Why Aventus chief Darren Holland is excited about their take over of Home Hub centres
DARREN Holland, co-founder of Aventus Property Group, will be using his intimate knowledge of the Hills to guide his company’s new Home Hub shopping centres in Mardsen Park and Castle Hill.
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DARREN Holland, co-founder of Aventus Property Group, will be using his intimate knowledge of the Hills to make the most of his company’s massive new assets, the Home Hub shopping centres in Mardsen Park and Castle Hill, emphasising the company is in it for the long haul.
Born and bred in the Hills, Mr Holland said the Castle Hill centre was the biggest asset in the company’s holding, with the Marsden Park facility not far behind.
Mr Holland said while Sydney Business Park was still in its early days, Marsden Park and the Hills had seen extraordinary changes.
“It’s great to be back in the Hills and it feels like I am coming home,” Mr Holland told the Rouse Hill Times after Aventus splashed out $436 million to buy the two Home Hub centres from LaSalle Investment Management.
Home Hub centres have a wide variety of stores including Harvey Norman, Carpet Call, Barbeques Galore, JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks, the Good Guys and Toys ‘R’ Us.
“I grew up in the Hills and know it intimately and we will be definitely be here for the long term,” he said.
“I am blown away at the transformation of the Hills and Richmond Rd (Marsden Park) which I used to drive through for three years while doing my studies at the University of Western Sydney in Hawkesbury.
“The $336 million we paid for Castle Hill Home Hub makes it double the value of our nearest next big asset, Belrose centre.
“Castle Hill is our trophy and is one of the best-performing centres in the whole of Australia.
“Marsden Park store (bought for $100 million) is also a substantial asset.
“We plan to add more space to the Castle Hill centre because a previous DA (development application) there allows us expansion.
“We will have a good tenancy mix and, while the Marsden Park centre is almost full, a food outlet could be added.”
The 45-year-old father of two boys has strong roots in the Hills, having grown up in Castle Hill, attended Baulkham Hills High School and had his first job at Video Ezy in Castle Hill, when he was 17.
His parents and sister Vanessa still live in the Hills, with Mr Holland saying this added to the value of making this investment in the area.
“It’s great to be back here as, coincidentally, I managed my first store in Victoria Ave, Castle Hill, many years ago.
“It’s fantastic and I am very proud to be returning to the Hills and keep improving the customer satisfaction at our Home Hub centres.
“We plan to build on the very strong centre teams in Castle Hill and Marsden Park, led by Melissa Blair.”
Mr Holland has no concerns that online business will cut into his company’s profits, saying whitegoods were different because they were bulky and infrequent purchases.
“People like to touch and feel the goods they are buying,” Mr Holland said.
“Our stores are families-friendly and are focused on families and females.”
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