The busy developer Lindsay Bennelong is continuing to pad out its multi-residential property portfolio.

Off the back of two contrasting applications in 2022, one for a $150 million project in Crows Nest and another for a boutique project on Manly Beach, Lindsay Bennelong, headed by Clarendon Homes Founder Peter Campbell, is heading to the Eastern Suburbs.

They've filed for a mixed-use project at 138 Maroubra Road, just behind the Pacific Fair Shopping Centre and next door to the Maroubra Police Station.

The company secured the 1,512 sqm site during their busy 2022. They'll be demolishing the current office building and replacing it with a nine-level building, which will offer a mix of retail, commercial, and residential.

<img alt="138 Maroubra Road" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="031904f3-36f2-417c-b490-4d1adcf30034" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-23%20at%208.49.16%20am.png?VersionId=AcrfIx5d3D8X6aFsbMDCL6p1XRL9GGR3" />

There will be 57 apartments on offer, a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom units. The plans are for two retail spaces on the ground level, and a first level commercial office space, which will be flanked by a landscaped outdoor space.

There will be 23 one-bedroom apartments, which range in size from 51 sqm to 62 sqm, 12 two-bed units, which start from 86 sqm and top out at 99 sqm, and large three-bedroom apartments, the smallest 105 sqm and the largest 149 sqm.

There is a sole four-bedroom apartment, which has over 150 sqm of living space.

There are a number of outdoor breakout spaces for residents. Level two will feature an outdoor kids play space, an outdoor gym, and built-in seating around turfed areas.

Level eight will home two outdoor spaces, the largest at the southern end of the building which will have an outdoor barbecue and kitchen area and communal dining space, as well as community garden planters.

<img alt="138 Maroubra Road" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="03e3f7cf-19ff-4a9a-bc53-9ea1ded612f0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-23%20at%208.21.02%20am.png?VersionId=FpNUZ9yRHbggNqiTsyWUKnyT2LgDrdQV" />

The northern outdoor area will have the same facilities, just across a slightly smaller footprint.

DJRD Architects designed the building. Co-owner and director Andrew Hipwell signed off on the design statement, noting that the&nbsp;design intent is to respond positively to the scale and massing of the existing adjacent buildings.

"The proposed project seeks some subtle variety by utilising brick and sheet cladding as a point of difference in texture and colour," the report submitted to the Randwick City Council noted.

"The Ground and Level 1 component will be subtly expressed as a podium with an alternate expression for the residential use above.

"The façade is designed to have “bays” defined by columns and piers that come to ground. The retail frontage is frameless glass for maximum exposure to the street."

The report noted that the structure will be primarily concrete column and slab, with non-loadbearing party walls which would allow apartment amalgamations down the track without any structural implication.

"This feature will permit multiple future configurations of bedroom, bedroom/office, bedroom/living."

Lindsay Bennelong was established in 2007 by the respected property identity Peter Campbell.

They currently have projects in Bondi Junction (Whitton Lane) and Crows Nest (Delano). Last year they submitted plans for five beachside apartments on Manly's dress circle North Steyne.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/nsw/first-look-lindsay-bennelong-lodge-plans-for-beachside-manly-apartments">First look: Lindsay Bennelong lodge plans for beachside Manly apartments</a>

Fast Facts

<ul>
	<li>Address: 138 Maroubra Road, Maroubra</li>
	<li>Land size: 1,512 sqm</li>
	<li>Ground level retail 1 - 326.7 sqm</li>
	<li>Ground level retail 2 - 425.3 sqm</li>
	<li>Level one commercial space - 849.5 sqm</li>
	<li>three apartments on this level.</li>
	<li>23 x one-bedroom apartments</li>
	<li>12 x two-bedroom apartments</li>
	<li>21 x three-bedroom apartments</li>
	<li>1 x four-bedroom apartments</li>
</ul>

They've filed for a mixed-use project at 138 Maroubra Road, just behind the Pacific Fair Shopping Centre and next door to the Maroubra Police Station

Joel Robinson

First look: Lindsay Bennelong file Maroubra apartment plans

A decade on from their award-winning Garden House development adjoining Carlton Gardens, Melbourne apartment developer Piccolo has again teamed up with Woods Bagot and Hecker Guthrie to create A Piccolo House, a boutique apartment project in the heart of Fitzroy.

The 385 Gore Street project, which has just been launched through Three Sixty° Property Group, will comprise just 49 two and three-bedroom apartments. Woods Bagot took cues from Fitzroy's historic Victorian architecture when designing A Piccolo House, with slimline masonry brick and pigmented red oxide concrete on the lower levels contrasting a natural concrete frame for the upper levels.&nbsp;The façade will also display the same signature corbel detailing as the surrounding Victorian terraces.

There are 26 two-bedroom apartments on offer, starting from $1.5 million, and 23 three-bedroom units which range in price from $2.5 million to the $7 million penthouse with 350 sqm of indoor and outdoor living space. Residents will have access to a secret garden within the project, as well as a guest suite, communal dining room, and workshop space.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134287 project_image_fid=211712]

Piccolo Managing Director Michael Piccolo said the 2000 sqm site, and its location, was impossible to overlook. He knew it could accomodate a collection of generously-sized apartments, catering for downsizers who wanted to live nearer the city without compromising on space.

“The design was driven by the people that will live in and around 385 Gore Street," Piccolo said.

"We started by thinking about the lifestyle of the people in the area, and what they want out of their home, and then the rest of the design naturally evolved from that point.

“We want 385 Gore Street to enrich the lives of our residents and add value to the neighbourhood of Fitzroy.”

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134287 project_image_fid=211715]

The property is located in a discreet, picturesque pocket of Fitzroy, on a wide, tree-lined street comprising nineteenth-century red-brick heritage buildings.

Gore Street is within 400 metres of the popular Smith, Johnston and Brunswick streets, and a short distance from tram networks.

Peter Miglis, Principal at Woods Bagot, said within the particualr pocket of Fitzroy the project resides, the traditional converses with the contemporary.

"We see 385 Gore Street as an amalgamation of both elements," Miglis said.

“It’s surrounded by quite an eclectic combination of spaces – industrial buildings, Victorian terrace homes, local cafes and restaurants and stunning tree-lined streets."

A large part of the project is the extensive landscaping by Acre.

Acre Creative Director Brett Robinson said the&nbsp;eclectic combination of plants will bring a remarkable seasonality to the building and link the site beautifully to its context.

“Some plants will lose their leaves and flower periodically, whereas others will remain full- bodied and evergreen; some plants will climb the brickwork, and others will drape from the balconies," Robinson says.

"385 Gore Street will be like a garden – unique, vibrant and full of variety – and each home will be a living thing that exists as part of a broader ecosystem.”

A north-south laneway will split the building into two volumes and provide a secondary connection to Gore Street, and a lobby enveloped on all sides by a secluded ‘secret garden’. Arriving at the building will mimic the experience of stepping into the private garden or courtyard.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134287 project_image_fid=211716]

“When entering via the main or guest entrance, residents and visitors will be led up a private pathway and into a courtyard, where they will be greeted by an oasis of greenery," Robinson says.

"This stylised wilderness will emulate the look and feel of a forest, creating a seamless transition between the public and private realms and an immersive arrival experience."

Each apartment features a natural colour palette and robust materials,&nbsp;including oak floorboards, brushed nickel tapware, terrazzo benchtops, hot rolled steel joinery and porcelain mosaic tiles.

Stacey Van Harn, Director at Hecker Guthrie, says the materials and finishes were one of the most interrogated parts of the interior design.

"Throughout the design process, we leant towards honest materiality, selecting organic, high-quality materials like terrazzo, steel and timber that are practical, durable and develop a beautiful natural patina as they age," Van Harn says.

"By incorporating the earthy natural tones of highly tactile materials, we can capture the gritty nature of Fitzroy whilst bringing an element of refinement and finesse that befits a luxury home.”

The kitchens feature&nbsp;top-of-the-range appliances from Gaggenau and Whispair, and a butler’s pantry for extra working space and storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134287 project_image_fid=211714]

The main living areas include a cosy study nook to accommodate work-from-home arrangements, and the master bedroom features an ensuite with a deep shower and large undermount bathtub.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

“We’ve tried to think beyond just beauty and utility, considering what kind of experiences people want to have in every part of the home," Van Harn added.

"In the bathroom, for example, we have used generous, monolithic sculptural forms and terrazzo flooring, vanities and undermount bathtubs to promote wellness, tranquillity and rejuvenation."

Completion of the project is slated for May 2025.&nbsp;

The family-owned Piccolo has been developing multi-residential projects across Melbourne for the last 50 years. They've previously created multi-res developments Fitzroy House and Elwood House, both of which won a number of awards.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134287]

Piccolo Managing Director Michael Piccolo said the 2000 sqm site, and its location, was impossible to overlook



Piccolo, Woods Bagot, Hecker Guthrie team up again for Fitzroy's A Piccolo House apartment project

While the RBA's interest rate hikes have hit current homeowners on variable mortgages and put a dampener on consumer sentiment, it's made prospective buyers deposits grow quicker than they have in years.

As banks pass on the mortgage rate increase to home loan customers, they're passing on the same interest rate hikes to those savers, which acts in the reverse to mortgage holders given savers don't actually owe the bank anything.

Some banks are offering saving rates upward of four per cent.

The luxury Melbourne developer, EBG Developments, is offering a unique incentive so buyers can get the best of both worlds.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5495 project_image_fid=210547]

They're offering buyers at their under construction Martin Brighton apartment development a seven per cent interest rate on their deposit, which will last until the apartments are ready to move in, which will be early 2024.

Buyers have also been afforded a five per cent deposit, as opposed to the traditional 10 per cent.

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is handling the sales at Martin Brighton, says he hasn't seen an incentive like this before.

"A five per cent deposit of the entry-level $1,395,000 apartment is just shy of $70,000, so that could be around $5000 worth of interest a buyer could generate while waiting for the project to complete," Thompson says.

"For the three-bedroom buyers, the interest generated will be over $6,000, and can reach as high as $7,500, based on a five per cent deposit."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5495 project_image_fid=190763]

Martin Brighton, which is now 40 per cent sold, has just 11 two and three-bedroom apartments, with interiors by the interior design doyenne Miriam Fanning's MIM Design.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/vic/the-design-behind-martin-brightons-latest-apartment-development-five-minutes-with-interior-designers-mim-design">The design behind Martin, Brighton's latest apartment development: Five minutes with interior designers, Mim Design</a>

“It was important that Martin residents experienced a true scale proportion that you would find in an individual home – size proportion and flow of planning were essential when delivering the design of Martin," Fanning told Urban.

Thompson says the project has proved popular with downsizers due to its unrivalled Brighton location.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5495 project_image_fid=207670]

"The project is unique in the sense it has a Brighton postcode, but it offers a different lifestyle than what many perceive what living in Brighton is like," Thompson says.

"Martin Street is not about the bay or the beach, albeit they're less than two kilometres away from the project. It's more about the doorstep lifestyle that the Martin Street Village has.

"There's a community feel around Martin St which you don't really get from Bay or Church Street. It's more like Hampton Street was before the recent large scale development."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5495]

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is handling the sales at Martin Brighton, says he hasn't seen an incentive like this before

Martin Brighton buyers to earn generous 7% interest on deposit

The need for new short-term accomodation in the Southern Gold Coast is set to be filled somewhat by the new Palm Beach Hotel, which has just been given the green light by the Gold Coast City Council.

The $120 million project at 1081-1089 Gold Coast Highway will see 126 hotel rooms spread across six levels, with state-of-the-art amenities, including a rooftop pool, gym, spa, and in-house dining.

Award-winning firm Plus Architecture has been engaged to deliver the master-planned hotel.

“Being such a significant project, our team took a considered approach to create a standout development in an increasingly discerning market,” Plus Architecture Principal Danny Juric said.

<img alt="Palm Beach Hotel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="45d1b919-0cc7-47c4-b145-a1a006aeab9f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-22%20at%209.00.20%20am.png?VersionId=2E9imsROw7r4oJJ4JNlIOVkGpLuHNU2n" />

Rob Steer's Steer Developments is one of the joint venture partners in the project. Steer says they wanted&nbsp;to create a space that makes our guests feel something special.

"It’s about the entire experience," Steer says.

"A perfect blend of beauty, luxury, and premium quality with a calm, lush, and peaceful serenity.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PEKjraxeps8" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

“We have always appreciated the Gold Coast’s lifestyle and are excited to contribute to its beauty and make an everlasting impact on the southern Gold Coast.

“While the northern end of the Gold Coast is flooded with hotels, the southern end is ripe for a luxury offering. Along with Mondrian set to open in Burleigh, the timing is perfect for an additional prestige hotel at Palm Beach.”

<img alt="Palm Beach Hotel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ff4f43cf-1841-4afa-86bb-d4d08c00d054" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-22%20at%208.59.02%20am.png?VersionId=rF.7Bzwhml7_tXdQGVdKICxwuTkr0yWM" />

Palm Beach Hotel will be delivered in one stage, with construction set to commence in Q4 2023 and completion estimated for Q1 2025.

Steer is fully committed to Palm Beach. He has a solo project, COTE Palm Beach, a collection of just 17 half-floor apartments nearby.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112548 project_image_fid=205283]

Cote is located on a prime 810 sqm site at 3 Thirteenth Ave, bounded to the east by Jefferson Lane and just 20 metres from the beach.

“Côte presents an exceptional opportunity for buyers to secure a masterfully designed residence in one of the best beachside locations at Palm Beach,” said Steer.

“We have ensured that Côte sensitively responds to the local context while delivering the absolute best of a luxe lifestyle that is just steps away from the beautiful beachfront, the Palm Beach village precinct and some of the southern Gold Coast’s best cafés, restaurants, bars and boutique retail.”

Demolition has begun on site, and construction is expected to commence in the coming months.

Palm Beach apartment supply has dramatically improved since the early stages of COVID, when projects sold out in double quick time.

<a href="/news/qld/apartments-supply-improves-in-palm-beach-as-graya-secure-approval-for-ripple">Read more:&nbsp;Apartments supply improves in Palm Beach as Graya secure approval for Ripple</a>

Palm Beach Hotel will be delivered in one stage, with construction set to commence in Q4 2023 and completion estimated for Q1 2025.

Palm Beach Hotel approved as Palm Beach development pipeline soars

Residential property ownership has been the cornerstone of The Australian Dream since the term was first coined in the 1950s and 60s.

Back then however the median house price in Sydney was around $10,000. Now the median is just over $1 million, CoreLogic data suggests.

That's priced many out of the Sydney housing market. Most banks nowadays require a 20 per cent deposit. The buyers that don’t have $200,000 or more will require another upfront fee, Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

Some prospective buyers are finding other ways to invest in bricks and mortar, one of Australia's strongest performing asset classes over the last century.

The diversified property group WINIM, who have a longstanding reputation of delivering boutique residential projects on Sydney's North Shore, introduced property funds management to their development business in 2015&nbsp; Now, with a track record of over 21 investment funds and over $850 million under management, it's a key part of their business.

Essentially, rather than the traditional property investment route of purchasing a property and owning the asset, a property fund allows a qualified person to invest into a fund. That money is pooled with other investors and used to fund a specific project, either residential or commercial, or repositioning of established assets.&nbsp; The average investment term is around three years. WINIM Funds Management manages the asset, and investors are updated quarterly with the performance. Investors are offered considerable visibility of the asset they’re invested in. In the case of a new development, investors are provided opportunities to walk the sites as the projects near completion.

Todd Kuiters, WINIM's Investment Director, says unlike investing in other assets such as stocks, shares, or even listed property funds, an unlisted investment fund provides investors with the ability to invest directly in property markets and assets that they see value in.

<img alt="WINIM" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fb28b947-437a-4259-af98-16ce9e0b6cf5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/1_5_Warners_Ave_View_11F2_External_Hero_Final_6000%20-%20resized%20for%20web.jpg?VersionId=I.KEvRUZgZ9pdafilB0RXGUysQ8jSL.k" /> 
WINIM's Tierra development in Willoughby

"Investors have flexibility to invest in the property sector and choose from funds that deliver ongoing dividend payments through assets such as mixed-use development or commercial assets, or higher return single capital repayment at completion of the development, such as residential buy to sell projects,” Kuiters told Urban.

Kuiters says, on top of the inherit investment return benefits, a lot of investors appreciate the ability to have a single asset that they feel connected to and can see the progress of, through design development all the way through to construction and completion.

"The benefit of investing in an unlisted property fund like WINIM’s is that it gives an investor exposure to asset classes that were typically out of reach of non-institutional investors," Kuiters says.

"Additionally, with the average price of Sydney homes over $1m, having a minimum of $100k investment means you can invest in premium real estate markets with a much smaller outlay of funds."

WINIM’s development funds are currently focused on both premium residential development as well as hotel and mixed-use developments on the East Coast of Australia.

"We are constantly analysing different micro markets in key blue-ribbon suburbs with solid property fundamentals including low supply of premium developments," Kuiters says.

"We focus on low to medium density products that meet specific purchasers' demand and designs that speak to local heritage architecture for long term appeal.”

<img alt="WINIM" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b589ea35-cddb-4d9e-a978-41ea3704f97e" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-20%20at%203.44.11%20pm.png?VersionId=KBzdvm06qdFzR1rwEoFiE6GPozkf1Vop" /> 
WINIM's The Lawson Terraces Naremburn. Image supplied

Seasoned investor Matt B, who is now onto his fifth investment at WINIM, has been investing in property funds for about 15 years, and has both personal property investments and investments in a number of funds.

Matt says WINIM's experience in the sector and ability to identify a strong investment has seen him come back and buy into numerous funds.

"WINIM has created a niche specialising in boutique high end residential projects," Matt says, something which isn’t common in funds.&nbsp;

“They are good at selecting sites, as well as understanding and forecasting macro/micro economic factors at play."

Frank K, another seasoned funds investor, recently invested in a WINIM fund for the first time.

Frank, who generally prefers smaller more boutique funds rather than the larger funds, says he did extensive due diligence on WINIM and its Directors.

"The personal investment, reputation and credentials of the Directors is important to me, particularly when I am looking at boutique funds such as WINIM and I do my research prior to investing," Frank says.

"For me, the team at WINIM had the track record that I was looking for.”

WINIM is looking to deliver five to seven new premium diversified opportunities to their investors in agreed strategic locations each year.

To find out more information on WINIM's Funds Management, <a href="https://winim.com.au/funds-management/">click here</a>.

WINIM is looking to deliver five to seven new premium diversified opportunities to their investors in agreed strategic locations each year

Investing in property funds: WINIM's boutique approach to funds management

The largest-ever single floor penthouse ever built in Bondi Beach has hit the market.

Ray White Projects and Wiesner Property are asking $26.4 million for the sprawling AYA Penthouse, atop the Aqualine Bondi Beach project on Hall Street.

Designed by world-renowned architect Koichi Takada, the expansive 443 sqm penthouse is only footsteps to Bondi Beach and comprises four bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, and multiple living and entertaining areas.

<img alt="AYA Penthouse" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b8165c70-60fa-4b89-a61c-43d19f16c8b4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-21%20at%208.25.19%20am.png?VersionId=a9TyHxLLFwEwQXwIyPW0QTTELaI73HKF" />

Ray White Projects Managing Partner Eddie Mansour says&nbsp;AYA Penthouse is the epitome of coastal luxury, with an iconic location and iconic design.

“Perched above the heart of Bondi, this penthouse is a one-of-a-kind whose every moment is enhanced by custom inclusions and one-off Takada touches.

“Every square metre of this penthouse goes above and beyond - in this case, size really does matter."&nbsp;

The internal living spaces, which features a two-way fireplace that divides the kitchen and dining area and the living area, open to a terrace with ocean views.

<img alt="Aqualine" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="79f6fb51-03e2-40d2-a38f-8e6e4d3fc0f4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-21%20at%208.25.26%20am.png?VersionId=5KjxV8s5.i9mG.D20kzf2j711sx58P_u" />

Wiesner Property Managing Director Jeremy Wiesner said the one-of-a-kind penthouse would provide the new owner the opportunity to relax and unwind in the indoor/outdoor living area.&nbsp;

“AYA’s interiors are classic Takada, the light and airy palette and soft edges reflect its beachside setting,” Wiesner said.&nbsp;

“It’s a ‘super penthouse' that invites entertaining and relaxation in equally expansive measures.

“Open-plan living flows throughout. The kitchen, dining, and living areas are naturally symbiotic, bathed in sunlight by floor-to-ceiling windows and overhead skylights.”&nbsp;

Aqualine, at 45 Hall Street, is being developed by Moshav Financial and will home just 17 luxury apartments, two basement levels for parking, and retail space on the lower two ground levels.

Designed by world-renowned architect Koichi Takada, the expansive 443 sqm penthouse is only footsteps to Bondi Beach

AYA Penthouse, Bondi Beach's largest single-level apartment, hits the market

Global developer MRCB International has&nbsp;unveiled the luxury penthouse crowning their maiden Gold Coast apartment development, 26 Vista in Surfers Paradise.

The 51st-level penthouse, which will be among one of the highest apartments on the Gold Coast, spans a total of 556 sqm and features five bedrooms, one of which presents as a self-contained guest suite.

There's four balconies which offer 360-degree views of the Gold Coast. One of the balconies features an infinity plunge pool.

Raith Anderson, DBI Architects Managing Director, said 26 Vista presents as an undeniably cosmopolitan and contemporary minimalistic home, with deliberately subtropical detailing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112730 project_image_fid=211251]

“This penthouse introduces a level of sophistication and craftsmanship rarely seen in Queensland," Anderson said.

"Every single element has been painstakingly designed, it’s the definition of opulent and contemporary penthouse living."

Central to the apartments is the marble and travertine kitchen, fitted with high-end V-Zug appliances.

Adjacent to the kitchen is the largest living zone, a space dominated by an arc-shaped, built-in sofa that faces the ocean.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112730 project_image_fid=211248]

MRCB International CEO Ravi Krishnan is confident that the penthouse at 26 Vista is the ultimate definition of modern luxury.

“True luxury is unwaveringly independent, meticulously crafted, with a highly resolved and curated aesthetic," Krishnan said.

"With this in mind we are leaving final design details up to the purchaser, who will get to pick finishes, paint, and smaller details so this space can be a true extension of their personality.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112730 project_image_fid=211253]

“This residence is a resplendent show home, a functional family home, an uncompromising entertainer, and because of that, is a magnificent investment opportunity,” he concluded.

26 Vista is set to be one of the Gold Coast's greenest towers, with the apartments, which feature ultra-efficient appliances, have been designed to benefit from natural heating and cooling to reduce air-conditioning usage.

Residents will be encouraged to transition to electric powered vehicles with a number of EV charging ports that will future-proof the development, while a proposed EV car share service is said to be the first on-site service of this kind on the Gold Coast.

Construction is scheduled to commence on 26 Vista in Q3 of 2023, with the project scheduled for completion in 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112730]

&nbsp;

MRCB International CEO Ravi Krishnan is confident that the penthouse at 26 Vista is the ultimate definition of modern luxury.



MRCB reveal $15 million penthouse atop 26 Vista, Surfers Paradise apartment development

Apartment supply in Palm Beach, one of the Gold Coast's most in demand areas during the COVID-19 pandemic, is starting to look a little healthier, in the wake of a number of project launches and development approvals.

The latest to be approved is Ripple Palm Beach, the boutique 19-apartment development by luxury home builder turned multi-res developer GRAYA.

Plus Architecture designed the nine level building, noting in their design statement that they took&nbsp;inspiration from the&nbsp;rhythmic dance of the ocean below, with the facade set to emulate the flow and curves of waves.&nbsp;

A mix of two, three and four-bedroom apartments will be on offer, with each to benefit from their north-easterly orientation, taking advantage of views across the coastline.&nbsp;

Ripple will be crowned by two two-level penthouses, both with a rooftop terrace featuring a spa, fire pit, outdoor kitchen and dining area.&nbsp;

A suite of residential amenity will also be on offer across the ground floor, with a sauna, barbecue area and resort-style pool penned for the area.&nbsp;

They will first be launching Kloud to the market, their 20-apartment project on the dress circle Jefferson Lane. That will have a mix of two, three and four-bedroom apartments across 10 levels.

<img alt="Kloud Palm Beach" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="30c7eead-c734-4639-81ff-9da71e1d6dea" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-17%20at%202.22.08%20pm.png?VersionId=NnaImjiSRWL.7NDcmYgVH_.0ypGaY4G2" /> 
A render of Kloud. Image supplied

They're just waiting for development approval for Kloud before launching later this year.

There's already been significant interest in the two projects before they've launched, the majority from Brisbane and locals. There's been a number of buyers enquire who have purchased in some of Graya's previous projects in Brisbane.

Kloud and Ripple are set to join the luxury ranks alongside STEER's Cote Palm Beach project, which will have 17 half-floor apartments, each with three-bedrooms, three-bathrooms, and two parking spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112548 project_image_fid=205283]

DKO studio director Kai Chua says the design of each apartment, balances the need for shelter and privacy whilst opening to the ocean and magnificent views. It offers all the wonders of modern coastal living with the warm, intimate embrace of home.

Demolition is currently underway on the Thirteenth Avenue project, with construction expected to start in the coming months.

Palm Beach was starved of stock when COVID-19 first hit, with Cabana Palm Beach, The Tally, The Monroe, and Hemingway, among a number to sell out in double-quick time.

There's been a large need for more affordable stock, given the forecasted population growth in Palm Beach is expected to boom over the next decade.

The most recent project launch in Palm Beach is Elevaire, which has prices starting from $715,000. Enquiry has been prominent from both Brisbane and Victoria.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112941 project_image_fid=210515]

The approved nine-level tower by local developer Paul Spina has 40 apartments across nine-level, designed by Cottee Parker.There will be a ground floor, wellness-centred recreational space, with hot and cold magnesium pools, an open beach shower, sauna and day beds.There was a swell of owner-occupiers descend on Seaclusion on Twenty First Avenue when that was launched toward the end of 2022, one of the first price-pointed developments to hit the market in around two years.

All the $695,000 one-bed apartments have been taken. The two-bedroom apartments start from $950,000, and three-bedrooms from $1.495 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107136 project_image_fid=202031]

Seaclusion has been optimised for the coastal lifestyle by BDA, with a range of exclusive residents-only amenities including beach showers and sand washdown areas on the ground floor and a rooftop recreation space complete with a pool, day beds and barbecue area offering panoramic oceanfront views. 
&nbsp;

Palm Beach was starved of stock when COVID-19 first hit, with Cabana Palm Beach, The Tally, The Monroe, and Hemingway, among a number to sell out in double-quick time.

Apartments supply improves in Palm Beach as Graya secure approval for Ripple

Consolidated Properties Group have officially launched their anticipated Toowong development, Monarch Residences.

The $450 million project on the Brisbane River, which is being delivered in conjunction with funding partner Qualitas, will feature 224 apartments across two 15-level towers at 600 Coronation Drive, the last significant riverfront parcel of land in Toowong.

The project includes the restoration of the heritage-listed 150-year-old Middenbury House and will be set among 1.2 hectares of landscaped gardens, incorporating the proposed landing area for the new green pedestrian bridge, connecting Toowong to West End.

Consolidated Properties Group chairman and CEO Don O’Rorke said Monarch Residences would set a new benchmark for apartment living in Brisbane’s inner west on one of the best riverfront sites in the city.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113455 project_image_fid=211492]

“The launch of the sales display coupled with the imminent start of construction represents a vote of confidence in the Brisbane property market” O’Rorke said.

“Buyers are telling us they haven’t seen anything like Monarch Residences in the market, which is why we’ve had such strong interest so far especially from locals.”

Consolidated Properties Group Head of Residential James MacGinley said part of Monarch’s appeal was its range of floor plans for one, two, three and four-bedroom river homes, apartments and penthouses.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113455 project_image_fid=211472]

“We’ve worked closely with our architects – Wardle and Cottee Parker Architects – to curate the right mix to appeal to a broad cross-section of buyers whether they are downsizing or right sizing. The common link across the buyers is they are all locals who understand the value of a piece of real estate that can’t be replicated in Brisbane’s inner west,” MacGinley said.

“There’s no better connected site in Brisbane especially when you consider the rail, bus, ferry, pedestrian and cycleway linkages as well as the future green pedestrian bridge.

“The landscaped gardens, including 3000 square metres of public parkland, will make people forget they are right on the doorstep of one of Brisbane’s major centres.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113455 project_image_fid=211490]

Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner officially opened the $3 million sales display earlier this week.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Schrinner said the proposed green bridge would connect Toowong to the West End and make it easier for residents to move around the city.

“This bridge would provide further options to cyclists and pedestrians to travel between Brisbane’s west, south and the CBD and further enhance Brisbane’s world-class Bicentennial Bikeway,” Schrinner said.

“Our collaboration with Consolidated Properties Group is an important example of council and business working together to achieve outcomes to benefit the whole community including much needed housing and infrastructure.

“That’s why I’m pleased to be here today to help launch the sales display for Monarch Residences, which is an important addition to the housing market in Brisbane.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113455 project_image_fid=211466]

Hutchinson Builders are handling the construction of Monarch Residences. The two towers will be built&nbsp;simultaneously, with construction kicking off in March. They should take around two and a half years to build.

Consolidated Properties Group purchased 600 Coronation Drive for $43.5 million from Sunland in March 2021. The development application was filed in November 2021 and approved in July last year.

Qualitas Global Head of Real Estate and Co-Founder, Mark Fischer said Brisbane remains one of the most undersupplied housing markets in Australia.

"We are pleased to be able to play a role in increasing the supply of high-quality housing in Brisbane”.

“Thematically we like investments in established and well-connected neighbourhoods, with rail, bus, ferry, pedestrian, and cycleway linkages, plus the future green pedestrian bridge. It is rare that this dynamic presents in a sought-after location like Brisbane’s inner west and on one of the best riverfront sites in the city.”

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113455]

Consolidated Properties Group launch Monarch Residences in Toowong

Melbourne developer Blue Earth Group is seeking VCAT approval to push on with its dual-tower, mixed-use development in a prime location in Maribyrnong.

Blue Earth, led by the Dib family, secured the&nbsp;centrally located site, directly&nbsp;adjacent to Highpoint Shopping Centre, Australia's sixth largest shopping centre, in late 2021.

They are planning two towers at 191 Rosamond Street, which takes up a whole corner block of 1.21 hectares&nbsp;within the defined Highpoint MAC area.

<img alt="Blue Earth" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a103e17b-f7db-45c6-a1f9-08f3c2793d08" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-15%20at%2010.40.23%20am.png?VersionId=m6zUSA1LN8Spe_HtVm8EKT8N2UYM9FCl" />

CHT Architects have designed the two buildings, which will home a mix of residential, commercial, and retail spaces. There will be 622 apartments across both buildings, which have been designed to each access either a courtyard for ground level apartments, or a balcony, off the principal living areas.

The higher density tower, at 16 levels, will have 416 apartments. The smaller neighbouring tower will have 206 apartments, and two commercial spaces.

True to Blue Earth's high level of amenity across all of their apartment projects, residents will have access to a co-working space, wellness centre, gym, living and dining rooms, a theatre room, and a rec room.

Car parking will be available for 642 vehicles and there will be 695 bicycle spaces.

The Town Planning Report by Planning &amp; Property Partners noted a number of sustainable initiatives through the design process which will create a greener project.

<img alt="Blue Earth" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="33f14326-4f7f-4715-be33-bf050778fde7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-15%20at%2010.40.46%20am.png?VersionId=75CfttMZMW5lpbIVSLb9.nNJEnRFT16H" />

"The robust façade design to each of the two buildings and material palette, internal layouts and incorporation of operable windows promote natural ventilation to habitable areas, while maximising daylight to living areas of each of the dwellings through the site’s frontage and building separation provide," the report noted.

"This passive design features are intended to limit reliance on mechanical heating and cooling throughout the year, with pre-cast concrete the noted primary structural materiality for durability and thermal mass performance. High performance glazing to windows will ensure a reduction in thermal loads, which will be assisted by appropriate ratios of fenestration to façade areas of the development."

The 695 bicycle spaces greatly exceeds to statutory requirement, and the site's proximity to existing public infrastructure and serviced amenities&nbsp;aligned within the Highpoint MAC, which will only be enhanced in the future, and assist future residents and users in choosing alternative transport modes. The site has a walk score of 92 out of 100.

"The above mentioned design features and overall design response result in a building which displays an excellent ESD performance which is a feature attraction of the completed development; enhancing user comfort levels and reducing living costs over the lifetime of the building."

<img alt="Blue Earth" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="244f4bb1-1e83-4b5e-8c85-65556afb85ab" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-15%20at%2010.40.59%20am.png?VersionId=86pyH35EteeVEsWQZF07cSsPKt.OaaIn" />

Building 01 (above) was described as "irregularly shaped", with a streetwall&nbsp;effectively creating a podium/base in presenting to the existing public realm for the upper levels to then sit above. The established base of built form contains the on-site car parking.

Above the base, the upper levels erode the building’s north-eastern corner and continue to create a central void, creating a ‘U shaped’ building envelope in capturing northern light and maintaining a physical separation of around 25 metres from the eastern and western wings.

Building 02 (top), is separated by around 19 and 26 metres from Building 0.1. The two&nbsp;prominent streetwall elements to its south and north to act as ‘book-ends’ of the building to Rosamond Road and which are separated approximately 40 metres from each other on this frontage.

&nbsp;

The family-owned Blue Earth Group have a long track record of delivering apartment projects all across Melbourne.

They're currently selling Porter, in the inner-western suburb of&nbsp;Spotswood. Porter, which will offer both apartments and townhouses from its prime Birmingham Street location a stones throw from Spotswood Oval,&nbsp;will be part of a wider masterplanned precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112971 project_image_fid=198404]

Spotswood Yards was originally the Victorian Railway Workshops complex including the former Ways and Works Workshop. A railway line connecting Melbourne with Williamstown opened in 1859, passing through the area that became Spotswood.

<h2>Fast Facts</h2>

Site size: 1.12 hectares

Apartments: 622

Parking: 642

Bicycle Parking: 695

Building 01

<ul>
	<li>&nbsp;16 levels&nbsp;</li>
	<li>&nbsp;416 apartments</li>
	<li>&nbsp;154 one-bedroom apartments</li>
	<li>&nbsp;248 two-bedroom apartments</li>
	<li>&nbsp;14 three-bedroom apartments</li>
	<li>Open communal space with community garden, bowls court, barbecue areas, turfed areas</li>
	<li>Level four internal communal space for shared dining, living, and recreational activities.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Building 02

<ul>
	<li>14 levels</li>
	<li>Two commercial offices</li>
	<li>206 apartments</li>
	<li>96 one-bedroom apartments</li>
	<li>106 two-bedroom apartments</li>
	<li>Four three-bedroom apartments</li>
	<li>Level two communal open space</li>
</ul>

They are planning two towers at 191 Rosamond Street, which takes up a whole corner block of 1.21 hectares within the defined Highpoint MAC area

First look: Blue Earth Group seek VCAT approval for mixed-use Maribyrnong development

One of North Sydney's best-known commercial buildings could become hundreds of new homes, with insurance giant Zurich Australia lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) to transform 5 Blue Street into a mixed-use residential development above North Sydney Station.

Rather than demolishing the existing building and starting again, Zurich is proposing an adaptive reuse project that would convert the landmark office building into a 15-level residential development delivering 62 apartments, 86 affordable co-living dwellings, activated retail and significant upgrades to the Blue Street Plaza.

The proposal reflects a growing trend of commercial property owners repositioning ageing office assets into residential housing as Sydney grapples with housing supply shortages and changing workplace demand.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0bba7d12-06dc-4375-aad7-238c94b21ac5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.42.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=NJl5oLAEBDGuPmY3RnyliKODjMc8lvRh" />

Located directly above North Sydney Metro and train station, the 3,051 sqm site occupies one of the most strategically positioned parcels of land on Sydney's Lower North Shore.

Designed by fjcstudio, the proposal seeks to retain and adapt much of the existing structure while creating a contemporary residential address that better connects with the public domain surrounding North Sydney Station.

The application proposes two basement levels, ground floor retail, affordable co-living accommodation across the podium levels, and apartments above, while preserving and enhancing the publicly accessible Blue Street Plaza.

Rather than pursuing maximum apartment numbers, Zurich has opted for a housing mix heavily weighted towards larger owner-occupier residences.

The proposal includes 62 build-to-sell apartments comprising 12 one-bedroom, 19 two-bedroom, 29 three-bedroom apartments and two premium penthouses. It also incorporates 86 affordable co-living dwellings, which would be managed in perpetuity by a Community Housing Provider.

That balance between traditional apartments and affordable housing reflects the NSW Government's push to increase housing diversity around major transport infrastructure.

The proposal has been lodged concurrently with a rezoning application, with Zurich arguing the site is ideally positioned to support additional housing given its immediate proximity to public transport, employment and services.

"The proposal aims to respond to the housing challenges facing Sydney through the delivery of diverse housing types in a highly accessible location," the design report by fjcstudio states. It also seeks to improve pedestrian amenity through upgrades to Blue Street Plaza while creating a high-performing residential building that responds to the surrounding context.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36082e15-c636-4481-bb68-5a5f6443fe39" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.41.36%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=5P6VD.fvmqjQfIG3TWWMRXxQWiQBjeFB" />

Rather than replacing the commercial building, fjcstudio has developed a design that works with the existing structural framework above the rail corridor, an approach that significantly reduces demolition while allowing the site to be repositioned as a mixed-use residential precinct.

The existing structural constraints have informed much of the building's design, including its relationship with Blue Street and surrounding public spaces.

The building has been designed as a slender tower rising above a clearly defined podium, with vertically expressed façades intended to reduce the perceived bulk while reinforcing North Sydney's emerging skyline.

According to fjcstudio, the architectural language responds directly to the surrounding commercial towers while maintaining a finer grain expression more closely aligned with the neighbouring Lavender Bay streetscape.

The tower incorporates articulated façade elements, landscaped podium edges and recessed upper levels to soften its appearance and improve pedestrian amenity below.

A significant component of the proposal is the revitalisation of Blue Street Plaza.

The existing public space has long served as one of the primary pedestrian connections between North Sydney Station, Greenwood Plaza and Blue Street, yet its role is expected to become even more important following the opening of Sydney Metro.

Zurich's proposal seeks to strengthen that role by improving landscaping, introducing new retail frontages, enhancing pedestrian permeability and creating more active edges throughout the day and evening.

Ground floor retail would wrap the plaza, while separate residential and co-living entries have been designed to improve wayfinding without reducing street activation.

Landscape design has been integrated throughout the podium and public realm, softening what is currently one of the most heavily urbanised parts of North Sydney.

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&nbsp;

fjcstudio has carefully oriented apartments towards Sydney Harbour and the CBD while using privacy blades and articulated façades to minimise overlooking between neighbouring buildings.

Large framed openings along the western elevation maximise harbour outlooks, while the eastern apartments have been angled towards the south-east to improve privacy from neighbouring development.

The project forms part of the continuing transformation of North Sydney from a predominantly commercial CBD into a genuine mixed-use city centre.

Since the completion of Victoria Cross Metro Station, developers have increasingly shifted their attention towards residential projects capable of leveraging the area's unparalleled transport connectivity.

&nbsp;

FiveX recently lodged plans for a 61-storey, 490-apartment tower that would become one of the tallest residential buildings in North Sydney if approved.

Aqualand continues to expand its Lower North Shore presence following the completion of AURA on Walker Street and its recent St Leonards and Roseville proposals.

Developers are also progressing projects throughout Walker Street, Miller Street and the Victoria Cross precinct as demand for well-located owner-occupier apartments continues to strengthen.

First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station

Busy developer Aqualand Prestige has formally taken the next step in its expansion across Sydney's Lower North Shore, lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for its long-held Archer Street site in Chatswood.

The application covers <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/51-55-archer-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">51-55 Archer Street</a>, a 1,767 sqm amalgamated site on the eastern edge of the Chatswood CBD, where the developer is seeking approval for a 45-level mixed-use tower delivering 114 apartments, including a significant affordable housing component, alongside retail, commercial space and six basement levels of parking.

The SSDA marks the latest milestone for a project Aqualand has been quietly progressing over the past two years. The developer first secured the site for its Aqualand Prestige platform before undertaking an alternative design excellence process with PTW Architects, ultimately avoiding a formal design competition through the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The proposal has evolved considerably from Aqualand's original concept. The revised scheme has been designed around larger owner-occupier product, with an unusually high proportion of three and four-bedroom apartments, targeting the more affluent buyer profile, and downsizer, emerging across the North Shore.

<img alt="Archer St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0171204c-5811-41b5-9b09-2335d1b7c3d0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%208.52.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=6YTuxfq.puZo7k2wbfgemcO5K3QfXYGQ" />

The 114-apartment mix comprises six studios, 27 one-bedroom apartments, 18 two-bedroom apartments, 50 three-bedroom residences and 13 four-bedroom homes. A quarter of the building will be dedicated to affordable housing, well above the mandated 15 per cent&nbsp;

PTW has structured the building vertically, with affordable housing across levels one to six, premium apartments through levels seven to 31, duplex skyhomes on klevels 32 to 43, a penthouse on level 44, and a rooftop plant level above. Six basement levels will provide resident parking and servicing.

The tower is proposed to reach approximately 154 metres, placing it among a growing collection of residential high-rises transforming Chatswood's skyline.

Rather than competing purely on height, PTW says the design has been driven by creating a slimmer tower capable of delivering significantly larger apartments.

"The primary objective of this project was to create a distinctive building that stands out from the recently approved or built structures in the Chatswood area," the design report states, noting the structural efficiency allows greater investment into apartment quality and resident amenity.

Residents would have access to more than 450 sqm of communal open space including landscaped gardens, swimming pool, rooftop entertaining areas, fitness spaces, community gardens, children's play areas and barbecue facilities.

A major focus of the design has been the public domain.

The ground plane has been opened up through landscaped terraces inspired by Willoughby's sandstone ridges, with native planting, public seating, artwork, retail activation and a series of gathering spaces intended to soften what has traditionally been a hard commercial streetscape.

The landscape strategy references Blue Gum forests once common throughout the area, while incorporating Indigenous storytelling, public art and lighting installations to strengthen the connection to Country.

Chatswood has been one of Sydney's busiest apartment markets over the past 12 months, with a steady pipeline of both new project launches and fresh development applications.

Hyecorp recently launched Celine, a 122-apartment development just along Archer Street, while Changfa and Huirong Group are progressing The Anderson, an 84-apartment project on Anderson Street.

Develotek recently secured approval for a 101-apartment tower on Pacific Highway, while Tian An LFD received the green light for Hammond Greens, its apartment development on the edge of the Chatswood Bowling Club.

Commercial property developer FiveX is also making its move into the residential market. Last month it lodged plans for a 61-storey tower with 490 apartments, which, if approved, would become one of the tallest residential buildings in Chatswood.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-fivex-targets-chatswood-skyline-with-61-storey-tower-after-north-sydney-plans">First look: FiveX targets Chatswood skyline with 61-storey tower after North Sydney plans</a>

Aqualand is also expanding its development pipeline following the launch of its luxury residential brand, Aqualand Prestige. The developer has delivered a string of high-end apartment projects across Sydney's affluent suburbs over the past decade, most recently AURA by Aqualand on Walker Street in North Sydney.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292863]

It has since quietly assembled its next wave of projects.

Earlier this year Aqualand launched Boronia in Roseville, a boutique 111-apartment development on Larkin Street. The project is one of the first significant apartment developments to launch in the suburb ahead of what is expected to become one of Sydney's most active new housing precincts under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms, which allow greater density around train stations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152095 project_image_fid=373685]

The developer has also lodged plans for a two-tower, 413-apartment development on Herbert Street in nearby St Leonards, further strengthening its presence across the Lower North Shore.

Beyond that, Aqualand remains behind the final stage of Barangaroo, where plans will deliver a five-hectare mixed-use precinct comprising new homes, retail, hospitality and community facilities, alongside a new Metro entrance and more than two hectares of public open space, completing the Barangaroo precinct.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/central-barangaroo-development-takes-big-step-with-concept-proposal-approval">Central Barangaroo development takes big step with concept proposal approval</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-aqualand-joins-st-leonards-apartment-party">First look: Aqualand joins St Leonards apartment party</a> 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

First look: Aqualand pushes ahead with Chatswood apartment tower as SSDA lodged for Archer Street

Mass timber is becoming an increasingly popular construction material in apartment developments, but Adelaide developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> is taking the approach a step further.

At its new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flowe-bowden-18-gibson-street-bowden-sa-5007">Flowe Bowden</a> development, the exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure isn't just about reducing the building's environmental footprint. It also forms the foundation of a broader wellness strategy, influencing everything from indoor air quality and natural materials to the way residents move through and experience the building.

The 115-apartment mixed-use development, designed by Melbourne-based architecture practice Fieldwork, will occupy a prominent island site opposite Bowden Village Reserve, combining one, two and three-bedroom apartments with retail and a dedicated wellness destination.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375528]

Wellness isn't confined to a gym or shared resident facility at Flowe. Instead, Fieldwork embedded the concept into the building itself.

The development has been split into two residential wings connected by a naturally ventilated central breezeway, replacing traditional enclosed corridors with open-air walkways that improve natural light, encourage cross ventilation and create more opportunities for neighbourly interaction.

"Rather than treating wellness as something that only happens on the ground floor, our response integrates it throughout the building, which led us to ask what it really means to design a healthy building," Fieldwork Director Quino Holland said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375531]

The building's architecture also reflects Bowden's industrial heritage. The lower podium references the area's historic brick and sandstone buildings, while the upper levels transition to exposed CLT, allowing the timber structure to become a defining feature throughout the apartments and shared spaces.

The use of mass timber sits alongside a range of sustainability initiatives, including a fully electric, gas-free design, rooftop solar and a targeted 5 Star Green Star rating.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375524]

Inside the residences, the focus remains on natural, durable materials. Blackbutt engineered timber flooring, exposed CLT ceilings, porcelain surfaces and warm timber joinery create a calming interior palette, while low-VOC finishes and responsibly sourced materials have been selected to improve indoor air quality.

Kitchens have been designed as the centrepiece of each apartment, featuring porcelain island benchtops, timber-look cabinetry and brushed steel tapware, with layouts that maximise natural light and ventilation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375530]

The more traditional interpretation of wellness comes in the form of Level Eleven, a two-storey wellness club spanning the ground floor, mezzanine and first floor.

The facility will include a gym, yoga and reformer Pilates studios, Finnish and infrared saunas, magnesium hot and cold plunge pools, and dedicated recovery spaces. Unlike many residential wellness facilities, Level Eleven will also operate commercially, allowing the broader Bowden community to access the venue while giving residents exclusive membership benefits.

The ground floor has also been designed around everyday living. A café overlooking Bowden Village Reserve will activate the street frontage, while a bike workshop with tool storage, co-working space and dog wash has been incorporated to support daily routines and encourage interaction between residents.

"Flowe brings together my two biggest passions, creating places and creating healthier lives," Otello founder Daniel Harris said.

"We wanted to create something Adelaide hasn't seen before, a genuinely healthy building, where the way you live is lifted without even trying."

Flowe is positioned directly opposite Bowden Village Reserve and within walking distance of Bowden Railway Station and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, placing future residents just minutes from the Adelaide CBD while remaining connected to one of the city's most established urban renewal precincts.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152022]

Otello launches wellness-focused Flowe Bowden with Adelaide-first mass timber apartment design

Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.

Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.

Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.

Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.

For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.

Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.

Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KPZ9j5FRdsQ?si=Qztc1dNP3ZvEIUhb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.

The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.

That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.

Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.

It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.

For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.

Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

Inca Property Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Dawn, a 53-apartment oceanfront development overlooking Mona Vale Beach.

The proposal, at 35-39 Darley Street East, would replace an existing 18-apartment strata building with a new owner-occupier-focused development comprising 53 two and three-bedroom apartments, including nine affordable built-to-rent residences delivered under the State's infill affordable housing scheme.

Positioned on a 2,679 sqm elevated site around 280 metres from Mona Vale Beach, the development has been designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while responding to the site's sloping topography.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/inca-property-group">Inca Property Group</a> Managing Director Josh Thompson said the State Significant pathway provided greater certainty for projects of this scale.

"This State Significant pathway gives the team real certainty to progress <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-35-39-darley-street-east-mona-vale-nsw-2103">Dawn</a> through to completion," Thompson said.

"It allows us to acquire a one-off site, design it carefully and deliver the right offering for the suburb, assessed by the NSW Government's planning department."

The project is one of the first developments in the area to be assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, with the site sitting on the edge of the policy's designated inner area.

The proposal includes three basement levels providing 124 car spaces, alongside a range of resident amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, wellness facilities and private plunge pools for selected ground-floor and penthouse apartments.

<img alt="Dawn" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc1a1daf-0ce4-4f12-9076-b1fa553c7a91" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-21%20at%208.42.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4GZ9h.gpNkTljbxyAET8Jfhv51XUamDm" />

Thompson said Dawn had been designed specifically for owner-occupiers and downsizers, a buyer profile that has driven demand across Inca's recent Upper North Shore developments.

"The majority of buyers in our recent North Shore projects have been downsizers, and we are learning exactly what this market is looking for. Beyond the location itself, we have included resort-style amenities to deliver a genuine lifestyle offering," Thompson said.

Located within walking distance of Mona Vale Beach, the town centre, Mona Vale Golf Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Dawn represents Inca's first Northern Beaches project following the sell-out of Tara on Park in Waitara and Ellis Residences, currently under construction in St Ives.

Construction will be undertaken by Inca's in-house construction arm, GOP Constructions.

Dawn is the latest major apartment proposal for Mona Vale, with the suburb emerging as one of the key beneficiaries of the NSW Government's new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.

New developer One Living, led by industry veteran Joseph Scuderi, recently secured a site on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, where it is planning around 140 apartments.

IPM is also planning its third project in Mona Vale, significantly increasing the scale of its previous developments with an 82-apartment proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and less than 800 metres from Mona Vale town centre.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/one-living-enters-sydneys-new-apartment-market-with-northern-beaches-site-acquisition">One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-ipm-plans-third-mona-vale-project">First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project</a>

Joel Robinson

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