Sentinel Real Estate is strengthening its Australian operations with two major team appointments. Keith Lucas, AIA, ARA, LEED AP, has been promoted to Managing Director and has relocated to Australia to oversee the firm’s rapidly growing Build to Rent platform in the country, and Georgina Duckworth has joined the firm as Director of Marketing and Client Services. These key appointments come as Sentinel plans to deliver around A$1 billion of investment in the Australian Build to Rent development pipeline over the next four years as reported by the Australian Financial Review.

Keith Lucas, Managing Director and Georgina Duckworth, Director of Marketing and Client Services

Sentinel’s Element 27 project, opened in 2019 as the first purpose-built Build to Rent development in Australia in 2019 and was fully leased within six months. Two additional phases of that community are under development and will add over 170 additional units to the property. Recently, Sentinel’s third Australian development, a 175-unit development located at 194 West Coast Hwy, Scarborough, Perth, was approved as part of this major regional backing.

After serving in a similar capacity in New York, Mr. Lucas will focus on expanding Sentinel’s development team in Australia and executing Sentinel’s Build to Rent strategy in the region. His wealth of expertise will contribute to land acquisition, design, development, property management and government relations.

“I’m looking forward to working with our expanded team to ensure that our innovative offerings are tailored to the local market and help redefine Australia’s rental experience,” said Mr. Lucas. “The current supply-demand characteristics in the Australian housing market are favourable. We’re seeing movements in tax and planning legislation that support the Build to Rent model while consumer mindsets and timelines around home ownership are shifting – this is all fuelling strength in Australia’s Build to Rent sector. Sentinel is committed to delivering quality, sustainable housing for Australians that offers residents prime location, on-site management, quality amenities and fit outs while promoting a sense of community.”

Sentinel has also recruited Georgina Duckworth as Director of Client Services and Marketing in Australia and New Zealand. Ms. Duckworth will manage investor outreach and relations in the region, while also contributing to our strategic growth priorities. As former Director of Business at the American Australian Association, Ms. Duckworth has proven experience developing and fostering crucial relationships between key stakeholders across both countries.

“It’s an incredibly exciting time for Sentinel in Australia, as we continue to expand our local organisation in anticipation of substantial growth over the coming years,” said Michael Streicker, President of Sentinel Real Estate.

“Keith and Georgina’s expertise will bolster our Australian business, growing the development pipeline and supporting the successful execution of our Build to Rent strategy. We’re in a unique position to successfully deliver this, given our 51 years of global multifamily property experience and first-to-market position in the Build to Rent class in Australia.”

Sentinel has more than 1,000 Build to Rent units under various stages of development throughout Australia, including a West Melbourne site at 164-168 Roden Street. Australia and New Zealand developments are a substantial addition to our 50-year history of providing services to domestic and international institutions, with approximately A$10 billion of assets under management.

Element 27, Subiaco WA, Australia’s first purpose-built Build to Rent development