The multi-billion dollar property developer GURNERTM has picked up a site in Geelong for its next mixed-use residential project.

Tim Gurner, founder of GURNERTM, has teamed up with the local&nbsp;property identity Dean Montgomery to&nbsp;transform a historic former wool store at&nbsp;20-28 Brougham Street, creating&nbsp;a sustainable mixed-use precinct with an activated ground plane, a hotel and urban gardens, and residential apartments above the hotel.

“We will be bringing an incredible 5-star hotel to this location, that will feature a retail and hospitality offering at the ground floor that will be reminiscent of Chelsea Market in New York," Gurner says.

“Sitting on top of the hotel will be a collection of large luxury owner-occupier residences for locals and downsizers."

The vision by Gurner and Montgomery will see&nbsp;the restoration of the heritage façade of the historic four-storey, red brick building. There will be a new&nbsp;ground-floor food and beverage precinct created, linking the new council offices to the nearby university by foot, as well as a 5-star hotel component and luxury residences in the upper levels, along with a carbon neutral target as part of GURNERTM’s ambitious Greener by Gurner initiative.

GURNERTM engaged Fender Katsalidis to realise the design vision for the site and will lodge an amendment to that permit in late 2022.

Gurner believes there is considerable future growth in the Geelong area.

“Geelong has always been Victoria’s quiet achiever, but now with the renewed regional push as many families consider regional locations, I believe Geelong’s market run hasn’t really even begun yet.

"Buyers are reassessing their lifestyle choices and are looking for affordable locations close to beaches with easy accessibility into the CBD, and Geelong ticks all those boxes and more.

“Regional tourism is set to flourish in the next few years, as holiday preferences change and regional destination such as Geelong continue to grow in popularity – the opening of new attractions, like the Spirit of Tasmania terminal in Geelong, will further drive this activity."

Gurner says the building will be fully carbon neutral,&nbsp;and will offer an environmental point of difference not seen in Australia to-date.

“This is one of the last remaining prime waterfront sites with north-facing water views so we are excited by the possibilities and what we can deliver to truly maximise this incredible location.

“We acquired the site with Dean with the intention to create a residential, commercial and hotel precinct and it is our intention to bring that to life, however if the planning changes make that difficult we will proceed with the existing office scheme."

“Geelong has always been Victoria’s quiet achiever, but now with the renewed regional push as many families consider regional locations, I believe Geelong’s market run hasn’t really even begun yet."

Joel Robinson

"Reminiscent of Chelsea Market in New York." Gurner's Geelong mixed-use precinct plans

The international property developer, Changfa. has lodged plans for its next Gold Coast apartment development.

Changfa, who has created the Hope Island townhouse development Lyra, is headed to Palm Beach, submitting plans for a 21-level tower at 1134 Gold Coast Highway, on the corner of Palm Beach Avenue and a few streets back from the beach.

The building, designed by Plus Architecture, will have 113 apartments, a mix of one, two and three-bedroom units.&nbsp;

<a href="/new-apartments/1134-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">To be notified when the project reaches sales, enquire here.</a>

<a href="/new-apartments/1134-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221"><img alt="" height="904" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-03-08_at_10.06.35_am.png" width="652" /></a>

There will be 15 one-beds, with 61 sqm of internal space and 11 sqm of balconies, 62 two-beds, around half with multi-purpose rooms. They range from 101 sqm internal to 114 sqm internal, with outdoor space from 16 sqm to 23 sqm.

The largest apartments on offer, the three-beds, have 135 sqm of internal space and 23 sqm external.&nbsp;

There are just two sub-penthouses on level 19, and two penthouses on level 20, each with 328 sqm of space and 110 terraces. The penthouses have exclusive access to their own private roof terraces with their own plunge pools, outdoor kitchens and fire pit area.

<a href="/new-apartments/1134-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">To be notified when the project reaches sales, enquire here.</a>

There&#39;s over 637 sqm of amenity on the level two podium, including a pool with wet deck and a pool terrace, a gym, day beds, yoga deck and a sauna and a steam room.

<a href="/new-apartments/1134-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221"><img alt="" height="870" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-03-08_at_10.07.09_am.png" width="1570" /></a>

There will also be&nbsp;a residents lounge on level three as well as work from home spaces, including a number of meeting rooms and desk booths.

The first level of the podium will have three commercial tenancies, and the ground floor a further two.

<a href="/new-apartments/1134-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">To be notified when the project reaches sales, enquire here.</a>

<a href="/new-apartments/1134-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221"><img alt="" height="854" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-03-08_at_10.06.48_am.png" width="1568" /></a>

The town planning report by Zone Planning Group noted that the development&nbsp;includes the Short-Term Accommodation land use to provide the unit owners greater flexibility in the future use of each apartment.

Currently there&#39;s&nbsp;a two-level older commercial building on&nbsp;the 1,643 sqm site. It sits in the mixed-use area of Palm Beach. The height of the tower will see it capture ocean views, given buildings to the east of the Gold Coast Highway have an eight-level development limit.

&quot;The proposal delivers a high-quality design outcome with deep recesses and projections and high quality materials to break up the extent of building mass and positively respond to the surrounding locality,&quot; the report noted.

Across the road, at 6 Palm Avenue, there&#39;s approval for an eight-level project.

<a href="/new-apartments/1134-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">To be notified when the project reaches sales, enquire here</a>

The building, designed by Plus Architecture, will have 113 apartments, a mix of one, two and three-bedroom units

Changfa lodge Palm Beach apartment plans

Sydney-based integrated property group, Top Spring Australia, has received official approval&nbsp;for a&nbsp;masterplanned community in St Leonards, on Sydney’s upper North Shore.

The project will be known as The Newlands, across 1.26 hectares&nbsp;at 21-41 Canberra Avenue and 18-32 Holdsworth Avenue, and will see&nbsp;330&nbsp;new residences built across five buildings, one for each of the site’s five ‘superlots’.

The project is consistent with the Lane Cove Council’s St Leonards South Masterplan, gazetted in 2020, which allows for increased residential densities in the area south of the Pacific Highway and west of the North Shore rail line.

The project’s Bates Smart-designed scheme integrates with the topography of this part of St Leonards, and sees the five buildings graduated in height to allow for the site’s significant gradient, while also providing residents with outlooks over the adjacent Newlands Park.

The Newlands’ three parkland facing buildings will be eight, nine and ten storeys in height, with some storeys part levels, due to the site’s steep incline, while the two rear buildings will reach eight and eleven storeys in height.

<a href="/new-apartments/the-newlands-st-leonards-21-41-canberra-avenue-st-leonards"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="1108" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-03-07_at_12.56.04_pm.png" width="1586" /></a>

Residences will come in a range of configurations, including one, two and three-bedroom apartments, two-storey townhouses, as well as several penthouses, with all residences designed to maximise a combination of parkland views, natural light and ventilation.

The project will create a highly connected ground plane that includes a 6-metre-wide, east-west site link, connecting Holdsworth and Canberra Avenues, as well as to a proposal by council to extend the pocket park at the end of Holdsworth Avenue.

In addition to the pocket park, the proposal will deliver a central 2,500sqm green spine that celebrates the transition from St. Leonards’ urban centre along Berry Creek and down to Sydney Harbour’s shore. The green spine plays on the dense forest planting of the gullies along Berry Creek, giving The Newlands community an immersive landscape journey and a new type of backyard for apartment dwellers.

Meanwhile, rooftop terraces with large entertaining spaces and lushly landscaped frontages will grace all buildings.

<a href="/new-apartments/the-newlands-st-leonards-21-41-canberra-avenue-st-leonards"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="1106" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-03-07_at_12.56.16_pm.png" width="1630" /></a>

Sydney Ma, Managing Director of Top Spring Australia, confirmed his company’s exciting vision for the site.

“At Top Spring Australia we insist on enhancing the local environment of the areas in which we develop, and at The Newlands, we really want to improve the local community’s use of the site by providing access to enticing green spaces that can become an integral place for locals to gather, socialise, exercise and relax,”&nbsp;Ma said.

“Working closely with Lane Cove Council and our architects Bates Smart, we have envisioned a design that successfully negotiates the sloping site by ‘stepping’ the buildings down the hill so that everyone can benefit from the views of Newlands Park.

“Meanwhile, we have also included landscaped platforms that will enhance views towards and from the park, ensuring The Newlands really does have a feeling of being situated within its own private green space.”

&nbsp;

Launch of The Newlands through Colliers will be in mid-2022, with construction commencing in late 2022.

<a href="/new-apartments/the-newlands-st-leonards-21-41-canberra-avenue-st-leonards"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="1102" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-03-07_at_12.56.45_pm.png" width="1502" /></a>

“We have established a reputation founded on the creation of exceptional living spaces that combine the latest trends in art, architecture and design, and our plans for The Newlands are certainly no different,” Ma added.

“We are working with some of Australia’s best designers to create homes that speak to the bushland quality of the surrounding area, with material palettes utilising a natural, robust and earthy selection of materials and finishes.

“Health and wellbeing is also a strong consideration, with the scheme designed to maximise the number of dwellings that are naturally cross-ventilated, while more than 7 in 10 dwellings will have more than one aspect.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=24509]

&nbsp;

The project will see 330 new residences built across five buildings, one for each of the site’s five ‘superlots’.



Top Spring secure The Newlands, St Leonards masterplan approval

As established prices rise, auctions get busier, and demand continues to outstrip supply, off the plan apartment developers are starting to see a new cohort of buyers coming through the door.

It&#39;s the flat and frustrated, tired of missing out at auctions and tired of spending their Saturdays at crowded open homes.

The award-winning developer Central Equity, HIA Victoria&#39;s most awarded apartment developer who has a completed portfolio of over 80 projects, has been fielding higher levels of enquiry than usual from these buyers for FOCUS, their new Southbank apartment development.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3260 project_image_fid=62340]

Central Equity Marketing Manager Jeremy Vile&nbsp;puts it down to the fact FOCUS is completing this year.

&quot;There&#39;s prospective buyers out there who are just tired of going to auctions and watching properties blow out well above the price guide being offered,&quot; Vile said.

&quot;Over the years&nbsp;it&#39;s not been a huge segment of the market that off the plan apartment developers have been able to tap in to, given those buyers are looking for something ready to move in, rather than something that is forecast&nbsp;to complete in two or three years.

&quot;But what we&#39;ve seen at FOCUS, which is on track to be completed this year, is that buyers are willing to wait just that little bit longer and take away all the undue stress of buying established property at auction.&quot;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3260 project_image_fid=62343]

Vile also notes that FOCUS has found itself in a sweet spot, where there is little competition in the Southbank area that is completing in 2022. Meanwhile the neighbourhood is expecting solid future growth for buyers.

&ldquo;Southbank&rsquo;s arts precinct has a $1.6 billion transformation on the way, with new gardens, public space and art features planned for the city&rsquo;s cultural hub. Plus Southgate has a $470 million redevelopment planned for new restaurants, bars and offices.&rdquo;

FOCUS will be a striking new addition to the city, with a Southbank location that grants residents access to the arts precinct within minutes. Live theatre, music, riverside dining and lush gardens are right at the doorstep.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3260 project_image_fid=62317]

Between March 10 and March 20, Central Equity is hosting the FOCUS Open House event, where&nbsp;prospective buyers can take a private tour of recently completed apartments and fully furnished displays.

One, two and three-bedroom designs are on sale now from $499,000, with&nbsp;stamp duty savings up to $43,000.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=3260]

"There's prospective buyers out there who are just tired of going to auctions and watching properties blow out well above the price guide being offered," Central Equity Marketing Manager Jeremy Vile said.




FOCUS, Southbank apartment buyers attracted to "no auction, fixed price" approach

The diversified national property development group, Goldfields, has bulked up its regional Victoria residential development pipeline, securing three adjoining sites in Shepparton.

Situated in the Shepparton South East Precinct Structure Plan (PSP), the largest of five proposed major growth corridors in the Shepparton-Mooroopna urban area, the newly acquired sites are set to become a masterplanned residential community comprising of approximately 450 lots (subject to council approval).

Located a stone&rsquo;s throw away from the Shepparton town centre, the estate will offer easy access to local primary and high schools, Coles and Woolworths supermarkets and retail favourites Bunnings and Kmart.

Future residents will also benefit from its proximity to the Shepparton Railway Station, with the Victorian Government&rsquo;s Stage 3 upgrade of the Shepparton Line due to commence this year. The works will deliver additional Shepparton to Melbourne rail services with a shorter travel time.

The acquisition further bolsters Goldfields&rsquo; commitment to investment in regional centres and follows their purchase of a <a href="/news/wa/goldfields-expands-into-wa-with-margaret-river-house-and-land-site-acquisition">400-lot, $8 million site in Margaret River, WA announced in February</a>.

Goldfields&rsquo; National Director of Communities, Paul Cicchiello, said the recent purchase of the residential sites in Shepparton reinforced Goldfields&rsquo; commitment to targeting strategic opportunities in Victoria&rsquo;s regional growth areas.

&ldquo;Demand for residential land across regional Victoria continues to grow, and Shepparton is no exception. It&rsquo;s experiencing significant population growth, which is supported by infrastructure investment from the Victorian and Federal governments,&rdquo; Cicchiello said.

&ldquo;Goldfields is excited to meet this demand to ensure Shepparton can continue to thrive. Our approach will deliver a functional, quality community that adds value and celebrate Shepparton&rsquo;s natural surrounds.&rdquo;

Goldfields&rsquo; Chief Executive Officer Lachlan Thompson said that the new project will provide an unrivalled offering, with quality amenities and green open spaces creating an attractive opportunity for first home buyers, families and investors alike.

&ldquo;These sites are perfectly positioned in the Shepparton South East PSP, providing residents access to an excellent array of amenities,&quot; Thompson said.

&quot;This new urban development will create an interconnected community with easy access to existing retail centres, extensive aged care accommodation, local parks and other community facilities.&rdquo;

&ldquo;Shepparton has a history of low rental vacancies and strong yields for investors. It&rsquo;s also more affordable than similar regions in rural Victoria, such as Ballarat and Bendigo, and these factors contributed to our belief in the area.&quot;

Construction is expected to begin in 2025.

Goldfields secure Shepparton masterplanned community site

Coolangatta&#39;s busy beachfront&nbsp;is set for another apartment development.&nbsp;

It&#39;s a second Coolangatta project filed by John Kearney, Managing Director at the construction firm Greyburn and a director at Alvey. He&#39;s&nbsp;submitted plans for an eight-level development&nbsp;at 30 Garrick Street, on the corner of Garrick and the dress circle Musgrave Street.

There will be just 40 apartments, all two-bedders,&nbsp;with five different configurations on offer. One of the two-bed configurations also has a study.&nbsp;

BDA Architecture, who handled the design, noted in their submission to the Gold Coast City Council that the&nbsp;40 units will service a wide sector of the market from downsizers wishing to stay within proximity to their existing detached dwellings to young couples seeking proximity to the beach and employment.

Internal areas of the apartments will range from 82 sqm to 100 sqm, with the total area&#39;s including balconies ranging from 91 sqm to 113 sqm.

<a href="/new-apartments/rhythm-kirra-hill-30-garrick-street-coolangatta-qld-4225"><img alt="" height="856" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-03-03_at_9.01.04_am.png" width="1212" /></a>

Level eight will home the rooftop amenity, with a swimming pool and communal barbecue area.

BDA said the&nbsp;proposed architecture is a contemporary coastal and local vernacular.

&quot;It will offer a layered façade of brick, screening, projections and landscaping that will knit locality together.&quot;

There will be just five apartments per floor.

&quot;An exceptionally located site that provides a unique setting for a medium density residential complex to be set within close proximity to the significant amenity of the Coolangatta centre and the recreational amenity afforded to the Coolangatta beaches,&quot; BDA continued.

<a href="/new-apartments/rhythm-kirra-hill-30-garrick-street-coolangatta-qld-4225"><img alt="" height="858" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-03-03_at_9.01.17_am.png" width="1210" /></a>

BDA said the proposal &quot;knits Garrick and Musgrave Street.&quot;

&quot;The proposal will assist in negotiating a sensitive transition from the centre zone uses and scale of Musgrave Street to the residential spaces of Garrick Street.&quot;

&quot;The concept is to provide a variety of two-bedroom dwellings that mix between smaller affordable floor plans and larger spacious lifestyle layouts.&quot;

In December Greyburn lodged their first Coolangatta project&nbsp;at 39-41 McLean Street, which again will provide&nbsp;more affordable stock than what&#39;s currently on offer in the area.

<a href="/new-apartments/39-41-mclean-street-coolangatta"><img alt="" height="735" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/39_mclean_street_coolangatta_2_0.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

Also designed by BDA Architecture, the&nbsp;19-level building will have&nbsp;63 apartments, made up of 28 two-beds, starting from 85 sqm of internal space, and 35 three-bedroom apartments which start from 110 sqm.

It sits next door to the old Jazzland Dance Palais which Melbourne developer&nbsp;BeckDev are seeking to turn in to apartments.

Crowning the new McLean Street project will be a rooftop pool, gym, lounge and kitchen area, and indoor and outdoor dining spaces. The development will be anchored at street-level by a cafe.

BDA Architecture noted the 40 units will service a wide sector of the market from downsizers wishing to stay within proximity to their existing detached dwellings to young couples seeking proximity to the beach and employment



Greyburn files for second Coolangatta apartment project

When leading Brisbane-based residential developers, Rob and Andrew Gray of Graya, first laid their eyes on the potential New Farm site of their first multi-residential development, they knew they were onto something special.

Securing the perfect multi-residential site in New Farm, arguably Brisbane&rsquo;s best lifestyle suburb, proved to be challenging from the outset, with Graya taking more than two years to select the site after considering a number of other options.

&ldquo;We knew finding a site that fit the criteria we needed wasn&rsquo;t going to be easy, but given our buyer demographic, we had a fairly tight brief on what we needed from it&ndash;with river and city views being at the top of our list&rdquo; Andrew said .

&quot;With its proximity to Brisbane city, and major lifestyle precincts including James Street, Teneriffe, and Howard Smith Wharves, property and real estate in the area is hard to come by and tightly held&rdquo;.

Once the site at 60 Moray Street had been secured,&nbsp;both Rob and Andrew knew they had a site that would allow them to do something new, innovative, and ultimately iconic.

<img alt="" height="794" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-03-03_at_9.12.01_am.png" width="1186" />

With its grand corner frontage, the design potential of the site was unlimited, and there was an opportunity to execute something that was design-driven and not commercially driven like many other developments in the area.

&quot;Being our first multi-residential development, I wanted this development to be design-led and reinvigorate the tired streetscape of Moray Street currently littered with run-of-the-mill brick unit developments,&quot; Rob said.

&quot;We also wanted to offer something unique to the suburb too, full-floor sky homes rather than jam packing as many units as we could in.&quot;

<img alt="" height="781" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-03-03_at_9.11.51_am.png" width="1176" />

The concept of Maison was born, and a brief was conceived to deliver something completely innovative to the suburb, some of the main design elements encompassing soft curves, plank form concrete and a major focus on landscaping.

&ldquo;The core focus of Maison was the environment and adding a living, breathing piece of architecture that added significant aesthetic value to the New Farm streetscape,&quot; Rob added.

&quot;Yes, Maison had to offer residents unrivalled luxury internally, but it also had to give back to the suburb in terms of its presence.&quot;

Rob and Andrew&rsquo;s vision for Maison is evident just by looking at the stunning photos taken of the project.

The brutal aesthetic of the surrounding buildings is instantly softened by Maison&rsquo;s bespoke curved planter boxes which were a first of its kind for this project. The level of detail (and commitment to the project brief) is evident when looking closely at the planter boxes with their &lsquo;wood form&rsquo; look further elevating Maison&rsquo;s fa&ccedil;ade.

<img alt="" height="1062" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-03-03_at_2.07.42_pm.png" width="1242" />

Unlike other projects in the area, significant time and effort were invested in the &#39;luscious&#39; landscape design of Maison. Given it was a key design feature of the development, and a major selling point, Graya ensured the long-term viability of the landscaping by selecting a range of drought-tolerant plants as well as implementing a grey-water reticulation system to minimise the water usage of the building-another major sustainability point of the project.

&quot;Maintaining a green building can be challenging and costly if not implemented correctly. We&#39;ve spent time in designing a system that is viable for the long-term, but also does not compromise on the aesthetic of the building design inside and out&quot;, Andrew said.

One of the most eye-catching elements of this project is the juxtaposition it creates between old and new architecture and just how far Brisbane has come along in terms of building design.

This commitment to design excellence is a consistent theme-with each of the beautifully appointed luxury sky homes featuring carefully curated, and high-end, fittings and fixtures as you&#39;d expect with a development of this calibre. Residents also have access to a fully-functional rooftop community area and pool which enjoys commanding city and river views.

<img alt="" height="778" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-03-03_at_9.11.31_am.png" width="1162" />

Maison is evidence that multi-residential buildings do not have to conform to the normal standard, that not all of a project&#39;s budget has to go into the internal fit-out. Sometimes, investing time and effort into the facade of a building is worth the reward in terms of its impact on elevating the streetscape of a suburb.&quot;

At Graya, we&#39;re not interested in knocking out run-of-the-mill developments with a pure focus on cramming as many units in as possible. We want to deliver iconic architecture projects that elevate our city-that contribute to the community in terms of their aesthetic.

We feel there is a gap in this high-end multi-residential market, and we&#39;re looking forward to executing more design-led owner occupied projects in the years to come&quot;, Rob said.

Graya has a range of upcoming multi-residential developments coming up, including the 21-unit development Canvas Bulimba, and another two projects, York, and Blook, in New Farm.

When Rob and Andrew Gray first laid their eyes on the potential New Farm site of their first multi-residential development, they knew they were onto something special.

How GRAYA created Maison, their luxury New Farm apartment development

The design-focused Melbourne developer,&nbsp;Neometro, is returning to the St Kilda area, securing a prime development site for almost $22 million.

The vast 5,008 sqm St Kil​da East site at 97 Alma Road was snapped up by Neometro just before Christmas.

Neometro director James Tutton said 2021 was a year of very significant growth for Neometro.

&ldquo;We made some major acquisitions and securing Alma Rd days before Christmas was the perfect icing on the cake,&quot; Tutton said.

&ldquo;We&rsquo;re very active on the northside &ndash; Brunswick, Northcote, Thornbury, Fitzroy etc. We&rsquo;ve got a long history in the southside too and we&rsquo;re looking forward to getting back there.&quot;

Neometro will run a design competition with a number of architecture firms before confirming who will design the project, which at this stage is expected to yield apartments and townhouses, given the size of the site.

&quot;We think we&#39;ll be able to deliver beautiful park fronting apartments and&nbsp;beautiful green townhouses ranging in size - some more of a family home, some more suited to couples,&quot; Tutton said, adding that there will be a nice variety of sizes on offer.

<a href="/new-apartments/97-alma-road-st-kilda-east-by-neometro-97-alma-road-st-kilda-east-vic-3182"><img alt="" height="768" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-03-03_at_10.58.13_am.png" width="1296" /></a>

It&#39;s a return to the St Kilda area for Neometro, whose last development was Harper Lane, completed in 2013 on St Kilda&#39;s Inkerman Street.

&quot;We&#39;ve been extremely active on the north side of Melbourne, but we&#39;ve been looking for a while for a site that provided a platform for us to come back,&quot; Tutton said.

&quot;Our view is that the quality of development on the Northside has been really really good, and the Southside just hasn&#39;t been the same level of quality - particularly around the St Kilda East area, so we thought it would be a great opportunity to up the ante in terms of development south of the river.&quot;

The highly sought after site, dubbed Saint Alma, which is currently occupied by&nbsp;a commercial building and two all-weather sports fields which is leased to Fitness First until 2024,&nbsp;was popular among developers.

Colliers agents Peter Bremner, Jozef Dickinson, Trent Hobart and Ted Dwyer secured the sale.

Bremner said Saint Alma represented the ultimate inner-city opportunity, being directly opposite beautiful parkland in a prime bayside location all within walking distance to chic and popular Windsor.

The site is directly opposite Alma Park and has easy access to all modes of public transport and major arterial roads including Windsor and Balaclava Train Stations and Dandenong and St Ki​lda Road trams.

Neometro is currently selling Nine Wilson Ave, their final apartment project in Brunswick&#39;s Jewell Station Village,&nbsp;a multi-stage development that began back in 2016.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=93019 project_image_fid=183948]

Over 35 per cent of the 73 apartments on offer have been snapped up over the traditionally quiet Christmas holiday period.

Designed by&nbsp;Neometro&rsquo;s long standing collaborators, MAArchitects, and local&nbsp;landscape designers Mud Office, Nine Wilson Ave will comprise a range of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, as well as the lofts.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=93019]

Neometro director James Tutton said 2021 was a year of very significant growth for Neometro

Neometro secure next apartment development site

Continuing the expansion of its Sydney footprint, the property developer Fortis has acquired two sites in Double Bay for around $82 million.

The sites, at 2-10 Bay Street and 294-298 New South Head Road, will be the sixth project by Fortis in the city-fringe harbour suburb. The transaction was negotiated by Ben Stewart from CBRE.&nbsp;

The prominent corner site comprises four independent properties, and boasts three street frontages on New South Head Road, Bay Street and Brooklyn Lane.

The 1,863 sqm site has development approvals for a residential project comprising boutique apartments across four levels, with basement parking for each residence and ground floor retail. Construction&nbsp;is expected to commence in July 2022, with the demolition of the existing buildings on the site completed. Pallas Capital will fund the acquisition and construction of the project.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Fortis has acquired multiple sites in Double Bay over the last few years for a mix of residential and commercial projects. 2-10 Bay Street is our newest acquisition and we are thrilled to add it to our portfolio. The residential project on this centrally-located site has an expected end value of $185 million,&rdquo; says Charles Mellick, Director at&nbsp;Fortis.

&ldquo;Our broader vision for Double Bay is to revitalise it. We are creating a vibrant town centre that appeals to residents and businesses alike, complemented by an enviable selection of dining, retail and entertainment options. 2-10 Bay Street and 294-298 New South Head Road will be the sixth project by Fortis in Double Bay, and we are excited to transform this city-fringe location into the most sought after neighbourhood in Sydney.&quot;

One of Sydney&#39;s most affluent harbourside suburb&#39;s, Double Bay is located four kilometres from Sydney CBD and known for its thriving, dynamic social scene. The suburb boasts of excellent amenities and transport options, offering easy access to the Double Bay ferry wharf, while Edgecliff train station lies a 10-minute walk away.

Double Bay is also known for maintaining a unique village feel, surrounded by high end boutiques and retailers.

Pallas Group is the parent company of structured real estate debt and equity manager Pallas Capital and developer Fortis. The expected end value of Fortis&rsquo; Sydney projects currently under construction or under a planning proposal is $1.5 billion, with a further $1.15 billion pipeline of work in Melbourne.

Fortis, in a joint venture with Dare Property Group, recently launched Piper, their high-end Point Piper collection of just 15 apartments

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6126 project_image_fid=191995]

But&nbsp;Fortis, alongside Dare Property Group, are set to finally bring something new for&nbsp;new high-end apartment seekers, on the&nbsp;2,392 sqm Wunulla Road site which they joint acquired for around $40 million last year.

The development, at&nbsp;2A Wunulla Road,&nbsp;will have interiors by MIM Design and sit in landscaping by Dangar Barin Smith.

There will be a mix of two, three and four-bedroom apartments across the boutique four-level building. Each apartment will feature&nbsp;soaring ceilings, open layouts and large living, entertaining, and outdoor areas. Some of the apartments will even have their own private pools.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=6126]

The 1,863 sqm site has development approvals for a residential project comprising boutique apartments across four levels

Fortis secure sixth Double Bay site

Azure Development has smashed the inner-Brisbane apartment price record, selling their sprawling New Farm penthouse atop One Five Six Oxlade Drive for $11 million.

A local Brisbane family secured the 1,025 sqm space crowning the luxury apartment project of just 10 apartments, arguably one of the best, and last, riverfront-facing residential properties.

The penthouse, complete with own rooftop terrace with swimming pool, has four bedrooms, five bathrooms, a seven car garage, terrace gardens, and a self-contained basement with a wine cellar.

<a href="/buildings/one-five-six-156-oxlade-drive-new-farm"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="788" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-03-03_at_9.14.48_am.png" width="1477" /></a> 
The luxury rooftop pool with sweeping views. Image supplied

Trent Keirnan, Director of Azure Development, attributes the record outcome to a growing sector of discerning buyers seeking space and quality.

“Enquiries have doubled in the last 18 months for supersized residences. The depth of buyers in this market is a by-product of an expanding demographic of clients willing to invest significant capital into these mansions in the sky,” Keirnan said.

“The market is accommodating demand from an increased surge in the property prices above $5 million and Brisbane has benefitted significantly in the post Covid adjustment of mid-2020.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95611 project_image_fid=180226]

“We’re seeing more and more families leave the suburban streets behind for large inner-city sky homes, which provide the same spacious floor plans as the average Queensland home with added luxe amenities.

“Developers and architects are recognising the importance of increased floor plans, designing true homes in the sky that can accommodate for growing families, providing generous open-plan living spaces that present a contemporary and modern way of living

Place Kangaroo Point agent Simon Caulfield said he fielded a number of offers for the apartment.

<a href="/buildings/one-five-six-156-oxlade-drive-new-farm"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="773" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-03-03_at_9.15.01_am.png" width="1280" /></a> 
The marble island bench by Conrad Architecture. Image supplied

“We received multiple competitive offers from local families wanting an unrivalled experience with no compromise, which inevitably pushed the price to its record high,” Caulfield said.

Construction on the development commenced in December 2021, with construction completion anticipated for mid-2023.

A local Brisbane family secured the 1,025 sqm space crowning the luxury apartment project of just 10 apartments


Azure Development grab $11 million penthouse record at One Five Six Oxlade Drive, New Farm

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

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

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

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

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

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

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

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

Joel Robinson

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