Harry Oskar Triguboff AO, known as “high-rise Harry,” is one of Australia’s most successful and wealthy real estate developers. According to Forbes, as the founder and managing director of Meriton, Triguboff has amassed an impressive net worth of $11.3 billion. Despite his success, Triguboff’s journey to becoming one of Australia’s wealthiest people has been without challenges. From his upbringing in China during World War II to his struggles as a young immigrant in Australia, Triguboff has overcome many obstacles to become the success story he is today.
The Asian Executives recounts his fascinating story from rags to riches.
Early life and education
Triguboff was born on March 3, 1933, in Dalian, Liaoning, Republic of China. He was the son of Moshe and Frida Triguboff, Russian Jewish immigrants who moved to China in 1916 to escape antisemitism in the Russian Empire. Growing up in the Jewish community in Tianjin, Triguboff’s father established a store that traded wool, silk, and leather. However, their family’s peaceful life was soon interrupted by the Second Sino-Japanese War, and in 1941, the British and American residents were placed into internment camps. Triguboff’s father then took the opportunity to expand his business, opening four more stores and acquiring 20 apartments, as well as a summer residence in Beidaihe.
After the war’s end, Triguboff’s family obtained landing permits for Australia and arrived in Sydney in 1948. However, the Australian government attempted to exclude Triguboff and his brother from the country over concerns about their father’s wartime activities. After a lengthy legal battle, Triguboff was finally allowed into the country and was educated at Scots College in Sydney. He later graduated with a degree in textiles from the University of Leeds in England before working in textile businesses in Israel and South Africa.
Career
Triguboff’s career in real estate began in 1960 when he bought a block of land in Roseville and hired a builder to start building his house. The builder repeatedly let him down, so Triguboff threw him out and finished the job, learning from his mistakes along the way. From experience gained in his initial development, Triguboff bought his second block of land in 1963, this time in Smith Street, Tempe, and began building a block of eight units with a partner. He made a profit, which led to a second development in 1968 in Gladesville. Triguboff built a block of 18 units at Meriton Street, providing the name of the company he registered as developer.
Triguboff is the managing director of Meriton Apartments Pty Ltd, which has built more than 55,000 residential townhouses and apartments since its creation in 1963, making it Australia’s most prominent residential property developer. In particular, Triguboff has concentrated on the Gold Coast and Brisbane in Queensland, and Sydney’s central business district, building more apartments than any other Australian residential developer. He is a proponent that the population of Australia should grow to reach 100 million.
Meriton is a prominent Australian property development and management company that has been in operation for over 55 years. It is one of the country’s largest private property developers, with a significant presence in Sydney, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast. The company has an impressive portfolio of properties, including luxury apartments, hotels, and commercial spaces.
Founded by billionaire property developer Harry Triguboff in 1963, Meriton has established a reputation for developing high-quality properties that offer exceptional value for money. The company’s focus on quality has helped it win numerous awards, including the Housing Industry Association’s ‘Apartment Builder of the Year award.
Meriton’s success can be attributed to its ability to quickly identify and respond to market demand. The company’s development strategy is based on identifying areas of high demand and developing properties that cater to that demand. This has allowed Meriton to establish itself as a leader in the Australian property market.
In addition to property development, Meriton is also involved in property management. The company manages over 75 properties across Australia, including hotels, serviced apartments, and residential properties. Meriton’s property management division ensures that each property is well-maintained and provides tenants exceptional service.
About Meriton
Meriton is a prominent Australian property development and management company that has been in operation for over 55 years. It is one of the country’s largest private property developers, with a significant presence in Sydney, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast. The company has an impressive portfolio of properties, including luxury apartments, hotels, and commercial spaces.
Since 1963, Meriton has established a reputation for developing high-quality properties that offer exceptional value for money. The company’s focus on quality has helped it win numerous awards, including the Housing Industry Association’s ‘Apartment Builder of the Year award.
Meriton’s success can be attributed to its ability to quickly identify and respond to market demand. The company’s development strategy is based on identifying areas of high demand and developing properties that cater to that demand. This has allowed Meriton to establish itself as a leader in the Australian property market.
In addition to property development, Meriton is also involved in property management. The company manages over 75 properties across Australia, including hotels, serviced apartments, and residential properties. Meriton’s property management division ensures that each property is well-maintained and provides tenants exceptional service.