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Although we often hear about the involvement of foreign investors in our residential markets, they also play a substantial role in our commercial property sector.
Here are five commercial property investments from offshore buyers that have made a big impact on our local markets.
<ol>
<li>
Leighton Headquarters, 177-199 Pacific Highway, North Sydney Price: $413.19 million Buyer: Suntec REIT The Singapore based Suntec Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) purchased the 30 storey, 40,000 square metre Leighton Headquarters tower late last year. However, Leighton Properties retains the lease on 76% of the office space. Suntec REIT was listed on the Singaporean stock exchange in 2004. 
</li>
<li>
ATO Tower, 747 Collins Street, Melbourne Price: $279 million Buyer: CIMB TrustCapital Advisors Singapore CIMB TrustCapital Advisors Singapore spent $279 million on the ATO Tower in Lang Walker's Collins Square Project in Docklands. The ATO Tower is the central feature of the Collins Square precinct, valued at $1.5 billion. CIMB TrustCapital Advisors Singapore is a joint venture between CIMB, a Malaysian investment bank, and Trustcapital Advisors Singapore. The venture's initial fund, Australian Office Fund No. 1 (AOF1), centres around commercial office investments in Sydney and Melbourne, with Canberra and Brisbane as secondary markets. 
</li>
<li>
179 Turbot Street, Brisbane Price: $172 million Buyer: Kumpulan Wang Persaraan Kumpulan Wang Persaraan, Malaysia's second largest pension fund, purchased the Brisbane office tower at 179 Turbot Street late last year. The fund is also an investor in the CIMB TrustCapital Advisors Singapore managed AOF1, the vehicle used to purchase Melbourne's ATO Tower. 
</li>
<li>
Ausgrid building, 570 George Street, Sydney Price: $151.8 million Buyer: Far East Organisation The Ng family's Far East Organisation, Singapore's largest private property developer, bought the Ausgrid building earlier this year. The developer has spent more than <a href="/news/the-ngs-singapores-richest-family-spend-425-million-on-sydney-trophy-property">$700 million on Australian property</a>. Last year, <a href="/news/singaporean-billionaire-philip-ng-buys-yamba-scotland-islands-finest-heritage-home">Philip Ng purchased Yamba</a> in Pittwater for $7 million. The Ngs are Singapore's richest family.  
</li>
<li>
277 Elizabeth Street, Sydney Price: $143 million Buyer: Far East Organisation After purchasing the 277 Elizabeth Street office complex, Far East Organisation is reportedly planning a luxury apartment redevelopment on the site. Other Australian acquisitions include Bob Ell's Clocktower Square in Sydney's Rocks district, and two Park Street buildings for $127 million. The Ng brothers, who inherited the development company from their father, are valued at $10 billion, according to Forbes.</li>
</ol>
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jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

Five of the biggest commercial property transactions to offshore buyers

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Agent: Andrew Noble<img src="/images/2014/09/10/noble-porifle-sept-10.png" alt="" style="float: right;"> 
Company: Vaughan Constructions
Position: Director and general manager
How long have you been in the industry? 
Started out in 1988 as an apprentice carpenter,  26 years ago.  
What's happening in the area you specialise in? 
Currently we have projects in all states around the county (excluding Tasmania) and we’re noticing a distinct trend line for long-term growth objectives. Businesses are thinking beyond the first lease term or their immediate requirements and ensuring their longevity is not constrained by poorly designed or inflexible facilities. This logic, whilst not ground-breaking, shows confidence in the mid to long term economic outlook.
Describe the most interesting property you have sold/leased/developed/managed
A Pet Hotel – It’s amazing how much people love and spend on their pets.
What are the ingredients to being successful in your job? 
Surround yourself with people that are great at what they do and develop those that have potential to get there. And a fully charged iPhone!
What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most? 
The things I enjoy constantly change. The job and the business provides diverse exposure to people, projects and places.
Where would invest a spare $750,000? 
Industrial yields are still attractive but always invest in quality.
Which football team do you support? 
Richmond Football Club… and I still believe!!!
What's your favourite app or techno gadget? 
I love the efficiency that technology can bring. Some technologies offer amazing things or tricks but aren’t what you need. You’ve got to start with the question: what do you need?
About 10 years ago we found our questions couldn’t be answered with what was on offer. We had seen many companies buy technology and shape their business around it, which made absolutely no sense to us.
So, we wrote a script or a detailed brief, sought out the best software developers from around the world and got to it.
We now have a complete project management, procurement and financial suite, and have automated most of our labour draining processes. It beats anything off-the-shelf and makes us efficient - just one of our competitive advantages and we’re always seeking to create more.
We continue to invest in our software year on year.
How do you use social media? 
I follow people on my twitter account but I’m not a tweeter.
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/vaughan-constructions?trk=biz-companies-cym" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> lets me know company news,  if people move or have a milestone – apart from that I don’t think technology should replace picking up the phone. 
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In profile: Vaughan Constructions' director and general manager, Andrew Noble

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Located five kilometres south-east from Melbourne's CBD, Prahran has long played second fiddle to its neighbour, South Yarra. But it looks as though the suburb is coming into its own.
The difficult-to-pronounce suburb has a mix of medium to high density housing, including public housing estates, Victorian and Edwardian terrace homes.
However, it's Prahran's new unit market that is particularly interesting, says Australian Property Monitors senior economist Andrew Wilson, especially when considering development in Melbourne's CBD.
"We've certainly got a forest of highrises in the city - you don't have to be a rocket scientist to work out that supply is perhaps ahead of demand at this point," Wilson says.
"But there's plenty of demand rising in the inner suburban high rise market, from Brunswick and moving in an arc all the way to Port Melbourne," he notes. "Prahran is part of that epicenter."
While apartment stock in Melbourne's CBD may have outpaced demand, Wilson does not believe the same is the case in Prahran. 
"Units have been a bit flat in Melbourne, but the Prahran area is becoming more popular," he explains. "I would expect that to continue."
According to Wilson, the area is starting to match its contemporaries in Richmond, Collingwood and Brunswick. 
"They are attracting buyers not just for affordability and proximity, amenities and a higher level of infrastructure, but also lifestyle - the feel of the nieghbourhood."
Prahran is known for its restaurants, bars and shops, particularly along Chapel Street, which runs through Prahran and its neighbours, Windsor and South Yarra. The suburb is also home to one of Melbourne's most well known gay villages, with many gay venues along Chapel Street and Commercial Road. 
"Prahran has always been the poor cousin to South Yarra," Wilson explains, "but I think it's changing because of that high density buzz". That "high density buzz" is something the producers of reality television show The Block Glasshouse are betting on, with reminders each episode that the Prahran office conversion apartments sit in a trendy and contemporary neighbourhood.
According to Wilson, the current median price for a unit in Prahran is $530,000. After a drop in demand in the latter half of 2013, he says price growth has increased in the past six months. 
This two bedroom, north facing Prahran apartment <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-prahran-117269623" target="_blank">recently sold</a> for $512,000. 
<img src="/images/2014/09/10/p1.jpg" alt="">
According to Wilson, Prahran's growth will be sustained by a trend towards apartment living, particularly among younger buyers looking for a smaller spatial footprint, and who don't necessarily require a backyard or large accommodation.
"Developers have a good turnover of stock in that area, particularly from younger buyers looking for affordable living," he says, though he notes that the area is becoming less affordable for some.
"I would certainly expect to see demand continue to outstrip supply - developers in that area can't get enough. It's a bit different to a couple of kilometres down the road."
Houses in Prahran may also appeal to those looking for low maintenance, small homes with a higher budget, with many cottage offerings. According to RP Data, July saw a median house price of $1,177,000 million in Prahran.
This <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-prahran-117668631" target="_blank">single fronted brick cottage</a> with two bedrooms sold for $1,175,000 last week. <img src="/images/2014/09/10/p2.jpg" alt="">
Feature photo of Chapel Street courtesy of Mat Connolley/<a class="mw-mmv-license cc-license" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5" target="_blank">CC BY 2.5</a>.
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Suburb spotlight: Does Prahran offer an alternative to inner city Melbourne oversupply?

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A Tudor style bedroom house in Sydney's Bellevue Hill topped RP Data's list of last week's top 10 sales.
Property developer Vera Boyarsky, of Anka Property Group, sold the family home after 15 years of ownership. The business run by Boyarsky and her son, Andrew Boyarsky, are responsible for the $200 million Union Balmain development in Rozelle, and the development of Liberty Grove.
Boyarsky's five bedroom home sold for $8.3 million through Ray White Double Bay - more than double the price of the second most expensive property sale of the week.
RP Data's top 10 sales of last week:
<a href="https://www.raywhite.com/nsw/bellevue-hill/1177444/" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-one.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">  48 Kambala Road, Bellevue Hill, NSW</a> (pictured above)
The Boyarsky family residence, with five double bedrooms and five bathrooms, sits on a 923 square metre block in Bellevue Hill. The privately gated property features lawns, a heated swimming pool and a self contained guest house with a sound proof music room.
The main house has marble and timber floors, with formal and informal living and dining areas and substantial basement storage.
<a href="http:/www.barryplant.com.au/property/101360/511-belgrave-hallam-road-lysterfield/" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-two.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"> 511 Belgrave-Hallam Road, Lysterfield, Vic</a>
<img src="/images/2014/09/10/b.jpg" alt="">
A seven bedroom, seven bathroom house in Melbourne's outer suburbs sold for $3.4 million at auction through Barry Plant Rowville. Set on a 23 hectare plot, the sprawling house boasts seven formal and informal living areas and three kitchens.
The property, which the listing information states once belonged to an international diplomat, also features a tennis court, pool, machinery shed, a temple and "the foundations of an 18-hole golf course".
The vendors paid $2.5 million for the home in 2004.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/16-somers-avenue-malvern/Property-Details-buy-residential-7489385" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-three.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">  16 Somers Avenue, Malvern, Vic</a>
<img src="/images/2014/09/10/malvern_0006_7.jpg.jpg" alt="">
The Malvern home of winemakers Jonathan and Andrea Hamer sold for $3.38 million through Marshall White Armadale this week. Jonathan Hamer paid $625,000 for the 1930s era home in 1991.
The five bedroom, three bathroom house sits on a 1,100 square metre plot. It was passed it at $3.26 million at its weekend auction, and <a href="http:/www.propertyobserver.com.au/forward-planning/advice-and-hot-topics/title-tattle/35375-malvern-trophy-home-sells-post-auction-hamer-s-dutch-gabled" target="_blank">sold after auction</a>.
<a href="https://rwdbgroup.com/nsw/rose-bay/1175816/" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-four.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">  49 Dover Road, Rose Bay, NSW</a>
<img src="/images/2014/09/10/sales-sept-10-one.jpg" alt="">
This four bedroom, three bathroom house sold for $3.31 million through Ray White Double Bay. The home, sitting on a 550 square metre block, comes with a solar heated saltwater pool, with lawns and outdoor entertaining areas. The vendors purchased the house for $952,000 in 1998 from David Gazal, an executive director publicly listed apparel company Gazal.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-malvern+east-117678583" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-five.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">  44 Clarence Street, Malvern East, Vic </a>
<img src="/images/2014/09/10/5.jpg" alt="">
Another Malvern home sold by Marshall White Armadale made it onto this week's top 10 list. 44 Clarence Street, a four bedroom, two bathroom home, sold for $3.13 million this week. The house, featuring oak floors, a full marble kitchen with butler’s pantry and gas fireplaces is accompanied by north facing gardens.
This article continues on the next page.
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<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/66-alexandra-avenue-canterbury/Property-Details-buy-residential-7470997" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-six.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">  66 Alexandra Avenue, Canterbury, Vic</a>
<img src="/images/2014/09/10/f.jpg" alt="">
This two storey Canterbury home secured $3.02 million when sold htrough Marshall White Hawthorn last week. The home, built in 2004, has five bedrooms and two bathrooms. In addition to the open plan living and kitchen area, there is a separate sitting and dining room with an open fire place.
The vendors purchased the 585 square metre plot in 2003 for $820,000.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-bellevue+hill-117660347" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-seven.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;">  24 Rivers Street, Bellevue Hill, NSW</a>
<img src="/images/2014/09/10/7.jpg" alt="">
Sotheby's International Realty Sydney sold this four bedroom, two bathroom home for $2.65 million. The single-storey house has open plan living and dining areas which open onto the sunny north-facing garden. The house was last traded in 2010 for the exact same price.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-malvern+east-117638475" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-hawthorn+east-117643927" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-eight.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"></a>  <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-malvern+east-117638475" target="_blank">9 Sydare Avenue, Malvern East, Vic</a>
<img src="/images/2014/09/10/8.jpg" alt="">
The third home in Melbourne's Malvern area to make the top 10 list this week is a contemporary home inspired by Bali. It sold for $2.61 million through Gary Peer and Associates Caulfield North.
The house has five bedrooms and five bathrooms, with a living and dining area, kitchen with butler's pantry and butler's kitchen, home theatre, upstairs retreat and a rumpus room. The vendors purchased the 721 square metre property for $950,000 in 2009.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-hawthorn+east-117643927" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-strathfield-117533607" target="_blank"><img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-nine.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"></a><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-hawthorn+east-117643927" target="_blank"> 1b Lingwell Road, Hawthorn East, Vic</a>
<img src="/images/2014/09/10/9.jpg" alt="">
A four bedroom, four bathroom house sold for $2.61 million through Noel Jones Camberwell. The contemporary home features distinctive polished floors throughout the living areas and the open plan kitchen, which includes an island bench and three ovens. Its master bedroom is located downstairs, with an adjacent study. Outside, there is decking and a pool and spa with its own bathroom and bar. The vendors purchased the 723 square metre site for $505,000 in 2004, before building the current home in 2008.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-strathfield-117533607" target="_blank"> <img src="/images/2014/07/04/yellow-ten.jpg" alt="" style="float: left;"> 17 Cotswold Road, Strathfield, NSW </a>
<img src="/images/2014/09/10/10.jpg" alt="">
Located on Strathfield's "Golden Mile", this brick cottage was sold for $2.48 million through Devine Real Estate Strathfield. The three bedroom house sits on a 858 square metre block, with 20 metre frontage.
The house includes a formal lounge and a open plan kitchen and living area which overlook the backyard. Last week's sale marks the first time the home has changed hands in 72 years.
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Vera Boyarsky's 1920s Bellevue Hill Tudor trophy home the top sale of the week: RP Data

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The median price for a unit in Melbourne was $460,000 for the August quarter, according to RP Data.
Unit prices were up 5.2% for the quarter, with 6.2% growth over the 12 months to August.
Property Observer looks at recent unit sales in Melbourne's inner and middle suburbs to see what you can buy for $460,000 and how the regions compare.
Inner ring: 0-10 kilometres from Melbourne's CBD
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-north+melbourne-117647391" target="_blank">201/9-13 O'Connell Street, North Melbourne</a>
<img src="/images/2014/09/08/1.jpg" alt=""> This two bedroom, one bathroom apartment in North Melbourne sold for $465,500 in August.
Located minutes from the Queen Victoria Market, the city fringe apartment has a balcony and open plan living space, with a galley kitchen. There are floorboards throughout the living space and the bedrooms are carpeted. The largest bedroom has an area of 8.96 square metres, and the apartment has a total internal floor size of about 48 square metres. The apartment's price sits below what is typical for North Melbourne: according to RP Data, North Melbourne's median unit price for July was $528,752.
<ul>
<li>Price: $465,500</li>
<li>Bedrooms: Two</li>
<li>Car spaces: One</li>
<li>Drive to CBD: Walking distance</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-docklands-116289735" target="_blank">603/673 LaTrobe Street, Docklands</a> <img src="/images/2014/09/08/2.jpg" alt=""> A two bedroom apartment in Docklands sold for $465,000. The apartment has 52 square metres of internal space, with a 6.7 square metre balcony. Both bedrooms include built in robes, with carpeted bedrooms and floorboards in the living areas. The master bedroom has a floor size of 9.6 square metres, but the irregularly shaped second bedroom is slightly larger, with 10.2 square metres of floor space. The complex includes an outdoor pool and a gym. This apartment is more than $100,000 cheaper than the Dockland's July median of $575,000.
<ul>
<li>Price: $465,000</li>
<li>Bedrooms: Two</li>
<li>Car Spaces: One</li>
<li>Drive to CBD: Walking distance</li>
</ul>
 Article continues on the next page. Please click below.
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Middle ring: 10-20 kilometres from the CBD <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-heidelberg-117456639%20" target="_blank"></a>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-heidelberg-117456639" target="_blank">5/77 Yarra Street, Heidelberg</a> <img src="/images/2014/09/08/3.jpg" alt=""> This two bedroom apartment is located in Heidelberg, 11 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD. It sold for $462,500 early last month. Each of its bedrooms include built in robes, and the apartment includes a full sized kitchen and meals area, a living and dining area and a bathroom including bath. Its largest bedroom is 12 square metre. The apartment's balcony faces north, with views to the ranges. The apartment is more expensive than the suburb's median of $410,750.
<ul>
<li>Price: $462,500</li>
<li>Bedrooms: Two</li>
<li>Car spaces: One</li>
<li>Drive to CBD: 20 minutes</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-donvale-117526691" target="_blank">Donvale</a>
<img src="/images/2014/09/08/4.jpg" alt=""> Located in the eastern suburb of Donvale, 19 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, this apartment sold for $459,000 in August. The two bedroom, one bathroom unit has a modern kitchen, a central bathroom, European laundry and an open plan living and dining area. This unit with about 65 square metres of internal space also has a balcony with parkland views. It is located with direct access to public transport and the Eastern Freeway. According to RP Data, Donvale's median unit price was $565,000 for July.
<ul>
<li>Price: $459,000</li>
<li>Bedrooms: Two</li>
<li>Car spaces: One</li>
<li>Drive to CBD: 23 minutes</li>
</ul>
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Melbourne's median price apartments: How do they compare across the regions?

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First home buyers are often working with a different set of requirements than more experienced investors.
With fewer working years behind them, beginners are likely to have a smaller deposit to work with and fewer assets than upgraders or downsizers - and much less experience.
Financing is a large part - perhaps the largest part - of securing your own home, and many lenders are aware of the circumstances facing first home buyers.
Once upon a time, the Rudd government introduced First Home Savers Accounts, where savers could receive a government co-contribution of up to $1,020 on the first $6000 savers deposited each year. They were also eligible for a range of tax concessions, but were faced with a number of restrictions on when they could withdraw their money.
The First Home Saver Account scheme was <a href="/expert-insights/buying/four-things-you-must-know-about-the-axed-first-home-saver-accounts">scrapped by the Abbott government</a> this year, leaving some confused as to whether the <a href="/expert-insights/buying/do-the-first-home-saver-account-eligibility-requirements-still-apply">restrictions still apply to their accounts</a>. While ME Bank have <a href="/expert-insights/finance/me-bank-looks-for-an-answer-to-scrapping-of-first-home-saver-accounts">suggested they may offer a similar product</a> in the future, it has not yet eventuated.
Now, with no federal scheme supporting first home savers, it's up to them to seek out the best deals from lenders to finance their first purchase.
Lenders Mortgage Insurance
One option is seeking out a lender that will accept a small deposit. When putting down a deposit lower than the standard 20%, many lenders will require you to pay for lenders mortgage insurance (LMI), which will protect them against a loss should you default on your home. This isn't a product that is unique to first home buyers, but can be used by buyers across the board who don't want to make a 20% deposit.
While it might be <a href="/expert-insights/buying/what-can-you-buy-with-a-25-000-deposit">tempting to put down a 5% or 10% deposit</a> and pay the few thousand dollars for LMI, keep in mind that you're not exchanging money for equity in your home (as you would be if you increased your deposit size) and the money cannot be recovered when you sell your house.
Beyond grants, it's mostly up to mortgage brokers and lenders to deliver products that may make life easier for first home buyers. Here are some of the available options.
Guarantors
While some parents don't want to contribute money to their child's deposit, they can support a first purchase by acting as a guarantor. A guarantor has a legal obligation to pay back a loan if the borrower (often their child) can't continue making their repayments. Occasionally, a lender will require a guarantor to use their home or a large asset as security for a loan. Sometimes guarantors can set a limit on the amount they'll contribute to a loan.
With a guarantor, a first home buyer making a 10% deposit can often forgo or reduce LMI. A number of different lenders accept guarantors - Beyond Bank has a <a href="https://www.beyondbank.com.au/personal-banking/home-loans/first-home-buyers-loan" target="_blank">"Parent Equity" scheme</a>, while St George refers to the practice as a <a href="https://www.stgeorge.com.au/personal/home-loans/tools/home-loan-features/family-pledge" target="_blank">"Family Pledge"</a>.
While guarantees are often associated with parents, some lenders accept friends as guarantors. Resolve Finance offers guarantor home loans where a friend or family members use the equity in their own homes to guarantee a loan, allowing borrowers to go without a deposit.
While guarantors sound good, beware. If there is any doubt over your ability to repay your loan, you could end up costing your guarantor their home or retirement savings.
First home buyer packages
A number of lenders offer first home buyer "packages" or specialist products. The discounts or benefits they offer vary (as does their value).
Commonwealth Bank offers a <a href="https://www.commbank.com.au/personal/home-loans/first-home-buyer-offer?gclid=cotw6i6av8acfdr8vqodjbkaiw&amp;c" target="_blank">$1,000 cash bonus on your first loan</a>, which could be straightforward and appealing to some.
In South Australia, first home savers using <a href="https://www.homestart.com.au/buying-a-home/I-m/first-home-buyers" target="_blank">Home Start Finance</a> can make a deposit as low as 3% of the value of your loan, and the First Home Owner Grant is included in deposit calculations.
Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.bankmecu.com.au/borrowing/loan-packages/first-home-buyers-loan-package" target="_blank">bankmecu</a> offers a first home buyers loan package where borrowers can pay $350 per year in exchange for lower rates, three months free building insurance during settlement, 10% off  general insurance premiums and no monthly or additional repayment fees, subject to certain conditions.
Other lenders, such as the <a href="https://www.nicu.com.au/loans-home-loan-packages" target="_blank">North Ireland Credit Union</a>, get even more creative, with furniture vouchers and credit card incentives.
If you are considering a first home buyer package, go in with open eyes and take some time to do your calculations. Think about what's valuable to you - would you prefer to pay a set fee every year for the possibility of lower rates? This could be a worthwhile option, but only if the saving in interest is greater than your yearly fee. Don't simply take up first home buyer packages because they look good superficially, but consider as many loan options as you can.
In deals not exclusive to first home buyers, lenders are also <a href="/expert-insights/finance/record-low-fixed-rates-who-is-offering-them">offering record low rates: </a>ME Bank currently offers a 4.94% rate on their three year fixed rate loan. However, bear in mind that added flexibility offered by a variable loan. 
Take the time to look at the short-term incentives available, but don't forget - buying a home is a long-term commitment.
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Finance deals for first home buyers 

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White homes can provide a valuable sense of space and light, but not everyone believes that brighter is better.
Property Observer looks at six outstanding homes with black façades. Will an all black exterior alienate some buyers? Almost certainly - though it didn't hurt the sale of this <a href="/expert-insights/investing/pre-auction-2-million-deal-for-kings-cross-special-offering">this 'special' Kings Cross offering</a> which secured $2 million pre-auction. And as the late Australian architect Kevin Borland once said, "architecture is not for the faint hearted".
<ol>
<li>
<a href="https://studiofournews.com/category/current-projects/ridge-road-residence-current-projects/" target="_blank">Ridge Road Residence, Mornington Peninsula, Vic</a> <img src="/images/2014/09/05/dezeen_Ridge-Road-Residence-by-Studio-Four_ss_3.jpg" alt=""> Photo by Shannon McGrath, courtesy Studio 4 Designed by Melbourne architecture practice Studio 4, the Ridge Road Residence was a finalist in the 2012 Houses Awards and received a special mention in the Architizer A+ Awards for the single home category. Rather than combating its sloping site in the Mornington Peninsula's Golf Course, the Ridge Road Residence works with the topography, sitting over a series of connected decks. The entire front side of the home made entirely of blackened timber walls and the second level is unseen. On the lower levels, the home's black exterior is offset by floor to ceiling windows, pale timber floors and, outside, a single tea tree. 
</li>
<li>
Karri Loop House, Margaret River, WA <img src="/images/2014/09/05/Karri-Loop-House-by-MORQ-_dezeen_13.jpg" alt=""> Photo by Peter Bennetts, courtesy MOOQ At Margaret River, south of Perth, sits the Karri Loop House, by MORQ. The small firm, which practices in Perth and Rome, designed a black home which winds around one Karri and two Marri trees. The house features double height ceilings, with large windows giving the residents views of the trees from the living room and master bedroom. The home is entirely clad with plywood, both inside and out (although the interior misses out on the coat of black paint). The house has exposed wooden ceiling beams and is insulated by concealed straw bales inside the walls. 
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-townhouse-vic-newtown-117638207" target="_blank">2a Russell Street, Newtown, Vic </a> <img src="/images/2014/09/05/main.jpg" alt=""> This black clad townhouse in Geelong's inner west is currently on the market. Its dark façade contrasts with the light, bright interior. With polished concrete floors, light timbers and white used throughout most of the house, its exterior is only referenced occasionally, with a dark timber in the kitchen and a black tiled feature wall in the bathroom. The home is listed with a $679,000 to $791,000 price guide. 
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.mcbridecharlesryan.com.au/#/projects/klein-bottle-house/" target="_blank">Klein Bottle House, Mornington Peninsula, Vic</a> <img src="/images/2014/09/05/klein.jpg" alt=""> Photo courtesy McBride Charles Ryan. The Ridge Road Residence isn't the Mornington Peninsula's only standout black house. The Klein Bottle House, designed by McBride Charles Ryan, also sits among the tea trees, near Rye beach. McBride Charles Ryan used a spiral configuration to navigate the uneven site, creating a multi-faceted home that centres around an angular, bright red, winding staircase. The house's dramatic exterior is made of cement sheeting. The Klein Bottle House won the World's Best House award in the 2009 World Architecture Festival, the Best International Home award from Grand Designs 2010, the 2008 Robyn Boyd Award from the Australian Institute of Architects, and a Dulux Colour Award. 
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-brighton-111628147" target="_blank">184 The Esplanade, Brighton, Vic</a> <img src="/images/2014/09/05/brighton.jpg" alt=""> This Brighton home is a far cry from some of the hulking bleach-white contemporary homes that Brighton offers, but certainly isn't the only all black home to crop up on the Esplanade (<a href="https://finnisarchitects.com.au/portfolio/esplanade-brighton/" target="_blank">Finnis Architects' Esplanade House</a> comes to mind). The home at 184, currently on the market, registers as a stack of black boxes from the exterior, with full height glass windows looking out onto the beach. The house culminates in a rooftop terrace, with black structures framing the view of the water. The four bedroom, five bathroom house with a pool is currently on the market through Kay &amp; Burton Bayside. 
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://muirmendes.com/law-street-house" target="_blank">Law Street House, South Melbourne, Vic</a> <img src="/images/2014/09/05/law%20street.jpg" alt=""> Photo by Peter Bennetts, courtesy Muir Mendes Amy Muir and Bruno Mendes designed this home for themselves on a tight 93 square metre site, which formerly held an 1880s one bedroom worker's cottage. The entrance of the home is marked by a distinctive "draw bridge" style window which allows light into the front bedroom while maintaining privacy. The architects used double height spaces and sky lights to draw light into the space and provide a sense of a space in the narrow, confined space.</li>
</ol>
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Black Friday: Six houses with black façades

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Students in Newcastle are ditching the dodgy sharehouses and putting forward more cash for contemporary homes, claims one agent marketing a townhouse development close to the University of Newcastle.
Mark Kentwell, managing director of PRDnationwide Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, said students are willing to pay for more comfortable accommodation - with the help of their parents.
"Many student houses are older-style homes which have had verandahs and dining rooms converted into extra bedrooms,” said Kentwell.
“Students are now seeking out more comfortable, clean and modern living quarters with built in wardrobes and space to study in their rooms.
“Often students have some form of financial assistance from their parents who generally prefer to see them in better properties.” Kentwell claims that the increase in students from Sydney and overseas attending the University of Newcastle, is driving the demand for higher quality student accommodation.
The University of Newcastle ranks highly among Australia's newer universities, with Times Higher Education naming the it the world's 28th best university under 50 years old.
According to Kentwell, developers are rethinking the student housing market as the University of Newcastle grows.
“They’ve recognised that students are a key driver of housing demand and price growth in the area,” he said.
“As this growth continues it will put pressure on existing student-friendly housing.
“Savvy developers have seen this and they are rolling out product to meet this burgeoning, yet discerning, market.”
PRDnationwide is marketing Shortland Terrace at Shortland, which is yet to launch. Kentwell said the eight townhouses, located 500 metres from the University of Newcastle's main campus, will be marketed to investors.
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Newcastle students keen to upgrade, says agent

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Reserve Bank of Australia chief Glenn Stevens has acknowledged the "elevated level of housing prices", as record low interest rates continue for another month.
In a speech made in Adelaide on Wednesday, Stevens noted the prospect of fostering excessive risk-taking behaviour in the financial sector, warning that if people over-commit themselves financially, the economy could be vulnerable to "nasty shocks". 
"It is stating the obvious that at present, while we may desire to see a faster reduction in the rate of unemployment, further inflating an already elevated level of housing prices seems an unwise route to try to achieve that," said Stevens.
According to RP Data, home prices in Australia's capital cities rose by 4.2% in the quarter to August, the highest winter price gain since 2007. The growth was largely driven by Sydney and Melbourne, where median dwelling prices rose by 5.0% and 6.4% respectively.
Unemployment sits at a 12 year high of 6.4%. 
Economists from Australia's major lenders have declared that there is no housing market bubble, others, including AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver, also consider Australian housing <a href="/expert-insights/buying/overvalued-housing-price-problem-returns-with-vengeance-amp-capitals-shane-oliver">expensive on a long-term basis</a>. 
Oliver said that the low interest rate climate has been a major factor in recent property growth, and there is potential for interest rates to encourage people to take on an imprudent level of risk.
"There's no doubt that low interest rates are driving the upswing in property prices," said Oliver. "When interest rates are cut, one of the ways that helps the economy is that it forces investors to take their money out of low risk investments like bank deposits, and move it to higher risk investments like housing and shares." 
However, Oliver maintained that Australian's level of financial risk is "not excessive in aggregate".
"The rate of growth in credits in Australia is still quite modest, by the standards of the past," he said, noting the Reserve Bank's credit statistics for July. Overall credit grew by 5.1% in the year to July, with 6.5% growth in housing credit. 
"At a 6.5% year on year rate, it's much lower than the 20% plus growth we saw a decade ago," said Oliver.
The Reserve Bank has maintained a record low overnight cash rate of 2.5% since August 2013, a policy Stevens said "could perhaps be described as boring". 
"If so, I would regard that as a small success," said Stevens, who highlighted the "stability and predictability" of the current interest rate structure.
You may also like to read: <a href="/expert-insights/finance/standby-for-rba-jawboning-on-overheated-sydney-and-melbourne-auction-markets">Standby for RBA jawboning on overheated Sydney and Melbourne auction markets</a>
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Further inflating housing market "unwise": RBA's Glenn Stevens

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NAME: Philip Stephens<img src="/images/2014/09/03/Philip-Stephens-profile.png" alt="" style="float: right;">
POSITION: Director, industrial
COMPANY: Colliers International
OFFICE LOCATION: Level 20, Central Plaza One, 345 Queen Street, Brisbane.
How long have you been in the industry? 
10 years
What's happening in the area you specialise in? 
I specialise in Brisbane's industrial market. There has been a number of large logistics users take advantage of sharp rental deals. With these users vacating it has resulted in a large supply of older style buildings, many of which are in the process of being refurbished for their next lifespan.
Activity from both small investors and large REITs has been strong, with some investors buying older assets with leasing risk and benefiting from the rental uplift.
Describe the most interesting commercial property you have worked on? 
A World War Two Igloo which I sold for Thiess Mining for $6,200,000. It was a complicated lease back situation with the building being heritage listed.
What are the ingredients to being successful in your job?
Hard work, persistence and first class market knowledge.
What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most? 
Meeting a variety of business people and understanding how they grew their business.
Where would you invest a spare $750,000?
Either an industrial building with some leasing risk or the share market.
Which football team do you support? 
Quennsland Reds.
What's your favourite app or techno gadget?
<a href="https://www.strava.com/" target="_blank">Strava</a>.
How do you use social media?
I primarily use LinkedIn and Instagram. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://au.linkedin.com/pub/philip-stephens/30/565/40" target="_blank">LinkedIn </a>is a very useful tool I use regularly as it assists me in communicating with a range of different clients and allows me to promote other industry groups I am a part of.
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In profile: Colliers International's director, industrial, Philip Stephens

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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New apartments

New townhouses

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