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Cloyne, the landmark Toorak residence, has been seemingly sold again through Sotheby's International agents Greg Herman and Robert Curtain.
Other interested buyers have been advised there is a conditional contract on the property following an undisclosed accepted price offer.
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-toorak-116643555" target="_blank">five bedroom, five bathroom Harold Desbrowe-Annear-designed house</a>, with prominent porte cochere on Toorak Road, last sold in 2014 at $3.8 million to a Chinese businessman who had a quick change of mind.
Its last disclosed asking price was around $4.3 million.
Back in 2011 it fetched $3.5 million. 
Cloyne is one of the few substantially intact homes designed in the 1920s by Harold Desbrowe Annear.
It was built at 611 Toorak Road, Toorak in 1926 for Louis Nelken, reputedly a former Royal family butler, who married into the establishment.
Louis Nelken married Lesley Chrystal Madden, the daughter of chief justice Sir John Madden, in 1921 dressed "in girlish frocking of white satin with georgette over-scallops and a bodice strewn with pearls."
Brother Guy Madden did the giving away, and a handful of relatives saw the knot tied in the Madden Cliveden flat parlour. The party then motored to the Alexandra Club. 
They finally left Cloyne with a swell party in 1955 attended by members of the Victorian establishment families, Baillieu, Hordern, Myer, Manifold, Chirnside and also the Dekyvere's from Sydney.
In the 1960s Coyne was owned by the then flamboyant playboy Don Busch, who commissioned an extensive refurbishment which was carried out over eight years. The tycoon, but inexperienced polite, died in early 1970 in a Mustang plane crash at Bendigo in country Victoria.
It sold in 1971 for $145,000 to Toorak hotelier William Drever at an auction by Ernest Trebilcock. Drever, who was accompanied by his lawyer Rodney Davidson, sold in 1992 to the Dutton family for $1.11 million. They resold in 1999 for $1.47 million. It was 
Long describe as one of the most architecturally significant buildings in Melbourne, Sothebys agent Greg Herman it was "truly a Melbourne landmark".
Comprising grand entrance, formal sitting room, informal sitting/dining room and kitchen, they open north via French doors to the swimming pool and cabana.
There is a paneled study, ballroom and private guest quarters.
Other owners of the historic home were the luxury car dealer Jeff Dutton and his wife, Gay, who sold in 1999 for $1.47 million.
The Australian Dictionary of Biography write that after World War I, Annear prepared several fine, simple designs which freely used the classical vocabulary.
"Notable among these are the graceful Church Street bridge, Richmond (1924), and Cloyne at 609 Toorak Road (1929), which has a jewel-like quality and is unified by the judicious repetition of a Venetian window motif.
"Such excellent buildings as Cloyne have unjustly been presented as an embarrassment by some of Annear's later admirers, but he believed those who argued for a utilitarian architecture were asking for a non-architecture: they 'did not know definitely what architecture consists of'.
"In fact he pursued throughout a tempered eclecticism," <a href="https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/annear-harold-desbrowe-5036">it suggested</a>.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Cloyne, Toorak sells again through Sotheby's

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Woollahra Council has made an eleventh hour attempt to avoid the proposed merger with Randwick and Waverley municipalities.
It had told the Local Government Boundaries Commission of inquiry it was best suited to instead merge with the City of Sydney should the State Government insist on forced amalgamations.
"While our communities are against being forced, if the government is hell bent then the majority of my councillors support a merger with city of sydney as opposed to this government proposal of a merger with Randwick and Waverley where there is no community of interest or synergy," the Woollahra mayor, Councillor Toni Zeltzer said yesterday.
"We are of the view that City of Sydney would protect what we value most, better than Randwick and Waverley.
"Like City of Sydney we are a habourside council not a coastal council.
"We value our trees and our heritage just like they do.
"We have legible, discernable precincts just like they do at Sydney.
"Waverley on the other hand has a highrise belt in Bondi Junction, Bondi Beach on the coast and everything in between is a homogenised mess with little legiblity or precinct character."
Another key reason was to see the emergence of a strong heritage Oxford Street shopping precinct in response to international shopping tourism trends.
It currently has both Sydney and Woollahra control.
Woollahra have previously refrained from nominating any merger preferences in its submissions to the State Government because the IPART report provided confirmation that the amalgamation of Woollahra Council with neighbouring councils would result in a significant net cost to the Woollahra community. 
"It makes better sense to leave Woollahra Council well alone,” the Woollahra mayor, Councillor Toni Zeltzer has long said.
But on 18 December the NSW Government released its plan for Woollahra Council to be merged with Randwick and Waverley Councils to form a new eastern suburbs council.
Passing on the Global City Council, the state government agreed the City of Sydney had sufficient scale and capacity to remain a stand-alone council without any boundary changes. 
The likely to be displaced Woollahra community have until 28 February to lodge submissions on the merger plan with the Government’s appointed delegate, Dr Robert Lang, as part of the public inquiry into the merger.
"The vast majority - some 80% - have told us loud and clear that they don’t want to merge with Randwick and Waverley," said Woollahra mayor, Councillor Toni Zeltzer.
Woollahra Council has waged a campaign to stay as a stand-alone council, while Randwick and Waverley have volunteered to merge.
The possibility that Woollahra ratepayers would pay up to $17 million more in annual rates under an amalgamation with Waverley and Randwick Councils due to high land values in Woollahra has been a key issue.
Woollahra’s average residential property value of $1.061 million is 1.7 times more than Waverley’s average of $620,000 and 2.2 times more than Randwick’s $477,000 average residential property value. 
It has volunteered to fund an assessment of the cost benefit of any merger with the City of Sydney.
The City of Sydney was excluded from amalgamations although an initial ILGRP report recommended an amalgamation of Botany Bay, Randwick, Sydney, Waverley and Woollahra councils.
The City was forcibly amalgamated with South Sydney in 2004, which mayor Clover Moore said was enormously disruptive.
Under the Act, Dr Lang has been delegated the function of examining and reviewing the Minister’s proposal into the amalgamation of Randwick City, Waverley and Woollahra Municipal councils, taking into consideration the views of the public and the factors outlined within the Local Government Act through verbal and written submissions. 
Under the Act, consideration of other merger suggestions are not within the scope of Dr Lang’s delegated responsibilities.
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Woollahra seeks refuge within City of Sydney as mandatory mergers near

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The number of residential property listings dropped 0.2% in January across Australia, driven by a large fall in Sydney. 
The number of listed properties fell to 342,899 in January 2016, decreasing 0.2% from December 2015.
Residential property listings were up in every capital city except Sydney and Melbourne over January, according to figures from SQM Research.
Sydney had the largest fall in available properties with listings down 5.2%.
Melbourne listings were down 2.6% over the month. 
Brisbane had the largest month-on-month increase in residential property listings, up 3% over January, followed by Perth up 2.5% and Canberra up 1.6%.
However, year-on-year results indicate that residential property listings are up for most capital cities.
Property listings in Sydney and Canberra are higher than this time last year with Sydney experiencing a yearly rise of 13.7% and Canberra recording a rise of 11.2%.
Year-on-year, Melbourne and Hobart were the only two capital cities to record a drop in properties available for sale. Melbourne listing dropped 8.9% while Hobart listings dropped 7.7%.
SQM Research managing director Louis Christopher says the figures are further proof that the Sydney market is beginning to cool.
“As we enter into the new property season it’s clear that our latest indicators are suggesting a continued mixed market across the nation.
“On the one hand there is an overhang of stock on the market in Sydney, which is a symptom of the slowdown in the market there that started the second half of last year.
"While on the other hand Melbourne does not appear to have any overhang, and so will be entering the new season less stock on the market than what has been the average for the past five years."
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SQM sees overhang in Sydney's 2016 listings

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A time-warp in Sydney's Paddington is for sale, but only after a bizarre court case.
The dilapidated Paddington terrace at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-paddington-121762078" target="_blank">45 Iris Street</a> isn't difficult to spot with it's faded yellow facade drawing the eye.
<img src="/images/2016/02/08/p.jpg" alt="">
The quirky interior walls are filled with quirky designs, some of which are hand drawn by the previous owner Christina Coombes who was an artist.
Christina passed away in 2013 and had owned the property for the last 40 years.
She bought the property with her late butcher husband Kenneth Coombes in 1965 for £3,200.
The terrace was in the limelight last year when an Iraqi refugee tried to claim the dank hovel, suggesting he was Christina's lover, cat minder and dancing partner for 17 years.
<img src="/images/2016/02/08/image4.jpg" alt="">
Christina's neighbours told the New South Wales Supreme Court that he was nothing more than a fruit and junk salesman who occasionally sold items to her.
It was discovered Waleed Sadiq never had a key, did not visit her in hospital, and failed to attend her funeral. He has been confirmed as living in Woolloomooloo.
The home is now under control of the NSW Trustee and Guardian who have had to seek a new certificate of title due to the last one being lost.
Christina was described as a bit of a recluse, which was no surprise considering the state of the home.
The advice from listing agent Adam McKay of the Di Jones agency is to bring a builder and an architect, because this property will need a lot of work.
There are two bedrooms, one bathroom and a rear courtyard.
Adam has said that he has received huge amounts of enquiry and had a great number of buyers through the first open on Saturday. 
He set a guide of $750,000 for the property which goes to auction on February 24.
<img src="/images/2016/02/08/main-1.jpg" alt="">
"It is a very difficult terrace to put a price on as there will be a large variation as to what each buyer thinks it is worth.
"For instance, for those who are looking at the property to renovate and sell, they will be factoring in the cost of the works associated in order to get it ready for sale.
"However for the first home buyers who are excited at getting hold of a Paddington terrace at a discounted price, we may find that they push themselves further to secure the home and complete the renovations over a number of years," he said.
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Paddo time warp… check out the wallpaper

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GUEST OBSERVER
ME’s ninth biannual Household Financial Comfort Report shows the gap in financial comfort between younger and older generations has widened significantly since the first survey in 2011.
While the comfort of ‘builders’ (aged 75+) and ‘baby boomers’ (aged 50-74) has improved by 16% to 6.38 and 14% to 5.85, respectively since October 2011, the comfort of ‘Gen Y’ (aged 18-34) and ‘Gen X’ (aged 35-49) has remained broadly unchanged over the same period, up only 2% to 5.56 and 3% to 5.16, respectively.
Digging deeper, the Report indicates ownership of assets including property, superannuation, shares and managed funds, is largely fuelling the divergence.
The recent gains in the macroeconomic and financial environment including significant rises in property and equity values, has disproportionately lifted the financial comfort of older generations who tend to have higher levels of asset ownership or investments.
The findings add to recent policy debates around housing ownership and affordability, and the generosity of superannuation tax concessions for wealthier Australians..
They highlight the importance of housing and superannuation as important wealth generators with both contributing to higher levels of financial comfort. They suggest that wealthier Australians may be better able to manage any windback to super tax concessions, while remaining at a relatively high level of financial comfort.
The disparity in financial comfort between generations is largely due to older generations enjoying substantial improvements in their investments and income primarily through real estate and superannuation.
Gen X and Y have smaller investments and continue to struggle with property ownership, so have benefited to a much lesser extent.
Younger generations are more likely to rent, reflecting the increased difficulty when it comes to getting on the property ladder. He said the issue is exacerbated for the younger generations as prices and rents have grown faster than incomes, particularly in capital cities.
Overall ME’s Household Financial Comfort Index rose 3% to 5.59 out of 10 in the 6 months to December 2015, equivalent to about 65% of Australian households reporting mid-to-high financial comfort. This result reverses half of the fall from the previous 6 months and is the second highest financial comfort result recorded since ME started the survey in late 2011 (about 3% above the historical average of 5.45).
The overall rise in the Household Financial Comfort Index was largely driven by an 8% increase in comfort with ‘ability to cope with a financial emergency (loss of income for 3 months)’, arguably boosted by the strengthening of the labour market and in particular, strong job gains and a significant fall in unemployed persons over the past year or so.
Those stating ‘it would be easy to get a job within two months’ increased 2 points to 40% of the workforce during the six months to December 2015, while those reporting ‘it would be difficult’ decreased 3 points to 53%. J
ob security increased 2 points to 73% and insecurity fell 1 point to 25% (see Report pages 20-21). Modest increases in income also contributed to the improvements in ‘ability to cope with a financial emergency (loss of income for 3 months)’.
The proportion of households reporting annual income gains, increased by 4 points in the past six months to 38%, compared to the proportion who reported lower income, fell 2 points to 24%, with a further 38% reported unchanged household income.
Improved employment and income also contributed to increases in both comfort with cash savings (up 3% to 5.06) and across a range of savings indicators including an increase in the proportion of households saving each month, up 3 points to 50% in December 2015, versus spending all of their income and no more, down 3 points to 41% (see Report pages 25, 27).
Stand-out states:
The effects of a weakening mining industry are showing in WA, the only state where financial comfort deteriorated (down a further 2%) to a record low of 5.11 in December 2015 – the lowest household financial comfort by far across Australia. In contrast, South Australia/Northern Territory recorded the greatest gains in household financial comfort (up 14% to 5.57).
A regional/metro divide remained prevalent, with households living in metropolitan areas reporting higher levels of financial comfort (up 4% to 5.72) in December 2015, compared to households living in regional areas (up 2% to 5.29) in December 2015. Melbourne is the stand-out city, with the highest level of financial comfort (up 4% to 5.92), followed by Sydney (up 3% to 5.81).
On the other hand, Perth fell 8% to 5.12 – the lowest of all capital cities.
Self-employed:
After a very big rise of 18%, self-employed persons (typically, sole proprietors and small business owners) are the most comfortable segment of the workforce reporting financial comfort of 5.91 in December 2015. Recent policy announcements may be a contributing factor – in addition to labour market improvements and some signs of a pick up in business conditions (see Report page 15).
Household differences:
Couples with children – both older and younger in age – reported significant improvements – up 7% to 5.85 and up 6% to 5.55, respectively. In contrast, singles and couples with no children reported the biggest drop. Households were most comfortable with their ability to ‘manage their current living expenses’ (6.52 out of 10) and ‘level of debt’ (6.29 out of 10).
 
Jeff Oughton is ME’s consulting economist and can be contacted <a href="https://www.mebank.com.au/?gclid=CPu_uvLW5soCFQF-vQodaiAF9w" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Financial comfort gap widens between younger, older Australians: ME's Jeff Oughton

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The weekend Hobart auction at Battery Point saw a $680,000 sale.
Located in the much sort after Arthur Circus precinct, the piece of Tasmanian maritime history was a quaint 1850s whalers’ cottage on offer through Brian Watchorn at Charlotte Peterswald Real Estate.
The local paper reported Geoff and Marian Brookes of Brisbane purchased the Georgian-style home on Runnymede Street. He is a Weipa mining project manager. They are now on the lookout for a Tasmanian vineyard to buy.
The auctioneer Brian Watchorn took a $600,000 opening bid for the two-bedroom, one-bathroom home with 84 sqm space.
The Runnymede Street property had last traded at $460,000 in 2008 and put up for rent at $340 a week.
It was one of eight auctions, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
The first week of February had national auction market activity continuing to bounce back from the festive period slowdown, with almost twice the number of auctions held this week compared with last week.
CoreLogic RP Data was tracking 854 auctions this week, compared with 987 auctions over the same week one year ago.
 
<a href="/images/2016/02/08/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-08%20at%208.42.21%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/02/08/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-08%20at%208.42.21%20AM.png" alt="">
The lower number of auctions was mostly due to a low auction numbers in Sydney where there were only 255 auctions held over the week compared with 421 at the same time last year. Sydney notched up a 70 percent plus success rate.
The lower number of homes put up for auction highlights that vendors haven’t been as willing to put their homes into the auction market as they were a year ago.
Auction numbers were actually higher than a year ago across Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Despite the lower number of auctions compared with last year, the preliminary auction clearance rate, based on the 621 auction results reported so far, was recorded at 71 per cent across the combined capital cities.
This week’s clearance rate was higher than at the same time last year (67.3%) however the clearance rate in Sydney continued to track lower than at the same time last year.
This week, 262 Melbourne auctions were held and so far 206 results have been reported.
The preliminary auction clearance rate of 80.1 per cent is higher than last week, when across just 151 auctions, 69.9 per cent were successful. One year ago, Melbourne’s auction clearance rate was 60.7 per cent across 255 auctions. Across Melbourne, the busiest region for auctions this week was the Outer East, where 40 homes went under the hammer. Of the 30 reported results so far, 83.3 per cent have been successful. Melbourne’s Inner East recorded the strongest preliminary clearance rate at 93.8 per cent, however there were only 19 auctions held within the region and 16 results reported so far. 
The Sydney auction market was substantially weaker over the final months of last year when compared to earlier in 2015. Clearance rates fell from the high 80 per cent mark to the mid-50 per cent mark towards the end of the year. Given this, it is likely that a lack of vendor confidence is currently being reflected with only 265 auctions held this week, compared to 421 at the same time last year. Although auction volumes across the city were low, this week Sydney’s preliminary clearance rate was 70.2 per cent, a strong result compared to 44.9 per cent last week (across just 61 auctions), but not reflective of the 80.6 per cent last year. The best performing Sydney sub-regions this week were Inner South West (85.7 per cent across 21 results) and North Sydney and Hornsby, with a clearance rate of 80 per cent across 35 results. In Brisbane the preliminary clearance rate was 55.8 per cent this week across 77 auction results.
There were 111 auctions held in Brisbane this week, compared to 60 last week, with a clearance rate of 52.7 per cent and 109 last year when 47.6 per cent of auctions were successful. Further south, across the Gold Coast there were 33 auctions reported this week with 13 sales.
Adelaide’s preliminary clearance rate was 79.4 per cent this week, higher than last week at 61.1 per cent and also higher than one year ago (58.2 per cent). There were 104 Adelaide auctions this week, 97 last week and 94 held over the comparable week last year.
In the westernmost city, Perth’s preliminary clearance rate was 35 per cent this week and there were 37 auctions held. Last week, 29 Perth auctions were held and 44.9 per cent were successful, while one year ago 31 Perth auctions were held with a clearance rate of 40 per cent.
Across Canberra 67 auctions were held this week, compared to 27 last week and 69 one year ago. Based on preliminary results this week’s clearance rate is 72.9 per cent, higher relative to last year (67.9 per cent).
CoreLogic RP Data has recorded just 2 auction results across Tasmania this week with one sale.
 
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Battery Point, Hobart whalers' cottage fetches $680,000

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Some auction listings will now be marketed with price guide ranges under new auction marketing laws.
Banned are the open ended $500,000 plus/offers over $500,000 estimates that the state government deemed as potentially misleading.
Instead there's a permissible strict 10 percent band, such as $500,000 to $550,000 that can be put to potential buyers by estate agents. 
Our legislators concluded $500,000 plus guides were likely to mislead that the property could be bought for the minimum figure.
NSW Fair Trading was right that intentional understating causes interested buyers to waste time and money on inspecting properties, getting reports and attending auctions. But the government won't come at any trial of the vendor-provided pest and building inspection reports.
I actually didn't mind the $500,000 plus system, but I guess being well practiced I intuitatively added something like 10% anyway to estimate where the hammer was likely to fall.
Ofcourse super successful selling prices are more about emotional outcomes, rather than any 10% mathematical formula in my mind or government regulations. 
It is apparent many agents don't like the price range as it introduces a potential price ceiling which discourages buyers from going any further. 
A review of the auctions held on the last weekend in January suggests an understandable slow uptake of the new price band system with the vast majority of agents not giving any public price guidance in their marketing.
I calculated just 15 percent of the listings having a published range along with a half dozen where agents hadn't yet cottoned onto the over $500,000 ban. 
But no underquoting alarm bells so far with the price ranges that were on public offer.
At Erskineville there was a one bedroom apartment listed with the price guide of $650,000 to $700,000. It sold at $708,000, so hopefully no-one's running off to NSW Fair Trading claiming this was anything akin to under-quoting.
These rules went through parliament amid heightened claims of underquoting as prices escalated at a frenetic pace in the then crazy Sydney market, but I'd expect this year to actually see the opposite trap of overquoting emerge as inexperienced agents grapple with trickier market conditions.
There was one weekend offering passed in at well under the price range estimate at Elderslie. With a pre-auction guidance of $725,000 to $795,000, it was passed in at $650,000.
Getting agent estimates that are publicly consistent with their true belief is commendable. But if the state government really wanted transparency - and the buyers right to know - then the tighten laws ought have made the figure in the agency agreement, which the vendor signs on formal listing with the agent, the mandatory public price guide.
Instead we have a system that could leave the public less informed.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
 
{mijopolls 128}
 
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Price guide ranges - not yet the new norm for NSW auctions

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David Murray, who headed the financial system inquiry, has spent $7.35 million on adjoining sheep and cattle farms in the Upper Hunter Valley.
His purchases included historic Dales homestead on 1110 hectares at Merriwa for $4.7 million, along with the adjoining 640 hectare Ersyldene property for $2.95 million.
Murray, the inaugural chairman of the Future Fund, and former Commonwealth Bank chief bought through Lyndcote Pty Ltd, which is the name of his longtime Hunters Hill trophy home.
<a href="https://www.maccalluminglis.com.au/properties.php?id=13787185" target="_blank">The bluestone 1930s Dales homestead </a>was originally part of Brindley Park.
The Dales sale ends 178 years of ownership by the pioneering Bettington family.
MacCallum Inglis agent Michael Burke negotiated the sale, Fairfax Media reported.
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David Murray buys bluestone Upper Hunter homestead farm from the Bettinghams

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A Portsea's bathing box still sits on the market, but is quite close to sale.
Listed for the first time in 25 years with $600,000 hopes, there's been one strong offer coming late summer. 
It came on the market in November with the boat shed being unusually constructed of concrete.
<a href="https://www.domain.com.au/no-1-boat-shed-portsea-front-beach-point-franklin-portsea-vic-3944-2012482650" target="_blank">Boat Shed No.1</a> was originally built as a bunker during World War II below Fort Franklin.
It measures about 12 sqm in size with a large deck.
It was last on sale 25 years ago to Rob Pitt who owns the Sorrento Hotel with wife Anne. Family members have been reluctant to let it go, Title Tattle gleans.
There have been <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H95umF81E_U" target="_blank">35,000 plus youtube </a>views.
The listing agent Rob Curtain of Peninsula Sotheby’s International Realty said he was confident the bathing would fetch a higher sale price than the last boat shed to change hands.
It was a 20 sqm timber shed on nearby Shelley Beach which fetched a record $615,000 at auction late last year.
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Portsea boatshed No 1 still on the market

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The hockingstuart head office is currently working through allegations made by Consumer Affairs Victoria concerning its Richmond franchised office conduct in regard to auction price guidance.
"We are not in a position to discuss the specific details until further progress has been made," the estate agency has advised.
Hockingstuart in Richmond has been taken to court over its auction practices, accused of underquoting on 11 properties in 2014 and 2015, the Channel 7 News reporter Laurel Irving reported.
The properties were in Richmond and one in Kew. According to court documents, a detached Victorian in Mary Street, Richmond; a two-bedroom apartment in Coppin Street, Richmond; a two-bedroom apartment in Docker Street, Richmond were pinpointed.There was also an Edwardian home in Barkers Road, Kew.
The agency said under the current law, while vendors may seek the advice of agents, they are not required to disclose their reserve to agents until the day of auction.
"It can be higher than the advertised price if the interest is strong." the agency noted.
hockingstuart advised it was "a global issue" for the real estate industry.
"hockingstuart head office is willing to work with Consumer Affairs Victoria on a solution that will ensure accurate pricing across the industry as a whole.
"Our head office takes its responsibility to prospective buyers seriously.
"We have a range of measures in place to ensure accurate pricing of our portfolio of properties across the group, including undertaking annual audits at each office and providing regular, rigorous training to new and existing offices.
"Furthermore, we actively encourage vendors to advertise their properties with a price guide to ensure transparency for buyers and sellers alike."
The agency lawyers told the hearing that there had been a "dynamic market."
The agency recently, in unrelated matters, lost its chief executive, Nigel O'Neil, described as a passionate leader with over 25 years experience in growing and developing businesses.
The hockingstuart CEO, Nigel O'Neil was at the helm for eight years.
hockingstuart was the first Victorian real estate agency to present its properties for sale in a magazine format. hockingstuart's red magazine currently has a weekly distribution of 15,000 copies. 
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Underquoting claims sees hockingstuart Richmond office in Consumers Affairs Victoria court proceedings

Brisbane-based developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/azure">Azure</a> is has been greenlit for its $115 million residential project within the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct in Southport

Following the acquisition of the site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/1-clarke-street-southport-qld-4215">1 Clarke Street</a> in October 2025 with development application Lodgement in January 2026, Azure has been granted approval for the 114 terraces which will form the final stage of the wider Lumina development.

“It’s a fantastic milestone for us to receive the green light on our second Gold Coast project,” said Trent Keirnan, Founder of Azure.

“The Gold Coast continues to evolve, with demand for considered, high-quality residences at an all-time high. This project has been thoughtfully shaped to respond to that demand.

“We’ve worked closely with Economic Development Queensland to bring this project forward, and the collaboration has been both proactive and highly considered. Their shared commitment to quality housing outcomes has enabled a streamlined approvals process and a strong result for the precinct.”&nbsp;

Appealing to a wide demographic, the project will deliver a range of two- and three-storey designs comprising a collection of three-bedroom terrace homes as well as one- and two-bedroom apartment-style residences. The designs by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a>&nbsp;focus on&nbsp;“urban coastalism”.

Residents will have access to an array of lifestyle amenities, including a resort-style pool with multiple lounging zones and landscaped gardens.

The residential offering will support the thriving Health and Knowledge Precinct, which includes Griffith University, Gold Coast University Hospital, Gold Coast Private Hospital and the new RDX Lumina and Proxima Towers, which are home to a range of health, education and research tenancies, including a 200-place childcare centre.

Azure aims for an off-market release for the project in the third quarter of this year, at the same time as construction is anticipated to start.

Joel Robinson

Azure approved for new townhouse development in Southport

Fortis has secured approval for a 57-room hotel at Richmond Square, marking another milestone in the delivery of the $330 million mixed-use precinct in Melbourne's inner east.

The hotel will occupy Levels 1 and 2 of Carmine House and forms part of Fortis' vision for Richmond Square, a precinct that will bring together apartments, hospitality, wellness and lifestyle offerings between Richmond and Cremorne.

Once complete, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/richmond-square-1-wiltshire-street-richmond-vic-3121">Richmond Square</a> will comprise 107 residences across Wiltshire House and Carmine House, alongside the hotel, hospitality venues, wellness facilities and a range of services aimed at both residents and visitors.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13181 project_image_fid=348529]

The approval adds another layer to what Fortis is creating at Richmond Square, as developers increasingly look beyond standalone apartment buildings and towards mixed-use precincts that provide amenity and activation beyond the front door.

Jordan Winada, Head of Acquisitions (Commercial) Victoria at Fortis, said the approval was an important step in delivering the broader vision for the project.

"Richmond Square has always been about creating a destination rather than simply delivering residential apartments," Winada said.

"As buyer expectations continue to evolve, we're seeing increasing demand for developments that offer convenience, connection and access to high-quality experiences and amenity as part of everyday life.

"The hotel approval allows us to further realise that vision and create a precinct where residential living is complemented by hospitality, services and amenity in a way that is rarely seen in Melbourne's CBD and city fringe."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13181 project_image_fid=348530]

The hotel will also support a range of optional services for residents of Carmine House, including housekeeping and linen refresh programs, laundry and dry-cleaning services, in-residence food and beverage delivery, grocery and pantry stocking services, and concierge assistance.

The approval comes as owner-occupiers continue to dominate Australia's new apartment market, with buyers increasingly seeking developments that offer convenience, flexibility and lifestyle amenity alongside their homes.

Winada said buyers are now placing greater emphasis on the broader precinct and surrounding amenity when making purchasing decisions.

"Residential amenity is no longer limited to what sits within an apartment building. Buyers are increasingly assessing the broader lifestyle ecosystem surrounding their home and the ways in which a precinct can support their day-to-day needs.

"Richmond Square has been designed to provide that experience through a carefully curated mix of residential, hospitality and lifestyle offerings that work together to create a more connected way of living."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13181 project_image_fid=348534]

The hotel is expected to open in early 2027, with the operator to be announced later this year.

Further hospitality, retail and lifestyle tenants are also expected to be revealed in the coming months as Fortis continues to shape the offering at Richmond Square.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=13181]

Fortis approved for hotel component of Richmond Square precinct

Having successfully expanded into a new region with its Caloundra apartment development, Sunset by Dusk Group, growing South East Queensland developer Dusk Group is again venturing into new territory.

The developer has lodged plans for a 70-apartment project in the Moreton Bay region, to be known as <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/sunrise-on-sutton-25-sutton-street-redcliffe-qld-4020">Sunrise on Sutton</a>, named after its prime Sutton Street location, just one street back from Suttons Beach.

<img alt="Sutton" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="88a9f9ee-6ace-47f5-a0c6-8fb134b27e98" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-15%20at%209.20.42%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=iMXmJ7_BNZAmCt.jjupMSLdV_Qa9zJAK" />

Dusk Group Directors Huw Feeney and Anthony Short seized the opportunity to acquire the near-1,800 sqm amalgamated corner site at Sutton and Ella Streets for their first project in the area.

They have again enlisted MAS Architecture Studio, the architects behind Sunset by Dusk, to design the new eight-storey development.

The building will comprise a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments and has been designed to maximise views towards Suttons Beach, Margate Beach and Moreton Bay.

Pending approvals, the project could launch before the end of the year.

<img alt="Dusk" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="90c0c26c-096c-4ceb-8c58-f8303aea542f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-15%20at%209.20.49%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=nw8bqQtpOrf5nA95tuYhtqdB59YUzmO0" />

The development will provide 111 car parking spaces and 40 bicycle spaces.

Positioned within walking distance of Suttons Beach, Bluewater Square, Redcliffe Hospital and the Redcliffe Paceway, the development will sit within one of the peninsula's increasingly urbanised coastal pockets.

Redcliffe's new apartment market remains exceptionally tight, with Gardner Vaughan Group's One Redcliffe currently the only new apartment development actively being marketed in the beachside suburb.

It's another beach-focused development for Dusk Group, who has seen considerable success at its Caloundra apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/sunset-by-dusk-group-caloundra-5-7-bombala-terrace-caloundra-qld-4551">Sunset by Dusk Group</a>.

Over 80 per cent of the 36 apartments have sold ahead of its early 2027 completion.

&nbsp;

First look: Dusk Group targets Suttons Beach precinct with 70-apartment Redcliffe proposal

Leading Brisbane developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/consolidated-properties">Consolidated Properties Group (CPG)</a> has completed and settled $450 million worth of apartments at Monarch Residences in Toowong, marking one of Brisbane’s most significant and prestigious riverfront residential completions in recent years.

The final apartment at Monarch sold at auction on the 30th May for $4.1m.&nbsp;

The milestone has been marked at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/monarch-residences-toowong-600-coronation-drive-toowong-qld-4066">Monarch Residences</a>, with Cr Penny Wolff highlighting the importance of completing major residential projects to boost the city’s much-needed housing supply.

The 224 apartments, delivered across two 15-level towers, are now officially in the hands of owners, including Brisbane downsizers, families and professionals who have traded traditional houses for apartment living. The completion underscores sustained demand for absolute riverfront living in Brisbane’s inner west.

<img alt="$450M Monarch Residences sells out as Brisbane riverfront demand surges" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="56ae05e9-092f-41f0-98a1-a10984fdd171" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/ROBNN_MONARCHLAUNCHEVENT-131.jpg?VersionId=p76J6weGZqseNrE6aOAjmAHUah.y65Gd" />

Monarch Residences was planned and delivered over four years on a 1.2-hectare parcel with more than 130 metres of direct frontage to the Brisbane River, occupying one of the last remaining true riverfront sites of its scale and orientation within close proximity to the CBD. The site has been transformed from an underutilised, derelict block of land, into a thriving residential precinct with Middenbury House at its centre.&nbsp;

Consolidated Properties Group CEO and Chairman Don O’Rorke says the project’s completion represents the culmination of years of careful planning, design collaboration, market conviction and outstanding team delivery.

“We announced Monarch Residences in late 2021 and it’s been one of the most strongly received residential projects in our 45-year history,” Mr O’Rorke said.

"We are incredibly grateful to the outstanding team who helped bring Monarch Residences to life. A special thank you to Hutchinson Builders and their hardworking labour force for delivering a development of exceptional quality that our residents will be proud to call home for many years to come.

“Brisbane City Council and Titles Queensland also played a huge role in getting residents into their homes early through the pilot programs they ran to speed up the approval processes. They understand the challenges of the housing industry and are doing something about it.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113455 project_image_fid=211466]

Consolidated Properties Group Head of Residential, James MacGinley said Monarch Residences showed what could be achieved when private industry and government worked together to deliver new housing for Brisbane.

“Monarch Residences has delivered more than 200 new apartments in Brisbane’s inner-west at a time when additional housing supply is critically important,” MacGinley said.

“It’s fantastic to see residents now moving into this landmark riverfront development, which reflects the strength of collaboration between Council and the project team throughout delivery.

“All government agencies played a significant hand in achieving a fast-tracked outcome for Monarch Residences with Brisbane City Council, Urban Utilities, Energex and Titles Queensland assisted to remove hurdles to achieve settlements.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113455 project_image_fid=302326]

With Monarch Residences now complete, CPG has launched River Living, a bespoke on-site property management service designed to enhance the resident experience. The service will support all future CPG residential projects, including the recently announced <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> in Yeerongpilly and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a> in Newstead.

The completion also marks the opening of a prized leasing opportunity at the heritage-listed Middenbury House, built in 1865 and which has been carefully restored and integrated into the broader masterplan.&nbsp;

CPG said the adaptive reuse of the landmark riverfront residence presents an opportunity to introduce a complementary boutique tenancy that respects the site’s historic significance while activating the riverfront frontage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113455 project_image_fid=211495]

Colliers Director of Residential Andrew Scriven said the move-in phase highlights continued demand for completed premium riverfront apartments in Brisbane.

“Residents are now experiencing firsthand the scale, craftsmanship and irreplaceable riverfront position that Monarch offers,” Scriven said.

“Opportunities to secure a brand-new, completed residence on Brisbane’s absolute riverfront are exceptionally rare. Combined with the proven track record of Consolidated Properties Group and Hutchinson Builders, combined with a design vision brought to life by some of Australia’s leading architects and designers, Monarch represents a unique opportunity to purchase a home of enduring quality and prestige.”

Monarch Residences was designed in collaboration with Melbourne-based architect Wardle Studio, alongside leading national practice Cottee Parker, with construction delivered by Hutchinson Builders.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113455]

Consolidated Properties Group sells out Monarch Residences as Brisbane riverfront demand surges

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.

Jonathan Chancellor

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