Challenges and opportunities in Newcastle & the Hunter w/ OM Hilton Grugeon
Release Date: 03/13/2024
Building Billion Dollar Storage with Sam Kennard
Newcastle Unlocked
Welcome to Newcastle Unlocked. Host Brent Sinclair sits down with Sam Kennard, rich lister and CEO of Kennards Self Storage, the family-owned pioneer of self-storage in Australia since 1973. Under Sam’s leadership, Kennards has scaled to 126 locations across Australia and New Zealand, offering ~101,000 storage spaces and ~920,000 m² of rentable space, including a recent $400M NZD acquisition of 13 sites in Auckland. We unpack: 1. How Kennards started as a side hustle and became a national powerhouse 2. Sam’s journey to CEO at 25 and lessons from decades of growth 3. Development DNA...
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Open Homes, Open Mindset: Mat Steinwede on Selling the Dream
Newcastle Unlocked
In the latest episode of Newcastle Unlocked, Brent Sinclair sits down with one of Australia’s most recognised real estate figures, Mat Steinwede, Partner at McGrath Central Coast Group and ranked among the Top 25 agents nationally. From being homeless as a teenager to building a multimillion-dollar business and personal brand, Mat’s story is one of discipline, purpose, and resilience. Together, we explore: The evolution of the Central Coast prestige market How mindset and health fuel high performance The role of social media and personal brand in modern real estate What’s next...
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All Aboard: Fast-Tracking Newcastle with Nuatali Nelmes
Newcastle Unlocked
In this episode of Newcastle Unlocked, Brent is joined by Nuatali Nelmes, former Lord Mayor of Newcastle and now Hunter & Central Coast Director for the Property Council of Australia. Nuatali has been at the heart of Newcastle’s transformation for over a decade. In this episode, she shares: What she’s working on in her new Property Council role Why the Broadmeadow Place Strategy is a once-in-a-generation opportunity The push for Sydney–Newcastle fast rail Reflections on a decade leading the city through major change How Newcastle and the Hunter remain one of Australia’s most...
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Rate Cuts, Resilience & Real Returns. FY25 Unlocked
Newcastle Unlocked
In this episode of Newcastle Unlocked, we wrap up the 2025 financial year with a deep dive into the Hunter’s commercial, industrial, and residential markets. Brent Sinclair is joined by Dan Barry, Director of Industrial, and Matt Shaw from our Commercial Sales team to unpack a pivotal few weeks — including the latest 25 basis point rate cut from the RBA and a federal election that surprisingly didn’t slow transaction activity. We explore: Key movements in commercial leasing, industrial sales, and development land Investor confidence post-election How recent RBA decisions may...
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Deepwater Dreams: Newcastle's Port Powers from Coal to Clean, Unlocking New Waves of Opportunity
Newcastle Unlocked
Join us on the latest episode of Newcastle Unlocked as Brent Sinclair sits down with Kate McArthur, Executive Manager of Business Development at the Port of Newcastle. Kate shares her insights on the Port’s strategic vision, its role in driving economic growth in the Hunter region, and exciting development opportunities, including leasing surplus land for commercial projects. If you’re interested in commercial property or the future of the Port, this episode is a must-watch! Subscribe and stay tuned for more insights into Newcastle’s thriving business landscape....
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From Fairways to Skylines: Building Through the Chaos with Thirdi Group
Newcastle Unlocked
Dive into the latest episode of Newcastle Unlocked as we sit down with Luke Berry, co-founder of Thirdi Group, a powerhouse in innovative property development. With a $3B+ international project pipeline, Luke shares exclusive insights on transformative projects like Dairy Farmers Towers and the Merewether Golf Club redevelopment in Newcastle. Discover national housing trends, buyer behaviour, and how Thirdi is shaping the Hunter region’s future amidst industry challenges. From urban redevelopment to tackling housing supply, this episode is a must-listen for anyone invested in property and...
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Unlocking a $500 Million dollar project pipeline with Gavan Reynolds of EXP Capital
Newcastle Unlocked
Welcome to Newcastle Unlocked! In this episode, we sit down with Gavan Reynolds, Development Director at EXP Capital. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, EXP Capital has cemented its status as a powerhouse in the Hunter region’s property market. From the strategic acquisition of 117 Bull Street to the transformation of Maryland Shopping Centre with Woolworths as a key tenant, Gavan reveals the vision, strategy, and confidence driving EXP’s success. Discover what’s next for this industry leader and why the Hunter remains their investment stronghold. Watch now and stay tuned for more updates...
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Hitting Housing Head On with Stuart Ayres
Newcastle Unlocked
Welcome to Newcastle Unlocked! In this episode, we dive into the future of urban development in the Hunter and Newcastle regions, exploring key initiatives, infrastructure investments, and sustainability strategies shaping the property market. Joining us is Hon. Stuart Ayres, CEO of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) NSW. With an extensive background in government and urban planning, Stuart shares exclusive insights on: Major development projects in the Hunter and Newcastle Sustainable growth and planning initiatives The $420M infrastructure investment proposal The economic...
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Cranes standing tall in our skies! A review of Newcastle’s Resilient Property Market in 2024 & Predictions for 2025
Newcastle Unlocked
Welcome to the latest episode of Newcastle Unlocked! Join host Brent Sinclair as he sits down with Matt Shaw, Head of Valuations, and Dan Barry, Director of Industrial here at Knight Frank Newcastle, to review the remarkable resilience of the Hunter's commercial property market in 2024. Despite the challenges posed by elevated interest rates, the market has shown stability with industrial properties yielding between 5.5-6.5% and office buildings returning between 6.5-7.25%. Tune in as they discuss key market indicators, standout transactions, and the return of cranes to the Newcastle skyline,...
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From Backyard Bar to $100M Pub Empire; Stephen Hunt's Journey in Hospitality
Newcastle Unlocked
In this week’s episode we are joined by Stephen Hunt, CEO of Hunt Hospitality and all-round business mogul. From transforming a $100 backyard bar into a $100 million pub empire, Stephen’s journey is a testament to resilience, innovation, and community spirit. A market leader in the hospitality industry, Stephen shares his insights on building successful venues like The Kent at Hamilton, the Imperial at Maitland, and the Seabreeze Hotel in Nelson Bay. We delve into his book, Find, Build, Sell, uncovering the principles that guided his remarkable success. Tune in to hear about the...
info_outlineIn this episode of Newcastle Unlocked, Brent catches up with Hilton Grugeon, prominent property developer and investor in the Hunter Region.
Hilton shares his insights on how COVID has affected the Hunter economy, the challenges and opportunities for the construction industry, and the trends and prospects for residential and industrial property sectors. We also delve into Hilton's opinions of the role of councils, the state of housing affordability, and the potential impact of fast rail and light rail projects on Newcastle's connectivity and livability.
Tune in to hear from one of the most experienced and influential figures in the Hunter's property market.
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