REISA UNSW: Newsletter

Welcome to Term 1, Week 7 of 2025!

We hope you’ve had a fantastic flexi week and are settling back into the uni routine.

If you are keen to continue learning more about the real estate investment world and want to be the first to hear about our events and opportunities, we strongly encourage you to like and follow the REISA UNSW Facebook and Instagram.

Warm regards,
REISA UNSW Team

Upcoming REISA UNSW Events

Women in Real Estate Mentor Program

This program is designed to connect women pursuing a real estate career with two seasoned female mentors who will offer personalised guidance, share industry expertise, and help drive your professional growth. You’ll benefit from one-on-one mentoring, gain valuable insights into the sector, sharpen your skills, and build meaningful connections within the industry over the course of half a year.

Applications Close: Sunday 6 April

Application Screening and Mentor / Mentee Matching: Monday 7 April

Opening Ceremony: Tuesday 15 April

Sign Up Here: Application Form

Read more about this opportunity on the Facebook Event

Real Estate News

Lendlease Strategic Overhaul Sees Retreat in Retail

Lendlease (ASX: LLC) shopping centre retail fund, APPF Retail, is transferring (ASX: LLC) shopping centre retail fund, APPF Retail, is transferring management rights of Sunshine Plaza in Queensland Macarthur Square in Sydney to competitor GPT Group (ASX: GPT). While the malls, valued at approximately $1 billion, remain in the Lendlease fund, GPT will now oversee operations and benefit from associated revenue. This shift leaves Lendlease's retail fund with only 2 retail properties (Erina Fair and Tweed City) under its management.

The move aligns with Lendlease's broader strategic overhaul under CEO Tony Lombardo and Chairman John Gillam, as the company refocuses on simplifying operations and improving performance. The strategy has seen Lendlease divest various global assets, including housing estates in Australia and US military housing. Vanessa Orth, managing director of Lendlease Investment Management, stated that outsourcing property management aligns with the company's broader partnership model.

Despite not planning to dissolve the retail fund entirely, Lendlease anticipates further redemption requests in November. Previously, investors sought over $1 billion in withdrawals, forcing the fund to sell $2.1 billion in assets, including stakes in Adelaide's Westfield Marion, Cairns Central, and Harbour Town Gold Coast. Over the past decade, APPF Retail has recorded an annual net return of just 2.4%.

For GPT, securing management rights for the two malls bolsters its growing retail portfolio, which includes Pacific Fair, Highpoint, and Rouse Hill Town Centre. The handover will occur in May, solidifying GPT's position as a dominant retail property manager in Australia.

Written by: Landrie Zuo

Thank You To Our 2025 Sponsors:

Real Estate Investment Student Association (REISA), is a student run society founded in 2023 with the objective of providing students with opportunities across all aspects of Real Estate Investment, including Private Equity, Advisory, Development, and Asset Management.

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