Year ends on a high rise for Harry

For the country’s biggest developer, landlord and hotelier, it has been a very big year.  In fact, it has been unprecedented.

CEO of the Meriton Group, Harry Triguboff AO, is the undisputed most influential figure in property development in Australia today.  He is not only the largest apartment developer, his brand is the preferred choice of the consumers who buy, rent or stay in any of his buildings.

This country has never seen such volume in apartment numbers from any one developer.

This year alone, Meriton has designed, built and added to their pipeline nearly 12,000 apartments.

“The purpose in our business is a simple one,” Mr Triguboff said.

“It is to supply demand.

“Whether people want to buy for themselves, invest, rent, work or stay with us on a business trip or holiday, put simply, we are able to accommodate their needs.

“But being the biggest is only the best when you deliver on four crucial elements in equal measure –  location, quality, comfort and lifestyle.

“While accolades for our achievements are both wonderful and appreciated, the experience of people who live or stay with us remains our priority.  And the reason we are growing so rapidly is because we are the preferred brand and people know and love our product and they come looking for us,” he said.

So what makes the Meriton brand so different?

“We don’t promise, we deliver,” Mr Triguboff said.

“There is security in buying our apartments because you know they will be finished and finished on time.

“We do not depend on the banks for finance so when we start a job you know it will be finished,” he said.

According to Mr Triguboff understanding what the market needs at any given time is essential.

“You must watch carefully and decide the purpose of our buildings,” Mr Triguboff said.

“Right now we need more rental apartments particularly in those areas lacking in good rental properties.

“Zetland and Alexandria are in very high demand and on the North Shore, Chatswood and Lane Cove are always in short supply of rental properties.

“We are now offering a large number of units for rent in all of those areas,” he said.

The first stage of the Arise apartments has now been released for rent.  There are 73 over-sized apartments in this one stage alone.  The whole project over five buildings is valued at $475 million and will include the suburb’s tallest tower.

“Unlike other developers, we don’t build small, pokey apartments,” Mr Triguboff said.

“We now even build our serviced apartments with a minimum of one bedroom.

“What is the point of having the location, quality and community facilities like a pool, spa and gym if you have to go back to your apartment and sleep in your lounge room.

“It only costs slightly more for the comfort of a separate bedroom and it is well worth it.

“We have had a huge year and we are very proud of our achievements.  Next year will be even bigger,” he said.