Chris Shellabear

Contact Chris for Exclusive Warnham Inspection Booking

Chris Shellabear | Chairman

A well-known name in Western Australian real estate, Chris Shellabear comes from a long line of property agents and has built a successful career spanning more than four decades. With a major in Town Planning from UWA, Chris joined Shellabear & Son (founded by his grandfather Bert in 1925) at the age of 21, quickly establishing himself as a highly skilled negotiator.

He constructed his first development in Cottesloe, building three houses at the age of 23. He gained his Real Estate Licence in 1984 and was awarded the Real Estate Institute medal for Top Student.

In 1994, Chris became Principal and Licensee, taking over from his father Ian, before rebranding the firm to Shellabears and introducing the now well-known Triangle as the company logo.

Having guided Shellabears through decades of growth and its milestone 100th year, Chris has now welcomed the fourth generation into the business. With the next generation taking responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and future growth of Shellabears, Chris continues as Chairman and remains an active and important part of the business.

This next chapter allows Chris to concentrate on what he has always enjoyed and does best — working directly with clients and selling premium residential property throughout Perth’s western suburbs. Drawing on more than four decades of local property experience, his focus remains firmly on providing considered advice, skilled negotiation and exceptional outcomes for longstanding and new clients.

With a career total of over $2 billion in sales and $500 million transacted in the last five years alone, Chris continues to set industry benchmarks. A three-time recipient of REIWA’s prestigious awards for Highest Salesperson in WA by Value Sold, Chris has been consistently ranked No. 1 in the state for all sales, solidifying his position as one of the most accomplished and productive agents in the industry.

Chris is known for his expertise in both on-market and auction sales, as well as prominent project sales of iconic apartments in Cottesloe. His exceptional negotiation skills have earned him Grandmaster Salesperson status on multiple occasions over the last 20 years. His ability to combine extensive market knowledge with empathy and an understanding of his clients’ individual needs has been central to achieving outstanding results throughout his career.

A lifelong local with deep roots in the Western Suburbs, Chris is dedicated to the community. As a past President of the North Cottesloe Surf Lifesaving Club, he enjoys staying active with his family and beginning his day with a surf ski session or reef swim at North Cottesloe Beach. He received the Prime Minister’s Award for Innovation in the Community for the development of the Eric Street Community Centre in 2013. Chris has completed the Rottnest Channel Swim solo crossing multiple times and competes annually in Surf Lifesaving Masters State Championships. He is also a long-time sponsor and participant in local swims along the coast.

Widowed early, Chris has determinedly raised funds to establish the first Chair in Stroke Medicine in WA, in partnership with the Perron Institute in 2022. As of 2025, the Stroke Unit, headed by Professor Graeme Hankey, has grown to seven researchers.

A New Chapter in a 100-Year Family Legacy

Having celebrated 100 years in business in 2025, Shellabears has entered its next chapter with fourth-generation family involvement and an expanded depth of property expertise.

For Chris, it is also an opportunity to return his focus to the part of the business he is most passionate about — property, people and achieving exceptional sales results.

With family, business and community remaining at the heart of his approach, Chris continues to offer the experience, local knowledge and highly personalised service that have defined his career.