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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

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a> offers plenty of reasons to live vertically, but moving from a substantial family home into an apartment can expose the compromises of high-density living. Privacy, room for guests and usable living space tend to matter more when an apartment is intended as a permanent home rather than an occasional coastal base.

A typical residential floor at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-eveleigh-broadbeach-7-9-surf-parade-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Eveleigh</a>, on Surf Parade,&nbsp;contains just four apartments. The 94-residence development by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hirsch-faigen">Hirsch &amp; Faigen</a> is predominantly made up of expansive three-bedroom homes, with a limited collection of half-floor penthouses above.

Across the apartment floors, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> has used the relatively limited number of residences to give each home greater access to natural light and outlook. Living spaces extend towards full-height glazing, while a series of bay windows frame selected views across the Pacific Ocean, city and hinterland rather than treating the building edge as a continuous wall of glass.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360965]

“The apartment floors deliver a collection of homes that embrace controlled outlook via a series of bay windows deliberately framing moments of view,” Rothelowman Director Kim Lowman said.

From outside, those projecting forms contribute to the tower’s faceted profile. Strong horizontal and vertical elements establish its proportions, while the changing position of the sun alters the light, shadow and reflection across the façade throughout the day.

The same attention moves inside the apartments, where the material palette combines warm timber, natural stone, metallic detailing and softer curved forms. Kitchens sit within the main living zone, with stone island benches, integrated joinery and European appliances, before the living areas extend towards the glazing and the outlook.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360981]

Three genuine bedrooms provide room to accommodate family and guests, while two secure car spaces and storage address some of the practical considerations that can become more noticeable when moving from a larger home. Feedback from the display suite has centred on the warmth and restraint of the interiors, with buyers commenting that the residences feel like homes rather than conventional coastal apartments.

A limited collection of half-floor penthouses occupies the upper levels, increasing the scale of the living spaces and adding private balconies and elevated finishes. From this position, the outlook extends between the ocean and hinterland.

Outside the private residences, The Eveleigh separates its shared spaces between the podium and rooftop. The podium is centred on wellness, with subtropical landscaping surrounding a swimming pool and pool terrace, yoga garden, private gymnasium, sauna and hot and cold plunge facilities. Landscaped retreats and pavilions provide additional places to sit away from the main recreation areas.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360966]

Higher in the building, a rooftop pavilion and private dining suite sit alongside resident lounge, barbecue and outdoor dining areas, opening towards panoramic views across the ocean, city and hinterland.

“Buyers are no longer just looking for an apartment, but a lifestyle where they can relax, reset, and enjoy a balanced way of living,” Hirsch &amp; Faigen Director of Sales Matt George said.

Interest to date has come from established owner-occupiers and interstate lifestyle purchasers, including buyers planning a future move to the Gold Coast. Many are coming from larger homes and want to reduce ongoing maintenance without giving up space for family and guests, privacy, two car spaces or the ability to entertain at home.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360969]

Much of that daily life can also take place beyond the building without requiring a drive. Kurrawa Beach and Pratten Park are an easy walk from Surf Parade, while Pacific Fair, Oracle Boulevard, The Oasis, restaurants, cafés, entertainment and public transport are also within walking distance.

The Eveleigh is Hirsch &amp; Faigen's fourth Gold Coast development since entering the market in 2021, following The Hemingway at Palm Beach, The Emerson at Kirra and Yves at Mermaid Beach. Each of the preceding projects sold out before completion.

“Broadbeach had been on our radar throughout our time operating on the Gold Coast,” the developer said. “Following our projects in Palm Beach, Kirra and Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach represented the natural next step for the business.”

The Surf Parade site brought together proximity to the beach, protected coastal outlooks and walkability to dining, shopping and recreation. Hirsch &amp; Faigen also identified the street as an emerging premium residential address, with enough separation from Broadbeach's busier destinations to retain a quieter environment at home.

The Eveleigh is now under construction by Maxcon, with completion forecast for mid-2028. Three-bedroom residences are currently available from $2.87 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149670]

Joel Robinson

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

A long-stalled Campbelltown development site is back in play, with new plans for 139 apartments set to supersede a mixed-use scheme approved almost a decade ago but never built.

The new proposal for 28 Cordeaux Street would deliver 116 market and 23 affordable apartments in a part 14-storey building, bringing a substantial new project into a Campbelltown market where new apartment supply remains limited.

Plans have been filed over the 3,092 sqm corner site at Moore-Oxley Street, around 600 metres from Campbelltown Railway Station and the city-centre retail core.

The site already carries a mixed-use residential approval dating to 2016. Doroch Architects has now been engaged on a larger replacement scheme, which is progressing as a State Significant Development Application following a Housing Delivery Authority determination in August 2025.

The apartment mix comprises 39 one-bedroom, 72 two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom residences. Two-bedroom apartments make up just over half of the project, while three-bedroom homes account for 20 per cent.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="136dd5b9-3791-4da6-9e31-76f533f5b4de" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da2.png?VersionId=LgOSy9nwf5u.MGswBBwaGGxuX8QpHSl_" />

Of the 139 apartments, 23 will be delivered as affordable housing under the in-fill affordable housing provisions of the Housing SEPP. The affordable component represents 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area and will be managed by a registered Community Housing Provider.

Doroch has sought to break the scale of the building into two distinct elements, with a masonry podium of around four storeys establishing the street edge before the residential tower steps back above.

The corner position has shaped that approach. Cordeaux Street faces toward the commercial and civic centre, while Moore-Oxley Street leads into the lower-scale residential neighbourhood to the south, and the design verification report describes the site as "bridging the commercial core to the north and established residential areas to the south."

The podium will be expressed predominantly in face brick, while the upper levels shift to brushed and grooved concrete cladding with darker metal detailing. Recessed sections, deep balcony edges and landscaping break down the upper form, with an approximately 11.8-metre setback to the northern boundary addressing the adjoining St Peters Anglican School.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c8b3d2d3-c561-4bfc-a5d9-a68c0c10dac1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da1.png?VersionId=AeAEyJU02Gk2k5noUj2StziCvdQ7fW4B" />

Campbelltown has been starved of new residential developments in the last decade.

The only other notable development set to come to market this year is ALAND's Queen Square, a mixed-use precinct on over two hectares that will comprise apartments above a vibrant ground-level retail and hospitality dining precinct.

First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site

First Look: Sherlock Construction pitches apartments for low-rise Deception Bay

Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

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[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

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Jessie Richardson

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