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Kerstin Thompson's House at Hanging Rock has won the top honour at the 2014 National Architecture Awards.
A favourite for the Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture, House at Hanging Rock also took out the Australian Institute of Architects Victorian award for best new house, the Harold Desbrowe-Annear Award for Residential Architecture – New, earlier this year.
The win seems fitting, as rumour has it artist Titania Henderson and her husband commissioned Kerstin Thompson Architects to design the home (pictured above) after they missed out on buying South Yarra's Walsh Street House. The former Boyd family home is now the headquarters of the Robin Boyd Foundation.
Titania and Ian Hendersen remain supporters of Boyd's architecture, and are donors to the foundation.
Overlooking Hanging Rock, the winning home is made of three parallel bands running east to west on a sloping block.
The central and largest section, which overlaps at the ends with the upper and lower bands, holds the kitchen, living and dining areas. The main bedroom suite and a study area are situated in the upper band, and a versatile studio and guest space are in the lower band.
Thompson's design allows the home to take in all aspects of the surrounding environment.
The use of brutalist materials is a defining feature of the house. In June, Titania Hendersen told Radio National's By Design: "This is an environment that has extreme weather conditions, so concrete was important to me. Of course concrete is very difficult to build, and that wasn't easy, but I'm very pleased that I chose this material."
The materials also give the house a high Bushfire Attack Level rating.
This year was the first time the National Architecture Awards divided the Residential – Houses category into new builds and alteration and additions.
West Australian practice Philip Stejskal Architecture won the inaugural award for alterations and additions for a Bellevue Terrace home, pictured below.
<img src="/images/2014/11/06/1Res-AA_PhilipStejskalArchitecture_BellevueTerraceAlterations_BoWong.jpg" alt="">
Source: AIA. Photograph by Bo Wong.
University of Queensland's Advanced Engineering Building by Richard Kirk Architect and HASSELL was the most awarded project of the night, taking home the Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture, the Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture and a Sustainable Architecture Award (pictured below).
<img src="/images/2014/11/06/Sustainable_RichardKirkArchitectHASSELL_UQAdvancedEngineeringBuildi_PeterBennetts.jpg" alt="">
Source: AIA. Photograph by Peter Bennetts.
The jury was headed by the Architecture Institute of Australia's immediate past present Paul Berkemeier.
"It is encouraging that so many projects embodied best practice with informed clients, effective procurement methods, appropriate funding models and intelligent architecture. This provides us with great optimism for the future of our public spaces – an area that has so often delivered dispiriting outcomes," said Berkemeier.
Oxlade Drive House in Brisbane by James Russell Architect won the first ever People's Choice Award (pictured below) ahead of last night's ceremony, where it also picked up the National Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New).
<img src="/images/2014/11/06/8Res-New_JamesRussellArchitect_OxladeDriveHouse_TobyScott.jpg" alt="">
Source: AIA. Photograph by Toby Scott.
The full list of winners are on the next page. Please click below.
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 The National Architecture Awards 2014 winners:
Commercial Architecture
<ul>
<li>The Harry Seidler Award for Commercial Architecture: White Bay Cruise Terminal – Johnson Pilton Walker (NSW)</li>
</ul>
National Awards for Commercial Architecture
<ul>
<li>8 Chifley Square – Lippmann Partnership/Rogers Stirk Harbour &amp; Partners (NSW)</li>
<li>Bread in Common – spaceagency (WA)</li>
</ul>
National Commendation for Commercial Architecture
<ul>
<li>Prahran Hotel – Techne Architects (Vic)</li>
</ul>
Enduring Architecture
The National Enduring Architecture Award
<ul>
<li>CB Alexander College, Tocal – Ian McKay and Philip Cox, Architects in Association (NSW)</li>
</ul>
Heritage
The Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage
<ul>
<li> Eternity Playhouse – Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects (NSW)</li>
</ul>
National Commendation for Heritage
<ul>
<li>Former Police Station, 127-129 George Street, The Rocks – Welsh + Major Architects with Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (NSW)</li>
</ul>
Interior Architecture
The Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture
<ul>
<li>UQ Advanced Engineering Building – Richard Kirk Architect HASSELL Joint Venture (Qld)</li>
</ul>
National Awards for Interior Architecture
<ul>
<li>Bread in Common – spaceagency (WA)</li>
<li>Garangula Gallery – Fender Katsalidis Mirams Architects (NSW)</li>
<li>Hotel Hotel – March Studio (ACT)</li>
<li>Sustainable Industries Education Centre – MPH Architects + Architectus in association (SA)</li>
</ul>
International Architecture
The Jørn Utzon Award for International Architecture
<ul>
<li>Stonehenge Exhibition + Visitor Centre – Denton Corker Marshall (United Kingdom)</li>
</ul>
Award for International Architecture
<ul>
<li>Shelter@Rainforest – Marra + Yeh Architects (East Malaysia)</li>
</ul>
Public Architecture
The Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture
<ul>
<li>UQ Advanced Engineering Building – Richard Kirk Architect HASSELL Joint Venture (Qld)</li>
</ul>
National Awards for Public Architecture
<ul>
<li>Australian PlantBank – BVN Donovan Hill (NSW)</li>
<li>Dallas Brooks Community Primary School – McBride Charles Ryan (Vic)</li>
<li>Dandenong Mental Health Facility – Bates Smart Whitefield McQueen Irwin Alsop Joint Venture (Vic)</li>
<li>Prince Alfred Park + Pool Upgrade – Neeson Murcutt Architects in association with City of Sydney (NSW)</li>
<li>UTAS Institute for Marine &amp; Antarctic Studies – John Wardle Architects + Terroir, in Association (Tas)</li>
</ul>
National Commendations for Public Architecture
<ul>
<li>North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club – Durbach Block Jaggers in association with Peter Colquhoun (NSW)</li>
<li>South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute – Woods Bagot (SA)</li>
</ul>
Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
The Australian Institute of Architects Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
<ul>
<li>Bellevue Terrace Alterations + Additions – Philip Stejskal Architecture (WA)</li>
</ul>
National Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
<ul>
<li>West End Tower – Owen and Vokes and Peters (Qld)</li>
</ul>
National Commendation for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions)
<ul>
<li>Strohmayr House – Troppo Architects (NT)</li>
</ul>
Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
The Robin Boyd Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
<ul>
<li>House at Hanging Rock – Kerstin Thompson Architects (Vic)</li>
</ul>
National Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
<ul>
<li>Oxlade Drive House – James Russell Architect (Qld)</li>
</ul>
National Commendations for Residential Architecture – Houses (New)
<ul>
<li>Hover House – Bower Architecture (Vic)</li>
<li>Southern Outlet House – Philip M Dingemanse (Tas)</li>
</ul>
Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing
The Frederick Romberg Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing
<ul>
<li>The Commons – Breathe Architecture (Vic)</li>
</ul>
National Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing
<ul>
<li>UNSW Kensington Colleges – Bates Smart (NSW)</li>
</ul>
National Commendation for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing
<ul>
<li>Gantry – Bates Smart (NSW)</li>
</ul>
Small Project Architecture
The Nicholas Murcutt Award for Small Project Architecture
<ul>
<li>Bicheno Surf Life Saving Club + Boathouse – Birrelli art + design + architecture (Tas)</li>
</ul>
National Awards for Small Project Architecture
<ul>
<li>Balmain Apartment – Durbach Block Jaggers (NSW)</li>
<li>Kew Studio – Sean Godsell Architects (Vic)</li>
</ul>
National Commendation for Small Project Architecture
<ul>
<li>Studio 217 – Amalie Wright &amp; Richard Buchanan (Qld)</li>
</ul>
Sustainable Architecture
The David Oppenheim Award for Sustainable Architecture
<ul>
<li>The Commons – Breathe Architecture (Vic)</li>
</ul>
National Awards for Sustainable Architecture
<ul>
<li>Australian PlantBank – BVN Donovan Hill (NSW)</li>
<li>The Wayside Chapel – environa studio (NSW)</li>
<li>UQ Advanced Engineering Building – Richard Kirk Architect HASSELL Joint Venture (Qld)</li>
</ul>
Urban Design
The Walter Burley Griffin Award for Urban Design
<ul>
<li>Prince Alfred Park + Pool Upgrade – Neeson Murcutt Architects in association with City of Sydney (NSW)</li>
</ul>
National Award for Urban Design
<ul>
<li>GASP! Stage 02 – Room 11 (Tas)</li>
</ul>
COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture
The National COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture
<ul>
<li>White Bay Cruise Terminal – Johnson Pilton Walker (NSW)</li>
</ul>
2014 Jury
Paul Berkemeier – Immediate Past President, Australian Institute of Architects and Principal, Paul Berkemeier Architects (Jury Chair) Clare Cousins – Director, Clare Cousins Architects Justin Hill – Director, Kerry Hill Architects Virginia Kerridge – Principal, Virginia Kerridge Architect Lindy Johnson – Director, Lindy Johnson (Lay Juror)
Main picture from AIA. Photograph by Trevor Mein.
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jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

Kerstin Thompson Architects win with House at Hanging Rock

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A real estate agency has sold a home after the buyer made contact through Facebook.
The apartment in the Scenic Terrigal development was advertised on Raine &amp; Horne Terrigal/Avoca's Facebook page.
According to general manager Brett Hunter, the social media influenced sale was a first for the agency.
"The initial buyer enquiry came through Facebook, with questions answered by us via the social media platform's chat facility. Meetings were booked, prices negotiated and a deal struck for a final purchase price of $810,000," said Hunter.
Selling agent Cameron Clayton also commissioned a website to advertise the development.
"Email is considered old fashioned now, with many buyers and tenants preferring to work with us via faster, more contemporary platforms such as Facebook," Clayton said.
"The sharing of videos through Facebook is also a massive way for us to engage with new buyers," he says.
Videos are increasingly used to market properties, with Marshall White and Century 21 among agents who create video content for listings.
The off the plan apartment sold has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a two car garage.
 
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Like: Social media marketing secures sale

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For those who don't have time to read Governor Glenn Stevens' full November statement or trawl through the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the Reserve Bank (RBA) has tweeted a visual update on Australia's economy.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/RBAInfo/status/529835809172492289" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/11/06/tweet-nov-6-one.jpg" alt=""></a>
The infographic also serves as a handy reminder of what the Reserve Bank takes into account when deciding the overnight cash rate, which this month remained at 2.5%.
At 2.3%, inflation continues to stay within the RBA's 2-3% target band, while it keeps an eye on the value of <a href="/expert-insights/investing/how-does-the-aussie-dollar-affect-commercial-property">the Australian dollar</a>.
With the average home now valued at $555,000, the RBA continues to flag increasing <a href="/expert-insights/finance/dwelling-prices-continue-to-climb-governor-glenn-stevens-november-statement">dwelling prices</a>.
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Tweet of the day: RBA's economic snapshot

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Over the quarter to September, houses performed better than units in the country's capital cities, according to RP Data.
RP Data's Daily Home Values Index recorded 2.3% growth in house values for the three month period, while units increased by a more modest 1.3%.
The house price growth was largely driven by Sydney's <a href="/expert-insights/investing/sydney-house-prices-streak-ahead-in-september-quarter-rp-data">4.5% quarterly increase</a>, but in the unit market, Adelaide was the best performer.
The South Australian capital recorded a 3.1% increase in unit values. Sydney's unit prices increased by 1.7%, pushed out of second place by Melbourne, with 2.2% growth.
Four of the remaining capital cities recorded a value decrease.
Unit prices in the Northern Territory capital dropped by the largest proportion, with a 4.7% dip.
The quarterly unit price figures:
<ul>
<li>Adelaide</li>
</ul>
Change: +3.1% Median price: $333,000
<ul>
<li>Melbourne</li>
</ul>
Change: +2.2% Median price: $472,000
<ul>
<li>Sydney</li>
</ul>
Change: +1.7% Median price: $590,000
<ul>
<li>Canberra</li>
</ul>
Change: 1.0% Median price: $398,500
<ul>
<li>Brisbane</li>
</ul>
Change: -0.4% Median price: $380,000
<ul>
<li>Perth</li>
</ul>
Change: -3.0% Median price: $450,000
<ul>
<li>Hobart</li>
</ul>
Change: -3.8% Median price: $250,000
<ul>
<li>Darwin</li>
</ul>
Change: -4.7% Median price: $536,200
Source: RP Data.
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Unit price growth outshone by houses: RP Data

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Purchasing property in resource-driven towns often seems like a sound investment.
Big mines can draw thousands of workers, driving up demand. Meanwhile, local incomes may increase significantly, and investors are often attracted to mining towns by the promise of high yields and fast capital gains.
But the rivers of gold can't always last. Mining town investments are also characterised by their volatility, given their exposure to single industries. Yesterday, Property Observer reported that some former mining town "hotspots" are recording price drops of <a href="/expert-insights/investing/from-hotspot-to-bloodbath-property-investment-in-australias-mining-towns">up to 40%</a> from their previous peaks.
While some defend the profitability of mining town property investments, others choose to steer clear.
Property Observer took the question to leading property experts: Can property in a mining town ever be a safe investment?
Margaret Lomas: Author, television host and <a href="https://destiny.com.au/dotnetnuke/en-au/home.aspx" target="_blank">Destiny </a>founder<img src="/images/authors/fullbody/Margaret-Lomas3.png" alt="" style="float: right;">
It never ceases to amaze me how property investors think simply about an asset's present performance when buying, and never consider all of the valid and crucial factors which must be considered before making any investment.
This is what makes mining town investors leap in to investments where the performance is completely linked to a single industry and the overall global economy in a way which can result in serious disaster.
When you become a property investor you must decide whether you intend to be a buy and hold investor or a speculator. A mining town investment is a speculative investment, yet those who buy them behave like a buy and hold investor - they buy in on the way up (and usually when it's too late) and then hold well past the use by date - often resulting in serious losses and abysmal yields when the area plunges on the back of reduced demand for resources.
Make no mistake - all mining town investments are extremely speculative and require precise market timing, both in and out.
Those buying in a mining town must not only have a very large appetite for risk, they must have the capacity to hedge - in other words, hold enough other assets so that, when the area falls in value, the loss can be offset with other stable assets, rather than result in the investor owing more than they own.
Terry Ryder: <a href="https://www.Hotspotting.com.au" target="_blank">Hotspotting.com.au</a> founder<img src="/images/authors/fullbody/Terry-Ryder.png" alt="" style="float: right;"> Can a mining town ever be a safe investment?
If "high-risk" is the opposite of "safe" in investing, the answer has to be no. All investments in mining towns are high risk. Markets in mining towns are always volatile, because they are one-industry towns. And that one industry, the resources sector, is fickle and capricious.
Add to that the tendency of developers to dive into boom markets and build way too much new stock, and you have a formula for a real estate roller coaster.
But can a mining town ever be a lucrative investment? Definitely. Even with the decline in resources-related markets in the past year or two, the best long-term capital growth rates in Australia are all in mining towns or regional centres impacted by the resources sector.
The Queensland coal town of <a href="/news">Moranbah</a> is the quintessential case study for the win-lose scenario presented by these kinds of markets. Over the 10 years to 2012, it averaged 30% per year in growth in its median house price, which reached $750,000. Rents were absurdly high, providing double-digit yields.
Then the downturn popped by. Today the median price is $330,000 and rents have dropped so low that the typical yield is 4%.
Moranbah has had downturns before, though never as severe as this one. It will recover in time, although the trend by mining companies towards FIFO workforces means it may never reach those previous heights.
Bottom line: mining towns are only for experienced investors with large portfolios and cast-iron temperaments.
Article continues on the next page. Please click below.
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Catherine Cashmore: Independent market analyst<img src="/images/authors/fullbody/Catherine-Cashmore.png" alt="" style="float: right;">
Is it ever a good time to 'invest' in a mining town? If it was, the time to do so has passed.
However, let's be clear - nothing of value is being 'invested' – the price escalation in a mining town comes from a self-feeding, virtuous cycle of irrational exuberance, taking a short-term bet on continuing rapid 'capital gains' at the expense of a new wave of speculative investors and the creation of more debt.
During the construction phase of the cycle (which typically employs a larger workforce than the current production phase), the surge in demand from fly in, fly out workers initially rises faster than supply can accommodate.  This drives up rents on existing sites, and attracts an increasing inflow of yield seeking investors.
The beneficial effects to the surrounding town and nearby localities, comes in the form of infrastructure contributions – ports, railroads, hotels, schools and so forth, which naturally boosts employment and can aid the long term viability of a region once the boom has surpassed.
However, the steep escalation created by speculative exuberance cannot be sustained. Timing therefore is crucial – and the losses significant.
A change in market prices can happen over night – Moranbah in Queensland for example – where houses renting for $1,200 - $1,800 per week in 2012, were barely able to attract $200-$300 per week in 2013.  Rumour has it that some properties were even offered 'free' for a short period of time, simply to gain tenancy.
The length of the cycle within any given area is determined by feasibility and long-term sustainability of a project.  New mines are planned years in advance, taking factors into account such as quantity and quality of deposits, milling processes, operating costs, capital costs, staffing, access to facilities (roads, rail etc.) and obviously continued demand from offshore markets. However, even assuming a feasibility study passes all the necessary criteria (and few presently are) – it does not guarantee the mine will be successful – or even commence.
To the peak of 2011, high-prices for resources such as iron ore, base metals and coal, were driven overwhelmingly by emerging markets such as China through heavy investment into infrastructure to accommodate rapid urbanisation of a large rural population.
However, China is undergoing structural changes to its economy – the effects of which are hard to predict over the longer term.  The subsequent dampening of its property market and therefore construction, has seen the price of iron ore plummet over recent months. Demand for scarce commodities is likely to continue, however it's not going to buoy a boom of speculative investment into the mining-town real estate sector as was previously the case.
Gamble your dollars elsewhere.
Damian Collins: <a href="https://www.momentumwealth.com.au/" target="_blank">Momentum Wealth</a> managing director<img src="/images/authors/fullbody/Damian-Collins-profile.png" alt="" style="float: right;">
Mining towns certainly can be quite cash flow positive in a lot of cases. But people need to be aware there are a lot of risks associated with that. Particularly if it's a mining town that's associated with one mine or a single commodity, and the commodity drops in value and they cut their workforce.
To some degree you're speculating on a particular commodity. And in some cases, even if the commodity is fairly well priced, the mine can still be fail if it's not profitable.
That's what happened with the BHP Ravensthorpe nickel project. Basically, they shut the thing down eight months later because it wasn't profitable.
The other risk is extra supply coming off the market. Often the towns are fairly small - 20,000 or 30,000 people. It doesn't take a whole lot of extra land supply to come off the market in order to effect rental yields and prices, like it did in Port Headland and Karratha. That's caused rental yields and prices to drop quite significantly, even though the industries are quite strong up there.
Certainly, you need to be very cautious. Our recommendation is that mining towns are not for the first time investor. They're for investors with a decent sized portfolio, with five or six properties, who willing to take on that risk as part of their property strategy.
Article continues on the next page. Please click below.
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Pete Wargent: Author and <a href="https://allenwargent.com/" target="_blank">AllenWargent </a>property buyers co-founder<img src="/images/authors/fullbody/Pete-Wargent.png" alt="" style="float: right;">
It's possible, yes, if investors buy an asset using an appropriately financed deal, for the right price, at the right stage in the cycle, provided there is some tolerance for price volatility and possible vacancies.
Generally speaking, an investor or speculator buys property in a mining town in anticipation of a new project passing its feasibility studies and progressing to the construction stage, bringing new labour into town and higher demand for housing.
With the China boom really having taken off over the past decade, commodity prices went skyward – iron ore prices between 2007 and 2010, for example, doubled and then more than doubled again - and Australia embarked on a vast and unprecedented frenzy of mining construction.
But the commodities sector naturally cycles, and look at the macroeconomic picture in late 2014.
We have now transitioned into the less labour-intensive production phase of the boom, and as the new producers really begin to hit their straps there is a tremendous glut of supply hitting global commodities markets placing relentless downwards pressure on commodity prices.
Fewer and fewer significant projects will pass feasibility, particularly copper/silver/gold projects, and in the bulk commodity sectors of coal and iron ore.
In short, mining construction activity will drop off a cliff over the next three years, especially in Queensland, Western Australia and, to a lesser extent, New South Wales.
<img src="/images/2014/11/06/ev.owa.jpg" alt="">
Property investment is generally most effective as a long-term play.
Capital cities with rapidly growing populations tend to be an effective inflation hedge since the required supply of new dwellings must always built at in today's dollars incurring today's labour and construction costs, thus underpinning prices.
Mining towns and resources regions at this stage in the cycle are more likely to experience pain in the form of high vacancy rates, declining demand and falling prices.
Pass.
Todd Hunter: Buyer's agent, <a href="https://www.wheregroup.com.au/" target="_blank">wHeregroup </a>director<img src="/images/authors/fullbody/hunter-profile-2.png" alt="" style="float: right;">
The only time mining towns can become good areas to invest in are when the towns are not sole mining towns and have some mining influence.
These locations have a lot more to offer than simply mining, so should mines close or commodity prices change, then the towns don't see the catostraphic fluctuations in house values like sole mining towns do. Some locations that offer this are Townsville, Bunbury, Mandurah (where many fly in, fly out workers live for lifestyle and are close enough to Perth airport to fly north).
The other major issue for mining towns is the huge availability of land which can see massive housing oversupply occur. At any stage large numbers of new blocks of land can be released and sold to interstate investors. In such small towns these large releases can take towns that have almost a zero vacancy rate to huge vacancy rates that see large rent reductions. We see this now in places like Gladstone, Chinchilla and Karratha.
Combine that with mining companies now opting for fly in, fly out labour forces rather than workers renting in town has seen populations reduce as well. In my eyes, it's way too risky!
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Exclusive: Can property in a mining town be a safe investment?

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A partnership between Connect MyProperty and E-House (China) Holdings Limited will allow the Australian company to access 80 million Chinese buyers registered with E-House.
Connect MyProperty, headquartered in South East Queensland, markets Australian real estate offshore and offers services for international buyers, including assistance with Foreign Investment Review Board regulation processes. According to Connect MyProperty, the company converts online listings for "premier" properties to secured sales.
E-House (China) Holdings Limited is listed on the New York stock exchange.
The Australian property section of SINA Haiwai, E-House's international subsidiary real estate site, may now be used exclusively by Connect MyProperty for listings. The wider SINA Leju property portal, of which SINA Haiwai is a part, records about 40 million hits per month.
Last month, SINA Haiwai and Connect MyProperty began conducting tours of Australian properties and developments, beginning at the Foreign Investment Review Board-approved Sanctuary Cove development.
SINA Haiwai real estate general manager Irene Zheng said the company was pleased to be working with its new Australian partner.
"We've always viewed Australia as an attractive place to do business given it is the 12th largest economy globally, it is in close proximity to China, and has a transparent and well-regulated business environment that is the envy of many countries around the world," said Zheng.
"We have been looking for an independent partner in Australia for some time that could help bridge the gap between Australia and China such as language, cultural customs, and regulations in both countries.
"Connect MyProperty's mutual desire for an online-to-offline model and a strong focus on direct, face-to-face communication provides a truly effective and integrated offer for the 80 million members of our Property Buyers Club."
Preston Richardson, Connect MyProperty Director, said the partnership would strengthen Australian-Asian economic ties.
"In particular, the indirect flow-on effects of our partnership have the strong potential to increase the productivity of the construction industry by creating more infrastructure investment opportunities, more developments, and more construction jobs for Australians," says Richardson.
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Deal delivers Chinese buyers club to Australian industry

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<img src="/images/2014/11/05/hodgson-nov-5-profile.png" alt="" style="float: right;">NAME: Carol Hodgson
POSITION: Director, strategic research
COMPANY: JLL
OFFICE LOCATION: Brisbane
How long have you been in the industry?
10 years
What's happening in the area you specialise in?
Queensland is going through an interesting time at the moment with the switch from resource based to more broader based economic growth. However, there are opportunities, particularly in the residential market, and the longer term outlook is very positive.
Describe the most interesting commercial property you have worked on?
A lot of my work is more based on markets than individual buildings. However, I worked at investment companies in London and Paris during and after the global financial crisis - it made for interesting market dynamics and investment strategies.
What are the ingredients to being successful in your job?
Being analytical and building up relationships across the industry. Having a naturally inquisitive nature also helps.
What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy learning about new property markets and their interaction with the wider economy.
Where would you invest a spare $750,000?
I'd either buy a residential apartment in central Brisbane or failing that residential in London (although I might need more than $750,000 for that!)
Which football team do you support?
I'm originally from the north of England so I'm not an Aussie Rules supporter - my home soccer team is Middlesbrough.
What's your favourite app or techno gadget?
Google Maps - it's saved me from getting lost a number of times!
How do you use social media?
I'm not a big user of social media, however, I am fairly active on <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://au.linkedin.com/pub/carol-hodgson/a/79b/39" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>.
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In profile: JLL's director of strategic research, Carol Hodgson

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Sydney's house market had the highest growth of any capital city for the quarter to September, according to RP Data.
The Sydney median house price now sits at $792,000, after 4.5% quarterly growth. The next biggest price gain was seen in Adelaide, with 2%.
Three cities – Hobart, Darwin and Canberra – all recorded a house price downturn for the quarter, while Perth was stagnant.
Tim Lawless, RP Data's head of research, said Perth and Canberra had moved past the peak of the current price cycle, while on a yearly basis, " it is clear that the rate of capital  growth is continuing to moderate".
The quarterly house price figures:
<ul>
<li>Sydney</li>
</ul>
Change: +4.5% Median price: $792,000
<ul>
<li>Adelaide</li>
</ul>
Change: +4.5% Median price: $415,000
<ul>
<li>Melbourne</li>
</ul>
Change: +1.8% Median price: $615,000
<ul>
<li>Brisbane</li>
</ul>
Change: +1.5% Median price: $470,000
<ul>
<li>Perth</li>
</ul>
Change: 0.0% Median price: $540,000
<ul>
<li>Darwin</li>
</ul>
Change: -1.0% Median price: $570,000
<ul>
<li>Hobart</li>
</ul>
Change: -2.7% Median price: $330,000
<ul>
<li>Darwin</li>
</ul>
Change: -2.7% Median price: $566,000
 
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Sydney house prices streak ahead in September quarter: RP Data

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AMP Capital's head of investment strategy and chief economist Shane Oliver says the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) still hasn't ruled out macroprudential policy to curb investor spending.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/ShaneOliverAMP/status/529479747701460992" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/11/05/tweet-nov-5-one.jpg" alt=""></a>
Looking at <a href="/expert-insights/finance/dwelling-prices-continue-to-climb-governor-glenn-stevens-november-statement">yesterday's statement</a> from Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens, Oliver noted Stevens still made a point of the level of investor activity in Australia's housing market.
In his statement, Stevens said: "Investors continue to look for higher returns in response to low rates on safe instruments. Credit growth is moderate overall, but with a further pick-up in recent months in lending to investors in housing assets. Dwelling prices have continued to rise."
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, investment housing commitments rose by 0.9% in August while owner occupier housing commitments fell by 0.1%.
Oliver says the RBA may yet implement macroprudential policies, which would see stricter regulation for lending.
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Macroprudential measures possible: Tweet of the day

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The Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn is a favourite among top end owner occupiers and investors alike.
Six kilometres east of the CBD, the suburb sits along Melbourne's private school belt, and is home to Scotch College. Next to Kew and Camberwell, it also offers easy access to Xavier College, Carey Baptist College among many other private schools.
Glenferrie Road is the main shopping and leisure strip in the suburb, with a variety of cafes, grocery stores and clothing retailers. The strip also serves as the central public transport hub, with Glenferrie Station and the route 16 tram. The suburb also houses Auburn Railway Station and Hawthorn Station, while tram routes 48, 70, 72, 75 and 109 also cart private school students to and from the area.
One of Melbourne's older suburbs, Hawthorn has managed to stretch its post-gold rush riches to the present day. It remains a desirable spot to some of the city's wealthiest families, with RP Data recording a median house price of $2,135,000 for September.
Its early popularity also means the suburb is populated with Victorian and Edwardian homes, which are a major drawcard for buyers, according to Marshall White Hawthorn's Stuart Evans.
He told Property Observer that a combination of character homes, local educational institutions and local amenities command demand from premium buyers.
{qtube vid:=Ug3X6GJnYpU}
Evans did, however, also note that the area sees a diverse mix of stock.
"Hawthorn's market is mainly made up of period homes: beautiful Victorians and Edwardian homes. There is a good mixture of apartments - high density living apartments - due to Swinburne University, so we see that offers some great opportunities for investors as well," Evans said.
Swinburne University attracts a number of students to the suburbs, with multiple low rise apartment complexes in the area catering to students.
However, according to SQM Research, the implied gross rental yield of apartments in the area has been volatile, reaching above 10% in mid-2010 and now sitting around 5%. SQM Research estimates that a two bedroom unit is likely to attract $400.30 at the time of writing.
This <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-hawthorn-414307723" target="_blank">two bedroom apartment</a> is currently advertised at $385 per week (pictured below).
<img src="/images/2014/10/28/hawthorn%201.jpg" alt="">
According to RP Data, the median asking price for a unit in Hawthorn is $593,000.
Median unit prices, which grew by 6.4% in 2013, saw a big uptick in 2010, with RP Data recording 32.4%. They certainly fared better through the period than house prices, which dipped in 2009 by 10.8%.
Hawthorn was not immune to the post global financial crisis downturn in prestige prices, although it has made a recovery, with 13.8% capital growth in median house prices in 2013.
The suburb's premium houses still command high prices: late last month, the six bedroom house pictured below <a href="/expert-insights/buying/rammed-earth-hawthorn-5-35-million-sale-rp-datas-top-10-sales">sold for $5.35 million</a>.
<img class="img-responsive" src="/images/2014/10/7/rammedearth_0009_image2.jpg.jpg" alt="Rammed earth Hawthorn $5.35 million sale: RP Data's top 10 sales">
But the high volume of student accommodation means it's not all prestige stock in Hawthorn. At the other end of the spectrum, this <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-hawthorn-106622918" target="_blank">25 square metre apartment</a>, advertised as "larger than most", was offered with a price guide of $99,000 after buyers failed to bite at $165,000 (pictured below).
<img src="/images/2014/09/11/d1.jpg" alt="">
It was on the market for <a href="/news/vic/25-square-metre-larger-than-most-apartment-the-most-discounted-property-in-victoria-sqm">four years</a>, and finally sold in September for $92,000.
Feature photo of Glenferrie Road courtesy of <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Diliff" title="User:Diliff">Diliff</a>/<a class="mw-mmv-license cc-license" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 3.0</a>.
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Suburb spotlight video: Hawthorn – blue chip, but a mixed bag

National diversified developer Fortis has officially launched Crest &amp; Walker, its latest Brisbane apartment development, with construction now underway on the 20-storey Newstead project.

Award-winning builder BINAH has commenced construction on the Bureau^Proberts-designed building, which will deliver a limited collection of 65 two and three-bedroom apartments on Kyabra Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373556]

The project marks Fortis' fourth active residential development in Brisbane, following River House, which is nearing completion, alongside projects in New Farm and Hamilton as the national developer continues to expand its South East Queensland pipeline.

Fortis General Manager – Development Queensland Dan Boman said Crest &amp; Walker reflects the developer's long-term commitment to delivering design-led residential projects in Brisbane's established inner-city suburbs.

"We're proud to be strengthening our presence in Brisbane with Crest &amp; Walker, particularly in such a sought-after lifestyle destination as Newstead," Boman said.

"Every Fortis project is shaped by its context, and we approach each one with the respect and care it deserves.

"Our focus is always on creating places that feel connected to their neighbourhood and elevate the everyday experience for residents. Newstead continues to evolve as one of Brisbane's most sought-after urban communities, and Crest &amp; Walker reflects our ambition to contribute meaningfully to that story."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373559]

Positioned between Gasworks Plaza and James Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> has been designed as a boutique residential address offering privacy and generous living spaces within one of Brisbane's most established lifestyle precincts.

The building features a contemporary brick podium softened by integrated landscaping, while the upper levels are characterised by restrained architecture and enduring materiality. Interiors have been designed to maximise natural light, acoustic performance and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373583]

Residences comprise spacious two and three-bedroom floorplans, with two-bedroom apartments priced from $1.55 million and three-bedroom, half-floor residences from $3.95 million.

Residents will have access to a wellness-focused rooftop featuring a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, landscaped dining spaces and outdoor lounge areas overlooking Newstead and the Brisbane CBD.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373571]

Sales are being managed by Slaite Projects, with Fortis expecting strong demand from owner-occupiers seeking a high-quality, design-focused apartment in one of Brisbane's most tightly held inner-city suburbs.

Completion of Crest &amp; Walker is slated for late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145922]

Joel Robinson

Fortis expands Brisbane pipeline with launch of Crest & Walker in Newstead

The enormity of delivering a true skyscraper in Australia's new development market is often overlooked.

It has taken the best part of a decade since plans for Chevron One were first unveiled, but the 52-storey tower is now complete, with residents collecting their keys and moving into what has become one of the Gold Coast's most recognisable new landmarks.

Rising 127 metres above Chevron Island, Chevron One stands almost twice as high as any other building on the island. Its scale places it alongside the trio of towers at Jewel, arguably the last truly significant addition to the central Gold Coast skyline when they were completed around six years ago.

While there are several developments underway around a similar height to Chevron One, they are more concentrated within clusters of the highest towers in the city. The fact Chevron One sits within a developing precinct, looking back at the other high-rise developments in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, makes it a different proposition altogether. It will certainly become a reference point on the Gold Coast skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68833]

Developer Bensons Property Group is behind the 52-storey tower, which has just shy of 250 apartments, along with an exhaustive list of resident amenity spread across what is the largest development site ever assembled on Chevron Island.

The tower has been the talk of the town for years, says Ray White Projects Gold Coast agent Caitlin Rosenboom, who is selling the remaining apartments.

"People have been watching Chevron One go up for years," Rosenboom says, adding that many prospective buyers have been surprised by the scale of the views once they step inside.

"It's only when they walk through a completed apartment that they truly understand the position of the building," Rosenboom says.

"The views are jaw-dropping. Whether you're looking east over the ocean, across Surfers Paradise, along the river systems or out to the hinterland, every level offers something different but equally impressive."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=360215]

One of Chevron One's defining advantages is its location on the eastern side of Chevron Island on Stanhill Drive, a position which protects the views forever.

"There's only one row of houses between Chevron One and the water, and the height restrictions along the river means views from Chevron One can never be built out,"&nbsp;Rosenboom says.

While new apartment developments continue to emerge across the Gold Coast, Rosenboom says opportunities to secure a completed apartment with this level of outlook are becoming increasingly rare.

"The size of the site is something that would be incredibly difficult to replicate today," she says.

"That's allowed Chevron One to deliver the sort of amenity, open space and resident facilities that very few projects can offer. There are not many completed apartment buildings on the Gold Coast right now that can compete with the combination of scale, quality and amenity."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68839]

There's around 2,000 sqm of amenity solely for the use of residents of Chevron One. Club One features a uniquely shaped swimming pool that mirrors the footprint of the building itself, set within a extensively landscaped gardens. There's also an indoor pool and spa, a fully equipped gym with a Pilates room, a yoga garden, a bookable private dining area and lounge that can host up to 30 people, and a 24-hour concierge service.

As for the buyers, Rosenboom is fielding enquiry from everywhere: Sydneysiders and Melburnians looking at the new and off-the-plan market following the changes in the Federal Budget, as well as those looking to relocate, through to South East Queenslanders seeking either a permanent home or a weekender bolthole.

"The Gold Coast lifestyle continues to resonate with people relocating from the southern states, and when they see the views and the quality of what's been delivered at Chevron One, it becomes very easy for them to understand the appeal," Rosenboom says.

A diverse mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments remain available, with each offering "something a little different", be it the orientation and views, configuration, or level, to suit a wide variety of buyers.

The remaining apartments are ready to inspect in person, by appointment.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6515]

A decade in the making: Residents to move into Chevron One as construction wraps up

A general rule of thumb in new apartment developments is that the penthouses get the rooftop.

It's a formula that's become commonplace across Australia's apartment market. Residents might have access to a pool, gym or barbecue facilities on a dedicated lower level, but the most desirable outdoor spaces are typically reserved for the highest-priced homes at the top of the building.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> has taken the opposite approach.

Rather than dedicating the rooftop to a handful of buyers, the Gold Coast developer has made it the centrepiece of its Flourish collection, creating expansive shared spaces from the best vantage point in the building.

The philosophy has reached its most ambitious expression at <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> in Palm Beach, where two rooftop precincts connected by a skybridge will deliver one of the most extensive lifestyle offerings seen in a residential apartment project on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374053]

"We're seeing a clear move toward developments that offer more than just an apartment," Sherpa Group founder Christie Leet said.

"People want spaces that support how they actually live, whether that's working from home, staying active, or spending time with family and friends.

"That's where amenity becomes critical. It's not just about what's included, but how those spaces are designed to be used every day."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374052]

The breadth of amenity has already attracted buyers across multiple demographics. Younger first home buyers have been drawn to Soleira's one-bedroom apartments, a product rarely delivered in Palm Beach, while families have responded to practical inclusions such as the shallow children's pool adjoining the main lap pool and the extensive communal recreation areas.

Instead of a single rooftop, Soleira delivers two distinct lifestyle zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

The southern rooftop has been dedicated to wellness, featuring a gym, yoga and Pilates studio, work-from-home facilities, a wellness centre, spa, and hot and cold plunge pools.

The northern rooftop focuses on recreation and entertaining, incorporating a heated resort-style pool, private dining rooms, pizza ovens, barbecues, a golf simulator, children's recreation areas, and what is expected to be the Gold Coast's first rooftop basketball court, which will also double as a squash court.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374054]

Beyond the rooftops, Soleira will introduce 1,500 sqm of curated retail beneath the towers, creating one of Palm Beach's first genuinely mixed-use lifestyle precincts where cafés, restaurants and convenience retail become part of residents' everyday lives.

Sherpa has also retained management rights across the development, allowing it to oversee the long-term operation of the building through a 24-hour concierge model. The developer is also exploring additional revenue streams within the precinct aimed at helping offset ongoing body corporate costs for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370962]

While Soleira is the largest project Sherpa has delivered, the rooftop-first philosophy has been evolving for several years.

It began with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>, the first project released under the Flourish brand. Rather than competing at the ultra-luxury end of the market with oversized half-floor and full-floor residences, Sherpa focused on creating lifestyle-driven apartments supported by resort-style shared spaces.

Amargo introduced more than 800 sqm of rooftop amenity, combining wellness facilities, heated pools, entertaining areas, cabanas, pizza ovens and private dining spaces into what was designed as an extension of residents' homes rather than a facility used only occasionally.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=366550]

That approach continued with Flourish Oasis, where the same amenity-led philosophy was refined into a more boutique development. Strong demand from Sherpa's growing VIP database saw much of the project sold before it reached the broader market, reinforcing buyer appetite for apartment communities centred around shared lifestyle experiences.

Flourish Amargo is slated for completion mid-way-through next year, with Oasis to be delivered by late 2027. Flourish Soleira is expected to complete in 2030.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa takes amenity to the sky as Flourish Soleira captures booming Palm Beach demand

As apartment living continues to evolve across Sydney's growth corridors, the quality and distribution of shared spaces is increasingly shaping how residents experience home. Rather than functioning as add-ons, amenities are being embedded into the daily rhythm of a building, supporting everything from quiet retreat to social interaction, often within a single vertical community.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aeris-melrose-park-nursery-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Aeris</a> in Melrose Park, this approach is resolved through a layered amenity offering that unfolds from ground level through to its upper podium. Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> in partnership with Hankyu Hanshin Properties, the project introduces 468 apartments across two towers and a mid-rise building, positioned at the highest point of the broader masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=359199]

The amenity experience begins at street level, where two courtyards sit within a landscaped setting that connects residents to the wider network of parks and green spaces. These green spaces are not isolated pockets but part of a wider pedestrian network that links Aeris to the surrounding <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a> precinct, including Central Park, future schools, and the Town Centre opening in July 2026. The result is a transition that moves from public to private without abrupt boundaries, allowing residents to pass through shaded, tree-lined environments before reaching the building itself.

Moving upward, the focus shifts to the level five podium, where the primary communal facilities are concentrated. This space brings together a 16-metre swimming pool, outdoor seating areas, and a communal BBQ zone arranged to take advantage of elevated outlooks. Seating is positioned beneath pergolas, creating pockets of shade that extend the usability of the space throughout the day. The pool edge aligns with views toward the wider district, reinforcing the sense of elevation that defines the project’s positioning.

In the adjacent building, this is complemented by quieter, more contemplative spaces, including an outdoor cinema set within the same level. Positioned to operate primarily in the evening, it introduces a different tempo to the shared environment, shifting from daytime activity to after-hours use without requiring separate zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360299]

The podium also accommodates an intimate private resident gym. Located on the lower levels, it gives residents convenient access to fitness facilities without leaving the building.

Above, the elevated podium sky deck extends the amenity offering, providing additional open-air spaces with elevated outlooks across the surrounding landscape. While more restrained in program, this upper level reinforces the project’s vertical progression, from ground-level greenery to elevated outlook, allowing residents to move between distinct spatial conditions within a single address.

This distribution of amenities reflects a deliberate response to how residents use space across the day. Sekisui House Australia Sales and Marketing Director Peter Kalaf points to the role these shared areas play in shaping buyer demand. Aeris has been conceived as more than a collection of apartments, with the podium pool, gym and outdoor cinema forming part of a broader lifestyle offering that extends the home beyond each individual residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360300]

What distinguishes Aeris is not the inclusion of these elements individually, but how they are arranged in relation to one another. Active, social, and passive spaces are layered vertically rather than separated, allowing residents to choose between them without leaving the building or moving far from their apartment. This proximity supports both routine use, such as a morning swim or evening workout, and more occasional gatherings, whether around the BBQ area or within the cinema setting.

The amenity design also sits within a broader framework of connectivity across Melrose Park. The Melrose Park Town Centre, anchored by Coles and Dan Murphys, features a mix of retail, dining, health and lifestyle offerings, bringing everyday convenience closer to residents. By the end of the year, more than five hectares of parks and open space, equivalent to around seven football fields of green space on residents' doorstep, will further enhance the precinct, allowing the internal facilities at Aeris to operate as an extension of the wider neighbourhood rather than a substitute for it.

Construction at Aeris continues to gather momentum, with ground floor slabs expected to be completed in late 2026 before the first sections of the buildings begin to rise above ground.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=426]

Elevated amenity anchors daily life at Aeris, Melrose Park

Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FH_1EzB-1vs?si=XScVlP1ERsTDJoME" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tsioMLcnjas?si=zq-ys3JuWpfa5hFv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]

Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]

Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

Jessie Richardson

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