In the ever-evolving world of luxury real estate, few agencies have managed to combine artistry, strategy, and client-centered service as effortlessly as Duque Simms Real Estate Agency. Recently honored by Luxury Lifestyle Awards as Best Luxury Boutique Real Estate Consultancy Agency in Quebec, Canada, 2026, the Montreal-based firm has distinguished itself through cinematic marketing and bespoke client experiences. Founded in 2022, Duque Simms has built a reputation for elevating every property transaction into a refined and rewarding journey.

At the heart of the agency are co-founders Ana Duque and Daniel Simms, whose complementary expertise has become the cornerstone of the company’s success. Ana brings nearly 2 decades of experience, combining architectural insight, multilingual communication, and strategic market expertise to deliver highly personalized real estate solutions. Daniel, with a background in Fine Arts and cinematic production, leads the agency’s in-house creative direction, crafting compelling visual narratives that bring luxury properties to life. Together, they have reimagined boutique real estate by morphing innovation, storytelling, and integrity into every aspect of their brand.

Alexander Chetchikov, President of the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce, leads our exclusive interview with Ana and Daniel. Drawing on more than 18 years of experience recognizing the globe’s most distinguished luxury brands through the Luxury Lifestyle Awards, he offers rich expertise and discerning insight into the dynamic landscape of luxury.

Alexander Chetchikov: Congratulations, Ana and Daniel, on being recognized as Best Luxury Boutique Real Estate Consultancy Agency in Quebec, Canada, 2026. What does this award mean to both of you and to the Duque Simms team?

Ana: Thank you, Alexander. This recognition is incredibly meaningful for us because it reflects the kind of experience we’ve always wanted to create for our clients. From the beginning, our goal was to build a boutique real estate brokerage rooted in thoughtful guidance, strong relationships, and a very personalized approach to buying and selling property in Montreal and the Eastern Townships.

A lot of our clients are navigating major life transitions. Some are relocating, some are preparing a long-time family home for sale, and others are searching for a property that truly aligns with their lifestyle and long-term goals. We’ve always believed those moments deserve care, clarity, and genuine attention.

Daniel: Honestly, I think we both felt a little emotional about it. When you build something very thoughtfully from the ground up, you spend years hoping people will understand what you’re trying to create.

For us, it was never only about real estate transactions. It was about creating an experience that felt thoughtful, visually compelling, and genuinely supportive for clients. Seeing those efforts resonate beyond our immediate market means a great deal to our entire team. 

AC: Ana, your background in architectural design gives you a unique perspective in real estate. How has this influenced the way you guide clients and market luxury properties?

Ana: My previous experience in architecture completely informs the way I understand real estate. I naturally look at a property through multiple lenses at once: how the space functions, what it would take to optimize it, how light moves through it, how materials age over time, how people experience the home emotionally, and how the property fits within the surrounding neighbourhood context.

That perspective becomes incredibly valuable when advising clients, particularly in Montreal, where there’s such a rich mix of heritage homes, architecturally distinctive properties, and evolving urban neighbourhoods. Whether we’re working in Westmount, Outremont, NDG, Verdun, or the Plateau, clients often want guidance that goes beyond pricing alone. They want someone who understands architecture, renovation potential, design quality, and long-term value simultaneously.

I also think architectural training influences how we prepare homes for the market. Presentation should feel cohesive and intentional. We spend a great deal of time thinking about how to communicate the identity of a property in a way that feels refined, authentic, and emotionally resonant. 

AC: Daniel, your experience in cinema and post-production has clearly shaped Duque Simms’s visual identity. How important is storytelling and cinematic marketing in today’s luxury real estate landscape?

Daniel: It’s become incredibly important because buyers connect emotionally before they connect analytically. People may remember the specifications of a property for a moment, but what stays with them is how the space made them feel.

That’s where storytelling becomes powerful. Through cinematic video, photography, pacing, sound, and visual composition, we’re able to communicate atmosphere and lifestyle in a much deeper way. Especially for architecturally distinctive homes or design-conscious properties, the emotional experience of the space matters enormously.

I also think buyers today are very visually sophisticated. They consume design, architecture, travel, and luxury content constantly. Presentation has to feel elevated, thoughtful, and aligned with the property itself.

AC: Duque Simms is known for its highly personalized, white-glove approach. How do you ensure each client receives a truly bespoke experience from beginning to end?

Ana: I think it starts with listening carefully. Every client arrives with a completely different story, different priorities, and different concerns. Some people are downsizing after decades in the same home, some are relocating internationally, and others are navigating very complex transactions involving estates, investments, or family transitions.

Real estate is deeply personal for most people, and we never lose sight of that.

We stay very involved throughout the process because clients deserve consistency and clarity, especially during stressful or emotional moments. A large part of our role is helping people feel informed, supported, and confident in their decisions from beginning to end.

Daniel: I think a lot of it comes down to presence and communication. Buying or selling a home can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming at times. We try to be very available and attentive throughout the process, so clients feel supported and never like they’re navigating things alone.

Working as a boutique brokerage allows us to build real relationships with people, and I think clients genuinely feel that difference.

Ana: I agree. One of the most rewarding parts of this work is seeing relationships continue long after the sale itself. Many of our clients remain close connections over the years, and that sense of trust means a great deal to us. 

AC: Your agency recently achieved a remarkable sale in Verdun that generated multiple offers and sold significantly above asking price. What key strategies contributed to the success of that transaction?

Ana: That sale was really the result of careful preparation and strategic positioning. Before the property ever reached the market, we spent a significant amount of time refining presentation, discussing timing, understanding buyer psychology within the neighbourhood, and making sure every aspect of the launch felt cohesive.

Verdun and the Sud-Ouest continue to attract buyers who are incredibly engaged with architecture, lifestyle, and community, so we wanted the marketing to reflect that sensibility authentically. 

Daniel: Visually, we approached the property almost like a short film. We wanted buyers to feel the atmosphere of the home and the energy of the neighbourhood itself. The cinematic campaign created a very strong emotional response online, which translated into significant interest and engagement once the property launched.

Ana: Pricing strategy also played a very important role. A lot of it also comes down to understanding timing, buyer psychology, and how people are responding to the market in that moment. In competitive Montreal neighbourhoods like Verdun, Little Burgundy, Pointe-Saint-Charles, St-Henri, and NDG, local expertise makes a tremendous difference.

Ultimately, successful representation comes down to preparation, communication, negotiation strategy, and trust. 

AC: As co-founders and partners, how do your individual strengths complement one another in shaping the vision and growth of Duque Simms?

Ana: Our backgrounds are very different, but I think that’s one of the reasons the partnership works so well. I tend to focus heavily on client strategy, negotiations, architecture, market analysis, and the overall advisory side of the business.

Daniel: And I naturally approach things through storytelling, branding, visual identity, and emotional presentation. We look at real estate from different perspectives, but those perspectives complement one another very naturally.

Ana: I also think we share very similar values, which is important. We both care deeply about relationships, integrity, and creating an experience that feels thoughtful and elevated without feeling impersonal.

Daniel: Ana has an incredible ability to guide clients through high-pressure situations in a way that feels calm and reassuring. Clients trust her very quickly because she makes complicated situations feel manageable.

Ana: Daniel sees details that most people would completely overlook. He’s incredibly thoughtful about how a property feels emotionally, and that perspective has shaped the company in a really meaningful way. 

AC: The company is now expanding into the luxury market in Colombia. What opportunities do you see emerging in international luxury real estate, and what excites you most about this next chapter?

Ana: International luxury real estate is becoming increasingly connected, particularly as buyers look for lifestyle-driven investments and opportunities that extend beyond a single market. In Colombia specifically, we’re seeing growing interest from both international buyers discovering the country for the first time, as well as people who have personal roots there and are now looking to reconnect through real estate.

For many, it’s about creating a lifestyle opportunity that feels meaningful on a personal level. Some buyers are snowbirds searching for a vacation property or seasonal residence in a setting that offers natural beauty, culture, and a slower pace. Others previously lived in Colombia or have family ties there and are now returning with the intention of investing, building something long-term, or maintaining a stronger connection to the country.

Our work in El Peñol, Antioquia, is especially exciting because the region has such a strong relationship with landscape, culture, and design. There’s an authenticity to the environment that feels very inspiring creatively. 

Daniel: Visually, it’s an extraordinary place. The architecture, the natural setting, the scale of the landscape, all of it creates incredible opportunities for thoughtful design and storytelling. 

Ana: What excites us most is the opportunity to apply the same philosophy internationally that has guided us in Montreal: personalized service, strong design awareness, careful presentation, and long-term relationship building. We see it as a very natural evolution of the brand. 

AC: Looking ahead, what is your vision for the future of Duque Simms, and how do you hope to continue redefining luxury real estate experiences for your clients?

Ana: Our vision is to continue building Duque Simms as a trusted boutique real estate brokerage known for thoughtful advisory service, design-conscious marketing, and strong neighbourhood expertise throughout Montreal, the Eastern Townships, and select international markets.

I think clients today are looking for something more personal and more informed. They want expertise, of course, but they also want transparency, responsiveness, and genuine guidance throughout the process.

We’re especially passionate about continuing to grow within areas such as architecturally distinctive homes, heritage properties, relocation services, estate transitions, and complex residential transactions where thoughtful advisory support can make a meaningful difference.

Daniel: Creatively, we want to continue pushing the presentation side of real estate forward. There’s still so much opportunity to create marketing that feels more cinematic, emotionally engaging, and aligned with the individuality of each property.

Ana: At the end of the day, real estate is about people and relationships. That will always remain at the center of how we approach the business and how we continue to grow.

We sincerely thank Ana Duque and Daniel Simms for sharing their insights and inspiring vision with us, and we wish them continued success as they elevate luxury real estate across Canada and beyond.

To learn more about Duque Simms Real Estate Agency and explore their exceptional portfolio, visit: https://duquesimms.com/