- Harry Triguboff, Australia’s richest property developer, has built over 80,000 apartments through Meriton.
- His personal real estate portfolio includes a vast Vaucluse mansion and an iconic Gold Coast penthouse.
- At 91, Triguboff continues to expand with 9,500 apartments in the development pipeline.
The transformation of Australia’s urban skyline over the past six decades bears the indelible signature of Harry Triguboff, the nation’s most prolific property developer who earned the moniker “High-Rise Harry” by fundamentally reshaping how Australians live. However, unlike his billionaire Australian peers, Gina Rinehart and Andrew Forrest, who own vast mansions and farmlands, Triguboff owns just two personal residences, yet his investment portfolio of thousands of apartments generates an astounding $100 million AUD in annual rental income.
Born in Dalian, China to Russian parents, Triguboff’s journey to becoming Australia’s preeminent property developer began far from real estate. After arriving in Australia as a teenager and earning a degree in textiles, he made a pivotal decision in 1963 that would alter the course of Australian urban development: founding Meriton.
Starting off as a modest apartment development company, it is now an unstoppable force in Australian real estate, having constructed more than 80,000 homes that have become home to generations of Australians, reshaping cityscapes from Sydney to the Gold Coast.
Personal Properties
Vaucluse Estate
- Price: $10 million
- Size: 5,200 square meters
- Date of Purchase: 1983 & 1998
- Location: Vaucluse, Sydney
Triguboff’s personal house is no exception to the greatness that defines his developments. His waterfront estate in Vaucluse is one of the largest privately held waterfront properties in the area, comparable to Justin Hemmes‘ famous ‘Hermitage.’
The 5,200-square-meter residence was purchased in stages — the first home acquired in 1983 for $4.1 million, with an adjoining property added in 1998 for $6 million. The property features a main residence complete with a swimming pool and private jetty.
Gold Coast Penthouse
- Price: $2.6 million
- Size: 984 square meters
- Date of Purchase: 1990
- Location: Gold Coast
Triguboff also owned a spectacular two-level penthouse in the Silverpoint tower at Main Beach, Gold Coast, Queensland. The four-bedroom, four-bathroom residence, featuring Australia’s highest indoor pool, occupies the top floors of the building.
Complete with a private wellness space including sauna and spa facilities, as well as a pool room and bar, this stunning residence offers 360-degree ocean views. However, the penthouse has now been listed for sale at $12 million following the passing of Triguboff’s wife, Rhonda, in September 2024.
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Investment Portfolio
Triguboff’s personal investment portfolio positions him as the largest landlord in Australia, holding more than 10,000 apartments. Such a high number of leased units generates about $100 million AUD per year in rental income. These apartments are mainly located in areas such as Chatswood, Lane Cove, North Sydney, Waterloo, and Mascot.
Under the Meriton Suites brand, Triguboff manages around 4,500 serviced apartments, positioning Meriton as a prominent player in Australia’s serviced apartment sector. These accommodations, situated in Sydney, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast, are designed to meet the needs of both business travellers and tourists in search of high-end lodging.
Landmark Developments
World Tower
- Location: Sydney
- Height: 755 feet (230m)
- Completion: 2004
The World Tower exemplifies Triguboff’s ambition and vision. Completed in 2004, this 230-meter skyscraper became the tallest residential building in Sydney, reflecting Meriton’s head’s belief in challenging limits in urban development while building vibrant, livable communities.
180 George Street
- Location: Parramatta, Western Sydney
- Height: 699 feet (213m)
Towering 67 stories above Parramatta’s skyline in Sydney’s western region, 180 George Street features 553 residential units along with a 346-room hotel. The project showcases Meriton’s skill in crafting mixed-use projects that enrich urban life.
Trilogy Project
- Location: Macquarie Park, Sydney
- Completion: Late 2025
Currently under construction, the Trilogy Project features three towers rising to 39, 45, and 59 stories, promising to become one of Australia’s tallest residential suburban developments with over 1,000 apartments Today, even at 91 years old, Harry Triguboff shows no signs of slowing down. His philosophy of organic growth, captured in his own words:
“I just grew naturally… Made another $10,000, another $20,000, another $100,000, $1 million, $10 million. I had more money, so I grew”
Harry Triguboff
This energy continues to drive Meriton’s expansion. With approximately 4,500 apartments under construction and plans for 5,000 more, Triguboff’s influence on Australian urban development remains as strong as ever.
