AHB Group & SOHO Living have taken the crown as Victoria’s largest homebuilder, recording an astounding 2,891 site starts for the 2024/25 FY, a 20 per cent increase compared to the previous financial year.

According to the HIA-COLORBOND Steel Housing 100 Report, AHB Group & SOHO Living ranked first in Victoria and fifth nationally, marking a significant shift in the market after a lengthy dominance by Metricon.

SOHO Living, known for its architecturally designed homes and townhomes, was recognised as Victoria’s number one semi-detached builder, with 506 site starts recorded —a 25 per cent margin from next on the list.

AHB Group’s rise to number one reflects a purposeful response to evolving housing demand, with a growing focus on affordable solutions, medium-density offerings, and regional expansion.

AHB Group, founded by Pasquale (Pas) Garofalo and Charles Agius in 2005, is made up of a number of home building sub-brands and operates in both metro and regional Victoria.

“Our strategy has always been about meeting the market and right now, that means being smart, agile, and grounded in what people need,” said Pas.

“From families seeking value and flexibility, to downsizers looking for comfort without compromise, we’re designing for real life. This result is proof of what happens when good design, affordability, and location come together.”

SOHO Living Director Nathan Jenkinson said it was an incredible milestone.

“To be recognised as Victoria’s number one semi-detached builder is an incredible milestone, and it’s a direct reflection of the commitment and craftsmanship of our team. Our mission is to offer exceptional value through thoughtfully designed homes, and neighbourhoods that are welcoming and connected,” he said.

Founded in 2016 by Directors Nathan Jenkinson, Pas Garofalo, Charles Agius, Luke Adams and Mark Adams, SOHO Living has grown to become a market leader in townhomes and medium-density delivery across Victoria.

According to HIA, Victoria saw 56,150 starts in FY24/25, making it the nation’s most active housing market by volume, despite also being the most expensive state to build a detached home, with construction costs rising 21.4% over the past year.

AHB’s ability to grow in this environment underscores the effectiveness of its design-to-deliver approach, especially as cost pressures, interest rate uncertainty, and planning delays continue to impact market confidence.

Looking ahead, AHB Group will continue to diversify into other segments of the market including land lease builds, warehousing, land subdivisions, co-building with land developers and agents and continuing to grow its affordable homes component of the business.