Opinion | Why I Love Property — From a Project Manager’s Perspective

I had my first child last year, during parental leave I spent hundreds of kilometres walking him to sleep in the pram. Those walks gave me time — to solve the world’s problems, question my life choices, but most of the time to simply observe the properties I passed each day, the way people interact with them and the way they integrate with their surroundings. It got me thinking about what I really love about this industry — not just as a job, but something I’m passionate about and the industry I’ve chosen to build a career in because it energises, inspires and challenges me.

Property is demanding, high pressure, and often messy. But it’s also one of the few industries where you can see your impact, feel it, and know it will outlast you.

Creative — But Grounded

One of the things that continues to draw me in is the nature of creativity and problem solving in this sector (disclaimer: I did start my career working in architecture). It’s not unchecked or abstract — it’s grounded. Every design decision sits within a framework of budget, regulation, engineering reality, and constructability. Rather than limiting outcomes, I think these constraints sharpen them. The challenge becomes delivering something that not only looks good, but works — something that performs under scrutiny from every angle and still achieves its intent. There is a real satisfaction in that kind of problem-solving.

It Lasts

In a world where much of our output is temporary or quickly replaced, property stands apart. Buildings and infrastructure are designed to last for decades and serve generations. That longevity changes how you think. Decisions carry weight because their consequences extend well beyond the project lifecycle. You can walk past something years later and still see it serving a purpose and still contributing to its environment albeit most likely in a slightly different form to the original intent. That sense of endurance is hard to replicate in other industries.

Every Project Tells a Story

What makes it more meaningful is that every building tells a story. No two are the same. Each one reflects its stakeholders, its pressures, its compromises, and the point in time in which it was delivered. As a project manager, you sit in the middle of that — balancing competing priorities, navigating trade-offs, and helping shape the final outcome. Once built, that story becomes embedded in the built environment, something people interact with every day without necessarily realising it. This narrative continues throughout the entirety of the building’s life cycle, each refurbishment and new user adding to the richness of the infrastructure.

It Shapes Lives — At Every Scale

Over time, what stands out most is how deeply property shapes people’s lives. It operates across a spectrum that few industries match. At the smallest scale, it’s the spaces we use every day — a kitchen that works effortlessly, a workspace that supports productivity, an environment that simply feels right. At a much larger scale, it’s the way buildings and precincts influence how cities function — how people move, connect, and experience their surroundings. The decisions made during design and delivery ripple outward, often in subtle ways, but with lasting impact.

It’s Built on Something Finite

Property is ultimately tied to something fixed — land. Land is limited, demand continues to grow, and that scarcity underpins its long-term relevance and value. That creates a level of permanence and relevance that isn’t easily replicated in other sectors. What we deliver occupies a finite resource, and that comes with a responsibility to get it right.

A Final Thought

I don’t love property because it’s easy. I love it because it’s meaningful. The work is tangible, the outcomes last, and the impact spans from the personal to the city-wide. Somewhere between those long walks and the projects I’ve been part of, it became clear that this industry isn’t just what I do — it’s something I genuinely care about.

Author | Lisa Curtin

Senior Project Manager, Colliers Project Leaders

With 10 years of industry experience since completing her Master’s in Architecture, Lisa brings a sharp eye for detail and strong interpersonal and communication skills to every project she leads. She works collaboratively with clients, consultants, and contractors to deliver successful outcomes and ensure practical solutions are achieved in a timely manner.

Lisa particularly enjoys getting to know her clients and developing a deep understanding of their needs, constraints, and project drivers. She draws on these insights to shape project strategy and manage risk effectively. Her project management experience spans a broad range of sectors within the Waikato property industry, including retail at The Base shopping centre, industrial at the Waitomo Service Centre in Ruakura, and tertiary education at the University of Waikato.

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