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Aussie Home Loans chief John Symond has forecast that Sydney's booming residential property market was nearing its peak.
But he quickly added he thinks "there's buckley's chance of a price correction."
He told the 7th annual Citi Australia &amp; New Zealand investment conference yesterday he could see Sydney markets "getting trickier suburb by suburb."
"But the good news is that steam is coming out of the market and sanity's coming in.
"I think we're going to see a more flat market," he said. 
"Hot areas will still see a seven to nine percent gain, in other areas you might see a three to four percent, some other areas a five percent drop," he anticipated.
"You have to do your homework."
His comments came as the CBA joined Westpac in increasing home loan interest rates with CBA’s rate increase of 0.15% pushing up its package loan rate to 5.10%.
The veteran mortgage broker expected all four big banks would raise rates in response to APRA’s capital requirements.
"If all four come out I think that will force the Reserve Bank to drop rates another 25 bps, so that consumers feel their real interest rates haven't gone up," he said.
But with big banks poaching customers from other big banks to get some loan book growth, he said Australian borrowers "have never had it better in my 40 years.
Except for Sydney and Melbourne, the rest of Australia had not had the property boom, he said. 
"You've got to remember between 2002 and 2012, Sydney was the worst-performing capital city in Australia - 2.2% growth per annum before inflation. 
"All of a sudden, we're seeing 15-18% growth in the last three years driven by lowest interest rates in Australia's history and a surge in foreign demand, particularly Chinese.
"They are driving a lot of the prices in places like Sydney or Melbourne.
He said for a collapse there either had to be a sharp increase in interest rates and "there's no hope of that happening for some years, or unemployment picking up."
"I think we are approaching the top of the market.
"Different suburbs, in my opinion, will perform differently going forward," he said, adding there was a risk in off the plan were too many new apartments hit the market.
"Prices are levelling out and in certain suburbs I can see prices dipping a bit but certainly no collapse in prices because the appetite to own real estate is so great in this country."
"I think the price increases will abate, I think, by the middle of next year when it will be a buyer's market," he said.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Sydney's booming residential property market was nearing peak: John Symond 

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Apollonia, the historic Bowral<a href="https://www.domain.com.au/for-sale/37-39-merrigang-street-bowral-nsw-2576-2011852807"> </a>retreat of former the Westpac chief executive Frank Conroy and his wife Jan, has been sold.
They plan to spend more time at their Bendalong beach house following the sale through Belle Property Bowral agent Di Dixon who was <a href="https://www.belleproperty.com/buying/NSW/Southern-Highlands/Bowral/House/58P0121-37-39-merrigang-street-bowral-nsw-2576" target="_blank">seeking around $3.5 million</a>.
The 1890 home takes its name Apollonia after the patron saint of dentistry given its long earlier ownership by the local dentist.
The charming Merrigang Street home was built circa 1890 for Julia Welford as a guest house to her residence next door, but is better known locally as the long-time home of dentist Douglas Hedberg until 1954.
It was Robert Uliana who undertook its substantial renovation along with adding its two-bedroom guest house and indoor, heated lap pool.
Last traded in 2005 for $2.95 million, Apollonia, is a charming timber Bowral residence on 2600 square metres in Merrigang Street.
It is tipped to have sold to an Elizabeth Bay buyer.
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.
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Retired Westpac boss Frank Conroy sells Apollonia at Bowral

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Melbourne buyers advocate Richard Wakelin says the CBD could stand for Could Be Dangerous - especially when buying highrise, non-descript, cookie-cutter units.
That's clearly what the CBD in central business district residential property now stands for in the eyes of the NAB's risk managers.
Our five major CBDs – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide – are now "red-flagged" by our fourth-largest bank, which now requires a 20% deposit from new borrowers buying there, Richard Wakelin wrote recently in the Australian Financial Review.
He added that what was especially telling about their list was the inclusion of Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
"These are CBDs where capital growth hasn't been strong in recent times," he said.
"Indeed, in its 20-per-cent-deposit-please list that included 43 postcodes, the only inclusions outside of NSW and Victoria were postcodes 4000, 5000 and 6000."
The bank obviously sees a heightened risk of price falls and mortgage arrears in these areas, but it is being vague about its reasons.
"Some of the factors that we take into consideration include investor growth levels, property price growth, rental yield and the regulatory environment," is how an NAB spokesperson described the lender's criteria in The Australian Financial Review last week.
Wakelin says developers are pumping out residential towers at a rate far in excess of genuine demand with the credit tightening too late to avert the looming crisis for high-rise.
"It was astounding as you would have thought they would have learnt the lessons of previous boom-bust episodes such as we saw in Melbourne's Docklands and the Gold Coast," Richard Wakelin, director of Wakelin Property Advisory.
 
Paul Nugent of Wakelin Property Advisory and Stuart Wemyss of ProSolution Private Clients will discuss strategies for young adults to enter the property market in an upcoming webinar.
The one-hour webinar starts at 12.30pm on Thursday 29 October. You can register <a href="https://wakelin.com.au/fpb_webinar" target="_blank">here</a>.
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The dangerous CBD residential markets: Richard Wakelin 

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The Ray White Group has been named as Australia’s inaugural winner of the Family Business Award at the 2015 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards.
The EY award IS handed out in over 20 countries to recognise family businesses that have successfully managed to grow and transition the business through multiple generations.
The award, introduced this year to Australia, went to Brian White, joint chairman representing the Ray White Group.
EY gathered information on all the large family businesses in Australia which are in the third or later generation of ownership.
“The wonderful thing about this award is the recognition that across Australia, what we have done over four generations has been something worthy of acknowledgment,” said Brian White.
“This award has been in existence in Europe for some years, where family businesses have been in operation for generations.”
Tony Johnson, EY Oceania managing partner and CEO said family businesses face unique challenges.
“The White family has navigated these challenges with great success for three generations.
"Ray White Group is a testament to the economic and social value that entrepreneurial families contribute,” he said.
“EY’s recognition that we have really attempted to preserve family values through succeeding across generations is fantastic for our company,” said Brian White.
“Our company is a collection of families, and together we represent family values ­ which is was critical in the assessment of the inaugural winner.”
“It is a thrill to hear stories from people joining our company that one of the reasons they chose to join Ray White is the fact that we are a strong family owned and led company.
The award has seen winners from some of the world’s biggest companies including Bibby Line Group, LEGO, Faber­Castell, Sattler and Messer Group. 
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Ray White family awarded EY recognition

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Karin Adcock, founder of jewellery chain Pandora Australia, sold her 1840s Tarana, NSW Bathurst district rural retreat, Mutton Falls which went to auction last weekend.
Set on nearly a hectare of Central Tablelands country garden in the Tarana Valley, about two and a half hours from Sydney, Adcock bought the property in 2010 with friends Jeanine and Sebastian Bardon for extended weekends away, paying $910,000 in 2011 from Dennis Danna. 
The Bardon's own retail business Bardon Design, which developed stores for the Danish jewellery brand.
<a href="https://uniqueestates.com.au/listings/residential_sale-326166-tarana/" target="_blank">Nicolette van Wijngaarden of Unique Estates</a> secured $1,035,000 for the restored and extended 1840s homestead with rammed earth and wattle daub timber facade.
Mutton Falls, accessed via an avenue of poplar trees, was built by Richard Mutton for the family, including sister Anne Webb who managed a general store on the main route to Bathurst. 
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.
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Jeweller Karen Adcock sells Mutton Falls at Tarana

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Ben White, one of the sons of Brian and Rosemary White, of the family who founded the Ray White group, has listed his harbourfront apartment in Darling Point.
The renovated four bedroom apartment has polished floorboards in the Easthaven complex where there is a shared pool and boat ramp.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/21-and-22-35a-sutherland-crescent-darling-point/Property-Details-buy-residential-9600364" target="_blank">Set on Sutherland Crescent</a>, the Ray White Double Bay agent James Keenan expects around $3 million at its October 27 auction.
Ben sits on the Ray White family board. Ben’s passion is finding ways for rental property managers to change their industry from its cottage industry heritage to giving landlords a new level of service. He's been active at the Agents and Property Managers Association, which has become the <a href="https://www.apmasphere.com/" target="_blank">Apmasphere</a> industry website. 
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.
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Ben White lists Darling Point apartment 

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A humble 1854 farmhouse in St Kilda has been listed for sale at 34 Waterloo Crescent.
It ranks as one of the oldest original residences in Melbourne, completed just 19 years after settlement.
The heritage protected, time capsule captures colonial Australian life, its only bathroom, with shower and loo, all outside.
Vendors Tom and Julie, who bought the cottage in 1989, are moving to Tasmania. 
The back of the house faces the street because, when it was built, Melbourne was farmland, and the property looked out to the ocean.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/34-waterloo-crescent-st-kilda/Property-Details-buy-residential-9662152" target="_blank">The 34 Waterloo Crescent house</a> is tipped to fetch around $1 million.
The home goes to auction November 8 through Pride Real Estate agent Nicole Prime.
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1850s St Kilda farmhouse listing

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The Swan Brewery Industrial Estate in Perth's Canning Vale has achieved sales worth $70 million, with Stage 1 and 2 settlements now finalised.
Starting from August 2014, <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-wa-canning+vale-501312419" target="_blank">55 lots totalling 14.7 hectares have been sold</a> through Raine &amp; Horne Commercial.
“The sale rates of Stages 1 and 2 reflect the strong demand for reasonably priced, well-located industrial land within Perth’s core 20 km inner transport ring,” said Raine &amp; Horne Commercial WA director and selling agent Anthony Vulinovich.
Buyers included industrial developers, owner-occupiers and investors, he added.
Canning Vale is one of Perth’s most desired industrial precincts to the city’s south and has excellent transport infrastructure.
The estate has been developed by Linc Property, Perth’s largest private developer of industrial lots.
Following the success of Stages 1 and 2, they are now going ahead with the release of Stage 3 into the market.
The 12 smaller lots range from 1,100 square metres to 4,000 square metres, while three range from 1.1 to 2.1 hectares." 
“We have already secured a number of sales off-market," Ben Lisle, director of Linc Property. “We expect strong interest from both developers and larger owner-occupiers looking to achieve a long-term position.”
Stage 3 civil works have started with titles expected at the start of 2016.
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Raine & Horne Commercial selling Perth industrial land on Swan Brewery estate

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Restauranteur Paul Mathis and business partner George Incretolli will open a new Supercharger Wholefood outlet at Prahran in Melbourne's inner eastern suburbs in a deal brokered by Savills Australia.
The 102-square metre outlet is on the ground floor of the Peregrine's Luxton Apartments at 22 Chatham Street within the Prahran Retail Hub.
Supercharger will take the tenancy on an eight-year lease from Peregrine Projects.
Listing agents Michael Di Carlo, Jeremy Marmur and Jock Thomson did not reveal the rental, but rates in the neighbourhood have been circa $850 per square metre.
Di Carlo said the new store, Supercharger's second Melbourne store, followed the opening of its first, in CFS Retail Trust's Emporium Melbourne on Lonsdale Street in the CBD.
“This new lease follows what a very successful debut for Supercharger at Emporium.
"Paul Mathis' vegan menu is also likely to be very welcome in Prahran, which boasts an eclectic mix of dining experiences and a population well attuned to the vegetarian offering,” Di Carlo said.
The new store is due to open soon.
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Savills secures Paul Mathis to open second Supercharger outlet in Melbourne

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Sydney's office vacancy rate has tightened to 7.7%, below the long-term average, according to research from JLL.
The Sydney CBD recorded positive net absorption of 25,600 square metres in the third quarter, taking the 12-month total to 148,000 square metres.
Its vacancy rate now sits below the 20-year average of 8.3%
Demand in the Sydney CBD was concentrated in the technology sector and also education providers, who are now a strong source of occupancy.
All the other state capitals recorded positive net absorption in the third quarter, except for Perth where the vacancy rate sits at 19.6%, its worst since 1995.
JLL's head of office leasing, Australia, Tim O'Connor said Sydney also had increased activity from financial services and infrastructure sector tenants.
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Sydney office vacancy rate tightens while Perth hits 19.6%: JLL

The Gold Coast economy has grown by 25 per cent since 2020/21 to surpass $55 billion, but perhaps the more significant story is what sits behind the headline number.

For decades, the Gold Coast has been viewed through the lens of tourism, lifestyle and population growth. The latest State of the City Report suggests that perception is increasingly out of step with reality.

Released by Invest Gold Coast, the report ranks the Gold Coast as Australia's largest non-capital city economy and, perhaps more notably, second nationally behind Sydney for Economic Complexity, a measure that assesses the diversity and sophistication of an economy.

It's a result that places the Gold Coast ahead of Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, highlighting the extent to which the city's economic base has broadened beyond its traditional industries.

Today, the Gold Coast supports more than 350,000 jobs, is home to over 83,000 businesses and generates $19 billion in annual exports. Manufacturing now accounts for 62 per cent of international export growth, while sectors including health, education, advanced manufacturing, technology and professional services are becoming increasingly important contributors to the local economy.

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Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the report confirmed the city's evolution into one of Australia's most significant economies.

"The Gold Coast economy continues to grow at an incredible pace. This is no surprise to those of us who have watched the evolution up close," Mayor Tate said.

"As one of the most entrepreneurial, investment driven and opportunity focused economies in the country our ambition has been realised and possibilities are endless.

"The Gold Coast has built a reputation as the city that says yes. We say yes to investment, yes to opportunity and yes to people who want to build something.

"It's this mindset helping us drive major growth across health, advanced manufacturing, screen production, marine, technology and the knowledge economy."

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While population growth has been one of the defining stories of the past decade, the report points to a broader economic transformation taking place.

The city's knowledge economy now contributes $7.9 billion annually and supports around 31,000 jobs, while the health and wellbeing sector contributes $5.2 billion and employs more than 42,000 people. Together, the six priority sectors identified in the report account for almost $24 billion in economic output and more than 145,000 jobs.

One of the strongest examples is the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct at Southport. The 200-hectare precinct now contains more than $5 billion worth of health, education, research and innovation infrastructure and supports over 16,000 jobs.

The report also highlights the growing role of advanced manufacturing, particularly in aerospace, defence and modular construction.

Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies recently became the first Australian commercial company to attempt an orbital launch, while companies including Modscape and ModnPods are helping establish the Yatala-Stapylton corridor as one of Australia's fastest-growing advanced manufacturing hubs.

The city's entrepreneurial culture is also translating into business growth.

Since 2019/20, the number of businesses operating on the Gold Coast has increased by 22 per cent, while firms employing more than 200 people have grown by 80 per cent. The report suggests the next challenge is converting more local start-ups and medium-sized businesses into nationally significant companies.

Development activity remains another key indicator of confidence.

There are currently more than $23 billion worth of major projects underway across the Gold Coast, supported by a record 75 active cranes, a figure that now exceeds Brisbane and represents a 150 per cent increase since 2016.

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Importantly, the report notes the next phase of investment will need to extend beyond residential development.

While 93 per cent of crane activity is currently tied to housing, Invest Gold Coast argues future investment will increasingly need to focus on cultural, civic, infrastructure and industry-enabling projects that strengthen the city's long-term economic resilience.

Invest Gold Coast Chair Will Hodgman said the city was now benefiting from years of economic diversification.

"What is happening on the Gold Coast is the result of the city's economic base broadening, fuelled by industries with long-term, high-growth potential," Mr Hodgman said.

"This is no longer a secondary Australian economy, the Gold Coast is becoming a globally connected city with deeper capability across health, knowledge and creative industries, advanced manufacturing, technology and exports."

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Looking ahead, the Gold Coast's population is projected to exceed one million residents by 2046.

For a city that was once largely defined by tourism and lifestyle, the latest figures suggest the Gold Coast is becoming something more significant, one of Australia's most diverse and economically sophisticated urban economies, and increasingly one that national and international investors can no longer afford to overlook.

Joel Robinson

75 cranes, $23 billion pipeline and a $55 billion economy: Inside the Gold Coast economic boom

Ron Bakir's Homecorp has sold more than 75 per cent of the apartments in its wellness-driven Florence Residences in Surfers Paradise following its first weekend release.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/florence-residences-24-monte-carlo-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">26-storey project on Monte Carlo Avenue</a>, which commenced construction earlier this year, has seen a flurry of buyers secure their slice of the Gold Coast's latest wellbeing-focused offering in one of the nation's most competitive property markets.

Since the pandemic, the Gold Coast's population has grown by more than 11 per cent, a rate approximately four times faster than Sydney's, driven largely by lifestyle changes and interstate migration. While buyer activity has moderated in some markets nationally, demand for newly built dwellings on the Gold Coast continues to gain momentum as purchasers increasingly prioritise lifestyle, amenity, wellbeing, liveability and long-term investment potential.

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Homecorp CEO Ron Bakir says buyers today are looking for more than just a home.

"What we are seeing is a shift in how people define value in property," Bakir says.

"What attracts residents to new developments is a desire for more than just a residence. They are looking for a place that complements their lifestyle, supports their wellbeing and reflects the way they want to live into the future.

"Lifestyle, longevity, proactive health, wellbeing, connection and a sense of community are increasingly shaping purchasing decisions, particularly on the Gold Coast, where these factors continue to be a major drawcard."

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Bakir says Homecorp is responding to this shift through an approach that places greater emphasis on design, amenity and experience working together to create places that feel considered, connected and enduring in value.

Inspired by Eastern European design, Florence Residences will comprise 120 apartments alongside a private residents-only wellness club featuring a resort-style rooftop pool, hot and cold plunge pools, a spa retreat, contemporary gymnasium, and a spacious yoga and Pilates studio.

The development will also feature a residents-only lounge with private dining facilities and a rooftop bar, premium outdoor entertaining areas, a hotel-style lobby lounge, generous bike parking, and pet-friendly amenities including a heated dog wash.

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A limited number of apartments remain available, with an exclusive collection of four-bedroom sub-penthouses set to be released in the coming months.

Florence is one of the latest additions to Homecorp's expanding multi-billion-dollar property portfolio, which also includes plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/homecorp-lodges-plans-for-260-million-moroccan-bathhouse-inspired-tower-in-budds-beach">$260 million development in Budds Beach</a> tailored to the growing wellness market.

A development application has been lodged for a 27-storey, 156-residence tower at 8–10 Acacia Avenue and 25–27 Oak Avenue, featuring a residents-only Moroccan spa-inspired sanctuary.

Apartments at Florence Residences are priced from $1,249,000, with construction expected to be completed by late 2027.

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Buyers rush to Homecorp's Florence Residences as Gold Coast wellness trend gains momentum

The NSW Government has expanded its $1 billion Pre-sale Finance Guarantee program, broadening access for affordable housing providers and smaller residential developments as it seeks to accelerate housing delivery across the state.

The Minns Government says the program has already helped bring forward more than 600 homes across Sydney and regional NSW since launching in September 2025, with similar models now adopted in South Australia and Western Australia.

The latest changes, announced by Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully, are designed to improve access to finance for projects that have planning approval but are struggling to secure funding.

Among the key changes is an expansion of support for community housing providers. The program will now support up to 100 per cent affordable housing projects valued at up to $30 million when delivered by not-for-profit providers, while support for larger affordable housing developments will increase for projects worth up to $80 million.

The government says the changes will help accelerate the delivery of housing for low-income workers, older people, people living with disability, and those at risk of homelessness, while reducing reliance on direct grants or subsidised loans to bridge funding gaps.

The eligibility criteria for smaller residential developments have also been broadened. The previous $5 million minimum project value threshold has been removed and replaced with a requirement that projects deliver at least four homes.

Support has also increased for projects delivering fewer than 20 homes, with the guarantee now able to cover up to 75 per cent of dwellings in a development, capped at $30 million per project.

The changes are expected to particularly benefit smaller-scale and regional developments, which often face greater challenges meeting pre-sale requirements imposed by lenders.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the scheme demonstrates how government can use its balance sheet to stimulate housing supply without relying solely on taxpayer-funded grants.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee shows how this Government is using its balance sheet to reduce risk and unlock private investment, enabling new homes to move from design to construction faster," Mookhey said.

"This landmark reform allows us to deliver homes for working families at a lower cost to taxpayers, while also maintaining strong financial discipline."

Planning Minister Paul Scully said the program had already proven effective in bringing stalled projects to market.

"The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee has already proven it can unlock stalled projects and accelerate housing delivery by giving lenders the confidence they need to back good developments," Scully said.

"These changes will allow more affordable housing and smaller developments to access support so more homes can be built faster where communities need them most."

Housing Minister Rose Jackson said the expansion would help community housing providers overcome financing barriers that often delay projects.

"We know community housing providers are ready to build more homes, too often they're held back by barriers to finance," Jackson said.

"Expanding the Pre-sale Finance Guarantee helps remove those barriers so more affordable homes can get off the ground sooner."

The announcement was welcomed by the Property Council of Australia, which has long advocated for measures aimed at improving project feasibility and access to finance.

Property Council NSW Executive Director Katie Stevenson described the expansion as a practical intervention that addresses one of the most immediate constraints on housing delivery.

"This is exactly the kind of practical intervention we need right now, focused on getting projects out of the ground, not just approved," Stevenson said.

"It builds on a model the Property Council has worked closely with government to develop following calls for such a scheme ahead of last year's NSW Budget, so it's great to see it being expanded."

Stevenson said the reforms would help unlock projects that are ready to proceed but have been delayed by financing challenges. However, she noted that broader feasibility issues remain a significant barrier to increasing housing supply.

"The biggest challenge in NSW housing today is delivery. Too many projects have planning approval but are simply not financially viable to proceed under current settings," she said.

Speaking at the Property Council's NSW Housing Summit, Housing Minister Rose Jackson acknowledged that feasibility and financing pressures continue to constrain housing delivery, while reaffirming the government's commitment to work with industry on solutions.

Stevenson said the government's recognition of those challenges was encouraging ahead of next week's state budget.

"It's positive to see the government clearly recognising that feasibility pressures are now a binding constraint on supply," she said.

"With the Budget just days away, the focus must be on backing delivery, making sure projects stack up, finance can flow, and more homes can move from approval to construction."

The expanded Pre-sale Finance Guarantee forms part of the NSW Government's broader housing agenda, which also includes planning reforms, the NSW Housing Pattern Book, and a series of rezonings intended to increase housing capacity across the state.

NSW expands Pre-sale Finance Guarantee to unlock more affordable and regional housing

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.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.”

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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.

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“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.

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Jonathan Chancellor

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