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Sydney’s Newtown Central, a retail centre in the inner west suburbs, is up for sale.
It is a three level centre that underwent a full refurbishment in 2009 and includes leases with Foodworks, Fitness First and Cellarbrations on the highly trafficked King Street. These three tenants secure approximately 70% of the income.
It has housed a hair dresser and an Optus shop.
Close to Newtown train station, the current owners Monash Private Capital Pty Ltd and Diamong Properties note that convenience retail is a highly desirable asset class.
“Since acquiring this asset we have applied an active management plan in which we have undertaken several lease renewals and identified areas where we have successfully added value to the property,” said Monash Private Capital’s Joey Fridman.
The selling agents behind the property, Colliers International’s James Wilson and Savills’ Steve Lerche, have the opportunity offered to market via <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-nsw-newtown-501273899" target="_blank">expressions of interests closing on 30 September</a>.
“The shopping centre investment market has been driven by the combination of a large capital injection, historically low interest rates and a lack of quality opportunities comparable to Newtown Central,” said Wilson.
“The prime location of the supermarket anchored neighbourhood shopping ensures a captive market with exceptionally difficult barriers of entry for competition,” said Lerche. 
They expect strong interest in the property, which comes with basement car parking for 33 vehicles and 18 strata spaces opposite. It is on 1,574 square metres of land and covers 3,385 square metres of floor area.
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jduke-EHk3XBmHkn

Newtown Central, King Street retail centre up for grabs

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Tantallon, on Bourke Street in Dubbo, is a circa 1888 home that has been operating as a brothel for more than 16 years.
It is up for sale for $850,000 <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-dubbo-107576045" target="_blank">through Ray White – Dubbo’s Rod Crowfoot</a>.
The listing notes it is the “only approved bordello” in Dubbo and is currently leased until 20 October 2015.
Due to its “highly sought after and unique use”, it brings in $75,920 per annum plus GST. Potential owner occupier interest is noted as welcome, with the current vendor potentially able to negotiation with the tenant.
Intriguingly, the property only has two bedrooms and one bathroom.
On 2,460 square metres, it fronts the Newell Highway at Lot 21.
{qtube vid:=nPArvqOtHdg}
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Dubbo’s “only approved bordello” hits the market

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David James Cacciola has been banned by ASIC from engaging in credit activities for the next nine years. Cacciola, of the Gold Coast, Queensland, is sole director of Lending Services Australia Pty Ltd.
Following an ASIC investigation that cancelled the credit licence of the company on 14 April 2013, they found that he had been providing documents to lenders knowing, or reckless to, the false or misleading nature of the information and documents.
He was acting as a broker for the company.
In July 2011 to October 2011, he assisted his wife applying for two loans worth more than $600,000.
He has the right to appeal.
Deputy Chairman for ASIC, Peter Kell, said that mortgage brokers who knowingly or recklessly submit false loan documents will be held to account.
“This is the latest in a series of actions that ASIC has taken as part of a crackdown on loan fraud,” he said.
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Gold Coast mortgage broker given nine year ban

Suburb spotlight: Neutral Bay's demand rising but potential growth remains

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Canberra continues to rank as the most affordable state in Australia, however first home buyers shouldn’t get their hopes up.
The Adelaide Bank/REIA Housing Affordability Report notes that while it looks good on paper, the reality may be a different story.
For the ninth year in a row, Canberra records the highest affordability level based on a median house price of $535,000 put into the ratio of median family income to average loan repayments. This sees the proportion for the ACT stand at 19.8%, compared to New South Wales with the worst result at 35.3%.
REIA president Peter Bushby said that the report showed a positive for Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania home buyers, with affordability improvements over the last quarter. The ACT recorded the strongest annual improvement, despite remaining unchanged over the quarter.
However, Bushby said that first home buyers might not be consider it to be the case in the ACT.
“While on paper, Canberrans have access to the most affordable homes, I suspect many people don’t feel that this is the case, especially first home buyers,” he said.
“While the ACT recorded a 9.7% increase in the number of loans to first home buyers this quarter, this figure is down 34.4% when compared to this time last year,” Bushby explained.
With the First Home Owner Grant for established homes ending a year ago, this was unsurprising, he explained, noting that most states now have restrictions on the established market that he considers “disappointing”.
Canberra’s high median family income sat at $2,491 for the June quarter, with New South Wales recording a median family income at $1,562, where their median house price is $811,837. It seems the high earners in the ACT may be what is behind the territory’s achievement of the “most affordable” title.
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Canberran first time buyers left in the lurch, despite highest affordability level

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Property Observer has delved into the latest RP Data statistics to find out where Victoria’s million dollar plus suburbs are located, based on median price data.
Here’s the list of suburbs to know (click on the suburb name to go to the suburbs data page):
$2,001,000 and over
<ul>
<li>
<a href="/news">Canterbury</a> - $2,014,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Toorak</a> - $2,616,000
</li>
</ul>
 
$1,501,000 to $2,000,000
<ul>
<li>
<a href="/news">Balwyn</a> - $1,587,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Brighton</a> - $1,640,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Deepdene</a> - $1,855,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">East Melbourne</a> - $1,825,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Kew</a> - 1,690,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Malvern</a> - $1,520,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Middle Park</a> - $1,610,000
</li>
</ul>
 
$1,000,000 to $1,500,000 
<ul>
<li>
<a href="/news">Albert Park</a> - $1,353,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Alphington</a> - 1,090,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Armadale </a>- $1,410,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Ashburton</a> - $1,083,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Balwyn North</a> - $1,300,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Beaumaris</a> - 1,130,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Black Rock</a> - $1,250,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Brighton East</a> - $1,281,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Camberwell</a> - $1,400,00
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Caulfield</a> - $1,165,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Caulfield North</a> - $1,326,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Caulfield South</a> - $1,075,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Eaglemont</a> - $1,393,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Elsternwick</a> - $1,323,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Elwood</a> - $1,200,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Glen Huntly</a> - $1,000,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Glen Iris</a> - $1,340,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Hampton</a> - $1,284,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Hawthorn East</a> - $1,388,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Ivanhoe</a> - $1,090,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Ivanhoe East</a> - $1,323,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Kew East</a> - $1,308,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Kooyong</a> - $1,280,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Malvern East</a> - $1,190,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Mckinnon</a> - $1,075,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Mont Albert</a> - $1,428,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Ormond</a> - $1,040,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Parkville</a> - $1,348,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Portsea</a> - $1,170,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Princes Hill</a> - $1,310,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Sandringham</a> - $1,220,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">South Yarra</a> - $1,000,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">St Kilda West</a> - $1,113,000
</li>
<li>
<a href="/news">Surrey Hills</a> - $1,351,000
</li>
</ul>
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Victoria’s million dollar suburbs: Did yours make the cut?

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With strong results for dwelling value growth being recorded in the latest RP Data Core Logic Home Value Index, RP Data’s research director Tim Lawless suggests that growth might be better outside of the ‘big’ capitals.
At present, Lawless noted that investors are concentrated across Sydney and Melbourne, where the markets have proven strong capital gains but now lower yields. In fact, yields are currently so low in Sydney that <a href="/expert-insights/buying/sydneys-16-2-year-on-year-growth-straining-yields-rp-data">they’re on track to race below Melbourne</a>.
“Potentially there are better investment returns to be had in the smaller capital cities where the growth trend is less mature and yields are also healthier,” he said.
While Sydney and Melbourne <a href="/news/vic/melbourne-records-strongest-august-2014-quarterly-growth-rp-data">recorded particularly strong increases in prices over the last growth cycle</a>, other capitals have remained subdued.
“Looking at the remaining state capitals over the same time frame, the next best performer was Perth where values are now 15% higher, followed by Adelaide at 9.9%, Brisbane with 5.3% and Hobart where dwelling values are actually 1.5% lower,” he said.
While yields are compressing in most capital cities, Adelaide and Hobart’s apartment markets have actually moved higher for yields over the past 12 months.
However, while Lawless advisers investors look at these smaller capitals, it’s clearly not a common approach quite yet.
“With yields so low in the cities where values are seeing the largest capital gains, it is clear that investors remain very much focussed on value growth rather than yield,” he said.
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Investors should look to smaller capital cities for returns: RP Data

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The first residential sites at Lateral Properties’ masterplanned community Peregian Breeze, on the Sunshine Coast, have been launched.
Home sites from 375 square metres to 795 square metres priced from $190,000 to $280,000 are available in this first stage of <a href="https://www.peregianbreeze.com.au%20" target="_blank">Peregian Breeze</a>.
Lot 9, for instance, is a level $195,000 block of 375 square metres of 12.5 metres wide aiming itself at first home buyers or downsizers.
Associate director of residential at Colliers International, Clinton Tezise, said that strong interest has been seen from locals.
“Land on the northern end of the Sunshine Coast has been limited in terms of choice and the location of this development is proving very attractive to the market,” said Tezise.
“The location and value for money proposition has attracted a range of buyers, from the first home owners and downsizers to young families looking to expand and build their dream home.”
There will be 399 lots at the site, which is bounded by Noose National Park and is 1.5 kilometres from the beach, he said.
This stage includes a central neighbourhood park, playground, picnic and fitness facilities, while a childcare and local convenience centre are proposed for the area with the stages to be connected by walkways and bike tracks.
“We will be working with a range of leading builders to provide a selection of house and land packages for the development, but the buyers can also choose their own builder and design to suit their individual requirements,” said Tezise.
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Peregian Breeze masterplanned community on the Sunshine Coast launched

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Comparison website comparethemarket.com.au has launched a new home loan comparison service in partnership with mortgage broker group AFG.
Spokesperson Abigail Koch noted that the launch of this<a href="https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/home-loans/" target="_blank"> new home loan comparison portal</a> is due to an increasing number of consumers heading online to find a home loan.
This new service allows prospective mortgage holders to avoid filling out repetitive forms, and ensures you can compare loan products.
Access to brokers that cover more than 1,350 products from 29 lenders is also provided through the AFG partnership.
“With the average Australian mortgage approaching $444,000, it’s crucial consumers do their homework when it comes to choosing the right home loan for them," said Koch.
“Our service takes the hard work out of shopping around, enabling people to compare products more easily, and only deal with one experienced broker throughout their financial journey, who has knowledge of over a thousand different home loan options,” she said.
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New online home loan comparison service launched

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With an increasing number of lenders dropping their interest rates, Mortgage Choice recorded demand for fixed rates grew over August and now accounts for almost 25% of mortgages written.
The Mortgage Choice Homeloan Choices data saw 24.19% of loans written being for fixed rates, up from 23.82% the previous month.
“At the end of July, many of Australia’s lenders slashed the interest off their suite of fixed rate products – most notably their five year home loans,” said Mortgage Choice spokesperson Jessica Darnbrough.
“Whenever lenders cut their rates, we tend to see a lift in demand for that type of product a few months later,” she said.
Darnbrough noted that it was unsurprising that fixed rate traction grew through August and with many lenders offering historically low fixed rates, expects the trend to continue through September.
Queenslanders were the most likely to opt for fixed rates, at 29.85%, while they were also popular with South Australia and New South Wales borrowers, at 25.83% and 25.30% respectively.
Victoria’s demand for fixed rates was the lowest in the country, at 16.70%, with borrowers preferring variable rates. Western Australia also recorded strong interest in variable rates,at 80.94%.
“Not only are rates low, but Australia’s lenders have proven they are hungry for business and they are willing to cut the interest on their suite of products, offer significant discounts or other incentives in order to win business,” said Darnbrough.
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Fixed rate demand grows as lenders drop rates: Mortgage Choice

It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

&nbsp;

Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357458]

Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.

"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.

"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357463]

Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357469]

Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."

Sherpa recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151449]

Joel Robinson

Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=368645]

Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=358802]

La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=364551]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134951]

La Vera closes in on completion as Macquarie Park continues residential transformation

Brisbane developer Red &amp; Co's decision to include dual key apartments in its debut Gold Coast apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/como-varsity-lakes-22-lake-street-varsity-lakes-qld-4227">COMO Varsity Lakes</a>, is proving to be one of the project's biggest drawcards, with buyers quickly snapping up the flexible residences.

More than half of the project's 36 dual key apartments have already sold, helping drive COMO beyond the 50 per cent sold mark within the first month of launch.

The strong response highlights growing demand for apartment designs that can adapt to changing lifestyles, with buyers increasingly looking for homes that accommodate multi-generational living, provide rental income opportunities or simply offer greater flexibility over time.

Located on the shores of Lake Orr, COMO will deliver 156 apartments across 16 levels, with the dual-key residences forming a limited release within the broader development.

Each combines a primary two-bedroom apartment with a fully self-contained studio on a single title, connected by a shared foyer and lockable internal door. The design allows owners to house ageing parents, adult children or guests while maintaining privacy, or lease the secondary residence to generate additional income.

Just 17 of the original 36 dual key apartments remain available.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=367096]

The innovative configuration combines two fully self-contained residences on a single title, typically comprising a primary two-bedroom apartment alongside a separate studio residence, connected via a shared foyer and lockable internal door.&nbsp;

The model is proving particularly attractive to owner occupiers navigating changing family dynamics and the realities of the current housing crisis.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363511]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/npa">NPA</a>&nbsp;CEO Andrew Erwin said dual key living was resonating strongly with modern buyers because it delivered both financial flexibility and practical lifestyle benefits.&nbsp;

“The housing crisis and rising cost of living are fundamentally changing how Australians think about home ownership,” Erwin said.&nbsp;

“Dual key apartments provide a genuine solution for families who want to stay connected while maintaining independence. Parents can help adult children save for a future home, ageing parents can remain nearby without moving into aged care, and owners still retain privacy and flexibility.

“Importantly, buyers are also recognising the financial advantages. It creates the opportunity to generate additional income from part of the home without the holding costs associated with owning a separate investment property.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363509]

Unlike traditional dual occupancy arrangements, the residences operate under a single title, meaning owners only incur one set of body corporate fees, council rates and holding costs.&nbsp;

The secondary residence can also evolve over time - functioning as guest accommodation, a home office, creative studio or private retreat before later becoming an income-producing asset.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/red-co">Red &amp; Co</a>&nbsp;Director and Co-Founder David Laverty said the strong early sales reflected growing buyer urgency and changing priorities within the market.&nbsp;

“Securing more than half of COMO’s residences within such a short timeframe is an outstanding result and a clear endorsement of both the design and location,” Laverty said.&nbsp;

“Buyers are responding to the combination of location, connectivity and amenity, but ultimately it’s value relative to other East Coast markets that is driving enquiry.”&nbsp;

“We’re also seeing strong interest from owner occupiers looking for homes that can adapt with them over time. Flexibility has become one of the most important considerations for buyers in today’s market.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363515]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>, COMO features a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom residences with 2.7-metre ceilings and larger-format floorplans aimed at owner occupiers, downsizers and lifestyle-focused buyers.&nbsp;

The development will feature an extensive rooftop recreation and wellness offering including a 25-metre lap pool, sundeck, barbecue and dining areas, gym, sauna, plunge baths, landscaped gardens, wellness spaces and rooftop pickleball and paddleball courts.

The remaining dual key apartments range from 137 sqm to 167 sqm and include generous three-bedroom layouts with separate self-contained studio accommodation and dual parking.&nbsp;

Erwin said the dual key concept represented a broader shift in how Australians would live in the future.

“People want homes that can evolve with their lives,” he said.&nbsp;

“A dual key apartment can suit a family today, support an ageing parent tomorrow, and potentially generate income later on. That adaptability is becoming incredibly valuable in the current environment.”

Prices currently range from $2,115,750 to $2,583,000.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135546]

Inter-generational living drives demand for COMO’s dual key apartments as housing pressures reshape buyer priorities 

Builder-developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ceerose">Ceerose</a> has doubled down on its Leichhardt ambitions, lodging its second State Significant Development Application (SSDA) in the suburb in the last six months.

Their newest proposal seeks to transform a former industrial precinct into a new residential community centred around the adaptive reuse of one of the site's heritage warehouse buildings.

The new project, on a 6,930 sqm block at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/40-76-william-street-leichhardt-nsw-2040">40–76 William Street</a>, will bring more than 200 apartments to a suburb that has seen little to no new supply in recent years. It follows Ceerose's late 2025 SSDA for a mixed-use apartment project on nearby Parramatta Road, signalling the developer's growing investment in Sydney's Inner West.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a>, the redevelopment would involve the demolition of four existing industrial buildings while retaining and adaptively reusing the site's most significant warehouse. The retained structure would anchor a new residential precinct comprising five interconnected buildings arranged around a large central landscaped courtyard, with heights stepping from five storeys along the surrounding residential streets to 11 storeys at the William Street corner.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7258c54c-8167-479e-8361-2d5fca9915b4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010B%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%202.jpg?VersionId=S9DQfxu_jpcB5LrAEYFUbyMzg5odW6i5" />

According to the Architecture Design Report by Woods Bagot, the proposal "seeks to create a residential village centred around a generous green heart while celebrating the site's industrial heritage through the adaptive reuse of the existing warehouse building."

The development would comprise 203 apartments, with 188 proposed as build-to-sell residences, alongside 15 affordable housing apartments.

Rather than treating the retained warehouse as a standalone heritage object, Woods Bagot has sought to weave the site's industrial history throughout the masterplan. The proposal retains the north and west facades of the landmark corner warehouse, while new buildings reinterpret the site's brick-and-steel industrial language through their material palette and architectural expression.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9e8c64c2-881b-49e1-8c90-6b6acaaa45b6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010C%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%203.jpg?VersionId=Qm8_8H_Xrg_sc4Mdjc59vlAcKF_5wRTb" />

The design is organised around what Woods Bagot describes as a "green heart", a landscaped communal open space that reinstates the leafy character removed when the site became an industrial storage facility. A new pedestrian laneway running through the site would improve permeability between William, North and Francis streets, linking residents through landscaped public spaces while activating the ground plane.

Residents would have access to communal gardens, rooftop open space and shared recreation areas distributed throughout the development. Sustainability has also been prioritised, with the project targeting an average 7.9-star NatHERS rating. Proposed initiatives include rooftop solar generation, rainwater harvesting, passive solar design, naturally ventilated lobbies, extensive cross-ventilation and the reuse of existing building fabric to reduce embodied carbon.

The adaptive reuse strategy became a defining feature of the application after heritage investigations found only one of the site's industrial buildings could feasibly be retained. The Heritage Impact Statement concludes that preserving the key warehouse façades while referencing the site's industrial character throughout the new development provides an appropriate balance between renewal and conservation.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="efffafdb-594f-4e2b-a067-921fd51c05e1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010D%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%204.jpg?VersionId=DPmE4.k16YRt0i27hEZVtJAffarpvUfx" />

"Retention and adaptation of the site buildings has been explored but found not to be feasible except for the tallest building, whose street facades will be retained," the heritage report states.

"The proposed building will interpret the brick and steel character of the subject site, including reuse of some components and construction of a large 'sawtooth' structure in the proposed open space."

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3bfef2b5-83f5-40cd-9cab-767092f34266" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010E%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%205.jpg?VersionId=7asb3i_ql4ybbuJOUb5UHBEIy0Q9t.DF" />

The William Street site is located around 300 metres from Leichhardt North Light Rail station and a short walk to Norton Street's retail, dining and hospitality precinct. The surrounding area has increasingly become a focus for urban renewal given its proximity to public transport and the Parramatta Road corridor.

Ceerose, founded by Edward Doueihi in 1998, has become one of Sydney's more active apartment developers, with completed projects including The Alex Collective in Alexandria, Abbie's Lane in Annandale, and the award-winning Munro House in Elizabeth Bay. They are currently delivering Belgravia, 17 luxury apartments in Potts Point.

First look: Ceerose doubles down in Leichhardt with adaptive reuse of former warehouse site

Melbourne developer Spacious Group has completed Voyage Altona, one of the closest new apartment developments to Altona Beach.

Off the plan purchasers have started moving into the 49-apartment project on Pier Street, with the remaining move-in-ready one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments starting from just over $500,000.

Display apartments have now been fitted out, allowing prospective buyers to inspect the completed residences by appointment.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112195 project_image_fid=372638]

The completed apartments feature open-plan living and dining areas which extend onto private balconies and terraces, while full-height glazing maximises natural light throughout the interiors.&nbsp;

Hybrid timber-look flooring, stone benchtops, Miele appliances, porcelain-tiled bathrooms and generous storage feature throughout the building which also features landscaped communal areas, expansive shared terraces, lift access and secure on-grade parking.

Drawing inspiration from its bayside setting, Voyage adopts a restrained palette of warm neutral tones and textured finishes. Many of the apartments take advantage of views across Port Phillip Bay, while the indoor-outdoor living spaces have been designed to make the most of the coastal outlook.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112195 project_image_fid=3286]

Voyage was developed to address what Spacious Group identified as an undersupply of higher-quality apartment product in Altona, with a focus on owner-occupiers looking to remain within the bayside community.

"Voyage responds to very strong local buyer demand for quality, owner-occupier-focused product," says Barry Plant Projects Director Jarrod Farey, who has handled sales since the project's launch.

"The project delivers an elevated lifestyle proposition, with its design and quality of finish far exceeding anything previously produced in the area, as well as its proximity to Pier Street Village and the beach."

The majority of purchasers have been local downsizers and owner-occupiers looking to stay within the Altona community but who previously had limited opportunities to buy a brand-new apartment.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112195]

Jennifer Duke

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