With Melbourne&#39;s rolling lockdowns, and the want for more space over the last 18 months, townhouses have become one of the most in demand properties across the state.

Icon Developments Scott Jarzynka says townhomes have become a favourite for young families, as the local high-density dwellings currently available on the market don&#39;t offer the space they need.

&quot;This demographic of home buyers are wanting to stay in the inner-city, with the convenience of local public transport and parks,&quot; Jarzynka says.

&quot;Townhomes are the answer, providing a great location, convenience to their lifestyle and space.&quot;

Nat Eisen, at Eisen Property,&nbsp;&nbsp;says he&#39;s seen demand heighten for townhouses and larger apartments, with the latest rounds of COVID lockdowns not dampening buyer appetite.

&quot;We noticed stronger enquiry during lockdown, with those stuck at home researching real estate and wanting more space,&quot; Eisen says.

Eisen has been marketing the boutique townhouse development Inkerman &amp; Nelson in Balaclava, selling nearly all of its 27 townhouses, with just two remaining.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=25572 project_image_fid=87503]

Icon Developments had MAArchitects design the townhouses solely for the owner-occupier. Each townhouse, set in gardens landscaped by Eckersley Garden Architecture,&nbsp;has two or three levels, three or four-bedrooms, and two parking spots.

Icon say that Eckersley&#39;s&nbsp;distinct interpretation of &ldquo;family&rdquo; styled gardens moves away from traditional multi-residential landscaping, to ensure each space is made to feel like a stand-alone home.

Eisen says&nbsp;most of the buyers have been young families who live in the area who put location and lifestyle above everything.

But there&#39;s also been appetite from double income professionals who are looking to upsize locally.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=25572 project_image_fid=87502]

&quot;Most buyers have a strong connection to the location. They&nbsp;want&nbsp;something familiar and want to stay in the area.

&quot;Buyers are weighing up whether they buy a house further out or&nbsp;a townhouse closer to the city,&quot; Eisen said.

&quot;With established homes, buyers move in and might have to renovate, whereas buying off the plan and brand new, buyers can move in with ease, which is great for those families with young kids.&quot;

Eisen says buyers at Inkerman &amp; Nelson have appreciated the ability to personalise the townhouses, with the flexi-rooms on offer generally converted in to home offices.

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&quot;Most of the buyers intend to work from home in some capacity&quot;, Eisen noted.

One of the key drivers&nbsp;has been Inkerman &amp; Nelson has been the fact it is a well-priced product in a sought-after, expensive area.

While not being at the bottom end of the affordability scale with prices starting from $1,285,000, it&#39;s still considerably less than the entry level of the surrounding bayside suburbs of the pricey Bayside Brighton and St Kilda West.

Eisen says overall, he is seeing strong interest from all segments, from first home buyers to downsizers, with investors creeping back in to the market.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=25572]

Icon Developments Scott Jarzynka says townhomes have become a favourite for young families.



Joel Robinson

Townhouse demand heightens as Inkerman & Nelson in Balaclava nears sell-out

Just two weeks in to its sales launch and half of the apartments in The Tally, the latest apartment development to hit the market at Palm Beach, have already been snapped up.

The 45 apartment building, developed by Scott Dolso&#39;s&nbsp;MVGS Property Group at&nbsp;14-18 Twenty Eighth Avenue, has been a hit with local owner-occupiers&nbsp;in particular, KMSM agent Chez Fraser says.

Fraser has&nbsp;fielded over 1,200 enquiries so far.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95222 project_image_fid=170590]

&quot;Gone are the days of waiting for an agent to be get in touch and chasing&nbsp;buyers who have enquired on the project,&quot; Frazer says on the current booming market, adding that she&#39;s never been so busy.

Fraser&nbsp;says there are a few stand out features of the project which are dragging a high level of enquiry, namely the location.

&quot;The location is pretty extraordinary&quot;, Frazer says, adding that the development is not far off the Gold Coast Highway for transport links, and the apartments either overlook Burleigh Heads, Tally Creek, or the beach.

There&#39;s the affordable entry point of the development as well, a big drawcard in the current market with the wave of new&nbsp;multi-million dollar apartments targeting the luxury downsizer and owner-occupier dominating the off the plan market space.

One-bedroom apartments, which are now all sold out, had started from $450,000, which included a car space.&nbsp;

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Frazer believes we won&#39;t see two-bedroom apartments of this level for some time. They start from $650,000, with two bathrooms and two car spaces.

The majority of buyers have been local owner-occupiers, with a handful of first home buyers and a few interested from interstate.

The Tally, spanning&nbsp;nine levels and designed by BDA Architecture, has a yoga lawn on the ground level and a rooftop which has a swimming pool with views across the beach.&nbsp;Completion is slated for early 2023.

<blockquote>
&quot;Inspired by the natural landforms of Burleigh Headland and Tallebudgera Creek, the fluid movements of waves, and the subtle curves of the creek, the architectural form and colour tones pay homage to the local context and history&quot; 
BDA Architecture
</blockquote>

Frazer says good developers who build up a reputation in the area always go well when it comes to their next project.

MVGS recently developed Canopy, a similar development of 49 apartments&nbsp;also designed by BDA, nearby at 3-7 Twenty Fourth Avenue. Four of the buyers in The Tally have come from Canopy.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=95222]

One-bedroom apartments, which are now all sold out, had started from $450,000, which included a car space

Two weeks, half sold: Why buyers are snapping up apartments in Palm Beach's latest development The Tally

It was announced in July that Brisbane would host the 2032 Olympics, which is expected to give even further momentum to the property market in South East Queensland.

Urban has wrapped up all of the property moves over July, from development applications to sales launches.

<h2>Raptis launch Pearl, Main Beach sales</h2>

<h2>[smartcode_project:default project_id=106752 project_image_fid=169993]</h2>

The veteran Gold Coast developer Raptis has launched sales at its latest Main Beach apartment development, the $160 million Pearl, Main Beach.

The 30-level tower at 3550-3552&nbsp;Main Beach Parade&nbsp;will have 80 apartments, including&nbsp;a luxury two-level penthouse.

Pearl, Main Beach, is the first foray in to the Main Beach market by Raptis, headed by founder Jim Raptis who started the company in Sydney&nbsp;back in the mid 1960s.

To read more about Pearl, Main Beach, <a href="/news/qld/raptis-launch-pearl-main-beach-apartment-tower-amid-booming-gold-coast-market">click here</a>.

<h2>Joe Adsett&#39;s Rockpool Rainbow Bay apartments get green light after &quot;unbelievable&quot; buyer interest</h2>

<h2>[smartcode_project:default project_id=94018 project_image_fid=169977]</h2>

The luxury Rainbow Bay, Coolangatta apartment development Rockpool, developed and designed by the architect-turned-developer&nbsp;Joe Adsett, has got the go-ahead from the&nbsp;Gold Coast City Council.

The council signed off on the 20 apartment project at 154-156 Marine Parade, a sought-after strip fronting&nbsp;Kirra Beach.

Todd Matheson from KMSM said the response has been unbelievable.

To read more about Rockpool, Rainbow Bay, <a href="/news/qld/joe-adsetts-rockpool-rainbow-bay-apartments-get-green-light-after-unbelievable-buyer-interest">click here</a>.

<h2>Landmark $800 million Surfers Paradise apartment towers to be one of the Gold Coast&#39;s biggest resort-style developments</h2>

<h2><img alt="" height="846" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/ferny_avenue_4_0.jpg" width="1200" /></h2>

The Gold Coast is set to see one of its biggest ever residential resort-style developments.

The Shanghai-headquartered international property developer SPG Land, in a joint-venture with Australian developer Gordon Corp, has lodged plans for nearly 800 apartments to be built across three towers in the heart of Surfers Paradise.

They will be anchored by a new ground-level retail and dining plaza at the street level&nbsp;Ferny Avenue. The 1.15 hectare site will be bounded by&nbsp;Ferny Ave, one of Surfers main streets, as well as&nbsp;Surfers Paradise Boulevard, Pandanus Avenue and Ocean Avenue near the Surfers Paradise North light rail station.

To read more about the trio of towers, <a href="/news/qld/landmark-800-million-surfers-paradise-apartment-towers-to-be-one-of-the-gold-coasts-biggest-resort-style-developments">click here</a>.

<h2>One Cannes, Surfers Paradise apartments near sell-out, launch penthouses</h2>

<h2>[smartcode_project:default project_id=97810 project_image_fid=160630]</h2>

The Gold Coast developer Marquee Development Partners has nearly sold out their $85 million One Cannes apartment development between Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise.

The sales update comes just over a month&nbsp;after the development at 1 Cannes Avenue received approval from the Gold Coast City Council.

One Cannes had wrapped up 65 per cent of sales in just 10 days after its launch in May.&nbsp;

To read more about One Cannes, <a href="/news/qld/one-cannes-surfers-paradise-apartments-near-sell-out-launch-penthouses">click here</a>.

<h2>Spyre Group lodge exclusive Burleigh Heads apartment development</h2>

<h2><img alt="" height="985" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/spyre_3.jpg" width="1200" /></h2>

The South East Queensland developer&nbsp;Spyre Group&nbsp;has lodged plans for their most boutique project yet on the Gold Coast.

Having spent around $11 million on 10 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads, earlier this year, the Andrew Malouf-led developer has filed for an exclusive collection of just three apartments on the near beachfront site.

Designed by bureau^proberts with landscaping from Cusp, 10 Goodwin is crowned by a two level penthouse with its own private rooftop pool.

<h2>Aniko Group continue Hope Island transformation with further apartment site acquisition</h2>

<h2><img alt="" height="682" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/athena_sickle.jpg" width="1200" /></h2>

The surging transformation of Hope Island on the Gold Coast is set to continue.

The&nbsp;Aniko&nbsp;Group, who are behind a number of residential developments at the gateway to Hope Island, has&nbsp;acquired another waterfront site on Sickle Avenue, with plans for more waterfront apartments.

The 9,280 sqm site at 10-12 Sickle Avenue, with an 80-metre frontage to the Hope Island Canal, is&nbsp;Aniko&#39;s fifth on the Gold Coast island.

It was announced in July that Brisbane would host the 2032 Olympics, which is expected to give even further momentum to the property market in South East Queensland



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

The Melbourne property developer Blue Earth Group has developed a name for itself within the industry for their string of high quality, amenity-laden apartment developments.

Their latest work at their Ivanhoe Gardens apartments in Melbourne&#39;s north-east&nbsp;has seen a big&nbsp;focus on&nbsp;the booming work from home sector, which is expected to continue well past the vaccination rollout.

Part of the development, designed by CHT Architects and built by the leading construction firm Hamilton Marino, is a state-of-the-art, double storey co-working centre.

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Upstairs is an open lounge area and private office booths, available to book through the apartment complex mobile app.

There&#39;s also an onsite restaurant with a coffee arbour, giving working home from residents no need to leave the Linden Avenue development.

Young professionals who are&nbsp;likely to only spend a few days in the office for the foreseeable future have been keen on the option of working in the co-working centre, albeit the Melbourne CBD just a short 30 minute drive in.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22308 project_image_fid=170557]

Ivanhoe Gardens is made up of two buildings, Bloomfield, which is stage one of the development, and Linden &amp; Arbour, which is stage two.

True to Blue Earth&#39;s track record, Ivanhoe Gardens features a number of further facilities within the two stages. There&#39;s everything from golf simulator&#39;s, poker rooms, gym&#39;s designed and kitted out by Technogym and gardens designed by Jack Merlo.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/vic/work-live-and-play-at-blue-earth-groups-ivanhoe-gardens-apartments">Entertainment options on offer at Blue Earth&#39;s Ivanhoe Gardens</a>

One-bedroom apartments, which have their kitchen&#39;s designed by renowned chef Adam D&#39;Sylva (co-owner and chef award-winning restaurants Tonka and Coda), start from $462,500.

Blue Earth&#39;s Anthem development in Essendon, with a similar suite of facilities, has nearly sold out.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/vic/why-would-you-leave-anthem-at-essendon-residents-treated-to-high-performance-living">Why would you leave? Anthem at Essendon residents treated to High Performance Living</a>

There are just a few apartments remaining&nbsp;in the O&#39;Shannassy Street project. With all the one-bedroom apartments sold out, prices start from $572,500 for the two-bedroom, 72 sqm apartments.

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Part of the development is a state-of-the-art, double storey co-working centre



How Blue Earth Group are revolutionising the co-working space at Ivanhoe Gardens apartment development

The ASX-listed property developer Mirvac have increased their residential pipeline in Melbourne for 2022, acquiring a site on the tightly held Princes Park precinct alongside Brunswick&#39;s Princess Hill.

The purchase comes as Mirvac release&nbsp;the final stage of their sought-after Doncaster precinct, Apartments of Tullamore.

FORME Apartments, the last stage of the 47 hectare masterplanned community,&nbsp;are inspired by nature, with garden spaces by award-winning landscape designer Paul Bangay.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=100322 project_image_fid=163036]

The 699 Park Street&nbsp;development, to be known as Park Street, will home around 200 apartments and is expected to launch to the market in mid-2022, with construction anticipated to commence later that year.

Formerly a hotel, the 6,495 sqm site features uninterrupted park and city views and around 100 metre frontage to Princes Park. It is located within walking distance to Brunswick and Carlton North. The&nbsp;University of Melbourne and the Royal Hospital precinct are part of the local neighbourhood.

Mirvac&rsquo;s Head of Residential, Stuart Penklis, says that the prestigious Park Street site offers an opportunity for Mirvac to strategically expand its pipeline and create a new legacy project at the northern gateway to Melbourne.

&ldquo;Mirvac is focused on diversifying its portfolio across a range of different markets and is always looking for opportunities to create high-quality apartment offerings,&quot; Penklis said.

&quot;In many ways the Park Street site echoes the essence of East Melbourne, an outstanding location with access to the best cultural amenity, right on the cusp of Melbourne&rsquo;s CBD.&quot;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=100322 project_image_fid=163028]

Penklis says the demand from local owner-occupiers looking for quality apartments in well serviced locations continues, but points to a recent uptick in right-sizers.

&quot;Families, couples and singles looking for larger apartments that offer a low maintenance, secure lifestyle, close to amenity &ndash; something that Park Street will offer in abundance,&rdquo; Penklis says.

There were plans already in place for 699 Park Street by Architectus for JW Land, however Mirvac are still finalising the scheme of what they want to create.

The 699 Park Street development will home around 200 apartments and is expected to launch to the market in mid-2022

Mirvac bolster 2022 apartment development pipeline with Park Street, Brunswick site purchase

The well-regarded property developer, Pask, has kicked off its sales campaign&nbsp;at its luxury Palm Beach apartment development on the sought-after The Esplanade.

Strong demand from buyers has seen half of the 16 residences snapped up prior to the project&rsquo;s retail sales launch.

NPA Projects Director Andrew Erwin saying he&#39;s seen interest from Gold Coast locals, as well as from Brisbane, and Melbourne.&nbsp;

&quot;Great design and quality craftsmanship are what Pask are well-known for in Melbourne,&quot;&nbsp;Erwin says, highlighting their work at the Millswyn, a collection of eight luxury apartments, two penthouses and a restored heritage residence in South Yarra&rsquo;s exclusive Domain precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107137 project_image_fid=182224]

Erwin said buyers are drawn to the location, at the quieter end of The Esplanade, in an area he calls &quot;North Palm Beach.&quot;

&quot;North Palm Beach is essentially its own area,&quot;&nbsp;Erwin says, with the top of The Esplanade located closer to the picturesque Burleigh Headland and Tallebudgera Creek.

Designed by Plus Architecture and set in landscaping by FORM Landscape Architect, the project features&nbsp;two dual-level Beach Houses, 12 Beach Residences, and two penthouses.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107137 project_image_fid=182229]

The split level, four-bedroom Beach Houses start on ground level, each with their own private plunge pool and living spaces wrapped around a private courtyard. Each Beach House also features two open plan kitchens, living and dining areas, and a separate guest quarters located on the lower floor.

The three-bedroom Beach Residences, which start from 220 sqm, run at two-per-floor to level eight, and every apartment will have a large ocean-facing balcony.

On the ground level is the resident amenity, which includes a 20 metre lap pool with wet edge and sunken lounges, outdoor dining areas and a barbecue space, as well as a gym.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107137 project_image_fid=182228]

Price range between $3.2 million and $5.95 million.

Pask have timed their entry to the booming Palm Beach market, which is showing no signs of slowing down.

Settlement is due in early 2023.

About The Developer

Pask was founded by family patriarch Nev Pask over five decades ago. Since then, the company has grown in to one of Australia&#39;s leading property developers, with a legacy of over 100 developments across the country.

The company is now ran by Nev&#39;s son Dean, who has grown Pask across Queensland and Victoria. They&#39;ve only recently turned their attention to the boutique apartment development market, having initially started their journey with greenfield developments.

Their first greenfields site in Queensland was&nbsp;Arise at Rochedale, south of the Brisbane CBD and one of Brisbane&#39;s last master-planned greenfield communities. That now has over 1500 homes, having first been developed over 20 years ago.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=107137]

NPA Projects Director Andrew Erwin says he has seen interest from Gold Coast locals, as well as from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and New Zealand.

Sales launch at Pask's luxury Esplanade, Palm Beach apartment development

Residents at Blue Earth Group&#39;s latest apartment development, Ivanhoe Gardens in Melbourne&#39;s north-east, won&#39;t need a reason to stay at home every day.

As well as the extensive co-working facilities on offer making the Monday to Friday office attendance a thing of the past, Ivanhoe Gardens offers more entertainment options within its grounds that most whole suburb&#39;s do.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/vic/how-blue-earth-group-are-revolutionising-the-co-working-space-at-ivanhoe-gardens-apartment-development">How Blue Earth Group are revolutionising the co-working space at Ivanhoe Gardens</a>

The development, built across two stages by leading builder Hamilton Marino&nbsp;to designs by CHT Architects, has over 2,000 sqm dedicated to the 13 different entertainment zones.

The most unique of facilities, targeting young families, is the amenity on offer for the kids.

Ivanhoe Gardens has a Kids&#39; Zone which has designated areas for play and for work on creative projects and hobbies.

There&#39;s a general play area, a cubby house and desk space for homework. The Kids&#39; Zone has been positioned next to the gym so&nbsp;parents can work out while the kids stay safe and entertained.

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There&#39;s further kids activity space, with a rock climbing wall and ball pit, as well as a room dedicated to arts and crafts, both for adults and children!

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Parents won&#39;t need to go far when leaving&nbsp;the kids with the babysitter.

There&#39;s an onsite restaurant in Ivanhoe Gardens, open for breakfast lunch and dinner. Adjoining the restaurant is a private dining area, bookable through the Ivanhoe Gardens app. The restaurant can cater the area for large groups.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22308 project_image_fid=75049]

Pre- or post-dinner options are aplenty.

An onsite sports bar is kitted out with a pool table, a table tennis table and&nbsp;a number of screens. There&#39;s even an adjoining poker room with professional table.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22308 project_image_fid=170574]

Likely the most popular post-dinner option will be the private cinema.

Completed styled as a plush cinema with terraced seating and velvet curtains, seats at the boutique cinema are bookable through the app.

Residents and friends can book to binge on the best Netflix shows or bring&nbsp;their latest movie collection.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22308 project_image_fid=75038]

For the fair-weather golfer who only hits the greens when the sun is shining, Ivanhoe Gardens offers a virtual golf simulator. Hone your swing without anyone watching!

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22308 project_image_fid=75041]

Apartments in Ivanhoe Gardens, which comprises two stages, Bloomfield (stage one) and Linden &amp; Arbour (stage two), start from $462,500.

To watch Urban&#39;s recent display suite tour video, <a href="/news/vic/display-tour-ivanhoe-gardens-by-blue-earth-group-in-ivanhoe-vic">click here</a>.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=22308]

Ivanhoe Gardens offers more entertainment options within its grounds that most whole suburb's do.

Work, live and play at Blue Earth Group's Ivanhoe Gardens apartments

The Melbourne off the plan prestige market is continuing to see heightened demand.

Two whole-floor apartments in&nbsp;Cbus Property&#39;s exclusive 17 Spring Street residential tower&nbsp;have just sold&nbsp;for a combined total of $25 million, within two weeks of each other.

The Garden Residence, spanning the whole of level 10 with a private 280 sqm plus terrace with landscaping by Paul Bangay, sold even before its marketing campaign.

Following The Garden Residence sale, another whole-floor apartment on the 31st level sold. There&#39;s now just one whole-floor apartment remaining in the whole 73 apartment building.

Adrian Pozzo, chief executive of Cbus Property,&nbsp;said the sales showed that overwhelming confidence in the market remained for well-placed product, despite the challenges generated by the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the past 18 months.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8666 project_image_fid=77387]

&ldquo;Cbus Property continues to experience strong owner-occupier demand for premium residences in prime locations and our purchasers see immense value in buying at the top end of Melbourne&rsquo;s CBD,&rdquo; Pozzo said.

The $300 million 17 Spring St, architecturally designed by Bates Smart at the end of Spring Street, is set to be built on the 1,270 sqm site that was formally&nbsp;occupied by the Mercure Melbourne Treasury Gardens.

It comprises 73 two- and three-bedroom, and half- and whole-floor residences, each with views overlooking the Treasury and Fitzroy Gardens.

Construction is anticipated for completion in late 2022.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8666 project_image_fid=77388]

It&#39;s Cbus Property&#39;s second success on Spring Street, having sold out their 35 Spring Street well before its 2017 completion.

Colliers International&nbsp;brokered the whole-floor sales, with their director of residential Brett Griffith&nbsp;saying that despite the challenges brought about by COVID-19 throughout the past 18 months, they cannot keep up with the demand from buyers seeking premium residences in Melbourne CBD&rsquo;s premier streets, such as Spring Street.

&ldquo;Quality apartments from quality developers are extraordinarily resilient in all markets; they very rarely shift or drop in price,&rdquo; Griffith said.

Adrian Pozzo, chief executive of Cbus Property, said the sales showed that overwhelming confidence in the market remained for well-placed product

Melbourne's prestige off the plan apartment market booms with $25 million sales at Cbus Property's 17 Spring Street

Construction has commenced on 160 Macquarie Street, St Lucia’s first riverfront residential development in more than a decade.

Developer QM Properties has appointed construction firm McNab to build the luxury development at 160 Macquarie Street on the Brisbane River.

The Rothelowman-designed development of 33 three-bedroom apartments is already 80 per cent sold, with 27 apartments raking in $58 million, an average sale price of $2.28 million.

Prices start from $1,375,000 for the three-bedroom apartments spanning 139 sqm of living space.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=25721 project_image_fid=56878]

Andrew Roubicek, Director of Residential at Colliers International, said 160 Macquarie Street has been one of the best performing residential projects in Brisbane.

“160 Macquarie Street is a remarkable project as evidenced by the strong sales achieved prior to construction,” Roubicek said.

“Since April 2020 the median sale price for apartments in St Lucia has increased by 9.1 per cent revealing the suburb to be one of the most in-demand areas in Brisbane."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=25721 project_image_fid=157091]

The project will feature a sky garden&nbsp;on its rooftop, with mature trees as part of an expansive recreation terrace which will also offer a private dining room with city skyline views from the 15th level.

QM development manager Glenn Rix said there were no other riverfront projects in the pipeline at St Lucia, making 160 Macquarie ‘one of a kind’.

“Neighbouring areas like West End, Toowong and South Bank have a number of riverfront projects in train, but St Lucia has remained a tightly-held pocket and sites like the one we have for 160 Macquarie are extremely rare,” he said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=25721 project_image_fid=157089]

“We’ve taken a unique site and have worked with award-winning architects Rothelowman to create a building to match, with statement features like the sky garden, which connects the rooftop with the riverfront.

“We’ve brought the outside in throughout the whole building, with a natural interior palette led by finishes such as oak timber floors and natural dolomite stone benchtops, in oversize apartments offering up to 246 sqm of living space.

The Rothelowman-designed development of 33 three-bedroom apartments is already 80 per cent sold

Construction starts on 160 Macquarie, St Lucia's first riverfront apartments in a decade

Growland&#39;s Victoria Square has been in hot demand over 2021, with the first two of the six towers planned reaching over 90 per cent sold.

The two towers, known as VS01 and VS02 in the mixed-use Victoria Square, in the heart&nbsp;of the Joseph Road Precinct, has seen buyers move in following their recent completion.

There are 453 apartments across the first two towers, with 1,039 apartments planned across the six towers, as well as 4,000 sqm of commercial and retail space.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1187 project_image_fid=80709]

Residents in the first two towers will have access to the amenities, including a&nbsp;heated swimming pool, games room, library, cinema and private dining rooms.

There&#39;s also a 2,400 sqm sky garden, complete with&nbsp;Australia&#39;s only Olympic-sized aerial outdoor track.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1187 project_image_fid=170408]

Stage two will see VS03 and VS04 constructed, by L.U. Simon who built the first two towers. They will have 236 apartments, with 60 per cent already sold. Fender Katsalidis designed the apartment towers.

Construction of VS03 and VS04 commenced in June and is expected to be completed in mid-2023.&nbsp;

Growland chief executive Ronald Chan said the development firm are committed to the delivering a high quality project&nbsp;despite the uncertain times.

&ldquo;We understand the uncertainty that the current situation brings, however we remain committed to building our residents&rsquo; dream homes so they can achieve their happy ever after,&rdquo; Chan said.

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&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Residents in the first two towers will have access to the amenities, including a heated swimming pool, games room, library, cinema and private dining rooms

Growland near sell-out of first two apartment towers at Footscray's Victoria Square precinct

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

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

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

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

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

Not all apartment amenities are immediately visible.

Swimming pools, gyms, rooftop terraces and residents' lounges have long featured on buyers' wishlists, but as the way Australians live has changed, so too have the features that make apartment living more convenient.

Increasingly, buyers are placing value on the practical aspects of day-to-day life. Fast internet, EV charging, secure bike storage, flexible workspaces and parcel management are becoming just as relevant as lifestyle amenities, reflecting changing habits and expectations.

Online shopping has been one of the biggest drivers of that shift.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion shopping online in 2025, with almost one in every four retail dollars now spent digitally, making parcel deliveries a routine part of everyday life rather than an occasional convenience.

For apartment residents, however, receiving those deliveries isn't always straightforward.

Without someone home to accept a parcel, deliveries can be redirected to a nearby Post Office, left in building foyers or common areas, or require building management to temporarily store packages. As apartment living continues to grow across Australia's cities, parcel management has become an increasingly important consideration for both residents and developers.

Australia Post's Parcel Locker network is one response to that shift.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KPZ9j5FRdsQ?si=Qztc1dNP3ZvEIUhb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Rather than relying on home delivery, eligible parcels can be directed to a nominated Parcel Locker, where they're securely stored until collected. Once a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS and can retrieve it using a one-time code or QR code at a time that suits them.

The network has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide, with Parcel Lockers positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and, increasingly, within or alongside residential developments.

That growing presence reflects a broader change in how apartment buildings are being planned.

Developers are increasingly considering the operational side of apartment living alongside traditional lifestyle amenities. Just as secure mailrooms, bicycle storage and EV charging have become more common inclusions, parcel management is emerging as another feature that supports everyday convenience.

It also helps preserve the arrival experience within a building. Carefully designed lobbies and communal spaces can quickly become cluttered when deliveries accumulate, while secure parcel solutions reduce the likelihood of missed deliveries or parcels being left unattended.

For buyers comparing apartments, these everyday details are becoming part of the decision-making process.

Location, floorplans and finishes remain fundamental, but the features that simplify daily life are carrying greater weight than they once did. As online shopping continues to shape consumer behaviour, secure parcel delivery is increasingly becoming another amenity worth looking for.

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

Inca Property Group has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for Dawn, a 53-apartment oceanfront development overlooking Mona Vale Beach.

The proposal, at 35-39 Darley Street East, would replace an existing 18-apartment strata building with a new owner-occupier-focused development comprising 53 two and three-bedroom apartments, including nine affordable built-to-rent residences delivered under the State's infill affordable housing scheme.

Positioned on a 2,679 sqm elevated site around 280 metres from Mona Vale Beach, the development has been designed to maximise panoramic ocean views while responding to the site's sloping topography.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/inca-property-group">Inca Property Group</a> Managing Director Josh Thompson said the State Significant pathway provided greater certainty for projects of this scale.

"This State Significant pathway gives the team real certainty to progress <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/dawn-35-39-darley-street-east-mona-vale-nsw-2103">Dawn</a> through to completion," Thompson said.

"It allows us to acquire a one-off site, design it carefully and deliver the right offering for the suburb, assessed by the NSW Government's planning department."

The project is one of the first developments in the area to be assessed under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy, with the site sitting on the edge of the policy's designated inner area.

The proposal includes three basement levels providing 124 car spaces, alongside a range of resident amenities including a swimming pool, gym, sauna, wellness facilities and private plunge pools for selected ground-floor and penthouse apartments.

<img alt="Dawn" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc1a1daf-0ce4-4f12-9076-b1fa553c7a91" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-21%20at%208.42.11%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4GZ9h.gpNkTljbxyAET8Jfhv51XUamDm" />

Thompson said Dawn had been designed specifically for owner-occupiers and downsizers, a buyer profile that has driven demand across Inca's recent Upper North Shore developments.

"The majority of buyers in our recent North Shore projects have been downsizers, and we are learning exactly what this market is looking for. Beyond the location itself, we have included resort-style amenities to deliver a genuine lifestyle offering," Thompson said.

Located within walking distance of Mona Vale Beach, the town centre, Mona Vale Golf Club and the Royal Motor Yacht Club, Dawn represents Inca's first Northern Beaches project following the sell-out of Tara on Park in Waitara and Ellis Residences, currently under construction in St Ives.

Construction will be undertaken by Inca's in-house construction arm, GOP Constructions.

Dawn is the latest major apartment proposal for Mona Vale, with the suburb emerging as one of the key beneficiaries of the NSW Government's new Low and Mid-Rise Housing policy.

New developer One Living, led by industry veteran Joseph Scuderi, recently secured a site on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, where it is planning around 140 apartments.

IPM is also planning its third project in Mona Vale, significantly increasing the scale of its previous developments with an 82-apartment proposal at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/159-167-darley-street-west-mona-vale-nsw-2103">159-167 Darley Street West</a>, opposite Bayview Golf Course and less than 800 metres from Mona Vale town centre.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/one-living-enters-sydneys-new-apartment-market-with-northern-beaches-site-acquisition">One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-ipm-plans-third-mona-vale-project">First look: IPM plans third Mona Vale project</a>

Joel Robinson

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