The Sydney developer ALAND has seen a flurry of sales at two of their Greater Western Sydney developments, as investors continue to&nbsp;look away from the regional areas and invest closer to the city.

ALAND&#39;s Greater Western Sydney projects Schofield Gardens in Schofields, near Kellyville,&nbsp;and their Liverpool development Hoxton, have seen a sharp increase in investor demand.

Data from My Housing Market found that area&#39;s such as Wollongong to the south of Sydney and Newcastle and Central Coast to the north see rental yields in the mid three percent range, when calculating the area&#39;s median property price and median rental price.

ALAND&#39;s Schofield Gardens development has investors seeing gross rental yields topping 4.7 per cent.

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&ldquo;What Sydney property investors don&rsquo;t realise is that they can make much more money in their own backyard than they can in regional areas, while taking advantage of what will probably be much higher capital gains,&rdquo; ALAND sales director Mark Bernberg said.

&ldquo;Sydney&rsquo;s western suburbs are ripe with investment opportunities and no shortage of rental demand.

&quot;Investing in a freshly-built apartment saves many headaches as well, with next to no maintenance required for the first few years of its life.&rdquo;

Schofield Gardens will home one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments on Grima Street, opposite Schofield&#39;s Woolworths and train station.

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Prices at Schofield Gardens start from $450,000 for a one-bedroom apartment with parking. Two beds are priced from $550,000 and three-bedroom apartments from $699,000. Completion is slated for mid-2022.

The Schofields Precinct was rezoned by the NSW government in 2012 and new planning controls were put in place to allow for urban development, which the government said at the time would include nearly 3,000 new homes.

ALAND are also seeing investor demand creep back in to their Liverpool apartment tower The Hoxton.

The 32-level tower in the heart of Liverpool, again a short walk from the closest train station, will home 331 apartments.

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One bedders in The Hoxton start from $480,000, two-bedroom apartments from $523,000 and three bedroom apartments from $677,000. ALAND also have a mid-2022 completion for The Hoxton.

In 2019, the NSW Government said that population growth for the Liverpool area was expected to increase 26 per cent over the next decade.&nbsp;

The increase in investors in Greater Sydney comes after Knight Frank Research Australian residential development review 2021 found that the&nbsp;Greater Sydney apartment pipeline is tipped to plunge by 2024 by nearly 50 per cent.

The 36,275 new apartment developments to be completed over the next three years are set to be well below the 67,925 recorded in the prior 2018-20 period.

ALAND's Greater Western Sydney projects Schofield Gardens in Schofields, near Kellyville, and their Liverpool development Hoxton, have seen a sharp increase in investor demand

Joel Robinson

ALAND see investor demand spike in Greater Sydney apartment projects

Construction has began at Ention Properties boutique Taringa apartment development&nbsp;Déesse in Brisbane's inner-ring.

Ention, founded by Trent Thoroughgood and Dion Smith in 2013, have appointed Groupline Constructions to handle the build of the Hayes Anderson Lynch-designed development of eight, which is expected to take around 12 months to build. Completion is slated for June 2022.

The low-rise project was&nbsp;built on an elevated Swann Road site which allows it to take in views of the city skyline to the north east and panoramic hinterland views from the rear.

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Boutique apartment blocks like&nbsp;Déesse are at the top of enquiry lists for many, with record price gaps between apartments and houses pricing a number of buyers out of the housing market.

The development only has three or four bedroom apartments, with floorplans ranging from 184 sqm to 283 sqm.&nbsp;

Ention director Trent Thoroughgood said they took collective feedback from customers and workewd with Hayes Anderson Lynch and Colliers to put the knowledge into the design of&nbsp;Déesse.

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"Our vision has been to design a truly boutique building that will sit proudly amongst some of Brisbane’s most elite homes, and ticks all of the boxes for a discerning owner occupier with larger apartments and more amenity"

Each of the eight apartments&nbsp;share a maximum of one common wall, with just two apartments per floor.

The development is crowned by an amenity-laden rooftop with a&nbsp;wet edge swimming pool, lounge deck, barbecue and outdoor dining area and lawn, all with city&nbsp;views.

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The three bedroom apartments start from $1.53 million, and the four bedroom apartments from $1,895,000.

Colliers are marketing the project.

The low-rise project was built on an elevated Swann Road site which allows it to take in views of the city skyline



Construction starts on Ention's Taringa apartment development Déesse

The transformation of the Gold Coast suburb&nbsp;Hope Island by the local developer Aniko Group is set to continue.

Aniko, led by the experienced developer George Mastrocostas, has secured approval to go ahead with another development on Sickle Avenue, the gateway to one of the smallest islands in area.

The newest $125 million development, which follows the booming success of the sold-out, $140 million No.1 Grant Avenue which is located across the road, will add another 185 apartments to Aniko&#39;s local portfolio.

Mastrocostas said the company was extremely keen to fast track its latest project due to the success at No.1 Grant Avenue.

&ldquo;The Sickle Ave site was an exceptional opportunity for us to bring our signature product to a market that is ablaze with demand for residences set on a waterfront position within the centre of Hope Island,&rdquo;&nbsp;Mastrocostas said.

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&ldquo;We witnessed a phenomenal level of buyer interest the moment 1 Grant Avenue hit the market. This spurred us to quickly react and offer a continued supply of luxury apartments to the rising demand of both interstate migrators as well as local downsizers.&rdquo;

The two-staged residential waterfront project designed by Archidiom&nbsp;will span eight levels at 6-8 Sickle Avenue.&nbsp;

There will be 16-one bedroom apartments, 153 two-bedroom apartments and 16 three bed sky homes, with an floor plate for the latter anywhere&nbsp;between 170 sqm to 260 sqm.

&ldquo;Our residences have catered to a broad market of buyers, from the interstate migrants to local downsizers or luxury upgrader,&quot;&nbsp;Mastrocostas adds.

The Sickle Avenue development will reserve&nbsp;60 per cent&nbsp;of the site to open land and greenery.

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&ldquo;We were determined to find an innovative way for residents to enjoy the best of water and park front living with all the luxury touches and modern amenity encapsulated in apartment dwelling,&rdquo; said Mr Mastrocostas.

&ldquo;We have become widely recognised for our ability to redefine the conventional rules of apartment living, and this project is set to carry that formula into a refreshing approach to high density living.&rdquo;

Sickle Avenue is set to hit the market July 1. Aniko are hoping to get sign off for marina berth&#39;s for a handful of the apartments.

About the developer 
 
Aniko is proving to be an unstoppable force in the residential market with additional plans in the pipeline to deliver a spectacular townhouse project in the Hope Island area later this year.

Founded by property veteran George Mastrocostas, who possesses over two decades&nbsp;years in the real estate industry, Aniko Group has established itself as one of South-East Queensland&rsquo;s leading developers of innovative, luxury residences and commercial properties.

Aniko boss George Mastrocostas said the company was extremely keen to fast track its latest project due to the success at No.1 Grant Avenue

Aniko Group secure approval for more apartments in Hope Island transformation

Fresh off the success of their nearby Flow and Awaken Residences, the Gold Coast&nbsp;developer S&amp;S Projects has lodged plans for its latest coastal development.

They&#39;re set to develop a mixed-use precinct at&nbsp;217-227 Boundary Street Coolangatta, a few streets back from Rainbow Bay.

Above ground level retail will be two interconnected buildings designed by Cottee Parker Architects totalling&nbsp;96 apartments.

The main residential tower will have 72-two bedroom apartments and 19-three bedroom apartments across 12 levels.

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Located at the front of the precinct will be the more boutique tower of just eight levels, home to five three bedroom apartments and one four bedroom penthouse.

The crowning glory of the development in Club Esprit, a rooftop residents only rooftop and wellness space in the main tower.

The rooftop features a lap pool with day beds and spa and&nbsp;a full wellness centre with gym, sauna, steam room, ice bath and treatment room.

There&#39;s a relaxation lawn, a communal kitchen with large dining space, bar, and private dining terrace with barbecue facilities which can be hired. There&#39;s also two communal barbecue facilities next to a playground lawn.

S&amp;S director Paul Gedoun says he has&nbsp;a fundamental belief in the southern Gold Coast, off the back of the exceptional success&nbsp;in Flow and Awaken.

&ldquo;Our vision for our projects looks to enhance the community feel, creating dwellings that are in line with our liveable luxury trademark,&quot; Gedoun says.

&ldquo;We expect that this project will provide a positive impact in the local community with the amalgamation of several sites providing a master-planned approach to the area.

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&ldquo;We always strive to deliver high quality owner-occupier residences in prime locations, respecting the sense of community ownership and the surrounding environment and we&rsquo;ve taken that vision to a new level with Esprit.&rdquo;

S&amp;S have seen great success at their nearby Awaken Residences at Rainbow Bay, where their recent $8.15 million sale of the two-level penthouse was the highest apartment sale recorded south of Mermaid Beach.

Only four of Awaken&rsquo;s nine expansive whole floor apartments now remain, each set to go for upwards of $4 million each after more than $20 million in sales in the first five apartments to predominantly local and interstate buyers.

Flow Residences was named Australia&rsquo;s fastest selling beachfront apartments following their $74 million sell-out in late October with apartments selling at an average $3.5 million.&nbsp;Construction is underway and is due for completion in 2022.

Esprit Design Statement

In the design statement submitted to the Gold Coast City Council, Cottee Parker Architects call Esprit &quot;a unique architectural offering at Rainbow Bay, that is directly inspired by the rock pools and formations this part of the world is known for.

&quot;The proposed development at 217-227 Boundary Street is a premium one of a kind development, comprising of two interconnected buildings across two street frontages.

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&quot;Surrounded by dramatic natural beauty, Esprit draws upon its context to create a design that encapsulates the desirable sub-tropical lifestyle of the Gold Coast. Boundary Street The building&rsquo;s design is inspired by nearby Snapper Rocks and the pockets of tidal pools formed over time.

&quot;Tinted glazing emulates the tranquil reflective waters, separated by striated layers of rock, represented by the facade&rsquo;s horizontal banding. These horizontal elements layer across the building facade to form balcony edges that grow and build at the edges.

&quot;Within these sheltered edges, landscaping grows to provide a small garden space to each unit, just like the pocket parks that are scattered throughout Coolangatta.&quot;

The crowning glory of the development in Club Esprit, a rooftop residents only rooftop and wellness space.

First look: S&S Projects lodge plans for mixed-use Coolangatta development Esprit

Perth has long had a problem with the size of apartments for downsizers.

That&#39;s the view of&nbsp;Abel Property sales agent Gethen Sullivan, who&#39;s&nbsp;been&nbsp;marketing off the plan and established apartments for the best part of two decades in Perth.

&quot;The overwhelming feedback from apartment buyers is that the internal size, and specifically the master bedrooms, are always too small,&quot; Sullivan suggests.

&quot;This is the case for the majority of developments in Perth.&quot;

Sullivan has recently started marketing apartments at 66 Jersey Street,&nbsp;a boutique Jolimont development&nbsp;near Subiaco, where the floor plates are around 50 per cent larger than any other two and three bedroom apartments on the market in Perth.

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&nbsp;

&quot;For me, after I studied the floor plans and strata plan for this project, it is something that I couldn&rsquo;t wait to be involved in selling,&quot; Sullivan says.

Designed by SPH Architects, the two bedroom apartments span 146 sqm and start from $755,000. The master bedroom is spread across 23 sqm alone.

The three bedroom apartments, which offer over 265 sqm, start from $1,375,000. They have a 30 sqm master suite.

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Sullivan says the apartments are 100 per cent geared toward owner-occupiers.

&quot;They are largely aimed at people looking to downsize from a house to the security of an apartment, without sacrificing space,&quot; Sullivan says.

&quot;The developers of this project themselves are architects. They designed the floor plans to be something they themselves could/would live in.&quot;

The local construction firm Kastle are set to start the build later this year, with completion slated for Q3 2022.

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Perth has long had a problem with the size of apartments for downsizers.

Biggest apartments in Perth hit the market

The Cronulla mall is set for a $350 million facelift, with the Sydney developer Sammut Group set to create a new mixed-use retail and residential precinct.

The mixed-use urban renewal project at the northern end of the Cronulla Mall, which the&nbsp;Sutherland Shire Council calls the Northern Gateway site, will see the old retail and commercial and retail space renovated and extended.

The 5,225 sqm development, called Vue, will also home&nbsp;122 one, two and three bedroom apartments, developed above the shopping precinct.

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&ldquo;This is a game-changing development that will provide the catalyst for the future revitalisation and growth of the Cronulla CBD,&rdquo; Sammut Group director Allen Sammut said.

&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a pivotal project for the area, particularly the many businesses in Cronulla that have been struggling in recent years.

&ldquo;We&rsquo;re extremely excited and eager to see our vision for this iconic gateway site come to life, ushering in a new era of optimism and opportunity for Cronulla.&rdquo;

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There will be 885 sqm of commercial space, as well as&nbsp;speciality shops, restaurants and full-line major supermarket brand Harris Farm Markets, set to become their flagship store.

It&#39;s the same location where there was a 20-level tower proposed back in 2017 by a different development group.&nbsp;

About the developer

Established as Sammut Constructions by Paul Sammut over five decades ago, the family-owned business is now headed by sons Allen and John, and grandson Julian Sammut, who have evolved the business into &lsquo;Sammut Group&rsquo;.

They have won over 40 major industry awards for their projects and have an extensive portfolio&nbsp;in the New South Wales market and the local market with Banc, Loft, Breeze and Drift all developed in the Sutherland Shire.

Sammut are developing Vue with the Sydney-based investment group Alceon, who they are also teaming up with for the <a href="/news/qld/tower-reveal-sammut-lodge-plans-for-200-million-surfers-paradise-apartment-tower-coast">$200 million luxury Surfers Paradise development</a>.

The 5,225 sqm development, called Vue, will also see 122 one, two and three bedroom apartments developed above the shopping centre

Sammut Group's $350 million mixed-use development Vue to change Cronulla CBD

Some of the most sought-after developments over the last six months have been in the small Gold Coast enclave of Kirra Beach.

Miles Residences, the residential arm of the KTQ&#39;s Group&#39;s $380&nbsp;million redevelopment of the Kirra Beach Hotel, had the area abuzz with interest late last year.

More recently there was the quick-fire sell out of Spyre Group&#39;s Cala Dei, the&nbsp;redevelopment of the Komune Resort around the corner.

And now the Gold Coast developer Marquee Development Partners are set to put their stamp on the area, with plans approved by the Gold Coast City Council for a new residential tower.

The tower, dubbed SOL Kirra Beach located at&nbsp;133-135 Musgrave Street, will rise 11 levels and have 46 two, three and four bedroom apartments.&nbsp;

Not set to launch to the market until June 26, Marquee have already been inundated with enquiries from their database, some 1,600 prospective buyers over the last few weeks.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7346 project_image_fid=165574]

&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve witnessed an astounding level of interest for our latest project in Kirra within mere weeks of receiving council approval,&rdquo; said Marquee Development Partners sales director Azura Griffen.

&ldquo;This Kirra site is absolutely magnificent, and we&rsquo;re excited to do it justice by delivering our signature luxury residences that package the Gold Coast dream into an ultra-desirable home.&rdquo;

The award-winning, Brisbane-based architecture firm&nbsp;Arkhefield have created&nbsp;the tower, with the primary focus to capture the view corridors of Kirra Beach, Kirra Headland, Pacific Ocean, and Coolangatta&nbsp;from its elevated headland position.

Arkhefield drew inspiration from the surrounding natural landscapes of Kirra, Greenmount and&nbsp;Snapper to inform the composition &ndash; reflecting the ocean meeting and&nbsp;shaping the land.

Each balcony is designed to capture the unique ocean views.&nbsp;

The resident amenity was inspired by Palm Springs and&nbsp;the iconic 60&rsquo;s Gold Coast aesthetic. The pool area is surrounded by mature landscaping, poolside lounges, sunbeds and&nbsp;cabanas. There is also an outdoor lounge, dining room and barbecue facilities.

SOL is the last development on the Kirra Headland, with Marquee acquiring&nbsp;the site from a family who had been at the Musgrave Street property for over 45 years.

About the developer

Marquee Development Partners are renowned on the Gold Coast for creating award winning residential projects.

SOL will mark the company&rsquo;s eighth project on the Gold Coast, winning the Master Builders Award for best medium density building in Queensland and the Gold Coast in 2020, bringing its total investment on the coast to over $450 million.

Marquee are also behind the luxury Shoreline development between Main Beach and Surfers Paradise, and One Cannes on Chevron Island.

SOL is the last development on the Kirra Headland, with Marquee acquiring the site from a family who had been at the Musgrave Street property for over 45 years

Marquee Developments prepare SOL Kirra Beach launch

Apartment buyers at Riverbank, the recently completed Abbotsford development on the banks of the Yarra River, will pay $0 stamp duty if they secure an apartment&nbsp;before June 30*.

The Melbourne development firm Salta Properties,&nbsp;one of Australia&#39;s largest privately owned companies, is matching the VIC government&#39;s 50 per cent stamp duty savings, which end at the end of June.

Riverbank&#39;s one- and two-bedroom apartments fall in to the criteria for stamp duty savings, only applied to apartments&nbsp;under $1 million.

The one-bedroom apartments at Riverbank&nbsp;start from $505,000, and two-bedrooms from $740,000.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4136 project_image_fid=89831]

The nine-level building has been designed&nbsp;by&nbsp;SJB&nbsp;Architects and is finished with interiors by&nbsp;Sue Carr&nbsp;at&nbsp;Carr Design Group.

&ldquo;Our intention was to create a space that had a true sense of home but also a memorable atmosphere,&quot; Carr says.

&quot;We want the purchasers to feel the connection with the landscape beyond, with the building and their apartment becoming a welcoming sanctuary for them to take in all this development has to offer.&rdquo;

Each apartment has a sustainable 6+ energy rating and features Gaggeneau appliances in the kitchen, engineered oak floors and marble-effect stone.&nbsp;

Riverbank&nbsp;is one of two buildings at The Park House.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4136 project_image_fid=156265]

Set on the Yarra River, Riverbank &ndash; The Park House is located near the&nbsp;Yarra Trail, Boat House and Tea Garden and Melbourne&rsquo;s best open-access golf course, Yarra Bend, around the corner.

The short commute to the city is convenient for residents, with&nbsp;tram routes 12 and 109 on the doorstep of Park House and North Richmond station just a short walk away.

Riverbank also features hotel-style amenities throughout the development.

There&#39;s the Club House, which comprises a residents&#39;&nbsp;lounge with fireplace, a Movie House, an eight-seater cinema room which can be hired privately, the Fitness Hub gym, The Swing golf simulation room and The Splash, the swimming pool that opens to the courtyards.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4136 project_image_fid=156277]

* - Terms and conditions apply

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The nine-level building has been designed by SJB Architects and is finished with interiors by Sue Carr at Carr Design Group

Buyers pay $0 stamp duty at Riverbank in Abbotsford, as Salta matches VIC government offer until June 30

The Peak is the latest Melbourne CBD development from the property developing Auriton Group.

The $102 million building, rising 140 metres above La Trobe Street, has been a landmark addition to the city skyline since its completion in mid-2020 due top its strikingly thin design.

The Peak homes 177 apartments across its 43 levels, with just four apartments per floor, resulting in each apartment having a corner aspect.

Urban has taken a look at five reasons why The Peak should be on a buyer&#39;s shortlist.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2905 project_image_fid=162748]

1. The Location

The Peak is located at 141 La Trobe Street, on the quieter north-eastern side of Melbourne just off Carlton Gardens.

Within short walking distance of The Peak is the State Library Victoria, one of Melbourne&#39;s most impress heritage-listed buildings.

The transport options&nbsp;are immediate, with bus and tram stops located at the foot of the building.

2. The Value Proposition

The Peak has been reasonably priced given its location and apartment prices of surrounding apartment developments.

Nearby developments are selling between 20 per cent and 40 per cent higher than The Peak.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2905 project_image_fid=162746]

The Peak is also located just off Spring Street, one of Melbourne&#39;s premier apartment addresses.

3. The Stamp Duty Savings

The Victorian Government announced in the budget that all apartments&nbsp;within the City of Melbourne that had been built for 12 months or longer would see $0 stamp duty paid by buyers.

The concession only applies&nbsp;for apartments under $1 million.

The Peak just falls in to the category, having finished construction just over 12 months ago. The most expensive apartments remaining in The Peak are the two bedrooms which max out at $767,000 for the biggest floorplates.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2905 project_image_fid=163853]

4. The Architecture

The Peak was designed by the national architecture firm&nbsp;Plus Architecture.

&quot;The design focus was to create the highest quality of luxury apartment living with an engaging eastern fa&ccedil;ade providing uninterrupted views to Carlton Gardens and beyond,&quot; Plus Architecture advise.

&quot;The Peak is located at the very heart of Melbourne and forms a dramatic pinnacle within the urban fabric of the city.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=2905 project_image_fid=163859]

&quot;The striking eastern fa&ccedil;ade, comprising triangular forms and abstract shapes, creates a signature building in this part of town.

&quot;With its striking jagged peak towering above, the edge to the glass tower forms a sharp triangular point, framing views over the city skyline and Carlton Gardens beyond.&quot;

5. The Investment Potential

Since The Peak has been completed, and despite the raft of COVID-19 induced lockdowns, landlords have continued to see a solid take-up in the apartments held by investors.

There&#39;s currently long terms tenants in The Peak, as well as short-term, those who are seeking to stay in the Carlton Gardens location for a slice of the price as surrounding developments.

The pool of owner-occupiers and tenants tend to be the young professional demographic, who want to stay away from Melbourne&#39;s busier areas but still want to be within walking distance to the action.

Auriton are also offering a rental guarantee for investor purchasers.

The Peak homes 177 apartments across its 43 levels, with just four apartments per floor, resulting in each apartment having a corner aspect

Five reasons The Peak in Melbourne should be on a buyer's shortlist

The socially-conscious property developer&nbsp;Assemble are offering rental concessions for key workers in their Kensington project 393 Macaulay Road.

Seven apartments have been reserved exclusively for key workers as part of the Key Worker Program, which will offer a 20 per cent rental concession for those on a moderate income&nbsp;and work within the City of Melbourne or in surrounding suburbs.

The likes of school teachers, medical professionals, carers, social workers, emergency services, arts and culture, and hospitality and service industry workers fall in to the key worker category.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8415 project_image_fid=81527]

Eligible key worker applicants will lease their apartments under the developer&rsquo;s innovative&nbsp;Assemble&nbsp;Futures housing concept and will receive a 20% rent concession&nbsp;for the total lease period of five years. At the end of the lease, applicants will have the option to purchase the property at an agreed price.

Assemble&nbsp;Managing Director, Kris Daff said&nbsp;that last year highlighted the vital role that key workers play in our society.

&quot;This is our opportunity to give back in a meaningful way,&quot; Daff said.

&quot;This includes frontline workers, such as our health and emergency services personnel, but also our local barista and the team working at the news agency.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8415 project_image_fid=81536]

&ldquo;We have been collaborating with the City of Melbourne over the past three years to design our Key Worker Program that ensures our most essential workers have access to quality housing near their place of employment at a reasonable rental price,&rdquo; said Mr Daff.

Designed by Fieldwork, the apartment development comprises 73 apartments over eight levels and is located three kilometres north-west of Melbourne&rsquo;s CBD in Kensington.

The project topped out in March and will welcome residents toward the end of the year.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8415 project_image_fid=27091]

393 Macauley Road was identified as one of Resilient Melbourne&rsquo;s&nbsp;Resilient Communities&nbsp;(an initiative of 100 Resilient Cities &ndash; pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation).

Assemble are also developing a rent-to-buy apartment block in Brunswick.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=94542 project_image_fid=160734]

The current factory site at 4 Ballarat Street, Brunswick will be converted by architecture firm Fieldwork to home 171 studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments.

The built form takes inspiration from the Brunswick streetscape, with Fieldwork&rsquo;s design integrating raw materials such as corrugated iron, blue stone paving and concrete to create a timeless ribbed-textured &lsquo;patina&rsquo; exterior.&nbsp;

"This is our opportunity to give back in a meaningful way," Assemble Managing Director Kris Daff said.



Assemble reserve apartments for key workers and offer rental deductions at Kensington project

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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