Charles Marlow

What happens when a boutique real estate agency quietly sets out to rethink its digital future?

In the Balearics, Charles Marlow has built a reputation on more than beautiful properties. They’re known for thoughtfulness. For the kind of attention to detail that makes high-end service feel effortless. But as their team and ambition grew, so did a quiet realization: their digital foundation needed to keep up.

Enter OpenMind.

What began as a structured engagement quickly became something more layered. Together, we didn’t just build a platform—we helped Charles Marlow design a system that reflected their way of working, while unlocking new possibilities for growth, clarity, and scale.

This is the story of how it all came together.

The Challenge: How a Vision Expands When the Right People Lean In

When people talk about platform design, they often focus on tools, features, tech stacks. But the heart of a project like this one lies elsewhere—in how the people involved respond to change. And in this case, the Charles Marlow team brought something rare: curiosity, creativity, and deep engagement.

The original brief was already strong. But as we collaborated, it grew. New workflows came into focus. Opportunities emerged to optimize how the business operated day-to-day. The platform became more than a website—it evolved into an operational core.

That shift didn’t happen by accident. It was the product of structured collaboration. We held early discovery workshops, defined the roadmap, and worked across departments—sales, rentals, marketing, leadership—to ensure clarity stayed intact even as the project evolved. Our role was as much about alignment and prioritization as it was about execution.

Our Solution: Building a Platform That Works Like the Brand Feels

Ask anyone who’s interacted with Charles Marlow and they’ll describe a certain feeling—elegance, warmth, discretion. Our task was to translate that feeling into a digital product. And to do it without compromising speed, flexibility, or function.

We began with structure. The platform was built on a modular architecture using Next.js and a headless CMS. This gave the system agility—ready to grow, integrate, and evolve alongside the business.

Then we layered in design. The visual direction, led by Jaume Villardel and graphic design by Positive Studio, gave the platform its distinct look and tone. But underneath it all was a UX and technical framework developed entirely by OpenMind—purpose-built to drive conversions and support internal workflows.

Every part of the experience was crafted to be intuitive. Prospective buyers and renters can browse curated listings, explore rich media, and reach out—all in just a few steps. Whether they’re on a mobile phone in London or a tablet by the pool in Ibiza, the experience holds up.

But what really made the difference was what clients don’t see. Behind the scenes, automations now handle routine tasks. The team can manage listings, content, and leads from one central place. Notifications are triggered at just the right time. The entire system connects people to properties—and people to people—with less friction, more speed.

And with an API-first design, the platform is built not just for today, but for whatever tools tomorrow brings.

What We Delivered

• For Clients: A self-guided digital journey that feels just as thoughtful as the in-person experience. Every interaction—from the first search to the final inquiry—feels smooth, premium, and personal.

• For the Charles Marlow Team: A fully integrated internal system that simplifies operations. From lead tracking to listing management, everything is centralized. The result? Less busywork. More time for relationships.

• For the Future: A technical foundation that won’t need replacing. Whether it’s new services, new tools, or new directions, the platform is ready. It’s built to scale without starting over.

The Impact: A Quiet Shift That Speaks Volumes

It’s one thing to launch a platform. It’s another to watch it start working immediately. That’s what happened here.

Internally, the Charles Marlow team saw an immediate change: smoother workflows, faster communication, fewer manual tasks. Externally, the platform began converting from day one—bringing in qualified leads and inquiries with no extra marketing. The UX became a growth lever in its own right.

And people noticed. Project lead Jessica Wolff shared a public note of appreciation on LinkedIn, recognizing both the collaboration and the result. It wasn’t just a launch—it was a milestone.

Key Takeaways:

Digital platforms don’t just show what a company does. When done well, they show how a company thinks. This project is a case in point. Charles Marlow didn’t just ask for a website—they partnered with OpenMind to build a system that mirrors their philosophy: intentional, refined, and built to last.

And that’s the real story behind this case study. A brand that knows itself. A team that leaned in. And a platform that turned vision into capability.