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There is little doubt the Sydney auction market has started out a lot better in February, than it finished off last December.
At this stage, four weeks in, the positivity has been more evident from the auction clearance rate being on the rise, than prices making any advances.
February typically suffers none of the inbuilt end of year fatigue. Saturday's preliminary clearance sat at over 70 percent.
You never know, but prices could spurt again, especially if our fresh stock levels stay low after the upcoming early Easter break, and the banks begin to ease up on their lending.
It would not be a second wind for prices, because we've already seen that many times, just when the market seemed destined to head backwards.
Sydney is highly resilient when it comes to property price momentum, often catching forecasters out of step.
I was thinking of the contributing mix, intrinsic and not so, when I popped a few questions to Harry Dent, one of the world’s most controversial economic futurists.
He is currently touring Australia. Last time he toured in 2014, Dent's worst case scenario was for a post-China bubble burst impacting on Sydney with property prices possibly set to collapse by as much as 60 percent.
His controversial forecasts were labelled as scaremongering by many commentators including Chris Joye.
Dent's earlier 2011 crash forecast also saw the founder of wealth manager Yellow Brick Road Mark Bouris counter the claims. 
In 2011 on David Koch’s Sunrise program, Dent urged viewers to sell their homes before the 50 percent crash in prices arrived at their doorsteps after a China crash hits our shores.
He will be pursuing the same message this time around.
I told Dent that dwelling prices in Sydney now sit at around a $895,000 median, up from $610,000 in early 2014.
The median represents a significant 46 percent rise since Dent's last warning, and an 80 percent rise since his 2011 warning.
Pressed by me, Dent admits he was wrong through he sticks to the yet-to-occur outcome, merely adjusting the timing of his dire forecast.
"I was wrong, how about that," he said.
"I'm early."
Australia will burst whenever the China bubble bursts, he says.
Dent warns many won't see it coming, and adds that real estate, unlike the stockmarket, won't have any easy escape route, and its recovery will take much longer.
"This is not a normal bubble," he suggests noting the global real estate bubble had extended well beyond typical lengths.
He argues the global bubble has been caused by central banks printing money, not just low interest rates.
Dent says suggests central banks can't keep printing money for ever.
"What's not different is by every measure, is these are bubbles.
"Chinese real estate is a bubble.
"The Sydney real estate is a bubble." 
"Better to get out a little early," he will be telling his 2018 audiences.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Harry Dent says he was early with his dire Sydney price collapse forecast

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Tim Heavyside was "doing the best possible job for vendor clients," RateMyAgent co-founder Mark Armstrong said in defence of the website's controversial naming of the underquoter as RateMyAgent's 2018 agent of the year.
"Underquoting works! That’s the reality," Armstrong said.
"To market a property effectively and auction it for the highest possible price, the agent must pitch the advertised price below the level they believe buyers will be prepared to pay in an openly competitive arena," he said.
The 2018 agent of the year winner, Tim Heavyside is a director of Fletcher &amp; Parker, which was slapped with a $880,000 penalty by the Federal Court last December.
The Federal Court judge pinpointed Heavyside as involved in 15 of Fletchers’ 22 proved underquoting contraventions which resulted in the state's record fine against an estate agency.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/2/23/heavyside.jpg" alt="">
The Federal Court ruling concluded Fletchers’ directors and sales consultants in its Canterbury and Blackburn offices acted with a "cavalier disregard for legal obligations that they well understood."
But RateMyAgent co-founder Mark Armstrong said in a blog that "like it or not, buyers have conditioned themselves to the practice of underquoting."
"Applying misleading and deceptive conduct provisions to the widespread pre-auction practice known as underquoting is fraught with problems," he said.
The website launched in June 2014. It recently launched into the US market.
The RateMyAgent Agent of the Year Awards are designed to recognise agents and agencies who provide excellent client service.
It’s based on the number of positive client reviews posted on RateMyAgent as a proportion of each agent’s total sales for the previous calendar year.
Armstrong noted the fine related to 22 of 2,004 available sales files over the period of investigation back in 2014–2015. 
"In other words, just one per cent of sales at Fletchers during that time incurred a fine," he said.
"The fines could cause a disproportionate level of misunderstanding amongst the public, when in fact Tim Heavyside and other agents are doing the best possible job for their vendor clients," Armstrong suggested.
"We now have the ridiculous scenario of two principles of consumer law working against each other.
"On one hand, a selling agent is contractually obligated to the vendor, not the buyer. 
"At the same time, putting the onus on agents to advertise the expected selling price gives them a de facto responsibility to advise buyers – a clear contradiction."
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Rate My Agent boss defends award to underquoter Tim Heavyside

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Auction houses are understandably fielding inquiries as to whether they keep client money in an audited trust account ever since the collapse last December of Mossgreen.
Sotheby’s, Bonhams, Menzies and Deutscher and Hackett say they do – although there is no industry standard.
“Trust accounts should absolutely be a requirement,” Chris Deutscher of Deutscher and Hackett has told The Australian Financial Review.
“The law should be changed, we’ve just seen the reason why.”
The Australian Financial Review Magazine has revealed that Paul Sumner's Mossgreen lost money for five years before it went under last December.
Its client account, where funds from auctions were held before being disbursed to vendors, had a shortfall back to December 2013, it reported this week, having previously reported, in a 2016 Australian Financial Review profile, that Mossgreen's turnover had impressively grown from about $10 million in 2013 to $39.6 million in 2015. 
But the paper now reports Mossgreen’s competitors – Sotheby’s, Deutscher and Hackett, Menzies, Bonhams – had for years "wondered how the company was staying afloat and keeping on the lights in its sumptuous Melbourne and Sydney showrooms."
At its peak in early 2017, Mossgreen had 55 staff, almost double Sotheby’s which auctioned three times as much.
The paper suggested Mossgreen had some blockbuster auctions, that "raised only a few hundred thousand dollars, well below the $1 million that industry veterans say is needed for an auction to make money."
“It can cost you as much to auction off a $600 piece of Royal Doulton as it does to sell a $10,000 painting,” noted Mark Fraser, who suggested Mossgreen had spent too much on its premises.
“If you’ve got good stuff to sell, you can sell it in a tin shed, you don’t need fabulous auction rooms,” the former chairman of auction house Bonhams, Fraser, and now an independent art consultant said.
Sumner started Mossgreen in 2004 by briefly selling artworks from the walls of his rented Macleay Regis, Potts Point apartment, the same building as the Sydney society family, the Copplesons’ who were among his final auction content vendors.
Mossgreen contractually paid clients after 60 days, double the standard 30 days.
It used money in its client account as a spare line of credit with the shortfall, according to two of the AFR sources, growing.
An ownership change inside Mossgreen’s business in July meant the shortfall became a big problem, it noted.
It was when Jack Gringlas sought to stop funding its losses. By 2017 he had lent $6 million to Mossgreen.
In 2013 he invested $1.6 million into Mossgreen in return for 40 per cent equity. Charles Leski bought 20 per cent, leaving Sumner with the rest.
Last July Gringlas and Leski sold their combined 60 per cent to Sumner for $2.4 million, the same price they had paid.
Gringlas agreed he could pay in four years’ time and reportedly also gave Sumner two years to find new backers so Mossgreen could pay back the $6 million.
Documents obtained by Property Observer indicated Paul Sumner's auction house owes its auction vendors $6.8 million, which is $1 million more than administrators calculated ahead of the first creditors' meeting last month.
Toorak businessman Jack Gringlas​ remains the biggest secured creditor, being owed $6 million. 
The administration came December 21 following failed fundraising attempts.
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Sumner, who did not attend the first meeting, blamed the current circumstance on growing "a little bit fast."
There were 330 creditors initially identified at the meeting who were told no law required trust accounts for the auction proceeds.
<div title="Page 5">
The names of the creditors are a who's who from across Australia, ranging from passionate collectors, socialites, low key business tycoons to deceased estates.
</div>
The biggest unsecured creditor stemmed from the auction of a book collection.
Some $1.75 million is owed to the family of <a href="http://www.mossgreen.com.au/content/event/the-collection-of-martin-copley-am/" target="_blank">the late wealthy insurance underwriter Martin Copley</a> who auctioned off the books in October.
His auction items included John Gould's monumental The Birds of Australia, a large folio in eight volumes with 681 hand-coloured lithographed plates, bound in dark green morocco by Riviere, an original subscriber's set, which sold at $446,400 including premium.
The second biggest client was another deceased estate, that of the late South Australian building industry icon Alan Hickinbotham and his late wife Margaret. 
It was billed as the highest value collection ever to be sold in Adelaide when auctioned in May by Mossgreen's chief, Paul Sumner.
Sydney's society Coppleson family were listed as owed $465,000, the third highest-owed creditor.
It followed the sale of the contents of the Macleay Regis penthouse, home of the late esteemed gynaecologist Professor Malcolm Coppleson and his late wife, Patricia, who was Vogue Living’s editor-at-large.
The 172 <a href="http://www.mossgreen.com.au/content/event/the-malcolm-and-patricia-coppleson-collection/" target="_blank">lots included </a>the sale of a $192,200 Ian Fairweather work which had an $80,000 to $120,000 price guidance. A Tim Maguire fetched $117,800.
Mossgreen's last auction on December 7 last year was the contents of the Sheehy family with just 274 of the 438 lots being sold. The family, who are owed $45,000, inquired at the meeting whether Sumner's passport would be surrendered.
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Mossgreen was losing money for five years before collapse

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Sydney dwelling prices have gone nowhere in the past year.
That's according to the latest index which today shows 0 percent change.
The price momentum has been waning for months, and on Monday sat at just 0.5 percent growth.
Melbourne retains its place as the best performing capital city.
Sydney was leading around this time last year with 16 percent annual growth.
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 20
<table><thead><tr>
<td colspan="5">CoreLogic Daily Home Value Index - 20.02.2018
</td>
</tr></thead></table>
<table data-is-responsive="true" data-responsive-trigger-width="767">
<thead><tr>
<th width="47">City (All Dwellings)</th>
<th width="47">Today's Index Value</th>
<th width="47">Change Day on Day</th>
<th width="47">% Change Qtr on Qtr</th>
<th width="47">% Change Yr on Yr</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody id="dailyIndices">
<tr>
<td title="ASX trading code SYDD">Sydney</td>
<td>170.45</td>
<td>-0.02</td>
<td>-2.68%</td>
<td>0.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td title="ASX trading code MELD">Melbourne</td>
<td>156.52</td>
<td>-0.01</td>
<td>-0.16%</td>
<td>+7.25%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td title="ASX trading code BRID">Brisbane (inc Gold Coast)</td>
<td>109.47</td>
<td>+0.05</td>
<td>+0.23%</td>
<td>+2.04%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td title="ASX trading code ADED">Adelaide</td>
<td>113.24</td>
<td>0.00</td>
<td>+0.03%</td>
<td>+2.29%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td title="ASX trading code PERD">Perth</td>
<td>94.79</td>
<td>-0.03</td>
<td>-0.48%</td>
<td>-2.93%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td title="ASX trading code AUSD">5 capital city aggregate</td>
<td>144.45</td>
<td>0.00</td>
<td>-1.26%</td>
<td>+2.29%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table><tfoot><tr>
<td colspan="5"> </td>
</tr></tfoot></table>
MONDAY FEBRUARY 19
<div>
<table><thead><tr>
<td colspan="5"> </td>
</tr></thead></table>
<table data-is-responsive="true" data-responsive-trigger-width="767">
<thead><tr>
<th width="47">City (All Dwellings)</th>
<th width="47">Today's Index Value</th>
<th width="47">Change Day on Day</th>
<th width="47">% Change Qtr on Qtr</th>
<th width="47">% Change Yr on Yr</th>
</tr></thead>
<tbody id="dailyIndices">
<tr>
<td title="ASX trading code SYDD">Sydney</td>
<td>170.47</td>
<td>-0.09</td>
<td>-2.73%</td>
<td>+0.05%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td title="ASX trading code MELD">Melbourne</td>
<td>156.53</td>
<td>+0.01</td>
<td>-0.15%</td>
<td>+7.28%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td title="ASX trading code BRID">Brisbane (inc Gold Coast)</td>
<td>109.42</td>
<td>0.00</td>
<td>+0.17%</td>
<td>+2.03%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td title="ASX trading code ADED">Adelaide</td>
<td>113.24</td>
<td>+0.03</td>
<td>+0.04%</td>
<td>+2.35%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td title="ASX trading code PERD">Perth</td>
<td>94.82</td>
<td>-0.02</td>
<td>-0.44%</td>
<td>-2.88%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td title="ASX trading code AUSD">5 capital city aggregate</td>
<td>144.45</td>
<td>-0.04</td>
<td>-1.29%</td>
<td>+2.32%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table><tfoot><tr>
<td colspan="5"> </td>
</tr></tfoot></table>
</div>
The patented CoreLogic Daily Home Value Index is part of the suite of housing market indices produced by CoreLogic.
Since the launch of hedonic home value indices in 2007, CoreLogic established a new quality benchmark for accurately measuring value changes across the Australian housing market.
The CoreLogic Daily Home Value Index aims to measure daily movements in the value of Australian housing markets.
Rather than relying solely on transacted sale prices to provide a measure of housing market conditions, the CoreLogic Daily Home Value Index is based on a ‘hedonic’ methodology which includes the attributes of properties that are transacting as part of the analysis. Understanding factors such as the number
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Sydney's annual price growth has gone no-where in past year: CoreLogic daily index

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Ipswich, the urban district south west of Brisbane, provided the nation's cheapest weekend buying opportunity.
It <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-north+booval-127367070" target="_blank">was a $155,000 sale</a> of a three bedroom house on 1047 sqm (above).
But it was only for the brave renovator or buyer prepared to start from scratch after its demolition.
Buyers who could "look past first impressions" and "know value when they see it" were encouraged to inspect, LJH agent Nick Ryan suggested.
The sale price represented a loss as it had last traded at $172,500 in 2006.
Its price was just above its $139,000 official land value. 
Meanwhile the national auction clearance rate edged up to 69.1 per cent across the capital cities as auction activity ramped up this week.
CoreLogic calculated some 1,963 homes were taken to auction, increasing from the 1,490 auctions held the prior week when 63.7 per cent of offerings found buyers under the hammer.
"Volumes are increasing at a slower pace," CoreLogic auction analyst Kevin Brogan said, noting on the same weekend last February there had been 2,291 offerings.
Sydney’s success rate soared back into the 70s with a 74.3 per cent clearance rate. 
"It was well above the trend over the final quarter of 2017 where auction clearance rates were tracking in the low 50 per cent range," Brogan said.
But it was on subdued volume as the 718 offerings was down on the 856 at the same time last year.
Sydney had the nation's top sale when $5,390,000 was paid in Strathfield for <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-strathfield-127278270" target="_blank">12 Elwin Street</a>. Devine selling agent Greg Emerton said it had been in the same family for 48 years. It was a solid two storey double five bedroom brick home on 1347 sqm.
A six-bedroom Hunters Hill home of health cookbook author Martyna Angell and her husband Matthew Candrick was another pricey Sydney sale (below).
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/2/19/hunters.jpg" alt="">
It fetched $3.685 million after the architect-designed<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-hunters+hill-127359002" target="_blank"> Park Road</a> home was called on the market at $3.65 million.
Redesigned by Mark Armstrong in 2008, the home had previously traded at $2.22 million in 2013.
Sydney's cheapest result was an eastern suburbs studio apartment, for the second consecutive week.
The 28 square metre studio apartment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-studio-nsw-centennial+park-127301106" target="_blank">7E/105 Cook Rd, Centennial Park</a> fetched $390,000 pre-auction (below).
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/2/19/cent.jpg" alt="">
"It was an undercapitalised property easily accessible to Bondi Junction and the CBD," selling agent Felice Cotroneo said. 
There had been a $506,000 at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-studio-nsw-paddington-127322498" target="_blank">11/339 Oxford Street</a> on the prior weekend for a 21 square metre offering.
Melbourne's cheapest sale was also a studio apartment which sold at $230,000.
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-studio-vic-elwood-127378518" target="_blank">22/131 Glen Huntly Rd, Elwood</a> offering had been tipped to fetch between $220,000 to $240,000.
Melbourne, where 923 properties went to auction, up from 619 on the prior weekend, recorded a steady 70.7 per cent preliminary clearance rate. 
"This was the first week in some time where Sydney has outperformed Melbourne," Kevin Brogan noted.
Melbourne's top sale was a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-toorak-127385682" target="_blank">32A St Georges Road, Toorak</a> that sold for its reserve price of $3.2 million.
It had been marketed as having a $2.9 million to $3.19 million price guidance.
There were two bidders with an Australian investor living offshore securing the offering against bidding from a locally based Chinese family, Domain advised.
It was a 1930s Geoffrey Sommers designed residence with more recent renovations by Nicholas Day.
A knockdown four bedroom weatherboard home on <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-south+yarra-127393726" target="_blank">a 436 sqm block in South Yarra</a> fetched $3.03 million.
It had been tipped to fetch between $2.4 million and $2.6 million.
Adelaide recorded a preliminary auction clearance rate of 67.3 per cent. Prices ranged from $265,000 in Morphett Vale to $1,316,999 at Rose Park.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-sa-rose+park-127469594" target="_blank">The 16 Grant Av, Rose Park result</a> was well above the $1.1 million expectations for the four bedroom 1900 sandstone offering.
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Studio apartments and knockdowns popular at weekend auctions

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International fashion designer Collette Dinnigan and husband, the hotel and tourism entrepreneur, Bradley Cocks, have sold one of their money-spinning Milton farmstays.
The NSW South Coast property had been a lucrative investment for the pair, who pocketed over $80,000 a year from vacationers, when pitching it as Milton Surf and Stables.
They're now focused on setting up an international boutique tourism operation in key locations around the world, w.hich includes the neighbouring Milton property, The White House. 
Last year they popped a 400 year old farmhouse in Italy into their bespoke home portfolio.
The Puglia property, in Italy's southern region near Naples, was viewed as suiting their brief for a luxury Airbnb type portfolio.
The Milton property piqued the couple's interest in the premium holiday home industry.  
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/2/19/milton3.jpg" alt="">
Once a dairy farm, the property near Mollymook and Ulladulla had been styled by Dinnigan after the couple paid $970,000 for the 11 hectares in 2013.
They were seeking offers through Simon Platt, who is based at the burgeoning Lifestyle Property agency.
Billed as offering an urban-detox experience in an idyllic setting, the well managed retreat enjoyed super host status on Airbnb.
The former stables turned four bedroom luxury retreat has featured in the likes of Country Style and Vogue.
Completed with roaming horse and alpaccas, Milton Surf and Stables was voted number one by Australian Traveller's 'Top 100 Places You Haven't Been to Yet'.
There is an outdoor bar and barn complete with pizza oven for entertaining. The marketing says a chef can be arranged to come to cook at its outdoor entertaining feature.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/2/19/dinnigan2.jpg" alt="">
Since settling into “the magic of Milton”, Dinnigan has created an organic vegetable garden and planted citrus trees, along with her favourite flowers - white hydrangeas and white magnolia.
Always having fresh eggs when she was growing up in South Africa and New Zealand, she ensures there's lots of hens. Beehives for honey too.
“Milton itself is quite special,” Collette previously said. “It’s not one of those sleepy little towns – it has a really vibrant, productive community." 
The couple had revised $2.4 million hopes.
The couple retain The White House next door, a four bedroom farmhouse which cost them $830,000 in 2006. That now rents at $1,500 a night.
Dinnigan has been busy in the Southern Highlands in recent months where her Instragram shows she has waved her design wand over the family property.
They've recently added a swimming pool to Springfield Farm, their Avoca property that cost $4.5 million in 2016.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
 
 
 
 
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Fashion designer Collette Dinnigan sells Milton farmstay

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While there’s been a marked fall in Chinese residential property buying across Sydney, the depth of the enrichened 1.4 billion Chinese population means there is always likely to be some demand coming our way.
China has 1,340 high net worth individuals and 568 billionaires. Their combined net worth is equivalent to Australia’s GDP.
<div>The Chinese New Year festivities, currently being celebrated, triggers the biggest international travel period of the year for mainlanders.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>In 2017 Australia was the fifth most popular overseas destination for Chinese New Year trips, according to Ctrip, China’s online travel agency.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Chinese residents who are considering buying real estate often use the holiday week to combine fun and a bit of research.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Jon Ellis, the CEO of the Investorist website which sells off the plan properties to Chinese buyers, calls this occurrence "propidays." </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Historical data from Realestate.com.au suggests Sydney's eight most popular searched suburbs have been Chatswood and Epping followed by Carlingford, Hornsby, Eastwood, Hurstville, Mosman and Rhodes. Locations with vibrant Asian communities clearly attract the most interest.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Australia welcomed a record 1.3 million Chinese visitors last year, and many are not just tourists — but potentially students, immigrants and property investors.</div>
<div>  </div>
<div>The Juwai website ranks the top Australian cities for Chinese buyers as Melbourne, then Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, and the Gold Coast. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>Jawai's chief executive Carrie Laws expects Chinese buying in 2018 to be on par with the levels of 2017, unless something significant happens to change the Chinese or Australian investing environment.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>"One reason Chinese investors seek out property in Australia if because of our cost of living," she suggest adding it surprises many Australians as China was still regarded as being such a poor country.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>"China's eastern coastal region is just as developed as Australia and its 200 million people live in some of the most expensive cities in the world," she says.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Buyers looks for their own use, plus their investment potential.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Australia's reputation as a world class property investment location with particular appeal for Chinese buyers remains unquestioned, but several factors, here and in China, have worked against its popularity.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>These include NSW and federal governments which have increased taxes on foreign property investors.Some developers think the escalation of government changes imposed on foreign property investors risk killing the golden goose.Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), the Australian Tax Office and immigration officials are now monitoring acquisitions closer than ever to ensure compliance.But divestment order numbers have faded recently.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The most recent NSW divestment was $210,000, one of 14 forced sales of Australian residential properties in the past year.It took the total number of forced sales to 75 across Australia across many nationalities.A further 139 foreign investors have sold properties during the course of ATO investigations.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.</div>
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Chinese demand will always stay despite marked drop

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The Sydney sales team of the liquidated Unique Estates are set to start with boutique Sydney firm, Lifestyle Property Agency, next week.
Carlie Ziri, the director of the Woolloomooloo-based agency, said she is 'blessed' to have the team start.
"Sad to see such potential go to waste," she commented.
Unique Estates collapsed earlier this week.
Simon Platt and Grant Dale are confirmed to start with Lifestyle.
They were two Sydney-based agents working for Unique. Platt was the Sydney licensee.
Lifestyle Property Agency have been operating since 2012.
The company's most recent sale was in early December when they sold a one bedroom apartment in the Domain building in Woolloomooloo for $1.17 million.
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Sydney's Unique Estates agents to join Lifestyle Property Agency

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Estate agent veteran John McGrath has reacted quickly to the 9.42am trading halt secured this morning by the panicked, soon-to-depart McGrath Group directors and executives.
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<div class="column">
Rampant rumours forced McGrath to break his personal mantra of avoiding comment on adverse media.
He issued a 6.29 pm statement to shareholders who have watched the wealth destruction of the company escalate in recent days with dismay.
"The ridiculous recent press coverage seeking to link matters which are personal to me with McGrath Limited is distracting attention from the important work of the company, to a point where I have concluded I need to make a statement to clear the air."
The dysfunctional McGrath board had asked the ASX to suspend shares from trading this morning after the company "become privy to further information", which it wouldn't comment on, other than assuring shareholders "they had not taken the step lightly."
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<div class="_1665V undefined">
McGrath has been in the news recently over alleged, but limply denied, $16.2 million gambling debts and its alleged funding through an alleged $100 million margin lending facility.
McGrath's response this evening addressed the issue with more candor than his pronouncements over the past two weeks.
</div>
</div>
"Like many Australians, I enjoy a punt," he told shareholders.
"I have a credit account with a bookmaker for this purpose.
"That account is not secured by, or otherwise connected with, my shares in the company.
"The account is well within my means in the context of my net wealth.
"I am in full compliance with the terms of that account.
"I have never, and would never, let what I might choose to do in my personal time impact upon the company."
McGrath then advised he dedicated more than 60 hours per week to his work for the company he founded 30 years ago. 
"I thank the great team at the company for their support at what has been a personally challenging time for me. 
"I will continue to focus my energies on the important work of improving performance, growing the company and restoring shareholder value. 
"I do not intend to comment further on this personal matter," he concluded, without advising whether legal action would be pursued.
Last week John McGrath advised shareholders the $16.2 million gambling debt allegation was "rubbish" and that he had never used his McGrath shares as security for any loan.
<div>
Ending the day of debacle, the listed real estate agency also needed to update the ASX with a corrected financial advisory at 6.46pm, given an embarrassing nine errors when McGrath Group reported its small loss. There were no wrong numbers in the statutory accounts, rather the investor pack. 
Last week John McGrath told the McGrath Group board that he was well progressed in discussions with securing new proposed directors (two appointments are needed as a minimum) to replace those who had recently handed in their resignation to allow John McGrath to resume executive control, apparently without any privatisation.
It will see the departure of the McGrath chair, Cass O’Connor who has presided over a board united in obvious turmoil with the company founder.
The news of the deteriorating trading results in the McGrath estate agency finances first emerged last month in an internal document obtained by The Australian Financial Review.
<div>Details of the McGrath board meeting on Friday, January 19 were published on the following Monday, January 22.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>The Fairfax newspaper also advised there had been "threats by the board to resign en masse over the Christmas holiday."</div>
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John McGrath says his punting losses are "well within his means" 

<html><body>
<div class="page" title="Page 1">The real estate agency McGrath has reported a small loss.</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 1"> </div>
<div class="page" title="Page 1">But despite being hit with a sales revenue slump, some 22 estate agents have benefited from a $850,000 allocation in additional bonus commissions to keep them from departing the publicly listed estate agency.</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 1"> </div>
<div class="page" title="Page 1">Revenue for the six months to December 31 was $51.6 million, down 23 percent on the same period a year ago.</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 1"> </div>
<div class="page" title="Page 1">No interim dividend will be issued.</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 1"> </div>
<div class="page" title="Page 1">Earnings before interest, tax and amortisation notched a $52,000 loss from EBITDA of $9.6 million a year earlier.</div>
<div class="page" title="Page 1"> </div>
<div class="page" title="Page 1">But company founder John McGrath broke his silence to say he was "proud" and "excited" to again be leading the business from tomorrow when its chief executive Cameron Judson leaves the company. 
Chairman Cass O’Connor and current non-executive directors Elizabeth Crouch and Cath Rogers have also announced their intention to resign on Monday.
Replacement directors have yet to be appointed, with suggestions a Sydney solicitor is among the likely replacements. Senior staff including Adrian Bo are set for elevated administrative roles in the new regime. Bo holds two post graduate degrees in business administration, including an MBA.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/2/15/bo.jpg" alt="">
The company went into a trading halt until Monday.
''The reason for the trading halt is a pending announcement regarding recent media comment in relation to Mr McGrath," the company said.
"The event that will end the trading halt is the company issuing an announcement by Mr McGrath."
Meanwhile company owned sales generated $2.6 billion in sales value from 1,712 sales for 1H FY18 compared to $3.5 billion and 2,544 sales in 1H FY17.
Its franchise services offices exchanged 4,324 sales during 1H FY18 with a sales value of $3.9 billion compared to 4,222 sales with a sales value of $3.8 billion in 1H FY17. 
As at 31 December 2017 the network comprised 27 company owned offices and 70 franchise offices with 583 agents. 
Total agents decreased significantly. Agents in the franchise offices decreased 3% to 393 and agents in the company owned offices decreased 21% to 190. 
McGrath's report advised it continued to have a "concerted focus on talent identification, to attract, develop and retain high performing agents and emerging sales agents."
"The company’s performance has fallen short of expectations, and is influenced by several factors including lower volumes of listings, lower agent numbers and a significant slow-down in the traditionally volatile project marketing segment," it advised.
The company posted a loss of $25.5 million after impairments of $22.9 million to goodwill. 
The directors slashed the business’s goodwill which was on the balance sheet at the end of last year at $53 million.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/2/15/overview.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
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McGrath has $3.4 million cash, no debt, and net assets of $74.4 million. 
Founder McGrath, who has taken back direct management control of the company, said a “new approach” was needed, and thanked investors for their loyalty.
“I am very proud and excited to again be leading the business,” he says.
“Despite the challenges we have endured since listing, McGrath remains one of the best real estate businesses in Australia with outstanding talent throughout the Group. 
“Residential real estate is one of the largest industries in Australia, as well as being the country’s largest asset class, and we remain very well positioned to leverage our scale and quality brand for future success and growth.
<div id="taboola-mid-article-stream-thumbnails" class=" trc_related_container trc_spotlight_widget">“Our investors and team have exhibited great patience and loyalty during this difficult time and I intend to work very hard to repay them for their confidence in the company. </div>
“I have a clear plan to rebuild momentum but I will let our results speak for themselves from here.”
The company floated in December 2015 at $2.10. The shares last traded at $0.425 before it halted trading.
Outgoing CEO Cameron Judson says earnings have been adversely impacted “by the underperformance of our company owned sales business, including project marketing”. 
“Our annuity businesses, Property Management, Franchise and Oxygen have performed largely to expectations,” he advised shareholders.
The company announced a $1 million write-down of acquired property management rights. Company owned property management decreased the number of properties under management (leased) to 7,449 at 31 December 2017, from 7,498 at 31 December 2016.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/2/15/revenue.jpg" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2018/2/15/revenue.jpg" alt="">
Oxygen Home Loans settled $422 million in mortgages during the period, slightly down on last year (5%). The book value of loans under management has increased 12% year on year to $2.9bn. At 1H FY18, there were 33 brokers supporting the network, compared to 32 in 1H FY17.
Judson says the restructuring of the board, executive and corporate functions have delivered annualised savings of $5 million with in the leaner organisation.
Cost savings included space relinquished at its Edgecliff headquarters where the business gave up one of its three floors. 
The McGrath network has 95 offices and 2,000 staff.
Keeping staff has seen a McGrath Future rollout which includes high performance bonus commission, recruitment trail commission and a property management equity partnership structure.
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McGrath estate agents get $850,000 additional commission windfall to stop defections

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

Joel Robinson

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>

Jonathan Chancellor

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