Lendlease: Shaping Global Skylines Through Innovation and Sustainability
Lendlease Group is a globally integrated real estate and investment group with a legacy spanning over six decades. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), the company has evolved from a local financing venture into a multinational powerhouse that manages projects across Australia, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
 |
| Lendlease |
Known for its "triple bottom line" philosophy—prioritizing social and environmental impact alongside financial results—Lendlease has become a benchmark for large-scale urban regeneration and sustainable development.
A Brief History: From 1958 to Global Integration
Lendlease was founded in 1958 by Dick Dusseldorp, a Dutch immigrant engineer who envisioned a firm that could bridge the gap between financing, development, and construction.
1958–1960s: The company was established to provide finance for building contracts. In 1961, it acquired the construction firm Civil & Civic, giving it the physical capability to build what it financed.
1970s–1990s: Lendlease expanded internationally, entering the US market in 1971 and Singapore in 1973. This period also saw significant diversification into financial services through the acquisition of MLC (later sold to NAB).
2000s–Present: The group shifted its focus back to its core strengths: integrated property development and investment management. Today, it manages a development pipeline valued at over AU$120 billion.
Core Business Segments
Lendlease operates through three primary segments that work in synergy to create a "circular" business model:
| Segment | Primary Function | Key Activities |
| Development | Creating Value | Master-planned communities, urban regeneration, and commercial precincts. |
| Construction | Physical Delivery | Project management, engineering, and building services for internal and third-party clients. |
| Investments | Portfolio Management | Asset management and managing third-party capital through funds and mandates. |
Iconic Projects Around the World
Lendlease is famous for "Urban Regeneration"—taking underutilized city spaces and transforming them into vibrant, multi-use hubs.
Barangaroo South (Sydney, Australia): A world-class sustainable precinct that transformed a former container wharf into a carbon-neutral financial and leisure hub.
Paya Lebar Quarter (Singapore): A massive integrated development that has redefined the Paya Lebar district with offices, retail (PLQ Mall), and luxury residences.
Elephant Park (London, UK): A project focused on creating one of the UK’s most sustainable inner-city neighborhoods, featuring thousands of new homes and parklands.
Google Bay View (California, USA): Lendlease collaborated on the construction of Google’s futuristic, dragon-scale-roofed campus, emphasizing advanced engineering and green design.
A Pivot Toward "Core Australia" and Global Investments
As of 2025–2026, Lendlease is undergoing a significant strategic shift. The company has announced a "pivot" to focus primarily on its Australian core markets while scaling its International Investment Platform.
Divestment Strategy: To unlock shareholder value, the group is exiting international construction and development roles where it does not hold a competitive advantage.
Asset Recycling: Significant divestments, such as the office component of the Jem building in Singapore, are being used to strengthen the balance sheet and reduce gearing ratios (targeting around 35%).
Digital Innovation: Through its Podium platform, Lendlease uses data and AI to optimize the entire property lifecycle, from sustainable supply chains to "smart" building management.
Industry-Leading Sustainability Goals
Lendlease is widely regarded as a leader in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards. The company has set some of the most ambitious climate targets in the real estate sector:
Net Zero Carbon by 2025: Aiming for net-zero emissions for Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (purchased energy) without the use of offsets.
Absolute Zero by 2040: Reaching zero emissions across all scopes (including Scope 3, which covers the entire supply chain) by 2040.
To achieve this, the group focuses on Timber Construction (using Cross-Laminated Timber or CLT to reduce embodied carbon) and phasing out fossil fuels from all construction sites.
Conclusion: The Future of Lendlease
Lendlease is no longer just a "builder"; it is an orchestrator of urban ecosystems. While the current strategic pivot involves narrowing its geographical focus, the group's influence remains global through its investment management and its commitment to setting the "green standard" for the industry.