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Jacara Apartments, a part of the Putney Hill masterplanned community located between Putney and Ryde, offers a rooftop garden oasis.
 The rooftop garden was included because more people are looking to embrace green living in close proximity to the city, said Warwick Dowler, Frasers Property project director for development Putney Hill.
 “Growing numbers of home buyers are looking for property that offers an outdoor lifestyle and the opportunity to get back to nature by growing their own herbs and veggies. This trend has been driven by a number of reasons, not least that it is becoming increasingly accepted that greener living leads to better health,” he said.
 The Jacara Apartments are part of almost 800 apartments and houses in the 13.9 hectare <a href="https://www.putneyhill.com.au/" target="_blank">Putney Hill development</a> by Frasers Property.
 Jacara Apartments will offer its new residents a leafy retreat with communal garden beds for growing vegetables and herbs, a putting green, an outdoor barbecue as well as a formal lounge and quiet areas.
 “There are just 70 homes in Jacara Apartments, and we have already received overwhelming interest from the community in this truly unique offering.  Following strong sales last year, in which all of the Putney Hill houses sold, and similarly robust sales of Figtree and Palmera Apartments in 2013, we’re not expecting Jacara Apartments to remain on the market for very long,” said Dowler.
 Although management of the rooftop gardens is yet to be finalised, it is expected that residents may be interested in playing a role, said Dowler.
 “All Jacara residents will have complete access to the rooftop flower beds and vegetable plots, and we ultimately expect they'd be inclined to assist with their harvest and grooming. We are in the planning processes of deciding the intricate details of how the rooftop gardens will be managed, and this information will be confirmed further down the line as the apartments and rooftop gardens come to life,” he said.
 
Jacara Apartments consists of one, two and three bedroom apartments designed by Sydney based architects Cox Richardson known for their large scale projects such as the Lyric Theatre in The Star, Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne and the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
 Prices of Jacara apartments range from $405,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, $594,000 for a two-bedroom apartment and $1.09 million for a three bedroom apartment.
 It is expected that sales of Jacara apartments will reach 70% in the coming weeks.

Construction of Jacara apartments is planned for completion in 2015.
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Jacara at Putney Hill apartments offer a rooftop garden retreat

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Crown Group’s Sydney residential development Top Ryde City Living has been named the best high density development at the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) NSW Awards for Excellence 2013.
The award recognises the development’s good use of space and forward thinking approach, said Iwan Sunito CEO of Crown Group.
“The entire development – from the individual apartments and penthouses to the shared facilities – is testament to the expertise and skills of the development team,” he said.
The 653 apartment development is located above Top Ryde City Shopping Centre. 
Common viewing platforms enjoy views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Blue Mountains, Sydney CBD and North Sydney.
“Top Ryde City Living was designed to take maximum advantage of the available space and views - and to utilize natural light and cross-ventilation in each apartment,” said Sunito.
The one- two- and three-bedroom apartments in Top Ryde City Living also enjoy a shared music room, pool and playground.
<a href="https://toprydecityliving.com.au/" target="_blank">Top Ryde City Living</a> will consist of seven buildings. 
 
About 90% of apartments in the first five buildings have sold and more than 300 residents have moved into the apartments so far.
 
 
The apartments that remain are two-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom with study residences.
 
 
The final release of apartments at Top Ryde City Living, named Viva by Crown, will be launched in early September.
Viva by Crown will consist of one- and two- bedroom apartments.
All apartments in the first three towers completed have sold with prices ranging between $525,000 and $2.69 million.
The development is expected to complete construction in mid-2014. 
Crown Group was also the only nominee to win more than one award on the night.
Eastlakes Town Centre, a joint venture between Crown Group and Prosha Pty Ltd, was named best concept design.
The plan of 428 apartments across 11 buildings is scheduled to begin construction next year.
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Crown's Top Ryde City wins UDIA award for high density living

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A 100 hectare turf farm, owned by Achilles "Big Al" Constantinidis' company Checkling Pty Ltd, is listed for auction next month. 
The Windsor Turf holding is for August 9 auction by Ray White Commercial on behalf of receivers and managers, David Clout &amp; Associates.
The property at <a target="_blank" href="https://raywhiterurallifestylesydney.com.au/nsw/windsor/999228/">87 Cornwallis Road, Cornwallis</a>, near Windsor, north-west of Sydney, has operated for more than 35 years on about 100 hectares of land beside the Hawkesbury River, said Karen Mychaelle Seeto of Ray White Commercial.
“The business is open for retail sales 5-1/2 days a week and is operated by an existing management and administration team as well as a farming team,” she told Property Observer.
The sale includes land, business assets, brand name, office and equipment.
“Adjoining the workshop area is a chemical storage shed, 4,000 litre diesel tank, wash down bay and a 10,000 litre poly water tank. There’s also more than 800ml of surface water access licences,” said Seeto.
Windsor Turf has lawns throughout metropolitan Sydney, Central Coast and Illawarra regions and sells turf to high profile projects and home owners.
“Clients have included Fox Studios, local councils, landscapers, government departments, golf courses, sports fields and home owners,” she said.
Constantinidis bought the land in October 2007.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/rural/alluvial-windsor-district-turf-dairy-and-polo-farms-of-achilles-big-al-constantinidis-listed-for-receivership-sale/2012070955487">The property has been for sale on and off since June last year</a>.
The first mortgage is held by Equititrust, the Gold Coast finance firm once headed by Mark McIvor. There are numerous caveats on title including several from Rural Security Holdings, Syndicate Mortgage Solutions, and two from Alex Lankry.
Checkling Pty Ltd  faced proceedings by the NSW Office of State Revenue who claimed the company underpaid $720,715 in unpaid stamp duty. But the case was eventually found in Checkling's favour in 2012 leaving the state government department to pay costs.
The land is among around 17 polo fields in Windsor.
 
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Mortgagee auction of Windsor turf farm associated with Achilles Constantindis 

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 Construction of a $140 million apartment development in North Sydney has reached its highest point marking the occasion recently with a construction industry tradition.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.138walker.com.au/index">Belevedere at 138 Walker Street</a> (pictured below), North Sydney had its ‘topping out’ ceremony where a tree was placed at the top of the 22 storey building to show it had reached its 84 metre peak. 
<img src="/images/stories/2013/07/belvederejuly25.jpg" width="470" height="370" alt="belvederejuly25"> 
The tradition harks back to when all buildings were made of timber and a tree atop the new structure was a symbol of growth and prosperity.
A number of other residential developments will soon join Belvedere in North Sydney, said Garry Rothwell, founder of Belvedere’s construction company Winten. 
“Belvedere really paved the way for North Sydney’s residential revitalisation. Its approval was followed by half a dozen other high-rise residential projects". 
Other new developments in the suburb include the 48 apartment Atria on Berry Street, The London on Pacific Highway with 46 apartments and Mulberry on Miller Street with 94 apartments. 
“Seeing Belvedere come out of the ground really cements the exciting change that the area is currently experiencing,” he said. 
The 232 apartment development Skye by Crown Group also in North Sydney will begin late this year. 
“The area already offers so much thanks to its great location and good infrastructure, and now there’s also a wide range of apartment options, something that has been lacking in previous years,” said Rothwell. 
Belvedere has one- two- and three-bedroom apartments as well as a lap pool and gym on the rooftop. 
A mix of owner occupiers and investors have been interested in Belvedere including first home buyers and those wanting to upgrade, or downsize from a larger home and have access to beaches, shopping, dining and entertainment on both sides of the harbour. 
There are eight harbour-view three-bedroom apartments yet to sell among the development’s 195 apartments. 
Prices start at $1.71 million for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nsw-north+sydney-108713336">A1602/138 Walker Street North Sydney</a> (pictured below) for a two bedroom apartment with study on 112 square metres. 
<img src="/images/stories/2013/07/northsydneyjuly25one.jpg" width="470" height="353" alt="northsydneyjuly25one"> 
The most expensive apartment yet to sell is a three bedroom apartment on the top floor priced at $3.01 million.
The median sale price of a North Sydney apartment is $1.06 million, according to RP Data.
The median asking rent for a unit is $888 with an indicative gross rental yield of 4.3%. Belvedere’s new residents are expected to move in by Christmas. 
Sales of apartments elsewhere have included a three bedroom apartment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nsw-north+sydney-113298123?idir=1&amp;ret=realestate/agent/century+21+keynorth+real+estate/naknor/page2" target="_blank">9/171 Walker Street North Sydney</a> (pictured below) sold for $1.06 million in March this year. 
<img src="/images/stories/2013/07/norhtsydneyjuly25two.jpg" width="470" height="325" alt="norhtsydneyjuly25two"> 
A two bedroom unit at 102/59 Miller Street North Sydney (pictured below) sold for $850,000 last month after previously selling for $795,000 in April 2010.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/07/northsydneyjuly25three.jpg" width="470" height="298" alt="northsydneyjuly25three"> 
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Belvedere tops out North Sydney with three bedders the remaining offerings

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A spacious Victorian terrace is for sale in Redfern offering contemporary living on the doorstep of Sydney’s city.
 The recently renovated four-bedroom property at <a href="https://www.spencerservi.com.au/index.cfm?page=for_sale.property&amp;id=3325">51 Pitt Street Redfern</a> (pictured above) is expected to sell for more than $1.8 million.
 Redfern has enjoyed a host of trendy dining and retail opportunities joining the area such as Middle Eastern eatery Kepos Street Kitchen and boutiques such as furnishings store Chee Soon &amp; Fitzgerald, said agent Annie Hodgson of First National Real Estate.
 “It’s really been amazing the change that’s taken place and I think that will continue,” she said.
 The suburb’s changing face has been increasingly evident in its house prices.
 
A renovated four bedroom house at 33 Great Buckingham Street fetched $2,150,000 prior to its recent BresicWhitney auction.
A renovated four-bedroom Victorian terrace at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-redfern-113785755">274 Chalmers Street Redfern</a> (pictured below) sold for $1.73 million in May.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/07/chalmersrdjuly17.jpg" width="470" height="353" alt="chalmersrdjuly17">
 
A three-bedroom three-storey terrace at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-redfern-113329723">32 Kepos Street Redfern</a> (pictured below) sold for $1.66 million in April.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/07/crownstjuly17.jpg" width="470" height="353" alt="crownstjuly17">
 
There are still plenty of sub-$1 million buyer opportunities such as 17 Hugo Street, a three bedroom that sold last weekend through EE Real Estate. 
 The median house price in Redfern is $828,000, up 2.9% from last year, according to RP Data.
 “For the right property, the prices are there and I think it’s just going to get better and better,” said Hodgson.
 The size of the two-storey terrace makes it is suitable for a family who does not want to outgrow their new property.
 “It’s a very grand home, it’s a lovely wide home. I think you’d be looking to somebody who would want to live there a long time like a young family,” she said.
 The property last sold in November 2010 for $1.163 million.
 
It will be up for auction on July 27.
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Spacious Victorian terrace at 51 Pitt Street Redfern for sale

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The latest boutique development in Sydney's inner west, Motif, is over 50% sold.
The residences in the 28 apartment block have a high level of design and finishes which has attracted buyers, said agent Steven Chen at McGrath.
 
 

"The benefit of Motif is the boutiqueness," says Chen.
 
 
"They want to be in a smaller complex with not as many neighbours...Coupled with the outstanding location and the boutique nature of the block will ensure strong returns and good capital growth."

 
The majority of purchases so far have been to owner-occupiers.

 
 

Chen says the quality of the 17 Erskineville Road residences is reflective in their price.

A top floor two-bedroom apartment in the same suburb at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.belleproperty.com/selling/NSW/Inner-West/Newtown/Apartment/7P0720-89-3-13-erskineville-road-newtown-nsw-2042">89/3-13 Erskineville Road Newtown</a> sold for $620,000 in April.

The two-level apartment is currently leased for $650 per week and belongs to the Presidio development built in 2001.
The median sale price of a <a href="/news">Newtown</a> unit is $468,000, up 10.1% on last year, according to RP Data.
The median asking rent in the suburb is $420 per week and the indicative gross rental yield is 4.7%.
Motif is designed by SJB Architects, an Australian practice that has recently delivered Casba Apartments Waterloo and Marina Apartments Abbotsford.
Motif's interiors will be styled by BKH Interiors. The New York and Sydney based company has previously worked on Beach House Apartments Bondi Beach and with SJB on Casba Apartments Waterloo.
Sydney landscape designer Jane Irwin Landscape Architecture will style the development’s green spaces.
Motif is expected to complete construction in August 2014.
“We’re probably about $1000 to $3000 per square metres more expensive than the competitive stock out there and it’s been justified by the design and the location,” he said.
Studio <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/apartment-newtown-nsw-2042/147340">2-5/17 Erskineville Road Newtown</a> in Motif, the fifth apartment on the second storey, is about 50 square metres and is advertised for $475,000.
Two bedroom <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/apartment-newtown-nsw-2042/183240/?searchID=30547563">3-7/17 Erskineville Road Newtown</a> on the third floor in the same development is 100 square metres and is priced at $880,000.
Motif has recently received some expressions of interest from a bakery and cafe in retail spaces on the development’s ground floor.
“We’ve got five boutique retail properties and they’re ranging sort of from 110 square metres to 150 square metres of retail. They will come on the market in the next month or so,” said Chen.
Motif is a short walk from Newtown train station and 100 metres from the suburb’s retail and cafe strip King Street.
Two-bedroom apartment at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.randw.com.au/833752/">8/398-402 King Street Newtown</a> in another development named Casa on King is being sold off the plan for between $720,000 and $724,000.
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Motif, a Newtown development offering a boutique lifestyle

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A piece of Victorian era history has sold in Sydney’s inner west offering a peek into the suburb’s past.
 
 
The one-bedroom apartment at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.laingsimmons.com.au/property/119266-1/249-johnston-street">1/249 Johnston Street Annandale</a> is one of four residences that was converted from a 19th century Victorian mansion in the 1970s.
 
 
It sold for an undisclosed amount last month after expectations to sell for between $575,000 and $600,000.
 
 
Although the renovated apartment is complete with modern luxuries, it retains some of its original finishes including ornate ceilings, decorative archways and polished timber floorboards, said the property’s sales agent Silvia Vitale from Laing+Simmons.
 
 
 

"The property is a rare piece of history in a location brimming with the conveniences of contemporary life,” she said.

The ground level apartment has a garden courtyard, shared rear garden, spa bath, basement cellar and fireplace.
The location of the 1890s built property is linked to some of Australia's earliest history, said Vitale.
“Johnston Street contains rich historic significance,” she said.
The 380 square metre apartment last sold for $175,000 in December 1995 and was being leased for $430 per week in November last year.

The

 most recent sale in the the building was 4/249 Johnston Street which sold for $500,000 in November 2011.

 
 
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Annandale apartment with a Victorian era past sold

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The former Campsie factory site of electrical appliance maker Sunbeam is now being transformed.
It's now a coffee-culture residential development.
Its third release of 95 Parklife apartments (pictured below) in what's now known as Clemton Park Village are now being sold.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/07/july3clemtonparktwo]}
Prior to residential zoning, Sunbeam owned the land from 1951 to 2002.
Before this, the block was Mackinders Market Garden farming potatoes, beetroot, carrots, pumpkin and squashes.
<a href="https://www.cpvillage.com.au/index.php" target="_blank">Clemton Park Village</a> will be a 700 apartment development which will also include a mix of retail opportunities including cafes, restaurants, a childcare centre and a supermarket.
The first two stages of the development have now sold about 90% of their residences.
One-bedroom apartments start at $430,000 and apartments with two bedrooms and two bathrooms are priced up to $580,000.
A range of buyers have purchased apartments at Clemton Park, said Nigel Edgar, NSW residential division general manager of developer, Australand.
“Typically half of Clemton Park buyers have been investors and the other half are a mixture between first home buyers and locals who are choosing to downsize.”
Their website is also tailored to prospective Chinese buyers, due to the development’s location.
“There’s a lot of Chinese or Asian residents in the local community and we’re finding that it’s reflective of the mix in the community,” he said.
The median price of an apartment in Campsie is $385,000 up 40% from five years ago, according to RP Data.
The median asking rent for an apartment in the suburb is $370 showing an indicative gross rental yield of 5%.
Within the suburb, a two-bedroom apartment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-nsw-campsie-113831771" target="_blank">7/56 Ninth Avenue</a> is on the market for $439,000 after selling for $315,000 in March 2009.
A two-bedroom 1970s apartment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-nsw-campsie-113587627" target="_blank">9/138 Ninth Avenue Campsie</a> sold in April for $392,000 after it was sold for $209,000 in November 2005. It is now up for lease at $380 per week.
The first stage of Clemton Park is complete, construction of the second stage will finish in December this year and the final stage of the development will be completed in 2016.
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Former factory site Clemton Park in Campsie releases third lot of apartments with one-bedders starting at $430,000

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There is now an opportunity to rent an apartment in one of Sydney’s newest developments and move in with just your clothes.
The one and two bedroom apartments (pictured below) at One Central Park on Broadway can be fully furnished and fitted with appliances from a teaspoon to a whole sounds system ready for their new tenants to move in.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/07/july3onecentralpark]}
Furnished apartments that have been completely sourced and installed has been popular in metropolises abroad and is coming to Sydney, said David Butt, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.greencliff.com.au/">Greencliff Realty</a> sales director.
“This trend has been common in cities such as New York, Tokyo, London and Hong Kong for some time – this is definitely the future of Sydney’s property market,” he said.
The reason behind this is the number of residents in these locations who don’t want to buy large amounts of furniture for a short stay in the city.
“These larger cities also tend to attract more transient or short-term occupants such as working holiday visa carriers who need to rent everything for the length of their holiday,” said Butt.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/07/july3onecentralparktwo]}
Interior designs are by Senija Lukacevic of Focus Design Group who can decorate the apartment according to the tenants' needs.
The cost of an interior designed apartment start at $475 per week for a one bedroom studio to $800 per week for two bedroom apartments.
Apartments can also be rented without furnishings. 
One bedroom suites that previously sold for $480,000-550,000 can now be rented unfurnished for $490-595 per week.
Two bedroom apartments that sold for $700,000-$820,000 can be rented unfurnished for $785-900 per week.
Dual key apartments that were sold for $900,000- $1.2m and are can be leased for $1050- $1300 per week.
The apartments availble to rent are owned by individuals and they are part of 623 apartments in the One Central Park high-rise in residential and commercial development Central Park.
A two-bedroom apartment in the same suburb at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nsw-chippendale-410761403">302/30 Buckland Street Chippendale</a> is available to rent at $800 per week. 
A studio apartment at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nsw-chippendale-410601903">206/82 Abercrombie Street Chippendale</a> has an asking rent of $390 per week.
Despite One Central Park’s position in the city’s educational hub near Sydney University and University of Technology, Sydney, it hasn't been overwhelmed by student rentals.
“I think they’ve got quite a young professional demographic at the moment. They’ve had a really strong demand. And very few uni students even though it’s a student area,” a Greencliff spokesperson said.
'There's a broad cross section of professionals, couples, singles, with a sprinkling of good quality student tenants.
'We have attracted people who are excited by the facade, the newness, the architectural integrity, and wanting to be an early part of this new and exciting community emerging at Central Park.
"The location attracts those wanting walking access to all this position has to offer."
The professional renters have been attracted as Central Park’s exclusive features and its resultant asking rent are higher than that of average Chippendale student housing.
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Furnished or unfurnished? Central Park rental opportunities including interior design

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Two mansions on Brownell Drive in Byron Bay are offering a slice of the luxury beach lifestyle.
 32 Brownell Drive Byron Bay and 41 Brownell Drive Byron Bay are for sale amid a rise in the number of people making the sea change, said agent Graham Dunn of Byron Bay Property Sales.
 “The big observation we’ve had here in the last six month is the number of people moving to Byron Bay...I’ve never seen this before,” he said.
 In the last five years, almost 3% of those under 24 in Byron Bay had left the region while the number of 55 to 74 year olds increased 5.6%, according to the Australian Beach Towns study by PRD Nationwide.
 “More and more people of the baby boomers are retiring now, so we’re seeing more of them now,” said Dunn.
 However, with the ease of telecommuting to work and doing business over the internet, Dunn says other age groups are also moving to the coastal city.
 “More and more people are seeking the lifestyle and if you’re working hard you might as well live the lifestyle,” he said.
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-byron+bay-107264235">32 Brownell Drive Byron Bay</a> is a four-bedroom villa for sale off the plan for $3.8 million. The 800 square metre block of land it will sit on is the result of a recent subdivision.
 
The property has now been on the market since March 2011 after last selling for $2.03 million in July 2007 and $1.8 million in March 2002.
 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-byron+bay-105034092">41 Brownell Drive Byron Bay</a> is a four-bedroom house with pool on 911 square metres is for sale for $5.5 million. The two storey property has been on the market since July 2008.
 A four-bedroom house on about 820 square metres at <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house-byron-bay-nsw-2481/168357">21 Brownell Drive Byron Bay</a> sold for $5.6 million in December last year after previously selling for $3.325 in September 2010.
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Two Brownell Drive, Byron Bay mansions for sale aimed at wealthy seachangers

<h3 data-end="19" data-section-id="1dvgwoe" data-start="0">Summary</h3>

<ul data-end="634" data-start="21">
	<li data-end="170" data-section-id="1o77v31" data-start="21">Walker Corporation has lodged plans for a second major residential development in the Maroochydore City Centre, a 29-storey tower known as Celeste.</li>
	<li data-end="327" data-section-id="1lb0y6t" data-start="171">The Plus Studio-designed proposal at Lot 30 Sunshine Coast Parade would deliver 208 apartments, including four four-bedroom sub-penthouses and penthouses.</li>
	<li data-end="487" data-section-id="za720" data-start="328">The application comes as Walker doubles down on Maroochydore following the strong sales campaign at SOL by Walker, where the first tower is nearing sell-out.</li>
	<li data-end="634" data-section-id="5sovec" data-start="488">Walker is a key partner in the transformation of the Maroochydore City Centre, which is expected to ultimately deliver at least 4,000 new homes.</li>
</ul>

Walker Corporation is doubling down on Maroochydore following the successful sales campaign at its first residential project in the emerging CBD.

The national developer has filed plans for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/celeste-30-sunshine-coast-parade-maroochydore-qld-4558">Celeste</a>, a new 29-storey apartment tower at Lot 30 Sunshine Coast Parade, just metres from its under-construction SOL by Walker development.

The plans, prepared by Plus Studio, would see 208 apartments delivered across a 100-metre tower on the 2,376 sqm site, which fronts Sunshine Coast Parade, First Avenue and Future Way within the Maroochydore Priority Development Area.

<img alt="Walker" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="17038209-6fea-4ed2-855d-fd4df65b3d02" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-10%20at%2010.24.16%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=iZD.oVXcQn.aLpUytDAW.CWjxP4puWMy" />

The proposed apartment mix comprises 36 one-bedroom apartments, 48 two-bedroom apartments, 72 two-bedroom apartments with an additional multipurpose space, and 48 three-bedroom apartments.

The upper levels would be capped by two four-bedroom sub-penthouses and two four-bedroom penthouses, taking the total apartment count to 208. The preliminary yield study also provides 262 car spaces, 114 resident bicycle spaces and storage for each apartment.

It represents Walker's next major residential move in the new Maroochydore CBD after the success of SOL by Walker, its $220 million two-tower project nearby.

SOL launched to market in early 2025 and has since seen strong demand, particularly from local owner-occupiers. By February this year, Walker said the first SOL tower was nearing sell-out, with a strong waitlist also emerging for its recently released penthouse collection.

Construction is already underway on SOL, with the first tower expected to be completed in late 2027 and the second to follow in early 2028.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147777 project_image_fid=319846]

<h2 data-end="2518" data-section-id="1b2dyo5" data-start="2459">Celeste to rise 100 metres over Maroochydore City Centre</h2>

Celeste would take a different form to the twin 19-storey buildings at SOL.

Plus Studio has designed a single 100-metre tower above an activated podium, with the architecture responding to the site's prominent position and three street frontages.

The podium would incorporate commercial tenancies and public art, with sweeping façade elements wrapping the street edges. The scalloped concrete podium has been inspired by the patterns created in sand at low tide, while extensive landscaping would continue vertically through the tower.

The ground level plans show three commercial tenancies addressing Sunshine Coast Parade alongside the residential lobby and landscaped public realm. The podium would then accommodate several levels of car parking before the residential tower rises above.

<img alt="Celeste" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="121f77b1-71c5-46d7-9b36-0a7d474211ca" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-10%20at%2010.24.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=MGrg9Hb7HgzLN0Lelq_xrXNAruVl77ia" />

Plus Studio said the tower had been designed to maximise views from each apartment, taking in the Maroochy River, Sunshine Coast hinterland, Cotton Tree and Maroochydore Beach and ocean.

Those views have also shaped one of the project's key features, with Walker proposing to put the primary resident amenity on Level 29 rather than lower within the building.

The rooftop would feature a 284.9 sqm pool area with an infinity edge, along with a cold pool, spa, sauna, 93.2 sqm gym, sunset lounge, BBQ and dining areas, pool deck and private dining space. Cabanas and day beds are also shown across the recreation level.

The two penthouses would extend across the upper levels and each feature private terraces and plunge pools.

<h2 data-end="4202" data-section-id="v5f4ix" data-start="4160">Walker's growing Maroochydore footprint</h2>

Celeste further reinforces Walker's commitment to the transformation of Maroochydore City Centre.

Walker is one of the key partners delivering the new CBD alongside Sunshine Coast Council and SunCentral Maroochydore, with the broader 62-hectare Priority Development Area occupying the former Horton Park Golf Course and surrounding land.

The precinct is ultimately expected to accommodate at least 4,000 new homes as Maroochydore evolves into the Sunshine Coast's principal commercial and residential centre.

When SOL secured approval in February 2025, Walker Managing Director and CEO David Gallant described it as the "first of many residential projects" the company planned for the Maroochydore City Centre.

Celeste now provides the clearest indication yet of what comes next.

The site sits immediately within the new CBD, with the design report identifying Sunshine Plaza and surrounding parkland within walking distance and Maroochydore Beach around a five-minute drive away.

For Walker, the timing of the application comes as its first residential bet on the new CBD appears to have been vindicated.

SOL has progressed from planning approval to construction while its first release has approached sell-out, giving Walker confidence to push ahead with another 208 apartments and take its residential pipeline in the Maroochydore City Centre to around 450 dwellings across the two projects.

Celeste remains subject to planning approval, with the architectural material describing the scheme as a preliminary yield study that may change through the assessment process.

Joel Robinson

Walker doubles down on Maroochydore with 29-storey Celeste apartment tower

For most Australians, buying an apartment is one of the biggest financial decisions they'll ever make

The location, floorplan and price are often the first considerations, but in recent years another question has become increasingly important: who is actually delivering the project?

A series of high-profile builder collapses, construction delays and defect concerns have fundamentally changed how many Victorians approach buying off the plan. The collapse of Porter Davis in 2023, which reportedly left around 1,700 homes unfinished, became one of the most visible examples of the risks that can emerge when a construction company fails. <a href="https://www.equifax.com.au/sites/default/files/lpassets/pdf/Final-Business-Market-Pulse-June-Sector-Deep-Dive-Report-2.pdf">Similar challenges across the broader construction sector</a> have left buyers asking more questions before signing a contract.

As Victoria continues encouraging higher-density housing to address supply shortages, transparency is becoming just as important as location or price.

One tool increasingly entering the conversation is the <a href="https://icirt.com/">Independent Construction Industry Rating Tool (iCIRT)</a>, an independent assessment framework designed to help buyers better understand the developer or builder behind a project. Originally developed by Equifax in consultation with government and industry as part of NSW's Construct NSW reforms, the system has since expanded nationally.

<h2 data-end="1519" data-section-id="7nmx3" data-start="1492">What is an iCIRT rating?</h2>

Most Australians are familiar with independent ratings in everyday life.

We compare ANCAP safety ratings before buying a car. We look at Health Star Ratings in supermarkets. Banks rely on credit assessments when lending money.

Until recently, however, there has been very little independent information available to help apartment buyers assess the business responsible for delivering a residential project.

That gap is what iCIRT was designed to address.

Builders, developers and other construction professionals with an iCIRT rating have demonstrated high-trust characteristics through an independent, evidence-based assessment across six criteria: Character, Capability, Conduct, Capacity, Capital and Counterparties. This involves a rigorous review of financial health, past project track record, and ethical conduct. Crucially, an iCIRT rating could help provide property buyers with confidence that they are working with a professional who has demonstrated the capability, capacity, and willingness to return and rectify issues.

Importantly, iCIRT is not a recommendation to purchase a particular property, nor is it a traditional credit rating. It is an independent assessment framework designed to provide objective information about a construction business using a <a href="https://icirt.com/sites/default/files/2025-08/iCIRT-Methodology-Issue1-May-2021.pdf">published methodology</a>.

The system has been widely adopted in New South Wales, where more than one-third of medium and large residential builders and developers now hold an iCIRT rating, representing over two-thirds of the state's residential building market by value as of 2025/26.

<h2 data-end="3126" data-section-id="h6ohtj" data-start="3084">Why buyers are doing more due diligence</h2>

For many buyers, particularly those purchasing off the plan, the biggest risk isn't whether they'll like the kitchen finishes.

It's whether the project will be delivered on time, to the expected quality, and by a company capable of completing the development.

<a href="https://icirt.com/sites/default/files/2026-07/iCIRT%202025%20Consumer%20Survey%20Report%20v05.pdf">Consumer research commissioned by iCIRT</a> found more than half of respondents believed current protections do not adequately safeguard buyers from builder insolvencies or defective projects. Other research found 88 per cent of prospective buyers would seek independent ratings or due diligence before purchasing, while 90 per cent said trust in construction professionals is essential.

That doesn't mean buyers should rely on a single rating alone.

Independent legal advice, understanding the contract, and seeking financial advice all remain important parts of the due diligence process.

However, an independent assessment can provide another source of information alongside those traditional checks.

<h2 data-end="4138" data-section-id="pquzxc" data-start="4094">Trust is becoming a competitive advantage</h2>

The conversation isn't only changing for buyers.

Developers are also recognising that trust has become an increasingly important part of the sales process.

Five years ago, purchasers typically asked about floorplans, finishes and settlement dates.

Today, sales teams are increasingly being asked about the developer's experience, financial stability, previous projects and construction partners.

For companies with strong governance and established delivery records, an independent iCIRT rating provides another way to demonstrate those credentials before buyers even visit a display suite.

According to Equifax, the assessment can also help businesses drive sales and <a href="https://icirt.com/resources-for-business/icirt-rating-helps-scion-secure-high-value-projects">secure high-value projects</a>, as well as identify operational improvements and <a href="https://icirt.com/resources-for-business/mirvac-reinforces-brand-trust-and-quality-independent-icirt-rating">attract top talent</a>.

<h2 data-end="4962" data-section-id="1j54ng5" data-start="4912">Beyond buyers: lenders are paying attention too</h2>

The influence of independent construction ratings is also extending beyond consumers.

According to Stamford Capital's Real Estate Debt Capital Markets Survey, an increasing number of lenders now incorporate iCIRT ratings into their due diligence processes when assessing residential development finance applications.

The survey found lender adoption has continued to rise, with many respondents saying independent assessments provide additional insight into governance, counterparties and delivery capability beyond traditional financial analysis. Some lenders also reported declining funding applications where businesses had poor or no ratings.

As construction costs remain elevated and access to development finance becomes more selective, demonstrating credibility is becoming increasingly valuable.

<h2 data-end="5801" data-section-id="1qazuxs" data-start="5772">What it means for Victoria</h2>

Victoria's apartment market is entering a new phase.

The state is seeking to accelerate higher-density housing while simultaneously introducing reforms aimed at improving confidence in residential construction.

For buyers, that means there are more tools available than ever before to research the businesses behind a project.

For developers, it signals that transparency is becoming another point of differentiation in an increasingly competitive market.

Buyers are asking more questions than ever before and increasingly expecting independent information, not just marketing material, before making one of the biggest financial commitments of their lives.

Find out how to get iCIRT rated <a href="https://www.icirt.com/sites/default/files/2025-08/iCIRT-Infographic-Assessment-Process-Final.pdf">here</a>.

<hr data-end="6469" data-start="6466" />
The information contained in this article is general in nature and does not constitute personal, financial, legal or tax advice. It does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Therefore, you should consider whether the information is appropriate to your circumstances before acting on it and, where appropriate, seek independent professional advice.

This article contains links to third-party websites. These links are provided for convenience only. Equifax Australia does not control and is not responsible for the content, accuracy or privacy practices of external sites.

Copyright © 2026 Equifax Australia Information Services and Solutions Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.

Buying off-the-plan in Melbourne? How independent iCIRT ratings are set to change Victorian property

Apartment buyers in New South Wales are set to gain a decade of insurance-backed protection against major building defects, after the NSW Parliament passed the Fair Trading and Building Legislation Amendment Bill 2026.&nbsp;

The Bill establishes decennial defect insurance, known in the market as Latent Defects Insurance (LDI), as an alternative to the existing two-year strata building bond. It cleared the Legislative Council with amendments on Tuesday evening (August 4, 2026), with the Legislative Assembly agreeing to those amendments shortly after.

Under the reform, eligible developers can satisfy their statutory bond obligation by taking out an approved decennial-style policy that gives owners 10 years of cover for major structural defects from completion, claimable directly, without first having to pursue developers or builders through costly legal action.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=111820 project_image_fid=344699]

The change forms the final tranche of amendments arising from the 2021 statutory review of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 and related legislation.

Resilience Insurance, which originated the cover in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022, welcomed the passage and credited the NSW Government for delivering it.

“This is protection apartment buyers have needed for a long time, and the credit for delivering it belongs to the NSW Government,”&nbsp;said Corey Nugent, CEO of Resilience Insurance.

“Minister Chanthivong and his team have shown real leadership in replacing an outdated two-year bond with cover that matches the lifespan of the buildings people are buying into. Reform like this is what good, evidence-based regulation looks like.”

Resilience has delivered LDI in NSW since 2022, protecting thousands of apartments, giving the State, and now the country, real-world evidence of how decade-long, no-fault protection works in practice.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136442 project_image_fid=374084]

The reform also places NSW within a wider national shift.

NSW is the third jurisdiction to put decennial cover into law. The ACT legislated for it in 2024, with the scheme taking effect in late 2025, and Victoria passed its own framework on 17 June. Between them, the three cover the majority of Australia's apartment market.

The reform commences once the legislation is proclaimed, which is expected in the coming weeks. From that point, developers of Class 2 residential apartment buildings can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial policy in place of the bond.

Buyers who purchased into projects that took out the cover early are among the first in the country to take keys to apartments carrying decade-long structural protection.

“With the legislation passed, the focus now turns to making it work for buyers,”&nbsp;Nugent said.

“There are already thousands of apartments in NSW covered by this insurance, bought by developers who moved early. The question every buyer should be asking in a display suite is a simple one: does this building come with 10-year defect cover, and who stands behind it?&nbsp;

“We look forward to working with the Government and the Building Commission in coming weeks as the framework moves to implementation, and to sharing what we have learned over the past four years so the protection reaches owners as smoothly and quickly as possible.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134954 project_image_fid=4553]

Other states are working through their own reform programs. Western Australia has indicated that decennial cover is within consideration a later stage of its reform sequence, and Queensland has been examining the settings as it looks at the development pipeline ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

Resilience Insurance acknowledges the NSW Government’s continued focus on strengthening consumer protection while supporting housing delivery across the State.

Fast Facts: What the reform means

<ul>
	<li>Proven at scale:&nbsp;Decennial cover has operated in NSW since 2022, protecting thousand of apartments.</li>
	<li>10 years of cover:&nbsp;Protection for major structural defects runs for a decade from completion, claimable directly and with no legal action required.</li>
	<li>An alternative to the bond:&nbsp;Eligible developers can meet their statutory obligation with an approved decennial-style policy in place of the 2% strata building bond.</li>
	<li>Part of a national shift:&nbsp;The ACT has had decennial provisions in force since 2025 and Victoria passed its framework in June. NSW now joins them.</li>
	<li>No-fault, first resort:&nbsp;Owners corporations claim directly from the insurer without first having to establish who is liable for the defect.</li>
	<li>Cost-competitive:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the 2% bond while offering broader, longer protection.</li>
	<li>Market position:&nbsp;Resilience originated LDI in Australia and has delivered it in NSW since 2022.</li>
</ul>

Fast Facts: What is Resilience LDI?

<ul>
	<li>Resilience Latent Defects Insurance (LDI):&nbsp;Covers major structural defects for 10 years from completion.</li>
	<li>Consumer-first:&nbsp;Direct claim access, no need for lengthy legal action.</li>
	<li>Cost advantage:&nbsp;At approximately 1.8% of build cost, LDI is typically priced below the traditional 2% Strata Bond while offering broader protection.</li>
	<li>Market leader:&nbsp;&nbsp;Resilience Insurance originated LDI in Australia and is the national market leader.</li>
</ul>

NSW parliament passes 10-year defect insurance laws for new apartment buyers

Builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mcnab-developments">McNab</a> has wasted little time reshaping one of South Brisbane's most significant undeveloped apartment sites after acquiring the property earlier this year.&nbsp;

McNab has lodged plans to scrap an existing approval for two 30-storey towers and instead deliver a single 28-storey residential building, preserving part of the site for a future development opportunity.

The proposal, lodged over <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/64-peel-street-south-brisbane-qld-4101">64 Peel Street and 9 Cordelia Street</a>, is for a residential-led mixed-use development comprising 124 apartments above a landscaped podium, alongside a boundary realignment that preserves part of the land for a future residential project.

<img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="743bf564-3f8f-45fc-b8d3-bbf18f5b628f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20Peel%20st%20podium.png?VersionId=EhCxGrVn_VFH3qTbKnI4WppGwaMnOn0t" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hayball">Hayball</a>, the development will deliver 119 two-bedroom and five three-bedroom apartments across 23 residential levels. A five-level podium will accommodate 135 car spaces, while the ground floor will include a 66 sqm commercial tenancy, an activated residential lobby with work-from-home spaces, and a publicly accessible landscaped plaza linking Cordelia and Peel streets.&nbsp;

Communal amenities will span Level 6 and the rooftop, including indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, a swimming pool, barbecue facilities, kitchen and dining areas, lawn space, sauna, steam room and yoga facilities.

The application also proposes a boundary realignment to create a standalone 1,290 sqm development lot while retaining an adjacent parcel for future redevelopment, allowing the balance of the site to contribute additional housing over time.

Hayball said the architecture has been shaped by the site's elevated corner position at the intersection of Peel and Cordelia streets and Brisbane's subtropical climate.

The design incorporates generous landscaped setbacks, a masonry podium wrapped with planting, large north-facing balconies, and a slender tower profile intended to maximise natural light, cross ventilation and long-range views. The rooftop has been conceived as a wellness-focused retreat overlooking Brisbane, with amenities positioned to capture views towards Mount Coot-tha and the CBD.

<img alt="First look: McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c5f99e84-6ad8-4a87-82d1-869685b754d2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/mcnab%20tower%20perspective.png?VersionId=Gw0IuJaSAlk.tvGBxInhZOcQAdIB..2b" />

The planning submission positions the proposal as a response to both changing market conditions and Brisbane's Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct planning reforms.

McNab acquired the site after the previous approval was granted, with the existing scheme no longer reflecting current residential market demands, economic conditions, construction challenges, construction efficiencies or the quality of development outcome now being pursued, the planning report noted.

McNab continues to expand its residential development pipeline across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The developer recently launched The Tannery in West End, securing more than 60 per cent of apartments before the project's public release. It is also delivering Elements Budds Beach in Surfers Paradise and Lucia Highgate Hill, an eight-apartment boutique development overlooking the Brisbane River.

McNab resets decade-old South Brisbane approval with 124-apartment tower

A steeply sloping Bellevue Hill site is set to accommodate a new mid-rise apartment development, with plans lodged for 20 homes that respond to the site's dramatic topography.

The proposal for the consolidated land at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/138a-140-bellevue-road-bellevue-hill-nsw-2023">138A-140 Bellevue Road</a> has been designed by Sydney architecture practice Common Office, which has used the site’s substantial fall to distribute the building’s scale and unlock 20 apartments without presenting the full height to the street.&nbsp;

“The unique design strategy leverages the site’s substantial topographical fall to facilitate increased density, presenting a seven-storey profile to Bellevue Road while rising to 10 storeys at the rear,” Common Office said in its architectural design report.

The apartment mix spans one, two, three- and four-bedroom residences. Four two-bedroom apartments are designated as affordable housing, while the plans also include two adaptable dwellings. The mix is majority three-beds, with the typical three-bed apartment offering around 144 sqm internally, with balconies of around 15 sqm.

The affordable housing component represents 15 per cent of the residential floor area and allows the project to access additional height and floor space under the NSW Government’s in-fill affordable housing provisions. The site also falls within the inner area of the Low and Mid-Rise Housing Policy because it is within 400 metres walking distance of Double Bay Town Centre.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1230d0f-3bfa-4a11-abaf-0928c66ef345" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da.png?VersionId=dZeMK3P.OutGjN8ycjsxm8uNsj_QFWQv" />

Common Office has arranged the building around a masonry podium and a lighter upper volume, drawing on two recurring elements of Bellevue Hill’s established architecture: sandstone bases and the vertical proportions of local Inter-war Art Deco apartment buildings.

“The proposal is governed by a holistic design language that reconciles the solid horizontal masonry of the neighbourhood’s podiums with the elegant verticality of its Art Deco heritage,” the architect said.

“The building maintains a consistent rhythmic logic utilising deep recesses and a sophisticated material transition to break down the 10-storey scale into a series of articulated, human-scale volumes.”

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0147f503-1af1-4d51-97fb-c2f1cba63a9d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20bldg.png?VersionId=GoW7q3NlK67OpnePXhk7zvklrlKb72Qc" />

Large-format sandstone tiles will define the lower levels, establishing a robust base that negotiates the change in elevation from Bellevue Road. Above, red-tinted precast concrete frames, recessed balconies, anodised aluminium screens and expanded metal details will create a more vertically expressed façade. Integrated planter beds will introduce greenery across balcony edges and recessed sections of the building.

The elongated northern façade has been divided into three recessed vertical masses to reduce its perceived length. Triangular window elements and metal privacy screens reference the geometry of nearby Art Deco buildings while controlling overlooking toward surrounding homes. The southern elevation will incorporate further privacy screening, landscaped edges and deep balconies to maintain light and ventilation.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for topography-led affordable housing project in Bellevue Hill" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e8679cf1-18bc-4447-8a0f-0052b94ab83c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bellevue%20da%20rooftop.png?VersionId=5SQqQqRFf76rvE2p1TbxJSweMN70AIbc" />

Private and communal landscaping is distributed throughout the development. A landscaped garden apartment is positioned within the lower portion of the site, while a communal terrace on Level 5 will include a central timber deck, barbecue facilities, resident planting plots and areas for outdoor dining and informal gatherings.

Common Office described the terrace as an elevated sanctuary designed to capture district views and sunlight. Its planting strategy incorporates endemic species associated with the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub, extending the landscape vertically through the building and providing habitat for local flora and fauna.

A second communal outdoor area is proposed at roof level, with built-in seating, paved gathering areas and perimeter planting.

Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction. Positive Investment Enterprise is delivering the 16-apartment Kew Palm House on Birriga Road, while Chanine Developments is also under construction at Florian, a 36-apartment project on Banksia Road.

&nbsp;

Bellevue Hill is enjoying renewed momentum in the new apartment market, with several boutique developments recently launched and currently under construction.

Charmaine Wong

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