Constantine George "Con" Polites was (29 March 1919 – 22 September 2001) was an Australian businessman, known in particular as a commercial property tycoon in South Australia.
Early life
Polites was born in Port Pirie to Greek immigrant parents. He left school at 15 and became a shoe repairer, later running a delicatessen, working in a Woolworths supermarket, and managing a munitions factory during World War II. As a young man he moved to Sydney where he worked in the taxi, car hire, and catering industries before returning to Adelaide in 1959.
Property empire
Upon his return to Adelaide in 1959, Polites commenced purchasing cheap city buildings, renovating them and leasing them out to migrants. Establishing the Princes Group, Polites became one of the most visible property owners in South Australia by erecting blue and white "Polites" on most of the properties owned.
In 1989, the Australian Financial Review estimated his minimum net worth to be $70 million.
Profile
Polites became a colourful personality within Adelaide, becoming known for his extravagant Cadillac and Rolls Royce cars, and usually seen smoking a cigar. Polites was once known as the "king of Hindley Street".
In 1966, Polites funded the expenses of Dutch psychic Gerard Croiset to travel to Adelaide and unsuccessfully assist in the search for the missing Beaumont Children. Later in 1996, he organised a search of a Somerton Park warehouse, including drilling holes, in an effort to determine if the children were buried there.
Properties
The following properties were known to be part of the Polites portfolio:
Adelaide
235 Grenfell Street (The Producers Hotel, formerly Old Exchange Hotel)
38 Currie Street
66 Gawler Place
38 Hindley Street
48 Hindley Street
58-60 Hindley Street (Black Bull, formerly Princes Berkeley Hotel)
61 Hindley Street
84–86 Hindley Street (Kandy Shop Nightclub)
90–100 Hindley Street (Woolshed on Hindley, formerly Victoria Hotel and Jules Bar)
102 Hindley Street
103 Hindley Street
254 Hindley Street
262 Hindley Street (Princes Arcade)
220 Hutt Street (Clarice Motel)
46 King William Street
107 King William Street (Ambassadors Hotel)
118–120 King William Street (Polites House)
1 Rundle Mall
10 Rundle Mall
291 Rundle Street
25 Victoria Street
24–28 Waymouth Street
Glenelg
24–28 Jetty Road (The Colley Hotel, formerly Jetty Bar)
47 Jetty Road
North Adelaide
71–75 Lefevre Terrace (Princes Lodge Motel)
33 O'Connell Street
Somerton Park
23 Esplanade
Personal life
Con Polites married Florence Gemenis and had three children, Elen, Evon and George.
Events after death
In 2016, Polite's grave was excavated as part of an investigation into a mysterious package left at the gravesite of a dead cat wrapped inside a towel inside a pet carrier. A package containing an animal liver, candle, and note with a red ribbon on top was also reportedly found at his son George's home.
In 2024, a legal dispute over the Polites estate was publicised.
↑"Under $100 Million - Con Polites". No.12 May 1989. Nine Entertainment Co. Pty Ltd. The Australian Financial Review. 12 May 1989. Retrieved 1 January 2025.