A $3.7 million sub penthouse in Liberty Panorama at Main Beach topped SEQ&#39;s sales results.

Ray White secured the sale of 2242/1 Lennie Avenue, Main Beach after just 34 days on market.

With 352 sqm space internal and external, it is three bedrooms, two bathrooms plus two car spaces and storage taking its space to over 400 sqm.

Set on the 24th floor of Liberty Panorama, its 270-degree views take in Broadwater, Marina and Pacific Ocean with its north-easterly aspect.

There are just the two apartments on the level.

There are resort-style leisure facilities with its tropical grounds having an 80m lagoon pool.

There is also an indoor heated lap pool, sauna and steam rooms, gymnasium and floodlit tennis court.&nbsp;

The apartment was last sold by its developer Mirvac at $1.3 million in 2001.

The sub-penthouse at 2242/1 Lennie Avenue, Main Beach sold for $3,700,000

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

$3.7 million Mirvac-built Main Beach sale tops SEQ's weekly apartment sales list

A $4.35 million sale in Parkville topped Melbourne's sales of townhouses and apartments over the past week.

It was a four bedroom, five bathroom abode featuring four levels of luxurious living with stone finishes, high-end European appliances, four-car garage, wine library, internal lift and top-level glass sky-roof that retracts to an expansive rooftop terrace.

The sale advisory came from Carlo Lorusso at In2realty Carlton.

The sale was in the award winning complex at 535 to 541 Royal Parade designed by the architect Koos de Keijzer from DKO Architecture.

The project won the the Small Scale Development of the year award at the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Awards for Excellence in 2020.
 
It was a collaboration between DKO Architecture and interior designer Sue Carr of Carr Design Group and landscape architect Jack Merlo.

The 20 residence development was undertaken by Oliver Hume Property Funds.

Launched in 2016, Parkville by Oliver Hume was completed in late 2019 located on a site bounded by Royal Parade, The Avenue and the Capital City Trail.

Melbourne's next priciest sale advisory was $2 million for a two bedroom warehouse style apartment at 15/93 Oxford Street, Collingwood through Jellis Craig.

It came with a rooftop terrace in the historic Foy & Gibson precinct.

The 535 Royal Parade residence features four levels of living, plus individual rooftop terrace.

$4.35 million Oliver Hume-built Parkville townhouse sale tops weekly sales

The $5.15 million sale of a Pyrmont apartment topped the weekly sales of apartments and townhouses across the nation.

The three bedroom, three bathroom 265sqm penthouse in the Winten-built Watermark Pavillion on Point Street was designed by Arent and Pyke.

It has views across the harbour towards the harbour bridge and city skyline with a north east aspect.

The complex at 24-26 Point Road has resort facilities including a 25 metre lap pool and gym.

"It was truly a one off opportunity for the discerning luxury buyer," said selling agent James Crow at Morton & Morton Real Estate. 

It last sold at $3 million in 2014.

The next priciest sale was $4,565,000 for a three bedroom apartment at Freshwater through Clarke & Humel.

The penthouse is in a late 1970s block of five at 69 Undercliff Road.


The top selling penthouse was designed by Arent and Pyke

$5.15 million Winten-built Pyrmont penthouse tops weekly apartment sales

The Oxley, a proposed 12-storey residential tower site at Nobby Beach, has been listed for sale after failing to secure council approval.

Gold Coast developer Daniel Veitch has decided not to proceed with pursuing approval for the plans he unveiled mid-year for the 88 O​xley apartments.

Veitch is selling to focus on other high end residential projects, including Laani at Mermaid Beach.

Half of the units were set to be allocated for short term accommodation.&nbsp;

The Oxley was a proposed two-storey arched retail podium with an eight-storey residential unit tower, taking inspiration from the former nearby iconic Pink Poodle Hotel.

It is a 2406sq m site at 2217 Gold Coast Highway with plans by BDA Architecture with a &ldquo;subtropical&rdquo; theme. 
&nbsp; 
The consolidated site cost $14 with the 1925 sqm block that fronts the Gold Coast Highway and Lavarack Road costing $11 million in January last year.

The council had advised the developers it would have to be redesigned at permissible levels before its assessment could continue with the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA) currently still reviewing the development application. SARA has received a request to extend the relevant period for fresh documentation from the developer until February 2022.

The site comes with current approval for a three storey complex, with a new retail village and A-grade office space.

The application came with insights from Think Economics that the estimated residential population of the local area in 2019 was 13,241, growing by an average of 202 people per annum, or less than 30% of the forecast rate of growth for the suburb.

&quot;There is an existing and increasing undersupply of residential product on the Gold Coast,&quot; it suggested.

CBRE agent Daniel Doran is taking offers until December 3.

Gold Coast developer Daniel Veitch had unveiled his ambitious plans earlier this year

The Oxley, Nobby Beach apartment development site listed for sale

Avid Property Group has purchased a 41ha site north of Brisbane from ASX-listed company CSR.

The former Warner quarry is expected to provide 400 residential blocks with construction to begin in 2023.

Colliers sold the site for about $30 million.

The 107-109 Kremzow Road site joins the group&rsquo;s 12 other residential communities in Queensland.

Avid has delivered $2.6 billion worth of projects over the past 13 years, with its current portfolio including more than 14,300 residential blocks with a gross revenue pipeline of $4.9 billion.

To keep up to date with the development and its launch, enquire here

With 38 projects across the eastern seaboard, AVID has a diverse mix of developments, including masterplanned communities, completed homes and apartments.

AVID general manager Queensland Bruce Harper said the new site strengthened its Queensland portfolio and ongoing pipeline of land in the region.

&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve had considerable success in the Moreton Bay region, with three of AVID&rsquo;s communities in the area selling out this year &ndash; more than six months ahead of their anticipated timeframe &ndash; a clear indication that this region is highly sought after and supply constrained,&rdquo; Mr Harper said.

&ldquo;The region is recognised as one of South East Queensland&rsquo;s strongest growth areas and provides home buyers with excellent connection to major transport networks, an array of employment opportunities and a number of education options.

To keep up to date with the development and its launch, enquire here

&nbsp;&ldquo;Home buyers are beginning to realise there is no longer a need to pay top dollar for a tiny block on the fringe of Brisbane&rsquo;s CBD and can instead live in the outer suburbs and have a better lifestyle, a modern and new home, and still be connected to work, schools, shopping and entertainment.

Avid chief executive Cameron Holt said the acquisition formed part of AVID&rsquo;s ambitious growth strategy and aligned with the business&rsquo; core focus of operating in key growth corridors across Australia&rsquo;s eastern seaboard.

&ldquo;We&#39;ve made no secret of our appetite for growth and this site strengthens our future pipeline in what is a supply constrained market,&rdquo; Mr Holt said.

The new site joins the group’s 12 other communities across Queensland

Avid Property Group secure Warner house and land site

The Greenland Centre Sydney, which doubled the height of the previous Water Board office building, ranked among the winners at the Urban Taskforce's Development Excellence Awards.

The 68 storey apartment project won the High-Rise Residential Development City award for Greenland with the jury impressed with the clever balcony glazing system as well as the inclusion of the 2,000 square metre Creative Hub for the City of Sydney.

When it came to mid-rise apartments the winner of the Mid-Rise Residential Development City award was Aqualuna by Ceerose and Peakstone for their streamlined 9 storey building overlooking Sydney Harbour not far from Luna Park. 

The flowing shapes by architect Koichi Takada reflect the flowing nature of the water in the adjacent harbour, the judging panel noted.

“The High-Rise Residential Development Metro award went to Sekisui House’s Landing (Stage 1of Sanctuary) at Wentworth Point with its terra cotta cladding and the nature inspired landscaping including a water park.”

“There were a number of high quality Master-planned Communities entered this year and the jury selected Fairwater by Frasers as this year’s winner in this category,"  Urban Taskforce chief executive, Tom Forrest said.

The winner of Urban Taskforce Australia’s Development of the Year 2021 is the iconic Crown Resorts Limited for the Crown Sydney Hotel Resort.

“Crown Resorts have built a new Sydney landmark. It’s design is striking. It is an innovative example of mixed-use development which, in part, resulted in the restoration of the foreshore area as a fantastic public open space.

“Barangaroo is the most exciting place in the City of Sydney right now and the Crown Resorts building is its shining icon. It is indeed a worthy winner of the Urban Taskforce Development Excellence Awards."

The chair of the judging panel for the Urban Taskforce was former NSW Government Architect, Chris Johnson. 

“The Awards attracted a large number of quality submissions with many winners being major catalysts for urban development” Chris Johnson said.

"The jury was unanimous in selecting Crown Sydney Hotel Resort as the Development of the Year for 2021. This tall, elegant building has added a major destination to the Barangaroo urban renewal area. The project has had to battle some negative publicity but Crown Resorts have focussed on ensuring the building and its surroundings are delivered at a high quality level.

"The development adds a waterfront public domain along with many quality restaurants, a high-end hotel and apartments that have brought a bustling activity to the precinct. 

"The architecture, by Wilkinson Eyre, is striking when seen from so many parts of Sydney and adds to the high-rise character that defines Sydney’s urban form."

Gibbons Street housing by St George Community Housing (SGCH) won the Affordable Residential Development award with its 18-storey apartment building with 162 homes. 

The best Low-Rise Residential Development was Grande, Pyrmont Bay Estate by TWT Property Group.

The best Mid-Rise Residential Development Metro was Bottlebrush, Schofield Gardens by Aland Developments.

The Urban Taskforce Australia is a property development industry group, representing Australia’s most prominent property developers and equity financiers.


Urban Taskforce has announced its development excellence awards 

Aland, Sekisui, Meriton, Frasers, Ceerose and Greenland rank among the best NSW residential builders

From 1 November 2021, short term rental properties located in NSW must be registered on the NSW Government STRA register.   

This includes residential accommodation such as houses, units and terraces across Sydney and the regions.     
 
From 1 November 2021, letting agents including stayz and airbnb must not advertise STRA premises unless it is registered on the NSW STRA register.

A registration number must be displayed with the rental details of the premises.  

The new state-wide STRA policy will not apply in the Byron Shire LGA until 31 January 2022, when after this date, the council specific STRA provisions will apply, including a maximum of 180 days per year for non-hosted STRA.
 
Non-hosted STRA can occur for up to 180 days within certain land of the Muswellbrook and Clarence Valley local government areas. 

The STRA register is run by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. 

The new requirements are part of a regulatory framework which includes  a mandatory  Code of Conduct that started in  December 2020.

The  Code  of Conduct was  introduced to better manage and address antisocial behaviour.

The Australian Short-Term Rental Association (ASTRA), estimates up to 80,000 short-term rentals are available in NSW with 50,000 listed on websites.

All short-term rentals in NSW must meet new fire safety rules from March 2022.

New planning laws for short-term rental accommodation (STRA) bring new obligations  for  booking platforms, hosts, letting agents and guests

NSW short term accomodation landlords must register 

The NSW Government hopes its new Strata Hub system will be live from next May.

The hub is intended to be a central access point that will make it easier for buyers and owners in residential strata buildings to get the information they need. 

The Hub will require strata schemes to provide key information about their scheme to Fair Trading who will provide the information on a portal for easy access.

It will also allow NSW Fair Trading to better monitor strata buildings’ ongoing maintenance and defect management to ensure duties are being upheld and the safety and amenity of strata buildings is preserved.

The aim is that owners and buyers within NSW strata schemes become aware that maintenance of the scheme is not neglected.

The government viewed the information repository as "increasingly important as the uptake of strata living in NSW increases while key information about strata schemes remains hard to find or unavailable."

The NSW Government passed reforms to the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 in March 2021 to enable an annual reporting scheme to be established through the regulations.

"It is important to note that access to information in the Strata Hub will not replace the need for people who are looking to buy a strata property to perform their due diligence enquiries," the department's latest update advises.

It is anticipated that owners corporations that do not provide their annual report within the allotted time from 2022 can be fined a maximum of $5,500.

Fair Trading will hold some information for compliance purposes only be seen by Fair Trading and other regulatory authorities such as the insured replacement value of the scheme, the balance of the capital works fund.

The NSW govenment issued an explanatory paper last month seeking feedback on its implmentation.

The Department of Customer Service (DCS) is now seeking public feedback on the Information Regulation, available on the NSW Government’s Have Your Say website: www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/strata-report.

Following the feedback, it is anticipated that the final Information Regulation will be published in December 2021.
 
The Hub forms a part of the NSW Government’s broader transformation of the regulation of residential apartment buildings where transparency and better outcomes for consumers are paramount across NSW’s 83,000 strata schemes.

The Strata Hub is being opened in phases with phase one of the Strata Hub, the Strata Building Bond and Inspections Scheme (SBBIS) function going live in July 2021. 

The SBBIS requires developers to pay a two percent bond on newly constructed multi-story strata developments, which can then be used by owners corporations to fix defects. 

Moving the SBBIS into the Strata Hub has been the first step.




The Strata Hub forms a part of the NSW Government’s transformation of the regulation of residential apartment buildings seeking transparency and better outcomes for consumers

NSW Strata Hub scheme to start May 2022

A 78 hectare former horse stud within the Officer South Employment PSP has just hit the market with $60 million plus price expectations.

It borders the Clyde North and Officer growth precincts, set opposite Mirvac’s $1.5 billion Smiths Lane project which is set to deliver a new town centre along with 3,600 homes.
 
"Some of Australia’s most noteworthy developers are undertaking major master planned communities within the area, including Mirvac, Stockland, Frasers, Dahua, Dennis Family and Satterley," Julian Heatherich, director, CBD and Metropolitan Sales at Savills Australia noted.

“Once a predominately farming area, Cardinia & Casey is being transformed by major population growth, driven by young families looking to secure property in what is regarded as one of Victoria’s best growth locations.

“Demand has seen record price growth in Lot sales in Officer and the surrounding growth areas of Clyde, Cranbourne and Pakenham” he said.

Colin Tarlamis, Director, Industrial & Logistics of Savills Australia said the employment site is well-serviced by transport linkages with easy access from the site to the Princes Freeway.
 
“With an on and off ramp currently under construction for the South Officer Road and Princes Freeway intersection, the site will enjoy easy connectivity to Melbourne’s arterial road network”.
 
Offers close December 3.
 
Benson Zhou, director, CBD and Metropolitan Sales of Savills Australia noted the current median house value in Officer is $709,960, representing a leap of 62% in five years.

“The Officer, Clyde and Clyde North precincts are set for some of Melbourne’s most aggressive growth in population and development in the coming 20 years with an increase of 96,000 people and 48,000 new homes."

The Officer South Employment precinct is located 45km southeast of Melbourne’s central business district within the municipality of Cardinia. The precinct covers about 1069 hectares, bound by Cardinia Creek to the west, the Princes Freeway to the north, Lower Gum Scrub Creek to the east and the Urban Growth Boundary to the south.

The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) is leading the preparation of a structure plan for the Officer South Employment Precinct, working in partnership with Cardinia Shire Council, State government agencies and service authorities to help determine the mix of large and heavy, light industry, mixed use, activity centre and residential.

Its mixed use precincts are anticipated to see 4-6 storeys, adjacent to areas of high amenity with after hours recreational spaces.

The housing diversity is set to include smaller town houses and apartments and affordable housing opportunities, with less car reliance in a 20-minute neighbourhood.

After a draft plan has consensus with government agencies, the plan will be publicly exhibited for comment.

The property at 425 Officer South Road, Officer South is located in a high residential growth area

Developers offered $60 million plus employment precinct site  at Officer South

The inner north Fitzroy, Carlton and Fitzroy North topped the list of Melbourne&rsquo;s top 50 most liveable suburbs.

They all scored 9.8 to top the list given connectivity and proximity to facilities such as public transport, healthcare services, shopping outlets, schools, parks, and walkability.

But there are more affordable suburbs within the top 50 list.

The system, using geospatial data from proptech firm propella.ai, measures the connectivity of a local area in relation to a range of amenities located within a 20-minute walk.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5502 project_image_fid=155332]

CoreLogic&rsquo;s Head of Data Products James Vaughan said the liveability score featured on the onthehouse website was a valuable insight to help buyers and renters assess various locations when looking for a property.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Liveability has been identified as a key factor in determining the appeal of an area, and providing these insights to users is designed to help them make more informed decisions, amongst many other factors, about where to buy, rent or invest,&rdquo; Mr Vaughan said.&nbsp;

According to propella.ai&rsquo;s liveability ratings system, Melbourne&rsquo;s top 50 most liveable suburbs range in score from 7.8 for Preston in 50th spot in the city&rsquo;s north.

Heidelberg and Essendon were at 7.9 where there are a number of developments on the market under $400,000 including Cultivate, at Heidelberg West by Kincaid Projects

[smartcode_project:default project_id=628 project_image_fid=178988]

Situated on the fringe of Melbourne&#39;s top hospital precinct, minutes from La Trobe University and at the quiet, tree-lined end of Bell Street, the development features 146 apartments across two towers.

Due North, Preston by Caydon Property has one-bedroom apartments from $352,000 at 70-82 High Street.

Climbing 12 levels and comprising 107 apartments, Due North is a new fur-friendly apartment complex.

According to propella.ai’s liveability ratings system, Melbourne’s top 50 most liveable suburbs range in score from 7.8 for Preston in 50th spot in the city’s north

Affordable apartments in the most liveable suburbs of Melbourne

For most new apartment buildings, the Owners Corporation starts life with little more than a bank account and the first quarterly strata levies.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/9-gay-street-castle-hill-9-gay-street-castle-hill-nsw-2154">9 Gay Street</a> in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a>, it starts with around $7 million in reserve.

It's an unusual legacy of what was once one of Sydney's highest-profile apartment remediation projects. When the development, originally known as Skyview and built by disgraced developer Top Place, came under scrutiny by then NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler, an $11 million remediation bond was negotiated to ensure any building defects could be fully rectified.

The building underwent an 18-month remediation program, during which around $4 million of that bond was spent bringing the building up to the standard it should have been in from the outset.

After extensive inspections, all active rectification orders have been lifted. What's more, around $7.2 million remains secured for the Owners Corporation for the next 15 years.

In a twist few would have predicted, what began as a significant concern for purchasers has left the building with something almost unheard of in the apartment market: a multi-million-dollar financial reserve from day one.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359136]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a> Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said the structure offers buyers a level of certainty that is difficult to replicate.

"The $11 million bond established for the Skyview Castle Hill development represents exceptional value, providing genuine financial security for purchasers," Huxley said.

"Unlike a standard insurance policy, this bond consists of real funds held in trust for the Owners Corporation, offering a tangible layer of protection and added peace of mind."

The apartments themselves have been designed with a focus on practical, contemporary living. Interiors feature Smeg appliances, stone benchtops, tiled living areas, carpeted bedrooms, 2.7-metre ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glazing, and ducted heating and cooling throughout.

Residents also have access to a range of shared amenities, including two rooftop barbecue areas, a swimming pool, children's playgrounds, secure building access, storage cages, and visitor parking.

The location continues to be one of the project's strongest drawcards. Castle Hill Metro Station sits virtually on the doorstep, providing direct connections across Sydney's expanding Metro network, while Castle Towers offers extensive retail, dining, entertainment, and service amenities within walking distance.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359127]

The building, now named after its location at 9 Gay Street, comprises a diverse mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments starting from just under $600,000.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett said demand in the Hills District continues to be driven by buyers seeking convenience and connectivity.

"Interest from both owner-occupiers and investors in Castle Hill remains exceptionally strong, with buyers consistently prioritising developments in close proximity to the Metro station and Castle Towers Shopping Centre," Hamblett said.

"There is a clear trend in the market, with purchasers seeking convenient access to transport and lifestyle amenities that support a seamless, low-maintenance way of living."

On top of the long-term protection afforded by the remaining $7.2 million bond, Equitifund is offering a limited-time stamp duty rebate on selected apartments.

Eligible purchasers can also secure finance options, including a 3.99 per cent two-year variable rate, loan-to-value ratios of up to 90 per cent, and interest-only lending options through EquitiCredit.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=147685]

Joel Robinson

Why this Castle Hill apartment building starts with a $7 million advantage

For much of the past few years, conversations about Australia's property market have centred on the rapid growth seen in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Perth. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3004">Melbourne</a> has followed a different trajectory.

That relative underperformance is now encouraging some buyers to reassess the city, particularly those willing to look beyond short-term market movements and focus on quality property in established locations, along with the long-term growth prospects of a city expected to overtake Sydney as Australia’s most populous.

John Bekiaris, Research &amp; Market Insights at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Projects by Equitifund</a>, said Melbourne's current position is attracting increasingly sophisticated purchasers.

"Melbourne continues to present one of Australia's strongest long-term investment stories," Bekiaris says.

"While other capital cities have experienced stronger recent growth, that relative underperformance is exactly what's attracting sophisticated counter-cyclical investors."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363268]

Equitifund isn't just commenting on Melbourne's property market, it's investing in it.

The Sydney-headquartered capital partner has taken over the remaining apartments at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/victoriana-melbourne-20-queens-road-melbourne-vic-3004">Victoriana</a>, the recently completed glass-encased development opposite Albert Park Lake in Melbourne's tightly held St Kilda Road precinct.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and built by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hickory">Hickory</a>, Victoriana places residents between one of Melbourne's most recognised parklands and the CBD, offering oversized two and three-bedroom apartments aimed at owner-occupiers seeking a genuine alternative to a traditional family home.

The development comprises 232 completed residences alongside a suite of resident amenities, including a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, landscaped entertaining areas, resident lounges, EV charging, secure basement parking and a concierge-style arrival experience.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363229]

The apartments have been designed with owner-occupiers firmly in mind.&nbsp;Open-plan living and dining areas flow onto generous balconies framing views across Albert Park Lake, Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Melbourne skyline.

Kitchens feature Gaggenau appliances, stone benchtops and generous preparation space. Bedrooms include built-in robes, while bathrooms feature full-height textured tiling. Hardwood flooring and ducted air conditioning complete residences designed for long-term living.

Rothelowman's architecture takes its cues from the landscape opposite the site. Sweeping horizontal glazing references the movement of Albert Park Lake, while generous balconies and expansive glazing strengthen the connection between the apartments and the surrounding parklands. The result is a building designed to deliver the scale and amenity expected of luxury apartment living, while offering the larger floorplans increasingly sought by owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363284]

The location is one of Victoriana's defining characteristics. Positioned on Queens Road, residents are directly opposite Albert Park Lake and within easy reach of Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens, South Melbourne, St Kilda Road and the CBD. With few comparable development opportunities remaining in the precinct, buyers are increasingly placing value on outlooks that are unlikely to be interrupted by future construction.

Greg Huxley, Founder of Equitifund, believes those qualities become even more valuable over time.

"Premium real estate has always rewarded buyers who take a long-term view," Huxley said.

"Victoriana represents the kind of asset that's increasingly difficult to recreate today, particularly in an established location like Queens Road."

He said rising construction costs are also changing the way buyers assess completed developments.

"When you combine an irreplaceable location with thoughtful architecture and premium finishes, you create something that becomes increasingly difficult to reproduce as construction costs continue to rise."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363228]

According to National Sales Director Ben Hamblett, enquiry has been driven largely by Melbourne downsizers and buyers upgrading from smaller apartments.

"Interest in Victoriana continues to build, with strong buyer focus on the larger owner-occupier residences within the development," Hamblett says.

"Enquiry is increasingly driven by local buyers who recognise the rarity of what's on offer: park-facing apartments in an established neighbourhood where new development opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce. At Victoriana, the view is not just a feature; it's an appreciating asset in its own right."

He said interstate enquiry has also strengthened as buyers reassess Melbourne's position within the national property cycle.

"Melbourne currently stands as the most compelling entry point of any major Australian capital, and discerning buyers are beginning to recognise what those who move early always understand: the best opportunities are taken before the price rise confirms them."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=1979]

Why now is the time to buy in Melbourne's premium apartment market

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=373834]

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."

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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.

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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>.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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<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.

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Jonathan Chancellor

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