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Con Polites
Constantine George "Con" Polites was (1919 - 2001) was an Australian businessman, known in particular as a commercial property tycoon in South Australia.[1]
Early Life
Con Polites was born in Port Pirie to Greek immigrant parents. He left school at 15 and became a shoe repairer, later running a delicatessen, working in a Woolworths supermarket, and managing a munitions factory during World War II.[2] As a young man he moved to Sydney where he worked in the taxi, car hire, and catering industries before returning to Adelaide in 1959.[3]
Property Empire
Upon his return to Adelaide in 1959, Polites commenced purchasing cheap city buildings, renovating them and leasing them out to migrants.[4] Establishing the Princes Group, Polites became one of the most visible property owners in South Australia by erecting blue and white "Polites" on most of the properties owned. In 1989, the Australian Financial Review estimated his minimum net worth to be $70 million.[5]
Profile
Con Polites became a colourful personality within Adelaide, becoming known for his extravagant Cadillac and Rolls Royce cars, and usually seen smoking a cigar.[6]
Personal Life
Con Polites married Florence Gemenis and had three children, Elen, Evon and George.
Events After Death
- In 2016, Con Polite's grave was excavated as part of an investigation into a mysterious package left at the gravesite of a dead cat wrapped inside a towel inside a pet carrier.[7] A package containing an animal liver, candle, and note with a red ribbon on top was also reportedly found at his son George's home.[8]
- In 2024, a legal dispute over the Polites estate was publicised.[9][10][11]
References
- ^ "Ubiquitous signs in the Adelaide CBD the legacy of Con Polites' prolific purchasing of cheap buildings from 1960s". Adelaide AZ. Adelaide AZ. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ "Con Polities". Nine Entertainment Co. Pty Ltd. The Australian Financial Review. 6 April 1990. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ Etherington, Norman. "The Polites Heritage Empire". Issuu. National Trust of South Australia. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ Borg, Rebecca (21 April 2023). "'Polites': The blue and white sign baffling tourists in Adelaide's CBD". No. 21 April 2023. Nationwide News Pty Ltd. news.com.au. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ "Under $100 Million - Con Polites". No. 12 May 1989. Nine Entertainment Co. Pty Ltd. The Australian Financial Review. 12 May 1989. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ "Off The Record: The Polites family great car sale, and will SA get a second casino?". No. 21 May 2016. Nationwide News Pty Ltd. The Advertiser. 21 May 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ "Grave of Adelaide property tycoon Con Polites excavated over suspicious package". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. ABC News. 17 May 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ "'Dead cat' found at grave of Adelaide property tycoon Con Polites". Nine Entertainment Co. 9NEWS. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ "Family feud erupts over $1.5 million estate of late Adelaide matriarch Florence Polites". No. 11 December 2024. The Greek Herald. The Greek Herald. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ Hough, Andrew (10 December 2024). "The grandson of Con and Florence Polites, Markas Salkanovic, is suing his grandmother's estate for more money". Nationwide News Pty Ltd. The Advertiser. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ^ Hough, Andrew (28 December 2024). "New twist in Polites legal war as twin grandsons reveal new will claim over matriarch's multimillion-dollar estate". Nationwide News Pty Ltd. Sunday Mail. Retrieved 1 January 2025.