Dustin Martin has called it quits on his footy career — and many wonder what he plans to do next. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Richmond Tigers’ premiership hero Dustin Martin keeps a low-profile when he’s not on the footy field, and now that he’s officially announced his retirement — many may wonder what he plans to do next.
The good news for the 33-year old is he likely may never have to work again, having built up more than $12m in property, consisting mainly of commercial real estate based in Richmond and Abbotsford.
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Martin’s investments have been made through a series of companies, primarily Butler Corporation — a 50:50 joint venture with long-term manager Ralph Carr.
The main hub of the duo’s property portfolio consists of an office and shops in Richmond – including a large section of a single street – that will provide the retired AFL star a nice passive income as he settles in to life beyond football.
Dusty Martin with his manager Ralph Carr. Picture: Jay Town
Another lucrative move by the Richmond champ was buying up a strip of five warehouse-style buildings in Butler St, North Richmond.
He shelled out $10.5m collectively for the adjoining properties, building up his targeted bricks and mortar holdings between 2016 and 2022.
At the heart of Martin’s property portfolio is a strip of five buildings. Picture: David Crosling
Jones Real Estate’s managing director Paul Jones worked on many of the deals through his Melbourne-based commercial property agency, and described the moves Martin and Carr were making were ahead of the trend, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
While many CBD offices sat vacant when Covid hit Australia in 2020, the “revamped” ex-warehouses in Richmond, Cremorne, Collingwood and Abbotsford were in demand, he said.
“Tenants are lining up to take them, that’s where they are bucking the trend,” Mr Jones added.
“It’s attracting people with entrepreneurial spirit wanting cool, sexy buildings in the entertainment centre of Melbourne.”
407 Victoria St in Abbotsford is also in Dusty’s portfolio. Picture: David Crosling
Martin’s first purchase was a “New York style office warehouse” at 29-31 Butler St, snapped up for $2.2m in 2016.
In 2018 he shelled out $2.9m to buy the property next door, another warehouse conversion with a ground-level showroom.
The targeted investment spree continued with 35 and 37 Butler streets – two more warehouses – for $1.27m and $1.35m in 2019 and 2021.
25-27 Butler St is a converted warehouse offering office, retail space. Picture: David Crosling
Martin rounded out his interest by handing over $2.75m for a rundown warehouse over two levels at 23 Butler St.
He also owns 407 Victoria St in Abbotsford, a shop purchased for $1.6m in 2020.
401 Victoria Street, Abbotsford – another of Martin’s commercial holdings. Picture: David Crosling
But while he his businesses are all making him money, where will he go to rest his head?
The Brownlow Medallist reportedly owns a beachfront apartment in Port Melbourne with views of Port Phillp Bay, which he purchased for $1.7m in 2021.
He also owns a three-bedroom Victorian terrace in Albert Park he bought for $993,000 in 2012.
The view from Martin’s apartment in Port Melbourne. Picture: Supplied
But will there be a chance Martin gets lured back to football — either to join former coach Damian Hardwick at the Gold Coast Suns, or to the new Tasmanian AFL team?
Outgoing Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale told The Herald Sun that the chance of Martin joining his new Tasmanian AFL team next year “would be very, very attractive in some capacity’’.
He said Martin had “a lot to offer the game”, should he wish to stay involved.
But it might not be any time soon.
“I think he would like to take a break and get away from football and get out of the pressure cooker,’’ Gale said.
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