Construction has officially wrapped on Iris Residential’s Booragoon development, Amara City Gardens.&nbsp;

BGC Constructions handled the build of the $43 million project, with residents set to move in this month.&nbsp;

Located on the doorstep of Westfield Booragoon Shopping Centre, residents will be connected to an array of shopping, dining and entertainment options, while also having medical services, major banks, Wireless Hill Park and Melville Aquatic Centre on the doorstep of the development.&nbsp;

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Owner-occupiers&nbsp;have taken up a majority of the stock so far, with one and two-bedders with one-bathroom already completely sold.&nbsp;

Two and three-bedders with two-bathrooms make up the remaining stock in the project, with prices starting from $645,000.

Each apartment has been designed with spacious open-plan living and plenty of storage for the owner-occupier, with the apartments connecting to expansive balconies, with some even benefiting from city views.&nbsp;

Wide picture windows with double glazing and high 2.7 metre ceilings give a sense of space and light, while engineered oak floorboards and 100 percent wool carpets add luxury and warmth.&nbsp;

Bedrooms include walk-in-robes, while the kitchens are competed with the high-quality fixtures and finishes, including Smeg appliances, stone benchtops and built-in pantries.&nbsp;

Residents will also have direct access to the communal yoga deck, wine cellar, dining pavilion, barbecue terrace, gym, sauna and garden.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8266 project_image_fid=207248]

Designed with the family owner-occupier in mind, the three-bed apartments sit close by to a number of educational options, including Applecross Senior High School and Booragoon Primary School which are located 12-minutes’ walk from Amara, along with Murdoch University, which is just a short commute away.&nbsp;

Designed with the future in mind, Amara City Gardens achieves an average Nationwide House Energy Rating of seven stars, with initiatives including photovoltaic cells providing solar power for the common areas, boosted solar gas hot water systems, double glazed windows, a car-charging bay, a designated place to wash your car, secure bike racks, leafy, manicured gardens and creative artwork screens by award-winning local artist Anne Neil.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=8266]

Designed with the family owner-occupier in mind, the three-bed apartments sit close by to a number of educational options, including Applecross Senior High School and Booragoon Primary School which are located 12-minutes’ walk from Amara, along with Murdoch University, which is just a short commute away. 

alisonwarters@gmail.com

Amara City Gardens completes construction

Norwest parent developer Mulpha and the University of NSW Built Environment School have released the results of a two-year research study aimed at understanding how the Norwest precinct handles heat and assessing ways to mitigate its impact through smart building, infrastructure and landscape design.

The target of the project is to lower the local Urban Heat Island Effect (UHIE) by two degrees, which will deliver significant cost savings and health benefits to the businesses, residents and visitors to Norwest.

Urban Heat islands form as vegetation is replaced by asphalt and concrete for roads, buildings, and other structures necessary to accommodate growing populations. These surfaces absorb and re-radiate the sun’s heat, causing surface temperatures and overall ambient temperatures to rise.

Mulpha has adopted an urban heat response to minimise heat build-up in its Norwest developments, including its zero-carbon development Norwest Quarter.&nbsp;

Head of Developments, Tim Spencer said the design considerations adopted at an early-stage in any development will have a major impact on the climate variability and liveability in urban environments such as Norwest.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=103264 project_image_fid=196015]

“We are excited to be collaborating with some of the leading thinkers and bright young minds of UNSW to really understand the Norwest micro-climate and how we can influence it with good planning and design," he said.

“Effective collection of on-the-ground data and analysis by world leading experts is central to our vision for Norwest as a Smart City that leads the way in urban design."

“A more liveable urban environment is also a better business and living environment that can deliver energy cost savings and ensure Norwest is a place where people enjoy being and giving their best, as well as being a great place to live and work in all respects."

“Only through collaboration are we going to be able to realise a liveable precinct, so by sharing this knowledge we hope other developers and even homeowners will take steps to assist in lowering the urban heat in Norwest,” Spencer added.&nbsp;

As the Hills only zero carbon precinct, sustainability and an environmentally-friendly design has been at the forefront of Mulpha’s Norwest Quarter development.&nbsp;

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The buildings have been designed to use light coloured materials throughout for high solar reflectivity, as well as using awnings, screens and external shading structures.

To reduce heat in Norwest, there is also the plan for substantial rewilding of the land surface, with a high percentage of deep soil planting and canopy cover, tree planting in both private and public spaces, and water features established throughout the precinct.

Over 70 per cent of the project is dedicated to green, open spaces, which will only bolster the effects of the new plan, with 2,000 residents expected to call Norwest Quarter home upon completion.&nbsp;

According to the NSW and ACT Regional Climate Modelling (NARCLiM), Sydney is expected to experience an increase in average maximum and minimum temperature for all seasons in the future, reflecting the broader phenomenon of global warming.

A Norwest-specific urban cooling guide has been published this week for the benefit of all developers and design practitioners working in Norwest to understand urban overheating and introduce suitable cooling strategies. This will improve the performance of developments, create a more liveable environment and address the challenges of climate change at a local level.

This marks the culmination of two years of monitoring and analysing Norwest’s microclimate from a network of 15 environmental sensors around the Norwest precinct to determine how the precinct performs now as well as how it will develop as the climate continues to change.

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Dr Negin Nazarian, Scientia Senior Lecturer, UNSW Built Environment, said heatwaves are becoming more frequent and severe, which has serious consequences for public health, liveability and functionality of urban environments.

“Heatwaves in Australia kill more people than any other natural disaster, Nazarian said.&nbsp;

“With the increased rate of urban development, city and precinct scale climate is dramatically changed, resulting in additional warmth brought about by the urban heat island effect.

“It is paramount that we understand and closely monitor not only the climatic factors, but also the urban design characteristics that impact human health and well-being in the face of such heat events, and further promote smart city strategies to address this.”

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=103264]

The buildings have been designed to use light coloured materials throughout for high solar reflectivity, as well as using awnings, screens and external shading structures.

Mulpha and UNSW release plan to reduce urban heat in Norwest by two degrees

Bespoke property developers, Feltham Property Group are inching closer to a sell-out in their most recent luxury residential project, Oakman Residences.&nbsp;

Nestled on the border of blue-chip suburbs Toowong and Taringa, construction is well underway at Oakman Residences as over 70 per cent of residences have now been sold.&nbsp;

Owner and Director, Cameron Feltham, said the majority of interest so far has come from local buyers living in the area as they understand how truly special this community is.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112924 project_image_fid=204776]

The bulk earthworks have now been completed onsite, with the important milestone an exciting time for Feltham, who noted the risk of having large open areas.

“It’s often one of the riskiest parts of the build, with with large amount of open areas often the subject to storms and erosion,” Feltham said.

“We found plenty of rock so we should have excellent foundations!”

"Over the next couple of weeks well start work on the external retaining walls in front of residences 12-16, as well as our northern basement," he added.&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/19zY1S6a4Tc" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Designed by the Elizabeth Anderson-fronted Hayes Anderson Lynch, in collaboration with Studio LMD in the interiors, Oakman Residences offers luxury, low maintenance living, all surrounded by parklands and greenery.

The timeless design intertwines with traditional Queenslander elements and modern interior fitouts to deliver just 23 residences.&nbsp;

17 park-fronting residences with spacious three-bedroom floorplans will be delivered across the site, along with six full-floor three-bedroom sky homes, afforded with their own lift access.&nbsp;

“Designed around community, Oakman Residences has been crafted to create a sense of privacy and seclusion to each of the dwellings, while feelings protected and nestled within a community,” says Anderson.

Each of the homes are complete with high-end finishes, including timber floors, Bosch appliances and ducted air-conditioning, while also incorporating oversized balconies, butler’s pantries, extra high-ceilings and curved feature walls.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112924 project_image_fid=204779]

The sales team also recently unveiled a detailed scale model of Oakman Residences, which Feltham says really brings the project to life.&nbsp;

“It makes Oakham Residences easier to understand and appreciate the level of thought and detail that has gone into the project,” Feltham added.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112924]

Designed by the Elizabeth Anderson-fronted Hayes Anderson Lynch, in collaboration with Studio LMD in the interiors, Oakman Residences offers luxury, low maintenance living, all surrounded by parklands and greenery.

Oakman Taringa: An alternative to a traditional home, without sacrifice

The $250 million marina harbour front residential precinct, The Gateway on the Burnett River is proving to be one of the Queensland Coast’s newest hotspots, with more than $12 million in sales in the past five weeks.

And it seems locals have embraced the project, with 40 per cent of the residence sales coming from the local area.

The Gateway has been designed to deliver a vibrant mixed-use village overlooking what is known as one of the safest north facing Queensland harbours. Just 15 minutes from the Bundaberg CBD, the Burnett River is also the gateway to some of the regions most iconic attractions, including the Southern Great Barrier Reef and Fraser Island.

Damian Brown of Property and Estates Project Marketing says the strong sales have been generated by eager buyers interested in putting their name to a rare slice of harbour front luxury living.

​<img alt="Render of The Gateway residences" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="858ad9ed-26b9-44e4-a5af-5f9b85e9eaf5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/22002-Gateway%20Marina_01-02_Buidling%20E%20%26%20F%20Hero_D%20%5Bjpeg%5D_0.jpg?VersionId=2wa5QFbFRU4xLrH3BHY0WTlk1s4Sp_Pv" />

“The market response to The Gateway Waterfront Residences has been incredible. We knew we had something special on our hands here, and we have really seen a lot of genuine interest,” said Brown.

“40 per cent of sales have come from locals who recognise the scarcity and value in north facing waterfront residences, alongside those who have been enticed by all The Gateway has to offer.”

The first stage of The Gateway Waterfront Residences offering includes 46 north-facing waterfront residences across two low-rise buildings, Musgrave and Elliot, each featuring open plan living and dining spaces, a large master bedroom with dual walk-in wardrobes, and balconies that maximise views to the marina and ocean.

Pricing for Musgrave and Elliot starts at $795,000 and will comprise two, three and four-bedroom residences, including penthouses and ground floor garden apartments with private plunge pools.

“The Gateway is a very special development coming to Burnett Heads. The Waterfront Residences are not only affordable luxury but will also offer residents comfort and security in their positioning – a sheltered and safe harbour,” said Brown.

The Gateway will be bringing a total of 318 marina berths to meet the growing demand from boaties looking to berth their vessels in a safe harbour, with research showing an increased demand for berths as boat sales ramp up in Queensland and along Australia’s east coast.

​<img alt="Render of The Gateway residences" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="01cbc6a7-0bfa-449d-91d3-f68fae3a3153" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/22002%20-%20Gateway%20Marina_02-02_GF%20Type%20H%20Living_D%20%5Bweb%5D_0.jpg?VersionId=uJIGZCGDnq9J79UNyq.yEUpQR1dbgFhu" />

There is significant funding behind the project, with The Gateway backed by Simon Harvey’s development company, BeauGroup Management Pty Ltd, which has been progressively re-deploying capital via the sale of several high-profile assets across the US, Australia, and New Zealand.

Dredging work is well underway with completion anticipated in early 2023 ahead of construction and installation of the first 80 marina berths. The completed marina is set to incorporate a total of 318 berths, accommodating single and multi-hull craft of various lengths.

The first marina berth stage is due for completion in the second half of 2023, with Musgrave and Elliot purchasers given the first opportunity to secure their preferred marina berth.

There is significant funding behind the project, with The Gateway backed by Simon Harvey’s development company, BeauGroup Management Pty Ltd, which has been progressively re-deploying capital via the sale of several high-profile assets across the US, Australia, and New Zealand.

​Smooth sailing for The Gateway residences as local buyers push sales past the $12 million mark

Riverside living in Melbourne doesn’t come along too often.&nbsp;

Located in the leafy, riverside suburb of Alphington, just 6.5-kilometres north-east of the city, HOME comprises 16 stories featuring a collection of Terrace Homes, Sky homes and Apartments.

Offering a completed and ready-to-move-in option in the area, HOME was designed with the owner-occupier in mind, with a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments.&nbsp;

All of the one-bedroom apartments are taken however. Just two and three-bedders remaining. &nbsp;

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The resident's journey begins and ends in the elegantly designed South Lobby.&nbsp;It’s a hotel-style entry where resident's can be dropped-off, picked up or wait safely for a taxi or Uber ride indoors. There's also bike storage for every resident in the lobby, along with a bike repair room, providing the perfect place to tinker, fix and upgrade.

To top it all off, there’s on-site management services, a secure mail room, parcel collection area and cool storage for grocery deliveries. The North Lobby is located on the corner of Heidelberg Road and Chandler Highway, with a three metre origami form taking centre stage, constructed from perforated brass panels.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24441 project_image_fid=167640]

Cera Stribley collaborated in the design of the residences, with all 324 apartments featuring large floorplans and light-filled living spaces.&nbsp;

Coupled with the modern must-haves, each of the homes include generous storage, quality appliances, secure parking, and home automation technology.&nbsp;

Internally, apartments utilise a neutral colour palette, coupled with raw materials influenced by the site’s industrial heritage.&nbsp;

Timeless timber lines the floors of all apartments, with the oak-flooring creating a light and seamless connection between each of the spaces, paired with versatile and abundant storage solutions throughout.&nbsp;Open shelving and integrated appliance storage make the kitchens a cook’s domain, complete with European appliances, stone benchtops and satin nickel tap ware.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24441 project_image_fid=167643]

Level four of HOME delivers some of the building's most impressive features, with 3000 sqm of open space, delivering HOME residents with their very own park inside the building. The Park provides residents with places to meet, along with barbecue facilities, a playground, yoga lawn, state-of-the-art gym and a pilates pavilion.

An extensive wine cellar is also provided for residents, along with hotel-style guest rooms which can be booked for when family and friends are visiting.&nbsp;

Crowning the building is a rooftop recreation deck, offering 360 degree views across the Alphington surrounds, as well as a glass-edged pool, private event spaces with a bar and kitchen, an outdoor cinema and barbecue facilities.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=24441]

Cera Stribley collaborated in the design of the residences, with all 324 apartments featuring large floorplans and light-filled living spaces

Inside the ready-to-move-in HOME Alphington apartments 

Successful property experts Tim Keenan and Fraser Byrne are joining forces to create Keenan &amp; Byrne Property Sales and Advisory.

The pair represents an amalgamation of two individuals with the same speciality who share the same goal - to create a trusted and tailored agency with a keen focus on Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Northern NSW/Byron Bay.

Director Tim Keenan says Keenan &amp; Byrne is a consultative like no other with its unmatched knowledge of market trends and activity.

“We see a gap in the market which allows a boutique firm like Keenan &amp; Byrne to assist and support clients from the time they acquire a site all the way through to project settlement,” said Keenan.

“And we are intentionally boutique, personally customising each campaign in accordance with individual financial and project requirements as well as purchaser needs.”

Tim Keenan and Fraser Byrne have led teams whose contributions amassed over $2 billion dollars’ worth of sales – their most recent success stories being the sell down of Miles Residences at Kirra Point on the Gold Coast and Bide Residences in Newstead, Brisbane.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27575 project_image_fid=138620]

Amassing a combined 35 years’ of experience, the duo pride themselves on their delivery of bespoke solutions for property developers, landowners, and financiers throughout Australia.

Director Fraser Byrne says the company will only collaborate with a number of projects at any one time due to its strong belief in quality over quantity.

“We are confident in our abilities to nurture and maintain close knit relationships and believe this is the way to really bring the most out of the campaigns we embark upon,” said Byrne.

“At Keenan &amp; Byrne, our clients’ trust is earned through our comprehensive analysis, review, crafting, and execution of high performing, measured, and considered strategies for both residential and mixed-use projects.

“We are nimble and dynamic in our approach – qualities we think are critical in today’s ever competing marketplace.”

Keenan &amp; Byrne is the new alternative to project marketing in Southeast Queensland and Northern NSW, partnering with developers to become a valuable extension of their teams.

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The next 10 years are looking promising for the industry, and Keenan &amp; Byrne, in the lead up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games, with the amount of infrastructure work required along with large pre-existing net migration after Covid.

“It is expected this lead up will be Southeast Queensland’s most significant period in time. We believe the property market will experience a boom, once interest rates begin to stabilise next year,” said Keenan.

Having built relationships with over 700 channel groups, consisting of financial planners and accountants who work alongside them to achieve pre-sale conditions,&nbsp;Keenan and Byrne’s names purposefully represent the brand as a testament to their personal endeavour and commitment to projects, clients, and the industry.

Tim Keenan and Fraser Byrne have led teams whose contributions amassed over $2 billion dollars’ worth of sales – their most recent success stories being the sell down of Miles Residences at Kirra Point on the Gold Coast and Bide Residences in Newstead, Brisbane.

 Keenan & Byrne partner in preparation for property market boom 

The Chinese property developer Megland is set for its next Sydney apartment development.

With a reputation for high rise mixed use developments in China and having previously been involved in Vista in Chatswood, Megland has filed plans for a collection of residences in Wollstonecraft on Sydney’s Lower North Shore.&nbsp;

The group have amalgamated a 2,348 sqm site across 3-5 Morton Street,&nbsp;where they’ll deliver a total of 29 apartments designed by Surry Hills-based architects PBD.&nbsp;

Reflecting the local market demand, 20 two-bedroom apartments will be on offer in the four-storey building, along with nine three-bedders. &nbsp;

Wollstonecraft is characterised by a predominantly medium to high density residential area within a moderately steep, tree-lined street. Most of the existing buildings comprise low-rise, post-war flat buildings and townhouses which are set across gentle sloping and undulating sites.&nbsp;

Considering the materiality of the existing neighbourhood, the project will feature a consistent base material of face brick to respond to the surrounding context, while building articulations are clearly defined in the facade, creating the appearance of two separate buildings when viewed from Morton Street.&nbsp;

<img alt="Render of the Wollstonecraft development " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d34b010f-a994-4acc-a322-19c584f16dd0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screen%20Shot%202022-11-22%20at%204.11.14%20pm.png?VersionId=SUpdRLbH48WFy48Qny7.mt92oXaOXju4" />

The facade will incorporate fluted precast concrete elements, paired with clear glass balustrades, metal bronze finishes and high brick curved blade walls. The upper level penthouse apartment will also be crowned with a bronze-toned metal cladding to create a material contrast to the overall mass and effectively reduce the scale of the height of the building.

A close collaboration with renowned landscape architects Site Image has resulted in a &nbsp;further synthesis of building design and its natural surrounds. A majority of the existing trees within the boundary interface to preserve privacy between neighbours, while the courtyard apartments benefit from perimeter planting which help the development merge with the leafy locale.&nbsp;

Taking advantage of the north-facing aspect of the building, all apartments have generous balconies positioned to flow from primary living spaces and take advantage of orientation and outlook

Located 900 metres west of the North Sydney CBD and just over one kilometre from North Sydney station, residents will be within proximity to everyday essentials, in addition to being able to easily access the greater metropolitan area.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=136853]

The group have amalgamated a 2,348 sqm site across 3-5 Morton Street, where they’ll deliver a total of 29 apartments 

First look: Megland Group lodge plans for next Sydney apartment development

Mordialloc's rare new apartment development, Joe's Quarter, is set to offer the best of both world's for its future residents.

The boutique development of just 11 residences takes up a prime location on the doorstep of both Mordialloc Beach and the picturesque Moridalloc Creek, which dissects the City of Kingston suburb just 24 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD.

The opening of the Mordialloc Freeway, a nine-kilometre bypass between Clayton and Frankston, late last year, has only bolstered the premium of the suburb, with a swathe of family-occupiers taking up stock in the suburb.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134238 project_image_fid=206646]

Educational opportunities are another driving factor in the move.

Mordialloc Beach Primary School is a mere 500 metres away, while Mordialloc Secondary College is conveniently located next door as well just 600 metres away, along with St Brigid’s Parish Primary School.&nbsp;

The Main Street of Mordialloc is filled with quality retail, professional services and an array of dining options, while connection to the greater Melbourne region is a breeze with Mordialloc Station a short stroll from the residences, just 200 metres down the road.&nbsp;

Positioned in the heart of the suburb, complete with bay and river views, Shenfield Property has tapped into the potential of Mordialloc, releasing a collection of residences on the site of the old Pompei’s Boatworks.

Through use of strong, robust materials, the 11 Joe’s Quarter residences embrace the site’s historic boat making origins, nestling on the banks of Mordialloc Creek as it flows into Port Phillip Bay.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134238 project_image_fid=206643]

As one of Melbourne’s most iconic bayside locations, the expansive beach is arguably Mordialloc’s most stunning feature, lined with foreshore reserves, walking paths and featuring the pier at the mouth of Mordialloc Creek, the area is a playground for all ages and recreation pursuits

With a vibrant shopping and dining strip right on the steps of Joe’s Quarter, the opportunities for a coffee catch-up with friends, weekend brunch or a night-time feast are endless.&nbsp;

Mordialloc Shops are just 90-metres from the site, with further shopping options available at Parkdale Plaza which is 1.3 kilometres away, or DFO Moorabbin which is just under five and Southlands Shopping Centre which sits 6.4 kilometres from Joe’s Quarter.

Parklands and green spaces are also aplenty in Mordialloc, with a playground and park 100 metres from Joe’s Quarter, while the Woodlands Golf Club is just 1.6 kilometres.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134238]

Between the creek and the beach: The rare lifestyle Mordialloc's Joe's Quarter will offer residents

Integrated property investor and developer, Cbus Property, has officially launched its residential mixed-use development, The Langston, to the community in Epping. 
&nbsp; 
Cbus Property’s Chair, Georgina Lynch, and CEO, Adrian Pozzo, were joined by the Lord Mayor of the City of Parramatta Councillor Donna Davis, and other key stakeholders in the official launch to open the project’s public plaza and introduce the community to the dynamic retail precinct.

With construction group Hutchinson Builders commencing ground works on the precinct back in January 2019, on the site of Epping’s former Westpac Credit Card Services building, the project’s completion marks the conclusion of a momentous journey that began when Cbus Property acquired The Langston site in 2014.

Located in the heart of Epping, between Langston Place and Chambers Court, The Langston features 462 residences across three towers of 29, 24 and 19-storeys, known as Langston Tower, Central and Oasis.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6074 project_image_fid=197596]

The ready-to-move-in residences are priced from $590,000, with one and two-bedroom apartments still available.&nbsp;

The new community is now home to more than 1,000 people, who are enjoying an unrivalled lifestyle courtesy of the project’s extensive amenity offering, including the Sky Lounge and dining space on level 22 of The Langston’s middle tower, Central, in addition to lush podium-level gardens, the Wellness Hub and co-working spaces.

Pozzo said the achievement of practical completion at The Langston was a significant milestone for Cbus Property.

“The delivery of this project has been a resounding success for all stakeholders,” he said.

“A big thank you to Hutchinson Builders, our stakeholders and our construction workforce for rising to the challenges faced by our communities throughout the past few years. Major projects of this calibre always have their challenges. However, I am pleased to say our team expertly navigated the pandemic-related lockdowns and ongoing uncertainty around COVID-19 during the complex construction phase to achieve this outstanding result.

The official opening of the precinct was also celebrated with the second occurrence of The Langston Weekender festival, which followed the inaugural festival held in 2018, prior to construction commencement.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6074 project_image_fid=197590]

More than 5,000 visitors attended the event, transforming The Langston’s public domain for a day of family-friendly fun, featuring market stalls, art, music, dancing and entertainment.

The event also supported The Langston’s new retail operators, including the on-site supermarket Mint Fresh IGA, fitness club operators Team Bros, City Cave Float and Wellness Centre and new local cafe, Brew Bar.

Pozzo said he was delighted to welcome Epping locals and the wider Sydney community back to The Langston.

“We have certainly been on a long journey since we first held The Langston Weekender back in 2018 and we enjoyed showing people and celebrating how much the precinct has transformed in the intervening years,” he said.

“The idea behind the first iteration of this event was to help people conceptualise the future lifestyle and retail offering at The Langston, so it was incredibly rewarding to be able to showcase the completed project in person.”

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6074]

Located in the heart of Epping, between Langston Place and Chambers Court, The Langston features 462 residences across three towers of 29, 24 and 19-storeys, known as Langston Tower, Central and Oasis.



CBUS Property wrap up construction on The Langston in Sydney’s North West

Rolling lockdowns are a thing of the past, but what isn't is working from home.

At the census, albeit conducted in or around lockdown, 31 per cent of workers living in New South Wales were working from home, up from just five per cent at the 2016 census.

In Sydney, it was a jump from four per cent to 39 per cent.

And despite everything from cafes to borders reopened, the working from home trend is still continuing, which is making apartment developers rethink some of the amenity they are offering.

At Astrid, the latest Castle Hill apartment development to hit the market, the local developers went full throttle on the working from home spaces, in a more refined way that others.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22748 project_image_fid=204929]

Their focus was to build a working from home space which actually took you away from the home, however without actually leaving.

Not content with just creating study nooks (which they also have done in most the apartments), the developer went out of their way to offer extensive opportunities to work from a different space through the project.

One of the most unique spots to work from is the outdoor cabana (main image). The innovative space is fully solar powered and has its own wifi. It will use&nbsp;only sustainable materials and the power of the sun.

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There's further work from home facilities in the&nbsp;Astrid Lounge, which provides a hub of work desks and lounges that are wifi-enabled and imbued in lush greenery.

"The idea for Astrid was that employees are working from home, but are often camped out on a dining room table or kitchen island," Turner Wolfe Director Matt Wolfe says.

"The developer went out of their way to create extensive, unique work from home facilities, which will give those buyers an option to get out of their apartments and work in an environment that's connected to nature, all without the commute."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22748 project_image_fid=204938]

Of course not all employees require an office settings. The rooftop terrace surrounded in landscaping and with extensive skyline views is another option for remote workers.

And when working from home, lunchtimes look a little different.

There's a resort-style swimming pool in the project, as well as a fully-equipped gym.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22748 project_image_fid=204941]

There are 94 apartments in the Zhinar Architects-designed Astrid, starting from $625,000 and ranging in price to $1.96 million.

Astrid sit in the booming Showground Precinct in Castle Hill, which is attracting significant investment including&nbsp;more restaurants and cafes, encouraging the dine-out lifestyle much closer to home.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=22748]

At Astrid in Castle Hill, the local developers went full throttle on the working from home spaces, in a more refined way that others

How the work from home movement inspired Astrid's amenity in Castle Hill

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;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

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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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150999]

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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