Sydney developers ALAND has seen strong interest in its Gosford development, Archibald by ALAND, with one-third of its apartments already sold.

The project, valued at $375 million, will include 323 residential units, 130 hotel rooms, food and beverage options, a pub, and a sky bar and lounge. Less than three months after its launch, 104 apartments worth over $80 million have been purchased, including $20 million prior to the launch.

Buyers include keen investors and downsizers, with local first-home buyers attracted by government schemes and owner-occupiers drawn to the project's affordability.

Designed by Place Studio, Archibald by ALAND is set to become a landmark in the area and a sought-after destination on the Central Coast.

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Apartment prices range from $475,000 for a one-bedroom to $835,000 for a three-bedroom. Each unit features functional and spacious floorplans, inspired by the Australian coastline, with balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of Brisbane Waters and the city skyline.

ALAND CEO George Tadrosse said that the project’s unparalleled offering is also a major drawcard for eager investors.

“Archibald is the only project of its kind in Gosford, the level of amenity is unmatched, and residents will get that hotel lifestyle with access to resort-style facilities and beaches at their doorstep,” he said.

“We’re seeing many investors taking advantage of the growing population and new economic ventures in education, retail and health innovation in the area. It’s no surprise that investors have been quick to recognise this unique offering and its potential."

“With the NSW Government’s recent announcement to invest more than $23 Million in the Central Coast region, committing to a faster rail at Wyong and new university campus at Gosford, we expect another influx of interest across all buyer types,” said Tadrosse.

Project Sales Director Georgia Scanlon said ALAND’s sales to date are indicative of the demand of the Central Coast market, observing that lifestyle continues to hold strong appeal.

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“The Central Coast market continues to perform despite broader market sentiment, offering buyers an affordable coastal lifestyle that is hard to match anywhere else in regional NSW locations. The Northconnex has allowed the coast to become a part of greater Sydney in the same way Western Sydney has.”

“We’re seeing a lot of local downsizers come from The Hills and Northern Beaches along with first home buyers who are out priced in Sydney. Essentially everyone is chasing a lifestyle only a stone’s throw from Sydney and the CBD,” added Scanlon.

The project is scheduled for completion in Q3 2024 and will offer unique features and easy access to the region's beaches and amenities.

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alisonwarters@gmail.com

Investors and downsizers flock to Archibald by ALAND

The Watson, a residential development by Kincrest, is setting the bar high in Essendon's real estate market.&nbsp;

The building's exterior was crafted by the renowned architect firm Rothelowman, featuring spacious balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows that take full advantage of the city and bay views, while the interiors of The Watson have been curated by Melbourne-based architecture studio Telha Clarke.

“Our intent was to create homes that stand the test of time, both through the design and the selection of practical materials,” Kincrest say. &nbsp;

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Offering just 37 residences, each one has been designed with owner-occupiers in mind, boasting an average internal size of 122 sqm.

With a choice of light or dark colour schemes, residents can customise their apartment to their personal style, with the neutral colour palette serving as a blank canvas, making it easy to add a touch of individuality.

Light and airy, the open-plan living and dining areas are ideal for entertaining and family gatherings, while functionality and design are blended in the kitchens, which are equipped with high-quality materials and appliances, as well as ample storage space.&nbsp;

The bedrooms also feature tasteful and practical storage solutions, as well as large windows to let in natural light.&nbsp;

LED recessed downlights feature in the living areas and bedrooms, while ducted heating and cooling, and video and intercom surveillance are other additions found in each of the homes.

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The expansive balconies adjoin the open plan living spaces, offering residents the opportunity to enjoy the peace and quiet of the outdoors, in addition to views of the city or the sea.&nbsp;

The Penthouse Collection incorporates the same light or dark colour scheme with all of the standard inclusions, in addition to select upgrades, including a built-in Miele coffee machines, fully-integrated Miele fridge and freezer, a Vintec wine fridge, three car spaces, a Miele washer and dryer, a built-in Miele speed oven, as well as a wine locker.&nbsp;

A two-bedroom townhouse is also available in the development. With just four featured in The Watson, the remaining townhouse spans 109 sqm, with one-bathroom and two car spaces.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135737]

Inside the Telha Clarke designed apartments at The Watson by Kincrest 

Independent property developer, Central Element recently marked the completion of demolition works and the commencement of the building phase at their luxury $180 million residential and retail development, Pienza Neutral Bay.

Richard Crookes Constructions are leading the build of the SJB designed mixed-use development, a company well-placed to deliver a building of Pienza’s calibre. Since their founding in 1976, they have built a proud reputation as one of Australia’s most trusted builders.

Located at 12-14 Waters Road on Sydney’s Lower North Shore in the Neutral Bay Village, the premium build mixed-use development features a boutique collection of 37 generously proportioned north-facing apartments with communal rooftop leisure space, landscaped gardens, pool and yoga deck along with approximately 2000 sqm of commercial and retail space.

Sales for Pienza have been strong since the apartments went to market last year, achieving record-breaking prices in Neutral Bay, including a $7 million three-bedroom sale.&nbsp;

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The level of luxury and amenity, the house-like proportioned living spaces coupled with the unique village lifestyle and social scene of Neutral Bay, all just 10 minutes from Sydney’s CBD, are key selling points for the development. 
&nbsp; 
One-bedroom apartments are sold out, two-bedrooms are priced from $2.1 million, and three-bedrooms priced from $4.7 million. Buyers have been predominantly owner occupiers and downsizers, attracted by the exceptional quality of finishes, the highly sought-after location and Central Element’s reputation for creating exceptional living spaces.

Nathan Chivas, Managing Director for Central Element, said the development will offer truly exceptional living space and lifestyle amenity.&nbsp;

“Every project that we work on is driven by a desire to create magnificent and memorable developments in enviable locations. We collaborate with Australia’s finest architects and builders to create homes that will shape the future of Australian living,” he said.&nbsp;

“We are delighted to again be working with Grant D’Arcy and his team at Richard Crookes Constructions – one of Australia’s most recognised and trusted builders as our partner for the build of this project.”

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SJB Director Adam Harrow said the base of Pienza will be solid masonry that adds permanence and texture, with carved-out domes to reveal polish and layers behind the detailed brickwork.&nbsp;

The upper levels of the building will be much more lightweight and open and sit back from the base like it’s atop a stone cliff, creating a defined edge between the two.

“The rooftop is about investing in people’s lifestyle ambitions. It’s like an urban resort, playing on the idea that you don’t need to go on holiday to have a good time. It gives residents something that we’d all love — being close to the sun, enjoying the pool, and looking across the view — as a daily experience of life,” Harrow said.&nbsp;

The apartments comprise a generosity of space and features synonymous with a grand home such as a butler’s pantry, home office, appliances by Wolf, powder room, secluded balcony, and private outdoor spaces, along with the opportunity for purchasers to include custom-built features such as a bar and fireplace.&nbsp;

Buyers can further customise the interior colour palette with a choice of natural marble or stone for the kitchen and bathroom.

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Chivas said the vision for Pienza goes beyond the home.&nbsp;

“Located in the village heart of Neutral Bay, this emerging destination will feature world-class retail and dining options seamlessly integrated into the fine grain of the neighbourhood, while reorienting the village as Neutral Bay's true town centre.”

New retail options to compliment the dynamic foodie and social hub of the Neutral Bay neighbourhood will be announced in the coming months, with construction slated to wrap up in the second quarter of 2024.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=29544]

Central Element breaks ground at Pienza Neutral Bay

Construction has commenced on a new set of apartments slated for Brisbane’s inner-city by SAVVE Developments &amp; Construction.&nbsp;

The 1610 sqm Indooroopilly site at 107 Clarence Road, is DA-approved to deliver 35 apartments across eight storeys upon completion, with The Audrey offering a mix of two, three and four-bedroom residences as well as one five-bedroom penthouse.&nbsp;

Commercial tenancies will take up shop across the ground floor of the site, with the two-storey addition set to include space for offices and food and beverage retailers.&nbsp;

Designed by Prospect Architects, with interiors by Merge, the development will take inspiration from the tree-lined streets of its locale, which is situated just moments from world-class cafes, restaurants, shopping and golf courses.&nbsp;

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An entry lobby and resident’s library will be situated across the ground floor, featuring stone floors, feature wallpaper, timber joinery and custom furniture, with the apartments beginning on level two, with just five residences set for each floor.&nbsp;

Designed for the owner-occupier, each of the homes will feature open living and dining areas, with 2.7-metre high ceilings, wide balcony doors and full-height glass panelling inviting natural light and breezes throughout.&nbsp;

SAVVE Director,&nbsp;Sandro Alberti&nbsp;said their research showed that most buyers would be locals, within an eight kilometre radius, which has, so far, been the case.

"Being the Builder and Developer meant we were able to fully customise, not only the fit out of each apartment but also able to amalgamate two floor plans together to purposely design larger apartments, satisfying our client's desired outcomes," Alberti said.&nbsp;

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"Of those buyers that decided to opt for larger residences, we have worked together with our architects and them to design magnificent four or five-bedroom apartments that cater for their customised interior preferences."

"With the addition of these unique larger residences within our boutique complex, we've reduced the number of apartments from 35 to now just 30".

Apartments will incorporate internal laundries, ensuites, media rooms, butler’s pantries and expansive storage options, with an interior palette of stone, engineered Oak Herringbone timber floors, and cool neutral walls.&nbsp;

The two-bedders will be priced from $680,000 with the three-bedroom apartments starting from just over $1 million.&nbsp;

Crowning the inner-city site will be a communal rooftop recreation deck, complete with a lap pool and day beds, barbecue facilities, alfresco dining space, and a conversation zone with a fire pit, all encased in lush green landscaping, with raised vegetable and herb garden beds and an open green zone also incorporated. &nbsp;

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Centrally located in a walkable community, The Audrey offers the best of all worlds, with the casual vibe of the leafy riverside suburb brimming with green open parklands while still being seamlessly connected to the CBD, which is just 9 minutes away.

The Indooroopilly Train Station is just a five-minute walk from the site, as is the Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, which is the largest shopping destination in the western suburbs of Brisbane, with over 360 specialty stores, 16 cinema rooms and a food court.&nbsp;

The Audrey is also close-by to two premier golf courses, in addition to a number of educational institutes, including The University of Queensland, Indooroopilly State High School, Brigidine College, St Peters Lutheran College, Ambrose Treacy College &amp; Holy Family Primary School.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=94824]

SAVVE Developments behind latest Indooroopilly apartments, The Audrey

Dreamers of owning a property in Bellevue Hill might soon have a chance to enter the market at a lower entry point compared to the sprawling estates the harbourside suburb is known for.

And the opportunity is set to arise on Fairfax Road, one of Bellevue Hill's most exclusive streets, near the Packer family's 1.2 hectare Cairnton estate.

Plans have been lodged by the Sutherland Shire-base Nivana Group, who are seeking to turn a 1930s, Art Deco low-rise at 3 Fairfax Road into a three-level apartment project, designed to fit into the eclectic mix of houses that line the Eastern Suburb’s streets while adapting and creating something new in the locale.&nbsp;

Designed by Sydney locals MHN Design Union, the $5.5 million development will see just four three-bedroom apartments developed, and one four-bedroom penthouse.&nbsp;

"The unit mix is consistent with market demand and represents a wide range of apartment buyers, users, and typologies,” MHNDU said in their design statement.&nbsp;

“It will suit the demographic mix of families, retirees, and down-sizers living within the surrounding area, while the layouts are flexible and adaptable to allow for future conversion if needed.”

An attempt has been made to minimise the bulk and scale of the building, with the architects utilising a bi-partite form that incorporates an articulated facade and adequate setbacks between neighbouring buildings. The masonry building will feature regular openings, deep reveals, columns and solid panel walls to provide a rhythm of light and shadowed elements against a white textured render, along with clear glass and light bronze metal trims and detailing.

<img alt="Render of the Bellevue Hill project. " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1f9da763-9f34-444a-8ce5-f6f785ff6873" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202022-12-19%20at%205.13.06%20pm.png?VersionId=zFkhMp4mkpPI4QIz9EZd5GtREBP8BxIa" />Render of the Bellevue Hill project. Credit: MHNDU

Low retaining walls and landscaping soften the barrier along the street footpath, with curved concrete walls signalling the entrance to the building.&nbsp;

Generously sized, each of the apartments include expansive balconies or terraces, with the floorplans designed to maximise solar access and cross flow ventilation in all the living spaces. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the living spaces also take advantage of view lines to the east and north.&nbsp;

Just two apartments will grace the first two levels of the building, each with three-bedrooms and three-bathrooms. Benefitting from access to the private garden area at the rear of the site, the apartments will also benefit from direct access to two swimming pools which are located at the front of the site.&nbsp;

The penthouse apartment will feature four-bedrooms and four en-suited bathrooms, along with various private outdoor covered terraces, including one adjoining the living area facing the cliff and rear garden, one at the front of the apartment and one from the master-bedroom.&nbsp;

“The proposed floor space represents a desirable outcome for the ordered growth within the area, with minimal impact on the amenity of existing neighbours," the report continued.

“The private open areas of the apartments are deep enough to be comfortably furnished, while also being long to accommodate a variety of outdoor uses.”

All apartments are provided with plenty of internal storage areas within the apartment, including a laundry/linen cupboard with space for a washing machine, dryer and tub, with additional secured storage provided within the one-level basement, which will also accommodate space for parking.&nbsp;

Volker Klemm have handled the landscaping designs for the project, with deep perimeter planting proposed. Maximised across the ground floor where possible, the landscaping will not only provide significant screening and privacy, but also create a leafy oasis for residents to relax and unwind among.&nbsp;

Located just under four-kilometres from the Sydney CBD, future residents will also be near to the Double Bay town centre, which is a short 200-metre stroll from the site, with the Eastern Suburbs neighbourhood well connected to a range of convenient amenity, including schools, hospitals, restaurants and recreational offerings.&nbsp;

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Designed by Sydney locals MHN Design Union, the $5.5 million development will see just four three-bedroom apartments developed, and one four-bedroom penthouse

First look: Boutique apartment plans lodged for Bellevue Hill

A boutique apartment building looks set to rise on one of North Bondi's most sought-after streets.

Plans have been filed for a four-storey apartment block at 181 Blair Street, with the small project to comprise just nine apartments.&nbsp;

The architects at Bureau SRH have designed the apartments, which will deliver a mix of layouts, with two studio apartments on offer, in addition to three one-bedroom, one two-bedroom and three three-bedroom apartments. A portion of the apartments will also be dedicated to affordable housing.&nbsp;

The top level of the building will be extensively recessed from the rest of the building, with the building mass presented as a two to three-storey building, with an articulated roof top form.&nbsp;

Apartments will face both the front and the rear of the site, with fixed privacy screens added to side windows to maintain privacy from the surrounding residences.&nbsp;

A majority of the apartments will achieve solar access, while each will benefit from cross flow ventilation.&nbsp;

The building will be divided into two parts, with the north-east section encompassing views to the Bondi Golf and Diggers Club, as well as Hugh Bamford Reserve and beyond, with the other section of the building oriented towards North Bondi.&nbsp;

The design concept for the proposal has grown simultaneously from the consideration of the surrounding natural landforms and future urban requirements, said the architects in their design statement.&nbsp;

Protruding balconies and the articulated roof form establish a significant street presence, while the rear balconies and planters establish a distant presence from the rear neighbours and provide another level of privacy protection.

A public domain will be curated across the ground floor space, with an open landscaped private space.&nbsp;

Future residents will benefit from being within close proximity to the bus stops on Military Road, with the closest stop just 30-metres from the site, servicing regularly to both Bondi Junction and the CBD.&nbsp;

Plans have been filed for a four-storey apartment block at 181 Blair Street, with the small project to comprise just nine apartments. 

North Bondi's Blair Street set for new apartment development 

Sydney developers Sammut Group have attracted strong interest in their latest project, VUE, ahead of launch to the market next month.&nbsp;

The $350 million mixed-use project in the heart of Cronulla, just 100 metres from the Cronulla Beach, sits across a sprawling 5225 sqm at the northern end of Cronulla Mall, set across two eight-storey buildings which share a double-storey podium.&nbsp;

112 apartments are set to be delivered in the project, along with 880 sqm of commercial space and 3000 sqm of retail space, including a Harris Farm Markets, which will be the first in the Sutherland Shire.&nbsp;

The third-generation family business is well known for creating luxury high-end apartments targeting the downsizer market, with VUE their largest scale project in Cronulla to date.

<a data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9b70e987-1f17-4503-ac3c-2347ff7ac79b" href="/new-apartments/vue-3-23-kingsway-cronulla"><img alt="Render of VUE" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9b70e987-1f17-4503-ac3c-2347ff7ac79b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Cam_02-v11.jpg?VersionId=DjfLQc0uj9SA_xABxzDj_MO.ZrT2DRHE" /></a>Render of the Cronulla project, VUE. Image supplied.&nbsp;

30 apartments have already been snapped up prior to the official launch, with all the sales so far made to local and repeat buyers.

Sammut Group Chief Operating Officer Julian Sammut said that local interest in VUE has been extraordinary.

“We released a select number of apartments at the end of last year and have been blown away by the enthusiasm to be part of VUE.” Sammut said.&nbsp;

He said the project had been eagerly anticipated from the moment the development application was lodged in June 2021.

“From the moment we lodged the plans, people were enquiring, wanting to secure an apartment. This is clearly a combination of limited supply, people’s trust in our absolute commitment to quality and wanting to seize the opportunity to be part of something that they can see will become a big part of Cronulla’s next chapter,” he said.

Highland CEO David Highland said that VUE presents a unique opportunity to people who have aspired to live in a luxury apartment on the beach. &nbsp;

“One of the most exciting things about VUE is that it’s the epitome of the Sammut Group’s style and quality on a larger scale and that means more people have the opportunity to purchase an apartment of this calibre,” Highland said.

Highland said Sammut Group apartments in smaller boutique projects would typically sell from $3,000,000 to $5,000,000 but prices at VUE start from $1,150,000 for a one-bedroom, from $2,000,000 for a two-bedroom and from $2,950,000 for a three-bedroom apartment, with the penthouses priced on application.&nbsp;

Designed by PBD Architects with interiors by Mim Design, the apartments feature natural material and sculptural forms, in keeping with the coastal nature of the location.

“Residents of VUE will not only have their own stunning private homes but access to a smorgasbord of resort style facilities unlike anything we’ve seen in the Shire to date,” Highland added.

<a data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1c134475-5769-4b5c-98b7-daff1cf80653" href="/new-apartments/vue-3-23-kingsway-cronulla"><img alt="Render of VUE" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1c134475-5769-4b5c-98b7-daff1cf80653" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Cam_04-v11.jpg?VersionId=emuTNfIkaaaXIogf0TfP0KctqKz3aBmf" /></a>Render of the Cronulla project, VUE. Image supplied.&nbsp;

From street level, VUE will bring a new vitality to the area with landscaping and upgrades to the public domain. Upstairs on the podium level, residents will have their own private sanctuary with resort-style facilities including a north-facing pool, a large communal terrace with a pavilion, poolside lounges, sauna and open-air gym complete with breakout spaces for a range of activities.

With the current median house price in the local area approximately $3,000,000, Highland believes VUE will appeal to the many people in larger homes all over the Shire wanting to downsize and simplify their lives.

“Despite normal fluctuations within the property market, the Shire remains extremely resilient and we know that many people who have experienced strong growth in the value of their properties are considering the next step, which for many is about getting closer to the beach and living a more convenient luxurious life and VUE ticks all those boxes,” Mr Highland said.

Sammut Group CEO, Allen Sammut said the project was generating a lot of excitement in the community.

“We are thrilled with the success of the sales to date and the volume of local buyers prior to the official launch which we see as a great endorsement of the overall project,” he said.&nbsp;

“We can see that people are excited about the project, particularly Harris Farm coming to the Shire, it will bring a new vibrancy and will inspire other retailers to come to the rejuvenated strip.”

The project received development approval in September 2022. The approval came within a month of the approval for another major Sammut Group project, PARC, a commercial building and hospitality venue dubbed PARC Pavilion, which they will own and operate in partnership with hospitality outfit Feros Group.

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Sammut Group’s Cronulla project, VUE, attracts strong local interest ahead of launch

Nestled in the centre of St Kilda Road’s famous tree-lined boulevard lies St.Boulevard, a highly sought-after collection of residences surrounded by lush tropical landscapes and resort-style amenities that will act as a hidden haven for its residents.

Designed by world-renowned architects Elenberg Fraser and Melbourne-based developer The Shakespeare Group, the residential development finds its inspiration from garden cities around the globe to deliver a truly inspired living experience.

Comprising three individually crafted buildings, St. Boulevard’s expansive central botanic garden is the star of the show, complete with a 25-metre lagoon-shaped pool, surrounded by tropical flora and fauna, sunken lounges, barbecue areas and poolside pavilions.&nbsp;

18 amenity areas in total will find a home at St Boulevard, including a children’s play area, state-of-the-art gym, health club, spa, private theatre, reading room, games room and karaoke pod.

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Elenberg Fraser Director Callum Fraser says the building is designed to give residents all the convenience that inner-city living provides with the peace and luxury of a hotel environment.

“It’s more than a hotel and more than an apartment building,” said Fraser.&nbsp;

“It’s in every way a new form of inhabitation which we’re calling an urban resort. You get to live and have all the great facilities of a hotel, but you also get to live in a distinctly residential environment.”

Elenberg Fraser developed a masterplan for the site as well as the design for the three buildings that sit on it. The structures are raised, attached to the ground at strategic points, permitting a wild, native landscape to run riot across the site, growing in and around the buildings.&nbsp;

A straight, front façade contrasts with stepped down volumes to the back carving out a scalloped curve.&nbsp;

They say the façade treatments are a nod to Paris’ Bibliothèque Nationale, with a silvery glass shell with semi-reflective qualities, activated by the changing positions of the thin timber screens fitted to the interior of each apartment.

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“These screens, as well as a cutting edge window technology, enable complete customisation according to light, shade, ventilation and privacy needs.”

A first for Australia and Elenberg Fraser, the parallel awning means windows pop out, opening up the front edge of apartments adding extra sunlight and breezes as well as texture from the exterior, with residents able to open the screens to create a winter garden, or close the screens to retreat into the home.&nbsp;

Inside, the apartments offer built-in joinery and dedicated display spaces to allow for everyone’s lifestyle to shine through.&nbsp;

Study and work nooks have integrated charging stations, while the sleeping areas are designed as rejuvenating spaces, with spa-like ensuites and cocoon-like bedrooms.

The kitchens are conceived as the heart of the homes, with a pale cinnamon grey stone bench the focal point for the space.&nbsp;

Each building has been given an identity through a signature tree: Southern Magnolia, Chinese Pistachio or Gingko Biloba.&nbsp;

“The design references the significance of trees as ancient shelter while bridging nature and artifice and nourishing a form of sensory architecture where residents are surrounded by the sights and smells of these diverse environments.”

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“The foliage, bark and flowers of these species direct the palette, textures and material selections in each lobby, with motifs and finishes translated into more micro details in the apartment interiors.”

“Thus, you’ll see the fanned shape of the Gingko Biloba leaf in ceiling and wall detail in the entry, as well as handles in apartments. Natural materials – from leather, stone and timber – deliver a raw tactility in tune with this contemporary interpretation of primitive life.”

A limited number of two-bedroom apartments can still be snapped up in St Boulevard, with prices beginning from $690,000.&nbsp;

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How Elenberg Fraser designed the St Boulevard residences 

Integrated property developers, Aqualand has collaborated with acclaimed architect firm, Woods Bagot to create a new jewel in North Sydney’s crown.&nbsp;

Located at 168 Walker Street, the $1 billion mixed-use project, AURA by Aqualand takes on an elegantly curved form, redefining the streetscape and city skyline, delivering 386 luxury apartments above a landscaped retail precinct and commercial space.&nbsp;

The development is Sydney’s latest example of architecture as sculpture, a category that includes some of the city’s most memorable buildings, from the white sails of the Sydney Opera House, to the giant plant-draped bowls of Barangaroo House and Darling Harbour’s nest-like mixed-use building, The Exchange.

Architect Jason Fraser, Principal at Woods Bagot, said, Woods Bagot found a partner in Aqualand willing to embrace sculptural forms that would make the building more interesting not only to residents but to the wider community.

“Sculptural buildings are harder to draw, document and build,” he said.&nbsp;

“Many of Sydney’s most famous sculptural buildings, from the Sydney Opera House to Barangaroo House and The Exchange, are designed with an obvious community benefit in mind."

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The building’s undulating facade creates an illusion that the single structure is divided into four separate towers, with staggered peaks stepping down from level 29 to level 23.&nbsp;

Fraser said the design draws inspiration from the eroded sandstone forms of Sydney Harbour and the ever-changing play of light on the water.

“We started looking at the harbour for inspiration,” Fraser said. 
&nbsp; 
“One of the things we love about North Sydney is that the sandstone at the water’s edge is the same sandstone you see all through the suburb. There’s also this incredibly rich landscape from Wendy Whiteley’s Secret Garden at Lavender Bay, all the way up to St Leonards Park. We wanted our building to become a part of this unique landscape.

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“The building is shaped in an organic way reminiscent of these eroded stone forms. The ground plane is also carved out to reveal sandstone walls, interesting textures and colours drawn from the sandstone.”

“You can stare at the water all day and watch how the lights reflects off it differently. We wanted a building that did similar things with light both spatially and materially,” Fraser said.

Translucent glass, muted metallics and black lines contrast against textured white finishes, including aggregate quartz and concrete. In the retail precinct, circular voids in the podium awnings draw sunlight into seating areas. Vine-draped awnings near the ground level add layers of lush greenery.&nbsp;

Connected by a network of landscaped laneways, the retail precinct is set to benefit not only residents but the entire community as well.

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The space will provide residents with a curated shopping and dining destination on their doorstep, with the likes of a providore, a bakery, cafe and wine bar, an all-day diner and a contemporary Japanese restaurant pitched for the space. &nbsp;

Other resident amenities include a wellness room and end-of-trip facilities, while a rooftop area offers a sun deck, private dining rooms, barbecue and kitchen space for year- round alfresco entertaining.

Natural light is set to stream into the indoor residents’ pool via skylights and oversized windows and is used near lift wells on each floor to guide residents to their destination. Perforated metal screens control privacy while inviting dappled light inside the spacious homes.

AURA by Aqualand’s distinctive hourglass shape cinches in at the level-nine ‘waist’ of the building, where the resident’s community centre is located.

“The sculptural form is used to give back to the community. AURA by Aqualand represents an impressive and ambitious commitment by a residential developer to give back to the community architecturally.”

“We’ve tried to be gentle with the curves. The apartment plans are very spacious and each apartment is a slightly different size because each floor has a different depth. That means we’re never squeezing a small apartment into a curve. They’re benefiting from the deep reveals, by making the most of the expansive frontages to create more liveable spaces,” added Fraser.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=202995]

AURA by Aqualand’s sculptural contribution to the area will be further enhanced by a separate stunning public art piece commissioned from leading British artist and sculptor, Richard Sweeney. Submitted to North Sydney Council for approval earlier last year, the bold sculpture, which will be positioned at the building’s Walker Street entry, will also draw inspiration from the beauty of the Sydney Harbour foreshore surrounding the project.

The entire project is consistent with Aqualand’s record of supporting the arts, with its long-term partnership with Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi, whereby it purchases a sculpture to be put on public display in the community each year, and the Art Gallery of NSW, most recently with its extended partnership including naming rights of the Aqualand Atrium in their new Sydney Modern Project building.

Aqualand Managing Director, Jin Lin, said the arts play a pivotal role in enhancing communities by bringing people together and providing opportunities for engagement and innovation.

“Through our projects and our arts sponsorships, Aqualand is proud to contribute to creating more vibrant, cohesive communities around Sydney,” Lin said.&nbsp;

“AURA by Aqualand is a tangible example of our deep commitment to architectural ambition and design excellence. Through its residential, retail and commercial spaces, the building will breathe new life into North Sydney, delivering vibrant and carefully considered spaces to live, work and play. AURA by Aqualand will be a living sculpture for this special neighbourhood, a place of beauty inside and out. We eagerly await approval from the North Sydney Council for the beautiful Richard Sweeney public art piece we’ve commissioned. It’s important for us to continue giving back to the community long after the building is completed.”

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Architect Jason Fraser, Principal at Woods Bagot, said, Woods Bagot found a partner in Aqualand willing to embrace sculptural forms that would make the building more interesting not only to residents but to the wider community.

How AURA by Aqualand adds a new jewel in North Sydney’s crown

With limited land available in popular suburbs in southeast Queensland, skinny apartment towers have become a popular choice for developers seeking to make the most of small sites.

International architecture firm, Plus Architecture, has designed six slender towers in some of the Gold Coast's most desirable areas, with the projects set to be built within the next five years, demonstrating a new wave of high-rise design that optimises limited land to create luxurious living experiences.

According to Plus Architecture Principal, Chrisney Formosa, the slender tower concept is well-suited to luxury multi-residential projects. The design allows for full floor or two-story apartments with 360-degree views, providing residents with the benefits of a standalone house, plus more.

“Very small sites present an opportunity for unique architectural solutions as they require an individualised design approach. In the high-end property market, being able to deliver a boutique design that is highly customised to the site is what helps a project truly stand out,” Formosa said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95606 project_image_fid=209221]

“Beyond that, skinny towers also easily allow for full floor or two-story apartments with 360-degree views, making them a prime solution for luxury multi-residential coastal living – offering all the benefits of a standalone house and more.”

When it comes to boutique apartment tower design, we need to think out of the ordinary, Formosa said.

“That means exploring doing things differently – reimagining how we can use those smaller sites to their best potential to ensure they become a valuable addition to the urban streetscape. La Mer is a great example of this.”

The boutique apartment tower at La Mer, a joint venture between Polites Property Group and QNY Group in Main Beach, is a prime example of the skinny tower trend.

The boutique apartment tower is located in arguably one of the Gold Coast’s most iconic locations: Main Beach, a small enclave of properties in an exclusive reserve surrounded by water.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110953 project_image_fid=209073]

Redesigned by Plus Architecture, La Mer features 20 apartments, including one of the largest penthouses in Main Beach, each oriented to capture ocean views.

“Unique to La Mer is that half the tower comprises double-storey, fully customisable sub penthouses, a boutique approach made possible by the slender design. More of a ‘sky home’ and less of an apartment, these vertical residences are elevated far above the typical apartment living experience.”

At Nineteen First Avenue, a 38-story development of 35 apartments in the beachside precinct of Broadbeach, every aspect of the architecture has been designed to deliver luxury.

The pinched-in tower shape maximises views and light, while the overlapping rippled forms, inspired by the interaction of water, wind, and sand, deliver a dynamic and graceful design.

A design palette of soft textures, vertical aluminium screening, textured concrete, and a verdant landscaped ground floor entry combine to deliver a luxurious residential experience.

When it comes to boutique apartment tower design, we need to think out of the ordinary, Plus Architecture Principal, Chrisney Formosa says

Why Queensland’s skinny tower trend is redefining luxury apartment design

Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

Joel Robinson

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

&nbsp;

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Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

A collection of just 25 large-format apartments and penthouses overlooking Goodwin Park is entering the Coolangatta market, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marea-residences-coolangatta-27-27a-dixon-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Maréa Residences</a> combining a low-density, residential-only approach with uninterrupted park and Pacific Ocean outlooks.

Located at 27 Dixon Street, Maréa comprises three and four-bedroom residences alongside a limited number of dual-level penthouses, with the project positioned between Goodwin Park and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/coolangatta-qld-4225">Coolangatta</a>’s coastal precinct.

Construction has commenced, with completion currently estimated for late 2027. Three-bedroom residences are priced from $1.8 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374005]

The project has been designed around its northern outlook across the park, with the building’s architecture, landscaping and material palette intended to establish a connection with the neighbouring green space. The residences have been configured to maximise natural light and views across Goodwin Park towards the ocean.

Inside, the material palette incorporates timber, stone and brushed brass, complemented by curved detailing and ambient lighting. Kitchens and bathrooms carry the same natural material approach, while residences also include basement parking, storage and lift access.

Maréa’s penthouses are arranged over two levels and include private pools, adding another layer to the project’s focus on larger-format apartment living. Across the development, residences are configured with three or four bedrooms rather than the broader mix of smaller apartment types commonly found in larger projects.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374010]

Resident amenity is concentrated at rooftop level, where landscaped entertaining terraces and pools take advantage of elevated views across Coolangatta and the Pacific Ocean.

The project has so far been particularly well received by local owner-occupiers and downsizers, according to Urban Activation Property Sales and Marketing Director Matt George, with the residential-only format, construction quality and northern park outlook among the features resonating with purchasers.

“The uninterrupted northern aspect overlooking Goodwin Park has been a key point of difference, with buyers attracted to the sense of serenity and open space the park provides, while still enjoying easy access to the ocean and being within walking distance of the lifestyle and amenities Coolangatta has to offer,” George said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374002]

“The combination of high-quality construction, a residential-only building, park outlook and proximity to the beach has resonated strongly with the local downsizer market.”

The Dixon Street address is within walking distance of Coolangatta Beach and the broader southern Gold Coast coastline, including the surf breaks at Snapper Rocks and Kirra. Coolangatta’s cafés, restaurants and retail are nearby, while Gold Coast Airport is also within close proximity.

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Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

Melbourne developer PDG has secured Victorian Government approval for its $1.5 billion Southbank development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-one-1-queens-bridge-street-southbank-vic-3006">The One</a>, clearing the way for the long-dormant riverfront site opposite Crown to finally be developed.

The Minister for Planning has approved the project at 1-29 Queens Bridge Street, with the Department of Transport and Planning issuing the planning permit following its assessment.

The approval will allow PDG to develop the prominent 5,059 sqm site with a major mixed-use tower comprising premium apartments, including branded residences, a luxury hotel and boutique office space.

PDG acquired the site in late 2024, with its position directly opposite Crown's main entrance and near Melbourne's Arts Precinct making it one of Southbank's most significant remaining development opportunities.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3933013e-6332-4386-b9be-089df05caf17" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.22%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sITIgBqDL0N3VNSMwWEmF5UA.uvcsRyu" />

Designed by COX in collaboration with ODO and PDG, the tower's architecture draws on the movement of the Yarra River, with six vertical pleats running the height of the sculpted facade.

The project will also see the heritage-listed Queens Bridge Hotel restored and incorporated into the development&nbsp;with new hospitality and public uses, including a rooftop venue.

A significant component of The One will be its residential amenity.

More than 5,000 sqm of resident facilities will be delivered across a single level, making it one of the largest consolidated residential amenity offerings proposed in an Australian apartment development.

The planning approval also incorporates a major upgrade of Queensbridge Square, which PDG will deliver in partnership with the City of Melbourne.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73167fcd-1031-4b6f-a408-a064cfe45ed1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.17%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Pf1AEWxw6SNmBqR0zQW5lyEze.MtxgFp" />

The existing square will be revitalised as a new civic and pedestrian space along the Yarra River, strengthening the connection between the project, Southbank and the riverfront.

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the approval represented a major milestone for a site which has remained largely underutilised for more than 15 years.

“This is the most significant Planning Permit approval Melbourne has seen in recent years,” Giuliano said.

“For more than 15 years, this site has remained underutilised. This approval enables us to deliver a project that will contribute meaningfully to the revitalisation of Southbank, restore and reactivate an important heritage building, and create a new civic and hospitality destination for Melbourne.”

The latest approval follows an earlier planning permit issued by the City of Melbourne covering demolition works across part of the site at 9-29 Queens Bridge Street. Those demolition and early works are already underway.

PDG has also started generating early interest in the residential component from owner-occupiers ahead of a planned public launch in early 2027.

PDG secures approval for $1.5bn Southbank apartment development, The One

Local developer Harridan is seeking to turn its Woolloongabba apartment project into the first stage of a broader transformation of Burke Street, using a new 16-storey mixed-use building to establish a greener pedestrian connection toward the rapidly evolving Boggo Road transport and knowledge precinct.

The South East Queensland developer has filed plans for 154 apartments on the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-burke-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">southern side of Burke Street</a>, where its proposal has been designed alongside a wider vision by LatStudios for the street.

That vision positions the southern side of Burke Street for buildings of 15 storeys and above, while envisaging lower-rise development of up to five storeys on the northern side to transition into Woolloongabba's existing character housing. It also proposes wider pedestrian verges, deep planting, new street trees and upgrades to the pedestrian approach to Boggo Road Station.

The Harridan development itself has been designed by Brisbane-based Arqus Design and will comprise 154 apartments across 16 storeys. The mix is weighted heavily toward two-bedroom apartments, with 121 proposed alongside 10 one-bedroom and 23 three-bedroom residences. There will typically be around 14 units per floor.

A lower-ground car park and three podium levels will accommodate 156 resident parking spaces, along with visitor and commercial parking. There will also be 154 resident bicycle spaces and 40 visitor bicycle parks.

&nbsp;

Harridan is a family-owned developer and part of the Holmwood Highgate Group, with more than three decades of development activity across South East Queensland. Its portfolio spans residential, commercial and industrial property, with current residential projects including Riverbank on Byron in Bulimba, Esperance Residences in Carina and The Precinct at Kinross Road in Thornlands.

Wooloongabba has been popular for apartment developers, particularly since the announcement of the 2032 Summer Olympics games in Brisbane.

While there have been a lot of development applications, it has failed to materialize into real supply.&nbsp;

Sarazin has been the major player in the area. They are under construction at Murcia Residences, on the fringe of East Brisbane and Woolloongabba. They have just launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-stanley-residences-woolloongabba-8-trafalgar-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">The Stanley Residences</a>, in Woolloongabba on Trafalagar Street. They also have Nuage coming soon on the nearby <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nuage-woolloongabba-14-wellington-road-woolloongabba-qld-4102">Wellington Road</a>.

Alison Warters

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