The New Farm apartment development Arcilla, a collaboration between architect-turned developer Joe Adsett and&nbsp;Craig Purdy of Purdy Developments, has been given the green light by the Brisbane City Council.

Arcilla, a boutique $30 million block of just nine apartments in the&nbsp;prestigious cul de sac of Maxwell Street, draws inspiration from the character Spanish mission architectural styles which pervade the local streets of New Farm.

&ldquo;In our search for inspiration we chose the language of the Spanish Mission architectural style which is adored by many for its unique and beautiful architectural details like the fluted terracotta roof tiles and iconic arches,&quot; Adsett says.

Neville Court, the&nbsp;Spanish Mission heritage residence designed in 1936 by the prominent interwar architects Chambers and Ford, sits next door.

The project&nbsp;name,&nbsp;Arcilla,&nbsp;is&nbsp;a Spanish word meaning terracotta.

<img alt="" height="899" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/arcilla_new_farm_2.jpeg" width="1160" />

&quot;We took one of the red roof tiles and have used this shape as the mold for the concrete on the fa&ccedil;ade of the building and we will be adding terracotta accents to the mix of the concrete to achieve the beautiful coloring on the sun exposed faces of the building,&quot; Adsett added.

&quot;I am most excited about the structural concrete columns which curve and become the ceiling. It&rsquo;s a design language we can continue to refine across our portfolio of projects. With the Olympic spotlight upon Brisbane its important we design our boutique buildings to be unique and speak the language of Brisbane&rsquo;s place and identity.&rdquo;

Arcilla, at 28 Maxwell Street, will span five-storeys and will have&nbsp;eight three bedroom apartments and one four bedroom apartment, which will span the whole of the top level.&nbsp;

The 845 sqm Maxwell St block was bought for $4 million. It had an old four-storey apartment building on the property.

Craig Purdy said as a group, their&nbsp;focus is upon developing boutique buildings and delivering oversized apartments to targeted buyers who are seeking a genuine alternative to a house in the inner city.

&quot;Apartments of this size have historically been reserved for riverfront locations however we believe there is an increasing market for those buyers seeking lifestyle and good design in a premium location with river and city views from most residences.

<img alt="" height="1701" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/arcilla_2.jpg" width="1200" />

&quot;The response to our projects has been overwhelming and with the oversubscribed demand for every project we continue to search for great opportunities in which to develop our next offering to an undersupplied market.&rdquo;

Arcilla&nbsp;is the second development by the pair, following on from the success of the 16-apartment development Botanic, also in New Farm, which sold out in February this year. Botanic is now in the final stages of construction.

The project name, Arcilla, is a Spanish word meaning terracotta

Joel Robinson

Joe Adsett-designed New Farm apartment development Arcilla gets approval

Developments across the country, particularly those in Melbourne, Sydney and Queensland, are gearing up for one of their busiest periods from the launch of spring in the lead up to Christmas.

Last December saw&nbsp;the pent up sales demand released, as face-to-face appointments became available again, and 2021 feels like deja vu, with the added driver that international borders may be open by Christmas, or not soon after.

That will bring in the next wave of buyers, the local and overseas investor, who have been sitting on their hands for the most of 2021 due to the lack of immigration to Australia.

Now with the expectation of international students, expats returning to Australia, and more flexible travel between states, experts believe sales across Australia&#39;s East Coast will jump during the final quarter of 2021.

Noorden Property director David Lamond&nbsp;says there are parallels between the lighter restrictions experienced in Victoria at the end of last year and what we expect to unfold this year.

&quot;There was pent up demand last year when Melbourne came out of lockdown in December. We&#39;ve survived economic collapse, and real estate as an asset class has been one of the safest bets over the last 18 months,&quot; Lamond says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29048 project_image_fid=151677]

&quot;Despite the ongoing lockdowns, Australia has still come out of the pandemic as one of the safest countries to handle the virus.&quot;

Lamond says that&#39;s only going to increase heading in to summer, with the recent announcement that borders are likely to open potentially as early as Christmas.

Ash Bramich, the sales and marketing manager at Pace Development Group, says that while&nbsp;Covid has affected many financially, there is still so many buyers who are either not affected or wanting to get on with their life, which can include investing, first home buying, upsizing and downsizing.

&quot;There is no doubt the market continues to surprise us,&quot; Bramich says.

&quot;Many experts forget that rising home equity, a strong share market and historically low rates has created significant wealth for many Australians. This, combined with FOMO and covid influencing factors,&nbsp;is fuelling demand in many housing markets.&quot;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7211 project_image_fid=144443]

Bramich says a wide variety of demographics&nbsp;represent the off the plan market, with&nbsp;sales and anecdotal evidence strongly suggesting that first home buyers&nbsp;are coming back to the off the plan arena,&nbsp;as it starts to represent great value compared to the strong established market.

He says downsizers from an ageing population, as well as lifestyle/Covid factors, are driving strong demand for spacious owner occupier size apartments, preferably in boutique buildings with strong lifestyle/community and rich amenity.

&quot;Many are using left over proceeds and driving price gains in holiday hot spots, especially in Queensland and warmer climate markets.&quot;

Growland CEO Ronald Chan says the housing market is definitely warming up as we approach the release from lockdown.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1187 project_image_fid=80711]

&quot;Our enquiries for Victoria Square and Neue Grand increased by 30\ per cent&nbsp;over the last two weeks,&quot; Chan noted.

&quot;Buyers expressed strong interest to inspect our display suite once one-on-one inspection is allowed.&quot;

Sales and anecdotal evidence is strongly suggesting that first home buyers are coming back to off the plan market, as it starts to represent great value compared to the strong established market.



Buyer demand expected to spike in count down from Spring to Christmas 2021

The Sydney-based developer Hansen Investment Group Australia (HIGA) has launched their loft apartment product in their contemporary $80 million East Sydney collection in Darlinghurst.

Easy Sydney, a rare new apartment building in the sought-after inner-city suburb filled with grand terraces and older apartment buildings, has been designed by the high profile design teams at&nbsp;MHNDU and Lawless Meyerson.

They&#39;re developing the five-level block of 27 on&nbsp;the site of the former Aston Martin dealership, with the heritage features being retained as part of the project.

There&#39;s been appetite from downsizers, given the location&#39;s proximity to the city.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=84775 project_image_fid=149609]

HIGA chose the site due to its location on the fringe of Hyde Park at&nbsp;22-38&nbsp;Yurong Street,&nbsp;which puts it in to the category of a 15 minute city, a term coined by&nbsp;French professor Carlos Moreno.

According to Moreno, each 15-minute city should fulfil six&nbsp;social functions&mdash;living, working, supplying, caring, learning and enjoying. It reduces residents&rsquo; environmental footprints by boosting green initiatives, creativity and wellbeing at a neighbourhood level and reducing travel, urban density, pollution and loneliness.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=84775 project_image_fid=149608]

The loft product, known as Stanley Lane Lofts, just off the hotspot Stanley Street, lined with bars and restaurants, will have&nbsp;mezzanine spaces,&nbsp;classic steel-framed windows&nbsp;and steel-framed kitchen islands, and terrazzo floors in the classic bathrooms.&nbsp;MHNDU has reimagined the original 1930s art deco saw-tooth warehouse, creating a canvas for living and entertaining. Lawless &amp; Meyerson have handled the interiors, complete with&nbsp;double-height spaces, exposing the warehouse&rsquo;s original steel trusses for a contemporary edge.&nbsp;

The one-bedroom loft apartments start from $1.65 million, and the two-bed plus study lofts are priced at $2.8 million. The entry level price for the one-bedroom apartments&nbsp;start from $1,275,000.

HIGA chose the site due to its location on the fringe of Hyde Park at 22-38 Yurong Street, which puts it in to the category of a 15 minute city, a term coined by French professor Carlos Moreno.



HIGA launch loft collection at East Sydney apartment development in Darlinghurst

Palm Beach, the in-demand suburb on the Gold Coast,&nbsp;&nbsp;is gearing up for another boutique apartment project, with the current supply&nbsp;of apartments well outstripped by the demand for the area.

The longstanding Gold Coast family and development company Chippendale Group, headed by fifth-generation family member and local businessman Daniel Chippendale,&nbsp;has received approval for the boutique development, Eva on Tenth.

The development of 48 apartments at&nbsp;1214-1220 Gold Coast Highway, in the heart of the emerging Palm Beach precinct and between Tallebudgera and Currumbin Creeks, has been designed by BDA Architecture, who were inspired by the natural landforms of the Burleigh Headland.

&quot;The architecture of the proposed development is minimal and hard-lined, with cantilevered concrete frames and a textured and timeless material palette of white brick, coloured concrete, timber screening and grooved panelling creating a rich and layered coastal effect,&quot; BDA&#39;s submission to the Gold Coast City Council read.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108429 project_image_fid=193745]

Spanning nine levels, the project will home one, two and three-bedroom apartments, as well as four penthouses, each located on the top level. The penthouses&nbsp;will have three bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, large balconies, and the best views of the Palm Beach skyline.

The product, a rare affordable proposition in an area littered with luxury apartments under construction and in the pipeline, starts from $475,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, $670,000 for a two-bedroom unit and $1.35 million for the three bedroom apartments, which also come with two car spaces.

The Chippendale Group were proactive in identifying the current trends in the market, requesting to the Gold Coast City Council to amend the approved plans, which had 28 one-bedroom apartments, 28 two-bedroom apartments and just the two three-bedroom apartments.

They were wanting to better meet the demands of the current market and reflect the local housing need in the area, so are now set for nine one-bedroom apartments, 23 two-bedroom apartments and 16 three-bedders.

Daniel Chippendale said that the inspiration behind Eva Tenth Avenue is about creating homes that allow others to share in the beauty of Palm Beach.

<img alt="" height="729" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/eva_location.jpg" width="1200" />

&ldquo;We&rsquo;re proud of our family history and wanted to reflect our legacy in creating a beautiful product to pay homage to the local area,&quot; Chippendale added.

&ldquo;My family has been here for generations and we have created many wonderful memories on the coast. We want to share a part of our family history with others to help them create their own memories.&rdquo;

Keenan &amp; Co agent Tim Keenan is marketing the project.

&ldquo;Eva Tenth Avenue is an excellent example of a perfect location combined with beautifully designed apartments. We also still believe the Southern Gold Coast is undervalued compared with other stunning beachside locations like Noosa and Byron Bay,&rdquo; Keenan said.

&ldquo;The development has been designed to complement the local area and is truly a unique project brought to life with a high level of thought and consideration for buyers to own their own slice of Palm Beach.&rdquo;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108429 project_image_fid=193751]

The ground floor will have a pool, communal lounge area, gym, yoga lawn and a barbecue area, surrounding by lush sub-tropical landscaping.

About the developer

The Chippendale family extend their grass roots dating back generations on the southern Gold Coast, founding the Currumbin Vikings Surf Life Saving Club in 1919 and popular Australian honey brand Capilano Honey.

The family has been involved in gold coast property for decades, having built the first home in Currumbin in the early 19th century.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=108429]

Daniel Chippendale said that the inspiration behind Eva Tenth Avenue is about creating homes that allow others to share in the beauty of Palm Beach.



Chippendale Group set to launch new Palm Beach apartment development, Eva on Tenth

The headline grabbing news from&nbsp;the Gold Coast in August was Gurner's $1.25 billion plans for a four-tower super development in Surfers Paradise.

There's further moves&nbsp;from the likes of Marquee Development Partners, the Brisbane-based Ention Properties, and the luxury local developer S&amp;S Projects.

Urban has wrapped up all of the movements across the Gold Coast over August.

<h2>Abadeen launch Villea, Palm Beach apartment development</h2>

<h2>[smartcode_project:default project_id=106840 project_image_fid=172253]</h2>

The Sydney-based developer, Abadeen Group, has officially launched&nbsp;its first Gold Coast project.

Abadeen, founded and run by property industry veteran&nbsp;Justin Brown, is behind the latest Palm Beach tower, Villea.

The 69-apartment tower at 26 Mawarra Street has one,&nbsp;two and three-bedroom apartments,&nbsp;designed for owner-occupier.

All of the one-bedroom apartments have already been snapped up pre-launch.

Villea offers&nbsp;a rare affordable entry point in Palm Beach, with current and future projects in the pipeline predominantly targeted at the luxury owner-occupier, many with prices starting from $2 million and up.

For more information, <a href="/news/qld/abadeen-launch-villea-palm-beach-apartment-development">click here</a>.

<h2>Last chance to buy a La Mer, Main Beach apartment as luxury owner-occupier demand continues on the Gold Coast</h2>

<h2>[smartcode_project:default project_id=95606 project_image_fid=171652]</h2>

The luxury owner-occupier boom covering the whole of the Gold Coast&nbsp;is seeing apartments in&nbsp;luxury towers snapped up and sold out in double-quick time.

The latest is La Mer, the 34-level Main Beach apartment project on at 3580&nbsp;Main Beach Parade

More than three quarters of the 29 apartments, developed&nbsp;by Polites Property Group in partnership with&nbsp;QNY Group, are already reserved, with the majority snapped up by locals.

The entry level three-bedroom apartments, which were priced at&nbsp;$2.35 million, have all been accounted for, with the remaining three-bed apartments now priced from $3.18&nbsp;million.

For more information, <a href="/news/qld/last-chance-to-buy-a-la-mer-main-beach-apartment-as-luxury-owner-occupier-demand-continues-on-the-gold-coast">click here</a>.

<h2>First look exclusive: Gurner reveals $1.25 billion, four-tower Surfers Paradise apartment development La Pelago</h2>

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="697" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/gurner_main.jpg" width="1200" />

The Melbourne-based developer&nbsp;Gurner, led by the high-profile developer&nbsp;Tim&nbsp;Gurner, has revealed its $1.25 billion plans for their&nbsp;Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise&nbsp;mega site.

The 11,000 plus sqm site at 108&nbsp;Ferny Avenue&nbsp;will be known as&nbsp;La Pelago, and will comprise four huge towers with nearly 1,000 apartments, around a quarter dedicated to a hotel.

Gurner&nbsp;swooped for their first residential development on the Gold Coast, and only their second in Queensland, following the collapse of&nbsp;Ralan, who had planned for two&nbsp;towers on the sprawling Budds Beach site.

La Pelago, likely named after the small commune in Italy,&nbsp;centralises on a private island theme, where&nbsp;each building is surrounded by over 9,000 sqm of amenity, lush tropical landscaping by SWA and pool-side water retreats, creating four private islands.

For more information, <a href="/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-gurner-reveals-1-25-billion-four-tower-surfers-paradise-apartment-development-la-pelago">click here</a>.

<h2>Little Projects set for boutique Broadbeach apartment tower aimed at the luxury owner-occupier</h2>

<h2><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/little_projects_broadbeach.jpg" width="1200" /></h2>

On the back of their successful sellout of their $200 million Signature Broadbeach, developer&nbsp;Little Projects&nbsp;Co are set for their second Gold Coast development, and it's just around the corner.

The new tower at 20 Mary Avenue in Broadbeach&nbsp;will be made up of just 29 full floor and double-storey apartments.

Designed for the owner-occupier by the award-winning architect&nbsp;Elenberg Fraser,&nbsp;each apartment will have at least three bedrooms, hand-crafted materials and a minimalistic design.

For more information, <a href="/news/qld/little-projects-set-for-boutique-broadbeach-apartment-tower-aperture-aimed-at-the-luxury-owner-occupier">click here</a>.

<h2>Chevron Island set for New York-inspired apartment tower Greenwich</h2>

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The residential development of the in demand Surfers Paradise enclave&nbsp;Chevron Island&nbsp;is set to continue.

The Brisbane-focused Ention Properties are the latest developer to enter the Gold Coast market from the Queensland capital. They're set to develop a&nbsp;New York-inspired apartment project, dubbed Greenwich, a reflection of Manhattan's famous Flatiron building.

Ention have reduced the number of apartments from 48 to 46, and increase the height level to 15. It will be&nbsp;targeted at owner-occupiers, KM Sales and Marketing associate director Todd Matheson says.

For more information, <a href="/news/qld/chevron-island-set-for-new-york-inspired-apartment-tower-greenwich">click here</a>.

<h2>First look: Marquee Development Partners lodge plans for new Kirra Beach, Coolangatta apartments</h2>

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Fresh off selling out their&nbsp;Kirra Beach&nbsp;apartment development SOL before it even hit the open market, the local Gold Coast developer Marquee Development Partners are on to their next project.

And it's literally just down the road&nbsp;at&nbsp;4 Musgrave Street, on the in-demand&nbsp;Kirra Beach&nbsp;in Coolangatta.

The Brisbane-based Ellivo Architects have drawn up the plans for the 14-level tower,&nbsp;which will home 39 apartments.

For more information, <a href="/news/qld/first-look-marquee-development-partners-lodge-plans-for-new-kirra-beach-coolangatta-apartments">click here</a>.

<h2>Esprit, S&amp;S Projects new Rainbow Bay, Coolangatta apartments to feature Gold Coast's first rooftop wellness centre</h2>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102921 project_image_fid=172129]

The Gold Coast is set for its first ever residential rooftop wellness centre at Esprit, the new Rainbow Bay, Coolangatta apartment development by S&amp;S Projects.

Dubbed Club Esprit,&nbsp;the wellness rooftop will sit above&nbsp;97 apartments at 6432 Boundary Street, two interconnected buildings&nbsp;above Rainbow Bay Village. It's being dubbed as fit for purpose for an elite athlete.

Club Esprit will sit on the rooftop of the 11-level building. KMSM agent Jayde Pezet will handle the sales.

For more information, <a href="/news/qld/esprit-s-s-projects-new-rainbow-bay-coolangatta-apartments-to-feature-gold-coasts-first-rooftop-wellness-centre">click here</a>.

<h2>Marquee prepare launch for Palm Beach apartment development, Northshore</h2>

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The South East Queensland developer Marquee Development Partners are continuing to bulk up their apartment development pipeline, following the speed of their latest&nbsp;Kirra Beach.

Marquee's&nbsp;Kirra Beach&nbsp;apartment development SOL didn't even hit the market, selling out all 46 apartments in the in-demand&nbsp;Kirra Beach&nbsp;in just 10 days.

The development, which&nbsp;will go down as one of the Gold Coast's fastest sell-outs,&nbsp;was Marquee's eighth project, and they're set to launch their ninth.

For more information, <a href="/news/qld/marquee-prepare-launch-for-palm-beach-apartment-development-northshore">click here</a>.

<h2>Want to know what happened over the Gold Coast in July? <a href="/news/qld/gold-coast-apartment-insights-what-happened-on-the-gold-coast-in-july">Click here.</a></h2>

There's further news from Marquee Development Partners, the Brisbane-based Ention Properties, and the luxury local developer S&S Projects

Gold Coast insights: What happened on the Gold Coast over August?

The Melbourne property developer and construction firm BCentral are rubber-stamping their reputation of delivering what they promised when selling their off the plan apartment developments.

They recently completed&nbsp;ALIA in the bayside McKinnon area, and the development, particularly the kitchen, look identical to the renders offered to buyers when the sales launched last year.

Below is an example of how alike the render and finished product of the kitchen are,&nbsp;created by the interior design studio ZUNICA.

<figure><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="580" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/alia-kitchen.jpg?itok=b-B33IPG" width="580" />

<figcaption>Top Image - Render of kitchen. Bottom Image - Finished product of kitchen.</figcaption>
</figure>

ALIA was a collaborative effort by ZUNICA, Perkins Architects, and Bruce Henderson Architects.&nbsp;

Prior to the launch of the apartments last year, the full-floor penthouse sold for nearly $2 million, setting a suburb record for an apartment. A number of the sub-penthouses sold for over $1 million.

BCentral founder Tal Goldman told Urban when sales launched that ALIA was perfect for anyone searching for a premium home&nbsp;with&nbsp;world-class amenity.

<figure><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="580" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/aliarender-vs-reality-portraitstack.jpg?itok=eT5nvRiF" width="580" /> 
Top Image - Render of Alia exterior. Bottom Image - Finished Alia exterior.</figure>

&ldquo;This project is so special when it comes to multi-residential living - we have ensured each floor plan is expansive and light-filled, offering that perfect balance of comfort and functionality,&quot; Goldman said.

&quot;Our mantra from day one, was to create the very best residential project McKinnon has been presented with. We focus on doing things right and the results have followed. It is extremely satisfying for the whole development team to have achieved such a lofty goal.&rdquo;

<figure><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="580" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/alia-bathroom.jpg?itok=_cNeA7_Y" width="580" /> 
Left Image - Render of bathroom. Right Image - Finished bathroom product.</figure>

ALIA is now McKinnon&#39;s tallest multi-residential building, with a&nbsp;northerly aspect and views of the city skyline, bay and Dandenong Ranges.

There are only three-bedroom apartments left in ALIA, priced from $1.24 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24686 project_image_fid=50138]

Another of BCENTRAL&#39;s latest developments, their equally boutique Bayside apartment project Southbay in Cheltenham, recently completed construction.

<figure><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="580" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/render-vs-reality-exterior-street-portraitstack.png?itok=x-NYo0gJ" width="580" />

<figcaption>Top Image: Render of Southbay Exterior. Bottom Image: Finished Southbay Exterior.</figcaption>
</figure>

The sold-out development, designed by the architect Mould Murray, comprises 28 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, including penthouse-style apartments and&nbsp;oversized outdoor courtyards and terraces.&nbsp;

<figure><img alt="" class="image-article-full-width-580px" height="327" src="/s3/files/styles/article_full_width_580px/public/pictures/article-images/render-vs-reality-southbay-entrance-landscape.png?itok=zvR6QvZH" width="580" />

<figcaption>Left Image: Render of Southbay Entrance. Right Image: Finished Southbay Entrance.</figcaption>
</figure>

BCENTRAL&#39;s&nbsp;latest development is Cascade in Bentleigh at 27 Bent Street, a boutique collection of 31 two and three-bedroom apartments starting from $630,000.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4592 project_image_fid=45162]

The Bent Street project, slated for completion around April 2022, has been designed&nbsp;by the awarded&nbsp;CBG Architects.

Spanning four levels, Cascade is set to have a&nbsp;6-star energy rating and open plan living spaces that flow out to private balconies or gardens

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3744]

ALIA is now McKinnon's tallest multi-residential building, with a northerly aspect and views of the city skyline, bay and Dandenong Ranges

Render v reality: How BCENTRAL's finished apartments stack up against its plans

There's no slowing down the&nbsp;rapidly active apartment developer GURNERTM, who is continuing to bolster its $7 billion pipeline.

Their latest play, following the announcement of the <a href="/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-gurner-reveals-1-25-billion-four-tower-surfers-paradise-apartment-development-la-pelago">$1.25 billion plans in Surfers Paradise</a>, is back on their home patch of Melbourne.

GURNER, led by the renowned developer Tim Gurner, has secured a site at 334 City Road in Southbank, and plans a $250 million, 40-level tower, which will have 400 apartments, ground-level retail, and a gym.

The joint venture with the Catalfamo family will feature&nbsp;what Tim Gurner refers to as ‘Melbourne’s hottest new rooftop venue’ in a celebration of the building’s past.

“This site is strategically located in the heart of the southern entertainment precinct within proximity to Crown Casino, South Melbourne and the Arts Precinct," Gurner said.

<a href="/news/qld/first-look-exclusive-gurner-reveals-1-25-billion-four-tower-surfers-paradise-apartment-development-la-pelago">Read more:&nbsp;First look exclusive: Gurner reveals $1.25 billion, four-tower Surfers Paradise apartment development La Pelago</a>

“We are increasingly building a portfolio of larger mixed-use projects where we can incorporate our wellness and concierge services as a longer-term play, and this project perfectly fits that model.

“Southbank is going through a renaissance of sorts with an increasing number of restaurants, bars and entertainment precincts while offering proximity to the best parts of Melbourne’s CBD, it allows us to do something special that will add to the flavour of the area while bringing our signature luxury approach to residential living.

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="1242" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/gurner_city_road_2.jpg" width="1200" />

The 1652 sqm site was once the home of the infamous Eve Nightclub, and more recently operated as a hostel, already has an existing permit in place.

GURNERTM has appointed its go-to architect collaborators Warren and Mahoney to redesign the scheme within the existing envelope, which has been re-submitted for council approval with plans for 400 one, two and three-bedroom residential apartments over 40 levels, along with a ground floor retail provision.

As has become the developer’s signature, the project has proposed plans for a unique amenity offering including a health and wellness precinct, a two-storey gym, a communal dining, cinema and entertainment precinct, dog wash and dog run, along with rooftop 
facilities.

<a href="/news/vic/why-tim-gurner-chose-collingwoods-smith-street-the-worlds-coolest-street">Read more:&nbsp;Why Tim Gurner chose Collingwood's Smith Street, the world's coolest street</a>

The project will form one of the developer’s landmark mixed-use developments as it increasingly looks to add more projects of scale to its pipeline in line with GURNERTM’s strategic outlook across a multi-faceted build-to-sell, build-to-rent, hospitality, wellness and lifestyle portfolio.

Gurner is hoping demolition will be able to start this year.

<img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="3479" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/gurner_city_road_3.jpg" width="1200" />

Gurner says he has been&nbsp;planning and preparing for this very deliberate growth period methodically over the past 36 months, and the business has never been in a better position to support this acquisition phase.

“I believe this next property cycle will move quickly and it will be critical to swiftly capitalise\ on the economic recovery period we are currently experiencing, underpinned by what I am forecasting will be significant movement and migration from overseas from 2022 onwards.

“Over the past eight years we have added a huge amount of experience within our team and our strategic finance partners, and we are now looking to deliver approximately 10 projects per annum across our boutique, mixed-use and multi-tower divisions,” he said.

Warren and Mahoney principal Nick Deans said 344 City Road’s architectural design deliberately sets out to establish a new level of luxury living in the Southbank precinct.

“Warren and Mahoney was pleased to be awarded this prestigious project following a highly competitive pitch and to further deepen our relationship with the team at Gurner. We’ve been collaborating for close to ten years and this incredible tower is just another great chapter in our strong and evolving relationship.

“The external façade of the building makes a bold statement, designed ‘in the round’ to ensure it delivers appeal from all aspects.

“With its defined crown structure atop of the building, the tower is a symbolic piece of architecture that will be highly visible on the skyline of Southbank and contribute to Melbourne’s broader city-scape. And those living there will enjoy uninterrupted views of the CBD and back to Port Philip Bay.

“ We’ve also worked closely with the Gurner team to prototype and implement the ‘Greener by Gurner’ sustainability aspirations for a carbon neutral development – a standard we’d like to see across the board.”

Their latest play, following the announcement of the $1.25 billion plans in Surfers Paradise, is back on their home patch of Melbourne.



Gurner plots 40-level mixed-use Southbank tower

The multi-award-winning Melbourne property developer Beulah has secured its next mixed-use development site.

The developer, headed by managing director Jiaheng Chan, has secured a corner site in Prahran, paying $11.4 million for the 1,132 sqm site at&nbsp;&nbsp;182-194 Commercial Road, opposite the well known Prahran Market.

They have plans to activate the community through a sustainable mixed-use development.

The site, on the corner of Izett Street, comprises six adjoining addresses near the recently completed $60 million Prahran Square project.

On the block is a multi-tenanted 1,087 sqm building with potential for future retail activation.

<a href="/news/vic/check-out-beulahs-best-melbourne-residential-projects">Read more:&nbsp;Check out Beulah&#39;s best Melbourne residential projects</a>

Jiaheng Chan said the team is excited to be able to contribute to the urban streetscape of Prahran as it continues to gentrify and evolve over time.

&ldquo;Prahran is currently going through an exciting evolution that is seeing a new generation of businesses set up shop, from forward-thinking restaurants and lifestyle-focused hotel chains,&quot; Chan said.

&ldquo;We&rsquo;re looking forward to offering a product that will add immense value to this inner-city pocket and will complement the renowned Prahran Market via retail, dining and public amenity, coupled with a residential offering not yet explored in this area.

&ldquo;This site will complement our growing boutique portfolio, which sits alongside the other growing arm of our business and that is large-scale, urban renewal precincts, such as that in Southbank.&rdquo;

Beulah are developing STH Bnk by Beulah, a mixed-use development on the current BMW showroom site on Southbank&#39;s&nbsp;City Road. It will comprise nearly 500 apartments and around 390 hotel rooms, as well as retail and office space.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8804 project_image_fid=27929]

Beulah also recently announced the imminent release of its newest and most innovative residential project, The Wilds. The development features a collection of 15 carbon-neutral homes designed by leading design firm, Edition Office.

&ldquo;The global changes experienced in 2020 saw consumers prioritising health, wellbeing and sustainability, which closely informed our approach to The Wilds.

&quot;Similarly, we intend to draw on this research and approach in creating a thoughtful, sustainable and wellness-inspired design for Prahran,&rdquo; Chan said.

They have plans to activate the community through a sustainable mixed-use development.



Beulah secure Prahran site for mixed-use development

Brisbane apartment values surged over August, jumping 1.4 per cent, according to the monthly update from property data firm CoreLogic.

It was the Queensland capital&#39;s best performing month in 2021 and took the rolling quarterly gains to 1.6 per cent,&nbsp;following&nbsp;0.8 per cent gains over July and 0.7 per cent in June.

Values are now 7.7 per cent higher than they were at the start of 2021, when the median apartment price was $390,000. Now it&#39;s $425,000, CoreLogic calculate.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7879 project_image_fid=81516]

The price gap between houses and units in Brisbane however has widened, with Brisbane&#39;s median house price standing at $691,000, around $270,000 higher than the median apartment price.

New listings in Brisbane are slowly on the up ahead of the traditional listing increase in spring. The same can be said for Adelaide, Perth and Hobart, however the trend remains weak in the locked-down&nbsp;Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7879 project_image_fid=81519]

Queensland has benefitted from record low vacancy rates, with southern state dwellers heading north during the pandemic over 12 months ago.

The June 2021 quarter data from the Real Estate Institute of Queensland showed that nearly&nbsp;two thirds of local government areas in Queensland recorded their lowest or equal lowest residential vacancy rates since 2010.

Of the 35 local government areas, 20 saw their vacancy rates tighten, 10 remained static and five saw them slightly rise in the June quarter.

Brisbane&rsquo;s vacancy rate dropped from 2.1 per cent&nbsp;to 1.7 per cent&nbsp;from the previous quarter. The Gold Coast&rsquo;s remained static at a tight 0.6 per cent&nbsp;and the Sunshine Coast&rsquo;s was slightly higher, from 0.5 per cent&nbsp;to 0.6 per cent.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=21132 project_image_fid=33504]

Around Greater Brisbane, Ipswich stayed at one per cent, Logan slightly tightened from 1.1 per cent&nbsp;to one per cent&nbsp;while Moreton Bay remained the same at a low 0.7 per cent. Redland was tight at 0.5 per cent, falling from 0.6 per cent, while the Scenic Rim dropped from 0.8 per cent&nbsp;to 0.7 per cent.

REIQ&nbsp;chief executive Antonia Mercorella said the perfect storm of conditions thrown up by COVID-19 appeared to still have their grip on vacancy rates in the Sunshine State.

&ldquo;It seems the COVID-19 phenomenon of people moving to the regions for lifestyle purposes is still having an effect on vacancy rates,&rdquo; Mercorella said.

&ldquo;With more people taking the opportunity of working remotely and not having to commute regularly to their offices, they are succumbing to the lure of moving to a region where they can enjoy a sea or tree change lifestyle.

&ldquo;This could be reflected in regions around Brisbane such as the Gold and Sunshine Coasts and even further afield, where people can work remotely and commute to the capital city when necessary.

&ldquo;The lifestyle motivation is strong interstate, with people seeking an escape to Queensland from the southern states. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Queensland recorded a net gain of 9800 interstate migrants in the December quarter &ndash; the highest of any state or territory.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102309 project_image_fid=163977]

&ldquo;Greater Brisbane also recorded the highest net internal migration rate of any capital city in the December quarter &ndash; with 4800 arrivals. By comparison, Sydney and Melbourne lost 9300 and 8500 people respectively. In terms of overseas migration, half a million Australian expats have returned since the pandemic began.

&ldquo;In central and northern Queensland, a ramping up of the resources industry and a recent revival of tourism&rsquo;s fortunes (at least until the current interstate lockdowns) could be attracting workers to these regions, putting pressure on vacancy rates.&rdquo;

Mercorella said while owner-occupiers had been dominant in the residential property sales market, investors were becoming more active.

&ldquo;In May according to the ABS, the number of new housing loans taken out by investors rose 13.3 per cent to $9.1 billion &ndash; the highest amount seen since June 2015.

&ldquo;A return of investors to the market will likely increase the number of rental properties available and reduce pressure on vacancy rates, potentially providing some relief for those struggling to find a rental.&rdquo;

Queensland has benefitted from record low vacancy rates, with southern state dwellers heading north during the pandemic over 12 months ago

What happened to Brisbane apartment values over August?

Apartment values across Sydney continued their strong growth&nbsp;over August, rising 1.4 per cent, according to the latest data released by property data firm CoreLogic.

Values are now up 11.5 per cent over 2021, after the current 4.7 per cent&nbsp;rolling quarterly gain. Values rose 1.6 per cent over both June and July.

Sydney&#39;s median apartment price is now $825,000, having started 2021 at $734,000.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7758 project_image_fid=150461]

Sydney house values also rose, but at a slower rate than earlier in the year. They posted 1.9 per cent gains over August,&nbsp;another month where house performance continued&nbsp;to outstrip apartments.

The&nbsp;gap is starting to narrow however, and CoreLogic&#39;s research director Tim Lawless believes the convergence of growth in house values and unit values could be another demonstration of affordability becoming more challenging.

&ldquo;The narrowing gap between house and unit value growth is most noticeable in Australia&rsquo;s most expensive city, Sydney, where the monthly growth rate for houses was 2 percentage points higher than units in March.

&quot;That &lsquo;gap&rsquo; has now reduced to 0.6 percentage points in August.

&quot;Based on median values, Sydney units cost almost $470,000 less than a house. At the same time, the growth gap between houses and units in Melbourne and Brisbane has widened.&rdquo;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94354 project_image_fid=170427]

Unit rents are starting to rise in Sydney and Melbourne, which is a good metric for investors to follow. Australia&#39;s two biggest capitals were the hardest hit by the strict border closures and lack of international migration.

Throughout the first quarter of the year, capital city house values were rising approximately 1.1 percentage points faster than units each month. By August the average performance gap reduced to 0.7 percentage points.

Nationally, rents have lifted by 8.2% over the 12 months ending August, the largest rise in rents since 2008.

&ldquo;The weaker trend in unit rents across Australia&rsquo;s two largest cities is likely a reflection of their greater exposure to temporary overseas migrants as a source of rental tenancy, especially foreign students who would normally underpin inner city high rise rental demand, Lawless says.

&quot;The sharp drop in demand due to closed borders has been exacerbated by high supply levels as both cities come out of an unprecedented surge in inner city apartment construction,&rdquo; Lawless added.

Sydney unit rents have consistently risen each month during 2021, while in Melbourne, unit rents have been rising since June.

Sydney house values also rose, but at a slower rate than earlier in the year

What happened to Sydney apartment values over August?

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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