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A development site with a three-bedroom house in Glen Waverley sold for a record $6 million at weekend auction.
The 1538 square metre knock-down at <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/sold/17-marriott-parade-glen-waverley-vic-3150-2011885791" target="_blank">17 Marriott Parade</a> was advertised as a "great opportunity for a four-storey apartment complex". 
Documents from the Victorian land titles office show the property last sold for $4.71 million on June 19, 2015, to Marriott Pty Ltd, with Fen Gao listed as the director.
"The gentlemen bought and either changed his mind or had other projects in mind he wanted to focus on and put it back on the market," Barry Plant agent Tony Ievoli told Fairfax Media.
 Tony Ievoli said the recent approval of a major redevelopment of The Glen shopping centre nearby may have added impetus to the bidding.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Glen Waverley record development site flip

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The Assistant Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says he has been troubled by stories of property spruikers pushing people to set up an SMSF so they could borrow against their retirement savings to make speculative property investments. 
However he said such events were the exception rather than the rule so he has given the strongest signal yet that the Abbott Government will not implement a recommendation to ban do-it-yourself super funds from borrowing to invest in property.
"In the final report of the financial system inquiry, which the government commissioned David Murray to prepare, he recommended a complete ban on limited recourse borrowing arrangements in SMSFs," Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said on Friday as reported by Fairfax Media from the Tax Institute annual superannuation conference in Sydney.  
"I want to emphasise that we have been considering this recommendation very carefully but flag that we want to make sure the approach we take is proportionate to the risks that have been identified."
"To put it in context only 0.07%, perhaps 6,500 properties, were held in an SMSF through a limited recourse borrowing arrangement in 2013," he said.
"David Murray highlighted the risks associated with increased leverage in the financial system. Increased leverage always represents a risk and we recognise that. The government also recognises that most SMSFs do the right thing". 
Tightening the rules around how SMSFs can borrow to invest, instead of placing an outright ban on the practice, remained "under consideration", he said.
Asked whether he thought targeting action against property spruikers was a better solution than limiting the SMSF borrowing rules Josh Frydenberg said that was certainly an option.
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No borrowing ban likely for SMSF: Josh Frydenberg suggestion

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Indi Madden, whose family owns the Mitre Tavern in the Melbourne CBD, and her husband Bryan Madden – managing director of fund management firm Brookline Partners – sold their Hawthorn East home.
More than $2.8 million was initially tipped for <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-hawthorn+east-120353049" target="_blank">21 Selwood Street</a> by the Kay &amp; Burton agent Nicole Gleeson who passed in the property at $3.2 million, then securing the sale later on Saturday.
It traded at $2.2 million in 2007 when bought from Felicia Leoncelli, the former senior artist with the Australian Ballet Company, and wife of estate agent Andrew Leoncelli.
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Hawthorn East trophy home sells post auction

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David Jones will open a boutique store in Sydney’s newest development, Barangaroo South.
The circa 1,400 square metre store was announced by David Jones chief executive officer Iain Nairn, and head of retail at Lendlease Gary Horwitz.
Iain Nairn said the precinct’s future population corresponds with its core customers.
David Jones will open in late 2016 on the ground and first floors of Tower Three at International Towers Sydney which will have 38,000 office professionals onsite and in its immediate vicinity. 
David Jones intends to offer access to its full spectrum of brands via its Click and Collect service, the shop online and collect in store concept.
The anticipated opening hours of David Jones at Barangaroo are Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
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David Jones to open at Barangaroo South

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Chinese retail and supermarket giant Dashang Group's subsidiary, Australia Aulong Auniu Wang (AAAW) has taken a caveatable purchasing interest in the Glenrock Station near Scone in the Hunter Valley.
It was reportedly sold earlier this year for $45 million, with the paperwork not yet formally registered.
Dashang, based in China's northern port city of Dalian, has also purchased the prime 1100-hectare rural property Clear Hills near Captains Flat outside Canberra. 
Dashang's reported intention in Australia is to become the No.1 importer of Australian beef into China.
It also wants to be the first Chinese company to import live cattle from Australia under the recently signed live cattle export deal.
The 30,868-hectare Glenrock Station grazing property neighbours James Packer's Ellerston estate. 
After FIRB approvals, Dashang have maintained the farm team at Glenrock, with the aim of running between 10,000 and 15,000 Angus head on the property.
Glenrock, the Scone district pastoral station, last traded in 2005 when bought by then Babcock &amp; Brown managing director Phil Green and Tricom brokerage firm founder Lance Rosenberg in a syndicate that paid $23 million.
The syndicate purchased Glenrock from Compagnie de l’Occident pour la Finance et l’Industrie, a Luxembourg corporation with interests in financial management, banking, property and ­agriculture.
According to past ASIC filings, Green owned 51% of the property's holding company Glenrock Station Pty Ltd, and its directors include Claymore Capital's Anton Rosenberg (whose wife Sharron is also a shareholder) and former Babcock &amp; Brown's Paul Platus, who now works with Green at advisory firm, Alceon.
The other shareholders are Grace Mutual chief Andrew Tyndale and property developer Alan Cardy, the second largest with 25%.
 
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Dashang buy Glenrock Station, Scone

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Holdmark's latest Kingston Quarter, Shepherds Bay project at Meadowbank failed to match trend expectations when CBRE sought to sell 150 apartments on the weekend.
Just 65 of 150 the apartments sold on the first day of the launch in the Robertson + Marks designed offering.
Penthouses and split-level three-bedroom apartments were the most popular, according to Fairfax Media, with the highest price at $1.8 million.
One-bedroom apartments were selling at $610,000 or more.
The Shepherds Bay urban project, at Meadowbank, has some nine stages of residential development with an estimated dwelling cap of 2,005 dwellings. 
There were a reported three weekend offshore buyers requiring FIRB approval.
In July last year David Milton, managing director of CBRE residential, was selling <a href="https://www.shepherdsbay.com.au/" target="_blank">Shepherds Bay</a> one-bedroom apartments starting at $495,000, two-beds at $655,000 and three-beds at $845,000.
The Shepherds Bay site is located 14 kilometres north-west of the Sydney CBD and on the Shepherd’s Bay foreshore between Ryde and Meadowbank.
The site previously comprised part of the former Meadowbank Employment Area which is transitioning from manufacturing and light industrial uses towards the development of a high density mixed use neighbourhood.
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CBRE Shepherds Bay sales pitch flops on Parramatta riverfront

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The Packer family is in the process of selling part of Ellerston, its luxury Hunter Valley rural retreat for around $60 million.
The Crown Resorts group has reached agreement in principle with the Consolidated Press Holdings Group to acquire a 50% interest in part of the property and operations at Ellerston.
The part of Ellerston in which Crown will acquire its 50% interest comprises approximately 1,400ha and includes luxury accommodation, one of Australia’s best golf courses, a go-cart track, cinema, several swimming pools and other luxury attractions.
It does not include the part of Ellerston on which the agricultural business is conducted.
The acquisition remains subject to the completion of long form sale and subdivision documentation.
"The acquisition will enable Crown to give effect to its commitment to the NSW Government to give VIP gaming customers at Crown Sydney access to the luxury facilities at Ellerston," Crown advised.
The acquisition has been approved by Crown’s independent directors.
The prime rural property was bought by James Packer’s late father, the media tycoon Kerry Packer in 1972.
It features one of Australia’s best golf courses, designed by British Open champion Greg Norman.
Crown, which is 50.1 per cent owned by Mr Packer, intends to use the luxury facilities at Ellerston to helicopter in high rollers from its new casino resort being built at Barangaroo.
The property near Scone comprises 30,000 hectares.
Some pics courtesy of <a href="https://www.harrisongolf.com.au/portfolio-2" target="_blank">Bob Harrison</a>.
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Casino tycoon James Packer selling Ellerston golf course, but keeping the farm

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Champion jockey Damien Oliver has sold his home in Port Melbourne’s Beacon Cove precinct for $2,198,000.
The three-time Melbourne Cup winner bought the abode at <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/98-beach-street-port-melbourne/Property-Details-buy-residential-9260802" target="_blank">98 Beach Street </a>at 1997 auction as Mirvac began constructing the now well-established village. It cost $540,500.
Oliver’s three-bedroom plus study had been tipped to fetch more than $1.8 million through Marshall White agent Michael Paproth at weekend auction.
The two storey offering includes an indoor sauna and spa room, perfect for Oliver who last week won his 10th Melbourne Jockeys’ Premiership with 60 winners.
He will miss the first Group 1 race of the current season, the Memsie Stakes, after being suspended for 11 meetings last week.
His backyard includes another spa and a putting green.
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Jockey Damien Oliver sells in Port Melbourne

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An Austinmer property has sold for $3.5 million, setting a record price for the upmarket NSW Illawarra beachside suburb.
The home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-austinmer-120356625" target="_blank">70 Lawrence Hargrave Drive</a> sold to an Illawarra buyer.
McGrath Estate Agents Thirroul agent Trever Molenaar secured the sale for the Thorn family who appreciated the buyer expressed a desire to keep the character of the historic house on its 3878-square-metre site.
The property sold within one week of it going on the market.
It overlooks Little Austi Beach and has panoramic views of the Glastonbury Garden and the ocean. 
The block was originally much larger, but the family gave some of their land to Wollongong City Council for what is now the Glastonbury Garden.
The Thorn family owned the brickworks at Woonona before selling the site to the Village Building Company which then developed the 40-hectare residential Edgewood Estate.
The previous highest sale of an Austinmer residential dwelling was $3.295 million in 2005.
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Austinmer $3.5 million record price keeping it local

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The weekend 10 Gruyere Crescent, Ivanhoe East offering of a Robin Boyd-designed 1950s home fetched $1,745,000 through Jellis Craig Price.
They had been suggesting a $1.5 million plus expectation for <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-ivanhoe+east-120309157" target="_blank">the three-bedroom house</a> which was commissioned by the seller’s grandfather.
There were four bidders who appreciated the Boyd-factor. 
It was marketed as one of the very first homes in the area. 
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Robin Boyd Ivanhoe East 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.

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Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the report confirmed the city's evolution into one of Australia's most significant economies.

"The Gold Coast economy continues to grow at an incredible pace. This is no surprise to those of us who have watched the evolution up close," Mayor Tate said.

"As one of the most entrepreneurial, investment driven and opportunity focused economies in the country our ambition has been realised and possibilities are endless.

"The Gold Coast has built a reputation as the city that says yes. We say yes to investment, yes to opportunity and yes to people who want to build something.

"It's this mindset helping us drive major growth across health, advanced manufacturing, screen production, marine, technology and the knowledge economy."

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While population growth has been one of the defining stories of the past decade, the report points to a broader economic transformation taking place.

The city's knowledge economy now contributes $7.9 billion annually and supports around 31,000 jobs, while the health and wellbeing sector contributes $5.2 billion and employs more than 42,000 people. Together, the six priority sectors identified in the report account for almost $24 billion in economic output and more than 145,000 jobs.

One of the strongest examples is the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct at Southport. The 200-hectare precinct now contains more than $5 billion worth of health, education, research and innovation infrastructure and supports over 16,000 jobs.

The report also highlights the growing role of advanced manufacturing, particularly in aerospace, defence and modular construction.

Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies recently became the first Australian commercial company to attempt an orbital launch, while companies including Modscape and ModnPods are helping establish the Yatala-Stapylton corridor as one of Australia's fastest-growing advanced manufacturing hubs.

The city's entrepreneurial culture is also translating into business growth.

Since 2019/20, the number of businesses operating on the Gold Coast has increased by 22 per cent, while firms employing more than 200 people have grown by 80 per cent. The report suggests the next challenge is converting more local start-ups and medium-sized businesses into nationally significant companies.

Development activity remains another key indicator of confidence.

There are currently more than $23 billion worth of major projects underway across the Gold Coast, supported by a record 75 active cranes, a figure that now exceeds Brisbane and represents a 150 per cent increase since 2016.

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Importantly, the report notes the next phase of investment will need to extend beyond residential development.

While 93 per cent of crane activity is currently tied to housing, Invest Gold Coast argues future investment will increasingly need to focus on cultural, civic, infrastructure and industry-enabling projects that strengthen the city's long-term economic resilience.

Invest Gold Coast Chair Will Hodgman said the city was now benefiting from years of economic diversification.

"What is happening on the Gold Coast is the result of the city's economic base broadening, fuelled by industries with long-term, high-growth potential," Mr Hodgman said.

"This is no longer a secondary Australian economy, the Gold Coast is becoming a globally connected city with deeper capability across health, knowledge and creative industries, advanced manufacturing, technology and exports."

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Looking ahead, the Gold Coast's population is projected to exceed one million residents by 2046.

For a city that was once largely defined by tourism and lifestyle, the latest figures suggest the Gold Coast is becoming something more significant, one of Australia's most diverse and economically sophisticated urban economies, and increasingly one that national and international investors can no longer afford to overlook.

Joel Robinson

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

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

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

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

Design-led developer-builder Lowe Living has unveiled its latest residential development, Jardin House, marking its first foray into Melbourne's blue-chip City of Boroondara.

Located a short walk from Camberwell Junction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House</a> has been designed to appeal to affluent local downsizers and established families seeking a low-maintenance alternative to the large homes that have long defined Camberwell and surrounding suburbs.

The project will comprise a collection of two and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 92 sqm to 280 sqm, alongside a limited number of penthouse residences featuring rooftop terraces spanning more than 100 sqm, with optional private pools.

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Lowe Living Co-Founder and Managing Director Tim Lowe said Camberwell represented a natural next step for the developer as it expands into some of Melbourne's most tightly held residential markets.

"Jardin House is an important project for our team as it marks the next evolution of our portfolio into different well-established blue-chip pockets of Melbourne," Lowe said.

"Camberwell, with its incredible walkability, family-led neighbourhood feel and superb access to education and transport, makes it a natural choice for us."

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Designed by Tristan Wong Architects, with interiors by Hecker Guthrie and landscaping by Acre, the development takes inspiration from the Art Deco architecture that remains a defining feature of many of Camberwell's established streets.

A curved facade, arched openings, textured brickwork and sculpted forms reference the suburb's architectural heritage, while extensive landscaping softens the building's presence and creates a strong connection to the surrounding tree-lined streetscape.

The project will be set behind a secure gated entrance, with residents arriving through landscaped gardens designed to create a transition between the public realm and private residences.

Inside, the residences feature natural stone and timber finishes, full-height glazing, Miele appliances and generous open-plan living areas designed for long-term owner occupation.

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While the apartments themselves have been designed to attract discerning owner-occupiers, it is the amenity offering that sets Jardin House apart from many other boutique projects currently launching across Melbourne.

The centrepiece is a 350 sqm private bathhouse curated in partnership with Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse founder Lyndall Mitchell.

The wellness precinct includes mineral pools, hydrotherapy experiences, a Himalayan salt room, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pools and dedicated relaxation spaces, creating what Lowe Living describes as a private wellness retreat exclusively for residents.

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The collaboration follows Lowe Living's recent partnership with Aurora at Maison Savoy in Brighton, although Jardin House is the first project to incorporate both indoor and outdoor wellness experiences.

Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said wellness was becoming an increasingly important consideration for apartment buyers.

"Collaborating with Lyndall Mitchell from Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse for a second time is an intentional nod to creating residences that are more than just homes, but a way to enrich the lives of our residents through wellness and longevity," Lowe said.

The amenity offering is complemented by a Technogym fitness studio, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and concierge services.

The launch comes as developers increasingly target Melbourne's established eastern suburbs, where rising land values, ageing housing stock and growing downsizer demand are creating opportunities for boutique apartment projects.

Lowe said the company expects significant generational wealth transfer across suburbs such as Camberwell in coming years, creating further demand for luxury apartment living.

"Camberwell is a blue-chip suburb where homes regularly transact for multiple millions of dollars," he said.

"The generational change of wealth in these locations expected in the coming years is significant, so we see an opportunity to create exclusive residences that appeal to older families and downsizers in order to meet this demand."

Apartments at Jardin house start from $1,195,000. The project forms part of Lowe Living's near-$1 billion portfolio of new developments across Melbourne.

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Lowe Living launches Jardin House in Camberwell

As <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/north-sydney-nsw-2060">North Sydney</a> continues its transition from a commercial centre into a more layered residential and lifestyle precinct, a new generation of apartment developments is reshaping expectations around scale, amenity, and long-term liveability.

Improved transport connections through the Victoria Cross Metro, continued investment in dining and public spaces, and a constrained supply of new luxury apartments have sharpened demand for homes that combine proximity to the CBD with the privacy and outlook traditionally associated with harbourside houses.

At 177 Walker Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a>’s new apartment development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> enters the market with a distinctly residential approach to high-rise living. The 30-level tower will deliver 161 residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to sub-penthouses and a full-floor penthouse, all oriented to capture uninterrupted views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and out toward the Pacific Ocean.

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, the project takes advantage of the site’s natural topography and elevated position above the harbour. Rather than relying on density alone, the architecture focuses on outlook, orientation, and spatial flow, with every apartment occupying a corner position to maximise natural light and cross ventilation.

Rothelowman says the site itself shaped much of the architectural response.

“The site has a long history in terms of its inevitable transformation and when we came in, we took inspiration from the idea of reestablishing a sense of the site’s natural terrain and fall. Our scheme aims to integrate with the terrain and the landscape, using the undulating site to slowly reveal glimpses and views of the harbour. The rotation of the tower off grid means every apartment has a view and is naturally cross ventilated. The building's colour palette is quintessentially Sydney, with bronze and sandstone and a luminescent green colour in the glass, making it very earthy and grounded in its location.”

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Inside the residences, the emphasis moves toward larger-format living typically associated with standalone homes. Kitchens sit at the centre of the apartments, connecting directly to open-plan dining and living areas before extending outward into expansive winter gardens and balconies. Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, integrated appliances, and custom metal detailing are used throughout, while three distinct interior palettes, Terrace, Opera, and Harbour, allow buyers to personalise the spaces without compromising the architectural consistency of the project.

The larger residences place particular attention on separation between entertaining and private zones. In many apartments, master suites occupy the outer corners of the floorplates, allowing bedrooms to benefit from floor-to-ceiling glazing and harbour outlooks independent of the living spaces. Dressing rooms and ensuites continue the material palette through fluted detailing, freestanding baths, and layered stone finishes.

Rothelowman says the design intent centred on creating homes that feel enduring rather than transient.

“Our philosophy is all about the way people live in these spaces, and we wanted to create homes that reflect the quality of life in this unique Sydney location. The apartments showcase expansive living spaces that are generous, sophisticated, and bold, with the ability to connect with views throughout each apartment.”

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A separate four-storey amenity building known as The Pavilion expands the residential offering beyond the apartments themselves. Positioned alongside the tower, the building consolidates wellness, recreation, and social spaces into a dedicated resident retreat. Facilities include a 20-metre rooftop pool and sundeck, sauna, spa, ice bath, wellness studio, gymnasium, concierge service, wine cellar, residents’ lounge, private dining spaces, and dedicated co-working areas with meeting rooms and boardroom facilities.

The amenity mix reflects the buyer profile emerging in North Sydney, where owner-occupiers and downsizers are increasingly prioritising convenience, apartment scale, and long-term usability over purely investment-driven decisions.

The Walden also represents a significant milestone for ALAND, marking the company’s first major move into Sydney’s inner-city luxury apartment market after more than two decades delivering large-scale residential communities across Greater Sydney. Founder Andrew Hrsto says the Walker Street site stood apart because of both its positioning and its rarity.

[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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