ULI Brisbane x RICS: The Rise of the Builder Developer

Overview

Across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, a growing number of developers are no longer just developing, they are building their own projects. Triggered by a wave of builder insolvencies and a market where even well-capitalised developers couldn't secure a contractor, the builder-developer model has moved from niche to mainstream.

But is this a lasting structural change, or simply a response to a dysfunctional market? As Olympic and infrastructure investment continues to absorb capacity across South East Queensland, will this model become even more prevalent, or does it represent a more fundamental solution to the industry's productivity challenges?

This session brings together developers who have taken construction delivery into their own hands. We will explore the questions rarely asked publicly: is this best-practice development, or a sign that confidence in the traditional builder developer relationship eroded? Does vertical integration lead to better projects, greater control, and stronger outcomes, or does it simply shift risk to places that are less visible?

And when market conditions eventually normalise, will today's builder-developers be the first to step back from construction, or has the development landscape changed for good?