In a remarkable achievement that underscores Arizona’s growing prominence in the luxury real estate market, Scottsdale-based America One Luxury Real Estate announced in October 2025 that it has surpassed $1 billion in sales volume since its founding in 2018. The milestone represents not just a numerical accomplishment but a compelling immigrant success story and a testament to how innovative marketing and a relentless work ethic can disrupt an established industry.
From $86,800 Townhouse to Billion-Dollar Brokerage
The story behind America One reads like a classic American Dream narrative with a modern twist. Co-owners Maximilian de Melo and Patrick Niederdrenk, immigrants from Germany, arrived in the United States with no money, no contacts, and no real estate experience, just determination and entrepreneurial drive.
Their first project was an $86,800 townhouse that they flipped and listed on Airbnb. This modest beginning became the seed of what would grow into one of Arizona’s most successful luxury brokerages. That initial property also sparked the founding of their development company, MP Design & Development, which has since established itself as a prominent player in Paradise Valley’s competitive luxury development market.
Known collectively as “Max & Patrick,” the Scottsdale-based partners have played a major role in driving America One’s success, personally contributing more than $350 million in combined sales volume to date. Their ability to merge a European aesthetic perspective with deep Arizona market expertise has led to record-breaking sales across Paradise Valley and Scottsdale, two of the state’s most exclusive enclaves.
“This milestone is a dream realized,” said Maximilian de Melo. “Reaching $1 billion is proof that our vision resonates. We are excited for the future!”
Patrick Niederdrenk added a more reflective note: “What makes this so meaningful is not the number itself, but the journey. Every sale represents a relationship, a story, and a home. We’re grateful for the trust our clients place in us and proud of the reputation we’ve built together.”
A Five-Partner Leadership Model
While Max and Patrick have become the public faces of America One, the brokerage operates under a five-partner ownership structure. Alongside de Melo and Niederdrenk, the firm is owned and managed by Jonathan Leaman, Steven Nielsen II, and Joseph Pierce. This collaborative leadership model allows the brokerage to leverage diverse strengths and perspectives while maintaining the unified vision that has driven its rapid growth.
The firm now includes 33 licensed agents serving Arizona’s most prestigious communities, a substantial expansion from its humble beginnings just seven years ago. This controlled growth strategy has allowed America One to maintain its boutique feel and high-touch service model while building the infrastructure necessary to compete with established luxury brokerages.
Pioneering Cinematic Marketing in Arizona’s Luxury Segment
One of America One’s key differentiators has been its approach to property marketing. The brokerage has pioneered cinematic marketing techniques within Arizona’s luxury segment, transforming how high-end properties are showcased to potential buyers.
Rather than relying on traditional photography and standard listing descriptions, America One creates immersive visual experiences that capture not just the physical attributes of properties but the lifestyle they represent. This approach emphasizes what the firm calls the “Arizona Lifestyle”, the unique combination of desert beauty, indoor-outdoor living, architectural innovation, and resort-style amenities that defines luxury living in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
From cinematic property showcases to exclusive developer partnerships and private dealmaking, their marketing strategy prioritizes precision and world-class client experiences. This investment in presentation quality has helped America One properties stand out in an increasingly crowded luxury market where buyers have access to countless listings online.
The cinematic approach also reflects Max and Patrick’s European background, where design aesthetics and visual storytelling have long played central roles in luxury real estate marketing. By bringing these sensibilities to Arizona, they’ve introduced a fresh perspective that resonates with both domestic and international buyers.
Representing Architecturally Significant Properties
America One has built its reputation on representing the Valley’s most architecturally significant properties. Rather than competing primarily on volume, the brokerage has positioned itself as the go-to firm for homes that represent design excellence and architectural innovation.
This focus on architectural distinction aligns with broader trends in luxury real estate, where high-net-worth buyers increasingly seek properties that function as both residences and art pieces. The Phoenix area has attracted renowned architects and designers who appreciate the desert landscape as a canvas for modernist and contemporary designs that would be difficult to execute in more traditional markets.
Paradise Valley and Scottsdale have emerged as particular hotspots for architectural experimentation, with properties featuring dramatic cantilevers, floor-to-ceiling glass walls that blur indoor-outdoor boundaries, and innovative approaches to desert landscaping. America One’s expertise in marketing these unique properties has made it the preferred brokerage for sellers with architecturally distinctive homes and for buyers seeking something beyond cookie-cutter luxury.
The Arizona Luxury Market Context
America One’s billion-dollar achievement comes against the backdrop of Arizona’s explosive growth and its emergence as a major destination for luxury real estate investment. The Phoenix metropolitan area has transformed from a seasonal retirement destination to a year-round magnet for high-net-worth individuals, families, and businesses seeking favorable tax policies, business-friendly regulations, and exceptional quality of life.
Several factors have contributed to Arizona’s luxury market strength. The state’s income tax rates remain significantly lower than coastal alternatives like California and New York, making it attractive for successful entrepreneurs and executives looking to preserve wealth. The climate, while hot in summer months, allows for outdoor activities year-round and has driven the development of resort-style residential communities that blur the line between permanent residence and vacation property.
Phoenix’s economic diversification has also played a crucial role. Once heavily dependent on real estate development and tourism, the region has attracted major tech companies, financial services firms, and healthcare organizations. This economic base expansion has created a larger pool of affluent buyers who need luxury housing to accommodate their relocations.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated these trends dramatically. Remote work freed many high-earning professionals from geographic constraints, and Arizona’s combination of space, sunshine, and relative affordability compared to coastal markets made it an obvious choice. While some pandemic-era transplants have since returned to their original markets, many remained, and the migration pattern has continued at elevated levels.
Competition in Arizona’s Luxury Segment
America One’s success comes in a highly competitive market featuring several established luxury brokerages and individual agents with impressive track records. Katrina Barrett, for example, has been ranked the number one real estate agent in Arizona by RealTrends and has sold over $1 billion in luxury homes throughout her career. Joan Levinson has specialized for over 35 years in the finest estates in Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Arcadia, consistently ranking among the top 50 agents nationally.
Scott Grigg has personally sold over $2 billion in real estate and ranks in the top 1% of luxury realtors year after year. These established competitors have deep relationships, extensive market knowledge, and proven track records that make breaking into the luxury segment extremely challenging for newcomers.
What distinguishes America One in this competitive landscape is its fresh approach and willingness to innovate. While established agents rely heavily on personal relationships and traditional marketing channels, America One has embraced digital marketing, cinematic storytelling, and social media to reach younger luxury buyers who conduct extensive online research before engaging with agents.
The firm’s developer partnerships also provide a competitive advantage. By working closely with luxury home builders and developers from project conception through sales completion, America One gains early access to inventory and can shape how properties are designed and marketed to align with buyer preferences.
The Development Connection: MP Design & Development
The parallel growth of MP Design & Development, the development company founded by Max and Patrick, creates unique synergies for America One’s brokerage business. By understanding the development process from the inside, including land acquisition, design, permitting, construction, and marketing, the partners bring insights that pure brokerage professionals often lack.
This development expertise allows America One agents to speak knowledgeably with clients about construction quality, design decisions, and value propositions in ways that build credibility and trust. It also positions the firm to represent new construction inventory with authority, an increasingly important segment as luxury buyers seek modern amenities and energy efficiency that older properties often lack.
Paradise Valley, where MP Design & Development has established itself as a prominent player, represents some of the most exclusive residential real estate in Arizona. The town’s strict zoning regulations, large minimum lot sizes, and design review processes create significant barriers to entry for developers. MP Design & Development’s success in navigating these challenges demonstrates the partners’ understanding of high-end residential development and positions America One as the logical brokerage partner for similar projects.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
Despite America One’s impressive trajectory, the firm faces challenges as it seeks to build on its billion-dollar milestone. The luxury real estate market, while generally more stable than mid-market segments, remains vulnerable to economic cycles, interest rate fluctuations, and shifts in buyer preferences.
Rising mortgage rates have impacted even luxury buyers, many of whom finance portions of their purchases despite substantial wealth. The $5 million to $15 million price range that represents America One’s core market can see significant payment increases from even modest rate changes, potentially extending sales cycles or requiring price adjustments.
Competition continues to intensify as other brokerages recognize Arizona’s luxury market potential. National firms have expanded their Phoenix operations, while boutique brokerages modeled on America One’s approach have emerged. Maintaining differentiation will require continued innovation in marketing, service quality, and market knowledge.
Geographic expansion represents both an opportunity and a risk. While America One has built its reputation primarily in Paradise Valley and Scottsdale, there may be opportunities to extend its brand to other Arizona markets or even beyond state borders. However, expansion requires capital investment, agent recruitment, and market knowledge that could dilute the focused expertise that has driven success to date.
The broader economic environment also bears watching. Arizona’s rapid population growth and economic expansion have created tailwinds for luxury real estate, but this growth depends partly on continued in-migration from other states. Any reversal of these trends, whether due to water scarcity concerns, political changes, or simply normalization after pandemic-driven relocations, could slow the luxury market and make billion-dollar sales volumes harder to achieve in subsequent periods.
The Immigrant Success Story Angle
Beyond the business metrics, America One’s success resonates because it embodies core elements of the American Dream. Max and Patrick’s journey from German immigrants with no resources to leaders of a billion-dollar real estate brokerage in just seven years demonstrates the opportunities still available to those willing to work tirelessly and take entrepreneurial risks.
Their story also highlights how immigrant perspectives can drive innovation in established industries. The European aesthetic sensibility and marketing approaches they brought to Arizona’s luxury market weren’t necessarily better than existing practices, but they were different, and that differentiation created value for clients seeking fresh perspectives and approaches.
In an era of polarized immigration debates, America One’s success provides a compelling counternarrative about immigration’s economic contributions. Rather than taking opportunities from existing participants, Max and Patrick expanded the market by introducing new approaches that elevated the entire industry’s standards and attracted buyers who might not have otherwise considered Arizona.
A Defining Achievement with More to Come
As America One celebrates surpassing $1 billion in sales volume, the milestone represents both validation of the firm’s approach and a foundation for future growth. The relationships built, market knowledge accumulated, and reputation established through these first seven years position the brokerage for continued success in Arizona’s dynamic luxury market.
For Max, Patrick, and their partners, the billion-dollar mark is less an endpoint than a proof of concept, evidence that their vision of cinematic marketing, architectural focus, and client-centric service resonates in one of America’s fastest-growing luxury markets. As they stated in announcing the achievement, they’re excited for the future, and given their track record of exceeding expectations, that future likely holds additional milestones that once seemed impossible for an immigrant-founded brokerage that started with an $86,800 townhouse flip.
In Scottsdale’s competitive luxury real estate landscape, where established agents and brokerages have dominated for decades, America One has carved out a distinctive position through innovation, work ethic, and a relentless focus on exceeding client expectations. The billion-dollar sales volume is proof that even in mature markets, there’s always room for fresh approaches and entrepreneurial vision, especially when backed by the determination to turn an ambitious dream into reality.
