Hotel owner and businessman Andrew Lazarus says people should be more involved in their communities. Over the past 30 years, his work includes the areas of property development that have increased business in the Sydney and Newcastle areas.
In Australia, Andrew Lazarus is known for its business dealings, especially in the renovation and management of hotels along the coast..
His recent shift in focus has been to increase community service and philanthropy in the area. He said he wants to build a legacy that includes many values for the community. Philanthropy is not a new focus, but nonprofit projects are now playing a larger role in his life. Andrew Lazarus is always looking for ways to contribute to charities and give back.
Why Andrew Lazarus says it’s important to give back
When it comes to business, it’s easy to get caught up in the bottom dollar. Now that he’s reached retirement age, Lazarus is taking a more rigorous approach to paying off.
Andrew Lazarus always wanted to get into real estate development to community building. “It’s all too easy to get stuck thinking that profit is all that matters,” he said. “Sure, it’s important to increase property value and generate sales — but it’s also important to provide a place that people are proud to have near their neighborhood. ”
Looking for community connections
He says giving is one way to stay connected with the locals’ heartbeat. “When we participate in community events, we get a broader perspective of who our neighbors are,” he explains. “It can be surprisingly difficult to really get to know people until you’ve spent time with them and shown you care. There is a bond formed on common ground when you work with others for a good cause.
Become a Community Business Leader
As a key player in the real estate industry, Andrew Lazarus says his charity work hones his leadership abilities. “Giving back helps to show that you are human too and it increases your humility,” he notes. “If you can serve, then you can lead.” He says employees are more likely to join the board when leadership is concerned with more than just the bottom line of the business.
Learn flexibility and teamwork
Even leaders have to learn more because the growth process should never end. Andrew Lazarus says the great personal benefit of charity work is how it changes personal assumptions. “You may think you have a pretty solid perspective on the world, but working closely with others on important projects will prolong your understanding,” he notes. “It can be very uncomfortable at first; you have to be willing to change things even if you have a pretty strong opinion on how things should go. As leaders, we tend to be highly focused on getting things done efficiently, which often involves a lot of decision-making. When you’re doing community work, you don’t usually coordinate every project. So you learn incredibly valuable lessons about flexibility and teamwork.”
About Andrew Lazarus and the Eastern Hotel Group
Andrew Lazarus’ Eastern Hotels Group is responsible for many major purchases and impressive renovation projects in Sydney and Newcastle. Some of his most recent projects include:
Exchange of hotel purchases and renovations
Acquired in 2016, Eastern Hotels Group undertook this project to design a music space for Newcastle. The $6 million renovation includes an upstairs cocktail bar and a VIP area.
House for sale Vaucluse
The landmark sale of Vaucluse Home is notable because it is considered a prestigious home in the upscale area. The house was sold by Lazarus to Jordana Sharon-Zipser in 2018 for $8 million. Roby Sharon-Zipser, husband of Jordana, is the co-founder and CEO of Hi-Pages.
Macquarie . Hotel Purchase and Renovation
For $25 million, Oriental Hotels Group bought the Liverpool hotel to join the development boom of western Sydney. There he opens a new pub and completes the refurbishment of the hotel that has already begun.
Shop at Shoal Bay Country Club and Change the Atmosphere
This luxury estate was on Lazarus’s radar for a while before he finally pulled the trigger. Buying the club for $18 million, Lazarus completed a $6 million renovation in 2018.
Bought at the Beach and Awaiting Renovation
In 2019, Lazarus purchased the iconic Merewether hotel, which was renovated in 2016. He plans to update the integrity of the structure with a $3 million renovation budget.
