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The passionate Rabbitohs official, Jim Hatfield, a director of South Sydney Rugby League Club board, has put his longtime Vaucluse home up for auction. 
Laing + Simmons agent L'eanne Lewis takes the coastal 1920s home to auction on October 26, with <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-vaucluse-120825969" target="_blank">$4.5 million expectations</a>.
"There are views featuring the CBD, Opera House, Bridge and Sydney Harbour from nearly every room," she said. The home sits on sandstone blocks feature walls. 
The last time the double block Russell Street five bedroom property was offered in 1989 it sold for $875,000 to the auto engineering director who has maintained and renovated over the years.
Jim Hatfield, a veteran of the South's board, is recognised as one of those instrumental in returning the South Sydney club to its status as a powerhouse, alongside famous faces Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court.
This article first appeared in the Sunday Telegraph.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Rabbitohs official puts Vaucluse home on market

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Hotel investor Anthony Medich and his wife, Juliana have listed their Woolwich home.
More than $9 million is tipped for the four bedroom home through McGrath agent Tracey Dixon.
The couple have resided at Leicester since 2007.
Leicester is a rare survivor of the Woolwich foreshore from the early 1900’s with gardens to the water. It is said to have been built by Henry Budden, as a Federation style bungalow.
Positioned above sandy shores, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-hunters+hill-120669925" target="_blank">the 1031 sqm property comes with pool, private boatshed and jetty</a>.
"This palatial home is the epitome of coastal luxury," Tracey Dixon said.
It has city skyline views. Medich is the son of Roy and nephew of Ron Medich, but they are not involved in the pub group.
Medich has recently cashed up with the sale of three pubs worth about $50 million, with the latest being his own local, the Woolwich Pier, Woolwich which was bought by the Laundy family.
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.
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Anthony Medich lists Woolwich trophy

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Mrs Australia 2012, Veronica Cristovao and her property developer husband Duarte have sold the second waterfront duplex in Chiswick.
The Cristovaos built the duplex on the prime north-facing site after having bought the land in <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-chiswick-120516033" target="_blank">2010 in $3,655,000</a>.
Duarte and Veronica founded Collingwood House, a property development &amp; property management company.
The latest architect-designed residence on Abbotsford Bay features five bedrooms, four bathrooms, infinity pool and approval for shared jetty.
The home’s twin was sold two years ago for $3.6 million to downsizing greengrocer supremo Chris Parisi and his wife Emily. 
BresicWhitney agent Nicholas McEvoy was scheduled to take the latest offering to auction with $4.35 million plus hopes, but secured $4.85 million two days before the auction, the highest sale for a duplex on Fortesecue Street.
Happy with the profit they've made, the Cristovaos are already seeking their next project in the surrounding areas, with Woolwich and Drummoyne of interest.
Veronica also recently opened a children's store, Diamond Kids Boutique close by on Victoria Road.
Their Collingwood House website advises Veronica has a background in real estate and has studied interior design. Duarte is a licensed builder, learning the tools of the trade working alongside his father in property development.
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Record price for Chiswick duplex 

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Funds manager Will Liley and his UK born artist wife Janice have sold their Paddington terrace.
Liley, who rowed for Australia in the late 1960s and 1970s, before he founded infrastructure investment firm mInfra, secured around $3.5 million through Ben Collier at McGrath Estate Agents.
Janice studied at the National Art School, Sydney, and before than at Cheltenham College of the Arts in the UK.
Their longtime four bedroom Windsor Street abode was bought back in 1999 at $870,000. 
They retain their Southern Highlands retreat Rosehill Farm, a 45-hectare holding with Richard Rowe designed six-bedroom, seven-bathroom house.
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Funds manager Will Liley sells Paddo terrace

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Sydney's busiest September auction Saturday on record had 900 plus homes listed to go under the hammer, well ahead of the 832 listed last weekend and the 723 auctioned over the same weekend last year.
The recent surge in supply has helped ease auction clearance rates, to their lowest in three years. 
APM's preliminary 729 results put the clearance rate at 69.6%.  
Domain Group’s senior economist, Dr Andrew Wilson said the market was evolving into a buyer’s market.
“Sydney’s great auction boom has clearly ended,” he said. 
Last weekend's preliminary clearance rate of 71.3% was revised down again
It was lower than the 72.4% recorded the previous weekend and significantly below the 83.9% reported over the same weekend last year. 
APM had the inner west as hosting the highest number of auctions on Saturday with 139 listings.
The next highest is the upper north shore with 130 followed by the south with 127, the city and east 111, the lower north 86, the west 84, the south west 74, the northern beaches 70, Canterbury Bankstown 66, the north west 59, the central coast 23 and the Blue Mountains 1.
The leading suburb for auctions this weekend was again Mosman with 17 followed by Baulkham Hills and Ashfield each with 13, Chatswood, Manly and Redfern each with 11 and a number of suburbs with 10 auctions listed on Saturday including Bexley, Carlingford, Blacktown and Paddington.
<table style="width: 605px;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5"><tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
Most expensive
</td>
<td colspan="2"> </td>
</tr>
<tr id="ecxrpMostExpensive_trMostExpensiveRow_0">
<td id="ecxrpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveCity_0" align="left">Sydney</td>
<td id="ecxrpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveLocation_0" colspan="2">76 New Beach Rd, Darling Point NSW 2027, 5 br Semi, Morton Circular Quay</td>
<td id="ecxrpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveSold_0">$7,750,000</td>
</tr>
<tr id="ecxrpMostExpensive_trMostExpensiveRow_1">
<td id="ecxrpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveCity_1" align="left">Melbourne</td>
<td id="ecxrpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveLocation_1" colspan="2">38 Edro Av, Brighton East VIC 3187, 5 br House, Hocking Stuart</td>
<td id="ecxrpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveSold_1">$3,910,000</td>
</tr>
<tr id="ecxrpMostExpensive_trMostExpensiveRow_2">
<td id="ecxrpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveCity_2" align="left">Adelaide</td>
<td id="ecxrpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveLocation_2" colspan="2">187 Wattle St, Malvern SA 5061, 4 br House, Ouwens Casserly</td>
<td id="ecxrpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveSold_2">$1,300,000</td>
</tr>
<tr id="ecxrpMostExpensive_trMostExpensiveRow_3">
<td id="ecxrpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveCity_3" align="left">Brisbane</td>
<td id="ecxrpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveLocation_3" colspan="2">30/135 Shore St W, Cleveland QLD 4163, 5 br House, FN Cleveland</td>
<td id="ecxrpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveSold_3">$2,800,000</td>
</tr>
<tr id="ecxrpMostExpensive_trMostExpensiveRow_4">
<td id="ecxrpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveCity_4" align="left">Canberra</td>
<td id="ecxrpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveLocation_4" colspan="2">252 La Perouse St, Red Hill ACT 2603, 5 br House, Luton Properties - Manuka</td>
<td id="ecxrpMostExpensive_tdMostExpensiveSold_4">$1,360,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">
Most affordable
</td>
<td colspan="2"> </td>
</tr>
<tr id="ecxrpMostAffordable_trMostAffordableRow_0">
<td id="ecxrpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableCity_0" align="left">Sydney</td>
<td id="ecxrpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableLocation_0" colspan="2">5/34 Remembrance Av, Warwick Farm NSW 2170, 2 br Unit, Prudential Liverpool</td>
<td id="ecxrpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableSold_0">$364,500</td>
</tr>
<tr id="ecxrpMostAffordable_trMostAffordableRow_1">
<td id="ecxrpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableCity_1" align="left">Melbourne</td>
<td id="ecxrpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableLocation_1" colspan="2">2/264 Melrose Dr, Tullamarine VIC 3043, 2 br Unit, Jason Real Estate Sales PTY LTD</td>
<td id="ecxrpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableSold_1">$280,000</td>
</tr>
<tr id="ecxrpMostAffordable_trMostAffordableRow_2">
<td id="ecxrpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableCity_2" align="left">Adelaide</td>
<td id="ecxrpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableLocation_2" colspan="2">21 Forest Av, Paralowie SA 5108, 3 br House, Harris Real Estate - Glenelg</td>
<td id="ecxrpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableSold_2">$229,250</td>
</tr>
<tr id="ecxrpMostAffordable_trMostAffordableRow_3">
<td id="ecxrpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableCity_3" align="left">Brisbane</td>
<td id="ecxrpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableLocation_3" colspan="2">19/202 Fryar Rd, Eagleby QLD 4207, 3 br Townhouse, LJH Beenleigh</td>
<td id="ecxrpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableSold_3">$243,600</td>
</tr>
<tr id="ecxrpMostAffordable_trMostAffordableRow_4">
<td id="ecxrpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableCity_4" align="left">Canberra</td>
<td id="ecxrpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableLocation_4" colspan="2">24/6 Antis St, Phillip ACT 2606, 2 br Townhouse, LJH Tuggeranong</td>
<td id="ecxrpMostAffordable_tdMostAffordableSold_4">$322,000</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
 
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Slipping into the 60s on September's Sydney Super Saturday

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The boutique Quorrobolong, Hunter Valley broodmare farm of Brett and Rachael Howard has been listed after the bloodstock industry couple recently purchased Coronation Park in nearby Mount Vincent.
Their existing 20 hectare Sandy Creek property has been listed through Shelly Jurd of Jurds Real Estate some six years after commencing their specialist broodmare farm. 
Over the past six seasons the <a href="https://jurds.com.au/listings/rural_sale-445705-quorrobolong/" target="_blank">farm with views to the Watagan Mountain</a> range across irrigated pastures, has walked out well over 100 mares to the Upper Hunter stallion farms such as Arrowfield, Coolmore, Widden and Yarraman Park, managing to get over 90% of the mares in foal.
“I am not aware of any other properties of its size, containing this amount of horse infrastructure, irrigated pastures, plus with two houses and its lifestyle features, priced under $2 million,” she said.
Brett Howard set up Randwick Bloodstock Agency in 1987, buying the farm in 2006.
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Boutique Hunter Valley broodmare farm listed

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Louis Christopher, the managing director of SQM Research, reckons the Gold Coast has entered "a robust housing recovery." 
"There is no question right now that landlords are in charge of the Gold Coast market as vacancies have plummeted and rents have accelerated," Louis Christopher told Fairfax Media. 
His data shows low vacancy rates of under 2%.
There have been rent rises of up to 8% a year.
Mr Christopher said the Gold Coast had not yet seen its traditional building surge.
He also noted the market crash of 2009-13 had only modestly recovered until now, with prices still below fair value. 
"Back in 2010 the Gold Coast housing market suffered a perfect storm of events that created a major dwelling price crash.
"A lot of those events have now dissipated and right now, there are many favourable economic factors which are helping to improve the region. So we believe Gold Coast property investors are likely to enjoy good returns, both in rents and capital growth for up to the next three years."
SQM expects a rise of 7% to 11% in dwelling prices for 2016.
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Gold Coast property still below fair value: SQM

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Ard Rudah, a 2.4-hectare hillside 1870s Mount Macedon landmark, has been listed for sale.
The seven bedroom, six bathroom trophy home was recently refurbished by Stephen Akehurst.
The grounds have established gardens, stables, tennis court, ferny creek pools and ponds.
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/ard-rudah-49-devonshire-lane-mount-macedon/Property-Details-buy-residential-3642695" target="_blank">About $5 million is tipped</a>.
The grounds were established in the 1870s under the guidance of Baron Von Muller.
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Ard Rudah, Mount Macedon listed

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The star stockbroker turned fund manager Charlie Aitken and wife Ellie are selling their Darling Point villa.
Now with two children, the family have told friends they are looking for something with more lawn and a backyard pool. 
Martin Ross at Black Diamondz Property has given has early interested parties around $14 million expectations.
It was 2008 when the couple bought the Mediterranean-style property for $6.95 million from William Penfold, the last of the family members to head the country's oldest stationery company, WC Penfold.
The <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-darling+point-120812149" target="_blank">Eastbourne Avenue</a> house had been home to Penfold and his wife, Penelope since paying $890,000 in 1985.
The house, now with Thomas Hamel interiors, sits in gardens deigned by Paul Bangay.
His reputation for stock picking saw him establish the AIM Global High Conviction Fund which continues to perform well despite the highly volatile market conditions.
Since August the fund is up while the ASX200 is down 11.5% and the MSCI World Index down 9.6%.
"We have preserved unit holders capital in a period of high volatility and steep losses for individual investors, index and long-only funds," he told clients this week. 
They include the Stokes media family’s money who invested $150 million in his new venture, Aitken Investment Management.
Aitken began his trading career picking receipts off the floor of the futures exchange in 1993, then made his name at Colin Bell’s Bell Financial Group with his “Ringing the Bell” newsletter.
The AIM Global High Conviction Fund remains open to new investors who can access the fund with a minimum $250,000.
His six-member team includes his wife of 13 years, former Clayton Utz lawyer Ellie Aitken.
He recently told the Saturday Daily Telegraph columnist John Lehmann that while high, Sydney house price were more likely to rise further than drop — especially if the Reserve Bank cuts the cash rate to 1.5 per cent.
“They’re not going to crash tomorrow in a fit — they’ll only crash if interest rates go up sharply or if unemployment goes up to 10% or if there’s a massive overbuild.’’
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph. 
 
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Stockbroker Charlie Aitken selling Darling Point trophy home

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A Vaucluse apartment sold in The Block, the Channel Nine reality television series in 2010, sold again last week.
Five years ago it fetched $970,000 after Cheryl and Brenton's renovation.
This week the 100 sqm apartment sold ahead of its scheduled auction at $1.42 million through Mark Meyer at LJ Levi, with its price reflecting a very healthy 8.25 annual growth.
Recent research suggests these Vaucluse vendors have done better than many other buyers of properties from The Block offerings over the past 12 years.
PRD Nationwide research manager Diaswati Mardiasmo looked at 10 resales since the initial series of The Block aired in 2003.
Dr Mardiasmo noted these properties were bought at auction for an average $57,750 or 7% per more than the median price in their suburbs.
But their resale only averaged $26,500 more than the median price.
Dr Mardiasmo said the rate of growth of The Block properties had failed to live up to initial promise.
“They made dollar value money because the price did go up - but in terms of the implicit value, they lost,” she said.
Dr Mardiasmo said her ­research indicated The Block was a “losing proposition” for buyers despite the properties being in premium suburbs, like Bondi Beach and Manly.
“For a show that has quite a following, it is quite surprising to see that a property once sold at The Block hasn’t either matched or even gained more value than the suburb median price growth,” she said.
“It seems once the media hype wore off, buyers became more cautious.”
Infact such has been the silly exuberance on display at most of the Block auctions, that some investors have sold at serious losses. 
The first loss was in 2005 with the resale of a two-bedroom Roscoe Street, Bondi Beach unit, decorated by Amity Dry and Phil Rankine, that had sold at $655,000 in the first 2003 series.
It fetched $550,000, yes a loss of $100,000 within two years.
Then another Bondi apartment resold with a small gain, initially under the gaze of the television cameras in 2003 at $747,000, then quietly offloaded at $765,000 in 2009.
Back in 2010 the rollercoaster nature of Sydney’s property market was evident when one of the Vaucluse four units failed to sell under the auction hammer.
It was Brenton and Chez's <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nsw-vaucluse-120531045" target="_blank">4/107 New South Head Road</a> property that failed to meet its $880,000 reserve, passed in at $865,000. 
Those potential 2010 buyers were initially advised the apartment would fetch more than $900,000. But the estimate was adjusted down to about $900,000 when the 2010 spring property market conditions tightened and auction clearance rates fell.
Something like the current 2015 spring conditions.
Ofcourse Channel 9 never intended The Block to be a program focusing on the state of real estate market. 
Indeed Channel 9's auction selling price is not really a major priority.
They are about providing entertainment and drama - and securing their huge advertising revenue.
This is not to say over the years The Block hasn't served to highlight it’s not that easy to get rich quick from renovation and flipping.
Soon whole floor apartments in their latest series, in the South Yarra Blocktagonal complex, will be auctioned off.
These auction listings will attract thousands to the open for inspections. And possibly bidding silliness.
There is drama at every auction, every Saturday.
Don’t distress if you miss out this weekend because someone paid more. They might have to live with the consequences.
But use the knowledge gathered to help assess other property on the market, and feel assured you’ll be better prepared next time.
Remember building wealth from property only safely works when incorporated into a long-term plan.
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The Block Vaucluse apartment sale

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360975]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112024 project_image_fid=343235]

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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365786]

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.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372743]

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."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372744]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372742]

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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150414]

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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]

Jonathan Chancellor

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