Belle Property Retail has lost three agents to a new independent agency, Handler Property

A boutique Brisbane retail agency, backed by a well-known property family, has lost more than half of its agents to a new independent group.

Belle Property Retail has had a changing of the guard in Brisbane with three agents leaving to join a new independent shopping centre focused agency.

Director Nick Kelly and agents Harrison Coburnand Nick Sydenham have left Belle and joined Handler Property as leasing executives.

However, there have been replacements for the trio with Harriet Dignan, Josh McGovern and Tim Hanson filling the void at Belle’s Bowen Hills office.

Launched in 2019, Belle Property Retail is part of Belle Property Commercial headed by Peter Hanscomb as chief executive and Michael Hanscomb as managing director.

Peter Hanscomb also heads up the residential side of the property empire Belle Property.

At this stage little is known about Handler Property but it is understood the agency is shopping centre focused.

Mr Kelly has a long history in the shopping centre space being a leasing executive with QIC, Vicinity Centres, Charter Hall and Stockland.

Nick Kelly when he was Belle Property Retail director in 2020.

ON THE MOVE

Experienced hotelier Michael Foster has returned to the Gold Coast to guide the pre-opening of a $400m hotel on the tourist strip.

As general manager of the 53-storey Dorsett Gold Coast — currently being developed within The Star Gold Coast entertainment precinct — he will guide the opening of the hotel which is scheduled before Christmas.

Mr Foster brings over 15 years of premium hotel management and business development experience to the Hong Kong based hotel enterprise, Dorsett Hospitality International.

This will be Mr Foster’s second hotel opening and launch of a global brand into Australia – he most recently completed the successful opening of the Holiday Inn Express Brisbane.

Foster said he was looking forward to navigating the new challenges around the opening of the hotel/apartment tower.

“I am excited to be bringing a great global brand to Australia,” he said.

“The Gold Coast has been without much new stock in recent years and Dorsett Gold Coast will certainly make an excellent addition to the city’s skyline.

Dorsett Hotel Gold Coast general manager Michael Foster.

OTHER APPOINTMENTS:

SCA property Group has employed Benjamin O’Connor as a regional leasing manager — QLD. He was previously director of retail — Queens Wharf Brisbane.

KARINA Salas has joined the Commonwealth Bank as the manager property strategy and research. She was previously with Colliers International.

MIRVAC has employed two new development managers Jake O’Neill and Leigh McQuade.Jake was at Notrom Group and Leigh at Savills Australia.