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The Crown Group’s Paramatta apartment complex has sold 277 apartments since its launch in mid-2012. Upon completion in 2016, the $309 million residential development will contain 519 luxury apartments.
A variety of one, two and three bedroom apartments are available, with executive studios and penthouses. Residences in the V by Crown complex will feature ceiling-to-floor windows, stone bench tops and waterproof balconies.
The 29-storey building will also hold a pool, a gymnasium, conference facilities, a music room, a theatrette and a library, in addition to gardens and a gaming room.
<img src="/images/stories/2014/01/23/v-by-crown-jan-23-breakout.jpg" alt="v-by-crown-jan-23-breakout" height="264" width="470">
V by Crown’s <a target="_blank" href="/news">Paramatta</a> location caters to the increasing demand for high quality residences close to Sydney’s employment hubs, said Crown sales manager Anthony Falas. According to the Crown Group, more than 90,000 workers travel to Parramatta each day, and the district has a thriving nightlife.
“Only last year Parramatta was named the country’s fastest growing night-time economy,” Falas said. “It’s a recipe for momentum.”
Prices for apartments in the V by Crown development start from $418,000.
jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au
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>.
Images are artist impressions.
 
 
 
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jrichardson-uRX5hFdKfN

V by Crown development reaches $150 million in sales

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A seminar featuring residential properties in Phuket will take place in Sydney this week. The Phuket Property Show at the Four Points Sheraton hotel will showcase real estate and investment opportunities in the Thai resort island.
The seminar will be hosted by Siam Real Estate, assisted by the Ray White Group. According to Siam Real Estate CEO Richard Lusted, a variety of residential properties would be highlighted, including townhouses and villas in gated communities.
“Some of the attractions of buying property in Phuket include investment returns of between 15-25%, historically low interest rates, stable market prices and no property taxes. There’s no capital gains tax after five years for private investors and low taxes,” said Lusted.
He noted the current trend of urbanisation in Phuket and the ongoing construction of new hotels, apartments and houses on the island.
Property will be available to purchase at the Sydney seminar, with special accommodation deals available for buyers.
The Phuket Property Show will be held from 10am-7.30pm in Sydney on January 24 and January 25.
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au">jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Thai properties showcased in Sydney

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An April opening has been announced for the new Marian Town Centre in Queensland.
Developers Tipalea Partners have announced that the retail and services centre is soon to be completed and will open for business on April 5 this year. Tenants, which will include the only full-range Woolworths supermarket west of Mackay, will have access to their tenancies from early February, about eight weeks prior to the centre’s launch.
<img width="470" height="253" src="/images/stories/2014/01/23/marian-jan-23-two.jpg" alt="marian-jan-23-two">
Photo: Supplied
The Marian Town Centre will also include a dentist, a medical centre, a gym and various food retailers. According to Tipalea Partner’s managing director Scott Spanton, the developers have worked to deliver a diverse mix of tenants. Five vacant tenancies are left, with Tipalea still seeking a hair salon, a bakery, a real estate agency and more food retailers.
“The construction of the centre has gone well and it has provided a major economic boost for the Mackay region with the creation of approximately 210 direct jobs during the build phase,” Spanton said.
“Once the centre is up and running we estimate that it will generate approximately 250 permanent positions.”
The development will also include 280 car parks on the 7.5 hectare site. Spanton estimates that the centre will cater to about 8,900 people, a figure that he expects to increase to 12,000 by 2026.
<a href="mailto:jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Marian Town Centre set to open in April

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Given the Northern Territory’s spectacular landscape, it’s not surprising that NT’s most beautiful rental properties are ones that take full advantage of the territory’s lush tropical gardens, clear waters and warm weather.
After taking a look at the best rentals in <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/jan-10-flicker-2-galleries-needed-the-5-most-beautiful-vacant-rentals-in-victoria/2014010967132" target="_blank">Victoria</a> and <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/the-5-most-beautiful-vacant-rentals-in-new-south-wales/2014011467194" target="_blank">New South Wales</a>, Property Observer rounds up the most beautiful vacant rental properties in the Northern Territory.
1. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cvueproperty.com.au/portfolio-view/78-east-point-rd-fannie-bay/">78 East Point Rd, Fannie Bay</a>
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2014/01/23/fan1]} 
This five-bedroom home is right on the shore of Darwin’s Fannie Bay. With bright interiors and high ceilings, the house also features four bathrooms, a gym room complete with equipment and a cyclone proof room that the agents suggest can double as a wine cellar.
The house’s master en suite has double showers and double basins. Any renter staying in the master bedroom will also have a private door leading straight to the semi-indoor lap pool, which can also be viewed from floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the home with sunlight.  Upstairs, there’s a large kitchen, a library and three spacious living or dining areas with views over Fannie Bay. The home also comes with private balconies.
The residence is available at $2,500 a week.
2.<a href="https://darwin.ljhooker.com.au/47XF2X" target="_blank"> 36/4 Myilly Terrace, Cullen Bay</a>
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2014/01/23/cull]}
This penthouse’s panoramic views and wrap-around balcony make the most of the Cullen Bay Marina. From the four-bedroom apartment’s vantage point on Myilly Terrace, two kilometres out from Darwin’s CBD, a renter can look out over the marina, as well as Mindal beach and the Sky City Casino lawns.
Two of the bedrooms include en suites and walk in robes. The apartment also includes access to the building’s storeroom, barbecue area, pool and spa.
Purchased for $725,000 in 2002, the penthouse is available for $1,650 a week.
3. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nt-fannie+bay-409690919" target="_blank">5 Knight St, Fannie Bay</a>
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2014/01/23/fan2]}
Next on our list is a double storey, self-contained home in Darwin’s Fannie Bay. The split-level property features a large pool, a cinema room, a large office, and three separate bathrooms.
Our favourite feature is the large outdoor decking area, located on the house’s upper level. The height of the verandah ensures that tenants can entertain among the treetops, displaying the successful integration of household spaces with the environment that has become a signature of Northern Territory homes.
This tropical home, which also comes with a pet barramundi in the backyard pond, is available for short term holiday stays.
Article continues on next page. Please click below.
 
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4. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-nt-darwin-408427683" target="_blank">2/78 The Esplanade, Darwin</a>
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2014/01/23/dar]}
The relatively recent economic development of Darwin has delivered a lot of great new rental properties – making this beautiful colonial cottage somewhat of an anomaly. Decking wraps around both levels of the double storey residence, with French doors opening the house up to the substantial veranda and balcony space. This home is surrounded by manicured lawns, with access to a communal pool.
Inside, the cottage is bright and airy, with three bedrooms, polished timber flooring, and air conditioning throughout. It’s available to tenants at $1300 a week.
5. <a href="https://www.recentral.com.au/suburbs/marrara/family-home-immaculate-indoor-and-outdoor-living" target="_blank">3 Lakes Crescent, Marrara</a>
 
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2014/01/23/mar]}
When you’re situated in the tropics, a property’s outdoor areas are just as important as its interior. This Marrara rental landed on our list after we took a look at its gardens. With two Balinese huts (one equipped with a day bed and ceiling fan), a small stream with two foot bridges and a waterfall that spills into a large in-ground pool, this residence’s resort-style gardens are an ideal retreat for any tenant.
The property also features a private veranda for the master bedroom and a large tiled outdoor dining space. Inside, there are four bedrooms, each with air conditioning, and an open-plan living and kitchen area. It’s available to rent at $1,050 a week.
{module Which of these is your favourite vacant NT rental?}
<a href="mailto:jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
 
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The five most beautiful vacant rentals in the Northern Territory

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As many property investors can attest to, a trip to the Civil and Administrative Tribunal can be a daunting and expensive experience.
In a building dispute seen before QCAT earlier this month, applicant Abheshek Sodhani sought a total of $19,352 (with interest) plus an undecided amount at the discretion of the tribunal, from Queensland residential property developer Path Developments, who oversaw the construction of his new three bedroom duplex. The tribunal dismissed his claims, resulting in a loss of time and resources for Sodhani.
Property Observer takes a look at QCAT’s decision to deliver some tips that could save you from a trip to the tribunal.
Clarify any contentious terms before signing any contracts
While it may seem obvious, subjective or unclear contracts appear to be one of the greatest causes of disputes between investors and contractors.
One of Sodhani’s complaints at QCAT was that Path Developments had not provided the strata title in the course of completing his property. Sodhani claimed that he had to make additional payments to Path Developments above the cost of the price stated in their contract ($318,000) to obtain a strata title.
According to Sodhani, his contract with Path Developments stated that the strata title should be paid for by the builders, and no costs relating to the strata title should be paid by the client.
However, a closer look at a special condition in the contract shows that it in fact states: “payment for strata title by builder. Documentation by client.”
 
Path Developments argued that the costs paid by Sodhani were in obtaining documents for the strata title, and that they had in fact paid a total of $8,880 getting the strata title itself. The tribunal agreed.
The tribunal’s decision shows that it pays to double check any unclear items on contracts. Even QCAT agreed that the terms were ambiguous, stating that “unfortunately the special condition is not explained any further in the contract.”
Sodhani also claimed that he missed out on four months of rental payments, and had to bear additional interest costs because the property was completed four months late. But the tribunal ruled that there was no particular date specified in the contract for the completion of the property, and that the date that the contract is signed is not an indication of the commencement of construction.
It’s worth taking the extra time to enquire about any subjective items.
Seek advice when you need it
As evidence to his claim, Sodhani provided a letter carrying the name (but not the signature) of Peter Luckmann, Path Development’s director. The tribunal decided that the letter was not part of the existing contract, and had no bearings on his decision.
If you think you have an agreement in writing, it’s worth having the document checked against any existing contracts, and written up formally – which is something that will most likely require the help of a lawyer.
A lawyer can also spend an hour combing your contract for anything that might need clarification. Investing is tricky enough as it is – while lawyers are expensive, if you’re unsure of any terms, it’s worth hiring someone to advise you.
Keep all your receipts
QCAT noted that while Path Developments provided invoices for all the payments they made obtaining the strata title, Sodhani did not present any proof of payment for any of the additional documentation. Even if QCAT did agree that Sodhani shouldn’t have borne the extra costs, it would have been impossible to assess just how much he was owed.
Do your research
Sodhani also claimed that his property wasn’t built as per the specifications outlined in his contract with Path Developments. According to Sodhani, there was a 7.9 square metre difference between the size of his property as submitted by a certification group to the council, and the final survey plan. As such, he claimed that he was owed a reimbursement for loss of land to the tune of $1,016 per square metre of difference.
But Path Developments argued that survey plans for strata titles are measured differently than building plans, accounting for the apparent difference in size. In fact, Path Developments stated that after building Sodhani’s property as per its approved working drawings, he actually ended up with an extra 2.1 square metres above what was specified in his contract. The tribunal agreed.
If you feel as though you haven’t received what you agreed to in your contract, it’s worth looking a little deeper – call a surveyor or take a look at the publicly available information from your local Department of Planning.
Do you have any other tips for avoiding a trip to the tribunal?            
<a href="mailto:jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Four investor tips to keep you out of tribunal

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The Maranoa Heights Community Centre was re-opened on Friday by Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings. The centre is in the suburb of <a href="/news">Kingston</a>, on the outskirts of Hobart.
The refurbished centre is part of the state Labor government’s $6 million Tasmanian Jobs Package, aimed at creating 110 new jobs in Tasmania’s construction industries. By February, the Premier expects $1 million worth of work to be completed across Tasmania’s 13 community houses.
At the launch, Giddings noted that “this is not just an investment in bricks and mortar, this is an investment in our communities.
“It is about improving the facilities and sustainability of our community houses, as well as providing stimulus to local businesses,” Giddings said.
The refurbishment focussed on providing improved disability access to the community centre, including better wheelchair access. Other additions to the building included a dedicated computer room, an expanded program and activities room, a tea room and new offices for professional services.
The Maranoa Heights Community centre’s president, Eddie Rogers, is a state finalist in the 2014 Senior Australian of the Year awards. The community centre’s management committee was also awarded Volunteering Tasmania’s Volunteer Management award in 2013.
<a href="mailto:jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Renewed community centre launched in Kingston, Tasmania

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Home builders Hotondo Homes have introduced a new range of residences aimed at catering for Australian families.
The new Forever Sanctuary range features homes suitable for a variety of land sizes, from acreage blocks through to narrow lots. Hotondo Homes conducted extensive market research while designing the range, including research into consumer demographics and consulting with focus groups.
They found that the kitchen, master bedroom and outdoor entertaining areas were key spaces for Australian families.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2014/01/22/ersk]}
Photos: Forever Sanctuary Erskine range
According to Hotondo Homes' managing director Michael Renwick, research and communication with residents is a key component when designing for modern lifestyles.
“Our builders don’t just build houses – they’re passionate about building homes that their clients want to live in,” said Renwick. 
“They want to build homes that their clients can have a special connection with and a place they can look forward coming home to.”
Prices for homes in the Sanctuary Forever range vary from region to region. For a Sanctuary Forever home in the Melbourne metropolitan area, prices start at $154,400. In Sydney, prices range from $144,800 in Penrith to $158,800 in Lithgow.
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au">jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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>.
Images are artist impressions.
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Forever Sanctuary range launched by Hotondo Homes

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Situated at the eastern “Paris” end of Collins Street, the Sheraton Melbourne Hotel will open its doors in late March.
The 31 storey hotel will have 174 rooms, featuring wireless internet, interactive LED Smart televisions and modern marble bathrooms. The building will also include the Little Collins St Kitchen, a bistro-style restaurant, and the Terrace Bar, a roof-top venue overlooking Little Collins Street.
Other features include a spa with five treatment rooms, a heated lap pool and a gymnasium which will offer Sheraton’s own branded fitness program. Reservations are now open, with the Sheraton Melbourne Hotel currently offering a special opening rate starting from $260 per night for guest rooms and from $750 per night for suites.<a target="_blank" href="mailto:jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au"> </a>
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au">jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
 
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March opening for Sheraton Melbourne Hotel

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According to the latest report released by financial comparison website finder.com.au, the proportion that first home buyer loans make up of total loans is at an all-time low.
Drawing on data from the ABS, the report notes that first home buyer loans now make up just 12.5% of all loans financed in November 2013, down 3% from the same month in 2012.
Finder’s report attributes the drop of 1,054 first home buyer loans in the 12 month period to the volume of capital now required to purchase a first home.
According to Michelle Hutchison, a money expert at finder.com.au, the upfront costs associated with financing a home are putting off first home buyers.
“For a 5% deposit and purchasing an established home at the median dwelling price, the upfront cost is up to double the size of the deposit, according to <a href="https://www.finder.com.au/">finder.com.au</a> research,” said Mrs Hutchison.
The website calculated that when purchasing home at the national median dwelling price of $484,563, where stamp duty concessions are exempt, a first home buyer could expect that with a 5% deposit of $24,228, they would also be required to pay $22,000-$50,000 for stamp duty and lenders mortgage insurance, plus about $1,000 in home loan fees.
Data from the ABS shows that the average loan size to a first home buyer in November 2013 was $298,000, $10,000 greater than it was in November 2012.
Tracking long term trends, ABS figures also show that the household incomes of first home buyers has trended upwards over the last two decades; in 1995, the average weekly household income of a first home buyer was $1,307, while in 2010 it was $2,006 (both in 2009-10 dollars).
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au">jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
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Proportion of first home buyer loans down: Finders

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Music industry magazine Pollstar has just named Perth Arena at number 22 on its Top 200 Arena Venues for ticket sales in 2013.
<img src="/images/stories/2014/01/20/perth-arena-jan-20-ohne.jpg" width="470" height="214" alt="perth-arena-jan-20-ohne">
The result puts Perth Arena (pictured above) ahead of New York’s Madison Square Gardens and London’s Wembley Arena, and got Property Observer thinking – what are the world’s most iconic music venues?
The National Centre for Performing Arts, Beijing, China
<a href="https://www.chncpa.org/ens/"><img src="/images/stories/2014/01/20/beijing_jan_20.jpg" width="470" height="212" alt="beijing_jan_20"></a>
The <a href="https://www.chncpa.org/ens/" target="_blank">National Centre for Performing Arts</a> hosts Beijing and foreign operas, dramatic performances and recitals. The spectacular glass and titanium structure is surrounded by an artificial lake.
Colloquially dubbed “the Egg”, this huge opera house sits 5,452 people across its three halls. The Paul Andreu-designed venue has attracted a good deal of controversy due to its immense cost – construction set back the Chinese government by 3.2 billion CNY (approximately $600 million AUD).
Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia
<img src="/images/stories/2014/01/20/sydney-opera-house.jpg" width="470" height="193" alt="sydney-opera-house"> 
 
Our most iconic building is known throughout the world for its distinctive look. Danish architect Jørn Utzon beat 232 other entrants in a competition to design the Opera House in 1955. The construction and design process was plagued with problems and delays, and the venue was officially opened in 1973.
The Sydney Opera House comprises several performance spaces, including the Joan Sutherland Theatre.
The Cavern Club, Liverpool, UK
<a href="https://www.cavernclub.org/"><img src="/images/stories/2014/01/20/Cavern-club.jpg" width="470" height="353" alt="Cavern-club"></a>
 
Sometimes it’s not size that makes an iconic venue. <a href="https://www.cavernclub.org/" target="_blank">The Cavern Club</a>, true to its name, is a tiny space which lays claim to being the site where The Beatles first made their mark on the UK. Then known as The Quarrymen, the band were admonished by the management during their first performance for playing rock n’ roll, which was at that time banned at the venue. Nevertheless, the Beatles continued to perform there and made the club famous throughout Europe.
Since then, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, and The Who all have performed at the Cavern Club.
Red Rocks Ampitheatre, Denver, USA
 
<a href="https://www.redrocksonline.com/"><img src="/images/stories/2014/01/20/800px-RedRocksAMP.png" width="470" height="312" alt="800px-RedRocksAMP"></a>
 
The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Bruce Springsteen have all played there – and with beautiful views for the 9,450-strong audiences, it’s not hard to see why. Located in the Red Rocks mountain park, west of Denver, the naturally formed amphitheatre is a favourite of musicians for its natural setting and spectacular acoustics.
Last year, <a href="https://www.redrocksonline.com/" target="_blank">Red Rocks</a> was named America’s best amphitheatre by Rolling Stone magazine.
Carnegie Hall, New York, USA
<a href="https://www.carnegiehall.org/"><img src="/images/stories/2014/01/20/Carnegie-hall-isaac-stern.jpg" width="470" height="353" alt="Carnegie-hall-isaac-stern"></a>
Arguably one of the most famous concert halls in the world, Manhattan’s <a href="https://www.carnegiehall.org/" target="_blank">Carnegie Hall</a> has a prestigious pedigree. Since it opened in 1891, the venue has hosted the premier performances of works by composers such as George Gershwin, Igor Stravinsky and Sergei Rachmaninoff. Carnegie Hall hasn’t only entertained fans of classical music – Duke Ellington, Woody Guthrie and Jay Z have also performance in the venue.
<a href="mailto:jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">jrichardson@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
 
 
 
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A sound design: The world’s most iconic music venues

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68833]

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."

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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.

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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.

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"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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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