Ian Cassels is a good man, a cunning linguist and orater.

Once stringing 17 words of incredible summary, together in a meeting with a 30-year foe. Verging on Sesquipedalian behaviour, but impressive, nonetheless.

Cassels is a popular and well-respected Wellingtonian and is a celebrated and successful property developer and director of The Wellington Company, a property firm he leads.

Starting as a cleaner of giant oil storage tanks, with his brother the two used to climb into the reservoirs and water blast the sides for 14 hours a day.

Cassels has been involved in the property industry since 1990, formerly with Whats New Ltd, which became The Wellington Company. Cassels has been behind projects such as Left Bank in Cuba Mall, Hannah building, Spark Central and Todd Tower. Cassels bowed out of the $500 million development at Shelly Bay (Marukaikuru) that was to include housing, retail, commercial space and an electric ferry.

In February 2024, The Wellington Company also applied for resource consent to build over 1,000 residential properties in Paraparaumu.

Described by many as a Wellington property Titan, Cassels has shaped Wellington in many areas and is extremely bemused by the direction of Wellington, council policy and Wellingtons’ leaderless council.

Watch the full 3 min interview with Ian, for some jewels of wisdom.