In profile: Colliers International's director of special projects Darrell Irwin

Colliers International’s Darrell Irwin says the market he specialises in has seen an improvement in activity due to low interest rates.

Agent: Darrell Irwin

Position: Director, Special Projects - Queensland

Company: Colliers International

Office location: Brisbane

How long have you been in the industry?

Too long… 23 years. I’ve worked in 'in house'  roles with developers including Robina Land Corporation as development manager and as external consultant to Stockland on the North Lakes project. I’ve also worked with QIC on Robina and Blue Care on its property portfolio.

What’s happening in the area you specialise in?

There has been an improvement in activity due to low interest rates, improving demand for built product and land price adjustment which makes projects feasible after a number of years of difficulty stacking up new projects.

Describe the most interesting property you have leased:

Couran Cove Resort  on South Stradbroke Island, due to the complexity of the development and its Town Planning approvals and the identities involved, both the owner and his representatives and the potential buyers.

What are the ingredients to being successful in your job?

Hard work, patience, credibility… and a good sense of humour. My background working on successful Master Planned communities, such as Robina and North Lakes has assisted me in having a good understanding across all segments of the property market, residential, retail, office, industrial.

What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?

Dealing with people and the variety of the work across different sectors of the property market.

Where would you invest a spare $750,000?

For the more entrepreneurial…Vacant development land at Coomera or Hope Island.

For the more conservative… residential within 10kms of Brisbane CBD, near water, transport, schools OR shops, or ideally proximity to  all of these.

Which football team do you support?

Gold Coast Titans and Queensland Reds

What’s your favourite app or techno gadget?

New iPad which is a recent acquisition to store and present with whilst on a recent property marketing trip to China.

How do you use social media?

Facebook and LinkedIn - my wife is a social media guru and dragging me up to speed.