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The REIV has released data that reveals, for the first time, the suburbs where auctions are the main method of sale and those where private sales are.
This data, presented in an online clickable map, is an invaluable resource for all real estate agents and vendors.
The data will assist real estate agents and vendors as they make the decision about the most appropriate sales method for their property.
The maps clearly show that auctions are the most popular sales method in the inner city, while in the outer suburbs most sales are conducted privately. This in part explains why the median price of a home sold at auction is higher than one sold at private sale, as residential property is much more expensive in the inner suburbs.
While overall auction sales have represented around 22% of all sales in Melbourne this year, there are some suburbs with a higher number and some with less.
Suburbs where more than half the homes were sold by auction in 2011 included Elsternwick, Surrey Hills, Armadale, Richmond, Malvern, Northcote and Camberwell.
At the other end of the spectrum less than 5% of homes were sold by auction in Narree Warren, Werribee, Rowville, Craigieburn and Mooroolbark.
It is also the case that clearance rates tend to be higher in the suburbs where auctions are more prevalent.
Analysis of the data over 2010 and 2011 shows a clear trend towards private sales as the level of competition dropped. This highlights that auctions work better when there is a high level of demand, generally or for a specific property.
When teamed with data showing weekly clearance rates this information is an invaluable and unique resource for all those active in the residential real estate market. The<a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/Property-Research/Auction-Map.aspx" target="_blank"> maps are available on the REIV website.</a>
Top 10 suburbs ranked by % sales by auction in 2011
<a href="/news">ELSTERNWICK </a>69%
<a href="/news">SURREY HILLS</a> 68%
<a href="/news">ARMADALE </a>67%
<a href="/news">CAULFIELD </a>64%
<a href="/news">HUGHESDALE</a> 63%
<a href="/news">MONT ALBERT</a> 62%
<a href="/news">KEW EAST</a> 62%
<a href="/news">CLIFTON HILL</a> 61%
<a href="/news">CAULFIELD NORTH</a> 60%
<a href="/news">HEIDELBERG</a> 60%
Enzo Raimondo is CEO of the <a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Real Estate Institute of Victoria</a>.
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Top 10 Melbourne suburbs ranked by percentage of sales by auction, including Elsternwick and Surrey Hills

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In October the rental market remained stable in Victoria in terms of the level of vacancies and rents charged.
The vacancy rate for Victoria was 1.9%, compared with 2% in September. In Melbourne the vacancy rate was also 1.9%, slightly lower than the 2% recorded in September. In regional Victoria it remained stable at 2%.
Within the metropolitan area inner Melbourne had the highest level of vacancies, with 2.6% recorded in those suburbs within four kilometres of the CBD. As you move further from the CBD the vacancy rate tightens, with 2% in the middle suburbs and 0.9% in the outer suburbs.
The median rent being asked in Melbourne was $370 per week for houses. This is lower than the $380 being asked in July and reflects an easing of conditions in the market.
In regional Victoria the tightest vacancy rate was found in Bendigo, where it was 0.7%, down from 0.9%. In Geelong the vacancy rate tightened from 3.5% to 2.8% and in Ballarat it eased from 1.3% to 1.5%.
Rents remained reasonably stable, with a weekly median rent of $300 per week for a house being recorded, compared with $295 in September.
For the first time the REIV is publishing a vacancy rate for the Mornington Peninsula. In October the vacancy rate was 1.6%, compared with 3.3% in September.
Enzo Raimondo is CEO of the <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.reiv.com.au/">Real Estate Institute of Victoria</a>.
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Victorian rental market stable in October

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The REIV September quarter medians show that the residential housing market continues to remain stable, with a median house price in Melbourne of $530,000, compared with the revised June quarter median of $525,000. In regional Victoria the median house price was also stable, with a minor 0.7% increase to $307,000.
The non-metropolitan market continues to record more moderate growth over the medium term but is also not as likely to record the more volatile fluctuations prevalent in Melbourne.
The three main centres reflected this and recorded mixed results, with the median price of a house in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Ballarat </a>increasing by 1.8% to $285,000; in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Bendigo </a>it dropped by 2%  in the quarter to $301,000; and in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Geelong</a> there was a 6.1% reduction to $362,000.
The Surf Coast Shire is regional Victoria’s most expensive, with a median house price of $570,000. The Macedon Ranges is the second most expensive, with a median of $470,000.
Strong growth in prices was recorded in: Mildura, where the median increased by 7.6% to $225,000; in Bairnsdale, where it rose by 5.2% to $225,000; and in Traralgon, which rose by 9.3% to $282,000.
Over the quarter the rental vacancy rate dropped from 2.9% to 2%.
Of the three main regional centres the highest level of vacancies was recorded in Geelong, where the vacancy rate was 3.5% in September. In Bendigo it remained very tight, with 0.9% of rental homes vacant. Ballarat recorded 1.3%.
Median rents for houses rose slightly over the quarter from $290 per week in July to $295 per week in September.
Enzo Raimondo is CEO of the <a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Real Estate Institute of Victoria</a>.
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Volatile price fluctuations unlikely in regional Victorian property market

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The REIV seeks the Victorian government to reject the current proposal to remove the educational, probity and licence requirements for commercial real estate agents.
Recent research conducted by UMR Research had shown that the public oppose the proposal, “it showed that 69% of respondents disagree with the COAG (Council of Australian Governments) proposal to remove the requirement for commercial agents to be licensed".
The public clearly understand that appropriate licensing and educational standards not only underpin the best outcome for those selling, buying or leasing property but also ensures consumer protection.
The RIS (regulation impact statement) proposes that licensing of commercial real estate agents is unnecessary because commercial and industrial property transactions are conducted by ‘sophisticated consumers and investors’, yet an analysis of transactions in Victoria shows that 51% of all commercial sales are valued at less than $500,000.
The vast majority of consumers who deal with commercial estate agents rightly expect to engage a professional with the appropriate educational qualifications.
Commercial estate agents hold significant amounts of client monies in their trust accounts subject to finalisation of a sales or leasing transaction, before being distributed to their client.
These trust accounts are audited on an annual basis in line with the requirements of the Estate Agents Act.
COAG is now proposing that there will be no requirement for trust accounts or probity checks as commercial agents will not be required to have any qualifications or be licensed – this is simply outrageous and irresponsible.
I would like COAG to explain to the public and the profession how the removal of licences will increase efficiency, improve worker mobility and assist in moving Australia to a seamless economy.
Enzo Raimondo is CEO of the <a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Real Estate Institute of Victoria</a>.
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Removal of commercial real estate agent licence requirement outrageous and irresponsible

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In a survey of REIV members, it was found that the most important referral source was word of mouth.
Results matter to vendors, and that they clearly place a lot of trust in the experiences of their friends, neighbours and colleagues when selecting a real estate agent to sell their home.
Word of mouth has had a strong track record as the most critical referral source, which reflects the importance of a real estate agent’s reputation. Vendors not only want to see that the real estate agent is successful; they also trust the views of the agent’s clients.
Online is also clearly having an impact, but that does not extend to social media. After word of mouth, real estate websites, such as realestateview.com.au, and an agency’s website are considered the most valuable referral sources.
Social media, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter had practically no value, endorsed by only 1% to 3% of respondents.
This reflects the fact that buyers and sellers are used to engaging with real estate online. They seek advertisements on real estate websites, such as realestateview.com.au, but are far less likely to come across a real estate agent’s Twitter account.
With regard to engaging with clients, social media has a long way to go until it is a familiar tool.
Local newspapers remain strong; far stronger than the daily print media, in fact. With 13% of respondents citing local newspapers as the most valuable referral source, local media is seen to be more than twice as valuable as the daily newspapers, which only scored 5%.
These results highlight the importance of reputation for real estate agents.
The most valuable referral sources in real estate
Word of mouth 24% Real estate websites/portals 22% Your website 20% Local newspapers 13% TV advertising 5% Daily newspapers 5% Facebook 3% Online advertising on non-real estate websites 3% LinkedIn 2% Twitter 1% Billboards 1% Free media 1% None of the above 1%
These results are sourced from the 2012 Member Poll conducted for the REIV by Essential Research and completed by over 600 members.
Enzo Raimondo is CEO of the <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.reiv.com.au/">Real Estate Institute of Victoria</a>. 
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Social media has practically no value for real estate agents

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The business of buying, selling and leasing of residential, rural and commercial property for investment purposes is well known and understood; the same cannot be said regarding the purchase of an operating business.
Business broking is a specialist sector of real estate, and investors, or those looking to develop their careers, would be wise to take note.
Some people like to buy a business as an investment, and others may want to use their skills to run it themselves. People buy and sell all manner of enterprises – from traditional ones, such as newsagents, or service enterprises, such as electricians, through to more modern ones, such as digital marketing companies.
Potential buyers and current owners need to know that the market for functioning businesses is substantially different to the broader property market. For sale signs are not always used and the advertisements do not always appear on the property sales websites.
As a result of these factors, a business broker is an important guide and adviser.
A business broker is a qualified real estate agent who specialises in the selling and buying of businesses. To effectively do their job, brokers need to be expert in a range of areas additional to those in which a residential or commercial estate agent specialises; after all, when a business is sold, different factors are considered in arriving at a ‘value’.
They need to be able to understand the particulars of the business they are selling, as the value in a business comprises of a range of related factors, including its current performance, customer base, competitors and future prospects.
To find an REIV business broker and learn more about business broking, visit <a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/" target="_blank">www.reiv.com.au</a>
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Why you need a business broker to invest in businesses

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The location of single-person households can tell you a lot about a city.
St Kilda, St Kilda West, Carlton, Elwood and South Yarra have the highest proportion of single-person households in Melbourne, according to REIV analysis of the 2011 census data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
It is interesting to note that, along with Carlton, the inner-southern bayside suburbs had the highest concentration of single-person households; and these trends had an important impact on development and demand for housing.
In St Kilda, St Kilda West, Carlton, Elwood and South Yarra over 40% of homes have only one resident.
New developments clearly respond to this demographic trend by building residences more suited to single people.
The data also shows that the further a suburb is from the CBD, the less likely it is to feature single-occupant households.
There is one interesting exception: the suburbs along the Belgrave/Lilydale train line contain a higher-than-average proportion of lone-resident households.
At the other end of the spectrum are the growth suburbs: Point Cook, Greenvale, Roxburgh Park, Doreen, Narre Warren South and Narre Warren North, for instance. In those suburbs fewer than 10% of homes have only one resident.
Such growth suburbs are highly popular with growing families.
In key regional centres such as Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo, the suburbs with above-average shares of lone-person households tend to be in central locations with better access to the V/Line train network. Of the three, Geelong has the highest number of suburbs (six) where over 35% of households were solo residents, compared wiith four suburbs in Ballarat and one in Bendigo.
To view related data in a clickable map visit <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reiv.com.au/">www.reiv.com.au</a>.
Enzo Raimondo is CEO of the <a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Real Estate Institute of Victoria</a>.
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Inner-Melbourne suburbs have highest proportion of single-person households and need different housing stock

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The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) divides housing tenure into three broad categories: those owned outright; those owned with a mortgage; and the rest, which are rented.
The most recent census, compiled in 2011, found two suburbs in metropolitan Melbourne where more than 60% of homes were owned outright. By way of comparison, the census found that 33% of homes were rented in 2011, and the balance owned outright or with a mortgage.
It is interesting to note that both locations with very high levels of outright ownership were in seaside locations on the Mornington Peninsula: specifically Portsea and Sorrento.
The raw data may, however, not reflect the actual ownership scenario, as the census is based on the physical location of the people when they filled in the census forms back in August 2011.
Both Portsea and Sorrento are towns more popular in summer than in winter months. During summer, people travel to their holiday homes, and short-term rentals are highly occupied.
This is reflected in the census by the fact that both Portsea and Sorrento had vacancy rates of more than 80% on census night; it was highest in Portsea, where 88% of homes were vacant.
The age demographic of those who were home also reflects this. In both Portsea and Sorrento 81% of those at home on census night were aged 55 or over.
This tells you a lot about these towns and highlights the importance of looking at demographic data from a number of perspectives when using it to guide investment decisions.
Enzo Raimondo is CEO of the <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.reiv.com.au/">Real Estate Institute of Victoria</a>.
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Portsea and Sorrento census data show high levels of home ownership

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The Sunday Age reported recently that there were large numbers of homes for sale in a range of the city’s outer suburbs.
 
On the face of it, this appeared concerning; however, analysis of the local market and the role of those suburbs in housing our growing population shows that it’s not the case.
The fact is that the city has always had growth suburbs with lots of homes for sale. Forty years ago it was suburbs such as Fawkner and today it’s the likes of Doreen.
It is remarkable just how many homes have been built and sold in those locations.
For instance, the ABS has reported that in Derrimut, Point Cook and Werribee 15,875 homes have been sold and moved into over the past decade. When contrasted with the 2,961 reported for sale, this does not sound nearly as much.
And almost the entire suburbs of Doreen and Merdna have been built in that time, with 5,581 homes added. It was reported there were 3,718 homes for sale there. However, as any resident there will tell you, 65 % of homes don’t have For Sale signs on them. Clearly, these numbers include the pipeline of supply to ensure the community’s housing needs can be met in an affordable manner.
The fact that two years ago The Age reported concerns that there were not enough homes for sale and now there are too many, shows nothing more than the usual development cycle in operation.
The development cycle is subject to the same rises and falls that are present in the broader real estate market.
Enzo Raimondo is CEO of the <a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Real Estate Institute of Victoria</a>.
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Doreen and other growth suburbs provide housing for thousands: REIV

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When property owners are receiving their council rate notices, not only are they interested in the rates bill but also the value of the property.
It is important to know, however, that the value determined to your home by the council is not always the same amount you will receive if you were to sell your home tomorrow.
The primary purpose of a council valuation is to provide a basis for determining the property owner’s contribution to the council’s consolidated revenue. The valuation is determined every two years on January 1 by qualified valuers engaged by your council.
The council valuation will provide a guide as to the price you may achieve if you are intending to sell.   However, you should also undertake a number of other steps to determine the value of your property.
You can ask an REIV member to undertake a market appraisal.  This will provide you with the opportunity to discuss with them the factors that impact property values.
When your property goes on to the market it is important to remember that prospective buyers often look at a range of homes within the same location. As such, it is wise to make an effort to understand the local market. You can do that by checking the sales results each Saturday night at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reiv.com.au/">www.reiv.com.au</a> or in the Sunday newspapers. There are also a range of websites that will provide you with information about how much properties in your area have sold for over the last few weeks, months or years.
Finally, when you actually sell, remember that the demand for your home will be influenced by what other properties are for sale in your area and the number of buyers looking.  This means that the marketing and preparation of the home will also influence the sale price.
Enzo Raimondo is CEO of the <a href="https://www.reiv.com.au/" target="_blank">Real Estate Institute of Victoria</a>.
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The price your home would sell for is not always the same as the council-determined value

Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

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"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

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After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

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Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tsioMLcnjas?si=zq-ys3JuWpfa5hFv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

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Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

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Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

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ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

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For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

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Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

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Joel Robinson

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

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Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

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Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

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Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

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The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

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The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]

The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.

It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.

With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.

The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.

Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]

Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.

"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.

"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.

Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.

That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.

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Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.

"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.

"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."

Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.

"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."

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The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.

Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.

That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.

"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."

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The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.

The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.

The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.

The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.

Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.

"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.

"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."

<img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" />

Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.

Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.

Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.

"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.

"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."

Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.

Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.

Enzo Raimondo

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