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The comedian Dave Hughes, and past Block buyer, inspected Block 2020 Brighton houses on auction eve.
His Friday inspection came before tomorrow's auctions of the five New Street houses.
The houses have indicative price guides ranging between $3.2 million and $3.4 million.
"Hughesie is possibly looking at his second one," Scott Cam advised.
"It is just a look," Hughes advised.
"I do the numbers .... they are good buying.
"There's more money spent on them than they get at auction," Hughes told 3MMM's Hot Breakfast.
"They are like the Elsternwick ones....people love living in them," Hughes added advising he currently had a surgeon has his tenants in his Elsternwick investment. 
Hughes <a href="/news/comedian-dave-hughes-buys-the-block-elsternwick-winner-from-josh-and-elyse">bought Elyse Knowles and Josh Barker's house in 2017 for $3.067 million</a>, and earlier this year, the comedian listed the five-bedroom home for rent at $2,000 per week.
Hughesy joked with Marty Fox, who has listed Melbourne local's Harry and Tash's home for this season, about buying another one of the homes from the Elsternwick series.
It was the home that finished runner up on the show for Jason Price and Sarah Windebank. Hughesy initially wanted the home before buying the show's winner, but he ruled out any swoop.
That's now for sale for $3.4 million to $3.74 million, having sold on auction night for $3,007,000.
New South Wales couple Sarah and George (their home pictured above), are favourites to take out the 2020 series of The Block, followed by Jimmy and Tam who scored the most points from the judges throughout the prolonged season.
The comedian was in attendance when the<a href="/news/comedian-dave-hughes-attends-the-block-final-auctions"> Port Melbourne as The Block apartments</a> went under the hammer.
Despite registering to bid for one of the five apartments, Hughes did not raise his paddle during the televised finale.
PREVIOUS BLOCK WINNERS 2003 - BONDI – Adam &amp; Fiona, $256,000 2004 - MANLY – Jamie &amp; Andrew, $178,000 2010 - VAUCLUSE – John &amp; Neisha, $305,000 2011 - RICHMOND – Polly &amp; Waz, $115,000 2012 - SOUTH MELBOURNE – Brad &amp; Lara, $606,000 2013 - ALL STARS (BONDI) – Phil &amp; Amity, $395,000 2013 - SKY HIGH (SOUTH MELBOURNE) – Alisa &amp; Lysandra, $395,000 2014 - FANS v FAVES (ALBERT PARK) – Steve &amp; Chantelle, $736,000 2014 - GLASSHOUSE (PRAHRAN) – Shannon &amp; Simon, $435,000 2015 - TRIPLE THREAT (SOUTH YARRA) – Darren &amp; Deanne, $935,000 2015 - THE BLOCKTAGON (SOUTH YARRA) – Dean &amp; Shay, $755,000 2016 - THE BLOCK 2016 (PORT MELBOURNE) – Will &amp; Karlie, $815,000 2017 - THE BLOCK 2017 (ELSTERNWICK) – Josh &amp; Elyse, $547,000 2018 - THE BLOCK GATWICK (ST KILDA) – Hayden &amp; Sara, $645,000 2019 - THE BLOCK OSLO (ST KILDA) – Tess &amp; Luke, $730,000
 
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Comedian Dave Hughes inspects Block 2020 Brighton houses on auction eve

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<div>The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) has fronted a Senate Economics Committee to give evidence on the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Amendment Bill 2020. </div>
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<div>REIA President Adrian Kelly has said that fees should be structured to reflect the cost of undertaking the assessment and administration by the Australian Government, instead of imposing unnecessary impediments on foreign investors in the residential property market.</div>
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<div>“Foreign investment in the residential property market is the lowest it has been since 2015 – 2016,” he told the committee.</div>
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<div>“We understand from our agents working in this area the cumulative impact of Commonwealth and State government fees has contributed to decreased demand from foreign investors.</div>
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<div>“It has been our proposal to Treasury, and now this Committee, that fees should be equitable and simply reflect the cost of assessment and processing by FIRB.”</div>
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<div>The Property Council of Australia has also condemned the new proposed fee amounts, that are not set out in the legislation but by way of FIRB fee regulations.</div>
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It noted the cost of applying for FIRB approval for the average developed commercial property transaction under this draft fee regime is set to increase from $26,700 to $66,000 – an increase of almost 2.5 times. For investments valued at just below $1b, the proposed fee increase would be more than nine times the current level.
"These very large cost increases for investment in commercial real estate – a very vanilla investment class from a security perspective – is not justifiable by any policy basis," the PCA advised.
"These proposed increases go far beyond administrative cost recovery and would put Australia at a material investment disadvantage to other countries," it noted.
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<div>The Treasury claimed updates to the fee framework will ensure that the cost of administering the foreign investment review framework is borne by foreign investors, as well as making the fee framework simpler and fairer.</div>
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<div>"While some investors will pay more, they will be the investors proposing to undertake the highest value investments," Treasury advised.</div>
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<div>"The reforms ensure that more of the costs of administering the framework are borne by larger investors and investors that currently pay a disproportionately smaller fee for their investment.</div>
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<div>"In general, fees represent a small proportion of the costs associated with an investment, and this will continue to be the case.</div>
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<div>"The maximum fee for a commercial transaction over $50 million will not be higher than 0.03 per cent of the consideration. For agricultural land over $2 million, it will not be higher than 0.66 per cent."</div>
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<div>Mr Kelly said while CV-19 had attracted a welcome and wide-spread commitment from all levels of Australian governments to deregulate and be more business and investment-friendly, the REIA was concerned the fee-setting framework within the Bill did not meet these best practice policy aspirations.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“This is not just across the board but for each category of fees,” he said.</div>
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<div>“That is, residential property applications should not be offsetting or subsidising the cost of administration other categories.</div>
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<div>“The proposed fee structure within the ‘Fees’ Bill this Committee is tasked to inquire on ignores all of the above.</div>
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<div>“In short, unnecessary impediments should be removed for foreign investors looking to invest in Australia’s residential property market.”</div>
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<div>“We respect all national security considerations but fees should ultimately reflect the cost of undertaking the assessment and administration.”</div>
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REIA seeks FIRB fee overall given decease in demand

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NSW stamp duty is set to be reformed for the first time since 1985 when the rates were amended.
The government <a href="https://www.treasury.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-11/0920-01_NSW%20TSY%20Consultation%20Paper_v6.pdf" target="_blank">is seeking public feedback</a> on the proposal to replace stamp duties with a broad-based land tax.
The change was mooted in the New South Wales state budget.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet revealed plans to reform the “inefficient property tax system” currently in place, but will await the feedback before any implmentation.
The discussion will centre around transitioning from the current model of a mandatory upfront stamp duty, to one where buyers have the choice to instead pay an annual land tax on new property purchasers based on the value of their land.
The rates are set to vary for owner-occupiers, investors and commercial tenants.
"If implemented, the proposed changes could give you the freedom to choose between paying stamp duty upfront or paying a much smaller annual property tax, when you buy your next home," reads the NSW Treasury website. 
"Removing the upfront cost of stamp duty could remove tens of thousands of dollars from the home purchase process and make it easier for first home buyers, families looking to upgrade and others looking to change their property to save what is needed to purchase their next home.
"Unless you are buying a property, there would be no change. If you have already paid stamp duty on your existing property, you would not be subject to an annual property tax. There would be no double taxation."
The HIA executive director David Bare noted stamp duty was impeding the ability of the population to shift to pursue education and employment opportunities elsewhere. 
“Stamp duty is an inequitable tax which falls on a small cohort of taxpayers who need to move for varying reasons including for employment, education and training, health or financial reasons," Bare said.
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NSW Government seeks to reform property stamp duty

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The Hawkesbury River log cabin once owned by the late Sydney stockbroker, Rene Rivkin is back on the market.
The four-hectare property comes with a price guide of $12 million having been listed by horse-trainer Glenn North and his wife Louise Cordina, the chief executive of Cordina Farms, one of Australia’s oldest chicken businesses.
They paid $4.5 million in 2017 for the estate, at 5501 Wisemans Ferry Road, Spencer, an hour-and-a-half out of Sydney.
It last sold when offloaded by Bob and Wendy Lapointe who bought the Spencer log cabin in 2011 for $1.45 million.
Built by Appalachian Log Homes, the cabin was a favourite getaway for Rivkin, who used to fly or boat in.
The Hawkesbury River property has been listed by agent Deb Cullen and co-agent Trent Iverson, of Harris Iverson Prestige Estates, through an expressions of interest campaign that closes December 11.
It has been for lease on the luxury accommodation platform, Contemporary Hotels, where it seeks $25,000 a week.
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Sentry Rock Estate, the Spencer Hawkesbury River log cabin listed

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A waterfront trophy apartment on NSW’s Central Coast has sold for a record-breaking $2.45 million.
Located at 2/372 Booker Bay Road, the Booker Bay property beat the peninsula region apartment record by $350,000.
The three-bedroom, two-bathroom residence was designed by architect Darren Tve.
Its modern design includes sleek interiors, an oversized outdoor living room and expansive lawns.
The home was ideal as a no-maintenance weekender but was purchased by a Sydney holiday homebuyer who plans to rent the property.
Belle Property’s Cathy Baker, who marketed the listing, said that she has seen an upswing of sales in the region amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Baker noted a trend of Sydney buyers snapping up holiday houses on the Central Coast.
“We’ve had our busiest winter ever, closing a year’s worth of property sales in two months,” she said.
The homes other offerings included water views framed by Norfolk pines, off-form concrete walls, and heated bathroom floors.
Cathy Baker also holds the listing for the penthouse apartment in the same block, which is now being sold off market.
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Booker Bay apartment breaks records on the Central Coast peninsula

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Dunk Island has been relisted for sale off Mission Beach.
The Brisbane businessman Peter Bond is seeking buyers having repossessed it five months ago after a $31.5 million vendor financed deal with the developer, Mayfair 101 fell over.
Bond said the decision to repossess the island was "not taken lightly".
"Unfortunately under the circumstances we have been left with no alternative but to foreclose," the Bond family spokesperson said in a statement. 
"We have spent several months working with Mayfair in an attempt to engineer a solution. 
"However, despite several extensions to payment terms Mayfair have remained unable to meet their obligations."
JLL Hotels &amp; Hospitality Group’s Nick Roche and Andrew Langsford are the listing agents.
Mayfair 101 had intended <a href="/expert-insights/investing/mayfair-101-to-spend-1-6-billion-on-cassowary-coast-expansion-after-dunk-island-purchase">a $1.6 billion hospitality project</a> on the freehold Great Barrier Reef island which also included 200 mainland dwellings it had agreed to buy up last year.
The island's prior owners include P&amp;O Australian Resorts.
Bond purchased Dunk Island after the Yasi cyclone.
 
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Dunk Island gets relisted by Peter Bond 

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Hospitality veteran, Denis Hagger, has taken a lease within Toorak Village, the popular retail strip in Melbourne, with his landlord now listing the property for sale.

Hagger, who was behind ventures, 25 Toorak Road and Maison Maldon Gourmet Retreat, agreed terms on a three year lease with options at $45,000 per annum or $750sqm net through Teska Carson’s Luke Bisset.

The property is situated opposite Vicland Property Group’s $600 million commercial re-development of Village Way. 

"The property offered an exceptional location within a highly regarded retail and commercial precinct in arguably Melbourne’s wealthiest suburb, with first rate access and exposure via the Toorak Road frontage,’’ Mr Bisset said.

Morley Commercial’s Tom Larwill, who acted for the tenant, said Mr Hagger was looking to embark on a new dine-in and takeaway venture. 

"Denis is planning on opening a French style rotisserie to cater for the increased demand for high quality take away and pre-made meals,’’ Mr Larwill said 

Located at 472 Toorak Road, the property comprises a 60 square metre, ground floor shop with a commercial kitchen, nearly five metres street frontage, a rear courtyard, and on-site parking.  

Toorak Village has more than 270 shops and businesses including fashion boutiques, cafes, fine dining, hair and beauty salons and medical and professional services.

The 472 premises are a two-level freehold of 110sqm which is spread across the ground floor retail and first floor office/studio apartment.

It has been listed for sale, through Teska Carson, returning $45,000 per annum + GST and outgoings, and a potential total income of $80,000 per annum + GST and outgoings.

It last traded at $1,648,000 in 2018, having sold at $1.76 million six years earlier.

Hagger closed his nearby South Yarra restaurant, 25 Toorak Rd, last year, but still operates the Maison Maldon Gourmet Retreat, about 135 kilometres north west of Melbourne.

25 Toorak Road found its replacement tenant in August, having been an Omnia pop-up in the interim.

<h2>Melbourne properties selling now:</h2>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=27241]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5559]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=89720]
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Denis Hagger to open new Toorak Village eatery 

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An East Melbourne trophy townhome, designed by Rob Mills, remains listed for sale with a price guide over $5 million after hitting the market in early October.
Located at <a href="https://kayburton.com.au/real-estate/townhouse-129-wellington-parade-south-east-melbourne-vic-3002-1463970" target="_blank">129 Wellington Parade South</a>, the four-bedroom, four-bathroom residence sits on the edge of the Melbourne CBD.
Its features include an internal lift, high ceilings and a landscaped garden and pond.
Other offerings include 100sqm of entertaining space with a terrace on each end, with views across Jolimont Reserve and towards the Fitzroy Gardens.
“Outdoor lighting makes this a perfect haven for entertaining night or day”, the home’s marketing reads.
Each bedroom has access to a balcony and the rear two boast views to Federation Square.
The residence was last purchased by Phillip Meade, the owner of engineering company PJM Engineering, and his late wife in 2012 for $3.2 million.
Kay and Burton agent Monique Depierre holds the listing, with hopes of between $5 million and $5.25 million.
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Rob Mills-designed East Melbourne trophy townhome remains listed with a $5 million price tag

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A free-standing tri-level trophy home in Sydney’s Bondi has sold at recent auction for $4,225,000.
There was a $3.8 million opening bid.
Designed by architect Drew Heath, the eco-friendly family home offers five bedrooms and four bathrooms.
Heath specialises in handcrafted buildings with low environmental impact.
It was designed with Japanese influences.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-bondi-134328050">10 Glen Street</a>, the residence follows this trend by utilising wide reclaimed jarrah timber floors from Fremantle woolshed, solar hot water and 5,000 litre water tanks.
The home includes a spa, terrace and a self-contained apartment in the garage that lends itself to independent accommodation or a teenage retreat.
The home, which last traded in 2001 at $655,000, is located a five minute walk to both Bondi and Tamarama beaches.
McGrath agents Simon Exleton and Mackenzie Dale marketed the listing.
The property was briefly listed in 2015 with $2.75 million hopes.
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Eco-friendly Bondi home sold at auction 

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Airbnb's initial public offering details highlights the pandemic hit on bookings.
But its been a long-awaited filing for an initial public offering in the United States showed that revenue growth had been slowing before the coronavirus pandemic.
The company is reportedly planning to raise as much as $US3 billion in December. Reuters reported the company could get a valuation of more than $US30 billion.
Airbnb plans for its shares to trade on the Nasdaq under the symbol ABNB.
Airbnb's bookings bottomed in April, plummeting 72 per cent from the previous year.
By June, bookings were down 21 per cent year-over-year.
Trading in 100,000 cities, the filing states that 70 per cent of the company’s top 200 largest cities have some form of regulation on short-term rentals.
Airbnb had a net loss of $US697 million on revenue of $US2.5 billion for the nine-month period to September 30, compared with a net loss of $US323 million on revenue of $US3.7 billion for the same period last year, according to the filing.
The company's filing also confirmed its gross bookings for the nine months ended September 30 tumbled to $US18 billion, down close to 40 per cent on the same period last year.
Airbnb's offering will be led by Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs. 
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Airbnb's initial public offering highlights the pandemic hit on bookings

Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.

The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.

It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.

With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.

“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.

“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" />

GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.

“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”

Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.

“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" />

&nbsp;

One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.

Green praised local policy settings.

“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”

One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.

“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.

One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.

Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be

"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.

"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]

The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.

The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.

Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]

Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.

The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]

While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.

WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.

With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]

Jonathan Chancellor

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