Lang Walker AO, a titan of the Australian property development industry and a noted philanthropist, has passed away at the age of 78.
In a statement, Walker’s family confirmed he died peacefully on Saturday evening at his Woolloomooloo home, surrounded by his loved ones.
“Lang loved creating incredible places where people can live and work, but he loved his family more than anything else in the world and his generosity and affection had no boundaries,” the statement read.
“His zest for life and his relentless pursuit of perfection lives on within everyone in the Walker family.
Born an only child in Sydney, Walker spent his youth as a deckhand sailing yachts around Australia before eventually joining his father and transforming a modest excavation business into Walker Corporation, a name now synonymous with iconic urban developments across Australia, including Sydney’s King Street Wharf and Melbourne’s Collins Square.
With a net worth of US$2.7 billion, Walker was ranked 18th in Forbes Australia’s 2023 list of Australia’s 50 richest people. His significant philanthropic work, supporting various causes, including the St Vincent’s Curran Foundation and the Garvan Institute of Medical Research also saw him awarded an Order of Australia in 2015.
Tributes quickly poured in following news of his passing, with Walker Corporation CEO and Managing Director David Galland describing the founder as a “visionary” and “inspirational leader”.
“Lang’s vision will remain an enduring force through the Walker DNA and the Walker Way which he actively passed on – it is embedded in our culture and our modus operandi,” he said.
NSW Premier Chris Minns echoed the sentiment, saying “Lang Walker transformed a humble family firm into a company whose name and work is recognised internationally.”
“His enormous legacy can be seen across New South Wales. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time.”
Walker is survived by his wife, Sue, their three children, Blake, Chad, and Georgia, and ten grandchildren.
Building an empire
In a 2021 interview with Forbes, Walker opened up on perhaps his favourite project, the stunning Kokomo Private Island in Fiji.
“Everyone has to have a passion,” he said at the time. “I’ve got 10 grandkids, they all go there and it’s the glue that holds the family together. We go diving and sailing together. The family loves it. There are some things you do where it’s not about making money. But I’m now determined, having spent that sort of sum, to make it one of the best resorts in the world on all fronts.”
As a longtime lover of the ocean, from his earlier days as a diver, Walker said Fiji is “by far” his favourite island destination.
Once concentrated in Australia, Walker Corp.’s sprawling property empire also includes homes in Malaysia.
New South Wales
Altair
Appin Valley
Broadway Shopping Centre
City Mutual Building
Hunter Street
King Street Wharf
Manufacturer’s House O’Connell Street
North Sapphire Beach
Parramatta Square
Reflections Barlings Beach
Rhodes Waterside & Rhodes Shopping Centre
Wallis Creek
Western Sydney University Bankstown
Woolloomooloo Wharf
WorkCover Gosford
Queensland
150 Charlotte Street
801 Ann Street
Breakwater
Citiswich
Hope Island
Maroochydore City Centre
North Point
Toondah Harbour
Westmark Milton
Victoria
Collins Square
Country Road Headquarters
Georges on Collins
Main Drive Kew
Oakwood Kew Residences
Point Cook Shopping Centre
South Australia
Bluestone, Mt Barker
Festival Tower
Riverlea
Vicinity
Australian Capital Territory
DEEWR Headquarters
Monaro
Western Australia
Banksia Grove
MALAYSIA
Johor Bahru
Senibong Cove
FIJI
Kokomo Private Island Fiji
