Net Worth: $850 Million
Age: 80
DOB: 1943
Birthplace: Ligourio, Greece
Affectionately known as ‘Con’, Kostas Makris is a Greek born, Australian businessman who has has accumulated a significant fortune in his business career.
Currently ranking among the world’s richest Greeks, Makris is also one of the 50 richest people living in Australia. Additionally, he sits at number 36 in the Top 200 Rich List according to the Business Review Weekly.
Below is a little bit more about his life and how he made his fortune.
Early Life and Career
Makris was born in the Greek town of Ligourio, which is located around the middle of section of the Argolis prefecture.
When he was young his family relocated to Holargos in the suburb of Athens. However, during his formative years, life was pretty tough and he had to work at the age of 12 to help make ends meet.
At the age of 16 he made the decision to emigrate to Australia in an attempt to make some money before returning to his homeland.
He began working in a foundry before turning his attention to the property industry, initially buying a number of fast food eateries, before venturing into bigger projects.
Makris Group
As his interest in the property sector grew, Con set up the Makris Group. Today the company employs 25 people and has substantial interests in sub-regional shopping centres. Based in South Australia, the successful retail property group currently owns the following assets in their portfolio:
Shopping centres
Adelaide City Cross Shopping Centre
Bonnyrigg Plaza (New South Wales)
Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre
Gilles Plains Shopping Centre
Hallett Cove Shopping Centre
Marina Pier Holdfast Shores
North Adelaide Village Shopping Centre
In addition to the shopping centres, the group also owns a hotel, development site and a couple of other CBD based office buildings. They include:
The Oxford Hotel (North Adelaide)
88 O’Connell Street in North Adelaide (formerly the site of LeCornu)
Manpower House (Adelaide CBD)
Optus Centre (Adelaide CBD)
Gold Coast Investments
While much of Kostas business dealings have centred around South Australia, in recent times he has also been investing in the Gold Coast in Queensland, presumably to exploit its commercial potential.
He well and truly made his mark in Australia’s most famous tourist destination by spending $55 million to buy the Marina Mirage, a glitz shopping mall housing luxury stores that sell products from reputable brands worldwide. He also acquired the marina in front of the mall, where wealthy visitors’ can dock their luxury yachts.
Recently, Makris bought a second shopping mall in the area, The Oracle, for which he reputedly forked out $70 million, a price which included the grand hotel that towers above it. This centre has 60 shops, three historic towers and approximately 300 parking spaces.
This acquisition overshadows all of his previous purchases – with an assessed value is $350 million. Making him the king of the commercial real estate in the Gold Coast area.
Personal Life
Makris has five children, all of which are adults.
For a short time he was also the chairman of Panachaiki, the team he supported as a boy. However, his time at the helm was not particularly successful.