John Gibson, Managing Director
After a relatively brief period with A.E. Gibson & Co, the real estate agency started by his great-grandfather, Albert, in 1882, John Gibson went into the property development business under his own name, Gibson Property Corporation (GPC) in 1972.
His first major project, a joint venture with Costain Australia, was the purchase of approximately 100 acres of land in 1975 around what is now Garden Drive, Tullamarine. The land was subdivided into two parcels, one of which was sold to Ansett Australia. The other he developed into the first major industrial land available to companies wanting to be in close proximity to Melbourne airport.
Since that time John has undertaken many more projects in the airport precinct including the International Trade Park, Translink Business Park and developments along Western Avenue.
In 1982 John traveled to the USA to study how the Americans were developing foreign trade zones around their airports.
Throughout the 1980's and 1990's John undertook a wide range of projects across Melbourne including apartment blocks, broad acre land subdivisions for both residential and commercial use, and the construction of luxury homes.
In 1993 he began an on-going partnership with Michael & Andrew Buxton and their MAB Corporation which has culminated in their current development, Merrifield, Victoria's largest, fully master planned and integrated business and employment centre.
John has now been joined by his son, Charles, at GPC and together they are overseeing the completion of current projects while planning new developments, many of which will be located in Melbourne's northern growth corridors.
John is a foundation member of the Committee for Melbourne, a member of the Housing Industry Association, a Registered Builder (with an unlimited classification) and a long-standing delegate to National Association of Industrial and Office Parks of America.
Charles Gibson, Director
Charles Gibson is the fifth generation of the Gibson family to build a career in the property industry. The Gibson's have been active in property, particularly in the northern suburbs of Melbourne.
Completing his university studies and gaining formal qualifications in Construction Management before entering the workforce full-time, Charles was initially employed by Multiplex before taking a role as Assistant Development Manager with Red C Property Solutions.
Charles then moved on to join Merrifield Corporation as a Development Manager. It was at this time that MAB Corporation had signed the joint venture project, Merrifield, with Gibson Property Corporation (GPC), the company established by Charles' father, John L. Gibson.
The Merrifield project provided Charles with the opportunity to experience the demands of master planning a development of the size and complexity that is Merrifield. It incorporates residential, commercial office and retail sectors on a site in excess of 1000 hectares.
Joining his father at GPC, Charles continues to be involved in the Merrifield project, along with other projects the company has in the pipeline including residential, commercial and retail developments in South Morang.
Master planning and development are where Charles' interests lie and this is likely to lead him to expand the company's portfolio of high density housing and mixed use developments in the growth corridors of Melbourne.