Will 2022 be the year of apartments, the year of investors, or both?

Now that international borders are open, the forecasts of immigration are strong, and rolling lockdowns keeping workers out of offices are a thing of the past, industry commentators and experts believe&nbsp;apartments will be back in fashion, given the affordability constraints due to runaway house prices.

Investors, who have been quiet in the property market for the best part of two years due to the&nbsp;COVID-induced downturn on migration and rental returns, are now starting to creep back in to the market.

Now more than ever, the highest priorities for investors are to buy in an area which has planned local infrastructure, solid&nbsp;population growth forecasts, and strong transport links.

One of Sydney&#39;s fastest growing suburbs is Castle Hill&nbsp;in Sydney&#39;s Hills District,&nbsp;north-west of the city. The area&nbsp;is undergoing a huge transformation, with the redevelopment of the Castle Towers Shopping Centre, and the new&nbsp;Metro Station connecting residents to the CBD in just&nbsp;40 minutes by train.

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Population forecasts are also solid, with experts forecasting a 20 per cent rise in population in the next 15 years.

McGrath Projects Associate Director&nbsp;Adam Sparkes says he&#39;s seeing investors start to get back in to the market, with a number of investors interested in the potential returns&nbsp;at&nbsp;Grand Reve, the Castle Hill apartment development from builder developer Kassis Homes.

&quot;Many are seeing long-term growth in the area, with the Castle Towers redevelopment the obvious drawcard,&quot; Sparkes says, also suggesting that there are more shrewd&nbsp;buyers in the market than ever before.&nbsp;

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&quot;First home buyers are getting savvier, and are intending to live in the new apartment on completion, with a view of making it an investment in the years after when they&#39;ve moved on,&quot; Sparkes notes.

&quot;Local downsizers are also buying with a view that, upon completion in Q4 2023, they will likely lease the apartment while they put the wheels in motion to sell their family home, and downsize in to the apartment eventually.&quot;

One of the biggest drawcards of Grand Reve is its location, in the heart of Castle Hill. Sparkes says there&#39;s considerable interest given the location, close enough to benefit&nbsp;from the infrastructure of the $1 billion redevelopment of the Showground Precinct, but far enough away from where dozens of apartment projects are under construction and in the pipeline.

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Sparkes advises some of the larger, more owner-occupier friendly apartments in Grand Reve will likely yield around 3.5 per cent on completion,&nbsp;but the more investor friendly one and two-bedroom product should reach a yield of around 4.5 per cent, well above The Hills District average of 3.4 per cent that SQM Research calculate.

The savviest of investors have been buying through their self-managed super funds, with one purchaser, a local couple, spending over $850,000 on a two-bedroom apartment in their SMSF.

There&#39;s also the depreciation benefit&nbsp;of a brand new asset&nbsp;for investors, who can claim yearly depreciation of the investment, an option not available to those investors seeking an already built apartment.

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Castle Hill&nbsp;has a median apartment price of $969,000, up 7.4&nbsp;per cent in the last 12 months, according to CoreLogic data.&nbsp;The gap between the median house and median&nbsp;apartment price in Castle Hill is&nbsp;$1.32 million, with the&nbsp;Castle Hill median house value at $2.292 million in February.

In August last year, McGrath Founder John McGrath noted the growing shift of those seeking out apartments over houses due to affordability, and that gap has only grown since then.

&quot;We&rsquo;re now meeting young people at opens who tell us they&rsquo;ve given up on a house and have switched their search to townhouses and apartments,&quot; McGrath said.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=94147]

Now more than ever, the highest priorities for investors are to buy in an area which has planned local infrastructure, solid population growth forecasts, and strong transport links.

Joel Robinson

Will investors and outpriced prospective house buyers drive the apartment market in 2022?

Pace Development Group has started 2022 with a foothold at the Mornington Peninsula&rsquo;s gateway, after the developer purchased a mixed-use site in the rapidly evolving City of Frankston for $16 million.

The 3274 sqm beachside site, located at 438-444 Nepean Hwy, was previously the location of Frankston Cinemas before becoming a vacant land parcel ripe for redevelopment.

Its current owner, a private Melbourne developer, had held the site for two years before negotiating its sale to Pace in an off-market deal.

Pace will plan around 200 apartments, with a high level of&nbsp;amenity, including an infinity pool overlooking the bay,&nbsp;and ground floor retail.

Shane Wilkinson, Managing Director of Pace Development Group, said he has had his sights set on development opportunities within the Bayside locale for some time.

&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve always had a clear mandate to be ahead of the curve when it comes to choosing up-and-coming locations across Melbourne, and offering purchasers a lifestyle in those areas that is synonymous with the Pace standard,&rdquo;&nbsp;Wilkinson said.

&ldquo;What makes this site particularly exciting is the magnificent backdrop of Port Philip Bay which will offer the majority of apartments uninterrupted water views.

&ldquo;We are currently working through early concepting of a U-shaped building that will allow the maximum number of apartments to enjoy panoramic views of the bay.

&ldquo;Our design brief emphasises Pace&rsquo;s commitment to developing buildings that are truly iconic and timeless in their architectural language.&rdquo;

Ashley Bramich, Sales and Marketing Director at Pace, said Frankston had already benefitted from strong price growth in the last year, yet its ability to cater to a discerning downsizer market has been capped until now.

&ldquo;Downsizers across the Peninsula have had very limited off-the-plan opportunities that come close to their expectations on quality and location,&rdquo;&nbsp;Bramich said.

&ldquo;With the Peninsula&rsquo;s extraordinary price growth of 20% being driven by younger sea-changers, empty-nesters couldn&rsquo;t be in a more advantageous position to sell their sprawling family properties and downsize.

&ldquo;Our vision is to create a project that meets the needs of Peninsula downsizers by focusing on larger two- and three-bedroom apartments and high-end facilities like an infinity pool looking out to a water aspect, and extensive health and wellbeing amenities.

&ldquo;Frankston offers the best of a Bayside and Peninsula lifestyle, yet being only 45 minutes from Melbourne&rsquo;s CBD allows for great connectivity for working commuters.

&ldquo;We believe the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula apartment market is limited from a planning perspective and significantly undervalued. Developments with water views in Sydney, Perth and Brisbane are all selling at significant premiums to what has been achieved in comparable locations in Melbourne.

The developer is currently in consultation with two architectural firms to refine its scheme, aiming to commence the planning process shortly in order to launch an early sales campaign in 2023

Pace will plan around 200 apartments, with a high level of amenity, including an infinity pool overlooking the bay, and ground floor retail.

Pace set for Frankston, Mornington Peninsula apartment development

Serai, Megara Property&rsquo;s flagship development on the border of Mosman Park and North Fremantle, has already seen strong buyer demand from locals looking for something at the higher end of the market.

Over $45 million of sales were secured&nbsp;at its recent sales launch, including the luxury penthouse crowning The Shore Residences, one of the two buildings in the development.

The penthouse, which has 400 sqm of internal living space and a wrap around balcony, has three bedrooms, a private pool, and an outdoor bar.

Serai comprises 105 apartments across The Shore Residences and The Bay Residences, and a number of&nbsp;three-storey townhouses.

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Megara Property Director, Jamie Clarke says Serai&rsquo;s buyers span across a range of demographics, however the recent launch was dominated by downsizers from the local area wanting to move from larger family homes, but stay in the area in which they have grown up in and have established connections.

Clarke&nbsp;notes that due to the expansive size of the three-bedroom apartments, locals aged between&nbsp;50 &ndash; 70 years old saw the opportunity to cash in and downsize from their family home to one of the larger apartments.

&quot;Those kinds of buyers looking at the floorplans realise it&#39;s not a significant downsize in terms of living space,&quot; Clarke said.

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&quot;They want lock-and-leave, maintenance-free living, but they&rsquo;re also looking for privacy and amenity with the room to move that they have become accustomed to in their family home&quot;.

Designed by award winning architect, Felipe Soto, Serai has been designed to maximise its premium elevated location atop McCabe Street Hill, between the Swan River and Leighton Beach, capturing the views of the ocean and the river.

All of the resident amenity, including the infinity pool, gym, with sauna and yoga studio, and an outdoor cinema, all have views. There&#39;s also a games room with pool and poker tables.

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&ldquo;What excites me most about this project, is probably the diversity and the way it can integrate with people&rsquo;s lifestyle choices,&rdquo; Clarke added.

The active street-level comprises a cafe and landscaped gardens.&nbsp;

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The amenity was important in the design by Space Collective Architects.

&ldquo;We wanted to create spaces where you can come together and meet your neighbours,&quot;&nbsp;Space Collective Architects Design Director Felipe Soto says.

Serai&#39;s location has been one of the key drivers for purchasers. It is&nbsp;conveniently located on McCabe Street, just a bridge from Fremantle, and just south of&nbsp;the premium parkside locations like&nbsp;Mosman Park and Peppermint Grove.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=110291]

The majority of the buyers so far have been those residing in the western suburb's already, as well as the investor market, both local and international

Serai, North Fremantle apartments, rocket on sales launch

The longstanding ACT and Gold Coast apartment developer, Morris Property Group, is kicking off its solid 2022 pipeline of new projects.

The first is in Broadbeach, where Morris has big plans this year. They&#39;ve just lodged a development application to the Gold Coast City Council for Crest Broadbeach, a 37-level tower with 157 apartments at 13-15 Armrick Avenue, designed&nbsp;by the Canberra architecture firm Guida Moseley Brown.

The two and three-bedroom apartments start from level five, above the three podium levels and level four amenity.

The extensive amenity, wrapped in terraces with seating and dining areas, features a pool, gym, lounge space, a private barbecue and dining space which can be hired, and a communal barbecue area.

<a href="/new-apartments/crest-broadbeach-13-armrick-avenue-broadbeach"><img alt="" height="614" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-02-22_at_2.43.29_pm.png" width="1096" /></a>

Also part of the level is extensive co-working space, with a number of single desk pods, office spaces, and boardroom-style rooms.

There will be a maximum of&nbsp;five apartments per floor, with just three three-bedroom apartments per level on the higher floors.&nbsp;

Morris secured the two side by side Armrick Avenue sites last year, the two 647 sqm blocks totalling&nbsp;1294 sqm.

<a href="/new-apartments/crest-broadbeach-13-armrick-avenue-broadbeach"><img alt="" height="612" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-02-22_at_2.43.33_pm.png" width="854" /></a>

The development is next door to the soon-to-be-launched tower by Turrisi Properties. Smaller at 22 levels, the tower designed by Rothelowman will have 81 two and three-bedroom apartments.

Crest Broadbeach will MPG&#39;s eighth development in the exclusive suburb, after successfully selling out Opus, Koko and Qube.

The team are preparing to lodge development applications for a number of Broadbeach sites in 2022, including one on the dress circle Australia Avenue, just 200 metres to the beach.

<a href="/new-apartments/crest-broadbeach-13-armrick-avenue-broadbeach"><img alt="" height="620" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/screen_shot_2022-02-22_at_2.43.25_pm.png" width="1102" /></a>

MPG also recently acquired a site in Burleigh Heads,&nbsp;a huge 2,024 sqm double block at 1873-1875 Gold Coast Highway.

They are planning&nbsp;a project comprising predominantly two-bedroom,&nbsp;two-bathroom&nbsp;apartments to provide housing more affordable to a broader section of the community.

&quot;Burleigh Heads is a great lifestyle location and represents the relaxed Gold Coast way of life. 1873-1875 Gold Coast Highway is an amazing opportunity to provide more buyers with the opportunity to enjoy the Burleigh life,&quot;&nbsp;Barry Morris said.

&nbsp;

MPG has just lodged a development application for Crest Broadbeach, a 37-level tower with 157 apartments at 13-15 Armrick Avenue designed by the Canberra architecture firm Guida Moseley Brown.



Morris Property Group set for Crest Broadbeach apartments

Resident amenity in apartment towers has gone up a notch over the last few years, as people are spending more time in their homes and working remotely.

It can be a defining factor&nbsp;in a buyers decision to secure an apartment in one development over another, and developers are getting wise to that fact.

Pezet Matheson Director Todd Matheson believes Tapestry, the recently launched&nbsp;Chevron Island&nbsp;apartment development from Siera Group, has one of the&nbsp;best on the exclusive island, if not even the wider Gold Coast.

&quot;We&#39;ve seen it on a few projects where developers have dedicated the rooftop to communal facilities, but not to this standard in this area,&quot; Matheson says.

&quot;It&#39;s a huge space where residents can enjoy a number of different facilities and zones, as well as offering sweeping views across the whole of the Gold Coast.&quot;

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Siera Group Founder and Managing Director, Brent Thompson, says when they&nbsp;were designing the rooftop, they really wanted to make sure that they created multiple breakout zones so that residents were able to be in their own private little areas when enjoying the facilities.

&quot;Reminiscent&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;famous&nbsp;hotel&nbsp;rooftops&nbsp;of&nbsp; the&nbsp;world,&nbsp; The&nbsp;Roof&nbsp;Terrace&nbsp;at&nbsp;Tapestry&nbsp;is&nbsp;a&nbsp;multi-faceted&nbsp;retreat&nbsp;for residents&nbsp;to enjoy their space,&quot; Thompson says.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iPLBGk-azaw" title="YouTube video player" width="660"></iframe>

&quot;Whether&nbsp;it&rsquo;s&nbsp;a&nbsp;swim&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;resort&nbsp;pool, relaxing on the day bed deck or sunken lounge area, some quiet time on the lawn terrace or tending to the vegetable garden, there&rsquo;s a space for&nbsp;everyone&nbsp;to&nbsp;enjoy&nbsp;in&nbsp;total&nbsp; privacy.

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Offering panoramic views, the rooftop is complete with a resort-style swimming pool, barbecue and alfresco space, a private dining room with a terrace and fire pit, an edible garden, a private gym with a sauna and steam room, along with the many landscaped lawns and gardens scattered throughout.

Siera were clever in the design of the resort-style swimming pool, which makes it even more unique.

&ldquo;We&#39;ve lent into creating a pool that had those private breakout spaces for people, so you could have your own privacy, and we also wanted to make sure that the pool didn&#39;t obstruct the beautiful views that we have to the northeast over the Nerang river and into the Surfers Paradise skyline,&quot; Thompson added.

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&ldquo;We actually removed one of the apartments on the level below and we&#39;ve dropped the pool down into that space so you get this really seamless pool experience with the spectacular view, with the pool then becoming an infinity edge that then overlooks the rest of the Gold Coast.&quot;

On the roof is also a private residence dining room and dining terrace, which looks&nbsp;out to the southwest, over HOTA and into the hinterland.&rdquo;

&ldquo;This is a space residents are able to book through an online booking application that Siera will run as part of the management of the building and it&#39;s a great place to be able to hold those special events where you want to invite family and friends over and enjoy everything that tapestry has to offer in your own private setting, so we think that&#39;s going to be very special for milestone events like birthdays engagements and anniversary&#39;s and we&#39;re really excited about the residents of tapestry to being able to enjoy that.&rdquo;

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There&#39;s further dining options, around the two barbecues, as well as a veggie garden, something Thompson put a level of importance on when designing the rooftop.

&ldquo;We wanted to create this sense of community for the residents, a place where those that are interested in being a part of the vegetable garden and community would be able to. The garden is really low maintenance and very practical, that the residents are going to be able to take ownership of and really create a sense of community and belonging.&rdquo;

Tapestry&#39;s rooftop is also home to a fully-functional gym and wellness facility, which has&nbsp;indoor and outdoor activation, as well&nbsp;as a sauna and steam room&nbsp;that ties into the entire wellness&nbsp;space.

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&ldquo;We wanted to have this health and wellness story to the rooftop as well and that comes right through from the pool and into the spa facilities.

&quot;We&#39;ve got an outdoor shower as well as our outdoor lawn area which is going to be real grass where people are going to be able to utilise that to do yoga or outdoor activities and this also ties into our residence gym which is located on the rooftop as well.&quot;

Tapestry, rising 22-levels, on the prized east-side of&nbsp;Chevron Island&nbsp;at 39 Darrambal Street, is being developed by the Siera Group, led by Brent Thompson,&nbsp;who sits on the board of UDIA QLD and chairs the Brisbane&nbsp;City Council&nbsp;Policy&nbsp;Committee.

The tower was designed by the local architecture firm BDA, whose brief was to merge art with architecture.

The result is a striking building of 113 apartments, featuring a&nbsp;mixture of vertical blade walls and horizontal slab edges which respond to available views and natural light.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=108641]

Siera Group Founder and Managing Director, Brent Thompson, says when they were designing the rooftop, they really wanted to make sure that they created multiple breakout zones

Is this the best rooftop amenity in Surfers Paradise?

An eco-friendly, masterplanned community in Albany Creek, which sets a new standard for sustainable living in Brisbane has started construction.

Riverfront is a rare terrace home development, positioned on the junction of Albany Creek and the South Pine&nbsp;River, that offers buyers the chance to live among 11 acres of private landscape with exclusive&nbsp;river&nbsp;and creek frontage.

Developed by Brisbane-based Lucindale Holdings, Riverfront allows homeowners to benefit from renewable energy solutions, rainwater harvesting and improved air quality while enjoying unmatched space within natural, green surrounds.

Riverfront has gained design certification from the internationally recognised EarthCheck Building Planning and Design program. This certification was based on key sustainable initiatives for each home with no net loss in biodiversity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=14057 project_image_fid=190710]

Lucindale Holdings Managing Director Marcel Russ said the company had deliberately integrated innovative sustainable design principles throughout the project to provide positive, productive, and sustainable contributions for residents and the existing local community.

&ldquo;Our design approach acknowledges the uniqueness of the location and its environment and incorporates a number of measures to reduce energy and greenhouse gas emissions, conserve natural resources and minimise waste generation and pollution throughout the planning and design of the development,&rdquo;&nbsp;Russ said.

&ldquo;We are also committed to the sustainable procurement of local products and services and give preference to natural design elements, where possible.&rdquo;

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Position Property has already sold&nbsp;60 per cent&nbsp;of the community&nbsp;prior to construction commencing.

Position Property Director Richard Lawrence said Riverfront was providing the luxury, sustainable alternative that buyers had been looking for.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=14057 project_image_fid=190711]

&ldquo;With climate change at the forefront of most people&rsquo;s minds, we&rsquo;re seeing an increase in buyers wanting to purchase sustainable housing that still looks and feels luxurious,&rdquo;&nbsp;Lawrence said.

&ldquo;Riverfront offers all of that and more. With exclusive&nbsp;river&nbsp;and creek frontage, set upon 15 acres of land, Riverfront buyers can live in a private, eco-friendly oasis at an affordable price point.&rdquo;

&ldquo;Riverfront has implemented a range of initiatives in each home which are not only good for the environment, but also for the hip pocket of residents.

&ldquo;Owners will benefit immensely from the project&rsquo;s renewable energy solutions.&rdquo;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=14057 project_image_fid=190715]

Riverfront offers four-bedroom terrace homes set across two storeys with&nbsp;open-plan living spaces that optimise natural light and airflow. Large garages, fully ducted air-conditioning,&nbsp;river&nbsp;views and roof mounted PV solar systems are all standard.

Residents will have access to a range of private amenity including a&nbsp;20-metre pool, fire pit area, community garden, and a barbecue area with a woodfired pizza oven.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=14057]

Riverfront has gained design certification from the internationally recognised EarthCheck Building Planning and Design program.


Riverfront, an eco-friendly masterplanned community in Brisbane's Albany Creek, starts construction

The prominent international property developer,&nbsp;Sekisui House, is preparing to launch its next phase of its $1 billion masterplanned community, The Orchards, in Norwest in Sydney&#39;s north-west.

The next release will be Lumia Lux, the second phase of the third stage of apartments, Lumia, which was released to the market nearly 12 months ago.

Lumia Lux&nbsp;commands a prime position in the Norwest development, located along Strangers Creek reserve and surrounded by large trees, a linear park and waterways.

Designed by prominent architectural practice Turner, Lumia Lux&rsquo;s design responds to its surrounds and embraces&nbsp;a connection to the environment. The two 12 and 13-level buildings will home&nbsp;127 apartments. There will be&nbsp;11 one-beds, 71 two-beds, 25 two-bed max, 17 three-beds and three&nbsp;four-bed penthouses on offer.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=111509 project_image_fid=191138]

A key feature of Lumia Lux is the outdoor pool and pavilion. This pavilion is appointed with a collection of communal and intimate dining and lounge areas that overlook the pool and linear park. Embracing the natural setting, the pool and pavilion have been designed to embrace the organic forms found in nature.

An infinity water edge, floating lounges and green landscaped roof further heighten the connection to nature.

Prices start from $650,000 for a one bed (62 sqm&nbsp;internal) and over $2.4 million for a four-bed penthouse (176 sqm&nbsp;internal).

[smartcode_project:default project_id=111509 project_image_fid=191136]

David Lee, Sales Manager, Developments and Communities &ndash; The Orchards at Sekisui House, says the conditions are ripe for a strong 2022 selling season, which is why&nbsp;Lumia Lux will launch next&nbsp;month. He notes that apartments have become a clear alternative for many home buyers with Sydney&#39;s median house values reaching record highs.

&quot;Strong rental demand for apartments is bringing property investors back into the market, first home buyers are seeking affordable property options and downsizers are selling their larger homes to release capital for lifestyle purposes,&quot; Lee says.

&ldquo;With over 330 apartments sold to date, The Orchards continues to attract a wide range of purchasers drawn to its luxurious lifestyle and first-class amenities.

&quot;Lumia Lux offers a broad range of apartment configurations aimed at enticing first home buyers, local downsizers and investors.

Set on a nature site with a creek and cycle/walkways, The Orchards will feature recreational amenities including a 1.4-hectare public park, playgrounds, break-out green spaces, outdoor lagoon pool, large indoor fitness centre and indoor heated swimming pool.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=111509 project_image_fid=189525]

&nbsp;The masterplan, on 8.1 hectares, is spread across five stages. When completed the community will comprise 1300 apartments.

The Orchards is located approximately 31 kilometres north-west of Sydney&rsquo;s CBD and is nestled in Norwest. It is strategically positioned 800 metres from Norwest Metro Train Station and 600 metres from Norwest Marketown as well as Norwest Business Park - currently housing over 30,000 employees.

All apartments in both Imperial (Stage 1) and Aire (Stage 2) in The Orchards have been completely sold out. Lumia phase 1 has approximately 55 apartments left, with the majority being oversized two bed max apartments.

Lumia Lux commands a prime position in the Norwest development, located along Strangers Creek reserve and surrounded by large trees, a linear park and waterways

Sekisui House to launch Lumia Lux at The Orchards, Norwest masterplan

The booming Castle Hill apartment market is set to welcome yet another development near the $1 billion Showgrounds precinct.

The latest is from&nbsp;KWG Property, who has launched their&nbsp;$300m Castle Island, some 295 spread across seven buildings near the new Showgrounds town centre, well connected to the rest of Sydney by the&nbsp;new Sydney Metro Station.

Inspired by nature, Castle Island was the worked of the&nbsp;local architectural firm, Giles Tribe, and two international architects, Hong Kong&rsquo;s ARVA Architects and DLN Architects. They brought&nbsp;a shared vision of integrating the surrounding landscape into Castle Island&rsquo;s apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112005 project_image_fid=191253]

On offer is one, two and three-bedroom apartment, featuring&nbsp;full-height glazed facades designed to offer extensive views so that residents feel connected to nature and their surroundings.

The one and two-bedroom apartments are being pitched at owner-occupiers and investors, while the premium 135 sqm, three-bedroom apartments are expected to generate interest from families, downsizers, and rightsizers.

Residents can choose from two colour palettes in the apartments. There&#39;s&nbsp;WOODLAND&rsquo;s pale oak-inspired timbers,&nbsp;stone grey benchtops and brushed bronze accents, or create a more classic&nbsp;FOREST FLOOR&rsquo;s creamy marble-look benches, black wenge cabinetry matte black tapware.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112005 project_image_fid=191258]

The communal spaces have been designed&nbsp;by Glyph Studio include a clubhouse, gym, lobby, library and co-working space. There&#39;s also&nbsp;private lounging nooks, yoga zones, games and play areas, space for rooftop meals and sunset drinks.

There&#39;s a large garden central to the project, as well as three elevated sky gardens, complete&nbsp;with barbecues, a yoga lawn and twilight outdoor cinema.

Construction commencement is proposed for Q4 2022, with Stage 1 completion expected in Q2 2024.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112005 project_image_fid=191251]

Developers are continuing to put faith in the growing Castle Hill area. Experts are expecting a 20 per cent rise in population in Castle Hill in the next 15 years, due to infrastructure and amenity upgrades.

Commuters have been spared the motorway with the new Sydney Metro Station,&nbsp;now just a 40-minute commute to Town Hall Station.

The popular Castle Towers shopping precinct has been redeveloped, and the Showgrounds precinct continues to grow in to a destination with a range of shopping and amenity.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=112005]

&nbsp;

The $300m Castle Island, some 295 spread across seven buildings near the new Showgrounds town centre, is connected to the rest of Sydney by a new Sydney Metro Station.



Castle Hill's new $300 million apartment development, Castle Island, launches

La Pelago, The Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise mega development by the Melbourne-based developer GURNERTM, has received development approval from the Gold Coast City Council.

The application for the $1.75 billion project, lodged in August, will see four towers built across a 11,000&nbsp;sqm plus block at 108&nbsp;Ferny Ave, which GURNER acquired&nbsp;following the high profile collapse of the developer Ralan, who had planned two towers on the site.

Over 900 residences have been signed off on, as well as over 200 hotel suites which will be part of the mixed-use central tower, the tallest tower which will rise up to 60 levels.

GURNERTM Founder and Managing Director, Tim Gurner, said La Pelago will be the culmination of all of their work over the past 15 years.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108339 project_image_fid=200436]

"We have been working tirelessly, researching all over the world, to ensure we raise the bar and that we can offer something beyond what has previously been possible," Gurner said.

“We have looked to the world’s best private islands to emulate a true 7-star resort-style precinct and I can speak from the heart when I say there is nothing else like it on the Gold Coast.

“Everything from the incredible resort-style amenities and ‘private island’ experience, through to the retail precinct, interiors and private zones, have been crafted with luxury in mind."

Designed by longstanding collaborator Warren and Mahoney, La Pelago centres on a private island theme whereby each of the project’s four towers is surrounded by a&nbsp;waterway lagoon, tropical landscaping and poolside water retreats, in addition to food and beverage tenancies, retail and open space.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108339 project_image_fid=200438]

The proposal also includes two levels plus one mezzanine level of basement, three storeys of a consolidated podium and 1,257 car spaces – recreation facilities, open areas and green spaces sit atop the podium level, with additional indoor communal recreation areas throughout the podium and towers for residents and guests.

Mid-2022 will see an initial VIP launch to GURNERTM's client database, which Gurner expects to see significant interest of the first release, before commencing a wider project launch later in the year.

“We have already been absolutely overrun with enquiries through our website for this landmark project – I think people know this is going to be something incredible that will really push the boundaries," Gurner added.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108339 project_image_fid=200437]

“Budds Beach is a really special part of the Gold Coast and we are excited to be pioneering a game-changing development that will bring this pocket of coastline to life with a world- leading mixed-use regeneration precinct.

“We have some amazing things to announce in the coming months, and we can’t wait to launch this incredible product."

GURNERTM recently announced that ICON Construction had been appointed as builder on the 60 plus storey tower, with an estimated build price of $350 million. Works are expected to commence on the site in Q3 2022, and the first tower’s build estimated to take 40 months to complete.

At A Glance: 
- Tower 1: 150 residences across 30 storeys 
- Tower 2: 110 residences across 25 storeys 
- Tower 3: 430 residences and 200 hotel suites across up to 60 levels 
- Tower 4: 250 plus residences across 34 storeys

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=108339]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108339 project_image_fid=200435]

Over 900 residences have been signed off on, as well as over 200 hotel suites which will be part of the mixed-use central tower, the tallest tower which will rise up to 60 levels

Gurner gets sign off for La Pelago, Surfers Paradise mega-development

National property developer Goldfields is further expanding its extensive portfolio, announcing its first acquisition in Western Australia and the opening of a new Goldfields office in Perth.

The newly acquired 400-lot site was purchased for $8 million and is four kilometres&nbsp;from the centre of the Margaret River township. It will be Goldfields’ first development beyond Australia’s eastern seaboard.

The site, at 211 Darch Road, Margaret River,&nbsp;is set to become a masterplanned residential community, with construction due to commence in the fourth quarter of this year. It is well-positioned to&nbsp;benefit&nbsp;from strong demand as Western Australia prepares to welcome back domestic and international migrants in the future.

Lachlan Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Goldfields, said the team had been looking for areas with strong development potential on the western coast of Australia.

“We’ve made no secret of our appetite for growth and our expansion into WA further strengthens our national pipeline," Thompson said.

“We’ve identified significant growth opportunities in Margaret River, due to favourable economic conditions, employment expansion and significantly constrained land supply in the area.

“We are delighted to have a permanent presence on the west coast in addition to major ongoing projects in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia."

Gareth Wilson, General Manager WA at Goldfields, noted recent growth in Margaret River and surrounds created an attractive development opportunity.

“Popularity in the South-West is stronger than ever and as a result Margaret River has seen an unprecedented growth in property sales and prices over the past two years," Wilson noted.

“Margaret River’s unique lifestyle offering and the strong Western Australian economy have created demand in the area, not only from the local population, but also holiday makers and investors.

“The picturesque site is surrounded by world-famous surf beaches, renowned wineries and is a short drive into Margaret River township. Not only will this new community help to meet the demand for housing, but it will also offer purchasers an affordable opportunity to improve their lifestyle in the South-West,” Mr Wilson said.

Goldfields also recently branched out in to Brisbane, <a href="/news/qld/melbourne-developer-goldfields-take-first-step-in-to-brisbane">submitting plans for a 20-level tower in&nbsp;Milton</a>, the riverside suburb in the inner western ring of the city.

Goldfields Chief Executive, Lachlan Thompson, told Urban that the time was right to go in to the Brisbane apartment market.

“As a national property developer, we are constantly looking for areas that offer strong development potential and we were impressed with Milton’s amenity and connectivity to all things lifestyle related," Thompson said.

Lachlan Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Goldfields, said the team had been looking for areas with strong development potential on the western coast of Australia

Goldfields expands into WA with Margaret River house and land site acquisition

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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