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It has been suggested one-in-three off-the-plan investors currently presently through Chan &amp; Naylor's Bankstown-Liverpool office are facing financial stress completing their apartment purchase.
These south west Sydney property investors are considering forfeiting deposits rather than having to take out additional loans up to 20% of the property value, Peter Ristevski, an accountant partner with Chan &amp; Naylor, told the Australian Financial Review.
"I fear a flood of investment properties coming back onto the market will drive down prices and force a correction," said Mr Ristevski.
Investors finalising off-the-plan property purchases require bigger deposits, typically a rise from 10% to 20%, after the APRA crackdown on the overheated Sydney market.
The AFR says it is particularly an issue for self managed super funds that have to find up to 30%.
The AFR estimated there are 90,000 apartments being constructed around the country that have been sold off-the-plan but are not yet settled.
Mr Ristevski claims his experience is replicated by his colleagues across the company's national network of advisers.
"Many do not have an extra 10% in cash to complete the deal," he said. He joined the firm in October 2013 after four years at YBR.
Their options to borrow additional money, include taking out a second mortgage at a higher interest rate.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

One in three OTP investors around Bankstown-Liverpool thinking of forfeiting apartment deposits

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Guy Fowler, who heads investment at the merchant bank, UBS has sold his Bilgola headland weekender following its mid-week auction.
But the price has been withheld by <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-bilgola+beach-121014642">selling agent David Watson of LJHooker Avalon</a> who was advising inspectees of $3.4 million plus hopes pre-auction.
Set on The Serpentine with infinity edge pool overlooking the sandy beach, the four bedroom property last traded in 2004 for $3.9 million when bought from Bill and Lesley Barry-Cotter.
Guy and his wife Anita live in the record setting $11.5 million Killara property, Deepdene having sold in Pymble for $6 million last year.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
 
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UBS's Guy Fowler sells Bilgola headland weekender

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Competing investors pushed the price of a prime Burke Road shop some 25% above reserve selling under the hammer for $3.21 million.
Six parties fought it out at the auction through Fitzroys agents Mark Talbot and David Bourke.
It last sold at $2,095,000 in 2002 when bought by a private Melbourne investor.
The Commercial 1-zoned, 167sqm site at <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-vic-camberwell-501734390" target="_blank">670 Burke Road</a> was offered with a 5+3 -year lease to Jeanswest, returning $123,735 per annum gross over the ground floor and separate first floor office/residence.
The sale price reflected a tight net yield of 3.1%. 
The last sale in the street saw a 3.7% yield.
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Jeanswest, Burke Road Camberwell retail store sells at $3.21 million

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Sydney's Kensington has a new suburb record.
The four-bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-kensington-121045082" target="_blank">1A Tunstall Ave, Kensington</a> has been sold for $4 million through BickmoreHutt Realty.
The Tunstall Avenue home sold prior to auction.
The previous Kensington record was a home at 10 McDougall Street that sold for $3.775 million last year.
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Residential Kensington record price heads to $4 million

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It is GIS Day, Wednesday 18 November - the international day to demonstrate the value and real-world applications of geographic information systems (GIS) technology.
Nearmap, the geospatial mapping and visual analytics company, has released exclusive aerial images of five Australian developments that have experienced dramatic transformations over the past five years.
It’s through GIS tools like nearmap’s aerial imagery platform which incorporates rich data set overlays, that we make better informed decisions about planning, construction and ongoing management, as well as improve efficiencies and boost productivity.
Photos from <a href="https://au.nearmap.com/" target="_blank">nearmap</a> below document five Australian locations that have experienced significant transformations over the last decade: the images<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fq7f5dugenxj0sn/AABY738fmCPFm9wrcC2xotsGa?dl=0"> </a>nearmap has captured and the progress gifs.
 Elizabeth Quay, Perth: In 2012, the Perth Government set out to redevelop Elizabeth Quay. It’s aim was to reconnect Perth’s city with the Swan River and provide much needed hotel, commercial, residential and retail accommodation. Three years on, and the construction is firmly underway. While it still has a fair way to go before completion, it’s easy to see how the development will change the whole face of Perth’s CBD. 
<img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b16c0b957ea98f662ab985606/images/1e2505bc-23d8-48c9-9c7c-e9059028f5f6.gif" width="500" height="306" align="none"> 2009 - 2015 Elizabeth Quay’s transformation  
Crace, Canberra: The suburb of Crace, Canberra, holds the title of Australia's fastest-growing area, with a 57 per cent increase in population in 2013-14. The urban project to transform Crace into a top growth hot spot started in 2009 and has since reported $112 million in new dwellings.
 <img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b16c0b957ea98f662ab985606/images/9c484d5c-a011-4dbb-a497-448279d80e34.gif" width="500" height="394" align="none"> 2009 - 2015: Crace’s transformation  
Sydney Harbour’s Foreshores - Barangaroo and White Bay Precinct: Sydney’s Harbour has experienced a massive facelift over the last five years. Most notably, we saw the rise of Barangaroo - turning a once barren concert pit to a nature reserve - and the redevelopment of the White Bay Precinct. While both are yet to be complete, the transformation of these areas are changing the face of Sydney harbour. 
 <img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b16c0b957ea98f662ab985606/images/df694750-2ec3-4f88-977a-b046ac265077.gif" width="500" height="306" align="none"> 2010 - 2015: Barangaroo transformation <img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b16c0b957ea98f662ab985606/images/8764b7a5-90d1-43c2-8a7f-653db0e8a89c.gif" width="500" height="259" align="none"> 2010 - 2015: White Bay precinct’s transformation 
Point Cook, Victoria: Point Cook is one of Melbourne’s newest suburbs, developed around wetlands along the coast of Port Phillip. Inspired by Manhattan, it’s quickly becoming a hotspot for investors and mega mansions. Only 30 minutes away from the CBD, and with all the latest facilities, it’s easy to see why it's so popular. However, the development is still a long way off. Over the next ten years, new retail developments, infrastructure and schools will be completed, transforming this once rural land, to prime real estate. 
 <img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b16c0b957ea98f662ab985606/images/eba0102b-ee86-4404-a6c4-c6e396ab706a.gif" width="500" height="320" align="none"> 2010 - 2015: Point Cook's transformation 
Greater Springfield, Queensland: Greater Springfield is Australia’s fastest emerging new city. The $32 billion development is positioned as the gateway to the western corridor of south-east Queensland. At 2,860 hectares it is the largest master planned city in Australia and the first city of its kind since Canberra. Over the past few decades the area has transformed from rural farming to a vibrant community. Construction is still ongoing, however by 2030 it hopes to be home to approximately 105,000 residents.
 <img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b16c0b957ea98f662ab985606/images/1000f2ff-544a-4ffb-b4e1-c3b9bfaf9dd1.gif" width="500" height="394" align="none"> 2010 - 2015: Greater Springfield’s transformation 
John Biviano, managing director of nearmap for Australia, says Australia is experiencing a massive facelift at every corner.
"GIS tools are critical to this process.
"GIS tools that help provide added insights to help data driven decisions."
 
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Exclusive aerial images of the best Australian developments

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A prized Blackwattle Bay development site, with jetty, near the Sydney Fish Markets has been scheduled for an online overnight auction.
The auction commenced with a $22.2 million starting bid today, Wednesday 18 November at 11.00am and <a href="https://www.auctionworksonline.net.au/properties/288-31-35-bank-street-pyrmont-2009-nsw-australia" target="_blank">ends Thursday 19 November at midday</a>.
The 2988 sqm Bank Street holding, currently utilised for fish freezing storage, was recently bought off market by a private local investment syndicate. 
 <img src="/images/2015/11/13/blackw.jpg" alt="" width="495" height="288">
The previous owner, the Chinese developer Dahua sold mid-year after its controversial mixed use development plans for the precinct drew a backlash from the NSW government.
The auction is being conducted through the auctionworks.net.au website lead by auctioneer David Scholes who amended the auction times to mid-week.
The bidding will close at 12 noon Thursday, unless there is last minute further bidding.
"All interested parties will need to register with the agents and provide sufficient identification to allow them to select a bidder’s number and compete," Mr Scholes said.
Competitive bidding is expected as Blackwattle Bay is the crown jewel in the NSW Government’s Urban Growths renewal plans for a waterfront tourist precinct.
While Urban Growths' Bays Market masterplan has yet been released, work on the foreshore walk is scheduled to commence in early 2016.
The nearby Sydney Fish Market land will be up for tender in March next year. 
The site for auction, which sits between Poulos Bros and Hymix, has been listed as a place of state significant development under the State and Regional Development SEPP with the minister as the consent authority rather than City of Sydney Council.
The existing controls allow hotels but developers are likely to seek mixed residential usage.
"The short auction deadline is not ideal, but the option to purchase is a live prospect," the Deans Property listing agent, Robert Deans said.
"It is a great opportunity alone or as part of a broader scale redevelopment," he said. Any redevelopment of the nearby fish market must be approved by the SFM Merchants and Tenants.
The Labor State Government started the Bays Precinct consultation and the Liberal Government appointed Urban Growth as the coordinating agency. 
The sales brochure point to an Urban Growth document that indicates more density and higher planning controls was possible for the site.
"It appears from the captured image that it is proposed that the building on the subject land will be a 14 storey building," says the auction marketing.
"This is speculative and interested parties should make their own assessments," it said. 
Most of the Blackwattle Bay waterfront is government-owned, but Jin Huiming's Dahua Group paid $17.5 million to buy the site from Bidvest last year.
The Dahua Group on-sold the site to the current vendors, Fishbank Development Corporation in June this year, according to a caveat on the title, but the delayed settlement sale has not yet been finalised.
Mr Jin, 63, previously was ranked by Forbes as the 36th richest person in China a decade ago when Dahua was ranked in China's top 10 real estate companies.
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Blackwattle development plot for online auction after Duhua disposal

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A local Asian developer was successful in outbidding 15 other potential purchasers at a Burwood, Sydney development site offering.
It fetched $7.8 million through Savills agents Stuart Cox and Neil Cooke.
The <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-nsw-burwood-501732202" target="_blank">59 Park Road</a> property in Burwood drew over 140 enquiries.
“This was a phenomenal result, smashing Burwood’s record price for townhouse land with this sale equating to $1,115,000 per townhouse site,” said Mr Cox.
The townhouses, once completed, could achieve $2 million plus .
The 1,833 square metre site comprises three detached dwellings with DA approval.
Zoned R3 Medium Density Residential, the development approval allows for seven luxury four bedroom townhouses situated directly opposite Burwood Park.
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Burwood townhouse site sells at $1.1 million through Savills

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The 28 room City Crown Motel at 287-289 Crown Street, Surry Hills has sold for $8.8 million.
LJ Hooker Commercial South Sydney agent Barry Griffiths secured a <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-nsw-surry+hills-501549079" target="_blank">room rate of $314,000</a> with seven bidders.
The 385 sqm site was sold with approval for a 42 bed motel.
The purchasers were described as private partners looking to get a foothold in the inner city accommodation market.
It last traded when bought by Nola Holdings in 2002 at $3.55 million.
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Crown Street, Surry Hills motel sells at $314,000 a room

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A mainland-based Chinese tycoon is the latest being ordered to dispose of his illegally-owned Australian home with the $5.2 million Hawthorn East property being the first Melbourne divestment order.
It comes from Treasurer Scott Morrison who ordered the sale of the mansion after the owner was caught breaching Australia’s foreign ownership laws.
The property is one of five in Melbourne that will be forcibly sold after investigations by the Australian Taxation Office, according to the Herald Sun.
The five bedroom Tudor-style house on 1455 sqm at 6 Higham Rd, Hawthorn East, (above) was purchased <a href="/expert-insights/buying/higham-hawthorn-east-trophy-home-sells-for-5-2-million-weekends-highest-sale">at Kay &amp; Burton auction on May 31 last year</a>. There were three bidders after the $4.2 million opening bid.
With Westpac funding, Li Jian Guo used $300,000 bids to knock out rivals at the auction. It had previously sold in 1988 at $940,000 when bought by the Karkar family.
Treasurer Scott Morrison said the house was bought without approval. The Herald Sun advises the owner drives a Bentley.
Mr Morrison has ordered four other properties to be sold off, after their overseas owners were found to be holding them ­illegally.
They are an $802,000 house at Springvale and three Carlton properties worth $225,000, $235,000 and $585,000.
The Springvale home and the most expensive Carlton property are owned by mainland China buyers.
The two smaller properties are owned by Hong Kong buyers.
Several properties,<a href="/news/point-pipers-villa-del-mare-back-for-sale-as-australian-treasurer-thwarts-chinese-billionaire"> ­including Villa del Mare, a $39 million ­harbourside mansion in Sydney</a>, have been ordered to be sold off under an Abbott Government FIRB enforecement crackdown that has continued into the Turnbull era.
Some 125 foreign investors have taken up an amnesty from the Australian Tax Office to declare their unauthorised ownership of real estate in Australia, according to documents obtained by Guardian Australia under a freedom of information request by the website.
The 125 investors have declared their status ahead of the FIRB deadline expiring on 30 November, the documents show.
A spokeswoman for the ATO repeated it had separately identified about 500 potential breaches of foreign investment laws it was investigating, a number of them from these disclosures.
Breaches of Australia’s foreign property investment laws prompted former Treasurer Joe Hockey to announce in September five forced sales of properties purchased by overseas buyers.
The former Treasurer then said 500 FIRB investigations are underway into more than $1 billion worth of residential real estate.
Tax commissioner Chris Jordan announced the investigations at a press conference with Joe Hockey.
They advised the properties to be sold are in Labrador on the Gold Coast, Ardross in Perth, <a href="/news/inside-darnley-hall-joe-hockeys-latest-forced-firb-trophy-sydney-divestiture-home">Sydney’s Elizabeth Bay</a>, Underdale in Adelaide and the Brisbane suburb of Stretton.
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$5.2 million Hawthorn East home among five facing ATO-FIRB compulsory sale orders from Treasurer Scott Morrison

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Industry super fund-owned bank ME has reported an underlying net profit after tax of $60 million for FY2015, a rise of 27% on the previous reporting period.
The increase was driven by growth in home loan settlements, up 22 per cent to $4.6 billion, as well as disciplined management of net interest margin.
ME chief Jamie McPhee, said it was a strong performance.
ME’s cost-to-income ratio continued to fall, reducing 260 basis points to 68.5%.
McPhee said cost-to-income had been on a downward trajectory since June 2009 when the ratio was 84.5%.
Customer numbers grew 8% to 338,000 with customer deposits increased 7 per cent to $8.8 billion.
Total on and off balance sheet assets grew 7 per cent to $23.3 billion, with total loans on the balance sheet growing 19% year-on-year to $17.8 billion.
The broker sales channel surpassed $2.2 billion, up from $1.2 billion last year, an increase of 83%.
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ME Bank profit up 27%

Design-led developer-builder Lowe Living has unveiled its latest residential development, Jardin House, marking its first foray into Melbourne's blue-chip City of Boroondara.

Located a short walk from Camberwell Junction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House</a> has been designed to appeal to affluent local downsizers and established families seeking a low-maintenance alternative to the large homes that have long defined Camberwell and surrounding suburbs.

The project will comprise a collection of two and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 92 sqm to 280 sqm, alongside a limited number of penthouse residences featuring rooftop terraces spanning more than 100 sqm, with optional private pools.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372212]

Lowe Living Co-Founder and Managing Director Tim Lowe said Camberwell represented a natural next step for the developer as it expands into some of Melbourne's most tightly held residential markets.

"Jardin House is an important project for our team as it marks the next evolution of our portfolio into different well-established blue-chip pockets of Melbourne," Lowe said.

"Camberwell, with its incredible walkability, family-led neighbourhood feel and superb access to education and transport, makes it a natural choice for us."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372227]

Designed by Tristan Wong Architects, with interiors by Hecker Guthrie and landscaping by Acre, the development takes inspiration from the Art Deco architecture that remains a defining feature of many of Camberwell's established streets.

A curved facade, arched openings, textured brickwork and sculpted forms reference the suburb's architectural heritage, while extensive landscaping softens the building's presence and creates a strong connection to the surrounding tree-lined streetscape.

The project will be set behind a secure gated entrance, with residents arriving through landscaped gardens designed to create a transition between the public realm and private residences.

Inside, the residences feature natural stone and timber finishes, full-height glazing, Miele appliances and generous open-plan living areas designed for long-term owner occupation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372225]

While the apartments themselves have been designed to attract discerning owner-occupiers, it is the amenity offering that sets Jardin House apart from many other boutique projects currently launching across Melbourne.

The centrepiece is a 350 sqm private bathhouse curated in partnership with Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse founder Lyndall Mitchell.

The wellness precinct includes mineral pools, hydrotherapy experiences, a Himalayan salt room, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pools and dedicated relaxation spaces, creating what Lowe Living describes as a private wellness retreat exclusively for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372222]

The collaboration follows Lowe Living's recent partnership with Aurora at Maison Savoy in Brighton, although Jardin House is the first project to incorporate both indoor and outdoor wellness experiences.

Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said wellness was becoming an increasingly important consideration for apartment buyers.

"Collaborating with Lyndall Mitchell from Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse for a second time is an intentional nod to creating residences that are more than just homes, but a way to enrich the lives of our residents through wellness and longevity," Lowe said.

The amenity offering is complemented by a Technogym fitness studio, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and concierge services.

The launch comes as developers increasingly target Melbourne's established eastern suburbs, where rising land values, ageing housing stock and growing downsizer demand are creating opportunities for boutique apartment projects.

Lowe said the company expects significant generational wealth transfer across suburbs such as Camberwell in coming years, creating further demand for luxury apartment living.

"Camberwell is a blue-chip suburb where homes regularly transact for multiple millions of dollars," he said.

"The generational change of wealth in these locations expected in the coming years is significant, so we see an opportunity to create exclusive residences that appeal to older families and downsizers in order to meet this demand."

Apartments at Jardin house start from $1,195,000. The project forms part of Lowe Living's near-$1 billion portfolio of new developments across Melbourne.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146717]

Joel Robinson

Lowe Living launches Jardin House in Camberwell

As <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/north-sydney-nsw-2060">North Sydney</a> continues its transition from a commercial centre into a more layered residential and lifestyle precinct, a new generation of apartment developments is reshaping expectations around scale, amenity, and long-term liveability.

Improved transport connections through the Victoria Cross Metro, continued investment in dining and public spaces, and a constrained supply of new luxury apartments have sharpened demand for homes that combine proximity to the CBD with the privacy and outlook traditionally associated with harbourside houses.

At 177 Walker Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a>’s new apartment development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> enters the market with a distinctly residential approach to high-rise living. The 30-level tower will deliver 161 residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to sub-penthouses and a full-floor penthouse, all oriented to capture uninterrupted views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and out toward the Pacific Ocean.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6395]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, the project takes advantage of the site’s natural topography and elevated position above the harbour. Rather than relying on density alone, the architecture focuses on outlook, orientation, and spatial flow, with every apartment occupying a corner position to maximise natural light and cross ventilation.

Rothelowman says the site itself shaped much of the architectural response.

“The site has a long history in terms of its inevitable transformation and when we came in, we took inspiration from the idea of reestablishing a sense of the site’s natural terrain and fall. Our scheme aims to integrate with the terrain and the landscape, using the undulating site to slowly reveal glimpses and views of the harbour. The rotation of the tower off grid means every apartment has a view and is naturally cross ventilated. The building's colour palette is quintessentially Sydney, with bronze and sandstone and a luminescent green colour in the glass, making it very earthy and grounded in its location.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6399]

Inside the residences, the emphasis moves toward larger-format living typically associated with standalone homes. Kitchens sit at the centre of the apartments, connecting directly to open-plan dining and living areas before extending outward into expansive winter gardens and balconies. Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, integrated appliances, and custom metal detailing are used throughout, while three distinct interior palettes, Terrace, Opera, and Harbour, allow buyers to personalise the spaces without compromising the architectural consistency of the project.

The larger residences place particular attention on separation between entertaining and private zones. In many apartments, master suites occupy the outer corners of the floorplates, allowing bedrooms to benefit from floor-to-ceiling glazing and harbour outlooks independent of the living spaces. Dressing rooms and ensuites continue the material palette through fluted detailing, freestanding baths, and layered stone finishes.

Rothelowman says the design intent centred on creating homes that feel enduring rather than transient.

“Our philosophy is all about the way people live in these spaces, and we wanted to create homes that reflect the quality of life in this unique Sydney location. The apartments showcase expansive living spaces that are generous, sophisticated, and bold, with the ability to connect with views throughout each apartment.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=353235]

A separate four-storey amenity building known as The Pavilion expands the residential offering beyond the apartments themselves. Positioned alongside the tower, the building consolidates wellness, recreation, and social spaces into a dedicated resident retreat. Facilities include a 20-metre rooftop pool and sundeck, sauna, spa, ice bath, wellness studio, gymnasium, concierge service, wine cellar, residents’ lounge, private dining spaces, and dedicated co-working areas with meeting rooms and boardroom facilities.

The amenity mix reflects the buyer profile emerging in North Sydney, where owner-occupiers and downsizers are increasingly prioritising convenience, apartment scale, and long-term usability over purely investment-driven decisions.

The Walden also represents a significant milestone for ALAND, marking the company’s first major move into Sydney’s inner-city luxury apartment market after more than two decades delivering large-scale residential communities across Greater Sydney. Founder Andrew Hrsto says the Walker Street site stood apart because of both its positioning and its rarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6390]

“As a company, we had been searching for a site in one of Sydney’s blue-chip locations, spanning the Eastern Suburbs, the Sydney CBD and the North Shore, and when we had the opportunity to purchase this site, we immediately recognised that it could be something iconic.”

At launch, The Walden recorded more than $103 million in sales, with buyers drawn to the project’s harbour positioning, apartment scale, and proximity to the Metro, which now connects North Sydney to Barangaroo in three minutes and Martin Place in five.

ALAND has commenced construction, and is expecting a completion date in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]

The Walden pairs house-scale living with North Sydney connectivity

The ACT will become the first jurisdiction in Australia to abolish stamp duty for all first home buyers, with no income caps and no property price thresholds from 1 July.

The move, announced as part of the ACT Budget, completes a key election commitment from the Barr Government and removes what Chief Minister Andrew Barr described as one of the biggest barriers to entering the housing market. The reform forms part of the ACT's long-running transition away from transaction taxes and towards a broader-based property tax system.

"This budget marks a major milestone in our long-term tax reform program," Barr said, adding that the government had maintained a sustained focus on removing barriers to home ownership. He said stamp duty had long been one of the largest upfront hurdles facing buyers and that from July, "that barrier is gone" for first home buyers in the Territory.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=350986]

The changes come alongside a range of measures designed to encourage new housing supply, including support for the delivery of so-called "missing middle" housing such as terraces, townhouses and low-rise multi-unit developments.

The announcement has renewed debate around whether the ACT's approach could provide a blueprint for improving housing affordability nationally.

New research from OurTop10.com.au, conducted by Primara Research, suggests the Territory's decade-long reform agenda has produced outcomes unmatched elsewhere in Australia.

While stamp duty costs have increased by an average 67 per cent nationally over the past decade, the ACT has recorded growth of just 15 per cent, the lowest increase of any jurisdiction.

The Territory has also emerged as one of the strongest performers on housing delivery. Based on population-weighted housing targets, the ACT is sitting less than one per cent behind its target. Victoria is the next closest at seven per cent behind, while the national average sits 25 per cent below target. New South Wales is tracking 39 per cent behind.

The latest reform removes one of the final barriers facing first home buyers in Canberra.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139989 project_image_fid=359152]

The average Australian home buyer currently pays $61,714 in stamp duty. In the ACT, that figure is $38,399 despite the Territory having the third-highest median house price in the country.

Until now, the ACT's first home buyer concession scheme only applied to purchases up to $1.02 million, around $51,000 below Canberra's median house price of $1.071 million. In practical terms, many first home buyers were unable to access the median-priced home without losing the concession.

From July, those restrictions disappear.

Every first home buyer in the ACT will pay no stamp duty, regardless of income or purchase price.

Canberra remains one of Australia's most expensive housing markets, with dwelling values increasing 82 per cent over the past decade. However, that growth ranks only 11th among Australia's 15 major housing markets, suggesting affordability pressures have been less severe than in many other parts of the country.

Simon Ma, CEO of OurTop10.com.au, said the latest reforms recognise that many first home buyers have simply outgrown thresholds set years ago.

"Many first home buyers aren't just looking for a way onto the ladder, they want a home their family can actually live in," Ma said.

"In a market where the median house price is over a million dollars, a concession scheme that cuts out at $1.02 million was never going to get them there.

"Removing the ceiling entirely means ACT first home buyers can now pursue the home they actually want, rather than limiting themselves to a price point designed for a very different market."

Whether other states follow remains to be seen. But at a time when most jurisdictions are struggling to improve affordability while also increasing housing supply, the ACT has quietly become the national test case for both.

15% stamp duty growth. Just 1% off the national housing target. Zero stamp duty for FHBs. Is the ACT the blueprint for the great Australian dream?

ACT abolishes stamp duty for first home buyers

A rooftop pool and spa overlooking the Brisbane CBD, private dining spaces, expansive landscaped gardens and a residents' lounge are set to crown <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/callista-on-park-west-end-49-mollison-street-west-end-qld-4101">Callista on Park</a>, the final residential building within Brisbane's West Village precinct.

The rooftop amenity collection has been designed as an extension of the lifestyle already established throughout West Village, providing residents with a series of indoor and outdoor spaces that capitalise on the building's elevated position above West End.

A swimming pool and heated spa form the centrepiece of the rooftop offering, surrounded by landscaped gardens developed through a collaboration between developer Sekisui House and ASPECT Studios. The design incorporates expansive lawn areas surrounded by English garden-inspired planting.

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Residents will also have access to two barbecue and outdoor dining areas positioned to take advantage of views across Brisbane's skyline, neighbouring Mollison Park, and the surrounding inner-city landscape.

For larger gatherings, the rooftop includes a private dining room centred around a substantial stone island bench, complete with a full kitchen and a 10-seat dining table set beneath four-metre-high ceilings. The space has been designed to overlook both the rooftop gardens and the Brisbane CBD skyline.

A separate residents' lounge provides an additional indoor retreat connected to the broader rooftop amenity offering, creating another space for residents to work, relax or entertain guests.

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The attention to detail extends beyond the rooftop.

Upon arrival, residents will enter through a lobby featuring a bespoke ceiling light installation developed in collaboration between Sekisui House and Alcorn Middleton Architecture. The arrival experience is complemented by private resident mailboxes and carefully considered interior finishes designed to reflect the premium positioning of the building.

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The amenity offering forms part of Callista on Park, the final residential release within the decade-long transformation of the former Peters Ice Cream Factory site into West Village, one of Brisbane's most established mixed-use communities.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hutchinson-builders">Hutchinson Builders</a>, Callista represents the most premium residential offering within the masterplanned precinct.

Construction is now entering its final stages, with scaffolding beginning to come down and completion expected in the first quarter of 2027.

Prices for the three-bedroom plus MPR apartments start from just over $2.6 million.

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Callista will mark the final opportunity to purchase within West Village, where residents have direct access to more than 35 retail, dining, wellness and medical operators including Harris Farm Markets, Woolworths, Function Well and Goodlife Health Clubs, Metro Arts, and a growing collection of restaurants and cafés.

Located just 800 metres from the Brisbane CBD, the precinct also places residents within walking distance of South Bank, West End's dining scene, riverfront parklands and major public transport connections.

For Sekisui House, which has delivered more than two million homes globally, Callista serves as the concluding piece of the West Village masterplan, bringing together the precinct's heritage character, parkland setting and emphasis on walkability in a final collection of larger-format residences.

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Rooftop pool, private dining and skyline gardens to crown West Village's final apartment release, Callista on Park

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/wahroonga-nsw-2076">Wahroonga</a>’s enduring appeal has long been tied to its balance of bushland, established amenity, and access to some of Sydney’s most respected education and healthcare institutions.

Along Fox Valley Road, that combination is becoming increasingly sought after by buyers looking to remain connected to the Upper North Shore lifestyle while prioritising walkability, wellbeing, and convenience.

Developer Capital Corporation's initial vision of a 62-hectare site on Fox Valley Road was that they could create their own walkable community, bordered by&nbsp;more than 25 hectares of bushland and adjoining Coups Creek.

<img alt="Wahroonga" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b84917a1-0d75-49b9-888c-ddf7ebfd6692" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/NEW2026_Wahroonga_Walkway.gif?VersionId=Gk3_xi5ssYfalmwuQQ5umQakddceC31j" />

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-residences-at-wahroonga-estate-169-fox-valley-road-wahroonga-nsw-2076">The Residences at Wahroonga Estate</a> draws directly on the area’s natural landscape, with walking trails and green corridors linking into sections of Lane Cove National Park. The surrounding network of bushwalks, cycling tracks, and reserves reinforces the suburb’s long-standing reputation as one of Sydney’s most nature-oriented residential pockets, while still maintaining close ties to village retail and transport infrastructure.

The address places residents within minutes of Wahroonga and Turramurra villages, where cafés, local grocers, boutiques, and everyday services support a highly localised lifestyle. Popular nearby venues including The Fox Café and Breeze Valley Café provide easy options for morning coffee or casual dining, while longstanding retailers such as IGA Wahroonga Fresh and Novella Fine Books continue to anchor the area’s village character.

&nbsp;

<img alt="Wahroonga" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c4a950f7-4f05-4370-b360-b106359788e5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/2026_Wahroonga_Entry_Gates.gif?VersionId=7n5kh9ymu.azYEYDemJkPgiIAfSw44oj" />

Healthcare access remains one of the defining locational advantages of the estate. Sydney Adventist Hospital, known locally as The San, sits directly adjacent and is one of the largest and most respected private hospitals in New South Wales. The hospital precinct incorporates specialist medical services, radiology, physiotherapy, and outpatient care, contributing to growing buyer demand from downsizers and owner-occupiers seeking long-term convenience and peace of mind.

Research commissioned by Capital Corporation found that health and wellbeing considerations are increasingly influencing downsizing decisions, particularly among buyers wanting to remain within familiar neighbourhoods while accessing medical infrastructure more easily.

Education has also historically underpinned demand across Wahroonga and the broader Upper North Shore. The estate sits close to several of Sydney’s leading private and independent schools, including Knox Grammar, Abbotsleigh, Barker College, Pymble Ladies’ College, Ravenswood School for Girls, and Loreto Normanhurst. Co-educational options including Wahroonga Adventist School and Sydney Adventist School further strengthen the area’s appeal to established families looking for long-term schooling pathways within a tightly held catchment.

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Transport connectivity supports the suburb’s liveability without compromising its quieter residential character. Wahroonga and Turramurra train stations provide direct rail access into the Sydney CBD, while the nearby Pacific Highway and M1 motorway strengthen links across the North Shore and broader metropolitan area. At the same time, the heavily treed streetscape and low-density character continue to distinguish the precinct from more urbanised parts of Sydney.

The Residences at Wahroonga Estate forms the first stage of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/capital-corporation">Capital Corporation</a>’s broader masterplanned vision for the precinct, delivered alongside the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/group-gsa">GroupGSA</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/coco-republic-interior-design">Coco Republic</a>, the development integrates landscaped communal spaces including a pet-friendly Green Spine, resident lounge, BBQ pavilion, and direct bushland access, reinforcing the project’s focus on outdoor connection and community-based living.

Now under construction by Gold Star iCIRT-rated builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/dasco-australia">DASCO</a>, The Residences at Wahroonga Estate will deliver a collection of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments priced from $990,000, with completion anticipated in 2027.

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Jonathan Chancellor

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