Melbourne's dearest weekend result was when $1,629,500 was paid for a four bedroom, four bathroom townhouse at 21a Melva Street, Bentleigh East.

The Jellis Craig price guide had been $1.42 million to $1.52 million.

It was marketed as "effortless family excellence in the McKinnon Secondary College zone."

The contemporary 2020 built home has Oak floors, stone basins, black tapware, plush carpet, a water tank, and an auto garage.&nbsp;

The ANZ price predictor REALas forecast it would sell at $1,493,000.

Melbourne's auction clearance rate was hit by high withdrawals as prospective buyers are unable to physically inspect a property given pandemic lockdowns.

CoreLogic calculated a 40 percent Melbourne success rate after these high withdrawals.

Melbourne agents advised 188 results of the 267 offerings.

Sales included 25/94-96 Cavanagh St, Cheltenham for $650,000 to a local first home buyer through Angela Limanis of Ray White Cheltenham.

The vendor couple bought their first home together in 2011 for $336,500, and recently moved within Cheltenham have been renting their unit out at $420 a week.

The national apartment clearance rate was 56 percent while the house success rate sat at 65 percent.

Sydney agents advised 158 of 176 apartment results with a strong 82 percent selling.

Melbourne's auction clearance rate was hit by withdrawals as prospective buyers are unable to physically inspect a property.



jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Modern Bentleigh East townhouse tops Melbourne weekend results

A $2.669 million sale was the nation&#39;s highest reported weekend auction result amid 476 apartment offerings.

It was an 18th floor northeast corner apartment with a 131sqm layout.

The listing came with two car spaces and storage in the security complex with a 24-hour concierge.

Its sale price bettered the prior top sale, also on the 18th floor in May, at $2,180,000.

The tightly held apartment was sold by Adam Wong at Di Jones, having last sold off the plan at $660,000 in 1999.

Two-thirds of Walker Corporation&#39;s Regency Chatswood had sold in its 1998 marketing when Walker Corp took 175 deposits in the 299-unit Regency Chatswood project.

Walker Corp&#39;s $250 million development of the residential Regency Chatswood project was on the site of the former Wallaceway retail block in the heart of the shopping centre.&nbsp;

The development is to be completed in two stages comprising a 26-storey twin tower site with 534 apartments ranging in price from $185,000 to $1 million.&nbsp;

At the time there were three other residential projects under construction in Chatswood and seven projects with 1220 dwellings having development approval.&nbsp;

Some of the bigger residential projects for sale were Meriton&#39;s Bentleigh development on Victoria Avenue and The Chelsea on Brown Street.

There were 467 apartments amid the 1,977 homes taken to auction across the combined capital cities last week, revising down from the 2,106 originally expected as a number of vendors reschedule to a later date.

The national apartment clearance rate was 56 percent while the house success rate sat at 65 percent.

Sydney agents advised 158 of 176 apartment results with a strong 82 percent selling.

A Drummoyne apartment at 9/11 Bayswater Street sold for $878,500 at online auction on Saturday, at $118,500 above reserve through Ray White Drummoyne agents Mario and Jessica Carbone.&nbsp;

There were 10 registered bidders with seven of them active in seeking the two bedroom abode.&nbsp;

The winning bid was a first home buyer moving from the inner city.&nbsp;

The vendor had previously lived in the home before moving to Melbourne and turning it into an investment property.&nbsp;

Melbourne&#39;s auction clearance rate was hit by withdrawals as prospective buyers are unable to physically inspect a property.

CoreLogic calculated a 40 percent success rate after high withdrawals.

Melbourne agents advised 188 results of the 267 offerings.

The dearest result was when $1,629,500 was paid for a four bedroom, four bathroom townhouse at 21a Melva Street, Bentleigh East.

The price guide had been $1.42 million to $1.52 million.

The modern security apartment was located on the 18th floor of the Regency Apartment complex


Record Walker Corp Regency Apartment, Chatswood sale tops weekend sales

A Main Beach apartment tower development site has been listed for sale.

It is zoned High Density Residential under the Gold Coast City Plan.

There are currently 12 apartments on the 1012sq m site.

The Pacific St holding has had approval since 2019 for a tower with 28 apartments each with three bedrooms.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=95606 project_image_fid=171648]

The marketing advised it was for a &quot;boutique buildings&quot;.

Colliers are currently considering offers for 47 Pacific Street.

Mangomero, the developer, had David Edelman Architects undertaken the design of the 21 storey project.

The developer is associated with the Carayiannis family in Melbourne.

The Pacific St holding has approval in 2019 for a tower with 28 apartments.

Main Beach apartment development site listed

Apartment developer Tim Gurner and wife Aimee have secured the snappy sale of their retained apartment at his Albert Place Residences project in South Melbourne.

Retained after the projects' construction completion by Crema early last year, it was listed with $4.4 million to $4.8 million price guide.

The three-bedroom 300sq m apartment, fetched more than $5 million after being on the market for only five days.

"WOOOHOOO - exciting times as our latest Penthouse sells in record time 15% higher than expected," Gurner said.

Apartment 1405/7 Bowen Crescent in the Albert Place Residences has 180-degree views over Albert Park Lake

The Albert Place sale was through The Agency’s Michael Paproth and Gurner general manager of retail sales Deborah Wiltshire.

"Congratulations to Michael Paproth for running a great process on our latest custom design penthouse at Albert Place," he added.&nbsp;

"A lot of love and care went into this special home and we are thrilled to see it go to an amazing family who can now enjoy it forever."

Paproth said&nbsp;the sale shows the strength of the high-end market.

“We launched the apartment on the Thursday and within hours we had inspections, both in person and virtual and were exchanged in a little under five&nbsp;days with competition from three&nbsp;parties,” Paproth said.

The apartment, which had been rented for $5000 per week, was bought by a local downsizing couple from their home within 3km. There had been interest from&nbsp;South Africa, the UK and Hong Kong.

Albert Place Residences has 142 apartments.

"WOOOHOOO - exciting times as our latest penthouse sells in record time 15% higher than expected," Gurner advised



Quick sale by Tim and Aimee Gurner in Albert Place

Stockland has enhanced its residential pipeline in Victoria with the purchase of 502-580 Boundary Road, Armstrong Creek for $43 million. 
&nbsp; 
It is located in the Armstrong Creek Urban Growth Area, 10 kilometres south of the Geelong CBD, Victoria&rsquo;s second largest city.

The 30.6 hectare site will see Stockland build around 500 homes in a new masterplanned community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5559 project_image_fid=88244]

It marked a returned to the Greater Geelong area for Stockland which has over $2.7 billion invested in Victoria.

&quot;This acquisition in Greater Geelong is a natural expansion of our significant portfolio of popular communities in Melbourne, which are home to more than 33,000 residents,&rdquo; said Stockland&rsquo;s general manager of residential for Victoria, Mike Davis. 
&nbsp; 
Stockland will commence sales for Armstrong Creek and initial site works in early 2022. 
&nbsp;

Located in the Armstrong Creek Urban Growth Area, 10 kilometres south of the Geelong CBD, the 30.6 hectare site will see Stockland build around 500 homes

Stockland plan 5000 homes at Geelong district's Armstrong Creek

A major infill site at Officer in Melbourne&rsquo;s south east has been sold to a local residential developer for $43 millin.&nbsp;

CBRE Victorian development sites agents David Minty, Nathan Mufale and JJ Heng sold the 12 ha Rix Road property via an expressions of Interest campaign.&nbsp;

Mr Minty said the sale reflected a record rate of $3,650,000 per hectare.

It was the first time the corner general Residential landholding had been offered for sale in 33 years.&nbsp;

&nbsp;It last sold for just $225,000 in 1988, according to CoreLogic records.

The land had been used to grow peas.

Developer YourLand, backed by one of Japan&rsquo;s biggest companies, Nippon, was successful, when edging out Satterley.&nbsp;

The Herald Sun noted the buyer had first offered the family $27m off-market last year.

The vacant site forms part of the Officer Precinct Structure Plan (PSP), which allows for 15 dwellings per net developable hectare. &nbsp;

The on-market campaign generated 18 offers from private and institutional developers, located both domestically and offshore.&rdquo;&nbsp;

The property sold following the conclusion of a second and final round when strong competition was received, including seven bids sourced via CBRE&rsquo;s Asian Services Desk. &nbsp;&nbsp;

A capital allocation totalling over $500 million was received as part of the first round of offers.&nbsp;

The sale price achieved was $11,000,000 above the vendor&rsquo;s reserve and represented a 26% uplift between the first and second rounds.&nbsp;

&ldquo;We&rsquo;re experiencing strong demand from developers looking to secure development pipelines in this region, which is unlikely to be satisfied in a market which is very short on appropriately zoned or earmarked landholdings,&rdquo; Mr Mufale added.

The YourLand real estate division of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone also owns Rix Road Project in the growing suburb, Officer.&nbsp;

The sale price achieved was $11m above the vendor’s reserve 

South east Melbourne residential development site sells for $43 million

A 865 sqm development site, known as The Premiere has been listed for sale in Surfers Paradise.&nbsp;

Located at 71 Garfield Terrace, it offers 20 metres of direct beach frontage.

It is currently an under-developed eight-storey, six-unit apartment building with potential to become a taller residential tower.

The 865sqm development site is situated within a designated regional urban footprint where there are no maximum restrictions on building heights.

CBRE agents Mark Witheriff and Rem Rafter have been appointed by the owner Mick Power, chairman of BMD to manage the expressions of interest campaign, closing September 15.&nbsp;

&ldquo;With CBRE having recently negotiated the successful sale of the neighbouring 1500sqm site for $30 million, I&rsquo;m confident we will achieve a great result,&rdquo; Power said.

The Premiere will give the incoming purchaser a significant holding income, while approvals are being sought for the future development of the site.&nbsp;

The site is positioned close to the Star Casino, Cavill Avenue precinct, the luxury $1billion Jewel development, Q1 residential tower, and offers easy access to the Gold Coast light rail system.&nbsp;

CBRE has been appointed by the owner Mick Power, chairman of BMD

Surfers Paradise highrise apartment tower develpment site listed

Around $7m has been paid for an off-the-plan penthouse at Mt Buller, the Victorian ski resort.

The 350 sqm penthouse is set for the Timbuktu ski apartment complex which is scheduled for occupation for the 2023 ski season on the edge of the popular Bourke Street ski run.

It is being done by the developer Headland Properties with the sale through John Castran.

It has five bedrooms, four bathrooms and two car parking plus ski in, ski out access.

There had been a $5.5 milllion prior sale elsewhere on Mt Buller six months.

The triplex apartment will be constructed above the existing 10 year old two-level Timbuktu development in Mt Buller.

The apartment below Catalano’s has also been sold for about $7 million. The third apartment is listed at $6.5 million to $7 million.

Catalano plans to add the penthouse to his growing collection of hotels and villas collection headlined by the Raes at ­Wategos boutique hotel at Byron Bay.

Catalano, in partnership with Melbourne property developer Josh Mantello, is developing a 14-room hotel known as Raes Bali, Seminyak.

Catalano told The Australian he and his family had stayed at Timbuktu for the past four years.

Luxury resorts operator Antony Catalano has paid almost $7 million for the 350 sqm penthouse 

Around $7 million paid in two off the plan Mt Buller skifields apartment sales

First home buyer purchasing has contributed to the current low supply and high demand dynamic, according to CoreLogic.

"First home buyer activity creates additional housing demand without adding new advertised stock to the market," reseacher Eliza Owen said.

First home buyer loans recently peaked at 16,260 in January 2021, which is almost double the series average of monthly first home buyer loans activity.

"First home buyer purchases would go a long way in explaining the current supply and demand dynamic. 

"This is because owner occupier purchasers who already own property would presumably list their existing home around the time they are purchasing a new one."

Activity was distorted by incentives for first home buyers in 2020 that saw the introduction of multiple first home buyer incentives, from the first home loan deposit scheme before the pandemic, to various state-based grants and concessions, along with incentives for the purchase/construction of new or off the plan property.

Though first home buyer loan commitments have trended lower since January,  they remained 58.8% above the series average through June.

Owen noted in the same way that first home buyer purchases increase demand without adding to supply, investor purchasing activity has also trended higher since mid-2020. 

Unlike first home buyer activity, investor purchases are not slowing down, she noted.

Through June, there were 18,625 secured home loans for investor property purchases, which is a 74.8% increase on commitments in the same month of 2020.

Increased buyer demand has stemmed from continuously falling mortgage rates, the report advised.

Mortgage rates are one of the most important determinants of housing demand, and in the current climate, where GDP is once again expected to decline, the RBA will likely facilitate a low rate environment for longer, Owen said. 


First home buyer loans peaked at 16,260 in January 2021, which is almost double the monthly average. 

First home buyers prompt pressure on listings

There has been a $2.24 million sale in the Q1 tower at Surfers Paradise.

The sale at 7001/9 Q1, Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise to a local buyer was the highest in the tower in three years. 

The three bedroom sale was secured by Hanan Cawley of Harcourts Coastal.

It was the apartment's first sale since sold in 2003 at $2.32 million off the plan in the 2005 building.

It has 319sqm space on the 70th floor of the Q1.

Apartment 7202/9 Hamilton Avenue was the last big sale when sold at $2.68 million in 2018. The four bedroom sub penthouse had previously sold at $2,500,000 in 2014; $2,750,000 in 2008 and at $3,400,000 in 2005.	

The $2.4 million sale was secured by Hanan Cawley of Harcourts Coastal


Q1 Surfers Paradise sees highest priced sale in three years

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

Joel Robinson

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

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

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

Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=373834]

Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150713 project_image_fid=373827]

Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

&nbsp;

Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

[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>.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151449]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=368645]

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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=358802]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=364551]

<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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134951]

Jonathan Chancellor

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News