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Angus Raine, the chairman of the Raine &amp; Horne agency, is quite right when he recently advised the robust Sydney property market presented the opportunity for homeowners to sell properties that typically take longer to shift in softer conditions.
"Properties with some limitations can sell twice as fast as they would in a softer market," he suggested.
He's talking about houses and apartments that tick fewer boxes than others perhaps based on size, style and location.
It could be an apartment with no parking or balcony, a third-floor unit in a walk-up building, or a house located on a main road or across from a railway line.
"Typically in softer markets, properties like this may take longer to sell, but now they are selling weeks faster.
"This is because a bull market, like we’re seeing now, smooths out the detractors and gets properties moving, even those which could best be described as ‘having some flies on them.’
There is no doubting 2015 ranks also as an opportunity to offload any non-performing investment in your portfolio. 
While the intensity has diminished in the auction market, delaying is not in all likelihood going to yield any better result in the foreseeable future.  
Buyers agent Simon Pressley at propertyology says waiting doesn't necessarily mean winning. 
Meanwhile a financial advisor, after a decade of reviewing 100s of investor portfolios, recently estimated that 60 % to 70% of investors have had a least one dud or under-performing property. Big promises, big rewards, then big disappointment.
Quality is fundamental for the property’s long term capital growth rate. It is generally accepted that the cash flow cost of a good property versus a dud property is going to be pretty much the same as both have borrowings, stamp duty and other maintenance costs, and probably even a similar rental income.
As a rough historic rule of thumb an investment-grade property should double in value every seven years, though given recent cycles more likely to be every 10 years.
But the dud property won’t achieve any where near these returns. 
The difference between a 5% and 8% p.a. growth rate on a $500,000 property if retained for around two decades is around $900,000 in equity.
And there is another cost of holding a dud property that is the lost opportunity.
Even if a property is not costing money with the rental income covering all expenses and interest, it is still using or constraining some of your borrowing capacity that could be allocated to a better property.
Property investment has no set and forget option so it may, as unpalitable as it is, to actually crystallise a loss this spring, or to prepare to pay some capital gains tax on the sale and then to pay stamp duty on any next purchase.
Professionally achieving your financial goals starts with annually assessing your property, perhaps starting with estimating the capital growth rate since its purchase date compared to the median/market rate of the suburb and city. Look too at the historic growth rate of the property before you bought it. Review the location of the property, orientation, architectural style, floor plan in discussions with local estate agents and buyers’ agents who understand the market.
If you are seeking out your first investment, given the costs of entry, best endeavour to get it right the first time round by seeking out independent advice. Any investor ought dispassionating step back from any hasty decision.
This article first appeared in The Saturday Daily Telegraph.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Time to get rid of those dud investment properties

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Boonoorong on 20 hectares outside Flinders has been listed with $1.7 million plus hopes.
It was built in <a href="https://kayburton.com.au/properties/view/307326-25-eastern-grey-rise-flinders-3929-sale" target="_blank">2003 as a holiday house</a> by owners Grant Murray and Janet Truscott who had backgrounds in engineering and science.
Energy efficiency was the priority when commissioning the build.
Kay &amp; Burton agents Meg Pell has the listing, a Sunpower Design energy-efficient property.
The couple told Fairfax Media the solar-passive efficiency of the home meant very little energy was needed to warm the home in winter, and cool sea breezes blow from the coast to cool the home in summer.
They estimated the return on investment for the photovoltaic system (which converts solar energy to electricity) to break even after 30 years.
But with the demand for energy efficient materials, they now estimate less than 10 years. 
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Solar efficient Boonoorong at Flinders for sale

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One of New York's famous celebrity real estate agents, Fredrik Eklund is doing a series of live workshops across Australia next month, promising to share "the secrets of selling anything to anyone".
The broker has sold over US$2 billion in real estate in New York during the past decade, with a clientele that includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Justin Timberlake, Daniel Craig, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Lopez, and Cameron Diaz.
Spruiker Max Markson says <a href="https://www.fredrikeklundlive.com.au/" target="_blank">he''ll teach his Sydney agents a thing or two</a>.
One of the stars of Million Dollar Listing New York, Fredrik Eklund has appeared on the Bravo TV reality series, seen in 110 countries worldwide. 
Described as the energetic, high-kicking, top broker at Douglas Elliman has secured record sales in 28 buildings in Manhattan last year.
Originally from Stockholm, Sweden, Eklund’s new book is The Sell: The Secrets of Selling Anything to Anyone. 
"I'm longing to see the stars of the Southern Cross at night and enjoy the sun drenched beaches during the day as well as meet my fans and check out some real estate. I'm keen to do some business down under," he said. 
Last month he holidayed in Bali to celebrate making a $100 million in one month.
He also revealed his latest purchase was a multimillion-dollar Miami, Florida, holiday condo.
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New York broker Fredrik Eklund to lecture Australian estate agents

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Dexus Property Group has signed on Neil Perry for its $80 million retail development of the landmark Gateway tower at Sydney's Circular Quay.
Gateway's redevelopment, which is being undertaken by Dexus Wholesale Property Fund, will convert the existing three-storey retail podium into multiple dining precincts, doubling the retail space to 4385 square metres. 
Perry's The Burger Project and Chat Thai will be included on the first level.
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Neil Perry for Dexus Gateway Tower

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A freestanding Victorian warehouse in Fitzroy has been listed with $2.6 million expectations for September 26. 
The property at<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-fitzroy-120626069" target="_blank"> 4 Wood Street </a>has been an artist’s residence.
It comes with courtyard gallery/studio on the lower level with polished concrete floors.
There are four bedrooms, a large dining area and a balcony upstairs.
Nelson Alexander agent James Pilliner has the listing.
The median price for a house in <a href="/news">Fitzroy is $1,201,500</a>, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
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Fitzroy residential warehouse offering

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Four recently-completed Milsons Point penthouses and skyhomes in the Bridgehill Residences at 80 Alfred Street have been listed for sale.
The penthouses are on the 17th and 18th floor. They range in size from <a href="https://www.cbresi.com.au/PastProjects/BRIDGEHILL-RESIDENCES,-MILSONS-POINT-/604.aspx?PRegion=30" target="_blank">244sqm to 400sqm</a>. 
Bridgehill chose to complete the penthouses before offering them for sale. 
“We sold 120 apartments off-the-plan in 2013 but we wanted to showcase the exceptional quality of the penthouses,” said David Lee, director of sales and marketing for Bridgehill. 
“Realtors now tell us the penthouses will exceed $30,000 per square metre.
"We will be embarking on an international marketing campaign because the falling Australian dollar makes our property even more financially attractive to offshore buyers.”   
Designed by architects SJB, Bridgehill Residences.
The managing director of Bridgehill, Yibin Xu has previously overseen the waterfront development Monaco Rhodes and is currently underway with Esprit Mascot and awaiting approval for a large complex at Green Square.
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Bridgehill, Milsons Point penthouse offering

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The Blue Wiggle Anthony Field and his wife Miki withdrew their Gladesville riverfront home from its scheduled weekend auction.
It was purchased for $3.56 million early last year following the <a href="/news/anthony-field-finally-gets-a-wriggle-on-from-drummoyne">sale of their six bedroom Drummoyne harbourfront</a> for $4.85 million.
The four bedroom 1950s home on the Parramatta River came with beach.
Last month Anthony Field, the Blue Wiggle, attended, without bidding, a $3,102,000 Petersham auction.
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.
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Blue Wiggle decides to stay put

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Sydney has had the lowest spring clearance rates in three years - at 71.3% in the preliminary weekend auction tally by Australian Property Monitors.
"We may be looking at a clearance rate below 70% before year's end," Domain Group senior economist Dr Andrew Wilson said. 
"That could even happen at next weekend's Super Saturday."
In fact APM's revised result for the September 12 auctions was put at 69.2%.
<a href="/images/2015/09/21/Screen%20Shot%202015-09-21%20at%209.04.27%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/09/21/Screen%20Shot%202015-09-21%20at%209.04.27%20AM.png" alt="" width="817" height="546">
 
<a href="/images/2015/09/21/Screen%20Shot%202015-09-21%20at%209.04.40%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/09/21/Screen%20Shot%202015-09-21%20at%209.04.40%20AM.png" alt="">
 
Source: <a href="https://apm.com.au" target="_blank">APM</a>
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Sydney's spring clearance rate dips into the 60s

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The London based M.P. Evans Group has sold its 31,000 hectare cattle-fattening property Woodlands, near Westmar in Queensland, for $28 million to the Fucheng Group.
The sale is conditional on Foreign Investment Review Board approval.
The group's core strategy is to continue to expand its oil-palm areas in Indonesia, in a sustainable and cost-effective manner. 
Its statement to the London Stock Exchange, M.P. Evans, advised its board determined some time ago, for strategic reasons, to sell Woodlands but significant interest in the property had only developed in recent months further to the sharp strengthening of the cattle market.
Woodlands reported a farm profit for the year ended 31 December 2014 of US$0.2 million.
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Queensland cattle farm sold by English investors to Chinese

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A Toorak trophy home at 47 Lansell Road has sold in an off-market agreement at around $20 million.
Title Tattle gleans it sold to Kelly Healey of Mulberry Lodge, East Yorkshire in the United Kingdom. 
The January sale details have been underwraps for around eight months.
Fairfax Media suggest its sale was secured by Kay &amp; Burton managing director Michael Gibson who had the listing likewise in 2007.
<a href="https://www.domain.com.au/property-profile/47-lansell-road-toorak-vic-3142" target="_blank">It last sold in 2007</a> at $11.5 million when bought by the Shergold family. In 2000 it sold at $5.5 million and in 1981 at $907,000.
The $24 million Melbourne house-price record remains intact.
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Toorak's $20 million 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.

&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]

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]

Jonathan Chancellor

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