M Group
Innovative Proposal Wins Over Curtin University
Curtin University has appointed M/Construction as its first single-source supplier for Minor Works Services, giving the company responsibility and sanction to deliver on immediate requirements and rapid-response requests.
M/Construction is part of the M/Group of companies, an organisation recognised for its attention-to-detail and progressive approach in boutique property development and construction.
The company’s appointment as Curtin University’s Preferred Contractor for the provision and delivery of Minor Work Services across metropolitan-based campuses, follows a long-term maintenance agreements with local government and agencies and a portfolio of private medium density residential and commercial buildings.
Director of M/Construction, Mr Michael Read, believes the appointment is a significant achievement for M/Construction’s maintenance division. He believes confident Curtin looked favourably on the company’s building registration and maintenance credentials, but is confident the appointment is a direct response to its innovation.
“M/Group has a culture of looking outside the square to improve outcomes and efficiencies. M/Construction took time to evaluate Curtin’s requirements and brought to the table a tender that would take its minor works services to the next level,” he said.
“Our proposition not only delivered a detailed service model and dedicated staff, but also demonstrated the company’s propensity towards the latest technologies and materials, supported by ongoing research and access to new initiatives. We believe this sat extremely well with the Curtin University philosophy.”
As a technically innovative maintenance and minor works service provider, M/Construction uses advanced detection equipment, including thermal imaging cameras, borescopes and drone cameras, which allows the company to conduct initial investigations of concealed maintenance issues (such as rising damp or leaking pipework) and complete maintenance inspections without the need to make penetrations, remove roof or wall sheeting and generally minimise disruption to operations.
Technology also enables detailed reporting on concealed maintenance issues in a matter of hours and the tender was backed by transparent processes and systems accessed by both parties.
The Curtin University contract was won over a number of construction, maintenance and facilities management companies, and will see M/Construction work closely with Curtin’s Properties Facilities and Development staff to estimate, consult, deliver and close out service requests.
M/Construction will be responsible for mostly single trade, single supplier requests with the ability to combine multiple suppliers and licensed trades
“The (Curtin) contract will further demonstrate the scope and flexibility of the company’s capability, which can be applied to a number of environments,” Mr Read said.
Eastern Deals Attract West Coast Groups
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M Group
Eastern Deals Attract West Coast Groups
As reported by Dan Wilkie in Business News today, 17 July 2017.
M/Group Takes Investor Network to the East Coast
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M Group
M/Group Takes Investor Network to the East Coast
An over-subscribed property syndicate with more than 90% repeat investors has enabled Perth-based property company, M/Group, to secure the acquisition of Wodonga Plaza in regional Victoria. It represents the M/Group’s second regionally located shopping centre acquisition from Vicinity Centres, and its first step into growing an asset portfolio in the eastern states.
M/Group was established in Western Australia over 15 years ago and has evolved into a diversified property company that offers investment opportunities across land, residential, construction and income producing assets.
M/Group Managing Director, Mr Lloyd Clark, says the company’s targeted approach to identifying regionally located assets with good lease covenants and value-add potential has attracted significant investment interest.
“Every company aspires to having a network of investors that trust what they do and how they do it. We are really excited to be taking this group of loyal and new investors into the eastern states,” he said.
“Rather than target fully leased assets at capped rates of 5% – 7%, our interest is in securing properties that not only offer excellent income but also present development, refurbishment or lease re-positioning potential with the aim of achieving capital uplift as well as delivering excellent cash flow income. It is a similar strategic and considered approach we take across all our property activities and historically we have delivered quality investments and good returns.”
Wodonga Plaza attracted a sale price of $43.5 million, of which (circa) $26 million was raised through investment; M/Group’s largest capital raising to date.
The sale closely followed the company’s acquisition of the Albany Brooks Garden Shopping Centre in Western Australia earlier this year. In just over six months, M/Group has accumulated (circa) $70 million under management in income producing funds that yield an average return of 10% plus significant potential for capital upside.
“Wodonga Plaza is a great opportunity in a great regional city that is the gateway to Victoria from NSW. It is currently and will continue to be the largest centre in the region and we have already secured a new 10-year lease with Best and Less with multiple other tenant negotiations underway,” Mr Clark continued.
M/Group’s investment model utilises its Australian Financial Service License to make new opportunities available to a broader market that may not traditionally have access to this investment class.
Wodonga Plaza sits on approximately 4.4ha on island site with 4 Street Frontages and gross lettable area is some 17,200 sqm. Key anchor tenants include Target and Coles, with three current mini majors Amcal, Reject Shop and Best and Less, and around 55 specialties stores.
M/Group targets tenanted assets Australia-wide with a value proposition of around $10million to $50million. The success of this recent syndicate has fast tracked the release of its next syndicate where a similar response is expected.
For more information contact James Collis on 08 9324 3855 or visit www.mgroup.com.au/investments.
Fremantle Bucks the Trend in Apartment Sales
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M Group
Fremantle Bucks the Trend in Apartment Sales
Boutique property company, Match, has recorded around $13million in off-the-plan apartment sales from a single Fremantle-based apartment complex, M/28, which sold out after only six months on the market.
M/28 is a mixed-use complex comprising of just 20 boutique apartments on the popular South Terrace coffee strip. The building is deliberately designed to present as understated with naturally inspired materials and palette, which take inspiration from the Fremantle culture and nearby heritage-listed Seaview Hotel.
Mr Lloyd Clark, Managing Director of Match parent company, M/Group, said he is not surprised by the overwhelming interest in the apartments and believes Match’s approach of designing product to a specific market has the potential to cut through all market conditions.
“Demand is established when you introduce product that is so unique to the area and attuned with the market, that it becomes highly sought after,” he said.
“This is certainly the case with M/28. It was the right design in a tightly held location, and represents timeless value for both owner-occupiers and investors alike. It also reflects the same design approach we have taken on other properties in Fremantle and throughout Perth with similar results.”
Match is behind Fremantle’s highly acclaimed Heirloom apartments, the heritage rejuvenation of the Dalgety wool stores that retained over 85% of the buildings heritage fabric. Heirloom was completed late last year with Match having sold over 80% of apartments.
The company’s most recent inspiration is Tempo in South Beach Estate, which is designed to complement the natural ocean and park-side location, but offers an explosion of colour internally to reflect the eclectic Fremantle culture. The property was designed for people wanting a statement residence in a key location.
“Introducing quality and considered designs to urban streetscapes has always been central to our work. We have never been in the business of creating cookie-cutter environments, which is not merely a creative decision but a strategic one,” Mr Clark continued.
“Not all apartment developments are the same. In the case of M/28 we secured the right location and engaged the right architects to deliver a product that we believed would have the most appeal. It is a formula that pays off time and again, and withstands all kinds of market conditions.”
M/28’s exterior façade incorporates timber screens and a neutral palate, which is reflected in the lobby with feature timber ceilings and concrete-look finishes.
The building design was led by Match in collaboration with respected architects David Barr Architects and Cameron Chisholm Nicol (CCN), and was meticulously designed to achieve a comparable 4-star Green Star rating; an aspect sighted as extremely important to people living in the area.
Construction on M/28 is scheduled to commence in mid-2017 with completion in late 2018.
For more information on any of Match’s apartment projects visit www.itsamatch.com.au or contact 0432 660 066.
Meticulous Detail and Craftsmanship for Bespoke Peppermint Grove Home
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M Group
Meticulous Detail and Craftsmanship for Bespoke Peppermint Grove Home
A stunning new $3.5million bespoke home located in McNeil Street Peppermint Grove is a culmination of international influences and high-end tastes, with construction undertaken with craftsmanship and practical solutions for large family living.
M/Construction was invited to provide services on the luxury family home in the early stages of its development – driving design, project management and ultimately construction of the spacious five-bedroom, four-bathroom residence.
The home was envisioned to accommodate international cooking and guest stays, and the company was pursued for its craftsmanship, which is showcased on a number of bespoke homes throughout Perth’s affluent western suburbs.
However, according to the Director of M/Construction, Mr Michael Read, this house was challenging in that it needed to present as high-end luxury but also be practical enough to accommodate a family of five with young children.
“This home was particularly personal. It was designed to comfortably house an extended family with two children and a grandparent, yet look well-placed in the luxury suburb of Peppermint Grove,” he said.
“The owners wanted ‘common areas’ where the family could come together, as well as separate zones throughout the home, while still presenting as a dramatic yet effortless showpiece.”
The parents’ retreat is a self-sufficient space with library, kitchenette, over-sized en-suite and robes. An additional space is located at the front of the home in a separate wing away from the other accommodation, with views from the en-suite and direct access to the central courtyard.
A dedicated children’s zone comprises of two large bedrooms and private bathrooms for each room.
The home includes an extensive use of natural stone flooring across the ground floor areas, with more subdued timber flooring in the upstairs living spaces. Floor to ceiling glazing dominates almost every aspect of the home with striking natural stone cladding bringing texture to the front façade.
The home’s extravagant 11 metre pool and spa is equipped with fountain features, and a stunning 6m-high marble fireplace demands attention against a more restrained floating staircase and natural light created by large void areas between the two floors.
“Many of the materials are imported and it was important to get the balance right between staging the pieces and practicality,” Mr Read continued.
“The build presented a number of challenges, and often the most unassuming structures became the most complex in terms of engineering. The staircase was most definitely one of these with all the supports hidden in a wall cavity so as to appear to be floating.”
The kitchen hub is nestled between an internal courtyard and the backyard. It has a contemporary layout with marble, integrated Miele appliances and large stone island bench with breakfast bar. It also features a hidden scullery which is fitted with the same materials as the cabinetry to make it disappear when not in use.
M/Construction is part of the M/Group of companies, which is recognised for its attention to detail and progressive approach to new materials and technology.
Mr Read said innovation has become an expectation of bespoke homes, but does not replace the importance of good craftsmanship.
“This home has extensive designer automated lighting throughout and we used a custom made LED feature in the theatre room to depict the night sky throughout the whole ceiling,” he continued.
“M/Construction is often approached on the basis of its ability to think outside the square to deliver a vision, but more often because of its craftsmanship. We invest the time to create an outstanding result.”
For more information visit www.mconstruction.com.au.
Locals Drive Secret Harbour
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M Group
Locals Drive Secret Harbour
The unprecedented sale of off-the-plan home sites in Stage 1 of Secret Harbour’s ‘Hamelin Park’ estate has accelerated the land development program, bringing forward the release of Stage 2 to as early as June 2017.
Hamelin Park is located within the established beachside suburb of Secret Harbour. It is walking distance to shops, two minutes to the beach, seven minutes to public transport and 45 minutes commuting time to Perth.
The company behind the estate is M/Land, and Director, Mr John Wroth, said the sheer pace of land sales has been a welcome surprise for the company, with the majority of buyers already being familiar with the area and the value the land represents.
“We deliberately positioned and priced this land to appeal to first home buyers or people looking for affordable properties. This kind of offer has not been available in Secret Harbour for some time and, as this is the last remaining land to be developed in the area, it is unlikely to be repeated,” he said.
“Most of our buyers have been looking to upgrade or move from the rental market, without having to leave the area. The acceleration of the development program has meant that Stage 1 buyers will now receive land titles as early as this month, and Stage 2 titles by the end of the year.”
Secret Harbour was identified by M/Land as a sought after coastal village with an established community of over 10,000 people. The area has schools, major regional shopping centre, health services and transport links, as well as an award winning golf course, newly refurbished surf club and a shopping centre, which is undergoing a $53 million transformation to include Aldi and Coles and specialty shops.
“The new shopping centre is expected to generate around 250 new jobs in addition to those at the existing Woolworths. These kind of local employment opportunities are almost unheard of within new land developments,” Mr Wroth continued.
“There’s no doubt that first homebuyer incentives being at an all-time high and interest rates being so low has been a factor to the estate’s early success, but I believe most buyers realised how unique it is to buy into a new land estate without having to wait years for community infrastructure. We are really proud of what we have been able to deliver to new property owners.”
M/Land is part of the M/Group of companies, an organisation that specialises in the identification and development of niche development opportunities across the State, and is responsible for helping to revitalise environments such as Mount Lawley, South Fremantle and Maylands.
Hamelin Park is the last remaining strategically located parcel of land in Secret Harbour and offers home sites from $169,000 and house and land packages from $329,000, excluding the First Home Buyers grant.
Expressions of interest are invited for Hamelin Park’s stage two release at www.hamelinpark.com.au or email john.wroth@mlandestates.com.au for more information.