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Online takeaway service Menulog co-founder Dan Katz and his wife Nicole sold their Maroubra home pre-auction as they plan their upgrade to a $20 million Vaucluse home.
Set on 550 square metres on The Corso, most of the Maroubra buyer interest came from up-sizers from Bondi and Bronte. The three level home, with ocean glimpses, came with basement level car parking.
The five-bedroom home with pool last traded in 2008 for $2.57 million, with Jason Black, of Black Lifestyle Property, expecting the offering this time to attract interest around $3.6 million to $3.7 million.
The Katz family are off to the Vaucluse harbourfront home of finance entrepreneur Clive Isenberg and his wife, Jennifer which sold earlier this year through LJ Hooker Double Bay agent Bill Malouf.
The three-storey trophy home sits on the Parsley Bay battleaxe block bought in 2002 for $9 million from retired businessman Ed Harris.
It was last May when UK-based takeaway food delivery platform Just Eat bought out rival Menulog for $855 million when Menulog had 5500 restaurants and 1.4 million active customers.
It was a windfall opportunity for Katz and his Menulog co-founder Leon Kamenev and the other shareholders, including Catch Group’s Gabby and Hezi Leibovich, along with EatNow founder Matt Dyer who merged his startup with Menulog in February last year.
Katz and Kamenev were behind the successful accommodation website HotelClub, which was sold to the US company Cendant in 2000. 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Menulog co-founder Dan Katz upgrades to Vaucluse

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GUEST OBSERVER
The Housing Industry Association has released the latest edition of Renovations Roundup. 
The report offers the most comprehensive quarterly analysis of the home renovations market in each of the eight states and territories, and outlines forecasts for renovations activity. Renovations Roundup also provides results of the exclusive HIA Renovations Survey undertaken in February 2016, in which over 900 businesses and individuals participated. 
The HIA Renovations Survey provides a comprehensive update on conditions within the sector.
Repairs and maintenance are the most popular type of job, followed by kitchen and bathroom renovations.
A significant 24 percent of renovation jobs fall within the value range of $12,000 to $40,000. The survey also found that 13 percent of renovation jobs fell in the range of $200,000 to $400,000. This reflects demand for comprehensive renovation work which covers a large part of the footprint of an existing house and is an area of the renovations market that should gather momentum in coming years.
Total renovations activity grew for a second consecutive year in 2015, rising by 4.4 pe cent.
However, the recovery remains quite fragile and there is considerable geographic variation to activity.
Several markets are benefitting from the improving labour market along with stronger dwelling price growth. In other places, weak earnings growth, relatively low turnover of established houses and tighter credit conditions are holding activity back.
The Renovations Roundup projects that renovations activity will increase by 0.7 percent this year with growth of 1.7 percent forecast for 2017. HIA projects that activity will grow by 2.8 percent in 2018 followed by a 3.2 percent increase in 2019, bringing the total volume of renovations activity to $33.02 billion.
Shane Garrett is senior economist for HIA and can be contacted <a href="https://hia.com.au/en/BusinessInfo/economicInfo/EcoGroup.aspx" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Renovations recovery continues to battle on: HIA

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During the life of the next Parliament — and probably by 2017 — Australia will fall into a prolonged recession, according to Steve Keen, the head of the school of economics, history and politics at Kingston University in the UK and author of Debunking Economics.
"For the last 25 years, Australian politicians of both Liberal and Labor hue have been able to brag that, under their stewardship, Australia has avoided a recession.
"Those bragging rights are about to come to an end," he blogged saying the recession has been set up by the sidestep both parties have used to avoid downturns for the past quarter century.
He claimed Australia’s most famous recession sidestep was during the GFC, when it was one of only two countries in the OECD to avoid experiencing two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth (the other country was South Korea).
"Since then, the private sectors of the advanced countries have collectively de-levered, reducing their debt levels from about 170 to 160 per cent of GDP. Australia, in stark contrast, has levered up.
"Our private debt to GDP ratio is now more than 20 per cent higher than when the GFC began, and more than 50 per cent higher than in the USA (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: Australia has borrowed its way out of recession for the last 25 years
<a href="/images/2016/03/23/6cdbf509f2f9a18c8a88d8c79cf70910.jpeg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/03/23/6cdbf509f2f9a18c8a88d8c79cf70910.jpeg" alt="">
"The day of reckoning can be delayed by encouraging yet more private borrowing, which the RBA can attempt to do by cutting interest rates, and the government can reduce the crunch by running a large budget deficit.
"But these are likely to happen after a crisis rather than before it, because our Reserve Bank and our politicians are as oblivious to the dangers of private debt today as Bernanke was back in 2007.
"The 2016 election could be a good one to lose."
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Steve Keen says looming recession means 2016 election would be good one to lose

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Charter Keck Cramer executive chairman Scott Keck says the housing market is "fully priced" but property values are likely to drift sideways over the next few years rather than crash.
Keck told clients that while the housing market was "certainly inflated [though] perhaps not fully inflated to the extreme" domestic conditions were subsiding with the market having just recently drifted off its peak.
"We think that it is unlikely that there will be a significant increase in commercial interest rates or unemployment and thus these internal factors are not a danger. Left alone there seems to be no internal or domestic pending or immediate threat that would cause a major correction." he said.
But, he did acknowledge that at inflated levels, property along with other asset classes would be vulnerable to a major international event like an economic meltdown in China or another GFC.
"So, in summary, does Charter think that there is a bubble which infers an event that is about to collapse? Our answer is NO," he wrote.
Speaking to The Australian Financial Review, Mr Keck said housing values were supported by strong population growth and immigration, major demographic changes and a "huge depth of demand" from those looking to buy at lower rungs of the property ladder.
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Scott Keck says there's no housing bubble

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McGrath Estate Agents chief executive John McGrath has spent $430,000 buying shares in the listed real estate group.
Mr McGrath, who is McGrath Limited's biggest shareholder, acquired 317,000 shares at $1.36, about a 35 percent discount to its $2.10 initial public offering price.
His acquisition of 317,000 ordinary shares, made in two tranches on March 18 and March 21, took his total holdings to 27.26 percent of the shares on issue.
John McGrath had been legally restricted from acquiring additional shares post IPO due to a combination of the level of his holding and the pre-IPO restructure, a McGrath spokesperson advised the Australian Financial Review and The Australian.
"He is now able to increase his shareholding and has taken advantage of this buying opportunity, buying 317,000 shares."
McGrath chairman David Mackay and director Cass O'Connor have also increased their shareholdings recently.
Perpetual, McGrath's largest institutional holder, have been regularly lifting its stake to now sit at 13.2 percent.
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John McGrath buys more McGrath shares

<html><body><div class="cq-article-content-paras section">
The RBA governor has welcomed moderation in house prices in some of the locations where they had been rising most rapidly.
In a speech, Stevens told an annual forum organised by ASIC, that bank balance sheets had been improving in recent years.
"On the topic of loan quality, the strengthening of lending standards for housing that resulted from the actions of both APRA and ASIC was timely," he advised. 
"So often over the years, tighter standards tended to come too late and reinforced a downturn after it had begun."
Mr Stevens said the restraints on lending - primarily to investors - appeared to have come before a deterioration in measures of asset quality, such a default rates.
"Some moderation in house prices in some of the locations where they had been rising most rapidly, while not the direct objective of the supervisory measures, is also, in my judgement, helpful," he said.
To read the speech in full, click here.
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House price growth moderation helpful: RBA's Glenn Stevens

Australia has a sound and credible macroeconomic policy framework: Glenn Stevens

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The return of Nine’s renovation reality program Reno Rumble secured disappointing results - with less than half the audience of its 2015 debut last year.
Just 395,000 metro viewers tuned in on its Monday night debut, which compared to <a href="https://mumbrella.com.au/reality-tv-winter-schedule-masterchef-reno-rumble-house-rules-seven-nine-ten-simulcasting-debut-head-to-head-291814" target="_blank">873,000 last year across Nine and Gem</a>.
It finished fourth in the 7.30 timeslot behind Seven’s My Kitchen Rules, which managed an audience of 1.462 million, ABC’s 7.30 (778,000) watching Leigh Sales and the PM Malcolm Turnbull, and Ten’s All Star Family Feud which was watched by 674,000 metro viewers.
MKR was the most watched show of the evening and also the most-watched program across the key advertising demographics (16-39, 18-49 and 25-54) according to OzTAM overnight metro ratings.
On its second night the audience rose to 453,000 but still well behind MKR on 1.41 million, the 7.30 Report on 679,000 and Bondi Rescue on Channel 10 at 540,000.
<a href="https://theblock2016.castasugar.com/" target="_blank">Applications closed last week, March 14</a> for contestants on the next series of The Block to be filmed at Port Melbourne.
Filming appears scheduled for May with it going to air in late 2016 possibly.
But media analyst Steve Allen, managing director of Fusion Strategy, told Fairfax Media the host of both shows, Scott Cam "must be reeling."
"They're destroying his career. Unfortunately, it's going to taint Scott and Shelley's (Craft) reputation."
Nine intended to screen Reno Rumble on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesday in the crucial 7.30pm time slot until otherwise rescheduled.
The series also sees original judges Darren Palmer and Romy Alwill replaced by Scottish interior decorators Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan.
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Rumble crumbles with the next The Block applicants under consideration

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Buyer advocate Greville Pabst, of the WBP Group noted a new suburb price record in Thornbury was set at weekend auction.
It was when the <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-thornbury-122000234" target="_blank">renovated four-bedroom period residence</a> at 13 Shaftesbury Parade sold for $1,945,000 through Nelson Alexander.
Quite some renovation as above was how it appeared before when sold in 2011 at almost a third of the price at $685,000.
<img src="/images/2016/03/23/thorn.jpg" alt="" width="570" height="428">
<img src="/images/2016/03/23/image15.jpg" alt="" width="567" height="425">
<img src="/images/2016/03/23/new.jpg" alt="">
The previous house price record was an Edwardian home sold at $1.75 million last year on Streetle Street.
 
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New Thornbury house price record

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Linfox Logistics chief executive Annette Carey and her husband, Ian Martindale, QC sold their renovated Victorian in Armadale’s Munro Estate at weekend auction.
The four-bedroom family house at 1 Royal Crescent has numerous living zones.
More than $4 million was initially expected for the 1888 Hawthorn brick residence that retains many original features, such as Baltic pine floors, an arched hallway and marble fireplace.
This was boosted to around $4.5 million during the marketing with it sold at $4.85 million.
It had 322 sqm floor space. Its outdoor area overlooks a pool at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-armadale-122010718">the property</a> which cost $705,000 in 1997.
The property was marketed by Justin Long, of Marshall White, with conjunction agency, James Agent Selection Services.
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Linfox Logistics on the move after $4.85 million Armadale sale

A who's who of Australian surfing, business and entertainment has emerged on title records following the completion of Esprit Rainbow Bay, the latest boutique beachfront apartment development by former professional surfer Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects.

The completed project has attracted an enviable collection of owners, many with long-standing ties to the southern Gold Coast and the surf culture that has helped define Rainbow Bay and neighbouring Kirra for generations.

Given Gedoun's own background in surfing, it perhaps comes as little surprise that some of Australia's most recognisable surfers have chosen to buy into the development overlooking one of the country's most celebrated stretches of coastline.

Pezet Matheson directors Jayde Pezet and Todd Matheson launched the project in late 2021, and have managed the sales campaign all the way through to its sell-out and recent completion.

<img alt="Esprit" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="08fc6261-b84e-4b09-8a44-66d3067fd0d1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-29%20at%208.51.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4AOcb6ETZwNUnMPdTtz1B3pZAIB_jgZ2" />

Former world champion Mick Fanning, who grew up in Coolangatta, secured an apartment in 2023. He paid&nbsp;$2.07 million. Last year he sold his Bilinga home for over $16 million.

Three-time world champion Joel Parkinson also purchased in the development, alongside big wave surfer Mark Mathews. Mathews bought the most expensive apartment in the building, spending just over $4 million.

Joining them is Rip Curl founder Doug Warbrick, whose company helped shape Australia's global surfing industry over the past five decades.

The appeal of Rainbow Bay has extended well beyond the surfing community.

International DJ Paul Fisher purchased an apartment through his investment vehicle, YLB Developments, an abbreviation of his trademark phrase "You Little Beauty".

The purchase comes as Fisher and his wife Chloe are developing their own luxury apartment project further north in Palm Beach. Their boutique beachfront development, Pescado, comprises just seven apartments on Jefferson Lane, which start from just shy of $6 million. The couple intend to retain the two-level penthouse as their Australian base between international touring commitments.

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy and his wife Wendy have also invested in Esprit, purchasing two apartments after spending decades holidaying on the southern Gold Coast. They also have a luxury apartment in Joe Adsett's Rockpool, less than 400m away from Esprit.

<h2>Boutique project draws owner-occupiers</h2>

Esprit launched in 2021 and sold strongly, with buyers drawn to its boutique scale, beachfront position and contemporary design.

The completed development comprises 94 apartments across 11 levels, offering expansive floorplans designed primarily for owner-occupiers rather than the investor market.

Crowning the building is Club Esprit, pitched as being the Gold Coast's first residential rooftop wellness centre. The roof features a&nbsp;25 metre magnesium lap pool, which is surrounded by wet daybeds and poolside cabanas,&nbsp;multiple barbecue areas,&nbsp;a yoga and relaxation play lawn, and a private dining room with a kitchen scullery, bar, lounges, and an outdoor terrace.

The wellness centre is&nbsp;fully equipped with a Technogym, ice bath, infra-red sauna, steam room, thermal room, and treatment room. The roof has views spanning&nbsp;Rainbow Bay, Snapper Rocks and the Pacific Ocean.

<h2>S&amp;S Projects continues to shape Rainbow Bay</h2>

S&amp;S Projects founder Paul Gedoun has become one of the key figures behind Rainbow Bay's evolution over the past several years.

After establishing S&amp;S Projects, Gedoun has focused on delivering lifestyle-driven apartment developments designed primarily for owner-occupiers seeking a permanent coastal home.

Esprit is Gedoun's third completed project in Rainbow Bay, following Flow and Awaken, both of which achieved record prices for the suburb.

He is now delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, a 38-apartment development on Boundary Street that is currently selling, and has no plans to leave the precinct anytime soon. S&amp;S Projects has also lodged plans for its fifth Rainbow Bay development, an 88-apartment project on Boundary Street featuring a strong wellness focus.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">First look: S&amp;S Projects proposes 88-apartment wellness tower at Coolangatta's Boundary Street</a>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Who's who of buyers revealed as Esprit Rainbow Bay settles

Nature Based Cities (NBC), the not-for-profit organisation focused on improving biodiversity and nature outcomes in urban development, has launched its latest industry design guidelines and accreditation framework, this time targeting precinct-scale residential communities.

The move extends NBC’s influence beyond its initial focus on medium and high-density residential developments. Several projects have already achieved NBC accreditation since the launch of its Medium &amp; High-Density Residential Guidelines in early 2025.

The expansion into masterplanned communities and new residential precincts reflects the growing need for stronger nature-positive benchmarks as Australia’s outer suburban growth corridors continue to expand at pace.

Paul Hameister OAM, NBC Founder and the Executive Chairman of Melbourne developer Hamton who itself leans heavily into nature and biodiversity in its developments, says the&nbsp;nature-first approach to mitigate the effects of climate change has become standard in other parts of the world such as the UK, but Australia is lagging.&nbsp;Australia’s environmentally sustainable design (ESD) rating tools have no minimum mandatory requirements for living landscapes.

“We’ve always wanted to do more, and we know other developers who want to do more, but the ESD rating tools just aren’t there,” Hameister says. “In Australia, you can have a five-green-star rated building that’s concrete and glass with not a blade of grass. 
 
“The focus is on reducing emissions, which is laudable, but there hasn’t been enough attention paid to protecting and re-establishing nature. We need both for the health of the environment and for communities.”

He says that having now&nbsp;made good progress in supporting developers of medium and high-density residential projects, NBC is now looking to bolster better nature-based decision-making and recognise developers of greenfield projects in the outer ring and large inner-ring brownfield precincts, who want to champion nature and living landscape as a defining feature.

Since 2022, the not-for-profit has sought to remove the roadblocks preventing developers from incorporating nature and living landscapes into their projects, shifting the conversation from the reduction of emissions and grey infrastructure, toward recognising nature as an essential infrastructure.

The New Communities Design Guidelines and Scorecard arm developers with the tools needed to deliver a nature positive outcome for their new communities. Intended to be adopted at the outset of the planning process, the guidelines are designed to help create communities that are cooler, healthier and more resilient while also enhancing social wellbeing and long-term economic value.&nbsp;

New Communities developers seeking accreditation will be independently assessed across a range of key criteria including ecology, tree canopy, biodiversity, and walkability. Once the masterplan is complete and submitted for approval, the scorecard is formalised based on proposed outcomes. Projects that meet the NBC criteria will receive either Commended or Exemplary accreditation outcomes, creating a clear benchmark for nature-positive new communities in Australia.&nbsp;

Janis Fischer, Director at Tract and NBC Advisory Council member, said the development of new communities in our suburbs can have a substantial impact on nature and biodiversity.

"By incorporating nature-based design principles at the inception of a project, developers and their design teams can achieve nature positive outcomes that are good for both people and the planet.’’&nbsp;

NBC accredited New Community projects will gain access to NBC branding and marketing tools to help communicate their nature-based credentials to purchasers and the broader market.&nbsp;

Nature Based Cities: A new Australian benchmark for developing nature-positive new communities

Apartment buildings are increasingly being designed around how people actually live day to day, not just how they want a building to look.

For buyers, that shift is showing up in practical inclusions that respond to changing habits. Work-from-home spaces, EV charging, wellness amenities, secure bike storage and parcel management are becoming part of the broader apartment conversation, reflecting a move toward buildings that reduce friction in everyday life.

Online shopping has become one of the clearest examples of that change.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion online in 2025, with nearly one in four retail dollars now spent online. That has made parcel delivery a regular part of apartment living, rather than an occasional inconvenience.

For apartment residents, however, the delivery process can be less straightforward than it is for detached homes. Parcels may be left in lobbies, redirected to Post Offices, missed entirely, or placed under the responsibility of building managers and concierge teams.

That is why secure parcel infrastructure is increasingly being considered alongside more familiar apartment amenities.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-VjjLwoViX0?si=A3k7ws9NX35Uac7_" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Australia Post Parcel Lockers offer one way to address the issue. When a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS, then collect it using a QR code or one-time PIN. The parcel is kept secure, accessible and removed from common areas.

The broader Parcel Locker network now includes more than 1,500 locations across Australia, positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and other accessible locations.

For new apartment projects, the relevance is clear. A building’s amenity offering is no longer only about lifestyle spaces, but also about convenience, security and functionality.

As buyer expectations evolve, secure parcel delivery is becoming part of the same design conversation as flexible working, sustainable transport and resident wellbeing.

It is one less thing for residents to worry about, and another example of apartment design adapting to the way Australians now live.

Apartment design is adapting to the way Australians shop

While school holidays and trips to Europe tend to define the winter property market, there's been no cold snap at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> in North Sydney.

Developer-builder&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a> sold more than $35 million worth of apartments throughout June, including a $6.8 million apartment that now ranks among the highest apartment sales ever recorded in North Sydney.

SRM Residential agent Ben Stewart said buyer demand throughout June reflected a mix of improving market confidence and longer-term thinking from owner-occupiers.

"We're seeing strong demand from owner-occupiers who are taking a longer-term view," Stewart said.

"Many recognise the opportunity to secure an apartment in an iconic building and premium location while values remain attractive. They may initially lease the property, but the intention is to eventually move in themselves, rather than purchasing purely as an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=367129]

Located at 177 Walker Street, The Walden will deliver 161 one, two, three and four-bedroom residences across a 30-storey tower designed by Rothelowman. Every apartment occupies a corner position, maximising natural light, cross ventilation and views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, Sydney Heads and the northern districts.

Rather than a traditional balcony, the residences feature winter gardens that seamlessly extend the open plan living areas, creating versatile spaces for relaxing or entertaining throughout the year. Floor-to-ceiling glazing draws in natural light while showcasing sweeping views from the building's elevated Walker Street position.

Every apartment features high-end Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, and fully integrated appliances.

The larger residences have been planned with distinct entertaining and private zones, with many master suites positioned on corners to capture natural light and harbour views. Walk-in dressing rooms, freestanding baths and refined stone finishes reinforce the house-like feel that has resonated with downsizers and owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6393]

Rothelowman Principal Ben Pomroy said the project was designed to make the most of its unique position overlooking the harbour.

"The Walden is a celebration of all things beautiful, curated for those who expect nothing less than exceptional," Pomroy says.

"Meticulously designed entertaining spaces and light-filled living areas that capitalise on capturing the natural beauty of Sydney's iconic harbour."

Residents will also have exclusive access to The Pavilion, a dedicated amenity building featuring a rooftop pool, wellness studio, gymnasium, sauna, concierge service, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and work-from-home facilities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6402]

The project marks ALAND's first major luxury apartment development in Sydney's inner-city market after more than two decades delivering residential communities across Greater Sydney.

Founder and CEO Andrew Hrsto previously said the rarity of the Walker Street site made it an opportunity the company could not overlook.

"This is a rare opportunity to bring a truly exceptional project to life in one of Sydney's most iconic locations, and to showcase our craftsmanship and design expertise at a world-class level," Hrsto said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6383]

The Walden has been introduced to the market at a time when demand for living in North Sydney is at an all-time high. Billions of dollars have been invested in infrastructure, including the recently opened Victoria Cross Metro station, located just 300 metres from The Walden, providing residents with direct access to the Sydney CBD in just minutes.

Private investment has also transformed the area through the arrival of new retail and dining destinations, elevating the lifestyle offering in what was once considered primarily a commercial precinct rather than an aspirational residential address.

The Walden is currently under construction and is scheduled for completion in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]

ALAND records $35 million in sales in North Sydney as The Walden bucks quiet winter selling season

The long-awaited redevelopment of the former Eastlakes Shopping Centre site has reached a major milestone, with Conquest's plans for a new mixed-use precinct officially placed on public exhibition.

The State Significant Development Application would transform the 1.7-hectare site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/19a-evans-avenue-eastlakes-nsw-2018">19A Evans Avenue</a> into one of Sydney's largest urban renewal projects, delivering 736 apartments above a new shopping centre anchored by Woolworths, alongside specialty retail, dining, commercial space and new public open spaces.

The public exhibition marks the next chapter for the project after <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/conquest">Conquest</a> acquired the stalled Stage Two development from Crown Group, who completed the first stage across the road prior to their voluntary liquidation.

<img alt="First look: Conquest unveils plans for 736-home Eastlakes Shopping Centre redevelopment" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5fca22c5-d1ed-4e2c-8801-03f7df1eafc8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/eastland%20podium.png?VersionId=uomwr41nF8CmLUZRDcu3mHQechlbxucS" />

&nbsp;

Designed by DKO Architecture, the proposal comprises four residential buildings ranging from 14 to 18 storeys above a two-level retail podium. The development would deliver 736 apartments, including 74 affordable homes, 215 Build-to-Rent apartments and 521 market residences. Provision has also been made for dual-key apartments, which could increase the total number of dwellings to 877.

At ground level, the shopping centre has been designed as the suburb's new meeting place, anchored by a full-line Woolworths and complemented by a curated mix of fresh food retailers, cafés, restaurants, health services and everyday convenience shopping. Generous pedestrian links and landscaped public spaces will connect the retail precinct through to Jack Mundey Reserve, creating a more walkable and connected neighbourhood.

Conquest CEO Michael Akkawi said the redevelopment was about far more than replacing a shopping centre.

"Eastlakes has been overlooked for too long, and this is the community’s moment. We are building a shopping centre and homes, a genuine heart for the suburb, and we genuinely want locals to help shape it."

"We enrich communities through the creation of homes, places, and experiences designed for life, built to last, and owner for generations. That starts with listening, so we warmly encourage everyone with a connection to Eastlakes to view the plans and share their thoughts."

<img alt="First look: Conquest unveils plans for 736-home Eastlakes Shopping Centre redevelopment" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="22f6fb20-54fb-4bd7-8a92-48fafdd00608" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/eastland.png?VersionId=cugp7s9hrMHGJJdYzkeAkrFoQgnF4GXf" />

DKO said the design had been shaped by the site's landscape setting and surrounding open space.

"Our vision for the site embraces its unique Bidjigal identity by blending the residential living with generous landscaping and a material palette inspired by the Bidjigal locality, and celebrating the panoramic views to Botany Bay and the wetlands reserves."

"Taking cues from Country, we seek to harmonise built form with the landscape and lightly touch the earth. By reconnecting, retaining and regenerating existing ecology, and weaving in natural elements, we can deepen our connection to Country."

The landscape strategy extends across the podium and rooftops, incorporating communal gardens, children's play areas, lawns, community gardens, family gathering spaces and extensive tree planting. New landscaped links will also strengthen the connection between the precinct and Jack Mundey Reserve, while publicly accessible open spaces have been integrated throughout the development.

The proposal builds on Conquest's broader placemaking strategy for the site. Through an ongoing partnership, local artist Joe Rashbrook has been appointed Urban Art Curator, working alongside young residents to transform the project's site hoardings into a public art gallery that allows the community to engage with the redevelopment before construction is complete.

Conquest has rapidly expanded its development pipeline since acquiring the Eastlakes site, with more than $6 billion worth of mixed-use projects now in planning across Sydney, including Stanmore, Castlecrag and Waterloo.

Conquest CEO Michael Akkawi said the redevelopment was about far more than replacing a shopping centre.

Jonathan Chancellor

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