Deicorp is set to build a mixed-use tower, with luxury apartments in a slim 61-storey tower in the Sydney CBD.

The site was bought from the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney,&nbsp;following a six-month competitive process.

The site of the Polding Centre has a Brutalist-style building in Liverpool Street designed by Smith Jesse Payne and Hunt.

The existing late 1970s office tower at 133-141 Liverpool Street comes with approval for a 234m tower with a mixture of residential and office use.

Deicorp will conduct a design excellence process to select an architect during stage two of its approval process.

The Archdiocese had proposed the residential tower above an eight-storey commercial podium, with ground-level retail and residential and commercial lobbies, and parking.

The sale price has not been revealed although The Australian reported developers had chased the site offering more than $200 million.

The Archdiocese had proposed the residential tower above an eight-storey commercial podium, with ground-level retail and residential and commercial lobbies, and parking beneath.

Deicorp&rsquo;s Executive Manager &ndash; Corporate Communications, Rob Furolo, said the Sydney developer was delighted with the Archdiocese&rsquo;s decision but that the real work was still to come.

&ldquo;We are obviously delighted to be selected by the Archdiocese for such a prestigious project, especially given the calibre of other businesses vying the job.&rdquo; Furolo said

&ldquo;But we are now focused on delivering a stunning new landmark building that does justice to its fantastic location and achieving the best outcomes for the Archdiocese and the community.&rdquo;

&ldquo;Securing the development rights is a really only the first step in the delivery of this project,&quot; Furolo added.

&quot;The entire Deicorp team is now focused on delivering a world-class building for Sydney by working with some of Australia&rsquo;s and the world&rsquo;s most talented architects.&rdquo;

A design excellence process will now select an architect

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Deicorp secure Polding Centre, Sydney apartment development site

Meriton, which boasts&nbsp;its latest Gold Coast development,&nbsp;Ocean&nbsp;will transform the Surfers Paradise beachfront, have been seeking buyers with generous terms.

The tower will be home to both luxury residential and hotel suites under the Meriton Suites brand.

Australia&#39;s largest apartment developer offers a fixed 3 percent vendor financing, for up to two years and for 90 percent of the purchase price.

It is also available on NSW projects.

Ocean, rising 76&nbsp;storeys against the Gold Coast skyline, will be home to a five-star hotel, and bespoke residential apartments.

There&nbsp;will be a resident only sky pool and gym on level 33, beach club podium on level 5, and a retail precinct including&nbsp;cafes and a restaurant. 
 
Ocean will be home to 404&nbsp;apartments starting from level 33, featuring views which will tower over the neighbouring buildings. 
 
Designed by architects SJB, Ocean will be Triguboff&#39;s&nbsp;19th tower on the&nbsp;Gold Coast.

<div class="hugin">It will be the third tallest tower in the Gold Coast area.</div>

<div class="hugin">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="hugin">The tower will set the record for number of apartments in one building.</div>

<div class="hugin">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="hugin">Ocean&nbsp;is set for a 3833 sqm site on the Esplanade which&nbsp;Meriton&nbsp;bought for $58 million in 2017.</div>

<div class="hugin">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="hugin">*information of offers correct at the time of publishing</div>

Ocean will be home to 404 apartments starting from level 33, featuring views which will tower over the neighbouring buildings

Harry Triguboff's Meriton offering vendor finance for off the plan Ocean, Surfers Paradise highrise buyers*

A Chinese developer has paid $9.7m for an apartment development site in Hawthorn.

The site holds a permit for a luxury project of 31 apartments.

The project has been designed by architects Jackson Clement Burrows at 43 Riversdale Road.

The corner site has frontage of 34 metres to Riversdale Road plus 62 metres to Through Street.

Zoned within a Residential Growth Zone 1, the site was sold through Benson Zhou, Julian Heatherich and Nick Garoni of Savills Australia.
 
“The luxury apartment market continues to see unwavering demand from developers who are confident in strong apartment resales allowing them to compete aggressive to secure sites,"  according to Benson Zhou.

He noted the level of enquiry seen on development sites in the past six weeks had increased substantially.

The sales team took 152 enquiries throughout the campaign.

Hawthorn’s median unit price sits at $1,453,750 for three bedroom apartments, according realestate.com.au.

The site holds a permit for a luxury project of 31 apartments

Chinese developer buys 31 apartment Hawthorn development site

CommBank has cut owner occupied variable rates by up to 0.40% and investment variable rates by 0.23%. 

The larger cuts have been made on loan to value ratios of 70% or less. 

Canstar advised it was the first time since September 2020 that CommBank has cut variable home loans rates. 

The lowest variable rate available from CommBank is now 2.29%, which when compared to the other Big Four banks is only beaten by Westpac’s Flexi First Option Intro rate loan that has a rate of 1.99% for two years before reverting to 2.49% (2.42% comparison rate). 

Fixed rates saw a range of movements including cuts to CommBank’s 1-year fixed rate of -0.10% for owner occupied loans and -0.20% for investment loans, and a 0.10% increase to 2-, 3- and 4-fixed rates for only owner occupied loans. 

ING has also cut variable owner occupied rates for principal and interest repayments by up to -0.25%, along with increases of 0.05% for 2-year fixed owner occupied principal and interest rates and hikes of 0.20% for its 3-, 4- and 5-year fixed rates.  

Canstar finance expert, Steve Mickenbecker said CommBank’s home loan interest rate changes are a sign of the times.

“Markets are expecting interest rate rises to be little more than two years away, and all of the rate cuts from home lenders in recent months have been to variable interest rates and one year fixed terms."

Canstar’s website currently lists 210 loans with interest rates below 2 percent, "showing just how intense competition is right now," he said.

Canstar’s website currently lists 210 loans with interest rates below 2 percent, showing renewed intense competition 

Variable home loan rates resume being cut: Canstar

The Victorian Government has launched a $500 million homebuyer fund that will see the government own a share of 3,000 homes.

Eligible homebuyers can now receive a contribution of up to 25% towards the purchase price of their property, reducing their deposit while avoiding the need to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance.

The state&rsquo;s Treasurer Tim Pallas says the Victorian Homebuyers Fund (VHF) will help more of the state&rsquo;s residents buy a home.

Most recipients are expected to have a 5% deposit for the house, townhouse or apartment.&nbsp;

The maximum purchase price must be $950,000 or less in Metropolitan Melbourne and Geelong, or $600,000 or less in other eligible regional locations.

The purchase can be for an existing or new property provided that a certificate of occupancy has been issued prior to the date of the contract of sale.&nbsp;

Off-the-plan property purchases are not eligible.

The property must also be vacant when purchased or, if under a lease, the lease must expire within 12 months of the acquisition date and any tenants must vacate the property.

The government will keep a stake in the home until the property is sold or the owner buys out its share.&nbsp;

&ldquo;We will put that money back into the fund, so this will become self-sustaining in all likelihood, given the continuing and historical appreciation and value of assets over time,&rdquo; Pallas said.

To be eligible to participate in the Homebuyer Fund, you need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and earn $125,000 or less per annum for individuals, or $200,000 or less per annum for joint applicants.&nbsp;

Participants must occupy the purchased property as their principal place of residence.

They can not purchase the property from a vendor who is a related person.

The Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) welcomed the Victorian Homebuyer Fund saying it seemed to be &quot;a sensible policy that will be particularly helpful to [first-time] entrants in the property market.&quot;&nbsp;

The Victorian Treasurer denied the scheme would further push up house prices.

&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not something that will effectively augment the price,&rdquo; he said.

&ldquo;We&rsquo;re not putting more money into people&rsquo;s pockets &hellip; we&rsquo;re giving them the opportunity to participate in a competitive market.&rdquo;

Recipients do not need to be first home buyers, but cannot currently own a property.

The Victorian fund is an expansion of the $50 million HomesVic Shared Equity Initiative, which helped more than 330 households into the market.&nbsp;

The maximum purchase price must be $950,000 or less in Metropolitan Melbourne and Geelong, or $600,000 or less in other eligible regional locations

Who is eligible of the Victorian Homebuyers Fund (VHF)?

Time Out&#39;s annual list of the 49 coolest neighbourhoods in the world, ranks the Melbourne suburb of Richmond as tenth on the list.&nbsp;

Richmond is the best-performing Australian suburb on the list, beating out Sydney&#39;s Surry Hills at 19.&nbsp;

The rankings were based on the Time Out Index survey, which this year polled 27,000 city-dwellers on what they loved and loathed about where they live.&nbsp;

Time Out&#39;s panel of experts then ranked the suburbs, noting key aspects including food, drink, nightlife and suburban culture.

&quot;Judges paid particular attention to how communities have been looking after each other, as well as their green credentials as we tackle the climate crisis that affect us all,&quot; said Time Out editorial director Cassidy Knowlton.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95458 project_image_fid=169948]

&quot;Richmond is a close-knit community,&quot; she noted.

Recent apartment offerings include the boutique Richmond townhouse project, Gramercy Terraces at the site of the former Nine Network studio in Bendigo Street, Richmond.&nbsp;

Lendlease released three and four bedroom freehold townhouse, designed by architects Bates Smart priced from $1.85 million in April.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95458 project_image_fid=169944]

The Degroup Property Development founded by Colin DeLutis in 1973, saw its Sprout Richmond development sell out earlier this year. It was 15 townhouses set to achieve a 6.7star NatHERS rating, translating to a reduced carbon footprint and cost savings on energy bills at 62 Glass Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8040 project_image_fid=26415]

Apartments remain for sale at TWO51 on Swan, with a grand lobby rich with gold detailing and art deco opulence, set back off Richmond&#39;s bustling Swan Street.&nbsp;

The Blueprint Projects development has been architecturally designed by Watson Young Architects, with a collection of 28 two, three and four bedroom residences.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=3298 project_image_fid=30548]

Another project, with a 2022 completion date, and with prices from $1.35 million, is the Shelley St development which will feature nine townhouses with two and three bedrooms across three floors.

Private and spacious rooftop courtyards and street facing garden entrances create a special sense of home with a dedication to greenery and tranquil outdoor spaces at the project designed by DKO Architecture and SLAB.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13629 project_image_fid=49377]

Time Out has ranked Richmond 10th on its annual list of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world

Current buying opportunities in Richmond, Time Out's 10th coolest neighbourhood

Legislation has passed in the Queensland parliament that will provide more rights to tenants in coming years.

The new laws enact minimum quality standards for Queensland&rsquo;s 1.8 million renters starting September 2023.

They disallow property owners from issuing a notice to leave &lsquo;without grounds&rsquo; providing tenants with more certainty.

They allow tenants to have pets within rental properties in certain conditions. The pet clause commencement date is not yet known, but the changes to renting with pets will allow a property owner to refuse a pet on prescribed reasonable grounds that cannot be addressed by prescribed reasonable conditions.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108278 project_image_fid=173613]

The laws requires owners to consider the specific circumstances or the specific attributes of a pet request and deter blanket &ldquo;no pets&rdquo; rules.

They extend protection for renters who have experienced domestic and family violence.

The Palaszczuk Government passed its new tenancy legislation with some amendments, calling it &quot;striking the right balance between renters and property owners.&quot;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108278 project_image_fid=173619]

Penny Carr, CEO of Tenants Queensland, the state&rsquo;s tenant advisory specialists, welcomed the finalisation of the first stage of the reforms, but said they fell short of modernising the laws.

&ldquo;Our focus will now be to ensure all Queensland renters understand the new laws, how to exercise their rights and meet obligations, without fear of eviction.

&ldquo;Renters will find it somewhat easier to keep a pet and to have repairs attended to but they will wait until 2024 for minimum standards and will still be subjected to arbitrary evictions.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102309 project_image_fid=163977]

&quot;These laws are not ones for a modern Queensland as they don&rsquo;t offer strong enough protections from unfair evictions,&rdquo; said Ms Carr.

The REIQ says the laws had swung distinctly in favour of tenants.

&ldquo;Property owners have lost the right to end a periodic tenancy by providing notice,&rdquo; REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said.

&ldquo;Unless owners can establish limited prescribed grounds (such as the sale of the property) they will never be able to terminate a periodic tenancy.&quot;

The Housing Minister Leanne Enoch has committed to stage 2 of rental reform to begin in the first half of 2022.

The Housing Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 was approved earlier this month



Queensland tenants secure more rights 

A record $16.1 million was paid at auction for a luxury Noosa apartment.

It was the top selling auction result among the 669 apartment auctions held over the past week, according to CoreLogic, which put the national success rate at 70 percent.

There was a national $807,000 median apartment sale.

There were the four phone bidders at the auction of the three-level Hastings Street apartment, located within the late 1980s Hastings Park complex.

Friday afternoon&rsquo;s auction was held by Tom Offerman Real Estate.

The four-bedroom, four-bathroom apartment came with northerly views to Little Cove and First Point.

<img alt="" height="789" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/hastings_st_2.jpg" width="1200" />

It has been tightly held having last sold in 2004 at $4.5 million, and before that for $790,000 in 1993.

It was among the last sold in the 1989-built terraced complex of nine apartments.

Designed by John Dimitriou Architects (JDA), the terraced complex took four years to sell out for its Noosa Heads developer Brian Wood.

&ldquo;Apartments of this calibre commanding such presence, rarely come to market,&rdquo; noted selling agent Rebekah Offerman.

&ldquo;Hastings Park&rsquo;s history of back-to-back year-round bookings makes this a judicious one-off investment opportunity,&rdquo; she added.

<img alt="" height="784" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/hastings_st_3.jpg" width="1200" />

Its peak season nightly rate has been $3100.

The price surpassed the previous record Noosa apartment sale of $14m in February last year elsewhere on Hastings St.

The Queensland auction apartment record was set this year at $15.25 million when the Soul penthouse at Surfers Paradise went to May auction.

The Noosa LGA has clocked over 70 apartment sales over $2m so far this year, compared to 55 apartment sales over $2m last year, above the 41 secured during 2019, according to CoreLogic.

The Noosa LGA has had over 70 apartment sales over $2m so far this year

Record $16.1 million luxury Noosa apartment auction

Australian home prices will have surged 22 per cent by the end of 2021, economists at Westpac now calculate.

They have upgraded their forecast from 18 per cent annual growth.

Their research update advises prices across major cities have risen 17 per cent to September and are on track for a 1.5 per cent rise during October.

The biggest growth will be 27 percent in Sydney, followed by Hobart on 25 percent and Brisbane on 22 percent.

Melbourne will see an 18 percent gain during 2021.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8082 project_image_fid=59639]

Westpac&rsquo;s Bill Evans and Matthew Hassan expect the reopening after lockdowns in NSW and Victoria to trigger boosts that more than offset any initial drags from recently announced macro-prudential measures.

&ldquo;This strong momentum will carry into 2022. However, the pace of gains is expected to slow, levelling out over the course of next year before moving into a correction phase in 2023.&rdquo;

Price growth is expected to slow to 8% in 2022, up from its previous forecast of 5%, with most of that increase loaded into the first half of the year.

Brisbane will lead the 2022 growth with 10 percent price gains tipped by Westpac.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=107345 project_image_fid=172022]

&ldquo;As we move into 2023, the impact of the RBA&rsquo;s tightening cycle will weigh more heavily on housing markets as borrowing capacity is impacted directly and as sentiment turns,&rdquo; Evans and Hassan said.

They expect the housing market to dip 5 per cent in 2023.

Prices across major cities are up 17 per cent to September and on track to jump 1.5 per cent this month

Westpac sees 9% annual housing price growth difference between Sydney and Melbourne

The higher demand for new super-prime apartments has prompted a 36 per cent value lift since June 2015, outperforming the established apartment market, according to recent Knight Frank research.

There had been a 31 per cent increase in established apartment values across the major cities in the same period.

However Sydney was the only city to buck the trend with its older stock up by 48 per cent compared to 30 per cent for new apartments, with limited new luxury products being launched across Sydney.

Knight Frank defines super-prime as the top 1 per cent of each market by value &ndash; a threshold of more than $10 million in Sydney and Melbourne and $7 million in Brisbane, Perth and the Gold Coast.

Sales of luxury apartments worth more than $10 million surged during the first half of 2021, compared to the decade average, the Knight Frank research shows.

The report calculated 67 super-prime luxury apartments changed hands around the nation, although the majority were at Crown Residences at One Barangaroo.

<img alt="" height="666" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/one_barangaroo_2.jpg" width="1200" /> 
Inside the One Barangaroo penthouse

&ldquo;The first half of 2021 was the first time it&rsquo;s been possible that exchanged sales in the super-prime Crown Residences at One Barangaroo have been captured within the total residential sales volume by our research team,&quot; aid Michelle Ciesielski, Knight Frank&rsquo;s head of residential research.

&ldquo;What we saw in this time was the top five super-prime apartment sales in Sydney average $39 million, and four of these five apartment sales took place at One Barangaroo - reflecting the demand of our ultra-wealthy population for super-prime luxury homes in the sky.&rdquo;

&ldquo;The widening gap between buyer demand and appropriate property supply remains concerning, and residential construction difficulties continue to delay delivery of new products,&quot; said Michelle Ciesielski.

<img alt="" height="638" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/one_barangaroo_living.jpg" width="1200" /> 
Inside the One Barangaroo penthouse

&ldquo;The shortage of suitable product, particularly at the top end of the market where rightsizes play, has been exacerbated by developers unable to easily secure sites in prime locations adding to the highly pressurised buying environment across Australian cities.&rdquo;

When it comes to prime residential, generally defined as the top 5% of each market by value across Australia, Knight Frank&#39;s latest report advised Sydney saw the greatest rise in apartment prices, some 10.6 percent, followed by 10 percent in the Gold Coast.

Knight Frank definition of prime sees a threshold of more than $3 million in Sydney and Melbourne and $2 million in Brisbane, Perth and the Gold Coast.

Prime price apartment prices increased 3.2% in 2020 to $25,500 psi, ranging from $13,000 psm to $65,000 psm.&nbsp;

Values for new apartments have jumped by 36 per cent since June 2015

One Barangaroo leads as super-prime apartment off the plan sale prices strengthen

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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