- Harry Triguboff, Australia’s richest property developer, has built more than 80,000 apartments through Meriton.
- His personal real estate portfolio includes a spacious Vaucluse mansion and a distinctive penthouse on the Gold Coast.
- At 91 years old, Triguboff continues to expand with 9,500 apartments under development.
The transformation of Australia’s urban skyline over the past six decades bears an indelible signature Harry Triguboffthe country’s most prolific property developer who earned the nickname “High-Rise Harry” by fundamentally reshaping the way Australians live. However, unlike his fellow Australian billionaires, Gina Rinehart and Andrew Forrest, who own mansions and extensive farmland, Tregubov only owns two personal residences, yet his investment portfolio of thousands of apartments generates a staggering A$100 million in annual rental income.
Born in Dalian, China to Russian parents, Trigubov began her journey to becoming Australia’s leading property developer outside of real estate. After arriving in Australia as a teenager and earning a degree in textiles, he made a pivotal decision in 1963 that would change the course of Australian urban development: establishing Meryton.
Starting out as a humble apartment development company, it has now become an unstoppable force in the Australian property sector, having built over 80,000 Houses that have become home to generations of Australians, reshaping cityscapes from Sydney to the Gold Coast.
Personal property
Vaucluse real estate
- price: 10 million dollars
- measuring: 5200 square meters
- Purchase date: 1983 and 1998
- location: Vaucluse, Sydney
Triguboff’s personal home is no exception to the grandeur that defines his developments. His waterfront estate in Vaucluse is one of the largest privately owned waterfront estates in the region, comparable to Justin Hymes’ famous ‘Hermitage’.
The 5,200 square meter home was purchased in stages – the first house was purchased in 1983 for $4.1 million, with an adjacent property added in 1998 for $6 million. The property features a main residence complete with swimming pool and private jetty.
Gold Coast Penthouse
- price: 2.6 million dollars
- measuring: 984 square meters
- Purchase date: 1990
- location: Gold Coast
Triguboff also owns a stunning two-storey penthouse apartment in Silverpoint Tower on Main Beach, Gold Coast, Queensland. Featuring Australia’s highest indoor pool, this four-bedroom, four-bathroom residence occupies the upper floors of the building.
This stunning residence features a private wellness space, including sauna and spa facilities, as well as a pool room and bar, and 360-degree ocean views. However, the penthouse has now been put up for sale at $12 million following the death of Treguboff’s wife, Rhonda, in September 2024.
Related stories
Investment portfolio
Trigubov’s personal investment portfolio makes him the largest property owner in Australia, owning more than 10,000 apartments. Such a large number of rental units generates approx 100 million dollars AUD per year in rental income. These apartments are mainly located in areas like Chatswood, Lane Cove, North Sydney, Waterloo, and Mascot.
Under the Meriton Suites brand, Triguboff manages approximately 4,500 serviced apartments, making Meriton a prominent player in the serviced apartment sector in Australia. Located in Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, these properties are designed to meet the needs of business and leisure travelers looking for upscale accommodation.
Historical developments
World Tower
- location: Sydney
- to rise: 755 feet (230 m)
- an end: 2004
the World Tower He embodies Triguboff’s ambition and vision. Completed in 2004, this 230-metre skyscraper has become Sydney’s tallest residential building, reflecting the Meriton chief’s belief in challenging boundaries in urban development while building vibrant, liveable communities.
180 George Street
- location: Parramatta, western Sydney
- to rise: 699 feet (213 m)
Towering 67 storeys above the Parramatta skyline in Sydney’s western region, 180 George Street It includes 553 residential units in addition to a hotel with 346 rooms. The project showcases Meriton’s skill in crafting mixed-use projects that enrich urban life.
Trilogy project
- location: Macquarie Park, Sydney
- an end: Late 2025
Currently under construction, Trilogy project Featuring three towers rising to 39, 45 and 59 storeys, it promises to become one of Australia’s tallest suburban residential developments with more than 1,000 apartments. Today, even at 91 years old, Harry Treguboff shows no signs of slowing down. His philosophy of organic growth, expressed in his own words:
“I grew up naturally… I got another $10,000, another $20,000, another $100,000, $1 million, $10 million. I had more money, so I grew up.”
Harry Triguboff
This energy continues to drive Meriton’s expansion. With nearly 4,500 apartments under construction and plans for another 5,000, Triguboff’s influence on Australian urban development remains as strong as ever.
