A local developer&nbsp;buyer&nbsp;has snapped up&nbsp;one of the two&nbsp;exclusive&nbsp;three-level penthouses crowning The AU - the new luxury Surfers Paradise apartment tower on the dress circle Esplanade.

The buyer has paid just south of $9 million for the 477&nbsp;sqm space, which he intends on further customising for&nbsp;his family&#39;s&nbsp;entertainment and lifestyle needs.

There&#39;s scope, particularly with the third level of the&nbsp;penthouse, which can&nbsp;be crafted into&nbsp;something truly unique, ASF Group Marketing Director Daniel&nbsp;Fang&nbsp;said.

&quot;The purchaser of the final penthouse could add another ocean view master suite, but there&#39;s already plenty of bedrooms. Thus, the options for a yoga or meditation room with full-width views of the beach, a cinema room, or even a personal gym are certainly available to them,&quot;&nbsp;Fang&nbsp;suggested.

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The penthouse starts from level 17 and has a&nbsp;separate&nbsp;private lift within to access the higher levels.&nbsp;Offering 16m frontage directly facing the ocean,&nbsp;the penthouses feature four bedrooms with the second level having the option of including a lap pool.

&quot;It&#39;s always a good sign when someone in the same industry sees the&nbsp;outstanding value proposition and quality of what you&#39;re delivering&nbsp;and subsequently&nbsp;buys into the project,&quot; Fang added.

&quot;They&nbsp;truly&nbsp;do their due diligence, and the fact they&#39;re happy with what they see, with the quality of the process and the track record of the development company, is a great&nbsp;vote of confidence for The AU.&quot;

There&#39;s been&nbsp;significant&nbsp;interest from discerning local buyers for the&nbsp;lower level apartments.&nbsp;The price per square metre&nbsp;matched with the unrivalled beach and ocean&nbsp;views in such a central&nbsp;location in Surfers Paradise is&nbsp;incomparable to any other development on the market currently.

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It&#39;s been local and interstate business owners who have made up the majority of the enquiry so far. 
 
&quot;The AU will be&nbsp;an exclusive&nbsp;community - a true boutique offering&nbsp;where you can get to know your neighbours. Of course, the residences also provide an elevated degree of privacy given that&nbsp;a typical 255 sqm residence will span an entire floor with its own private&nbsp;lift lobby.&quot; 
 
Each full-floor apartment with a starting price of $3.45 million offers three bedrooms and a multi-purpose room, or four bedrooms, each with stone kitchens and an open plan living and dining area. Furthermore, each residence boasts a 16m frontage directly facing the Pacific Ocean and beach.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6762 project_image_fid=184130]

The resident amenity is located on&nbsp;the&nbsp;podium level, with a gym and residents&#39; lounge space, which sit beside the infinity pool that looks out across the sand and ocean.

The podium level also features a barbecue and dining facilities, along with a sauna, ideal for unwinding after a few laps in the pool. 
 
The display suite is up and ready for viewing for prospective buyers, with the interiors created in the style of the actual residences. That&#39;s located in the Soul Boardwalk&nbsp;shopping precinct, just a few minutes&#39;&nbsp;walk&nbsp;from the actual site of The AU.

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The AU's two only penthouses span across three storeys - each featuring four bedrooms, an option for a lap pool and an additional master bedroom or meditation suite on the top floor.


Joel Robinson

Tri-level penthouse in The AU in Surfers Paradise snapped up for almost $9 million by local buyer

Everyone has wanted a piece of the Gold Coast in 2021, both developers and buyers, interstate and local.

GV Property Group&nbsp;agent Luke&nbsp;Reaby, who sells amalgamated sites to developers across the whole of the Gold Coast,&nbsp;says the number of interstate developers interested in apartment sites went through a noticeable shift in 2021.

&quot;Around half of our sales over the year went to interstate developers,&quot;&nbsp;Reaby&nbsp;said.

&quot;Most, if not all of the developers we&#39;ve spoken to who secured a site in 2021 have already secured a second or even third site, or are otherwise still on the hunt for another given the pent up demand for new apartments. However, given the lack of sites availble in desired locations such as Broadbeach, Mermaid Beach, Burleigh Heads, Palm Beach and Coolangatta, most are struggling to find prime land.

&quot;Their belief is that the Gold Coast apartment market will thrive for years to come which is partly due to the interstate migration, affordability, proximity to the beach and of course the lifestyle.&quot;

We&#39;ve taken a look at the Sydney and Melbourne-based developers who have made their mark on the Gold Coast.

<h2>Hirsch &amp; Faigen</h2>

It was a stellar debut 2021 on the Gold Coast for the Melbourne-based developer Hirsch &amp; Faigen.

Their first project, Hemingway at Palm Beach, sold out all of its 78 apartments in a matter of months earlier this year.

They&#39;ve sold over 60 per cent of their luxury Kirra Beach apartment development, Emerson, a collection of just 27 apartments on Musgrave Street.

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Now the team, led by Daniel Faigen and Richard Hirsch, has launched Yves, a rare development in the sleepy Mermaid Beach.

Yves, again designed by Rothelowman, who has handled each of Hirsch &amp; Faigen&#39;s Gold Coast developments,&nbsp;will comprise three&nbsp;25-level towers. They will home a total of&nbsp;145 apartments.

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The building&#39;s are crowned with outdoor rooftop seating, with the residential amenity located in the shared lobby, which&nbsp;Rothelowman&nbsp;designed as a greenhouse to create a suburban feel.

There will be a north-facing swimming pool as the centrepiece, as well as a pool and yoga deck, a&nbsp;gym, sauna, recreation lounge and barbecue seating.

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The design is also a nod to the history of coastal masonry walk ups.

Faigen said Mermaid is still the&nbsp;best suburb on the Gold Coast, with the millionaire&#39;s row Hedges Avenue fronting&nbsp;the beach. He said the&nbsp;apartment&nbsp;towers of this size fit the location better than the sites of their previous two developments.

<h2>Macquarie York</h2>

The Sydney-based developer Macquarie York aren&#39;t new to the Gold Coast, but have really put their stamp in 2021.

Having nearly sold out their first Gold Coast project, Allure on Chevron Island, Macquarie York, led by managing director Roy Skaf, has two projects currently in market which they&#39;ll be selling in to 2022.

One is another on Chevron Island.&nbsp;Ni&ntilde;a, less than 200 metres from Allure, will home 73 apartments in a 22-level building designed by&nbsp;Plus Architecture.

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Plus Architecture,&nbsp;led locally&nbsp;by Danny Juric, cleverly designed Ni&ntilde;a&nbsp;so&nbsp;every apartment can capture views&nbsp;of the ocean.

They call Ni&ntilde;a&#39;s design &quot;coastal sophistication with barefoot luxury,&quot; with one of the main design drivers the timeless curves, which will stand the test of time.

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Macquarie York also have Ocean House, a luxury collection of&nbsp;apartments at Palm Beach, each with three bedrooms, a multi-purpose room, and&nbsp;200 sqm of living area.

The development has been designed by the local architecture firm&nbsp;BDA Architects, who say the striking building is&nbsp;sculpted&nbsp;from inspiration from the surrounding natural environment of the movement of water and sand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22108 project_image_fid=179620]

<h2>Little Projects</h2>

The Melbourne-based Little Projects branched out to Queensland a few years ago with their first project, Signature at Broadbeach, but really kicked in to life in 2021.

Following the sell-out of Signature, some 245 apartments, Little Projects tailored their next project to the high demand for luxury owner-occupier apartments. Their latest Broadbeach development, Aperture, has been a huge hit with buyers locally and interstate.

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Aperture has just 29 apartments across the 35 levels, with 26 full-floor apartments with three bedrooms, three bathrooms and three parking spaces.

They start from $2.1 million, with every level of the 120 metre building offering uninterrupted ocean views from the balcony off the living area.

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Speaking to Urban, Pyke says the team have a firm belief in the longevity of the Gold Coast apartment market, and are working towards securing more development sites heading in to 2022.

<h2>Iris Capital</h2>

Iris Capital were another making their move on the hot Gold Coast market in 2021. They recently launched their $800 million apartment project Victoria &amp; Albert.

V&amp;A will have over 400 apartments across its two towers, which share a subtropical recreational podium, two levels of premium offices and commercial facilities and a fresh food and dining retail on the street level.

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Iris, who are behind the $350 million redevelopment&nbsp;of the iconic Bourbon and Beefsteak Hotel in to 48 luxury apartments at home in Sydney, are heading in to 2022 with another local site secured, on the dress circle Garfield Terrace.

Arnaout said Iris Capital has been looking to expanding its operations outside of NSW for some time, initially exploring a move into Victoria.

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&ldquo;However, the way the market is heading and how buyers have responded to south-east Queensland has definitely driven our decision to expand further north as opposed to Victoria,&rdquo;&nbsp;Arnaout said.

&ldquo;The onslaught of investment and migration into south-east Queensland, the prospect of the Olympics in 2032 and regional growth over the next decade have certainly changed our strategic focus. For us, it&rsquo;s a no brainer.&rdquo;

<h2>Gurner</h2>

Tim Gurner swooped on the Gold Coast in 2021, securing the Ferny Ave block owned by the collapsed Ralan, who had planned for two&nbsp;towers on the sprawling Budds Beach site.

In early 2022 GurnerTM will be launching the first stage of the $1.25 billion. Dubbed La Pelago, the&nbsp;11,000 plus sqm space will now have four towers with nearly 1,000 apartments, around a quarter dedicated to a hotel.

<img alt="" height="697" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/gurner_main_3.jpg" width="1200" />

La Pelago, likely named after the small commune in Italy,&nbsp;centralises on a private island theme, where&nbsp;each building is surrounded by over 9,000 sqm of amenity, lush tropical landscaping by SWA and pool-side water retreats, creating four private islands.

Gurner has appointed ICON to build the first 68-level tower.&nbsp;The build price is estimated to be over $350 million, and will take just over three years to complete.

<h2>Abadeen</h2>

Sydney&#39;s&nbsp;Abadeen Group launched their first project to the Gold Coast in 2021, starting in Palm Beach where they are developing Villea.

The 69-apartment tower at 26 Mawarra Street was a hit with local owner-occupiers and first home buyers, given its more affordable entry price compared to other projects in the area.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=106840 project_image_fid=172253]

Justin Brown, the CBRE chairman&nbsp;who founded Abadeen over two decades ago, said the company&nbsp;was delighted to have purchased such a strategic site to enter the Gold Coast market.

&ldquo;We are extremely excited with the purchase in what we believe is one of Australia&rsquo;s premier beachfront locations,&rdquo;&nbsp;Brown said when Villea launched earlier this year.

&ldquo;We know the market is running very strongly on the southern Gold Coast, in Palm Beach particularly, and&nbsp;believe the market is primed for this project.&quot;

<h2>Macquarie Developments</h2>

The Sydney-based Macquarie Developments Group made a big&nbsp;move on the Gold Coast,&nbsp;having secured approval to develop the tallest tower in&nbsp;Broadbeach.

The Gold Coast City Council gave the development the green light, after Macquarie&nbsp;amended the approved application after they bought the site in October through GV Property Group.

Macquarie Developments Group has altered the development approval that they inherited back in 2016, which was for a 42-level tower.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7511 project_image_fid=185979]

Assana will now rise a further 11 levels, but will have considerably less&nbsp;apartments, down from 186 to 146, a move which sees the developer&nbsp;cater to growing trend of bigger apartments for the owner-occupier.

The slender, 52-level Assana,&nbsp;at 15 Rosewood Avenue, will be the tallest tower in Broadbeach, topping the nearby The Oracle Beach Tower, which peaks at 50 storeys.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7511 project_image_fid=184691]

Head of Development and Construction Peter Galvin said his team worked closely with Gold Coast City Council, Gold Coast-based Urban Planning Services, and award-winning architects SJB, to achieve a successful outcome.

&ldquo;We wanted to improve on the existing DA because we felt we could deliver a better outcome for everyone &ndash; for us, the community, and future residents,&rdquo;&nbsp;Galvin said.

<h2>Pask</h2>

The Melbourne property developer Pask has been in Brisbane for a while, developing greenfield sites around the capital for a number of years.

But they announced themselves on to the Gold Coast in 2021 when they launched Esplanade,&nbsp;its luxury Palm Beach apartment development on the sought-after The Esplanade.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107137 project_image_fid=182224]

Strong demand from buyers has seen half of the 16 residences snapped up prior to the project&rsquo;s retail sales launch.

NPA Projects Director Andrew Erwin saying he&#39;s seen interest from Gold Coast locals, as well as from Brisbane, and Melbourne.&nbsp;

&quot;Great design and quality craftsmanship are what Pask are well-known for in Melbourne,&quot;&nbsp;Erwin says, highlighting their work at the Millswyn, a collection of eight luxury apartments, two penthouses and a restored heritage residence in South Yarra&rsquo;s exclusive Domain precinct.

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<h2>Weiya Holdings</h2>

The Sydney developer Weiya Holdings has nearly sold out its first Gold Coast apartment development, DE-LUXE, the apartment redevelopment of the 1930s cinema and&nbsp;Old Burleigh Theatre Arcade&nbsp;in Burleigh Heads.

The ground level and arcade will be retained and restored, and will see 13 levels of luxury apartments built above the space.

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Just a few apartments remain in the Goodwin Terrace development, which could home Queensland&#39;s most expensive penthouse if the lavish spread fetches the $23 million asking price.

Their next project in the GC is&nbsp;Aalto, a 38-level luxury high-rise development on their recently acquired&nbsp;$50 million block of land at 75-79 Garfield Terrace, right on Northcliffe Beach.

<h2>Sammut</h2>

The Sammut Group has been operating in the luxury residential apartment space in Sydney&#39;s Sutherland Shire region for the best part of three decades.

They made a name for themselves on the Gold Coast in 2021 with their near sell-out of their first project in Queensland, Coast, on the sought-after Garfield Terrace in Surfers Paradise.

Within weeks of lodging its development application earlier this year, it sold more than half of the 43 beachfront apartments.

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&quot;The kind of swift sale is unlike anything I have experienced in my 35 years in the industry,&quot; Sammut Group CEO and co-founder Allen Sammut said.

There were sight unseen, full-floor apartment purchasers from Sydney and Melbourne in recent weeks. The project is set for completion in late 2023.

Everyone has wanted a piece of the Gold Coast in 2021, both developers and buyers, interstate and local

The interstate developers lighting up the Gold Coast apartment market

Following on from its successful sell-out of Maison, the high-quality Brisbane home and apartment builder,&nbsp;GRAYA, is set to deliver another luxury&nbsp;apartment block in New Farm.

Graya, who recently branched out in to luxury apartment market after successfully creating a number of well documented transformations of contemporary&nbsp;Queenslanders and ultra high-end new builds across Brisbane, has lodged development plans for York, just five full-floor apartments at 299 Bowen Terrace.

The five-level building will be crowned by a rooftop terrace with a wet edge pool and day beds, a fire pit area,&nbsp;lounge and dining spaces, and a bar.

<a href="/new-apartments/york-new-farm-299-bowen-terrace-new-farm-qld-4005">To be the first to know when York hits the market, enquire here.</a>

<img alt="" height="1051" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/york_new_farm_2.jpg" width="1200" /> 
The boutique complex of just five apartments. Image credit: bureau^proberts

Each of the apartments, spanning nearly 250 sqm of internal space and over 20 sqm of balconies, will have three bedrooms,&nbsp;each with an ensuite, a second living area, and a study.

&quot;York brings something both familiar and new to the historic quarter of New Farm, contributing respectfully to an enclave known for its characteristic Art Deco Residences,&quot; architecture firm bureau^proberts wrote in their design statement submitted to the Gold Coast City Council.

<a href="/new-apartments/york-new-farm-299-bowen-terrace-new-farm-qld-4005">To be the first to know when York hits the market, enquire here.</a>

&quot;Drawing on the details of the Art Deco period, the architecture creates rich embellishments in glass, metal and concrete, architectural elements give character to what is ultimately a place the sophistication of New York City translated into the context of a vibrant subtropical city.

&quot;Toward the street, strong vertical elements are reinforced by corbelled concrete rising to create a corner landmark.&quot;

<img alt="" height="606" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/york_graya.jpg" width="1200" />

Led by founders, brothers Rob and Andrew Gray, Graya secured a sell-out of its maiden apartment development, Maison in New Farm, and&nbsp;is preparing to launch their second apartment development, Canvas, a mix of 21 two, three and four-bedroom apartments.

Speaking to Urban, Andrew Gray said the team at GRAYA are really&nbsp;focussed on delivering a quality product in a premium location.

&quot;York will be five&nbsp;full floor apartments in one of New Farm&rsquo;s best pockets.&nbsp;The level of detail and quality of finish will be a step up from Maison so we&rsquo;re really exited to see how the market responds,&quot; Gray said.

Gray says in 2021 the&nbsp;high-end unit market went from strength to strength,&nbsp;with all quality developments selling out well before construction was completed.

<a href="/new-apartments/york-new-farm-299-bowen-terrace-new-farm-qld-4005">To be the first to know when York hits the market, enquire here.</a>

The five-level building will be crowned by a rooftop terrace with a wet edge pool and day beds, a fire pit area, lounge and dining spaces, and a bar

GRAYA set for luxury New Farm apartment development, York

Lendlease Retirement Living has marked the launch of Gramercy Terraces in Richmond with a sod-turn and smoking ceremony.

Gramercy Terraces are part of a new boutique offering for Lendlease Retirement Living and will form part of the broader intergenerational living precinct in Melbourne&rsquo;s inner-city, on the well-known Bendigo and Khartoum streets in Richmond.

Developed by Lendlease and built by Balmain &amp; Co, Gramercy Terraces comprise 31 three-level, three-to-four-bedroom freehold terrace homes, complete with full voids that maximise&nbsp;natural light, along with backyards and rooftop terraces with city views.

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Nathan Cockerill, Managing Director of Retirement Living at Lendlease, said Gramercy Terraces represent&nbsp;a new product offering for Lendlease Retirement Living.

&quot;They add the residential component of our intergenerational living precinct in Richmond and will neighbour Ardency Kennedy Place, our luxury, independent retirement living community currently under construction, and a future aged care site is also planned to offer a continuum of care for residents as their needs increase,&quot; Cockerill said.

&ldquo;Purposefully designed with families, downsizers and investors in mind, the new offer is proving popular with the first stage nearly sold out and the final stage set to launch early next year.&rdquo;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95458 project_image_fid=169944]

The new homes form the residential component of the precinct and will neighbour Ardency Kennedy Place, Lendlease&rsquo;s five-star luxury retirement living community currently under construction.

The Bates Smart architectural design draws inspiration from the iconic Federation-era red brick of Bendigo Street and pays homage to the former site of the Nine Network studio and the Wertheim Piano factory, Victoria&#39;s first piano factory.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95458 project_image_fid=169939]

The precinct will target a 6 Star Green Star Communities rating from the Green Building Council of Australia, representing a world standard in sustainable design.

Gramercy Terraces&rsquo; urban location boasts walkability and transit scores stemming from its prime location within walking distance to the Yarra River and the tram and train services of Swan Street and Bridge Road.

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Nathan Cockerill, Managing Director of Retirement Living at Lendlease, said Gramercy Terraces represent a new product offering for Lendlease Retirement Living

Lendlease to begin building Gramercy Terraces, on the former Richmond site of the Nine Network studio

Queensgate, the redevelopment of the Bourbon and Beefsteak Hotel in&nbsp;Sydney&#39;s Potts Point, secured over $102 million sales at its opening weekend launch.

Iris Capital&rsquo;s $350 million project saw a number of its 48 apartments snapped up, with huge sales including a 220 sqm, three-bedroom penthouse, bought by a couple from Sydney&#39;s north shore for $16 million.

Three of the 18 sales secured exceeded the $10 million mark, including the sale of a further two penthouses featuring their own private pools.

&ldquo;We are delighted with the sales result to date and are immensely proud of the product that we have worked tirelessly to deliver to market,&rdquo; said Iris Capital CEO Sam Arnaout.

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&ldquo;Queensgate has been in planning for seven years so it&rsquo;s no surprise that the response was so overwhelming given the pent-up interest in the project.&rdquo;

Apartment prices start from $1.8 million for a one-bedroom apartment, $2.8 million for two-bedroom, $5 million for three-bedroom, and $10 million for the ultra-indulgent penthouses.

The collection of 48 apartments hit the market on Saturday, instigating a response that CBRE&rsquo;s Ben Stewart described as &ldquo;sensational&rdquo;.

&ldquo;A price point like that of Queensgate&rsquo;s would typically be met with quite a lengthy consideration process, but we had numerous buyers willing to sign on the dotted line the day it hit the market,&rdquo; Stewart said.

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&ldquo;Local buyers in particular have been anticipating the arrival of Queensgate for some time, so there was quite a sense of urgency among those eager to put their name against a slice of Potts Point history.&rdquo;

&ldquo;We had anticipated the competitive demand for Queensgate &ndash; as such, a $20,000 deposit was required to secure an expression of interest for an apartment.&rdquo;

&ldquo;This isn&rsquo;t your ordinary collection of luxury homes - you&rsquo;re dealing with an iconic site close to the hearts of many Sydney-siders, not to mention the remarkable architectural feat that Panov Scott and Tonkin Zulaikha Greer have produced.&quot;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5570 project_image_fid=185762]

The project has been hailed as an architectural reawakening of the 18-32 Darlinghurst Road site which will see the historic fa&ccedil;ade of The Bourbon Hotel retained alongside a brand new collection of residences.

Five separate buildings will be delivered, to be called Sovereign, Regent, Monarch, Consort and Empress, each exuding a differentiated design with their own lobby and no more than 10 apartments in each building.

Each residence has been elevated by artistic finishes, boasting soaring ceilings, a limited collection of private wine cellars, and cavernous walk-in wardrobes, all encased in a breathtaking heritage fa&ccedil;ade.

The project was greenlit by council earlier this year after spending over three years in approvals.

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“Queensgate has been in planning for seven years so it’s no surprise that the response was so overwhelming given the pent-up interest in the project.”

Queensgate, Potts Point apartments net $16m penthouse buyer and over $102m in weekend launch

Yves is the third Gold Coast apartment development by the Melbourne-based&nbsp;developer Hirsch &amp; Faigen in 2021.

For all three of their developments they&#39;ve had Rothelowman handle the design process, with Yves comprising a contemporary collection of three towers.

The $200 million Yves project will have 145 apartments across the three 26-level towers, which&nbsp;start from&nbsp;$540,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, and $740,000 for a two-bedroom apartment.

Rothelowman noted in their design statement that the design of&nbsp;Yves&nbsp;is a nod to the history of coastal masonry walk ups.

&quot;Embedding the coastal traditions of this place within high density apartment precincts is not by any means a straight forward task,&quot;&nbsp;Rothelowman&nbsp;state.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186075]

&quot;Mermaid Avenue seeks to humbly direct this thinking towards an outcome that promotes liveability and simplicity. The unique &ldquo;wedge-shaped&rdquo; site results in a dynamic built form that has been subtly articulated through a series of intersections in form and incisions in the overall mass.

&quot;A layered approach to fa&ccedil;ade balancing glazing with masonry responds to climatic orientation, desire for views and outlook. A textural approach which balances reflectivity in glass with undulating precast patterned concrete will create a vibrancy through shadow and depth.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186081]

&quot;The low set podium is modestly scaled to engage with the neighbouring apartment buildings and continue the language of the street within the undercroft of the tower. Gardens prevail on all frontages ensuring a balanced relationship with the adjacent sites.

&quot;The narrow streetscape interface is relaxed with generous setbacks allowing for the establishment of a landscape focused forecourt between the lobby and the footpath.

&quot;Gardens are utilised to create a domestic tone, rich in coastal species, colour and textures.&quot;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186082]

Rothelowman noted the site presented a unique opportunity to create a transitional tower project at the junction between the intensity of cosmopolitan Broadbeach and the more traditional/ laidback vestiges that is well defined by places such as Mermaid Beach.

&quot;Between the sleepless Broadbeach &amp; gentrified Burleigh, Mermaid Beach captures the diminishing modesty&nbsp;of the Gold Coast,&quot; Rothelowman note in their design statement.

&quot;It is a microcosm with cafes, craft and culture. A community of locals and tourists relishing a more humble urban lifestyle than the north &amp; south.

&quot;A deliberate and direct attitude towards enhancing the way in which buildings can add to the narrative of life of the Gold Coast is important in ensuring an &ldquo;Architecture of Place&rdquo; can be developed.&quot;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186074]

&quot;A rich part of the evolution of the Gold Coast is the challenge and opportunity posed by the emergence of high density precincts amongst the well-established lower intensity beachside villages of the City. This is very much a product of the desirability of living in the emerging City and the rapid shift towards a more urbanised environment along the length of the Coast.&quot;

The building&#39;s are crowned with outdoor rooftop seating, with the residential amenity located in the shared lobby, which&nbsp;Rothelowman&nbsp;designed as a greenhouse to create a suburban feel.

There will be a north-facing swimming pool as the centrepiece, as well as a pool and yoga deck, a&nbsp;gym, sauna, recreation lounge and barbecue seating.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=102451]

Rothelowman noted in their design statement that the design of Yves is a nod to the history of coastal masonry walk ups.

A nod to coastal masonry walk ups: Rothelowman's design decisions behind the Mermaid Beach apartment development, Yves

Mermaid Beach is set for a rare new apartment development.

Yves, a contemporary collection of three towers, has launched just before the end of 2021, marking the Melbourne-based developer Hirsch &amp; Faigen&#39;s&nbsp;third development the Gold Coast this year, after making their Queensland debut at the start of 2021.

The $200 million Yves project will have 145 apartments across the three 26-level towers, designed by Rothelowman, who have been Hirsch &amp; Faigen&#39;s go-to architect on the Gold Coast.

Prices start from&nbsp;$520,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, and $740,000 for a two-bedroom apartment.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186082]

Daniel Faigen,&nbsp;who runs Hirsch &amp; Faigen with Richard Hirsch,&nbsp;said Mermaid Beach is still the&nbsp;best suburb on the Gold Coast, with the millionaire&#39;s row Hedges Avenue fronting&nbsp;the beach.

He said the&nbsp;apartment&nbsp;towers of this size fit the location better than the sites of their previous two developments.

&quot;With Mermaid Avenue we&#39;re getting back to some more affordability,&quot; Faigen told Urban, adding that there&#39;s a need for a more price pointed product.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186074]

Crowning Yves is the penthouse &ndash; spanning 335 sqm of internal space, plus an additional 71 sqm of private external living. It will have&nbsp;four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a multi-purpose room and a study.

The building&#39;s are crowned with outdoor rooftop seating, with the residential amenity located in the shared lobby, which&nbsp;Rothelowman&nbsp;designed as a greenhouse to create a suburban feel.

There will be a north-facing swimming pool as the centrepiece, as well as a pool and yoga deck, a&nbsp;gym, sauna, recreation lounge and barbecue seating.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102451 project_image_fid=186085]

&ldquo;We are delighted to be bringing a third Gold Coast project to market off the back of two consecutive successes on the southern coast,&quot; Hirsch added.

&ldquo;We have a fundamental belief in this prestigious pocket of the Gold Coast, and are excited to introduce our unique take on modern luxury to a market that is on the brink of exploding once the well-heeled interstate buyers make their way into the state.&rdquo;

Hirsch &amp; Faigen secured a sell-out of their first Gold Coast project, Hemingway, at Palm Beach, before&nbsp;heading to Kirra Beach where they are selling Emerson, a boutique tower of just 27 apartments.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=102451]

Yves, Mermaid Beach apartments launch

First home buyers will get an exclusive crack at three of the latest apartment projects by the Melbourne apartment developer, MAB Corporation.

A Victorian-first, MAB are offering what is essentially a pre-release of apartments just for those getting on the ladder for the first time, with an eight-week window before the apartments are available to everyone.

The three inner northern ring apartments,&nbsp;Academy North Melbourne, Merri Northcote and Preston Crossing, will see first home buyers get a chance to purchase with a three percent deposit, or less than $11,000.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=109972 project_image_fid=185444]

For deposits greater than three per cent, purchasers will be entitled to a rebate that reduces the balance paid at settlement &ndash; an initiative designed to encourage saving while the homes are delivered.

Over 100 new apartments across the three projects will be available to first home buyers before launching to the broader public in 2022.

MAB General Manager Residential, David Allt-Graham said the initiative is&nbsp;a great opportunity for first home buyers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=109972 project_image_fid=185457]

&ldquo;MAB understands the challenges first home buyers face entering the inner-city property market and we believe that this initiative will help people in our city purchase their first home in tightly held inner-city locations,&quot; Allt-Graham said.

&ldquo;What&rsquo;s more, all three projects are being developed as sustainable, future-proofed homes with a minimum 7 Star NatHERS rating along with our commitment to deliver a 5 Star Green Star As-Built certification.

&quot;With a focus on sustainability, and operating fully electric, we&rsquo;re ensuring these future residents will have homes that are less expensive to operate and are better for the environment as we move towards a carbon-free future.

About MAB&rsquo;s Participating Projects 

Academy, North Melbourne 

The third collaboration between MAB and architect McBride Charles Ryan (MCR), Academy comprises 17 townhouses and 150 apartments and showcases an innovative, avant-garde design underpinned by flexible, welcoming homes that elevate the wellbeing of residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110214 project_image_fid=185969]

Merri, Northcote

Designed by Six Degrees to complement the natural beauty of Merri Creek, Merri Northcote will be home to 151 apartments upon its completion.

The new homes at the development aim to feel familiar and are immersed in their lush surroundings &ndash; encouraging a connection to nature through planned biophilic integrations and easy access to walking tracks.

Preston Crossing, Preston

Spearheaded by renowned architects Hayball, Archier and Breathe Architecture, Preston Crossing will home a&nbsp;mix of apartments and townhouses totalling 147 dwellings, which will champion progressive design and a connected community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=109972 project_image_fid=185447]

Over 100 new apartments across the three projects will be available to first home buyers before launching to the broader public in 2022

MAB Corporation to reserve first release of three Melbourne apartment developments for first home buyers

The apartment giant, Meriton, has lodged plans for its next Gold Coast mixed-use apartment and retail tower.

Dubbed Pacific, the project will see 637 apartments built across the two&nbsp;50 and 70-levels at 152 Esplanade, a 4416 sqm beachfront site on the corner of The Esplanade and Main Beach Parade which they bought&nbsp;earlier this year.

It follows the predominantly NSW developer's first Gold Coast apartment project, Ocean, which is over 65&nbsp;per cent sold. That sits just down the street. Earlier this year, Meriton boss Harry Triguboff signalled his intent on developing away from New South Wales, with a continued effort in Queensland.

There will be 382 apartments in Tower 1, the taller north tower, and 255 in Tower 2, or the south tower.

<a href="/new-apartments/iconica">To follow the project and track its updates, enquire here.</a>

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="680" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/meriton_pacific_2.jpg" width="1200" />

The local architecture firm DBI Architecture designed Pacific, with a&nbsp;focus on creating larger apartments.

"Pacific moves away from smaller unit types to embrace the growing demand for larger apartments," DBI's design statement read.

"The lower residences offer a bedroom mix of one, two and three with the upper residences offering a mix of two, three and four. Both towers are topped by four bedroom sky residences with their own private roof top."

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="982" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/pacific_meriton_4.jpg" width="1200" />

DBI say that&nbsp;Pacific is set to deliver a new Iconic building on the Gold Coast skyline.

"This new address will be consistent with the contributions to the foreshore revival started by Soul and the subsequent public work developed by Council.

"The materiality relates to the established Gold Coast natural palette and sophisticated beach lifestyle.

<a href="/new-apartments/iconica">To follow the project and track its updates, enquire here.</a>

"This highly activated ground plane is a sincere attempt at place making, creating a food and retail destination to the less activated stretch of Surfers Paradise.

"The articulated and layered base of the building showcases cascading subtropical seaside landscaped terraces and a sculpted planted awning extending the suspended garden all the way to the ground floor and to the lobby.

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="1030" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/meriton_pacific_main.jpg" width="1200" />

"The walls and planters are cladded with textured stone and the pathways are covered with natural stone, complementing the clean design of the towers and offering an additional layer of sophistication."

The shared podium features beachfront retail and dining terrace facilities and offers extensive glazing and perimeter planting for a softer human scale feel to the street.

The podium is topped by residents’ facilities including lounge, gaming room, a gym, spa, steam room, a 25 metre indoor lap pool, and an outdoor plunge pool surrounded by lush green landscape.

Tower 1, the north tower, will be crowned by indoor amenity with another indoor 25 metre&nbsp;lap pool, another gym, this one with panoramic views, a spa, steam room and another games room.

<a href="/new-apartments/iconica">To follow the project and track its updates, enquire here.</a>

The Pacific puts another two huge towers which are set to change the Gold Coast skyline.

There are the three further approved towers at the four-tower Ruby dev​elopment,&nbsp;ranging from 30 to 60 levels. They were picked up by the Sydney hotelier Jerry Schwarz after it was sold from the collapsed Ra​lan.

GurnerTM picked up Ra​lan's other site, at Budds Beach, and is preparing&nbsp;to launch the first stage of the four-tower La Pelago, which will have nearly 1,000 apartments, next year.

SPG Land's Paradiso Place has another three towers with 792 apartments.

The local architecture firm DBI designed Pacific, with a focus on creating larger apartments

Exclusive first look: Meriton lodge plans for Meriton Pacific, Surfers Paradise beachfront apartments

The Sydney-based Iris Capital has officially launched Victoria &amp; Albert, their&nbsp;first apartment project on the Gold Coast.

The two 40 and 56-level towers will home over 400 apartments, with an intent on developing something that suited every type of buyer.

Iris Capital, led by the hotelier and developer Sam Arnaout, had the local architecture firm, DBI Architecture, create a development with subtropical design traits unique to the Gold Coast.

Urban caught up with DBI Architecture Director&nbsp;Raith Anderson to discuss about the project.

JR: What was the brief from Iris Capital for V&amp;A? What were the key features that were essential?

RA: The client brief was simple, "Create 'The'&nbsp;lifestyle destination on the Gold Coast."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107928 project_image_fid=184934]

Resort style living in the heart of Broadbeach with every amenity that you would need within the development, or within short walking distance. Apartments had to be designed to be liveable i.e. large spaces that flowed with quality finishes that would meet the needs of the full range of potential purchasers:

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; High end buyers

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; families or couples downsizing

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; investors

•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; first home buyers

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107928 project_image_fid=184933]

The focus on amenity was recognised early as being important which resulted in the entire podium containing a range of facilities, including a swimming pool for each tower, and both towers being afforded their own more exclusive amenities located at the top of the building.

The overall design was to appear seamless through the integration of the architecture, interiors and landscape.

JR: Was there a project that inspired you in the design?

RA: There were two key initial ideas that set the initial design direction. The first was the James Street precinct in the Valley, Brisbane. For the podium we were looking to create a sense of place that was welcoming, warm, and had a high level of texture and materiality. We wanted to create a vibrant, active environment that would meet the needs of the residents and the surrounding locals.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107928 project_image_fid=184936]

The second idea was more what we weren’t looking for on this project. No white pre-cast curves. DBI started using this language 17 years ago on the Gold Coast so we were looking to create a more current style that would complement the luxury living the development would provide. A style that was clean and sophisticated. One that would contrast with the podium and the immediate surrounding buildings.

JR: What were the most important features of the site/location which influenced your design?

RA: Given the sites location and being one of the last major sites available for redevelopment in Precinct 1 of Broadbeach meant that the opportunity had to be maximised. The sites proximity to the beach required the apartments to be designed to make the most of the view opportunities to water. Having two street frontages, one being the Victoria Avenue Mall, meant that connectivity was important, and the legibility of that connection through the projects retail offering to Albert Avenue was clear.

The mixed-use nature of the heart of Broadbeach allows for a diverse range of uses within the development which provides the opportunity for a more intense, more active, style of development. We also saw the occasion to express the sub-tropical nature of the Gold Coast within the building design and in particular the podium with greenery draping the façade connecting down to a well landscaped streetscape.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107928 project_image_fid=178909]

JR: What was the biggest challenge in the design of V&amp;A?

RA: The biggest challenge was bringing such a diverse range of uses and project requirements together in what was seen as a heavily constrained site, and from this creating an overall cohesive concept. It was certainly an achievement. This is where having such a great team comes into play. These complex projects are challenging, and it takes a focussed team to deliver them.

JR: What are the differences between the two towers, apart from the density?

RA: The concept was to have the most eastern tower, The Al​bert, with the most direct views to water, to be the more exclusive, residents only tower. The apartments in this tower are consistently larger. The western tower, The Victoria, will have a mix of residents. Both towers have a very high level of amenity with the podium level spanning the two towers.

From an expression point of view, The Victoria tower, being the taller of the two will appear more dominant but this affords the top levels of the tower 360 degree views.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107928 project_image_fid=180734]

JR: How do you approach designing a two-tower development?

RA: As with any project design, we start with a detailed site and contextual analysis to ensure that orientation, views, ventilation, and solar aspect are well considered. With two towers we have the benefit of being able to manipulate both forms and their layouts to maximise the overall design outcome for the betterment of the development. For example, while the western tower is located “behind” the eastern tower, by making the floorplate of the eastern tower more compact and lengthening the floor plate of the western tower, we were able to maximise solar and view orientations so that nearly every apartment is afforded a view of the water and receives natural daylight.

With a multiple tower development there are generally two ways of approaching the building heights. The first is that the towers are a twin of each other. The second is to the vary the hei​ghts so that each tower has it’s own identity. They still need to compliment each other and read as a cohesive family. This is achieved through the external expression and selection of finishes. We chose the latter approach.

Being a mixed-use development, we were able to create a very strong base, this being the sculptured podium which anchors the overall development and sits it firmly within the heart of Broadbeach.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=107928]

The client brief was simple, "Create 'The' lifestyle destination on the Gold Coast."



How we designed Victoria & Albert, Broadbeach apartment development: Five minutes with DBI's Raith Anderson

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.

&nbsp;

FiveX recently lodged plans for a 61-storey, 490-apartment tower that would become one of the tallest residential buildings in North Sydney if approved.

Aqualand continues to expand its Lower North Shore presence following the completion of AURA on Walker Street and its recent St Leonards and Roseville proposals.

Developers are also progressing projects throughout Walker Street, Miller Street and the Victoria Cross precinct as demand for well-located owner-occupier apartments continues to strengthen.

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

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

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

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

Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.

Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.

Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.

Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.

For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.

Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.

Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.

<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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