Michael Harrison (pictured left), who began developing retirement villages 25 years ago with his son Justin (right), passed away on 1 July, aged 83.
A pioneer of Queensland’s property sector, Michael was Founder of The Village Retirement Group, which owns and operates five communities in Coorparoo, Redcliffe, Taigum, Toowoomba and Yeronga.
A sixth retirement community in partnership with Anglicare Southern Queensland is planned for Manly in Brisbane’s eastern suburbs.
Known as one of the leading developers of retirement villages in Queensland, Michael began his career as a licensed surveyor in Victoria in 1965 before moving to Queensland in the late 1960s where he worked on Gold Coast canal developments.
His major projects before The Village Retirement Group included Pelican Waters, Bella Vista Estate, the Brisbane City Council Complex at Indooroopilly, Shell/McDonalds Complex Windsor, Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Paradise Waters, Palm Garden Waters, and Mermaid Waters on the Gold Coast.
Justin told The Australian Business Network that his father had a “remarkable ability to look forward”, never letting disappointment get in his way.
“He was always searching for the opportunity,” he said.
When a Toowoomba property deal folded in the late nineties, he saw an opportunity to transform retirement villages in QLD.
“That really cemented our future,” Justin said.
