Kitson Real Estate is feeling the benefit of moving to a prime street level location in the heart of Hamilton.

A vacant shop unit at the entrance to the Windsor Place shopping precinct, on Queen Street, has been transformed into a walk-in real estate office for the family-run business.

“It has been a great move for us. We’ve had a lot of customers passing through enquiring about rental properties and sales. It has put us on the map,” said Jane Burt, sales and leasing agent.

The switch was done earlier this summer, however a few more changes are yet to be put in place, such as some eye-catching shopfront graphics and a display area detailing properties currently available for sale or rent.

The move to the corner unit at the entrance to Windsor Place, opposite the Sports Locker store, makes sense in many ways. The Kitson Group of Companies owns the Windsor Place building, so it was easily able to relocate into the shop unit, which had previously been a women’s clothing outlet.

Before the move, the real estate office was on the third floor of No 5 Reid Street, a property also owned by the group.

Now, as part of the busy street scene, customers have a greater awareness of the business and what it offers.

Ms Burt said: “There are not that many real estate companies that have a real city-centre presence.

“It’s very comfortable and convenient for people to stop by. Everyone thinks it’s a wonderful shop, and it’s nice to be at street level.”

The Kitson Group of Companies was established in 1947 and prides itself in being “the oldest internationally recognised Bermuda real estate firm”. The group’s portfolio includes insurance and brokerage services, and the Rosedon Hotel. It has been carrying out extensive improvements to its Windsor Place and Reid Street properties, including making them more energy efficient and eco-friendly with the installation of solar panels.

Teko Harvey, who deals with property and project management, and Julie McRonald, real estate management, sales and rentals, are also based in the relocated real estate office on Queen Street.

Ms McRonald said: “Being here reminds people that we are around.”

Kitson Real Estate deals with commercial property management, residential property management, home sales and rentals, including vacation rentals.