Execution-led development. From acquisition to exit.
Zenett steps in early, removes uncertainty, and carries accountability through to completion.
15 years experience | 850+ residential apartments
$1B+ delivered value | 1,200+ student rooms
DE-RISK DECISIONS | CONTROL EXECUTION | DELIVER WITH CERTAINTY
Zenett partners with developers and funds to de-risk decisions, control approvals, and deliver from acquisition through to exit.
We are brought in early because the cost of a wrong decision compounds. Our role is to remove that uncertainty before it becomes a problem and carry accountability through every stage until the project is complete.
That means pressure-testing feasibility before capital is committed, structuring approvals to move with certainty, managing delivery risk before it hits the programme, and protecting margins through to settlement.
We deliver outcomes.
Track Record
Zenett Engagements
VELORA - MOSMAN
Nine high-end residences in the heart of Mosman Village, positioned between Balmoral Beach and Neutral Bay.
Zenett led the consultant team, structured and lodged the Development Application, managed an out-of-scope application, and navigated a subsequent modification, keeping the project moving at each decision point.
ROSETTE - MOSMAN
Nine high-end residences in the heart of Mosman Village, positioned between Balmoral Beach and Neutral Bay.
Zenett led the consultant team, structured and lodged the Development Application, managed an out-of-scope application, and navigated a subsequent modification, keeping the project moving at each decision point.
EAST ESPLANADE - MANLY
A landmark waterfront residential development at 27 East Esplanade, Manly, positioned directly opposite the harbour foreshore and moments from Manly Wharf and the Corso.
Zenett led the consultant team, structured and lodged the Development Application.
RIVERSIDE OAKS GOLF RESORT - CATTAI
Large-scale mixed-use redevelopment comprising a hotel precinct of approximately 150 rooms, a 60-room lodge precinct, subdivision of up to 300 residential lots, and associated civil, services, and supporting works.
With a master approval in place, Zenett is leading the subsequent detailed Development Applications across each precinct and stage, structuring the lodgement programme to ensure physical commencement is achieved and the existing approval is protected.
Foundation Experience
REDAN LANE - BALMORAL SLOPES
During his time as Senior Development Manager at a Sydney-based development management firm, Goran led the strategic planning approvals for this exclusive ensemble of seven prestigious residences in Balmoral Slopes.
Over two years, he navigated a complex Section 34 conciliation and Land & Environment Court appeal, ultimately securing planning consent with GFA exceeding the standard controls. Redan Lane now offers unparalleled spaciousness and luminosity, with breathtaking panoramic views of the harbour.
THE MACQUARIE - CIRCULAR QUAY
During his time as Senior Project Manager at a Sydney-based development management firm, Goran contributed to the early-stage planning for this 17-storey residential tower on Macquarie Street.
His involvement included preparing and lodging the Development Application for 74 apartments on the site of the former Sir Stamford Hotel, integrating with the heritage-listed Health Department building at the intersection of Albert and Macquarie Streets.
NAUTIQUE - RUSHCUTTERS BAY
During his time as Senior Project Manager at a Sydney-based development management firm, Goran led the end-to-end delivery of this 110-apartment development at Rushcutters Bay a complex hotel-to-residential repurposing.
Goran managed all project phases. He acted as Superintendent through construction, handling defects, titling, and purchaser variations.
WIRRABARA VILLAGE - DURAL
During his time as Senior Development Manager at a Sydney-based development management firm, Goran led the approval strategy for seniors living development comprising a 36-bed residential aged care facility and 104 serviced self-care dwellings.
The project faced sustained opposition and ultimately required resolution through the Land and Environment Court. Goran coordinated the full approval process from DA lodgement through to court proceedings, managing the legal and consultant team to secure consent for an integrated development on a complex, sloping site.
STUDENT ACCOMODATION - REDFERN
During his time as Senior Project Manager at a Sydney-based development management firm, Goran provided Superintendent services across three purpose-built student accommodation towers, delivering approximately 1,200 beds to market.
His role covered full contract administration, progress certifications, defect inspections at practical completion, and program management against fixed academic year deadlines across all three towers.
BROADER PORTFOLIO - SYDNEY
Beyond flagship projects, Goran's experience at a Sydney-based development management firm spanned a diverse portfolio of residential, industrial, and mixed-use developments throughout Sydney.
Projects ranged from medium-density apartment buildings to large-scale self-storage facilities, with involvement across acquisition due diligence, planning approvals, builder tendering, construction oversight, and settlement management.
What Partners Say
🗣️ “We have recently worked with Goran as our Development Manager, on successfully obtaining Development Approval for a luxury residential development in a particularly sensitive location on Balmoral slopes in Sydney. Throughout the process, Goran has been a pleasure to deal with.
He communicates well, is pro-active & professional in approach and did a great job of coordinating Consultants and greatly helping us achieve an Approval we are happy with. We look forward to continuing to work with him to deliver this very exciting Development.”
— Tim Foote, CEO at Prosker
🗣️ “Goran is always at the forefront when it comes to executing on projects, figuring out a solution and achieving results.
We worked together on several projects in the past few years. Our team enjoyed working with Goran, not only because of his pleasant personality but also his ability to work effectively with culturally diverse clients. We appreciate his extra attention to cultural differences and extra care of communication with us.”
— Winnie Pi, CEO at Longton Group
🗣️ “I found Goran to be efficient and very client responsive when delivering the projects for us. Goran understands risk management of the development industry and the importance of identifying and managing potential exposure.
Goran is a clear communicator and has excellent people skills. Goran works well with teams to get the best out of sub-ordinate consultants.
I would have no hesitation in using Goran again should we not have adequate inhouse resources. I commend him highly.”
— Brent Rae, Development Director at Trumen
🗣️ “As the project sponsor it was my pleasure to work with Goran, who was the project manager on our recent Sydney development for over 4 years through strong headwinds from Local and State Government. His attention to detail and diligence was palpable and was a key component in achieving a successful outcome.”
— Ian Philips Sroczynski, Project Sponsor
Who We Are
GORAN ILIEV Founder & Director
Property development has no shortage of managers. What it consistently lacks is people willing to carry real accountability, from the first decision through to the last deliverable. That gap is why Zenett exists
Goran founded Zenett after 15 years working inside complex residential, mixed-use, hotel, and PBSA projects across Sydney. His experience spans the full development lifecycle, from feasibility and acquisition through approvals, delivery, and exit, in environments where the path forward wasn't always obvious.
Zenett was built on a simple premise: developers and funds don't need more reports. They need someone who steps in early, carries responsibility, and stays accountable until outcomes are secured.
Goran's role across every engagement is to re-establish clarity where decisions are stuck, stress-test feasibility and delivery assumptions, identify and neutralise planning, financial, and construction risk before it compounds, and drive momentum across consultants, builders, and capital partners.
With over 850 residential apartments, 1,000+ student rooms, and $1B+ in delivered value, the track record is built on one consistent principle: certainty beats optimism.
Goran carries that standard into every project Zenett takes on.
Why Zenett
Zenett was founded on a simple observation: most development projects don't fail because of bad ideas. They fail because of weak execution, diffused accountability, and consultants being managed by people who have never carried real responsibility.
After 15 years working inside complex residential, mixed-use, hotel, and PBSA projects, Goran Iliev founded Zenett to do something different. To step in early, take ownership, and stay accountable, not bill for attendance while problems compound.
The property industry has no shortage of managers. It has a shortage of people willing to carry the outcome.
Zenett operates as an execution and risk partner across the full development lifecycle. We are brought in before capital is committed, structure approvals to move with certainty, and manage delivery risk before it reaches the programme.
Our fees are tied to milestones, not time. If execution stalls, we feel it too. That structure is deliberate , it keeps our incentives aligned with yours at every stage.
"Every project Zenett takes on becomes a direct test of that commitment. Reputation compounds, through delivery, through decisions made well, and through the problems solved before they became visible.
That is the only standard we operate to."
How We Work
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(DD, acquisition support, exit clarity)
Before capital is committed, we stress-test the deal from every angle.
What we do
feasibility stress-testing (downside, sensitivity, timing)
multiple exit strategies mapped upfront
acquisition and negotiation support
go / no-go decision frameworks
early risk identification aligned to investor expectations
Why it matters
Most damage happens before the deal is bought.
We make sure you proceed with clarity or walk away early.
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(Define the right product, not just a compliant one)
Development success isn’t just about approval, it’s about delivering the right product.
What we do
market and buyer intelligence
benchmarking against comparable developments
product definition aligned to exit strategy
pricing logic and absorption assumptions
alignment between feasibility, design, and end buyer
Why it matters
Misaligned product decisions quietly destroy returns.
We ensure the project is positioned to sell, hold, or exit as intended.
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(Speed, certainty, and fewer surprises)
Time kills returns. We design approvals for certainty and momentum.
What we do
DA strategy and sequencing
consultant scope alignment
proactive planning risk identification
clear documentation logic to avoid rework
council engagement and approval pathway clarity
Why it matters
Approvals shouldn’t drift or surprise.
We remove friction early so the project can move cleanly into delivery.
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(Where most margins are lost or protected)
Construction risk is rarely accidental, it’s structural.
What we do
tender strategy and builder risk allocation
review of contracts (escalation, delays, defects, variations)
disciplined change
ongoing cost vs feasibility tracking
decision support during construction inflection points
Why it matters
Margins are protected by decisions, not intentions.
We keep delivery aligned to the original investment logic.
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(Finish strong and build credibility for the next deal)
How a project finishes matters as much as how it starts.
What we do
handover and completion oversight
exit readiness (sell, refinance, hold)
alignment of delivery outcomes with original exit strategy
investor communication and final reporting
positioning the developer for credibility and future capital
Why it matters
Strong execution compounds reputation.
That reputation attracts capital, partners, and better deals.
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(The intelligence layer that informs every stage)
Running through every phase is a continuous research and benchmarking layer.
What we do
cost, time, and market benchmarks
lessons learned fed back into future deals
evolving risk intelligence
clarity of purpose and strategy for the developer or fund
Why it matters
Each project should make the next one easier, faster, and safer.
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