Burleigh Heads is set to look completely different in a few years, with major residential projects lined up for the small coastal Gold Coast suburb.

Developers are seeing success with large and boutique developments,&nbsp;with the most popular spot on the beach facing The Esplanade seeing heightened demand.

David Calvisi&#39;s FORME is set to create the Koichi Takada-designed Sea, while further down the road will be Allure&#39;s 88 Burleigh.

The site amalgamation specialists GV Property Group are anticipating major local demand for a&nbsp;2,024 sqm site at&nbsp;1873-1875 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads.

It&#39;s set on the sought-after beachside of the highway, meaning any potential development will likely enter from the highway, but would be oriented to the face the quieter beach.

There&#39;s a 53 metre height limit, around 17 levels. There&#39;s currently two apartment blocks, with 16 apartments.&nbsp;The site is <a href="https://www.gvpropertygroup.com/ ">for sale via expression of interest</a> closing 14th October.&nbsp;

GV Property Group&#39;s Antonio Mercuri said the amalgamation process has allowed this double block with a 40m frontage the opportunity to be redeveloped into high-rise apartments or a hotel or&nbsp;short stay accommodation.

&quot;This collective sale of 16 individually owned apartments has scope to turn into 60+ and more new apartments located in the heart of the southern&nbsp;Gold Coast,&quot; Mercuri says.

&quot;The location provides depth in all areas of the market from first home buyers, investors, down-sizers, weekenders and owner-occupiers.&quot;

<img alt="" height="888" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/1873-1875_gold_coast_hwy_burleigh_2.jpg" width="1200" />

Carly Cottam, who heads the boutique sales and marketing agent MOTIV, says the site lends itself to a development of apartments starting from larger one-bedroom plus media room apartments all the way through to four-bedroom apartments.

Cottam says there should an emphasis on curated ground and rooftop amenity to compliment the lifestyle Burleigh Heads offers residents and visitors.

Cottam adds that across the South East Queensland market, in particular in lifestyle markets like Burleigh Heads, she has seen a real surge in owner-occupier demand, although more recently there&#39;s been increased demand from sophisticated investors.

&quot;Both buyer profiles are seeking larger liveable residences, quality, and connection to lifestyle amenities,&quot; Cottam&nbsp;says.

She says that the site is&nbsp;located in an extremely desirable location, with immediate access to The Esplanade and&nbsp;within walking distance to lifestyle amenities including James Street, Burleigh Head National Park and the upcoming Light Rail.

Todd Matheson, associate director at KMSM, said that Burleigh Heads continues to see incredible uptake of any project released to market with a drive to boutique buildings offering larger apartments aimed at owner occupiers looking for liveable apartments, close to lifestyle amenity including cafes, restaurants, beaches and shopping.

&quot;For this location, we would recommend a combination of smaller two bedroom and three bedroom apartments with roof top amenity allowing for the low floors with limited views to utilise the roof top to entertain and take advantage of views.

&quot;Overall, the site is located in arguably the most desired suburb on the Gold Coast and close to Burleigh&rsquo;s centre allowing an emphasis of walkability to all the amenity yet far enough away for peace and quiet.

&quot;Depending on finishes and the final breakdown of a project, we are confident in achieving sales rate of $9,000 to $11,000 in this current market, with possible uplift to $12,000 even $12,500 for the highest levels.

Developers are seeing success with large and boutique developments, with the most popular spot on the beach facing The Esplanade seeing heightened demand

Joel Robinson

Apartment developers set to swoop on Burleigh Heads apartment site, as stock tightens

The coastal Gold Coast enclave of Palm Beach&nbsp;is one of the hottest property markets in the whole of Australia right now.

Palm Beach,&nbsp;the small six square kilometre suburb toward the bottom of the Gold Coast, was Urban&#39;s most popular suburb in August&nbsp;with sustainable interest, more&nbsp;than just spikes&nbsp;of enquiry coming from the southern locked-down states.

CBRE Director Nick&nbsp;Clydsdale, who has been selling real estate across the whole of the Gold Coast for nearly a decade, said there are a number of reasons why Palm Beach tops the shortlist for buyers.

&quot;It is&nbsp;the most accessible beachfront suburb on the Southern Gold Coast,&quot;&nbsp;Clydsdale said, with the seaside suburb just a peel off of the Gold Coast Highway,&quot; Clydsdale told Urban.

&quot;It&#39;s also got the most beautiful beach, bookended by two of the most beautiful headlands in Queensland, Currumbin and Burleigh&quot;,&nbsp;Clydsdale added.

Clydsdale said the location factor has been a big driver at Villea, the latest apartment project on the Gold Coast to hit the market.

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&quot;Villea is&nbsp;located a short distance from Tallebudgera Creek, a two minute walk from the beach, and is north-facing to Burleigh, views which will be forever protected due to the height limits in place. It gets the benefit of being at the end of an adjoining street to the Gold Coast Highway, giving residents the ease of access, without the traffic noise.&quot;

Everyone from first home buyers, local owner-occupiers, and&nbsp;interstate buyers have shown interest in the BDA Architecture-designed development, which features a luxury resort-style swimming pool, fully-equipped gym, and a recreational barbecue area.

Clydsdale, who is handling the sales&nbsp;on behalf of the Sydney-based developer Abadeen Group&nbsp;in their first foray in to the Gold Coast market, says around three quarters of the sales so far have come from locals (those from the Gold Coast as well as Brisbane).

Buyers from Sydney and Melbourne have accounted for around 25 per cent of all sales so far, a number which&nbsp;Clydsdale believes&nbsp;will only increase.

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&quot;We haven&#39;t really hit a wave of those interstate buyers just yet&quot;, Clydsdale said, adding that that wave will come when the borders reopen, if the project isn&#39;t sold out by then.

&quot;Villea has been attracting every demographic because it ticks all the boxes&quot;, Clydsdale suggested.

There&#39;s been a raft of first home buyers, who are finding the development more accessible compared to others in Palm Beach. Apartments start from $655,000 for the two-bedroom floorplans, and from $1.41 million for the three-bedroom stock.

Clydsdale says a&nbsp;major tick for buyers has been the ground floor retail.

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&quot;The convenience is something you just don&#39;t get in Palm Beach.

&quot;There&#39;s ground floor retail, where there will be something like a cafe, wine bar, bottle shop and pilates studio, just downstairs from the apartments.&quot;

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CBRE Director Nick Clydsdale said there are a number of reasons why Palm Beach tops the shortlist for buyers

Why Palm Beach is one of the most in demand suburbs on the Gold Coast

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&nbsp;Jayde Pezet&nbsp;given the location, the fact Esprit is crowned by Club Esprit, the Gold Coast&#39;s first ever residents-only rooftop wellness centre, and&nbsp;the size of the apartments.

They range between 109 sqm and 128 sqm and start from $825,000.

The three-bedroom apartments, from 151 sqm to 215 sqm, start from $1,915,000 and top out at $3.7 million.

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Nearly three quarters of buyers were local owner-occupiers, with around 30 per cent coming from Sydney&#39;s beaches and the intercity and fringe suburbs of Melbourne.

S&amp;S Projects boss Paul Gedoun said the demand for luxury pulsating across the southern Gold Coast.

&ldquo;Esprit is a new luxury residential high-water mark for Rainbow Bay on so many levels and that has been validated by the extraordinary number of sales secured over the weekend,&quot; Gedoun said.

&ldquo;It is more than a breathtaking place to call home and these astute buyers have recognised and been drawn by its superb location, exceptional level of amenity and superiority of design.&rdquo;

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Gedoun describes Esprit as a project &ldquo;born from Rainbow Bay&rsquo;s natural incitement of a restorative lifestyle rooted in enjoyment&rdquo;.

The rooftop wellness club, Club Esprit,&nbsp;will span more than 1,100 sqm and will feature every wellness and recreational amenity, dubbed as offering&nbsp;an elite-athlete standard of physical and mental rejuvenation.

There is set to be&nbsp;a fully equipped gym, yoga lawn, private remedial treatment room, ice bath, infrared sauna, steam rooms, 25-metre lap pool and poolside cabanas.

The wellness amenity is balanced by an expansive recreational space, including a children&rsquo;s lawn with play equipment, a private dining room, private terraces, BBQ areas and an outdoor cinema.

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&ldquo;Not only are residents securing an immaculately designed home but essentially also a lifetime membership to one of the most impressive and exclusive wellness clubs to exist on the coast,&rdquo; said Jayde Pezet of KM Sales and Marketing.

Esprit is S&amp;S Projects&rsquo; third venture in the beachfront residential enclave and surfing mecca,&nbsp;following the success of the sellout of the $74 million Flow Residences up the road, as well as the nearby Awaken Residences.

Nearly three quarters of buyers were local owner-occupiers, with around 30 per cent coming from Sydney's beaches and the intercity and fringe suburbs of Melbourne

Locals, Sydneysiders and Melburnians swoop on Esprit, S&S Projects Rainbow Bay apartments

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 Chevron Island 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.

&quot;Due to some council restrictions in Brisbane, we needed to identify a&nbsp;new opportunity where we could put a lot of effort in to what we&rsquo;re delivering,&quot; Thompson said.

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Thompson has spent a lot of time on the Gold Coast over the last 18&nbsp;months, spending time understand the Gold Coast market, as well as the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane,&nbsp;and why&nbsp;each market has been so desirable for different reasons.

&quot;Spending time on the ground allowed us to understand what was coming to the market, what developers were saying, and who was buying sites and where,&quot; Thompson added.

He identified some nice beachside opportunities, but really wanted to create something that was targeted at a wider net, rather than the multi million dollar apartments that are limited to the fortunate few.

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&quot;We want the local owner occupier, who could be living&nbsp;in a medium-size house in the area, to be able to downsize or rightsize, or have others who just want to find a new lifestyle, and have the opportunity to do so without being priced out.&quot;

The 55 metre building will comprise 28 three-bedroom apartments and 55 two-bedroom apartments, around half of those with multipurpose rooms. There will be six apartments per level until level 14 where there will be five.

The two-bedroom apartments start from 84 sqm, while the three-bedroom units have internal living areas between 113 sqm and 141 sqm. Every apartment has a balcony of at least 10 sqm, as well as their own parking space.

There are 94 parking spaces across the two levels of basement parking, and 29 on the street level.

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The street level will feature extensive raised planters and a water feature on entry to the lobby, where there will be a number of garden rooms and&nbsp;resident office space with a kitchen.

Crowning Tapestry will be a resident rooftop, complete with a resort-style&nbsp;swimming pool with day beds, a spa, and a pool deck. A&nbsp;barbecue and alfresco area, will sit in landscaping, as will dining surrounded by an edible garden. There&#39;s set to be a private dining space with a terrace and fire pit, a gym with sauna and steam room, and a lounging area with a lawn.

It was important for Thompson to go local with all of the intricacies that come with developing a project. He&#39;s used local architecture firm BDA, and&nbsp;is engaging local Gold Coast builders to deliver the project, despite Siera&#39;s previous experience in building their developments.

He&#39;s even gone a step further and, given the Gold Coast City Council&#39;s efforts to make Surfers Paradise an arts and cultural hub, has engaged local artist Tanya Blanchard to create a piece of artwork that will hang in the lobby when completed.

&quot;There&#39;s a great local community on Chevron Island. It&#39;s a tight-knit community, while being ideally located just five minute walk from the international tourist hub of Surfers Paradise,&quot; Thompson says.

BDA says the architecture of the proposed development is sculptural and smooth-lined.

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&quot;A mixture of vertical blade walls and horizontal slab edges responding to available views and natural light. Cantilevered balcony&rsquo;s protrude from the building body with curved edges softening the feathered edges,&quot; the submission to the Gold Coast City Council read.

&quot;Colours and materials have been selected to create a lightly textured and timeless material palette. White render, concrete, glass and timber screening create a rich and layered coastal effect.

About the developer

Siera Group,&nbsp;a property development and construction company, was established in 2014 by&nbsp;Brent Thompson.

Their primary focus has been apartments and terraces in Brisbane. In the last seven years, they&#39;ve&nbsp;developed more than 70 residential dwellings in key growth markets in South-East Queensland, with a total end value of $50 million.

One of the main focuses is&nbsp;to acquire premium sites within established community settings, with strong connectivity to lifestyle amenity, where they feel our investment in design can make a positive contribution.

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BDA says the architecture of the proposed development is sculptural and smooth-lined

Brisbane-based developer Siera lodges Tapestry, Chevron Island apartment development plans

The final five apartments in the sought-after Allure development on Chevron Island 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.

&ldquo;Locals in particular have a strong awareness of Chevron Island&rsquo;s distinctive charm, retaining a village-like atmosphere while being just moments from the vibrant coastal precinct just across the bridge.

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&ldquo;Allure has also captured the attention of savvy interstate buyers either looking to make a home for themselves surrounded by opulence, or those seeking a savvy investment opportunity in an area of incredible appeal.&rdquo;

Over two thirds of the 90 sales so far have been to owner-occupiers, with 75 per cent of those being locals. The rest are southeners moving from New South Wales and Victoria to take up residence in the 17-level building.

Prices start from $1.1 million for the last release, and range to $1.3 million.

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Allure is set to be one of the first developments completed on Chevron Island, which has recently seen a wave of new boutique developments hit the market and the Gold Coast City planning application portal.

Urbis&#39;s Gold Coast Apartment Essentials report for Q2 revealed that just over four months&nbsp;supply of apartments remain if sales rates continue as they are, and no new projects are released.

The central Gold Coast precinct remains the epicentre of market demand, accounting for or more than half the total sales on the Gold Coast over the second quarter.

Construction of Allure is currently underway with completion expected early next year.

Macquarie York&rsquo;s Gold Coast debut success of Allure has spurred plans for the developer to introduce its prestigious product to the southern Gold Coast, laying plans for an ultra- boutique collection of residences in Palm Beach.

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Over two thirds of the 90 sales so far have been to owner-occupiers, with 75 per cent of those being locals

Final five apartments released in Chevron Island's Allure as locals dominate sales

The booming Chevron Island is set for another apartment project, as developers continue to struggle for space in the busy Surfers Paradise area.

The latest development plans come from a Sydney-based development syndicate, who are seeking to build a 23-storey, 73-apartment development at 8-10 Parneno Street.

It's been cleverly&nbsp;designed by the award-winning Plus Architecture so every apartment can capture views&nbsp;of the ocean.

The building will be set on 1,012 sqm, after one of the 506 sqm sites sold earlier this year for $1,305,000. It homed an original four unit development known as Casablanca.

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The town planner, Urban Planning Services,&nbsp;said Plus designed the building based on a local coastal venacular, playing off the image of surrounding modern developments.

Plus are calling the tower "coastal sophistication with barefoot luxury", and their design driver as timeless curves, which will last the test of time.

There will be 22 residential levels, not including the four basement levels of parking. There will be a landscaped entry with the lobby, and a mezzanine level for a wellness centre.

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Levels one to seven will have four apartments per floor, 120 sqm three-bedroom apartments at the front of the building, and 100&nbsp;sqm two-bedroom apartments with their own media rooms located at the rear of the building. They however will have balconies on the side of the building, to offer the postcard ocean views.

From level eight, the building will have a four metre set-back. From levels eight to 15 there will be four two-bedroom apartments per floor, before hitting level 16 where the large subpenthouse style apartments kick in.

There will still be two two-bedders at the back, but spanning the width of the building will be a half-floor, three-bedroom apartment, with two balconies, one off the master suite which will have its own walk in wardrobe and ensuite, and one off the open plan kitchen, living and dining room. These apartments will also have a media room.

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There are two two-level penthouses from level 21. Downstairs is one of the bedrooms, and the main living, kitchen and dining area. Upstairs is another two bedrooms, and another outdoor terrace with its own plunge pool.

On this level is also an&nbsp;open rooftop will be further amenity, including a wet edge, resort-style pool with day beds, a sunken firepit space with built in seating, and a barbecue terrace, and with seating.

"Inspired by the surrounding soft and subtle rhythms of nature, the form of the tower have been carefully crafted to not only provide a highly articulated form but to also consciously represent these rhythms," Plus say.

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"Articulated to provide captivating and stunning views from every apartment on every level, the development provides a superior level of resident’s recreation and amenity spaces culminating in an expansive resort style pool and rooftop terrace providing stunning 180 degree ocean views. A lower level wellness centre complements the rooftop spaces, with a large sized gym, sauna and yoga deck nestled within luscious landscaping.

"All common areas provide access to natural light and ventilation and a combination of superior amenity and carefully considered public spaces makes this development a true oasis and sanctuary for its residents to enjoy for decades to come.

Chevron Island is a hotbed for apartments currently, with a number of projects currently in the market.

To see them all, <a href="/news/qld/all-of-chevron-islands-apartments-for-sale-as-development-ramps-up">click here.</a>

Plus are calling the tower "coastal sophistication with barefoot luxury", and their design driver as timeless curves, which will last the test of time.

First look: Nina, Chevron Island apartment development plans lodged

Large development sites on the Gold Coast are in as short supply as the apartments at the moment, with Urbis data suggesting there are just over four months of supply of apartments if sales rates continue as they are and there are no new projects released.

Sites have become invaluable, and it&#39;s a case of picking off the old, tired buildings on prime land which will make way for new, flashy apartment towers.

That&#39;s seen the local site amalgamation specialists GV Property Group never busier.

GV Property Group&nbsp;founder Antonio Mercuri, who started the company around six years ago knocking on doors, along with his right hand man Luke Reaby, are starting to see an uptick in apartments vendors willing to band together to get the maximum price they can from developers, who are coming from all over the country to build apartments on the Gold Coast.

The duo&nbsp;recently&nbsp;launched&nbsp;2769&nbsp;Gold Coast Highway, a 2,595 sqm site, for sale, with big demand early on.

Within a week, Mercuri and Reaby managed to take the site a step further,&nbsp;amalgamating the site next door by contacting the owners of the adjoining six apartments at 16 Rosewood Avenue, adding a further 647 sqm to create the huge 3,242 sqm corner site which has&nbsp;unlimited height zoning.&nbsp;

<img alt="" height="900" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/gvpg-2769-gc-highway-2.jpg" width="1200" />

2769 Gold Coast Highway and 16 Rosewood Ave is for sale via expressions of interest, closing October 8. For more information, <a href="http://www.gvpropertygroup.com">click here</a>.

Reaby advises that the maximum tower floorplate on the Gold Coast is typically 750 sqm, suggesting &#39;the site could accommodate two towers which would fit perfectly within the site cover guidelines.

There&#39;s also a rare proposition of having two or three podium levels, which would create a striking facade from the street level and above ground parking.

Dual tower developments have seen great success in the past in the area, with Meriton Suites and Oracle still popular at Broadbeach.

And there&#39;s plenty of mega-developments in the pipeline with more than one tower planned for these larger amalgamated sites, with the aim to create a sky-high resort for residents.

The Shanghai-headquartered international property developer SPG Land, in a joint-venture with Australian developer Gordon Corp, has lodged $800 million plans for nearly 800 apartments to be built across three towers in the heart of Surfers Paradise.

<img alt="" height="750" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/spg_gold_coast_main_0.jpg" width="1200" /><img alt="" height="697" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/gurner_main_0.jpg" width="1200" />

They will be anchored by a new ground-level retail and dining plaza at the street level Ferny Avenue. The 1.15 hectare site will be bounded by Ferny Ave, one of Surfers main streets, as well as Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Pandanus Avenue and Ocean Avenue near the Surfers Paradise North light rail station.

The latest was of course the $1.25 billion plans laid by the Melbourne-based developer Gurner, led by the high-profile developer Tim Gurner, just up the road.

The 11,000 plus sqm site at 108 Ferny Avenue will be known as La Pelago, and will comprise four huge towers with nearly 1,000 apartments, around a quarter dedicated to a hotel.

&nbsp;

There&#39;s been international interest for a massive 5,726 sqm site at&nbsp;3006-3016 Surfers Paradise Boulevard, which already has development application application for Orion Towers, a mixed-use development with two towers and over 1200 apartments.

But Reaby reckons there&#39;s a great opportunity for a build to rent operator, with current vacancy rates at all time lows.

&quot;The site would allow for well over 200 apartments for a build to rent operator&quot;, Reaby says, however admits the likelihood is of two residential towers, or one hotel and one residential tower.

Sites have become invaluable, and it's a case of picking off the old, tired buildings on prime land which will make way for new, flashy apartment towers

Rare Broadbeach apartment development site gets rarer, with two apartment towers possible

The importance of interior designers creating the spaces and details within apartments has never been more important to residential developers.

Salta Properties,&nbsp;one of Australia&#39;s largest privately owned companies, called in the very best for their residential development The Park House in Melbourne&#39;s Abbotsford.

Carr, led by the design guru Sue Carr, handled the interiors at The Park House, the Victoria Street development made up of&nbsp;two buildings, Riverbank and Riverbend. They are named after their location, a stones throw from the Yarra River and bordering the popular Main Yarra Trail.

Urban recently spoke with the interior design guru Sue Carr, discussing all of the design elements of Riverbank.

JR: What was the brief from Salta for the interiors of the apartments?

SC: With every new project, we always begin by asking &ndash; what is the demographic of the purchaser? What is the lifestyle shift? Where is the location?

At Carr, we passionately believe that good architecture and design can enrich lives and make a difference to those that use and engage with it.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4136 project_image_fid=156263]

Every project is unique, so we take into consideration the client, brief, place, cost plan and timing. All these factors combine to produce a response that has at its core, a powerful concept and a logical outcome. We call this the &lsquo;Big Idea&rsquo;, which remains with the project from end-to-end and guides the outcome.

With The Park House development, we looked at the location and the natural environment for inspiration. This was the &lsquo;Big Idea&rsquo;.

Surrounded by some of Melbourne&rsquo;s most animated and exciting precincts, the development sits on the banks of the Yarra Bend parklands, in a green belt framed by massive plane and gum trees.

One of the great aspects of this site is its proximity to the river and the bike paths that run along it. There is a spine that allows you to ride, run, row, or walk without seeing a major road. We love this idea of coming home after a long day at work and feeling like you have stepped away from the city and into the country. You can access stillness and natural beauty without having to abandon the excitement of a cosmopolitan urban lifestyle.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4136 project_image_fid=156274]

In response, we wanted each home to be a private sanctuary. We wanted to create a warm and welcoming environment with textures and earthy tones.

For the design, we opted for a unified palette, where we used few materials as possible. This direction links all the individual spaces, creating a coherent overall offering achieved via subtle repetition of form, materiality, and texture.

The brief was not just to design beautiful apartments, but also address the vast amenities. The aim was to allow neighbouring residents to interact with one another, getting the most from the building in terms of comfort, entertainment and occupant wellbeing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29856 project_image_fid=89781]

JR: How early in the design phase do you and the architects collaborate? And why is earlier the better?

SC: The building fa&ccedil;ade reflects the ripples of the Yarra River. Although we did not literally carry this theme into the interiors like the architects, we responded to the site&rsquo;s natural surroundings with our own interpretation. Our materials, colours and textures respond to the immediate site context and its makeup.

JR: What really stands out for you about the design? What is your favourite feature?

SC: There is an understanding in our practice of the significance of detail in design. There are considered subtleties in The Park House that will unfold and come to be appreciated over time.

We really wanted the interiors &ndash; both public and private &ndash; to encourage people to slow down, to consider the spaces, and enjoy the transition from the street, bike path or car park, into their home. We wanted them to enjoy the process of switching off at the end of the day and engaging with their surroundings.

To achieve this, we created integrated lighting throughout each of the apartments and through the public walkways. It is subtle and soft.

In each apartment, we also designed a custom light that floats above the kitchen island bench. This provides a sculptural element to the interior while also projecting a soft, interesting light. The routed timber veneer in the joinery, adds another level of texture.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29856 project_image_fid=89769]

Exaggerated proportions in the kitchen splashback highlight the scale of porcelain and create a grand sense of scale. Metal detailing to joinery in the kitchen and bathroom adds a refined aesthetic. Recessed LED lighting showcases the feature porcelain in the bathroom and kitchen

Our intention was to create a space that had a true sense of home but also a memorable atmosphere. We want the residents to feel the connection with the landscape beyond, with the building and their apartment becoming a welcoming sanctuary for them to take in all this development has to offer.

JR: What part did you play in the design of the amenity? And what design principles were important in the shared spaces?

SC: The Park House has vast amenity. It offers spaces both inside and out for all purposes &ndash; relaxation, work, entertainment, solitude &ndash; and for all demographics. There is a children&rsquo;s area, a private lounge, a bar, a home theatre, a golf simulator, a pool, a spa &ndash; the list goes on and on.

While working with Salta, we were strongly informed by ideas about public and private space, and how these new emerging types of urban spaces are full of design possibilities.

For us, it was important that all these spaces seamlessly flow into one another. Many of the transitional spaces are dark and atmospheric, which ensures that as residents move into the light and open spaces, the sense of awe is enhanced by contrast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29856 project_image_fid=89782]

Animating the larger functional spaces is natural light, invited into the building as the sun moves across from the east to the west. These ever-changing light effects and connection to landscape combine to form remarkable spaces that lie somewhere between art, sculpture, and architecture. Larger format glazing frames the view beyond, maximising outlook.&nbsp;

Part of the beauty of this development is the way it negotiates opposites. There is an intentional contrast between light and dark material palette. Certain areas open to the surrounding landscape, with internal lounges spilling out onto alfresco terracing, leading down to the river. This encapsulates a luxurious sense of home, inviting the residents to settle into these more private but public amenity spaces. The amenities are the key to a truly unique lifestyle on the banks of the Yarra River.

On the flipside, darker spaces, such as the library and meeting rooms, employ a darker, masculine palette. These interiors are richly layered and create a warmth.

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"Our intention was to create a space that had a true sense of home but also a memorable atmosphere," Carr said.

Inside the Carr Design interiors of Riverbank apartments in Abbotsford: Urban chats with Sue Carr

SJB are one of Australia&#39;s most sought-after architecture firms for anything from mutli-residential apartment developments to commercial towers and luxury home builds.

They&#39;ve got two studios, in Sydney as well as Melbourne, and have been the brains behind the likes of Crown&#39;s luxury Waterfall apartments in Sydney and Kings Domain in Southbank.

One of their most recent designed was the&nbsp;Abbotsford apartment development The Park House, developed by the renowned Salta Properties, with a major influence in the design being the building&#39;s proximity to the Yarra River.

Urban spoke to SJB&#39;s Michael Bialek, who headed up the design team for The Park House, to discuss how it was created.

What was the brief from Salta for The Park House, and then more specifically Riverbank? How did it need to differ from Riverbend?

Salta&rsquo;s brief for the The Park House project was to deliver a quality residential development as the final piece for the wider Yarra Gardens precinct.

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The project should provide significant improvements to the public realm through the provision of new visual and physical links from Victoria Street through to the Yarra River. Compromising over 500 apartments, the new buildings should respond positively to the landscaped character of the adjoining completed Green Square project and allow construction in stages towards the new proposed Walmer Plaza.

Riverbank addresses the &lsquo;urban edges&rsquo; of Victoria Street and Walmer Plaza, while Riverbend is less prominent &ndash; connected to the adjoining Green Square project and overlooking the bend in the Yarra River.

What were the most important features of the site/location which influenced your design?

The most important features of the site are the frontage to busy Victoria Street and the opportunity presented by the north-facing frontage to the Yarra River. These differing conditions resulted in building forms that have been shaped to respond to their location on the site and precinct planning that ensures a high quality public realm with enhanced amenity and connection to the Yarra River.

<a href="/buildings/the-park-house-627-631-victoria-street-abbotsford"><img alt="" height="810" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/park_house_salta_plans_sjb.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

Were there any other buildings&nbsp;you&#39;ve designed previously&nbsp;(or just seen) that influenced the design?

SJB was previously involved in the delivery of three residential projects fronting both Burnley Street and Victoria Street in the precinct. Each project has a distinctive aesthetic based on its orientation, typology and scale &ndash; townhouses fronting laneways, apartments along street frontages and common amenities surrounding landscaped courtyards.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4136 project_image_fid=156385]

The buildings which are in close proximity to the retail complex Victoria Gardens, create a varied yet unified residential community which enjoys access to shopping facilities, public transport and riverfront recreation.

What were the biggest challenges of the design?

The challenges faced in the early design phase related mainly to the sensitive location of the site along the Yarra River.

Taller built forms were shaped so that the actual and apparent width of buildings were minimised when viewed from the river. These sculpted forms have been aligned generally to be perpendicular to the river corridor. Building separation, height and setback controls also influenced site planning and built form outcomes.

A two-tier river edge movement system was also incorporated into the master plan in order to maintain and enhance the &lsquo;natural&rsquo; river character at the lower level. A continuous bicycle connection is provided at this lower level while a more active &lsquo;urban&rsquo; character is created at the upper level with new pedestrian connections from the river to Shamrock, Walmer and Davison Streets.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4136 project_image_fid=156274]

What interested you about the project?

The most interesting aspect of the project was the opportunity and challenge to provide significant improvements to the public realm and amenity for new occupants and the surrounding neighbourhood.

Unlocking this parcel of land formally occupied by the Melbourne Fire Brigade was a significant achievement by the project team, delivered through the provision of new public spaces and connections to the Yarra River.

What part of the design were you most proud/most interested in seeing when it&nbsp;was completed?

SJB is able to look back with pride at its role in the delivery of a series of residential projects in the precinct, which were successfully adopted by the marketplace over several years. The area has been transformed into a &lsquo;new neighbourhood&rsquo; with an improved public realm and new connections to the Yarra River.

In The Park House project, residential amenity is of high quality. Planning of apartments provide significant northerly outlook over the natural landscape of the river setting while common facilities are well located and generous. The aspirational planning principles for the site have been delivered while the residential character and amenity of the buildings are both innovative and responsive to this unique setting.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4136 project_image_fid=166461]

How closely do you work with Carr Design when creating the apartments? 

SJB &amp; Carr Design worked collaboratively during the design phases of the project, with extensive briefing sessions determining the aspirations for both teams. The interior design of apartments and common areas was to respond to the architectural character of each building. Particular attention was paid to the extensive recreational facilities including swimming pools, lounges, playrooms and entry lobbies.

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Urban spoke to SJB's Michael Bialek, who headed up the design team for The Park House, to discuss how it was created.



How we designed Riverbank apartments in Abbotsford: Urban chats with SJB's Michael Bialek 

Hall Street, Bondi Beach&#39;s shop mecca, is set for a swanky new $8 million arcade precinct and apartment development.

Development approval has been sought for a new arcade and 25&nbsp;apartments across&nbsp;31 Hall Street&nbsp;and 35-37 Hall Street, building behind the heritage building and facade which will remain at the street front.

Brian Meyerson, of the&nbsp;Surry Hills-based&nbsp;MHNDU, signed off on the plans for the five-level development, a stones throw from Bondi Beach&#39;s famous Campbell Parade.

&quot;By approaching the design for the two sites holistically, we were able to create a new arcade split between the two sites,&quot; the design statement from&nbsp;MHNDU read.

&quot;This new arcade will function as an extension of the public domain along Hall Street, and the iconic Campbell Parade beachside strip.

&quot;The arcade will be lined with new commercial spaces, for retail or food and beverage tenancies to occupy. This will enliven the arcade and bring the public domain into the site.

<img alt="" height="986" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/bondi_hall_st_2.jpg" width="1200" /> 
The proposed arcade dissecting the two buildings. Image credit:&nbsp;MHNDU

The design statement said series of green courtyards will break up the length of the new arcade, bringing light and greenery to create a sense of openness and tranquility.

The apartments, all one bedders,&nbsp;have been designed to&nbsp;offer private open space. Each apartment has been designed to be cross-through, for a good level of ventilation, and will each have a balcony of a minimum 8 sqm.

The majority of apartments will be north-facing with good access to sunlight.

<img alt="" height="793" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/hall_st_design_2.jpg" width="1200" />

Hall Street has recently seen huge demand a few doors down, where&nbsp;the Koichi Takada-designed Aqualine, a boutique development of 17, achieved a sell-out well before completion, which is slated for mid-next year.

Boheme is one of Hall Street&#39;s most luxury developments. Completed nearly a decade ago, the never-lived-in penthouse sold&nbsp;to the philanthropist Tanya Carnegie for $10.8&nbsp;million in 2017.

The development plans at a glance

The proposed design considers its context and the character of the neighbourhood, through the following:

&bull; The proposed new building is located at the rear of the site behind the existing contributory item. The proposed new building is not readily visible from the street.

&bull; The proposed new building is separated from the exiting contributory item by a central courtyard. Architecturally/contextually, this allows for a clear distinction between &lsquo;old&rsquo; and &lsquo;new&rsquo;. Using a courtyard to separate the two forms also provides a healthy environment for the apartments and common corridors, which look out to it.

&bull; Economically, the development is &lsquo;mixed use&rsquo;, retaining the existing commercial / retail function at the front of the site facing Hall Street, and proposing residential apartments at the back.&nbsp;

Brian Meyerson, of the Surry Hills-based MHNDU, signed off on the plans for the five-level development, a stones throw from Bondi Beach's famous Campbell Parade

New apartments heading to Bondi Beach's Hall Street

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

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

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

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