Mr Harry Triguboff, chief executive of Chairman and Managing Director of Meriton Apartments, has been named as Property Person of the Year 2003 by the Urban Taskforce.

Harry Triguboff was born in Darien, China in 1933 son of Moishe and Freda Triguboff. He spent his early childhood in Tientsin south of Beijing before coming to Australia in 1947 to be educated at Scotts College in Sydney. He later graduated with a Degree in Textiles from Leeds University in England before working in textile businesses in Israel and South Africa.

He returned to Australia in 1960 and became an Australian citizen in 1961. He drove a taxi and owned a milk run before establishing Meriton Apartments and building his first block of units in 1963.

Since that time he has evolved into one of Australia’s most successful property developers and most generous philanthropists.

Harry Triguboff is the Chairman and Managing Director of Meriton Apartments Pty Ltd. Meriton Apartments has built almost 50,000 residential dwellings, mainly townhouses and apartments, since its creation 40 years ago. Harry Triguboff has become synonymous with residential apartment building in Australia. During that time Mr Triguboff has won numerous awards for his contributions to the building, construction and housing industry.

Harry Triguboff has turned Meriton Apartments into Australia’s largest homebuilder and into one of the most financially sound private businesses in Australia. He has done this by focusing on building homes for Australians within Australia. In particular he has concentrated on the Sydney metropolitan area and also the Gold Coast in Queensland. Despite the lure of overseas markets Harry Triguboff has concentrated his efforts within Australia. He has not ventured overseas, preferring to invest in Australia employing Australians, building homes for Australians. More people purchased Meriton Apartments than any other residential developer in the country.

Meriton has recently completed the construction of the iconic World Tower, Sydney’s tallest residential apartment building and a striking addition to the Sydney skyline. World Tower represents the finest in architectural design and residential amenity. It is Harry Triguboff’s latest outstanding achievement.

Harry Triguboff was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1990 and an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1999.

The Urban Taskforce Australia Ltd coordinates the Property Person of the Year Award nomination and judging process and holds the associated fundraising appeal in conjunction with these two charities.