In Conversation with Andrew Leoncelli

What inspired your transition from a successful AFL career to becoming a leader in property development and project marketing?

I have always been passionate about property investment and development, which my AFL career exposed me to from a young age. My family has been involved in property development and the supply of materials to the construction industry for many years, so when football ended, it felt like a natural transition.

There are so many parallels between property development and professional football. Both are super competitive, have highs and lows, and show on a daily basis that the harder you work, the more success you achieve. Both also need the best teams possible to achieve ultimate success.

Can you share the vision behind Abadeen Victoria’s current projects, such as Grandview Prahran East Village and Malea on Central Park, and explain how they stand out in the new development market?

We’ve strategically chosen to focus on the best eastern and south-eastern suburbs, where large-format luxury residences are scarce. East Melbourne, Caulfield North, Malvern East, and Prahran East offer quality retail, excellent transport, outstanding lifestyle amenities, and city views, yet lack house-sized, single-level apartments.

The quality of the underlying real estate is fundamental to the project's success, which is why we conduct thorough market research into competing projects. Grandview exemplifies this - nothing matches its quality or size. Our residences average 40% larger than anything previously delivered in Prahran, while offering an Armadale-quality address.

Malea on Central Park is the last Burke Road property with direct park frontage. It features the suburb’s only true full-floor penthouse – the word is often misused, but here it genuinely occupies the entire top floor. With four car spaces, direct lift access, 360-degree views, and 3m ceilings, it’s truly unique.

Abadeen wants to give a very sophisticated potential buyer market the best quality product we can on a scale they haven't seen before. That is our philosophy.

What roles do sustainability and innovative design play in shaping Abadeen Victoria’s projects?

The market is now well-informed about the benefits of low-carbon footprints and energy-efficient buildings, which wasn’t the case five years ago. Gas is out of favour, while all-electric buildings are firmly in vogue. All our developments are future-proofed, ensuring residents can connect to an all-electric, renewable energy future. Our NatHERS ratings are a minimum of 6.5 stars, often exceeding 7.5, with sustainability initiatives outlined on the last page of the project brochures. It’s a race among developers, and Abadeen is committed to giving customers confidence that their apartment will age well into the future.

How do you see Melbourne’s residential off-market evolving in the future, and how is Abadeen Victoria positioning itself to stay ahead?

Off-the-plan buyers are now more conservative, seeking trusted developers with a strong track record of delivering quality projects. They want builders known for excellence and architects who design timeless, ESD-focused homes that create a warm, inviting community for residents.

Abadeen prioritises its customers, offering industry-leading guarantees, including 10-year structural and waterproofing warranties, 5–10-year appliance warranties, and a 52-week defect liability period - far beyond the standard three months. We provide after-settlement care, maintain regular communication throughout the build, welcome feedback, and continually strive for improvement.

LEARN MORE https://abadeen.com.au/projects/grandview/48