John van Lieshout

Brisbane, Property

john van lieshout

Brisbane, Property

$1.32 billion (up $24 million).  Last year: No.4

Property powerhouse John Van Lieshout just can't resist a bargain.

The Netherlands-born tycoon, who founded affordable furniture chain Super A-Mart in 1972 and sold it for $500 million in 2006, snapped up the Seahaven Resort at Noosa last year for $38 million.

Mr Van Lieshout's Unison Projects, which is refurbishing the resort, reportedly lowered their offer by $5 million in exchange for quick settlement.

He and wife Linda are fans of the Sunshine Coast beachside haven and count a large house in Noosa Sound's exclusive Witta Circle among their private residences.

An improvement in the stock market has boosted the wealth of the 67-year-old who has also made shrewd additions to his extensive property portfolio which still includes the real estate occupied by the Super A-Mart stores.

In the past 12 months, Mr Van Lieshout has purchased the former Alan Fletcher Research Station at Sherwood ($5.5 million), a retail centre at Warana on the Sunshine Coast ($8.9 million) and, with a business partner, an office block at Spring Hill ($9.5 million).

He has also been linked with bids for the $250 million Commonwealth Bank headquarters on Queen Street in Brisbane and Homemaker City at Fortitude Valley, valued at $100 million.

Mr Van Lieshout, who came to Australia with his family in 1960, says he has been debt-free for 25 years because "I don't like borrowing money".