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The South Yarra-bound Village Roadshow director Graham Burke has sold his four bedroom St Kilda sub-penthouse.
Naturally there's a gold-class views. They capture a 180-degree aspect over Port Phillip from Brighton to the West Gate Bridge from its eighth floor location in the Esplanade complex.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-vic-st+kilda-123488322" target="_blank">Burke and wife Robyn bought the apartment</a> off the plan from developer Max Beck, and had a hand in its interiors design through Stephen Jolson Architects.
The last asking price guidance was $6 million plus for the apartment which cost $7.3 million when settled in 2007.
<img src="/images/2016/12/14/St%20Kilda.jpg" alt="">
It was a collaboration between Melbourne's highly-awarded Fender Katsalidis Architects and British-Italian minimalist architect, Claudio Silvestrin and Hecker Phelan &amp; Guthrie.
Developed behind the Espy Hotel, it comes with an internal area of 538 square metres, plus two two terraces that take the space to 600 sqm.
It was thought to have sold early this year at $7 million plus but it didn't eventuate.
This article was first published in the Weekend Australian Mansion Australia property section.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Village Roadshow's Graham Burke sells St Kilda sub-penthouse

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The home specialty storage retailer Howards Storage World has appointed Deloitte as voluntary administrators, with the view of selling the popular business.
With the company pledging to keep trading, the business has 59 stores across Australia, 29 of which are in the hands of Deloitte partners Vaughan Strawbridge and David Lombe.
The company has a loyalty program with 600,000 members.
The Australian reported company’s 2012 accounts were the last filed with the corporate regulator ASIC showing a then breach of foreign funds financial covenants though making a $396,401 profit. There was $39 million annual revenue.
The company started as Stack and Store in Northbridge in the early 1970s.
It moved into franchising in the late 1990s.
The Australian Financial Review advised its co-founders were Leslie and Edda Howard who formed a partnership with Dirk Spence in 1997.
According to documents filed with the corporate regulator Dirk Spence and Pauline Donald are directors.
Leslie Howard stepped down as a director in September.
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The Howards Storage World gets Deloitte appointed as administrators

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BRICKX has added a freestanding in Port Melbourne to its fractional ownership investment portfolio.
Equity in the house can be bought for $157.
BRICKX CEO Anthony Millet said BRICKX was popular amongst those who "feel frustrated at being locked out of the housing market including aspiring first time buyers who are using BRICKX to track the housing market with their deposit savings as well as investors keen to expand their existing property portfolio in a more affordable, accessible way.”
Millet said it was a <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-vic-port+melbourne-124001166" target="_blank">picturesque property</a> on one of Port Melbourne’s most prestigious streets.
The two bedroom, two bathroom house on Esplanade East is five kilometres from the CBD.
"We expect the rental demand for this property to be strong, and in the current Melbourne housing market, there have been few opportunities for investors to be able to get investment exposure to such a popular Melbourne suburb,” Mr Millet added.
“Port Melbourne provides a cosmopolitan lifestyle close to cafes, restaurants and bars along with the beach, light rail and access to the CBD.
The $1,455,000 purchase joins properties already in the portfolio in Prahran, Bondi Beach, Enmore, Mosman, Annandale and Double Bay.
It last traded at $587,500 in 2006.
Millet believes the newly acquired Port Melbourne house will be <a href="https://www.brickx.com/properties" target="_blank">very popular with investors</a> having had a strong capital growth of 10.85% over the last five years.
The house, which has a classic block-fronted look, and been recently renovated, sold at recent Marshall White auction.
Pre-Order will be open from December 14, with settlements from 9th February 9 next year. 
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BrickX buys fractional Port Melbourne house offering

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The Commonwealth Bank has increased its standard variable investor home loan interest rates by 7 basis points, to 5.56 per cent per annum.
It also increased its Viridian Line of Credit interest rates by 15 basis points, to 5.78 per cent  per annum. No changes have been made to interest rates for owner occupiers with the owner occupier standard variable rate at 5.22 per cent per annum, the lowest among the major banks.
Business rates also remain unchanged. “We have carefully considered the current environment when making this decision – in particular the higher costs associated with funding mortgages, the increased capital costs associated with providing home loans, and the need to remain below the regulatory 10 per cent investor home loan growth cap.
We believe these changes balance the needs of our borrowers and shareholders, while helping to underpin the long-term sustainability of the Australian home loan market,” said Matt Comyn, Group Executive for Retail Banking Services. The new rates are effective from 16 December 2016. 
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Variable rates start to rise at CommBank

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Ralph Sarich, the inventive automotive engineer, and wife, Patricia have sold their Eagle Bay, WA retreat for $4 million, having been asking $4.95 million. 
The 2003 home sits on an 18 hectare holding on the Cape Naturaliste headland at the western edge of the Geographe Bay. 
With a bush track to Meelup Beach, the property was a productive olive grove and hardwood tree plantation, along with a few red globe table grapes in production too. 
<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/2016/12/12/Eagle%20Bay-2.jpg" alt="">
It sold to the Gasbarri family having been listed through the Stocker Preston agency inconjunction with William Porteous Properties International.
This article was first published in the Weekend Australian Mansion Australia property section.
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Ralph Sarich secures $4 million Eagle Bay sale 

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The ABS has released its property price index showing a 1.5% rise in home values nationally over the September quarter.
It put the national gain at 3.5% gain <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/6416.0" target="_blank">over the year</a>.
It reflected a further slight slowing as there was 4.1% annual growth reported in the year to June.
The 3.5 per cent rise through the year was the weakest growth since March quarter 2013 - and a decline from the peak of 10.7 per cent a year ago, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
<a href="/images/2016/12/13/Screen%20Shot%202016-12-13%20at%2012.33.06%20pm.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/12/13/Screen%20Shot%202016-12-13%20at%2012.33.06%20pm.jpg" width="650"> In the September quarter, residential property prices continued to fall in Perth and Darwin, while prices rose in all other capital cities.
Sydney recorded the largest quarterly residential property price growth of all capital cities, with house prices rising 2.9 per cent and attached dwellings 2.1 per cent. Melbourne recorded the strongest through the year growth of 6.9 per cent, followed by Hobart at 6.8 per cent. The total value of Australia's 9.8 million residential dwellings increased $112.1 billion to $6.2 trillion. The mean price of dwellings in Australia is now $631,000.
The mean price of residential dwellings rose $9,000 to $631,000 and the number of residential dwellings rose by 39,300 to 9,755,400 in the September quarter 2016.
<a href="/images/2016/12/13/Screen%20Shot%202016-12-13%20at%2012.33.14%20pm.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/12/13/Screen%20Shot%202016-12-13%20at%2012.33.14%20pm.jpg" width="650">
The capital city residential property price indexes rose in Sydney (+2.6%), Melbourne (+1.7%), Adelaide (+0.9%), Brisbane (+0.2%), Canberra (+0.8%) and Hobart (+2.3%) and fell in Perth (-1.6%) and Darwin (-1.2%).
Annually, residential property prices rose in Melbourne (+6.9%), Hobart (+6.8%), Canberra (+5.5%), Sydney (+3.2%), Adelaide (+3.2%) and Brisbane (+3.1%), and fell in Darwin (-7.2%) and Perth (-4.0%).
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Prices up 3.5% nationally: ABS says it's slowest in three years

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A Geoffrey Pie designed waterfront on Cronin Island listed for sale for the first time in 45 years has been sold for around $3.51 million.
It was the first ever block sold on Cronin Island in Surfers Paradise when bought by the Stephenson family. 
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-surfers+paradise-124044942" target="_blank">three bedroom home</a> plus office on 771 sqm offers 20 metre water frontage with a jetty and deep water mooring.
A sunken formal lounge and dining area enjoy scenic wide water views, as do the waterfront saltwater swimming pool and deck.
<img src="/images/2016/12/13/22%20Southern%20Cross%20Drive.jpg" alt="">
There's a central garden courtyard with fish ponds and lush gardens for alfresco dining.
Ray White Surfers Paradise agents Sam and Julia Kuo secured the sale.
This article was first published in the Weekend Australian Mansion Australia property section.
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Geoffrey Pie-designed Cronin Island, Surfers Paradise trophy home sold

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The NSW government is bracing for a slowdown in Sydney's property market, as Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian​ released the government's half-yearly budget review.
It shows the government expects a surplus of almost $4 billion this financial year.
But the review cautions about the continued strength of the property market.
Residential stamp duty increased by 19 per cent in 2014-15, and by 13.4 per cent in 2015-16.
<div>
<div id="adspot-300x250-pos3" data-google-query-id="CPSt1urv79ACFUmCvQodjYgKSQ">But Ms Berejiklian's budget review, released on Tuesday to Fairfax Media, predicts stamp duty will grow by an average 4.8 per cent per year over the next five years.</div>
<div data-google-query-id="CPSt1urv79ACFUmCvQodjYgKSQ"> </div>
<div data-google-query-id="CPSt1urv79ACFUmCvQodjYgKSQ">The government raised almost $6.3 billion in stamp duty in the financial year to the middle of 2016.</div>
</div>
The government has resisted calls to lower or reform stamp duty.
Laing+Simmons Managing Director Leanne Pilkington warns the revenue party may soon be over, as more and more people simply can’t afford to move.
"The exorbitant cost of stamp duty in NSW is the most significant barrier to the purchase of property in this state," Ms Pilkington says.
"This is because for many people it’s cheaper to stay put and renovate than move, reducing the amount of stock on the market, irrespective of the number of new developments springing up in certain areas.
“Stamp duty is one of the most significant influences on property price growth in NSW. It contributes to fewer listings, so transactional activity suffers, and the flow-on impacts are felt down the supply chain: household goods suppliers, homewares retailers, white goods manufacturers, the list goes on,” Ms Pilkington says.
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NSW stamp duty receipts set to fall for Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian

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<div>
Ardent Leisure has sold the d'Albora Marinas portfolio for $126 million.
It has been bought by a jointly owned syndicate headed by Goldman Sachs and Sydney‐based commercial property lender and fund manager Balmain Corporation.
The sale of the country's largest marina portfolio was at a 11 per cent premium to its current book value of $113.5 million.
It was listed in March as Ardent's focus is on its Main Event entertainment operation and theme parks.
The company also sold its health clubs earlier this year.
The portfolio comprises seven high-profile marinas with more than 1300 berths at Rushcutters Bay, The Spit and Cabarita Point in Sydney, two marinas adjacent to the Melbourne CBD and two at Nelson Bay and Akuna Bay, north of Sydney.
</div>
<div>The portfolio delivered earnings before tax of $10.2 million in FY16 representing a yield of more than 8 per cent.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Balmain Corporation, which has more than $6 billion of assets under management, has partnered with Goldman Sachs on a number of acquisitions including the $43 million deal to buy the Martha Cove Marina project on the Mornington Peninsula last year.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Ardent has also agreed to complete $5.6 million of pre‐planned capital expenditure projects.   </div>
<div>
"The group's decision to prepare d'Albora Marinas for sale with extended lease tenure, targeted capital works and a transparent sale process has ensured that the maximum value for investors has been realised," Ardent chief executive Deborah Thomas advised.
</div>
<div>
The sale of the d'Albora Marinas was handled by McVay Real Estate marketing it as representing over 1,300 berths, substantial water and land leases along with development opportunities. 
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Ardent Leisure sells its 1,300 d'Albora marina berths

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The former Liberal politician John Hewson sold his redundant Guerilla Bay beachfront, Camp David, after nearly six years on the market to the local boat builder, Eric Simes.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-guerilla+bay-106764945" target="_blank">Initially listed for $2 million in August 2010</a>, Hewson accepted $1.7 million, having paid $2 million for the home in 2007.
He bought the home on 4100 sq m from American architect Gerry Green who installed cathedral ceilings.
<img src="/images/2016/12/12/50%20Beach%20Parade-2.jpg" alt="">
It sits at the end of a little lane fronting onto Guerilla Bay Beach. Eric Simes and wife Wendy recently sold their 30 hectare lakeside Coila, Eurobodalla holding for $1.7 million.
This article was first published in The Saturday Telegraph.
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Boat builder buys John Hewson's Guerilla Bay beachfront

Developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/bottega-property-group">Bottega House</a> has secured council approval for its first Brisbane project - a $270 million luxury residential development on an absolute riverfront site in leafy St Lucia.&nbsp;

The 15-storey project, known as <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/st-lucia-by-bottega-house-180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">St Lucia by Bottega House</a> , will occupy a prime north-facing site at 178-180 Macquarie Street, directly fronting the Brisbane River in the established inner-west suburb known for its rowing clubs, golf courses and sprawling University of Queensland campus.&nbsp;

St Lucia by Bottega House will feature a suite of amenities including dedicated wellness spaces, a mineral pool and cold plunge. The project has been positioned to attract affluent owner-occupiers seeking high-quality, house-sized apartments.&nbsp;

Bottega House has been set up by co-directors Nick Malloch, Louis Mennes and Craig Marsh.

Malloch said the project drew inspiration from its Brisbane River setting and leafy inner-west surrounds, while responding to the demands of discerning locals looking to transition from freestanding homes into apartment living.&nbsp;

"With an expansive river frontage and lush green surrounds, we knew we had to create something special that reflects the natural beauty of the location while offering residents masterfully crafted homes," said Malloch.&nbsp;

"Our intent was to complement the project's quiet, private setting by introducing residences that offer a calm retreat and sanctuary from the everyday. The result is a harmonious blend of architecture, interiors and amenity that emphasises wellbeing, comfort and beauty without excess."&nbsp;

Malloch added that project consultants had been carefully selected in alignment with Bottega House's commitment to care, quality and attention to detail. The design team includes architects <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a>, interiors practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/urbis">Urbis</a>.&nbsp;

Three-bedroom apartments are expected to start around $5 millio. Selling agents Keenan &amp; Byrne said the pricing strategy for the project was anticipated to achieve upwards of $25,500 per square metre.&nbsp;

The project's development approval this week follows the success of Bottega House's inaugural Queensland project - a 22-storey collection of full-floor sky homes at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast which included the sale of a two-storey penthouse at a record price for a beachside residence.&nbsp;

St Lucia by Bottega House is expected to launch to market in November, with construction anticipated to be completed mid 2029.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151826]

Joel Robinson

Bottega House to make Brisbane debut with St Lucia riverfront apartment development

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> is advancing its affordable apartment model into Brisbane with the acquisition of another site at Cordelia Street in South Brisbane for $27 million.

Sherpa, which has a $1.7 billion pipeline across Southeast Queensland, intends to bring a cohort of apartments exclusively for first homebuyers into its proposed 186-apartment project to be built at 2 Cordelia Street.

The Sherpa model has already been incredibly well received from their Gold Coast projects, where Sherpa Group set aside a number of apartments exclusively for first homebuyers.

The new $320 million project marks Sherpa Group's second development in Brisbane, following its $255 million Symphony project, also on Cordelia Street, which is currently under construction.

Symphony will deliver 146 apartments across 28 levels, offering a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. With 114 already sold, construction by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/lps-group">LPS Group</a> is scheduled for completion in 2028.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7574 project_image_fid=351654]

Sherpa Founder, Christie Leet, said the company was excited to be venturing into Brisbane for its second residential project.

“We’re big believers in the future of Brisbane as we lead into the 2032 Olympics and beyond,” Leet said.

“The success of Symphony has guided us into what will be our second project and we look forward to submitting our plans with council soon so we can deliver yet another quality project to the inner city residential market.

“Our Flourish model has been very well received both in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and we’re excited to be able to offer some of these apartments again exclusively to first homebuyers to help get them into the property market.

“The model has been extraordinarily well received in our previous projects and it is something we are committed to moving forward.”

2 Cordelia Street will be designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hal-architects">HAL Architects</a> &amp; Finegrain and will include Sherpa’s signature residential amenities including pool, gym, recreation, wellness and work from home spaces.

The project will feature ground-floor commercial space, creating a vibrant amenity for residents and the surrounding community.

A development application will be lodged with Brisbane City Council in August on the code compliant site and will be launched to the market early 2027.

Sherpa acquires new site for second Brisbane apartment tower

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

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

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

Mass timber is becoming an increasingly popular construction material in apartment developments, but Adelaide developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> is taking the approach a step further.

At its new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flowe-bowden-18-gibson-street-bowden-sa-5007">Flowe Bowden</a> development, the exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure isn't just about reducing the building's environmental footprint. It also forms the foundation of a broader wellness strategy, influencing everything from indoor air quality and natural materials to the way residents move through and experience the building.

The 115-apartment mixed-use development, designed by Melbourne-based architecture practice Fieldwork, will occupy a prominent island site opposite Bowden Village Reserve, combining one, two and three-bedroom apartments with retail and a dedicated wellness destination.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Jonathan Chancellor

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