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It’s easy enough to paint some bedrooms, sand the floorboards and call yourself a renovator. Anyone can slap paint on a wall, but knowing exactly what you need to do to improve a space and increase a property’s overall value requires expert knowledge, which many people do not have.
How do you know if the tiler you’ve chosen has quoted the right price? Will your bathroom and kitchen really take two weeks as promised – or will it drag out to two months? And should you always go with the cheapest quote?
As with all aspects of property buying and investing, renovations require careful planning and execution. Investors must bear in mind that the purpose of renovations is to maximise the property’s equity, so the profit is often in the decision-making, not necessarily in picking up the tools.
Why should I renovate?
Renovating your investment property can give you capital growth, even in a flat market. The instant profits that come from a renovation can be used to help fund any negative cash flow. At the same time, undertaking careful upgrades will prevent maintenance for years to come, giving you a hassle-free, passive investment. So far, so good – but very few property owners know how to get these results without any stress.
If the renovations are carried out correctly and with the right advice, you can make tens of thousands of dollars in equity in the first year alone. It can be as simple as new paint and new carpet, or it can be as complex as a complete gut and refurbishment.
How much should I spend?
There’s no hard and fast rule on this but it’s always a good idea to engage an independent and impartial property valuer before commencing your renovation. You can easily become emotional when buying and renovating property, but when you become too emotionally involved, it usually leads you to overcapitalise because you get carried away and believe that the more you spend on the project, the higher its final value. On the other hand, if you undercapitalise, potential tenants or prospective buyers are likely to obtain a discount on the property as it hasn’t been renovated to its true potential.
Many amateurs make renovation plans, believing that a $30,000 kitchen renovation will add $50,000 to the property’s value. A good valuer will know that homes in the street won’t sell above a certain value – even with a new kitchen – and the renovator would be lucky to add $30,000 value.
In this scenario, a valuer may suggest spending just $10,000 on simple improvements such as new cupboard doors, benchtops and flooring, which could add $20,000 to $30,000 to the equity, which is double or triple the investment.
Property valuers are best found through recommendations, internet searches or asking their industry body, the Australian Valuers Institute. I recommend you find a local valuer as they’ll know the prices in your area well, along with the type of demographics that would appeal to your particular property.
What can I do myself to keep costs down?
On much larger jobs you could pull in a quantity surveyor who can provide you with a list of what labour and materials cost on certain jobs. This will ensure you’re not overcharged. The quantity surveyor can also provide a depreciation report on the additions you have made to highlight all the deductions you can claim on your tax return.
You should also always go to tender and get a number of quotes, using the first quote to ensure that everyone is quoting “like for like” on a line-by-line basis. This is where many people get caught out.
Let’s say you’ve asked for three quotes to paint the front mailbox of your duplex. One quote includes priming, painting and weatherproofing. The next quote includes painting the letterbox and repair of the broken latch. The third quote includes painting and weatherproofing, with free paint touch ups to any scratches over the next 12 months.
Can you see how difficult it is to compare these three quotes, when they each outline different work? You need to compare apples with apples, so make sure you detail the specifics of the job, and ask each supplier to supply (in writing) the guarantees they offer, such as a fixed price, penalties should the job go overtime, warranties on workmanship and so on.
Another approach is to look at a “fixed fee” versus “cost plus”. A fixed fee will cap what you pay, but may include a fat contingency for the builder for unforeseen problems. “Cost plus” can work out cheaper if all goes to plan. If you do lots of jobs or you are completing a big project, you could always see if a builder will do a joint venture instead and work for a percentage of a profit after sale or revaluation.
Where do I start?
Start by choosing the right property, making sure it is an unemotional investment, as opposed to an emotional home purchase.
Are you looking to buy, renovate and sell, or buy, renovate and hold? If you’re selling it’s imperative that there is an immediate and almost guaranteed profit in the deal. If you’re looking to hold, you need to buy the right property that will continue to grow strongly forever. The renovation profit in a hold strategy is more about icing on the cake, maximising your rental return and ensuring you have minimal maintenance to do in the future.
Next, work out a rough time and cost budget. If you want to renovate for profit, every extra dollar you spend has to give you at least one to two dollars in added value. Be mindful of how long your renovation will take as every day costs you another 24 hours’ worth of repayment on the mortgage, with no rent coming in.
Consider adding a 20% to 25% contingency for unforeseen expenses that always seem to crop up once you strip off the tiles or wallpaper. It’s all about being prepared for the worst, so check your finances to see what funds you have available, if the renovation takes a turn for the worse.
Chris Gray is CEO of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.yourempire.com.au/">E</a><a target="_blank" title="Empire Property Portfolios" href="https://www.yourempire.com.au/">mpire Property Portfolios</a> and appeared on Channel Ten show The Renovators.
This is an excerpt from<a href="https://www.themessengergroup.com.au/shop/realestate/property-investing-the-australian-way-3/" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://www.themessengergroup.com.au/shop/realestate/property-investing-the-australian-way-3/" target="_blank">Property Investing The Australian Way</a>, published by The Messenger Group.
For expert commentary and analysis on lessons to be learnt from property reality TV, <a target="_blank" href="https://register.propertyobserver.com.au/lights-camera-auction/">download our e-book Lights, Camera, Auction!</a>
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A DIY guide to renovating for profit: Where to start with property renovations: Chris Gray

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As we look back on 2011, Property Observer is republishing some of our most noteworthy stories of the year.
It was a good result to get six properties sold on last night’s finale of The Renovators in current uncertain market, even though we were expecting a much better result as all properties had been transformed significantly and renovated to a very high standard. 
The fibro cottage at 85 Harold Street, Blacktown, made $68,000 profit on a $310,000 property or 18.28% on total costs. 
The half-done house at 5 Frederick Street, St Peters was the biggest bad shock, as it sold for $770,000. This was $130,000 below the agent’s expectations of $900,000. 
The shop, at 146 Addison Road, Marrickville, which was transformed into a three-bedroom, one-bathroom abode, was the biggest good shock selling at $700,000 –  $30,000 above the agent’s expectations of $670,000. 
The weatherboard, at 51 Franklin Street, Parramatta sold dead on the agent’s expectations of $575,000. 
The ‘60s suburban at 15 Anthony Road, Castle Hill, which is no longer stuck in a timewarp.Castle Hill, sold for $730,000. This was $40,000 below the agent’s expectations of $770,000. 
The inner-city terrace, at 12 Hegarty Street, Glebe sold for $925,000 – $12,500 above the agent’s expectation of $912,500. 
Market confidence has slipped in the last six months due to the state of the national and global economy, which has led to a lot of potential buyers sitting on the fence. It's often easier for them to make no decision than to buy or sell property at the moment. 
Commentators are mixed about whether interest rates are likely to rise or fall at the moment, which is adding to people's indecision. Buyers are unsure whether to take on large amounts of debt if their mortgage is likely to increase rapidly in the future, and others are waiting for a substantial fall in rates before making a move. 
Some people will not go to a televised auction under any circumstances, even though there was a large level of interest in the properties. Bidding at an auction is like public speaking, and most people fear it more than death. To be put on the spot in front of such a large audience and on national TV would be a nightmare to a lot of people, and so they will not turn up or bid under any circumstances. 
Selling property by auction is not just about that night, it's about pre- and post-auction negotiations. A lot of property at the moment is being sold pre-auction, as agents know it's an uncertain market, and they will happily take a good offer before. For most of the properties that sold at a loss, in reality the auctioneer would have used a vendor bid or passed the property in and then negotiated afterwards and would have got a higher result. As it's a TV show it was better to get a result on the night. Many properties sell within days of the auction night and at a much higher price. For example on The Block the second property sold that same night and the third and fourth sold within three or four days at a profit. 
The contestants had to spend a 20% budget to keep everyone on the same playing field. In reality some properties might have been better off spending less as there is a point where you start to overcapitalise. Due to time constraints, they also had to hire in and pay for trades where they would normally have done the work themselves effectively for free, so they wouldn't have spent so much cash. 
They had to pay to furnish their properties rather than renting styled furniture. A lot of buyers may not value what they had spent on interiors as they have their own furniture. 
It’s a TV competition and not 100% reality of how someone might make commercial renovation decisions in practice. 
Buying, renovating and flipping is different to buying and holding The Renovators had to do things properly, e.g. replacing sewage systems, and they had to get guarantees in place. If they were selling they wouldn’t necessarily improve things that didn’t need immediate attention or didn’t need to be fixed immediately.
Chris Gray is CEO of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.yourempire.com.au/">E</a><a target="_blank" title="Empire Property Portfolios" href="https://www.yourempire.com.au/">mpire Property Portfolios</a> and was a judge on Channel Ten show The Renovators.
For expert commentary and analysis on lessons to be learnt from property reality TV, <a target="_blank" href="https://register.propertyobserver.com.au/lights-camera-auction/">download our e-book Lights, Camera, Auction!</a>
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Television bright lights short-changed The Renovators auction results

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What's in store for the property market this spring?
It all depends on which geographical and price segment you're in and it depends on what happens to consumer sentiment as that seems to be driving people as to whether they buy or not. For those investors buying in the median-priced inner-city areas, nothing has really changed financially since late 2010/early 2011, but all that demand has been whittled away with general negative thoughts on the economy and has led to most investors sitting on the fence.
They all seem to be sitting on the fence waiting for something to happen one way or the other, and it's always easy to make no decision rather than a decision. As a buyers agency we struggled to buy property in Januar and February, as prices paid were way over the top. July was very quiet but August brought in a lot more cashed-up buyers and September seems the same. Nothing has changed in the buyers' minds, they just seemed more ready, and some of these buyers have saved $700,000 in cash or have been pre-approved to $1.5 million and are looking at buying a couple, so it's not that they're struggling financially.
Spring is often a good time for real estate, sellers are keen to put their properties on the market as the warm weather hits and buyers shrug off the winter blues. We all know the property market moves in cycles and after sitting on a cold fence for the winter I think we'll see more buyers think it's time to jump down and make the most of the reduced demand. No matter how you look at it, if you're a long-term investor this reduced demand has got to mean better buying opportunities. 
How to prepare a house for sale
 The best house doesn't necessarily get the top price, it's the best prepared house and the best selling campaign with the best agent that gets it. There's a reason why the TV shows and the best real estate agencies spend time and money renovating and styling homes - it's because it works. Simply restyling a home can make a 5% to 10% difference to the sale price and you don't necessarily have to spend that much money or have exceptional renovation skills to make those changes.
It's often the simplest and cheapest things that give it the biggest wow factor. If you want to sell your property for the highest possible price you need to identify and understand the demographic that's most likely to purchase it. You then need to highlight your properties most appealing features and fix any features that detracts from that image. 
The simplest and cheapest things to work on first are: paint, carpet, re-polish floors, change light fittings and power points, kitchen cupboard doors (if the carcass is solid), re-enamel/re-paint bath and tiles, replace taps, mow the lawn, put in some plants, paint the front door and garden fence. Be wary of replacing kitchens and bathrooms with a family home as it may not be to the taste of the buyer and they won't want to pay to replace it if they think they've already paid for a new one in the purchase price. If you're selling an investment property it's a great thing to do as long as you stick to neutral palettes. 
Simple styling tips start from a major de-clutter as most people have too much 'stuff'. Depersonalise it by removing 99% of the family pictures and ornaments. Buyers need to see that it could be their home but you still need to show that it is a home rather than a bland project home. Unless you're a part-time interior designer, you may as well leave it to the professionals and bring in their professional items - it often only costs a few thousand dollars. Consider moving before the campaign and defintely don't be around for open inspections. Buyers spot you a mile off, it puts them off, makes them feel uncomfortable and they will move on to the next house. 
Picking the right agent is just as important as styling and renovating your property. The lowest commission might well get the lowest price so choose your agent on skills and personality, not on price.
You can't sell a secret, so spend some money on letting people know you property is for sale and what benefit it may offer. When it comes to the day of auction, the auctioneer is the one that will make you smile or make you cry and so as much due diligence needs to be put into them as choosing the agent. A good auctioneer can get the auction off to a competitive start and a few extra bids at the end can add tens of thousands to your sale price.
Chris Gray is CEO of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.yourempire.com.au/">E</a><a target="_blank" title="Empire Property Portfolios" href="https://www.yourempire.com.au/">mpire Property Portfolios</a> and a regular TV commentator. 
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Spring motivates undecided buyers to get off the fence

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Large volatility in the economy, the share market or the property market is never a great thing, as it can lead to irrational decisions. However, if the share market does fall significantly, it doesn't automatically mean the property market will drop. A number of economists are predicting interest rate drops, which will give positive enthusiasm to property owners and investors. Even if property values temporarily drop slightly, lower interest rates make it more affordable to hang on to your property and so you're less likely to have to sell it. For example, my properties in the UK have now become much more cash flow positive.
Median-priced properties, especially around the inner cities, are the least likely to be affected due to the high demand and lack of supply. People will still have reasonably paying jobs and still need to live near the cities. Million-dollar-plus properties may well become more volatile as buyers are less willing to make a move and find it easier to sit on their hands and do nothing.  Good properties in good locations do typically still sell well no matter what their price if they tick all the boxes. For the ones that aren't quite perfect i.e no parking or on main roads are more likely to take longer to sell.
A lot of the media are recognising that they're in danger of getting the nation to talk themselves into a recession if they sensationalise the news too much, and so a lot of the TV news shows etc are being responsible and trying to put it into perspective. The UK is in a much worse position than Australia, and my inner-city property investments there are still worth 95% of their peak, are producing a much better cash flow and are still worth three to four times what I paid for them 20 years ago.
The temporary drop is insignificant if you look at it over a 10- to 20-year time frame and have the ability to not be put in a forced sale position.
Chris Gray is CEO of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.yourempire.com.au/" style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; text-decoration: underline; color: #6888b1;">E</a><a target="_blank" title="Empire Property Portfolios" href="https://www.yourempire.com.au/" style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; text-decoration: underline; color: #6888b1;">mpire Property Portfolios</a> and a regular TV commentator.
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Share market woes do not mean property will crash

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My clients include high-net-worth and aspiring high-net-worth individuals who see the current market as the perfect buyer’s market and are taking action.
Many ordinary people, on the other hand, find it difficult to make it past their first or second investment property, or to even start investing, because they don’t know how to continue the process.
The investment strategies used by the millionaires are not just practical things you can do, but the mindset you should have. I had been investing for years before a mental shift took place, when I began to see how I could transform my life by investing in property – and I did.
Anyone can make serious money from property if they follow a few key strategies, stick to their decisions and stay focused.
Top 10 secrets to property investing: 
<ol>
<li>
Buy, don’t sell Buy quality property in a blue-chip area and, where possible, never sell. Once you have one appreciating asset you can build up equity, which you use to purchase your next property.</li>
<li>
Buy blue chip It’s worth paying market value for a better property in a top suburb than it is to get a lower price for a property no one else really wants. The better-performing suburbs are often the best suburbs from decade to decade.</li>
<li>
It's time in the market, not timing the market that counts Don’t try to be a millionaire overnight. The real secret to wealth is compounding your investments. Aim for consistency.</li>
<li>
Go against the grain Do opposite to what everyone else is doing: buy when everyone sells; sell when they buy. Don’t listen to negative people telling you you’re doing it wrong. </li>
<li>
Don’t fear the gear It’s perceived that debt is dangerous. Property debt can increase your return and get the return faster. Know how much debt you are comfortable with. </li>
<li>
Be passionate about your investments Believe in your investments. It will feed your drive and keep you focused. </li>
<li>
Be driven Drive enables you to take risks that very few others would make and get to where you want to be faster. Constantly focus on the results of your investments </li>
<li>
Keep refinancing Keep tapping into the equity in your properties to buy more properties – and maybe a few luxury items along the way. </li>
<li>
Stick to your strategy Work out what works for you. Once you develop a strategy, stick to it. </li>
</ol>
10. Don't retire on property rents. Most people think they’ve got to pay property off as quickly as possible and retire on rents. But often it's the capital growth that makes the real money. 
Chris Gray is CEO of <a href="https://www.yourempire.com.au/" target="_blank">E</a><a href="https://www.yourempire.com.au/" title="Empire Property Portfolios" target="_blank">mpire Property Portfolios</a> and a regular TV commentator.
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Top 10 tips to investing like a millionaire

Private equity real estate firm Conquest has entered into a $220 million partnership with Woolworths’ development arm, Fabcot, to deliver its long-awaited Waterloo project on Bourke Street.

The Bourke Street development was first flagged by Fabcot back in 2021 as part of its push into Sydney’s residential market. However, progress has since stalled, with no activity on site amid a number of design revisions in consultation with the City of Sydney.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/conquest">Conquest</a>, which is actively planning more than $6 billion worth of new developments, predominantly mixed-use precincts, is now set to move the project forward.

The current plans include between 110 and 120 apartments across two buildings designed by Bates Smart at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/923-935-bourke-street-waterloo-nsw-2017">923 Bourke Street</a>. The scheme will incorporate a portion of apartments reserved for key workers, alongside premium commercial space at ground level, including a full-line Woolworths supermarket.

Construction is expected to commence in the second half of 2026.

<img alt="Conquest" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d8beee83-ef9b-446b-a3b3-1e2fe596512b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-01%20at%2011.08.46%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=raYhGepiLUJfx4InLPRRJduA3ftDJ_kS" />

The news comes just a week after Conquest went to the NSW Government to upsize its plans for Castlecrag's Quadrangle Shopping Centre.

Conquest purchased the site for just shy of $70 million last year, with existing plans in place for a mixed-use residential and retail precinct comprising 38 luxury apartments.

Those plans have now been significantly expanded, with the developer lodging a State Significant Development Application with the NSW Government’s Housing Delivery Authority for 150 apartments across two 11-storey buildings. The apartments will sit above a four-storey podium, incorporating specialty retail tenancies and five levels of basement car parking, on the 5,166 sqm site at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/100-edinburgh-road-castlecrag-nsw-2068">100 Edinburgh Road</a>.

Conquest has been increasingly active in the development space in recent years. The group acquired the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/eastlakes-nsw-2018">Eastlakes</a>&nbsp;Shopping Centre redevelopment, where it plans to deliver more than 1,000 apartments above a new retail precinct, and has also lodged a $900 million State Significant Development Application for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/conquest-unveils-900m-stanmore-village-vision-for-landmark-inner-west-site">mixed-use precinct in Stanmore</a>.

Joel Robinson

Conquest partners with Woolworths to deliver mixed-use Waterloo project

A shift away from Sydney’s industrial past has left parts of the inner south defined by contrast, brick warehouses repurposed into dining precincts, former factory streets softened by landscaping and pedestrian activity.

Rosebery is one of those suburbs. Over the past decade, it has undergone significant gentrification, anchored by The Cannery, which has helped reposition the area as one of the inner city’s most sought-after lifestyle pockets.

What hasn’t kept pace with that transformation is new residential supply, which has remained relatively limited. Builder-developer Deicorp identified that gap early, securing a site in 2019 and delivering what is now one of the suburb’s most architecturally distinctive developments.

To realise the vision, Deicorp engaged Candalepas Associates to design The Rothschild, a project that is immediately recognisable from the street.

Completed in 2025, The Rothschild comprises two buildings across Rothschild and Mentmore Avenues, delivering 176 apartments. The development replaces a former industrial site, retaining a material and structural dialogue with its past while introducing a more resolved residential framework. The scale is deliberate but not monolithic, broken into forms that engage both street frontages, with retail at ground level and two levels of basement parking below.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106843 project_image_fid=221665]

From the street, the architectural intent is clear. Off-form concrete columns run through the façade, establishing a repeated structural rhythm that gives the building its visual weight. These are paired with deep-set arches and sections of exposed brickwork, creating a layered elevation that reads less like a typical apartment block and more like a reinterpretation of industrial architecture.

The material palette is intentionally restrained, with concrete left exposed and brick used to define mass rather than decoration. The result is a building that stands out through proportion and repetition, rather than height or glazing.

This approach continues internally. A central landscaped courtyard sits between the two buildings, anchored by an olive grove that acts as both a visual and spatial focal point. Rather than functioning as residual space, the courtyard is designed as a shared ground plane, where circulation paths, seating areas and planting come together to create a usable communal environment. Its positioning allows natural light to penetrate deep into the site while maintaining separation between residences.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106843 project_image_fid=221666]

Within the apartments, the planning follows a clear and functional logic. Entry points lead directly into open-plan living areas, with kitchens positioned as central elements alongside dining and lounge spaces. These zones extend to balconies or external openings, maintaining a visual connection to either the courtyard or the street.

Kitchens prioritise practicality, with generous bench space, ample storage and European appliances configured for everyday use. Bedrooms are typically set back from the main living areas, creating quieter zones within each residence, with separation achieved through layout rather than material change. Bathrooms are compact but efficient, incorporating mirrored cabinetry and integrated storage to maximise space. Across all residences, the emphasis is on clarity of movement and functional planning.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106843 project_image_fid=221669]

At ground level, retail and hospitality uses extend the building’s presence beyond its residential function. A café or restaurant space, alongside communal amenities such as a music room and rooftop areas, positions the development as part of a broader urban network rather than a standalone project. These shared spaces reinforce a lifestyle where the building operates as an extension of the surrounding neighbourhood.

Rosebery’s proximity to Green Square, The Cannery and nearby parklands supports this model of living, where much of daily life is within walking distance. The Rothschild sits comfortably within that network, contributing to the streetscape through its distinctive architecture, while internally organising space around light, structure and communal use.

The Rothschild is now complete and ready to move in, with limited residences remaining.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=106843]

The Rothschild reinterprets Rosebery’s industrial DNA into residential form

KTQ has unveiled&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/casilia-16-marine-parade-coolangatta-qld-4225">Casilia</a>, the final residential release within the Kirra Point precinct which really kicked off the boom in the area back in 2019.

The final stage comprises&nbsp;87 residences and marks the culmination of a long-term, family-led vision for Kirra Point, as the precinct moves toward completion in tandem with the development.

Around $100 million in sales have been achieved already, close to 35 per cent of the residences secured ahead of launch. There have been a significant number of buyers returning from the first stage of the development, Miles Residences, securing another property within Kirra Point.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152295 project_image_fid=368410]

Selling agent Tim Keenan from Keenan Byrne said the response reflects both the scarcity of the offering and Kirra’s growing reputation as a premium coastal market.

“This is effectively Kirra’s final act, the last release within what has become one of the Southern Gold Coast’s most tightly held beachfront precincts,” Keenan said.

“We’ve seen exceptionally strong pre-sale interest, from VIP waitlists through to off-market enquiry, which speaks to both the quality of the product and the confidence buyers have in the precinct. What’s particularly compelling is the number of buyers returning from Miles, either upgrading or investing again, which is a strong signal of how the precinct has been received."

Keenan adds that at the same time, north-facing beachfront remains exceptionally rare in Australia, limited to places like Noosa, Byron and Kirra, which is underpinning long-term value.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152295 project_image_fid=368415]

Positioned along one of Australia’s few true north-facing beaches, Casilia offers a mix of two and three-bedroom residences with pricing ranging from $1.87 million to $7.15 million and two exclusive penthouses. Residences are oriented to capture varying outlooks, from uninterrupted Pacific Ocean views across Kirra Beach to hinterland vistas, with upper levels and shared amenity taking in sweeping perspectives along the Gold Coast coastline.

At rooftop level, a north-facing pool deck captures expansive, uninterrupted views over Kirra Beach and north towards Surface Paradise. The space incorporates a heated resort-style pool, mineral spa, sun lounges and a covered BBQ cantina.

Buyer profiles are broad, typically aged between 40 and 70, with a strong skew toward second-home ownership, drawn by a combination of lifestyle, relative value, proximity to Gold Coast Airport and lower congestion compared to more established markets such as Byron Bay and Noosa.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152295 project_image_fid=368414]

The project is being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ktq-group">KTQ Group</a>, a family-owned Australian property group with a diverse portfolio spanning residential, hospitality and commercial developments. The group has delivered a number of notable projects across sectors, including the award-winning Elements of Byron resort, demonstrating its depth of experience across both hospitality and residential development.

Known for its long-term approach to place-making, KTQ Group retains a vested interest in its projects, often holding assets within its portfolio, which has also helped build trust among buyers and reinforced confidence in both the vision and delivery certainty of the precinct.

“Casilia represents the final opportunity to secure a residence within Kirra Point and brings to market the last release within our long-term vision for the precinct," KTQ Group's Jeremy Holmes said.

"Kirra Point has been more than a decade in the making, and that timeframe reflects the care behind each decision, it takes listening, balance and vision to arrive at something that feels right for the location.

“Our approach has always been to deliver Kirra Point as a destination in its own right, a connected coastal neighbourhood integrating residential, hospitality and wellness, rather than a standalone project. It’s a vision that respects place, pace and permanence, and contributes to a sense of community that feels authentic to Kirra.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152295 project_image_fid=368411]

Once complete, the Kirra Point masterplan will incorporate a mix of dining establishments, bars and cafés, alongside the Kirra Point Health Club and a future 91-room independent resort hotel, creating a walkable, integrated lifestyle precinct.

Architecutue and interiors at Casilia have been designed by the experienced design houses of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/little-boat-projects">Little Boat Projects</a> and O’Neil Architecture &amp; Interior Design, The design moves beyond the conventional coastal apartments, instead taking cues &nbsp;from the surrounding landscape - layering natural materials, soft curves and warm textures to create spaces that respond to light, airflow and the rhythms of coastal living.

Residences are designed with an array of floorplates, generous proportions and intuitive flow, while at ground level Casilia connects into the broader precinct, where future laneways, retail and hospitality offerings will contribute to a neighbourhood defined as much by how people live day-to-day as its beachfront position.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152295]

The final residential release within the Kirra Point masterplan is set to launch, as strong pre-sales signal sustained demand for the Southern Gold Coast

A decade in the making: KTQ launches Casilia at Kirra Point

South East Queensland developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gardner-vaughan-group">Gardner Vaughan Group</a>’s entry into the Gold Coast apartment market has progressed from pipeline to market, with its Chevron Island project Bronze on Chevron now formally available to purchase ahead of a planned 2029 completion.

The 119-apartment development on Mawarra Street marks the Brisbane-headquartered builder-developer’s first residential play in the Gold Coast, following its expansion south from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bronze-on-chevron-8-mawarra-street-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Bronze on Chevron</a> comprises a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom residences, with pricing starting from just over $1.5 million. The project is being delivered under Gardner Vaughan’s fully integrated model, with the group acting as both developer and builder, a structure it has consistently applied across its South East Queensland portfolio.

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Architecture has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cottee-parker-architects">Cottee Parker</a>, with landscape architecture by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/jeremy-ferrier-landscape-design">Jeremy Ferrier</a>. The building presents as a single-tower scheme, with a focus on maximising outlook across both the Surfers Paradise skyline and the Nerang River.

Apartments have been planned with open-plan living zones extending to generous balconies, a response to the site’s dual-aspect positioning between river and ocean. Interiors follow a restrained coastal palette, with two colour schemes offered, and an emphasis on natural light and cross-ventilation.

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Resident amenity is concentrated across more than 1,250 sqm and includes a resort-style pool, gym, yoga lawn and rooftop entertaining areas. A function space with catering facilities forms part of the upper-level offering, alongside north- and south-facing outdoor areas.

Ground level will incorporate two retail tenancies, intended to extend the existing village character of the surrounding streets.

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The project sits within walking distance of Thomas Drive’s established dining strip, while maintaining proximity to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Surfers Paradise</a> beach and broader Gold Coast amenity. The location, positioned on Chevron Island between the river and coastline, has increasingly attracted mid- to high-density development in recent years as the precinct evolves beyond its low-rise origins.

Gardner Vaughan’s move into the Gold Coast was first signalled in 2025, with the group identifying the region as a natural extension of its operations. Chief Executive Officer Simon Betteridge described the expansion as both “strategic and natural”, citing demand for well-designed apartments in lifestyle-driven markets.

Construction is expected to complete in early 2029.

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Gardner Vaughan brings Bronze on Chevron to market as Gold Coast debut

One of the penthouses at Lily Lane, the latest stage of Carrington Place by Ellipse Property, has set a new local apartment price record.

The four-bedroom residence, purchased by a local downsizer, sold for $5.75 million—around 75 per cent higher than the previous record of $3.3 million.

Over 40 per cent of the first release of apartments at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lily-lane-at-carrington-place-castle-hill-32-carrington-road-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Lily Lane</a> have already been snapped up just six weeks since it launched to the market.

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Located at 32 Carrington Road, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a> and designed by award-winning architects <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ptw">PTW</a>, Lily Lane is directly opposite the Hills Showground Metro station. It offers a total 213 units over two 12-storey towers - a mix of 67 one-bedroom, 100 two-bedroom and 46 three-bedroom apartments - with a ground-floor retail offering.

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Blake Schulze, National Director – Residential at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/colliers">Colliers</a>, says around 44 per cent of buyers are&nbsp;owner occupiers, with 35 per cent being investors and 21 per cent first homebuyers.

“Developments of this calibre are very rare in the Hills District, and Lily Lane’s sales success demonstrates the depth of demand for over-sized apartments that genuinely compete with freestanding homes," Schulze says.

"We are seeing particular demand from downsizers who want to remain in the area but transition into spacious, high-quality apartment living."

On the penthouse sale, it says it shows buyers&nbsp;are prepared to pay a premium for scale, quality, and direct access to the Metro.

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One-bedroom apartments are sized from 50-72 sqm with prices starting at $745,000, while two-bedrooms are priced from $990,000 with sizes from 75 to 132 square metres. Three-bedroom floorplans are sized between 97 and 182 sqm,, with prices starting at $1,395,000.&nbsp;

The three remaining penthouses, spanning up to 262 sqm, are priced from $2.9 million.

Over 75 per cent of apartments include dedicated studies, multipurpose rooms or family rooms, with select layouts offering walk-in pantries and laundries. Apartments are appointed with premium Miele appliances including ovens, washing machines, dryers, gas cooktops and dishwashers, while larger residences also incorporate integrated Miele microwaves, Fisher &amp; Paykel integrated refrigerators and five-burner Miele cooktops.

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Lily Lane will be constructed by award-winning iCIRT-rated builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/decode">Decode Group</a>, with construction to commence in mid-2026 and expected to complete early 2029.

Carrington Place comprises more than 800 apartments and is being delivered across multiple stages, with completion expected in 2032. Integrated with neighbouring bushland, the project will feature over 20,000 sq, of outdoor recreational area, including a one-kilometre boardwalk to Fred Caterson Reserve.&nbsp;

The Hills Showground Metro Station is just a two-minute walk away, offering fast connectivity to Sydney’s CBD, North Sydney, Chatswood, Macquarie Park and Norwest Business Park.

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Chris Gray

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