The leading property developer Cbus Property have topped out their residential mixed-use project The Langston in Sydney&#39;s Epping.

The topping out came of their 29-storey Langston Tower, which will be the tallest tower of three to be built by Hutchinson Builders.&nbsp;

The Langston Tower&nbsp;will be flanked with two further towers, the 24 level The Central, as well as a 19-level tower yet to be named. The trio of towers will home 462 apartments which are expected to be completed by the end of 2021.

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The Langston, located 100 metres from Epping Station, will also home a 2,750 sqm public plaza which adjoins a 2,100 sqm mixed-use retail precinct which will include a supermarker, cafes, restaurants and a number of retail tenances.

Cbus Property CEO Adrian Pozzo said the topping out, attended by Hutchinson Builders chairman Scott Hutchinson&nbsp;and City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dywer, marks an important step in the revitalization of the Epping Town Centre.

&ldquo;To have the physical structure of The Langston completed is a major achievement for our entire project team &ndash; and we&rsquo;re now focussed on pushing ahead into the final stages of the construction,&rdquo; Mr Pozzo said.

&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve been committed to developing this site for a number of years, so to reach this stage in the development is not only an exciting milestone for us, but also for the future face of Epping.

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&ldquo;The Langston is a major contributor to the Epping Town Centre, providing new housing opposite a major transport hub, as well as brand-new retail offerings and an extensive public domain that links pedestrians from the station through to the eastern side of the suburb.

The event included the placement of a ceremonial magnolia tree atop Langston Tower to mark the occasion.

Architectus have designed the three towers.

Architectus senior associate&nbsp;Gary Henighen believes The Langston will be a distinctive landmark in Sydney&rsquo;s north-west.

&ldquo;The Langston will feature abundant amenity and premium features akin to that of inner-CBD residential projects,&rdquo; Mr Henighen said.

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&ldquo;Architectus&rsquo; design thoughtfully responds to the changing market conditions, including the rapid growth of the region, links to the new metro line and increased expectations for apartment living following the COVID-19 pandemic.

&ldquo;The Langston will provide residents with a luxurious, hotel-style experience and externally, the curvaceous form of the buildings maximises the spectacular 360-degree views over Sydney&rsquo;s city skyline and the Blue Mountains.&quot;

There will be a swimming pool with a pool deck and cabanas, a wellness hub with gym and exercise spaces, a sky lounge with terrace and private dining spaces and an on-site co-working space.

Prices start&nbsp;from $580,000 for a one-bedroom apartment or $790,000 for a two-bedroom apartment.

The topping out came of their 29-storey Langston Tower, which will be the tallest tower of three to be built by Hutchinson Builders

Joel Robinson

Cbus Property top out Epping apartment development The Langston

RBA Governor Philip Lowe&#39;s meeting statement

At its meeting today, the Board decided to maintain the current policy settings, including the targets of 10&nbsp;basis points for the cash rate and the yield on the 3-year Australian Government bond, as well as the parameters of the Term Funding Facility and the government bond purchase program.

The global economy is continuing to recover from the pandemic and the outlook is for strong growth this year and next. The recovery remains uneven, though, and some countries are yet to contain the virus. Global trade in goods has picked up strongly and commodity prices are mostly higher than at the start of the year. However, inflation remains low and below central bank targets.

Sovereign bond yields have been steady recently after increasing earlier in the year due to the positive news on vaccines and the additional fiscal stimulus in the United States. Inflation expectations have lifted from near record lows to be closer to central banks&#39; targets. The 3-year government bond yield in Australia is at the Board&#39;s target of 10&nbsp;basis points and lending rates for most borrowers are at record lows. The Australian dollar remains in the upper end of the range of recent years.

The economic recovery in Australia has been stronger than expected and is forecast to continue. This recovery is especially evident in the strong growth in employment, with the unemployment rate falling further to 5.6&nbsp;per&nbsp;cent in March and the number of people with a job now exceeding the pre-pandemic level.

The Bank&#39;s central scenario for GDP growth has been revised up further, with growth of 4&frac34;&nbsp;per&nbsp;cent expected over 2021 and 3&frac12;&nbsp;per&nbsp;cent over 2022. A pick-up in business investment is expected and household spending will be supported by the strengthening in balance sheets over the past year. The unemployment rate is expected to continue to decline, to be around 5&nbsp;per&nbsp;cent at the end of this year and around 4&frac12;&nbsp;per&nbsp;cent at the end of 2022.

Despite the strong recovery in economic activity, the recent CPI data confirmed that inflation pressures remain subdued in most parts of the Australian economy. A pick-up in inflation and wages growth is expected, but it is likely to be only gradual and modest. In the central scenario, inflation in underlying terms is expected to be 1&frac12;&nbsp;per&nbsp;cent in 2021 and 2&nbsp;per&nbsp;cent in mid&nbsp;2023. In the short term, CPI inflation is expected to rise temporarily to be above 3&nbsp;per&nbsp;cent in the June quarter because of the reversal of some&nbsp;COVID-19-related price reductions.

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. 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.

At its July meeting, the Board will consider whether to retain the April 2024 bond as the target bond for the 3-year yield target or to shift to the next maturity, the November 2024 bond. The Board is not considering a change to the target of 10&nbsp;basis points. At the July meeting, the Board will also consider future bond purchases following the completion of the second $100&nbsp;billion of purchases under the government bond purchase program in September. The Board is prepared to undertake further bond purchases to assist with progress towards the goals of full employment and inflation. The Board places a high priority on a return to full employment.

The date for final drawings under the Term Funding Facility is 30&nbsp;June 2021. Given that financial markets in Australia are operating well, the Board is not considering a further extension of this facility. Authorised deposit-taking institutions have drawn $100&nbsp;billion so far and a further $100&nbsp;billion is currently available. Given the facility provides funding for 3&nbsp;years, it will continue to support low funding costs in Australia until mid&nbsp;2024.

The Board is committed to maintaining highly supportive monetary conditions to support a return to full employment in Australia and inflation consistent with the target. It will not increase the cash rate until actual inflation is sustainably within the 2&nbsp;to 3&nbsp;per&nbsp;cent target range. For this to occur, the labour market will need to be tight enough to generate wages growth that is materially higher than it is currently. This is unlikely to be until 2024 at the earliest.

The RBA kept the official cash rate at record lows at its May meeting

Housing markets strengthen further in all major markets: RBA Governor Philip Lowe's May 2021 meeting statement

The RBA maintained its current policy settings at its May meeting, keeping the official cash rate at a record low 0.1 per cent.

RBA governor Philip Lowe said housing markets have strengthened further, with prices rising in all major markets.

&quot;Housing credit growth has picked up, with strong demand from owner-occupiers, especially first-home buyers,&quot; Mr Lowe said.

&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.&quot;

The RBA stood by their view that rates won&#39;t likely change until 2024. Around&nbsp;65 per cent of experts surveyed in Finder&#39;s monthly RBA Cash Rate Survey believe there won&#39;t be any rate change until 2023.

AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver is one who believes a rate change will come before 2024.

&quot;While&nbsp;the economy is recovering faster than expected, the RBA is still a long way away from seeing its stated requirements for a rate hike &ndash; being a tight jobs market, wages growth well above 3% and actual inflation sustainably within the 2-3% target range,&quot; Oliver said.

&quot;A rate hike is still a fair way off although I think it will come before the RBA&rsquo;s expectation for &lsquo;2024 at the earliest&rsquo;.&rdquo;

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The clear&nbsp;message from the RBA however&nbsp;hasn&#39;t stopped banks changing their fixed rates, with Westpac, including their subsidiary banks including St George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA, lifting their four-year fixed from 1.89 per cent to 2.19 per cent. They also raised their five-year fixed to 2.49 per cent.

The four-year rise copied the move by CBA in March, however CBA reduced its one and two-year fixed rates at the same time.

UHomeLoan also raised their three-year fixed by 10 basis points to 1.85 per cent.

&ldquo;This sudden wave of lenders increasing longer-term rates and decreasing shorter-term rates reveals a strategy to lock their customers in for shorter time periods,&quot; Graham Cooke, insights manager at Finder said.

&ldquo;This can be seen as a bet on variable rates increasing sooner than expected. It also reveals that the tide could be turning on our historically low fixed home loan rate environment.&quot;

AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver is one who believes a rate change will come before 2024.

RBA hold rates at May meeting

Voyager, a residential tower delivered by Mirvac, is one of the&nbsp;newest developments set within the masterplanned Yarra&rsquo;s Edge precinct on the Docklands waterfront.

The 315 apartment development will feature&nbsp;over 1,000 sqm of fine dining and retail, a state-of-the-art wellness centre, parklands and marina berths.

Urban recently spoke to&nbsp;Mirvac&#39;s General Manager of Residential Victoria Elysa Anderson about the project.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3494 project_image_fid=90814]

JR: What are the highlights of Voyager and what is attracting buyers to the project?

EA: The prestigious Voyager tower is the next chapter in the established Yarra&rsquo;s Edge community and is a reflection of Mirvac&rsquo;s ongoing commitment to the precinct. It is the tallest building in the area to date, rising to approximately 130 metres with 43 levels and featuring significant shared amenity within the lobby and rooftop space, adding immense value to residents&rsquo; lives.

The first of its kind for Yarra&rsquo;s Edge, Voyager&rsquo;s residents-only rooftop space will offer picturesque skyline views across the city and the Yarra River, with indoor and outdoor facilities for private dining, as well as a bar, lounge area, theatre and karaoke room. Voyager residents will also have access to the exemplary amenity at Yarra&rsquo;s Edge, combined with unparalleled north facing waterfront access, with residences that focus on flexibility, liveability and sustainability.

Voyager has been very well received by purchasers who are looking to the long term, demanding quality apartments supported by strong real estate fundamentals, with Mirvac&rsquo;s unique end-to-end inhouse capability an added reassurance for buyers.

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JR: What were the goals for the Mirvac Design team? 

EA: Voyager is our response to demand for quality housing and amenities in well-connected inner-city locations and is a reflection of Mirvac&rsquo;s ongoing commitment to the wider Yarra&rsquo;s Edge precinct. The Mirvac Design team&rsquo;s goal was to create contemporary, versatile residences to suit all lifestyles and life cycles, ensuring Voyager appeals to a broad demographic of purchasers through a diverse range of built form and liveability.

JR: Where have buyers for Voyager come from, and who is the development appealing to? 

EA: The majority of buyers for Voyager have been local downsizers and upgraders from Docklands, the CBD and Port Melbourne, as well as people from Bayside locations (Phillip Island and Mornington Peninsula) looking for a city base. More recently, we have also seen buyers who are astute investors, looking to secure their future by purchasing an apartment to rent now and move into in the medium to long term.

JR: What else does the Yarra&#39;s Edge Community offer residents? 

EA: Yarra&rsquo;s Edge is a rare 14.5-hectare inner-city sanctuary located on the north-facing bank of the Yarra River, with strong connectivity to the CBD, Southbank and the future Fishermans Bend precinct with extensive amenity, including:

&bull; The Wharf Club &ndash; a state-of-the-art health and fitness facility which boasts a pool, spa, steam room, gym, fitness facilities and caf&eacute; &bull; Wharf&rsquo;s Landing Park &ndash; a 1,500-square-metre green open space with an architecturally designed trafficable green incline roof

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&bull; The Think Pink Living Centre &ndash; designed by the Mirvac Design team, the purpose-built Living Centre provides professional and caring holistic support to patients, their families and carers at any stage of their journey with breast cancer

&bull; A selection of cafes and restaurants, from casual cafes to upmarket eateries, including Anchor Eatery, Espressionist Cafe, Hooks at the Yarra, Lorimer Gallery, Mad Duck Caf&eacute;, Pizza Societe and Sassone Italian Restaurant

&bull; YE Marina &ndash; catering for boats up to 30 metres, YE Marina features full services booths with individually metres power and water facilities, 24-hour security and wireless internet access

&bull; A future proposed 1,000-square-metre retail hub, which is anticipated to service both the local community and the broader Fishermans Bend and Docklands catchment area

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3494 project_image_fid=89074]

JR: Why is Voyager a standout in the Yarra&#39;s Edge Community? 

EA: At over 130 metres tall with 43 levels, Voyager is the tallest building to date at Yarra&rsquo;s Edge and offers residents incredible views across the city skyline down to the Yarra River and a marina lifestyle. It features a range of residences to suit a variety of lifestyles including artist and home-office apartments, one-, two- and three-bedroom luxury residences, Sky Residences and an exclusive residents-only rooftop space on level 43 unlike anything provided within Yarra&rsquo;s Edge to date. This residents-only rooftop features a private skydeck and bar for residents to utilise, complete with open-air fireplace, lush green features and elevated views. Residents can book the beautifully appointed private dining room for entertaining, while the bar is ideal for intimate gatherings and a cinema room is also available for them to enjoy.

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JR: What are your further plans for the Yarra&#39;s Edge Community? 

EA: Following the success of Voyager and ongoing appetite for premium, lifestyle-focused apartments, we are now undergoing visioning discussions for our next tower at Yarra&rsquo;s Edge. Yarra&rsquo;s Edge is already home to over 3,000 residents and we are continuing to reimagine urban life at Docklands. The future vision includes a proposed new 1,000 square metre retail hub, which will service both the local community and the broader Fishermans Bend and Docklands catchments. Our plan is to continue to enhance the area&rsquo;s liveability, creating and adding to the vibrant community at Yarra&rsquo;s Edge.

JR: Voyager is proudly a dog friendly complex, why was this important?

EA: Yarra&rsquo;s Edge already has a large dog community and Voyager will be no different. We wanted to create a development that was pet-friendly, with plenty of parks, boardwalks and paths available at Yarra&rsquo;s Edge to allow dog owners the opportunity to throw, catch, chase and hang out with their favourite companion

&nbsp;

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The 315 apartment development will feature over 1,000 sqm of fine dining and retail, a state-of-the-art wellness centre, parklands and marina berths

Everything a buyer needs to know about Voyager at Yarra's Edge: Five minutes with Mirvac's General Manager of Residential Victoria

Gold Coast developer Marquee Development Partners found a prime and rare&nbsp;spot between Main Beach and Broadbeach which they knew would be unmatched.

They have gone about creating a 17-level tower on Old Burleigh Road, far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Surfers Paradise, but close enough to take advantage of the local infrastructure and amenities.

Urban recently sat down with Helena Clausen, design manager (BArch) at&nbsp;Marquee Development Partners to discuss Shoreline.

JR: What are the highlights of Shoreline and what do you think will attract buyers to the project?

HC: Shoreline delivers the ultimate in space, privacy, and opulence, with the exclusivity of just two residences per floor, only 27 in total. Oversized, half-floor apartments the size of an average new house with an abundance of storage. Premium finishes and inclusions,&nbsp;including ducted air-conditioning, 40mm stone benchtops, European appliances and more.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22057 project_image_fid=150841]

Wrapped by over 20m of floor to ceiling glass which draw in the stunning 270 degree views and flood the interiors with light. Perfectly positioned in a quiet pocket between Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise, across the road from a patrolled beach and five minutes from the Broadbeach Surf Club.

The open plan residences seamlessly integrate, with the kitchen, living and dining flowing outdoors enjoying the endless protected views across the Pacific Ocean.

Impressive residents amenity, including a wellness centre with European style spa, sauna and&nbsp;shower, magnesium pool and a&nbsp;gym with reformer pilates and barre.

To help residents balance work commitments, level two&nbsp;features a private work from home lounge designed for absolute convenience.

JR: What drew you to the Old Burleigh Rd site?

HC: We immediately knew Shoreline&rsquo;s location would be unmatched, in a quiet residential pocket, lined with iconic Norfolk Pines midway between Broadbeach and&nbsp;Surfers Paradise this location strikes the perfect balance between classic beach culture and laid-back atmosphere.

At Shoreline, residents are only steps away from a year-round patrolled beach whilst also having two of the Gold Coast&rsquo;s best entertainment and dining precincts at their doorstep.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22057 project_image_fid=150840]

JR: What was the brief for BDA?

HC: Our brief to BDA was to redefine relaxed coastal living with a smooth and&nbsp;fluid design inspired by the curling waves of the beach below.

BDA&rsquo;s vision reflects the softly moving shoreline and the rhythmically breaking waves whilst expressing gratitude and understanding of the unique location.

JR: Who do you think will be most interested in Shoreline?

HC: We are witnessing Shoreline attract a range of buyer types, more commonly we are seeing downsizers who are entering the next phase of their life with more flexible working arrangements and adult children. Purchasers at Shoreline are selling their large family homes and relocating to the coast for the laid back and relaxing lifestyle after decades of full-time work and raising a family.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22057 project_image_fid=150836]

Shoreline represents the crowning achievement for their hardwork throughout their lives and we appreciate the importance of this and&nbsp;the trust emplaced in us.

Unlike your typical sea-change&nbsp;downsizers, the demographic at Shoreline is proving to be a very much active and affluent buyer looking to achieve the perfect balance between work life &amp;amp; leisure whilst enjoying a laid back coastal lifestyle.

JR: How long do you think the Gold Coast can keep up its surge in buyer demand?

HC: The Gold Coast&rsquo;s gorgeous weather all year-round, phenomenal beaches, world-class restaurants, retail and entertainment, a booming population, record levels of infrastructure investment, and value for money will see the historic surge in buyer demand continue throughout 2021 into 2022 for 
the Gold Coast.

JR: What is next for Marquee?

HC: Further adding to our $400 million&nbsp;track record on the Gold Coast, we are onto our seventh project, One Cannes. One Cannes&nbsp;offers absolute riverfront two, three and four-bedroom luxury apartments and penthouses with 5-star, resort style amenity. 
Following on from One Cannes&nbsp;and&nbsp;Shoreline,&nbsp;we are heading down to the southern Gold Coast, with two new developments to hit the market mid-year in Kirra and&nbsp;Palm Beach.

&nbsp;

Urban recently sat down with Helena Clausen, design manager (BArch) at Marquee Development Partners to discuss Shoreline.

Everything a buyer needs to know about Shoreline: Five minutes with Marquee Development Partners

Residents have moved in to the completed&nbsp;$300 million Hawthorn East apartment project Hawthorn Park.

The striking project was developed by Dahua Group to a design by Rothelowman and sits in landscaping designed by Jack Merlo.

With buyers having moved in, Urban spoke to first home buyer&nbsp;Nahrin Butrus about her property buying journey, and what she loves about Hawthorn Park.

JR: What first drew you to Hawthorn Park?&nbsp;

NB: I was looking for a place with open space and greenery so the landscaping around the complex was actually very attractive and very important to me. And then on top of that the architectural style of the building and the interior design and finishings were all very beautiful and of high end quality. I was incredibly impressed with all that Hawthorn Park has to offer.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3730 project_image_fid=158928]

JR: How long had you been searching for a property?&nbsp;

NB: For about one&nbsp;year on and off but I only seriously looked around for about three&nbsp;months with a firm intention of finding a place to finally purchase

JR: Were you always looking for an apartment?&nbsp;&nbsp;

NB: Yes, because I love the idea of living in an apartment with lots of facilities and amenities at hand. I also knew that for the location I was after an apartment would be the best option. It&rsquo;s an affordable way to live in the best part of Melbourne.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3730 project_image_fid=158939]

JR: Why did you choose Hawthorn East?&nbsp;

NB: The&nbsp;location is perfect. It&rsquo;s a beautiful leafy suburb, very close to the shops and restaurants on Glenferrie, Burke, Auburn, Burwood, and Riversdale Roads, and it is very close to the city and transport. A lot of my favourite restaurants are here.

Read more: <a href="/news/vic/walking-tour-whats-within-walking-distance-from-hawthorn-park">Walking Tour: What&#39;s within walking distance from Hawthorn Park?</a>

JR: What advice would you have for other first home buyers?

NB: Research on what you need to do to be ready financially and understand how the purchase process works. And there&rsquo;s plenty of government schemes to help you along with buying your first place so take advantage of them.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3730 project_image_fid=158932]

JR: Did you take advantage of any government incentives?&nbsp;

NB: Yes, I used the First Home Super Saver Scheme and received the First Home Owner Grant and Stamp Duty was waived.

JR: Did you have a set of criteria that your first home had to meet?

NB: I did but I also thought about how a range of characteristics worked together. I wanted a place that was close to the city, some greenery, with a good layout, good internal and external space, lots of amenities, not too tall a building so it is overbearing. I got everything I wanted.&nbsp;

JR: What made you decide to buy off-the-plan rather than an existing dwelling?

NB: I found my dream apartment and it wasn&rsquo;t built yet. But it also has the benefit of coming with the First Home Owner Grant, and it also gave me more time to get prepared with my finances and prepare to move. It&rsquo;s nice to be able to plan in advance with a time frame than suddenly having to move your life around.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3730 project_image_fid=158937]

JR: How is your experience in Hawthorn Park?&nbsp;

NB: I&#39;m very happy at Hawthorn Park. It&rsquo;s all so beautiful and has turned out to be exactly what I was hoping to get. It honestly feels like living in a resort. And the apartment itself is well built too. I can see a lot of thought has gone into the layout inside the apartment to be functional for everyday life.

JR: Hawthorn Park has an impressive list of onsite amenities - which one is your favourite and&nbsp;why?&nbsp;

NB: It does and I love them all but the sky pool is definitely the most amazing. The views of the city and surrounds are impressive up there.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3730 project_image_fid=158936]

JR: How do you find Hawthorn Park community?

NB: Everyone I&rsquo;ve met and talked to so far have all been lovely and wonderful people. I look forward to meeting more of my neighbours.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/expert-insights/buying/rothelowman-discuss-the-design-principles-of-dahua-groups-hawthorn-park-apartment-project">Rothelowman discuss the design principles of Dahua Group&#39;s Hawthorn Park apartment project</a>

Urban spoke to first home buyer Nahrin Butrus about her property buying journey and what she loves about Hawthorn Park.



Why I purchased: Buyers move in to Hawthorn Park apartment development

Seafarers is one of the latest mixed-use developments heading to Melbourne&#39;s rejuvenated Northbank precinct.

The project, by the veteran developer Riverlee, will home 123 apartments in the same building as&nbsp;Australia&#39;s first 1 Hotel when it is completed in late 2023.

Seafarers has been designed by the revered architecture firm Fender Katsalidis in collaboration with&nbsp;the award-winning architecture and interior design firm Carr Design.

Urban recently sat down with Riverlee development director David Lee to talk about the mixed-use project.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=73042]

JR: Who is Seafarers pitched at, and why did you choose this demographic?&nbsp; 
DL: Seafarers is multi-layered, with various points of difference across the project. The project is designed for residents, guests, and the public. So, there isn&rsquo;t just one, but many target audiences. &nbsp;Breaking them down, each of the different aspects of the project appeal to a different demographic &ndash; from the &lsquo;lock-up-and-leave&rsquo; ability for those constantly on the move, to the potential buyers wanting to downsize (or upsize) from their current living arrangements with the luxury hotel services on offer, to create ease of living.

The space allows for movement within the building and is planned to provide convenience for someone with a dynamic work schedule. Seafarers offers the opportunity to work late and entertain or host clients, all in the one vicinity with easy access to the CBD and airport.&nbsp;

Purchasers thus far have spanned from those already living in the CBD, to downsizers and entrepreneurs.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=73043]

JR: Why did you choose this site? 
DL: We first came across the Seafarers site back in 2008 when the Victorian Government called for submissions from developers to revitalise the Northbank area. At the time, we were the owners of the World Trade Centre nearby and had just undergone a refurbishment bringing new life to the waterfront area with an expansion of retail and a public wharf.&nbsp;

When submitting our plan to the Victorian Government, we had a great appreciation for the riverfront site and knew it was one of the last remaining in the Melbourne CBD. We were fortunate to be awarded the site in 2010.

JR: What was the brief for Fender Katsalidis?&nbsp; 
DL: Understanding the history of the site was important. We wanted to create a building that was respectful whilst also incorporating a unique space for both residents and the public. Fender Katsalidis&rsquo; brief was to capture the vibrant culture of Melbourne and bring a fresh addition to the Northbank area, re-connecting the city and the Yarra.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=73047]

Being a unique site, we wanted a striking architectural icon to grace the riverbanks, with a design that reflects the building&rsquo;s vibrant and mixed-use nature. This needed to be mindful of the site&rsquo;s origins, the heritage Goods Shed as well as the natural environment and public spaces.&nbsp;

JR: What are you most looking forward to seeing when the project is finished?&nbsp;

DL: Seeing the cohesive layers of Seafarers come together will be most exciting for us &ndash; park, river, wharf, heritage, hotel, residences and hospitality &ndash; particularly as it&rsquo;s a project that has been many years in the making. Connecting layers of people &ndash; residents, 1 Hotel guests and the public &ndash; and heritage through space and design at Northbank is something we are looking forward to.

JR: What will be the biggest drawcard for buyers to the project?&nbsp; 
DL: Seafarers will be Melbourne&rsquo;s first international hotel-branded residences. Purchasers of Seafarers will be part of the luxury, sustainable hotel-branded 1 Hotel &amp; Homes Melbourne. It is a new concept for the city, and I truly believe that it will change the landscape of luxury accommodation in Melbourne.

Residents will have exclusive access to all of the hotel services and amenities, from the convenience of their own home.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728 project_image_fid=97032]

1 Hotel &amp; Homes provides residents with a true lock-up and go lifestyle with pantries being stocked when needed, concierge services and space being available for those who travel frequently but are looking for a low maintenance, luxury living arrangement.&nbsp;

All of these services are very important to ensure Seafarers is recognised for its innovation and adaptability.

JR: Any plans for your next development? 
DL: At Riverlee we have recently debuted our next development, New Epping. Located in Melbourne&rsquo;s north, New Epping will provide health, commercial and residential opportunities including the new Northern Private Hospital, a diverse range of housing options and a central green spine, with wellness at the core of our offering.&nbsp;

It&#39;s an exciting development for us and one we really look forward to seeing come together over the coming years.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=27728]

What buyer's need to know about the newest Northbank project Seafarers: Five minutes with Riverlee's David Lee

The Sydney developer Deicorp have topped out Highline, the first stage of their&nbsp;Greater Western Sydney project Westmead Rise.

Highline,&nbsp;inspired by&nbsp;New York&#39;s famous 1.45-mile-long elevated linear park The High Line, has been designed by the multi-award winning architects Turner Studio.

There will be 556 studio, one, two and three bedrooms across the five buildings. Residents are expected to move in by August.

There&#39;s been a strong uptake so far from staff from the local Westmead hospital, as well as those keen on the new transport infrastructure in construction neatby.

First home buyers have also shown interest, trying to get the foot on the ladder.&nbsp;

Deicorp&rsquo;s founder and managing director Fouad Deiri said Highline is&nbsp;the best-connected project ever built by Deicorp.

&ldquo;To be on the doorstep of the new Light Rail, the existing Westmead Train Station and the new Metro Station will ensure this project is hugely popular,&quot; Deiri said.

&quot;Combine this convenience with being right in the heart of the biggest medical, health and education precinct in Australia,&nbsp;and Highline will be sought after for years to come.&rdquo;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6114 project_image_fid=48464]

Turner Studio said Highline&nbsp;looks at providing a mix of architectural styles to the precinct allowing for a varied street scape.

&quot;The design of each building maximise views and outlook, to either the adjacent Lot 1 heritage building and associated lawns, the reserve between Lots 4 &amp; 5, and the substantial district views towards Parramatta CBD to the east and the Blue Mountains to the west,&quot; Turner Studio advise on their website.

The one bedroom apartments are priced from $545,000, two bedders from $690,000 and three bedroom apartments from $1,035,000.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6114 project_image_fid=48468]

Each will have kitchen featuring stone benchtops and will be kitted out with Smeg appliances.

Most apartments will have a study or a multi-purpose room.

Highline will feature resort-style&nbsp;facilities including a pool with sundecks and cabanas, barbecue and dining area and a function room.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6114 project_image_fid=48473]

The masterplanned Westmead Rise community will have 10 residential buildings when completed with over 900 apartments.&nbsp;

About the developer

Founded in 1999.&nbsp;Deicorp first entered the Sydney development scene in&nbsp;Newtown with a three&nbsp;storey residential development. Since then they&#39;ve delivered over 8,000 apartments,&nbsp;150,000 sqm of retail and commercial suites and has over $2.5 billion of work in the pipeline.

There will be 556 studio, one, two and three bedrooms across the five buildings

Deicorp top out Westmead project Highline

Brisbane apartment values are continuing their surge,&nbsp;according to property data firm CoreLogic.

Values rose one&nbsp;per cent, the same as Melbourne.

It puts Brisbane's rolling quarterly apartment gain at three&nbsp;per cent, following jumps of 1.7 per cent in March and one&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;across February.

Brisbane's median apartment value reached a 2020 high of $390,000. Now it's $406,000, up from just over $400,000 last month.

<h2>Apartments in Brisbane around the new median</h2>

Breeze, West End 
Price - One bedroom apartments from $409,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8240 project_image_fid=140817]

Forming part of Pradella’s $1 billion masterplanned&nbsp;Riverside West End&nbsp;community, Breeze&nbsp;110 apartments in Brisbane's south.

It features a number of&nbsp;resort-style amenities as well as&nbsp;abundant green open spaces and retail offerings.

A rooftop&nbsp;skygarden&nbsp;terrace complete with a 20-metre lap pool and landscaped entertainment area crowns the 11-storey complex.

The Coterie, Fortitude Valley

Price - One bedroom apartments from $383,300

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6257 project_image_fid=141412]

The completed&nbsp;Fortitude Valley development&nbsp;The Coterie by Vicland Property Group, Rothelowman and&nbsp;Bruce Henderson&nbsp;Architects has views across Brisbane from its&nbsp;St Pauls Terrace&nbsp;location, just 1.5 kilometres from the CBD.

The site’s original heritage bakery facade and feature interior elements of St Pauls have been carefully integrated into the development to preserve the history of the Valley with a convenient cafe offering a welcoming, local face to the modern community.

The 249 apartment development features&nbsp;a private rooftop retreat atop each tower, landscaped gardens, sun decks, a swimming pool and alfresco entertaining zone.

Renovaré, Yeronga

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[smartcode_project:default project_id=7781 project_image_fid=140857]

Price - One bedroom apartments&nbsp;from $389,000

The&nbsp;Gardner Vaughan Group&nbsp;Yeronga project Renovaré is offering its one bedroom apartment from $389,000. They've recently released their third stage, Vensuto, made up of 33 one, two, three and four bedroom apartments.

The&nbsp;project has achieved a five-leaf rating of sustainability from The Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) which highlights the features and positive impact on the environment and community.

Brisbane's median apartment value reached a 2020 high of $390,000. Now it's $406,000.



May 2021: How did Brisbane apartment values perform in April?

Sydney apartments saw the second strongest price growth across the nation&#39;s apartment market over April,&nbsp;according to property data firm CoreLogic.

Values rose 1.3 per cent, only second to Darwin&#39;s 2.7 per cent rise.

It puts Sydney&#39;s rolling quarterly apartment gain at 4.7 per cent, following jumps of 2.1 per cent in March and 1.2 per cent&nbsp;across February.

Sydney&#39;s median apartment value is now $771,859&nbsp;up from the&nbsp;$755,360&nbsp;last month and $734,198 at the start of the year.

The main gains across the last six months or so across the country&nbsp;have been found in the housing&nbsp;sector, which is expected to taper off as the growth has been deemed &quot;unsustainable.&quot;

And that growth is likely to give a shot in the arm to the more affordable apartment sector.

CoreLogic&#39;s&nbsp;research director, Tim Lawless, says the pace of capital gains in the housing market could slow further over the coming months as inventory levels rise and affordability constraints dampen&nbsp;demand.

&ldquo;The slowdown in housing value appreciation is unsurprising given the rapid rate of growth seen over the past six months, especially in the context of subdued wages growth. With housing prices rising faster than incomes, it&rsquo;s likely price sensitive sectors of the market, such as first home buyers and lower income households, are finding it harder to save for a deposit and transactional costs.&rdquo;

&quot;There is already some evidence of fewer first time buyers in the market, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics reporting a -4.0% fall in the value of first home buyer home loans through February, the first drop since May last year.

<h2>Apartments and townhouses across Sydney under the growing median&nbsp;</h2>

Bloom Arncliffe

Price - Two bedroom apartments from $710,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6201 project_image_fid=89013]

Developed by Wingate, Bloom offers a collection of 318 one, two and three-bedroom ready-to-go apartments in Bayside Council&rsquo;s ward two suburb,&nbsp;Arncliffe.

The development spans across seven buildings and boasts ground-floor restaurants and retailers, views over Botany Bay and private entertaining balconies.

Each apartment, designed by&nbsp;Stephen Bowers&nbsp;Architects, offers a dedicated study room, floor-to-ceiling windows and the latest appliances.

Georgette, Schofields

Price -&nbsp;Two bedroom apartments from $535,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=32227 project_image_fid=93952]

Georgette is the second stage of&nbsp;Positive Investment Enterprise&rsquo;s Kew&nbsp;Schofields&nbsp;project, integrating convenient living with natural beauty in one of Sydney&rsquo;s newest suburbs,&nbsp;Schofields.

Designed by&nbsp;PBD Architects, the light-filled apartments in one and two-bedroom configurations feature ample storage, extended gardens and state-of-the-art energy and storage innovations thanks to a partnership with Tesla.

Eminence, Zetland 
 
Price - One bedroom apartments from $745,000

[smartcode_project:default project_id=21882]

A trio of buildings,&nbsp;Mirvac&rsquo;s 254-apartment Eminence project commands four street frontages between Green Square and the Sydney CBD.

The development offers onsite retail, 1,840 sqm of lush podium gardens and a 75-place childcare centre.

Designed by&nbsp;DKO&nbsp;Architecture, the property showcases high-quality finishes and fixtures, and carefully curated residences.

Some apartments include their own private rooftop terraces and others with uninterrupted CBD and Botany Bay views.

The adjacent Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre includes beach-inspired pools, open-air training facilities and playgrounds.

The growth in the housing sector has been deemed "unsustainable" which is pushing buyers to apartments

May 2021: How did the Sydney apartment market perform in April?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

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

Joel Robinson

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