Walker Corporation - Our history

Monday, September 06, 2010

Walker Corporation history
To understand our company, look around you. The evidence of its success is everywhere: scores of bold, innovative developments that tower above the ordinary. From the global-award-winning Altair, through the hugely popular Wharf at Sydney’s Woolloomooloo, to the Hope Island Resort on the Gold Coast, our creations aren’t just developments, but living and working environments brought from conception to full-blown reality.

Large, complex challenges are my passion. I believe in meeting them head-on with proven know-how, financial strength and a strong organisation that makes quick decisions, cuts through red tape and is highly responsive to clients’ needs.

The beginning
In the late 1960’s A & L Walker Pty Limited was established in New South Wales by Lang Walker and his father, Alec, as a plant hire and earth moving contractor.

1970s
In 1972 Lang Walker successfully established The Walker Group, a company that specialised in the construction of new roads and subdivision development. In 1977, the Walker Group commenced residential development activities. In 1979 and 1980, it undertook the development of a variety of small office buildings and small-medium density residential projects in southern Sydney.

1980s
In the early 1980’s, the Walker Group engaged in subdivision projects in Sydney and Brisbane. During this time, Walker Constructions Pty Limited was established to undertake the building work for the Group’s development projects.

In the late 1980’s, the Group’s activities were concentrated on industrial and residential development and civil engineering projects in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. In 1988 The Walker Group changed its name to Walker Corporation Pty Limited.

1990s
During the 1990’s the company developed retail and residential property and expanded the
business significantly. In 1993, it participated in the establishment, as well as being joint manager, of the listed property trust The Industrial Property Trust of Australia with MBL. In February 1994 the company converted from a proprietary limited company to a public company and changed its name to Walker Corporation Limited.

1994 COMPANY FLOAT
When the company floated in 1994, Lang Walker remained as the Managing Director. Projects under the control of Walker Corporation Limited over that time went on to generate sales revenue of over $2 billion, employing over 375 full time staff.

These projects included:

University housing projects in Sydney and Melbourne
Major residential developments: The Regency, Chatswood and Balmain Cove in Sydney
The refurbishment and revitalisation of The Wharf at Woolloomooloo
Re-development of King Street Wharf - Wharves 9 & 10 in Sydney
Construction of a shopping centre in Gladesville
The redevelopment and re-opening of the Broadway Shopping Centre in March 1998
The construction of the Parkwest Industrial Estate in Melbourne
Three distribution centres constructed for Coles Myer - two in South West Sydney and one in Brisbane. Combined, the three warehouses would hold 24 football fields under one roof.

1999 SALE TO AUSTRALAND
In 1999, Lang Walker decided to sell his shareholding in Walker Corporation Limited to Australand Holdings Limited and concentrate on running his private development company McRoss Developments Pty Ltd. He reserved the rights to re-use the Walker Corporation name after January 2003.

The McRoss Developments Pty Ltd projects included:

St Mary’s, Sydney, an industrial site for ACI and Smorgon
Georges, Melbourne - refurbishment of the former department store to office and retail space
Aspen, Colorado - a housing estate valued at US$40 million
Industrial development at Alexandria, Sydney
Industrial development at Zetland, Sydney
Industrial development at Clayton, Victoria
The development of Smithfield for Toll Transport
100% Ownership and management of the Broadway Shopping Centre
120 Elizabeth Street, retail and residential development
Pran Central, Melbourne
Commercial development, Mona Vale
Commercial development, Gosford

2000
In 2000 the company acquired Hope Island Resort in Queensland including an 18 hole Golf Course.

2003
Lang Walker exercised his right to re-use the name Walker Corporation as his company’s name, and McRoss Developments Pty Ltd was re-badged as Walker Corporation Pty Ltd. Walker Corporation has more than $2 billion worth of projects to deliver on Australia’s eastern seaboard
in the next 5-7 years. With a highly skilled team Walker can design, construct and deliver total property solutions across all the sectors of the development field.

2006
Lang Walker, Executive Chairman of Walker Corporation, announced that the group would continue to develop its range of more than 20 projects across residential, retail, commercial and industrial sectors following the $1.25 billion sale of selected assets to Mirvac Ltd and other parties.

Mr. Lang Walker
“To me, it’s all about possibilities. To take a space and use it to create something valuable, useful and superbly designed. The challenge of transforming a vision into reality is what drives me.”

"Our team is dynamic and highly experienced, and they’re out in the marketplace talking to customers every day of the week, securing opportunities, forming partnerships, supplying tailor-made solutions."

"We’re proud of what we do: our design quality is sharp, we are creative and embrace challenges. We also have construction people with an eye for detail, who are committed to a great product. We enjoy our work and have fun completing a job successfully. That’s what welds our team together"