Melbourne&#39;s apartment values continued to grow over September, posting 0.2 per cent gains according to the property data firm CoreLogic&#39;s monthly index.

It&#39;s another month of gains for Melbourne apartments, which haven&#39;t seen a decline in 2021 despite the continued shutdown of immigration due to border closures.

Across 2020 Melbourne apartment values were flat, and so far in 2021 they&#39;ve grown 6.8 per cent, to a new median $619,000. The median at the start of the year was $576,000.

Housing affordability continues to worsen nationally, as houses in most of&nbsp;the major capitals outstripped the growth in the apartment market, the exceptions being Hobart and Darwin.

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CoreLogic&rsquo;s national home value index saw dwellings (houses and units combined) jump&nbsp;another 1.5 per cent&nbsp;in September, taking Australian housing values 17.6 per cent higher over the first nine months of the year and 20.3 per cent&nbsp;higher over the past 12 months. The annual growth rate is now tracking at the fastest pace since the year ending June 1989.

Despite the prolonged growth of dwelling prices, the growth has eased back slightly from the peak growth rate in March nationally dwelling values increased by 2.8 per cent.

CoreLogic&rsquo;s research director, Tim Lawless, believes the slowing growth conditions are the result of higher barriers to entry for non- home owners along with fewer government incentives to enter the market.

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&ldquo;With housing values rising substantially faster than household incomes, raising a deposit has become more challenging for most cohorts of the market, especially first home buyers,&quot; Lawless said.

&quot;Sydney is a prime example where the median house value is now just over $1.3 million. In order to raise a 20 per cent&nbsp;deposit, the typical Sydney house buyer would need around $262,300.

&quot;Existing home owners looking to upgrade, downsize or move home may be less impacted as they have had the benefit of equity that has accrued as housing values surged.

The number of owner-occupier first home buyer loans has fallen by -20.5 per cent between January and July, as the impact of the tapering of government stimulus continues to show.

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Lawless notes that over the same period,&nbsp;the number of first home buyers taking out an investment housing loan has increased, albeit from a low base, by 45 per cent.

&quot;This suggests more first home buyers are choosing to &lsquo;rent vest&rsquo; as a way of getting their foot in the door,&rdquo; Lawless said.

The September quarter saw unit values rising faster than house values across regional Australia.

&quot;This is probably a reflection of stronger demand for downsizing options and holiday homes in popular coastal markets,&rdquo; Lawless suggested.

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Investors are back looking at the local apartment market. Unit rents now rising faster than houses across Melbourne (1.3 per cent for units, 1.1 per cent for houses).

&ldquo;This is a significant change in rental market trends, where previously the unit precincts, especially inner-city high-rise areas of Melbourne and Sydney, were acting as a drag on rental growth,&rdquo; Lawless said.

Yields are low in the major capitals, however so are investor mortgage rates, Lawless notes.&nbsp;

&quot;In July, the average three-year fixed rate for a new investor loan was 2.38 per cent, while variable rates were averaging 3.01 per cent.&quot;

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Lawless says the coming months are likely to see advertised stock levels move higher.

&quot;The spring selling season has been delayed to some extent by lockdowns in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra, however the recent trend has shifted towards a rising number of new listings.

&quot;As demand becomes more constrained from worsening affordability and potentially tighter lending conditions, advertised stock levels may start to normalise over the final quarter of the year.

&quot;This could take further heat out of the market as buyers benefit from more choice and less urgency.&quot;

The number of owner-occupier first home buyer loans has fallen by -20.5 per cent between January and July, as the impact of the tapering of government stimulus continues to show

Joel Robinson

Melbourne apartment insights: What happened to Melbourne apartment values in September?

Any fears of oversupply across the Gold Coast were well and truly quelled in September, with data form Urbis suggesting that, if the current sales demand continues&nbsp;and no new developments are released, there would only be around four months of apartments left.

There&#39;s been a continued uptake in residential apartment projects, with some developers still seeing exceptional results in the early weeks of launching.

Urban has wrapped up all of the moves in the apartment market

Chevron One adds further level of luxury, with the new Sky Homes release featuring the Gold Coast&rsquo;s biggest ever penthouse

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Chevron One, set to reign as Chevron Island&#39;s only luxury high-rise apartment tower, is about to achieve another level of luxury the Gold Coast hasn&#39;t seen before.

The Melbourne-based Bensons Property Group has released its Sky Home collection, starting from levels 31 and rising to level 41, soaring nearly 100 metres in the air. Bensons hadn&#39;t released the high-level apartments, but are now seeing high demand in ultra-luxury, large apartments in the sky.

When complete, Chevron One will be the tallest tower on the exclusive island, and the tallest there ever will be, with the Gold Coast City Council two years ago bringing in strict planning laws, limiting future apartment projects to 33 metres, or 12 storeys.

For more information, <a href="/news/qld/chevron-one-adds-further-level-of-luxury-with-the-new-sky-homes-release-featuring-the-gold-coast-s-biggest-ever-penthouse">click here.</a>

Victoria &amp; Albert Broadbeach set to launch in October 
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The Victoria &amp; Albert Broadbeach apartment project marketing campaign will commence in October through Colliers.&nbsp;

The $800 million mixed-use development will feature more the 330 apartments across two residential towers rising 30 and 40 levels.&nbsp;Construction is expected to begin mid next year and take two years to complete, the first of many Gold Coast projects envisaged by&nbsp;Iris Capital, Sydney developer, Sam Arnaout.

The East tower known as The Albert will comprise 114 two, three and four-bedroom apartments over 30 levels.

The west tower, known as The Victoria, will rise over 40 levels and deliver 219 apartments of one, two and three bedrooms.

For more information, <a href="/news/qld/victoria-albert-broadbeach-set-to-launch-in-october">click here</a>.

Final five apartments released in Chevron Island&#39;s Allure as locals dominate sales

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The final five apartments in the sought-after Allure development on&nbsp;Chevron Island&nbsp;have been released to the market, at a time where the supply of new apartments is nearing record lows.

Each of the apartments left in the Macquarie York-developed, BDA Architect-designed building at 26-28 Dalpura Street, have three bedrooms and a multi-purpose room.

Macquarie York founder Roy Skaf said that the timing of launching Allure, which has netted over $72 million in sales,&nbsp;coincided with a demand for high-quality residences in the heart of the Gold Coast.

For more information, <a href="/news/qld/final-five-apartments-released-in-chevron-islands-allure-as-locals-dominate-sales">click here</a>.

Locals, Sydneysiders and Melburnians swoop on Esprit, S&amp;S Projects Rainbow Bay apartments

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It took just a weekend soft launch for the luxury developer S&amp;S Projects to secure over half of the sales in its latest Gold Coast apartment development, Esprit.

Esprit, at 217-227 Boundary Street, in the sought-after Rainbow Bay location in Coolangatta, sold over half of the 97 apartments on offer in the two interconnected Cottee Parker-designed buildings.

No surprise in the quick-fire sales by KM Sales and Marketing agent Jayde Pezet given the location, the fact Esprit is crowned by Club Esprit, the Gold Coast&#39;s first ever residents-only rooftop wellness centre, and the size of the apartments.

For more information, <a href="/news/qld/locals-sydneysiders-and-melburnians-swoop-on-esprit-s-s-projects-rainbow-bay-apartments">click here</a>.

Exclusive first look: Hirsch &amp; Faigen lodge plans for Mermaid Beach apartment tower, Yves

&nbsp;

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Following the launch of its boutique&nbsp;Kirra Beach&nbsp;apartment development&nbsp;The Emerson, the Melbourne-based developer Hirsch &amp; Faigen are on to their next project.

They&#39;ve lodged plans for their recently acquired 1,905 sqm Mermaid Beach site, 7-9 Mermaid Avenue&nbsp;at the northern end of Mermaid Beach,&nbsp;which was bought back in June.

H&amp;F, led by the Melbourne lawyer Daniel Faigen and Richard Hirsch, has had&nbsp;ROTHELOWMAN&nbsp;design Yves, which will comprise three&nbsp;25-level towers. They will home a total of&nbsp;145 apartments.

For more information, <a href="/news/qld/exclusive-first-look-hirsch-faigen-lodge-plans-for-mermaid-beach-apartment-tower-yves">click here.</a>

Brisbane-based developer Siera lodges Chevron Island apartment development plans

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The Brisbane-based development and construction firm, Siera Property Group, are the latest in a wave of developers heading to the Gold Coast for the first time.

Seira, headed by the managing director&nbsp;and founder Brent Thompson, has laid plans on the sought-after&nbsp;Chevron Island&nbsp;for a 17-level project dubbed Tapestry, paying homage to the Island&#39;s new Home of the Arts precinct.

The plans by the local BDA Architecture will see 83 apartments built on&nbsp;a 1,518&nbsp;sqm site at&nbsp;39-43 Darrambal Street, toward the southern end of the island.

Thompson, who sits on the board of UDIA QLD and chairs the Brisbane&nbsp;City Council&nbsp;Policy&nbsp;Committee, sees it as a shift in thinking for the company, who made their name in the Queensland capital developing luxury townhouses in Brisbane&#39;s inner ring.

For more information, <a href="/news/qld/brisbane-based-developer-siera-lodges-tapestry-chevron-island-apartment-development-plans">click here</a>.

Sherpa branch out from Palm Beach, lodge plans for Perspective Broadwater in Biggera Waters

The Gold Coast developer Sherpa Property, who have been developing and finalising plans for a number of luxury apartment projects in Palm Beach, are broadening their horizons.

Sherpa, led by chief executive&nbsp;Christie Leet, are continuing the trend of their Perspective collection in&nbsp;Biggera Waters,&nbsp;lodged plans for a boutique apartment development overlooking The Broadwater at 536 Marine Parade.

The exclusive building will have just seven apartments, six full-floor, three-bedroom apartments&nbsp;and&nbsp;a two-storey penthouse overlooking Broadwater and the surrounding parklands.

For more information, <a href="/news/qld/sherpa-branch-out-from-palm-beach-lodge-plans-for-perspective-broadwater-in-biggera-waters">click here</a>.

There's been a continued uptake in residential apartment projects, with some developers still seeing exceptional results in the early weeks of launching

Gold Coast apartment insights: What happened on the Gold Coast in September

The Monaco, the luxury Main Beach apartment development by the local developer Ignite Projects,&nbsp;has secured a sell-out.

The Rothelowman-designed,&nbsp;24-level tower, with just 24 half and full-floor apartments, sold with an&nbsp;average sale price of $4.6 million. The penthouse secured $9.5&nbsp;million when bought by a Sydney buyer, who was in lockdown at the time of purchase.

The tower will rank as one of, if not the most expensive on the Gold Coast, not counting&nbsp;the smaller, boutique beachfront projects that might only rise five or six levels.

&nbsp;It&#39;s not the first time&nbsp;Ignite boss&nbsp;Josh Foote has seen stellar results recently, having quickly knocked over his apartment development at&nbsp;Palm Beach.

They sold out Cabana, a collection of 32 beachfront apartment, in six weeks, one of the quickest sell-outs the Gold Coast had seen for a long time.

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&quot;The Monaco naturally took a little longer, given the near $5 million average apartment price&quot;, Foote says.

&quot;The buyer pool is considerably smaller, less than one per cent of buyers can spend that much.&quot;

&ldquo;The building is setting a new standard for the suburb, which is getting a well-deserved facelift thanks to the $205 million revitalisation of the Spit to turn it into the Gold Coast&rsquo;s version of Hyde Park and a 300-berth marina at The Southport Yacht Club.&rdquo;

The Monaco saw a mix of local buyers, and those interstate from Sydney and Melbourne, NPA Projects Director Andrew Erwin, who exclusively handled the sales, said.

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&quot;It will be a second home for a lot of the buyers, but some will be calling it home&quot;, Erwin told Urban.

The Sydney-based buyer of the expansive two-level 630 sqm penthouse was impressed by the design and unrivalled location, and plans to use it for his &lsquo;forever home&rsquo;.

Construction is now underway by McNab Builders, with an estimated completion date of 2023.

Foote says there&#39;s no surprise to see the heightened demand for the Gold Coast, which he expects to continue now the country has seen what locals have seen for years.

&quot;It&#39;s just all about lifestyle, 100 per cent&quot;.

The developer worked on a few projects with a friend in his native Auckland before moving to the Gold Coast.

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&quot;It wasn&#39;t the value of the Gold Coast that brought me here, it was the lifestyle, and then the value become apparent.&quot;

Foote expects to be heading back to the Southern end of the Gold Coast for his next development, but like many in the industry, is finding it difficult to find a suitable site, for the right price.

&quot;I like developing down there. It&#39;s where I live, and it&#39;s probably the most beautiful part of the Gold Coast.

&quot;But it&#39;s that competitive at the moment, it&#39;s hard to find a site that will stack up. Land value is so high due to the demand for houses in desirable locations, even really old houses where an interstate buyer can knock down and rebuild and still see value.&quot;

He reckons great sites with any development potential have nearly doubled in price in the last 12 months or so. Crazy times.

Construction is now underway by McNab Builders, with an estimated completion date of 2023

The Monaco, Main Beach secures sell-out as one of Gold Coast's most expensive apartment towers

The longstanding South East Queenslander developer, Drew Group, have submitted plans for their next project.

It&#39;s set in the heart of Main Beach at 11 Cronin Avenue, where they have plans to develop two soaring apartment towers dubbed Lagoon Main Beach.

Drew Group, led by Jonathan Drew since 2005, have history in the area and know it well,&nbsp;having previously created the 16-level, 29-apartment developer Cerulean on&nbsp;Pacific Street.

&ldquo;As a local I feel an overwhelming responsibility to deliver an outstanding result for the Main Beach community and the future residents of Lagoon and this concept will be the central focus throughout the project until future residents move in,&quot; Drew said.

The company, founded in the early 1980s, have recently developed&nbsp;The Beach Houses, a collection of 15 luxury villas at Kirra Point, and their latest project The Village, 72 apartments and beach houses at Palm Beach.&nbsp;That was the fastest selling project in the Gold Coast over 2019 and 2020, securing all of the apartments in just three months.

Lagoon Main Beach will be one of their&nbsp;highest&nbsp;density projects, homing 248 apartments across two towers. It will be set however across a sprawling 4,000 plus sqm site, an amalgamation not seen since the 1980s. Drew Group will reduce&nbsp;the seven existing cross overs to just three.

The towers&nbsp;will be linked by a central resort-style heated swimming pool and spa area, hence the name Lagoon. Here will also be barbecue areas, pool lounges, and a 65 sqm gym with treatment rooms.

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Tower 1 will be the larger of the two towers, soaring 31 levels in to the sky and having 137 apartments. It&#39;s a mix of 100&nbsp;two-bedroom apartments, which start from 91 sqm of internal space, and 34 three-bedrooms which start from 154 sqm of living area. The typical floorplan will see five apartments per floor, up until level 27, where the larger three-bedroom sub-penthouses start.

The three four-bedroom penthouses&nbsp;start from level 30 and are spread across two levels.&nbsp;The ground level homes three of the four bedrooms, as well as the kitchen living and dining space. Upstairs is the master suite, a media room, and a huge terraces reaching over 100 sqm terrace with outdoor kitchen, dining area, and private plunge pool.

Tower 2 will rise 23 levels and have 111 apartments, a breakdown of 89 two-bed apartments and 22 three-bedders.

Both will have level 15 residential lounge, where there will be a focus on the new work from home life, with a number of work from home booths, a meeting room,&nbsp;multi purpose rooms&nbsp;and terraces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108747 project_image_fid=188175]

Drew Group appointed Plus Architects to design the development with sustainability, environmental, infrastructure and urban renewal at the forefront of their brief resulting in a well crafted design that answers the needs of modern apartment living.

The towers have been oriented to maximise the views by Plus, who say it&#39;s all about the water.

&quot;[It&#39;s] beach side living with resort-style lifestyle&quot;, Plus wrote in their submission to the Gold Coast City Council.

&quot;The design is approached with simple vision inspired by the rolling waves and soft natural forms of the coastline,&quot; the executive summary by Plus read.

&quot;The towers are shaped to enhance the visual experience of its residents, forming undulating waves along the Northern and Southern facades generating a highly articulated form. The stagger of building form direct views from each apartment, providing a curated experience of the coastline and hinterlands.&quot;

The towers will be set in landscaping by&nbsp;FORM Landscape Architecture, who have focused on the landscape vision to connect to the poolside, create a statement identity on arrival, instal vertical greenery on the tower, and engage ground landscape and street interface.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108747 project_image_fid=188174]

<h2>Executive Summary</h2>

The design is approached with simple vision inspired by the rolling waves and soft natural forms of the coastline. The towers are shaped to enhance the visual experience of its residents, forming undulating waves along the Northern and Southern facades generating a highly articulated form.

The stagger of building form direct views from each apartment, providing a curated experience of the coastline and hinterlands. These elegant forms are reinforced by adopting a refined and timeless palette.

The proposed design provides a high level of lifestyle and amenity with generous recreational facilities on the podium including an expansive lagoon inspired pool and spa with integrated lounges and cabanas linking the two towers. Connected to this is a gymnasium, BBQ and dining areas. Additional recreation space punctuates the tower forms at the 15th level offering all residents access to work from home suites, shared lounges and terraces to further experience the expansive views.

This document is to be read in conjunction with the development application report prepared by UPS for the development of a 2 tower, 23 and 31 storey residential development at 11-23 Cronin Avenue, Main Beach. The locality contains a mixture of existing and future developments up to 36 storeys.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=108747]

<h2>About the developer</h2>

Drew Group have been delivering apartments across SEQ for the last 15 years. Drew Group is a family owned property development and investment company that has been operating in Queensland since 1982. Jonathan Drew has been managing director of the company since 2005.

&ldquo;Our focus on opportunities has been market driven, giving us a wide scope of experience across a range of project types including residential, retail, commercial and hotel developments,&quot; Drew Group note.

&ldquo;As a group we focus on attention to detail with all our projects and look for opportunities to exceed in design, location and results. Through a very &ldquo;hands on&rdquo; approach to all aspects of the development process we manage to successfully obtain optimal outcomes for our buyers and investors.&rdquo;

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Lagoon Main Beach will be a higher density project for Drew Group, homing 248 apartments across two towers

First look exclusive: Drew Group submit plans for two-tower apartment development, Lagoon Main Beach

The Sydney property developer Third.i, along with their joint venture partner Phoenix Property Investors, are joining forces with Coles Group to create Balfour Place, a mixed-use precinct in Lindfield on Sydney&#39;s lower north shore.

The mixed-use residential, retail and commercial precinct will span over 7,000 sqm and will see 62&nbsp;apartments built on top of a&nbsp;large format Coles supermarket,&nbsp;Liquorland, caf&eacute;, and a heritage commercial space fronting Pacific Highway.

Residents having access to a private courtyard and rooftop gardens.

It&#39;s the third time Third.i and PPI have worked together, having previously had huge success at the luxury Kurraba Residences, as well as the commercial precinct Blue &amp; William in North Sydney.

<img alt="" height="900" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/balfour_third.i_3.jpg" width="1200" />

Thirdi Group Director &amp; Co-Founder, Luke Berry, said that his company and PPI were thrilled to be working alongside Coles Group, community stakeholders and Ku-ring-gai Council to finalise a shared vision for the site before a planned sales launch of the project later this year.&nbsp;

&ldquo;When Third.i started working with Coles, we quickly identified there was an opportunity to improve the residential elements of the DA, so with the support of Coles and award-winning architects Rothelowman, we re-imagined the apartment layouts and created a mix of larger apartments, perfect for the downsizer and young families we see as the likely purchasers of our apartments,&quot; Berry said.

Third.i&rsquo;s proposal is to reduce the numbers of apartments from 70 to 62 to offer more space to residents and deliver less impact on neighbours and the community. Third.i is finalising their modification of the existing DA and plan to submit to council in early October and start the second stage of construction in the 1st quarter of 2022.

Stage 1 of construction has already commenced with Coles Group managing the realignment of Balfour Lane at the rear of the proposed site before handing over the delivery of the mixed-use development to Third.i.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<img alt="" height="900" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/balfour_third.i_2.jpg" width="1200" />

CBRE has been appointed as the lead agent to market the development and sales director, Ben Stewart said that exceptional convenience will underpin Balfour Place residences, with location amongst its strongest selling points.

&ldquo;The latest offering by Thirdi Group has it all in terms of proximity to a train station and quality schools, as well as being positioned in a highly coveted north shore suburb, where new apartment developments are scarce, particularly for downsizers,&rdquo; Stewart said.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Our market research has indicated that demand for high-end, conveniently located new apartments in the area is strong, with almost all initial inquiries coming from local residents.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Further to this, studies show that &lsquo;shop top&rsquo; developments like Balfour Place achieve an average 16% premium on prices compared to suburb averages so we see this project offering a similar dynamic to purchasers that secure an apartment early in the launch.

&ldquo;As with all Thirdi Group projects, the utmost consideration will be placed on delivering luxuriously appointed, high-end residences with beautifully landscaped gardens and an outstanding lifestyle offering and this is what purchasers should expect with Balfour Place.&quot;

CBRE's Ben Stewart said that exceptional convenience will underpin Balfour Place residences, with location amongst its strongest selling points.



Third.I to partner with Coles and PPI for mixed-use Lindfield development, Balfour Place

The Melbourne-based developer, Goldfields, are expanding in to Brisbane.

Their first project, a joint venture with Icon Development Australia, will be in Milton, the riverside suburb in the inner western ring of the city. They&#39;ve submitted plans for a 20-level tower designed by Rothelowman at&nbsp;29-35 Manning Street, a combination of the two lots totalling 3,511 sqm.

Goldfields Chief Executive, Lachlan Thompson, told Urban that the time was right to go in to the Brisbane apartment market.

&ldquo;As a national property developer, we are constantly looking for areas that offer strong development potential and we were impressed with Milton&rsquo;s amenity and connectivity to all things lifestyle related,&quot; Thompson said.

&quot;We are of the strong opinion that Milton, as a suburb, is on the cusp of significant capital value growth due to limited supply and its proximity to the bustling Park Street retail strip.

<img alt="" height="818" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/29-35_manning_st_milton_4.jpg" width="1200" /> 
The 20-level tower draped in landscaping. Image credit: Rothelowman

Rothelowman say the proposed 131-apartment building is a&nbsp;homage to the vernacular intelligence of the traditional Queensland Home.

&quot;The Queensland Home, with its wide verandahs and eaves, is a perfectly adapted architectural response to the local climate,&quot; Rothelowman advised in their plans submitted to the Brisbane City Council.

&quot;Our approach aims to capture the open friendliness of the traditional Queensland Home, a characteristic born of the warmer regions of Australia.

&quot;It is aiming to reflect and acknowledge the semi-outdoor lifestyle, a unique expression of the way people have adapted to their environment.&quot;

<img alt="" height="737" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/29-35_manning_st_milton_5.jpg" width="1200" /> 
The apartments are oriented to take advantage of river and city views. Image credit: Rothelowman

Oriented to maximise the eastern aspect and minimise north-west exposure, the building responds&nbsp;directly to its immediate urban context, while also celebrating the views of Brisbane CBD and the Brisbane River.

There will be 14 one-bedroom apartments, 91 two-beds, 16 with a multipurpose room, 18 three-bedroom apartments and eight four-bedders, located across the top two levels.

The tower&rsquo;s floor plate maximises both the eastern and southern aspect, river and city views from the apartments.

The building will be crowned with Sky Terrace, a generous recreational space for&nbsp;residents featuring a swimming pool, outdoor kitchen and&nbsp;dining area.

<img alt="" height="734" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/29-35_manning_st_milton_3.jpg" width="1200" /> 
The proposed rooftop Sky Terrace. Image credit: Rothelowman

Landscaping is a big feature, with FORM&nbsp;Landscape Architects installing&nbsp;vertical greenery on the podium and on the rooftop.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Thompson says the apartments will appeal to young professional in particular.

&quot;This includes the &ldquo;three day a week owner occupiers&rdquo; that split their time between the Sunshine Coast and inner-city Brisbane, but don&rsquo;t want to compromise on quality or safety, as well as strategic investors,&quot; Thompson said.

<img alt="" height="732" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/29-35_manning_st_milton_roof.jpg" width="1200" />

Goldfields entered the Queensland market four years ago with a $350 million, 1,000 lot master-planned community in Ripley, in Ipswich.

Next the company will be announcing a&nbsp;mixed-use acquisition in East Elimbah that will, in time, deliver over a billion-dollar multi sector development.

&quot;We have been hungry to grow and further diversify our presence here with built-form opportunities within the inner suburbs of Brisbane,&quot; Thompson said.

As we continue to build our Queensland portfolio, we are considering a number of development opportunities from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast and look forward to making further announcements in the near future.&rdquo;

Goldfields also have a presence in Sydney, having recently launched The Livingstone, a collection of townhouses in Sydney&#39;s affluent Pymble.

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Rothelowman say the new 131 apartment building is a homage to the vernacular intelligence of the traditional Queensland Home.

Melbourne developer Goldfields take first step in to Brisbane

Paramount on Parkes, the latest apartment tower to hit the market in Parramatta, has been&nbsp;strategically located to take advantage of Sydney's second CBD, but on the fringe of the continually expanding area to give it a sense of freedom from the busy city streets.

The glass-swathed tower, which is being developed by ALAND, the main sponsor of the Parramatta Eels, will rise 39 levels from its Parkes Street address, which puts it closer to four parks and reserves than it does the Parramatta train station.

That itself however is just a 600 metre walk to the west, offering commuters who aren't based in the Parramatta CBD an equally convenient commute to work. Two blocks up from Paramount on Parkes is the Harris St Light Rail stop.

To the east of the building, designed by ALAND's inhouse architecture team, is four reserves, including the popular Queen's Wh​arf Reserve on the banks of the Parramatta River. ALAND designed the building having been inspired by the curves of the winding river.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=9187 project_image_fid=164850]

The foot of the building itself will offer considerable convenience, with a number of street-level retail as part of the entry, flanking the luxury lobby with grand hotel-style marble finishes and soaring ceilings.

Westfield Parramatta is only 600 metres away, the closest retail precinct.

Nearby is the popular&nbsp;Church&nbsp;Street, a famed foodie haven&nbsp;lined with bars, cafes and restaurants like&nbsp;Alex and Co, El-Phoenician,&nbsp;Mama and Papas, Ray and Lou's, Sicilian Parramatta, The Meat and Wine Co and Coco Cubano.

There are no less than seven schools within walking distance, from Parramatta, Arthur Phillip and Macacrthuth Girls High School's, to Western Sydney University's two Parramatta campuses.

Rosehill Gardens, which comes alive on the weekend, is just a few kilometres east of Paramount on Parkes, and CommBank Stadium is less than two kilometres north-west, where ALAND sponsor the Parramatta Eels.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=9187 project_image_fid=164851]

That sits beside the 85 Parramatta Park, affectionately called the&nbsp;‘people’s park’ for more than 160 years.

It plays host to sporting fields, playgrounds and The Crescent natural amphitheatre for outdoor concerts and events. It also marks the site of Australia’s first inland settlement, on the Burramattagal’s traditional hunting grounds.

Parramatta River is another local attraction with walking tracks and cycleways including the iconic 20km track from Parramatta to Sydney Olympic Park.

Further infrastructure upgrades are expected in the next few years, with the Powerhouse Precinct to welcome a number of new bars and restaurants overlooking the river in 2023.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=9187 project_image_fid=164852]

Paramount on Parkes also offers residents a number of on site amenities, including a swimming pool and manicured gardens on the podium level.

There will also be a rooftop terrace with kids play area, a fire pit, and barbecue areas.

The foot of the building itself will offer considerable convenience, with a number of street-level retail as part of the entry

What's within walking distance of a Paramount on Parkes, Parramatta apartment?

The&nbsp;integrated property group, Top Spring Australia, has spent $94 million buying the Double Bay Plaza, with plans to go through with the approved mixed-use development by Luigi Rosselli Architects.

That will see 18 large apartments sit across a five level building, above four large format ground floor commercial and retail spaces at&nbsp;19-27 Cross Street, or the corner of&nbsp;Cross Street and Transvaal Avenue, the suburb’s most exclusive shopping enclave.

The 1,334 sqm site&nbsp;is&nbsp;directly adjacent the InterContinental Sydney Double Bay.

The plan also includes a north-facing plaza to connect potential food and beverage operators with the existing dining spaces in the unique heritage conservation area along Transvaal Avenue.

Top Spring Australia's Managing Director, Sydney Ma, said the company aims to cement its reputation for delivering high-end residential living with the Double Bay project.

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="1321" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/19-27_cross_street_double_bay_2.jpg" width="1200" />

“In line with our premium project at Elizabeth Bay, Munro House, this project will encapsulate all the hallmarks that Top Spring Australia is known for, including new technology, art, green spaces and contemporary design,”&nbsp;Ma said.

“As with all our projects, we’ll be appointing a leading team of consultants, including interior and landscape architects, stylists, as well as a renowned artist to inform the public art strategy, to ensure the project’s luxury potential is fully realised.

“Given the generous size of the residences, with the largest being 283sqm, the harbour views available from the second level upwards, and the unrivalled location in one of eastern Sydney’s most prized and exclusive suburbs, this project will reset the already high bar for prestige projects in the Eastern Suburbs.

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="848" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/19-27_cross_street_double_bay.jpg" width="1200" />

“We expect the residences will be of immense appeal to affluent Eastern Suburbs clientele who are wanting to live in the heart of Double Bay, with everything they need on their doorstep.

“Sites of this calibre are really rare, so it’s incredibly exciting to add it to our growing portfolio. “The success of our Munro House project, which recently generated over $70M in sales in just two months, has reinforced our strategy to invest in high-end projects in prized suburbs such as this. There’s clearly market interest in prestigious projects, despite the pandemic,” Ma added.

Construction is expected to commence once the sale, which was brokered by 1st&nbsp;City Real Estate Group’s Managing Director, Brad Caldwell-Eyles, settles.

Top Spring are currently developing Munro House, a boutique apartment development in Elizabeth Bay.

There will be 18 large apartments, including three penthouses, created across the mixed-use precinct


Top Spring secure $94 million Double Bay apartment development site

Despite offering developer unlimited height restrictions, some developers in the Gold Coast suburb of Broadbeach are opting for more boutique projects, as the demand for bigger apartments at higher price points continues to heighten.

The newest plans will see a boutique block of just&nbsp;10 full floor apartments built, one of which, the penthouse, which will span two levels.

Despite the unlimited heigh limit at&nbsp;131 Old Burleigh Road, the local Dovrat family have opted for a more boutique tower, following in the footsteps of the likes of Little Projects Co. and Marquee Developments.

The Old Burleigh Road apartments will have 288 sqm of internal living area, with a further 58 sqm of balconies, including an east-facing 43 sqm balcony off the open plan living, kitchen and dining area. Each of the three bedrooms will have a walk-in wardrobe and an ensuite. There will also be a multipurpose room.

The whole floor apartments run to level 12, where the two-level penthouse starts. That will have a private rooftop terrace with its own wet edge swimming pool, dining area, outdoor kitchen, lounge area, and a sauna.

<img alt="" height="758" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/131_old_burleigh_3.jpg" width="1200" /> 
The plans for 131 Old Burleigh Road. Image credit: Raunik Design

The resident amenity will be across levels one and two and will include an entry lobby, a swimming pool, a private dining space with kitchen, and a gym.

The town planning report by Planit Consulting stated the proposal by Raunik Design&nbsp;is of high architectural quality, expressing a luxurious and contemporary design through bold horizontal elements that complements the coastal character of the local area.

&quot;The façade is comprised of naturally forming elements such as glass and concrete and incorporates black aluminium frames and horizontal battens. The elegant concrete façade wraps around each floor floated by tinted glass allowing for natural light in addition to shading and privacy and unobstructed views in every direction.

&quot;The use of glass on the ground and mezzanine level activates the streetscape creating visual interest on a pedestrian scale. The built form presents low site coverage and substantial setbacks at the first two levels to create a legible entry and contribute positively to the streetscape.

Given its proximity to Surfers Paradise, traditionally Broadbeach has been a magnet for high density apartment towers, some with hundreds of apartments. But that&#39;s left a gap in the market for the downsizer or owner-occupier, who ranks space over location.

One of the next boutique projects to launch is Aperture,&nbsp;just 29 full floor apartments at 20 Mary Avenue. That&#39;s&nbsp;being developed by Little Projects&nbsp;Co, who recently sold out their $200 million Signature Broadbeach tower nearby.

<img alt="" height="800" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/little_projects_broadbeach_0.jpg" width="1200" /> 
The plans for Aperture&nbsp;at 20 Mary Avenue. Image credit: Elenberg Fraser

They&#39;ve had&nbsp;the award-winning architect&nbsp;Elenberg Fraser design the building.

To find out more about that project, <a href="/news/qld/little-projects-set-for-boutique-broadbeach-apartment-tower-aperture-aimed-at-the-luxury-owner-occupier">click here</a>.

The Brisbane-based Marquee Developments recently lodged plans for a 20-level tower of just 22 apartments at 17 Federation Avenue.

Hayes Anderson Lynch&nbsp;Architects have drawn up the plans for the 62 metre building which willl have&nbsp;six two-bedroom apartments, six three-bedroom apartments and 10-four bedders. It will also be crowned by a two-level penthouse.

To find out more about that project, <a href="/news/qld/broadbeach-set-for-luxury-apartment-tower">click here</a>.

Despite the unlimited heigh limit at 131 Old Burleigh Road, the local Dovrat family have opted for a more boutique tower, aimed at the owner-occupier or downsizer

Broadbeach developers pivoting to owner-occupier apartments as Old Burleigh Road tower plans are lodged

There wasn't too much to know about South Yarra's old jam factory on the buzzing Chapel Street, until the prominent, now national developer, Tim Gurner took control of a part of the massive 18,000 sqm site.

Now Gurner's development firm, GURNER, are set to submit plans for a massive $1.5 billion&nbsp;mixed-use precinct, comprising&nbsp;retail and entertainment, office and residential towers, an ultra-luxury hotel and a new public realm.

The globally renowned architects Bates Smart have put together the plans for the project, which is intended to create a vibrant new heart for Chapel Street while revitalising and restoring the Nineteenth Century heritage facades along Chapel and Garden Streets.

The development sees Gurner team up with the real estate manager&nbsp;Newmark Capital, who will deliver and retain ownership of the office space, and the leading real estate financier Qualitas, who will work with Gurner on the residential side. Gurner and Qualitas bought a chunk of the site from Newmark last year.

<a href="/new-apartments/500-chapel-street-south-yarra">Be the first to know the next stage by tracking the project</a><a href="/new-apartments/500-chapel-street-south-yarra">&nbsp;here.</a>

The expected public benefits include the creation of 1000 jobs during construction, 3200 ongoing jobs at capacity and $490M annual ongoing GVA to the Victorian economy.&nbsp; The project is slated to launch publicly to the market in early 2022 with completion earmarked for 2025.

Gurner says the exciting precinct represents the alliance of three passionate property businesses working in harmony to create something that will do the incredible site justice and take everyone’s breath away.

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="557" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/gurner_jam_factory_2.jpg" width="1200" />

&nbsp;“Our vision for the residential offerings will raise the bar in the luxury market even higher; I wouldn’t be surprised if we create a penthouse collection that will fetch prices of up to $50 million," Gurner said.

“The depth of the ultra-high end of the market is certainly there and we believe there will be significant investment from wealthy expats and global investors returning to Australia after considerable time abroad, along with a doubling-down of local luxury buyers.

“This project will see us take what we have learnt over the past 17 years - in particular our recent experience with Hawksburn Place Residences and Saint Moritz - and take these residences to a new level of exclusivity and luxury once again.

“I have always been drawn to heritage sites and the Jam Factory represents one of the most exciting revitalisation precincts in Australia. I am truly excited to be working on a project that will rediscover and celebrate a heritage that has been hidden from public view for many decades.

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="800" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/gurner_jam_factory_5.jpg" width="1200" />

Gurner says the team have been working&nbsp;closely with council to align the proposal with their feedback and advice, to ensure the development&nbsp;can be a precinct for the entire community – with something for everyone who will work, live, shop or even just pass through the area.

The centrepiece of the precinct will be a new&nbsp;split-level central public space&nbsp;with a large open staircase creating an amphitheatre for events

Open laneways and spaces will link Chapel Street with the retail and entertainment precinct, creating a 24/7 shopping, food, dining and entertainment destination.

There will be four luxury residential towers, which will have over 400 apartments.

In keeping with Gurner's love for heritage buildings, the facade of the jam factory will be retained. Above will sit a&nbsp;curvilinear office building and a the residential towers, sat on stilts to welcome both people and light through.

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="802" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/gurner_jam_factory_4.jpg" width="1200" />

Simon Swaney, director at Bates Smart, said there is a multiplier effect for the development given it combines&nbsp;hotel, retail, residential, cinemas and commercial - creating&nbsp;a greater whole.

"This will be an extraordinary place to work, visit and live," Swaney said.

“It is a key Melbourne cultural site, a part of urban life in South Yarra, a very significant artefact of the industrial heritage of this area.

<a href="/new-apartments/500-chapel-street-south-yarra">Be the first to know the next stage by tracking the project</a><a href="/new-apartments/500-chapel-street-south-yarra">&nbsp;here.</a>

“The high-quality residential component will offer outstanding views to surrounding districts and even toward the bay.

“We feel excited and proud about the opportunities, both architecturally and as a development that will enliven this area and Melbourne,” he said.

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="799" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/gurner_jam_factory_3.jpg" width="1200" />

Fast Facts

The proposed revised scheme, which is expected to be submitted to council this week, includes:

● A new public civic space in the form of a 1,700sqm, two-level plaza and amphitheatre

● Four luxury residential towers totalling over 400 ultra-luxury residences

● A 5-star hotel totalling around 180 keys

● A commercial floorspace totalling 22,500sqm of NLA

● Three levels of experiential retail and entertainment totalling 21,000sqm NLA, including the retention and redevelopment of the existing cinema offering

● A series of integrated laneways, based on the area’s original 1864 master plans

<a href="/new-apartments/500-chapel-street-south-yarra">Be the first to know the next stage by tracking the project</a><a href="/new-apartments/500-chapel-street-south-yarra">&nbsp;here.</a>

Our vision for the residential offerings will raise the bar in the luxury market even higher; I wouldn’t be surprised if we create a penthouse collection that will fetch prices of up to $50 million

$50 million penthouses: Gurner to raise the bar as $1.5 billion development plans for South Yarra's Jam Factory are unveiled

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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