Interstate dwellers seeking a safe haven on the Gold Coast was one of the biggest property trends of 2020 and 2021 since the onset of COVID.

Many have reported locals are now the ones driving the continued success in the Gold Coast market, but the latest luxury tower to hit Surfers Paradise, Aspire, is still seeing plenty of interstate interest.

Kollosche New Projects agent Andrew Ramsey says the interstate market is favourable for this type of project.

"There's still plenty of interest from both Sydney and Melbourne for this high-end stock, which is still undersupplied in the local market," Ramsey says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=111652 project_image_fid=196986]

"Everything with a crane on the Gold Coast has virtually sold out, so there's not a lot of opportunity at the top end of the market."

Aspire, which is being developed by the Sydney-based developer on the sought-after Garfield Terrace beachfront, will comprise just 37 apartments over 24 levels.

Each of the half-floor apartments have between 207 sqm and 217 sqm of space, with the six full-floor apartment offering a huge 414 sqm of space.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=111652 project_image_fid=196975]

The tower will be crowned with a two-level penthouse spanning 716 sqm of internal space.

Designed by <a aria-label="Mosca Pserras Architects - opens in new tab" data-uw-rm-brl="false" data-uw-rm-ext-link="" data-uw-styling-context="true" href="/news/profiling-woods-bagots-role-in-western-sydney-universitys-new-liverpool-campus" target="_blank" uw-rm-external-link-id="https://www.urban.com.au/news/profiling-woods-bagots-role-in-western-sydney-universitys-new-liverpool-campus$moscapserrasarchitects">Mosca Pserras Architects</a>,&nbsp;each apartment has been crafted with sophisticated comfort and luxury in mind, featuring high-end fit outs from European Oak floors to Gaggeneau appliances.

Residents of Aspire will have private access to exclusive amenity, including a luxury&nbsp;infinity pool, a gym with yoga room,&nbsp;steam room, and&nbsp;infra-red sauna. There will be a&nbsp;barbecue space, a&nbsp;bar and residents'&nbsp;lounge, a modern office space with conference room, and even a surfboard store.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=111652 project_image_fid=196989]

The materials of Aspire have been carefully selected to promote a natural colour palette that reflects the colours of golden sands, giving a sense of warmth that balances the cool ocean backdrop.

Ramsey says there's still been plenty of locals, predominantly downsizers who are wanting to move in to a space with extensive square metreage and a prime location.

Kollosche will soon be opening the Aspire display suite, complete with a full kitchen and bathroom, at 4 Charles Avenue, Broadbeach, on the ground floor of Oracle. There are 3D tours available of the three and four-bedroom apartments, the amenities, and the exterior of the building.

Demolition has begun at 9 Garfield Terrace, with the development approved project expected to take builder Descon Group Australia under two years to build.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=111652]

"There's still plenty of interest from both Sydney and Melbourne for this high-end stock, which is still undersupplied in the local market," Kollosche agent Andrew Ramsey says.



Joel Robinson

Interstate buyers still keen at Gold Coast's high end as Aspire Surfers Paradise attracts Sydney and Melbourne interest

The national property developer Fortis has seen a flurry of sales at the recent launch of its luxury Darling Point apartment project, MONA.

Some 60 per cent of the apartments on offer sold, with CBRE&#39;s&nbsp;Premium Sales division head Ben Stewart noting the two and three-bedroom apartments sold&nbsp;well.

&quot;Our team are feeling very encouraged by the initial lot of sales achieved,&quot; Stewart says, adding that there&#39;s still a very good selection of stock remaining.

The two-level penthouse, with 253 sqm of internal space as well as its own rooftop terrace and swimming pool, was sold even before the recent launch event. It was bought by property developer Michael Barakat for $13.75 million, a sale reflecting $55,000 per sqm. There was also a $7.8 million sales to a local downsizer.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108913 project_image_fid=197634]

MONA, named after its location on Mona Road, one of Darling Point&#39;s best streets, has been designed by&nbsp;MHNDU to blend old-world charm with New York chic.

Stewart said the one and two-bedroom apartments are garnering a lot of enquiry from parents assisting their children.

&quot;It&rsquo;s a great way of getting them into forced saving for a long-term asset,&quot; Stewart suggested.

&quot;MONA has already started to attract this type of buyer because of its location, as well as being a striking looking development that will prove to be a great short to long term investment.&quot;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108913 project_image_fid=197639]

Fortis Director Charles Mellick said there has been&nbsp;a mix of owner-occupiers and downsizers who have come from the Eastern Suburbs (Elizabeth Bay, Bellevue Hill, Rose Bay) looking at the two- and three- bedroom residences, with many owner-occupiers coming from the Lower-North Shore (Killara and Linfield) as well as the Inner-West.

Initially Fortis had earmarked&nbsp;the site for a commercial project and ground-floor retail, but Mellick said the&nbsp;current market demand and limited supply for residential is so strong, that with the 180 degree city and harbour views and accessibility to local amenity this really made the location the perfect place for high-end city fringe living.

&quot;Something that is hard to come by and that result is clear with the high demand on sales and response on our sales launch weekend.&quot;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108913 project_image_fid=197650]

The creative inspiration for MONA comes from the history-steeped harbourside corridor it overlooks. The design by MHNDU pays deep respect to the architectural details of the original brick apartment buildings and the bustling inner-city neighbourhood.

The &lsquo;blade edge&rsquo; form of the residential tower delivers a boldly modern street presence, complemented by a north-facing glazed fa&ccedil;ade and rooftop sky terrace with unobstructed views.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=108913]

Some 60 per cent of the apartments on offer sold, with CBRE's Premium Sales division head Ben Stewart noting the two and three-bedroom apartments sold well

Fortis secure sales flurry at MONA, Darling Point

The Gold Coast&#39;s biggest news from April was the massive $20 million penthouse sale by Spyre Group at their luxury Burleigh Heads apartment development, Glasshouse.

KTQ also announced their long awaited developments on the dress circle Garfield Terrace, which will bring something the Gold Coast has never seen before.

We have news from Hirsch &amp; Faigen, Mosaic, Lacey Group and West Homes.

<h2>Spyre Group smash Queensland apartment record with $20 million Burleigh Heads penthouse sale</h2>

The Gold Coast apartment market was rocked with a $20 million sale, breaking every record in the Sunshine State.

The two-level penthouse in Glasshouse in Burleigh Heads, which features one of the most impressive rooftops money could buy, has sold for not only an apartment record (both of​f the plan and established) in the Gold Coast, but the whole of Queensland.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=104773 project_image_fid=189487]

It&#39;s topped some of the best penthouses in Brisbane, and even the apartments that line Noosa&#39;s beachfront Hastings Street strip.

To read more, <a href="/news/qld/spyre-group-smash-queensland-apartment-record-with-20-million-burleigh-heads-penthouse-sale">click here.</a>

<h2>KTQ set to bring Surfers Paradise the highest level of beachfront luxury</h2>

It&#39;s a development that&#39;s been over two decades in the pipeline, and it&#39;s set to provide&nbsp;local and interstate prestige apartment seekers, and even tourists, something the Gold Coast hasn&#39;t seen before.

It was before the turn of the Millennium&nbsp;that the family behind the luxury hotel operator and apartment developer, KTQ,&nbsp;led by the visionary developer Peggy Flannery, started buying apartments on the dress circle Garfield Terrace, fronting Surfers Paradise beachfront. KTQ has now amassed a huge&nbsp;2,000 sqm corner site.&nbsp;

<img alt="" height="316" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/seren_ktq.png" width="580" />

And now, after over 12 months of a rigorous design process, KTQ, who are behind the likes of Elements of Byron Bay and the Kirra Point development in Coolangatta,&nbsp;are announcing Serēn, a hotel and residences tower in one of the best spots in Surfers.

To read more, <a href="/news/qld/ktq-set-to-bring-surfers-paradise-the-highest-level-of-beachfront-luxury">click here</a>.

<h2>Siera Group set for beachside Surfers Paradise apartment development</h2>

​​The burgeoning Siera Group is the latest apartment player to hit the Surfers Paradise beach.

Under the direction of its Founder and Director, Brent Thompson, Siera has spent the last eight years developing high-end townhomes in Brisbane before recently pivoting its skillset to the Gold Coast apartment market. They&rsquo;ve submitted plans for a high-end tower just off the dress circle Northcliffe and Garfield Terrace.

<img alt="" height="388" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/siera_main.png" width="580" />

They&#39;ll be developing just 54 apartments across the 25-level BDA Architecture-designed tower at 8 Enderley Avenue, offering a maximum of three apartments per floor.

To read more, <a href="/news/qld/first-look-siera-group-set-for-beachside-surfers-paradise-apartment-development-exhale-surfers-paradise">click here</a>.

<h2>&quot;Urban Light House&quot; apartment tower planned for Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach</h2>

The Brisbane-based property developer, West Homes, is set to offer some of the biggest apartments on the Gold Coast at their first Broadbeach apartment development,&nbsp;Aurora Apartments.

They&#39;ve had the local architecture firm Inarc Design create the 22-level tower of just 20 apartments at&nbsp;75 Old Burleigh Road, a site they secured late last year.

<img alt="" height="666" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/aurora_main.jpg" width="1200" />

Each apartment will have nearly 400 sqm of internal living space, unprecedented even for the whole-floor apartment trend that has swept the Gold Coast over the last 12 months, as developers pivoted toward more high-end, owner-occupier friendly stock. One apartment, on level three, will have 430 sqm.

To read more, <a href="/news/qld/urban-light-house-apartment-tower-planned-for-old-burleigh-road-broadbeach">click here</a>.

<h2>Mosaic Property Group set for Broadbeach apartment tower</h2>

The continually busy South East Queensland apartment developer, Mosaic Property, has lodged&nbsp;plans for a new Broadbeach apartment tower, for what will be one of seven apartment developments launched to the market by the prominent developer in 2022.

<img alt="" height="365" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/mosaic_main_broadbeach.png" width="580" />

They&#39;ve had&nbsp;Plus Architecture&nbsp;design the 29-level tower at 146 Surf Parade, which will home 96 apartments. Mosaic, led by Brook Monahan, secured the prime site late last year, buying&nbsp;each of the original apartment&nbsp;blocks at the neighbouring 146 and 148 Surf Parade.

Mosaic already have plans with the Gold Coast City Council for&nbsp;a boutique Bilinga project&nbsp;of 14 apartments at 1 Surf Street, and a&nbsp;30-apartment development at 7 Douglas Street in Coolangatta.

To read more, <a href="/news/qld/first-look-mosaic-property-group-set-for-broadbeach-apartment-tower">click here</a>.

<h2>Hirsch &amp; Faigen appoint Hutchinson Builders to deliver Gold Coast apartment development, Yves</h2>

Melbourne-based developer Hirsch &amp; Faigen has appointed Queensland&rsquo;s largest high-rise residential builder, Hutchinson Builders, to bring its $200 million Yves development to life.

Located just metres behind the famed Hedges Avenue beachfront strip, Yves will rise on 7-9 Mermaid Avenue with construction scheduled to start in May.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186070]

The appointment of Hutchies to deliver Yves will add to the builder&rsquo;s $1.421 billion strong pipeline of 35 projects currently underway across the Gold Coast.

To read more, <a href="/news/qld/hirsch-faigen-appoint-hutchinson-builders-to-deliver-gold-coast-apartment-development-yves">click here</a>.

<h2>Lacey Group set for next Gold Coast apartment development</h2>

The family development company, the&nbsp;Lacey Group, has lodged plans for its next Gold Coast apartment development.

Off the back of two successful sell-outs in Palm Beach and Kirra Beach&nbsp;in 2021,&nbsp;Lacey Group, headed by Adam Lacey, is taking on&nbsp;Bilinga, just north of Coolangatta, which seems to be the hottest spot for apartment developers at the moment.

<img alt="" height="368" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/lacey_bilinga.png" width="580" />

They&#39;ve lodged plans to the Gold Coast City Council for a 28-apartment project at 66 Pacific Parade, currently a walk-up block of original flats known as Serene.

The new 10-level tower has been designed by&nbsp;Plus Architecture&nbsp;on the block, on the corner of Pacific Parade and Archer Avenue, facing Joe Doniger Park and the beach.

To read more, <a href="/news/qld/first-look-lacey-group-set-for-next-gold-coast-apartment-development">click here</a>.

We have news from Siera Group, KTQ, Spyre Group, Hirsch & Faigen, Mosaic, Lacey Group, and West Homes



Gold Coast apartment insights: What happened on the Gold Coast in April?

Even before its recent launch to the market, the new Fitzroy apartment development by the&nbsp;local Melbourne developer Outline Projects&nbsp;was a hit with the architecture community.

&quot;We had a number of early enquiries on the apartments from architects and designers given the following Freedman White has,&quot; Outline Projects Sales and Marketing Director Tom Aylward told Urban.

Aylward said when the site was acquired at 131 Smith Street, they said to themselves &quot;who is the best architect for the area and&nbsp;who interprets the Fitzroy lifestyle drivers the best?&quot;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110365 project_image_fid=197936]

The design-driven developer&nbsp;has a solid reputation for producing striking projects in Fitzroy following their seven townhouses nearby at 44-46 Greeves Street, which were recently nominated for an award in the multiple housing category in the Australian Institute of Architects Architecture Awards for Victoria.

They knew Freedman White would fit their brief: to not create just another cookie-cutter development, and design something that is more a tune to the story of the area.

&quot;We were conscious of the enduring outcome of this site, sitting between two beautiful heritage buildings, so we felt a key outcome was to add to that streetscape and create something that would sit equally among it,&quot; Aylward added.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110365 project_image_fid=197938]

The first street level facade is in keeping with the surroundings. There&#39;s a more contemporary build set back from the street, which will home the majority of the two and three-bedroom apartments.

There will be ground floor commercial on Smith Street, while residents will be afforded entry to the building both from Smith Street and one from Little Smith Street. Aylward expects the&nbsp;latter to be used the most frequently by owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110365 project_image_fid=197935]

&quot;They can enter and exit off the quieter Little Smith St and be a 150m walk to&nbsp;Gertrude Street,&quot; Aylward said.

There&#39;s extensive views on offer, and the sought-after western aspect, with views over Gore Street and Napier, which will never-to-be-built-out, given the heritage overlay, and therefore height control, of the area.

The focus for Outline was on the owner-occupier.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110365 project_image_fid=197946]

The one-bedroom apartments start from a generous 64 sqm of internal living space, and have their own study area. Aylward expects to net a lot of first home buyers and investors interested in the one-bedroom stock, with owner-occupiers, rightsizers, and downsizers looking at the two and three-bedroom apartments.

There&#39;s already been enquiry come from Collingwood and Fitzroy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110365 project_image_fid=197944]

&quot;It&#39;s hard to get anyone out of Fitzroy once they&#39;ve lived in the area,&quot; Aylward says, due to its doorstep convenience, buzz of Smith Street bars, cafes and restaurants, and its extensive tram network to the city.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=110365]

The design-driven developer have a solid reputation for producing striking projects in Fitzroy following their seven townhouses nearby at 44-46 Greeves Street

Outline Projects launch 131 Smith Street, Fitzroy apartments

The Malaysia headquartered MRCB International, a property and infrastructure development group who have previously developed land lots in Melbourne, are the latest entrant to the Surfers Paradise apartment market.

They'll be creating a high density tower at 26 Vista Street, with some 280 apartments across a 51-level tower, one of the tallest built in the area in recent times. There will also be six townhouses on offer at the foot of the project,&nbsp;

Local architecture firm DBI has designed the 172-metre tower on the large, already cleared,&nbsp;3,100 sqm amalgamated site, which has street frontages to Vista Street and Thornton Street.

<a href="/new-apartments/vista-surfers-paradise-26-vista-street-surfers-paradise">To keep up to date with the development and its launch, enquire here</a>

<a href="/new-apartments/vista-surfers-paradise-26-vista-street-surfers-paradise"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="890" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-05-03_at_11.26.47_am.png" width="1676" /></a>

There will be 54 one-bed apartments, that start from 55 sqm, 156 two-beds, which is over 50% of the building, 62 three-bedroom apartments, and just eight four-bedroom apartments, located toward the top of the tower.

The main resident recreation level is on level four, where there will be a cinema, resident's lounge with bar, private dining and kitchen, a meeting room, an a full wellness suite with gym, massage room, steam room, sauna, ice shower, and yoga space.

<a href="/new-apartments/vista-surfers-paradise-26-vista-street-surfers-paradise">To keep up to date with the development and its launch, enquire here</a>

<a href="/new-apartments/vista-surfers-paradise-26-vista-street-surfers-paradise"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="916" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-05-03_at_11.27.33_am.png" width="1644" /></a>

Outside is a 20 metre lap pool with infinity edge, a spa, and surrounding day beds.

There will be further amenity on the level 51 roof top, with another resident's lounge and a&nbsp;private dining room with kitchen and bar, which is wrapped in&nbsp;outdoor terraces with extensive seating and further dining space.

DBI noted in their submission to the Gold Coast City Council that&nbsp;26 Vista Street is set to deliver a building that combines subtropical principles and bring a new level of coastal elegance to the Gold Coast skyline.

"The design philosophy revolves around the dichotomy of the site, located at the junction between the curvilinear punctuated nature of the river and the linearity of the coastal strip," DBI wrote.

<a href="/new-apartments/vista-surfers-paradise-26-vista-street-surfers-paradise">To keep up to date with the development and its launch, enquire here</a>

<a href="/new-apartments/vista-surfers-paradise-26-vista-street-surfers-paradise"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="892" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-05-03_at_11.27.01_am.png" width="1660" /></a>

"The triple frontage and dual site access, off Thornton St and primarily Vista St, offers an added level of exposure and fluidity to the site.

"The introduction of elevated terrace houses along on Surfers Paradise Blvd, provides a strong interface to the light rail and a direct response to the city desire to create a strong ‘Urban Ground’."

DBI said the Gold Coast is&nbsp;&nbsp;is formed by a collection of coastal villages defined in extent by the topography of the coast (headlands, groynes, estuaries and coves).

<a href="/new-apartments/vista-surfers-paradise-26-vista-street-surfers-paradise">To keep up to date with the development and its launch, enquire here</a>

<a href="/new-apartments/vista-surfers-paradise-26-vista-street-surfers-paradise"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="908" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-05-03_at_11.27.14_am.png" width="1650" /></a>

"The common thread of the many years of evolution is the desire to connect with the surf, the beach and the Ocean," DBI added.

"We also have the river to the West and the light rail connection on our doorstep. The site positioning is like a node, a junction between the river side and the Ocean."

"Within walking distance of everything Surfers has to offer, from the iconic beach to acclaimed restaurants, 26 Vista Street presents a rare opportunity for those in pursuit of lifestyle, a coastal destination and an address."

The town planning report by Urbis suggested the&nbsp;architecture design across the tower is modern and distinct, using a range of materials and orientation to the east to take advantage of the proximity to the ocean and access to sunlight and breezes.

<a href="/new-apartments/vista-surfers-paradise-26-vista-street-surfers-paradise">To keep up to date with the development and its launch, enquire here</a>

<a href="/new-apartments/vista-surfers-paradise-26-vista-street-surfers-paradise"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="908" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-05-03_at_11.27.08_am.png" width="1650" /></a>

"The significant architectural treatment and articulation present throughout each level contributes greatly to the quality and appropriateness of the proposed development.

"The proposed development includes generous private and communal open space areas. Private open space is delivered in the form of balconies for each apartment. These spaces are designed to maximise access and privacy, as well as amenity and views."

MRCB advised the Malaysian stock exchange last year that they had secured the site for $17 million, with a gross development value of nearly $300 million.

<a href="/new-apartments/vista-surfers-paradise-26-vista-street-surfers-paradise">To keep up to date with the development and its launch, enquire here</a>

<a href="/new-apartments/vista-surfers-paradise-26-vista-street-surfers-paradise"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="910" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-05-03_at_11.27.24_am.png" width="1638" /></a>

"The development is targeted to commence in the first quarter of 2023 and to be completed in 2025, subject to receipt of all development consents," the presentation read.

<h2>About the developer</h2>

MRCB International is a wholly owned subsidiary of MRCB Malaysia, a company listed on the Malaysian stock exchange.

It is&nbsp;a&nbsp;leader in&nbsp;Transit Oriented Development,&nbsp;property and construction&nbsp;and&nbsp;has been a key player in the development of&nbsp;Malaysia’s&nbsp;buildings&nbsp;and infrastructure since its listing on&nbsp;the&nbsp;Malaysian Stock Exchange in 1971.

They've previously created 1060 Carnegie, an apartment development in Melbourne, and were awarded a&nbsp;Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) project in Auckland, scheduled to begin in 2024.

Local architecture firm DBI has designed the 172-metre tower on the large, already cleared, 3,100 sqm amalgamated site, which has street frontages to Vista Street and Thornton Street.

First look: Malaysian developer to build giant Surfers Paradise apartment tower

The Brisbane unit market is showing consistent growth,&nbsp;according to CoreLogic&#39;s Monthly Hedonic Home Value Index.

Values jumped 1.4%, following the 1.6% gains in March and 1.5%&nbsp;over February. Values are now 6% up over 2022 already, well on their way to matching the 14.4% growth over 2021.

The quarterly performance, up 4.6%, is the highest in the country for the unit market.

The median apartment value in Brisbane is now $488,393. At the start of 2021, it was just over $390,000.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=109830 project_image_fid=184164]

Following the RBA&#39;s first interest rate rise in nearly 12 years at the May meeting,&nbsp;the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) said the&nbsp;resilient Queensland market the higher rate forecasts.

REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said given the level of inflation, this may not be the last interest rate rise we see, but it was important to recognise that many market conditions and external factors remain favourable in Queensland.

&ldquo;We know that consumer confidence is key, and this move by the RBA will certainly make people stop and think more carefully about how much they are prepared to borrow, because it&rsquo;s a timely reminder that interest rates can and do go up,&rdquo; she said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13276 project_image_fid=80720]

&ldquo;While on the face of it, it&rsquo;s not an insignificant rise, in the grand scheme of things interest rates have been at historic lows for some time and are still very low.

&ldquo;This is also where our relative affordability is an advantage, as our average home loan rate is much lower than in capital cities like Sydney and Melbourne, and so the impact will be felt less here.

&ldquo;We remain confident in the resilience of the Queensland market because the need and demand for housing is irrespective, and an interest rate rise simply causes people to rethink what they are prepared to spend and how big of a loan they are prepared to enter into.&quot;

Total advertised inventory of both houses and apartments&nbsp;is more than 20 per cent below levels from a year ago in Brisbane, and around 40 per cent lower than the previous five-year average.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27815 project_image_fid=192735]

The median apartment value in Brisbane is now $488,393. At the start of 2021, it was just over $390,000

Brisbane apartment market insights: What happened over April

There&#39;s no sign of a slowdown in interstate developers wanting a piece of the Gold Coast development market.

The latest to take on the Surfers Paradise market is the prominent Sydney developer Leith Group Developments, who deals in multi-res, high-end townhouses, and land estates, across the whole of Sydney.

They&#39;ve submitted plans for Halcyon Place, a new 27-level tower at&nbsp;4 Fern Street, a stone&#39;s throw from the beachfront. It has been named after the current original walk-up block of apartments, also known as Halcyon Place, on the 1378 sqm site.

In what would be a Gold Coast first, Leith are also proposing a resident dog park, cleverly located on the ground level of the building.

<a href="/new-apartments/halcyon-place-4-fern-street-surfers-paradise"><img alt="" height="764" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-04-29_at_9.07.48_am.png" width="1296" /></a>

There will also be two high-end townhouses on offer, both with two levels, three-bedrooms, a multi-purpose room, study nook, and a pool.

There will be 96&nbsp;apartments, a mix of one, two and three-bedroom units. Two-beds dominate the building, with just seven one-bedders planned, 70 two-bedders, a handful with an extra multi-purpose room, and 17 three-bedroom apartments, which includes the three two-level penthouses crowning the tower.

Each of the penthouses have their own private rooftop, with the internal space comprising a master suite with ensuite and walk in wardrobe, and the outdoor homing a plunge pool and terrace area.

The resident amenity is spread across levels 10 and 11. Level 10 is dedicated to some outdoor space and work from home facilities, with level 11 homing a lap pool with spa and cabanas, a gym, yoga space, sauna, and outdoor barbecue and dining area.

<a href="/new-apartments/halcyon-place-4-fern-street-surfers-paradise"><img alt="" height="800" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/halycon_place_rec.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

Plus noted in their submission to the Gold Coast City Council that Halcyon Place pays tribute to the legacy of&nbsp;the site&#39;s history.

They said that considered design strategies have been used to reduce bulk, step the façade, create articulation and respond to the street through activation of the ground floor.

&quot;The building&rsquo;s relationship to the street and the pedestrian is broken up into main lobby, townhouses, pockets of landscape and a resident&rsquo;s dog park, creating a human scale response at the street level.

&quot;A residential dog park addresses the site&rsquo;s most prominent corner, with green open space to the intersection of Old Burleigh Road and Fern Street, celebrating the historic Norfolk Pines.

<a href="/new-apartments/halcyon-place-4-fern-street-surfers-paradise"><img alt="" height="978" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-04-29_at_9.06.31_am.png" width="754" /></a>

&quot;Through form, materiality and response to climate and context, Halcyon Place embodies the nostalgic character of the Gold coast, honouring the past whilst providing a contemporary response.&quot;

<h2>About the developer</h2>

Leith Group, led by development industry veteran Michael Devin, has developed a number of multi-residential projects across Sydney, primarily north of the CBD in the North Shore region.

They&#39;re developing nearly 1000 apartments at their huge Mount Druitt development, which will see a revamp of the old Vegas Hotel.

The apartments will be spread across&nbsp;five residential towers, which will feature rooftop and communal outdoor areas, and18 retail/restaurant spaces on the ground floor.

Plus noted in their submission to the Gold Coast City Council that Halcyon Place pays tribute to the legacy of the site's history

First look: Leith Group to break in to Surfers apartment market with Halcyon Place tower, complete with its own dog park

From its humble postwar-era<text data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="10.9449462890625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="158.144844055176" x="65.8568954467773" y="-721.671630859375"> beginnings, Everton Park is in a</text><text data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.032958984375" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="186.844940185547" x="65.5488891601562" y="-706.671630859375"> state of renewal, with contemporary</text><text data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="10.9450073242188" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="138.125946044922" x="65.5488891601562" y="-691.671569824219"> architecture, urban art and</text><text data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="10.9449462890625" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="195.192848205566" x="66.0328903198242" y="-676.671630859375"> unprecedented connectivity to greater</text><text data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.032958984375" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="177.339836120605" x="65.7468948364258" y="-661.671630859375"> Brisbane.</text>

The newest residential opportunity in the area will be Fable by Rogerscorp, a collection of 57 town and terrace homes set privately among&nbsp;generously<text data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.032958984375" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="194.522933959961" x="66.0768890380859" y="-601.671630859375"> landscaped gardens, while also offering an abundance of</text><text data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0330200195312" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="193.993850708008" x="66.0768890380859" y="-586.671569824219">&nbsp;convenience from its Woolworths Street location.</text>

<text data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0330200195312" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="193.993850708008" x="66.0768890380859" y="-586.671569824219"></text>

Located just 8-kilometres from the CBD and only 15-minutes to the Brisbane Airport, Fable is placed to take advantage of both the immediate neighbourhood as well as the wider Brisbane City.

Previously&nbsp;the idea for the site was for high density apartments across four buildings, but&nbsp;Rogerscorp Director Simon Rogers said the new plans meet the evolving needs of the surrounding neighbourhood and ensures families have modern living options within the community that suit their lifestyle.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112680 project_image_fid=196538]

&ldquo;Everton Park is one of the suburbs in north-west Brisbane that has changed rapidly in recent years thanks to a variety of new amenity and &lsquo;city lifestyle&rsquo; offerings,&quot; Rogers said.

&ldquo;We wanted to challenge the ideals of residential living and introduce elements of resort style living.

&quot;We realised this offered more opportunity for the residents to do what they love and enjoy most.&quot;

From the surroundings, the development was designed almost as&nbsp;an enclosed city,<text data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.032958984375" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="317.213584899902" x="65.5268936157227" y="-652.341064453125"> to ensure resident privacy from the adjoining commercial precinct.</text>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112680 project_image_fid=196534]

Designed by Z Architects, the material palette allows for these dwellings to be seen as a unified object from afar, yet upon closer inspection, the individualism of each dwelling stands out.

Similar to the site being surrounded by amenity, the masterplan surrounds a central park, the focal point of private amenity and congregation for the residents and its visitors. Residents will enjoy ultra-exclusivity with an array of resort-style facilities&nbsp;including recreation and relaxation amenities like a pool, sun lounges, herb and veggie garden, barbecue pavilion, pizza oven, and fire pits.

Precinct planning in the design was key to afford each concourse an identity dissimilar to that of another. This is done through a variance of unparalleled built forms, a strategy not often associated with townhouse developments. In doing so it creates an identity and a sense of belonging to each dwelling that is unique to its setting within the development.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112680 project_image_fid=196540]

The town and terrace homes include designer appliances and high-quality finishes throughout.

On the ground floor of each townhouse is a minimum of two cars, laundry and a terrace<text data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0330200195312" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="496.722793579102" x="66.0768890380859" y="-382.340972900391"> leading to the backyard. Additional multi-purpose terraces are designed into some of the dwellings,</text><text data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="10.9450073242188" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="485.436645507812" x="65.5488891601562" y="-367.340972900391"> allowing the occupants to engage with the backyard.</text>

The living levels all lead out to an elevated balcony space, a place that allows<text data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0330200195312" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="495.512878417969" x="65.5488891601562" y="-292.340972900391"> occupants to have a passive surveillance of the streetscape and the internal parkland. This allows</text><text data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0330200195312" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="488.460594177246" x="65.3288955688477" y="-277.340972900391"> the buildings to breathe by occupying the subtropical environment, out of the direct sunlight and</text><text data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0330200195312" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="485.041870117188" x="65.5488891601562" y="-262.340972900391"> open to ventilate. </text>

<text data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0330200195312" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="485.041870117188" x="65.5488891601562" y="-262.340972900391">Beyond this is the bedroom floor, perched up high above the ground plane, this</text><text data-test="textbox" direction="ltr" height="11.0329895019531" lengthadjust="spacingAndGlyphs" textlength="230.403846740723" x="65.8568954467773" y="-247.341003417969"> space becomes a place of retreat for occupants</text>.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112680 project_image_fid=196537]

&quot;As the modern way of living changes, the way we think about and design homes must also adapt. To us, this meant creating spaces that were inviting and nurturing, where self-care and wellbeing simply became part of everyday life.&rdquo;

&ldquo;Fable was curated to be a collection of ultra-modern, sustainable and bespoke masterpieces,&quot; Rogers added.

&quot;Through well considered architecture it seamlessly fuses with the surrounding urban and natural area, this is why Fable is set to redefine urban living.&rdquo;

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=112680]

Rogerscorp Director Simon Rogers said the new plans meet the evolving needs of the surrounding neighbourhood and ensures families have modern living options within the community that suit their lifestyle.



Rogerscorp set to launch Fable, Everton Park townhouse development

​​The burgeoning Siera Group is the latest apartment player to hit the Surfers Paradise beach.

Under the direction of its Founder and Director, Brent Thompson, Siera has spent the last eight years developing high-end townhomes in Brisbane before recently pivoting its skillset to the Gold Coast apartment market. They’ve submitted plans for a high-end tower just off the dress circle Northcliffe and Garfield Terrace.

They'll be developing <a href="/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise">Exhale Surfers Paradise</a>, just 54 apartments across the 25-level BDA Architecture-designed tower at 8 Enderley Avenue, offering a maximum of three apartments per floor.

Residents will enjoy extensive amenities in the project, which is becoming a signature of Siera's Gold Coast developments with their recent Tapestry development showcasing a rooftop amenity not yet seen before on Chevron Island.

There will be two levels of amenity, with the lower level hosting a communal mezzanine with a spa, gym and sauna, and the upper level with a lap pool with pool deck, barbecue alfresco and dining space, a private dining area with a bar and cellar room, a games room, and a space with work from home facilities.

<a href="/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise">To be alerted when the project hits sales, enquire here.</a>

<a href="/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="846" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-04-27_at_3.44.25_pm.png" width="1266" /></a>

BDA say that inspiration was taken from the surrounding sand dunes, sails, and the built environment to inform a high-end luxury and contemporary architectural character.

Thompson, who also sits on the board of UDIA QLD, says a lot of effort has been put into the design of the project and how its future residents would live, a thought process which began even before securing the prime site.

"The way the tower has been designed, we've got two entry points from the two street frontages; one to Vista Street, for residents heading to the Northcliffe Light Rail Station just a short 150 metres away; the other for those heading to Surfers and the beach with a direct private beach access only 60m from the site," Thompson says.

Thompson believes the majority of buyers at Enderley will be local downsizers.

On the extensive resident amenity, which is becoming a staple in Siera's Gold Coast projects, Thompson says it is a considered effort by the team to aid in the transition for those moving from a house to an apartment.

"We want to really elevate the liveability factors of an apartment for a downsizer, and we think, on top of larger sized apartments with good design, we can do that with extensive amenity.

"Particularly for the downsizer demographic, now more than ever lifestyle is about health and wellness, and we want our residents to be able to achieve that all in the one place, from a swim in the pool, to a workout in the gym, or a steam, all within the confines of where you live."

<a href="/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise">To be alerted when the project hits sales, enquire here.</a>

<a href="/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="841" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-04-27_at_3.44.30_pm.png" width="1209" /></a>

Thompson also expects plenty of interest to come from interstate, lock-and-leave buyers, looking for a beachside holiday home without paying the premium to be beachfront.

"The location puts residents right by the beach, and will offer the same lifestyle factors and quality of design as other beachfront projects, yet at a fraction of the cost.

"We expect when the project is finished, the light rail will be extended to run close to the airport, making it an easy, potentially car-less, commute to a weekender."

Focused on the owner-occupier, there will be just two and three-bedroom apartments, the two-bedrooms starting from a generous 99 sqm with a further 10 sqm of balcony.

From level 12 upwards there will be just three-bedroom apartments on offer, each occupying half a floor. They will have nearly 200 sqm of internal living space and a further 20 sqm of balcony.

Crowning the tower on level 22 will be a huge 368 sqm penthouse, uniquely designed for the central living space to open to a striking garden feature with a firepit and seating in private greenery. A fireplace separates the space from the main kitchen, living and dining area.

As well as the four bedrooms, there will be a home office, multi-purpose room, and a games room. There will be two balconies, one off the master and one off the living room, totalling around 50 sqm of outdoor space. The penthouse buyer will have the opportunity to customize the apartment, and a potential rooftop terrace which could become an entertaining space.

The project is located in a prime spot of Surfers, near the Northcliffe Light Rail Station and&nbsp; on the doorstep of the abundance of amenity the local area is known for.

<a href="/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise">To be alerted when the project hits sales, enquire here.</a>

<a href="/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="571" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-04-27_at_3.11.18_pm.png" width="905" /></a>

BDA designed&nbsp; the unique building to splay inward from level 12, creating a tower form that diminishes toward its top.

"Its uppermost level bends inward through its centre, creating a dynamic built form and ensuring both ends of the penthouse apartment are able to take in prevailing views to the northern and southern beaches of the Gold Coast," BDA said.

The architecture firm said that, through considered analysis of the existing context of this area of Surfers Paradise and the envisaged potential for adjoining urban redevelopment, the design outcome will result in the addition of an elegant and visually interesting residential tower, which will provide considerable amenity for residents and visitors and become a complimentary and respectful addition to the Surfers Paradise skyline.

BDA was also in charge of designing Siera's first Gold Coast apartment development, Tapestry on Chevron Island, where their brief from Siera was to merge art with architecture.

The 22-level project, on the prized east-side of Chevron Island at 39 Darrambal Street will have 113 apartments, featuring a mixture of vertical blade walls and horizontal slab edges which respond to available views and natural light.

They'll be developing just 54 apartments across the 25-level BDA Architecture-designed tower at 8 Enderley Avenue, offering a maximum of three apartments per floor

First look: Siera Group set for beachside Surfers Paradise apartment development, Exhale Surfers Paradise

Auriton Group are hoping to do as well as their fellow Melbourne-based property developers as they launch their first apartment tower in the Gold Coast.

The development firm, who are behind a mix of boutique and high density projects across&nbsp;Melbourne, has just launched Rivea, which will home 108 apartments across its 30-level, Rothelowman-designed tower.

Rothelowman&nbsp;describe the tower as a &quot;vertical community.&quot;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=100371 project_image_fid=194516]

The design incorporates just four apartments per floor for the most part, with 14 sqm balconies located on each corner of the building.

The layout favours liveability over style, which&nbsp;Rothelowman&nbsp;says is a local approach to coastal living.

&quot;The scheme focuses on enhancing the urban realm in an area somewhat burdened by the intensity of city scaled infrastructure (a highway, light rail overlay etc),&quot; Rothelowman noted in their submission to the Gold Coast City Council.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=100371 project_image_fid=194520]

&quot;It does this by focusing on humanising the ground-plane through a generous and considered street building approach layered in domestically scaled detailing, landscape integration and materiality.

The cross-ventilated, breathable building will feature a mid-rise garden with gym, office space, formal dining room or board room.

The ground level, beside the lobby, will be a swimming pool with day beds and outdoor lounge area facing the Nerang River.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=100371 project_image_fid=194521]

Melbourne developers have had huge success recently in the Gold Coast.

Hirsch &amp; Faigen are on to their third project, having sold out The Hemingway in Palm Beach as their debut project in 2021. There&#39;s just a few apartments left in their luxury Kirra Beach development, The Emerson, and they&#39;ve recently quickly sold half of the apartments in the triple-tower, Mermaid Beach project, Yves.

Little Projects have been around the Gold Coast a little longer, successfully selling out Signature at Broadbeach and securing a number of buyers at the luxury Broadbeach owner-occupier tower, Aperture.

Central Equity are seeing strong demand at their Surfers Paradise project, Pacific One, a high density tower of 359, while Jinding are quickly approaching a sell-out of their Surfers tower, Sora.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=100371]

The layout favours liveability over style, which Rothelowman says is a local approach to coastal living


Melbourne developer Auriton launch Rivea, Surfers Paradise 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.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

fjcstudio has carefully oriented apartments towards Sydney Harbour and the CBD while using privacy blades and articulated façades to minimise overlooking between neighbouring buildings.

Large framed openings along the western elevation maximise harbour outlooks, while the eastern apartments have been angled towards the south-east to improve privacy from neighbouring development.

The project forms part of the continuing transformation of North Sydney from a predominantly commercial CBD into a genuine mixed-use city centre.

Since the completion of Victoria Cross Metro Station, developers have increasingly shifted their attention towards residential projects capable of leveraging the area's unparalleled transport connectivity.

&nbsp;

FiveX recently lodged plans for a 61-storey, 490-apartment tower that would become one of the tallest residential buildings in North Sydney if approved.

Aqualand continues to expand its Lower North Shore presence following the completion of AURA on Walker Street and its recent St Leonards and Roseville proposals.

Developers are also progressing projects throughout Walker Street, Miller Street and the Victoria Cross precinct as demand for well-located owner-occupier apartments continues to strengthen.

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

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