“I love watching a property I have leased transform into a successful business.”
Tamara Gross
My love of all things retail, mostly fashion retail, started early. Working part time at Sportsgirl and Portmans when I finished school, I spent my earnings as quickly as they were made.
While my career then evolved into marketing and events management, I soon discovered the world of real estate. And despite most women pursuing careers in residential sales and leasing, I took great interest in the overwhelmingly male dominated and fascinating commercial domain.
Twenty-two years later, as Director of Retail at Belle Property Commercial with over 200 retail leases signed, I still revel in walking different shopping strips in Melbourne, interstate and overseas. I love identifying trends, seeking out opportunities and continuing to learn about the ‘perfect mix’, central to all successful retail precincts.
The key for me is using this holistic lens to ensure the right balance of tenants from hospitality, fashion, amenities, and, most recently, allied health. It is essential that I work with my clients – some of whom have been with me for over a decade – to understand the local community and through their eyes focus on what is actually needed. And all this to create a three-way sensibility of consumer, tenant, and landlord.
“I believe my superpower is an ability to connect people, create opportunities, and find commercially-sound solutions.”
Appearances / Key Note Speaker
April 2024 - Qualitas
How to Grow Your Network and the Importance of Staying Connected
March 2024 IWD - Gary Peer & Associates
How I Built My Network and the Importance of Staying Connected
August 2023 - Frenkel Partners Lawyers
How to Grow Your Network and the Importance of Staying Connected
March 2023 - Planning & Property Partners
How to Grow Your Network and the Importance of Staying Connected
February 2022 – Wendy Who Upskilling Workshop
Minimising Commercial Vacancies
August 2021 – Australian Property Institute Victorian State Conference
Significant Changes/Trends – What’s next?
August 2021 – Australian Property Institute Victorian State Conference
Significant Changes/Trends – What’s next?
February 2021 – First National Conference
The Current Leasing Market
October 2019 – REIV Breakfast
What is happening in Retail Leasing
Articles
Sharing my knowledge and expertise in retail leasing has become an important aspect of my career. Providing insight into retail trends, the future of leasing and real estate, some of my recent articles include:
What Is The Future Of The Workplace?
Over the past two years, employees and employers have had to adapt to a new ‘working normal’. Many have embraced the ‘work from home’ routine, whilst others, like me, have maintained a preference to work from the office.
A Retail Renaissance
After over 260 days of lockdown since March 2020, the retail leasing market is busier than ever. I am pleased to report that Belle Property Commercial has leased more than 30 properties in the past six months.
Ladies leading the way
Twelve years ago, I reached out to a select group of professional women within the corporate industry and created a networking platform for us – and thus The Property Ladies Lunch was born. It is a collaborative and inspirational quarterly boardroom lunch event featuring high-profile guests.
Food for thought, concept stores reactivating shopping strips
Over the last 18 months I have loved watching the evolution of fabulous Foodstores. All around Melbourne there are numerous artisan bakeries and delis opening up offering the availability to buy pre-prepared take home meals.
Women in Property
– Tam’s Belles –
When I began my search for a female mentor in the property industry 12 years ago, it was suggested that instead I set up my own network and so “Women in Property” was born. From its humble beginnings with five women from aligned industries (law, accountancy, architecture, design, and construction) who came together to connect, support, and collaborate, today the community is over 150-women strong.
On the 28th of November along with my Women in Property I hosted a fundraiser for ‘Cancer Chicks’, supporting, empowering and enhancing the lives of all young women affected by cancer and severe chronic and terminal illnesses. We raised over $5300 along with over $1000 worth of raffle prizes. The night was a terrific way to network with women in the industry along with supporting a great cause close to all our hearts.
Women in Property
- The Podcast -
To extend my reach and passion for promoting women, in 2021 I collaborated with Ready Media to launch the Women in Property and Business podcast featuring interviews with successful women from across property, retail, finance and philanthropy. 2022 will build on this talent, introducing dynamic younger women who have launched thriving start-ups from a range of industries.
“I've been thrilled to work alongside Tamara to learn from & assist in promoting Women who are achieving extraordinary things across the property & broader business industries - I look forward to speaking with many more guests in 2022”
– Rob Langton
Managing Director – Ready Media Group
Latest Episode
Guests
My podcast guests have been a mix of women in property, retail, finance and philanthropy.
Some have been women that I have worked with in real estate and others whose inspiring careers I have followed.
In the next season I will be interviewing some young women who are forging exciting careers in the corporate world.