Evening render of a four-storey apartment building with timber louvres, lit balconies and landscaped entry
Insignia Property Development

Brisbane · London · Hong Kong

Reimagine.
Restore. Rebuild.

See our projects
25 years, 2001 to 2026

The story so far

Insignia Property Development began in 2001 with a house, a set of tools and a plan to restore it ourselves. That is where the name and our way of working began.

Since then we have renovated character homes in Brisbane and London, subdivided land, built multi-storey residential developments, designed luxury residences and created an off-grid retreat in the bush.

We manage every project end to end, from the first inspection to the final handover. The principle has not changed since the first renovation: build things that last, and build them with character, wherever in the world that build is.

Four perspectives

From the tools to the table

  1. 01

    Hands-on beginnings

    2001 – 2008

    Restoring by hand in Brisbane and London, and holding property for the long term.

  2. 02

    Growing into design

    2012 – today

    From single houses to a 20-unit building, then prestige homes and a penthouse.

  3. 03

    Planning and the unconventional

    2021

    A subdivision designed for two homes, an off-grid retreat, and an office on the water.

  4. 04

    Partnership

    2022 – today

    Our joint ventures create affordable renovated homes in and around Brisbane.

Selected work

Nearly twenty projects in twenty-five years

A selection of our work, from a tiny home to large developments, and from quick turnarounds to long builds.

Filter projects
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01 · Hands-on beginnings

2001 · Brisbane

Our first project: a Brisbane house we bought in 2001 and renovated ourselves. Years later it made way for something bigger. This is where Insignia started.

Restore & Renovate · Develop & Subdivide

The First Restoration

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The First Restoration, photo 1 of 2
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01 · Hands-on beginnings

2005 to 2007 · London

Our first work overseas. A London flat renovated by hand and still ours today, followed by an early rental investment, held and since sold.

Restore & Renovate · Hold & Invest

London

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02 · Growing into design

2012 to 2016 · Brisbane

It began as a single restored house. With the neighbouring site secured in 2012, it became a 20-unit development, completed in 2016.

Develop & Subdivide

The Landmark Residences

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02 · Growing into design

2023 to 2026 · Brisbane

A high-end family home, renovated in two phases with landscaping throughout. See the before and after below.

Luxury & Prestige · Restore & Renovate

The Prestige Residence

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Photo to come: after, main living

02 · Growing into design

The Penthouse

2025 · Brisbane

Bought in April 2025 and fully renovated in six weeks.

Restore & Renovate · Luxury & Prestige

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03 · Planning and the unconventional

2021 to 2025 · Brisbane

A site split into two lots through a development approval, then designed from scratch: concept plans for a luxury home on each lot. Sold in 2025 as a single house, with the design work done.

Luxury & Prestige · Develop & Subdivide

Luxury Home Design

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03 · Planning and the unconventional

2021 · South East Queensland

825 acres of bushland, less than an hour from Brisbane's CBD, with a custom-designed tiny home and deck delivered and installed on site. Fully off-grid with solar and tank water.

Unconventional

The Off-Grid Retreat

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04 · Partnership

2025 · South East Queensland

A character home, restored with care and brought back to its best.

Restore & Renovate

Character Home Restoration

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04 · Partnership

2022 to today · Brisbane region

Quick-turnaround projects that lift tired houses into well-finished homes, built for everyday buyers, not the top end.

Restore & Renovate

Homes Within Reach

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Our growing focus

Homes for Aussie first home owners

Good homes are getting harder to afford. We lean into that need. We buy tired houses that others pass over, renovate them properly, and offer them to first home owners, so a well-made, move-in-ready home is within reach. It is the work we are growing fastest, and the most rewarding.

Showcase: Before and after

The Prestige Residence

A high-end family home, bought in 2021 and renovated in two phases. Phase one (2023 to 2024) covered the master suite, library and lounge. Phase two (2025 to 2026), now complete, added a children's wing with a new bathroom. Landscaping throughout.

Front of house, before
Front of house, after
Lounge, before
Lounge, after
Balcony, before
Balcony, after
Bathroom, before
Bathroom, after

The Prestige Residence: before and after

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The Prestige Residence: Front of house, before
The Prestige Residence: Front of house, after
The Prestige Residence: Lounge, before
The Prestige Residence: Lounge, after
The Prestige Residence: Balcony, before
The Prestige Residence: Balcony, after
The Prestige Residence: Bathroom, before
The Prestige Residence: Bathroom, after
The houseboat that served as Insignia's office in Hong Kong in 2021

Showcase: The unconventional

The office that floated

In January 2021, with the world in lockdown, Insignia moved its headquarters onto a houseboat in Hong Kong. For six months the boardroom rose and fell with the tide, the commute was a few steps along the deck, and meetings came with a sea view and the occasional wobble. We kept it as long as the lease lasted, and we still think it was the best office we have had.

Meet the founders

Tanya Berry

Tanya Berry

Co-founder

Tanya founded Insignia in October 2001 and started on the tools herself, restoring houses one at a time. Twenty-five years later the business spans Australia and the UK, from character homes to a 20-unit development and luxury builds. She also runs Filament Group and 4D Collective, working with executives on technology change and on reclaiming time, with experience across consulting and investment banking in Australia, Hong Kong, the UK and the US. She says yes to the unusual project, whether that is an off-grid bush retreat or an office on the water, and sees it through with courage and tenacity.

Tanya Berry on LinkedIn
Alex Busteed

Alex Busteed

Co-founder

Alex started renovating as a teenager, a home owner with a set of tools and no fear of a wall. Twenty-five years later he has restored character homes, built a 20-unit building and designed luxury residences across Australia and the UK. Alongside property he is a technology leader in equity derivatives trading systems and runs Filament Group with Tanya. He spent nine years based in Hong Kong, which is good training for taking a calculated risk and keeping a cool head about it.

Alex Busteed on LinkedIn