The property development firm Polites Property Group, in a joint venture with construction company Descon Group Australia, have lodged plans for a $95 million tower&nbsp;on the Gold Coast&#39;s Main Beach.

Polites, ran by the Polites brothers Alex and Marcus, have an interest in the luxury Palm Beach development Cabana, while Descon are set to start construction on the luxury Southport development Waverley this year.

The Main Beach project to be known as La Mer, at 3580 Main Beach Parade&nbsp;on the west side of the street not fronting the beach,&nbsp;will home 28&nbsp;single level&nbsp;apartments designed by the local architecture firm Archidiom, as well as a large penthouse.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95606 project_image_fid=164808]

Archidiom are also&nbsp;behind a tower at 3550 Main Beach just up&nbsp;the road, as well as Aniko&#39;s Grant Avenue, Hope Island development and Sea at Palm Beach.

The 751 sqm site is currently home to the 1980s three-storey apartment building Denver Court.

The development application package from Archidiom suggested the project takes&nbsp;the opportunity for the design of a contemporary, innovative subtropical building to provide a &lsquo;relaxed beachfront&rsquo; living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95606 project_image_fid=164806]

&quot;The development will contribute positively to the character of the area by replacing the existing tired low rise building with a project displaying fresh, simple architectural lines to create modern urban living,&quot; the submission read.

&quot;The large liveable apartments which maximise natural light and cross ventilation through the provision of spacious living and balcony areas will be appealing to a large demographic of potential buyers.&quot;

The typical floor plan will be two three bedroom apartments, both orientated towards&nbsp;the north-east and south-east ocean views.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95606 project_image_fid=164809]

There will be a two level recreational level on level three.

The building will feature a podium which is&nbsp;articulated with grand curvilinear arches and flying canopies and planters to respond in scale to the surrounding streetscape character, with shade provided for through a recessed&nbsp;east facing lobby.

Construction is reported to commence in May next year.

The 751 sqm site is currently home to the 1980s three-storey apartment building Denver Court

Joel Robinson

Tower reveal: Polites Property Group and Descon lodge plans for Main Beach tower La Mer

<html><body>
Local owner-occupiers have descended on Regal Residences, stage one of Azzura's $2.3 billion Imperial Square mixed-use development in Southport.

Locals have made up over 50 per cent of the sales so far, with 53 of 145 of the apartments sold.

That's seen Azzura, like many developers in South East Queensland, fast-track construction of the $155 million first stage following a flurry of sales which have totalled $34 million.

Azzura’s sales director Jason Paris said the strong sales were reflective of the demand for new product in the city’s CBD hub.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29350]

“We’ve got buyers who work in the Health and Knowledge precinct at Griffith University and the Gold Coast Hospital and they see the incredible opportunity to buy well in a central location with work and lifestyle options all so close at hand,” said Mr Paris.

“We’ve seen a mix of first-home buyers and downsizers who see the incredible value in such a central location.

<a href="/new-apartments/regal-residences-imperial-square-59-73-meron-street-southport"><img alt="" height="533" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/regal_living.jpg" width="1200"></a>

“Regal Residences represents incredible value with apartments selling for an average of $6,000 per square metre which is a third of the selling price of some beachfront locations on the Coast.”

Regal Residences is the first stage in a stunning masterplan that will include 200 hotel suites on the Imperial Square site, located on 1.34 hectares at 59-73 Meron Street in Southport. 

<a href="/new-apartments/regal-residences-imperial-square-59-73-meron-street-southport"><img alt="" height="1600" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/regal_hotel.jpg" width="1600"></a> 
Additional stages in the Imperial Square project include The Imperial Tower, a 108-storey building set to become Australasia’s tallest building and Monarch Place, a spiral architectural masterpiece.

Buyers within the first stage will enjoy the amenities on offer across all buildings. 

Stage 1 has been designed to set the standard for the master-planned Imperial Square development that will include a range of commercial and business spaces upon completion, rooftop bars, and luxury amenities such as a rooftop infinity pool, gymnasiums and spas, a cinema and spectacular views to the ocean. 

About the developer

Azzura Investments is headed by company founder Robert Badalotti who has delivered an impressive portfolio of award-winning projects since 1989 stretching from the northern Gold Coast to Byron Bay in northern NSW. These projects comprise more than 2600 residential dwellings, 24 commercial developments and six international resorts. 
</body></html>

Azzura’s sales director Jason Paris said the strong sales were reflective of the demand for new product in the city’s CBD hub

Locals snap up Azzura's Regal Residences in Southport

Soaring demand in all coastal Queensland markets is seeing developers fast-track their projects in an attempt to meet the continued demand from inter and outer state buyers.

The latest project to be fast tracked is in the $650 million townhouse development Serenity 4212, one of the largest waterfront projects currently underway on the Gold Coast.

The joint Helensvale venture between Keylin and Kinstone Group, adjacent to Hope Island,&nbsp;will see the third stage&nbsp;of Serenity Reserve brought forward after the sell outs of stage one and two, Serenity Waters and Serenity Green.

Serenity Reserve will comprise 83 townhomes each with four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Designed by architectural firm DBI in conjunction with Modulus Architecture, prices for the townhomes&nbsp;will start from $548,000.

Serenity Reserve residences will sit next to&nbsp;a dedicated natural reserve community park, part of 27 hectares being gifted by Keylin to the city council.

<a href="/buildings/serenity-green-8-ben-dalley-drive-helensvale-road"><img alt="" height="720" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/serenity_reserve_1.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

The wider Serenity 4212 development&nbsp;is being created&nbsp;around Lake Serenity along the shores of Saltwater Creek.&nbsp;

&ldquo;The latest release is aimed at buyers looking to capitalise on existing government grants, including the state government first-home owner&rsquo;s grant,&rdquo; said Keylin&nbsp;director Louis Cheung.

<a href="/buildings/serenity-green-8-ben-dalley-drive-helensvale-road"><img alt="" height="800" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/serenity_3.jpg" width="1600" /></a>

&ldquo;Most of our buyers have been owner-occupiers, with many of them locals who are looking for the lifestyle and convenience of one of the best waterfront precincts on the Gold Coast.&rdquo;

Keylin fielded more than 3400 inquiries for the Serenity Waters release alone.

Developments are being fast-tracked all across the Gold Coast with developers inundated with enquiries.

Miles Residences, the luxury redevelopment of the Kirra Beach Hotel by KTQ Group, has been <a href="/news/qld/miles-residences-at-kirra-beach-now-80-sold-as-fast-tracked-construction-begins">fast-tracked after selling over 80 per cent of its stock</a>.

Ditto Cabana at Palm Beach, which saw&nbsp;23 of its 34 apartments <a href="/news/qld/which-gold-coast-apartment-developments-are-being-fast-tracked-due-to-strong-sales">sell within two weeks of its launch</a>.

&nbsp;

Serenity Reserve residences will sit next to a dedicated natural reserve community park, part of 27 hectares being gifted by Keylin to the city council.

Keylin and Kinstone fast-track Gold Coast townhouse project Serenity 4212

<html><body>
Sydney apartments continued their growth pattern over March, posting 2.1 per cent gains, according to property data firm CoreLogic.

The monthly growth was only bettered by Hobart (+4.9 pr cent) and Darwin (+3.4 per cent).

Sydney's March gains put units in Harbour capital up 3.2 per cent over the first quarter of 2021, already off-setting the losses occurred over 2020 to be 0.2 per cent up over the last 12 months.

The March gains follow a 1.2 per cent growth in February and -0.1 per cent declines over January.

Sydney's median apartment value is now $755,360, up from the $738,254 last month and $734,198 at the start of the year.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7758]

Last month CoreLogic's head of research Tim Lawless says there were tentative signs the trend of the housing market performing considerably stronger than the unit market could become less obvious.

Now Lawless says the unit market has turned a corner.

“Despite the underperformance, unit markets have turned a corner, with Sydney recording two consecutive months of rising values, while the Melbourne unit market has seen values consistently rising since October last year, with the trend accelerating over recent months.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6798]

And there's good news for investors, with Lawless suggesting the unit rental markets in Melbourne and Sydney appear to be stabilising.

“Sydney unit rents have posted a subtle rise over the past three months, while unit rents in Melbourne have held firm over the same period.

"The improvement comes after a long running decline, however a material improvement in rental conditions is likely to be dependent on foreign students and visitors returning to shore up inner city unit rental demand.“

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7317]
</body></html>

Sydney's March gains put units in Harbour capital up 3.2 per cent over the first quarter of 2021


April 2021: How did Sydney apartment values perform over March?

<html><body>
Apartments across Melbourne continued to see solid price growth over March, with values jumping 2.1 per cent over the month.

That's the latest figures from property data firm CoreLogic, who have seen units values rising in Melbourne since October.

February the Victorian capital saw a growth of 1.2 per cent, which had been the largest gain since late 2019 before the March figures were revealed.

It's put Melbourne apartments 3.2 per cent up over the first quarter of 2021 after more modest 0.1 per cent gains in January. The quarterly unit performance is only behind Hobart (+8.6 per cent) and Sydney (+3.2 per cent).

Melbourne's median apartment values is now $593,121, up from $582,833 in February and $577,206 at the start of the year.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728]

Last month CoreLogic's head of research Tim Lawless says there were tentative signs the trend of the housing market performing considerably stronger than the unit market could become less obvious.

Now Lawless says the unit market has turned a corner.

“Despite the underperformance, unit markets have turned a corner, with Sydney recording two consecutive months of rising values, while the Melbourne unit market has seen values consistently rising since October last year, with the trend accelerating over recent months.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3303]

And there's good news for investors, with Lawless suggesting the unit rental markets in Melbourne and Sydney appear to be stabilising.

“Sydney unit rents have posted a subtle rise over the past three months, while unit rents in Melbourne have held firm over the same period.

"The improvement comes after a long running decline, however a material improvement in rental conditions is likely to be dependent on foreign students and visitors returning to shore up inner city unit rental demand.“

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29048]
</body></html>

There's good news for investors, with Lawless suggesting the unit rental markets in Melbourne and Sydney appear to be stabilising



April 2021: How did Melbourne apartments perform over March?

<html><body>
There's no slowing down property prices all across the nation, with data house CoreLogic reporting prices nationally jumped 2.8 per cent over March, the highest increase since October 1988.

It was also the first time in 12 months that capital city values outpaced the regional markets, music to the ears of the departed investor market who will be monitoring price levels.

CoreLogic's head of research Tim Lawless says they expect housing values to continue to rise throughout 2021 and well in to next year, but it is reasonable to expect the pace of growth will slow.

Sydney led the way over March, with dwelling values jumping 3.7 per cent to be 6.7 per cent up over the quarter. The last time Sydney posted such strong quarterly gains was in June/July 2015, before a rapid slow in growth when limits on investors kicked in to slow the market, which isn't a stumbling block in the current property climate.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7317]

The Harbour City was only bettered by Hobart's strong 7.6 per cent quarterly gains after dwelling growth of 3.3 per cent over March.

Canberra saw the third best dwelling value growth across the capitals, up 2.8 per cent, followed by Melbourne and Brisbane who both saw 2.4 per cent gains. Darwin posted 2.3 per cent growth.

Adelaide (+1.5 per cent) and Perth (+1.8 per cent), trailed the pack.

 

<img alt="" height="705" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/april_dwelling_cl.jpg" width="1200">

"As the housing market hits record high values, speculation is mounting as to what will trigger the next downswing phase of the cycle", Lawless says.

"The upswing in buyer demand has not been met with the same level of increase in inventory," Lawless says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6798]

"This has resulted in strong selling conditions, amidst a palpable sense of urgency amongst buyers, putting upwards pressure on housing prices."

Lawless suggested the substantially less fiscal support will likely contribute to a tapering of demand, as will the prospect of tighter credit policies, however APRA says lending standards remain healthy enough to keep any credit intervention at bay for now.

Houses v Units

Houses continued to outstrip units for price growth in most capitals, however units are now steadily back on the upswing.

“Despite the underperformance, unit markets have turned a corner, with Sydney recording two consecutive months of rising values, while the Melbourne unit market has seen values consistently rising since October last year, with the trend accelerating over recent months," Lawless says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=32227]

Sydney houses jumped 4.3 per cent over March to be 8.2 per cent higher over the first quarter of the year. Units still saw strong growth, up 2.1 per cent over March to be 3.2 per cent up over the quarter.

Melbourne units were close behind, posting 1.7 per cent gains over March and three per cent over the quarter. Houses were up 2.6 per cent in March and 5.6 per cent over the quarter.

The only areas where units outperformed houses was in Hobart and Darwin. Hobart units were up 4.9 per cent, the best performance of any market across March, while houses rose three per cent.
</body></html>

Sydney led the way over March, with dwelling values jumping 3.7 per cent to be 6.7 per cent up over the quarter

When will the property boom slow down? Property prices see highest monthly gains in 32 years

The Gold Coast developer Aniko Group have lodged plans for a $48 million luxury townhouse development in Hope Island.

They&#39;re hoping that, depending on sign off from the Gold Coast City Council, they will be able to start building the 58 luxury townhouses this year and have them completed by the middle of 2022.

The townhouse project at&nbsp;31-35 Grant Avenue sits next to Aniko&#39;s hugely successful $140 million apartment development 1 Grant Avenue (below), which&nbsp;they have nearly sold out. It&#39;s also near their $130 million residential precinct at 6-8 Sickle Avenue on the Hope Island waterfront which is soon to begin construction.

<a href="/buildings/no-1-grant-avenue-1-grant-avenue-hope-island"><img alt="" height="675" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/grant_2_0.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

Aniko have also a foot in the Queensland capital and have been given the green light by the Brisbane City Council for their $52 million land estate in the high growth corridor of Ripley Valley in Brisbane&#39;s west.

The approval&nbsp;paves&nbsp;the way for a 219-lot residential community on the 24.6 hectare site within the Ripley Valley Priority Developer Area. There will also be a service station and convenience&nbsp;precinct as part of the development.

The proposed development will be delivered over five stages, comprising diverse housing lots averaging 400 sqm. Construction is scheduled to later this year with completion due in mid 2023.

&ldquo;This is one of south-east Queensland&rsquo;s fastest-growing urban areas, and it&rsquo;s also proving to be equally strong in terms of job growth, so we see a great future ahead for the project,&quot; George Mastrocostas said,

&ldquo;While the appeal of this region began with affordability, increasingly we are seeing more buyers choosing the western growth corridor for lifestyle. South Ripley will be a big part of this growth story and we are pleased to be part of it.&rdquo;

About a third of the site, which is bounded by Barrams Road and Cumner Road at White Rock, is dedicated to open space as Aniko Group takes a master-planned approach to its latest project.

This will include a 5000 sqm neighbourhood recreation park which will link up with two large-scale linear parks that will offer an extra layer of extended green space totalling more than 8.2ha across the new community.

&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve incorporated a fairly dominant green space network within this community, in keeping with the surrounding area,&rdquo; George Mastrocostas added.

&ldquo;The linear parks will tie in with the recreation park which has been designed to become a central focus for residents as the community grows.&nbsp;

&ldquo;We plan to develop the recreation park in the very early stages for the immediate benefit of residents.&rdquo;

<h2>Other developments for sale on the Gold Coast</h2>

Shoreline, Surfers Paradise

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22057]

Shoreline is the latest Surfers Paradise tower to be created by Marquee Development Partners.

The boutique 27 apartment development across 17 levels offers residents a luxury unseen in the between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach for a number of years.

Miles Residences, Kirra Beach

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27575]

The Miles Residences Kirra Point will be one of Kirra Point&#39;s most impressive towers when it&#39;s completed in 2023.

The development of 118 apartments is part of the redevelopment of the&nbsp;Kirra Beach&nbsp;Hotel. The brains behind the operation is the family-ran KTQ Group, led by Peggy Flannery, who are behind the award-winning Elements of Byron Bay.

&nbsp;

Aniko are pushing on with projects in Hope Island and Brisbane as the Queensland market continues to boom

Aniko Group push on with $400 million portfolio in Brisbane and Gold Coast

<html><body>
The Melbourne developer Riverlee have commenced construction at their $2 billion New Epping community in Melbourne's north.

Stage one, which was fast-tracked under the Victorian Government’s Building Victoria Recovery Taskforce, will include a mix of 151 social and affordable homes to be operated by the homelessness services provider Haven; Home, Safe, as well as the $133 million Northern Private Hospital, to be operated by Ramsay Health Care.

They will make up part of the 51 hectare New Epping, a redevelopment of the former Epping Quarry, which Riverlee bought in 2015, around 15 years after the quarry ceased its operations.

There is slated to be over 2,500 townhouses and apartments as part of the development, as well as a new health and commercial office precinct.

The stage one residences are estimated to be completed by May 2022.

<img alt="Test" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/epping_riverlee_2.jpg" style="width: 1600px; height: 695px;">

It will take between 10 to 15 years to complete the whole urban renewal project which will drive $4.7 billion in economic benefit to Victoria.

Minister for Housing and Minister for Planning Richard Wynne was in attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony around 20 kilometres north of Melbourne.

Riverlee development director David Lee says the groundbreaking milestone is significant for the community in Melbourne’s north, positioning Epping as the centre of activity in the region, following collaboration with the City of Whittlesea, state government and project partners to achieve the works. 

“Together with our project partners, local council and the state government, we are excited to be commencing Stage 1 at New Epping –a project that will play a huge role in meeting the healthcare and housing demands of this growing area," Lee says.

"The diverse mix of housing, health and commercial uses will create a vibrant culture and community with a focus on wellness and sustainability. 

“Our vision for New Epping will take urban regeneration to a new level and bring an inner-city offering to the suburbs. The site no doubt has its challenges and we thank the state government for recognising the needs of this region by fast-tracking the work under the Building Victoria Recovery Taskforce,” he says. 

"Riverlee carefully selected its project partners to ensure that New Epping would be a leader in healthcare and support services for residents, with Ramsay Health Care the largest private hospital operator in Australia and Haven; Home Safe known for its integrated approach to housing and services.

<img alt="Epping" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/epping_riverlee_3.jpg">

Haven; Home Safe chair, Damien Tangey says that the Stage 1 residences area truly collaborative partnership project which will increase the supply of safe, secure, social and affordable housing in Melbourne's north.

“The Stage 1 residences area sound investment in the community and demonstrates how the private and community housing sector can work with government to deliver quality forms of housing in terms of architectural design, environmental outcomes, and internal space planning,” he says

In addition to the Stage 1 residences and the new Northern Private Hospital, the works include key supporting infrastructure including the development of the 11ha central green spine that will connect all components within New Epping.

Riverlee are developing the luxury mixed-use hotel and apartment project Seafarers in Melbourne's Docklands.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27728] 
</body></html>

It will take between 10 to 15 years to complete the whole urban renewal project which will drive $4.7 billion in economic benefit to Victoria.

Construction begins at Riverlee's $2 billion New Epping community 

<html><body>
The luxury Camberwell apartment development Victoria &amp; Burke is slated to start its construction this month.

Figurehead Construction will begin building the development of just 16 apartments at 993 Burke Road in April, to plans drawn up by Carr Design.

Victoria &amp; Burke has a walk score of 94, located on the top of Camberwell hill on the corner of Burke and Victoria Road.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6349]

The 7.3 Star Energy Rated apartments are priced from $1,395,000 for the two bedroom apartments and $2.25 million for the three bedroom apartments, with Carr Design working with buyers to amend plans if necessary.

The penthouses are priced between $4.5 million to $5.5 million - with two of the penthouses selling for $5.5 million each late last year which broke the suburb apartment price record.

Landscape architect Jack Merlo designed the 420 sqm garden around its centrepiece, a 200-year-old blue gum. It is being marketed as reminiscent of the locked gardens in London.

<a href="/buildings/victoria-burke-993-burke-road-camberwell"><img alt="" height="1041" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/victoria_and_burke_3.jpg" width="1400"></a>

Carr Design director Chris McCue says the site wrapping around the huge tree created a great opportunity to get a horizontality to the building form.

"It also means there is a large percentage of garden area, something that is quite rare and offers something completely unique to the project,” McCue added.

There are five ground level apartments each with their own outdoor courtyards, eight first-floor apartments with landscaped terraces looking out across Melbourne.

<a href="/buildings/victoria-burke-993-burke-road-camberwell"><img alt="" height="1040" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/victoria_burke_2.jpg" width="1400"></a>

Three penthouses crown the top level with never to be built out 270-degree views of the skyline. The penthouses have their own walk-in wine cellars.

Each apartment features an entertainer's kitchen at the hub, complete with a natural monolithic stone island bench, splashback and rangehood dressed in limestone. The kitchens are fitted with Gaggenau appliances and an integrated Liebherr fridge and wine fridge.

CBRE Residential are marketing the development.

 

 
</body></html>

Victoria & Burke has a walk score of 94, located on the top of Camberwell hill on the corner of Burke and Victoria Road.

Construction set to begin on Camberwell's Victoria & Burke luxury apartment development

<html><body>
Plans have been lodged for an eight level, 45 apartment tower in the Queensland's coastal Palm Beach.

The yet-to-be-named project at 14-18 Twenty Eighth Avenue, Palm Beach been described as "an elegant and visually interesting addition to the Palm Beach precinct" in the proposal submitted to the City of Gold Coast Council.

It is being developed by MGVS Properties, which is ran by the local Dolso family.

<img alt="" height="784" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/palm_beach_newest_2.jpg" width="1200">

The 45 apartments will be made up of primarily two bed units, with seven one bedroom apartments, 30 two beds and eight three bedders. The rooftop will feature a communal swimming pool and entertaining space.

"This project offers the opportunity to design an innovative architectural building and provide a higher density residential development in the Northern Palm Beach precinct", the proposal's executive summary read.

BDA Architecture have designed the tower which has considered its natural coastal surroundings not far from the Palm Beach sand.

<img alt="" height="598" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/palm_beach_tower_2.jpg" width="1200">

"The architecture of the proposed development is minimal and fluid, with cantilevered concrete frames and a textured and timeless material palette of white weatherboard, textured concrete, timber look screening and natural stone, creating a rich and layered coastal effect," the design statement read.

The 1,215 sqm site sold for $2.8 million in September last year. Currently on the property is a block of four apartments and a two level brick house. It was marketed as a prime development site.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=22057]

Design Intent submission

In its overall massing and composition, the external form of the project has been developed to provide both a respectful acknowledgement to neighbouring buildings; and also to take advantage of the abundant views.

The building has been carefully composed as a tower that touches the ground lightly, with architectural elements and materials that further enhance this. The design intent is to contribute positively to the image, quality and overall identity of Palm Beach, with a resolved and expressive built form and considered street frontage.

<img alt="" height="1597" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/palm_beach_newest_1.jpg" width="1600">

The urban design principles of this proposal include: 
- Create an interesting and dynamic building, especially as viewed from Twenty Eighth Ave. 
• Provide comfortable pedestrian access from Twenty Eighth Ave. 
• Provide safe access to and from the site for pedestrians, motorists and service vehicles. 
• Maximise the opportunity for deep planting at street edges and for additional planting at podium level, as well as up the building. 
• Screen on-site parking areas from viewing in the public domain. 
• Maintain visual and acoustic privacy to and from neighbours. 
• Maximise the opportunity for outlook to the abundant views and the provision of sheltered outdoor recreation for residents. 
• Provide equitable access for those with impaired mobility. 
• Achieve a high standard of design, build quality and finish quality.
</body></html>

BDA Architecture have designed the tower which has considered its natural coastal surroundings not far from the Palm Beach sand

Tower reveal: New apartment development lodged for Palm Beach

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

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

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

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

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News

Joel Robinson

Editor's Picks

Receive the latest news stories to your inbox

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News