By Victoria Stuart

For more than 25 years Anne Platt has made Coconut Grove her home, the focus of her career and the center of her civic and charitable activities. "I love living in the Grove," said Platt, "It's exciting and progressive, yet it has a wonderful sense of history."

One of the highest producing real estate agents for Coldwell Banker the largest real estate company in the U.S. and Florida with a large international network Platt specializes in selling homes in Coconut Grove and Coral Gables. Originally from Texas, she moved to South Florida in the mid - 1970s to accept a job as a department manager with Burdines.

"I enjoyed retailing and I had initially planned a career as a buyer, but I found that I loved living here so much that I didn't want to commute to other cities," she said. "My father had sold commercial real estate back home, so I thought I'd give real estate a try. Besides, as a buyer I enjoyed putting things together and I thought I'd like matching people up with houses."

Platt enrolled in a real estate course, earned her license and was immediately hired by Stadler Associates.

"I was impressed by the way Lucille Stadler did business very low key and honest and genuinely trying to help the buyer find what they were looking for and I wanted to emulate that," Platt said. "But the office I was in focused mostly on the Dadeland area and South Miami-Dade, and I really wanted to sell homes in Coconut Grove. I lived there and felt a connection and I thought that would be an asset to help me help my clients."

About a year later an opportunity came up for Platt to work for the multi-office Klock Company and she took it.

"Joe Klock was still running the company then (he sold to Coldwell Banker in 1983) and he let me focus on Coconut Grove and Coral Gables; I had found my niche," said Platt who has remained with the company for more than 25 years. Today she is one of the top-producing agents in Miami-Dade County and a charter member of the prestigious Master Brokers Forum. Her distinguished sales record has also earned her a place in the International Diamond Society. She is active in community service as a volunteer at St. Stephens Church, a member of the coconut Grove Chamber of commerce and on the board of the Elizabeth Virrick Park Youth and Community Center.

"Virrick Park was established in the 1960s, but it had fallen into disrepair," she said. "A few years ago I joined a group of dedicated community leaders who have worked to build it into a complete youth center, with an indoor gymnasium, performance stage, counseling center, computer lab, music room, cooking labs and of course acres of parks and playground.

More than 60 percent of kids in the west Coconut Grove area live below poverty level and they need a chance to have an even playing field in life. The first phase of this park will be completed in January and then we'll start working on Phase 2. Hopefully this park will give the kids the helping hand they need for their career and their life."

In her free time, Platt enjoys raising orchids and sailing and has won several trophies in sailboat races. She is also a frequent author of historical articles for local newspapers.

Platt added that she has sold many historic homes in both Coconut Grove and Coral Gables.

"I love working with unique homes in lush settings and I especially enjoy being able to be of service and to share the treasured moments when my customers are making exciting changes in their loves," she said. "We have strong homes here in Coconut Grove that have existed since the late 1800's. They have lived through tough times and will be here for a long time to come, and so will we."

For details, please contact Anne Platt