Property giants see reasons for optimism in real estate

There has been an uptick in activity across Mirvac's residential business, CEO Campbell Hanan says. (Paul Miller/AAP PHOTOS)

Property giant Mirvac Group sees green shoots emerging and positive sentiment starting to return after a challenging year in Australian real estate, as Lendlease also expresses optimism for the future.

Mirvac chief executive and managing director Campbell Hanan told the company's annual general meeting on Friday it recently sold two office assets in Sydney for about book value.

"This along with increased transactional activity is a good sign that office valuations are beginning to stabilise," Mr Hanan said.

Mirvac CEO and Managing Director Campbell Hanan
Mirvac chief executive Campbell Hanan says office valuations in Sydney are beginning to stabilise.

There had also been an uptick in activity across Mirvac's residential business with the recent launches of two planned communities in western Sydney attracting strong interest, master-planned communities in Brisbane and Perth trading well and an encouraging uptick of activity in Melbourne, he said.

Mirvac will launch its $2 billion Harbourside Residences in Pyrmont in November - 263 units across 48 floors - which Mr Hanan said would be "another iconic legacy project" for the developer.

Construction costs in Sydney and Melbourne were also beginning to stabilise, he said.

Lendlease also held its annual general meeting on Friday, with the developer avoiding a "second strike" after 91.5 per cent of votes were cast in favour of its executive pay packet. 

In 2023, almost 40 per cent of shares were cast against the report - a sign of deep shareholder dissatisfaction.

Lendlease signage on a crane in  Brisbane
Lendlease is selling off its UK and US businesses to refocus on Australia.

Lendlease chief executive Tony Lombardo told shareholders company executives were pleased with its progress after announcing in May it would sell off its UK and US businesses as part of a $4.5 billion restructuring plan under which it would refocus on Australia. 

"The opportunities for us to grow Lendlease in our home market are significant, with a project pipeline that plays to our core competitive strengths, especially in urban regeneration," Mr Lombardo said.

He reaffirmed Lendlease's 2024/25 guidance and said its One Circular Quay 58-storey luxury tower in Sydney was 76 per cent pre-sold by value.

On Friday afternoon, Lendease shares were up 3.6 per cent to $6.88, while Mirvac shares had dipped 0.2 per cent to $2.125.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store