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Despite a median house price of $706,000 and apartment price of $545,500, many of Melbourne’s desirable suburbs boast homes at $200,000-plus, the REIV pinpointing the inner north and south of the city.
Melbourne’s most affordable one-bedroom apartments are located in Carlton – which recorded a June median price of $207,750.
Carnegie, in Melbourne’s south-east, delivered a median for similar sized apartments of $292,500.
“Affordable property around Melbourne is not restricted to the outer suburbs," REIV chief Enzo Raimondo said. 
"Apartments allow first home buyers to get a foothold on the property ladder, especially in highly sought after areas such as Carlton,” he said. 
<a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/portal/search?rm=search&amp;journeyplanner=0&amp;jpwkend=0&amp;jpday=1&amp;jpdate=1&amp;jpstime=0&amp;jpetime=0&amp;P=1&amp;ptr=r&amp;con=D&amp;portalview=residential&amp;portalsection=sold&amp;bs=12&amp;sub=Carlton+VIC+3053%2C+&amp;sur=bord&amp;pt=uni&amp;prl=0&amp;prh=300&amp;bel=0&amp;beh=0" target="_blank">Realestateview.com.au </a>sales show a strong student accommodation presence.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Carlton's $207,000 apartment median 

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<div class="column">GUEST OBSERVER</div>
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<div class="column">The latest lending statistics show a mild consolidation in July, although the result is not a cause for concern – especially given that lending is holding just 4% shy of the seven-year highs reached in April. </div>
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<div class="column">The real driver of lending over the past year has been the housing sector and in that context it is investor housing that has driven the strength. However the tighter bank lending standards are starting to have an impact in terms of the housing finance data - loans for construction of new dwellings has now fallen for three consecutive months.</div>
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 It is important to realise while housing activity will continue to be the backbone of the economy over the coming year, it is starting to show signs of starting to cool – especially when it comes to irrational exuberance. If there is an anticipated pullback in home lending policymakers would be hoping that activity amongst the business sector lifts from here.
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 There would be mild disappointment in the fall in business loans in July. Commercial loans are now down 5% on a year ago. Business conditions are healthy, however businesses are still rather tentative about borrowing. The key driver of future lending will be an ongoing improvement in labour market conditions, rise in business hiring intentions and lift in consumer confidence. 
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<div class="column">The Reserve Bank will dominate headlines next week with a number of releases and speeches. However the focus will be squarely on the Reserve Bank Governor, when he testifies in front of the House of Representatives Economics Committee on Friday. It will be interesting to see the Governors views when it comes to the non- mining business investment and how the housing sector is likely to evolve with the tighter lending standards. CommSec expects no change in interest rates over the next year.</div>
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What do the figures show? 
Lending finance 
Total new lending commitments (housing, personal, commercial and lease finance) fell by 0.1% in August to $74.1 billion after a 1.3% rise in June. New loans are down 1.1% over the year.
Housing finance: The seasonally adjusted measure of construction and new purchases rose by 2.2% in July while alterations &amp; additions rose by 0.9%. Home loans are up 13.4% on a year.
Commercial finance: The seasonally adjusted series for the value of total commercial finance commitments fell by 2.7% in July. Revolving credit commitments fell by 13% while fixed lending commitments fell by 0.9%. Business loans are down 5% over the year.
Personal finance: The seasonally adjusted series for the value of total personal finance commitments fell by 2.6% in July after rising by 0.9% in June. Revolving credit commitments rose by 2.6% and fixed lending commitments fell by 5.8%. Personal loans are down 12.7% over the year. Within personal fixed finance commitments, finance for used cars was down 2.3% on a year earlier while loans for new cars were up by 8.8%.
Lease finance: Lending rose by 60.2% in July. Lease finance rose by 68.9% over the year. What is the importance of the economic data?
Lending Finance is released monthly by the Bureau of Statistics and contains figures on new housing, personal, commercial and lease finance commitments. The importance of the data lies in what it reveals about the appropriateness of interest rate settings, confidence and spending levels in the economy.
What are the implications for interest rates and investors?
The Reserve Bank would be comfortable about the mix of borrowings: Aussie businesses are tentatively borrowing - in a measured way. Still, the Reserve Bank would be watching the recent drop in consumer confidence a lot more closely.
The weaker Aussie dollar is providing solid stimulus to the economy at present and the Reserve Bank will continue to assess the impact on the economy over the next few months. CommSec expects no change to interest rates over the coming year. 
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Savanth Sebastian is an economist for CommSec. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/commsec" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Tighter bank lending standards showing impact: Savanth Sebastian

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GEUST OBSERVER
At a time when there are stark differences in the performance of various property markets around Australia, investors need to remain level headed.
Many property investors are all too easily swayed by what everyone else is doing.
Whether it be their friends, family or colleagues or what they’ve seen in the media, many investors will feel a need to do as other do, in other words, follow the pack.
While I won’t go into the reasons behind this behaviour – I’m a qualified accountant not a psychologist – to me it’s absurd to largely base your investment decisions on what others are doing. 
Right now, the property markets in each of Australia’s capital cities are recording quite contrasting performances.
Indeed, Sydney and Melbourne are experiencing substantial capital growth while prices in other cities, such as Perth and to a lesser extent Brisbane, have remained fairly subdued.
While there a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration when purchasing an investment property, one of the fastest ways to diminish your wealth is to overpay for your asset. 
Investors typically overpay during a boom market, when confidence is high and there’s no slowdown in sight.
On the other hand, significant profits can be made when investors buy during a flat market and capitalise on the ensuing upswing in prices.
This is simply counter-cyclical investing – buying when everyone else is selling and selling when everyone else is buying.
While ebbs and flows will always occur in property markets, investors need to remember two things.
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<li>Wealth creation through property investment is a long-term strategy </li>
<li>Investing at the wrong time can significantly set you back, while purchasing at the right time can give you a massive boost</li>
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Unfortunately, many property investors often get caught up in the hype and become followers, instead of leaders.
 
Damian Collins is the founder and managing director of Momentum Wealth and can be contacted <a href="https://www.momentumwealth.com.au/damian-collins/" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Don’t be a sheep, be a shepherd: Damian Collins

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GUEST OBSERVER
Recent changes to investor lending is failing to have a significant impact on home loan demand, new data has revealed. 
According to the July Housing Finance Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 53,095 home loans were approved over the course of the month – up 0.3% on the month prior. 
The total value of all dwelling commitments was also up, with more than $32 billion in home loans written throughout July. 
The spike in home loan demand and value of dwelling commitments was interesting, especially given the current market conditions. 
Over the last few months, Australia’s lenders have made some sweeping changes to their policy and pricing in a bid to reduce their level of investment lending. 
As such, you would expect these changes to have some impact on the level of investment demand. But, according to today’s data at least, the changes seem to have had little to no impact on the level of demand.
Of course it is still early days, and considering most of the changes were made in June and July, we are unlikely to see the true impact of these changes for some months yet.
Commenting on the 1.5% spike in the value of all loans written over the month of July, Mr Flavell said the result wasn’t surprising given that property prices across the combined capital cities continue to rise. 
Data from CoreLogic found property values actually climbed 2.8% across the combined capital cities over the month of July. 
Sydney and Melbourne were once again the standout performers, with the two capital cities recording property price growth of 3.3% and 4.9% respectively.
With property prices continuing to rise quite quickly month after month, there is little wonder why we are seeing growth in the value of all loans written.
John Flavell is chief executive officer <a href="https://www.mortgagechoice.com.au" target="_blank">Mortgage Choice</a>.
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Home loan demand higher despite changes to investor lending: Mortgage Choice's John Flavell

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Starring across television, film and the stage, Wendy Hughes was one of Australia's best recognised acclaimed actresses.
But she was most at home at Wombarra, on the NSW Illawarra escapment, at her <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-wombarra-120639801" target="_blank">850 sqm oceanfront</a> that adjoins a nature reserve.
Offers above $2.1 million for the beachfront retreat are now being sought by her two children following her death in March last year.
"Watch the migrating whales swim by or the waves crashing on the very private beach below through the huge wrap around floor to ceiling picture windows of this special home," listing agent Wayne Bennett said, adding there was a real sense of escape being surrounded by greenery and the ocean.
The architecturally designed beach-house offers floor to ceiling east facing windows and a north east facing sundeck
Hughes had studied at the National Institute of Dramatic Art and in 1983 won the Australian Film Institute's Best Lead actress award for her role in Careful, He Might Hear You.
Her stage work included The Graduate in Sydney in 2001 and in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? in 2007. 
There were Logie awards in 1977 and 1984 in the best supporting actress category for Power Without Glory and Return To Eden respectively.
In 2011 Wombarra was bestowed title of the Illawarra's first million-dollar median suburb.
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.
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Wendy Hughes Wombarra beachfront listed

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Actor Rebecca Gibney and her husband, artist Richard Bell, have sold their Bayview home at a very bullish price.
Their contemporary cul-de-sac house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-bayview-120408501" target="_blank">13, Noolinga Road Bayview</a>, NSW fetched $2.515 million. The inspired Monckton Fyfe design with postcard views of Pittwater was little changed on what they snapped up in 2012 at $1.7 million. 
It was listed with $2.3 million plus expectations, with $1000 bidding increments as three buyers completed at the mid-week auction. 
When they bought it for $1.7 million, it had expected to sell at $1.8 million plus.
Rebecca is about to star as Peter Allen's mother in Peter Allen: Not The Boy Next Door miniseries on Seven starting next weekend.
She's also set for another new series on Seven next year called Wanted, an action-adventure drama that follows two strangers who intervene in a deadly carjacking only to be swept up in a roller coaster chase across Australia in a car full of money.
The master crafted residence integrates steel and concrete with natural wood and stone elements with coveted northern orientation over yacht-filled Pittwater.
LJ Hooker agent Ryan Petrie says no expense had been spared in building the property several years ago.
The mod-con homes features solar hydronic under floor automatic heating system, designer light fittings, bamboo flooring, internal stone walls, combustion fire place, Sonos integrated sound system, air conditioning, water storage tank, state of the art ceiling fans, outdoor shower and brass garden lighting.
Plus the purpose built 1,000 bottle wine cellar.
"This beautiful home sited in arguably Sydney's prettiest suburb will impress with its clean lines, attention to detail and synergy with its magnificent surroundings," Ryan Petrie suggested. 
The actor best known for her motherly Packed to the Rafters star role and her husband had previously owned in nearby Clareville home, but without this week's good fortune.
They sold in 2012 for $2,215,000 having bought for $1.22 million in 2009.
Gibney, born in Wellington, New Zealand first appeared on television in the New Zealand pre-teen series Sea Urchins in the early 1980s.
She broke into Australian television with the role in the children's series Zoo Family in 1985.
She went on to appear inThe Flying Doctors, Stingers, Winter along with the film Clubland. 
For a time the couple had a seven hectare Tamar Valley home – which cost $650,000 in 2003 and was sold for $1.15 million in 2011 - having been available as a $1,700 weekly holiday rental since it came with private beach, boat ramp and boathouse on a bend of the Tamar River at Kayena, north of Launceston.
This article was first published in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.
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Rebecca Gibney sells Bayview home

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A five-bedroom, two-bathroom home at 118 Macaulay Road, Stanmore sold for $3.65 million under the hammer last week – about $350,000 above its reserve. 
Belle Property Annandale agents Robert Clarke and Michael Field sold the property, Lynwood.
It is set on a <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-stanmore-120435649" target="_blank">680sqm parcel</a>, available for the first time in 30 years.
The tightly-held 1897 home boasts only three previous owners.
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Stanmore's $3.65 million auction sale

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A Chinese national has purchased the Oracle, Broadbeach penthouse on the Gold Coast.
The $8 million was reported by the Australian Financial Review as at least 20% off its boom-time prices.
The Oracle development has been controlled by receivers Korda Mentha who refurbished levels 50 and 51.
The 1117 square metre penthouse comprises four bedrooms, a media room, a study, a private rooftop pool, spa and steam room.
There was a marketing campaign by KM Sales and Marketing.
Herron Todd White's Luke Nichols said the sale of the penthouse showed improving values.
For more information, click <a href="https://takeacloserlook.com.au/index.php" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Oracle, Broadbeach penthouse sold to Chinese buyer for $8 million

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The lendlease executive - and novelist - Greg Flynn and wife, Wendy have scheduled their stockbroker Tudor-style Pymble home for September 19 auction. It was built for the 1930s Northbridge suspension bridge engineer, William K Bate.
The 2<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-pymble-120405797" target="_blank">7 Beechworth Road, Pymble property</a> was designed in the early 1930s for Bate by the architect William Richardson with an office and library so that he could work at the house close to the worksite.
Chadwick Real Estate listing agent Sophie Musgrave says 27 Beechworth Road was noted in council records shortly after completion as “a villa and a garage with an improved value £1600”.
The Bates lived at the property until 1980.
Flynn's debut 2005 novel was the historical crime thriller, The Berlin Cross. His touted humorous novel set in Sydney awaits completion.
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Northbridge suspension bridge engineer's Pymble home listed 

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Fashion entrepreneur Malcolm Webster, who owns and is the executive chairman of the David Lawrence fashion empire, is selling a three level Richmond corner building.
The double-fronted property, part of a larger terrace, is on the south-west intersection of Bridge Road and Lennox Street.
Colliers International's Jeremy Gruzewski and Ted Dwyer are marketing <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-vic-richmond-501681657" target="_blank">132 Bridge Road</a>.
It is owner occupied by the fashion group.
It also derives an income from a billboard attached to the property's Lennox Street facade.
David Lawrence controls fashion brands including Jigsaw, which Webster introduced to Australia in 1991 and Marcs, which was acquired in 2006 from the Oroton Group. 
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Malcolm Webster lists Richmond premises

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."

[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.

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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."

[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.

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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.

[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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