Baxter Gamble, Michael Strom and Bronko Kozel at the new housing site. Picture: GREG ELLIS
As managing director of Stromcorp, Michael Strom is making an impact on the Wollongong property market with new developments at Bellambi and in Wollongong's CBD.
The former joinery and shop-fitting business owner and builder said the $5 million Bellambi project in Railway Street was targeted at affordable living, but also included a two-storey commercial unit mirroring the hotel directly opposite, and the restoration of the stationmaster's cottage built in 1880.
"We are going to restore it back to its original glory."
There are also 17 single-storey three-bedroom units along Brompton Road to be completed by August.
"We are bringing these units in at sub $350,000. It is very hard to get into the market when you are a young person ... and we have got the ability to put this product down quickly."
Mr Strom said the development would also feature new noise-resistant technology to minimise impacts from the nearby railway line.
He expected it would appeal to first home buyers, given there was such a limited amount of land available in Wollongong.
"We are not using the traditional timber frames and brick veneer ... we are using engineered panels," he said.
Mr Strom said more than 100 local jobs were being created by the Bellambi project and his company's Victoria Street development in Wollongong.
The Victoria Street project is a 15-unit multi-storey complex due for completion next February.
Mr Strom said he secured finance for the projects through First in Finance director Bronko Kozel's role as an associate director with Development Finance Partners (DFP).
