Apelian, who has over 13 years of experience selling in the West Side of L.A., has joined Douglas Elliman’s Tracy Tutor Team in the Texas capital. Apelian grew up in the San Fernando Valley and is the son of an architect and builder.

Besides claiming nearly $800 million in sales to clients in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Brentwood, the Hollywood Hills and Pacific Palisades, Apelian is a general contractor who has built and remodeled over 100 high-end homes, restaurants and nightclubs, according to a news release from Elliman.

Tutor, a star of “Million Dollar Listing,” teamed up with Elliman agent and Dallas native Breah Brown to launch her expansion to Texas in 2022.

Here’s what else is shaking in Texas real estate.

Trammell Crow Company promoted Aaron Thielhorn to market leader of its Houston office, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the office, as well as development and investment activity in Greater Houston. Thielhorn will fill the shoes of Jim Casey, who is retiring in May after 37 years with Trammell Crow Company in Houston. Thielhorn, who has been with the firm for 25 years, led developments including Hess Tower and Energy Centers One through Five. He also worked on development of downtown Austin projects, including the Indeed Tower.

Commercial real estate finance company Greystone hired Colin Grayson as a managing director of its lending business platforms, based in Dallas. He has 15 years of experience in commercial real estate and previously worked most recently as vice president of multifamily originations for Lument. He also previously worked at Legacy Partners Residential Development and CBRE.

Architecture firm KAI has hired architect Brien Graham as civic, municipal and cultural market leader in its Dallas-Fort Worth office, which is in Irving. Graham has years of experience in education, office and hotel design. He previously worked at LPA Inc., Richmond Group and Concord Church.

—Rachel Stone