An eye to the future

LAST month’s State Government decision to abandon plans to sink the rail network was a blow to many proponents of increased residential development in Northbridge.

The Limnios family was prominent among those favouring a greater linkage between the city and Northbridge.

The Limnios name is synonymous with Northbridge real estate, and James Limnios, Limnios Property Group CEO and managing director, and a WA Business News 40under40 winner, believes Northbridge is the future of inner-city living.

“People will buy quality, well designed, well located properties, and Northbridge has a lot of this prime land,” he said.

Sales in the early months of this year are up on those for the corresponding period in each of the past three years.

The Limnios group is a family affair, with Atha Limnios and his wife, Helen, starting the business 35 years ago, and their children now employed in the operation.

Atha Limnios’s first experience in real estate in Western Australia was as a buyer. The agent was Tony Vallelonga, now City of Stirling mayor.

Speaking little english – but, by his account, better english that Mr Vallelonga – Atha’s success is testimony to his determination and family values.

Mr Vallelonga showed Atha how to sell houses, and the fact that he couldn’t write in english didn’t deter him. For his first sale, Atha brought Helen, whom he introduced as his secretary, to write the contract.

Mr Vallelonga said it was wonderful to see the progression to a successful family business.

“Atha in his business dealings has become known for being respectful, community and family minded, sincere, and honest,” he said.

Atha Limnios sees Northbridge as a unique place that offers the choice of a cosmopolitan, inner-city lifestyle.

“Once people start to understand and taste an inner-city life, they will understand that it is a unique way to live,” he told WA Business News.

“Bringing people to the city creates industry, interaction, and safety.”

Town of Vincent mayor Nick Catania, who has a 20-year relationship with the Limnios family, says they are a close and strong group who have contributed greatly to the development of the Northbridge area.

Entry forms for the 2004 Family Business Awards are available from www.familybizawards.com.au