When Chapter Two and acquisition partner Kingbella Group secured a prime Palm Beach site in mid-2021, they wanted to develop something which would offer a point of difference in the sought-after Gold Coast enclave.

What they've produced is Callista, a striking collection of just four townhouses less than 200 metres from the beach.

“They are modern-day beach houses," Chapter Two Co-founder Jon Quayle says.

"They're the size of a home but the convenience of a villa."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=109032 project_image_fid=180870]

Quayle says when they were undertaking their due diligence and looking for development sites, they found that there were plenty of apartment projects to choose from in the area, but there was a lack of brand new townhouses.

“We’re seeing that buyers are spoiled for choice when it comes to apartments in Palm Beach within this price range, but not everyone wants to live in a three-bedroom apartment smaller than Callista that backs on to the highway and could potentially be built out down the track," Quayle says.

"Similarly, entry into a brand new house is unattainable for most in the area now, with recent sales on the same street as Callista exceeding $3 million while anything new build on the beach is upwards of $10 million. &nbsp;

"Callista has shone through and filled this gap in the market."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=109032 project_image_fid=180875]

For the last few years, Palm Beach has been one of the strongest housing markets on the Gold Coast, if not across the whole of Australia. The median house price increased 45 per cent between February 2021 to February 2023, with research showing many buyers are now looking to house alternatives for their next purchase.

CBRE sold three of Callista's four villas off the plan, but held back one of them to sell completed. Alroe Constructions have just finished the build.

The remaining villa has around 225 sqm of living space, with four-bedrooms, three-bathrooms, three separate living and entertainment zones, double lock-up garage and undercover storage for surf and paddle boards.

The villa is arguably the best, Quayle says. It occupies the prime north-eastern end of the block, giving it an abundance of natural light.

C2 Architecture worked in collaboration with Louise Walsh Interiors to craft Callista, a cool coastal vibe paired with modern touches. Think natural timber elements blended with curved stone, customised fluted joinery pieces and rippled glass in wet rooms. One of the most striking features is the nine-metre-high window void that flanks the open stairwell to maximise natural light.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=109032 project_image_fid=180865]

A key feature of Callista, which gives it the feeling of a home rather than a townhouse, is the interface with the street. Garages and driveways front the street, whereas typical townhouse projects are serviced by internal roads and driveway handles.

The majority of enquiries have come from owner-occupiers, Quayle says, adding that the buyers, who will move in soon, will be relocating from as close as Mermaid Waters and as far as London.

Chapter Two are working on another townhouse project in nearby Tugun.&nbsp;Alroe Constructions recently broke ground on their Eden project, a collection o five home-sized, park fronting villas located beachside of the highway.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=109032]

CBRE sold three of the four villas off the plan, but held back one of them to sell completed. Alroe Constructions have just finished the build

Joel Robinson

"The modern day beach house": Callista Palm Beach finishes completion, with one opportunity left

Property developer Heworth are soon to launch Rozelle Village, their redevelopment of the former Balmain Leagues Club in Sydney's inner west.

The vibrant, mixed-use precinct, which will be centred around a new village square with a retail precinct and apartments above, is to be marketed through CBRE.

Heworth recently lodge amendments to the approved development application, seeking to reduce the number of apartments 167 to 147 and change the apartment mix, increasing the number of two bedroom and three bedroom apartments.

Heworth Head of Property, Chris Walsh, said the team amended the product mix to create larger units.

“Through our amendments, we are seeking to change the apartment mix increasing the number of two and three-bedroom apartments as we feel the larger size floor plates and premium interior architecture, fixtures and fittings, will appeal to discerning local owner-occupiers, particularly downsizers," Walsh said.

“A key focus of our development is a new village square and major retail and hospitality podium connected by a series of laneways.

"It’s going to significantly enhance Rozelle, provide new much-needed amenity and become a major community meeting place and destination.”

<img alt="Balmain" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0d325b5a-0d90-437f-a4d1-33c67a350778" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-17%20at%2010.18.37%20am.png?VersionId=hm57wWi8CK_VGZe2i8Qx9TlmsKdw54jd" />

Given the rarity of the project in a location not often affiliated with new developments, apartments will feature never-before-seen panoramic views over Iron Cove in Sydney Harbour, the Sydney CBD to the north, and Blue Mountains to the west.

Construction is planned to commence in mid-2023, with completion due by early 2026.

Scott Carver Architects handled the architecture of Rozelle Village, working in collaboration with prominent interior architecture studio Richards Stanisich.

Scott Carver Principal Thomas Hansen says the&nbsp;Balmain Leagues Club redevelopment presents a unique opportunity to transform a historically significant site into a cultural and community&nbsp;focused&nbsp;place for residents and locals to live, work, and play.

"The project is a true mixed-use precinct comprising high-end residential&nbsp;apartments, a new&nbsp;Wests Ashfield Leagues Club, supermarket, commercial&nbsp;and community&nbsp;spaces, and a food and beverage precinct spilling onto a central public plaza that is connected to the sites three frontages of Victoria Road, Darling and Waterloo Streets via&nbsp;a network of laneways," Hansen says.

"The innovative public domain and retail offerings integrate a variety of uses that connect back to the Rozelle neighbourhood, giving residents the opportunity to live above active public spaces whilst also enjoying panoramic views over the Balmain Peninsula and Sydney Harbour.”

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=8142]

The vibrant, mixed-use precinct, which will be centred around a new village square with a retail precinct and apartments above, is to be marketed through CBRE

Rozelle Village, former Balmain Leagues Club redevelopment, set to launch

When Tallow Property Group set out to create Flora Burleigh, their new boutique townhouse development in the heart of Burleigh Heads, they wanted to bring the same level of expectation a buyer would have if they were buying, or even building, a brand new house.

Tallow Property Group Director James Thompson said they brought in some of the most well-known local talent in custom house design to create Flora.

"We engaged Jayson Pate, who designs award-winning homes and duplexes on the Gold Coast, to essentially bring the same approach he has with a luxury house build into a boutique development of six townhouses," Thompson said.

"We want our buyers to feel like they're buying a high-end custom home, just at a fraction of the price.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112430 project_image_fid=210623]

Thompson, a born and bred Gold Coast local who was a former Director at Herron Todd White Property Valuer's and now runs leading Gold Coast buyers agency - BUYR, has over two decades of industry knowledge and experience which he brings to Tallow Property Group.

Thompson had the Instagram famous&nbsp;Zephyr &amp; Stone handle the project’s interior design.

"Zephyr and Stone have a distinct modern coastal style that perfectly matches the Burleigh Heads location and lifestyle. The selection of natural stone, oak timber flooring, brass tapware and timber cabinetry is timeless and creates a luxury yet understated aesthetic," Thompson says.

Each of Flora Burleigh's townhouses have three bedrooms, a multi-purpose room, two or three bathrooms, and a two-car garage. They start from $1,649,000 and offer 220 sqm of gross floor area.

Listening to buyer feedback, Tallow developed the designs with Jayson Pate, allowing for a lift for those buyers looking to future proof the home.&nbsp;Ditto a plunge pool in the courtyards, an additional option in the pet-friendly space.

Cunningham Constructions have been locked in to handle the build, with construction forecast for completion in mid-2024.

Tallow bought the Burleigh Street site in late 2021, their first project in Burleigh Heads but their second in the wider Burleigh area, and their sixth project to date.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112430 project_image_fid=210621]

"We believe Burleigh is the best spot on the Gold Coast," Thompson says.

"It's the best location in terms of where locals want to be, not just interstate buyers, or just people looking to buy off the plan. Everyone wants to be in Burleigh in any capacity.

"There's a cohort of people who don't buy or live in Burleigh, but the area is so sought-after, even if you're visiting or living in Broadbeach or somewhere closer to Surfers, you're making your way down to Burleigh at some point to take advantage of the more relaxed beachside culture."

Tallow bought the Burleigh Street site for its prime location, a few hundred metres from the cafes, shops and restaurants on James Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112430 project_image_fid=210436]

"It's a short three-minute walk to James Street and a seven-minute walk to the beach, allowing you to experience all that Burleigh village has to offer," Thompson says.

"Flora presents a rare opportunity to purchase a townhouse product under $2 million that is in the heart of Burleigh Heads. There's not going to be too many opportunities to be able to create something like we have at this price point."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112430]

Flora Burleigh: Bringing house level expectations into townhouse development

RPM Group has spent years at the forefront of Australian property development.

It was only natural they would expand its off the plan project marketing space into the inner ring of Melbourne and Geelong at some point, having dominated the house and land&nbsp;and townhouse&nbsp;space since 1994.&nbsp;

The growing&nbsp;team is being led by industry veteran Nic Cuni, who has held Director roles at both Colliers and CBRE.

“Our focus is on off the plan apartment and townhouse projects;&nbsp;we have already secured several projects in key areas and the team is growing as a result,” Cuni commented.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Cuni says the opening of the metro project marketing arm was an inevitable step for the established company, who has built an extensive Research, Data &amp; Insights division since its inception.&nbsp;

He says the aim is to use RPM’s industry-leading research capabilities to help developers launch successful projects.&nbsp;

"We're in a unique position where we can collaborate with our Research, Data &amp; Insights division, which is industry leading, to help developers from the outset of their project journey," Cuni says.&nbsp;

"We can get up to the minute data from our in-house research department, which includes but isn't limited to, pricing, demographic, and migration. &nbsp;Our data-driven approach means we’re best equipped to generate the right product, right pricing, and, most importantly, right time and strategy to launch."&nbsp;

They've certainly timed the launch of Early 3191 well; the new Rothelowman and Adele Bates designed townhouse development in Sandringham.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138081 project_image_fid=209564]

The first venture for DM Property, headed by Brendan Mullan and David Dordevic, Early 3191 has already generated in excess of 500 leads.&nbsp;

There are just 35 townhouses on offer in the community.&nbsp;

"We worked with Brendan and David to identify a gap in the market and determine the type of product that would resonate with buyers in that location," Cuni says.&nbsp;

"There's not many townhouses, if any, which are priced below $2 million in one of Bayside's most premium suburbs."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138081 project_image_fid=209566]&nbsp;

RPM is preparing to launch DM's next project, 129 apartments in Geelong, an area Cuni knows well.&nbsp;

Before joining RPM, Cuni all but sold out Franze Developments' Ryrie Home, a mixed-use hotel and apartment project in downtown Geelong.&nbsp;

Cuni expects to see a similar demographic buying into 1 York Street, which attracts a "Melbourne-style apartment buyer."&nbsp;

"Young professionals were the most prominent buyer demographic at Ryrie, the majority being female," Cuni says.&nbsp;

"They want a safe and secure apartment, but also want the food and beverage precinct that central Geelong has to offer, rather than some of the larger home estates being built further inland. Additionally, the median price in Geelong’s CBD and surrounding suburbs are exceeding their budget. Most buyers want the postcode without the price tag”&nbsp;

Cuni says they've got good collaborators on board for 1 York Street.&nbsp;

"Rothelowman is again handling the design of the project, which will have 129 apartments across a six-level building, as well as nine commercial tenancies.&nbsp;

"It will bring another central opportunity for buyers, with extensive amenity literally at their doorstep."&nbsp;

DM secured the massive 3,453 sqm site, opposite the Quest hotel, last year.&nbsp;

RPM Managing Director of Project Marketing, Luke Kelly says “the expansion of our Project Marketing Division into Metro Melbourne and Geelong made complete sense; our sophisticated and diversified approach to the sales and marketing of projects for our clients is what sets us apart from the traditional project marketers in these areas.”

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/vic/rothelowman-designed-townhouses-early-3191-to-bring-something-new-to-sandringham">Rothelowman-designed townhouses Early 3191 to bring something new to Sandringham</a>

The first venture for DM Property, headed by Brendan Mullan and David Dordevic, Early 3191 has already generated in excess of 500 leads

RPM Group launches Metro Project Marketing division with $50m townhouse development in Sandringham, Early 3191

2022 was an uncertain year in the property industry, as aggressive interest rate hikes by the Reserve Bank saw sentiment drop drastically, along with prospective buyers' budgets.

But award-winning developer Pace Development Group pushed on with a number of projects, and they're commitment to launching in what many felt was a tricky period has paid off in spades.

Ash Bramich, Sales and Marketing Director at Pace, said that there’s no point waiting around for the market to correct itself and bottom. 
 
“As long as developers are confident their product matches extensive research on the expected buyer demographic, then you’ve got to take the opportunity to get it in front of those buyers,” Bramich told Urban.

"Buyer demand has still very much been there.

"If you’re delivering a product which is what consumers are looking for, in quality suburbs, then you’ll achieve sales.

"We launched two projects [The Darley on Flemington Racecourse and Pace 3058 - Coburg] despite the headwinds in the property market, and now we're in a position to begin construction."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24822 project_image_fid=254342]

There’s also the case of the issues surrounding demand v supply. Because of the lack of product on the market, Bramich says that, despite consumer sentiment taking a hit, there were still considerably more buyers out there than what was on the market.

The 5,100 apartments launched for sale across Melbourne in 2022 was the lowest number of launches recorded over the past decade, almost -80 per cent lower than the peak levels during 2014 and 2015, analysis by consultancy firm Charter Keck Cramer found.

Also at decade lows was the total number of apartments which began construction in 2022. Just 5,200 apartments started construction, -77 per cent lower than the 2015 peak of 22,500 apartments.

By generating sales last year,&nbsp; Pace have now started construction on both their Flemington and Coburg projects, which allows the team to offer greater buyer confidence during the sales process.

"We can now communicate to buyers two things; a clear sign the project is going ahead with works already underway, and a more accurate completion date of the build."

The Darley, which will comprise 313 apartments and is over 60 per cent sold, is forecast to complete construction by early-2025. Pace 3058 - Coburg has sold over 60 per cent of its 312 apartments. That's expected to be completed by mid-2024.

<img alt="The Darley Pace" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e0681786-d13f-45d2-92bb-133f0771e13a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-14%20at%201.58.21%20pm.png?VersionId=TutHEmqnKBTJVHs34RoCzYqdT12Mv1EE" />The Darley on Flemington Racecourse. Image supplied

Bramich says he's never seen a market with such contrarian views.

"There's a lot of cyclical factors that are quite contrary and conflicting at the moment," Bramich says.

"On one side of the coin, you've got the headline issues around consumer confidence, increasing rates, cost of construction and difficult to predict completion timelines. On the other side however, unemployment is at record lows, immigration is going up and is forecasted to soar, particularly in Melbourne, and there's huge undersupply of apartments which always drives prices up," Bramich says.

Melbourne's population is forecasted to grow by 89,000 people in FY 2023, around 105,000 in FY 2024, and 101,000 in FY 2025, according to Plan Melbourne 2017-2050.

Charter Keck Kramer found that around 13,500 apartments need to be built each year in Melbourne to support the population growth. There were just 6,300 apartments completed in 2022 in Metro Melbourne, across 94 projects.

Bramich says inevitably the lack of supply will drive prices higher over the short term, and that will become long term if construction doesn't meet the forecasted population growth.

While interest rates have pinched the budgets of young professionals and investors, Bramich is seeing high demand from the downsizer demographic.

"There's a huge cohort of owner-occupiers with little debt or no mortgage, who are still ready to execute if there's product that ticks their boxes," Bramich says.

That's the target market for their upcoming Fitzroy project, Fabbrica, which Bramich expects will lure those empty nesters wanting to move back to a more active area.

Pace have geared Fabbrica toward this demographic, with larger than standard floor plans on offer, as well as double garage, large balconies, and high ceilings.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;one-bedroom apartments range from 52 sqm to 65 sqm, while two-bedroom&nbsp;apartments start from around 90 sqm and go up to 120 sqm. The three-beds range from&nbsp;130 sqm to 250 sqm.

SJB Architects will restore the current buildings on the corner of Johnston and Gore streets, which were selling for the first time in five decades when Pace snapped up the site. In keeping with the signature streetscape of Fitzroy, the facades will be restored to their original brick finish.

"We've already been seeing a lot of enquiry from those blue ribbon suburbs like Armadale, Kew, Malvern, the suburbs which are more geared to grand family homes.

"For these buyers, their kids have headed off to university or are now young professionals, and they can cash out their homes for anywhere between $4 million and $10 million, and are wanting to spend between $3 million and $5 million on an apartment in a 'cooler' suburb.

"They want to immerse themselves in a suburb which is more reflective of culture, with arts, cafes, and local restaurants."

Bramich says Fitzroy and Collingwood are probably two of the strongest suburbs to sell projects in.

"Buyers want heritage facades, light industrial features, tree lined streets, all of the characteristics Fitzroy and Collingwood are well known for. Most importantly it’s about being back in the buzz of a suburb they’ve not lived in since their 20s or 30s.

"There's a cohort of people who don't need to be sold on the area, they're simply just waiting for the appropriate product."

Expecting a big year in the markets, Pace also have 90 apartments soon to launch in Sunshine North, part of their riverside and lakeside masterplan where there's limited townhouses remaining. Bramich says the apartments will be more geared toward the first home buyer demographic.

Toward the end of the year Pace will launch Pace Brunswick, around 90 apartments fronting the popular Lygon Street, next to Methven Park. That will have one, two, and three-bedroom apartments.

Always looking forward, Pace are currently working with the Frankston City Council on their proposed plans down on the Mornington Peninsula&nbsp;located beachside of the Nepean Highway.

They're wanting to create a mixed-use residential and lifestyle precinct, bringing a high-level of retail and dining experiences to the suburb, set underneath around 200 apartments. Pace always put a large focus on amenity. They have plans for a 25 metre rooftop pool with sweeping views across Port Phillip&nbsp;Bay, a cinema, and a&nbsp;health and wellness area.

Ash Bramich, Sales and Marketing Director at Pace, said that there’s no point waiting around for the market to correct itself and bottom.


Pace take advantage of demand v supply in 2022 and kick off construction in Flemington and Coburg

Billionaire John Van Lieshout's Unison Projects has secured a residential development site in Herston.

They've spent $6.88 million on a 2,023 sqm site across&nbsp;51-53 Bramston Terrace and 7 Weightman Street.

Shannon Down of Unison Projects said there was limited zoned land in Herston able to be secured for development.

“With Herston only a small suburb located 2km from the Brisbane CBD, we recognised the unique opportunity presented to secure, a rare, over 2000sqm corner site that has Council planning support for apartments,” Down said.

“Herston has more recently been devoid of good quality new apartments, this site is the second holding Unison has secured, and represents a unique opportunity to design and deliver a landscape rich high-quality apartment project designed by Ellivo Architects and WILDStudios.

“We foresee a high level of interest from purchasers who seek large liveable apartments within boutique scale projects that have a high level of local amenity."

This project is within walking distance of King Street and James Street lifestyle centres, while also being in close proximity to public transport offerings such as the Inner Northern Busway and Brisbane Metro, which is due to be completed and operational this year.

<img alt="Herston" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4f250faa-6395-4d7b-823c-a80e2bc6c070" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-14%20at%2012.27.28%20pm_0.png?VersionId=uJ6mcM7hc4PKcesD.aOmhVd3qS_e3zaE" />

Unison are set to work on the new site after they've delivered their near Herston project on Fleming Road, where they're developing 22 four-bedroom terrace homes.

Colliers Queensland Executive of Residential Site Sales James Matley said the site was&nbsp;the second property Unison Projects has purchased in the Herston precinct in the last few years.

“This not only demonstrates the strength of the Brisbane market but is testament to the strength of the growing demand for development sites in the Herston area given significant incoming projects like the Victoria Park and Herston Quarter redevelopments," Matley says.

<img alt="Herston" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="43c42969-24e9-487f-98dc-589fece947de" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-14%20at%2012.27.21%20pm_0.png?VersionId=HBEuVmwK57T5jxLbDGLBY3GfZKJ5A0ep" />

Colliers Queensland Director of Development Sites Adam Rubie said this site presented an excellent opportunity for interested parties to deliver a high-end project.

“We are confident that Unison Projects will be able to take full advantage of the location and potential of the site,” Rubie said.

“During the campaign, well-known property developers were not only attracted to the underlying planning opportunity, but the site sits on one of the highest north facing ridges in Herston.

“It immediately adjoins the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and $1.1 billion Herston Quarter Redevelopment. It also neighbours the 1938 built and now heritage listed Dental Hospital and College and is about 400 metres from the master planned 45Ha $83 million Victoria Park redevelopment project, due to commence in the coming years.

“In addition, this site is also close to the community centric Brisbane Showgrounds redevelopment and lifestyle destination incorporating wellness, retail and cultural spaces,” Rubie added.

Shannon Down of Unison Projects said there was limited zoned land in Herston able to be secured for development

Unison secure residential development site in Brisbane's Herston

St Kilda Road has long held some of Melbourne's most iconic residential buildings, going back to the early 1990s when The Domain sold out off the plan.

Now it's one of the strip's most notable buildings.

St Kilda Rd was previously lined with offices in the 1960s and 1970s, which were built after grand mansions were demolished. The conversion into residential developments started at the northern end of the long street, closer to the city.

The most sought-after spot nowadays is the small pocket directly across the road from Albert Park Lake. That's what developer Sunnyland Investment Development Group (SIDG) banked on back in 2010, when they bought the well-known Clemenger BBDO building.

For over a decade the five-level office block at 474 St Kilda Road has been an investment for SIDG. But timing the imminent departure of the Clemenger team to the refurbished David Jones menswear building in Bourke Street Mall, SIDG has revealed their plan for the 4,645 sqm site.

They've just launched&nbsp;Park Quarter, a striking, flora-laden tower designed by a trio of Melbourne's best architects and designers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134959 project_image_fid=210773]

Sunnyland has been working alongside Colliers Victoria for a number of years, putting together the plans and the sales and marketing strategy. They were almost ready to pull the trigger, before COVID hit. They hit the pause button, and waited for the right time to launch, which they believe is now.

Colliers Director Zoe Powell says Park Quarter offers a rare opportunity in one of Melbourne's best locations.

"There's not been a lot of new development on St Kilda Road in the last few years. There's limited opportunity to buy brand new, certainly in this pocket across the road from Albert Park," Powell says.

"SIDG has brought on a quartet of Melbourne's best design team to create Park Quarter, and the end result is something completely different to what St Kilda Road has seen before."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134959 project_image_fid=210783]

Cox Architecture, DKO, Carr and Paul Bangay all collaborated on the design, which was inspired by the nearby Fawkner Park. Park Quarter has a Walk Score of 88 and a Transit Score of 92. The new Metro Tunnel will further improve the Transit Score. The Anzac Station will be located on the&nbsp;St Kilda Road/Swanston Street tram corridor,&nbsp;the busiest tram corridor in the world.

Powell is already fielding enquiry from a wide buyer demographic, particularly from owner-occupiers either trading up or downsizing.

The timing of the launch has coincided with the current supply issues in Melbourne, which, in turn, is having a material impact on the rental market.

"The supply issues and rental crisis means you have two more prominent buyer camps on top of what we usually see," Powell says.

"You have investors who are eyeing stronger rental returns than they've probably ever seen, and you've got first home buyers and local renters who are speeding up their saving and purchasing timelines as they don't want to rent anymore.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134959 project_image_fid=210774]

"There are a lot of renters who live locally and will be looking at Park Quarter as their first home."

Park Quarter apartments start at $495,000 for the one-bedroom apartments, which start from a generous 66 sqm. Two-bed apartments start from $985,000 and three-bedrooms from $1,677,000.

There are 244 apartments on offer in total, which are located from levels six up to level 16. Levels 17 and 18 will home four exclusive penthouses, each with their own private rooftop terrace with a pool and spa.

The apartments will sit atop a Marriott Executive Apartment, one of the first in Australia.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134959 project_image_fid=210777]

Residents of Park Quarter can have access to all of the hotel amenity through a club membership subscription, but they'll also have their own amenity. They will have everything from a 24/7 concierge, a pool, gym, and co-working spaces, to a theatre room and a golf simulator, plus pet wash room, mud room equipped with high pressure wash machine, and smart parcel lockers.

Residents of Park Quarter will have access to all of the hotel amenity, but they'll also have their own amenity. They will have everything from a pool, gym, and co-working spaces, to a theatre room and a golf simulator.&nbsp;

Powell says the fact SIDG have had the site for so long is a huge tick for the project.

"SIDG bought the site when we were living in a different world," Powell says.

"The site doesn't owe them anything, so they can have a very different approach to other developers. We have a string of developers who are ready to purchase sites for their next projects, but it's a tricky time to get everything aligned, from the cost of the land to construction timelines and&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134959]

Park Quarter launches on Melbourne's sought-after St Kilda Rd precinct

Palm Beach, the small coastal enclave at the south end of the Gold Coast, is starting to fire up again.

One of the most popular spots on the Gold Coast during COVID, off the plan apartment projects were snapped up in months, some not even hitting the open market.

There was a lull where buyers were waiting for the next project to hit the market. The latest is Elevaire, a 40-apartment project by experienced Queensland developer Paul Spina, which has already gathered significant interest from both Brisbane and Victorian buyers.

The nine-level tower, development approved, has been designed by Cottee Parker and will have a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments starting from $715,000.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112941 project_image_fid=210513]

There will be a ground floor, wellness-centred recreational space, with hot and cold magnesium pools, an open beach shower, sauna and day beds.

CBRE Senior Director of Residential Projects Nicholas Clydsdale said he received 250 enquiries from prospective purchasers in just one-and-a-half weeks following Elevaire’s invitation only launch.

“That is a huge response and indicates that Palm Beach is still a blue-ribbon area where buyers are scrambling to secure a new apartment on the beach side of the highway,” Clydsdale said.

“Elevaire’s allure builds on its spacious layouts and premium finishes with expansive ocean and district views in addition to its prime location, just 50 metres from the beach.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112941 project_image_fid=210512]

“Properties available in Palm Beach on the beachfront are predominately houses priced from $5 million to $10 million-plus or multi-million-dollar apartments, meaning Elevaire’s great attraction is it can match the local amenity of these properties, with a much more attractive list price – from $715,000.

“The three-bedroom residences are priced from $1.6 million, which is outstanding value for this location.”

Clydsdale said much of the interest has come from local Gold Coast residents, Brisbane and Victorian buyers.

“The Brisbane buyers are looking for an apartment on the Gold Coast they can lock and leave when they are down here and Victorian families are largely looking for a holiday home or seeking to relocate to the Gold Coast while the locals already know and love the area,” he said.

Paul Spina, Development Director of Evoke Property Group who has undertaken numerous development projects in southeast Queensland, said the design of Elevaire was crafted to blend with the Palm Beach environment, while providing a choice for buyers who couldn’t get into the upper end of the luxury market.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112941 project_image_fid=210514]

“Evoke Property Group is really proud of what we’ve achieved with Elevaire,” Spina said.

“With the wellness centre we’ve included hot and cold magnesium pools to complement the beach, as we felt creating a space for people to recharge was more important than fitting in a lap pool. Besides, Palm Beach itself offers ample swimming opportunities.

“The property is wide and deep which enabled us to offer varying apartment types, sizes, views and aspects for residences, which as a result offers a range of price points to the community. Cottee Parker Architects also ensured the introduction of an internal breezeway running through the property, providing natural light and ocean breezes both inside and outside the apartments.”

Elevaire secured development approval late last year. Construction by&nbsp;Stokes Wheeler is due to start mid-May.

The nine-level tower, development approved, has been designed by Cottee Parker and will have a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments starting from $715,000

Brisbane and Victorian buyers swoop at Elevaire, Palm Beach apartment launch

Potts Point's historic Bayswater Road, lined with Victorian terraces and once a bustling nightlife scene, is set for a facelift.

Hamptons Property Services have filed an application to redevelop four sites between 28-38 Bayswater Road, currently home to a mix of residential and commercial spaces.

Vince Squillace, of the Surry Hills architectural and interior design practice Squlliace, handled the designs of the $20 million project, which will incorporate 22 apartments above extensive food and beverage spaces, and a handful of terraces.

"The vision for the site is to develop it into a mixed-use building with commercial activation to all three streets with residential apartments above," the design report put together by Squillace read.

"The existing terraces are to be retained and modified into single level residential units while the rest of the site will be redeveloped to enhance the residential offering to the precinct of Potts Point, due to its prime location in terms of access to local shops, entertainment, services and public.

<img alt="Bayswater Potts Point" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c4fbec88-ed24-4237-93ee-eb49d52d0ef4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-09%20at%201.50.28%20pm.png?VersionId=WIXtb3sYBzyD9TYPZzvbJYM_H2N.Cpca" /> 
The proposed design by Squillace. Image credit: Squillace

"The design approach is to break down the building forms into a series of vertical elements which draws inspiration from the verticality, scale, mass, and materiality of the architecture in the local area."

The apartments will focus around a central communal garden which will dissect the building. Further communal space will be located on the roof, where there will be a small pool and pool deck.

There will be a mix of one-bedroom apartments, with a study, and two

There will be plenty of heritage headaches before the project gets the green light.

28-30 Bayswater Road is a pair of mid-Victorian period terraces which are heritage listed. Thai Rock occupies the ground level. Next door, 32-34 Bayswater Road, is another two mid-Victorian terraces, which are considered to have heritage significance. Popular bar Eros currently occupies the ground level, while the upper level are commercial spaces.

<img alt="Bayswater Potts Point" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="385774e2-f4f9-475e-b94b-ce25fdd94eda" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-09%20at%201.42.54%20pm.png?VersionId=XbQr56T0oUhudOJ_NEcwSvGdRqSii.N6" /> 
A recent image of 28-30 Bayswater Road

36-38 Bayswater Road is a four-storey building on the corner of Ward Ave and Bayswater Road. Its current use is commercial premises. All subject properties are located within the Heritage Conservation Area as specified in the LEP.

The design report said the&nbsp;alterations and additions to the Bayswater Road terraces will restore the buildings to be more consistent with their original design.

The design for the new apartments takes inspiration from the proportions and materiality of the existing brick buildings common throughout Potts Point," the report added.

"The new development has been designed in such a way to accentuate the verticality and reduce the visual bulk of the development.

<img alt="Bayswater Potts Point" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5b20df09-c01b-4823-9eb7-f18b81e8d395" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-09%20at%201.42.48%20pm.png?VersionId=iQMJKfHRWTOIvaZ.wLVNcMAzbRcs5252" /> 
The original Bayswater Terraces

"A variety of different brick colours along with a series of different painted materials has enabled the development to present a much smaller scale to the urban context."

Potts Point, one of the most expensive apartment markets in Australia, has been subject to a number of new apartment development applications in recent months.

Melbourne developer Time &amp; Place recently submitted long awaited plans for their redevelopment of The Chimes apartment building on Macleay Street.

The Macleay Street block dates back to the mid-20th century when it was designed by Hugo Stossel, a modestly well-known post-War émigré architect who designed a number of similar residential apartment buildings in Sydney’s inner eastern suburbs.

They're planning a brand new building designed by SJB, with a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

<a href="/news/nsw/exclusive-first-look-time-place-lodge-potts-point-apartment-plans">Read more:&nbsp;Exclusive first look: Time &amp; Place lodge Potts Point apartment plans</a>

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<img alt="The Chimes" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5bdee8a5-e2f6-46b3-bbab-f8c2ccfff93c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-10%20at%201.00.27%20pm.png?VersionId=GyhFIkj7L_d2rKYR54.LYSnN0j7Siw8g" />

Third.i and Toohey Miller submitted plans for a a new part six, part seven-level block with just 14 apartments.

There was community objection, given its location at&nbsp;30A-34 Brougham Street was to block out the view from The Butler, a Potts Point institution for a number of years.

The joint venture partners recently filed an appeal to the NSW Land and Environment Court after the City of Sydney's council&nbsp;and planning committees failed to make a determination.

<a href="/news/nsw/first-look-third-i-and-toohey-miller-plot-22-million-new-apartment-project-in-potts-point">Read more:&nbsp;First look: Third.i and Toohey Miller plot $22 million new apartment project in Potts Point</a>

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Hamptons Property Services have filed an application to redevelop four sites between 28-38 Bayswater Road, currently home to a mix of residential and commercial spaces

First look: Potts Point's Bayswater Road terraces to be reinvigorated with new $20 million mixed-use plans

Apartment developer Kokoda Property has doubled down on Milton, the sought-after, inner-suburb of Brisbane.

Having recently completed The Ambrose, Kokoda has secured a prime 1,640 sqm block at 12-16 Crombie Street, where they plan to develop a 22-level tower.

They paid around $11 million for the site.

Around 160 apartments will be spread across the building, with a rooftop pool, private dining room, and a health and wellness space with a gym.

Cottee Parker, who designed The Ambrose, have again been commissioned to draw up the plans for the new building.

<img alt="Kokoda Milton" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d455a300-0257-414b-8e23-ce95697e076f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202023-03-08%20at%202.47.53%20pm.png?VersionId=TATPPwZCtX0b2Xwy4G7o558jy9jpKfom" />

The project will have a total value of around $160 million and will further add to Kokoda’s $2.5 billion pipeline of projects across both Queensland and Victoria, inclusive of 1,600 apartments under development.&nbsp;

A strong believer in Brisbane, Kokoda Property Founder and Managing Director Mark Stevens said all indicators point towards a robust market.&nbsp;

“Brisbane is a market primed for growth and Kokoda is excited to be playing a leading role with the announcement of another first-class development, in a sublime location," Stevens said.

“Brisbane is rapidly transforming into a new world city; its culture, business centre, technology, and lifestyle is evolving with over $40 billion of infrastructure investment planned, so naturally there is a shift occurring with demand now skewed towards sophistication and luxury residential design."

Since launching in early 2021, The Ambrose is over 98 per cent sold, with the four remaining penthouses due to tip the project to a sell-out once they hit the market.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6313 project_image_fid=208659]

“Kokoda’s heritage lies in high-end luxury so this narrative carries through our brand into all our projects," Stevens added.

"Continuing this history is extremely important to us as this high-grade offering lies at the core of the company’s value proposition. We engage the best architects and interior designers from around the world to ensure that we are market-leading and cutting-edge.

“High-end developments with a design-led approach are contributing towards this transformation so we are proud to be actively developing in what is one of the most exciting times in Brisbane’s modern history.”

Kokoda will start taking expressions of interest for the new project later this month.

Around 160 apartments will be spread across the building, with a rooftop pool, private dining room, and a health and wellness space with a gym

Kokoda secure prime Milton site for Cottee Parker-designed apartment tower

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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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.

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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> 
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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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