W. B. Simpson & Son

The family-owned North Melbourne real estate firm, W.B. Simpson & Son, has recently celebrated its 150th birthday. With such a long history in the area, the firm has a solid place in the North Melbourne community.

Their Errol Street office still retains the large ‘Simpson’ name etched high on the facade and Richard Simpson is the fifth generation of the Simpson family at the helm of the firm.

“We believe that my ancestor William B. Simpson started working as a debt collector when he immigrated from England to Melbourne. Then he got into collecting rents and then from rents to real estate and valuations,” Richard explains. “We've actually got a letter of valuation from him dating from 1888.”

William Simpson later entered into a partnership with his son, and that’s where the name W.B Simpson & Son comes from. After that, the eldest Simpson sons of each generation have continued to build the agency, with fathers and sons working together for, well over a century.

Today you’ll find Darrell Simpson working together with his son, Richard.

“Like all fathers, when my father came home from work, he would talk about his day dealing in real estate matters,” says Darrell. “I worked on Saturdays and during holidays when I was at school, handing out brochures and ringing the auction bell, watching my father sell and auction.”

Richard chose to work as a chartered accountant at KPMG in Australia and overseas before joining Darrell in the firm.

“It wasn’t inevitable that I would join the family business. But when I asked my Dad what would happen if I didn’t come on board, he told me that he’d have to sell it. I couldn’t let that happen! So I joined the firm in 2000 - and now I get to come to work with my Dad, my best friend, every day.”

The agency is unique because of its relationships with multigenerational clients. These long-standing relationships see them now working with the children and grandchildren of some of their oldest clients, a testament to their decades of experience and knowledge.

“It’s something we’re really proud of,” smiles Richard.

“The fact that we’ve been in North and West Melbourne for so long means that we’ve probably sold every property around here at least once. We have an intimate knowledge of this area of Melbourne, its history and what drives it.”

“We love the sense of community that’s here. Also, the architecture and the alleyways with its Victorian style. I have great memories of watching the North Melbourne Football Club play at the Arden Street Oval after a morning of auctions. Mostly we love the people; that’s why we’re here.”

With a 150-year-old legacy, the Simpson family has witnessed enormous change in the area, from periods where developers knocked down workers' cottages for industrial use and now transforming old warehouses and factories back into residential or mixed-use.

“During the 40s and 50s a lot of Italians and Maltese lived in North Melbourne. It was a good location because they mostly worked in the city or the docks. Then over time more young professionals have moved in and many older Italian and Maltese families have moved away.”

“Now there are still some old-timers around, but it’s a mainly transient suburb with a high percentage of rental development and attractive to students and young professionals, being so close to the universities, the CBD and hospitals.”

Three generations of Simpsons have also helped shape the Victorian real estate industry, all being Presidents of the Real Estate Institute of Victoria and members of various committees.

“The variety of the work is what keeps us going and that we deal with very nice people. It's rewarding. Our staff are also terrific and have been loyal over the years. It’s nice to come to work with great people.”

“I like being able to advise people with solutions for their property matters. Whether that's leasing or selling or buying, I’m just happy to help people.”

Words by Joyce Watts & Photography by Anna Encio