From 1 March, the Box Hill office will operate as part of the broader Whitehorse business, with Tony Kwan joining as partner and director across the combined operation.
Eastern Group Director Spiro Drossos said the merger/acquisition was founded on a long-standing relationship and shared ambition.
“I’ve known Tony for a very long time. He worked within the Barry Plant Eastern Group many years ago and was a very high performer in the Whitehorse area,” Spiro said.
“When we started discussing what joining forces could look like, it made sense quickly. We’re stronger together and can offer a more complete service to Whitehorse as one team.”
Strategically, the move strengthens geographical coverage across the eastern suburbs. With established offices in Mitcham, Manningham, Balwyn and Monash, the addition of Box Hill creates what Spiro describes as a natural flow across key buyer corridors.
“Box Hill has always been a service area for us, but now it becomes part of our heartland,” he said.
“People moving in and out of Box Hill and Doncaster flow either side of the freeway. By bringing Box Hill into the group, we can service buyers more effectively and give sellers access to a much larger network.”
A major driver behind the merger/acquisition is The One Real Estate’s strong connection to the Chinese and broader Asian communities, both locally and abroad.
“A big part of their business is that international audience,” Spiro said.
“We’re not just adding another office. We now effectively have an international arm. We can run campaigns locally and internationally with experts who understand that market and are dedicated to servicing the Chinese community.”
The merger/acquisition also strengthens the group’s investment presence in one of Melbourne’s most active rental markets.
Around 250 rental properties will join the Eastern Group portfolio, adding to nearly 6,500 properties under management.
“Box Hill is a very strong investment market,” Spiro said. “Given our position as one of Melbourne’s main rental players, we’re looking to increase our investment presence in that area and promote properties right across our wider network.”
For Tony, however, the decision to rejoin Barry Plant Eastern Group was about more than strategy.
“I worked for Barry Plant Eastern Group for six and a half years, so I know the brand very well and I know how dominant it is in the eastern suburbs,” he said.
“In today’s market, with the network and support available, I believe it’s the best move for myself and my team.”
Tony founded The One Real Estate in 2019, building the business through the uncertainty of COVID and expanding into Doncaster East and Hong Kong. While the agency established a strong presence, operating as a smaller independent brand presented challenges.
“Recruiting experienced agents is an industry-wide challenge and one we’ve felt ourselves,” he said.
“By joining this network, I’m stepping into a group of high-performing offices with senior agents I can collaborate with and lean on.”
He said the move provides the scale and infrastructure needed for sustainable growth.
“With Barry Plant Easter Group there’s incredible backend support, industry-leading systems and strong branding and marketing,” Tony said.
“That allows me to focus on listing and selling, knowing the business is supported properly and built for long-term growth.”
But it was family that ultimately shaped the timing of the decision.
“Barry Plant Eastern Group is a family brand, and that made this family decision much easier for me,” Tony said.
“In 2024 my mum became unwell and I had to travel to Hong Kong very frequently. I’m so thankful I was able to spend that time with her, but naturally being away did have an impact on the business.”
The experience reinforced the need for stronger structure around him.
“That’s when I said to my business partner that we needed stronger branding and network support behind us,” he said.
“By joining Barry Plant Eastern Group, we’re stepping into a structure that allows the business to keep performing even when I have to step away. It gives me confidence that the team and our clients are supported, and it allows for a healthier work and life balance in moments like those.”
Barry Plant CEO Lisa Pennell expressed her excitement at The One Real Estate Box Hill team joining the Barry Plant family.
“Tony has built an incredible business in Box Hill, drawing on the experience he gained during his time at Barry Plant Eastern Group. The fact that he’s gone out, built a successful business, and is now returning to join Spiro and the team at Barry Plant Eastern Group speaks to the strength of our systems in developing agents into business owners, the culture that attracts former team members back, and the strategic direction of our network.
“Spiro is an exceptional operator and no doubt the Box Hill business will continue to go from strength to strength under the Barry Plant Eastern Group brand”
Both directors emphasised the cultural alignment between the businesses and a shared ambition to lead the Whitehorse market.
“This isn’t about changing what Tony does,” Spiro said. “He already provides a very high level of service. It’s about giving his team and clients access to a larger network, stronger infrastructure and greater reach.”
From 1 March, it becomes one Whitehorse team across two locations – combining local expertise, international capability and the backing of one of Melbourne’s most established real estate brands, with family values at its core.
