History

1952 The home

The Stockland story began in 1952 when a young architect named Ervin Graf was employed to turn a small poultry farm at Sefton into a housing estate. Ervin had recently arrived in Australia from Hungary and literally worked his way from the ground up, carrying out all tasks from setting site levels to managing the finances.

That first Stockland development proved a great success, providing low cost housing eagerly sought by a community growing rapidly after the war. And those nineteen houses built at Sefton in Western Sydney remain virtually unchanged today.

Ervin Graf's vision at this time was to "not merely achieve growth and profits but to make a worthwhile contribution to the development of our cities and our great country".

From 1952 the team at Stockland has kept Ervin's vision alive by creating communities that inspire people to gather, to share and to live life. Places that are as functional as they are colourful.

1957 Listing on Stock Exchange

In 1957 Stockland lists on the Stock Exchange by acquiring a controlling interest in Simon Hickey Industries Ltd, the smallest company then listed.

In the same year, activities become more diversified. Stockland moves into commercial development, initially with retail projects in various suburbs.

1965 The breakthrough

Stockland opens its first big commercial development - the redeveloped Imperial Arcade. Taking place during a retail revolution in Sydney's CBD, it offers the first underground link to David Jones, four retail levels and six levels of office space

1967 The city pad

The Park Regis, a 45-storey mixed residential and commercial development in the centre of Sydney's CBD, taps into a burgeoning trend for high density inner city living and is the tallest residential block outside the USA at the time.

1969 The community

The first stage of Sylvan Headland Estate at Kareela is officially opened.

The natural beauty of the area is well preserved during a development that incorporates a shopping centre, boating marina, school site and 800 home sites, with superb water views and access to the water or the golf course.

One of Stockland's first mixed-use masterplanned communities, the Sylvan Headland Estate has since housed generations of local families.

1972 The mall

Merrylands is Stockland's first major shopping centre when it opens in 1972 in the heart of the rapidly growing western suburbs.

1980s Innovation

In a world first for the global real estate sector, Stockland pioneers the development of the stapled security structure when it combines its Trust and Corporation activities into one stapled security, listed as SGP on the Australian Securities Exchange.

This enables security holders to receive a franked dividend and a non-taxed distribution by having their Stockland shares stapled to a trust unit. It also means no management fees flow out of Stockland to third parties. This innovation sets Stockland apart from its competitors and helps set up 26 years of continued profit growth.

1990 The generational project

Stockland buys Pacific Pines. Today it's the Gold Coast's largest masterplanned community boasting 37 neighbourhood parks, a town centre, four schools and is home to more than 5,000 families. It is still one of Stockland's flagship projects with over 800 home sites to go.

2002 New era

As global investing and index weighting become dominant forces in the world economy, Stockland identifies that in order to compete for capital and establish itself as a market leader it needs to speed up its process of growth. Through purchasing good assets at attractive prices, and building a strong and respected management capability, Stockland rapidly increases its market capitalisation and continues to deliver solid returns to security holders.

2007 World class projects

Stockland's Macquarie Park development sets a global benchmark in quality and innovation for large-scale property projects. The six campus-style office buildings house 6500 Optus employees. It is the largest purpose-built single-tenant campus office in Australia.

2007 New markets

Stockland acquires UK/Europe property investment, trading and development company, Halladale for £215 million.

Stockland also accelerates growth of its retirement living business through the $330m acquisition of Australian Retirement Communities.

2007 The new workplace era

Stockland creates a world class green workplace -133 Castlereagh Street, Sydney. With a focus on developing the talent of its people and nurturing a culture of mutual respect, employees are consulted at every planning stage of the project, ensuring the physical surroundings enhance their wellbeing and lead to improved business performance.

A priority in planning the fit-out is to reduce the environmental footprint. The Stockland building becomes the first in Australia to attain a six Green Star rating for an office refurbishment.

2008 Building our capability

In 2008 Stockland expands into medium density retirement living through the acquisition of retirement village operator Rylands.