Rory Hunter, Founder and CEO, MODEL
Rory Hunter is an entrepreneur, founder and CEO of multiple award-winning, sustainable property companies across Australia and South-East Asia. He brings a planet-conscious and people-centred approach to projects including his latest venture, MODEL, which he founded in 2023 and presently steers as CEO.
MODEL is a new, Australian build-to-rent group with a purpose to cultivate places where there is no compromise between taking care of ourselves, each other, and the planet.
MODEL’s design and philosophy is informed by Rory’s experience as an accomplished hotelier, developer and community builder. This includes establishing and leading SoHo Partners, a group dedicated to creating carbon neutral, mid-rise residential developments. He was also the Founder and CEO of the Song Saa Collective (2005-2021), a mission-driven real estate group, which developed a range of hotels, residential and master planned communities including the award-winning, ethical luxury resort Song Saa Private Island and 230-hectare Song Saa Reserve.
He also founded the Song Saa Foundation – an independent NGO dedicated to preserving Cambodia’s marine environment. A highlight of the foundation includes creating the country’s first ever Marine National Park in partnership with Monaco’s Prince Albert. The project’s success saw Rory receive the 2013 National Geographic – Leader in Sustainable Tourism Award.
Rory has a deep commitment to improving the ways in which his industry operates and is dedicated to driving meaningful change for the future. He is a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, member of the Young Presidents’ Organization, member of the Property Council of Australia’s Sustainable Development Committee (2025-2026) and has spoken at prominent conferences including the G20 and Davos.
Rory is a Harvard Business School graduate and studied the Sustainability and Resilience program at Stanford University. In 2019, he participated in the Harvard Kennedy School’s Global Leadership and Public Policy program. He also holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sydney.
MODEL is an Australian Build-to-Rent (BTR) innovator redefining the intersection of climate action, community and design. The company aims to deliver secure, carbon-neutral apartments that prioritise resident wellbeing while driving superior long-term returns for investors.
MODEL’s seed portfolio comprises two landmark projects in Abbotsford, Melbourne with a combined development value of approximately $400 million. These projects exemplify the company’s commitment to design excellence and deep decarbonisation.
By integrating Passivhaus standards, mass timber construction and Green Star energy ratings, MODEL confronts the dual pressures of the housing and climate crises through rigorous decarbonisation. Its values-led strategy is supported by financial modelling that demonstrates sustainability can reduce risk while scaling long-term value.
Currently targeting Australia’s East Coast, MODEL is developing projects of 150–300 dwellings in amenity-rich, transit-connected neighbourhoods and is building toward a $4 billion portfolio by 2031.
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