Meet Latitude 37 Founder Doug MacLeod

Since its inception in 2006, Latitude 37 has designed and built hundreds of custom luxury homes for its clients. Driven by a strong focus on cutting-edge design, and quality craftsmanship underpinned by a keen focus on managing risk, Latitude 37 has continued to successfully navigate its team and projects through economic downturns and various industry challenges.

Founder and Construction Director of Latitude 37, Doug MacLeod, plays an integral role in the leadership of Latitude 37, backed by 30 years of global experience across engineering and project management.

Engineer Turned Project Manager

In 1993 Doug graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Engineering.  Initially employed in a Structural Engineering Design role, he was soon promoted to a Project Management role, managing corporate clients and coordinating the concept design, feasibility, detailed design, documentation and on-site construction delivery of complex industrial and commercial projects up to $110M in scale, across Australia and Southeast Asia.

Following this experience, in the early 2000s, Doug's interest in property development and residential construction prompted a career shift.  He was appointed Building Manager – Metricon Neighbourhoods at Metricon, one of Australia’s largest home builders, quickly advancing to General Manager of the Developments business.

An Opportunity For Excellence

In 2006, Doug realised there was an opportunity in the market for a builder to provide a one-stop-shop for high-quality, custom residential design coupled with project delivery and excellent client service. From this, Latitude 37 was born, named after the latitude coordinates of Doug’s home city, Melbourne.

Marking Latitude 37's inaugural project was a six-unit townhouse development in Mordialloc. Yet, it was the delivery of several custom homes in Sandhurst golf and residential estate that truly catapulted the business.

Doug reminisces, “The two initial clients were quite involved in the golf club, and that led to a lot of word-of-mouth [referrals] and future opportunities. Over the years, we’ve built about 85 homes in that estate alone.”

As the reputation of Latitude 37 grew, so did the support from clients eager to see the team tackle even more significant and extraordinary projects.

Resilience in Testing Times

Since 2006, Latitude 37 has successfully navigated the unforeseen challenges and flow-on effects from worldwide events such as the Global Financial Crisis in 2007-2009, and the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020-2022. The organisation’s ability to move through these difficult market conditions without any client impact is a testament to the company’s structure, leadership and corporate governance.

Doug credits Latitude 37’s ability to make strong strategic decisions, as well as its close partnership with its 3^rd party accounting and supply partners, to maintain a commitment to exceptional client and business outcomes.

Don’t Ask For It – Earn It.

Throughout his career, Doug has embraced advice from his father — believing that opportunities arise from appreciating every opportunity and working hard. This mindset has been a guiding force from the early stages of his career to his leadership Latitude 37.

This philosophy not only shaped Doug's personal journey but also inspired him to establish a guiding ethos for the company.  This philosophy ensures that Latitude 37 operates with unwavering honesty, upholds the highest standards of integrity, and practices financial responsibility.

It is this philosophy that has not only shaped a successful business but has also created a legacy of excellence, authenticity, and client satisfaction - a testament to Doug's enduring commitment to his father's wisdom and his principles of integrity and hard work.