High rise Harry Triguboff to be honoured for his commitment to the development industry

HIGHRISE Harry Triguboff is to be recognised for a lifetime commitment to Australia’s development industry.

Billionaire high rise developer Harry Triguboff, founder and managing director of Meriton, is to be honoured by the Urban Development Industry of Australia for his longtime commitment to the development industry.

HIGHRISE Harry Triguboff is to be recognised for a lifetime commitment to Australia’s development industry.

Australia’s most prolific apartment developer, who turned 82 yesterday, is set to receive the prestigious Urban Development Institute of Australia Allen Vogan distinguished service award in Sydney this month.

UDIA national president Cameron Shephard said Mr Triguboff is an extraordinary Australian who, since establishing Meriton in 1963, has worked tirelessly to turn the company into the nation’s largest apartment developer.

“Mr Triguboff has played a major role in shaping Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, delivering more than 65,000 apartments over five decades,” he said.

“He is also an inspiring individual whose dedication to providing affordable housing to Australians in a market where housing is increasingly becoming out of reach for low income earners is highly commendable.”

Mr Shephard said Mr Triguboff also donates millions of dollars to philanthropic efforts which extend across education, sport, human rights and health.

“He is one of a handful of Australians who has received the Order of Australia medal for

not only service to the building and construction industry, but also service to the community through philanthropy,” he said.

“He is the benefactor of many schools, and a strong supporter of facilities such as the Sydney Cancer Centre, the Australian Red Cross, Westmead Children’s Hospital, Bowel Cancer Fund Research, and various Jewish causes.”

The billionaire property industry veteran, who is in the throes of building Southport’s newest and tallest tower, the 55-storey Sundale, said the award was “a great honour”.

Mr Triguboff, who estimates he has built 5000 apartments on the Gold Coast, said his prolific portfolio was proof that buyers were willing to adapt to high rise living because it offered affordable housing.

“When I started building, I was told people wanted big houses, not high rises, but I said they will live in apartments because they want something they can afford,” he said.

Meriton has a development pipeline of 15,000 apartments and is worth more than $7.5 billion.

Mr Triguboff is already planning his next Gold Coast project, one of the city’s tallest towers in the heart of Broadbeach, the proposed 60-storey Pegasus Tower.

The building is earmarked for land on the corner of Surf Pde and Elizabeth Ave, alongside the existing Meriton twin towers.

Born in China to Russian Jewish parents, Mr Triguboff came out to Australia in 1948 and attended school in Sydney, then university in England before returning to Australia in 1960 after

working in textiles.

On his return, he operated a milk-run and taxi business.

At 30, he turned his attention to development, building his first block of apartments in Tempe.

The UDIA Allen Vogan distinguished service award is bestowed on individuals who have shown exceptional long-time commitment and dedication to the Australian development industry.

Mr Triguboff will receive his award at the UDIA’s national awards for excellence, at

Sydney’s Star Casino on March 19.