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Melbourne's R.Iconic boasts some of the most unique onsite amenities in any development Urban has seen.

This $850 million development from R.Corporation has been designed by Plus Architecture with the owner-occupier in mind. It has a clear focus on wellbeing, fitness, entertainment, nature and technology.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5234]

R.Iconic is located in the city’s new CBD South precinct.

It will have protected water views which are guaranteed to remain thanks to its locality and planning footprint.

<h2>Five of R. Iconic's rare amenities</h2>

<a href="/buildings/r-iconic-south-melbourne-259-normanby-road-south-melbourne"><img alt="" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/r_iconic_running_track.jpg"></a>

1. On-site Infinity Running Track

No need for an external gym for residents of R.Iconic. As well as a fully equipped gym, the rooftop of part of the development is a 300 metre infinity running track.

2. Sports Courts

On the same rooftop level there are open air sports courts, including a small soccer field which adjoins an outdoor gym.

3. Floatation Spa

Most developers are incorporating more wellness features in to their developments. As well as a yoga room, R.Iconic will feature a floatation spa, the ultimate in wellness and stress relief.

4. Cinema &amp; Karaoke Room

Date nights just got a whole lot more convenient. Head to the cinema room and watch a movie, or jump in to one of the sound-proofed karaoke booths. The adjoining bar is also pretty handy.

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5. Virtual Golf Range

The golf enthusiasts won't need to leave the building to get the clubs out, with an indoor virtual golf range as part of the building.

<h2>Extra facilities</h2>

Other facilities include an outdoor infinity pool, whiskey room, adventure playground, zen garden, wine vault, mahjong room and more.

<a href="/buildings/r-iconic-south-melbourne-259-normanby-road-south-melbourne"><img alt="" height="403" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/r_iconic_pool_0.jpg" width="580"></a>

Construction of R.Iconic is underway, with completion estimated for 2022. Developer R.Corporation has a unique, end to end client service model delivering on its promise of a premium property purchase and ownership experience.

With prices starting from $507,000, there are 456 residences on offer across a range of one, two and three bedroom suites.
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Ultra rare on-site facilities include an on-site running track, a zen garden, resort-style pool, flotation spa, sports courts and more

Joel Robinson

An infinity running track and whiskey bar? Why residents won't need to leave Melbourne's R.Iconic

The coastal&nbsp;suburb of Currumbin is the latest Gold Coast area to see plans lodged for a new apartment development.

Plans have been lodged for Kora, a boutique development of just seven apartments.

The apartments&nbsp;will be built at 798-800 Pacific Parade, facing Currumbin Beach.

The amalgamated 786&nbsp;sqm site, which homed&nbsp;a&nbsp;holiday rental block of apartments&nbsp;called Shoreline and a beach shack, sold together for $5.56 million in December for the first time in six decades.

It was bought by a Sydney-based developer under the name Marquee Flora Pty Ltd, associated with south Sydney builder Raed Bachir.

<img alt="" height="1081" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/kora_currumbin_2.jpg" width="1200" />

The old buildings&nbsp;will be demolished and make way for the new Plus Architecture-designed&nbsp;building which will only span four levels.

There are hints of feature concrete, floor to ceiling glazing and timber look battens.&nbsp;

&ldquo;With a collection of seven premium residences, the planning ensures that all apartments feature unrivalled ocean views with generous internal living and expansive oceasndei balconies that respond to subtropical design ideals&rdquo;, Plus Architecture&rsquo;s description lodged to the City of Gold Coast council suggested.

&ldquo;The rhythmic balcony lines of Kora reflect a pure expression of natural form; leave that brand from the central timber spine and taper to offer a light floating edge&rdquo;.

<img alt="" height="799" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/currumbin_kora_3.jpg" width="1200" />

The Town Planning Report suggested the&nbsp;architectural philosophy paid homage to the traditional &lsquo;timber and tin&rsquo; beach shacks, evoking the relaxed sense of beachfront living, embracing high-quality, sub-tropical design which blends seamlessly into the beachside character of the site and its setting.

On the ground level there&#39;s set to be a communal wellness centre and pool for residents, as well as a&nbsp;beach house apartment with a private terrace and its own pool.

Above will just be two apartments per floor, then crowning the development communal roof terraces.

Due to the new City Plan established in December 2020, the area&nbsp;now has&nbsp;stricter development regulations,&nbsp;with limits keeping developments to either three storeys, or 15 metres high.

Kora will span four storeys, but will just be over 12 metres.

The apartments will be built at 798-800 Pacific Parade, facing Currumbin Beach

Take a look at the new Currumbin apartment development, Kora

Residents will soon be moving in to Robinson, the new townhouse development in Hawthorn's exclusive Scotch Hill precinct.

The project at 37 Robinson Road Hawthorn, delivered by developer Outline Projects, comprises 18 three and four bedroom townhouses, each with their own private garages and courtyards.

Outline Projects commissioned the Melbourne-based architectural studio Object Subject to design the homes, with the renowned Eckersley Garden Architecture handling the landscaping and gardens.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=21862]

There are still a few townhouses left, with the three bedroom residences priced between $1,725,000 and&nbsp;$2,665,000. The sole four bedroom townhouse left is priced at $2,625,000.

The buyers have been a mix of&nbsp;owner-occupiers, young families, young professionals and downsizers.

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The Robinson townhouses have been created using a&nbsp;refined material palette of&nbsp;marble,, brass, steel and brick, complete with a striking timber facade.

Each townhouse spans two levels and has engineered oak floorboards, wool blend carpers, double glazed windows and a kitchen fully-kitted with Miele appliances and natural stone benchtops.

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The master suite's feature their own walk in wardrobes and ensuites.

The project sits&nbsp;to the south of Riversdale Road, just a short stroll from Camberwell Junction.

Outline has previously had success in Collingwood with an eight-level development of 29 dwellings. They also&nbsp;successfully completed townhouse projects in Armadale, Prahran and Fitzroy.

The project at 37 Robinson Road Hawthorn comprises 18 three and four bedroom townhouses, each with their own private garages and courtyards.



Townhouse development Robinson in Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct nears completion

Sydney property fund manager and developer, WINIM, has secured a 2,052 sqm site in Northbridge, taking its North Shore portfolio to six boutique residential developments.

The local North Shore developer is set to create a development with a mix of apartments and developments at 46-48a Eastern Valley Way, opposite Shore Playing Fields.

WINIM joint managing director Josh Leahy said the site is ideal for residential as it is within easy walking distance to Northbridge Plaza, Sailors Bay and Warners Park.

He said the residences will be highly sought after by families, resizers or those looking for a luxury house-sized property with minimal maintenance and state of the art finishes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=31908 project_image_fid=189116]

&ldquo;We engage with our customers from their first meeting with the sales agent. From monthly purchaser updates to quarterly site walks with the team, our customers are, as they should be, a key part of their property&rsquo;s journey.

WINIM&rsquo;s other North Shore projects have seen strong sales from local downsizers or right- sizers over the past six months at an average price of $2.5 million per property.

Set to feature striking, contemporary exterior and interior designs by local architect Rothelowman, WINIM&rsquo;s Northbridge project builds on the group&rsquo;s existing stable of premium, boutique North Shore holdings &ndash; carefully chosen, strategically located, high end properties including OTTO Cremorne and The Terraces Willoughby.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5864 project_image_fid=57682]

Rothelowman principal architect Ben Pomroy said terraces or townhomes are highly sought after all over Sydney but particularly on the North Shore where space is at a premium.

&ldquo;Along with all of our previous projects for WINIM, a key feature of several of the residences will include private open spaces maximising privacy, lifestyle and entertainment options,&rdquo; he said.

Following the development application approval, the project will be brought to market in late 2021.

&ldquo;Sydney&rsquo;s Lower North Shore is a key part of our residential strategy to develop premium, bespoke, well-conceived owner-occupier projects featuring exceptional design, located in prime tightly held pockets such as Northbridge,&rdquo; Mr Leahy said.

&ldquo;As our sixth residential project to get underway on the Lower North Shore, Northbridge is a significant landmark project which will greatly contribute to the undersupply of premium owner-occupier dwellings in the suburb.&rdquo;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29965 project_image_fid=189106]

WINIM history

Established by Josh Leahy and Joint Managing Director Justin Kuiters in 2010, WINIM has a history of successfully delivering large-scale master plans, retail complexes, mixed use sites and educational projects. A key focus of the business is delivering high quality Lower North Shore residential properties to existing valued and new customers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29965 project_image_fid=189106]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5864 project_image_fid=57676]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=31908 project_image_fid=189111]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=29387 project_image_fid=189098]

WINIM joint managing director Josh Leahy said the residences will be highly sought after by families, resizers or those looking for a luxury house-sized property with minimal maintenance.



Find out where Sydney developer WINIM has secured its next project

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The Melbourne developer Buxton Projects has secured a permit to go ahead with a new townhouse development in Melbourne's bayside Brighton.

They were supported by Bayside City Council at a VCAT hearing to be allowed to create the nine bedroom townhouse project on an amalgamated 1,463 sqm site.

In 2019 the team spent $4.6 million on an amalgamated 1,463 sqm site at 444 St Kilda Street Brighton and 40a Head St, Brighton which they bought for $4.6 million in 2019.

The $7 million development, designed by NTF Architect in landscaped surrounds by Jack Merlo, will comprise nine three bedroom, two level townhouses, each with private basement car parking.

The Urbis town planning report suggested the development presents a unique opportunity to create a distinct gateway to the City of Bayside.

"The townhouses provide a high level of internal amenity which will create a high end finished product."

Key Design Features

· Environmentally responsive design;

· North facing townhouses with deeper floor plates for allow for spatially and energy efficient floor plates;

· East, West facing townhouses 08 &amp; 09, offer wide frontages and shallow depths to allow ample light and ventilation to internal spaces;

· Recessed courtyards and second living zones create an innovative response in providing multiple living options both internally and externally for evolving family lifestyles.

· Considered building response to existing and future context;

· Careful consideration of surrounding residential typologies, aesthetics, scale and materials;

· Strong emphasis on communal and broader context landscape opportunities;

· Small number of dwellings;

· Sensitive residential streetscape interface;

· Equitable access to light, views and ventilation;

· Diversity of dwelling scales;

· Upper form setbacks to residential interfaces;

· Integrated landscape response provides ample space for large canopy trees.

Buxton recently secured approval for a <a href="/expert-insights/building/a-new-22-million-apartment-development-is-coming-to-toorak-find-out-whos-behind-it">$22 million apartment development in Toorak</a>.
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The $7 million development is designed by NTF Architect in landscaped surrounds by Jack Merlo


Find out which developer is behind Brighton's newest townhouse development

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Demand for apartments in the Gold Coast hotpsot 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.

That's the view of the local estate agents, who are even seeing old and ageing apartments sell for premium prices.

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.

"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.

"We have swathes of interstate buyers who think we are under-valued, and they are probably right."

Young says the problem in Burleigh is that there are very few three bedroom apartments on the market and those that are put on the market are snapped up very quickly.

“You only have to look at what happened with Spyre Group’s Natura project under construction at Burleigh Heads to see the demand, as they sold 25 apartments our of 33 in one weekend last year.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27699]

“But the market has gone north since then and people are prepared to pay big dollars to secure three bedders that are rare as hen’s teeth.”

There's also been big money sales away from the new luxury developments. An ageing three bedroom apartment on The Esplanade just sold for $2.5 million, more than $600,000 over its reserve.

There was another unrenovated apartment that sold for $1.5 million off-market.

Burleigh is set for a new development, 88 Burleigh, with Gold Coast development company Allure Property Corporation <a href="/expert-insights/buying/plans-lodged-for-new-burleigh-apartment-development-88-burleigh">lodging plans for the boutique luxury apartment project</a>.

Allure paid $13 million for the 809 sqm site on The Esplanade and have had DBI design the 27 apartment, 17 level tower wrapped in glass.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=92609]
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Adam Young of Burleigh Heads’ Black and Young Real Estate says he has never seen the market in Burleigh so strong



Downsizers descend on Burleigh Heads as apartment supply shortage becomes critical

The booming Gold Coast market is seeing apartment developers, flush with a flurry of quick sales, fast-tracking the&nbsp;proposed construction date of their new developments.

Cabana at Palm Beach, the luxury six&nbsp;level absolute beachfront block at 1 Nineteenth Avenue from Ignite Projects, is now expected to commence construction as early as June, having seen 23 of its 34 apartments sell within two weeks of its launch.

They sold for a combined $52 million, an average price of $2.26 million.

The Plus Architect-designed apartment building is now slated for completion in late 2022, rather than early 2023.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=84861]

Now Gold Coast developer Azzura are looking to fast-track construction of the first stage in their $2.3 billion Imperial Square development in Southport.

Part of the project will be a 108-level tower, set to be one of Australia&#39;s tallest buildings.

Azzura have seen over $22.5 million in sales since launching the Regal Residences which comprises 145 apartments and 200 hotel suites in an 18-level tower. 53 of the apartments have sold, with a further 15 reserved by potential buyers.

<a href="/new-apartments/regal-residences-imperial-square-59-73-meron-street-southport"><img alt="" height="1200" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/regal_residences.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

Construction will now start in the coming months, with Azzura reserving a further 15 apartments for exclusive potential buyers.

Azzura&rsquo;s sales director Jason Paris says if apartment sales continue at the current pace, all remining apartments could be sold within the next six to eight weeks.

&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve experienced a solid pace of inquiries for apartments in this debut offering at Imperial Square since January,&rdquo; said Mr Paris.

&ldquo;Local buyers have included a mix of first-home buyers and downsizers, all looking for the lifestyle this central location has to offer.&rdquo;

Interstate buyers account for about half of the sales which have been struck at an average price of $425,000 as buyers take advantage of the project&rsquo;s incredible value.

&ldquo;Many of these buyers have sought a solid investment that will deliver a positive cash flow, which is supported by a shortage of quality properties in central locations on the Gold Coast,&rdquo; said Mr Paris.

&ldquo;Some of the buyers plan to spend the winter months in their Regal Residences apartment and rent it for the rest of the year. Others plan to rent it for two or three years before eventually retiring on the Gold Coast.&rdquo;

Regal Residences presents buyers with a choice of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.

Residents will also receive an&nbsp;Imperial Cub membership, including a complimentary stay for a week over five years for a friend or relative in the Regal Residences hotel. Membership includes valet parking and discounted prices at bars and restaurants in the development.

&nbsp;

The booming Gold Coast market is seeing apartment developers, flush with a flurry of quick sales, fast-tracking the proposed construction date of their new developments.



Which Gold Coast apartment developments are being fast-tracked due to strong sales?

Australia&#39;s build to rent pipeline has grown by nearly 70 per cent over 2020, new research by CBRE has found.

Their Build-to-Rent development pipeline report showed a 68 per cent expansion, topping&nbsp;40 projects. The total number of units was approaching 15,000 &ndash; a new high for the asset class.

There was a&nbsp;28 per cent increase in new projects in the second half of last year relative to the first six months of 2020, the&nbsp;half-yearly profile of supply and development projects highlighted.

&quot;As the pipeline continues to expand, the aggregate size of the market is currently estimated to exceed $10 billion with an additional $3-5 billion in the pipeline currently under consideration or at various stages of due diligence&quot;, the reported noted.

The second half of the year saw the completion of&nbsp;Mirvac&rsquo;s&nbsp;Pavilions at Olympic Park&nbsp;in Sydney and Lateral Estate&rsquo;s first stage in Green Square.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7363]

Queensland also increased its share of the pipeline with new large scale schemes announced by Frasers and Mirvac following Gold Coast&rsquo;s lead which already has a number of BTR projects.

Melbourne remains the top investment destination geographically, due&nbsp;to its more accessible and affordable market for site acquisitions.&nbsp;Investors continue to pursue Sydney opportunities as Australia&rsquo;s premier gateway city.

&quot;We expect the momentum to be maintained with more projects announced as developers work through a pipeline of several thousand units currently under due diligence and taking advantage of recent tax reforms enacted in NSW and Victoria.

&quot;The effects of COVID-19, while having had a significant impact across the economy, appear not to have derailed many groups&rsquo; plans.

&quot;On the contrary, it may have stimulated further interest for BTR both from developers as well as investors, some of which are recording relative outperformance of BTR assets in their global portfolios.&quot;

[smartcode_project_cta: project_id=7363]

Melbourne remains the top investment destination geographically, due to its more accessible and affordable market for site acquisitions



Mirvac and Frasers drive soaring 2020 Build-to-Rent pipeline

First home buyers have been driving enquiry for the new Sutherland development Grand Vermont, which is nearing completion.

The 100-residence project&nbsp;at 48 Vermont Street, Sutherland, is being developed jointly by construction veterans and well known property developers Home Constructions and Holis.

Benson McCormack Architects have handled the design of the building, with a sleek and unique fa&ccedil;ade the stand out, with the curved architecture encapsulating residents from the street below.

<a href="/buildings/grand-vermont-48-vermont-street-sutherland"><img alt="" height="877" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/grand_vermont_sutherland_3.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

HAUS Agency Director, Alex Vrisakis, said the development offers all the comforts you need in a first home, or perhaps to downsize from the family home.

&nbsp;&ldquo;We&rsquo;re seeing first home buyers from all over Sydney take advantage of up to $30,000* in Government first home buyer support.&rdquo;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=89712]

Since its sales launch, Grand Vermont has sold over&nbsp;40% of apartments&nbsp;during the COVID-19 pandemic. Enquiries have come not just from within the Sutherland Shire, but from greater Sydney.&nbsp;

&ldquo;75% of enquiry on Grand Vermont has been from first home buyers, and 15% of enquiries have been from owner occupiers,&rdquo;&nbsp;Vrisakis said.

&ldquo;We&rsquo;re seeing interest not just the Shire, but areas like the North Shore, Inner West Corridor and the Illawara, from those looking for a sea change.&rdquo;

One bedroom apartments start from&nbsp;$550,000, with two bedrooms priced from $730,000, meaning there&#39;s no stamp duty to be paid on those bedroom configurations.

Three bedrooms start from $1.2 million.

The development is located 35 minutes by train to Sydney CBD, less than 5km to Westfield Miranda and&nbsp;Cronulla Beach.

Each of the one, two and three bedroom residences have been designed to capture as much light as possible.&nbsp;They all feature&nbsp;Fisher &amp; Paykel appliances and&nbsp;20mm Caesar Stone benchtops in the kitchen and&nbsp;Tongue n Groove engineered European oak flooring.

<a href="/buildings/grand-vermont-48-vermont-street-sutherland"><img alt="" height="895" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/grand_vermont_sutherland_2.jpg" width="1200" /></a>

There is a lush communal landscaped outdoor area for residents which keeps&nbsp;strata fees low.

In 2020, Sutherland Shire was voted the #2 most liveable location in Australia in a survey by market research leaders Ipsos.

Find out why first home buyers are flocking to new Sutherland apartment development Grand Vermont

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EXPERT OBSERVER

In the year to January, CoreLogic estimates that there were 459,308 properties transacted across Australia. Most of these sales were houses, rather than units.

It is not unusual for house sales to make up the majority of transactions, with houses making up an average 70.2% of annual sales volumes over the past decade. However, the share of houses as a portion of sales increased to 74.2% in the year to January 2021, up from 73.2% a year ago and 66.7% five years ago. Another way of thinking about it, is that for every 1 unit sold over the year, there were 2.9 house sales.

The table below shows the portion of sales over the year that were houses, compared with the decade average, for various regions. Most capital city and rest of state regions saw the portion of house sales elevated in the year to January, compared with the decade average. The general uplift in the share of sales that were houses through the year to January may be attributed to a few of factors.

<img alt="" height="959" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/house_portions_sales_.jpg" width="1600">

The introduction of HomeBuilder may have skewed demand toward houses. Since the announcement of HomeBuilder in June, new home sales have increased significantly. According to the HIA, new home sales in the December 2020 quarter were almost 100% higher than in December 2019.

However, the design of the scheme largely lent itself to new houses, as opposed to units. An example of this was the tight timelines for eligibility, where the commencement of a new property initially had to take place within three months of the contract date.

This meant the take up of the scheme was largely utilised for detached houses, rather than off the plan unit sales, with the latter requiring a number of purchaser commitments before the project commences.

This trend was reaffirmed in ABS dwelling approval data, where approvals for house builds were up 13.9% in the year to December 2020, compared with an -8.6% decline in units approvals. CoreLogic sales volumes only count new properties as sold upon settlement, so the portion of new home sales over 2020 may continue to trend even higher once new house builds are completed.

Eliza Owen is CoreLogic’s Head of Research Australia
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It is not unusual for house sales to make up the majority of transactions, with houses making up an average 70.2% of annual sales volumes over the past decade

The house always wins: why house sales vastly outstripped unit sales over the year

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

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

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

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

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

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

Parcel delivery is joining the apartment amenity checklist

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

Joel Robinson

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