Billionaire Harry Triguboff to sell his Gold Coast penthouse after passing of beloved wife
Of more than 80,000 apartments Harry Triguboff has sold in his lifetime, this will be the most emotional. See inside the penthouse the property billionaire owned for more than 34 years before it hits the market
Of more than 80,000 apartments Harry Triguboff has sold in his lifetime, this will be the most emotional.
The multibillionaire developer is preparing to sell the Gold Coast penthouse he owned with late wife Rhonda for 34 years.
The vast two-floor apartment, in the Silverpoint tower at Main Beach, had been a beachside bolthole for the couple since they bought it new in 1990.
Ms Triguboff, 76, died peacefully, surrounded by family, at the couple’s Sydney home in September after an illness.
“It isn’t the same,” Mr Triguboff said.
“It was always owned by us and we were very happy there.
“I mean, once she’s gone, for me, Surfers is only a place I come to see how I build up blocks of flats.
“Before that, I used to come there with her, and we used to spend quite a lot of time there. “And she liked the people that lived there. She knew them, but it’s all gone. So that’s it.”
As Australia’s largest owner of hotels, with more than 6200 hotel rooms spread across 23 properties, Mr Triguboff won’t be without a place to stay when he is in town.
He will visit the penthouse for the last time next week, to choose which pieces of art and sentimental treasures he wants to keep and what will be sold as part of the sale.
The couple was married for 44 years and visited the apartment several times a year.
From the desk in the spacious main bedroom, Mr Triguboff could see two of his tower developments come out of the ground, Sundale at Southport and Ocean at Surfers Paradise.
The apartment is breathtaking in its size and scale, boasting 360-degree views across the ocean and hinterland, a private lift foyer, four bedrooms, four bathrooms, multiple large living areas, a pool room, sauna, spa and enormous heated rooftop pool across its 918sqm in total area.
Most of the eclectic collection of furniture and decor is also set to be part of the sale – although there’s one item that won’t be going to the new owner.
“I have a samurai there. You know, the Japanese warrior?,” Mr Triguboff said.
“I want to take that because Rhonda liked it very much, so I want to take it to Sydney.”
Mr Triguboff bought the penthouse for $2.6 million in 1990 after it was passed in at auction for $3.15 million a few months earlier.
Other past and present owners in the building have included former Aussie Home Loans CEO James Symond, former Seven Group boss Ryan Stokes, hotelier Jason Marlow and wife Peta, late developer Nev Pask, Hayman Homes founder Steve Anderson and wife Maree.
Mr Triguboff said he and Rhonda had enjoyed walking along the beach in front of the building over the three decades they had a home there.
“And she liked seeing the full moon rise over the ocean,” he said.
“(Now) all I go there is to make sure the bricklayers work.”
The Silverpoint penthouse is set to hit the market next week priced around $12 million.
How did Harry Triguboff become a billionaire?
Mr Triguboff was born in northern China to Russian Jewish parents and was schooled in Sydney. His empire began with one house, then eight units, then 18 before he formed Meriton.
He has now built more than 80,000 apartments with another 2000 under way.
When did Harry Triguboff migrate to Australia?
Mr Triguboff came 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.
Who will take over from Harry Triguboff’?
Mr Triguboff, 91, announced a major succession plan for the nation’s largest apartment development group in July, anointing his grandson Daniel Hendler as deputy managing director of Meriton.
What is Harry Triguboff’s net worth?
Mr Triguboff’s net worth was estimated at $26.1 billion earlier this year, making him Australia’s richest person.
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