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A boom in mixed-use or other sector projects has seen Melbourne record a lift of almost eight per cent in the Q1 2021, according to the latest RLB Crane Index.

Over the last six months there have been 15 cranes added, with four added to each of the $800 million Caulfield Village in Caulfield North and the $220 million Richmond Quarter.

Three cranes were added to the Elizabeth north project in Elizabeth Street, bringing their total number of cranes to four.

<img alt="" height="779" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/rlb_crane_melbourne.jpg" width="1200"> 
Melbourne's Crane Index. Source: RLB Crane Index Q1

West Side Place Stage two also has four cranes, while there are three cranes are located at QVM Residences, Sapphire by the Gardens and Union Quarter. These six projects account for 22 of the 39 mixed-use cranes in Melbourne, according to RLB.

The cranes came down at the now completed Docklands Residences in Docklands. Developed by Capital Alliance, Docklands Residences comprises 88 apartments which have been built above a 200 room Marriott Hotel, the first built in Australia for over two decades.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3205]

Cranes in inner Melbourne fell by seven to 95, the lowest since Q2 2018. That was primarily caused by the completion or near completion of many residential projects which saw residential cranes fall by 16 to 28.

Melbourne's east saw their residential cranes drop to nine, the lowest on record. Residential projects still account for 50 per cent of total cranes in east.

Residential cranes were removed from Camberwell's Anderson Park, the Summit and Alpine Apartments in Doncaster and the Hawthorn East apartment development Hawthorn Park.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3730]

Developer Dahua Group had Rothelowman create the $300 million Hawthorn Park development alongside landscape architect Jack Merlo, with the standout feature of the 368 apartment development its striking infinity pool linking two of buildings.

Cranes came down at the nearby Toorak Road, Hawthorn East development Brasshouse, Lilydale Grove in Hawthorn East and The Kent in Hawthorn. The East Central tower in Box Hill saw cranes removed, as did Ramsay Gardens in Vermont South.

New cranes were placed for Pace of Blackburn, the modern project from the recent Master Builders Victoria award winners Pace Development Group, as well as Grocon's Denmark Kew and Prospect and Panorama Apartments in Box Hill, among others.

Melbourne's north saw 22 new cranes added with the region hitting 27, just below the record high of 27 in Q2 2018. There were just six removals.

It was busy in Brunswick, with cranes being moved on to the sites of Pellicano's build-to-rent Solarino house, Lucent's The Stewart Collective and Balfe Park Lane Apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4513]

Home by Caydon in Alphington and the Capella Apartments in Reservoir, developed by Forte Group, each installed two cranes on their sites.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=24441]

Melbourne's north was the only region to see an increase in residential cranes, increasing by 16 cranes to 23.

The south saw an increase of four cranes mainly due to commencement of the Caulfield Village project.

Other new projects in the south include Pavillion on the Park, developed by Sydney One Investments in Armadale, Lowe Living's Azure in Aspendale and Olea Residences in Caulfield.

There's also the family Supportive housing in Dandenong, Prince Corporation's East village in Prahran, Sandringham's Trentham House to be delivered by Carpe and the Loreto old St Georges building in Toorak.

Cranes were removed from Sutherland and Alara in Armadale, Olivia and Brighton Collection in Brighton, Collins &amp; Bates in Chadstone, Eastwood Monash in Clayton and The Glen in Glen Waverley, among others.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3950]

Melbourne's west grew by four cranes to now total 18 cranes. Footscray remains the central area of crane activity with eight cranes including three new cranes at the new mixed-use project at Union Quarter in Spotswood.

Cranes were also added to Liberty one, 21 Victoria and Riverfront in Footscray and Kings Village in Kingsville.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=709]

Liberty One, to be delivered by Bensons Property Group, has 350 one and two bedroom apartments across its Warde Street development.
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Cranes in inner Melbourne fell by seven to 95, the lowest since Q2 2018

Joel Robinson

Mixed-use projects see crane levels rise across Melbourne

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Brisbane's construction activity appears to be coming out of the doldrums, with 48 cranes added across the city over the past six months.

It bucked the trend of Queensland's 2020 drop-off in construction activity, with building work trending below the decade average for most key indicators.

The Rider Levett Bucknall's Q1 2021 Crane Index paints a much more promising picture for Brisbane's construction activity, with the number of cranes added the largest increase in Brisbane's crane numbers since the inception of the index just over seven years ago.

The index jumped from 68 to 97, with 27 cranes also removed from the city. There are now 71 cranes active across the Brisbane area.

<img alt="" height="1080" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/rlb_crane_index_brisbane.jpg" width="1600">

Residential cranes remain the largest sector in Brisbane, accounting for almost 50 per cent of the cranes across Brisbane. Over the last six month, residential cranes have increased to 34 per cent, up by 12 previously.

This includes new developments starting in Ascot, Brisbane, Cannon Hill, Coorparoo, East Brisbane, Fortitude Valley, Hawthorne, Norman Park, South Brisbane, St Lucia and Yeronga. There have been two projects commence in Indooroopilly, New Farm, Newstead and Seven Hills, with three in Woolloongabba.

The mixed-use sector is the next largest sector, dominated by the nine cranes assisting the Queen's Wharf development. They account for 12 per cent of all the cranes in Brisbane.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13276]

Waterfront Newstead, the Mirvac community, is one of few mixed-use projects which include two or more cranes.

The latest tower, known as Quay Waterfront Newstead, located alongside the Brisbane River, joins previously completed stages Pier, Park and Unison as part of the grander Waterfront Newstead community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90553]

The east of Brisbane saw the largest increase, with six more cranes added over the last six months. Previously there had just been one crane.

The new residential cranes were erected in Cannon hill, Hawthorne, Norman Park and two in Seven Hills.

Brisbane's best off the plan developments

The Coterie, Fortitude Valley

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6257]

Just 1.5km away from Brisbane’s CBD in the culturally rich and vibrant Fortitude Valley are The Coterie. The two residential towers comprise of one, two and three bedroom selections and two penthouses across 27 floors. A collaboration from award winning design teams at Rothelowman and Bruce Henderson Architects introduces an elegant building silhouette wrapped in a flowing, monochromatic motif, a graphic representation of the connectivity between the two towers, the streetscape and the skyscrapers that border the suburb in the CBD.

Monterey Kangaroo Point - 9 Lambert Street, Kangaroo Point

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7145]

Monterey Kangaroo Point is Australia's tallest timber tower. South of the Storey Bridge, Monterey Kangaroo Point is the second Urban Development Institute of Australia accredited EnviroDevelopment for the Gardner Vaughan Group. The Lambert Street development comprises 42 apartments.

Venusto, Yeronga

[smartcode_project:default project_id=34156]

Another from the Gardner Vaughan Group, and their other project to win the Urban Development Institute of Australia accredited EnviroDevelopment, Venusto is the latest announced building in Yeronga's luxury Renovaré development. Venusto is the third stage of the wider project and comprises 33 apartments made up of one, two, three and four bedroom units.

 

 
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The index jumped from 68 to 97, with 27 cranes also removed from the city. There are now 71 cranes active across the Brisbane area.

Brisbane sees biggest crane jump since 2014

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Developers can't stay away from the booming Gold Coast market.

The longstanding Queenslander developer Devine Development Group is the latest to join the ever-growing index not wanting to miss out on the current Gold Coast apartment demand.

They've lodged plans for Alba Residences, a $105 million apartment project at North Burleigh.

Set on the dress circle Esplanade facing the beach, the 21 level tower designed by Bureau Proberts will comprise half and full floor residences catering for the top end of the market, with prices starting from $2.25 million.

The full floor apartments will span around 435 sqm and will have four bedrooms, a multi-purpose room, and four bathrooms, while the collection of half-floor apartments will have around 218 sqm of living space with three bedrooms.

The Melbourne-based Mim Design are handling the interior. There will be a lifestyle podium for residents where there will be a swimming pool and a gym.

<img alt="" height="1000" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/alba_render.jpg" width="897"> The facade of Alba Residences on Esplanade. Image supplied

It will sit on Esplanade, just down the road from 88 Burleigh, the $90 million tower by Allure Property Corporation.

The seashell-inspired, 17-level tower on The Esplanade, across from Burleigh Heads beach, will home just 31 apartments..

Demand for apartments in Burleigh Heads continues to soar as a surge of interstate buyers is creating a critical shortage of supply, particularly for three bedroom apartments which are being snapped up by downsizers.

Adam Young of Burleigh Heads’ Black and Young Real Estate, who has been selling real estate in the area for over three decades, says he has never seen the market in Burleigh so strong.

<a href="/buildings/the-esplanade-burleigh-heads-146-156-the-esplanade-burleigh-heads-qld-4220"><img alt="" height="928" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/88_burleigh_main_1.jpg" width="1600"></a> 88 Burleigh on Esplanade. Image supplied

Burleigh is the ‘go to’ destination on the Gold Coast as a lifestyle, entertainment and dining precinct and real estate sales are reflecting the suburb’s newfound popularity.

“The market is very strong, driven by interstate migration and downsizers who see apartment living in Burleigh Heads as under-valued given its central location and the national park setting which is not unlike Noosa,” Young says.

Veteran developer and Devine Development Group head David Devine said Alba would be one of the enduring luxury apartment projects for Burleigh Heads and the timing to enter the market could not be better.

“We have worked for a long time to bring a project together that epitomises beachfront apartment living and Alba is the creation of that,” said Mr Devine.

“We believe is it a fantastic time to enter the market. Burleigh Heads is undoubtedly one of the most sought after residential locations for the luxury downsizer anywhere in Australia and there is certainly currently a shortage of new apartment product tailored to this market.

“Interstate migration to the Gold Coast is very strong as is the value that the Gold Coast offers compared so the southern states. The market is certainly leading the way nationally.”

JLE Projects director Jamie-Lee Edwards says Alba will be the epitome of beachfront living on what is a very tightly held and very high demand beachfront precinct.

“The convergence of sophisticated architectural design and interior styling with uninhibited views and the unparalleled location of Australia’s most recognisable beach, Alba is the pinnacle of contemporary beachfront living.”

More Gold Coast properties on the market right now:

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7974]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=26730]
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Plans have been lodged for Alba Residences, a $105 million apartment project at North Burleigh.



Another apartment tower lodged in hot Gold Coast market

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The boutique townhouse development Boston in Melbourne's Balwyn has seen half of its townhouses snapped up before construction commences in the coming months.

Marshall White's director of projects Leonard Teplin puts the sales success down to the coveted location of Boston, set in the heart of Balwyn on Boston Road.

"Coveted locations like Balwyn lead the market for any property resurgence," Teplin says.

Teplin says buyers are already benefitting from the house price growth Melbourne is currently seeing, which is more prevalent at the top end of the market, according to CoreLogic.

"Buyers who have already gone ahead and considered opportunities such as Boston as a way to own a four bedroom brand new home from $2.15 million, where new homes on a standard quarter acres block are now well ahead of this mark in famous streets like Boston Rd.

"It’s a chance to lock in a new home purchase today, where any capital grown shown from the day of sale till settlement is then for the buyers benefit.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29046]

Boston, a boutique development of just seven townhouses delivered by JT Property Group, has been designed by Mim Design with the deep-rooted wine history of Balwyn considered.

In 1859, vigneron Andrew Murray bought 103 acres of land to realise his dream of producing world-class wines. He named his estate Balwyn, combining ‘Bal’ (Gaelic for home) and ‘Wyn’ (a Saxon word for vine) to create ‘the home of the vine’.

"We are exceptionally proud of our design for Boston — the period details that give the homes character and the contemporary elements that provide incredible comfort," Mim Design principal Mim Fanning said.

"Every detail within Boston is bespoke and high-end, from the angle of a timber stair to the curved stone of an island bench.”

<a href="/buildings/boston-16-boston-road-balwyn"><img alt="" height="1021" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/boston_3.jpg" width="1600"></a>

The seven townhouse sit in landscaping by John Patrick Landscape.

Teplin advises that all of the buyers so far are owner-occupiers.

"Some currently live within a two kilometre radius of Balwyn , others grew up in the area and having now moved further out are keen to return and provide their children the same family environment and schooling opportunities that they grew up in," Teplin says.

 
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Marshall White's director of projects Leonard Teplin puts the sales success down to the coveted location of Boston

Luxury Balwyn townhouse development Boston over 50 per cent sold as construction looms

160 Macquarie, St Lucia's first riverfront apartment development in more than a decade, has racked up over 70 per cent of sales before its construction begins next month.

The development by QM Properties, led by horse enthusiast and managing director&nbsp;Jon Haseler, has been designed by the architecture firm Rothelowman and only homes 34 riverfront apartments at 160 Macquarie Street.

A rooftop lounge will crown the development, with residents also having access to a private dining room and lounge on the 15th level rooftop where there will be expansive views of the Brisbane River, West End, the city skyline, Mount Coot--Tha and the D'Aguilar Range.

Down by the Brisbane River will be a riverside swimming pool and barbecue areas. On the ground level will also be&nbsp;a private cinema and a gym.

<a href="/buildings/160-macquarie-160-macquarie-street-st-lucia"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="1187" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/160_macquarie_st_lucia_4.jpg" width="1600" /></a>

There are just two three bedroom residences remaining priced from $1.06 million, three premium three bedroom apartments from $1,835,000 and three sub penthouses which start from $3.06 million.

Rachel Huston, associate director at Colliers Residential, says that buyers are almost exclusively local downsizers, either living currently in the area or with a past connection to it via family or the University of Queensland.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=25721]

Construction is expected to commence, which will see the onsite sales display close.

About the developer

QM Properties have been developing property in South East Queensland since they were established in 1976.

In recent years QM have&nbsp;developed the East Brisbane apartment complexes Corde Residences and Mowbray East Brisbane, as well as the residential communities Forest Pines in Bulimba and Bridgeman Green in Bridgeman Downs.

QM are also selling Anthology, the luxury New Farm apartment development of just 26&nbsp;residences on the dress circle Moray Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22331]

Down by the Brisbane River will be a riverside swimming pool and barbecue areas. On the ground level will also be a private cinema and a gym

160 Macquarie, St Lucia's first riverfront apartment development in over a decade, now 70% sold

The Brisbane-based developer Ention Properties has quietly secured sales of nearly half of its luxury Taringa apartment development Déesse.

Three of the eight apartments&nbsp;were sold at its launch, including the penthouse that sits on the top level of the five level building at 79 Swann Road.

Crowning the development is a wet edge pool, lounge deck, barbecue and outdoor dining area and lawn.

<a href="/buildings/deesse-taringa-79-swann-road-taringa"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="896" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/deesse_2.jpg" width="1600" /></a>

The three and four bedroom apartments have been designed by local architects Hayes Anderson Lynch&nbsp;to take advantage of the views north east to Brisbane City, with views to the Border Ranges to the rear. Each apartments features natural tones and textures such as timber floor, high quality stone and refined joinery, signature stylings of Ention.

The large floor plans is set to attract&nbsp;downsizers and owner-occupiers, with living space ranging from 184 sqm to 266 sqm.

The remaining five apartments include the expansive courtyard residences and the north-east city facing sub-penthouse.

<a href="/buildings/deesse-taringa-79-swann-road-taringa"><img alt="" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="890" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/deesse_3.jpg" width="1800" /></a>

Construction is expected to commence in the next couple of months, with the site being cleared and former home on the 810 sqm block demolished.

Ention Properties director Trent Thoroughgood says working with&nbsp;Hayes Anderson Lynch and&nbsp;Déesse's the project marketing team at&nbsp;Colliers International allowed them to take all of the feedback that they collectively received from customers and put that knowledge into the design of the apartments.

"Our vision has been to design a truly boutique building that will sit proudly amongst some of Brisbane’s most elite homes, and ticks all of the boxes for a discerning owner occupier."

The three and four&nbsp;bedroom residences are&nbsp;priced from $1.53 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8200]

About the developer

Ention Properties was founded by Trent Thoroughgood and Dion Smith in 2013 with a view to&nbsp;“create&nbsp;lifestyles above all others”

Ention have recently completed Ciel Residences, a boutique block of nine in Brisbane's Herstmon, as well as the nearby Ciel Terraces, both of which are sold out and have settled.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Crowning the development is a wet edge pool, lounge deck, barbecue and outdoor dining area and lawn

Ention Properties achieve quiet success in Brisbane's Taringa

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The RBA have stood firm on record low interest rates at the April 2021 cash rate meeting, nothing that house prices are continuing to soar across across the nation.

The board, with newly appointed board members Carolyn Hewson and Alison Watkins, noted that housing markets have strengthened further, with prices rising in most markets.

"Housing credit growth to owner-occupiers has picked up, with strong demand from first-home buyers," RBA Governor Philip Lowe's meeting statement read.

The statement concluded with Lowe stating the board does not see a cash rate hike until 2024 at the earliest.

There are a few economists who believe there will be a cash rate hike by the end of the calendar year.

Finder's RBA cash rate survey saw six out of its 39 experts and economists it surveys every RBA month suggest there will be a rate hike, with Dale Gillham, the chief analyst at Wealth Within, expecting a rise as early as July.

Tony Makin from Griffith University, Nicholas Gruen at Lateral Economics, Noel Whittaker, QUT, Jakob B. Madsen, University of Western Australia and Clement Tisdell, UQ-School of Economics, all predict a cash rate rise in Q4 2021.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5897]

Griffith University's professor of economics Tony Makin says that despite what the RBA is saying, a cash rate rise will be inevitable should inflationary pressures suddenly build here and overseas.

"Massive government bond issues worldwide to cover large ongoing budget deficits will also continue to exert upward pressure on bond yields.

"Although asset price inflation is not officially targeted, continued escalation of housing and share prices also suggests tighter monetary policy could be warranted sooner than expected."

Harley Dale, chief economist at CreditorWatch, says the decision comes as no surprise with the RBA injecting substantial liquidity into Australia’s financial system.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=522]

"As a result, Australia’s economy appears to be firmly in recovery mode, but we tend to gauge the situation based on aggregates and averages, which is misleading," Dale says.

“There is talk of re-emerging inflationary pressures as the economy regrows itself. That would be a good thing for the Australian economy, but as long as we stay below the aggregate the economic recovery remains fractured. 

“There are still significant parts of the economy being left behind despite overall improving conditions. If we can sustain an improvement in unemployment rates and the broader labour market, we will be well on our way to a full-blown recovery. We’re not there yet though and monthly statements from the RBA will likely reflect that fact in coming months.”
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There are a few economists who believe there will be a cash rate hike by the end of the calendar year

No cash rate rise to 2024: RBA holds interest rate at record low 0.1 per cent at April 2021 meeting

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Expert Observer

At its meeting today, the Board decided to maintain the current policy settings, including the targets of 10 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 rollout of vaccines is supporting the recovery of the global economy, although the recovery is uneven. While there are still considerable uncertainties regarding the outlook, the central case has improved. Global trade has picked up and commodity prices are mostly higher than at the start of the year. Inflation remains low and below central bank targets.

Sovereign bond yields have increased over recent months due to the positive news on vaccines and the additional fiscal stimulus in the United States. Inflation expectations have also lifted from near record lows to be now closer to central banks' targets. The 3-year government bond yield in Australia is at the Board's target of 10 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 is well under way and is stronger than had been expected. The unemployment rate fell to 5.8 per cent in February and the number of people with a job has returned to the pre-pandemic level. GDP increased by a strong 3.1 per cent in the December quarter, boosted by a further lift in household consumption as the health situation improved. The recovery is expected to continue, with above-trend growth this year and next. Household and business balance sheets are in good shape and should continue to support spending.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7275]

Nevertheless, wage and price pressures are subdued and are expected to remain so for some years. The economy is operating with considerable spare capacity and unemployment is still too high. It will take some time to reduce this spare capacity and for the labour market to be tight enough to generate wage increases that are consistent with achieving the inflation target. In the short term, CPI inflation is expected to rise temporarily because of the reversal of some COVID-19-related price reductions. Looking through this, underlying inflation is expected to remain below 2 per cent over the next few years.

Housing markets have strengthened further, with prices rising in most markets. Housing credit growth to owner-occupiers has picked up, with strong demand from first-home buyers. In contrast, investor credit growth remains subdued. 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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728]

The Board remains committed to the 3-year government bond yield target of 10 basis points. Later in the year it will consider whether to retain the April 2024 bond as the target bond or to shift to the next maturity. The initial $100 billion government bond purchase program is almost complete and the second $100 billion program will commence next week. Beyond this, the Bank is prepared to undertake further bond purchases if doing so would assist with progress towards the goals of full employment and inflation. Authorised deposit-taking institutions have drawn $95 billion under the Term Funding Facility and have access to a further $95 billion. Since the start of 2020, the RBA's balance sheet has increased by around $215 billion.

These various monetary measures are continuing to help the economy by keeping financing costs very low, contributing to a lower exchange rate than otherwise, and supporting the supply of credit and household and business balance sheets. Together, monetary and fiscal policy are contributing to the recovery in aggregate demand and the pick-up in employment.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22057]

The Board is committed to maintaining highly supportive monetary conditions until its goals are achieved. The Board will not increase the cash rate until actual inflation is sustainably within the 2 to 3 per cent target range. For this to occur, wages growth will have to be materially higher than it is currently. This will require significant gains in employment and a return to a tight labour market. The Board does not expect these conditions to be met until 2024 at the earliest.
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Bank will be monitoring trends in housing borrowing carefully: RBA Governor Philip Lowe's April 2021 meeting statement

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The Gold Coast-based developer Lacey Group have been given the green light by the City of Gold Coast for its $32 million Palm Beach development The Monroe.

The project of 33 apartments and a beach house on the exclusive Jefferson Lane has been designed by Plus Architecture and is located adjacent to the Palm Beach Surf Club.

There will be a 250 sqm rooftop terrace with its own infinity pool with views of the Pacific Ocean from Surfers Paradise down to Coolangatta.

Apartments will be priced from $619,000.

<a href="/buildings/the-monroe-124-126-jefferson-lane-palm-beach"><img alt="" height="1040" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/the_monroe_lacey_2.jpg" width="1600"></a>

Lacey Group director Adam Lacey says The Monroe has been designed with the owner-occupier in mind, and believes it will be popular with young professionals looking to upgrade to beachside living.

"[The Monroe] is unique in that it caters to the full spectrum of purchasers, with two- and three-bedroom apartments, alongside a penthouse and a townhome on the ground floor,” Mr Lacey said.

<a href="/buildings/the-monroe-124-126-jefferson-lane-palm-beach"><img alt="" height="749" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/the_lacey_group_3.jpg" width="1800"></a>

"We're anticipating the apartments will be popular with young professionals looking to upgrade to beachside living, while the penthouse and townhome will appeal to downsizers and potentially a family looking for a home-style residence with access to a suite of lifestyle amenities.

"Atop the building is a unique recreation terrace, which is really one of a kind in the Palm Beach market, boasting an infinity pool, barbeque facilities, a resident's lounge and a firepit."

Mr Lacey said The Monroe is named for its classic architecture, which reflects the sleek, timeless appeal of quintessential Gold Coast buildings established since the 1950s.

<a href="/buildings/the-monroe-124-126-jefferson-lane-palm-beach"><img alt="" height="813" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/the_monroe_lacey_4.jpg" width="1800"></a>

"We have worked with Plus Architecture to ensure that like namesake Marilyn Monroe, this building is classy, stylish, timeless and above all, iconic," he said.

Each apartment features oversized kitchens with European appliances and floor to ceiling windows which take in panoramic views of the coastline, city skyline and hinterland

"The Monroe draws its design inspiration from the topography of the Gold Coast, echoing the natural progression of slope and form, from the rocky hinterland mountains towards a softer, more fluid beach environment.

Lacey Group know the area well, having had success on the same street where they sold out The Jefferson, the $32 million development of 46 apartments, on completion in 2019.
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Lacey Group know the area well, having had success on the same street where they sold out The Jefferson, the $32 million development of 46 apartments.

Lacey Group secure approval for The Monroe at Palm Beach

The Melbourne-based developer&nbsp;Orchard Piper has secured a rare development site fronting Fitzroy Gardens.

The 1,200 sqm site at 364-370 Albert Street, East Melbourne was an amalgamation of three adjoining park-front sites which had been held by the same family for over four decades.

A grand three storey Victorian townhouse will be restored and offered as a townhouse.&nbsp;There will be&nbsp;a further&nbsp;six residential levels comprising 14 apartments and two levels of private offices.

Each apartment will take in views of Melbourne&#39;s CBD or Fitzroy Gardens.

Orchard Piper&nbsp;have had their go-to architect Jolson Architects, who were behind the famous Pt Leo Estate down on the Mornington Peninsula, draw up the plans. It&#39;s the sixth collaboration&nbsp;between the two.

Orchard Piper director Luke McKie said the strategic site acquisition and planning permit represented a significant step forward for the brand, and the next phase of the Orchard Piper story.

&ldquo;We have been actively acquiring sites through COVID with a view to significantly bolstering our pipeline as we move into more substantial projects in Melbourne&rsquo;s best locations.&rdquo;

<img alt="" height="2401" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/orchard_directors.jpg" width="1600" /> 
Orchard Piper directors Luke McKie, left, and Rick Gronow, right. Image supplied 
 
&ldquo;This East Melbourne project has been designed in direct response to more than 13 years of market feedback from our local owner occupiers. Living spaces will be ample, with home offices and master suites just as you would expect in a detached house&rdquo; adds McKie.

&ldquo;This is our sixth project with our long term design partners, Jolson. The collective knowledge from this partnership places our projects in rare territory where historic feedback from our residents continues to shape our future offerings.&rdquo;

Orchard Piper co-founder and director Rick Gronow said they have&nbsp;continuous demand from their buyers and repeated enquiries for an Orchard Piper offering in East Melbourne.

&quot;This site is as good as it gets, and we are excited to be able to soon offer these properties to the market.&rdquo;

Orchard Piper is set to&nbsp;launch the project in the second half of 2021.

Each apartment will take in views of Melbourne's CBD or Fitzroy Gardens

Orchard Piper to build mixed-use development on Fitzroy Gardens

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

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

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

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

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

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

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

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

Joel Robinson

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