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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/july29groverd]}
35 Grove Road, <a target="_blank" title="Hawthorn" href="/news">Hawthorn</a>, Victoria, 3122
A fine double-fronted Victorian home, which has been updated well to suit modern living. Key pluses - rear northern orientation and secure/direct car access, functional floor plan, and the façade is a classic one (yet could be further improved with some colour changes and restoration work). Some may find rear living area a little small, and location of laundry to first floor a little odd (yet could be relocated to existing formal dining room area). First-floor bedrooms are good size and enjoy north light. Given recent strong sales in this area, this should attract good completion - would well suit a young family / couple very well. James Buyer Advocates rates the property 725 out of 1,000, which is in the Well Above Average category. It is being marketed by <a href="https://www.jelliscraig.com.au/property/HAWTHORN-35-Grove-Road/2879331/" title="Jellis Craig" target="_blank">Jellis Craig</a> agents Peter Vigano and Katrina Mckenna and goes to auction on Saturday, July 30 at noon. 
 
Adam Woledge is a registered architect and principal buyer advocate at <a href="https://www.james.net.au/en-au/" title="James Buyer Advocates" target="_blank">James Buyer Advocates</a>. James includes market news, home ratings and auction reports on its website.
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cknowlton-QnEa6ntUYP

Updated Victorian in Hawthorn

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1131 Plenty Road, Bundoora, VIC, 3083
<img src="/images/stories/plentyroad.jpg"> 
This four-year-old contemporary townhouse is currently leased to excellent tenants at $555 per week. It was sold by <a href="https://www.raywhitebundoora.com.au/buying/search/detail.aspx?id=RWB1546&amp;wlid=cdacf6e5-4900-446f-9f29-6c7b277291e2" title="Ray White Bundoora" target="_blank">Ray White Bundoora</a> agent Joshua Allison at auction on Saturday, July 30, for $402,500. It had price hopes of $390,000 before auction. It will net its new owner yields of 7.1%, far above the indicative rental yield for Bundoora houses of 3.7%, according to RP Data. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom house is well situated to appeal to tenants, as it is between La Trobe University and RMIT and close to the 86 tram and Bundoora's shopping district. 
For more information about indicative yields and average prices in Bundoora, visit the RP Data suburb page.
For other investment possibilities going to auction this weekend, see pages 2 and 3.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
52/1 Maddison Street, Redfern, NSW, 2016
<img src="/images/stories/maddison.jpg"> 
This light-filled three-bedroom apartment in Redfern is close to shops, transport and cafes and could be appealing to tenants. The building includes a pool, gym, sauna and rooftop terrace, and the 115-square-metre apartment has a large balcony. It is being marketed by <a target="_blank" title="Kho and Lee Property" href="https://www.khoandlee.com.au/properties/470085/details">Kho and Lee Property </a>agents Sami Yildiz and Patricia Kho with price hopes of $640,000 plus. The property has the potential to rent for $700 a week, which would represent a yield of 5.7% at the asking price. This is well above the indicative gross yield of 4.9% in Redfern, according to RP Data. The property went to auctino on Saturday, July 30 but was passed in. Its price expectation remains $640,000.
For more about indicative gross yields and average prices in <a target="_blank" title="Redfern" href="/news">Redfern</a>, see the RP Data page.
 
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71 Newton Road, Newton, SA, 5074
<img src="/images/stories/newton.jpg">
This three-bedroom property needs some work, but after renovations it could be a good investment property, as it is close to major shopping strips, transport and schools. Indicative gross rental yield is 4% in the suburb, and after an upgrade 71 Newton Road could be an attractive prospect for tenants. It was brought to auction by <a target="_blank" title="Elders Real Estate" href="https://www.eldersrealestate.com.au/residential/buy/property-house-sa-newton-463677">Elders Real Estate </a>agent Bill Gent on July 30 but was passed in. Its price expectations remain $350,000 plus. 
For more about indicative rents and prices in <a target="_blank" title="Newton" href="/news">Newton</a>, see the RP Data suburb page.
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Friday Form Guide: Yields of 7.1% in Bundoora

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The advertising campaigns for all four of the properties featured on Channel 9 hit The Block have begun, with the first open for inspection occurring Thursday, July 28.
<img src="/images/stories/block39.jpg">
The property at 39 Cameron Street (pictured above), in the inner-Melbourne suburb of <a target="_blank" title="Richmond" href="/news">Richmond</a>, which was the first to appear on real estate websites, was open for inspection yesterday at noon. The property is being marketed by Biggin Scott agents Russell Cambridge and Sam Davenport has price hopes of $800,000 plus.
“We had exactly 100 groups through the property in the hour, of which 25 I’d rung up and specifically invited,” Cambridge says.
“The rest were either from the internet or were passing by, as happens in the area.”
A Thursday noon inspection that draws 100 groups is a “very good open for inspection,” as Cambridge says, and news crews from both Channel 9 news and Channel 9’s A Current Affair also turned up to watch the action.
He says the 25 invitees were known to be looking for property in the area, so although he acknowledges it is too early to accurately gauge buyer interest in the property, he has high hopes for its August 20 auction.
<img src="/images/stories/block43.jpg">
The four agencies representing the four houses have taken different tacks in regards to their properties’ reality stardom. Jellis Craig agents Clayton Smith and Allan Cove, who are marketing 43 Cameron Street (pictured above), make no mention whatsoever of the TV show on the property’s advertisements. Jellis Craig is also keeping mum on price hopes for the property.
<img src="/images/stories/block37.jpg">
Woodards, on the other hand, which is marketing next-door 37 Cameron Street (pictured above), features several pictures of contestants Josh and Jenna admiring their handiwork and the banner “Winner!” splashed across numerous photos of rooms. Woodards’ homepage also features the new tagline “If you want the best result and you don’t use Woodards, you’reyou’re your block.” Woodards agent Ruth Roberts has listed the double-fronted Victorian, the largest of the four cottages on the show, with $900,000 plus hopes.
<img src="/images/stories/block41.jpg">
The other two properties sit somewhere in between. Biggin Scott’s marketing cheekily suggests 39 Cameron Street has “the only views on The Block” but makes no other reference to the renovation reality show, while Hocking Stuart mentions that 41 Cameron Street (pictured above) is “the star of The Block” and offers one promotional shot of renovators Katrina and Amie, but none in situ. Hocking Stuart’s Glen Coutinho and Jodie McCarthy have listed the property with $800,000 hopes.
All four renovation teams were given $100,000 to make over their decrepit Richmond cottages, which Channel 9 bought for a combined price of $3,025,000. Teams win prize money for the best room renovation or renovation challenges, and the winning team will be the one that gets the best auction result above an undisclosed reserve.
The four properties will go to auction at Fitzroy Town Hall on August 20 at 5pm. 
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Marketing begins in earnest for The Block cottages

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/july26triptych]}
8 Kavanagh Street, Southbank, VIC, 3006
With a striking 33-metre by five-metre vertical garden on one face and a facade by Australian artist Robert Owen that brings to mind a cascade of raindrops glinting in the sun, the <a target="_blank" title="Triptych" href="https://www.triptychliving.com/">Triptych </a>building is a work of art in itself. Seven four-bedroom "penthouses" across the top five levels of the building are now on the market, with price hopes of between $3.75 million and $5.5 million. The apartments offer views of either the Melbourne skyline or the Royal Botanic gardens, and they have the state-of-the-art fittings and fixtures one would expect for apartments of this calibre. The apartments are large, ranging from 306 square metres to 330 square metres. Four of the seven apartments have been sold.
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A work of art in Southbank

Properties on the market too long become problem listings: SQM

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A new boutique development at 17 Ellesmere Road, in the inner-Melbourne suburb of Windsor, is set to offer sustainable living and innovative design.
Designed by Jackson Clements Burrows architects and built by the sustainability-minded Balfour Development Group, the development will offer 15 one-bedroom and eight two-bedroom units. The apartments range from 40 square metres to 80 square metres, and one-bedroom units begin at $395,000. Two-bedroom units begin at $570,000. The average price for a unit in <a target="_blank" title="Windsor" href="/news">Windsor </a>is $467,000, according to RP Data.
Balfour Group managing director Steve A’Beckett expects the apartments to be in high demand.
“It’s a very uniquely designed building, a very beautiful, sculptural form, it’s very well priced,” he says. “It ticks all the boxes, which is what we try and achieve with all our developments.”
One of the key features of 17 Ellesmere Road is sustainability, as the building was designed to have a 6.2-star rating according to the Sustainable Tools for Environmental Performance Strategy rating system, which was developed by Moreland Council and is a significantly more stringent standard than the Building Council of Australia.
“We have water harvesting and reuse for both wastewater and landscaping, we have solar power, which makes a fairly significant contribution to keeping running costs down. We have cross-ventilation mechanisms,” A’Beckett says.
“Sustainability is a very key part of our corporate platform,” he says. “I want my kids to inherit a better world than I am inheriting, and so we try to make long-term sustainability a priority.”
The development is close to Chapel Street and Prahran’s shopping strips, and it is six kilometres from Melbourne CBD.
Apartments are being marketed by Kay &amp; Burton agents Michael Armstrong, Peter Kudelka and Chris Alcock. The development came on the market last Wednesday, July 20, and Alcock says three apartments have been reserved so far.
Construction on the project is set to begin in October of 2011 and finish in December 2012.</body></html>

Eco-friendly design under a mansard roof in Windsor

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/july25camelot]}
40 Martin Road, Centennial Park, NSW, 2021
Built in 1968 and designed by architect Nicholas Munster, this home shows off the Modernist design principles of a light-filled interior and cross-flow ventilation. At the time it was considered revolutionary, with curved walls and ceiling features, marble and terrazzo floors and an indoor tiled fish pond. The four-bedroom, five-bathroom house, called Camelot, is in one of Sydney's most tightly held areas, Centennial Park.  It includes a sauna and landscaped gardens and is being sold through <a href="https://www.kenjacobs.com.au/" target="_blank" title="Ken Jacobs">Ken Jacobs Christies</a> agent Ken Jacobs, with price hopes of $5.4 million. In October 2010 the property came on the market with price hopes of $6.5 million. 
 
 
{module 238}
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Welcome to the '60s in Centennial Park

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As we look to what's ahead for 2012, Property Observer is republishing some of our most noteworthy stories of 2011.
 
The first residential project in Australia to achieve five stars is not the eco-mansion you might imagine.
<img src="/images/stories/lilyfieldgreen.jpg">
These stars – which have only been available to multi-residential projects since 2008 – were awarded to the Lilyfield Housing Development in Sydney’s inner-west (pictured above).
The social housing complex, which includes 88 one-, two- and three-bedroom units, achieved its status thanks to a significant investment in eco-initiatives aimed largely at keeping costs down for tenants.
Romilly Madew, CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia, explains: “Take Lilyfield’s gas-booted hot water system as an example. It caters for 60% of hot water consumption and will be able to deliver annual savings of $213 per unit, meaning the annual energy bill for households will decrease by 25%.
“Green buildings really do provide tenants and owners with a buffer against future increases in water and energy costs and protect against service shortages.
“Highly efficient appliances, increased insulation, reduced lighting loads, passive solar energy and ventilation, and water conservation measures all lead to more dollars in the bank,” she says.
<img src="/images/stories/redferngreen.jpg">
Housing NSW has since achieved another five-star ratings for the redevelopment of its Redfern site (pictured above), which will include 66 apartments and 40 townhouses, many of which will house aged and disabled members of the community.
According to a department spokesperson, raising the environmental bar also lifts the wellbeing of residents.
“Assisting low-income and disadvantaged households with the reduction of energy and resource consumption has clear economic benefits, but it also improves their health, not to mention comfort levels at home,” the spokesperson says.
“For example, residents enjoy houses that are naturally ventilated, and because there is no general parking they are encouraged to use bikes.”
Housing NSW is committed by its own regulations to adopt voluntary green rating tools to a five- or six-star standard when building new projects.
As such, it is able to lead the way not only for social housing but for sustainable residential design in general.
Madew says that although the green star system is designed to be voluntary as a means of recognising and rewarding those who push the envelope, she encourages governments to mandate green star ratings for all the buildings they own, operate or develop.
“This is important as it demonstrates governments’ commitment and leadership and will help to drive ever-increasing levels of sustainability.”
The immediate challenge for the private sector is meeting the perceived higher construction costs associated with green star projects, and having confidence this will lead to solid returns.
But architect Kevin Masci of Bates Smart says a green-star rating can be a real marketing edge.
<img src="/images/stories/convesso2.jpg">
At Convesso (pictured above), the stunning development on Melbourne’s Victoria Harbour with four green stars, Masci says any additional costs were offset against “less important building elements” to ensure only minimal costs were passed on to buyers.
“Despite the sustainability credentials, Convesso apartments are not necessarily more expensive than similar apartments in the Docklands, they are still market competitive,” he says.
“At the moment buyers embrace green star features, providing it’s at a reasonable cost, but in time green star residential buildings will be recognised as the new state-of-the-art.”
Convesso, with its soaring twin towers, penthouses, pool and gym, is just one example of how buyers can be reassured that neither creature comforts nor aesthetics are sacrificed in the name of a green star rating.
<img src="/images/stories/thesummer.jpg">
The design of The Summer (pictured above), a four-star green development along South Beach Promenade in Fremantle, was in fact inspired by an understanding and respect for the environment.
“Perth weather can often be extreme, with strong sun, heavy rain and wild wind, which made it more sensible to employ a passive design that responds to the benefits and forces that characterise the climate,” says architect Daniel Grinceri of Donaldson Warn.
“Sustainability was an important design principle that informed the early concept stage and therefore influenced the aesthetic direction of The Summer”.
Romilly Madew admits that take up of green star residential projects has been slow to start.
“But as the business case grows, we expect the uptake of the residential tool to follow the trajectory of the Green Star office tool.”
<img src="/images/stories/delta.jpg">
And if Grocon’s Delta building (pictured above) – a 10-storey apartment complex made completely from timber – is anything to go by, we have a lot to look forward to.
Delta aims to be carbon-neutral and is due for completion on its inner-Melbourne site in 2014.</body></html>

Residential buildings shoot for the (green) stars

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/july24sandybay]}
354 Sandy Bay Road, Sandy Bay, Tasmania, 7005
With 1900s charm and an absolute waterfront location, this house is in one of Hobart's most prestigious suburbs. With four bedrooms and two bathrooms, there is plenty of space to spread out, and the harbour is right on the doorstep. It is being sold by<a target="_blank" title="Corkhill and Associates" href="https://www.corkhill.com.au/pol/property/search.asp?f_PropertyID=1646815&amp;xsl=4737&amp;f_st=1"> Corkhill and Associates</a> agent Pam Corkhill with price expectations of $2.25 million plus. 
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On the waterfront in Sandy Bay

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{yoogallery src=[images/stories/july21dampier]}
9 Dampier Crescent, Forrest, ACT, 2603
A builder's own home, this four-bedroom, four-bathroom house is cleverly designed and has top-of-the-range fittings and fixtures. It includes a wine cellar and a heated indoor swimming pool with retractable roof. Two separate self-contained guest quarters comprise one bedroom and living area each. The property is within reach of Canberra's prestigious schools, and the Parliamentary Triangle is nearby. It is being sold by <a href="https://www.ljhooker.com.au/HJWFMF" title="LJ Hooker Manuka" target="_blank">LJ Hooker Manuka</a> agent Stephen Thompson with price hopes of $2.95 million. 
 
{module 238}
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Resort-style living in Forrest

For most new apartment buildings, the Owners Corporation starts life with little more than a bank account and the first quarterly strata levies.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/9-gay-street-castle-hill-9-gay-street-castle-hill-nsw-2154">9 Gay Street</a> in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a>, it starts with around $7 million in reserve.

It's an unusual legacy of what was once one of Sydney's highest-profile apartment remediation projects. When the development, originally known as Skyview and built by disgraced developer Top Place, came under scrutiny by then NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler, an $11 million remediation bond was negotiated to ensure any building defects could be fully rectified.

The building underwent an 18-month remediation program, during which around $4 million of that bond was spent bringing the building up to the standard it should have been in from the outset.

After extensive inspections, all active rectification orders have been lifted. What's more, around $7.2 million remains secured for the Owners Corporation for the next 15 years.

In a twist few would have predicted, what began as a significant concern for purchasers has left the building with something almost unheard of in the apartment market: a multi-million-dollar financial reserve from day one.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359136]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a> Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said the structure offers buyers a level of certainty that is difficult to replicate.

"The $11 million bond established for the Skyview Castle Hill development represents exceptional value, providing genuine financial security for purchasers," Huxley said.

"Unlike a standard insurance policy, this bond consists of real funds held in trust for the Owners Corporation, offering a tangible layer of protection and added peace of mind."

The apartments themselves have been designed with a focus on practical, contemporary living. Interiors feature Smeg appliances, stone benchtops, tiled living areas, carpeted bedrooms, 2.7-metre ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glazing, and ducted heating and cooling throughout.

Residents also have access to a range of shared amenities, including two rooftop barbecue areas, a swimming pool, children's playgrounds, secure building access, storage cages, and visitor parking.

The location continues to be one of the project's strongest drawcards. Castle Hill Metro Station sits virtually on the doorstep, providing direct connections across Sydney's expanding Metro network, while Castle Towers offers extensive retail, dining, entertainment, and service amenities within walking distance.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359127]

The building, now named after its location at 9 Gay Street, comprises a diverse mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments starting from just under $600,000.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett said demand in the Hills District continues to be driven by buyers seeking convenience and connectivity.

"Interest from both owner-occupiers and investors in Castle Hill remains exceptionally strong, with buyers consistently prioritising developments in close proximity to the Metro station and Castle Towers Shopping Centre," Hamblett said.

"There is a clear trend in the market, with purchasers seeking convenient access to transport and lifestyle amenities that support a seamless, low-maintenance way of living."

On top of the long-term protection afforded by the remaining $7.2 million bond, Equitifund is offering a limited-time stamp duty rebate on selected apartments.

Eligible purchasers can also secure finance options, including a 3.99 per cent two-year variable rate, loan-to-value ratios of up to 90 per cent, and interest-only lending options through EquitiCredit.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=147685]

Joel Robinson

Why this Castle Hill apartment building starts with a $7 million advantage

For much of the past few years, conversations about Australia's property market have centred on the rapid growth seen in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Perth. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3004">Melbourne</a> has followed a different trajectory.

That relative underperformance is now encouraging some buyers to reassess the city, particularly those willing to look beyond short-term market movements and focus on quality property in established locations, along with the long-term growth prospects of a city expected to overtake Sydney as Australia’s most populous.

John Bekiaris, Research &amp; Market Insights at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Projects by Equitifund</a>, said Melbourne's current position is attracting increasingly sophisticated purchasers.

"Melbourne continues to present one of Australia's strongest long-term investment stories," Bekiaris says.

"While other capital cities have experienced stronger recent growth, that relative underperformance is exactly what's attracting sophisticated counter-cyclical investors."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363268]

Equitifund isn't just commenting on Melbourne's property market, it's investing in it.

The Sydney-headquartered capital partner has taken over the remaining apartments at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/victoriana-melbourne-20-queens-road-melbourne-vic-3004">Victoriana</a>, the recently completed glass-encased development opposite Albert Park Lake in Melbourne's tightly held St Kilda Road precinct.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and built by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hickory">Hickory</a>, Victoriana places residents between one of Melbourne's most recognised parklands and the CBD, offering oversized two and three-bedroom apartments aimed at owner-occupiers seeking a genuine alternative to a traditional family home.

The development comprises 232 completed residences alongside a suite of resident amenities, including a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, landscaped entertaining areas, resident lounges, EV charging, secure basement parking and a concierge-style arrival experience.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363229]

The apartments have been designed with owner-occupiers firmly in mind.&nbsp;Open-plan living and dining areas flow onto generous balconies framing views across Albert Park Lake, Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Melbourne skyline.

Kitchens feature Gaggenau appliances, stone benchtops and generous preparation space. Bedrooms include built-in robes, while bathrooms feature full-height textured tiling. Hardwood flooring and ducted air conditioning complete residences designed for long-term living.

Rothelowman's architecture takes its cues from the landscape opposite the site. Sweeping horizontal glazing references the movement of Albert Park Lake, while generous balconies and expansive glazing strengthen the connection between the apartments and the surrounding parklands. The result is a building designed to deliver the scale and amenity expected of luxury apartment living, while offering the larger floorplans increasingly sought by owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363284]

The location is one of Victoriana's defining characteristics. Positioned on Queens Road, residents are directly opposite Albert Park Lake and within easy reach of Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens, South Melbourne, St Kilda Road and the CBD. With few comparable development opportunities remaining in the precinct, buyers are increasingly placing value on outlooks that are unlikely to be interrupted by future construction.

Greg Huxley, Founder of Equitifund, believes those qualities become even more valuable over time.

"Premium real estate has always rewarded buyers who take a long-term view," Huxley said.

"Victoriana represents the kind of asset that's increasingly difficult to recreate today, particularly in an established location like Queens Road."

He said rising construction costs are also changing the way buyers assess completed developments.

"When you combine an irreplaceable location with thoughtful architecture and premium finishes, you create something that becomes increasingly difficult to reproduce as construction costs continue to rise."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363228]

According to National Sales Director Ben Hamblett, enquiry has been driven largely by Melbourne downsizers and buyers upgrading from smaller apartments.

"Interest in Victoriana continues to build, with strong buyer focus on the larger owner-occupier residences within the development," Hamblett says.

"Enquiry is increasingly driven by local buyers who recognise the rarity of what's on offer: park-facing apartments in an established neighbourhood where new development opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce. At Victoriana, the view is not just a feature; it's an appreciating asset in its own right."

He said interstate enquiry has also strengthened as buyers reassess Melbourne's position within the national property cycle.

"Melbourne currently stands as the most compelling entry point of any major Australian capital, and discerning buyers are beginning to recognise what those who move early always understand: the best opportunities are taken before the price rise confirms them."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=1979]

Why now is the time to buy in Melbourne's premium apartment market

Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=373834]

Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150713 project_image_fid=373827]

Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

&nbsp;

Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357458]

Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.

"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.

"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357463]

Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

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Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."

Sherpa recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.

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Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

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Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

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La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

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Cassidy Knowlton

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