The longstanding Sunshine Coast developer&nbsp;Henzell Property Group&nbsp;is set to create a mixed-use development in Caloundra, which they say will be one of the most exciting launches the Sunshine Coast will see in 2021.

Henzell, who have been reshaping the Sunshine Coast over the last four decades, have acquired the Suncourt Motel,&nbsp;set on a prized, mostly vacant,&nbsp;6,175 sqm site at the entry to Caloundra.

Henzell will develop&nbsp;high-end retail and dining at street level, with modern apartments dedicated to owner-occupiers above.

The&nbsp;135 Bulcock Street site, also with a street frontage to Omrah Avenue, was a unique opportunity to create a new entry statement for central Caloundra, Henzell Property Group sales director Marcus Muir says.

&ldquo;We have had our eye on this property for some time, so what we have planned has been carefully considered,&quot; Muir says.

&quot;We feel this site, with the correct product mix, will be one of the most exciting launches that the Sunshine Coast will see in 2021.

&ldquo;This development will combine luxurious residences offering exceptional views within an entertainment precinct that will attract high end lifestyle operators locally and from across Queensland.

&ldquo;We have already commenced discussions with a number of dining and retail operators and there are many more who have yet to move to the Coast as they have been waiting for the perfect location.&rdquo;&nbsp;

<img alt="" height="800" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/marcus_muir_and_mclean_henzell_smaller.jpg" width="1200" /> 
Marcus Muir, left, with Henzell&nbsp;director McLean Henzell. Image supplied

Henzell Property Group plans to deliver the project in two stages, with the design taking advantage of the two-street frontage by creating an activated laneway for vehicle and pedestrian access between Bulcock Street and Omrah Avenue providing a new sidewalk boulevard restaurant precinct.

&ldquo;This will become an iconic Sunshine Coast location for residents and visitors alike providing a new streetscape that connects Bicentennial Park, north of Omrah Avenue, and south to the beachfront,&rdquo; Muir said.

&ldquo;The location offers everything that residents could want in a Sunshine Coast lifestyle with an easy stroll to some of Caloundra&rsquo;s best beaches and shopping with Bulcock Street right at your doorstep.

&ldquo;When combined with luxurious apartments offering generous floor plans and either northern orientation or sprawling ocean views, this is exactly what the market is looking for in a coastal residence.&rdquo;

The first stage of the development will comprise a boutique collection of 39 apartments over 10 levels that will boast some of the best view&rsquo;s that Caloundra has to offer.

Preliminary works have already begun at this stage ahead of Henzell Property Group releasing apartments to the market.

&ldquo;We have chosen to release the most boutique offering to the market first to cater for exceptional demand for luxury residences by owner-occupiers,&rdquo; Muir said.

&ldquo;Stage one will comprise a collection of two and three-bedroom residences along with a penthouse collection, resort style pool and tranquil pool side areas.&rdquo;

Henzell Property Group has been buoyed by the success of its latest development at Pelican Waters, with a sell-out of an exclusive release of luxury residences in the first stage of the $200 million precinct known as The Cove.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27849 project_image_fid=151643]

All 15 homes in the Terrace Collection were snapped up for a total of $12 million, highlighting the appeal of high-end residences among-end users on the Sunshine Coast.

&ldquo;Buyers in this segment of the market are typically looking for a relaxed lifestyle close to the water and within easy reach of retail, dining and entertainment facilities,&rdquo; Muir added.

&ldquo;With this iconic new development, we are planning to add a new level of sophistication to the natural appeal that attracts so many people to the Caloundra lifestyle.&rdquo;

Joel Robinson

Henzell acquire Sunshine Coast's Suncourt Motel, plans mixed-use Caloundra development

Cavcorp have submitted a new residential scheme to the Brisbane City Council for a new apartment development&nbsp;located adjacent to their Le Bain building in Newstead.

Situated on the current ANFE Italian Club site at 10-20 Wyandra Street, the 129 apartment proposal features a stunning green wall which will span over 80 metres in length and 15 metres tall, made up of 12,000 plants.

<img alt="" height="953" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/cavcorp_3.jpg" width="1200" />

The green wall pays homage to Italy&rsquo;s leafy cliff top villages, in a bold contribution to the streetscape which will also produce over 3 million litres of oxygen and absorb 29 tons of CO2 every year.⁣ 
⁣ 
Other noteworthy aspects of the proposal are the dedicated work from home spaces in most apartments, the cross-block link between Wyandra and Masters/Wyatt Streets, and of course Cavcorp&rsquo;s signature communal rooftop.

This particular rooftop proposal features a 25 metre pool, yoga lawn, vegetable garden, magnesium spas, and a relaxation garden contained within a lush urban oasis in the sky.&nbsp;&nbsp;⁣

<img alt="" height="955" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/cavcorp_2.jpg" width="1200" />

Cavcorp have designed the Italian Club in house through their Cavcorp Design arm, with Form Landscape Architects curating the verdant elements of the building.

The built form of the Italian Club is broken up by the use of serrated floor plates which culminate in a bold tower form nestled atop the leafy podium.

The 129 apartment proposal features a green wall which will span over 80 metres in length and 15 metres tall, made up of 12,000 plants.



Cavcorp submit apartment plans for Italian Club redevelopment in Newstead

Hot on the heels of launching their luxury Palm Beach apartment development Hemingway, the Melbourne-based developer Hirsch &amp; Faigen have found their next project.

They&#39;ve secured a prime site in Mermaid Beach,&nbsp;at&nbsp;7-9 Mermaid Avenue, just south of Broadbeach.

It&#39;s a 1,905 sqm block that currently homes Leemar Court and Myana, the two original apartment blocks home to 24 apartments.

They&#39;re set to make way for a 24-storey tower designed by Rothelowman, which will have 130 apartments.

Hirsch &amp; Faigen director Richard Hirsch says&nbsp;Mermaid Beach is not only one of Queensland&rsquo;s, but one of Australia&rsquo;s most aspirational beachside addresses.

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&ldquo;We believe in creating unique and sophisticated living spaces with an uncompromising commitment to design, sustainability, usability and standard of delivery,&quot; Hirsch says.

&ldquo;Our vision for the Mermaid Beach site will not waiver from this approach, blending with its pristine surrounds and enhancing the lives and wellbeing of its residents.&rdquo;

Read more: <a href="/news/qld/gold-coast-apartment-development-insights-what-happened-on-the-gc-in-may">What happened on the Gold Coast in May?</a>

The development firm, whose Hemingway, Palm Beach project was their first on the Gold Coast, are also finalising plans for their third development in the area, this one further south on the Gold Coast.

The flagship Gold Coast project Hemingway, named after the famous author Ernest Hemingway,&nbsp;will have 78 apartments over 14 levels.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24532 project_image_fid=86676]

Prices will range from $450,000 to the $4 million penthouse.

The tower, also designed by Rothelowman,&nbsp;has been described as&nbsp;a multi-storey reimagining of the area&rsquo;s humble holiday shacks from the late 1950s and 1960s. 
 
The development was lauded in an assessment by Gold Coast City Council&rsquo;s Office of Architecture and Heritage that stated it would &ldquo;reinforce the local identity&rdquo; and &ldquo;contribute to the emerging character of the area&rdquo;.

About the developer

Hirsch &amp; Faigen is a private company and partnership between the Hirsch family &mdash; also well-known for its petroleum, horse-racing and wine interests &mdash; and property lawyer/developer Daniel Faigen.

It has a number of property interests in Queensland and a national portfolio of projects completed over the past decade with a value of more than $1 billion.

&nbsp;

It's a 1,905 sqm block that currently homes Leemar Court and Myana, the two original apartment blocks home to 24 apartments

Hirsch & Faigen's next Gold Coast apartment tower location revealed

Bluebird has lodged a bold DA for a leafy residential development on the river at Highgate Hill.

Designed by Ellivo Architects, the apartment building of eight units embraces the neighbouring park and community garden in a verdant design that connects with its surroundings. ⁣ 
 
The proposal would replace an existing apartment complex that has declined beyond restoration due to its age. ⁣

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134270 project_image_fid=205673] 
⁣ 
Bluebird co-founders and managing partners, Riye Arai-Coupe and Claire O’Rourke, said the new vision for the site proposes to deliver a reduced number of apartments and introduces leading biophilic and sustainable design principles.

“It’s an approach that will deliver a building that not only ‘breathes’ but gives back to its community through highly considered design that prioritises the connection between environment, social harmony, and enduring wellbeing.” ⁣

The proposal would replace an existing apartment complex that has declined beyond restoration due to its age

Bluebird lodge plans for leafy Highgate Hill apartment block

There&#39;s no slowing down of the sea-changer trend across New South Wales, with Sydneysiders still looking south for holiday homes they&#39;re spending more time at.

The Sydney-based developer St Trinity Group have seen high demand for Ridgewaters Kiama,&nbsp;their $60 million residential community on the South Coast,&nbsp;around two hours&nbsp;south of Sydney.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27858 project_image_fid=162071]

It&#39;s the size of the apartments on offer at Ridgewaters which has attracted a swell of buyers, says St Trinity Group Managing Director Nicholas El-Khoury.

&ldquo;Ridgewaters Kiama is the only development on the South Coast offering exclusively three-bedroom apartments, some with studies, designed specifically to cater to this unprecedented demand for flexible sea-change, owner-occupier residences accommodating a range of changing needs,&rdquo; El-Khoury said.

The apartments so far have been popular with downsizers and sea-changers, as well as industry professionals wanting to work remotely.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27858 project_image_fid=162067]

&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve received interest from a range of buyers &ndash; some of them coming from postcodes closer to Sydney&rsquo;s CBD as well some already from coastal areas like Sutherland Shire who want to remain by the sea, but for a lesser price tag,&quot; El-Khoury added.

&ldquo;All of them clearly recognise the value of seaside havens such as Kiama as offering both the convenience of being close to major metropolitan areas and facilities with the desirable lifestyle of smaller coastal communities.&rdquo;

Three-bedroom apartments start from $945,000 and all come with their own&nbsp;parking.

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=27858]

It's the size of the apartments on offer at Ridgewaters which has attracted a swell of buyers, says St Trinity Group Managing Director Nicholas El-Khoury.

Sea-changer and downsizer trend continues on NSW South Coast as Ridgewaters Kiama sales speed up

The Brisbane apartment market continue to show strength over May, posting 1.1 per cent gains,&nbsp;CoreLogic&#39;s monthly Hedonic Home Value Index found.

The rolling quarterly apartment gains&nbsp;are now up to 3.2 per cent, with the median apartment price reaching&nbsp;$411,000.

The media veteran Steve Hunt, who founded the public relations and media strategy firm Media Hunt in 2005, has cast his eye over the Brisbane market and what&#39;s happening in the Queensland capital.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l0ki80HEaz4" title="YouTube video player" width="660"></iframe>

Hunt mentioned The Fernery, which has been popular with local owner-occupiers

Urban recently spoke to Colliers residential director Andrew Scriven, who said most of the buyers have come from a couple of kilometre radius.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=100681 project_image_fid=162778]

&quot;There&#39;s been overwhelming success since launch in April&nbsp;from the local market, looking to either downsize, invest or secure something for the children,&quot; Scriven said.

&quot;Locals have really embraced the project. They&nbsp;haven&rsquo;t really had that offering ever.&quot;

The project by the Townsville-based&nbsp;Honeycombes, in partnership with their financier MaxCap, will comprise the 82 apartment block The Fernery, as well as&nbsp;a 12,000 sqm retail centre set next to the Ferny Grove train station.

The media veteran Steve Hunt has cast his eye over the Brisbane market and what's happening in the Queensland capital



Brisbane apartment market in the spotlight: Media Hunt's May update

The Gold Coast has continued across May to see stellar results, as well as new apartment&nbsp;projects lodged to the local council.

From planning documents to approvals and sales successes, Urban have wrapped up all the moves&nbsp;across the Gold Coast.

<h2>Hirsch &amp; Faigen launch Hemingway, Palm Beach apartments</h2>

The Melbourne-based national developer Hirsch &amp; Faigen have officially launched Hemingway, their first apartment development on the Gold Coast.

Prices will range from $450,000 to $2 million in the Palm Beach residential project which will comprising 78 apartments over 14 levels. The penthouse is priced at $4 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24532 project_image_fid=86676]

Rothelowman have designed the tower which has been described as a multi-storey reimagining of the area&rsquo;s humble holiday shacks from the late 1950s and 1960s.

To read more, <a href="/news/qld/hirsch-faigen-launch-hemingway-palm-beach-apartments">click here</a>.

<h2>Sammut lodge plans for $200 million Surfers Paradise apartment tower, Coast</h2>

The Sydney-based luxury developer&nbsp;Sammut Developments&nbsp;are set to expand in to the hot Gold Coast&nbsp;off the plan&nbsp;apartment market.

<img alt="" height="675" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/sammut_coast_2.jpg" width="1200" />

They&#39;ve lodged plans with the Gold Coast City Council for a new apartment tower in the heart of Surfers Paradise, to be called Coast.

The new tower at 43 Garfield Terrace will rise 35 levels if it gets sign off from the local council and will home just 49 apartments.

To read more, <a href="/news/qld/tower-reveal-sammut-lodge-plans-for-200-million-surfers-paradise-apartment-tower-coast">click here</a>.

<h2>Lacey Group all-but sell out Palm Beach project The Monroe</h2>

The local Gold Coast developer&nbsp;Lacey Group&nbsp;has secured a near sell out of its luxury Palm Beach apartment development, The Monroe.

<img alt="" height="746" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/the_monroe_lacey_group_0.jpeg" width="1324" />

It took just two weeks for all but one of the apartments to be snapped up following the launch of the 33 apartment development on the Jefferson Lane dress circle.

Apartments in the Plus Architecture-designed development, which ranged&nbsp;between $619,000 and $1.79 million, were snapped up by local owner-occupiers,

To read more, <a href="/news/qld/lacey-group-all-but-sell-out-palm-beach-project-the-monroe">click here</a>.

<a href="/developments/gold-coast-qld?source_news_article_id=1&amp;ref=news_body_link02293"><img alt="" height="797" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/gc_newest_tile_jpeg_11.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

<h2>Raptis set for new Broadbeach, Gold Coast apartment tower</h2>

The Gold Coast developer Raptis has officially lodged plans for its newest Gold Coast tower.

<img alt="" height="758" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/raptis_broadbeach_3.jpg" width="1200" />

They&#39;ve secured a prime development site in Broadbeach at 6-8 George Avenue, next to the Pacific Fair Shopping Centre in the heart of the coastal hotspot.

The busy Sydney-based architecture firm&nbsp;Koichi Takada&nbsp;Architects, who have taken on a number of projects on the Gold Coast in recent months,&nbsp;have designed the 40 storey building.

To read more, <a href="/news/qld/tower-reveal-raptis-set-for-new-broadbeach-gold-coast-apartment-tower">click here</a>.

<h2>Auriton set to make move to Gold Coast market</h2>

The primarily Melbourne-based developer Auriton are set for their first residential apartment tower in Queensland.

<img alt="" height="630" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/auriton_gc.jpg" width="1200" />

They snapped up a prime 1,095&nbsp;sqm development site at 2932-2934 Gold Coast Highway in late March&nbsp;and have just lodged plans to the City of Gold Coast council for an $80 million tower&nbsp;with 108 apartments.

It has been designed by the renowned architecture firm&nbsp;Rothelowman, who are calling the 30th level tower&nbsp;a vertical community.&nbsp;The design incorporates just four apartments per floor for the most part, with 14 sqm balconies located on each corner of the building.

To read more, <a href="/news/qld/tower-reveal-auriton-set-to-make-move-to-gold-coast-market-with-rivea-tower">click here</a>.

Find out <a href="/news/qld/gold-coast-apartment-development-insights-what-happened-on-the-gc-in-april">what happened on the Gold Coast over April</a>.

From planning documents to approvals and sales successes, Urban have wrapped up all the moves across the Gold Coast.



Gold Coast apartment development insights: What happened on the GC in May?

The Sydney apartment market has continued its forward momentum, posting further 1.8 per cent gains over May,&nbsp;the monthly Hedonic Home Value Index from property data firm CoreLogic found.

It was a further uplift from last month when values rose 1.3 per cent. Over March values rose 2.1 per cent, which takes their rolling quarterly gains&nbsp;to 5.3 per cent.

The median apartment value across the Harbour capital is now around $50,000 higher than it was at the start of 2021, having jumped from $734,000 to $781,000 over the last five months.

<a href="/developments/sydney-nsw?source_news_article_id=102258&amp;ref=news_body_link"><img alt="" height="800" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/sydney-cbd-_template_0.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

&ldquo;From a geographic perspective, it was the smaller capital cities that led the housing market out of the COVID slump, but now Sydney has risen through the ranks to record the largest capital gain over the past three months with values up 9.3 per cent,&quot; CoreLogic&#39;s research director&nbsp;Tim Lawless said on Sydney&#39;s dwelling values (combined house and apartment values).

It has been the top end of the market driving the Sydney dwelling value increase. Upper quartile dwelling values have increased by 12 per cent&nbsp;over the past three months compared with a 5.2 per cent&nbsp;increase in values across the lower quartile.

Lawless reaffirmed the fundamentals driving strength in the housing market remain in place.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7758 project_image_fid=79424]

&ldquo;The combination of improving economic conditions and low interest rates is continuing to support consumer confidence which, in turn has created persistently strong demand for housing.

&quot;At the same time, advertised supply remains well below average.

&quot;This imbalance between demand and supply is continuing to create urgency amongst buyers, contributing to the upwards pressure on housing prices.&quot;

CoreLogic research director Tim Lawless reaffirmed the fundamentals driving strength in the housing market remain in place

June 2021: How did Sydney apartments perform over May?

Melbourne apartment values soared past the $600,000 median over May after&nbsp;0.8 per cent value growth, the monthly Hedonic Home Value Index&nbsp;from property data firm CoreLogic found.

The continued growth follows one per cent gains over April and 2.1 per cent in March.

The solid May performance takes the quarterly apartment gains across the Victorian capital to 3.6 per cent and the median apartment price to $605,000, well up from the $577,000 median at the start of 2021.

Apartment values in the Victorian capital have been rising since October, according to CoreLogic&#39;s data.

<a href="/developments/melbourne-vic?source_news_article_id=102257&amp;ref=news_body_link"><img alt="" height="800" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/template_photoshop_melbournecbd_3.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

CoreLogic&#39;s Head of Residential Research Tim Lawless reaffirmed the fundamentals driving strength in the housing market remain in place.

&ldquo;The combination of improving economic conditions and low interest rates is continuing to support consumer confidence which, in turn has created persistently strong demand for housing.

&quot;At the same time, advertised supply remains well below average.

&quot;This imbalance between demand and supply is continuing to create urgency amongst buyers, contributing to the upwards pressure on housing prices.&quot;

Melbourne is the only capital where total listing numbers are now higher than the five-year average.&nbsp; Unit listings were up over 29 per cent over the past year.

<a href="/developments/docklands-vic-3008"><img alt="" height="800" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/template_photoshop_docklands_0.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

Despite the increase in newly advertised residential properties across the country, sales activity has also increased. CoreLogic estimates sales activity over the three months to May was tracking about 37% higher than the five-year average.

&ldquo;The sales to new listings ratio remains around 1.1, meaning for every new listing there is more than one sale occurring,&rdquo; Lawless said,

&ldquo;This rapid rate of absorption is keeping advertised inventory levels extremely low, despite the rise in new listings. As a consequence, vendors remain in a strong selling position while buyers have a weak 
position at the negotiation table.&rdquo;

CoreLogic's Head of Residential Research Tim Lawless reaffirmed the fundamentals driving strength in the housing market remain in place

June 2021: How did Melbourne apartment values perform over May?

The RBA have held interest rates at a record low 0.1 per cent at the June meeting.

RBA Governor Philip Lowe noted in his meeting statement the increased borrowing by investors in the housing market.

&quot;Housing markets have strengthened further, with prices rising in all major markets. Housing credit growth has picked up, with strong demand from owner-occupiers, especially first-home buyers,&quot; Dr Lowe said.

&quot;There has also been increased borrowing by investors.

&quot;Given the environment of rising housing prices and low interest rates, the Bank will be monitoring trends in housing borrowing carefully and it is important that lending standards are maintained.

Finder&#39;s RBA Cash Rate Survey found that over three quarters of experts surveyed believe the cash rate won&#39;t rise until Q4 2022 or later.

Around 60 per cent of experts expect the cash rate to increase in 2023 or later.&nbsp; Just under 10 per cent believe the cash rate could increase before the end of 2021.

AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver said that while the economic recovery is faster than expected, the RBA&rsquo;s conditions for a rate hike are still far from being met.

&quot;The jobs market is still a long way from full employment, wages growth at 1.5% is way below the 3% plus pace necessary to sustain two to three per cent&nbsp;inflation and in any case inflation is still well below its target zone. So a rate hike remains some time off.&quot;

Despite market sentiment, and the RBA&#39;s steadfast view rates won&#39;t move until 2024, banks across Australia have been hiking their four-year fixed home loan rates.

According to Ratecity, at the start of the year&nbsp;were 32 four-year fixed rates under two&nbsp;per cent, including from three of the big four banks. Following BankVic&#39;s recent hike, there now isn&#39;t a single lender offering under two per cent for a four year fixed.

RateCity.com.au research director, Sally Tindall, said the pack was tightening as some lenders took some record low rates off the table, while others trimmed rates to become more competitive.

&ldquo;A number of record low rates have been relegated to the history books over the last two months, as lenders took some of the lowest rates off the table,&rdquo; Tindall&nbsp;said.

&ldquo;There are now just two rates that are still at record lows &ndash; Reduce Home Loan&rsquo;s variable rate at 1.77 per cent and BCU&rsquo;s 1-year fixed rate at 1.67 per cent. All the other lowest rates have been hiked.

&ldquo;We expect more fixed rates will rise after the RBA&rsquo;s term funding facility wraps up at the end of this month and we edge closer to the next cash rate hike.&quot;

Finder's RBA Cash Rate Survey found that over three quarters of experts surveyed believe the cash rate won't rise until Q4 2022 or later

RBA holds rates at June meeting

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.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

fjcstudio has carefully oriented apartments towards Sydney Harbour and the CBD while using privacy blades and articulated façades to minimise overlooking between neighbouring buildings.

Large framed openings along the western elevation maximise harbour outlooks, while the eastern apartments have been angled towards the south-east to improve privacy from neighbouring development.

The project forms part of the continuing transformation of North Sydney from a predominantly commercial CBD into a genuine mixed-use city centre.

Since the completion of Victoria Cross Metro Station, developers have increasingly shifted their attention towards residential projects capable of leveraging the area's unparalleled transport connectivity.

&nbsp;

FiveX recently lodged plans for a 61-storey, 490-apartment tower that would become one of the tallest residential buildings in North Sydney if approved.

Aqualand continues to expand its Lower North Shore presence following the completion of AURA on Walker Street and its recent St Leonards and Roseville proposals.

Developers are also progressing projects throughout Walker Street, Miller Street and the Victoria Cross precinct as demand for well-located owner-occupier apartments continues to strengthen.

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

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

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

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

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

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

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

Joel Robinson

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