In his more than 25 years with hockingstuart, Scott McElroy has been deeply involved in the early days of Melbourne's push into large residential projects, and the adaptation of large industrial buildings for residential use.
WILLIAMS MEDIA caught up with Scott to talk about his career.
How did you first get into real estate?
I started my career fresh out of high school in property management in Noosa Heads. I progressed through various sections of property management and moved into residential sales when I was 20 years old.
I was then offered a position in commercial real estate in Brisbane and I joined a company called Jones Lang Wootton (now Jones Lang Lasalle) specialising in retail leasing of shopping centres to help diversify my experience.
In 1989, I took an opportunity to move to Melbourne while still working in commercial real estate with JLW, getting to know the city by visiting the various retail leasings.
In 1991, I moved over to hockingstuart and set up the network’s commercial division.
During this time, I worked in the commercial during the week and project marketing on weekends, before moving into full-time residential sales specialising in project marketing.
I was fortunate to be part of the early days of Melbourne’s push into larger-scale residential projects and the conversion of many of Melbourne’s buildings for residential uses.
You are a director at hockingstuart’s Melbourne CBD office. What role did you have in establishing hockingstuart in the inner-city market?
In my 26 years with hockingstuart, I have always focused on Melbourne’s inner-city market. However, I have worked in many different types of real estate.
This included small land subdivisions, apartment block conversions, warehouse shells and fitouts, new residential apartment developments and more.
I have always enjoyed getting fully entrenched in the developments I work on as it allows me to get involved with the architects and designers to ensure the right product is offered in line with what buyers want.
What do you love most about your job?
I love the diversity of real estate and the fact that you’re dealing with different people every day. Customers are at the core of our business, and I also love being able to assist my clients - whether its developers, sellers, buyers, investors or tenants - in their real estate journey.
What would you like to see change in the real estate sector?
I would like to see all agents work in their clients’ best interests and without self-interest.
Where do you live now, and where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world?
I live in Brighton with my family. I’m very happy living in Melbourne - it’s a great city with culture, food, sport and lifestyle all intertwined. That said, I love to travel and could easily spend a few months a year in various locations in Italy or the south of France.
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Get to know Jenny Dwyer, director of Hockingstuart Sandringham