The
Monarch
Story
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet, work and live. We pay our respects to First Nation Elders past, present, and emerging and the care they have given this country. Monarch is committed to supporting organisations and individual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Named after ‘The Dominion Monarch’, the ship on which our founder immigrated to Australia in 1955, Monarch Investments has been creating thriving communities for over 65 years.
Our experience and relationships are our strengths, and our passion is contagious, shining through everything we do.
1950s
Sydney in the 1950s
Founder Sidney Icklow
The 1950s are golden times for growth in Australia.
This is the beginning of Australia becoming the multicultural country it is today. Migrants from all corners of the world arrive, work hard, and the rest, as they say, is history. Monarch’s Founder, Sidney Icklow, was one such migrant leaving London with his family after WWII.
1955
The Shaw Saville Line “Dominion Monarch” berths in Sydney Harbour, with the Icklow family on board.
1956
First Development: Not long after arriving, Sidney comes across a site in Five Dock – a market garden that is suitable for subdivision – and so starts the Monarch Investments Group, named after the ship on which his family migrated here.
1960s
An era full of confidence and excitement for Sydney, when housing, along with immigration, really starts to take off.
Founder Sidney Icklow saw the opportunity to develop subdivisions in the new growth area of St Ives on Sydney’s North Shore. At the time, the land had mostly been used for orange orchards until being rezoned for residential use.
1964
Company Director Peter Icklow finishes high school and goes out to gain experience in real estate.
1966
Peter becomes one of the youngest licensed real estate agents in NSW. He works for L.J. Hookers, Parnell Real Estate, N & K Developments, and the Department of Lands as a surveyor’s chainman.
1968
Peter convinces his father, Sidney, to join him in his quest to build the Monarch Investments Group into the billion-dollar grossing company it became.
Peter’s first paycheck, 1964
1970s
Sydney’s skyline under development
A period of immense growth for Sydney’s West.
The growth is so substantial it puts the ‘West’ in the well-known international shopping center conglomerate Westfield. It was during the 1970s that Peter saw the opportunity to expand into commercial developments in Sydney.
20-22 Thomas St, Chatswood
1970
After having always worked from home, Peter decides it was time for Monarch to have its own office and built 104 Pacific Highway, Roseville. This is followed by several other commercial projects at Chatswood, Lindfield, Dee Why, Cremorne, Neutral Bay and Liverpool.
1971
Sidney starts doing joint ventures with his Surveyor, which leads to subdivisions in Baulkam Hills, Castle Hill, Bonnyrigg, Fairfield, Liverpool, and Casula, that stretch into the 1980s. Like St Ives, many of these are market gardens that are being rezoned.
1980s
“Bay Plaza”, Military Road, Neutral Bay
Monarch’s first foray into Large Scale Integrated Community Developments.
Peter commences more commercial projects in Cremorne, Neutral Bay, Dee Why, and Chatswood. And for the first time, Monarch embarks on the large-scale, planned community developments it would later become known for.
1989
Monarch purchases the site that will become Narellan Gardens Estate, comprising 772 lots of land. Within Narellan Gardens Estate, Monarch builds several of the first strata title, small-lot housing precincts in NSW. Incorporating a shopping centre, a school, and parks, Monarch also innovates with varying lot sizes - from small to large - to cater to different demands. This would set the standard for future large-scale integrated community developments. Narellan Gardens Estate wouldn’t be complete until 1999.
Small lot housing at Narellan Gardens Estate in the 1980s
Advertisement for Narellan Gardens Estate
1990s
Macquarie Links International Golf Course
Life doesn’t get any better than this.
The 90s surpassed all expectations, firmly establishing Monarch as the “Leaders in Land and Property.” With Macquarie Links Estate, Monarch becomes one of the largest private property developers in NSW.
Monarch’s focus on building better communities leads to the establishment of The Monarch Investments Foundation to support philanthropic endeavours of all kinds, particularly in the communities where Monarch’s Estates are located.
Early brochure for Macquarie Links Estate
1992
Monarch buys the land that would become Macquarie Links Estate, Ingleburn Gardens Estate, and The Meadows at Bardia – a total of more than 1000 lots. Macquarie Links becomes one of the first exclusive golf course estates built under community title – a gated estate offering an international 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, swimming pools, and manicured parks and gardens. To complete the Estate, Monarch will go on to build two apartment blocks and a precinct of upmarket villas. The slogan “Life doesn’t get any better than this” summarises this project.
Starting construction at Macquarie Links Estate in the 1990s
1993
Monarch is awarded by Business Review Weekly and PWC as one of the top 100 fastest-growing private companies.
24 Thomas St, Chatswood
1996
Monarch moves into their flagship office in their new commercial development in Thomas St, Chatswood.
2000s
CEO Peter Icklow with Monarch’s Bell 407 Helicopter
Monarch takes a giant leap.
Deciding to expand into the regions, Monarch returns to its roots by developing several land-only subdivisions whilst also expanding on its innovations in community title estates in Campbelltown. To enable access to its rapidly growing regional developments, Monarch purchases a Bell 407 helicopter.
2000
The Macquarie Links International Golf Course, built by Monarch, is sold to the US Golf Course and Club-owning conglomerate ClubCorp. At the time, they were one of the world’s largest golf course owners and operators, and Macquarie Links International was to become their Australian Flagship.
Masterplan of Eastbrook Links Estate at Muswellbrook
2002
Monarch purchases Eastbrook Links Estate at Muswellbrook. This is a 1500-lot development, including land, house and land packages, parks, and a childcare center close to the Muswellbrook Golf Course. This would take 18 years to complete in 2020.
Ingleburn Gardens and The Meadows at Bardia
2005: Innovation
Whilst Macquarie Links was a large upmarket development, Ingleburn Gardens and The Meadows pioneer a new and affordable way of living by creating small lots with duplexes and triplexes that offer the opportunity to live within a community title development, with swimming pools, parks, and manicured footpaths. This is an entirely new concept that proves very successful.
Community Pool at The Meadows at Bardia
2006
Monarch embarks on a new initiative of building childcare centers in its estates. Originally branded as “Kate’s Kindy,” several were built and successfully sold as going concerns and remain operating today.
Highland Park Estate at Wyong
2000-2004
Highland Park Estate in Wyong (185 land lots)
2000-2007
Worrigee Gardens Estate in Nowra (289 land lots)
Hunterview Estate at Singleton
2003-2006
Hunterview Estate in Singleton
2010s
This decade sees the completion of the development of Monarch’s sizable landbank, representing the fruition of several decades of work.
Monarch completes:
Macquarie Links Estate (600 lots)
Aberglassyn in Maitland (137 land lots)
Avon River Estates in Gloucester (53 acreage land lots)
Gilston Estate in Harvey Bay Queensland (47 land lots)
2020
and beyond
Reflecting on a legacy
The 2020s is a consolidation period for Monarch. After taking into account the exponential number of sales in recent years, Monarch decides to retain many of its houses as rental investments.
23 Ryde Rd, Pymble
2020
Monarch buys a derelict half-built office building, converting it into a prestige commercial property, which has since been fully leased.
Philanthropy
Monarch is venturing into more charitable enterprises, including working with organisations such as Women’s Refuge to provide much-needed affordable accommodation. Due to the housing crisis that our country is facing and will continue to face, Monarch intends to build on its 65+ years of experience and continue working with its valued professional associates to create urgently needed affordable housing for all sectors of the community.
