Simon Johanson

Shangri-La developer makes journey from Afghan refugee to construction king

Simon Johanson After coming to Australia with his family, Obaid Naqebullah's company is turning over $120 million worth of building work every two years.

New supply to lift Melbourne's suburban office vacancy rates

Simon Johanson Melbourne's suburban vacancy rate has fallen from 7.5 per cent early last year to the present 6.3 per cent, despite a forecast surge in supply.

Tower 'grid' latest Collin Street addition to west end retail space

Simon Johanson A "grid" of retail shops on the ground floor of Melbourne's newest Collins Street office tower is almost fully leased as retailers take advantage of the fast evolving western end of the city.

South Melbourne's Emerald Hill Terrace to be sold by honorary consul of Monaco

Simon Johanson South Melbourne's historic Emerald Hill Terrace built in 1887 is expected to fetch close to $30 million.

Henry Kaye probed over $100 million land-banking schemes

Simon Johanson, Royce Millar, Ben Schneiders Corporate and legal watchdogs have turned spotlights onto wealth spruikers Henry Kaye, Jamie McIntyre, and lawyers, over property option schemes.

Education sector soaks up office space

Simon Johanson The education sector continues to soak up Melbourne's lower-grade office space, with an international education provider taking 4760 square metres in the former Taylors House.

Nick Riewoldt and other AFL stars put Flinders Street pub on the market

Simon Johanson A group of pub-owning AFL football luminaries that includes St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt have decided to exit the hotel game.

Estate agent Greg Hocking wins development battle over Port Melbourne site

Simon Johanson Well known real estate agent Greg Hocking has turned his hand to property development and won a planning battle against Port Phillip Council which opposed his 11-storey project.

Fee shock pushes pensioners to take on retirement industry

Simon Johanson A group of elderly pensioners mounting a legal challenge to the retirement industry could disrupt the sector’s most popular business model.

Strata office sales soar on back of rate cut, self-managed super funds investors

Simon Johanson Elpis Korosidis has just purchased strata office space for her business.

Haileybury College buys Melbourne CBD office from Singapore-listed Aspial Corporation

Simon Johanson Private school Haileybury College looks set to open a city campus after buying a building on Kings Street in a deal speculated to be worth more than $50 million.

Deep-pocketed baby boomers reach for the sky in Australia's inner suburbs of Carlton and Clifton Hill

Simon Johanson Baby boomers' preference for an amenity-rich, cafe culture lifestyle coupled with their ability to afford inner city property prices has refocused the aged care sector's attention on Melbourne and...

Chinese investors target Australian hotels

Simon Johanson Chinese investors snapped up nearly one third of Australian hotels that hit the market last year in an aggressive buying spree likely to be further spurred by the falling Aussie dollar.

Centuria Capital looks at Singapore for property fund expansion

Simon Johanson and Carolyn Cummins Centuria Capital, one of Australia's biggest unlisted fund managers, is considering establishing an offshore fund as it expands its property and investment bond management business following the...

Luxury brands circle Collins Street sites as Emirates House gets a revamp

Simon Johanson The push to capitalise on luxury brands wanting space on sought-after Collins Street is growing with another key building set to get a retail makeover.

Hipsters' grip on Collingwood pushes up land prices

Simon Johanson The Smith Family's former headquarters will be demolished to make way for a 12-storey apartment as the pace of gentrification in Collingwood and Richmond escalates.

Orrong Rd development launches

Simon Johanson and Clay Lucas A controversial apartment development that part-precipitated the Liberal Party's recent election loss of Prahran to the Greens has launched with homes selling for around $1 million.

Land

NBN tower on Mount Camel axed by Aboriginal quarry

Simon Johanson NBN Co has been rebuked for failing to properly consult the Taungurung Aboriginal Clan about an access track and fixed wireless broadband tower it wants to build on Mount Camel's summit near Bendigo.

Law and accounting firms will soak up Melbourne office supply, says Colliers

Simon Johanson Law and accounting firms will continue to drive demand for Melbourne office space and keep a lid on vacancy rates, according to Colliers International.