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Aspen Group has acquired a 160-site caravan park, Tomago Village Van Park in Tomago in Sydney's Hunter region for $10.5 million.
The purchase reflects an initial yield of 9.3%.
The property has 160 sites, 136 of which are licenced for long-term utilisation, with the balance being short-stay sites.
There is an existing development consent for a further 24 long term sites.
Tomago is located in metropolitan Newcastle, approximately 18 kilometres from the Newcastle CBD.
It is adjacent to the Tomago Industrial area, a substantial source of demand for accommodation at the property. 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Aspen buy Tomago Village Van Park

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Federation Centres has abruptly axed its chief executive Steven Sewell, replacing him with Angus McNaughton, the former chief at Novion Property Group.
The shock announcement sent Federation's ASX share price into a 4% dip yesterday.
Sewell headed the merged $22 billion property company after Angus McNaughton bowed out of contention for the top job once the two companies merged.
Federation Centres had only just announced Richard Jamieson in the role of chief financial officer and executive general manager investments replacing Tom Honan.
Richard Jamieson was formerly chief financial officer at Novion Property Group.
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Angus McNaughton appointed to lead Federation Centres

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A Punchbowl $375,000 apartment sale was the weekend's cheapest auction price.
Over $349,000 was tipped in all its marketing for the two bedroom ground floor rear at 7/104 Victoria Road.
It was just one of six sales below $500,000 at weekend auction.
It last sold in 2003 at $160,000, reflecting dead on 7% annual price growth.
<img src="https://i1.au.reastatic.net/456x342/6aa6d86b4cca94daec67385878884a7c8f95f73e2b6863c4e2bc049e0b6a9452/main.jpg" alt="7/104 Victoria Road, Punchbowl" title="7/104 Victoria Road, Punchbowl" data-index="0">
Just the one registered attendee secured it in post-auction negotiations, without competition. 
Another investor who had offered $375,000 pre-auction failed to turn up.
The block's last sale in May this year was at $375,000 for a two bedroom ground floor front aspect apartment. It had sold previously at $280,000 in 2013, $205,000 in 2009; and $129,500 in 2001.
"Set in a quiet street in a boutique block of only twelve, it presents an affordable first home or low maintenance investment," its McGrath selling agent George Kapos said.
It was last vacant for rent in October 2014 with a $340 a week rental, reflecting 4.7% yield. 
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Punchbowl $375,000 sale the weekend's cheapest price

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All 46 lots offered in the final release of Mirvac's Schofields master-planned development were sold out on the weekend.
More than 700 people registered interest in the blocks, which started at $399,900 for a 324-square-metre block.
Some were offered as house-and-land packages starting at $670,500 in the <a href="https://theavenue.mirvac.com/" target="_blank">393-lot development</a>.
Six new home designs were launched at <a href="https://theavenue.mirvac.com/about/overview/" target="_blank">The Avenue </a>in late June 2015.
Mirvac's head of residential, John Carfi, said The Avenue was set within the government's north-west growth sector which has benefited from investment in infrastructure including the Schofields train station, new schools and roads.
"The Avenue blends the peace of rural tranquility with the convenience and rich amenity of an established urban neighbourhood," the marketing suggested. 
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 Sellout in Schofields on The Avenue

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Canberra ranks as Australia's hottest capital city auction market, according to CoreLogic RP Data preliminary national auction clearance rate report.
The national figure sits at 75.7% with the national capital Canberra sitting at 79.2%.
Sydney’s preliminary auction clearance rate was 78.8% across the week, the fourth week in a row where Sydney has recorded a result below 80%.
Across Melbourne, the week’s preliminary clearance rate was recorded at 78.6%, up from a recent low of 75.7% last week.
This week, Adelaide saw a preliminary clearance rate of 71.9%.
<a href="/images/2015/08/03/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-03%20at%208.52.16%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2015/08/03/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-03%20at%208.52.16%20AM.png" alt="">
The preliminary clearance rate for Brisbane is 60.6%.
There were 23 Perth auctions this week, with a preliminary clearance rate of 43.8%. 
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Canberra ranks as Australia's hottest capital city auction market

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Westpac is cutting lending to self-managed super funds for residential investment properties, according to the Australian Financial Review.
The bank has cut maximum loan-to-value ratios from 80 to 70% and tightened other lending criteria.
Super fund borrowing has increased from less than $500 million to more than $9 billion, the Australian Taxation Office says over the past five years.
The recent financial system inquiry warned that current growth rates could create a systemic risk in the future, even though total borrowing was small compared to the overall economy.
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SMSF borrowing gets tougher for Westpac customers

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Model and actress Liz Hurley has sold her redundant Midland home for £9 million, according to the UK press. 
The six bedroom Ampney Knowle (pictured above), near Cirencester, Gloucestershire had been listed so she could concentrate on decorating and furnishing Donnington Hall at Ledbury, Herefordshire.
The larger 13 bedroom Donnington Hall property was bought in 2012 with her ex, former Australian cricketer Shane Warne, with his half share interest bought out last October.
“It’s no secret that I bought Donnington Hall with my former fiancé and it was a tough decision to choose which house to keep as I love them both," Liz told the The Sunday Times Home supplement after her 2014 decision to list Ampney Knowle.
The swimwear designer bought stone-built Ampney Knowle for £3.3 million in 2003. Its sale was <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/liz-hurley-sells-farm-bought-6182230" target="_blank">reported by the weekend Mirror</a>, albeit with an inaccurate headline.
It is set in 450 acres of Cotswolds countryside, has six bedrooms, a guest annexe, cottages in the grounds and outbuildings.
She had initially asked £6 million just for the house and guest cottage but there were no takers, so she then offered all the farmland at Ampney Knowle near Cirencester, Glos.
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Model Liz Hurley sells Ampney Knowle to keep Donnington Hall

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My Kitchen Rules judge and co-host Manu Feildel has bought a Maroubra semi for $1.9 million.
Manu Feildel and wife Clarissa Weerasena won't be far from co-host Pete Evans and his fiancee Nicole Robinson, who are undertaking renovations to the Malabar residence they bought in 2013 for $1.44 million.
Manu Feildel bought the five bedroom 1930s semi off market through Shane Vincent at Belle, who sold it previously in 2008 when at NG Farah.
It last traded pre-renovation (pictured above) in 2008 at $691,000 when sold to John and Christine Nettle of Nettle Constructions whose newly renovated home had two potential buyers placing offers with the property quickly sold prior to auction.
The renovation (pictured below from Google streetview) turned it from a two bedroom into a five bedroom home.
<img src="/images/2015/08/03/Screen%20Shot%202015-08-03%20at%208.31.36%20AM.png" alt="">
Feildel's solicitor Ian Day lodged the purchasing paperwork late last week.
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Manu buys in Maroubra for $1.9 million

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The most clicked property listing in Australia recently was an ultra-modern five-bedroom Toorak home.
Maybe it was all the Iris Cristal Bohemia chandeliers that attracted the property voyuers to the recently sold Dingle Partners listing.
The home at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-toorak-119155971" target="_blank">6 Benson Ave, Toorak</a> is built over four levels with white Marmo glass floors, red onyx features, and Sicis mosaic wall tiles.
There is a water window feature too at the house.
The 606 sq m block cost $2.8 million in 2013 when bought by interests associated with Anna Eydlish.
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Iris Cristal Bohemia chandeliers aplenty in most clicked Toorak home

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ASIC has commenced proceedings in the Victorian Federal Court against land banker company administrators, David Anthony Ross, Richard Albarran and the landbanking company, Midland HWY Pty Ltd (Midland HWY) (administrators appointed).
Messrs Ross and Albarran, of Hall Chadwick Chartered Accountants, are the current appointed administrators of the controversial land bankers, Midland HWY.
But the administrator appointment on July 14 has become the subject of ASIC's proceeding in which ASIC seeks their removal as administrators or to invalidate the first meeting of its creditors held on July 14.
Midland HWY had previously appointed Messrs Nicholas John Martin and Craig David Crosbie of PPB Advisory as joint and several administrators, just two weeks earlier.
Prior to being placed into voluntary administration on 2 July 2015, Midland HWY was the developer of a land banking scheme known as, Hermitage Bendigo (formerly, 'Acacia Banks'), located just outside of Bendigo, Victoria.
"ASIC is concerned that the appointment of Messrs Ross and Albarran, as replacement administrators to Midland HWY, occurred in circumstances where many investors in Hermitage Bendigo, who may also be creditors, were not given notice of the first meeting of creditors," ASIC advised.
The matter is set down for hearing on August 3, 2015.
The financial advisor Scott Pape, known as the Barefoot Investor, <a href="/news/scott-pape-warns-about-central-victoria-land-banking-paddock-speculation">warned investors last year not to lured by spruikers into speculatively buying rural zoned land his central Victorian district</a>.
The land banking process involves paying a $40,000 option on a portion of a larger rural parcel of land in anticipation of residential zoning.
In seven to 10 years' time the buyer has the option to buy or sell it, and supposedly make capital gains after rezoning success by the property spruiking investment firms.
"The mob behind this have reportedly been selling options on paddocks around my home town of Bendigo," Pape told his Herald Sun readers.
"I think it’s a giant, steaming, dog turd of a deal," he advised.
Last year the Urban Development Institute of Australia chief executive Tony De Domenico warned buyers to be careful about paying for options or reservation fees on land that ultimately may or may not be developed.
Hermitage Bendigo has been loosely aligned with longtime notorious property spruikers.
Last month the Australian Securities and Investment Commission told members of the Senate Economics Legislation Committee they were "making inquiries" into land-banking schemes involving millions of dollars from mum and dad investors.
Land banking spruiking has been also marketed in outer western Melbourne, Ballarat and Wallan.
Buying land, not houses was pushed as the most suitable investment strategy by the marketeering companies for the mum ands dad investors.
It used options to buy land as opposed to borrowing money and paying interest on the land for a decade or more waiting for it to rise.
“Especially if you can use ‘property options’ to avoid borrowing, it means you get all the upside of capital growth without any interest repayments or holding costs or the need to beg a bank to loan you money,” was the pitch.
Buyers were told that if they were able to secure an option over a future lot of land worth $150,000 today, in ten years time they could expect the land to be worth $300,000 or more of in a fast growing area.
“A great idea to action now, for children to lock in property at today’s prices. 
"Or you can resell the option for a handsome profit and never need to buy the land as it has intrinsic value.
“The best thing about property options means you aren’t obligated to buy i.e. as they are simply call options, you have no risk and can walk away at any time.
“Plus if the option is by a legitimate supplier, they will offer a 100% money back guarantee if the worse should happen and the development doesn’t proceed, secured by the land development itself.
“These quality 100% money back property options secured by real estate are becoming highly sought after products for savvy investors."
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ASIC moves on Hermitage Bendigo land banking scheme administrators

The Gold Coast economy has grown by 25 per cent since 2020/21 to surpass $55 billion, but perhaps the more significant story is what sits behind the headline number.

For decades, the Gold Coast has been viewed through the lens of tourism, lifestyle and population growth. The latest State of the City Report suggests that perception is increasingly out of step with reality.

Released by Invest Gold Coast, the report ranks the Gold Coast as Australia's largest non-capital city economy and, perhaps more notably, second nationally behind Sydney for Economic Complexity, a measure that assesses the diversity and sophistication of an economy.

It's a result that places the Gold Coast ahead of Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, highlighting the extent to which the city's economic base has broadened beyond its traditional industries.

Today, the Gold Coast supports more than 350,000 jobs, is home to over 83,000 businesses and generates $19 billion in annual exports. Manufacturing now accounts for 62 per cent of international export growth, while sectors including health, education, advanced manufacturing, technology and professional services are becoming increasingly important contributors to the local economy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the report confirmed the city's evolution into one of Australia's most significant economies.

"The Gold Coast economy continues to grow at an incredible pace. This is no surprise to those of us who have watched the evolution up close," Mayor Tate said.

"As one of the most entrepreneurial, investment driven and opportunity focused economies in the country our ambition has been realised and possibilities are endless.

"The Gold Coast has built a reputation as the city that says yes. We say yes to investment, yes to opportunity and yes to people who want to build something.

"It's this mindset helping us drive major growth across health, advanced manufacturing, screen production, marine, technology and the knowledge economy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360975]

While population growth has been one of the defining stories of the past decade, the report points to a broader economic transformation taking place.

The city's knowledge economy now contributes $7.9 billion annually and supports around 31,000 jobs, while the health and wellbeing sector contributes $5.2 billion and employs more than 42,000 people. Together, the six priority sectors identified in the report account for almost $24 billion in economic output and more than 145,000 jobs.

One of the strongest examples is the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct at Southport. The 200-hectare precinct now contains more than $5 billion worth of health, education, research and innovation infrastructure and supports over 16,000 jobs.

The report also highlights the growing role of advanced manufacturing, particularly in aerospace, defence and modular construction.

Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies recently became the first Australian commercial company to attempt an orbital launch, while companies including Modscape and ModnPods are helping establish the Yatala-Stapylton corridor as one of Australia's fastest-growing advanced manufacturing hubs.

The city's entrepreneurial culture is also translating into business growth.

Since 2019/20, the number of businesses operating on the Gold Coast has increased by 22 per cent, while firms employing more than 200 people have grown by 80 per cent. The report suggests the next challenge is converting more local start-ups and medium-sized businesses into nationally significant companies.

Development activity remains another key indicator of confidence.

There are currently more than $23 billion worth of major projects underway across the Gold Coast, supported by a record 75 active cranes, a figure that now exceeds Brisbane and represents a 150 per cent increase since 2016.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112024 project_image_fid=343235]

Importantly, the report notes the next phase of investment will need to extend beyond residential development.

While 93 per cent of crane activity is currently tied to housing, Invest Gold Coast argues future investment will increasingly need to focus on cultural, civic, infrastructure and industry-enabling projects that strengthen the city's long-term economic resilience.

Invest Gold Coast Chair Will Hodgman said the city was now benefiting from years of economic diversification.

"What is happening on the Gold Coast is the result of the city's economic base broadening, fuelled by industries with long-term, high-growth potential," Mr Hodgman said.

"This is no longer a secondary Australian economy, the Gold Coast is becoming a globally connected city with deeper capability across health, knowledge and creative industries, advanced manufacturing, technology and exports."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108274 project_image_fid=365786]

Looking ahead, the Gold Coast's population is projected to exceed one million residents by 2046.

For a city that was once largely defined by tourism and lifestyle, the latest figures suggest the Gold Coast is becoming something more significant, one of Australia's most diverse and economically sophisticated urban economies, and increasingly one that national and international investors can no longer afford to overlook.

Joel Robinson

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

Ron Bakir's Homecorp has sold more than 75 per cent of the apartments in its wellness-driven Florence Residences in Surfers Paradise following its first weekend release.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/florence-residences-24-monte-carlo-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">26-storey project on Monte Carlo Avenue</a>, which commenced construction earlier this year, has seen a flurry of buyers secure their slice of the Gold Coast's latest wellbeing-focused offering in one of the nation's most competitive property markets.

Since the pandemic, the Gold Coast's population has grown by more than 11 per cent, a rate approximately four times faster than Sydney's, driven largely by lifestyle changes and interstate migration. While buyer activity has moderated in some markets nationally, demand for newly built dwellings on the Gold Coast continues to gain momentum as purchasers increasingly prioritise lifestyle, amenity, wellbeing, liveability and long-term investment potential.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372743]

Homecorp CEO Ron Bakir says buyers today are looking for more than just a home.

"What we are seeing is a shift in how people define value in property," Bakir says.

"What attracts residents to new developments is a desire for more than just a residence. They are looking for a place that complements their lifestyle, supports their wellbeing and reflects the way they want to live into the future.

"Lifestyle, longevity, proactive health, wellbeing, connection and a sense of community are increasingly shaping purchasing decisions, particularly on the Gold Coast, where these factors continue to be a major drawcard."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372744]

Bakir says Homecorp is responding to this shift through an approach that places greater emphasis on design, amenity and experience working together to create places that feel considered, connected and enduring in value.

Inspired by Eastern European design, Florence Residences will comprise 120 apartments alongside a private residents-only wellness club featuring a resort-style rooftop pool, hot and cold plunge pools, a spa retreat, contemporary gymnasium, and a spacious yoga and Pilates studio.

The development will also feature a residents-only lounge with private dining facilities and a rooftop bar, premium outdoor entertaining areas, a hotel-style lobby lounge, generous bike parking, and pet-friendly amenities including a heated dog wash.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150414 project_image_fid=372742]

A limited number of apartments remain available, with an exclusive collection of four-bedroom sub-penthouses set to be released in the coming months.

Florence is one of the latest additions to Homecorp's expanding multi-billion-dollar property portfolio, which also includes plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/homecorp-lodges-plans-for-260-million-moroccan-bathhouse-inspired-tower-in-budds-beach">$260 million development in Budds Beach</a> tailored to the growing wellness market.

A development application has been lodged for a 27-storey, 156-residence tower at 8–10 Acacia Avenue and 25–27 Oak Avenue, featuring a residents-only Moroccan spa-inspired sanctuary.

Apartments at Florence Residences are priced from $1,249,000, with construction expected to be completed by late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150414]

Buyers rush to Homecorp's Florence Residences as Gold Coast wellness trend gains momentum

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

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

Design-led developer-builder Lowe Living has unveiled its latest residential development, Jardin House, marking its first foray into Melbourne's blue-chip City of Boroondara.

Located a short walk from Camberwell Junction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/jardin-house-by-lowe-living-camberwell-335-camberwell-road-camberwell-vic-3124">Jardin House</a> has been designed to appeal to affluent local downsizers and established families seeking a low-maintenance alternative to the large homes that have long defined Camberwell and surrounding suburbs.

The project will comprise a collection of two and three-bedroom apartments ranging from 92 sqm to 280 sqm, alongside a limited number of penthouse residences featuring rooftop terraces spanning more than 100 sqm, with optional private pools.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372212]

Lowe Living Co-Founder and Managing Director Tim Lowe said Camberwell represented a natural next step for the developer as it expands into some of Melbourne's most tightly held residential markets.

"Jardin House is an important project for our team as it marks the next evolution of our portfolio into different well-established blue-chip pockets of Melbourne," Lowe said.

"Camberwell, with its incredible walkability, family-led neighbourhood feel and superb access to education and transport, makes it a natural choice for us."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372227]

Designed by Tristan Wong Architects, with interiors by Hecker Guthrie and landscaping by Acre, the development takes inspiration from the Art Deco architecture that remains a defining feature of many of Camberwell's established streets.

A curved facade, arched openings, textured brickwork and sculpted forms reference the suburb's architectural heritage, while extensive landscaping softens the building's presence and creates a strong connection to the surrounding tree-lined streetscape.

The project will be set behind a secure gated entrance, with residents arriving through landscaped gardens designed to create a transition between the public realm and private residences.

Inside, the residences feature natural stone and timber finishes, full-height glazing, Miele appliances and generous open-plan living areas designed for long-term owner occupation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372225]

While the apartments themselves have been designed to attract discerning owner-occupiers, it is the amenity offering that sets Jardin House apart from many other boutique projects currently launching across Melbourne.

The centrepiece is a 350 sqm private bathhouse curated in partnership with Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse founder Lyndall Mitchell.

The wellness precinct includes mineral pools, hydrotherapy experiences, a Himalayan salt room, sauna, steam room, cold plunge pools and dedicated relaxation spaces, creating what Lowe Living describes as a private wellness retreat exclusively for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146717 project_image_fid=372222]

The collaboration follows Lowe Living's recent partnership with Aurora at Maison Savoy in Brighton, although Jardin House is the first project to incorporate both indoor and outdoor wellness experiences.

Emma Lowe, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Lowe Living, said wellness was becoming an increasingly important consideration for apartment buyers.

"Collaborating with Lyndall Mitchell from Aurora Spa &amp; Bathhouse for a second time is an intentional nod to creating residences that are more than just homes, but a way to enrich the lives of our residents through wellness and longevity," Lowe said.

The amenity offering is complemented by a Technogym fitness studio, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and concierge services.

The launch comes as developers increasingly target Melbourne's established eastern suburbs, where rising land values, ageing housing stock and growing downsizer demand are creating opportunities for boutique apartment projects.

Lowe said the company expects significant generational wealth transfer across suburbs such as Camberwell in coming years, creating further demand for luxury apartment living.

"Camberwell is a blue-chip suburb where homes regularly transact for multiple millions of dollars," he said.

"The generational change of wealth in these locations expected in the coming years is significant, so we see an opportunity to create exclusive residences that appeal to older families and downsizers in order to meet this demand."

Apartments at Jardin house start from $1,195,000. The project forms part of Lowe Living's near-$1 billion portfolio of new developments across Melbourne.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=146717]

Lowe Living launches Jardin House in Camberwell

As <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/north-sydney-nsw-2060">North Sydney</a> continues its transition from a commercial centre into a more layered residential and lifestyle precinct, a new generation of apartment developments is reshaping expectations around scale, amenity, and long-term liveability.

Improved transport connections through the Victoria Cross Metro, continued investment in dining and public spaces, and a constrained supply of new luxury apartments have sharpened demand for homes that combine proximity to the CBD with the privacy and outlook traditionally associated with harbourside houses.

At 177 Walker Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a>’s new apartment development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> enters the market with a distinctly residential approach to high-rise living. The 30-level tower will deliver 161 residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to sub-penthouses and a full-floor penthouse, all oriented to capture uninterrupted views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and out toward the Pacific Ocean.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6395]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a>, the project takes advantage of the site’s natural topography and elevated position above the harbour. Rather than relying on density alone, the architecture focuses on outlook, orientation, and spatial flow, with every apartment occupying a corner position to maximise natural light and cross ventilation.

Rothelowman says the site itself shaped much of the architectural response.

“The site has a long history in terms of its inevitable transformation and when we came in, we took inspiration from the idea of reestablishing a sense of the site’s natural terrain and fall. Our scheme aims to integrate with the terrain and the landscape, using the undulating site to slowly reveal glimpses and views of the harbour. The rotation of the tower off grid means every apartment has a view and is naturally cross ventilated. The building's colour palette is quintessentially Sydney, with bronze and sandstone and a luminescent green colour in the glass, making it very earthy and grounded in its location.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6399]

Inside the residences, the emphasis moves toward larger-format living typically associated with standalone homes. Kitchens sit at the centre of the apartments, connecting directly to open-plan dining and living areas before extending outward into expansive winter gardens and balconies. Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, integrated appliances, and custom metal detailing are used throughout, while three distinct interior palettes, Terrace, Opera, and Harbour, allow buyers to personalise the spaces without compromising the architectural consistency of the project.

The larger residences place particular attention on separation between entertaining and private zones. In many apartments, master suites occupy the outer corners of the floorplates, allowing bedrooms to benefit from floor-to-ceiling glazing and harbour outlooks independent of the living spaces. Dressing rooms and ensuites continue the material palette through fluted detailing, freestanding baths, and layered stone finishes.

Rothelowman says the design intent centred on creating homes that feel enduring rather than transient.

“Our philosophy is all about the way people live in these spaces, and we wanted to create homes that reflect the quality of life in this unique Sydney location. The apartments showcase expansive living spaces that are generous, sophisticated, and bold, with the ability to connect with views throughout each apartment.”

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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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