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There was a late scratching amid Sydney's 600 scheduled weekend auctions.
Racing couple Gai and Rob Waterhouse withdrew their longtime Mosman family home given insufficient competitive interest was lined up to bid for their prestige offering.
The battle-axe property in the exclusive enclave Clifton Gardens was listed with a price guide of $6 million.
The Waterhouse family have had the property for 32 years ownership since paying $457,500 in 1983 but have rented it out for the past four years.
They now prefer Balmoral and their Southern Highlands retreat, Dunsinea, the 40 hectare Mittagong trophy property.
The Melbourne Cup winning trainer and her husband, Robbie Waterhouse own in Melbourne having bought a whole floor Spring Street apartment for $4.3 million in 2014.
Gai, ofcourse, was always going to be distracted today by Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes Day race meeting at Caulfield though she has just the one runner, Bonfire in the first. She has two racing at Randwick too.
The four bedroom <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-mosman-121723666" target="_blank">Burrawong Avenue</a> home has four bedrooms with wall to wall windows highlighting the southerly Harbour views over Shark Island and beyond.
Designed as three inter-connected pavilions, the 695 sqm estate has a mosaic-tiled pool in the rear central courtyard.
The Waterhouse's do not live in the property, but made homely with their family contents, the most impressive being a Garry Shead race day painting.
The master bedroom suite comes with an impressive hat display cabinet filled with Gai's hats and fascinators from past race days.
There were more than two dozen in behind the glass display cabinet when I breezed through this week's open for inspection which was little quiet.
Apparently the week before 2088 Realty listing agent Sally-Anne Lawlor oversaw a cast of thousands with Chinese an Indian buyers and even a French family.
"It was a bit like the UN," she suggested adding she was happy to sell to anyone.
The scratching from the auction doesn't come as a huge surprise.
Although the Sydney market is recording healthy mid 70 percent clearance rates throughout February, Mosman is struggling to sell via auction at the moment, with only two sales last weekend out of its 10 auctions.
There pressure continues as there were 15 Saturday auctions scheduled in Mosman, the busiest suburb across Sydney.
Mosman's median house price is tracking at over $3 million for the first time $3 million with a recovery given a long dip following the GFC, according to CoreLogic RPData. 
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
 
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Waterhouse clan's Clifton Gardens home pulled from weekend auction

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Unswayed by the recent 60 Minutes segment forecasting a 50 percent house price crash, the national auction clearance rate edged up to 72 percent, from the prior week's 71 percent.
This weekend television news bulletins were more focused on the little ramshackle Brunswick house made famous by Beyonce in her No Angel video clip (above) that sold at auction for a silly $650,000.
The auctioneer Steven James declared the price as having a “Beyonce premium” when 20 Beith Street sold on Saturday reportedly to a neighbour. 
Not even the auction price forecasting website, realAs could anticipate the premium as it suggested a likely $539,000 sale price, as against the agent's $470,000 to $510,000 price guidance. 
Acclaimed Australian filmmakers Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin finally found a buyer for their Darlinghurst mansion, Iona on Friday evening.
It was listed for private treaty sale for $16 million last July marketed as "a once in a lifetime opportunity to possess a heritage masterpiece."
The couple, along with their two children, spend much of their time in New York so will now look for a smaller Sydney home and office as Iona is also the headquarters of Luhrmann’s production company Bazmark.
The Italianate late 1880s trophy home sits on a 2700 square metre block in the centre of Darlinghurst surrounded by established gardens. 
Luhrmann and Martin had rented Iona for nine years before purchasing it in 2006 for $10 million.
Another 1880s Sydney home - Sunnyside, a sandstone Hunters Hill riverfront residence - topped the weekend auctions with a $6.51 million result through BresicWhitney agent Nicholas McEvoy.
<a href="/images/2016/02/29/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-29%20at%209.13.44%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/02/29/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-29%20at%209.13.44%20AM.png" alt="">
Sunnyside, on 1900 sqm north facing square metres at 22 Vernon Street, had been in the same family for almost seven decades.
A north-west facing single storey Toorak home on half that size ranked as the second highest weekend sale when $5,795,000 was secured through Sothebys.
It had sold at $4.7 million in 2007 when bought by the late philanthropic Carlton bookseller Barbara Tucker, widow of the modernist artist Albert Tucker, who moved from Woodside, St Kilda. 
Melbourne's Murrumbeena had the nation's cheapest sale when a one bedroom, 46 sqm unit fetched $280,000. It reflected six percent annual price growth since selling at $119,000 in 2001.
Brisbane had the cheapest house sale at $301,000 when a three bedroom, late 1980s Beenleigh house sold, having traded at $259,000 in early 2013. 
Auction activity saw 2,113 offerings which continues to pick up with 2,620 auctions scheduled this week.
Last week marked the fourth consecutive week when the national capital city clearance rate sat above the 70 percent mark. 
CoreLogic RP Data noted the prior four week period when clearance rates sat higher than 70 percent was last September.
The robust rate of auction clearance, together with the moderating rate of growth through February suggest to CoreLogic that housing markets are in a controlled slowdown rather than showing any signs of a sharp correction. 
Melbourne’s preliminary clearance rate was 75 percent, up from 74 percent last week, but lower than the 77 percent of properties that sold at the same time last year.
It took the baton for strongest capital city from Sydney.
Melbourne’s top performing sub-region was the inner south, where both a high volume of auctions were held (224) and the strongest clearance rate achieved at 84 percent.
Inner Melbourne had the most auctions this week (289), however the clearance rate was the second lowest of any Melbourne subregions at 72 percent. 
Sydney’s preliminary auction clearance fell to 73 percent, following on from the previous week’s result of 76 percent.
There were 872 auctions held, rising from 800 last week, but lower than the 1,223 over the comparable week one year ago.
Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs 87 percent topped the regions. 
The number of Brisbane homes taken to auction sats at around 175, with its auction clearance rate strengthening to 58 percent.
Some 43 Gold Coast auction results were reported with a 49 percent clearance rate.
There were 118 Adelaide auctions held this week and its 72 percent the third strongest capital city result.
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Beyonce, Baz and Barbara: weekend property action

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Offers close March 8 on the warehouse offering that remains listed from last year in Balaclava.
It came then with a $2,750,000 asking price.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-balaclava-121811862" target="_blank">The 31 Woodstock Street offering</a>, on the verge of St Kilda East, come with two bedrooms, three bathrooms and parking for four.
Its a triple brick warehouse from the 1930s, formerly a hat factory, a photographer's studio and residence.
It was a location in the ABC hit drama, The Time of Our Lives. 
At one point it was returning $130,000 in annual income.
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1930's hat factory home at 31 Woodstock Street, Balaclava relisted

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Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has sought and been given advice from former Prime Minister John Howard on tax reform.
The former prime minister warned the Coalition to be careful about making any changes to negative gearing.
Mr Howard told Sky News negative gearing had been around "forever" and the Coalition should be careful about making any changes.
"There are a lot of modest-income people who accumulate some money and then negatively gear a property, particularly [those] who don't want to invest in the share market," Mr Howard said.
Mr Turnbull said he had been discussing the issue with Mr Howard.
"Look, it's very important to treat any changes to the tax system very carefully, indeed I had a long chat with John about negative gearing and other aspects of tax only yesterday, in fact — a long chat," he said.
The Prime Minister said Mr Howard had been "a great source of advice".
"The last time the abolition of negative gearing was tried by the Labor Party ... it was quickly reversed because of its negative impact on the housing and in particular the rental market," he said.
"Howard's advice [to] look at these things carefully — absolutely, that's exactly what I'm doing."
Some Coalition backbenchers worry any changes will expose the Government, given the Prime Minister's criticism of Labor's negative gearing plan.
The Government will unveil its tax package in the lead-up to the next budget.
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John Howard warns on negative gearing changes

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Domino’s Pizza downsizing head Don Meij has sold his Clayfield house for $3,125,000.
It cost him $3.75 million. <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-clayfield-118312723" target="_blank">The Clayfield home</a> went on the market as the business offshore growth sees him spend more time overseas with 1400 stores in six countries.
“The Clayfield home is a large, historical beautiful home on a big property and does take more to upkeep," the spokesperson advised.
"As you can appreciate with Don’s travel commitments, this wouldn’t always be that easy. 
"I can confirm he still lives in Brisbane and is still very much a local ‘Brisbanite’.”
The New England style home, Plymouth in Riverton Street was bought in September 2013.
Leigh Kortilang of Ray White Ascot sold the 1,619 square metre property to buyers from Greenslopes.
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Domino's Don Meij sells Clayfield to downsize 

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GUEST OBSERVER
When you are Malcolm Turnbull floundering in the heavy seas of tax reform, it is perhaps unfortunate that the 20th anniversary of the election of the Howard government has come around at this particular moment.
John Howard has reached near demigod status in the Liberal Party, second only to Robert Menzies. His biggest economic reform was the introduction of the GST, which naturally has him seen as the tax guru. At the time the change was fraught, and could easily have taken the government’s life. Looking back, the achievement stands out, the difficulties fade.
In his weekend interviews Howard had two pertinent messages on tax. The first was that the issue of the tax “mix” will eventually have to be revisited.
Turnbull has already retreated from the option of raising the GST to pay for mega tax cuts. But Howard doubted that “it’s snuffed out forever”, saying that for the “medium to longer term” the mix needed to be revisited.
Potentially this can feed into an ALP scare campaign claiming that while the GST might be off the table for now, a re-elected Turnbull government could put it back on.
On negative gearing, Howard was concerned about an escalation of rents and about hitting the nest eggs of people on modest incomes. Coalition backbenchers who are urging Turnbull not to fiddle with negative gearing will seize on Howard’s cautioning – although what the government appears to be considering would probably only affect richer investors.
Turnbull on Sunday said he had had “a long chat with John about negative gearing and other aspects of tax only yesterday. … He’s obviously a great source of advice.”
Turnbull shouldn’t need much advice to know he’ll need to put on the hard hat as the government on Monday goes into another character-building parliamentary week.
As talk swirls about a possible double dissolution for July 2, already skittish Coalition backbenchers are likely to be increasingly anxious about the shape of the tax blueprint.
The inclination, according to some government sources, is now to put out a comprehensive package on tax before the budget.
But other sources are more qualified, saying while something will be released prior to the budget, how much and in what form is not yet clear.
Turnbull told News Corp in a statement: “The government’s approach is to work carefully through all the elements in the tax system … That work will be completed shortly and the results will be announced in the lead-up to the budget."
The expenditure review committee is due to consider the tax package early next week. Rather strangely, considering how much pressure is on, both Treasurer Scott Morrison – who eschewed travel abroad in his first days in the portfolio – and Treasury head John Fraser were overseas in the last few days.
Howard was not the only one out and about in the tax debate at the weekend. Tony Abbott, in an extract of an essay defending his government’s record to be published in the March issue of Quadrant, wrote that he was confident he could have won this year on a program of budget savings and lower tax.
“In September last year, the Abbott government was just beginning the election policy process. The likelihood is that we would have gone to the election seeking a mandate to reduce or eliminate some of the one-off payments that seemed defensible with surpluses of $20bn but not with deficits of $40bn; and further to tighten eligibility for ongoing payments. … With further budget savings in place, I was confident that there could be income tax cuts during the next term of parliament.”
On Wednesday night in Parliament’s Great Hall the Liberal faithful will gather to honour John Howard and his government. Privately, quite a few backbenchers will be making comparisons with his successors. Abbott will be among those on the main table. It will be a night requiring from past and present leaders a certain facility for walking on eggshells. Just like the tax package.
Michelle Grattan is professorial fellow, University of Canberra and author for The Conversation. She can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michelle-grattan-20316" target="_blank">here</a>.
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John Howard gives Coalition MPs ammunition about changing negative gearing

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With ambitious $13.5 million hopes, Clyde Cottage, the now restored one-time Woollahra childhood home of Dame Joan Sutherland, had it first open for inspection yesterday.
The queue which occasionally extended onto Queen Street appeared to be mostly opera and architectural buffs.
But then Atlassian tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes was spotted walking through the village.
But he walked right past the open front gate, instead heading to the newsagency of buy five copies of The Australian newspaper which featured him all over the front page.
Cannon-Brookes and wife, Annie spent $12 million last year in Centennial Park after selling in Paddington.
Clyde Cottage, which has had a makeover by studiointernationale and May+Swan Architects, is being sold by Singapore billioniare Ronald Ooi, who was educated in Sydney.
It last sold for $4 million in a dilapidated state.
The house became Sutherland's home after her father died suddenly on her sixth birthday in the early 1930's and sold by the family sold in 1951.
Several years before her death Sutherland noted: "Unfortunately, from the time my family gave up the house, the deterioration set in.”
Considered among Singapore's richest, Ooi secured $1.35 billion when his 40 year old family securities and investment broker company was sold several years ago.
The restoration and extension of Clyde Cottage retained the original residence at the front, and added two interconnected pavilions behind it that include the ultra-contemporary main living areas.
 
 
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Dame Joan Sutherland's childhood Woollahra home is up for grabs

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Melbourne's Warrandyte topped the list of suburbs in December 2015 quarterly growth, according to latest REIV stats. 
Nearly all (98%) of dwellings in Warrandyte were houses, according to RP Data.
<a href="/images/2016/02/26/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-26%20at%201.13.02%20PM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/02/26/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-26%20at%201.13.02%20PM.png" alt="">
 
*Only suburbs with at least 50 sales in the relevant quarter are included
Property Observer looked up recent sales in Warrandyte on <a href="https://realestateview.com.au/" target="_blank">www.realestateview.com.au</a> and came up with these:
<img src="/images/2016/02/25/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-25%20at%202.51.43%20PM.png" alt="" width="608" height="377">
1. A four-bedroom house with a landscaped native garden at <a href="https://realestateview.com.au/real-estate/15-west-end-road-warrandyte-vic/property-details-sold-residential-9801293" target="_blank">15 West End Road</a> (above) sold for $1,060,000.
<img src="/images/2016/02/25/700_w1.jpg" alt="" width="547" height="391">
2. A five-bedroom two-storey house on <a href="https://realestateview.com.au/real-estate/60-lynette-avenue-warrandyte-vic/property-details-sold-residential-9734801" target="_blank">60 Lynette Avenue</a> (above) fetched $1,070,000. 
<img src="/images/2016/02/25/w2.jpg" alt="" width="521" height="316">
3. A three-bedroom dwelling at <a href="https://realestateview.com.au/real-estate/230-heidelberg-warrandyte-road-warrandyte-vic/property-details-sold-residential-9715454" target="_blank">230 Heidelberg-Warrendyte Road</a> (above) went for $990,000.
 
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Warrandyte tops Melbourne median price growth in December quarter

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The Oporto burger business co-founder Gary Linz is thinking of upgrading on Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach. Presumably into his brother's Allen's recently completed joint development, the Bondi Pacific.
So he's selling his eastern suburbs prestige property portfolio.
His 155 sqm Bondi apartment is for sale through Barry Goldman and Martine Harvey of Raine &amp; Horne.
They sold his neighbouring apartment sold for $2.7 million late last year.
Last weekend his <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-tamarama-121783190" target="_blank">luxury Tamarama property sold</a> prior to auction having been listed with $4 million plus hopes.
Linz bought the house for $3.52 million in 2010 and briefly leased it with a $4,000 a week asking price.
Architecturally designed, the freestanding home has been converted from four bedrooms to three, the master retreat now including a sitting room, sandstone terrace and marble spa ensuite.
Set on 266 sqm, the property features an entertainer's cabana beside the heated mosaic tiled pool and jacuzzi.
Gary is the son of Sam Linz who founded Barbecues Galore.
Gary's newest venture, Monsters in Darlinghurst which slow cooks its burger meats for 12 hours and has the marketing tagline 'the fastest slow food in town'.
He other endeavours since Oporto included Kings Cross rib and chicken restaurant SGT. Sams.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Oporto co-founder Linz selling prestige property portfolio

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An apartment in the Art Deco block Kayora is on the market in Carlton.
Listed for between $800,000 to $880,000, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-carlhttps://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-vic-carlton+north-121822470ton+north-121822470" target="_blank">148 Pigdon Street</a> has been renovated to retain its Art Deco appeal.
The apartment previously traded for $750,000 in 2009, but more recently another traded in the building for $870,000 in 2013.
Polished timber cabinetry, stained floor boards, curved Moderne walls and headlight glass in particular are the classic interiors that have been maintained.
The sleek 1930's style ground floor apartment also features a central bathroom with original fittings and a private north facing courtyard.
The property is available through Nicholas West and Charlie Barham of Nelson Alexander Real Estate.
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Art Deco apartment offering at 148 Pigdon Street, Carlton North

An entity directed by HSN's Rafi Assouline and Rebel Property's Allen Linz has filed plans for an impressive new precinct in Woolloomooloo.

The major mixed-use development would transform a prominent William Street site into a new residential village anchored by affordable housing and a large public park.

The proposal, submitted as a State Significant Development Application, covers 164-172 and 174-194 William Street, a 6,398 sqm site between Forbes Street and Dowling Street on the southern edge of Woolloomooloo.

Designed by fjcstudio in collaboration with Bangawarra, Studio Bright and Tribe Studio Architects, the scheme would deliver 227 apartments across four residential buildings ranging in height up to 18 storeys, alongside retail space, public domain improvements and a new publicly accessible park.

<img alt="Rebel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0eb59b7c-914a-4a5c-b849-3a56749f5e93" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-12%20at%2011.18.51%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=mxM6EEqeoLjrCiTlCzTKTvzpKuh6kSkH" />

It's another design scheme for Rebel, who took <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-rebel-property-group-takes-woolloomooloo-precinct-to-nsw-government">concept plans to the NSW Gov late last year</a>.

The latest plans will be a mix of 167 build-to-sell apartments and 60 affordable apartments, with the affordable housing component representing 15 per cent of the project's gross floor area. The apartment mix includes 12 one-bedroom, 53 two-bedroom, 89 three-bedroom apartments and 13 penthouses, while the affordable housing component would comprise 42 one-bedroom and 18 two-bedroom apartments.

<img alt="Rebel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3b3d4553-8a8c-4af5-aa8c-519ffb1e28c6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-12%20at%2011.20.12%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=_Yb6ibN7eDnOtQjCNDK2eviORa4qzgv." />

Rebel Property is seeking to take advantage of the NSW Government's infill affordable housing bonus provisions under the Housing SEPP, which provide additional floor space and height in exchange for the delivery of affordable housing for a minimum of 15 years. The planning pathway allows a 30 per cent increase in floor space ratio and building height where 15 per cent of the development is dedicated to affordable housing.

&nbsp;

At the centre of the development is a 1,356 sqm sunlit public park designed to become a new community gathering space at the gateway to Woolloomooloo. The park would be complemented by a network of pedestrian laneways connecting William Street with the surrounding streets, improving permeability through what is currently a largely impermeable block.

<img alt="Rebel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="257af931-a393-4007-8c6d-7219796df58d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-12%20at%2011.20.51%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=KAHy94GrhaReFsWTGDKfy39EDJ8gEEv4" />

The design team says the public domain has been heavily influenced by the site's topography and Aboriginal cultural heritage, drawing on the escarpments, gullies and landscape characteristics that historically defined the area before urbanisation. The landscape design has been developed in partnership with First Nations consultancy Bangawarra.

The project would be delivered across four separate buildings. The William Street East and William Street West buildings, designed by fjcstudio, would contain the majority of the apartments. Melbourne-based Studio Bright has designed the Forbes Street building, while Tribe Studio Architects is responsible for the Dowling Street building.

Rebel had secured approval for the concept plans late last year.

Joel Robinson

First look: HSN, Rebel, advances Woolloomooloo precinct plans

A locally heritage-listed furniture showroom on Water Street is set to become the centrepiece of a new mixed-use residential development as local developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/keylin-group">Keylin</a> seeks approval for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lotus-on-water-street-290-water-street-fortitude-valley-qld-4006">Lotus on Water Street</a>, a 15-storey project on the Fortitude Valley side of Spring Hill.

The proposal spans 290 Water Street and 137-141 Warry Street, combining several properties into a 2,869 sqm site that sits between Fortitude Valley, Spring Hill and the rapidly evolving Victoria Park precinct. Keylin's plans would deliver 132 apartments alongside new retail, hospitality and commercial space, while retaining and repurposing the historic Brunswick Home Furnishers Showroom that fronts Water Street.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/jackson-teece">Jackson Teece</a>, Lotus on Water Street comprises a 12-storey residential tower rising above a three-storey podium and communal rooftop terrace. The development includes 76 apartments classified as multiple dwellings and a further 56 units proposed as short-term accommodation, designed to be flexibly used as either accommodation or permanent residences. The apartment mix comprises six one-bedroom, 54 two-bedroom and 16 three-bedroom homes.

<img alt="First look: Keylin unveils heritage-led Lotus on Water Street tower in Fortitude Valley" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9822bb79-6c49-49c9-95ba-319e8c8d81c3" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/fortitude%20valley%20front.png?VersionId=ioW8zbN4UVebbLetTFuv92t.HkdgfR5e" />

Residents would have access to an extensive rooftop recreation level spanning more than 1,200 sqm of communal open space. Plans include a pool, gym, sauna, infrared sauna, yoga area, library, private dining room, barbecue facilities and landscaped entertainment spaces, making the rooftop the project's largest shared amenity offering.

At street level, the proposal focuses on the adaptive reuse of the heritage buildings along Water Street, where 518 sqm of retail and commercial space is planned across shop, office and food and drink outlet uses. A permeable residential lobby would be positioned between the retained heritage buildings, creating a pedestrian connection between the historic streetscape and the new tower behind.

<img alt="First look: Keylin unveils heritage-led Lotus on Water Street tower in Fortitude Valley" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="269cf3e0-7d13-48bf-a318-05a00deb5c10" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/fortitude%20valley%20podium.png?VersionId=DLXmTCLsp6GOcLpQ0h.0z7wKCw59EhN_" />

The heritage retention strategy is central to the scheme. The development application notes that the Brunswick Home Furnishers Showroom and adjoining heritage buildings will remain, with only non-significant structures on the site earmarked for removal under a previously issued Heritage Exemption Certificate. Levels one and two of the new podium are recessed behind the heritage façades to maintain their prominence within the streetscape.

Jackson Teece has drawn inspiration from the site's manufacturing history when designing the podium. The planning documents state that the façade incorporates perforated metal screening that references the woven and rattan furniture historically produced on the site. Cascading and climbing plants are integrated throughout the podium to soften the building's presentation and screen parking levels behind. The landscape strategy also informs the project's name, Lotus on Water Street, drawing on the historic Spring Hollow waterholes that once ran through Spring Hill and the blue water lilies associated with Meeanjin, Brisbane's traditional name.

The proposal also incorporates the neighbouring property at 141 Warry Street, currently occupied by a healthcare service. The existing building would remain, with nine dedicated parking spaces allocated within the new development to support its ongoing operation. In total, Lotus on Water Street proposes 117 car spaces, including 110 resident spaces and seven visitor bays, alongside 100 bicycle spaces.

<img alt="First look: Keylin unveils heritage-led Lotus on Water Street tower in Fortitude Valley" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="70cf07bc-4fd8-4e70-92dd-be8b21c4e4f0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/fortitude%20valley%20site.png?VersionId=txlxrJImM0Sm_vTzHVKh5DDUkyL_CiiA" />

The site sits within the Spring Hill East Precinct of the Spring Hill Neighbourhood Plan and is positioned around 650 metres from both Fortitude Valley Station and Exhibition Station. It is also within walking distance of the King Street precinct, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston Quarter and Victoria Park, which is earmarked to become a major venue precinct ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Planning documents describe the location as a key gateway between Spring Hill and Fortitude Valley and highlight the area's increasing importance as new transport infrastructure and Olympic-related investment reshape Brisbane's inner north. The development team argues the project will contribute additional housing supply while activating a section of Water Street that has historically received less investment than other parts of the Valley.

Keylin has become increasingly active across Brisbane and southeast Queensland, assembling sites in strategic inner-city locations. They are currently selling and delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/oria-spring-hill-447-gregory-terrace-spring-hill-qld-4000">Oria Spring Hill</a>, just over 140 apartments due for completion in 2027.

Keylin plans heritage-led Lotus on Water Street apartment development in Fortitude Valley

Roseville is poised for a wave of new apartment development following the NSW Government's rezoning of land around Roseville Station under its Transport Oriented Development program.

The new planning controls have unlocked significant development potential within walking distance of the station, with a number of sites expected to be amalgamated and redeveloped in the coming years as developers seek to take advantage of the increased density allowances.

One of the more restrained developments in the precinct, and set among the first to be delivered having commenced well before the recent changes, is Hyecorp's Juliet. The boutique apartment project is already well under construction and remains on track to welcome residents by the end of the year, offering a markedly different proposition to many of the larger-scale developments now likely to emerge across the suburb.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278194]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/juliet-roseville-64-pacific-highway-roseville-nsw-2069">Juliet</a> will comprise just&nbsp;34 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments opposite Roseville Station. For Hyecorp, which has delivered projects across Sydney's Lower North Shore for more than three decades, Roseville presented a rare opportunity to address a growing gap in the market.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/roseville-nsw-2069">Roseville</a> has long been one of the North Shore's most tightly held and desirable suburbs, offering a unique combination of village charm, established greenery, excellent transport connections, and proximity to some of Sydney's best schools and lifestyle amenities," Hyecorp said.

"We recognised a growing demand from local homeowners seeking to downsize without leaving the community they have built their lives around. The location presented a rare opportunity to create homes that cater specifically to that buyer profile."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278196]

The six-level development has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pbd-architects">PBD Architects</a> as a collection of residences that feel more like homes than apartments. The brief centred generous floorplans, abundant natural light, quality finishes, and strong connections to outdoor space.

PBD Architects drew inspiration from Roseville's established garden suburb character, creating a building that sits comfortably within its surroundings rather than dominating them. The architecture incorporates natural materials, soft forms, layered landscaping, expansive balconies, and generous setbacks to strengthen the connection between residents and the suburb's leafy environment.

"The focus was on designing spacious, house-like residences for discerning owner-occupiers and downsizers who wanted to remain on the North Shore without compromising on comfort, privacy, or design," PBD said.&nbsp;

"Every apartment was to feel considered, timeless, and highly functional."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278195]

Inside, residences feature engineered timber flooring, stone kitchen benchtops and splashbacks, integrated Fisher &amp; Paykel appliances, ducted air conditioning, and large outdoor entertaining areas designed to take advantage of district and treetop views.

Residents will also have access to a rooftop barbecue and lounge area, alongside practical amenities including parcel lockers, EV charging capability, bicycle storage, a dog wash bay, and a basement car wash facility.

The majority of purchasers so far have been local owner-occupiers from Roseville, Lindfield, Chatswood, Killara, and the broader Upper North Shore, many of whom are transitioning from larger family homes.

"Buyers are looking for spacious, house-like apartments that allow them to downsize without feeling like they are sacrificing comfort or functionality," Hyecorp noted.

"They value large kitchens, generous living areas, ample storage, quality finishes, secure parking, lift access, and low-maintenance living."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7395 project_image_fid=278204]

Juliet sits directly opposite Roseville Train Station and within walking distance of Roseville Village, while Chatswood's retail and dining precinct is only minutes away. The development is also surrounded by some of Sydney's most established schools, including Roseville College, Ravenswood, Pymble Ladies' College, and Knox Grammar, as well as nearby parklands and golf courses.

Juliet is currently more than 75 per cent sold ahead of its anticipated completion in late 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=7395]

Juliet to sit quietly amid Roseville apartment boom

Sherpa Property Group has unveiled the third instalment of its Flourish series, securing full approval for the two-tower, $500 million Flourish Soleira development in Palm Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-1150-1154-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> will rise from a prominent site in the commercial heart of Palm Beach, the long-time home of Cash Converters and a range of local retailers.

The project will introduce a new retail and dining precinct at ground level, beneath 286 apartments.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370959]

“We’re very committed to not only providing affordable residential offerings that are much needed in Palm Beach, but also delivering a vibrant new commercial heart that complements the extraordinary growth of the southern Gold Coast,” Sherpa Property Group founder Christie Leet said.

The development will sit under Sherpa's Flourish brand, which is aimed at providing a pathway into the beachside suburb for locals, first-home buyers and downsizers. In a move designed to assist first-home buyers entering the market, Sherpa has reserved all one and two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments exclusively for eligible first-home buyers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370964]

“Our vision through Flourish is to create a vibrant retail and lifestyle focal point within the Palm Beach centre zone, delivering thriving communities underpinned by lifestyle-rich locations,” Leet said.

“So far, Flourish has been an incredible success, and we hope to carry this momentum as we progress the next two Flourish projects in Palm Beach.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=371430]

Located across 1150-1164 Gold Coast Highway and 3 Sixth Avenue, the development will comprise two towers. The northern tower will deliver 154 apartments, while the southern tower will add a further 132 residences, helping address ongoing demand for new apartments in the tightly held coastal suburb.

Flourish Soleira will also feature the most extensive rooftop amenity offering ever delivered in Palm Beach.

The two towers will be connected by a skybridge, with residents gaining access to a rooftop recreation deck featuring a full-width swimming pool, hot and cold plunge pools, wellness spaces, a gymnasium, private dining facilities, massage treatment rooms, barbecue areas, a basketball court, golf simulator, indoor and outdoor dining spaces, sun lounges and extensive landscaping.

LPS Group is expected to start construction later this year.

Sherpa is already well advanced on construction of its debut Flourish project, Flourish Amargo, located just around the corner from Soleira. Meanwhile, Flourish Oasis, positioned opposite Amargo, recently commenced construction and has nearly sold out its collection of 47 apartments.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa unveils $500m mixed-use Palm Beach precinct, Flourish Soleira

Are mortgage holders set to get a reprieve from the RBA in 2026?

Big Four bank NAB believes so. They are now expecting the next move from the RBA to be a cut, rather than a hike, which they had pencilled in for August. They are unsure of the timing of the cut however, they note in their latest&nbsp;NAB Economics RBA Watch.

NAB Chief Economist, Dr Sally Auld, said recent data suggests the economy has lost momentum and the outlook for rates has shifted, noting that the broader economic backdrop has changed since earlier in the year.

“The next move in the cash rate is likely to be down, but the timing is uncertain," Dr Auld said.

"In February, growth was above trend, the economy was operating above capacity and there was uncertainty over the restrictiveness of rates. None of these conditions exist today,” she outlined.

Dr Auld said recent data pointed to softer momentum across the economy while acknowledging that at the same time, uncertainty remains a key feature of the outlook.

“Both Q1 GDP data and the NAB business survey suggest momentum in the economy has slowed, meaning that growth has likely peaked for the cycle. That said, we are cognisant there is still considerable uncertainty around the outlook, both with respect to activity and inflation.”

Dr Auld said inflation risks and labour market outcomes would be important to watch.

“On the prices side, we are still forecasting above target core inflation through to mid-2027. Margins will compress and weaker labour market outcomes are a risk.”

She said tighter financial conditions are expected to weigh on housing and activity.

“Tighter financial conditions will be reflected in a slowing in house price growth and housing credit growth. In summary, we have greater conviction that the next move in rates is down, but less conviction on the timing.”

Jonathan Chancellor

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