How this 25-year old ditched the desk to build prestige property

At an age when many are still finding their feet in a first career, 25-year-old Franco Steyn has already switched industries, launched his own company, and completed one of Brisbane’s most ambitious prestige homes. Phew!

The Auchenflower project, known as Novus, isn’t your average family house.

It spans three levels, has five bedrooms, five bathrooms, three separate living areas, a cinema, a 300-bottle wine cellar with a glass pool window, and even a basement big enough for five cars - complete with turntables.

For Franco, the director of boutique firm Sunstone Property Group, the journey here was anything but straightforward.

He studied accounting at the University of Queensland before working as an insurance broker, but his passion for design and construction kept pulling him elsewhere.

“I have always been passionate about architecture and at one stage even considered studying it at university. Property development gives me the opportunity to combine that interest with business. What excites me most is the lasting fulfilment-I will always be able to drive past our projects and say with pride, we built that.”

Growing up, Franco was influenced by his architect grandfather and uncle, watching them work on projects that valued both beauty and practicality.

“Both my grandfather and uncle are architects and growing up I watched them work on incredible projects. Their influence taught me the importance of functionality and design that truly works for the people who live in the home. Creating spaces that are not only beautiful but also practical is something I aspire to with every project.”

That focus on functionality shows in Novus, where a landscaped central courtyard brings light into every level, and family-friendly touches like a yard, a pool, and multiple living spaces sit alongside more high-end features.

Still, breaking into property development at 25 wasn’t without its challenges.

“It (age) does come up, but I see it as motivation. Having a business partner like Phil, who brings over 15 years of experience, provides a strong foundation of credibility. Beyond that, I thrive on proving people wrong.

Franco has also backed up his ambition with study, gaining his QBCC site supervisor licence and a Certificate IV in Building and Construction, while now working toward his builder’s licence.

“That formal qualification has given me a strong foundation in both the technical and regulatory aspects of construction. Combined with hands-on learning from Phil and my day-to-day role of running project numbers, it has been invaluable in accelerating my knowledge and confidence in the industry.”

Julia Doyle from Place Camp Hill described Novus as “one of the most significant new builds Brisbane has seen in recent years. Prestige buyers have been waiting for a home that delivers liveability and luxury in equal measure, and this is it.”

“Every detail has been considered, from the five-car basement with turntables to the resort-style entertaining spaces and the timeless architectural design.”

For Franco, though, the project isn’t about hype - it’s about proving what’s possible.

“Novus is about pushing the limits of what a family home can be,” he says.

“Families at this level want more than just a big house. They want something that works for everyday life as well as entertaining, and a design that will still feel timeless in 20 years.”

Sunstone isn’t stopping here.

Next door, another home called Initium will launch later this year, while three more projects are in the works in Bardon

And advice would you give to other young developers who are daunted by the prospect of taking on big debt for profit?

Franco says: “Surround yourself with the right people. If you build the right team, everything else falls into place. Experience, trust, and collaboration make the weight of big responsibilities manageable.”

“And understand your numbers inside and out. Property development is as much about financial discipline as it is about design. If you know your budgets, margins, and risks, you’ll make smarter decisions.”

Franco says his long-term goal is to build a reputation for homes that combine design, practicality and quality.

“In ten years, I’d like Sunstone to be the kind of name families trust - where if you buy one of our homes, you know you’re getting something built to last.”