"I have never seen so many significant projects on the go. There are some really exciting developments especially in the Tauranga CBD."
The Tauranga Crossing development and the Tauriko Business Estate have also contributed to the city's commercial building boom, he says.
"It does give a strong degree of confidence that the commercial sector will continue to be strong."
Walton has a degree in property management and valuation, and comes to the commercial team after a 10-year career on the commercial and agri team at ANZ in Tauranga.
Before that, he worked in finance and banking in London.
"I've always had an interest or a passion in commercial property."
When he is not in the office, Walton cares for his young family including two sons aged 2 and 5.
Walton is a keen supporter of the Te Puke Sports rugby team and enjoys playing social and business house tennis.
"I also enjoy fishing and being out on the ocean when I get the opportunity," he says.
Simon Anderson, chief executive of Realty Group, which operates Eves and Bayleys, says Walton was seen as the man to drive Bayleys' commercial business forward and continue the market dominance.
"As part of Bayleys' strategy for growth in our region it was seen as critical to this success that a well-connected and networked person was employed to lead this team into the future," Anderson says.
The Bayleys Tauranga commercial team includes nine salespeople and three commercial property managers.
Walton's appointment comes after the arrival of Bruce Cameron as the new chairman of the Realty Group Board, replacing Richard Cashmore who resigned in June.
Cameron was Bay of Plenty Rugby Union chairman from 2008-2012, is a Zespri board member and chairman of the Waipuna Hospice Foundation.
"Bruce has a strong business background outside the real estate market plus a number of significant governance roles," Anderson says.
