TOGA

Last week, TOGA's co-founder, Charlotte Vidor AM, was inducted to the Australian Property Hall of Fame at Parliament House. This is a significant achievement within our industry and an honour for Charlotte and for TOGA. She joins fellow Hall of Fame inductees in recognition of her pioneering contribution to the serviced apartment industry. The idea for TOGA’s serviced apartment business began in the early 1980s when Charlotte and Ervin Vidor were on holiday in the USA. Upon their return, they created the Medina Randwick service apartment complex. Fast-forward 45 years, the TFE Hotels brand is now recognised as Australia’s first global hotelier, operating close to 100 hotels and more than 16,000 rooms across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and Asia. Charlotte spent a lot of time in her long career on construction sites overseeing developments, along with Ervin. To put things into perspective, a tiny woman on construction sites during the 80s (and beyond) raised more than a few eyebrows. Charlotte, however, never considered the idea of inequality and pushed forward with her inherent determination, earning herself enormous respect and creating valued and trusted relationships that exist to this day. Congratulations to you, Charlotte. We are delighted that you have been recognised for your remarkable achievements! Property Council of Australia, TOGA, TFE Hotels

This National Volunteer Week (20-26 May), we wanted to take the opportunity to reflect and pay thanks to our team members for the time and energy they have given to volunteering with TOGA’s charity partners over the years.   To mark the occasion, here’s a snapshot of some of the ways our team members have used their paid Volunteer Days to make an impact within the communities in which we operate.   None of this would be possible without the incredible work by all the Charities out there, and their amazing volunteers. They play such a crucial role in our communities providing essential services and support to those in need, from food, clothing, and shelter to education and healthcare. They build community cohesion and work hard helping people and advocating for social change. We are grateful to be able to volunteer with them...   OzHarvest, My Foundations Youth Housing Ltd, Thread Together, Banish, ReLove, Sustainable Salons, Pass it on Clothing & Co., Kids Giving Back, Youth Off The Streets, Street Side Medics, The Smith Family, TFE Hotels.   …We look forward to providing many more opportunities with you in the years to come. 

Incredibly honoured to announce that TOGA is the WINNER of the 2024 AFR BOSS Best Places to Work Awards.🏆 Last night we took home the top prize in the Property, Construction & Transport category, solidifying our commitment to excellence, not only in development and construction but also in the workplace. We're immensely proud to have some of the brightest minds in our team, and it is thanks to their talent, dedication, and hard work that we've been able to create one of Australia's best workplaces. 🏅 Our dedication to ESG and maximising under-utilised properties for use by charities and temporary housing solutions for homeless youth demonstrates how innovation and collaboration can help with pressing social challenges. These initiatives not only make a meaningful impact in our communities but also foster a strong sense of unity amongst our team members. Thanks for a fabulous night The Australian Financial Review, TOGA will celebrate this remarkable achievement and continue our 60+ year journey building amazing places with the BEST people. 🌟 Allan Vidor, Charlotte Vidor, Alex Collinson, Michelle Fischl, Tarni N., Paul Shaw, Tim Bangs, Jodi Sharp, Annabel Weiss, Anthony Falas, Colin Meade, Brent Smith, Erik Engelbrecht, Aaron Chen, Tim Green, Olivia Olorenshaw, Sindy Tang, TFE Hotels. My Foundations Youth Housing Ltd, OzHarvest, Thread Together, Pass it on Clothing & Co., Fashion Forward, Orange Sky Australia, Sustainable Salons, ReLove, Coast Shelter, #Banish #BestPlacesToWork #CSR #ESG #GiveMore #Socialimpact #CommunityImpact #Winners #bestpeopleworkatTOGA #AFRBOSS #teameffort

Thrilled to announce that TOGA has been named a finalist in the 2024 The Australian Financial Review BOSS Best Places to Work, testament to our ESG focus, team work and talent.   We are not just passionate about development and construction; we’re equally passionate about our people. Together, we seek to fulfill TOGA’s CSR mission to create a better future for youth at risk of homelessness, acknowledging their vulnerability within their circumstances.   Over the past seven years we have cultivated a successful CSR program which provides temporary housing for vulnerable people and vacant retail spaces for charities. In addition, we ensure a circular economy when de-fitting and refurbishing our TFE Hotels. This ethos is intrinsically linked to our company founders and forms the part of the company DNA.   Providing stable housing and support services to people in need contributes to community resilience and social cohesion, fostering pride and promoting employee engagement.   We find out our ranking in the Property, Construction & Transport category next week so stay tuned!   #afrbestplaces2024 #property #construction #workplace #ESG #Socialimpact #BestPlaceToWork #Finalist #CommunityImpact #CSR #TOGA #TFEHotels #givingDNA Thread Together, My Foundations Youth Housing Ltd, ReLove, OzHarvest, #Banish

On Tuesday, we had the honour of welcoming two extraordinary women who embody the spirit of resilience and determination to TOGA’s head office, Rebecca Beeson and Katherine Smith, members of the GWS GIANTS AFLW team. Their dedication, talent, and leadership on and off the field inspired us all as we celebrated International Women's Day early with their presence. Rebecca Beeson, with her fierce determination and unwavering commitment, sets an example for aspiring athletes and young women everywhere. Her passion for the game is matched only by her advocacy for gender equality in sports and beyond. No stranger to TOGA, Bec juggles the demand of footy with working in the Development Team TOGA's Surry Hills Village Project and studying at university. Katherine Smith, a powerhouse on the field and a role model in the community, breaks down barriers with every stride. Her dedication to excellence and her efforts to promote inclusivity serve as a beacon of hope for future generations. Katherine also works for AFL NSW/ACT in game development, coaching and is a member of the GIANTS team's leadership group alongside Bec.   The pair shared their journeys into the AFLW having started in Auskick and junior footy leagues, before making it professionally in the inaugural AFLW season in 2017. Since then, they have not only competed professionally but have actively supported young girls and team members achieve their dream of playing AFL.    “Growing up I didn’t have young women to look up to in AFL – it was the Brenden Fevolas or Mark Murphys of the world,” Katherine said. “Our responsibility, as women players, is to get AFLW to the next level.”    “Given we’re a new club, we operate a little differently to others,” Rebecca said. “We allow people to be who they are and celebrate a person’s uniqueness. We even dedicate time to discuss culture at the club.”     “And with young girls coming through we inspire empowerment rather than control it. We don’t tell them what to do, rather we inspire them to make the right decision, this helps create a positive, inclusive club.”    Let us not forget the significance of today, a day not just about festivities but action; challenging stereotypes, dismantling barriers, and creating a world where every individual, regardless of gender, can thrive. Happy International Women's Day!

It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of Antonino (Tony) Stillone, one of the original founding partners of the TOGA Group.   Tony met Ervin and Charlotte Vidor in the early 1960s, instantly recognising their shared values and respective skills. Like Charlotte and Ervin, Tony was an immigrant to Australia, arriving after the second world war. Together they founded TOGA in 1963 with Tony taking responsibility for TOGA's construction activities. Tony built and led an exceptionally competent team, delivering several hundred successful projects over his career. Despite leading this large activity with multiple projects under construction at any time, Tony was hands-on, spending time on every site, driving successful programme and cost outcomes.   Tony, Ervin and Charlotte had a close and successful working relationship. Tony was highly respected by everyone at TOGA, our consultants and subcontractors, with a reputation for being innovative and for being a person of immense integrity.   Despite Tony's great success, he was a modest man whose greatest pride was his family. He will be sadly missed by his children Torie, Frank and Anna Maria and fondly remembered by all who had the good fortune to know him.

Following our recent announcement that Harris Farms Markets is coming to Surry Hills Village, we are thrilled to share the premium, fresh food retailer will also be coming to our Marrickville development, Wicks Place.    Wicks Place will be the third TOGA development to feature a Harris Farm Markets supermarket, in addition to Surry Hills Village and Bondi Boheme.   Set to open in late 2024, Harris Farm Markets will take up over 1,800 sqm of ground floor retail area and will anchor the retail centre as the primary tenant, complemented by three specialty food and beverage tenancies, which front Victoria Road.   With 85 per cent of apartments having already sold, Wicks Place is set to become a dynamic and thriving urban precinct, in one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world.   #HarrisFarmMarkets #WicksPlace #Newtenant #retail #Marrickville Harris Farms, Inc.

It has been a busy start to the year for the TOGA team at the Surry Hills Village project with the recent dismantle of the third and final tower crane! The two-day process was achieved with the support of a 400-tonne mobile crane supplied by WGC Cranes, this significant milestone marks the home run to completion for our truly remarkable mixed-use development. #construction #sydneyproperty #surryhills #TOGA #propertyindustry   

TOGA is thrilled to share some exciting retail news with you — Harris Farm Markets is coming to Surry Hills Village! Occupying a generous 1200 sqm of retail space, Harris Farm Markets will boast the freshest fruit, veg & organics, an in-house artisan bakery, a huge cheese selection, proper meats & deli, gourmet groceries, an irresistible dessert bar and much more. Joining Coles and Vintage Cellars on the lower ground floor, Harris Farm Markets is set to open its doors in 2024.   The retail precinct at Surry Hills Village will be named Wunderlich Lane, paying homage to the Wunderlich Factory that originally stood on the site (est.1885).   The Wunderlich factory significantly influenced Sydney's heritage architecture as the primary producer of pressed metal ceilings and architectural building elements. Wunderlich has left its mark on iconic structures such as the Government Bank in Martin Place, Sydney Town Hall’s Centennial Hall and pressed metal ceilings still present in Sydney's terrace homes. TOGA has chosen this name to honour the site's heritage and ensure that the legacy of Wunderlich Ltd continues to contribute to the fabric of urban Sydney.   Wunderlich Lane at Surry Hills Village will connect Baptist and Marriott Streets through a market-style laneway. Harris Farm Markets, Coles and Vintage Cellars will be located on the lower ground floor, while the ground level will offer a curated blend of boutique retail al-fresco dining options, and a wellness offering. Wunderlich Lane is set to become one of Sydney’s inner-city premier lifestyle destinations and the preferred shopping hub for daily essentials amongst inner-city locals.

At TOGA we offer quarterly volunteering events, and this quarter we celebrated three charities that are making a significant impact to both the environment and the communities in which we work; Banish, Kids Giving Back and ReLove. Apart from being fun and uplifting, these volunteering events create an environment that promotes our teams engagement and cross-division collaboration, with something for everyone. At Banish we sorted through their deliveries from around Australia and our BRAD collection box located in Head Office and filled with hard to recycle household items including blister packs, toothpaste tubes, lotion bottles, coffee pods, bread tags and so much more. At Kids Giving Back - we whipped up hundreds of meals for delivery to local refuges with their Cook4Good program. At ReLove we set up three different homes for people in crisis, including furniture and paintings that had been re-loved from some of our hotels. Thanks for a fabulous afternoon to everyone involved! Lottie Dalziel Ben Stammer Carole Schlessinger #volunteer #givingback #CSR #TOGA #community