A Legacy Built on Grit, Horses, and Heart
Croll Real Estate’s journey began in 1904, when a determined 18-year-old named Andrew Raleigh Croll opened a small office in Neutral Bay. The world was a very different place—no telephones, no mobiles, no computers, no electricity, and hardly a car in sight. Starting a business back then was more about courage than credentials.
With much of the area still undeveloped, young Andrew would trundle buyers to property inspections in a horse-drawn sulky. His faithful companion? A dozy horse called Dolly Daydreams, who had to be nudged awake more than once to make it to the next showing.
But change was on the horizon. Neutral Bay was poised for a population boom, and the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932 transformed the North Shore into a hotspot for homebuyers. Andrew was ready.
Today, Croll Real Estate is a proud symbol of tradition, resilience, and community. With more than a century of history behind it, the business remains firmly rooted in the values of trust, hard work, and personal service. Andrew continues the legacy with one clear mission: to deliver an exceptional real estate experience to every client, just as his grandfather did over a hundred years ago.
Helping out from a young age was Andrew’s son, Colin, who began by collecting rent door-to-door on school holidays. He later earned a law degree, broadened his horizons abroad, and eventually returned home to take the reins after Andrew’s passing in 1957.
Colin embraced a simple yet powerful lesson from his father: success in real estate is “mostly about energy.” That philosophy carried him far. Under his leadership, the agency grew from a four-person team into a thriving business known for its integrity and results. Well into his 90s, Colin remained a familiar face at the office, his passion undimmed.
The next generation took the helm in 2002. Colin’s son, also named Andrew, stepped in as Managing Director. Armed with a Land Economics degree and experience in commercial real estate, Andrew has led Croll Real Estate into a new era of expansion. Under his guidance, both the sales and property management divisions have flourished.
Today, Croll Real Estate is a proud symbol of tradition, resilience, and community. With more than a century of history behind it, the business remains firmly rooted in the values of trust, hard work, and personal service. Andrew continues the legacy with one clear mission: to deliver an exceptional real estate experience to every client, just as his grandfather did over a hundred and twenty years ago.