Capital city rents are being pushed higher and higher due to a huge imbalance between supply and demand, which is forecast to continue, particularly across Melbourne where the metrics point to a huge undersupply of apartments looking ahead.

CoreLogic’s monthly&nbsp;Australian Unit Market Update in April shows&nbsp;growth across capital city unit rents (+1.6 per cent) continues to outpace house rents (+0.9 per cent).

That's seeing investors come back into the market, securing rental yields they've not seen in decades. The rental dilemma has&nbsp;put recently completed apartment developments at the forefront of enquiry.

Investors&nbsp;can start receiving rental income straight away, while also securing depreciation benefits on their investment.

Completed developments are also looked on favourably by first home buyers, many of whom have seen their rent increase significantly over the past 12 months.&nbsp;

Many first home buyers are saying their rent is now higher than what mortgage repayments would be on the same apartment.

We've wrapped up a list of the best ready-to-move-in apartments currently selling across Melbourne.

<h2>380 Melbourne</h2>

Brady Group's 380 Melbourne was one of the most popular projects on Urban in March. The&nbsp;twin tower project is home to a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, which start from $570,000.&nbsp;

Designed by Elenberg Fraser, the 65-level towers are located in the heart of the city on Lonsdale Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2064 project_image_fid=210631]

The interior design of 380 Melbourne is sensory with an expression of personality and unique identity. The towers offer a range of colour palettes, sophisticated materials and distinctive touches, such as Oak timber floorboards, paired with cutting edge fixtures and high quality Miele kitchen appliances. The light-filled living areas are open-plan and provide panoramic outlooks to the CBD, with many featuring bespoke bay windows.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2064 project_image_fid=210634]

The towers also include 300 hotel suits, along with a retail and cafe arcade, which links the development to the public domain through a low-lying podium that resembles a cascading ripple.&nbsp;

An array of resident's only amenity has also been incorporated, with a resident's lounge and a games room with table tennis, air hockey and foosball tables.

There's also a private cinema and karaoke room, along with steam rooms, a sauna, private bar dining and lounge areas, a rooftop garden, 25-metre heated lap pool, and an outdoor terrace with barbecue facilities and seating.&nbsp;

<h2>FOCUS</h2>

The most recently completed apartment tower in Southbank is Central Equity's FOCUS, which has proved a popular choice for locals who want to remain near the city while enjoying a neighbourhood feel.

The 50-level building, with a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments starting from $499,000, is ideally located on City Road.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3260 project_image_fid=212290]

There are a range of one, two and three-bedroom apartments on offer in FOCUS, designed with space and family living in mind.

Buyers have also been sold on the location of FOCUS, which places residents on the doorstep of the arts precinct and its upcoming $1.7 billion revamp.

<h2>Melbourne Square</h2>

Rising about Melbourne’s internationally acclaimed Arts Precinct, Melbourne Square is at 93-119 Kavanagh Street. In partnership with Cox Architecture and Carr design, OSK Property have delivered a five-acre mixed-development with two residential towers soaring above – the East and West Tower.

The residences on offer are an array of premium two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses, alongside a wide range of in-house exclusive amenity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2929 project_image_fid=201009]

The contoured terraces of the podium connect to the streets of Southbank across the new gardens, piazzas, cafés, retail outlets and supermarket.

Boasting an expansive 14,000 sqm of private and public facilities, the first stage of the Melbourne Square precinct features a host of considered integrations to encourage an active lifestyle, including a full-line Woolworths supermarket, 3,745 sqm public park and 87-place childcare centre.

<h2>Liberty One</h2>

Footscray, situated at the Western gateway to Melbourne, has rapidly gained popularity among urban dwellers seeking a vibrant inner-city lifestyle.

As the area continues to flourish and evolve, Bensons Property Group's Liberty One stands tall as a beacon of opulent living, offering an unparalleled opportunity to immerse oneself in the vibrant spirit of Footscray. Recently, the development welcomed its first wave of residents, marking a significant milestone for the project.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=709 project_image_fid=210292]

With 24 levels, including a rooftop oasis and four basement levels dedicated to parking, Liberty One encompasses 378 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, as well as ten retail shops located on the ground floor.

The architectural masterpiece, envisioned by CHT Architects, showcases a modern and sleek design. Its floor-to-ceiling windows not only provide ample natural light but also offer breathtaking panoramic views as one ascends higher within the tower.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=709 project_image_fid=212375]

Liberty One offers an array of luxurious residential amenities. The rooftop stands out as a remarkable feature, providing communal barbecue spaces, a lounge area, and even an outdoor cinema, all designed to enhance the residents' quality of life.

On the ground floor, the Joseph Road Precinct buzzes with convenient amenities, encompassing a sprawling 12,000 sqm space. Here, one can find an assortment of cafes, wine bars, three new parks, yoga studios, gyms, and a large-scale commercial supermarket, providing a vibrant hub at residents' doorstep.

<h2>Hawthorn Park</h2>

Hawthorn Park is a sophisticated residential mid-rise that is strategically located amongst Hawthorn East’s several transport, education, lifestyle and amenity offerings.

Designed by Rothelowman, Hawthorne Park delivers 368 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, featuring several amenities, including Melbourne’s first suspended sky pool.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3730 project_image_fid=195893]

Theatre rooms, a sky lounge, gym with a yoga and meditation studio and massage suites, hammock lounge, an indoor residents lounge and a garden pavilion are also part of the offerings.&nbsp;

The tower also features over 2000 sqm of parkland curated by acclaimed landscape architect Jack Merlo that bring the Hickory-constructed building to life. One, two and three-bedroom apartments are still available in Hawthorne Park.

<h2>FORME</h2>

ASX-listed developer Mirvac's latest residential project, FORME, the last stage in the group’s popular masterplanned Doncaster community, Tullamore, only recently welcomed it's first wave of residents.

There are just two-bedroom apartments remaining in the development, which have been designed by Mirvac’s award-winning, in-house design team.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=100322 project_image_fid=212322]

The expansive two-bedders include large kitchens and light-filled living and dining areas, which seamlessly connect to outdoor living spaces, in the form of terrace balconies, with lush garden planters designed by renowned landscape architect, Paul Bangay.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=100322 project_image_fid=212335]

Warm timber, elegant fittings and stone features have been incorporated into the residences, with the apartments complete with wool carpets, Miele appliances in the kitchens and Villeroy &amp; Boch sanitary ware in the bathrooms.&nbsp;

The Next Gen Doncaster Health and Lifestyle Club offers FORME residents an unrivalled level of health and wellbeing.

CoreLogic’s monthly Australian Unit Market Update in April shows growth across capital city unit rents (+1.6 per cent) continues to outpace house rents (+0.9 per cent).

alisonwarters@gmail.com

The best completed Melbourne apartments selling in May 2023: Part I

Development in Burwood has been heating up in recent times.&nbsp;

Burwood Council is currently busy developing a clear vision for a key urban renewal precinct known as Burwood North, where the town centre transformation and expansion is being stimulated by the planned Burwood North Sydney Metro Station, which will play a key role in connecting the Burwood Town Centre to the global City of Sydney and Parramatta and their growing networks of Metro stations.

But it's not just the north of the suburb welcoming new developments, with Urban Property Group soon to complete their Burwood apartment project, Circa Burwood, a twin-tower project bringing 57 new apartments to the area.&nbsp;

The striking DKO-designed building has just a handful of one and two-bedroom apartment remaining.

Donning a geometric facade coupled with high-quality interiors which prioritise form and function, Circa is set to provide ample open space along with the very best of the burgeoning Burwood region right on the steps of the towers.&nbsp;

Circa takes full advantage of its location, offering panoramic views of Burwood, Balmain, and beyond, with floor-to-ceiling glazing allowing natural light and vistas to flood every corner of the home.&nbsp;

The open plan living areas seamlessly connect to spacious balconies, blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living, while black window trims and timber flooring evokes a touch of sophistication into each of the residences.&nbsp;

On the sixth floor of Circa, residents will benefit from a private outdoor terrace which boasts lush foliage, ample seating as well as barbecue facilities. From this vantage point, residents can also appreciate both the views and the architecture of Circa.&nbsp;

Circa's prime location ensures that residents are close to all the conveniences of everyday life, with easy access to public transport and educational institutions, as well as proximity to recreational parklands and a diverse culinary scene.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=9202]

The striking DKO-designed building has just a handful of one and two-bedroom apartment remaining

Urban Property Group approach completion of Circa Burwood apartments 

Serai, the new North Fremantle apartment development by Megara, is set to offer it's future residents extensive amenity within arms reach of their new home.

The McCabe Street project of 99 apartments and townhouses will almost certainly attract the recreational unit dweller, given its prime position just a few streets back from the water.

A short trip down the Stirling Highway will take residents to the heart of the Fremantle retail and dining precinct, which will pique the interests of first home buyers or young families.

Even closer to home, the ground level of Serai will home a cafe set in landscaped gardens and an activated ground plane.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=186209]

Serai has a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments on offer, which start from $595,000 for the generously sized, 76 sqm one-bed units.

Felipe Soto, an award-winning architect celebrated for his innovative designs, has crafted Serai to harmoniously blend coastal and riverside living.

Each residence has been designed to capture the essence of its surroundings, with floor-to-ceiling windows that invite the coastal landscape in.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=186197]

Residents will be at home a suite of resort-style amenities,&nbsp;including watercraft storage facilities, as well as boat and pet washdown areas.&nbsp;

Serai not only focuses on aesthetics and comfort but also places a strong emphasis on sustainability. With an average 7-star NatHERS energy rating, the residences have been designed to be energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. The incorporation of double-glazed floor-to-ceiling windows ensures a peaceful living environment while also providing insulation and reducing energy consumption.

The interiors of Serai are a testament to the developers' commitment to luxury and elegance. Each residence features quality V-ZUG Appliances, LAUFEN basins and baths, and Australian-made precision Sussex tapware.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=186200]

All of the resident amenity, including the infinity pool, gym, with sauna and yoga studio, and an outdoor cinema, all have views. There's also a games room with pool and poker tables.

Buyers will have the opportunity to choose from three unique colour schemes, allowing them to personalise their living spaces, with a variety of options ensuring every residence can be unique.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=110291]

The McCabe Street project of 99 apartments and townhouses will almost certainly attract the recreational unit dweller, given its prime position just a few streets back from the water

Serai: Riverside living at its finest in North Fremantle

Melbourne's Lonsdale Street has dissected the city since it was formed in the mid 1830s, and it's been the main thoroughfare ever since.

It's one of few streets in Australia which has literally everything, from office buildings and churches to shopping centres and restaurants.

Local developer Brady Group is the latest developer to finish a residential development on the near two kilometre street, some 728 apartments across a 67-level and 51-level tower. The towers sit around half way down Lonsdale Street, near the corner of Lonsdale Street and Hardware Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2064 project_image_fid=210631]

The Elenberg-Fraser designed buildings home one, two and three-bedroom apartments, each with floor-to-ceiling glass windows to take in views across Melbourne.

From Melbourne Central and Emporium shopping centres, to the famous Hardware Lane dining precinct and renowned Universities, residents enjoy the many advantages of a 380 Melbourne address.

The project just a three-minute walk to Melbourne Central, while Emporium Melbourne is four minutes from the steps of 380 Melbourne.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2064 project_image_fid=210636]

QV Mall is a five-minute walk down Little Lonsdale Street, while Bourke Street Mall a similar distance down Elizabeth Street.

Chinatown is also within proximity to Melbourne 380, located only eight-minutes away, as is RMIT University.&nbsp;

The historic Queen Victoria Market, a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, is home to over 600 traders selling fresh produce, clothing, souvenirs and more, and is only a 10-minute walk away.&nbsp;

A number of tram stops also fall within easy reach of 380 Melbourne, with Melbourne Central Station Stop 5 only a minute from the site, making getting about the city a breeze.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2064 project_image_fid=210639]

For foodies, there's a plenthora of dining options around, from Higher Ground cafe, which is known for its speciality coffee and brunch menu, being just a few blocks away, or to the French-inspired cafe Hardware Societe which is also nearby, there's something for every palette.&nbsp;

Chin Chin, one of Melbourne's most famous restaurants is just a short walk away, located on Flinders Street, while residents can also pick up a bite to eat at the all-day diner, Cumulus Inc, which is also located off Flinders Street.&nbsp;

While positioned in the heart of the city, nature is still easily access for 380 Melbourne residents as well.&nbsp;

Flagstaff Gardens, one of Melbourne's oldest and largest parks offering an abundance of green, open space, is only an eight minute walk away, while access to the Yarra River is just over a kilometre away.&nbsp;

For a bit of respite or study, the State Library Victoria is only a few blocks from the project, with the iconic library also offering free exhibitions and events throughout the year.&nbsp;

Melbourne Museum is also nearby, showcasing Australia's cultural history with interactive exhibits. Situated only a few tram stops away, the Museum shares a home with the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, providing further recreational pursuits for 380 Melbourne residents.&nbsp;

Apartments are 380 Melbourne are priced from $570,000.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=2064]

Lonsdale is one of few streets in Australia which has literally everything, from office buildings and churches to shopping centres and restaurants.

What's on the doorstep of Lonsdale Street's 380 Melbourne apartment development?

It was 1867 when&nbsp;pioneer sugar-grower and parliamentarian Louis Hope took control of&nbsp;Boykambil, a small collection of islands near the mouth of the Coomera River.

He was given the land in recognition of his contribution in developing the sugar industry in Queensland.

The islands sat empty for years, before blocks of lands were sold off and mega mansions, primarily developed by overseas owners due to the FIRB-exemption the island has, were built.

Mansions line the waterfront blocks in particular.

It wasn't until around five years ago that an apartment developer saw what most failed to see, a low supply of empty land which would inevitably would run out.

Local apartment developer Aniko Group have made Hope Island their own, in particular one of the smallest islands which make up the wider Hope Island suburb.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=109922 project_image_fid=207999]

Then they made another acquisition, and another, and another. Now they are developing more than $500 million worth of projects across Hope Island, offering an alternative housing solution than what's traditionally been available in the suburb.

Their most recent project is Athena Quays, which is Aniko's second on Sickle Avenue.&nbsp;It sits next to the sold out and nearly complete Athena Residences and it's just down the road from their all-but sold out townhouse project, No.35 Grant Residences, and their sold-out apartment project, No.1 Grant Residences.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=109922 project_image_fid=207996]

Athena Quays comprises 185 waterfront and garden view residences just across a bridge to Sickle Park where there's parklands and the Hope Island Tennis Club.

Further down Sickle Avenue is the Hope Harbour Marina and The Marina restaurant within the four star Ramada by Wyndham. Hope Island Marketplace is just a six minute walk from Athena Quays, and that has the most extensive retail options in Hope Island including a Woolworths, an Aldi, and 22 other speciality stores.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=109922 project_image_fid=207990]

Residents will be just minutes from a range of restaurants and cafes, as well as Australia Fair, Harbour Town Shopping Centre, Wave Break Island and South Stradbroke Island.&nbsp;

Known for its marina and water sports, the island is also home to a number of golf courses, including the Hope Island Resort Golf Club, which has hosted the Australian PGA Championship.&nbsp;

Athena Quays is a short drive&nbsp;to the new $470 million Westfield Coomera Shopping Centre

The remaining three-bedroom apartments in Athena Quays start from $1,495,000.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=109922]

It wasn't until around five years ago that an apartment developer saw what most failed to see, a low supply of empty land which would inevitably would run out

How Hope Island's Athena Quays stays connected to the Gold Coast lifestyle

Construction is coming to completion at Hampton's newest apartment development, Hampton Bay.

Developer&nbsp;6PM Project Management, who are also developing Orlando Residences in Hampton, are behind the Grenville Street project in&nbsp;Hampton's Golden Triangle.

The boutique collection of just nine residences will be situated between Hampton Street and the beach, with the&nbsp;Grenville Street address placing residents near to all Bayside has to offer.&nbsp;

Each residence has been individually crafted to embrace its surroundings and the bayside environment, reflecting the coastal beauty that Hamptons is renowned for, with&nbsp;Martin Friedrich designing Hampton Bay to offer maximum space, light, and amenity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=25862 project_image_fid=58913]

The architectural vision of Martin Friedrich draws inspiration from the simplistic elements of nature, resulting in a timeless coastal structure that seamlessly blends into its location.

The spacious living areas are flooded with natural light thanks to the clever design that maximises sunlight throughout the day, with full glass window walls.

The development features a diverse range of residences, catering to various preferences and lifestyles. Among the offerings are three duplex penthouses boasting views of the bay, along with two north-facing, first floor townhouse-style residences and four ground-level villas.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=25862 project_image_fid=58916]

Each home adjoins to spacious outdoor entertaining spaces that have been designed to facilitate a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living.

Each residence comes with a two-car garage and storage space.

There's only a limited collection of residences remaining in Hampton Bay, with prices starting from&nbsp;$1,695,000.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=25862]

Hampton Bay to welcome residents in June 

Hawthorn is preparing to welcome its latest residential development in the upcoming months.

Compose will consists of 19 townhouses developed by Sinclair Brook Group, who have had Brompton Construction handle the build of the Glenferrie Road project.

Only one townhouse remains for sale in the development, with the three-bedroom home featuring a spacious courtyard that blends the lines between indoor and outdoor living.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106711 project_image_fid=171621]

Nestled between Burwood Road and Riversdale Road, the townhouses enjoy a prime spot just off Glenferrie Road, placing residents within proximity to an array of esteemed schools, shops, cafes, and transport links, including trams and trains.

The architects at Jackson Clements Burrows designed Compose, drawing on the heritage of Hawthorn. They feature a robust, red-brick base, complemented by charcoal steel accents, which imbue an industrial aesthetic while perforated screens add a layer of texture whilst fostering sustainable living.

JCB Associate Director Chris Manderson said Compose crafts a contemporary celebration of the Hawthorn home and garden.&nbsp;

"It is intrinsically of its place whilst a warm interpretation of aesthetic, patterns and materiality composes a new typology for terrace home living."

Internally, the homes feature&nbsp;Gaggenau cooking appliances, in addition to integrated Fisher &amp; Paykel fridges, along with polished concrete, timber, and carpet flooring.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106711 project_image_fid=171623]

“The interiors of Compose feel connected to the external landscape, applying a calm and classic aesthetic. They are luxuriously appointed with generous living, dining and kitchen spaces, all featuring direct access to private terraces.”

The articulated mass of Compose means passive ESD initiatives such as cross flow ventilation and solar gain are well utilised. The layouts afford a high level of amenity and flexibility to the internal spaces, with generous storage areas, living space and kitchens.&nbsp;

Adorned in lush greenery, vegetation cascades from every angle of the building, bringing a softness and vitality to the facade whilst complementing the canopied streets of Hawthorn, with generous setbacks in the architecture creating ample space for a landscape buffer, which encircles the homes in a natural sanctuary.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=106711]

The architects at Jackson Clements Burrows designed Compose, drawing on the heritage of Hawthorn

Construction set to complete on Compose townhouses in Hawthorn in August 

Situated in the prestigious South Melbourne postcode, The BelleVue apartments are set to redefine smart home living.

The boutique multi-level townhouses boast seamless integration of KASTA smart home automation technology, providing a new level of convenience, energy efficiency and security.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8030 project_image_fid=163692]

<h3>Smart Home Automation at Your Fingertips</h3>

With KASTA's Bluetooth technology, residents can effortlessly connect and control their home lighting and appliances wirelessly, without the need for an internet connection.

The intuitive wall switch provided in each apartment enables improved energy efficiency and everyday security, making it easier than ever to manage your home environment.

<h3>Enhanced Security and Convenience</h3>

The BelleVue apartments go beyond traditional security measures by offering residents the ability to control and monitor their doors from anywhere using their smartphones.

The KASTA system allows for keyless access control, enabling residents to lock and unlock their doors remotely, while also&nbsp;keeping track of everyone who enters and exits the premises.

The door lock can also be integrated with the smart home system, initiating welcome home scenes or turning off all connected devices when locking up.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8030 project_image_fid=163688]

<h3>Remote Control and Monitoring</h3>

Through the KASTA Wi-Fi Gateway, residents can remotely control and monitor their homes from anywhere in the world. This feature provides the convenience of checking the status of various home systems and adapting them to suit their preferences, even when they are away.

Residents can easily connect their smart homes to popular voice control assistants such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home, offering a hands-free experience in managing their home environment.

<h3>Energy Efficiency and Comfort</h3>

The integration of motorised blinds or curtains in the BelleVue apartments allows residents to enjoy significant energy savings while enhancing safety and comfort.

The automated window coverings can be controlled remotely, allowing residents to adjust lighting and privacy levels with ease.

Additionally, the KASTA system enables the automatic switching off of unused appliances, ensuring energy conservation. Residents can also reactivate these appliances remotely or even before arriving home.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8030 project_image_fid=163694]

<h3>Customised Scenes for Every Occasion</h3>

Residents at The BelleVue apartments can create personalised scenes to suit different situations. Whether it's the relaxing ambiance of the "Relax" scene, the invigorating start to the day with the "Good Morning" scene, or the perfect atmosphere for dining with the "Dining" scene, each scene automatically adjusts various features throughout the apartment.

For instance, the "Good Night" scene turns off bedroom, kitchen, living, dining, and stair lights, while the "TV" scene dims the living room lights to 20 per cent and switches off lights in other areas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=8030]

Luxury living meets cutting-edge technology at The BelleVue townhouses in South Melbourne

The final penthouse at Beach House by Andrews Projects has sold to an interstate buyer for $6 million after just three weeks on the market.

Herron Todd White Director Luke Nichols believes the sale is the highest price per sqm rate achieved for an apartment in Broadbeach. The sale of the 261 sqm apartment represented a price per sqm of nearly $23,000.

Beach House features 12 full-floor lavishly appointed sky homes, offering occupants the lifestyle and proportions of traditional family homes, but with views ordinarily experienced from beachfront high rises.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94971 project_image_fid=208771]

Nichols says the luxury residential sector is the strongest of any Gold Coast market, with the first half of 2023 continuing to see robust activity in in coastal suburbs like Broadbeach, Main Beach, and Mermaid Beach, indicating that the demand for prime positioned, avant-garde properties remains resilient, and is in fact growing.

“The main drivers in the prestige market continues to be lack of supply, particularly for unique properties such as Beach House, as well as buyer impatience with regards to building a home or buying an apartment ‘off the plan’ that won't be finished for some time - often years,” Nichols said.

“In many instances buyers have shown that they will pay a noticeable premium for luxury residences that are ready to occupy now. The Beach House apartment sale reflects this - it is available to move into straight away.”

The sale of the final Beach House residence marks the completion of the project that focused on prioritising space and offering high-quality amenities and finishes.

“Our vision for Beach House was to bring house-sized proportions into an apartment space; floorplans are functional and provide similarities to purchasers’ current homes, making the transition into sky living seamless,” said Andrews Projects Marketing Manager Sarah Andrews.

“We want every resident to say ‘I wish we did this sooner,’ and we’ve absolutely achieved this.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94971 project_image_fid=208762]

Architects bureau^proberts handled the design of Beach House, incorporating the Andrews Projects signature traits of floor-to-ceiling glass and elegant curves.

The exterior sets the tone for the interior which optimises each apartment’s surrounding ocean views, assimilating a natural and&nbsp;organic aesthetic gained through liberal use of curved travertine that when paired back with soft timber accents, echoes the exterior form.

“The typical buyer in this prestige market is not as influenced by the 'ebb and flow' of the economic cycle or rising interest rates,” Nichols added.

“They are typically downsizing from a large family home with considerable equity, and don’t want a residence or holiday home that looks like most other properties, they are not interested in ‘cookie-cutter’ living.”

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=94971]

Beach House features 12 full-floor lavishly appointed sky homes, offering occupants the lifestyle and proportions of traditional family homes, but with views ordinarily experienced from beachfront high rises

Andrews Projects set Broadbeach apartment record for Beach House penthouse

The picturesque suburb of Neutral Bay offers residents a world of quality amenities right at their doorstep.

As close to the village as possible is often the mantra for buyers.

You can hardly get closer than Sun Property Group's Bala Residences, quietly set on Grosvenor Street, only two streets back from Military Road.

Bala's design is focused on providing a life of balance, offering just 19 two and three-bedroom apartments, including a selection of penthouses.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=9801 project_image_fid=82433]

Designed by a+ architecture, Bala has been designed to seamlessly integrate with the streetscape, with the apartments welcoming an abundance of natural light, clean air, and the tranquility that characterises the quiet leafy suburb.

Following an open plan layout,&nbsp;the architects have created a flow between the living and kitchen spaces, with each adjoining to spacious balconies which take in views to the neighbourhood.&nbsp;

The kitchens at Bala exude elegance and functionality, with premium designs featuring Calacatta stone benches and splashbacks, in addition to top-of-the-line Miele gas cooktops, ovens, microwaves, rangehoods, and dishwashers.&nbsp;

The development also features an array of private outdoor spaces, further enhancing Bala's connection to nature and the outdoors, including an onsite community garden.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=9801 project_image_fid=82436]

On the doorstep of Bala are major supermarkets, health clinics, outdoor sporting facilities, and vibrant green spaces like Forsyth Park. The proximity to the harbour gives the chance for leisurely walks along the water edges, while immersing yourself in some of Sydney's most iconic views.

The Lower North Shore is also renowned for its top-performing schools, including North Sydney Boys and Girls High Schools, and Neutral Bay Public School, all situated close by.&nbsp;

Construction is underway on Bala, with Impero Constructions handling the build.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=9801]

Bala's design is focused on providing a life of balance, offering just 19 two and three-bedroom apartments, including a selection of penthouses

Blending lifestyle with luxury: Inside Neutral Bay's Bala apartments

The residential transformation of St Kilda Road is set to continue into with more new apartment plans for the sought-after boulevard.

Wing Tai Asia has lodged plans for a major residential tower at 464-466 St Kilda Road, replacing the former VACC House with an 18-storey mixed-use development designed around a retained heritage podium and a sculpted contemporary tower.

The proposal, prepared under Victoria’s Significant Residential Development with Affordable Housing pathway, would deliver 325 apartments and ground-floor retail across the prominent 4,653 sqm boulevard site in Melbourne’s St Kilda Road North Precinct.

The project centres on the adaptive reuse of the site’s heritage-listed VACC Building, an eight-storey office designed by Bernard Evans that has occupied the address for decades. Planning documents state the development would involve “carefully dismantling and conserving off-site the original metal fabric of the podium visible from St Kilda Road,” before reinstating it as the defining frontage of the new scheme.

Above the restored podium, Wing Tai is proposing a curvilinear residential tower. The scheme includes 172 one-bedroom apartments, 63 two-bedroom apartments, 66 three-bedroom apartments, and 24 four-bedroom apartments, alongside two ground-floor food and beverage tenancies fronting St Kilda Road.

The tower has been designed with substantial articulation and variable setbacks to minimise perceived bulk and maintain view corridors along the boulevard. Urbis, which prepared the planning report, said the design “has been significantly articulated through a curvilinear design” with “an interplay with materials, façade expression and depth” to create visual separation and visual interest.

The proposal also includes 254 basement car spaces, landscaped pedestrian links connecting St Kilda Road and Queens Lane, and a biophilic landscape strategy featuring canopy trees, raised planters, cascading greenery and a glass oculus pool overlooking the eastern frontage.

Planning documents confirm the $270.1 million development will contribute 3 per cent of project costs to the Social Housing Growth Fund as part of the application process.

Wing Tai acquired the St Kilda Road property in 2018 alongside Abacus Property Group for $95.38 million, before later consolidating ownership of the site. The property previously served as the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce headquarters for around 60 years.

The transformation of the St Kilda Rd boulevard is already beginning to materialise, with a number of high-profile projects recently completed, launched, or approaching launch as developers continue to back the long-term appeal of the precinct.

Among the most notable recent completions is Louise by Samuel Property Group, just off the strip on Queens Lane, the same pocket Hirsch &amp; Faigen recently launched The Queensbury. Mirvac is too on the same street with The Albertine, which is approaching completion.

Dexus recently secured approval for its slice of St Kilda Road, while Gurner also has approved plans for the precinct.

Joel Robinson

Wing Tai unveils 325-apartment St Kilda Road tower on former VACC House site

Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]

Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]

More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
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[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

Alison Warters

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