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Probuild has been selected to construct the latest expansion at the Chadstone Shopping Centre in Melbourne.
It will add an office tower along with extension to the retail with the capacity for a future hotel.
Probuild has completed every major stage of the shopping centre since 1989. Work on the 29th stage starts this month.
The prior 28 stages have occurred over 21 years of transformation.
The project for CFS Retail will add 34,000 square metres taking it to more than 212,000 square metres.
Probuild is one of Australia’s largest construction companies, with an annual turnover of $1.5 billion and a staff of 1,100 nationally.
Image courtesy of Alpha/Flickr/<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons</a>.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Chadstone expansion project goes to Probuild

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Investors who lost a total of about $27 million when the investment fund Wickham Securities collapsed have gained access to internal financial documents that will assist in determining whether to pursue any class action against Wickham’s trustee company Sandhurst Trustees. 
The Federal Court recently ruled the investors should have access to hard copy documents contained in 11 lever arch folders along with an electronic folder of documents with 561MB of data.
On 21 December 2012, Grant Sparks and David Leigh of PPB Advisory were appointed joint administrators of Wickham by a resolution of the directors.
Mostly self-funded retirees had invested around $27 million in the mortgage lender through $1 unsecured deposit notes promising returns of 9.25% prior to its collapse.
Wickham had raised $38,848,471 through the issue of notes under its first five prospectuses.
The aggregate principal amount of notes outstanding was $22,096,890.
The profit for the year ending 30 June 2010 was given as $3,245. The 30 June 2009 profit was $157,711.
In January 2013, the first meeting of creditors of Wickham was held. Sandhurst, representing the noteholders, attended the first meeting of creditors.
The preliminary investigations by the administrators identified a number of “significant issues”.
Firstly the directors had “not accurately [reported] the position and quality of [Wickham’s] loan portfolio” to Sandhurst since at least August 2010 when receivers and managers were appointed to a borrower called WLP Pty Ltd.
Secondly Wickham provided Sandhurst with an “Account Balance Confirmation letter” advising that the balance of Wickham’s “Application Account” was $10,779,835.00 as at 30 November 2012 when the actual balance at that date was $264,892. 
The balance of the Application Account was overstated by $10,514,943.00. 
The administrators expressed this view: “It is our view that this confirmation letter has been fabricated”. 
The administrators also say that their investigations indicate that an account balance of $10,779,835.00 did not exist at any time in the 12 month period prior to Wickham’s letter to Sandhurst confirming that account balance.
Thirdly although the prospectus issued by Wickham dated 15 December 2010 was open for 13 months, Wickham’s records indicate that it continued to accept amounts from noteholders after the closing date of 14 January 2012. The contributions beyond the closing date amount to $1,962,500.
The administrators observed that their investigations revealed that Wickham provided Sandhurst with a schedule disclosing 21 loans totalling $28,181,010 as at 30 June 2012. 
The administrators say that they have identified another loan file where the debt was not reported to Sandhurst as at 30 June 2012. 
The administrators estimated in their preliminary report a range of “gross realisations” that might occur from the loan portfolio as $1,738,000.00 as the low estimate and $6,265,500.00 as the upper estimate with the book value of the loan portfolio recorded as $28,180,010.00 in respect of 22 loans.
The administrators set out a schedule which said that of those loans, three were supported by first mortgage  security; five by second mortgage security; three loans were not supported by any available loan file; seven of the loans were made to entities in respect of which receivers and managers had been appointed to the borrower, and in respect of four loans, the borrower was in liquidation or had become a deregistered company.
The administrators also noted aspects of the loan criteria. They note that loan terms for loans made prior to 9 July 2006 were to be no more than 12 months and loan terms after that date no more than 24 months. The maximum loan to valuation ratio was to be 85% with valuations less than six months old at the time of a loan approval.
Wickham recorded total noteholder liabilities of $27,671,014.
The estimated gross return on the loan portfolio was 6c to 22c in each dollar before taking account of the costs of recovering the loans, legal fees and the costs and expenses of the administrators.
The majority of Wickham investors are from Queensland, many knowing two of Wickham’s directors, Brad Sherwin and his brother-in-law Peter Siemons.
In 2013 ASIC took action in the Federal Court against Sherwin and entities related to him for freezing orders.
 
ASIC <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/wickham-securities-auditor-accepts-asic-life-ban-as-nab-seeks-to-repossess-founder-bradley-sherwins-wooloowin-house/2013062762789" target="_blank">cancelled the registration of Wickham Securities auditor Brian Kingston</a> for undertaking "inferior work" and "failing ins his job" and banned him for life.
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Wickham Securities investors win access to internal collapse financial documents

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Stonnington Council has sought approval from the Victorian Planning Minister Matthew Guy to ensure permanent heritage overlay protection for 19 neighbouring Toorak properties.
They included Idylwilde, the historic 1913 Edwardian villa with art nouveau influences, aka Ulva, which the Chinese tycoon Wang Hua, from the Jeshing Group and his wife, Xiao "Kylie" Yan Bao <a href="/news/offshore-buyer-secures-16-st-georges-road-toorak-from-peter-devitt-in-circa-20-million-sale">bought for $18.58 million last September</a> from LU Simon boss Peter Devitt with intentions to demolish.
The council received an application for demolition at 16 St Georges Road, prompting a December 2013 request to the Minister for Planning to intervene with a ministerial amendment by including the property in the Heritage Overlay with interim protection (Amendment C188).
It was not previously affected by a heritage overlay, however the building was flagged for investigation as part of previous council heritage studies. 
A notice refusing consent to the proposed demolition of the building was issued in late December last year. Although the City of Stonnington believed that the owner had an intent to demolish, the council deemed there was no at ‘immediate or imminent’ threat. 
The planning department then advised Council that it must expedite a planning scheme amendment to introduce a permanent heritage overlay for the site.
Council obtained heritage advice which stated that the site is significant in the context of the wider Toorak House precinct.
The precinct contains 19 properties which comprise predominantly A2 and B graded dwellings, built between 1850 and 1961.
In addition to the six homes with existing orders, the eleventh hour amendment applies to 19 properties within the Toorak House precinct:
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<li>15, 19, 19a, 23, 23a, 25, 27 and 29-31 St Georges Road, Toorak;</li>
<li>14-26 St Georges Road, Toorak;</li>
<li>5-9 Tahara Road, Toorak.</li>
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The council says there is a compelling case as the proposed precinct were the former grounds of Toorak House, the colonial Government House between 1854 and 1873, first occupied by the first governor, Sir Charles Hotham. Now owned by the Swedish Church, it was built in 1850 for merchant James Jackson who never lived in it.
"This is a well defined precinct that has significant heritage values," the council report suggested.
"It represents a wide range of styles and periods, and the legacy of interwar architecture is of particular note.
"The citation states that the precinct is of regional and state historic and architectural significance."
Heritage consultant, Nigel Lewis, investigated the Toorak House Precinct and determined it is of regional and state historic and architectural significance. The heritage citation states that Toorak House gave its name to the suburb, and to Australian history, for the social cache of this suburb on a national level.
"The collection of such a range of styles of architect designed buildings has no comparison," Nigel Lewis said. 
Caught in the heritage action include former Mirvac director Marina Darling at the 1920 home, Mowbray; the Smorgon and Stamoulis families; Melbourne ­restaurateur Chris Lucas who has the 1929 Gullett house; the Choy and Ng families; and Paul Holyoake, founder of consulting firm Oakton. 
Bates Smart and McCutcheon designed the current Smorgon house in the 1939 for the Shackell family in the Georgian revival genre. The 29-31 property heritage listing at Cantala and Somerset, which is the one neglected mansion, applies just to the fencing described as rustic stone walls, forming "part of the extensive legacy of contributory original high masonry walls."
Council wishes to avoid repeating the mistakes made in other parts of Toorak like Hopetoun Road, where new development replaced period homes.
<a href="/news">Toorak</a> residents have until 24 June to make submission on the proposals.
In accordance with clause 4(2) of Ministerial Direction No.15 panel hearing dates have been set for directions hearing in the week commencing 6 October and panel hearing in the week commencing 3 November.
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Chinese tycoon's heritage Edwardian Toorak villa demolition plans thwarted

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Adman Scott Whybin and his wife, Cathy Hains have sold their redundant South Yarra home. It has been bought by Renato Pellicano, a third generation member of the Rich Listers, the Pellicano family whose wealth was laid by late patriarch Rocco Pellicano’s concreting and bricklaying business after he moved to Australia from Italy in 1951 to join his brother Mick in starting the business.
The group now owns and manages more than 180 properties, and also co-owns the Gold Age aged care group, which operates four homes in Melbourne.
The South Yarra house came with initial $7 million plus hopes earlier this year. No sale price has been revealed by the Kay &amp; Burton agency. The four bedroom Murphy Street Victorian family residence was marketed as <a href="https://www.kayburton.com.au/property/49-murphy-street-south-yarra" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">one of very few two storey freestanding houses in the suburb</a>.
Title Tattle recalls its 1996 auction when it fetched $1.49 million through Bennison Mackinnon which was $290,000 over the reserve price. But it subsequently sold to the current vendors just two years later at $880,000.
For seven decades it had been the home of Sir Harry Chauvel, the commander-in-chief of the First Light Horse Brigade, and his family, who sold the property in the late 1970s for $148,000. He would ride the tan track in Domain every morning, except Sunday, with a horse brought up from Remount Depot near the army headquarters in Victoria Barracks until just before his 1945 death.
His guests through the years included artist Arthur Streeton and his Canadian violinist wife, Nora Clench.
The house was first renovated in 1981 under the direction of architect Wayne Gillespie.
Last year Whybin and Hains were <a href="/news/adman-scott-whybin-and-cathy-hains-spend-8-2-million-in-south-yarra">the buyers of the South Yarra home</a> of the former VFL footballer Craig Stewart for $8.2 million which sold through Andrew Baines of Kay &amp; Burton, who also had the latest listing.
Whybin is the founder of the advertising agency Whybin\TBWA and Hains runs the thoroughbred breeding operation, Burnewang North.
 
The Pellicanos have ­$120 million worth of residential towers under construction in Brisbane, along with land banks on the Sunshine and Gold coasts.
 
The family, whose wealth is estimated by the BRW Rich List at $285 million last year, has recently launched ­Trafalgar Lane, a 20-level Brisbane apartment two with around 70% sold off the plan.
 
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Scott Whybin and Cathy Hains sell South Yarra house on the hill

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The Australian Taxation Office will be carefully monitoring this financial year, as with previous years, rental property expenses in tax returns.
It was often first-time landlords who got their claims for rental property deductions wrong, Tax Office assistant commissioner Karen Anstis told Fairfax Media.
A common query may arise for claiming rental deductions for a property that was not genuinely available for rent.
Another mistake was overstating the deductions on the interest on the mortgage.
Karen Antis said the Tax Office had increasingly sophisticated technology for identifying excessive claims.
The lodgement deadline for returns is 31 October, 2014 for those filing their returns themselves.
Those lodging through a registered tax agent are usually eligible for a later deadline of up to May 2015.
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ATO cautions first time investors

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There were no loss making property sales detected in just the three Sydney municipalities during the March quarter, according to the latest <a href="https://www.myrp.com.au/">RP Data</a> Pain and Gain report.
They were Marrickville, Botany Bay and Hunters Hill.
The highest volume of loss-taking was the 7% that sold for less than last time in the Wyong municipality where the typical loss was $40,000, followed by the 6.7% in the Pittwater municipality were the typical loss was $60,000.
The biggest losses were taken in the neighbouring Warringah municipality at a typical $437,500 drop.
None of the 43 municipalities secured gains well in excess of the biggest loss, with the biggest being a typical $400,000 gain in Hunters Hill and a $337,500 gain in the The Hills Shire.
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Only 3% of homes re-sold over the March 2014 quarter in Sydney sold for less than their previous purchase price, down from 6.9% 12 months ago and at its lowest level since December 2003. 
All regions had less than 8% of all re-sales at a loss over the quarter.
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Source: RP Data
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Marrickville, Botany Bay and Hunters Hill property vendors avoid losses

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Spring Cottage, an 1870s Brisbane brick and sandstone cottage held by the same family for four generations, has been listed for sale.
It is one of the oldest houses in Brisbane, but renowned for its gardens given its ranks as one of the 10 oldest in Brisbane.
It is believed that the gardens have remained relatively untouched since they were first laid in the early 1900s.
“The only major work that is know of was in 2010 when the tenant, a qualified horticulturalist, helped to restore the garden’s original design,” said Damon Warat from Ray White Ascot.  
Spring Cottage, located at <a href="https://www.raywhite.com/qld/hamilton/1152364/" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">40 Crescent Road, Hamilton</a>, is listed on the Brisbane City Council heritage register.
“The neighbouring property sold for $1.025 million in 2012 and we anticipate Spring Cottage will sell north of this figure,” Damon said.
Spring Cottage is for sale via an expressions of interest campaign closing on 22 July.
It is the first time the property has been offered for sale in 140 years.
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Hamilton's Spring Cottage, the quaint historic Brisbane garden offering

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Given the outlook for the economy and the significant degree of monetary stimulus already in place to support economic activity, the RBA board judged that the current accommodative stance of policy was likely to be appropriate for "some time yet," the RBA June Board meeting minutes published today.
At recent meetings, the board had judged that it was prudent to leave the cash rate unchanged. And it appears for some time yet.
"Low interest rates were working to support demand, although it was difficult to judge the extent to which this would offset the expected substantial decline in mining investment and the effect of planned fiscal consolidation. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.rba.gov.au/monetary-policy/rba-board-minutes/2014/03062014" target="_blank">"Those uncertainties were likely to take some time to resolve</a>," the minutes advise. 
"The earlier decline in the exchange rate was assisting in achieving balanced growth in the economy, but less so than previously as a result of its higher levels over the past few months."
The board members noted that the exchange rate remained high by historical standards, particularly given the further decline in commodity prices over the past month. 
It noted a range of indicators of housing construction confirmed that a significant recovery was underway. 
"Residential work done picked up strongly in the March quarter," the minutes noted.
"Forward-looking indicators of new dwelling investment were at high levels relative to recent years, although building approvals had declined in recent months.
"In the established housing market, dwelling price growth had eased from the rapid pace seen in 2013 and auction clearance rates in Sydney and Melbourne had declined from the high rates that prevailed during much of 2013."
The minutes noted measures of consumer sentiment had fallen sharply over the past month and were now below their long-run average levels. 
However, it was noted that while low-frequency movements in confidence measures had been broadly associated with trends in consumption spending, there was little evidence from the historical record that high-frequency movements carried much predictive content.
In its post-meeting statement earlier this month, the RBA did not explicitly mention the deterioration in consumer confidence but comments around the improvement in business confidence and conditions compared with a year ago were removed.
ANZ believed there was a prospect the minutes could read a little more dovishly than the post-meeting statement.
ANZ concluded that the minutes were "slightly more dovish" than previous recent communications from the Bank.
ANZ suggested the key phrases included “Low interest rates were working to support demand, although it was difficult to judge the extent to which this would offset the expected substantial decline in mining investment and the effect of planned fiscal consolidation. Those uncertainties were likely to take some time to resolve.
ANZ advised this suggested that the Bank will err on the side of maintaining its very expansionary policy setting until it is clear that growth is above trend and spare capacity in the economy is reducing. 
"Our base case is that the Bank starts to remove monetary policy support in Q1 2015 and increases the cash rate by 100bps over the year," ANZ economist Justin Fabo said.
"This would be relatively gradual initial policy tightening by historical standards. 
"The risks, however, appear tilted towards a somewhat later start to policy tightening and/or more gradual cash rate hike increases if easy monetary policy is required for longer to support the transition in growth drivers in the economy."
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Uncertainties likely to take some time to resolve: RBA

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There were no loss making property sales detected in just the two Melbourne, Victorian municipalities during the March quarter, according to the latest RP Data Pain and Gain report.
They were Murrindindi and Moorabool.
The highest volume of loss-taking was the 19.1% that sold for less than last time in the increasingly problematic Melbourne municipality where the typical loss was $35,000, followed by the 13.4% in the Whittlesea municipality were the typical loss was $17,500.
The biggest losses were taken in the Macedon municipality at a typical $161,500 drop.
Some 22 of the 35 municipalities secured gains well in excess of the biggest loss, with the biggest being a typical $458,000 gain Bayside and a $455,500 gain in the Manningham municipality.
Some 7.4% of Melbourne homes which re-sold over the March 2014 quarter sold at a loss, down from 9.3% at the same time a year ago but up from 6.1% the previous quarter. 
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Bayside the biggest Victorian profit takers, but Murrindindi and Moorabool property sellers make no losses

SummitCare Australia aged-care boss Peter Wohl has been pinpointed as the buyer of Ron Medich&#39;s Point Piper waterfront mansion.

<a href="/news/ron-medich-finally-sells-point-piper-harbourfront-trophy-home">It sold last week</a> for around $38 million.

Peter Wohl and his wife Jennifer have a clifftop residence in Dover Heights.

It was bought in 1993&nbsp;when he bought the Dover Heights property of France-bound, Southern belle, art critic, heiress Sandra McGrath through estate agent Jane Ashton.

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Property Observer columnist Margie Blok commented in 1997 that the sale represented the start of &quot;the big money trend&quot; for Dover Heights.

Wohl bought the Frank Grill-designed ocean cliff-top residence in Douglas Parade for $1.77 million.

Wohl was reported at the time of being the 30-year-old son of Randwick&#39;s Wentworth Nursing Home operator.

<a href="/news/ron-medich-finally-sells-point-piper-harbourfront-trophy-home">Title Tattle gathers the Point Piper buyer first saw the property two years ago</a>,&nbsp;introduced by Savills International agent Martin Schiller.&nbsp;

The listing agents were Ken Jacobs of Christie&#39;s International and Bill Malouf of LJ Hooker Double Bay.

Aged care entrepreneur Peter Wohl buys Ron Medich Point Piper mansion

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."

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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.

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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."

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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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