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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

Investors may soon find themselves with fewer reasons to buy established property and more incentives to look towards the new apartment market.

Proposed changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions would see new and off-the-plan apartments retain access to the tax benefits, while established properties would miss out, creating a clear advantage for buyers purchasing newly built housing.

The policy direction aligns with what many developers have been saying for several years. Australia needs more housing supply, and governments are increasingly looking for ways to encourage investment into new stock rather than existing homes.

The challenge for investors is that suitable product is becoming harder to find.

For much of the last decade, one-bedroom apartments were the cornerstone of investor demand. They offered a lower entry price, strong rental appeal, and were a common feature across most apartment developments.

Today, the development pipeline looks very different.

Across both New South Wales and South East Queensland, developers are increasingly targeting owner-occupiers and downsizers, delivering larger two, three and four-bedroom apartments in response to changing buyer preferences. While one-bedroom apartments still exist, they now form a much smaller portion of many new projects.

That shift has created a shortage of investor-friendly stock, particularly in well-located projects close to transport, employment hubs and lifestyle amenity.

At the same time, rising apartment prices have pushed many new developments beyond the reach of traditional investors. On the Gold Coast and across South East Queensland, it's becoming increasingly difficult to find new apartments priced around the $1 million mark, particularly those offering strong rental fundamentals and long-term growth prospects.

We've rounded up four new apartment developments where investors can still secure a foothold in the market for around $1 million or less.

<h2 data-end="1140" data-start="844">Flourish Soleira</h2>

<h2>Priced from: $1.07 million</h2>

Popular Palm Beach developer Sherpa is soon to officially launch its newest local apartment development, Flourish Soleira.

The one-bedroom apartments in the building were only offered to first home buyers rather than investors, and all of those have been snapped up. The two-bedroom apartments will start from $1.07 million, and the three-bedrooms, still a good investment given the popularity of Palm Beach for owner-occupiers, starting at $2,045,000.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370964]

Flourish Soliera will comprise 153 apartments across two buildings, connected by a skybridge, the first ever delivered in the suburb.

True to Sherpa's booming Flourish brand of apartment projects, Flourish Soleira will have extensive rooftop amenity across both buildings including a&nbsp;wellness centre with gym, work from home, yoga, pilates, a&nbsp;heated pool, private dining rooms, pizza oven and barbecues, basketball court, and golf simulator.

<h2>Corallo, Palm Beach</h2>

Priced from: $841,500

Nearby Flourish Soleira is Changfa Group's beachfront-inspired Corallo development. They still have some one-bedroom apartments remaining, priced from $841,500.

The 105-apartment project on Palm Beach Avenue is otherwise dominated by larger two and three-bedroom residences, many of which are aimed at owner-occupiers and downsizers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112194 project_image_fid=808]

For investors, the appeal lies in Palm Beach's continued transformation from a laid-back beachside suburb into one of the Gold Coast's most sought-after residential markets. Residents at Corallo will be within walking distance of Palm Beach's surf beaches, the recreational amenity of Tallebudgera Creek, and the increasingly popular collection of cafes, restaurants and boutique retailers along the suburb's central dining precinct.

<h2>Corner House, Stones Corner</h2>

<h2>Priced from: $880,000</h2>

One of only two Brisbane apartment developments to make the list with prices under $1 million is DeMartini Fletcher's Corner House development in Stones Corner.

One-bedroom apartments start from $880,000 within the 88-apartment development, providing investors with exposure to one of Brisbane's most established inner-south locations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149098 project_image_fid=330594]

Stones Corner has long been supported by strong tenant demand due to its proximity to major employment and education destinations. The suburb sits less than five kilometres from Brisbane's CBD and is within easy reach of the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Queensland Children's Hospital and several university campuses.

The project's location within a walkable urban village environment, surrounded by retail, dining and public transport infrastructure, continues to attract both professionals and healthcare workers seeking accommodation close to work.

Parkdrive Apartments, Chermside

Priced from: $749,000

The most affordable apartments across Brisbane's new and off the plan market are in Chermside where developer AusDev is selling one-bedroom apartments from $749,000, and two-beds from $929,000, at its recently launched Parkdrive development.

The development is strategically positioned in one of Brisbane's largest employment and retail precincts, placing residents within easy walking distance of Westfield Chermside, The Prince Charles Hospital, St Vincent's Private Hospital Northside and the suburb's major bus interchange.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152125 project_image_fid=363782]

Already under construction and scheduled for completion in early 2028, Parkdrive benefits from Chermside's ongoing evolution into Brisbane's northern metropolitan centre. The suburb continues to attract significant public and private investment, supporting population growth and underpinning long-term rental demand.

For investors focused on yield and tenant depth, the combination of healthcare, retail and transport infrastructure within close proximity provides a strong foundation for occupancy and rental performance.

Joel Robinson

Investors to turn to new apartments after Federal Government changes spark hunt for Queensland's best $1 million apartments

A mix of Gold Coast locals, fly-in, fly-out purchasers from Sydney and Melbourne, and Brisbane-based families has driven early sales success at Broadbeach's newest apartment tower, Lumara.

The 26-level project, a joint venture between builder-developer 5Point Projects and Bourke Projects, comprises just 37 luxury residences and is attracting a buyer profile that is looking for exclusivity, above the most amenity-rich suburb on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150454 project_image_fid=364156]

Jamie Bourke, Director of Bourke Projects, says every buyer secured so far intends to use Lumara as a lock-up-and-leave residence, combining holiday use with the ability to work remotely when required.

“The size of the apartments, both half- and full-floor options, and the different zones within the floorplans, lends itself perfectly to dedicated home office setups and multi-generational family holidays,” Bourke says.

That flexibility has become a key drawcard for affluent buyers seeking a second residence on the Gold Coast without sacrificing the ability to conduct business away from their primary home base.

The absence of holiday letting within the building has also resonated strongly with purchasers.

“This type of buyer doesn't need to generate holiday rental income,” Bourke says. “They're paying for exclusivity, privacy and certainty around who their neighbours are.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150454 project_image_fid=366491]

The strong demand comes amid broader shifts in the high-end apartment market following the Federal Budget announcements in May.

“We were already seeing strong enquiry from high-net-worth buyers, but that has only accelerated since the policy changes,” Bourke says.

“A lot of those buyers are looking to place more capital into premium lifestyle assets rather than investment-grade stock that has been targeted by the Federal Government.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150454 project_image_fid=366486]

Designed by Cottee Parker, Lumara adopts a slender, sculpted form with an emphasis on natural materials suited to its beachfront setting. The architectural approach draws on coastal influences, with a palette of stone, timber and concrete selected for durability and the ability to weather over time.

Apartments are limited to three and four-bedroom configurations, with a maximum of two residences per floor through the mid-levels and a selection of full-floor and dual-level homes in the upper levels. All apartments are oriented to the north to maximise natural light, cross-ventilation and views across the ocean, city skyline and hinterland.

A two-level amenity offering is positioned high within the building on levels 20 and 21, conceived as a sky wellness retreat. Facilities include a magnesium pool, spa, sauna and steam rooms, alongside more social spaces such as a private dining room, resident lounge, workspaces and outdoor barbecue areas integrated with landscaped greenery.

The uppermost levels are reserved for larger-format residences, including several full-floor homes and a dual-level penthouse with its own private wellness features and recreational spaces.

&nbsp;

To give buyers confidence, 5Point and Bourke commenced construction ahead of the apartments launching to the market, a sure-fire way to prove they mean business, and the building will be delivered. They are targeting a 2028 completion date.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150454]

Locals, interstate holiday makers, drive early sales at Lumara, Broadbeach's newest luxury apartment tower

Often when it comes to purchasing property, the biggest barrier to entry is the deposit. Buyers of established homes typically aim for a 20 per cent deposit to avoid the added cost of Lenders Mortgage Insurance, while most property transactions require around a 10 per cent deposit when contracts are exchanged.

The off-the-plan market works differently, with buyers typically paying a deposit during construction and settling the balance upon completion. As completion approaches at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/fabbrica-fitzroy-369-gore-street-fitzroy-vic-3065">Fabbrica Fitzroy</a>, developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pace-development-group">Pace</a> is making it easier for buyers to secure a residence through a deposit-matching incentive. Purchasers need only contribute a five per cent deposit*, with Pace matching the remaining five per cent.

The offer comes as Pace unveils a completed display apartment and townhouse, now available for inspection by appointment ahead of the project's Spring completion.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139552 project_image_fid=371009]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/winwood-mckenzie-architecture">Winwood Mckenzie</a> and landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/acre">Acre</a>, Fabbrica draws on Fitzroy’s industrial and manufacturing history, incorporating references to the former Argyle Shirt Factory and Life Savers Confectionery Company that once occupied the site.

The development comprises 85 residences, spanning low-maintenance apartments through to larger-format townhouses with private street access and double lock-up garages, a relatively uncommon offering in Fitzroy’s higher-density apartment market.

Pace says the project has been designed to appeal to buyers seeking inner-city convenience without sacrificing space, flexibility, or amenity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139552 project_image_fid=371016]

Inside the residences, Winwood Mckenzie has focused on adaptable layouts and integrated detailing, with features including custom joinery, and concealed storage solutions. The material palette leans into warm, tactile finishes intended to complement the building’s industrial architectural language.

Fabbrica’s rooftop amenity is a key part of the project offering. Spanning around 800 sqm, the communal rooftop includes a private dining room, communal kitchen, lounge spaces, work-from-home zones, and outdoor dining areas overlooking the Melbourne CBD skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139552 project_image_fid=371017]

Landscape architecture studio Acre has introduced a layered rooftop garden designed to soften the urban setting while creating a more communal environment for residents.

The Fitzroy location also positions residents within walking distance of Brunswick Street, Smith Street, parks, cafés, galleries, and public transport, while remaining only minutes from Melbourne’s CBD. The project has an enviable Walk Score of 96.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139552 project_image_fid=371025]

Pace, which is also delivering the project as builder, has developed more than 100 projects across Melbourne over the past three decades. The vertically integrated approach has become increasingly common among developers seeking greater control over construction delivery amid broader market pressures affecting the apartment sector.

The strikingly contemporary Gore Street development is now around 70 per cent complete, with purchasers expected to move into their new homes in Spring 2026. A limited number of residences remain available under the current deposit match offer.

*Conditions apply in relation to the deposit match offer.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=139552]

Pace offers five per cent deposit match at Fabbrica Fitzroy ahead of Spring completion

Sydney developer Hyecorp's roots on the Lower North Shore stretch back three generations, and that deep understanding of the market continues to shape where and how it develops today.

From high-rise towers to boutique apartment projects, the family-run developer has built its reputation by focusing on a part of Sydney it knows intimately. Founded by Michael Abolakian in the early 1990s, Hyecorp is now led by his sons Stephen, Troy and Patrick.

Stephen Abolakian, joint managing director alongside Troy, has spent more than two decades in the business, overseeing development, planning, finance, marketing and sales.

Abolakian says the developer's disciplined focus on where it chooses to operate has been, and continues to be, one of Hyecorp's greatest strengths.

“We know the buyer profile exceptionally well,” Abolakian says.

“The demographics between places like Willoughby, Chatswood, St Leonards and Roseville are very similar. There are nuances between suburbs and projects, but culturally and from a buyer perspective, there’s a strong overlap.”

That buyer has historically been overwhelmingly owner-occupier driven.

Unlike many Sydney apartment developers that have traditionally relied heavily on investor demand, Hyecorp’s projects have typically attracted downsizers, upsizers, rightsizers and family owner-occupiers seeking long-term homes rather than short-term investments.

“Historically, investors have been a much smaller portion of our demand profile,” Abolakian says.

“We design for owner-occupiers. We don’t design for yield, we design for comfort, amenity, family living and long-term usability.”

That philosophy extends well beyond apartment layouts.

From landscaping and communal gardens to shared amenities and circulation spaces, Hyecorp’s developments are designed around how people actually live, something Abolakian believes has become increasingly important in Sydney’s apartment market.

“There was probably a period where having an approved project in market was enough,” he says.

“There wasn’t as much competition and if you built it, buyers would come. That’s no longer the case.”

“There’s more supply in the pipeline now, particularly with TOD precincts and low and mid-rise reforms opening up opportunities across Sydney. Buyers have more choice, so if you get the product wrong, they’ll simply go elsewhere.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110379 project_image_fid=311393]

The shift has forced developers to become more sophisticated in how they approach apartment design, particularly as owner-occupier expectations continue to rise.

For Hyecorp, that means thinking beyond who the buyer is today and designing for who they may become in five or 10 years' time.

“People buying now often aren’t moving in for several years,” Abolakian says.

“You might have a young couple buying today, but by the time they move in they may have children, older children, or changing lifestyle needs. You’ve got to think about how families evolve.”

That thinking also shapes Hyecorp’s approach to amenity, which positions wellness at the forefront.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149594 project_image_fid=362634]

While resort-style facilities have become increasingly common marketing tools across Sydney apartment developments, Abolakian says the challenge is ensuring amenities are genuinely usable and appropriate for the scale of the project.

“If amenities are done right, they can materially improve the living experience,” he says, adding however that if you&nbsp;overdo it or get it wrong, you can end up with facilities nobody uses that simply create ongoing strata costs.”

That balance is something Hyecorp is aiming to strike with projects like Roseville Avenue, one of the group's upcoming Lower North Shore developments, which Abolakian describes as bringing a resort-style living experience into a metropolitan setting.

“It’s about creating something that feels special without being excessive,” he says.

“Good gardens, quality apartments, thoughtful amenity. Creating that resort feeling in a metro location.”

<img alt="Hyecorp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="13c4c0f3-b1b7-44cf-9344-0b3d1d07797a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-02%20at%2012.14.57%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=9OLWjyj2bYkDV35F78WJnyMSPfc2bJ2z" />

The focus on owner-occupier product comes as Sydney’s apartment market continues to navigate a difficult development environment.&nbsp;For Hyecorp, maintaining an in-house operating model across construction, sales, marketing and development management has become increasingly important in navigating that environment.

“We’ve always believed in keeping a lot of the process in-house,” Abolakian says.

“It creates efficiencies, but it also creates quality control. You can make faster decisions and ensure the end product stays aligned with the original vision.”

Despite the challenges, Abolakian believes demand for quality owner-occupier apartments across Sydney remains strong beneath the surface, particularly across established Lower North Shore suburbs where downsizers continue to seek new housing options close to existing communities.

“There are definitely people waiting,” he says.

“Once some of the broader uncertainty settles, whether that’s the global environment or some of the local economic noise, I think the right projects will perform very strongly.”

Hyecorp currently has three residential developments on the market across Sydney’s Lower North Shore.&nbsp;Audrey, St Leonards, positioned opposite Newlands Park, is nearing completion and preparing to welcome its first residents, with the project now almost sold out.

Hyecorp has also recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/celine-chatswood-37-archer-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">Celine Chatswood</a>, an architectural tower, while continuing to deliver&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/juliet-roseville-64-pacific-highway-roseville-nsw-2069">Juliet Roseville</a>, a more boutique scale of development with just 34 apartments.

Why Hyecorp continues to back Sydney's Lower North Shore apartment market

South East Queensland’s apartment market is entering a new phase defined by rising prices, constrained affordability, and mounting pressure on the construction pipeline, according to RPM Group’s latest SEQ Apartments &amp; Townhomes Market Report.

The May 2026 report highlights a widening divide between what buyers can afford and what developers can viably deliver, with detached house prices continuing to push more buyers toward apartments across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and the Sunshine Coast.

RPM says Brisbane’s median house price has reached around $1.5 million, accelerating the shift toward higher-density housing as buyers are increasingly priced out of the detached market.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135094 project_image_fid=356540]

Median unit prices rose across all three major SEQ markets in the March quarter. Brisbane City recorded the strongest annual growth, with median unit prices climbing 21 per cent to $862,000, while the Gold Coast reached the highest overall median at $950,000, up 17 per cent year-on-year. The Sunshine Coast followed at $870,000, representing annual growth of nine per cent.

RPM noted the affordability gap between houses and units remains significant, with detached homes commanding premiums of 67 per cent in Brisbane and 68 per cent on the Gold Coast relative to apartments.

The report suggests this price disparity is increasingly consolidating buyer demand within the apartment market, particularly among downsizers and owner-occupiers.

“Demand is real. Supply is moving. But they’re operating on different timelines and the gap between what’s being built and what buyers can afford is the defining tension in this market right now,” RPM Queensland and NSW Managing Directors Peter Neale and Clinton Trezise said in the report.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150787 project_image_fid=366230]

While approvals and commencements are strengthening, RPM argues the delivery pipeline remains constrained by construction costs, labour shortages, and extended build timelines.

Apartment approvals across Queensland increased 86 per cent over the year to February 2026, reaching 12,682 approvals, the highest level recorded since 2016. Brisbane overtook the Gold Coast as the state’s most active apartment approval market, with nearly 5,000 apartments approved over the past 12 months.

Unit commencements also strengthened considerably, rising 48 per cent year-on-year to 5,453 commencements in the December 2025 quarter, the highest level since 2018.

However, RPM’s research found apartment delivery timeframes have expanded sharply compared to the previous cycle. Projects are now averaging around 30 months from approval to completion, compared to roughly 20 months a decade ago.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=143932 project_image_fid=367515]

The number of units under construction has climbed to approximately 31,530 dwellings, nearing the previous 2016 peak, though projects are remaining in the pipeline for considerably longer.

Construction costs continue to weigh heavily on feasibility. RPM found the average apartment construction cost in Greater Brisbane reached $630,000 per dwelling in 2025, exceeding both Sydney and Melbourne. Coastal Queensland markets, including the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, were even higher at an average of $817,418 per apartment due to the prevalence of larger premium product.

The report also points to increasing pressure from Olympic-related infrastructure spending ahead of Brisbane 2032, with labour competition expected to intensify over the next several years.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370960]

ANZ Associate Director of Property Daniel Gradwell said the underlying demand drivers across South East Queensland remain strong, supported by interstate migration, downsizers, and population growth.

“The challenge is bringing enough supply to market to meet that demand, and nothing on the horizon makes that straightforward,” Gradwell said.

RPM’s analysis found the affordability challenge is becoming more pronounced in the new apartment market itself, with only three per cent of surveyed new apartments priced below $1 million.

Instead, the market is increasingly concentrated in higher price brackets, with the most common new apartment price band across SEQ sitting between $1.5 million and $1.75 million. Around half of all new apartment stock surveyed is priced below $2 million.

The report suggests developers are not necessarily avoiding lower price points by choice, but because current construction economics make delivering affordable apartments increasingly difficult at scale.

Rental conditions also remain tight across the region. Median rents for one-bedroom apartments rose 12 per cent in Brisbane over the past year to $580 per week, while Gold Coast one-bedroom rents increased nine per cent to $630.

Despite rising rents, RPM noted bond lodgements have generally trended downward over the past five years, indicating more apartments are being absorbed by owner-occupiers rather than retained as investor-held rental stock.

Looking ahead, RPM expects projects targeting the mid-market owner-occupier segment between $1.25 million and $2 million to remain the most viable part of the market, while premium projects in highly constrained coastal or riverfront locations continue to attract demand.

“Construction costs are rewriting the feasibility rulebook across Greater Brisbane, and with little relief in sight, only projects in the right price band, right location, and with presales secured early will make it through,” the report concludes.

Jonathan Chancellor

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