With our Brighton development, Pillar+Tide, fast nearing completion, we’ve been working closely with specialist Owners Corporation Managers, Tideways, to ensure a smooth transition for our buyers as they move into their new homes. We sat down with Director, Bryan Phillips, to learn more about Tideways and the philosophies that have guided their success and growth over the past three decades.
Q—Bryan can you tell us a little about Tideways, please?
A—Tideways is an Owners Corporation Management company working across residential, commercial, industrial and mixed-use properties in the Melbourne metropolitan area. The business began with one property back in the early 1990s—which we still manage to this day—and has grown to a portfolio of over 150 select buildings with a team of 22 staff members. It all started when I was asked to manage a building for some friends, and word quickly spread as we built a reputation for having a ‘can-do’ attitude, and a commitment to responsive communication, honesty and professionalism. I managed everything from my home during the formative years, before expanding into offices and hiring staff to support our growth.
Q—How would you describe your underlying philosophy?
A—We take great pride in our business, our people and our clients. Our vision is to make the complex world of Owners Corporation Management simple. Adherence to our core principles of Passion, Innovation, Respect, Transparency, Integrity and Relationships have been the cornerstone of our success. They are not just words—they are our promise to our clients. Every day, they ensure we continue to uphold exceptional standards of excellence when servicing, maintaining and preserving their assets.
Q—What trends are you noticing at the moment?
A—The Strata Industry is experiencing a real awakening towards sustainability—be its waste management, EV charging, solar, or hot water and gas management. Owners are increasingly understanding the important role they have to play within the community by managing their footprint for future generations. At Tideways, we’re assisting our Owners Corporations and Committees navigate these initiatives by introducing specialists within their respective fields to investigate what’s possible and how it can impact day-to-day life in the building.
Q—What’s the most important stage of a project?
A—All stages are important. But, for us, the establishment of the Owners Corporation itself is critical to ensuring a smooth transition post-handover, as well as setting the building up for success in the future. We specialise in on-boarding new developments and work closely with all stakeholders to ensure we really understand the building, its infrastructure and its intended purpose for maximum longevity. Liaising with builders and subcontractors prior to handover also means we understand what their role will be with respect to warranty maintenance and servicing, post completion. Owners should feel confident their investment is in the right hands by the time their settlement is called.
Q—Tideways and Fortis have been collaborating recently on Pillar+Tide. Why do our two businesses work so well together?
A—The alignment of values is what stands out for me. A dedication to actioning what has been discussed, seeing things through and doing so in a professional and transparent manner. Both Fortis and Tideways have built their reputations on delivering on their promises—receiving word-of-mouth referrals and upholding their values, day in, day out.
Q—What does success look like at the end of a project?
A—Success is making sure we are constantly striving to meet the strata plan needs of the owners. We are focused on striking the ideal balance between managing strategies and services at every stage of the development, from the lead-up to settlements onward. This ensures we maintain a strong relationship with owners who can feel satisfied with the management services provided. We understand the building, the owner and resident needs, and what needs to occur in the future to maintain the value of their asset and the longevity of the relationship.
Tideways is a privately-owned Owners Corporation Management company based in Toorak, Melbourne. With 25+ years of experience in the premium strata market, they have a dedicated and highly-qualified team of property managers, administration staff and tradespeople committed to delivering exceptional customer services for owners, residents and developers alike. From concept to completion, they work as a strategic partner, expertly tailoring their services to deliver maximum value throughout the development process to ensure a smooth transition from sell down to take over. Protecting the long-term value of their client’s assets is their number one priority.
