Hedges Avenue is one of the most exclusive strips of real estate in Queensland, and among the top in the whole of Australia.

Only a handful of homes sit on the two&nbsp;kilometre strip in Mermaid Beach, just south of Broadbeach.

The last five houses have sold for a total of nearly $70 million, with two of the sales securing over $20 million each.

The beachfront is naturally the most sought-after, however the non-beach side blocks are still just a stone's throw from the sand.

There's been little to no opportunity for buyers on Hedges for anything between an apartment or a house. Sunland recently wrapped up 272 Hedges Avenue, the owner-occupier targeted tower with three and four-bed apartments.

The local developer <a href="/developers/sandbox-properties">Sandbox Properties</a>, well known for their high-end boutique townhouse developments in some of the Gold Coast's best pockets, have put together a site on Hedges Avenue and have recently launched 200 Hedges, a rare opportunity to secure a slice of&nbsp;the exclusive dress circle.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112850 project_image_fid=201327]

200 Hedges has five four-level Ocean Houses, each with four bedrooms, configured to act as a three bedroom home and a one-bedroom, self-contained apartment.

The villas, serviced by an internal lift,&nbsp;will have two living areas, the main meeting the entertainer's kitchen which includes a built-in, glass feature wine cellar, walk in pantry, integrated Miele appliances, and designer tapware.

Each are crowned by a serviced rooftop terrace complete with ocean views. Every villa also comes with its own private pool and pool house, a built-in home office, and parking for two cars.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112850 project_image_fid=201329]

Sandbox Director Jack Tarrant said they are all about location when it comes to development.

"We're very selective when it comes to choosing sites," Tarrant says, adding that it's all about the lifestyle for the end user.

Tarrant says most of the enquiry on 200 Hedges so far has been from locals moving along Hedges, some of which who are concerned about the oceanway.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112850 project_image_fid=201332]

"We're offering a low maintenance product, considerably lower maintenance than the huge mansions opposite," Tarrant says.

Sandbox have a number of luxury projects currently on the market, including Marlowe and Marella at Runaway Bay, right on the canal front.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112850]

200 Hedges has five four-level Ocean Houses, each with four bedrooms, configured to act as a three bedroom home and a one-bedroom, self-contained apartment

Joel Robinson

200 Hedges: The rare luxury villas on Queensland's best street

The hunt for property&nbsp;can be a long, drawn out, and&nbsp;arduous process.

But for the downsizing Hills District local Lillian, it took just a month, a testament to the quality on offer at her soon to be new home, Castle Hill's Grand Reve.

Lillian had viewed established apartments&nbsp;in the Rouse Hill, Norwest, and Parramatta areas, but felt there was something missing.

"At Grand Reve I feel as though I’m in a leafy, quiet family suburb but also incredibly close to a mega shopping centre with good retailers, entertainment and restaurants," Lillian says, adding that the metro also being close by is "win win".

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94147 project_image_fid=197733]

Lillian&nbsp;was pointed in the direction of Grand Reve by her family, who work in the real estate industry in Riverstone.

"I had discussed with them my thoughts of downsizing to a new apartment and they knew of Grand Reve," Lillian says.

"They had worked with Sam from Kassis Homes&nbsp;before and recommended him and his quality of work."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94147 project_image_fid=197724]

Buyi​ng off the p​lan wasn't initially in Lillian's thought process when looking at purchasing her&nbsp;next property, but she said she was confident given the reputation that Kassis has for delivering high quality product previously.

"It’s very crucial to have a developer with an excellent reputation.

"There is a lot of trust and calculated risk in buying of​f the plan and a large apartment is a considerable investment of money," Lillian says, adding that she&nbsp;expects exceptional craftmanship and well thought out ergonomics, with quality appliances, both of which come in spades at Grand Reve.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94147 project_image_fid=197726]

Kassis, who has delivered a number of record breaking homes with superior finishes across his homebuilding career, went above and beyond on the appliances. Every apartment, from the studios to the three-bedroom apartments, are kitted out with Wolf appliances. The three-bedroom apartments have further SubZero appliances.

Lillian bought a three-bedroom apartment, and said the sunshine aspect and view from the apartment was an important feature for her.

She says Grand Reve ticked so many of her "fussy boxes."

"Grand Reve has quality, good design and size, and the location is excellent.

"Functionality and design are both important and foremost in my thoughts, being middle aged, well versed in life experiences, busy and ready for refinement and minimal fuss."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94147 project_image_fid=197732]

The&nbsp;estimated finish time of the project was also ideal for her.

Slated for completion in late 2023, Grand Reve is being billed as&nbsp;the most prestigious development ever offered in the Hills area. It comprises two towers – one 12 storeys and the other 16 storeys - with the project's&nbsp;design attracting owner-occupiers,&nbsp;downsizers, first home buyers and even a few investors.

Sam Kassis says he wants to "create a landmark" with Grand Reve.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=94147]

Lillian had viewed established apartments in the Rouse Hill, Norwest, and Parramatta areas, but felt there was something missing

Why Castle Hill's Grand Reve is attracting the downsizer

The prominent Melbourne developer&nbsp;Samuel Property is taking on something a little different for its next residential project.

They&#39;re set to&nbsp;launch&nbsp;Louise, their anticipated apartment tower just off the sought-after St Kilda Road.

Named after its location at 8 Louise Street, Louise will home 98&nbsp;apartments across its&nbsp;16&nbsp;levels,&nbsp;a maximum of just eight apartments per floor.

The tower will be crowned by a near 600 sqm penthouse with 360 degree views of the city, Albert Park, and&nbsp;Faulkner Bay.

Blair Property Group Founder Darren Blair, who is handling the sales of Louise, says there&#39;s something for everyone at Louise, with one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments on offer.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112174 project_image_fid=199595]

&quot;We&#39;re expecting everyone from investors and first home buyers interested in the one and two-bedroom stock, to downsizers and owner-occupiers looking at the larger two beds into the three-beds,&quot; Blair says, adding that he expects to be fielding plenty of enquiry from families, as well as those who maybe live down in Mornington Peninsula but want a city pad.

The building is more focused on the owner-occupier, with just over 10 per cent one-bed apartments. Two-bedroom apartments make up two thirds of the building. Blair believes some will get merged to make larger apartments by those seeking a bigger space.

Buyers can purchase in the building from $497,500, with the biggest, higher-level apartments looking to achieve over $11 million.

The location reigns supreme for Louise, just moments from Albert Park and a short stroll to Fawkner Park.

&quot;The project has the best of Melbourne on its doorstep,&quot; Blair adds.

&quot;Where does your $10 Uber take you where you live? From Louise it takes you to the best parts of Melbourne, from the city to Chapel Street and even Middle Park Beach.&quot;

Renowned architects Cera Stribley have handled the design of Louise, with a&nbsp;vision to deliver a building that is more sensitive to the characteristics of St Kilda Road.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112174 project_image_fid=199598]

The building is in keeping with the surroundings for the first three levels to the podium, a red brick finish paying homage to the current streetscape.

Cera Stribley Managing Principal, Domenic Cerantonio said it was important future-residents of Louise were provided an exceptionally designed dwelling that complemented the well-endowed local area.

&ldquo;Every aspect of Louise has been designed to epitomise quality of life,&quot;&nbsp;Cerantonio says.

&quot;When it comes to apartment living, there are few buildings that offer such an incredible location as Louise. From sunrise to sunset, there is so much to love about the area; parks, beach, city &ndash; the lifestyle here has it all.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112174 project_image_fid=199602]

&quot;The interior design of Louise is very much inspired by this unparalleled locale, and the Art Deco glamour of the heritage architecture found around the area.&rdquo;

Louise is a change of tact for Samuel, who since being founded in 2009 by its current Managing Director Illan Samuel, have predominantly concentrated on the high-end boutique owner-occupier market.

Their last two projects have been Willow, just 14 apartments in Brighton, and most recently Edition in Toorak, on the dress circle Lansell Road, which has just three house-sized residences.

But they&#39;ve kept the same principles in Louise, focusing on the owner-occupier and creating spaces to be lived in.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112174 project_image_fid=199603]

The opportunity arose when Samuel secured a block of 1950s flats, on a prized 1224&nbsp;sqm block, for $21 million last year.

Demolition of the flats is expected to commence this year, with construction to start in early 2023. The build is expected to take around two years.

It&#39;s&nbsp;a rare opportunity for buyers to get near the prestigious St Kilda Road precinct, and to buy into a project that while is a large building, isn&#39;t as high density as some of its neighbours.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=112174]

The building is in keeping with the surroundings for the first three levels to the podium, a red brick finish paying homage to the current streetscape

Samuel Property set to launch design-driven Melbourne apartments, Louise 

A 20-level mixed-use structure has been approved for a prime riverside holding in South Yarra, one of the last sites in the Forrest Hill Precinct yet to be redeveloped.

The development, which spreads across an amalgamated site at 49-51 &amp; 55 Claremont Street, is an entirely local endeavour, developed by Melbourne-born property development practice Wattletree, in partnership with the prominent Melbourne-based Dorman family via their investment office, Dorman Capital.

SJB Architecture and Hecker Guthrie Interiors have been at the forefront of the designs that resonated well with Stronnington Council members.

Home to 62 apartments, office space, and ground floor retail, as Wattletree Director, Nick Moylan says the building is a product of a changing world, and a return to first principles when it comes to the spaces we live and work from.

&ldquo;The market for quality owner-occupier and down-sizer apartment product is growing, and from what we&rsquo;re seeing, still under-served. We&rsquo;ve tailored product to suit that,&quot; Moylan notes.

<img alt="" height="716" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-05-27_at_11.11.38_am.png" width="990" />

&ldquo;Buildings in the area are renowned for over-stacking, early on we made the deliberate decision to go the other way. We&rsquo;re producing just 62 apartments, ranging from five&nbsp;residences per floor in the lower portion of the building, to full floor residences in the upper, meaning it&rsquo;s not true high-density living in the typical sense.&rdquo;

Spread across a wide river facing frontage, the building offers 270 degree uninterrupted views over the Central Business District, Yarra river, Royal Botanical Gardens and the historic grounds of Melbourne High.

A different offering for the neighbourhood, quietly tucked away at the river end, the building is set to take full advantage of its gateway position. The views, carefully framed by generous floorplans, high ceilings and large format windows, are unprecedented.

Another tick for buyers is the air rights on the east and west adjacent sites have been historically secured.

The building itself&nbsp;marks an exercise in restraint.

&ldquo;Rather than forcing multiple design ideas and materials to compete, we prefer a more disciplined approach,&quot; Moylan adds.

<img alt="" height="679" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-05-27_at_11.11.57_am.png" width="472" />

&quot;That&rsquo;s our philosophy in everything we do, find one principle, and execute it perfectly.

No strangers to execution, Wattletree, the under the radar Melbourne-born property development practice from ex-Hacer co-founder Rob Pitts, and ex-engineer Nick Moylan, in partnership with the Dorman family, via their growing property vertical, collectively bring a proven ability to deliver.

&ldquo;Quality is where it begins and ends for us. Simple, beautiful, well executed buildings that stand the test of time. In our field this shouldn&rsquo;t set us apart, but we have all walked into buildings that are more form than function. Nobody needs a space that makes life more difficult. Our job is to make life better&rdquo; says Moylan.

Drawing cues from the mix of heritage buildings, Victorian era and modernist architecture that South Yarra has long been characterised by, the building marks a commitment to do the area justice, now and for generations to come. A fixation with detail that as Moylan notes, &ldquo;is an obsession. We consider each space like it&rsquo;s our own, and 
couldn&rsquo;t be any other way even if we tried&rdquo;,&quot; Moylan adds.

<img alt="" height="707" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-05-27_at_11.12.50_am.png" width="980" />

Securing unanimous approval for the 62-apartment structure, the building was supported by Stonnington Council&rsquo;s urban designer, who believes the building sensitively manages its relationship to existing abutting residential properties in a manner that will not unreasonably compromise their amenity.

SJB referenced New York Mayor Bill de Blasio in their design response to the project.

&quot;New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has declared that skyscraper made of glass and steel have no place in our city or our Earth&nbsp;anymore. We tend to agree,&quot; SJB noted.

&quot;With South Yarra being rich of heritage buildings, Victorian era and modernist architecture - this proposal draws upon its context for cues and inspiration.

&quot;We&nbsp;are looking at creating a sustainable, honest and robust&nbsp;building with great longevity.&quot;

The project is set to launch later in the year.

Taking prime position on the river end of Claremont Street, the upcoming residential building from Wattletree and Dorman Capital is a rare proposition in a precinct starved of larger, owner-occupier stock.


South Yarra apartment building to deliver new standard of quality for Claremont Street

Serpells Place, a collection of just 20 house-sized apartments designed by award-winning design firm KUD, is set to take apartment living in Melbourne&#39;s Templestowe to new heights.

Located on Templestowe&rsquo;s golden mile, nestled amongst idyllic greenery and landmark mansions, Serpells Place is&nbsp;being developed as a joint venture between Hub Property Group and Hewson &amp; Gacesa, who have teamed up to produce something the quiet suburb hasn&#39;t seen before.

Hub Property Group&#39;s Michael Hermans said Serpells Place brings a new calibre of living to Templestowe&#39;s golden mile location, brought together by an esteemed selection of collaborators.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=34209 project_image_fid=196191]

KUD has created the apartments with three key design principles&nbsp;kept in mind;&nbsp;functionality and practicality, quality, and storage, all addressing the need of&nbsp;the downsizer and owner-occupier market.

KUD Director Billy Kavellaris says the architecture at Seprells Place has been born out of a commitment to excellence, a&nbsp;composition of contemporary form, enduring materiality and generous scale.

&ldquo;No expense was spared for the finishes and fixtures of Serpells Place. Enhanced by expansive living spaces, the level of quality and craftsmanship speaks for itself,&quot;&nbsp;Kavellaris says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=34209 project_image_fid=196185]

The initial plans were for 29&nbsp;apartments, with one, two and three-bedrooms on offer, but a rethink of the demand profile for the area saw 20 high-end, three-bedroom apartments, more akin to a family home rather than apartment, preferred.

Each of the homes are appointed with oversized kitchens and hotel style ensuites, complete with expansive living areas. The open plan designs give the homes the air of space and room with each home spilling out onto a terrace, that has either a courtyard or balcony with&nbsp;both options large enough for outdoor dining and barbecue facilities.

John Patrick Landscaping has handled the greenery.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Drawing inspiration from the greenery of Templestowe, the landscaping of Serpells Place creates a sense of sanctuary, allowing residents to feel completely immersed in nature,&quot; Patrick says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=34209 project_image_fid=196192]

Serpells Place offers everything a downsizer seeks when moving from a house to an apartment. It connects the residents to nature, and brings a sense of familiarity for local downsizers of the surrounding area.&nbsp;

The Serpells Road development&nbsp;is only a short walk away from Templestowe Village, one of Melbourne&rsquo;s hidden suburban gems, complete with supermarkets, an abundance of cafes and dining options, sporting facilities and parks.

Construction is soon to start on Serpells Place, with&nbsp;completion slated for the end of 2023.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=34209]

The collaboration is set to redefine apartment living in Templestowe, delivering a string of home-sized apartments to the golden mile.



Serpells Place takes Templestowe apartment living to the next level

The luxury apartment developer, Orchard Piper, has paid $67 million for the Mercedes Benz dealership in Toorak, with a view to create a new mixed-use precinct.

The sprawling 3,600 sqm&nbsp;site at 7-11A and&nbsp;17-19 Carters Avenue, in the heart of Toorak&#39;s retail and commercial precinct, will see&nbsp;$150 million worth of luxury apartments developed, as well as offices and shops, to revamp the village as a vibrant and modern-day high street.

It&#39;s been a three years process for Orchard Piper to secure&nbsp;the 10 individual titles. In addition to the recent purchase, Orchard Piper spent $28&nbsp;million on a 1,400 sqm holding on the corner of Toorak and Mathoura Road, taking their spending in the affluent Melbourne suburb to just under $100 million. The end value across the two projects is expected to be $550 million.

Primed as the last remaining site in Toorak Village, earmarked as a Key Development Site under the Stonnington Council&rsquo;s planning scheme, Orchard Piper is set to submit plans for the site&rsquo;s reformation as a $400 million mixed-use precinct featuring a &lsquo;super-premium&rsquo; residential offering with class leading lifestyle amenities, complemented by high-end retail and commercial suites for boutique family office style owner-occupiers.

Orchard Piper, led by Luke McKie and Rick Gronow, secured the sites from the Hagen family, who had pieced the landholding together since 1932.

&ldquo;Having a close and trusting relationship with the Hagen family allowed us to shape this deal to suit the vendors, they were interested in a high quality outcome for the site, given their longstanding ownership and history,&rdquo; Gronow says.

&ldquo;We have great respect and admiration for the long-standing partnership John Worrell and Karl Hagen shared. The Worrell family began piecing this land together in 1932, following World War I, which eventuated in this un-repeatable parcel on the doorstep of Toorak Village.&quot;

This latest acquisition made by Orchard Piper takes the developer&rsquo;s pipeline to more than $1.1 billion of addresses in Melbourne&rsquo;s most blue-chip locations.

Regarded as Melbourne&rsquo;s leading luxury developer in the residential sector, Orchard Piper&rsquo;s recent Stonnington project Huntingtower Road was last month awarded the National Winner of the Master Builders Associated for best Medium Density building over five dwellings.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=9033 project_image_fid=28445]

Designs for the revamping of the Mercedes Benz location are set to be unveiled in 2023, with construction to commence the following year in-line with Mercedes&rsquo; lease ending. Construction on the Mathoura and Toorak Road corner site is on track to commence early next year.

McKie says the architectural response to the 3,600 sqm site should reflect the significance of its location.

&quot;We&rsquo;ve been actively involved in the area for over thirteen years, having developed six previous projects within minutes of this site,&rdquo; McKie says.

&ldquo;It is now widely acknowledged that Toorak Village is coming into a new era. This combined with our two new sites and Stonnington Council&rsquo;s recent street art and furniture investment will ensure the Village lifts to new heights.&quot;

Orchard Piper, led by Luke McKie and Rick Gronow, secured the sites from the Hagen family, who had pieced the landholding together since 1932

Orchard Piper secure Toorak's Mercedes Benz dealership, plot mixed-use precinct

The Justin Brown-led Abadeen Group, who specialise in high-end apartment developments predominantly on Sydney's Lower North Shore, have filed plans for another Neutral Bay development.

Following their recently launched Enso Neutral Bay, Abadeen will look to target the affluent downsizer again with their latest project at 7-11 Premier Street, near Forsythe Park.

They've had PBD Architects draw up plans for a part four-level, part&nbsp;five-level development with 18 apartments, broken down into 14 three-bedroom apartments and four-two bedroom apartments. The two penthouses feature full-width terraces and a separate study space.

<a href="/new-apartments/the-villas-neutral-bay-7-11-premier-street-neutral-bay"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="1280" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-05-24_at_3.49.48_pm.png" width="2060" /></a> 
The proposed development at 7-11 Premier St. Image credit: PBD Architects

In their design statement submitted to the local council, PBD said the built form will respond to the immediate environment, with open community space a focus in the design process.

"The articulation of the built form is designed to effectively reduce the scale of the height of the building perceived from Premier Street through the introduction of various setbacks, a selected natural material palette, horizontal pre-cast concrete band, as well as featured curved planters on balcony edges," the report noted.

"The interplay of curvaceous architectural form defines the spatial design, separating the building into two cores with a centralised passage into the entrance foyer.

"With a strategically layered façade, the design creates seven opportunities to maximise direct northern sunlight into the entrance space."

The upper-level penthouse apartments are crowned with a bronze-toned metal cladding to create a material contrast to the overall mass.

Abadeen have another project in Neutral Bay, Enso, a collection of just nine apartments designed by the renowned architect Koichi Takada.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=109705 project_image_fid=191910]

There's a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments in the Grosvenor Street development.

Abadeen also had Takada design their newest Crows Nest project, Koyo.

Koyo, a Japanese terms which refers to the changing colours of the leaves in autumn, has been geared toward the owner-occupier, with its generously-sized living and outdoor areas.

Takada said he was inspired by the parks and the deciduous trees in the area.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108800 project_image_fid=179486]

"We really&nbsp;wanted to bring that external element of nature into the internal space", Takada said.

Abadeen also recently branched out to Queensland, where they've seen huge success in Palm Beach with their debut Gold Coast project,&nbsp;Villea.

Only three-bedroom apartment remain&nbsp;in the&nbsp;69-apartment tower at 26 Mawarra Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106840 project_image_fid=172251]

Justin Brown said Palm Beach&nbsp;is one of Australia’s premier beachfront locations.

“The location of the site is close to northern Palm Beach’s pristine beachfront precinct as well as Tallebudgera Creek and is located in an area where there are very few development opportunities for such a project.

“We know the market is running very strongly on the southern Gold Coast, in Palm Beach particularly, and&nbsp;believe the market is primed for this project."

Following their recently launched Enso Neutral Bay, Abadeen will look to target the affluent downsizer again with their latest project at 7-11 Premier Street, near Forsythe Park

First look: Abadeen Group set for second Neutral Bay apartment development

Apartments at the recently launch MONA development in Darling Point almost never existed.

The prominent eastern suburbs developer Fortis&nbsp;initially planned a commercial building on the Mona Road address, before pivoting the design to create a luxury apartment project.

And its recent launch showed two things; the demand for luxury apartments in Sydney&#39;s East is still firing on all cylinders despite a cooling property market, and the agileness of the Fortis team to change their strategy based on what the market is doing.

Fortis Director Charles Mellick says the team analyzed current market trends and the demand for luxury residential apartments, and that, paired with the 180 degree city and harbour views and accessibility to local amenity, made the location the perfect place for high-end city fringe living.

So they called MHNDU back in to amend the plans to incorporate just 24 one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108913 project_image_fid=197636]

The change in direction paid off in spades at the recent launch, with CBRE securing sales of over 60 per cent of the building, including the $13.75 million, two-level penthouse.

Mellick says the&nbsp;Darling Point location provides a previously unseen opportunity for buyers with direct access not only to the harbour foreshore, but also to the city and surrounding villages.

&quot;This location has an array of unrivalled connectivity from walkability to a range of transport options and access to driving routes to connect to the rest of Sydney seamlessly.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108913 project_image_fid=197639]

Mellick calls Darling Point the gateway to the East, at the nexus of Edgecliff, Woollahra, Double Bay and Potts Point.

&quot;This location benefits from its nearby neighbouring suburbs giving the best of both worlds - an energetic urban local energy (Potts Point) and Australia&rsquo;s most luxurious offerings (Woollahra and Double Bay) with the commercial convenience and easy access to Bondi Junction and the City.

&quot;Rushcutters Bay Park and Marina create a great local amenity for locals and visitors alike.&quot;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108913 project_image_fid=197652]

The new MHNDU plans retained the ground level retail, which Mellick says will home a &quot;sophisticated and experienced food and beverage tenant&quot;, something Fortis has successfully achieved previously in Double Bay, where they brought celebrity chef Neil Perry to their HQ at the base of Pallas House on the exclusive Bay Street.

Mellick says so far there&#39;s been a mix of owner-occupiers and downsizers who have come from the Eastern Suburbs (Elizabeth Bay, Bellevue Hill, Rose Bay) looking at the two&nbsp;and three-bedroom residences, as well as a number of&nbsp;owner-occupiers coming from the Lower-North Shore (Killara and Linfield) as well as the Inner-West.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=108913]

The change in direction paid off in spades at the recent launch, with CBRE securing sales of over 60 per cent of the building, including the $13.75 million, two-level penthouse

Why Fortis chose apartments over office space in Darling Point

The wave of low-rise apartment developments in the best pockets in Mermaid Beach is continuing.

The new plans are on the exclusive Albatross Avenue, the beachside strip just south of&nbsp;Hedges Avenue, dubbed the millionaire&#39;s row of Mermaid Beach. Albatross is still revered, considered the next best street in the small Gold Coast enclave.

The latest plans has been filed by a company co-directed by Alroe Constructions&#39; Tye Alroe, who is seeking to create a four-level, eight-apartment project at 120-122 Albatross Avenue.

<a href="/new-apartments/120-122-albatross-avenue-mermaid-beach"><img alt="" height="602" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-06-14_at_9.20.40_am.png" width="1118" /></a> 
Render of the proposed development at 120-122 Albatross Ave, Mermaid Beach.&nbsp;

There will be just two apartments per floor.

The design statement from Impact Design the two per floor villas will&nbsp;provide a high standard of liveability and generate an appropriate scale in the developing context.

&ldquo;The villas provided are large liveable dwellings that can cater for families and focus on maximising natural ventilation and natural light,&rdquo;

Each villa will feature open plan living arrangements with dining, living and kitchens opening onto generous outdoor living spaces.

The three-bedroom villas all consist of two-and-a-half bathrooms, with villas three to eight also including an additional multi-purpose area.

<a href="/new-apartments/120-122-albatross-avenue-mermaid-beach"><img alt="" height="612" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-06-14_at_9.20.35_am.png" width="1102" /></a> 
Render of the proposed development at 120-122 Albatross Ave, Mermaid Beach.

Villas one and two feature plunge pools with private gardens and landscaping at the ground level, whilst both villas seven and eight have access to private roof terraces that home barbecue facilities, raised plunge pools and landscaped planter boxes.

Architecturally, the design is contemporary and minimal. Lending itself to the beachside locality, the building is characterised by white feature walls, timber look cladding, natural timber look screens, raw stone and a natural tonal palette.

&quot;The architectural language is contemporary and minimal with a beachside tone,&quot; the statement added.

<a href="/new-apartments/120-122-albatross-avenue-mermaid-beach"><img alt="" height="596" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-06-14_at_9.19.47_am.png" width="1062" /></a> 
Aerial shot of the proposed site at 120-122 Albatross Ave, Mermaid Beach.&nbsp;

The sweeping curves of the built form pay homage to the nearby beach, complemented by fixed batten screens giving depth to the fa&ccedil;ade, along with privacy from the street and neighbours.

Located between the Nobby Beach cafe and restaurant precinct and the Broadbeach shopping and restaurant precinct, residents benefit from a long list of amenity, just steps from the 810 sqm site.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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The design statement from Impact Design the two per floor villas will provide a high standard of liveability and generate an appropriate scale in the developing context

First look: Luxury apartments to hit Mermaid Beach's Albatross Avenue

Despite Australia being renowned for its&nbsp;world-renowned beaches, Aussies love the snow.

There&#39;s no shortage of ski fields, albeit for Sydneysiders they&#39;re a six hour drive to the closest, well inland from Canberra. Melburnians have a slightly easier drive to Mt Buller, which is about half the distance.

And while the ski fields are more locals, most Aussies who are keen ski enthusiasts look elsewhere in the southern hemisphere when they dig out their salopettes once a year.&nbsp;

The most favoured spot is Queenstown, where some of the world&#39;s best ski fields live. For Sydneysiders, it can take less time to fly to Queenstown and hit the slopes than to drive to Thredbo or Perisher.

The Auckland-based developer&nbsp;Safari Group&nbsp;recently noted the number of Queenstown residents who were based in Australia when they were putting together plans for their recently launched development Lakecrest,&nbsp;25 well-appointed apartments and six multi-level villas on Queenstown&#39;s sought-after hill.

<a href="https://lakecrestqueenstown.co.nz/"><img alt="" height="1090" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-07-18_at_1.24.39_pm.png" width="1958" /></a> 
A render inside one of the villas. Image supplied

&ldquo;What we have seen over the past few months, with the border reopening and now the relaxation of pre-departure testing, is a massive influx of bookings from our Australian friends,&quot;&nbsp;Safari&rsquo;s Senior Development Manager, Simon Taylor says.

&quot;We know that prior to Covid, over 70 per cent&nbsp;of all international arrivals who skied were Australian, and when they come down to Queenstown, they fall in love and before they leave, are planning their next trip back.&rdquo;

<a href="https://lakecrestqueenstown.co.nz/"><img alt="" height="1084" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-07-18_at_1.25.05_pm.png" width="1952" /></a> 
A render inside one of the villas. Image supplied

Taylor says while many Australians have already purchased a holiday home in Queenstown, there will still be more who are looking at Queenstown as a potential option for retirement.

&quot;Queenstown is no longer just a tourist destination, it has steadily grown as a popular retreat for those wanting retirement with a stunning backdrop, access to world class golf courses, walks, lakes and wineries.&quot;

Lakecrest is located in Queenstown&#39;s most sought-after spot. Anything on the hill looks down to Lake Wakatipu and has sweeping views across the whole of the town.

Lakecrest&#39;s six luxury villas are located at the top of the elevated site and offer either three, four or five bedrooms, with extensive terracing off the living areas. And of course each come with a fireplace.

There will be 25 two and three-bedroom apartments on offer,&nbsp;

&quot;Given this special location, we wanted ensure the offering was a perfect pairing,&quot; Taylor added.&nbsp;

Construction on Lakecrest will start at the end of the year, with completion slated for early 2024.

Lakecrest is Safari Group&#39;s fifth Queenstown project, having previously delivered Residences Queenstown Central and&nbsp;Residences Kawarau River. They own and operate the Wyndham Garden and LQ Kawarau River hotels.

The Australian attraction to Queenstown's famous hill

<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developers/far-east-consortium">Far East Consortium</a>’s 640 Bourke Street stands as a testament to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3000">Melbourne</a>’s ability to bridge its storied past with a bold vision for the future.&nbsp;

Rising above the heritage-listed Eliza Tinsley building, the development reflects a broader shift toward adaptive reuse in the city, where historical assets are retained and reinterpreted as part of new residential development.

Designed by <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/640-bourke-street-melbourne-640-bourke-street-melbourne-vic-3000">640 Bourke Street</a> incorporates the Eliza Tinsley building as its foundation, housing a grand gallery and lobby space that serve as both a functional and symbolic centrepiece. The heritage façade informs the tower’s design, creating a connection between Melbourne’s past and its contemporary skyline.

"It's a significant asset and wants to be celebrated and experienced by all residents every single time they go in and out of the building," Rothelowman Principal Stuart Marsland said.

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Above this historic base, the 68-storey tower will deliver just over 600 residences, a notable reduction from earlier schemes, reflecting a deliberate move toward larger-format apartments and a stronger owner-occupier focus.

Unlike traditional CBD developments that prioritised investor stock, 640 Bourke Street has been repositioned to respond to changing buyer expectations.

"The discussion was all around making 640 Bourke Street the best residence to live in, to be much more focused on the people in the building rather than people looking at the building," Marsland explained.&nbsp;

This shift is evident in the development’s interiors, which emphasise practical luxury with spacious layouts, high ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows framing sweeping views of Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay.&nbsp;

“What it's meant for 640 Bourke is we've actually reduced the number of apartments. We've increased the overall size of the apartments. We don't have any studios in here, and what that does for a project is it elevates it," Lauren Sheldon, Far East Consortium’s Director of Sales and Marketing, said.&nbsp;

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Rothelowman Associate Jun Chang added, "We were given the opportunity to be more generous. The apartments became bigger and squarer than any other apartments which had been designed in the CBD before that."&nbsp;

Amenities spanning more than 3,000 sqm across multiple levels further reinforce this focus on resident experience. These include a pool, gym, co-working areas, and a range of hospitality-inspired spaces such as a whisky lounge, library, and private dining rooms, many drawing reference from traditional bathhouses and Melbourne’s laneway culture.

"We wanted to make both the pool and the gym area to be absolutely destinational, and when you traverse across to these spaces, there is a gentle familiarity to the beautiful notions of the hammams and the Roman baths, a gentle nod to history," Chang noted.

At street level, the project contributes to the ongoing transformation of the western CBD, with upgrades to Langs Lane and the introduction of retail, hospitality, and gallery spaces designed to activate the precinct and strengthen its connection to the surrounding city fabric.

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The location places residents within walking distance of Southern Cross Station, Flagstaff Gardens, Queen Victoria Market, and the Docklands waterfront, positioning the development within a rapidly evolving inner-city neighbourhood.

"We believe it's the best site left in the city of Melbourne," Craig Williams, Executive Director at Far East Consortium, said.&nbsp;

640 Bourke Street is Far East Consortium’s 14th building in Melbourne’s western CBD.

"A very elegant designed building. It's going to be a Melbourne statement for many, many years to come."

One-bedroom apartments are priced from around $640,000, with 640 Bourke Street targeting completion in 2029.

Renders shown are Artist's Impressions correct as of May 2026.

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Heritage-led design anchors Far East Consortium’s 640 Bourke St, Melbourne

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD Group</a> has set a new residential price record in Queensland with the $30 million sale of the penthouse at its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/one-burleigh-88-the-esplanade-burleigh-heads-qld-4220">ONE Burleigh</a> development in Burleigh Heads.

The sale equates to around $37,500 per sqm.

The two-level, 800 sqm penthouse, featuring five bedrooms, five bathrooms, five car spaces, and a private infinity pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean, was acquired by a Gold Coast-based entrepreneur, highlighting continued demand for ultra-premium beachfront product.

Selling agent Freddie Tehle of PRD Burleigh Heads said the result reflects tightening supply of high-quality, large-format apartments in Burleigh.

“There’s very limited opportunity to secure this level of scale and absolute beachfront position in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/burleigh-heads-qld-4220">Burleigh Heads</a>,” Tehle said.

“Buyers are increasingly seeking apartments that genuinely replace a standalone home, and this penthouse delivers that with its size, privacy, and direct ocean frontage.”

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The sale comes as construction progresses on ONE Burleigh, a boutique development of 17 full-floor residences at 88 The Esplanade, scheduled for completion in early 2027.

Developed by MAYD Group and designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/mas-architecture-studio">MAS Architecture</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/sici-design">Sici Design</a>, the project has been positioned as a collection of house-sized beachfront apartments, each occupying an entire floor with around 381 sqm of internal and external living space.

When construction commenced, MAYD director Todd Mould pointed to the long-term resilience of premium coastal real estate as a key driver behind the project.

“Real estate, particularly at the premium end, remains one of the most resilient and proven long-term investment avenues,” Mould said.

“Our ambition is that anyone who buys a MAYD-built product can genuinely feel the care, craftsmanship and commitment we bring to every detail.”

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Each residence has been configured with four bedrooms, multiple living zones, a private office, and expansive ocean-facing terraces. Interiors draw on a restrained material palette, including travertine stone, timber joinery, and integrated premium appliances.

Interior designer Sici Design said the approach was to reflect the project’s coastal setting through both materiality and spatial planning.

“ONE Burleigh is our vision of luxury living, designed to bring the essence of Burleigh Heads' vibrant coastal beauty into an unparalleled residential experience.”

Residents will have access to a suite of wellness-focused amenities, including pools, sauna facilities, and dedicated relaxation spaces, reflecting a broader shift toward lifestyle-driven apartment design on the Gold Coast.

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The project occupies a southern Esplanade site with uninterrupted beachfront frontage, an increasingly rare offering in Burleigh Heads, free from the Norfolk Pines that line much of the coastline and often limit direct ocean outlook.

Mould said the design intent was to balance that outlook with a sense of retreat.

“Living at ONE Burleigh is about how your day naturally unfolds, morning light across the ocean, coffee on the balcony, and being in Burleigh but elevated above the noise.”

The result further reinforces Burleigh Heads’ emergence as one of the Gold Coast’s most tightly held and supply-constrained beachfront markets, where boutique, owner-occupier-focused developments are increasingly setting new price benchmarks.

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MAYD Group sets Queensland record with $30 million penthouse sale at ONE Burleigh in Burleigh Heads

Apartment developers in the Gold Coast are finding new, creative ways to differentiate themselves from competing projects, as new supply starts to flow through up and down the Coast.

Developer BIG Projects brought in the renowned Sydney-based design studio YSG Studio to craft the interiors for The Frederick, BIG Projects' new Mermaid Beach project and YSG Studio's first move into the multi-residential development space.

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It was a strategic move for BIG Projects to bring in a Sydney eye to the development.

“Our role is to give our design partners the space and freedom to explore,” says Matt Barrett, Director of BIG Projects.

“We wanted YSG Studio to capture the essence of Nobby’s, to design a building that embraces life, light and connection, while creating a genuine sense of place.”

There are only 39 apartments in The Frederick, including a striking beach house, just 100 metres from the booming Nobby Beach precinct.&nbsp;

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Yasmine Ghoniem, Director of YSG Studio, says their vision&nbsp;for The Frederick "reinvents coastal living."

“Nobby’s has such an iconic energy, it’s one of those rare pockets of the Gold Coast where the community, the beach, and the streets all feel connected,” Ghoniem says.

"Responding to the neighbouring coastline, soothing curves add a relaxing regional overlay, while unique detailing really sets it apart. It’s a place that feels lived in from the moment you step inside.”

A standout feature of The Frederick is its rooftop terrace, an uncommon inclusion for a boutique, low-rise building, where amenity is typically concentrated at ground level.

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Positioned to capture panoramic views from the hinterland to the ocean, the rooftop has been designed as a series of intimate zones. It includes a pool, sauna, sun decks, workspaces and dedicated entertaining areas.

“The rooftop was conceived as a collection of spaces where residents can unwind and connect, an extension of the Nobby’s lifestyle,” Barrett says.

Architecture for the project was led by Plus Studio, with landscape design by LDG Landscape Architecture.

SRQ Projects Director Nick Clydsdale, who is handling sales at The Frederick, says the majority of enquiry is coming from South East QLD and Victorian buyers who have been actively searching between Broadbeach and Mermaid Beach for some time.

"They’ve reviewed a number of projects, however this one has stood out for its unique detailing and compelling design,"&nbsp;Clydsdale says.

Site demolition is slated for this month, with construction commencing soon after. BIG Projects is targeting a late 2027 completion.

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Sydney’s YSG Studio makes Gold Coast multi-residential debut with BIG Projects at The Frederick

Melbourne-based property developer ALTA Property has this week achieved planning approval for the adaptive re-use of a former commercial tower into a $200 million, 169-apartment project at 10 Queens Road, one of the last developable sites along the Albert Park Lake-fronting boulevard.&nbsp;

Set within one of Melbourne’s most sought-after precincts and designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fraser-partners-0">Fraser and Partners</a>, the illustrious building will offer unparalleled views across Albert Park Lake, Port Phillip Bay and Melbourne CBD.&nbsp;

The mix of 1, 2 and 3-bedroom residences will be complemented by a ground-floor amenity featuring private dining, a lounge bar, gym and wellness spaces, co-working, outdoor communal gardens, and retail.&nbsp;

The 17-storey building is a masterclass in adaptive re-use, with the existing commercial building’s façade, shell and internal structure to be retained, before high-end residences are built from the ground up in a newly built Albert Park facing addition to the building.&nbsp;

Sitting atop the building will be two 320+sqm penthouses with private rooftop terraces, which are expected to be priced between $9 - $11 million.&nbsp;

<img alt="ALTA Property achieves permit approval for $200 million Queens Road tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aa11211b-5581-43f9-940c-fc84d30a0e61" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/C_04.png?VersionId=Yhf5p_1EgGDu_zOIMFgvA8Ug8j3sTFQs" />

Architecturally, the building will feature a curved, geometric façade that celebrates and elevates the existing structure, with warm, muted tones which were selected to extend the materiality of the existing building rather than contrast it.&nbsp;

Interiors will bring together three metre high ceilings with waffle concrete in some spaces, natural timber, granite and Australian materials, culminating in crafted, generous and considered spaces that are defined by authenticity.&nbsp;

The adaptive re-use means that the Queens Road project will be a sustainability led, high-quality finished product, with a 62% saving in carbon emissions by re-using the existing structure rather than knocking it down and rebuilding.&nbsp;

ALTA Property was launched by Nigel Givoni in 2023, bringing over 25 years of experience in multi level residential delivery.&nbsp;

Melbourne’s property market growth is currently led by apartments. According to RPM VIC Apartments &amp; Townhomes Market Report (April 2026), units are outpacing houses, especially in the middle ring suburbs where median prices hit $757,500 – a four-year high that represents 2.9 percent growth quarter-on-quarter.&nbsp;

<img alt="ALTA Property achieves permit approval for $200 million Queens Road tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="647e13d7-b4bc-433a-9bc9-fe3c3dd4f2ec" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/V_06.png?VersionId=ou4NUCWUgA3NAy.6CQJlEdKX50j3dOk6" />

For ALTA Property Founder Nigel Givoni, this performance speaks to the confidence he has in the Melbourne market.&nbsp;

“Queens Road represents a rare opportunity to continue to shape our presence in the Melbourne market.,"&nbsp;Givoni says.

"With a considered project team and a premier site along one of the city’s most sought-after boulevards, we look forward to contributing to the fabric of this established address.

“Other Australian markets are getting a lot of attention, but I believe the depth of value in Melbourne is being overlooked. The fundamentals are strong, population growth is steady and, based on our preliminary conversations with a leading builder, construction costs are beginning to normalise, creating further opportunity."

Givoni says the project is a&nbsp;highly considered example of adaptive re-use, delivering quality, high-end residences, premium hotel-inspired amenities and an architecturally striking façade, all achieved without the need to remove the existing structure.

"We are really looking forward to the market’s response,” he said.&nbsp;

ALTA Property to deliver $200 million Queens Road apartment tower

Construction is set to begin at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/orchard-mews-glen-iris-18-scott-grove-glen-iris-vic-3146">Orchard Mews</a> in Glen Iris, with&nbsp;PC Whitehall &amp; Sons&nbsp;now appointed as the townhome development moves into its next phase.

The development by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/montcoeur">MontCoeur</a>,&nbsp;located at 18 Scott Grove, is now around 30 per cent sold, with completion targeted for late-2027.

Orchard Mews comprises a curated collection of three- and four-bedroom customisable townhomes, positioned within one of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/glen-iris-vic-3146">Glen Iris</a>’ more tightly held residential streets. The low-density project has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a>, with landscape architecture by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/jack-merlo">Jack Merlo</a>, bringing together a team known for high-end residential projects across Melbourne.

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The development is defined by its focus on flexible living and long-term usability. Each residence includes multiple living zones and a customisable multipurpose room, allowing buyers to tailor spaces to suit changing needs, whether as a home office, additional bedroom, wellness area or entertainment space.

Architecturally, the townhomes emphasise natural light and spatial volume, with dual-aspect layouts and double-height living areas incorporated into the design. Interiors feature natural stone benchtops, premium appliances, and a neutral material palette intended to support everyday functionality rather than statement-driven finishes.

All residences are all-electric and include private lifts and secure double garages, reflecting a broader shift toward sustainability and future-focused housing in Melbourne’s established suburbs.

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Outdoor connections are also central to the offering, with a mix of private courtyards and terraces extending internal living spaces and integrating with the landscaped surrounds.

The Scott Grove address places Orchard Mews within close proximity to some of Melbourne’s key lifestyle and education amenities, including Scotch College, Sacré Cœur, Cabrini Hospital and the retail hub of Chadstone. Public transport access is also nearby, with trams and Gardiner Station providing connectivity to the CBD and surrounding suburbs.

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Joel Robinson

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