Kymbal Dunne
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Trusted Property Advisor Sydney, Australia
If you build it, they will come…. so long as you have good agents!
The highlight of all the highlights at #KF Connect 2019 in Manila, Philippines Knight Frank’s APAC conference was Chairman of Alliance Global Group and Billionaire, Dr Andrew Tan’s addition to the famous line by actor, Kevin Costner in the movie about baseball - Field of Dreams.
Harry's - KnowWhere
Harry’s Café de Wheels is a “quintessential Sydney icon” according to National Trust of Australia (NSW), who classified it for its contribution to cultural experiences in Australia. Harry’s started in 1938 as a pie cart, before becoming a caravan. It sold pies n’ peas and crumbed sausages outside the entrance to the Woolloomooloo naval dockyards.
Update on me
Since leaving Knight Frank Australia, at the end of 2021, last year was both testing and exciting. I’m no stranger to building businesses from scratch but there’s always that belief (sometimes blind faith) you need to initiate your plan. I needed it again but this time the belief was already there from creating Client Solutions with CEO, Stephen Ellis’ support at Knight Frank and then building the Australian version of the international label, Private Office with Sarah Harding under CEO, Rod Leaver.
Home Ownership – Dream or Burden?
Home ownership has gone from the concept of building wealth slowly to a “get rich quick” scheme, simply because the stakes are now very high. What’s worse is that we have bestowed this, apparently foolproof “forced savings” concept on younger generations and encouraged them to continue the tradition. Whilst everyone in the game is now a lot richer there are more questions about how long this will last.
Philippines – Asia’s Rising Tiger
Manila has 5.8 million m2 of Prime and Grade A office space, making it slightly larger than the Sydney CBD however Manila’s supply is not as concentrated in the centre. There is a pipeline on 2 million m2 of office stock, however the majority of that supply is in the Ortigas business district nearby.
Central Park or Sydney Harbour
If you want to pick one city to understand property then, for me it has to be New York with London next in line. Both are the leading international cities which attract the big business, state of the art property development and the highest paid jobs. Knight Frank rates these cities as 1 and 2 most important global cities in its annual Wealth Report
The Vessel
The Vessel is the centrepiece of Hudson Yards. The eight storey 46m tall Thomas Heatherwick designed, shiny copper coloured beehive shaped staircase brings tourists. In fact probably about 8 million of them straight off the Highline.
Sydney Apartments Finally Appeal to The Ultras
When I talk with knowledge & pride about what our Knight Frank Prestige Residential team are achieving many of my Ultra High Net Wealth individual (UHNWI) clients are flabbergasted. No one thinks that sales over these prices are real. Sure Sydney harbour-fronted, Fairwater sold for $100m but how can a unit be worth anything like that?
NYC Takes Good Food to New Heights
I visited Dominique Ansel New York where the kitchen and food display are the priority. Patrons are welcome to spend time standing against the glass counter, browsing the most skilfully crafted desserts but when you’re ready to eat, the game goes vertical. In NYC space is a premium and as a result the tables at Dominique Ansel have gone upwards.
New Forces in Office Space
Office premises have never been more serious than they are now as the place for attracting worker talent. In fact, with low growth in salaries and wages globally, this variable is in hyper mode. This is resulting in the transfer of power from traditional landlords to occupants regardless of the historic indicators, like low vacancy and increasing rents which always favour the landlord.
It’s Always Sunny at the Flatiron Building
At the top of his game is Sunny Atis. Sunny runs New York’s iconic, Flatiron building. He loves his job which now spans 30 years at the Flatiron and is admired & trusted by the building occupants, the building owners and the contractors.
The Ultimate Brand Ambassador
Meet Sean Marshall, Brand Ambassador for Hudson Yards, 900,00m2 office development plus residential apartments and retail and lifestyle spaces. It is Barangaroo on steroids, located on the far west side of Manhattan fronting Hudson River.
Oculus, The Station You Want To Stop At
“Oculus” is a much needed and celebrated transport infrastructure hub at the World Trade Centre in downtown Manhattan. It combines the latest transport centre and station hub with a shopping mall. Built at a cost of $4 billion, it comprises about 75,000m2 of retail space, in over 50 shops, including a two storey Apple store.
Silicon Valley Heavyweights & Where You Should Spend Your Money
Newmark Knight Frank’s pre-eminent San Francisco and Bay area event is BenchMarks. It is held in May each year. In 2017 the big question posed to the 300 strong NKF client audience, and answered by using an app to poll the results live, was –Where would you spend your money?
Amazon Looks to The Past, Moving Forward
What a change it is then to witness Amazon Books, where this monster retailing activity started is now returning to the past by embracing old style retailing. Amazon has now entered the “bricks and mortar” retail property market with plans to expand. They now sell books out of a classic book shop adding their 7th store at the Time Warner Centre on Columbus Circle in New York.
Cities Driving the US in 2018
The US global cities are prosperous and there are new industries evolving. The stock market leaders are evidence of a new breed of business and entrepreneur. These are the FAANG heavyweights – Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Google. These businesses are embracing technology as leaders, with pioneering spirit and a thirst to be the best and the biggest.
What’s Happening in the US in 2018?
I travel to the US each year and spend a week working in New York and a week in San Francisco. Why? Because these two cities set the pace in global real estate and business respectively. I observe & learn about what makes them tick so I can determine if there are opportunities in Australia, particularly in our global cities, Sydney and Melbourne.
What Do Sydney-siders Really Want?
When it comes to answering the aged old question, “want do you really want?” anyone over the age of nine does not expect to find the answer in a vending machine. But, thanks to Mark Starmach and Elizabeth Commandeur, you can now buy intangible things like Connection, Imagination, Spontaneity, Bravery and Structure for just $2, from a good old chip dispenser in Sydney’s busiest city locations.
Is the Booth Back?
A booth provides collaboration but with a sense of privacy, which is what is so appealing. People like to be around others but still have an element of separation and sound proofing. Booths with Audio Visual display capabilities are very popular within fitouts now. They provide the perfect setting for an informal meeting of up to 4 people, often internally. They allow meeting spaces to be cost effective as opposed to providing built meeting rooms, which would also require air conditioning – Win win
The Flatiron– Managing A Trophy Property
The 1902, 22 storey, Fuller building was dubbed the “Flatiron”, due to its resemblance to the old household iron. Now the whole precinct is referred to and promoted as the Flatiron district of NY and this building is not just the cause but its centre.
Property Advisory
Broken Arrow
Kymbal always took the time necessary to fully understand the needs of an international company. Despite the time difference between our countries, he always found the time to connect live by telephone and made great efforts to keep me updated and apprised of the status and situations needing our feedback or intervention. He works diligently to make the deal that not only meets our corporate needs but is also a well negotiated economic transaction. For me, working with Kymbal goes well beyond just having “trust” and confidence in your agent. I am very pleased to have Kymbal as my agent and also very proud to call him a friend. I consider Kymbal as one of the top five (5) real estate representatives in the World that I have had the pleasure to work with and would be very pleased to elaborate on his strengths and character.
Matt Rickett
Director – Viacom Realty Corporation
Commitment and perseverance summarise the effort of Kymbal Dunne, Andrew Palmer and John Swanson of Knight Frank to market our commercial property and sell it. They formulated a clear marketing strategy and followed through on all purchasing interest. The market wasn’t as deep at the point we wanted to sell but they did not give up and tried different approaches so that we could achieve our goal. We were pleased with their energy and advice and the successful result.
Coral and Richard Champion de Crespigny
“The Commercial Salesperson award is a great testament to Kymbal’s dedication and experience as one of Sydney’s leading agents. This recognition, being judged as a finalist in six categories, signifies the growing strength and determination of the overall Knight Frank business in NSW.”
Richard Horne, Knight Frank Managing Director NSW
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