Simon Johanson

Simon Johanson

Property Editor at The Age and BusinessDay journalist for Fairfax's theage.com.au, smh.com.au, watoday.com.au and brisbanetimes.com.au.

Charter Hall stakes its top developer claim in Melbourne's CBD

Simon Johanson Fund manager Charter Hall is understood to be evaluating a large Collins Street office after successfully wrapping up development rights for a prime one-hectare parcel in Melbourne's CBD following a...

Blue-chip Hawthorn retail outlet snapped up by Chinese developer

LYZ Property has acquired 283-285 Burwood Road in Hawthorn, which is leased to Captain Snooze and National Storage.

Simon Johanson China-based developer LYZ Property Group has pounced on a blue-chip Hawthorn commercial property in popular Burwood Road, paying $17 million for the prominent retail outlet leased to the Captain...

Walker Corporation's Lang Walker pulls pin on $2.5b Collins Square sale in Melbourne

Collins Square in Melbourne will not be sold by Walker Corporation after all.

Simon Johanson A mystery funder for one mega-project means a $2.5 billion deal is now off the table.

Hospitality heats up as investors pour into pubs

The Metropolitan Hotel at 263 William Street has transacted for $8.61 million.

Simon Johanson Pubs owners are toasting as investors pour into hospitality assets, bidding up prices.

Metro takes more space in Collins Street

Simon Johanson Melbourne train operator Metro will expand its Collins Street presence.

South Africans buy Carlton car park to set up student housing

Simon Johanson The purchase of the 16-32 Leicester Street site is Redefine's first foray into Australia's student sector.

Melbourne CBD buildings a big deal to hungry investors

Stawell Chambers at 493-495 Little Bourke Street in Melbourne has been sold to a private investor.

Simon Johanson A company connected to the Sydney-based Vidor family's Toga Group has quietly paid a speculated $23 million in an off-market deal for a three-storey office owned by celebrated architect Daryl Jackson.

Chinese developer and Smorgon family in St Kilda Road tower stoush

Simon Johanson A China-based developer has upset Melbourne's St Kilda Road establishment by winning a planning contest against members of the influential Smorgon family over the boulevard's views.

Aged care out-muscles developers on Doncaster Hill

Simon Johanson A Papa Rich Malaysian restaurant in Doncaster will be replaced by a five-level aged care facility as Anglican-based care provider Benetas ramps up its development pipeline.

Industrial vacancy rate falls in metro Melbourne

Simon Johanson Melbourne's industrial vacancy rate has reached its lowest level since early 2013.

Jamie McIntyre's 21st Century Pilbara property scheme shut down by courts, regulators

Simon Johanson, Royce Millar, Ben Schneiders ASIC has launched another salvo against failed property spruiker Jamie McIntyre, alleging his Pilbara investment scheme is 'misleading and deceptive'.

King Street site flipped for double original price as Asian investors move in

Simon Johanson Cashed up Asian investors looking to develop a boutique hotel have set a new benchmark for land prices in West Melbourne.

Farm in Caroline Springs in Melbourne's north-west tempts big land developers

The farm spanning three titles and 214 hectares is the second largest parcel to come onto the market this year.

Simon Johanson A Melbourne family stands to make up to $80 million from the sale of a cattle farm in the city's growth corridor behind Caroline Springs in the city's north-west.

Shop sales show strong start to year

Simon Johanson Small suburban stores continue to attract investors in 2016.

Helicopter backlash leads to call for new helipad location

Simon Johanson The growing backlash from city residents over helicopters landing and taking off on the Yarra River has prompted calls for review of helipad locations.

Significant reaction expected to leases being recorded on balance sheets

Leases will become a key feature on company balance sheets by 2019, creating a significant administrative burden.

Simon Johanson New accounting standards are likely to affect how real estate deals are structured, experts say.

Offshore money targets childcare centres

A Chinese investor has paid well over the reserve price for a Camberwell childcare centre.

Simon Johanson Offshore investors have begun to target the childcare sector in the hunt for stable returns and long-term growth.

Sale delay may reap massive dividends for Celtic Club

The Celtic Club on the corner of Queen and La Trobe Streets.

Clay Lucas and Simon Johanson The on-again off-again redevelopment of the city’s well-known Celtic Club is back on agenda, with agents CBRE appointed to run an expression-of-interest campaign for its sale.

Aust-Wide hits oil slick with Kingsville land development

Simon Johanson Aust-Wide Group, which collapsed spectacularly in the wake of the 1980s property boom with Henry Townsing at the helm, has had another property setback.

Tourists, Emporium revive Melbourne CBD retail

Simon Johanson Melbourne landlords have been buoyed by an influx of quality and international retail outlets – coupled with higher consumer demand – which has meant a shift in vacancy rates from 6 per...