South Australia’s Gaetjens Real Estate among the oldest agencies in Australia
Gaetjens Real Estate in Adelaide that was established in 1866, ranks the fourth oldest estate agency on Property Observer’s list. The agency is run by 86-year old Ken Gaetjens – great-grandson of Herman Gaetjens, who married into the agency in 1886.
It was added after Monday’s look at Australia’s oldest real estate agencies, when a reader wrote in with the addition to the list.
It was originally founded by Adolph Heinrich Bartels and Christoph Meyer. Bartels was the mayor of Adelaide from 1871 to 1873. The agency was called Bartels & Meyer before Herman Gaetjens acquired the business.
Danish-born Herman Gaetjens arrived in Australia from Denmark in 1860 and later became the mayor of Henley Beach.
Ken says six generations of the Gaetjens family have worked in the agency. His son and grand-daughter currently work at the agency.
“The game will still keep going,” he says.
Ken joined the agency in 1946 after coming out of the Air Force. He joined his father Arthur, who had been working there since 1912.
Ken Gaetjens says many members of the Gaetjens have been presidents of the Real Estate Institute of South Australia. Ken was president from 1978 to 1979.
Fittingly, the company specialises in selling property for the over-50s. The agency charges pensioners a discounted rate to sell their home and help them find retirement accommodation.
The title of Australia’s oldest real estate agency is claimed by Elders, established by Alexander Lang Elder in Port Adelaide in 1839.
