David Marriner

{{Short description|Australian property developer and former theatre owner}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

David Marriner is a property developer and theatre owner, based in Melbourne, Australia.

His career began in the 1980s with property investments and developments, including the Cumberland Centre in the seaside town of Lorne.{{Cite web |date=1990-04-06 |title=DAVID MARRINER |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/david-marriner-19900406-kamg7 |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}} In 1986, he purchased the historic but languishing Princess Theatre in Spring Street, restoring and upgrading it to be suitable for the large scale musicals then gaining popularity overseas. The theatre reopened on 9 December 1989 with the musical Les Misérables, followed by The Phantom of the Opera.{{Cite web |title=Princess Theatre {{!}} Marriner Group |url=https://marrinergroup.com.au/princess-theatre |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=marrinergroup.com.au}}

Through the 1990s Marriner was involved in various high profile developments in the Melbourne central city, notably complex deals with the State Government and the City of Melbourne involving the Queen Victoria Hospital site, and the redevelopment of the City Square. The latter project saw his development company build the Westin Hotel and apartments on half the old Square site, and restore and then manage the adjacent Regent Theatre, which had been abandoned for 20 years. The theatre became another venue for large scale musicals, opening in 1996. In 1995 he bought the historic Forum cinema nearby, and in 1996 the historic Comedy theatre, owning four out of the six historic theatres known as Melbourne's East End theatre district.{{Cite web |last=Myer |first=Rod |date=22 February 2003 |title=Marriner plays lead role in his property deals spectacular |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/02/21/1045638487768.html |access-date=2017-10-14 |website=The Age}} Since at least 2017, David's son Jason Marriner has been the CEO of the Marriner Group, which manages the theatres.{{Cite web |last=Johnstone |first=Rose |date=2017-09-06 |title=A first look at the newly renovated Forum Theatre |url=https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/blog/a-first-look-at-the-newly-renovated-forum-theatre-090617 |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=Time Out Melbourne |language=en-AU}} The company was greatly affected by the Covid lockdowns.{{Cite web |last=Sambul |first=Najma |date=2024-03-02 |title=When Harry Potter and Moulin Rouge shut down, it cost this company $35m |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/when-harry-potter-and-moulin-rouge-shut-down-it-cost-this-company-35m-20240302-p5f98t.html |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=The Age |language=en}}

David Marriner has also invested in Queensland resorts.{{Cite web |last=Pallisco |first=Marc |date=2011-04-11 |title=David Marriner Pays $35 Million For Port Douglas Sheraton Mirage |url=https://www.realestatesource.com.au/david-marriner-pays-35-million-for-port-douglas-sheraton-mirage/ |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=realestatesource |language=en-US}}

He has frequently been in the news for his deals, proposals, and court cases.{{Cite web |date=2003-02-22 |title=Marriner plays lead role in his property deals spectacular |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/marriner-plays-lead-role-in-his-property-deals-spectacular-20030222-gdv9np.html |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=The Age |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2007-05-20 |title=Developer to sue council over airport issue |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-05-21/developer-to-sue-council-over-airport-issue/2553850 |access-date=2024-04-14 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}{{Cite news |last=Vedelago |first=Chris |date=12 October 2013 |title=Marriner in new legal fight |url=http://www.smh.com.au/business/marriner-in-new-legal-fight-20131011-2vdy8.html |access-date=14 October 2017 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Lindsay |first=Nicole |date=2016-11-15 |title=Forum under renovation as tower plans on ice |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/forum-under-renovation-as-tower-plans-on-ice-20161115-gspidf.html |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}