Attached dwelling approvals &ndash; for apartments, townhouses and semi-detached homes &ndash; have jumped, according to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Attached dwelling approvals rose 13.7% in August, sitting at 6,453.

It was the highest August figure since 2017.

Total approvals over the year to August was up 8.5 per cent at 74,000.

&quot;The lag from approvals to work done suggests dwelling construction will remain strong this year,&quot; Shane Oliver, the AMP Capital chief economist said.

The overall number of dwellings approved rose 6.8 per cent in August (seasonally adjusted) to 18,716 homes, ending four consecutive monthly declines.

The number of dwelling approvals rose in Western Australia (21 per cent), South Australia (11.8 per cent), Victoria (10.5 per cent) and Queensland (4 per cent).&nbsp;

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Falls were recorded in Tasmania (-18.9 per cent) and New South Wales (-2.3 per cent).

It represented a recovery from a 8.6 per cent dip in July. The peak month was March with 23,445 approvals.

The increase was driven by approvals for private sector dwellings other than houses, which rose 13.7 per cent, ABS construction statistics director Daniel Rossi said.

Rossi noted the result was driven by record low interest rates, boosted household savings and confidence in the housing market.

Total approvals over the year to August was 229,035, up by almost a third on their level a year earlier.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
After some improvement in approvals performance in NSW in the earlier part of this year, the lockdown has seen a reversal with approvals going backwards for the 4th month in a row, Tom Forrest at the Urban Taskforce noted.

&quot;That said, they remain well above the number of approvals recorded this time last year,&quot; Forrest said.

Dwelling approvals data released by the ABS show that approvals in the month of August grew across all of mainland Australia, except in NSW

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Apartment approvals on the rise: ABS

Property sentiment in Australia edged lower in the latest ANZ-Property Council Survey, but remains elevated, highlighting the resilience of the sector and the economy more broadly.

While the decrease in sentiment was broadly based across sectors, the declines were surprisingly modest given that more than half the country was in lockdown during the survey period.

The survey was taken between 30 August and the 15 September, while NSW and Victoria were in lockdown.

While lockdowns have impacted confidence, particularly in the hotel/tourism and office sectors, the overall outlook remains surprisingly positive in the face of the extended lockdowns in NSW and Victoria, it showed.

"With vaccination rates approaching 80% across the country, sentiment is being underpinned by expectations of a solid economic rebound on top of a large pipeline of residential construction and strong house prices."

The impact of the pandemic has been uneven, it noted.

"In the residential sector, the outlooks for both construction and prices are benefitting from targeted stimulus like the HomeBuilder program and record low mortgage rates.

"Residential sentiment remains well above the long-run average and pre-pandemic levels of sentiment.

"Importantly, businesses report being very confident about their own outlook – with employment expectations barely nudging and the forward work schedule rising."

"In the industrial sector, where sentiment is very high, the pandemic has accelerated the shift to online sales, strengthening demand for warehousing and logistics property. 

"Conversely, the impact of COVID-19 is weighing on the office and tourism sectors. 

"The hotel property outlook is unclear, given uncertainty around the timing of international border reopening, while the latest round of lockdowns has stalled the recovery in sentiment in office property, hitting occupancy and highlighting concerns about the extent and permanence of work-from-home arrangements."

The residential construction outlook edged marginally lower, while remaining very positive, it noted.

"The HomeBuilder program has ended, and approvals are turning over, but there is an enormous amount of work in the pipeline and an uptick in investor housing finance suggests an improving outlook for the apartment market."

Nationally, a net balance of 51% of firms in the residential sector expect an expansion in activity, down from 52% in the June survey. 

The outlook varies across states, with expectations rising in NSW, Queensland and Western Australia, and declining in Victoria and South Australia.

The survey was taken between 30 August and the 15 September, while NSW and Victoria were in lockdown

Residential construction and price rebound forecast: ANZ-Property Council survey

A $95 million apartment building, dubbed &ldquo;Fitzroy Fitzroy&rdquo;, has been proposed by Melbourne developer Chapter Group.

The nine storey Smith Street project is set to have 63 apartments, ranging in price from $570,000 to $3.7 million, plus six townhouses.

It will have 575 square metres of ground floor retail space across three tenancies fronting Smith and Leicester streets, replacing the flagship Kathmandu store in Melbourne.

The mixed-use project at 411-421 Smith Street has been designed by architect, DKO with trapezoid shaped upper levels to accommodate setbacks.

There will also be 679 sqm&nbsp;of office space in the joint venture between Chapter, CDL Australia and Crema Group.

<img alt="" height="768" src="https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/pictures/article-images/chapter_group_fitzroy_smith_st_2.jpg" width="1200" /> 
The mixed-use project&nbsp;with trapezoid shaped upper levels to accommodate setbacks. Image credit: DKO 
&nbsp; 
CDL is a subsidiary of Singapore-listed City Developments, which has a pipeline of 800 units in Brisbane and Melbourne.

Chapter paid around $20 million for the 1820 sqm site in 2019 which contains a single and double-storey red brick interwar complex originally comprising a workshop and garage.

Its sale marketing advised the two tenants, Kathmandu &amp; Bellboy were on leases expiring March 2022 paying $580,000pa.

Haus Apartments, at 416 Smith Street, directly opposite the site, has been redeveloped with an eight-storey residential tower with set back above a two-storey podium on the street.

Its recent projects have included Ukiyo at 2 Porter St, Prahran and Monument at 608 Orrong Rd, Armadale.

Chapter Group proposes a nine level building at 411-421 Smith Street 

Fitzroy Fitzroy - 63 apartments proposed for Chapter Group's Fitzroy development

The NSW Chief Medical Officer Kerry Chant has called on NSW strata managers to update their strata rolls.

Apartment owners - resident and absentee alike - have since been asked to update their contact details, and tenant details, in case they are needed to be alerted about infections in their buildings.

The request follows numerous cases of the highly transmissible Delta variant of COVID-19 in NSW apartment complexes.

“As you are aware the COVID-19 outbreak in NSW continues to grow,” says the late August letter.

“The Delta variant of COVID-19 is highly transmissible, and we have seen an increase in cases residing in residential apartment buildings.

“We have also seen some instances of spread of COVID-19 between residents in common areas of apartment blocks.

“I am writing to seek your support in NSW Health’s management of the current COVID-19 outbreak.

“NSW Health requests that you ensure strata rolls are up to date and available to provide to the NSW Health contact tracing team upon request. Please ensure the strata roll includes the name, address, contact phone number and email address of all owners and tenants.

“We also ask that you ensure residents have contact details for their strata managing agent or owners corporation to provide NSW Health on request.”

The letter reminds managers of owners corporations’ legal duty under the strata act to maintain up to date resident rolls.

It adds that the release of the information to NSW Health is permitted under the Public Health Act 2010.

“Your assistance in streamlining the contact tracing process in this way can play a major role in decreasing risk to your building residents,” the letter says.

“Given the risk of COVID-19 transmission communal areas such as gyms, lounges and theatres should be closed at this time,” it concludes.

But it takes the form of an advisory, rather than an order. 

Some strata facilities have remained open or re-opened with voluntary QR codes, cleaning, and reduced capacity limits.

There is debate now among strata committees over restricting access to gyms, pools, spas, saunas, barbecue areas, recreation rooms, theatres and gardens to the double-vaccinated only.

The request follows numerous cases of the highly transmissible Delta variant of COVID-19 in NSW apartment complexes

NSW chief medical officer Kerry Chant calls on strata managers to update strata rolls

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has suggested financial regulators look at cracking down on high-debt home loans.

The hope is to reduce financial risks at a time of record-low home loan rates and surging property prices.

The Australian Financial Review reported financial regulators have been asked to work on plans to clamp down on high debt-to-income ratios among new borrowers.

More than one in five potential home-buyers borrow more than six times their income, the AFR noted.

"Last Friday, I joined the Council of Financial Regulators to discuss a range of issues including the state of the housing market which is a particular focus for both APRA and the RBA," Treasurer Josh Frydenberg later told the ABC in a statement.

"We must be mindful of the balance between credit and income growth to prevent the build-up of future risks in the financial system.

"Carefully targeted and timely adjustments are sometimes necessary. There are a range of tools available to APRA to deliver this outcome." 

The CBA chief executive Matt Comyn warned last week, with interest rates at record lows, that borrowers could be taking on too much debt.

He made the call for macro prudential measures while appearing before the House of Representatives economics committee.
 
Comyn said he was not particularly concerned about the current circumstances, but suggested it was prudent for regulators to take proactive regulatory action.

He thought it better for regulators to avoid harsher measures in the future, such as those imposed in New Zealand, given the apparent speed at which Australian capital city property prices are rising.

“We think it would be important to take some modest steps sooner rather than later to take some of the heat out of the housing market,” Mr Comyn said.

It comes as investment bank UBS has warned that a record level of "liar loans" as buyers "chase the market."

The bank's annual survey of around 900 new borrowers over the past year showed that 41 per cent submitted loan applications not completely factually accurate — so-called "liar loans".

It was a record high in the seven year survey, up from 38 per cent last year and 27 per cent when the survey started in 2015. 

Financial regulators are working on plans for a clamp down 

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg seeks financial regulator clamp down on home loans

Dwelling approvals continued to unwind after the end to the major policy&ndash;induced pull-forward.

Approvals have declined by 25% from their March peak, given the end of the Federal Government&rsquo;s HomeBuilder scheme.&nbsp;

Westpac noted dwelling approvals had posted a &quot;phenomenal&quot; 84% surge between last year&rsquo;s COVID low and the March 2021 peak.

&quot;Even with the big decline since then, monthly approvals are still up 21%yr and 8.6% above their pre&ndash;pandemic level,&quot; the Westpac analysis noted.

&quot;The HomeBuilder unwind likely has further to run, approvals potentially dropping well below their &lsquo;underlying trend&rsquo; pace as the shadow of the pull&ndash;forward effect rolls through.&nbsp;

&quot;We expect approvals to fall another 5%,&quot; Westpac noted.

Monthly approvals are still up 21% annually 

Westpac expect the HomeBuilder unwind has further to run

Westpac expect that the heat will be coming out of the housing market from the middle of next year, as the prospect of the first rate hike remains years off.

The comments came from Westpac's chief economist Bill Evans ahead of the October RBA board meeting.

The RBA board noted housing prices are continuing to rise, although turnover in some markets had declined following the virus outbreak. 

"Housing credit growth has picked up due to stronger demand for credit by both owner-occupiers and investors," the RBA governor Dr Philip Lowe said.

Lowe noted the Council of Financial Regulators has been discussing the medium-term risks to macroeconomic stability of rapid credit growth at a time of historically low interest rates.

"In this environment, it is important that lending standards are maintained and that loan serviceability buffers are appropriate.becomes apparent," Lowe said.

After the meeting, Bill Evans noted there were no policy changes announced or much change in the governor's statement.

"He did make us aware that the Council of Financial Regulators is closer to adopting some form of macro prudential tightening with loan serviceability buffers being singled out," Evans noted.

"There was clearly a discussion about the prospect for macro prudential policy with the only “clue” being a consideration of loan serviceability buffers," he said.

Westpac's expectation is that an increase in the overnight cash rate of 0.15% can be expected by the March quarter 2023.

The ANZ advised more on the RBA’s concerns around housing will come on Friday with the release of the bi-annual Financial Stability Review.


The level of uncertainty is high and the prospect of four years of holding the cash rate near zero presents real risks for asset markets, Bill Evans, the Westpac chief economist said

Heat will come out of the housing market in mid-2022: Westpac's Bill Evans

A Windsor offering comprising four two-bedroom flats and two one-bedroom flats sold at recent auction for $2,410,000.

There were 10 Brisbane bidders at the auction which prompted its sale at 25 per cent above reserve through Ray White Special projects agents Matthew Fritzsche and Andrew Burke. 

The 885sqm site has development approved for a four-lot subdivision with freehold title houses. 

The property received 150 enquiries prior to auction.

Burke noted flats and boarding houses that tended to transact in the sub-$5 million category were sought after by ‘Mum and Dad’ or first time investors.

“Blocks of flats as an investment class are seeing benefit from Brisbane having one of the tightest rental markets nationwide, with a vacancy rate of 1.30 per cent recorded for May 2021,” he said. 




The property received 150 enquiries prior to auction, and 10 registered bidders on the day

10 investors seek Windsor, Brisbane apartment offering

The penthouse at 835 High in Armadale has been sold for a record $15 million.

The six floor complex is under construction by Moda, the property development company headed by Ed Farquharson and Jordan Hooper.

The double-storey apartment will come with two pools, a children's play area and barbecue.

It is understood to have sold to a well-heeled Melbourne family who will use it as a city base.

It is tipped as the priciest apartment sold in the suburb.

Moda secured a sellout of its 26 apartments.

The three-bedroom-plus-study penthouse had originally been planned as two apartments, but amalgamated to a 630sq m residence with almost 400sq m outdoor space.

The 835 High Street complex designed by Carr Design had prices from $2.5 million.

The retail space has been taken by the organic grocer, The Leaf Store.

Mona is backed by David Tarascio and Mazen Tabet, who bring decades of experience to the team.

Its completed projects include 97 Mathoura Road, Toorak, consisting of six, single-level luxury residences.

Completed in 2019, it was also designed by Carr, when built by Flux.

The branding firm, Assembly was responsible for its marketing.&nbsp;

Mode's upcoming Hobart project, St David has recently secured an $8 million penthouse sale.

The penthouse at 835 High in Armadale is understood to have sold to a well-heeled Melbourne family

835 High Armadale secures sellout including $15m penthouse

Most apartment markets around Australia have seen fresh highs, according to Eliza Owen, CoreLogic Australia head of research.

The report noted while some apartment markets in the inner cities struggle, demand was strong in suburbs offering desirable lifestyles.

Some 56 per cent of the 994 unit markets analysed are sitting at record highs.

There was an average growth of 16 per cent or $108,00 in value since the start of stage two restrictions in March last year.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5328 project_image_fid=155345]

The CoreLogic analysis shows nearly two-thirds of the 560 record-breaking unit markets are in the capital cities, seeing a $595,000 boost in value during the period.

Eliza Owen, CoreLogic Australia head of research, said that while some apartment markets in the inner cities continued to struggle, demand was strong in areas that were offering desirable lifestyles.

Owen expects to see continued increases in values in some of these markets through the rest of the year.

It comes as there are more signs of capital growth slowing in houses so Owen expects a little more acceleration pivoting to the unit segment.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=100322 project_image_fid=163028]

Regional apartment value rises reflected the ongoing desire to &quot;chase a more affordable lifestyle relative to capital cities.&quot;

The analysis noted many inner-city suburbs continued to lag.

A total of 434 unit markets are still below their pre-pandemic levels, with 10 of the suburbs posting the largest decline in Greater Melbourne given the demand shock from closed international borders.

Nearly two-thirds of the 560 record-breaking unit markets are in the capital cities

Apartment prices hitting fresh records: CoreLogic

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.

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<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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357458]

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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357463]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357469]

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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