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The Gowings and State Theatre Buildings restoration and hotel conversion has received an award for best Urban Renewal from The Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA).
As part of the UDIA NSW Austral Bricks Awards for Excellence, the project was deemed by judges as an “outstanding example of the adaptive reuse and conservation of two underutilised State heritage-listed buildings.”
<img alt="gowings-aug-7-one" height="194" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/08/gowings-aug-7-one.jpg">
It was noted that despite encountering a range of construction difficulties to complete the intended 196 room hotel, restaurant and day spa, Woodhead Architects managed to overcome the obstacles and keep the operating theatre functional throughout the $55 million redevelopment.
The Gowings building, once regarded as one of the most prominent and famous stores in Sydney, eventually closed and  was purchased in 2006 for $68 million by the neighbouring, Amalgamated Holdings Limited, who have owned the art deco style State Theatre since it was built in 1929.  
The judges further added that the renewal of the iconic buildings ensured their ongoing survival and provided luxury tourist accommodation to the market and enhance the character of the CBD.

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Gowings and State Theatre restoration wins UDIA best Urban Renewal award

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The Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) has awarded the 22B Norwest Project in Norwest Business Park, Sydney the award for best retail and commercial development.  
Designed by the Sydney-based Taylor Construction Group, <a href="https://www.taylorconstruction.com.au/project-detail.php?project_id=71" target="_blank">the seven-storey, mixed use complex</a> features a cafe, three level car park and nearly 11,000 square metres of office space, specialty showrooms and serviced apartments over seven levels run by Medina Apartment Hotels.
To create cost savings on the project, initiatives were introduced which including pre-finished, load bearing partition walls to the apartments which saved on both structure and finishes.
The judges commented that developing a ‘high value but underutilised site’ affected by the GFC, borrowing constraints and a slow market required ‘guts and determination’ and ultimately helped establish 22B Norwest as a leading example of high quality-mixed use developments.

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Sydney's 22B Norwest project picks up ADIA award for best retail and commercial development

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Brookfield Place in Perth has been named development of the year as part of the Urban Taskforce Australia's Development Excellence Awards.

The building (pictured below) currently occupied by BHP Billiton and developed by Brookfield, was noted for reinvigorating surrounding spaces and its sustainability rating.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/08/brookfield_aug_30_one.jpg" width="470" height="268" alt="brookfield_aug_30_one">

“It is an elegant addition to Perth’s skyline. It has restored heritage buildings at street level and created a series of bustling urban spaces. It innovates in providing flexible working spaces for high quality tenants. It achieves a 5 star Green Star rating and has 86,000 square metres fully let making the project a commercial success,” said NSW government architect and jury chair, Peter Poulet. 
The Eclipse Tower in Parramatta by Leighton Properties with Grosvenor Australia received the commercial development award.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/08/parramatta-aug-30-two.jpg" width="470" height="578" alt="parramatta-aug-30-two">

“Eclipse is a demonstration of the importance of delivering jobs to Western Sydney and to Parramatta,” commented Poulet.

“Leighton [Properties] has developed a top quality 19 level office building that came through the Global Financial Crisis with full financing and has now been sold at a Parramatta record value to Retail Employees Superannuation Trust. The commitment of the developer to driving design quality as well as commercial outcomes for a commercial office building has added great confidence to Parramatta as a location for more buildings like this.”

The residential development award went to 74 level residential tower, Soleil (pictured below), in Brisbane’s city centre developed by Meriton. 
<img src="/images/stories/2013/08/brisbane_aug_30_one.jpg" width="470" height="317" alt="brisbane_aug_30_one"> 
“Soleil demonstrates that very tall residential towers can be well designed and be commercially successful,” said Poulet.
The innovative development award was given to apartment building Forte, at Melbourne’s Victoria Harbour developed by international property and infrastructure group, Lend Lease.
Deemed as the world’s tallest timber apartment building at 10 storey’s, Forte (pictured below) uses Cross Laminted Timber construction and is considered to be the world leader in this application.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/08/victoria_harbour_aug_30_onw.jpg" width="384" height="384" alt="victoria_harbour_aug_30_onw" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
“The use of timber has excellent sustainability qualities and reduced construction time considerably as the laminated timber panels are made in a factory and assembled on site. To manage commercial risk sales only occurred when the building was completed and it is now fully occupied,” adds Poulet.

Urban Taskforce CEO, Chris Johnson said this year’s Development Excellence Awards demonstrated that the development industry is being effective in lifting Australia’s prosperity.
“Developers are part of the service industry providing products that communities need at prices they can afford,” Johnson said.

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Perth's Brookfield Place named Urban Taskforce development of the year

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Melbourne’s first inner-city residential development situated within resident only parklands is now underway with Malaysian-based developer SP Setia partnering with Fender Katsalidis Architects and prominent Australian garden designer, Paul Bangay.

Located on 557 St Kilda Road next to Wesley College, the project known as Parque is a 9,000 square metre site with a planned 332 apartments and 6,000 square metres of private parklands with exclusive access to residents.

Inspired by its Victorian-era setting, Bangay blended the contemporary design of the building with the heritage-protected park’s existing 19th Century features, incorporating the 150-year old elm trees and hedges into the development.
“Parque’s entire building has been designed to take advantage of the site’s outlook and proximity to the garden,” said SP Setia Melbourne CEO Choong Kai Wai. “We wanted to provide residents with a beautiful home amongst nature.”

The building will not be short on luxuries, with level eight providing a 25-metre infinity pool and private outdoor lounge to residents and level 11 featuring an outdoor BBQ area, massage room and onyx relaxation room.

At ground level the foyer will provide 24 hour concierge services as well as a personal laundry service and picnic baskets for use in the park.

The project is being marketed by Andrew Leoncelli from CBRE
Parque will have various open plan apartments available for purchase with a one bedroom apartment ranging from 45 square metres to  58 square metres available for $410,313 and a one bedroom apartments with study from 55 square metres to 65 square metres starting at $530,000.

Two bedroom apartments from 66 square metres to 80 square metres starts at $669,222, and three bedroom apartments from 108 square metres to 134 square metres starts at $1.3 million.
<img height="127" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/07/yieldsbanner.jpg" alt="yieldsbanner">
The 205 square metre penthouse can be purchased for $3.1 million.

The display suite will be open late August.
Construction is expected to commence in mid 2014 and is due for completion in mid-2016.
<img height="57" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/05/trophyhomesstrapone.jpg" alt="trophyhomesstrapone">
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Fender Katsalidis-designed St Kilda Road trophy apartments to offer residents Paul Bangay-designed private park

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Sydney-based Architectural firm Tonkin Zulaikha Greer has been awarded the Romaldo Giugola Award for Public Architecture for its work on the Village Centre - National Arboretum.
The venue hosted the 2013 ACT Architecture Awards, which were held on Saturday night.


"Through the application of distinctive materials and a curvilinear form that displays subtle empathy with surrounding landforms, the architects have ensured that the National Arboretum will become one of Canberra’s most notable iconic buildings," the jury said.

The firm, which formed in 1987, has an extensive portfolio that includes a RAIA award winning library for the Royal Blind Society.
There have also been state and national RAIA award winning projects incouding the Hyde Park Barracks, the Hastings Cultural Centre at Port Macquarie and the redevelopment of The Newtown Silos.
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Tonkin Zulaikha Greer wins public architecture award for its National Arboretum

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Architectural firm Fender Katsalidis, responsible for designing Melbourne’s Eureka Tower, has been awarded the Canberra Medallion, the territory’s highest honour at the Australian Institute of Architects' 2013 ACT Architecture Awards.


The firm's project at 2 and 4 National Circuit Precinct (pictured below) was also recognised with the Sir John Overall Award for Urban Design.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/06/june24fender]}
‘A clear and sensitive introduction of new commercial architecture into the heritage-listed former patents office and a brown field site that creates a comfortable and inviting space consistent with the aim of increasing urban density around the parliamentary triangle,’ the jury said of the project.

Established in 1996, Fender Katsalidis' portfolio also boasts the Melbourne based projects Ian Potter Museum of Art, the Argus Centre, the Republic Tower as well as an upcoming skyscraper for 2015 slated to be the southern hemisphere’s tallest six-star/apartment building.

Previous awards won by the firm include the 2007 RAIA Harry Seidler Award for Commercial Architecture and the AIA Award for Commercial Architecture in 2008.
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Fender Katsalidis claims top gong at Australian Institute of Architects 2013 ACT Architecture Awards

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Harness racing legend Brian Hancock has retired from the racing industry and subsequently put his Calderwood property, Teeny Lodge on the market for the first time in 40 years. 

<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-acreage+semi+rural-nsw-calderwood-113961907" target="_blank">The 22-hectare property</a> where Hancock made his name as a champion driver and trainer, sits at the foothills of the Great Dividing Range in the Illawarra region of NSW with close proximity to the Southern Highlands vineyards and scenic South Coast beaches. 

Named after Hancock’s first champion pacer, Teeny Rena, the former dairy farm which has since chronicled a record-breaking five Inter Dominion wins can now be further developed pending council approval, due to its status as General Rural. 

Included on the property are three homes, the first is owner-occupied with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and garage for two cars.

The other dwellings include a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house with garage rented for $450 per week while a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house is rented for $250 per week.

Teeny Lodge also comes equipped with 34 stables, 8 walk in-walk out boxes, blacksmith shop, office, hay and truck shed, stockyards, brood mare servicing barn, nine paddocks and a 700m training track.

Onsite water facilities are available with four water tanks retaining a capacity of 378,000 litres along with a permanent creek and large dam.

Andrew Hedley of Bevans Wollongong is running the expressions of interest marketing campaign.
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Harness racing legend Brian Hancock's Teeny Lodge listed

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Architect Andrew Verri of Jigsaw Housing has won the ACT Emerging Architect Prize at the Australian Institute of Architects’ 2013 ACT Architecture Awards.
The awards were held on Saturday night at the National Arboretum in Canberra.
<img alt="verrijune24one" src="/images/stories/2013/06/verrijune24one.jpg" width="370" height="553">
"Andrew’s commitment to smaller, smarter, sustainable homes is providing significant leadership within the architectural profession and the residential construction industry more broadly," the jury said.

Verri has been an active member of the Australian Institute of Architects for over 10 years, serving on its sustainability and practice committees.
Jigsaw Housing was established three years ago and also won the Clean Green Category and Business of the Year in the Canberra Business Point Awards last year.
His company also won the award for Environmental Innovation at the 2012 Sustainable Cities Awards and was voted in the Top 50 Your Future Home Sustainable Building Leaders 2012 by the general public.
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Jigsaw Housing's Andrew Verri wins emerging architect prize at 2013 ACT Architecture Awards

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Paul Berkemeier has become the 74th national president of  The Australian Institute of Architects.
Berkemeier was awarded Master in Architecture from Harvard in 1983. He is known for working with fellow architect Ken Maher in the redesign of Sydney's Luna Park in the early 1990s and also his design of the of Australian Shearers Hall of Fame at Hay.
He has extensive experience in large scale urban design and planning and public buildings working with the Commonwealth Government.
He was an associate director of Denton Corker Marshall before establishing his own practice, Paul Berkemeier Architects Pty Ltd in 1988.
His professional achievements include winning the unimplemented international design competition for the Barangaroo development in collaboration with Thalis and Jane Irwin Landscape.
His recent works have included the Maitland regional art gallery in partnership with Barry McGregor &amp; Associates for Maitland City Council.
He holds a position teaching students in the faculty of aArchitecture at University of Sydney.
"I consider it a great privilege and honour to be entrusted with this role and I look forward to working with fellow members and Institute staff to gain the recognition that the value of design warrants,’ he said.

Berkemeier succeeds Melbourne-based architect,<a href="/news"> Shelley Penn</a>.

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Paul Berkemeier - designer of Australian Shearers Hall of Fame - appointed Australian Institute of Architects 74th president

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The drummer for indie punk band The Meanies, Mark Hobbs, has decided to make a sea change to Williamstown.
He and wife Bridget Monro-Hobbs have put their four year old Yarraville home on the market.  
Marty Rankin of Village Real Estate expects the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Sale/House/VIC/Yarraville/?adid=2010477933">Brooks Place</a> home, which was renovated by Hobbs four years ago, to fetch $870,000 plus.  
Strikingly designed by Santo Architects, the 264-square-metre European style property features three bedrooms and two bathrooms.  
The land was bought in 2005 for $200,000.
The house is still under builders warranty and has a certified five-star energy rating.
The auction is scheduled for June 15.
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Meanies drummer Mark Hobbs lists Yarraville home

ASX-listed developer Cedar Woods is progressing its plans for its Southbank arts precinct site.&nbsp;

The developer has filed plans, which are now with the&nbsp;Department of Transport and Planning, for a new 20-level tower at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/141-151-sturt-street-southbank-vic-3006">141–151 Sturt Street</a>, a 2,718 sqm block opposite the Habitat Filter sculpture.

The proposal seeks to demolish the two-level&nbsp;commercial building, including a small supermarket and medical tenancies, and create a new building with 180 apartments and a focus on an&nbsp;active public realm and arts integration.

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<img alt="Southbank site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="76a72db6-91ef-43ae-827d-a9cfa72893d2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Site.png?VersionId=DZgtB4K6BswVh0QtCs3iLjXaLp0CbcEb" />

&nbsp;

There will be a full mix of apartment configurations, including 28 studio apartments, 16 one-bedroom, 104 two-bedroom, and 32 three-bedroom units.

Retail, creative arts, and residential amenity functions are integrated across the lower levels. A food and drink tenancy is planned to front Dodds Street, while a retail tenancy fronting Sturt Street will be accessed via an elevated walkway. The first floor includes a substantial 734 sqm creative arts space, envisioned to support Melbourne’s growing cultural and digital industries.

Architecture firm <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> has put together the plans. In their&nbsp;Urban Design Report they highlighted the project’s ambition to embed itself within Southbank’s evolving cultural fabric.

A central feature of the design is a through-block link connecting Sturt and Dodds Streets, landscaped with native plantings and embedded with universal access ramps.

“The ramp has been thoughtfully integrated as the primary access point, ensuring universal accessibility for all users,” the report noted, with the link offering “a direct response to the urban planning scheme of creating more green spaces within our communities”.

<img alt="Southbank podium" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4d24b1b2-d69c-4a11-a11d-ec6df432221c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/podium.png?VersionId=geWoJyZDmPSLODZ_.PNJ0LvpOmyyCdpo" />

The building’s podium form responds to the mandatory height limits along Dodds Street and maintains a fine-grain interface to adjoining developments. Above the podium, the tower is articulated with recessed balconies and a focus on views toward the CBD and surrounding arts institutions. A communal rooftop recreation deck and indoor lounge are positioned on level four, adjoining seven apartments and providing over 900 sqm of resident amenity space.

Vehicle access and loading will be provided via Dodds Street, with 155 resident car spaces located across two basement levels and the first three above-ground floors. Bicycle storage is more generous, with 226 spaces distributed across resident, staff and visitor needs.

Rothelowman describes the architecture as “humanist,” with ground-level interfaces designed to encourage social interaction and provide a dignified entry for both residents and passers-by. “All street interfaces are crafted to invite and nurture human connections,” the design report states. “The façade transitions to a human scale, providing an approachable and engaging streetscape”.

Cedar Woods, while well-known for its large communities it develops outside of Australia's capital cities, they have recently developed in Melbourne's inner-ring before. They are approaching completion at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/88-leveson-north-melbourne-88-leveson-street-north-melbourne-vic-3051">88 Leveson</a>, just 15 townhouses in the heart of North Melbourne.

Joel Robinson

Cedar Woods progresses with new apartment plans in Southbank arts precinct

Brisbane developers Core Property Partners and Vector Property Australia has teamed up for Brisbane's newest apartment development.

The duo identified <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/east-brisbane-qld-4169">East Brisbane</a> as their preferred suburb, on the fringe of the Gabba Precinct, where they've just revealed BANKSII, 72 apartments opposite Raymond Park.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136432 project_image_fid=5481]

The one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments will sit in a glass-wrapped building that will also feature a rooftop with an&nbsp;infinity-edge pool, a BBQ area and alfresco dining spaces, sun lounges, and a sauna, as well as a resident-only gym and a ground-floor cafe.

Rhett Williams, Director of Vector Property Australia, said the project will lift the quality of the East Brisbane community and set a new benchmark.

"In Brisbane’s current property landscape, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/banksii-east-brisbane-169-wellington-road-east-brisbane-qld-4169">BANKSII</a> stands out through its emphasis on lifestyle-oriented living, connectivity and sophisticated design," Williams says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136432 project_image_fid=5479]

The 10-level building has been designed by MAS Architecture. Their designs were inspired by the native Banksia flower, with the architecture and interiors reflecting the organic symmetry of its namesake flora. MAS has interpreted this throughout the building’s curved form, façade detailing and interior palette.&nbsp;

The building’s flowing geometry and natural tones are complemented by large balconies and floor-to-ceiling glazing, maximising cross-breezes, daylight and views over the city, parklands and river.

“Having a strong narrative for a building helps us architecturally,” MAS noted. "We can choose colours that come off that species of flowers. The trunk and the trees and the flower elements all are now visible in our joinery on the inside and in our architectural finishes on the outside."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136432 project_image_fid=5485]

Apartments will feature timber floors, soft porcelain tiles, brushed bronze fittings, and stone benchtops with warm veining.&nbsp;

Kitchens feature premium SMEG appliances and generous storage, while bathrooms have been designed as calming retreats with curved cabinetry and twin sinks in the master ensuites.

The building will feature a suite of rooftop and wellness amenities. Residents will have access to an infinity-edge pool, BBQ and alfresco dining areas, sun lounges and a rooftop sauna.&nbsp;

A residents-only gym will be located on the podium level, while a ground-floor café and landscaped laneway will further activate the site and improve neighbourhood connectivity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136432 project_image_fid=5488]

BANKSII will rise from a prime Wellington Road site, with the building oriented to overlook the adjacent Raymond Park and take in extensive city views. It is also on the doorstep of key&nbsp;lifestyle infrastructure, including the future Kangaroo Point Green Bridge, The Gabba stadium, and the planned Brisbane Live arena.&nbsp;

Public transport options, including ferry, bus and rail - including the future Cross River Rail Woolloongabba station - are all nearby, supporting a car-optional lifestyle just minutes from the CBD.

Williams said the team spent over a year searching for the ideal site before securing this location.

"We were attracted to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/east-brisbane-qld-4169">East Brisbane</a> as it is a vibrant and growing community that offers a perfect balance of urban convenience and natural beauty with the parklands and river on our doorstep.”

The project is part of the broader Woolloongabba Games precinct, which is undergoing significant investment in the lead-up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. This urban renewal, coupled with infrastructure upgrades, is expected to enhance long-term liveability and capital growth in the area.

Given the wide max of configurations, BANKSII is expected to suit everyone from first home buyers and investors to families and downsizers.

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BANKSII sales launch in booming East Brisbane apartment market

The Minns Labor Government will deliver Sydney’s first new heavy rail station in more than a decade – enabling up to 10,000 new homes by rezoning land around Woollahra and Edgecliff stations, right next to the CBD, to tackle the housing crisis and rebalance growth across the city.

Recent reports by the NSW Productivity Commission have warned that Sydney is losing twice as many young people as it is gaining, while also finding that Woollahra is the most feasible Local Government Area (LGA) in New South Wales to build new housing.

Despite this, housing approvals in Woollahra consistently lag well behind other LGAs, and the population has declined by 11 per cent over the past 50 years while Greater Sydney as a whole has grown by 74 per cent.

The new station that will be an eight-minute trip from Sydney CBD, will be located on the Eastern Suburbs train line in Woollahra, where a station build was started in the 1970s but never completed.

To enable the delivery of new homes the NSW Government will lead a rezoning of Woollahra and Edgecliff stations similar to other state led rezonings to allow additional homes to be built around the stations.

Affordable housing will also make up a proportion of development on the site with the final amount of affordable housing required, to be determined as part of the rezoning process.

The area surrounding the new station is within walking distance of major green and recreational space including Cooper, Trumper, Rushcutters Bay and Centennial Parks.

The Eastern Suburbs train line between Bondi Junction and Sydney CBD also has the lowest passenger usage rates during the AM peak of any line on the Sydney network, with only 43 per cent of operating capacity during the AM peak currently being utilised by passengers.

Sydney Water and Infrastructure NSW have confirmed there is capacity in the water and wastewater systems to accommodate the proposed 10,000 dwellings without major upgrades.

The rezoning is expected to take around two years and will further support the Government’s housing targets that rebalance the delivery of new homes around existing infrastructure.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Next stop Woollahra train station - delivering up to 10,000 new homes in the heart of Sydney

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Fresh off completing its mixed-use Malvern project Malvern Collective, Kokoda Property Group has acquired a prime site on Richmond's Bridge Road.

They are planning a mid-rise residential development with&nbsp;integrated wellness amenities and a vibrant ground-floor retail and dining offering.

The site, at&nbsp;487–495 Bridge Road, spans&nbsp;1,650 sqm with 50 metres of dual frontage across Bridge Road and Palmer Street. It is currently leased to Adairs, and has a large retail building and 20 onsite car parks.
</section>

<section data-element_type="section" data-id="534a164">
Kokoda Property Group’s acquisition forms part of a broader phase of growth in Melbourne, building on momentum from the completion of Malvern Collective and the recent purchase of a Burnley Street site for the developer’s first commercial project.&nbsp;

Mark Stevens, Kokoda Property Group’s Founder and Managing Director, said that the company’s Bridge Road site acquisition signals confidence in a city that is re-accelerating.

“Melbourne is regaining momentum,"&nbsp;Stevens said.

"After a cautious period post-COVID, we’re seeing buyer sentiment stabilise and capital leaning back into well-located, quality projects. Victoria now benefits from deep builder capacity and competitive delivery pricing, creating a rare opportunity to bring design-led inner-city developments to market without compromising on craftsmanship.

“Richmond ticks all the boxes for us – connectivity, culture and everyday amenity – making Bridge Road the perfect address for an amenity-rich, multi-use development."

<img alt="Kokoda" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9a8de51d-8092-480a-8b7e-e081816692c2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-08-29%20at%208.54.27%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=VRHpV5.6beOu2cieKHWrw3ErMPuVOAuj" />

Envisioned as an “urban lantern” the building will bring a distinctive new presence to Bridge Road with a sculptural retail frontage, designed to honour the street’s heritage character while contributing to its renewal.

Stevens said the acquisition reflects the developer’s commitment to design-led addresses in Melbourne’s inner city.

“Drawing on Richmond’s rich heritage and dynamic character, we’ve envisioned a contemporary building that respects the past while elevating the way people live today. With dual frontages, curated ground-floor spaces, and a focus on wellness, this project will contribute to the neighbourhood’s evolution, appealing to both downsizers and a new generation of professionals.”

Kokoda Property will now progress concept design ahead of a future planning process.
</section>

Mark Stevens, Kokoda Property Group’s Founder and Managing Director, said that the company’s Bridge Road site acquisition signals confidence in a city that is re-accelerating

First look: Kokoda secures Richmond site for new apartment development

Gold Coast developer Drew Group is fast approaching sell-out at its Main Beach apartment development, Lagoon Main Beach.

In the last nine months, Drew Group and sales partner Pezet Matheson have secured 31 sales totalling over $75 million, as the two-tower development advances towards completion under the expert eye of Hutchinson Builders.

“Today's buyers are more discerning than ever," Drew Group Managing Director Jon Drew says.

"It's essential to provide something truly unique that sets a development apart, and we believe Lagoon has achieved just that."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108747 project_image_fid=193023]

Just over 50 per cent of recent&nbsp;sales have been to local buyers, reflecting the deep trust and connection within the Gold Coast community that Drew Group has developed over the years.

Demand has been particularly robust at the top end, with two of the three exclusive penthouses already sold, alongside five sub-penthouses. Only seven apartments remain in Lagoon's Signature Series — one&nbsp;penthouse and six sub-penthouses.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108747 project_image_fid=284864]

Drew Group has also removed the much-maligned sunset clause from all contracts at Lagoon. The sunset clause — although rarely invoked, yet on occasion known to have been — allows developers to take back contracts on apartments should the building not be completed within the timeframe specified in the contract.

Pezet Matheson Co-Director Jayde Pezet says the fact Lagoon is&nbsp;within a year of completion, and has no sunset clause in contracts, provides certainty to buyers.

"This is paramount in the current market," Pezet says.

Drew Group has committed to providing the highest level of security inclusions — none more impressive than the Ubiquity Access Control System, a cutting-edge facial recognition technology that is one of the most state-of-the-art keyless entry systems on the market.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108747 project_image_fid=190743]

One of the biggest drawcards to Lagoon has been the size of the apartments.

"It is unlikely that any future new development in Main Beach will be able to offer such spacious living at this price point," Drew says.

"Today's buyers are more discerning than ever, carefully evaluating amenities like gyms, spas, workspaces, and beach lockers, along with quality finishes. It's essential to provide something truly unique that sets a development apart, and we believe Lagoon has achieved just that."

Lagoon is set to complete construction in mid-2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108747]

Glenn Dwyer

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