Sydney House, the Sydney CBD's newest landmark, has been designed by not one, but two of Australia's most decoarted architecture practices.

BVN Architecture and FJC Studio joined forces to win the design competition for the project, a process required for new buildings in the City of Sydney local government area that cost over $100 million or exceed a certain height.

FJC Studio, led by Richard Francis-Jones, conceived the designs for the heritage podium and restoration of the original 1891 building, while BVN took care of 50-level protruding glass tower which will home 241 luxury apartments and a high-end hotel.

The former Pitt Street home of the City Tattersall Club is being redeveloped by joint venture partners <a href="/developers/first-sponsor">First Sponsor Group</a>, a listed Singaporean developer, and the Melbourne-based developer <a href="/developers/icd-property">ICD Property</a>, the developer behind several of Melbourne's tallest and most impressive apartment towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=12428 project_image_fid=312147]

The design of <a href="/new-apartments/sydney-house-by-city-tattersalls-club-194-204-pitt-street-sydney">Sydney House</a>&nbsp;pays homage to the late Victorian architecture of City Tattersalls Club and interprets its Free Classical style with contemporary grace.

BVN Architecture, led by Principal, Phillip Rossington and Matthew Blair, designed the tower with interiors by BVN Principal, Sally Campbell.

Seen from the street, there is an interplay between the arched windows of the heritage facades and the scalloped fenestration of the tower above.

“The fenestration has a rhythm inspired and inflected by the arched windows of the historic facades, subtly linking the forms while delineating new from old," Rossington says.

"This complementary approach enriches the reading of the heritage buildings, so they’re appreciated in a new light."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=12428 project_image_fid=312145]

The craftmanship of a bygone era is reinterpreted through a considered design language that filters through all levels of the hotel and tower.

Residents, patrons and hotel guests benefit from new levels of amenity with the stepped volumes creating expansive terraces and floorplans that draw natural light deep into the tower. Skyline vistas are available at every level while the penthouses enjoy panoramic views east across Hyde Park to the Heads, west to Darling Harbour, and north toward Circular Quay and Sydney Harbour.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=12428 project_image_fid=312146]

Richard Francis-Jones, Design Director of FJC Studio, says Sydney House is a "remarkable ensemble of beautiful street facades and interior spaces across four eras, from Victorian Free Classical to today."

"We have adapted and restored three heritage buildings and designed a new contemporary infill building that completes the Pitt Street composition and defines the distinctive identity of Sydney House.

“The new infill facade is distinctly modern, with a depth, compositional character and material richness that complements the exceptional detail and beauty of the three heritage facades. The Victorian and Inter-War Palazzo-style heritage facades have been carefully restored and enriched through new modern adaptive elements. &nbsp;

“New entrances, awnings, and shopfronts are refined contemporary designs inspired by the geometry and grandeur of the restored Art Deco rooms within. This integrated architectural approach extends to the interiors where the restored late Victorian and Art Deco spaces are complemented by a new grand staircase and public artworks, creating a cohesive and enriched experience for occupants and visitors in a unique multi-era, mixed-use Sydney House.”

Sydney House is being marketed through CBRE and is expected to launch later this year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=12428]

Richard Francis-Jones, Design Director of FJC Studio, says Sydney House is a "remarkable ensemble of beautiful street facades and interior spaces across four eras, from Victorian Free Classical to today."

Joel Robinson

BVN and FJC Studio’s architectural vision for Sydney House

There’s nothing quite like a new penthouse listing.

Beachfront apartment developments, particularly at the southern end of the Gold Coast, are incredibly rare. This makes the penthouses that crown developments like <a href="/new-apartments/pipis-bilinga-303-golden-four-drive-bilinga-qld-4225">PIPIS</a> even more unique.

Developer <a href="/developers/siera">SIERA</a> has been working toward the completion of the luxury 11-level Golden Four Drive development, located on the sands of Bilinga Beach. They are anticipating welcoming residents at the end of 2025. Now, they've released a first look inside the luxury two-level penthouses, which are expected to set a new apartment record for this quiet beachside suburb.

Each penthouse spans 446 sqm of internal and external living space across the top two levels of the Ellivo Architects-designed building.

The PIPIS Penthouse Collection is defined by high-end finishes, including natural stone, Navurban Balmoral and Plytec Blossom joinery, woodcut white-oiled natural timber, wool-textured loop carpet, and handmade feature tiles.

A sculptural spiral staircase serves as a striking focal point, complemented by a private lift offering seamless access between levels.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138311 project_image_fid=341447]

Floor-to-ceiling windows wrap almost entirely around the penthouses, framing panoramic views of the coastline. Each residence has been designed for indoor-outdoor living with four balconies and two entertainment areas, one of which is positioned on the rooftop and will be home to a private plunge pool with a sun deck.

The kitchens are appointed with premium appliances, including an induction cooktop, combination steam oven, speed oven, ZIP tap, InSinkErator, built-in coffee machine, and a butler’s pantry with a wine cellar.

The penthouses offer four spacious bedrooms, one of which is an expansive master suite with a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite.

Each penthouse includes four secure car spaces with EV charging, dedicated bike and surfboard storage, and a full-size laundry with an outdoor drying court.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138311 project_image_fid=264308]

PIPIS comprises just 17 half-floor apartments, as well as the two penthouses.

Residents of PIPIS will have access to a range of private ground-floor amenities, including a 15-metre heated lap pool with a sun lounge deck, a fully equipped gym with rowing, biking, and reformer Pilates facilities, as well as an outdoor rain-head shower and dog wash station.

PIPIS has been popular with owner-occupiers, downsizers, and investors from both Brisbane and the Gold Coast, while a handful of buyers have come from outside Sydney and Melbourne.

The highest settled sale price for an apartment in Bilinga is $4.6 million, in the recently completed Si Bilinga block, just a few doors down from PIPIS.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=138311]

PIPIS has been popular with owner-occupiers, downsizers, and investors from both Brisbane and the Gold Coast, while a handful of buyers have come from outside Sydney and Melbourne

PIPIS penthouses turn heads in Bilinga

The value growth in the unit market on the <a href="/developments/gold-coast-qld">Gold Coast</a> is starting to slow a touch, after a bull run that has stretched over five years.

Unit values rose 0.3 per cent in March, according to CoreLogic's Home Value Index, to reach a new record-high median of $836,000.

While still growing in value, the gains are softer than the 0.6 per cent growth in February and 0.5 per cent in January.

The&nbsp;<a href="/developments/gold-coast-qld">Gold Coast</a>&nbsp;unit market has been one of the best-performing in the country over the last five years. From the start of 2020 to the end of 2024, the median value of a unit has jumped 78 per cent, from $465,000 to $832,000.

<h2>What happened in the Gold Coast’s off the plan apartment market in March?</h2>

The Gold Coast off the plan unit market saw an increase in buyer demand in March.

Enquiries rose by 13 percent in March compared to February. Excluding January's large spike in enquiries, the March figures were the highest they’ve been in the past 12 months.

Views of Gold Coast projects in Q1 2025 were the highest since Q2 2023, with Surfers Paradise, Main Beach, and Palm Beach capturing the lion's share of the views.

Ashwin Property Director Tony Ashwin has seen strong demand in the northern Gold Coast at Kelyin and Kinstone's latest waterfront release in their Serentiy 4212 masterplan in <a href="/developments/helensvale-qld-4212">Helensvale</a>.

The new release,&nbsp;<a href="/new-townhouses/serenity-lakeside-villas-helensvale-6-lake-serenity-boulevard-helensvale-qld-4212">Lakeside Serenity 4212</a> Waterfront Villas, comprises just&nbsp;16 absolute waterfront homes, each with direct water access and a private pontoon.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149142 project_image_fid=324622]

The four-bedroom residences, featuring premium finishes and expansive lake views, have drawn significant interest from both local downsizers and Brisbane buyers seeking a coastal lifestyle with easy city access.&nbsp;

“The northern suburbs of the Gold Coast are in extremely high demand,” Ashwin says, highlighting that Helensvale is central to this growth.

“Helensvale is the only Gold Coast suburb with both heavy and light rail connections, offering residents easy access to Brisbane and the rest of the Gold Coast.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149142 project_image_fid=324623]

<a href="/builders/resort-homes">Resort Homes</a>&nbsp;is well advanced in construction of the homes, which will be ready for occupancy in Q3 2025.

&nbsp;

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/qld/high-demand-and-limited-supply-in-northern-gold-coast-drives-buyers-to-helensvales-lakeside-serenity-villas">High demand and limited supply in Northern Gold Coast drives buyers to Helensvale's Lakeside Serenity Villas</a>

Construction is also gathering steam at DD Living's popular&nbsp;<a href="/new-apartments/burly-residences-north-burleigh-264-268-the-esplanade-burleigh-heads">Burly Residences</a> in North Burleigh. The luxury beachfront development will comprise just over 100 high-end apartments, introducing a new standard of residential amenities to the area.&nbsp;

Designed by renowned Japanese architect <a href="/architects/koichi-takada-architects">Koichi Takada</a>&nbsp;with interiors by <a href="/interior-designers/mim-design">MIM Design</a>, Burly Residences will offer two, three, and four-bedroom apartments alongside two levels of six-star resort-style amenities. These include multiple swimming pools, a gym with a Peloton room, and private dining areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134791 project_image_fid=328212]

Gowdie Management Group is handling the construction of Burly Residences and is expecting to complete the build in 2027.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/qld/construction-commences-at-devines-luxury-burleigh-tower-burly-residences">Construction commences at Devine's luxury Burleigh tower, Burly Residences</a>

The pipeline of new apartments was also topped up in March. The most impressive plans came from <a href="/developments/main-beach-qld-4217">Main Beach</a> where&nbsp;<a href="/developers/gdi-group">GDI Group</a>&nbsp;is planning a luxury apartment development on Cunningham Avenue.

<img alt="First look: GDI Group plot two-level apartments in Main Beach" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Cunningham.png?VersionId=O8Zo4guRXRsWLaxXreN8Xix7ySPEPKo0" />

Approaching completion of their Drift Residences nearby, GDI Group is planning a 23-level building with just 10 two-level apartments, each featuring three bedrooms on the lower level and an open-plan kitchen, living, and dining area on the upper level.

Amenities will include a wellness centre and a pool, with Bureau Proberts designing a contemporary addition to Main Beach’s evolving skyline.&nbsp;

GDI is expected to oversee construction, having brought the build for Drift Residences in-house, a popular choice for developers in the current build environment.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/qld/first-look-gdi-group-plot-two-level-apartments-in-main-beach">First look: GDI Group plot two-level apartments in Main Beach</a>

Another builder-developer, the Brisbane-based <a href="/developers/bpg-developments">BPG Developments</a>,&nbsp;also has a new project on the horizon.

They are planning a return to the <a href="/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>&nbsp;with a 14-level tower on a double-block site across the Gold Coast Highway and a prized entry from Jefferson Lane.<img alt="First look: BPG Developments returns to Palm Beach new apartment market" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_auto/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/gold%20coast%20da.png?VersionId=2WnKIURE0J1ceRTfRntCUamzdrHV0DxR" />

The new development will include 71 two- and three-bedroom residences, three two-level townhouses, and resident amenities such as a pool and wellness space. Designed by <a href="/architects/plus-architecture" target="">Plus Architecture</a>, the project draws inspiration from Queensland’s coastal vernacular.&nbsp;

Situated next to the recently completed Village Palm Beach and near other upcoming projects, this development will add to the growing apartment supply in the sought-after Palm Beach market.

BPG completed Sable on Palm Beach, just up the road, in 2019.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/qld/first-look-bpg-developments-returns-to-palm-beach-new-apartment-market">First look: BPG Developments returns to Palm Beach new apartment market</a>

From the start of 2020 to the end of 2024, the median value of a unit on the Gold Coast has jumped 78 per cent, from $465,000 to $832,000.

City Beat March 2025: Gold Coast unit market continue to grow, but gains slow

Builder-developer&nbsp;<a href="/developers/scion">Scion Group</a>&nbsp;has officially broken ground on its new development that will reinvigorate an underutilized block of land just off Station Street.

Scion held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the occasion which was attended by industry partners.

The development, Chatham, at 2-6 Chatham Road, will feature 62 apartments across a six-level building designed by MX Architects. The building will activate the street level with four retail spaces that will complement the wider local area.

<img alt="Chatham" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="220879ad-2d40-458f-bbf2-edddeea9b396" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-04-01%20at%202.45.57%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=2zAb7AzTF9yikEZhfA_.csF8KAX.BhO6" />

There will be around 860 sqm of communal open space for residents, across the ground floor and rooftop, which will include terrace decking, seating, and barbecue facilities.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The site, formerly home to a service station, carwash, and mechanical workshop, underwent extensive remediation before construction. Scion acquired the land in 2021 for $14.1 million, securing a position with frontages to Chatham Road, Dickson Avenue, and Dickson Lane.

<img alt="Chatham" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="59e8d604-be31-4a20-a2c1-9df2c8677b84" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-04-01%20at%202.46.02%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=9dBYZMIg53z6f5JaFtHqs8not71CjT6s" />

<a href="/new-apartments/chatham-west-ryde-2-6-chatham-road-west-ryde">Chatham</a>&nbsp;is the first new apartment development in&nbsp;<a href="/developments/west-ryde-nsw-2114">West Ryde</a> with the new 10-year Latent Defects Insurance offered by Resilience Insurance.

The insurance, which is taken out by the developer, protects apartment owners for any structural or waterproofing issues that may occur within the first 10 years of the building's completion.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/what-is-latent-defects-insurance-and-is-it-bringing-confidence-to-the-off-the-plan-apartment-market">What is Latent Defects Insurance and is it bringing confidence to the off the plan apartment market?</a>

It is the second project where Scion, a family-run builder-developer with over three decades of experience, has been able to give LDI to its residents.&nbsp;

They're soon to complete The Sterling in Lane Cove North, the first development in that area to have LDI.

Chatham is expected to complete in 2026.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134269]

Scion breaks ground on Chatham, West Ryde's first new apartment development backed by Resilience Latent Defects Insurance

Sydney Anglican Property (SAP) will deliver two major housing projects that will bring nearly 260 social and affordable homes in <a href="/developments/bankstown-nsw-2200">Bankstown</a> and <a href="/developments/regents-park-nsw-2143">Regents Park</a>.

The successful bids, under the first round of the Federal Government’s Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF), means Sustainable Development Group, SAP's development partner, will now draw up development application plans for the much-needed social and affordable housing in Sydney’s south-west.&nbsp;

SAP CEO Ross Jones said that these projects are about more than just housing—they are about serving both congregations and the wider community.&nbsp;

“At SAP, our mission is to use church property to meet the needs of both current and future generations,"&nbsp;Jones said.

"We’re thrilled that these projects have been supported. They will provide secure homes for those in need, &nbsp;as well as vital ministry and community facilities for our growing congregations.&nbsp;

“We have been blessed with properties across Greater Sydney, provided through the faithfulness of previous generations. We now have an opportunity to activate these properties through the provision of social and affordable housing along with concurrent upgrading of church facilities to cater for the needs of modern churches."

The&nbsp;two projects, designed by <a href="/architects/plus-architecture">Plus Architecture</a>, are part of a wider urban renewal program across the Anglican Church’s Sydney Diocese aimed at activating church properties with a range of integrated social infrastructure.&nbsp;

“A lot of hard work and prayer has gone into making this happen, and securing these projects with the Housing Australia Future Fund has been the key to unlocking the feasibility of these developments. Now, we look forward to delivering the new homes and community spaces these areas desperately need.”&nbsp;

<img alt="Bankstown Chapel Road" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7d5e6f56-1a2f-46b1-80f2-69d9101257da" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Bankstown%20Chapel%20Road%20Elevational%20View.jpg?VersionId=Bw5KATdsWs8KDO05oNCfaQph4YpgONSh" />

A new era for Bankstown&nbsp;

On the current site of St Paul’s Anglican Church, Bankstown, SAP will deliver:&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>A brand-new church and ministry centre—a modern space for worship and community use with &nbsp;seating for up to 500.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>185 social and affordable housing units for essential workers, seniors, and women over 55. • A preschool to support young families.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Retail and commercial spaces, creating a vibrant new local hub.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>A family-sized apartment for the church’s Senior Minister and his family.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Rev Peter Ko, Senior Minister of St Paul’s Bankstown, is excited for what this means for the congregation &nbsp;and the community:

“St Paul’s has been a part of Bankstown for over 100 years, and we’re committed to remaining here for &nbsp;generations to come. Our current facilities are no longer fit-for-purpose, but this redevelopment ensures &nbsp;we can continue serving the local community while also helping address Sydney’s housing crisis. We’re &nbsp;incredibly grateful for this opportunity.”&nbsp;

A new chapter for Regents Park&nbsp;

At Regents Park, the former church site on Edwin St and Kingsland Rd will be transformed into:&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>74 social housing units – for single women over 55 and families in need of a stable, secure home.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Over 500 square metres of communal space (including a roof-top terrace) to foster connection among residents and host community-building activities organised by Anglicare and the church.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Rev Mike Doyle, Rector of St James Berala (which oversees Regents Park), sees this project as a new way to bless the community:&nbsp;

“With the site no longer used for gatherings, we wanted to ensure it is a blessing to our local community. And what better way to do that than by providing homes for those who need them most? This is the &nbsp;Anglican Church committing itself to the good of Regents Park. I can’t wait for the day when new &nbsp;residents move in – we’ll be ready to welcome them into a neighbourhood we love to call home.”&nbsp;

<img alt="Regents Park" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8528b904-9771-4a75-9a28-3f25b4f404a8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Regents%20Park%20Exterior%20View_2.jpg?VersionId=i.ZgEUvr88RebnZvgDc8aYzU.TAHmhgm" />SAP is partnering with Sustainable Development Group (SDG). SDG’s Managing Director, Richard Ollerhead said these significant projects demonstrate SDG’s mission to see faith-based landholdings activated through the delivery of essential social infrastructure.&nbsp;

“Under God, we consider it a great privilege and joy to continue our close partnership with churches, SAP and the project teams in the development of these community assets,” Ollerhead said.&nbsp;

“We are excited about the long-term transformational impacts these projects will have for generations of &nbsp;seniors, workers, children and families.”&nbsp;

Sydney Anglican Property to deliver affordable houses in Bankstown and Regents Park

Sydney Park is the go-to park for those living in inner-city Sydney.

The dog-friendly, 41-hectare park, on the border of St Peters, Newtown, Erskineville and Alexandria, is one of the largest parks in the Sydney metropolitan area, home to a breakfast kiosk, kids playground, and a skate park, as well as extensive walking paths.

Three of its four sides are either occupied by apartments or industrial buildings facing either Princes Highway, Sydney Park Road, or Euston Road.

There’s one small pocket at the south west corner of the park, Barwon Park Road, which is the only true residential street. The short 400-metre street, which falls into the suburb of St Peters, is only home to less than 100 dwellings, most of which are apartments in three low-rise complexes.

In May 2023, burgeoning developer <a href="/developers/princeton">Princeton</a> picked up a 758 sqm site on the rarely traded street. They demolished the original warehouse before commissioning Environa Studio&nbsp;to craft <a href="/buildings/sydney-park-terraces-st-peters-15-21-barwon-park-road-st-peters-nsw-2044">Sydney Park Terraces</a>, eight high-end terraces, four facing the park, and four fronting the adjacent Crown Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145252 project_image_fid=335255]

For the past 18 months, 3.5 Gold Star iCIRT-rated builder Coplex has been constructing the four-level terraces. The design is inspired by traditional terraces but without the maintenance challenges of older homes, some of which in this area date back more than a century.

The modern design adapts to the needs of 21st-century living, with each terrace featuring a lock-up garage—a rare but essential amenity in inner-city areas. The garage, capable of fitting two cars side by side, is located on the first level of the home.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145252 project_image_fid=344134]

Environa Studio, led by Tone Wheeler,&nbsp;focused on open-plan layouts to optimize space and natural light. The ground floor features a spacious kitchen, living, and dining area that opens onto a private landscaped garden. On the second level, two of the three bedrooms are located, while the master retreat, with a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite, spans the entire top floor. Each bedroom opens onto its own balcony.

In addition to the park’s proximity, residents of Sydney Park Terraces will be within easy reach of all the inner west has to offer. St Peters Station is just 500 metres away, only three stops from Central Station in Surry Hills.

Just beyond the train station is the vibrant King Street, known for its bustling nightlife, cafes, and restaurants. In the opposite direction, the Marrickville Metro shopping centre offers over 190 stores, including Woolworths, Coles, and Kmart, as well as various dining options.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145252 project_image_fid=338763]

Sydney Park Terraces offers a rare opportunity to purchase a brand-new townhouse in an inner-city area predominantly made up of older homes. As the cost of land in parkside locations in the inner west continues to rise, opportunities like this are becoming increasingly rare.

The opportunity to own something like Sydney Park Terraces in this area might not come around again.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145252]

For the past 18 months, 3.5 Gold Star iCIRT-rated builder Coplex has been constructing the four-level terraces

Sydney Park’s newest neighbours: Princeton unveils new terrace collection, Sydney Park Terraces

Seldom does an apartment development offer its residents both parkside living while also being within meters of significant transport connections and retail opportunities.

<a href="/buildings/irving-domain-box-hill-21-23-irving-avenue-box-hill-vic-3128">Irving Domain</a>, the newest apartment development in <a href="/developments/box-hill-vic-3128">Box Hill</a>, offers all three in abundance.

The new development on Irving Avenue, currently under construction and set for occupancy later this year, sits directly across the road from Box Hill Gardens, the largest park in the suburb, offering walking tracks, playgrounds, sports courts, and a one-kilometre running track around its boundary.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8569 project_image_fid=311426]

While Box Hill is already well-connected to wider Melbourne, with Box Hill Station just a six-minute walk from Irving Domain, residents will be even closer to greater transport connections soon, with the new Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) station being built directly under the park opposite.

The SRL is a 26-kilometre underground rail network that will connect Box Hill to Cheltenham, integrating seamlessly with existing transport options and allowing residents at Irving Domain faster and more convenient travel across Melbourne.

With a direct link to Monash University in just 12 minutes, the rail loop will enhance Box Hill’s status as a major employment, education, and lifestyle precinct.

This major infrastructure project is expected to double job opportunities in the area by the 2050s and facilitate the development of thousands of new homes.

The project also includes new pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, a linear park on Whitehorse Road, and upgraded plazas, ensuring residents of Irving Domain benefit from improved accessibility and an enhanced urban environment.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8569 project_image_fid=317419]

Box Hill is a suburb well known for its diversity, both in its population and its hospitality and retail offerings.

Box Hill Central, located just 500 meters south of Irving Domain, provides a diverse selection of shopping and dining experiences, particularly celebrated for its Asian cuisine. Highly-rated restaurants such as Zero Mode, Tang, and cafes like Second Wife, ae Melbourne, and The Penny Drop are within walking distance.

The area also boasts reputable educational institutions, including Box Hill Institute and Box Hill High School, and essential healthcare services, with Box Hill Hospital only two kilometers away.

Designed by <a href="/architects/dko-architecture">DKO Architecture</a>, Irving Domain offers one and two-bedroom apartments with high-quality interiors and functional layouts.

Residents will have access to a rooftop retreat with panoramic city views, complementing the natural greenery of Box Hill Gardens next door.

Construction is well advanced and is expected to complete in Q3 2025.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=8569]

Parkside and primed for growth: The strategic location of Irving Domain

The gap between Sydney's median house price and median unit price is growing once again, as the harbour capital bounces back from modest declines.

Interest rates have sparked momentum in the house market, which contracted by -0.9 percent for just three months before turning positive again in February with 0.3 percent growth, CoreLogic data shows.

CoreLogic's Monthly Home Value Index recorded another 0.5 percent gain in Sydney house values in March. Unit values, however, contracted by -0.1 percent.

The Sydney median house value is $1,473,000 compared to $852,000 for units, a gap of $621,000.

CoreLogic Research Director, Tim Lawless, says improved&nbsp;sentiment following the February rate cut is likely the biggest driver of the turnaround in values

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/nsw/city-beat-february-2025-sydney-property-downturn-ends-abruptly-as-rate-cuts-spur-price-growth">City Beat February 2025: Sydney property downturn ends abruptly as rate cuts spur price growth</a>

<h2>What happened in Sydney's off the plan market in March?</h2>

After two relatively quiet months to start 2025 in Sydney's new and off the plan property market, March saw an increased level of activity from developers, reacting to improved sentiment in the property market.

The month kicked of with the launch of Landream's <a href="/new-apartments/pyrmont-place-14-26-wattle-street-pyrmont-nsw-2009">Pyrmont Place</a> development, across the road from the $750 million Sydney Fish Market.

Pyrmont Place will comprise 237 apartments across four buildings at the gateway to Blackwattle Bay.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138909 project_image_fid=330855]

Designed by&nbsp;<a href="/architects/bvn-architecture" target="">BVN</a>,&nbsp;Pyrmont Place&nbsp;will include a childcare centre, a two-court indoor recreation centre, and a range of communal amenities including an outdoor pool, gym, music room, communal landscaped terraces, and open spaces designed by OCULUS.

The buildings have been designed to honour&nbsp;<a href="/developments/pyrmont-nsw-2009" target="">Pyrmont</a>’s industrial roots and sandstone heritage. Each building will feature a distinctive façade, creating a neighbourhood vibe that harmonises with the surrounding environment.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=138909 project_image_fid=330856]

There was similar fanfare for the launch of Lovedale Farm, the Hunter Valley's newest landmark destination.

<a href="/new-townhouses/lovedale-farm-1184-wine-country-drive-lovedale-nsw-2325">Lovedale Farm</a>, the new residential, resort, and golf community from Capital Corporation, brings a new residential offering to those seeking the Hunter Valley lifestyle. The opportunity has not been lost on those from Sydney and Newcastle, who have already snapped up over 60 per cent of the first release.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=14476 project_image_fid=334356]

In the heart of the Hunter Valley between Pokolbin and Rothbury, Lovedale Farm is a masterplanned golf development that will span an almost unrepeatable 240 hectares.

<a href="/developers/capital-corporation">Capital Corporation</a>&nbsp;has worked hand in hand with Cessnock Council and NSW Government for the best part of two decades to realise the vision for Lovedale Farm.&nbsp; The first release of residences will be accompanied by an 18-hole golf course designed by Darius Oliver, the designer known for projects like Cape Wickham on King Island.&nbsp; The masterplan includes a wider residential community, a boutique, high-end resort, destination dining precinct and apartments.&nbsp;&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=14476 project_image_fid=334210]

Buyers now have the chance to secure a slice of Lovedale Farm. Lot sizes range from 550 sqm up to 3,000 sqm. Prices for turnkey residences start from $1.35 million for three-bedroom homes on 550 sqm lots, lower than Sydney’s median house price of around $1.4 million.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/nsw/inside-lovedale-farm-hunter-valley-s-newest-landmark-destination">Inside Lovedale Farm, Hunter Valley’s newest landmark destination</a>

There was also fresh opportunity to buy at Sekisui House Australia's $1 billion Norwest masterplan, The Orchards.

They revealed <a href="/new-apartments/the-orchards-veue-grand-norwest-15-19-spurway-drive-norwest-nsw-2153">Veue Grand</a>, the final release of the fourth stage in the thriving community. Over 55 apartments were snapped, including a record-breaking four-bedroom penthouse sale worth over $4 million, which set a suburb record.

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With prices starting from $630,000, buyers came from a wide geographical reach including locals in&nbsp;<a href="/developments/norwest-nsw-2153">Norwest</a>, up to the northern beaches in Dee Why, across to Coogee in the east, and as far south-west as Picton.

More than 180 people attended the public launch to secure a nature-inspired apartment.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149249 project_image_fid=333202]

More supply is coming to the market soon as <a href="/developers/perifa">PERIFA</a>, part of Versatile Group which is also a builder, taking over the redevelopment of the former Balmain Leagues Club with investment partner&nbsp;Mitsubishi Estate Asia.

This year they will launch <a href="/new-apartments/rozelle-village-rozelle-152-victoria-road-rozelle-nsw-2039">Rozelle Village</a>, around 230 one, two and three-bedroom apartments alongside commercial, retail, communal open spaces and a long-awaited new home for the Wests Tiger’s Leagues Club.&nbsp;

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The landmark 7,330 sqm site has been derelict and closed to the community since 2010.&nbsp;

Deicorp is also continuing to put its foot on the gas. At the start of March, they were given the green light for the next stage of their masterplan in Castle Hill.

The developer will deliver 873 dwellings across five residential buildings in the East Showgrounds Precinct, next door to their now-under-construction 430-unit&nbsp;<a href="/new-apartments/hills-showground-village-castle-hill-2-mandala-parade-castle-hill" target="">Hills Showground Village</a>.

The new development will comprise of three buildings designed by GroupGSA and two designed by TURNER and will include arund 3,500 sqm of open public space in the form of landscaped courtyards, a public park and communal outdoor recreational space including a playground, barbeque area, and outdoor seating.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="/news/nsw/deicorp-secures-approval-for-east-showgrounds-castle-hill-apartment-project">Deicorp secures approval for East Showgrounds, Castle Hill apartment project</a>

<a href="/developers/deicorp" target="">Deicorp</a> also lodged a State Significant Development with the NSW Department of Planning for their first development in Macquarie Park.

They're planning a 17-level building with&nbsp;181 apartments on a&nbsp;<a href="/new-apartments/161-herring-road-macquarie-park">prime site</a>&nbsp;across 161 Herring Road and 13-15 Lachlan Avenue, a short walk from&nbsp;<a href="/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a>&nbsp;Metro rail station and shopping centre.

City Beat March 2025: Sydney price gap between houses and units grows as house prices surge

Broadbeach has remained one of the most popular suburbs on Urban for the past four years, not just on the Gold Coast but nationally. The market has experienced growth at both ends, with one and two-bedroom apartments in high-density towers selling as quickly as luxury half and full-floor apartments.

No developer has had a greater impact on the <a href="/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach apartment market</a> than <a href="/developers/morris-property-group">Morris Property Group</a>. Patriarch Barry Morris moved into the Gold Coast development market nearly two decades ago when he delivered Verve. Now, Morris is working on its ninth and tenth developments in the suburb, having completed their eighth over the summer.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113008 project_image_fid=318654]

The company is building at both ends of the market, with the recently completed <a href="/buildings/malo-broadbeach-8-jubilee-avenue-broadbeach-qld-4218">Malo</a> offering just 16 half-floor apartments on Jubilee Avenue. Another higher-end project, <a href="/new-apartments/maison-broadbeach-22-chelsea-avenue-broadbeach">Maison</a>, is currently under construction just 600 meters away on Chelsea Avenue, with 21 full-floor apartments.

The largest project is located on the sought-after Armrick Avenue, where Morris is developing <a href="/new-apartments/crest-broadbeach-13-armrick-avenue-broadbeach">Crest</a>—a dual-tower project with 339 apartments. Crest was one of the most popular on Urban in 2024, with the majority of the first tower already spoken for. Morris’ in-house building team has already started construction, with completion expected in mid-2027.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112024 project_image_fid=286004]

Sydney-based developer Iris Capital identified Broadbeach as the ideal suburb to break into the Queensland market. Iris Capital, led by billionaire hotelier Sam Arnaout, purchased the Niecion Plaza in 2021 and has since begun construction on the two towers development —<a href="/new-apartments/victoria-albert-broadbeach-20-albert-avenue-broadbeach">Victoria &amp; Albert</a>—that will replace the iconic commercial block. Iris is committed to honoring the site’s heritage, with a full retail precinct located beneath the 425 apartments.

"Choosing Broadbeach as the location for our V&amp;A project, in the vibrant heart of its dining and retail precinct, has allowed us to establish our brand with our first luxury venture into Queensland," Arnaout said. Iris launched the project in the middle of the pandemic, and of the first $200 million in sales, 80% went to interstate buyers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107928 project_image_fid=234102]

Colliers Residential Director David Higgins compares Broadbeach to one of Sydney’s most affluent harbour suburbs.

“Being from Sydney, I often think that Broadbeach is our Double Bay—with the dining, high-end retail, laneway cafes, beautiful Kurrawa parkland, the beach, and the unique amenities of Broadbeach, all within a five-minute walk,” he said.

Similar to Morris Property Group, Iris Capital is also using its own construction arm, Iris Built, to deliver Victoria &amp; Albert.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107928 project_image_fid=234097]

More supply is coming to the Broadbeach market in 2025 to hopefully satisfy the ongoing demand. The only new development to launch in 2025 so far is Affinity Broadbeach, the second local project by joint venture partners <a href="/developers/amalgamated-property-group">Amalgamated Property Group</a> and Base Developments. Affinity, located on Chelsea Avenue, will comprise 180 apartments on the same street as Nikiforides Family Park, between Kurrawa Beach and Pacific Fair Shopping Centre.

The two and three-bedroom apartments across the 39-level glass tower will feature open-plan layouts, with sizes starting from 115 sqm for the two-bedroom apartments and 180 sqm for the three-bedroom apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107690 project_image_fid=323744]

<a href="/new-apartments/affinity-broadbeach-40-46-chelsea-avenue-broadbeach">Affinity</a> will also include a heated outdoor pool set amid extensive landscaping, a gym, sauna, yoga spaces, and several communal lounges and private dining areas for residents' use. Carly Cottam, CEO of MOTIV Group, which is handling sales, says Affinity stands out by offering an affordable luxury option, perfectly positioned near the beach and vibrant dining and retail precincts.

“With such strong off-market interest to date, it is clear that demand for premium residences remains robust. Whether seeking a lifestyle retreat, downsizing, or rightsizing, buyers are drawn to the seamless blend of convenience and elegance that Affinity provides.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107690 project_image_fid=323199]

Busy developer <a href="/developers/polycell-group">Polycell</a> has two new Broadbeach projects in the pipeline, following the success of its debut Gold Coast apartment development, <a href="/new-apartments/the-rochester-broadbeach-143-surf-parade-broadbeach">The Rochester</a>. MOTIV has sold well over 80 percent of the 182 apartments in the 42-level building on Surf Parade.

More supply is coming to the Broadbeach market in 2025 to hopefully satisfy the ongoing demand

The Broadbeach new apartment boom, and what's in store for 2025

One of Melbourne's most garden-focused new neighbourhoods is one step closer to becoming a reality, with the design-driven developer <a href="/developers/milieu-property">Milieu</a> appointing Brady Constructions to build its Elsternwick development,&nbsp;<a href="/new-apartments/elsternwick-gardens-by-milieu-8-gordon-street-elsternwick-vic-3185">Elsternwick Gardens</a>.

The former ABC Studios buildings on Gordon Street have been demolished on the unique 11,740 sqm site that borders the iconic Rippon Lea Estate, a heritage-listed manor surrounded by heritage-listed gardens.

Brady Constructions, which is nearing completion of MAB Corporation's Merri Northcote riverfront project, will begin excavation on the Gordon Street site in the coming months.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136535 project_image_fid=288414]

Milieu recently launched the first stage of Elsternwick Gardens, Gordon Place, which includes the first two of six buildings in the community. These buildings have been expertly designed by Woods Bagot in collaboration with K.P.D.O, who is responsible for the interior design, and Oculus who is in charge of the landscaping.

<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/ENqjtquSQ30?si=9Zxw2SBpGNemskzz" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

The buildings are strategically positioned around the perimeter of the site, separated by large expanses of landscaped gardens and walkways. Milieu knew the importance of the neighbouring Rippon Lea Estate. They went to great lengths to create an extension of the gardens, that upon completion will be maintained by the gardeners of Rippon Lea Estate. . Residents will also have private, direct access from the new community to the neighboring gardens, which are over 140 years old.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136535 project_image_fid=288413]

There are one, two and three-bedroom apartments on offer at Gordon Place, designed with a focus on indoor and outdoor living, as well as sustainability.

All apartments will be fossil fuel-free, powered by renewable energy, and feature provisions for EV charging and water harvesting.&nbsp;Elsternwick Gardens will also include amenities such as wellness facilities, dog wash, and a hospitality offering.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=136535 project_image_fid=288415]

Milieu Managing Director Michael McCormack says appointing Brady Constructions was a major milestone in the development of Elsternwick Gardens.

“We are excited to see the builders commence on site to deliver this once-in-a-lifetime project which is immersed in nature with a truly unique community”, McCormack says.

“We are thrilled to see Brady Constructions commence on site. We see Elsternwick Gardens as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure an apartment in a truly unique community in this area.”

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=136535]

Milieu Managing Director Michael McCormack says appointing Brady Constructions was a major milestone in the development of Elsternwick Gardens.



Milieu appoints builder for Elsternwick Gardens neighbourhood

Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

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Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150713 project_image_fid=373827]

Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

&nbsp;

Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

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Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.

"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.

"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357463]

Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357469]

Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."

Sherpa recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151449]

Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=368645]

Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=358802]

La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=364551]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134951]

La Vera closes in on completion as Macquarie Park continues residential transformation

Brisbane developer Red &amp; Co's decision to include dual key apartments in its debut Gold Coast apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/como-varsity-lakes-22-lake-street-varsity-lakes-qld-4227">COMO Varsity Lakes</a>, is proving to be one of the project's biggest drawcards, with buyers quickly snapping up the flexible residences.

More than half of the project's 36 dual key apartments have already sold, helping drive COMO beyond the 50 per cent sold mark within the first month of launch.

The strong response highlights growing demand for apartment designs that can adapt to changing lifestyles, with buyers increasingly looking for homes that accommodate multi-generational living, provide rental income opportunities or simply offer greater flexibility over time.

Located on the shores of Lake Orr, COMO will deliver 156 apartments across 16 levels, with the dual-key residences forming a limited release within the broader development.

Each combines a primary two-bedroom apartment with a fully self-contained studio on a single title, connected by a shared foyer and lockable internal door. The design allows owners to house ageing parents, adult children or guests while maintaining privacy, or lease the secondary residence to generate additional income.

Just 17 of the original 36 dual key apartments remain available.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=367096]

The innovative configuration combines two fully self-contained residences on a single title, typically comprising a primary two-bedroom apartment alongside a separate studio residence, connected via a shared foyer and lockable internal door.&nbsp;

The model is proving particularly attractive to owner occupiers navigating changing family dynamics and the realities of the current housing crisis.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363511]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/npa">NPA</a>&nbsp;CEO Andrew Erwin said dual key living was resonating strongly with modern buyers because it delivered both financial flexibility and practical lifestyle benefits.&nbsp;

“The housing crisis and rising cost of living are fundamentally changing how Australians think about home ownership,” Erwin said.&nbsp;

“Dual key apartments provide a genuine solution for families who want to stay connected while maintaining independence. Parents can help adult children save for a future home, ageing parents can remain nearby without moving into aged care, and owners still retain privacy and flexibility.

“Importantly, buyers are also recognising the financial advantages. It creates the opportunity to generate additional income from part of the home without the holding costs associated with owning a separate investment property.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363509]

Unlike traditional dual occupancy arrangements, the residences operate under a single title, meaning owners only incur one set of body corporate fees, council rates and holding costs.&nbsp;

The secondary residence can also evolve over time - functioning as guest accommodation, a home office, creative studio or private retreat before later becoming an income-producing asset.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/red-co">Red &amp; Co</a>&nbsp;Director and Co-Founder David Laverty said the strong early sales reflected growing buyer urgency and changing priorities within the market.&nbsp;

“Securing more than half of COMO’s residences within such a short timeframe is an outstanding result and a clear endorsement of both the design and location,” Laverty said.&nbsp;

“Buyers are responding to the combination of location, connectivity and amenity, but ultimately it’s value relative to other East Coast markets that is driving enquiry.”&nbsp;

“We’re also seeing strong interest from owner occupiers looking for homes that can adapt with them over time. Flexibility has become one of the most important considerations for buyers in today’s market.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363515]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>, COMO features a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom residences with 2.7-metre ceilings and larger-format floorplans aimed at owner occupiers, downsizers and lifestyle-focused buyers.&nbsp;

The development will feature an extensive rooftop recreation and wellness offering including a 25-metre lap pool, sundeck, barbecue and dining areas, gym, sauna, plunge baths, landscaped gardens, wellness spaces and rooftop pickleball and paddleball courts.

The remaining dual key apartments range from 137 sqm to 167 sqm and include generous three-bedroom layouts with separate self-contained studio accommodation and dual parking.&nbsp;

Erwin said the dual key concept represented a broader shift in how Australians would live in the future.

“People want homes that can evolve with their lives,” he said.&nbsp;

“A dual key apartment can suit a family today, support an ageing parent tomorrow, and potentially generate income later on. That adaptability is becoming incredibly valuable in the current environment.”

Prices currently range from $2,115,750 to $2,583,000.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135546]

Inter-generational living drives demand for COMO’s dual key apartments as housing pressures reshape buyer priorities 

Builder-developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ceerose">Ceerose</a> has doubled down on its Leichhardt ambitions, lodging its second State Significant Development Application (SSDA) in the suburb in the last six months.

Their newest proposal seeks to transform a former industrial precinct into a new residential community centred around the adaptive reuse of one of the site's heritage warehouse buildings.

The new project, on a 6,930 sqm block at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/40-76-william-street-leichhardt-nsw-2040">40–76 William Street</a>, will bring more than 200 apartments to a suburb that has seen little to no new supply in recent years. It follows Ceerose's late 2025 SSDA for a mixed-use apartment project on nearby Parramatta Road, signalling the developer's growing investment in Sydney's Inner West.

Ceerose Founder Edward Doueihi told Apartments.com.au the developer’s long-standing presence in Leichhardt and the Inner West had given it a strong understanding of how the area has evolved and where its future opportunities lie.

“Ceerose has had a long-standing presence in Leichhardt and the Inner West, giving us a unique understanding of the area’s evolution and future potential,” Doueihi said.

“Having delivered projects throughout the region, we have witnessed the suburb’s transformation first-hand and understand the opportunities for its continued growth.”

Doueihi said that understanding also informed the planning process, with a comprehensive Stakeholder Engagement Outcomes Report prepared before the application was lodged.

The report identified the key issues and concerns raised by neighbouring residents and other stakeholders, allowing those matters to be considered and incorporated into the design where appropriate.

He said the delivery of additional housing would also play an important role in supporting the revitalisation of Norton Street and the Italian Forum.

“By increasing the local residential population, the development is expected to strengthen demand for local businesses, encourage further investment, and help restore the vibrancy that made the precinct a thriving destination in the early 2000s.”

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7258c54c-8167-479e-8361-2d5fca9915b4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010B%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%202.jpg?VersionId=S9DQfxu_jpcB5LrAEYFUbyMzg5odW6i5" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a>, the redevelopment would involve the demolition of four existing industrial buildings while retaining and adaptively reusing the site's most significant warehouse. The retained structure would anchor a new residential precinct comprising five interconnected buildings arranged around a large central landscaped courtyard, with heights stepping from five storeys along the surrounding residential streets to 11 storeys at the William Street corner.

According to the Architecture Design Report by Woods Bagot, the proposal "seeks to create a residential village centred around a generous green heart while celebrating the site's industrial heritage through the adaptive reuse of the existing warehouse building."

The development would comprise 203 apartments, with 188 proposed as build-to-sell residences, alongside 15 affordable housing apartments.

Rather than treating the retained warehouse as a standalone heritage object, Woods Bagot has sought to weave the site's industrial history throughout the masterplan. The proposal retains the north and west facades of the landmark corner warehouse, while new buildings reinterpret the site's brick-and-steel industrial language through their material palette and architectural expression.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9e8c64c2-881b-49e1-8c90-6b6acaaa45b6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010C%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%203.jpg?VersionId=Qm8_8H_Xrg_sc4Mdjc59vlAcKF_5wRTb" />

The design is organised around what Woods Bagot describes as a "green heart", a landscaped communal open space that reinstates the leafy character removed when the site became an industrial storage facility. A new pedestrian laneway running through the site would improve permeability between William, North and Francis streets, linking residents through landscaped public spaces while activating the ground plane.

Residents would have access to communal gardens and shared recreation areas distributed throughout the development. Sustainability has also been prioritised, with the project targeting an average 7.9-star NatHERS rating. Proposed initiatives include rooftop solar generation, rainwater harvesting, passive solar design, naturally ventilated lobbies, extensive cross-ventilation and the reuse of existing building fabric to reduce embodied carbon.

The adaptive reuse strategy became a defining feature of the application after heritage investigations found only one of the site's industrial buildings could feasibly be retained. The Heritage Impact Statement concludes that preserving the key warehouse façades while referencing the site's industrial character throughout the new development provides an appropriate balance between renewal and conservation.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="efffafdb-594f-4e2b-a067-921fd51c05e1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010D%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%204.jpg?VersionId=DPmE4.k16YRt0i27hEZVtJAffarpvUfx" />

"Retention and adaptation of the site buildings has been explored but found not to be feasible except for the tallest building, whose street facades will be retained," the heritage report states.

"The proposed building will interpret the brick and steel character of the subject site, including reuse of some components and construction of a large 'sawtooth' structure in the proposed open space."

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3bfef2b5-83f5-40cd-9cab-767092f34266" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010E%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%205.jpg?VersionId=7asb3i_ql4ybbuJOUb5UHBEIy0Q9t.DF" />

The William Street site is located around 300 metres from Leichhardt North Light Rail station and a short walk to Norton Street's retail, dining and hospitality precinct. The surrounding area has increasingly become a focus for urban renewal given its proximity to public transport and the Parramatta Road corridor.

Doueihi founded Ceerose in 1998 and has grown the business to become one of Sydney's more active apartment developers in recent years, with completed projects including The Alex Collective in Alexandria, Abbie's Lane in Annandale, and the award-winning Munro House in Elizabeth Bay. They are currently delivering Belgravia, 17 luxury apartments in Potts Point.

Joel Robinson

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