South Australia’s richest man, Con Makris, has ventured into the Queensland market with the purchase of Gold Coast’s prestigious Marina Mirage.
Mr Makris has been eyeing off the sail topped Marina Mirage, built by the late Christopher Skase, for two years now and finally sealed the deal whilst he was on holidays in Dubai on New Year’s Eve, for a whopping $52 million. The deal is expected to settle in April this year.
“It’s the best property that I have bought – a prestigious property,” he tells Neos Kosmos.
The 1.9ha site fronting the Southport Broadwater boasts the luxurious Palazzo Versace Hotel and Sheraton Mirage; and Mr Makris says they are looking at building another hotel as well. Its shopping complex features top international designers and labels with 100 shops and 16 restaurants. Mr Makris one day hopes to see a “proper Greek restaurant” open in the property.
Mr Makris was 16 when he migrated to Australia. Without knowing a word of English, he took a job at the foundry melting steel and worked from 6:00am to 9:00pm seven days a week. No stranger to hard work, as a businessman he dabbled in supermarkets, fish and chip shops, chicken shops, and bakeries, but made his mark as the founder of Makris Group. The groups portfolio of assess include office buildings and commercial properties, as well as shopping centres such as Bonnyrigg Plaza in NSW and Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre in Victoria.
“We have a lot of plans but right now I am thrilled with the purchase,” he says of Marina Mirage.
According to Mr Markis, the government has also gone out to tender for the docking of the cruise ships in the port which will provide a further business boost to the precinct.
The former Panachaiki owner – who likened the property in the Gold Coast to Rodeo Drive – says he has been interested in Marina Mirage because of its unique position and “fantastic atmosphere”.