Walk into most real estate offices, and you’ll find the same formula of bright lights, corporate branding, oversized “SOLD” walls, and agent headshots lining the corridors.
Thorburn Property Group’s new Burleigh Heads headquarters has none of that.
The boutique agency has unveiled a space designed more like a private members club than a traditional real estate office – complete with a dedicated vinyl listening lounge, high-end sound system, and extensive record collection.
Managing Director Andrew Thorburn said the design was a deliberate rejection of industry norms.
“We wanted to completely remove ourselves from the traditional corporate real estate environment,” Andrew said.
“The industry has looked and felt the same for years. We wanted to create something with personality, atmosphere and emotion.”
The space features raw corrugated iron cladding, hand-crafted furniture, gallery-spec artwork, rich natural timber, and ambient lighting throughout.
The agency says every detail – from acoustics to scent to material selection – was considered as part of the client experience.
Notably absent is fluorescent lighting and corporate blue branding.
“Buying and selling property is emotional,” Andrew said.
“People remember how a space made them feel. We wanted clients to walk in and immediately understand that this business is different.”
The office also reflects Andrew’s personal heritage.
He’s the great-grandson of legendary Phar Lap trainer Harry Telford, and curated memorabilia from the champion racehorse features throughout the space alongside generational representative caps.
“The Phar Lap pieces are incredibly personal to me and represent an important part of my family history,” Andrew said.
“They help tell a story about heritage, character and perseverance.”
For Andrew, the headquarters represents a broader shift in what clients expect from real estate businesses.
“The old corporate agency model no longer connects with people the same way,” he said.
“Clients want something more personal, more considered and more genuine – that’s exactly what we want our space to reflect.”