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Property and food go so well together that wine and cheese pairing has now gone beyond the plate… into selling real estate.
It seems natural to us here at Property Observer that beautiful houses, and even the not-so beautiful, are more palatable with a glass of merlot and, perhaps, a wedge of Roquefort (or perhaps camembert or gouda for the less daring). But is wine and cheese pairing a good idea?
While you may think that allowing your guests to sip pinot noir (many a property industry pundits favourite glass of red) is the ultimate in sophistication, if you find yourself pairing the drink and the property incorrectly you’ll be in for a bad surprise.
Last weekend, The Palladio at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-arcadia-117372811" target="_blank">25 Nollands Road, Arcadia</a> (pictured below) was open for inspection. Owner Tim Higgens has held the property since he purchased the land in 1987, and then built the home in 1990, originally as a weekend getaway. With $160,000 of garden furniture and artifacts included in the sale, it has been looking for offers above $2.75 million. 
<img src="/images/2014/07/11/arcadia_0000_1.jpg.jpg" alt="">
Sandy Ward of Ray White Dural decided that a wine and cheese tasting was the perfect way to present the home, and answered our questions about this technique.
Why offer a cheese and wine tasting with the inspection?
This is our first time that we have offered this with our viewings. It allows the locals the opportunity to talk amongst themselves in a beautiful setting and will help to create local awareness by getting them to talk about who knows who and on acreage living. This seldom happens over the fence on large properties. The buyers that we have personally invited are delighted and like the idea.
Are these techniques becoming increasingly common?
If it is successful we will be doing the cheese and wine tasting again. We have had twilight inspections previously and the timing works well with people returning from work in the evenings. The Palladio looks particularly wonderful at this time of day and winter has been magic with the weather of late.
What homes does it and does it not work for?
As this is our first trial and with a property that is completely unique we are hoping for a more relaxed environment for buyers. The Palladio at 25 Nollands Road Arcadia would suit buyers that are looking for a unique property, it is for those out of the box clients, looking for a unique idea suitable to fashion, arts, photography shoots, wedding receptions, holiday retreat or exclusive bed and breakfasts... It may not work for all inspections but once in a while there comes a gem along that it would totally be the correct setting. The viewing this Saturday is set amongst artistic elements that permeate this beautiful residence created in the Palladian style to reflect the feel of the European countryside.
Which cheeses and wines do you use, and why?
We have encouraged a local wine tasting merchant to join us with his RSA and [offered] two selections of each of the red and white catering for up to 50 to 200 attendees. The cheese platter was arranged by Sandra Ward with some fruit in season and catering for most tastes.
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So, cheese platter aficionados – don’t forget that it’s not just about the cheese.
Looking local, and using some other treats to balance out the palate (such as fruits, crackers and chutneys) will always go down a treat. Bear in mind that blue cheeses are not everyone’s favourite (perhaps put them on a separate plate if you’re adamant they should make an appearance) and try to avoid anything too messy or crumbly – strangers sharing food can often be an exercise in disaster, particularly when etiquette is not a quality instilled in every person. Lastly, consider providing a dairy-free cheese, to cater for allergies and diets of all types.
Serve your cheese at room temperature. Keep it somewhere clean and tidy, provide enough plates or napkins as necessary, and ensure that high traffic won’t block through-ways to the rest of the house – remember that the purpose is, after all, for buyers to view the home.
And, of course, watch your spend. While some properties’ prices can justify a significant outlay on wining and cheese-ing your prospective buyers, those with prices closer to the city’s median might not want to include the extra few hundred dollars, or more, that it costs to cater. In fact, some properties would be better off directing those funds to re-painting.
It doesn’t mean you need to give up the wine and cheese concept entirely. This<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-tarneit-117387023" target="_blank"> $390,000 Tarneit, Victoria home</a> (pictured below) uses the suggestion in the listing to conjure up the idea. The agent suggests a wine and cheese platter on the space next to the spa bath. While most of us are more likely to clutter it up with half-used shampoo bottles, it’s nice to dream – and the effect is certainly there.
<img src="/images/2014/07/11/tarneit%20july%2011%20one.jpg" alt="">
Meanwhile, more creative writing and suggestions are provided for <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-wa-mount+richon-115165639" target="_blank">this amazing Mount Richon house</a> (pictured below), which actually won the 2004 Housing Industry Association WA Home of the Year award. We can see why – the home is breathtaking, particularly at its $899,000 price point.
<img src="/images/2014/07/11/richone%20july%2011.jpg" alt="">
The agent suggests that on the master bedroom’s Juliette balcony “with ornate balustrade providing some hills romance” Margaret River wine and cheese “on a clear star filled evening” would be the perfect accompaniment. We hardly disagree.
While we’re on the topic, we can’t go past at least a cursory mention of the most commonly sighted bottles in open homes and real estate photographs. Moet, Chandon and, in more recent months, Penfolds, have taken out top titles of most commonly found celebratory alcohols in the listings. There’s even a Perrier-Jouët that makes an appearance.
These photos all come from current listings, or those we've kept tabs on over the past few months.
<img src="/images/2014/07/11/cham%20july%2011%20five.jpg" alt="">
<img src="/images/2014/07/11/cham-july-11-one.jpg" alt="">
<img src="/images/2014/07/11/cham%20july%2011%20two.jpg" alt="">
<img src="/images/2014/07/11/cham%20july%2011%20three.jpg" alt="">
<img src="/images/2014/07/11/cham%20july%2011%20four.jpg" alt="">
<img src="/images/2014/07/11/grange%20darlinghurst%20jan%2021.jpg" alt="">
 We’re not sure all of these are effective, but at least some creativity is being used.
{module Do you think a bottle of plonk helps sell a home?}
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Pairing wine, cheese and… property

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A triple tower residential, hotel and retail precinct in Fortitude Valley has been approved by Brisbane City Council, and is seeing international interest.
Perth-based development consortium Twin Ocean Group and Sunfire Asset are behind the creation at 188 Wickham Street, adjacent to Chinatown Mall, which will be of an end value of approximately $250 million.
The site has been static for more than two decades, and the new development on 3,000 square metres will include two residential towers, a high-rise hotel and a ground floor retail arcade linking the buildings. In total, 520 residential apartments and hotel rooms will be built.
<img src="/images/2014/07/11/188WickhamSt_3tower_view2.jpg" alt=""><img src="/images/2014/07/11/188Wickham_Pool_GymPodiumlevs2%20copy.jpg" alt="">
International hotel chains have enquired about the 25-level hotel, which will include 198 apartments. A formal marketing campaign has not yet begun.
Meanwhile, overseas, local and interstate investors have submitted expressions of interest for the residential apartments. The first stage, which includes 187 apartments, will begin in the third quarter of this year.
In this stage, one-bedroom apartments will be available for purchase from $375,000 to $450,000. Two-bedroom apartments will cost $555,000 plus.
Twin Ocean Group managing director, Tim Jones, said that they have been planning the project for more than 18 months.
“Our award-winning architects, Nettletontribe have drawn on their intimate knowledge of designing world-standard mixed use projects and the result will be an attractive investment for apartment buyers and retailers looking to live or do business, less than one kilometre from Brisbane’s CBD,” Jones said.
“Being located on Fortitude Valley’s southern perimeter, 188 Wickham Street will not only be a landmark development but act as the focal gateway into the Valley and Chinatown Mall. Our location is also very convenient being within walking distance to Brisbane’s business district and within a 200-metre radius of bus and train networks.  It will be an attractive proposition for Brisbane’s professional rental market.”
 
The site will include a residents’ lounge with Wi-Fi hot desks, a gym and a pool deck.
The first of the three towers to be built is the 30-level residential building with three podium decks, 187 one- and two-bedroom apartments and rooftop terrace.
The retain arcade expects to see international brand name retailers, dining areas and green walls.
The 25-level hotel will include 198 studio rooms, and the 24-level residential tower will include 135 apartments. These will be one- and two-bedroom offerings.
The project is expected to be complete in 2016.
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Brisbane’s triple tower Fortitude Valley development sees international interest

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Rudy Noel Furgtniet, a former director of Unique Mortgage Services Pty Ltd and Victorian finance broker operating under MortgageandMigration.com.au, has been banned by ASIC from engaging in credit activities.
It was found he’d provided misleading information and a lack of full disclosure on an application for a credit licence.
His lack of disclosure and misleading answers were given in relation to questions for the business’ application for a credit licence, and he had been the former person responsible for the licence for his practice, which is based in Melbourne.
He also had an adverse disciplinary history, including involvement in the breach of the company’s travel agent’s licence.
He’s also made a false declaration to the Migration Agents Registration Authority, had two rejected applications to be admitted as a solicitor, made a false statement on Newstart allowance application forms, misrepresented himself as a lawyer with standing to appear in court, had his conveyancing licence cancelled and made a false or misleading declaration to the Tax Practitioners Board.
ASIC decided that his conduct was incompatible with the qualities required of someone allowed to engage in credit activities – that is, good character, honesty, integrity and judgement.
Deputy chairman for ASIC, Peter Kell, said that they would remove quickly to remove people like this from the industry.
“Those who deliberately provide misleading information in their credit applications simply should not be in the industry,” he said.
Frugtniet has the right to appeal.
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ASIC permanently bans Victorian finance broker

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The Australian Property Confidence Index recorded a one point drop to 131 over the September quarter, however confidence across both residential and non-residential sectors remains strong.
This is particularly the case for New South Wales, however Queensland and Tasmania also increased over the quarter.
The ACT is noted as the only state or territory recording soft confidence – it’s recording a result of 101 on the index.
ANZ Research’s Warren Hogan and David Cannington note that this reflects house prices as well, with every state and territory to perform – except for the ACT.
“Confidence across the property industry hardly moved at all through the winter months and remains at a high level,” they explained.
“The residential sector is still the strongest part of the industry with construction activity and price expectations buoyant even though price expectations have softened this quarter in line with lower auction clearances.
"House prices now appear to be settling down to more sustainable growth rates. House prices are expected to rise over the next 12 months in every state except the ACT.”
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Prices expected to increase across Australia, but not ACT: ANZ

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The western Melbourne suburb of <a href="/news">Tarneit</a> is seeing house and land development The Heartlands selling out in its various stages, with the latest 29 blocks now hitting the market.
This is Stage 21, and includes eastern-facing blocks close to the recreation centre and wetlands precinct. Blocks range from 400 square metres upwards, with prices from $160,000. The blocks are located down Barrangi Drive.
Asset1 is behind <a href="https://theheartlands.com.au/" target="_blank">The Heartlands</a>, and have previously announced that it will include future school sites and sporting area, as well as a childcare centre set to open by the end of 2015.
Asset1 sales director Mark Adams said that the focus is on a family-friendly community with accessible amenities.
“Tarneit is developing rapidly, so we’re thrilled to see our neighbourhoods flourish as new families move in to their dream homes,” said Adams.
“With homes located just moments from established parklands, Club Heartlands, proposed future school sites and the recently announced childcare centre, purchasers and their families are even closer to achieving a healthier work/life balance than ever before.”
The site is 30 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD, near to Tarneit Railway Station.
The blocks in this release span up to 484 square metres, and is the fifth stage to be released.
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The Heartlands stages selling out in Melbourne’s Tarneit

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Melbourne currently has over 12,600 apartments under construction, expected to hit the market over the next three years, as well as other projects in the pipeline.
However, despite this high figure, Knight Frank’s Melbourne Apartment Market Update Residential Research has found that rents are increasing and vacancies are actually falling.
Over the past 12 months, the vacancy rate fell to 2.8% in May, a 0.4% drop, while rents increased to $390 per week. The average rental yield is currently 4.51%.
Over the past decade, the average has increased from 2.1% to 2.8% due to high construction in the apartment sector, however this is dropping back over the 12 months to May 2014, as recorded by the REIV.
Residential project marketing associate director for Knight Frank, Daniel Cashen, said that foreign investors continue to favour Melbourne.
“Growth from Asia has been underpinned by our great infrastructure, world class secondary and tertiary education and the reputation we have retained over the years as the world’s most ‘liveable city’,” said Cashen.
“Encouraged by urban renewal and migration towards inner city living, the CBD and inner/ north-west has witnessed a significant number of medium-high density apartment projects built to support this population growth; with presales continuing to support further projects,” he said.
As of March 2014, apartments across Melbourne’s metropolitan area saw 5.9% annual growth, to a median value of $454,000. Over the next five years, a 4% per annum result is expected.
“Highest capital growth was experienced in the Bayside/Frankston region at 7.3% over the last year, closely followed by north-east at 7.2%; while both realising a median value of $486,000,” he said.
Melbourne’s south-east has also increased – with 7.1% growth to $453,500. The CBD and inner/north-west region was subdued at 3.2% compared to the rest of Melbourne, however Cashen notes expectations are for 5% growth per annum for the next five years.
Interestingly, this is where 64.7% of apartments currently under construction are located.
Residential research association director Michelle Ciesielski said that the population growth has seen a 2.1% uptick on average over the past 10 years, with projections this will continue to 2029.
“Due over the next three years, there are just over 12,600 apartments currently under construction in metropolitan Melbourne, with a number of significant projects still proposed in the pipeline,” she said.
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Currently 12,600 apartments under construction in Melbourne, but vacancies reduce: Knight Frank

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An ASIC investigation found that Shashi Kanta Prasad of Chipping Norton, New South Wales, had created false loan documents for seven clients to achieve loans totalling more than $3.6 million.
She pleaded guilty in the Downing Centre Local Court to making seven false statements, producing 41 fake documents and using those documents to obtain a financial advantage for her employer in the form of commissions.
She was employed by <a href="https://www.rajprasad.com.au/contact" target="_blank">Raj Prasad &amp; Co Pty Ltd</a>, trading as <a href="https://www.platinumaccountants.com.au/" target="_blank">Premium Financial &amp; Retirement Solutions</a>.
She faces a maximum imprisonment of five years for one offence of obtaining a financial advantage by false or misleading statements, a maximum penalty of five years for one offence of intention to defraud by false or misleading statement, a 10 year maximum penalty for one offence of using false instruments, and  a maximum penalty of 10 years for one offence of using false documents.
The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions is prosecuting the case, with sentencing at the Sydney District Court on 18 July 2014.
A previous July 2012 MFAA notice said: "The MFAA Tribunal has expelled Mrs Shashi Prasad from MFAA membership on the basis that she engaged in, or was vicariously liable for conduct of a misleading, deceptive, dishonest or fraudulent nature. The Tribunal had before it four allegations of such conduct."
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Financial advisor found guilty of $3.6 million of loan fraud

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A new display centre will launch for ShellCove on the Illawarra’s South Coast this weekend from Allworth Homes.
There will be three new home designs, with a coastal living aspect, showcased at the opening from 12 July, with each of an open plan aspect and with an outside alfresco.
Other South Coast Allworth Homes centres are at South Nowra’s Twin Waters and Horsley’s Brooks Reach.
Managing director of Allworth Homes, Stephen Thompson, said that there should be strong sales on the South Coast.
“We are really upping the game with these designs. They well and truly speak to a modern audience – people that really want that ‘resort’ style living plan. There are a number of alternate floor plans available for each home and the façade designs are inter-changeable,” said Thomspon.
“As the display centre at ShellCove opens, another chapter closes. We have recently closed our Haywards Bay centre after being there for eight years. Our sales consultant from Haywards Bay, Terry Ryan, is moving over to ShellCove. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience of over 30 years.”
The three houses are Pembrey, Sebring and the Carlisle.
The Pembrey is a four-bedroom design with features including a hidden walk-in pantry and master with walk-in robe. It’s aimed at first home buyers, investors and downsizers. It is single storey and priced from $154,800.
The Sebring is a four-bedroom property for those wanting a larger living space option, and it features a media room and an alfresco dining area. It is single storey and priced from $150,400.
The Carlisle includes a butler’s pantry, a kids’ activity room and a home theatre and suits families. Further details are still to be announced.
The display will be at <a href="https://allworthhomes.com.au/shell-cove" target="_blank">21 Apollo Drive, </a><a href="https://allworthhomes.com.au/shell-cove" target="_blank">Shell Cove and will be open from 10am to 5pm</a>. 
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Illawarra’s ShellCove display home to launch this weekend

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The World’s 100 Largest Banks list from SNL Financial has seen, unsurprisingly, four places taken up by Australia.
The big four saw just one retain its same ranking from last year, while the other three fell modestly. This was based on data compiled last month.
<img src="https://www.snl.com/articles/24243151.gif" alt="SNL Image">
Source: SNJL Financial National Australia Bank (NAB) retained its spot as the 40th biggest bank. Commonwealth Bank ranked 44, two places below its previous listing. ANZ and Westpac attained places 45 and 46 respectively, both two places lower than last year. China dominates the top 10 of the list, with both the top spot (Industrial &amp; Commercial Bank of China Ltd) and three other entrants. The Bank of China is a new top 10 entrant, previously scoring 11th. In the total list, China has 15 places, the United States has 11 and Japan has eight on the list. Some banks’ assets globally have fallen as they shrink their balance sheets to become better capitalised, while others declined in assets.
<img src="https://www.snl.com/articles/24272123.gif" alt="SNL Image">
Source: SNL Financial
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Where Australia's big four rank of world's top 100 banks

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Melbourne’s vegan bakery offering, Mister Nice Guy, is closing down their Prahran stall this month – though it may only be a temporary decision.
Noting that their Ascot Vale store is “bursting at the seams” forcing them to close up at Prahran, it also says business will continue at Ascot Vale as they expand the store.
They opened up shop in November 2012, giving out 1,000 free cupcakes at launch. Prior to this time, the store was florist Tony’s Flowers On Ascot.
The Prahran outlet, previously Stall 98B, will be closed from 19 July.
Wholesale and deliveries are also still available from the Ascot Vale store at 151 Union Rd, Ascot Vale.
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Mister Nice Guy Prahran stall closes, but Ascot Vale to expand

Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=373834]

Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150713 project_image_fid=373827]

Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Joel Robinson

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

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>.

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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.

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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;

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<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;

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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;

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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;

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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.

Ceerose Founder Edward Doueihi told Apartments.com.au the developer’s long-standing presence in Leichhardt and the Inner West had given it a strong understanding of how the area has evolved and where its future opportunities lie.

“Ceerose has had a long-standing presence in Leichhardt and the Inner West, giving us a unique understanding of the area’s evolution and future potential,” Doueihi said.

“Having delivered projects throughout the region, we have witnessed the suburb’s transformation first-hand and understand the opportunities for its continued growth.”

Doueihi said that understanding also informed the planning process, with a comprehensive Stakeholder Engagement Outcomes Report prepared before the application was lodged.

The report identified the key issues and concerns raised by neighbouring residents and other stakeholders, allowing those matters to be considered and incorporated into the design where appropriate.

He said the delivery of additional housing would also play an important role in supporting the revitalisation of Norton Street and the Italian Forum.

“By increasing the local residential population, the development is expected to strengthen demand for local businesses, encourage further investment, and help restore the vibrancy that made the precinct a thriving destination in the early 2000s.”

<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" />

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.

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 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.

Doueihi founded Ceerose in 1998 and has grown the business to become one of Sydney's more active apartment developers in recent years, 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.

Jennifer Duke

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