Tributes for Sultan
HOBART’S Ali Sultan has been remembered as a “kind man with a big heart”.
Tributes flowed for the well-liked developer who died unexpectedly at the weekend.
HOBART’S development giant Ali Sultan is being remembered as a kind and gentle man of great ambition and perseverance.
The 73-year-old died on Sunday after a heart attack while walking on kunanyi/ Mount Wellington.
A group of passers-by performed CPR on Mr Sultan before paramedics arrived.
Moe Sultan told the Mercury his father was a loved parent, grandfather and a friend and confidant to hundreds of Hobartians.
“Ali was a huge contributor to numerous charities and a wise mentor to many aspiring business owners and helper of not-for-profit causes all over the city,” he said.
HE ALWAYS RETAINED A FUNDAMENTAL FAITH IN HOBART’S FUTURE AND WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN WHAT HOBART IS TODAY MOE SULTAN
“He always retained a fundamental faith in Hobart’s future and was instrumental in what Hobart is today.
“There is nothing more he would have loved than a gathering of all his family and friends, but the family is deeply saddened by the harsh reality that this will not be possible due to COVID-19 restrictions.”
When he emigrated from Lebanon in 1969, Mr Sultan arrived with just $200 in his pocket.
He relocated to Hobart in 1972 with his Tasmanian wife and started with a corner store in Claremont.
Later purchases included a steel yard, before he moved
into the fruit wholesaling business and small supermarkets, then began building carparks and accommodation developments.
He raised four children. In 2001, he built the $3.5m Savoy Hotel on the corner of Collins and Elizabeth streets.
Having bought the property for $800,000 from Westpac, he sold it seven years ago for about $8m.
His property portfolio has
also included the Commonwealth Bank building on Elizabeth Street, the Mantra Hotel on Collins Street, and the Wellington Centre on Argyle Street.
He owned several carparks including at Market Place, Bathurst Street and Montpelier Retreat.
Setbacks and legal battles had prevented Mr Sultan from transforming the Montpelier Retreat site into an $80m retail and accommodation development, which he had described as being his “jewel in the crown” project.
State Growth Minister Michael Ferguson extended the government’s sympathies to the Sultan family.
“I knew Ali well – a marvellous person and a real gentle man – a kind man with a big heart,” Mr Ferguson said on Monday.
“He often was very modest and quiet in the way he would express himself.
“He made a major contribution to the landscape and economy of Hobart and Tasmania. I grieve his passing because he really was a lovely person.”
A statement from Sultan Holdings said as per Mr Sultan’s wishes, the business he founded would continue. A funeral will be held this week.