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The latest release of residential land in the Heartlands development in Tarneit has been fast tracked by developers Asset1.
Stage 10 of Heartlands has been released early in an attempt to meet high demand for land in the Melbourne’s western rural-urban fringe, according to the developers.
Asset1 has also recently launched the estate’s ‘Club Heartlands’ recreation centre, which includes a gym, pool and tennis court. Stage 10 is located adjacent to the new facility, within walking distance of a seven hectare parkland precinct. New residents will be situated close to Tarneit Road, Werribee Plaza, and, eventually, the upcoming Tarneit Railway Station, which will be serviced by a train running between Melbourne and Geelong once the Regional Rail Link is completed.
 <img src="/images/stories/2014/03/14/heartlands-march-14-one.jpg" alt="">
According to Asset1 sales director Mark Adams, buyers were seeking competitive prices and a convenient location.
“Buyers want to purchase in a location that not only suits them now, but will suit them in the future when their family expands and matures,” said Adams.
 <img src="/images/stories/2014/03/14/heartlands-march-14-two.jpg" alt="">
“Stage 10 purchasers will be within metres of the recently opened Club Heartlands recreation facility and seven hectare parkland that’s scheduled for completion later this year.
“Offering blocks of up to 555 square metres, Stage 10 purchasers have the luxury of choosing a home that better suits their needs: a home with a spacious garden or entertainer’s alfresco area, or alternatively a larger home for a growing family.”
The Stage 10 release will offer 32 lots between 320 square metres and 555 square metres, with prices beginning at $161,000.
<img src="/images/stories/2014/03/14/heartlands-march-14-three.jpg" alt=""> 
Photos are artistic impressions.
For the latest development listings, brought to you by Property Observer and partners, see our <a href="https://showcase.propertyobserver.com.au/" rel="nofollow">INVESTOR SHOWCASE</a>.
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Newest stage released ahead of schedule at Heartlands

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The innovative design of Sydney’s blue chip Eliza development has the town talking.
Eliza is situated on Elizabeth Street in Sydney’s CBD, overlooking Hyde Park. According to the building’s architect, Tony Owens, the development’s location was the major influence on its design, from its curvaceous façade to its materials.
<img src="/images/Eliza%202.jpg" width="460" height="307">
“It all starts with the site,” said Owen. “It’s surrounded by some of Sydney’s most important buildings. We always do a contemporary design, but we wanted to do a design with those buildings as well. So we used traditional materials like sandstone and steel, but we did it in a contemporary way.”
Each of Eliza’s 17 floors is different from the last, a practice Owen says was previously unheard of.
<img src="/images/Eliza%2011.jpg" width="460" height="690">
“Each level has a different floor plan, because each level has different views and different amounts of sunlight. And we found that as you went up the building, the situation changed.
“In the past, you wouldn’t conceive of having a different structure on each level.”
But thanks to the advent of new technology, Tony Owen Partners has been able to create a building that would have been unfeasible three years ago. Owens’s own home attracted attention last year when Moebius House [pictured below], which he designed using early versions of similar technology, <a href="/expert-insights/building/tony-owens-moebius-house-dover-heights-listed-for-sale">hit the market</a>.
 <img src="/images/moebius-house-tony-owens-4.jpg" width="460" height="316">
“Every project we do represents a jump in technology,” Owen said.
“We started with some more basic things like the Harley Davidson headquarters [pictured below], and then with each project it became more complicated and exciting.”
<img src="/images/harley.PNG" width="460" height="325">
Both the Eliza’s design and its fabrication were made possible by recent technological advancements, says Owen.
“The building’s materials were actually fabricated by robots. The robots would take a block of stone, and would cut shapes exactly to our computer’s specifications,” he said. “We used digital technology to not only design the façade but also break it down into parts, so that we could easily manufacture it.
“We had to consider: if you have a wiggly line, how do you break it down into pieces that are sensible and practical to build? This technology didn’t exist three years ago, but it exists now. And it means a very complicated design can be brought down to a very inexpensive standard.”
Eliza, developed by Ceerose, has 19 half and full floor apartments spread over its 17 levels. The building’s three level penthouse, which will be marketed once construction is completed, includes a rooftop infinity pool, limestone paving and outdoor kitchen and is expected to fetch $15 million.
The majority of the apartments’ buyers are owner-occupiers, and with its prestige location and costly amenities (including marble laundry benches), there’s no doubt that Ceerose are pitching Eliza at the city’s luxury market.
<img src="/images/Eliza%20bathroom.jpg" width="460" height="307">
Of the possibility that Eliza’s undulating design may alienate some buyers, Owen says that Sydneysiders are ready for risk taking architecture.
“I was in Melbourne on the weekend, and every project there is as exciting as Eliza,” said Owen.
“Buyers always choose good over ordinary. In Sydney, they’ve always been offered a boring box. But now we’re seeing that once they get offered the choice, they choose the more exciting designs.”
Owen says that demand for contemporary design is growing across the city.
“Now all the real estate agents are going to architects and saying, ‘Can you design something like Tony?’ because that’s what the buyers want. And we’re very excited about that, because it raises awareness about terrific design.”
Currently only two apartments in Eliza remain unsold. The full floor offerings are being marketed by Nigel Napoli and Irene Lau of Savills, with Richard Shalhoub and Hamish Robertson of McGrath.
As for the future, Owen says his practice has plenty on its plate, with residential, commercial and public projects underway.
 
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Tony Owen designed Eliza development at the forefront of contemporary architecture

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With The Block: Fans v Faves heating up, it seems that renovation fever is sweeping the country. Last Sunday, the teams revealed their newly renovated kitchens – a room which many believe will make or break a renovation.
The winning team, twins Alisa and Lysandra, were praised by the show’s judges for their spacious kitchen (pictured below) that made use of the apartment’s open plan layout. According to the judges, their offering was contemporary but not trendy, and would have timeless appeal.
<img src="/images/lah3r5kitchen13.jpg" width="460" height="259">
Image courtesy of Channel 9
Meanwhile, Brad and Dale got the roughest treatment, with the judges deeming their kitchen “cold and dated”. It seemed they won no hearts among the judges with their curved bench, seen below, though the boys thought the bench would be a selling point come auction day.
<img src="/images/bdh4r5kitchen03.jpg" width="460" height="259">
Image courtesy of Channel 9
And while renovating one’s home can be a rewarding adventure, with <a href="/expert-insights/building/pleasure-not-profit-the-reason-for-most-home-renovations-mortgage-choice-survey">most homeowners renovating for pleasure</a>, not profit, plenty of investors know that renovations, when done right,<a href="/expert-insights/building/pleasure-not-profit-the-reason-for-most-home-renovations-mortgage-choice-survey"> can make a tidy sum</a> when it comes time to sell the property.
Though many homeowners dream of reinvigorating their living areas or expanding their master bedroom, as host Scott Cam noted on Sunday’s episode: “Kitchens sell houses.”
Andrew Winter of Selling Houses Australia <a href="/expert-insights/building/the-10-best-diy-renovation-tips-from-the-experts">says that</a> “quality bathrooms and kitchens will always add value to your home”, while stylist and author Amanda Talbot thinks that 5% of the value of your house should be in your kitchen.
Similarly, Cherie Barber of Renovating for Profit says that renovators should aim to spend between 1% to 1.5% their home’s value on the bathroom, which is “the second most important room in your house, besides your kitchen.”
Which room of the house do you think is the best to renovate to add value to a family home?
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Kitchens the key to adding value for teams on The Block

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Musician Pharrell Williams is hoping to finally get lucky with the sale of his <a href="https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2127-Brickell-Ave-Apt-4000_Miami_FL_33129_M65865-42388" target="_blank">Miami penthouse</a>, which has undergone multiple price adjustments since it was first put on the market in 2010.
After purchasing the three level penthouse in 2007, Pharrell attempted to drop it like it was hot at US$16.8 million (A$18.7 million). But the move did not prove to be a money maker for the Grammy award winning artist, who lowered his asking price to US$10.9 million (A$12.13 million) when he relisted the property in 2013. The Nellyville producer then took the Bristol Tower penthouse off the market for three months. Now, Pharrell has decided once again that he wants to move, asking this time for an additional US$99,000 (A$110,170).
<img src="/images/stories/2014/03/13/16.jpg" alt="">
The expansive 40th floor penthouse features a pool and several outdoor terraces substituting for a yard come milkshake season.
 <img src="/images/stories/2014/03/13/8.jpg" alt="">
With 844 square metres of floor space, Pharrell’s residence blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces, with floor to ceiling windows, a translucent dome ceiling and a wraparound balcony.
 <img src="/images/stories/2014/03/13/26.jpg" alt="">
The property’s six bedrooms and six bathrooms will be sure to provide any buyer plenty of space to change clothes, while the library and home theatre space no doubt allowed the Oscar nominee to indulge his inner nerd.
<img src="/images/stories/2014/03/13/22.jpg" alt=""> 
The listing photos also show two large artworks featuring characters from Family Guy.
<img src="/images/stories/2014/03/13/34.jpg" alt="">
The producer and performer is best known for his three recent number one songs, including the Oscar nominated 'Happy', which is enjoying its ninth consecutive week at the top of Australia's singles chart, and collaborations with Daft Punk on 'Get Lucky' and 'Blurred Lines' with Robin Thicke and T.I. His career began as a young rapper when at 19 he wrote a verse for Teddy Riley on Wreckx-n-Effect’s 1992 classic 'Rump Shaker'. 
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Pharrell not happy with $12 million as he bumps up listing price on Miami penthouse

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A South Australian organisation called the Scrap the Tax Coalition will today present a petition calling on the state government to abandon a proposed levy on parking in the Adelaide CBD.
The Weatherill Labor government has proposed a $750 per spot transport development levy, to be imposed from this year or next. According to the state government, the levy is expected to raise $30 million in its first year, with funds going towards improved transport services.
Premier Jay Weatherill last year said the tax will provide an incentive for Adelaide residents to use public transport. The Liberal party has promised to abolish the parking tax should it come into power after the March 15 state election.
The Scrap the Tax Coalition, supported by the Property Council of Australia, has <a href="https://www.change.org/en-AU/petitions/south-australian-government-stop-the-introduction-of-the-adelaide-car-parking-tax" target="_blank">launched a petition</a> entreating South Australians to stand against the tax. The petition reads:
To:  South Australian Government 
The proposed Transport Development Levy will be another disincentive to South Australians living, working, shopping and finding entertainment in Adelaide's CBD, with no guarantee of tangible benefits to public transport users or any material impact on CBD congestion.  In the interests of a vibrant CBD I urge you to immediately discontinue efforts to implement the tax. 
Sincerely,  [Your name]
 The petition had attracted a total of 9,264 votes (5,459 online and 3,796 physical votes) at the time of writing. The Property Council of Australia has <a href="/news/sa/property-council-pushes-agenda-ahead-of-south-australian-election">also registered its interests</a> ahead of the election in a website, <a href="https://www.sadecides2014.com.au/" target="_blank">sadecides2014.com.au</a>.
Last year, Weatherill rejected claims made in a study by the Property Council of Australia that the tax would deter people from the city.
"It's a self-serving study, it's been put together by the big end of town and really it's just about them avoiding any contribution to building new public transport infrastructure," he told the ABC in October.
"What the study completely ignores is all of the investments we've made in public transport."
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Proposed parking tax proves contentious ahead of SA elections

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A former property manager has been fined $10,000 by the Perth Magistrates Court for deceiving tenants into paying excess rent, while the landlords were kept in the dark.
Josephine Wei-Wei Liau pleaded guilty on March 7 to 16 charges made over two years. 
One Mount Pleasant tenant was paying $950 a week, but the owners believed the tenant was only paying $800. Although the WA Residential Tenancy Act only allows two weeks of rent to be charged in advance, she demanded that the tenant pay more than six months’ rent, totaling over $30,000.
Another tenant in Yangebup paid $380 a week while the owner understood their rental rate to be $350 and the owner was not told when the rent was increased to $400 per week.
She retained the excess payments in both cases, only returning the rental income owed to the owners when confronted. She made further misrepresentations regarding a water bill for a Willetton property, an offence under Australian Consumer Law.
Liau, who was a property manager at a Perth real estate agency, made misrepresentations both as an employee and after her January 2011 departure. She advised landlords that she was acting as part of the agency, going as far as to use the agency's logo on documents, when the agency had no record of the properties being under their management. Under Australian Consumer Law it is an offence to make a false or misleading representation regarding affiliation.
She also advised clients that she held a real estate license, despite only holding a certificate in property management. This action was in breach of the Real Estate and Business Agents Act.
An application for a spent conviction, where a person may not have to acknowledge that they have been charged with an offence, was refused by Magistrate Felicity Zempilas. According to Zempilas, Liau's offences were serious and owners had the right to feel protected in relation to their property, and bonds are required to be held in a safe place.
Anne Driscoll, the commissioner for Consumer Protection, says such serious deception is unacceptable.
“Property managers have a trusted position as the liaison point between a property owner and tenant, so they must display the highest standards of honesty and integrity as required by law,” said Driscoll.
“Those who choose to profit from misleading and deceptive conduct in the real estate industry will face prosecution and suffer financial penalties as well as serious damage to their reputation.”
Liau has been ordered to pay an additional $2,220 in costs.
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Perth property manager ordered to pay over $12,000 after deceptive conduct

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The <a href="https://www.tenants.org.au/" target="_blank">Tenants Union of NSW </a>(TUNSW) has warned Australians against forgetting the benefits of the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) following a News Limited article claiming the scheme is being “abused” by developers.
The Australian yesterday published an article claiming that the Central Park development in Sydney is being targeted towards international students, with the article asserting that the phrase “international student” or “international students” was used almost 50 times. According to the article, the 34 page brochure issued by developers Frasers Property Australia and builders Sekisui House Australia in October 2012 also repeatedly describes the development’s main building as “NRAS advantaged.”
National Shelter executive officer Adrian Pisarki, one of the members of the Affordable Housing Summit Group that helped draft the NRAS is quoted in the article saying that although there is evidence that some international students faced affordability pressures, they were not the intended recipients of the NRAS. The scheme, launched by the previous Labor government in 2008, “seeks to address the shortage of affordable rental housing by offering financial incentives to persons or entities such as the business sector and community organisations to build and rent dwellings to low and moderate income households at a rate that is at least 20 per cent below the market value rent,” according to the Department of Social Services.
Responses to the NRAS is has been <a href="/expert-insights/investing/readers-respond-in-defence-of-nras">mixed throughout the property industry</a>.
But in a <a href="https://tunswblog.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/nras-baby-in-bathwater" target="_blank">blog post yesterday</a>, the TUNSW drew readers’ attention to the scheme’s benefits, writing that although The Australian  has reported that 4,000 units constructed under the scheme are being let to university students, the NRAS has subsidised the construction of 14,500 dwellings. According to the TUNSW, there are another 24,000 dwellings in progress. Although the post acknowledges that the income thresholds required to qualify to let a NRAS subsidised property are higher than those for social housing, the TUNSW claims to know of one community housing provider “who reports that 15% of its NRAS tenants had previously been homeless.”
“There's actually an affordable housing baby in the NRAS bathwater!” writes the TUNSW.
“Would the government throw it out, while its other tax settings do nothing but encourage speculation and make housing unaffordable?”
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NRAS: Don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater, says TUNSW

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Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James has singled out Queensland’s real estate industry in a bid to improve compliance with workplace laws. After the operators of a Queensland real estate agency were fined for underpaying employees, the Ombudsman’s office has called upon large real estate brands and employer organisations to help drive behavioural change in the state’s industry.
In a 2011 audit of 156 Queensland real estate employers, the Fair Work Ombudsman found that less than half were lodging staff pay agreements. After a follow up campaign the next year, the office audited 279 employers, of which 82% complied with the requirement to lodge agreements with the Property Industry Registry.
Though James is encouraged by the improvement, she says that Fair Work inspectors have made some “disturbing findings”, including instances of employers failing to meet minimum payment entitlements for commission-based staff.
Earlier this week, the former operators of a Gold Coast real estate company were fined $56,000 for underpaying three salespeople. Following legal action by the Fair Work Ombudsman, husband and wife Adrian and Nicole Parsons of Total Project Marketing were fined $28,000 for underpaying three employees by a total of $41,472 between October 2009 and February 2011.
According to the ombudsman’s office, the staff members received pay below their minimum weekly wage entitlements and were underpaid for sales commissions. The employees were underpaid amounts of $32,951, $4,800 and $3,720.
In the court proceedings, Judge Michael Jarrett found that the Parsons intending to increase their company’s profits “at the expense of its employees”.
He also said there was “an apparent need for the general deterrence of the common disregard of industrial instruments in the real estate industry”. 
James has noted that the majority of Queensland real estate companies would wish to see their competitors’ poor practices exposed and remedied, an attitude that needs to be harnessed to “bring about improvement and a level playing field for all”.
As a regulator, James said that her agency must strike a balance between education and compliance.
 “We have been meeting regularly with representatives of real estate employer groups to discuss award compliance issues, as we want to ensure that small business people have every opportunity to meet their workplace obligations and have access to reliable, credible resources,” said James.
The Fair Work Ombudsman has recently established a dedicated Small Business Strategy Team and also works in partnership with franchisors, including real estate agencies, through its National Franchise Program.
 
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Queensland couple fined $56,000 for underpaying real estate staff

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From today, lenders will have expanded access to information regarding your credit history. Under <a href="/expert-insights/a-new-credit-scoring-system-how-it-will-affect-you">new privacy regulations</a>, a comprehensive credit report will now include borrowers’ information such as when a credit account was opened and closed, account credit limits and repayment histories. Repayment history information will also include when a bill was due and the date it was paid. Currently, credit reports that are provided to lenders to assess whether a prospective borrower should receive a loan only includes 'negative' information, such as default events. Changes have also been made to the amount of time certain pieces of information may be retained by credit reporting agencies.
The more detailed new reporting system allows lenders to access ‘positive’ credit behaviour. According to some, the reforms will improve transparency, and may aid ‘good’ prospective borrowers who are seeking a loan. However, those with poor repayment histories may be hindered by the new system, and face more difficulties in attaining loans.
Smartline Personal Mortgage Advisers have compiled the following list of what can be covered in the new comprehensive credit report:
<ul>
<li>Information about your monthly repayment conduct (i.e. whether or not you have paid on time) over the past two years can now be reported.</li>
<li>If you apply for credit, the decision (declined or approved) by the credit provider can now be reported.</li>
<li>The current limit on all of your credit cards (and other credit facilities) can now be reported. This also means that if you get a limit increase, this can now be reported on your credit record.</li>
<li>The repayment term and repayment type on all of your credit facilities can now be reported.</li>
<li>A credit provider can now also provide an opinion that you have fraudulently attempted to get credit or fraudulently evaded your obligations to repay credit, or that you do not intend to comply with your repayment obligations.</li>
<li>Credit defaults can be lodged on any outstanding amounts over $150 if you are more than 60 days behind on your repayments.</li>
</ul>
Source: Smartline
According to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, the more comprehensive repayment history information will “only relate to payments you have made or missed from December 2012. Then from March 2014, licensed credit providers can pass your repayment history information on to credit reporting bodies.” Information on repayments cannot be held for more than two years after the payment's due date.
Credit providers have begun updating their terms and conditions to reflect changes to the Privacy Act, with the Commonwealth Bank notifying customers today that its property policy has been adjusted to reflect how the bank will now collect and exchange customers' information.
 
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
According to Michelle Hutchison of comparison website <a href="https://www.finder.com.au/">finder.com.au</a>, the new reform is a move towards "risk adjusted lending."
"Currently, interest rates are generally based on single pricing (particularly home loans), which averages an interest rate based on the lender's experience with good and bad borrowers. With access to more information about borrowers, lenders can use a risk adjusted model to base interest rates on more of an individual basis," said Hutchison.
She warns that borrowers should prepare themselves for the impact of the new credit history system, listing the following possible impacts:
<ul>
<li>[A] risk adjusted model could mean people will receive higher interest rates than the former model if they are deemed to have bad credit. For instance, borrowers will be exposed to higher rates being offered if they have high credit limits which they don't use or can't afford in the eyes of the lender.</li>
<li>With a risk adjusted model, it could lead to potentially more predatory lending, which lower income borrowers with poor credit files are most at risk</li>
<li>In the US, banks advertise rates based on 'excellent credit' which is something Australian lenders could adopt. This could make interest rates even less transparent for borrowers who don't know their credit file status</li>
<li>Interest rates available could widen: currently variable interest rates start from 4.49% by <a href="https://loans.com.au/" target="_blank">Loans.com.au</a> and range up to almost 9 percent. We could see this range widen if lenders label borrowers as higher risk</li>
<li>More aggressive marketing: lenders will capture more data about customers and can use this to market their products. They will be able to see what products applicants applied for in the past, amount of credit they applied for, credit limits, date account were opened</li>
<li>Reselling information: in the US, it's reported that major credit reporting agencies report detailed information about individuals' credit accounts</li>
<li>Less privacy: with more data being captured, there's more risk of security breaches and accuracy</li>
</ul>
As the new reforms are introduced Financial Counselling Australia is urging individuals to seek out their credit report. While credit reports can be accessed for free under the new scheme, but the organisation claims that major reporting agencies are obscuring borrowers' option to access free reports. 
Financial Counselling Australia says that although the new code requires credit reporting agencies to make the free report option as available and easy to access as the fee based service, Australia's two largest credit reporting agencies, Veda and Dun &amp; Bradstreet prominently promote their fee based reports on their websites, but finding information regarding the free option is more difficult. 
For more information on the new comprehensive credit reporting system, see the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner's <a href="https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-resources/privacy-fact-sheets/credit-and-finance/privacy-fact-sheet-16-credit-reporting-repayment-history-information" target="_blank">website.</a>
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Lenders will have more information about your credit history from now on

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16 Degraves Street is going up for auction, in the the first offering on Melbourne’s iconic CBD laneway since 2011.
One of Melbourne’s busiest laneways, Degraves Street is a major tourist attraction and currently has zero vacancies. 16 Degraves Street is currently leased to Italian restaurant Il Tempo, with a new five year term with three further five year options. Il Tempo brings in $155,000 per annum plus GST to shop’s owners, with fixed annual increases of 4%.
The licensed café and bar is being marketed by Stuart Taylor and Mathew George of JLL, who are auctioning the property on Thursday April 3 on behalf of insolvency firm Ferrier Hodgson, who have been appointed agents for the mortgagee.
According to George, the agents are expecting a highly competitive sale.
“Given this is the first on-market investment opportunity since 2011 in such a rare and iconic location, we have every confidence that 16 Degraves Street will be well received by the investor market, and generate very strong competition at auction.”
<a href="mailto:news@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">news@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
                     
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Degraves Street: piece of Melbourne laneway icon on the market in mortgagee sale

The new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/yarraville-green-42-stephen-street-yarraville-vic-3013">Yarraville Green</a> development in Melbourne's inner west is showing that landscaping can be just as influential as architecture, with buyers responding strongly to the garden-first approach adopted from the outset by developer Excelon Projects and the project's design team.

Excelon appointed Six Degrees Architects and landscape architects SBLA to work collaboratively on the development, with a brief to create "a sustainable, design-led building with a focus on community."

That approach has resonated with buyers. According to Next Chapter Director Tom Hirini, who is leading the sales campaign, the landscaped communal garden has become one of the project's defining features, alongside its boutique scale and European-inspired cluster housing concept.

Local downsizers, right-sizers and established families already living in Yarraville and surrounding suburbs have accounted for the majority of purchasers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297740]

Yarraville Green will comprise 53 homes, including apartments and townhomes, arranged around the shared central garden to maximise connections to the landscaped open space. Parking has been moved underground, allowing the ground plane to be dedicated to greenery, pedestrian movement and communal spaces.

The landscape extends well beyond passive planting. Productive garden beds, a pergola, communal gathering spaces, garden sheds and a pet wash have all been integrated into the masterplan, creating spaces designed to encourage everyday interaction between residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297741]

The interiors continue Excelon's focus on craftsmanship, incorporating bespoke elements by Melbourne artisans including leadlight detailing by Adadaz, hand-turned timber hardware by Auburn Woodturning and blown-glass lighting by Ruth Allen.

Sustainability has also been embedded throughout the project, with Yarraville Green targeting an average 7-star NatHERS energy rating through passive design principles, rooftop solar servicing common areas and rainwater harvesting for landscape irrigation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=144913 project_image_fid=297735]

Construction continues to progress at Yarraville Green, with structural works well underway and framing works approaching completion under builder Balmain &amp; Co. The project remains on track for completion in mid-2027.

Apartments at Yarraville Green are currently priced from $625,000, while townhomes start from $1.4 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=144913]

Joel Robinson

Garden-led design drives buyer demand at Yarraville Green

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]

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 41-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.

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Developer Bensons Property Group is behind the 41-storey tower, which has 229 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."

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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.

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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.

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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]

Jessie Richardson

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