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Scentre Group has raised more than $3 billion in European bonds overnight as the Westfield spinoff secured the large deals by the Australian company. 
The deal was spread across four tranches with four to 12 year maturities:
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£400 million 12 year fixed rate senior guaranteed notes with a coupon of 3.875%.
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€600 million 10 year fixed rate senior guaranteed notes with a coupon of 2.25%.
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€600 million six year fixed rate senior guaranteed notes with a coupon of 1.50%.
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€400 million four year floating rate senior guaranteed notes at a spread of 0.65% over three month EURIBOR.
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BNP Paribas, HSBC, Barclays and Deutsche Bank did the deal.
Scentre Group, which was formed only last month following a highly controversial demerger vote, holds the Australian and New Zealand operations of Westfield Retail Trust and Westfield Group.
The proceeds will be used to partially refinance Scentre Group’s $A5.0 billion bridge facility. Australian Financial Review columnist Tony Boyd noted offshore capital markets offer Australian companies the opportunity to lock in the cheapest long-term debt funding in more than six years.
Tony Boyd added it was now cheaper for companies to borrow in the Euromarkets than in the US, the world’s most liquid and active bond markets.
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Just three weeks old, Scentre Group raises $3.045 billion in cheap European bonds

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A freehold Lygon Street, Carlton restaurant premises has sold for $1.87 million, reflecting a 4.3% yield.
The 128-130 Lygon Street premises sold to a local investor subject to a five-year lease at $81,000 a year. 
The tenant operates an Indian restaurant, Royale Fusion at the 128 square metre holding. 
With 230 square metres available space, it sold through Matthew Feld and Larry Takis from Teska Carson.
There was a recent sale at 112 Lygon, but its price has not been revealed, although Property Observer gathers next door sold last December when 110 Lygon fetched $1.5 million. They were both three storey terraces on around 120 square metres.
Last December 346 Lygon sold for $2.48 million. It was an 96 square metre holding that was up for lease at $100,000 in 2009, and then eased to national retailer Moss River. It was reportedly the first time 346 Lygon Street had been offered for sale since 1921. Teska Carson's Michael Ludski said the two-storey building in the retail precinct sold on a 4.01% yield after acquisition costs. It was subject to a new five-year lease at a net annual rental of $105,000.
Knight Frank secured $3.77 million in October last year when an 136 square metre Faraday Street corner offering at 350 Lygon went to auction.  Laree Jane, the former wife of businessman racing driver Bob Jane, was the vendor of the historic, two-storey building leased to Grill'd restaurant. It sold on a low yield of 4.2%. It had also sold at $695,000 in 1992. 
In 2012 the home of Donati's Fine Meats at 402 Lygon Street<a href="/expert-insights/investing/lygon-street-premises-of-donatis-fine-meats-smashes-records-with-emotion-driven-2-89-million-sale-at-auction"> sold under the hammer for $2.89 million</a> (pictured below).
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/donatisflicker.jpg">
The sale of the two-storey building on a 75-square-metre site set a record for the strip, a very tight yield of 2.31% through Colliers International selling agents Jeremy Gruzewski and Tom Noonan.
The 402 Lygon Street building was up for sale for the first time in 100 years, having operated as a butchery since the early 1900s, with Donati's based there since 1972. 
Other sales on Lygon Street were the 84-square-metre premises of Intrepid Travel at 231 Lygon Street, which sold for $1.9 million in 2011 equating to $22,619 per square metre and a passing initial yield of 3.62%, and 163-165 Lygon Street, the premises of Casa Del Gelato, which sold for $2.8 million ($10,294 per square metre) in 2010 on a yield of 3.48%.
In absolute terms, the highest price paid since 2008 was $3.71 million paid for 350 Lygon Street, a two-level corner site in 2009 measuring 173 square metres, equating to $21,445 per square metre. 
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Lygon Street, Carlton restaurant sale yields 4.3% in $1.87 million sale

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After a Fairfax Media report that Pacific Equity Partners was running a ruler over the beleaguered rural services outfit Elders, its chief executive Mark Allison has confirmed interested parties have been looking.
But the Australian Financial Review Street Talk column noted no formal offer had gone to the board.
The live export group Wellard and Asian investors are also understood to be looking at the 175-year-old Adelaide-based rural services business.
Mr Allison told the AFR the outsiders were looking as Elders was getting to the point of "a turnaround".
Since the 2008 global financial crisis Elders has been selling assets to try to pay down its debt burden.
At the May half-year result Elders reported an underlying half-year profit of $6.7 million compared with a $23.7 million loss the year before.
Mr Allison, who took on the CEO role in April.
Last year Elders rival Ruralco, which owns about 12% of Elders, made an unsuccessful bid.
Elders told the ASX on Tuesday that “Elders has recently received a number of informal, incomplete and confidential approaches from several parties, proposing participation by those parties in the affairs of the company,” the company said.
Elders shares were up almost 7% after the Tuesday morning report, but eased during the afternoon trading at 23.5¢, up 4.4% for the day.
The stock which touched a low of 10 cents in April was trading today as high as 24 cents. 
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Turnaround Elders shares up as buyers circle

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Australia’s largest privately owned beef producer, Consolidated Pastoral (CPC) has appointed its chief operating officer Troy Setter as its chief executive.
The new chief executive, who succeeds Keith Warren, is its fifth chief executive in as many years.
CPC is backed by private equity group Terra Firma, which bought out the company from James Packer in 2009 for about $450 million. 
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Consolidated Pastoral Company Pty Ltd had appointed Troy Setter as its chief operating officer only in March. 
Troy has over 20 years of experience in agribusiness, most recently as chief operating officer at rival Australian Agricultural Company and previously at North Australian Cattle Pty Ltd, Killara Feedlot Pty Ltd, and Torrens Investments Pte. 
He began his career at Twynam Agricultural Group. 
Consolidated Pastoral has approximately 360,000 head of cattle across 5.6 million hectares of land. 
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Consolidated Pastoral appoints Troy Setter as CEO  

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Yellow Brick Road has announced that it will acquire the non-bank lender RESI Mortgage.
YBR will pay $36 million for the business, $28 million in cash, $5.5 million in shares and $2.5 million in deferred cash payments.
RESI foundation shareholder Peter James said it represented a "sound strategic move for the RESI business".
The Resi business would remain a separate brand and maintain its current management structure, with Angelo Malizis as the RESI CEO.
YBR executive chairman Mark Bouris said the acquisition of the 30-year old company would enhance YBR's national presence.
The company also announced that it had secured $42.05 million of commitments in a raising placement to existing shareholders and institutional clients of Bell Potter.
Existing shareholders Macquarie Bank and Nine Entertainment subsidiary subscribed to $12 million each in the placement while other institutional investors took the remaining $18.5 million.
YPR said the funds will be used to pay for the cash considerations of the Resi acquisition and also the recent Vow acquisition.
“We welcome the Resi franchisees, management and staff to the YBR group and look forward to leveraging our marketing platforms to significantly increase Resi’s lead flow as part of our combined group,” Bouris said. “The complementary skills and relative strengths of the YBR, Vow and Resi brands and businesses will combine to provide Resi franchisees, YBR branch licensees and Vow brokers with unparalleled opportunities to build revenues and market position as we progress our strategy to be a leader in the “non-bank” sector,” he said.
Bouris has extended his consultancy agreement with YBR for another four years until 2019.
The acquisition of Resi remains subject to a general meeting of YBR shareholders expected to be convened for late August 2014.
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Mark Bouris at the helm until 2019, as expansionary Yellow Brick Road acquires RESI Mortgage

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The Melbourne suburb with the most auctions was the large, middle northern suburb of Reservoir, with 284 auctions over the first six moths of 2014.
In second spot was Richmond with 241, though it tied in actual sales given a stronger clearance rate.
The two busiest suburbs reversed place on the first six months of last year, when Richmond topped the list and Reservoir was second, the REIV chief Enzo Raimondo said.
He said citywide there had been an "auction explosion" with 18,244 auctions so far this year.
TOP 10 HIGHEST NUMBER OF AUCTIONS (ALL METRO)
First half 2014
<img src="/images/2014/07/09/auctions-july-9.jpg" alt="">
TOP 10 HIGHEST NUMBER OF AUCTIONS (ALL METRO)
First Half 2013
<img src="/images/2014/07/09/auctions-july-9-tow.jpg" alt="">
(Source REIV)
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Reservoir topples Richmond as Melbourne's busiest auction suburb

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Last traded for $480,000 in 2011, a two bedroom Neutral Bay apartment sold ahead of weekend auction for $610,000.
Currently rented for $510 a week, 9/441 Alfred Street had been listed with $560,000 plus hopes.
Its sale reflected a 4.35% yield, although the agents suggest the current market rental is $550 per week.
The two bedroom, one bathroom apartment with one undercover car space was built in 1962 and renovated in 2011.
It is on the first floor of Winchester House.
The renovated 88 square mere apartment strata levy is $621 a quarter. 
It sold through<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-nsw-neutral+bay-117199031" target="_blank"> Raine &amp; Horne Chatswood agents Rebecca Harrison and Hugh Macfarlan.</a>
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Neutral Bay apartment sells pre-auction at 4.35% yield

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The car racing identity turned triathlete Paul Dumbrell has sold his Toorak home after it was relisted on the market three months ago.
There were $5,695,000 plus hopes <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/maxwell-court-toorak/Property-Details-sold-residential-7047507" target="_blank">through Marshall White agent Marcus Chiminello</a> who has negotiated the sale in the vicinity of $6 million when a bidding battle erupted between two buyers. The winner was offshore.
The three-level residence with a six-car basement garage had been initially listed through Kay &amp; Burton in May last year.
Dumbrell and partner Rosie McCaughey, who have owned the four bedroom property at 8 Maxwell Court since 2011, are looking to move to something smaller.
It was built by Don Ravida, the managing director of boutique builder Ravida, boasting classical Italian design.
Dumbrell, chief executive of the Automotive Brands Group which operates Autobarn and Autopro, retired from driving V8 Supercars in 2011, then returned briefly as an endurance driver for Red Bull Racing Australia. 
Automotive Brands was founded in the mid-1980s by his father, the former racing car driver Garry Dumbrell.
The father and son did a deal in 2012 selling Metcash the majority stake with Metcash also having the option to increase its stake over the ensuing five years.
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Former racing car driver Paul Dumbrell sells Toorak trophy home

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Langston House, the 1892 Epping colonial residence, has been sold for $1.91 million.
<a href="https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house-epping-nsw-2121/220788/?searchID=38977987" target="_blank">The house</a>, with pressed metal ceilings, sits on a 1,082 square metre parcel.
The Norfolk Road property last sold in 2001 at $700,000.
It was identified by the 1993 Perumal Murphy Wu heritage study and gazetted in 2001 on the local environment plan.
Epping's median house price sits at around $1.19 million, <a href="/news">according to RP Data</a>.
The colonial classic was sold by John Pearce, a senior executive at New Zealand's multi-national dairy co-op Fonterra, and his wife, Susan. They were the fifth owners.
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Langston House, 1892 colonial Epping home sells

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Adelaide United have secured a sponsorship deal with the Adelaide-based Chinese property developer Datong. 
It's a two-year sleeve sponsorship of the A-League side.
The Reds will boost their Asian profile by playing games in China, Adelaide United’s chairman, Greg Griffin, said.
“We are delighted to be the first Australian football club in a major national sporting competition to secure a major Chinese company as a significant sponsor," he said.
Datong is a major developer in China building prestigious apartments and commercial buildings exclusively in Adelaide.
Datong is chaired by Jin Liang.
From Chinese foundations in 1988, it has had a presence in Adelaide since the early 2000s, with apartment developments currently underway in both Flinders and Gouger streets with another project earmarked for Waymouth Street.
‘Da’ means large or leading, while ‘tong’ is a metaphor for a smoothened road.
Image courtesy of Football Australia. 
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Datong developer group sponsors Adelaide United

Kew has long been regarded as one of Melbourne's premier residential suburbs. It's a location defined by its grand period homes, leafy streets and some of the city's most prestigious schools, yet it has often sat just outside the spotlight cast on neighbouring Hawthorn and Camberwell.

Increasingly, however, buyers are recognising that Kew offers much of what draws people to those suburbs, with a quieter residential setting, exceptional amenity and long-term owner-occupier appeal.

Within a few minutes' walk, residents can access Kew Junction, one of Melbourne's most established village centres. Cafés, bakeries, restaurants, supermarkets, boutique retailers and everyday services are all on the doorstep, with local favourites including Centonove, Adeney Milk Bar Cafe, and Frank &amp; Harri creating the type of walkable lifestyle that has become increasingly difficult to find in Melbourne's inner east. Beyond the immediate neighbourhood, Glenferrie Road's renowned shopping and dining precinct in Hawthorn and the retail, dining and entertainment offerings of Camberwell Junction are both just a short drive or tram ride away.

The suburb is equally well connected. Tram routes 48 and 109 provide direct access to the CBD, while High Street and Cotham Road connect residents to the wider inner east.&nbsp;Nearby access to the Eastern Freeway also places the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Melbourne Airport within easy reach, adding another layer of convenience for weekend travel.&nbsp;It's a rare combination of connectivity and tranquillity, where quiet residential streets sit just moments from some of Melbourne's most established shopping and lifestyle precincts.

For families, Kew remains one of Melbourne's most tightly held addresses. Carey Baptist Grammar School, Xavier College, Methodist Ladies' College, Trinity Grammar, Ruyton Girls' School and Genazzano FCJ College are all nearby, while the Yarra River parklands, walking trails and sporting clubs provide another layer of lifestyle appeal.

It's within this established pocket that developer Ricdanic is delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/wimba-ave-kew-9-11-wimba-avenue-kew-vic-3101">Wimba Ave</a>, a boutique collection of just 13 residences across two buildings named after its location on the tree-lined Wimba Avenue,&nbsp;within one of Kew's most prestigious pockets where homes have been known to sell up to and above $8 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140755 project_image_fid=354809]

The residences prioritise the space that buyers are increasingly searching for but struggling to find in established suburbs. Living areas extend beyond five metres in width, ceiling heights range from three to five metres, and apartments open onto private gardens averaging around 125 sqm. Selected residences also feature balconies of approximately 60 sqm, while premium inclusions include Miele appliances, double-glazed windows, EV readiness, fully electric systems and a 7.2 NatHERS energy rating.

Architect Chris Idle says opportunities to deliver homes of this scale within established suburbs have become increasingly uncommon.

"There are very few opportunities to do these kinds of developments in leafy, established suburbs," he says. "To get this level of amenity, natural light, and architectural freedom in such a setting is extremely rare."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=140755 project_image_fid=366267]

The architecture draws on Kew's established character through the use of handmade Krause bricks, while landscaping by John Patrick introduces 23 plant species, including nine native varieties, creating an environment which focuses just as much on nature as it does the building.

Construction on Wimba Ave is well underway by renowned high-end builder Sinjen, with completion expected in late 2027. Prices start from $2.22 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=140755]

Joel Robinson

The enduring appeal of Kew's tree-lined streets and village lifestyle

"For me, it's the location." That was the first thing Chris pointed to when reflecting on why he and his wife Marita decided to purchase at Candela Ivanhoe, the under-construction new apartment development by Salter Brothers in the heart of the north-eastern M​elb​ourne​ suburb. ​

"We've lived here before… everything is here," Chris said.

"Our doctor is around the corner, there's dentists, pilates, everything we need, restaurants, fast food places, two train stations, Ivanhoe and Darebin, both in walking distance. You don't need anything else."

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X8K0Bozug7A?si=Puwc6vx_ZO0qQZF8" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Just 10 kilometres from Melbo​urn​e's CBD, Ivanhoe combines direct city connectivity with the amenity of an established village community. Residents have access to highly regarded schools, expansive parklands, public transport, and a thriving retail and hospitality precinct centred around Upper Heidelberg Road, all within a neighbourhood that has retained its leafy character despite its proximity to the city.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/candela-ivanhoe-40-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe-vic-3079">Candela Ivanhoe</a> sits within the heart of this established landscape, positioned just moments from Ivanhoe Village and within walking distance of many of the suburb's most sought-after amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=364553]

From Candela, residents can access cafés, grocers, wine bars, restaurants and essential services on foot, while Ivanhoe Station and Darebin Station provide direct connectivity across Mel​bour​ne. The development is also surrounded by some of the suburb's best-known lifestyle destinations, including Pinkie, Laurent, Enni, Docasa and Woodfire Pizza e Cucina, alongside Ivanhoe Plaza, Woolworths, pharmacies and specialty retailers.

Green space is another defining feature of the suburb. Darebin Parklands, Ivanhoe Park, Nellie Ibbot Park and the Yarra River trail network provide extensive opportunities for recreation, while Ivanhoe Golf Course and Ivanhoe Tennis Club continue to underpin the area's long-established lifestyle appeal.

The suburb's education offering further strengthens demand. Ivanhoe Grammar School, Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar School, Mary Immaculate Primary School and Ivanhoe Primary School have helped establish the area as one of Melbou​​rne's most sought-after schooling precincts, attracting families and downsizers alike who want to remain connected to the area.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=357510]

While location was the priority for Marita and Chris, the project itself also needed to meet their expectations.

"Whilst location was paramount, I was also looking at design of the environment and Candela ticked every box," Marita said.

"We're just thrilled with our choice."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=342 project_image_fid=336455]

Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/salter-brothers">Salter Brothers</a>, Candela Ivanhoe has been designed to complement its village setting, with an emphasis on generous floorplans, natural light and practical everyday living.

Residents will have access to a range of shared amenities, including a communal rooftop garden and dedicated residential lounge, complemented by a ground-floor café and lifestyle wellbeing centre, helping foster the sense of community already emerging among future owners.

That approach has resonated strongly with the market. More than 90 per cent of purchasers at Candela Ivanhoe are owner-occupiers, with buyers ranging from downsizers and second-home buyers to young families and first home buyers, creating a genuinely multi-generational community of grandparents, parents and children. It reflects a broader shift across Melbo​​urne's apartment market, where buyers are increasingly prioritising neighbourhood quality, lifestyle amenity and long-term liveability.

Currently under construction by Ironside, Candela Ivanhoe comprises 58 apartments. Candela Ivanhoe is scheduled for completion in the coming months, and residents can move in from September. One to four bedroom residences, prices from $649,000 and limited opportunities remaining.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=342]

Location and lifestyle drive demand at Candela Ivanhoe

As apartment buyers increasingly look beyond the four walls of their residence, the quality and depth of shared amenity has become a defining factor in how developments are designed and experienced, particularly in the high-rise, new apartment development space.

In Southbank, where high-density living continues to evolve, developers are placing greater emphasis on creating environments that support wellbeing, connection, and convenience as part of everyday life.

That approach sits at the heart of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aura-at-melbourne-square-7-hoff-boulevard-southbank-vic-3006">AURA</a>, the latest residential tower in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/osk-property">OSK Property</a>’s $3.5 billion Melbourne Square precinct. Rising 67 storeys above Hoff Boulevard, the 673-apartment development has been conceived around what OSK describes as a “vertical wellness ecosystem”, a layered collection of amenities that extends throughout the building rather than being confined to a single podium level.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=370263]

The amenity offering begins on the seventh level within the AURA Club, a dedicated resident hub focused on health, relaxation, and daily convenience. Here, residents will have access to an indoor swimming pool, cold plunge, spa, sauna, and steam room, alongside a fully equipped gym, reformer Pilates studio, and yoga room.

The wellness facilities are complemented by a range of spaces that acknowledge the changing ways people live and work. Work-from-home lounges and co-working areas sit alongside a library, music room, games room, cinema facilities, and open-air terrace spaces, providing residents with flexible environments that can adapt throughout the day.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=367468]

Beyond the internal amenity, AURA introduces a series of Japanese-inspired gardens that form a quieter counterpoint to the tower’s social spaces.

Landscaped retreats feature curated outdoor dining, tranquil courtyard seating, fire pit, and a tea house pavilion. Rather than functioning as simple recreational areas, the gardens have been designed as places for reflection and informal gathering, drawing on principles of balance, nature, and calm that underpin the project's broader design philosophy.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=367810]

The social amenity continues to evolve as residents move higher through the building. Levels 49 and 50 house the Meridian Club, where a lounge bar, conservatory spaces, and private dining rooms take advantage of elevated city views. At the summit of the tower, the exclusive Cumulus Club spans Levels 66 and 67, offering additional lounges, private dining, and meditation and treatment rooms positioned above Melbourne’s skyline.

For OSK Property, the extensive amenity offering reflects a broader focus on wellbeing as a core component of apartment living rather than an added feature.

“Aura stands tall as an exemplar of holistic wellness – its focus on social, physical and mental health culminate in a building that is calming, restorative and relaxing, where residents will have their own sanctuary within the well-connected and sought-after Southbank,” says OSK Property CEO Chong Boon Woon.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=367796]

AURA’s amenity strategy extends beyond the tower itself through its integration with the wider Melbourne Square precinct.

Residents will have direct access to Kennedy Park, Southbank’s 3,745 sqm landscaped public park, alongside a full-line Woolworths supermarket, childcare centre, hospitality venues, and approximately 1,600 sqm of additional retail planned within AURA’s lower levels. Together, these elements create a highly connected residential environment where daily needs, recreation, and wellness are woven into the fabric of the community.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151921 project_image_fid=370253]

As Melbourne’s apartment market continues to mature, developments are increasingly judged by the lifestyle they provide beyond individual residences.

Through its combination of wellness facilities, landscaped retreats, social clubs, and precinct-wide amenity, AURA represents a shift toward a more comprehensive model of vertical living, one where shared spaces play as significant a role as the homes themselves.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151921]

AURA elevates amenity living at Melbourne Square

Builder-developer Scion is the latest to target Sydney's booming Hills Showground Metro precinct, filing plans for more than 100 apartments within walking distance of the station.

Scion has lodged a concurrent rezoning and State Significant Development Application for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/27-33-middleton-avenue-castle-hill-nsw-2154">27–33 Middleton Avenue</a>, where it plans to replace four existing homes with an 11 and 14-storey mixed-use development comprising 109 apartments, six affordable housing dwellings, and a ground-floor café.

Designed by BHK Architects, the proposal includes three levels of basement parking with 174 spaces, more than 1,200 sqm of communal open space, and extensive landscaping across the 3,791 sqm site.

The development has been designed as two buildings connected by a recessed wintergarden spine, with the 14-storey building positioned to the south and the 11-storey building to the north.

<img alt="Scion" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="64dc359d-736b-43b8-87a8-70a8285cab47" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-06-25%20at%208.47.01%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=PXh.m8id_aevBPHEckPf88wQ2RQThPos" />

The apartment mix has been weighted towards owner-occupiers, with 13 one-bedroom apartments, 55 two-bedroom residences, 31 three-bedroom apartments, six three-bedroom lofts, and four four-bedroom homes. Six apartments will be dedicated as affordable housing in line with the NSW Housing SEPP.

According to the Architectural Design Report by BKH, the proposal seeks to create "a place-responsive architecture" inspired by the natural landscape surrounding Cattai Creek, while strengthening the public domain through landscaping, active frontages and a neighbourhood café.

Atlas Urban, in its Urban Design Report, says the proposal takes a different approach to increasing density around Hills Showground Station by favouring a more slender, vertically articulated built form over a conventional mid-rise outcome. The report argues this allows for greater deep soil planting, improved solar access and a better public domain outcome, while still delivering additional housing close to rapid public transport.

The site sits around 500 metres from Hills Showground Metro Station, within a precinct earmarked for significant residential intensification following the opening of the Sydney Metro Northwest line. Planning documents accompanying the application note that Greater Sydney's population has grown by more than one million people since planning for the precinct first began, reinforcing the need to accelerate housing delivery around existing transport infrastructure.

Scion is expanding its development pipeline which also includes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/chatham-west-ryde-2-6-chatham-road-west-ryde-nsw-2114">Chatham in West Ryde</a>, 62 apartments which are approaching completion. They also have a State Significant Development Application with the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/96-anzac-avenue-west-ryde-nsw-2114">145 apartments on Anzac Avenue</a>, also in West Ryde.

First look: Scion plots Castle Hill apartment development near Hills Showground Metro Station

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>&nbsp;has unveiled its scaled-back plans for a pair of towers rising up to 49 storeys directly opposite Bella Vista Metro Station.

The builder-developer will deliver 674 apartments and a new mixed-use hub at the gateway to the station precinct.

The State Significant Development Application has been lodged under the Housing Delivery Authority pathway for the 6,979 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/9-11-mawson-avenue-bella-vista-nsw-2153">9-11 Mawson Avenue</a>, with the apartments sitting above a mixed-use podium. Initial plans were for closer to 900 apartments across two 40-storey towers.

Located around 30 metres from the Bella Vista Metro Station entrance, the development is intended to act as a catalyst for the long-planned Bella Vista Station Precinct, transforming a vacant site into a transit-oriented residential and commercial destination.

Planning documents describe the project as delivering "a high-density mixed use destination that combines housing, retail and community-serving uses in a highly accessible setting."

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group plans 674-apartment Bella Vista towers opposite Metro station" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="21c08216-589e-490d-ad08-2d88b6fa62d9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bella%20vista%20podium.png?VersionId=3TnwjjQCNwTsmyQRaWnFrLTSAF0CJeka" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/turner-studio">Turner</a>, with landscape architecture by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>, the project comprises 674 apartments, including 102 affordable housing dwellings representing 15 per cent of the residential floor space. The housing mix spans studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments, alongside a collection of townhouse-style residences integrated into the podium levels. The development also includes specialist disability accommodation and an elevated provision of adaptable and liveable housing.

The mixed-use podium has been designed to create an active urban centre around the Metro station, incorporating a 1,423 sqm supermarket, a 3,029 sqm gym, specialty retail spaces, a 100-place childcare centre and a publicly accessible "city room" community space. A secondary laneway, active frontages and landscaped public areas are intended to improve pedestrian connectivity through the site and strengthen links between the station precinct and surrounding neighbourhood.

In the project's design report, Turner said the proposal responds to Bella Vista's emerging role as a higher-density centre within Sydney's north-west growth corridor.

"The project transforms a strategically located site into a high-density mixed use destination that combines housing, retail and community-serving uses in a highly accessible setting," the report states.

"Active frontages, a publicly accessible city room, a secondary laneway and a mix of uses including a local supermarket, child care centre and gym create a more complete and socially useful urban environment for residents, workers and the wider community."

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group plans 674-apartment Bella Vista towers opposite Metro station" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0fde6220-82de-4f6a-9b63-d0fd8157acc9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/bella%20vista%20da.png?VersionId=7hEmuSutH8plTd_RqqdmPu055F6qe554" />

Urban Property Group has been one of the busiest developers across Greater Sydney this year.

The developer is progressing around 1,000 apartments across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-urban-property-group-plans-next-major-wollongong-tower">two projects in Wollongong</a>, with several thousand more homes in the pipeline across Newcastle, Castle Hill, Little Bay and Penrith.

Jonathan Chancellor

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