It’s been two decades since former Melbourne Demons player Andrew Leoncelli retired from AFL and kicked off his career in property, but there are similarities between his careers on and off the field.
“It feels like yesterday that I was playing, it was a big part of my life, but 20 years is a long time,” Mr Leoncelli told realestate.com.au.
“Both are very competitive industries, where the people that work the hardest do the best.
“There’s a real tenacity to both industries, a similar work ethic and a real sense of teamwork, so the synergies are really strong.”
The milestone comes as Mr Leoncelli embarks on a new venture, departing CBRE Residential Projects after 14 years to lead the expansion of developer Abadeen Property Group into Victoria.
The new Abadeen Victoria managing director will work with Abadeen Group’s founder and managing director Justin Brown to deliver high-end apartment developments in the east and southeast of Melbourne.
“In Melbourne, where the market at the moment is difficult, being tenancious, hardworking and committed to the cause is very important,” he said.
The Malea project in Malvern East is Abadeen Victoria’s first development. Picture: Abadeen Group
“The commitment to quality is so important from the very beginning when you’re choosing a piece of real estate through to working with the right people to deliver a product that meets the market’s expectations.”
Abadeen Victoria’s first project is the Malea residential development, comprising seven apartments in Malvern East aimed at high-end local owner occupiers.
They are also working on 23 luxury apartments for its Prahran East project at 646 High Street, Prahran.
Mr Leoncelli said they were focusing on owner occupiers who had lived and raised families in these areas and were looking to downsize from their big family homes.
Andrew Leoncelli has joined Abadeen Group after 14 years at CBRE. Picture: Abadeen Group
“They want to sell their home but they also want to stay in their local community and something that is brand new and offering the best of everything,” he said.
“Buyers are really aware of what they can do and have now, so it’s a very sophisticated marketplace and you have to react and work with the market.”
In his previous role as managing director at CBRE Residential Projects, Mr Leoncelli worked on a number of high-profile Melbourne projects, including M City, Australia 108 and Melbourne Square.
Over the past decade, he also completed the Collective, Longhouse and Victoria & Burke developments in his own right in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
The boutique Malea development will have just seven homes. Picture: Abadeen Group
“Working with the customer from inception all the way to the end to create high-quality homes that people love is very satisfying,” he said.
“All of the detail that goes into these projects is quite amazing because it’s highly customised to the customer, so it’s really satisfying to deliver these projects.”
Mr Leoncelli said they were continuing to look for new opportunities in similar areas around Melbourne’s east and southeast suburbs.
Mr Leoncelli played 146 matches for the Melbourne Football Club between 1996 and 2003, and also served as a Melbourne board director for four years from 2007.