Old-school Docklands still going strong

With Docklands not even half way to being fully developed, it’s strange to talk about old-timers.  But that’s what Leo Papagiannis and Kosta Loukopoulos are.

The knock-about pair have been in business together for two years but each has an original Docklands story to tell.

Leo used to be in IT but started cleaning when NewQuay was first developed.  He has been building manager for a number of the towers and knows everything worth knowing about the precinct and the people.

Kosta was site manager for the private security firm which used to have the Docklands precinct contract.

These were the days when Docklands mostly consisted of derelict sheds and the population included down-and-outs, ravers, druggies and drunks.

Listening to Kosta speaking of these times, conjures up images of a maverick sheriff determined to clean up a wild west town.

He subsequently performed a similar role for VicUrban until the municipal functions of the precinct were passed back to the City of Melbourne nearly two years ago. After that he joined Leo and formed LPC Property Services.

The way Leo tells the story is a bit different.  “He annoyed me for six months until I finally relented,” he laughed. 

Kosta reluctantly agreed.  “Yeah, I basically just kept busting his chops until he said yes,” he said.

The pair still maintain a core of NewQuay cleaning contracts but have expanded outside of Docklands and interstate.  Among their Docklands clients are 5 Star Docklands Apartments, Seven Affiliates (Prime TV), MCN (Foxtel) and IRT.

They also provide a range of property services such as cleaning products, dispensers, linen services and other consumables for the hospitality industry.

The pair are passionate about Docklands and won’t have a bad word said about it.

“It’s not just about the business.  It’s about us.  It’s our home,” Kosta said.

The pair describe their approach to business as personal and hands on. They say their office is The Lounge at NewQuay and it is from here that they liase with more than 20 staff both in Victoria and Tasmania.

Leo and Kosta can be contacted  on 0433 175 586.