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Businesswoman Kerry Moran has sold Pebble Cove Farm at Kiama.
<a href="https://www.raywhite.com/nsw/kiama/1300537/?lang=en" target="_blank">It sold for around $7.3 million</a> after being listed with $7.5 million hopes in May.
The striking V-shaped residence was designed by architect Philip Thalis but only half-complete. 
The concrete, zinc, stone and glass trophy home sits on the working cattle farm with direct access down to the cove on a ridgeline  with views of the Illawarra coast.
It sold through Neil Campbell of Ray White Gerringong inconjunction with Christie’s International.
The median house price for a home in <a href="/news">Kiama</a> is $667,500, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Pebble Cove Farm, Kiama sold

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Craig van der Laan, the chief of Barangaroo Delivery Authority, and his wife Liesl have had another big weekend. Their Lindfield home sold at McConnell Bourn auction last weekend.
The couple bought<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-lindfield-120461861" target="_blank"> the five bedroom 1905 Federation residence </a>in 2004 for $3 million. The home sits in extraordinary Peter Fudge French parterre gardens on its 1400 square metre Middle Harbour Road block.
They wanted more than $4.3 million when failed to sell at April auction and accepted $4,225,000 when knocked down by auctioneer Vic Larusso at weekend auction. There appeared to be the three interested parties, two locals and one Chinese couple who didn't get to bid. 
Craig van der Laan, who was a long time member of the global executive leadership team of the Brambles Group, oversaw last month's opening of the headland park at Barangaroo Reserve.
The median house price for <a href="/news">Lindfield</a> is $1,930,00, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
This article first appeared in the Sunday Telegraph.
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Peter Fudge gardens in Lindfield sale

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Media personality Angela Catterns has listed her Balmain terrace for September 24 McGrath auction with $2.9 million plus hopes.
Glendarra, the 1897 freestanding Victorian terrace has water views from every level, positioned opposite waterfront parkland. It has an extensive rooftop terrace, set a short stroll from Darling Street.
Catterns, who appears regularly on Channel 10 morning panel show, Studio 10, has been an active member of the local community including being commodore of Balmain Sailing Club.
“Balmain and sailing is in my blood,” she once said.
Her late father Basil – a life-member of the Sydney Heritage Fleet and son of a ship's captain – was born in Balmain in 1918. 
Radio 2UE dropped Catterns from its line up earlier this year. The terrace cost $2.2 million at 2009 Cobden Hayson auction with her partner, having been refurbished in 2000. 
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-balmain-120587217" target="_blank">There is now a media room</a>, plus 1000 bottle cellar with a wine fridge in the more recently renovated kitchen.
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.
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Broadcaster Angela Catterns lists in Balmain

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GUEST OBSERVER
A good rule of thumb in debates on who bears the economic cost of a policy change is to look at the positions taken by vested interests in the matter. If anyone is going to know if they bear the cost, it is those who pay. In the case of infrastructure charges on new property developments, the vocal objections from the property industry are a sure sign that they bear the economic costs.
Infrastructure charges are levied by local governments on developers of new land estates, based on an increased load on essential infrastructure services the council is responsible for.
A research paper recently claimed that property developers could pass on these charges in the price of new homes with a mark-up of 400%. The paper also claimed that these charges had the same price effects on existing homes, meaning that new home buyers ultimately bear the cost of infrastructure charges, rather than developers.
But the logic of this should be challenged and is not borne out in the results of other rigorous academic studies of infrastructure charges, which have in fact found the opposite.
The idea that costs of developer charges can be passed on through new home prices sounds intuitive. But it is based on an incorrect notion that prices are determined by costs.
In fact, developers already charge the maximum the market will bear. To not do so would be the equivalent of selling your house for half the market price, just because it only cost you that amount 10 years ago when you bought it. You wouldn’t do it, and nor would a developer.
Using a statistical analysis of a simple regression of home prices with developer charges, along with many hedonic control variables - as this study has - will find a positive correlation simply because charges are set in proportion to housing size. But that isn’t a causal relationship.
As Ian Davidoff and former academic economist (now the ALP’s shadow assistant treasurer) Andrew Leigh succinctly describe in their study on how stamp duty affects the market:
"if one were to simply regress the sale price on the tax payable on that property, the coefficient would capture both the mechanical fact that the tax amount is a function of the price, as well as any behavioural impact of taxes on prices."
It’s true that observations of this mechanical relationship have been widely interpreted as a behavioural effect in the literature on developer charges. But the best analysis does not interpret such results in this way.
A better way to observe behavioural impacts is take advantage of natural experiments, such as when a developer charge is increased in one area but not in a comparable adjacent area, then look at any subsequent price changes compared to the “control group”.
These types of natural experiments can alternatively be attempted with statistical controls, and a recent paper does just that when looking at the house price effects from additional costs imposed to finance infrastructure.
They find that not only are proper statistical controls very difficult to implement, but that prices decrease per dollar of additional infrastructure charge by somewhere in the range of $0.33 to $2.09.
This range captures the standard view that costs cannot be passed on in prices, which in the case of developer charges means that the developer or previous landowner bears the full cost of the charge, and not the home buyer. Davidoff and Leigh’s controlled results support this view on the incidence of stamp duties in Australia.
These more properly controlled results are consistent with the political actions of the property industry who oppose developer charges because they bear the full cost.
Why is all this important? Vested interests benefit from any illusion of unsettled academic debate. In the case of developer charges the property lobby can maintain an intelligent-sounding “Goldilocks” view in public debates that goes something like this: “The research is not settled. But it is likely that we don’t pay the full charge, nor do we pass it on completely in home prices. The cost is probably shared between us and the homebuyer.”
They capitalise on this apparent uncertainty by claiming that their interests are aligned with the home-buying community; a seductive “Goldilocks” view that is hard for politicians to ignore.
Cameron Murray is an economist at The University of Queensland and author for The Conversation. He can be contacted <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/cameron-murray-172480" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Property developers pay developer charges, that’s why they argue against them

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GUEST OBSERVER
The members of the Greater Sydney Commission while ensuring representation of districts and the economy, environment and community must join together to drive Sydney’s evolution to an urban city. 
The announcement of the Greater Sydney Commission structure and role is a positive move towards a more holistic approach to planning Metropolitan Sydney. 
While Sydney’s six districts will be represented and specialist commissioners are proposed for the environment, the economy and the community the commission’s ultimate success will depend upon how these representatives work together to deliver outcomes.
The incorporation of the Sydney Joint Regional Planning Panels into the Commission Planning Panel will ensure a co-ordinated approach to decision making however the advice provided to this Planning Panel must not only come from Sydney’s 41 local councils. Strategic advice incorporating state and regional level objectives and priorities must inform and reinforce the decisions made by the Panel.
The ultimate success of the Greater Sydney Commission will depend on the people appointed to the Commissioner roles. The government must allocate appropriate salary levels to attract the best quality applicants to the important role of managing Sydney’s growth. 
The CEO and the Chair of the Greater Sydney Commission must be quality people who can take on strong advocacy roles to determine and communicate the trade-offs that Sydney’s growth will need to make in order to deliver strong economic growth, adequate housing supply and long term prosperity for the Sydney region.
The Urban Taskforce is keen to work with the Greater Sydney Commission in the development of the six Sydney district plans and in the identification and delivery of infrastructure. It is important that the Commission presents a realistic picture on how Sydney’s growth can be managed, which incorporates the trend towards apartment living in bustling urban precincts. To some extent the Commission’s task will be to lead Sydney’s evolution from a suburban city to an urban city.
Sydney’s future cannot become a political football so all political parties need to support the Greater Sydney Commission and particularly the legislation that will establish the organisation and its role.
Chris Johnson is chief executive officer of property development industry group Urban Taskforce and can be contacted <a href="https://www.urbantaskforce.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=97&amp;Itemid=126#.Vdaart55dFI" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Greater Sydney Commission must lead Sydney’s evolution: Urban Taskforce

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GUEST OBSERVER
We’re experiencing unprecedented demand from owner occupiers seeking higher quality one-bedroom apartments, normally the preserve of investors.
These owner occupiers vary from young singles who want to walk to work to downsizers and out of towners wanting a stylish Melbourne pad for regular visits but we’ve found they share a distinct goal – well-considered, larger one-bedroom apartments in unique developments with high levels of amenity and prime locations within Melbourne’s inner ring.
Previously the strongest demand for single bedroom units has been from investors looking for guaranteed returns.  Their requirements are at polar opposites from our owner occupier buyers who seek high levels of design, luxury and amenity both within their apartments and exclusive resident-only facilities.  They regard the higher body corporate fees associated with these amenities as a lifestyle investment that enhances apartment living, rather than a handicap to purchase.
 What sets the owner occupier apartments apart from investor grade stock is about far more than square metres of living space and stone benchtops.
A great example is Royal Como, a $100 million luxury residential project at 663 Chapel Street, South Yarra. Our team from Knight Frank project marketing collaborated with Royal Como’s developers and highly-acclaimed Bruce Henderson Architects from the start, working for months to make each of these apartments as liveable as possible.
Knowing what owner occupiers are looking for, the one-bedroom apartments range up to 69 square metres – many with a separate study.  Each and every apartment has been individually designed, ensuring all bedrooms and living spaces have full-width, full-height windows onto the exterior façade, maximising natural light and air as well as outlooks.  The kitchens are large and spacious, with lots of bench space, and living areas are designed for generous living and dining furniture, not just one or the other.  Some one-bedroom apartments have an island bench, usually unheard of in smaller apartments.
Wherever possible we have integrated study desks and included extra storage spaces like linen closets – we’ve made sure every square metre of living space works hard for the occupant. There’s no wasted space in needless passageways.  Balconies are a regular shape and large enough for a table and chairs and air-conditioning condensers are out of the way. 
On top of highly-considered apartment design, the Royal Como has a raft of unique attributes which gives it strong appeal to owner occupiers including interiors by award-winning studio, Nexus Designs, featuring Australian Blackbutt timber and alpaca or natural wool carpet, and a natural stone lobby with contemporary art and furniture by leading Australian artists and designers.
Buyers love the fact that if you’re in a one bedroom apartment you can still have 15 friends over for dinner or drinks in the residents’ lounge and dining area – it is an extension of your living area. Plus you can keep fit in the pool, gym and yoga room without leaving your building.  
These buyers know it’s all about quality, not quantity.
Richard Drummond is residential director, Knight Frank Australia and can be contacted <a href="https://www.knightfrank.com.au/residential/" target="_blank">here</a>.
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Unprecedented demand from owner occupiers in one bedroom flats: Richard Drummond

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August property market offerings had a marked trend to less discounting before being sold by vendors.
The latest APM heat chart showed only Canberra and Perth went against the trend of lower discount required for the private treaty markets in the survey.
Sydney property showed the key indicator of the required discount for private treaty vendors at down to 4.6%, the lowest level for several years. 
 
<a href="/images/2015/09/07/apm2done.jpg" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/09/07/apm2done.jpg" alt="">
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Sydney discounting at lowest level for years: APM heat chart

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A six-bedroom trophy home in the gated Pinnacle community in Sanctuary Lakes, 10 kilometres east of Werribee, has been listed by Scott Perry, of Hocking Stuart with record $2.75 million to $3 million hopes.
The Point Cook precinct price record is held by a Sanctuary Lakes home which sold for $2.1 million in July. 
Vendor Metod Moha runs Distinction Homes, an award-winning luxury building business, using his home as a showpiece for clients.
<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-sanctuary+lakes-120401393" target="_blank">No. 21 Greg Norman Drive </a>looks over the 14th hole of Sanctuary Lakes golf course.
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Sanctuary Lakes record setting offering

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2GB rugby league Continuous Call Team member Mark "Piggy" Riddell, the goal-kicking hooker, hopes to score when his East Hills home goes to September 19 auction.
The modernised three bedroom, two bathroom 1999 family home with jetty is positioned with bush and water views across the <a href="https://www.daystar.com.au/buy-residential-real-estate/house-614-henry-lawson-drive-east-hills-nsw-11342101136" target="_blank">Georges River from its 600 sqm block</a>.
"For those who love entertaining, or simply enjoy the appeal of outdoor living, the resort style yard will impress," the Daystar First National listing agent Michael Sleiman said.
"Relax with friends on a lazy Sunday afternoon, or enjoy a BBQ on a balmy summer evening."
It was bought during Riddell's last year at the Parramatta Ells, before heading to play for Wigan in 2009 where he won the 2010 Super League Grand Final with them.
Riddell, who Riddell retired in 2011 at the Sydney Roosters, has his eyes on something at Wallacia.
The median house price in <a href="/news">East Hills</a> is $800,000, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph
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Mark "Piggy" Riddell lists at East Hills

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The global real estate services company JLL has bought the valuation business, Propell National Valuers.
The deal sees Propell's 200 staff from every state and territory added to JLL's 2300-strong workforce.
JLL Australia chief executive Stephen Conry said the acquisition had been made carefully within the heated residential market. 
Propell completes about 100,000 residential valuations per year.
It has been reported JLL's reputed $25 million acquisition will give it clout in the residential segment, taking on valuation companies such as Herron Todd White, which does more than 300,000 valuations per year, CBRE and Opteon Property Group. 
JLL has doubled revenue from its valuations business in the last five years.
Propell chief executive Bart Mead will continue his senior leadership role at JLL Australia.
Propell’s Head office is in Brisbane.
The business in Australia will continue to operate as Propell – a JLL company during an initial transition and integration phase.
Picture above is of Propell CEO, Bart Mead, (left), with JLL Australia CEO, Stephen Conry.
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JLL buys Propell National Valuers

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.

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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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[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.

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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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