This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
LEGENDARY and visionary developer Lang Walker AO passed away at his home in Sydney on the weekend.
Walker, 78, over five decades built his reputation around Australia as a tough but fair developer; and was admired by all who dealt with him.
Walker’s family said they were mourning the loss of a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather, after he passed away peacefully at his home in Sydney on Saturday evening.
“Lang will forever be in their hearts,” a family statement said.
“Lang loved creating incredible places where people can live and work, but he loved his family more than anything else in the world and his generosity and affection had no boundaries.
“Our hearts are broken by the loss of a great man who changed the lives of so many people through his visionary projects and philanthropy.
“His zest for life and his relentless pursuit of perfection lives on within everyone in the Walker family.
“We kindly request privacy during this difficult time and thank everyone for all the messages of condolence.”
Lang Walker is survived by wife Sue, children Blake, Chad, Georgia and their spouses, and his 10 grandchildren.
The Directors of Walker Group paid tribute to founder and Chairman Lang Walker.
Lang formed Walker over 50 years ago and built a world class business shaping the Group into Australia’s largest privately owned property company. In recent years Lang’s strong focus has been on the Group’s future.
Lang made the strategically defining decision some time ago to hold a substantial property portfolio encompassing over $9 billion of prime assets in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. This portfolio will continue to be managed, curated and added to by the executive team for the long term.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer David Gallant said Lang has been recognised and regarded as a great visionary, an inspirational leader, and the first to creatively tackle the challenge of urban transformation.
Together with his team, he has delivered exceptional placemaking concepts that can be seen in iconic developments such as Broadway Shopping Centre, Rhodes Peninsula, Woolloomooloo Wharf, King Street Wharf, Hope Island Resort, Collins Square and Parramatta Square.
Over the past decade Lang has worked to ensure the company’s $36 billion project pipeline will be in good hands, with a smooth transition to his executive team having been implemented early last year. Extensive provisions and arrangements are now firmly in place to clearly define and govern the group’s future.
“Lang’s vision will remain an enduring force through the Walker DNA and the Walker Way which he actively passed on – it is embedded in our culture and our modus operandi,” said Gallant.
“The vital importance of business continuity and the need to maintain key relationships to retain our pre-eminent position has been instilled in all of us.”
Walker is the trusted landlord for over 50 major Australian organisations along with multiple State and Federal Government Departments. Many thousands of Australians live, work and play in developments created by Walker.
The team at Australian Property Journal sends its condolences to the Walker family and Walker Corporation.
