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REA, the owner of realestate.com.au, has quickly followed the appointment of its new chief executive with appointing Owen Wilson as its new chief financial officer.
Owen Wilson will start in September, along with Tracey Fellows, the Canadian-born ex-Microsoft and Australia Post executive, who is the<a href="/news/australia-posts-tracey-fellows-to-head-rea-group"> incoming chief executive officer of the REA Group</a>.
Wilson most recently was CFO at the recruitment company, Chandler Macleod Group. His resume included time at ANZ Banking Group and KPMG.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

REA set for spring arrivals of CFO and CEO

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The sale of the Potts Point Georgian villa Rockwall House appears a little less mysterious, with word from the neighbourhood that an Elizabeth Bay mining tycoon is its buyer.
It sold for an undisclosed $10.2 million last month, the suburb's third-highest house price.
The biggest clue came when the contents of the 1830s-era house were recently auctioned through Mossgreen Auctions.
Title Tattle noticed the keenest bidding came from mining industry magnate, Stephen Turner, a non-executive director of Iluka Resources Limited, the world’s largest producer of zircon, and his wife, Phi Phi, aka FiFi.
<img src="/images/2014/06/05/potts-point-june-5-one.jpg" alt="">
Stephen and Phi Phi Turner at the Rockwall House, Potts Point contents auction
 Stephen Turner has delivered resource projects in Australia, Southern Africa, Fiji, New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands. 
He headed International Ferro Metals Limited for seven year, which produces over 3% of global ferrochrome supply. He's non-executive chairman of Vantage Goldfields Limited, an Australian gold company operating in South Africa. The charter accountant was a founding director of the Australian subsidiary of PSG Investment Bank, then South Africa’s fifth largest investment bank.
The property developer Mirvac, who built the adjacent Rockwall apartment complex, had its restoration overseen by heritage architect Howard Tanner.
The heritage-listed villa designed by architect John Verge last traded in 1999 when bought it for $2 million.
Relisted last December <a href="https://www.blacketglasgow.com.au/property/Potts%20Point/Rockwall/listing" target="_blank">through Peter Blacket of Blacket &amp; Glasgow</a>, it was offloaded by antique enthusiast Lilian Barclay-Rollason, the partner of solicitor John Rollason, who first sought to secure its sale in 2011 with $13 million hopes.
The couple married at the house on April 26 in 2008, though the title remained in her name only.
John Cameron Rollason was for a number of years a partner at Gadens and then a contractor consultant to Lane &amp; Lane from 1996.
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Miner Stephen Turner mooted Rockwall House, Potts Point trophy home buyer

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From the 2014-15 land tax year onwards, the Queensland Land Tax Act 2010 will be amended to provide a new exemption.
It is for land that did not previously receive a home exemption with the owner in the process of selling their old home and moving into a new home, where certain conditions are met. 
The home exemption currently previously only applied to one parcel of land at a land tax liability date.
 However, this limitation resulted in liability where a person is selling their previous home and moving into a new home at the land tax liability date of 30 June. 
The new exemption will mean that an earlier home in the process of being sold, or a new home in the process of being moved into is also exempted, provided that by the next land tax liability date the taxpayer is entitled to the home exemption for the new home, and the taxpayer no longer owns the earlier home.
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Queensland land tax home mover's exemption

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The Australian Ballet School has spent $4.7 million on a Melbourne mansion. It was assisted by a one-off grant of $1 million from the Federal Government. 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://twitter.com/LeighJohns/status/472275709360996353" target="_blank">The Federal Arts Minister George Brandis has been photographed standing with Australian Ballet School representatives in a tweet</a> outside the 'sold' sign in front of the Parkville mansion.
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Source: Twitter
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There was also a $1 million donation from a benefactor to assist in the purchase of the Queen Anne home set on 2,025 square metres at 262 The Avenue.
The six bedroom, two bathroom house was sold after it passed in at late May auction at $4.7 million <a href="https://www.jelliscraig.com.au/property/PARKVILLE-262-The-Avenue/7014409/#.U4-Tq1xK6qQ" target="_blank">through Ryan Currie and John Morello of Jellis Craig Kensington</a>.
It was marketed initially with around $4 million price expectations.
Renovations will be required to turn it into a boarding residence, housing students enrolled at the Australian Ballet School which is based at Southbank.  
Full-time students of The Australian Ballet School, aged between 13 and 18 years, come from all over Australia and a small number from overseas.
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Some 80% of students come from outside Victoria; a further 5% of students are from outside metropolitan Melbourne. 
Each year approximately 10% to 15% of offers to enter the school are declined often due to accommodation issues.
Close to 75% of the funds needed to complete the project are banked, with the school to now launch a further funding campaign chaired by Betty Amsden.
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The residence will be ready for habitation in 12 to 18 months. 
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Australian Ballet School buys $4.7 million Parkville mansion 

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The 165 room Vibe Hotel on Sydney’s North Shore at Milsons Point, has been listed for sale with approval for 87 residential apartments and 10 commercial suites over 16 floors.
It has been listed by a syndicate associated with Greg Shand’s Barana Group through CBRE’s Scott Gray-Spencer and JLL agents James Aroney and Robert Sewell.
The address at <a href="https://cbre.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-nsw-milsons+point-501162175" target="_blank">88 Alfred Street</a> could attract Chinese developer interest.
The 1545 square metre holding was bought for $3.166 million in 2003.
There is a Bates Smart design available for the buyer with six month vacant possession if required.
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Greg Shand syndicate lists Vibe Hotel, Milsons Point

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Woolworths is investigating options to sell its property holdings in hotels and co-located retail liquor stores.
But it has not yet made any decision.
Reports suggest it is considering single property sales, portfolio property sales or the creation of separate vehicles to own the assets.
Woolworths will retain control of the properties through a leasehold agreement.
Woolworths was responding to media reports about a possible $600 million divestment of property assets of ALH Group, which is 75% owned by Woolworths.
"While Woolworths continually looks at options, no decision has been taken on the divestment of property assets in hotels and co-located retail liquor stores at this stage," the company advised late last month.
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Since July 2010, Woolworths has divested approximately $2 billion of property assets, including Shopping Centres Australasia Property Group in December 2012.
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Woolworths ponders hotel and liquor property sales

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St George Bank has announced the closure of its branch at <a href="/news">Cootamundra</a>.
It continues the recent revived trend of bank closures headed by ANZ.
The ANZ intends to close seven more branches, which will take the total closures to 19 over recent months.
Most of the latest seven are in regional centres, including <a href="/news">Healesville</a> in Victoria and Tamour in New South Wales.
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St George bank closes Cootamundra branch

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Last month 746-748 George Street, Sydney was sold for $11.5 million.
The vendor investment syndicate sold <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-retail-nsw-sydney-501094587" target="_blank">to a Hong Kong investor </a>with competitive bidding at its Cooley Auction.
Bing Lee occupies the ground floor and basement. It is a four level building on a 304 square metre with a total building area of 984 square metre.
The rent was below market according to the agent, Raymond Hung at Ray White City South.
The estimated total rent was $510,000 per annum, plus GST assuming fully let.
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Chinatown Sydney retail sale at $11.5 million

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The former <a href="/news">South Melbourne</a> headquarters of the Royal College of General Practitioners sold with vacant possession for $9.9 million two years ago has been resold for $14.35 million through Lemon Baxter.
The 2012 buyers, a joint venture between Guy Nelson’s Alpha Partners and the JAK Investment Group, refurbished and re-leased <a href="/expert-insights/investing/the-royal-college-of-general-practitioners-south-melbourne-hq-fetches-healthy-9-million">the then vacant building</a>.
Nelson was formerly Macquarie’s head of property, and JAK is owned by Nelson’s former colleagues Adam Jane and Daniel Knights.
The four level Palmerston Crescent property with 2,794 square metre space had been the home of the medicos for 18 years.
The Royal College of General Practitioners, which relocated to <a href="/news">East Melbourne</a>, had been there since 1982.
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South Melbourne office flip yields $4 million in two years

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The Queensland Newman government’s Great Start Grant, which gives first home buyers $15,000 for buying or building a new home, is finally finding some take-up.
As of 2 June, 6,251 applications had been approved and paid. This was well up from 5,343 in March 2014.
More than 3,000 had been granted for Brisbane, according to Treasurer Tim Nicholls' budget papers.
Eligible first home buyers of properties up to $500,000 pay no duty, with reduced rates available up to $550,000.
It had been a slow start as in March 2013 the Queensland government renamed its $15,000 first-home owner construction grant (FHOCG) the 'great start grant' as just 126 first-home buyers had taken advantage since September 2012 last year.
But despite a small increase in new construction activity, the budget papers showed overall dwelling investment declined in Queensland for the sixth consecutive year in 2012-13. It was mainly due to a sharp fall in alterations and additions, partly reflecting the completion of earlier disaster-related renovation activity, and also slower income growth.
With sustained low interest rates and an improved outlook for residential property prices, growth in new dwelling approvals did accelerate in 2013, particularly for apartments in inner-city Brisbane. As a result, overall dwelling investment is expected to increase in 2013-14.
"Increased activity by interstate and overseas investors is also expected, as recent large gains in Sydney house prices prompt investors to seek markets elsewhere," Nicholls noted.
Beyond 2014-15, as the RBA moves to a more neutral monetary policy setting, dwelling investment growth is expected to moderate.
The first home grant take-up accompanies Treasury forecasting a further increase in residential sales.
“The recovery in the housing market is expected to continue in fiscal 2015 supported by low interest rates and the continuation of the government’s Great Start Grant,” budget papers said.
Revenue from transfer duty is expected to grow by 9.6% in 2014-15, following strong growth of 28.2% in 2013-14 that was supported by a number of large commercial transactions.
The 2014-15 estimate also includes the duty expected from a large commercial transaction. Underlying growth was 14.8% in 2013-14 and 13.3% in 2014-15 once the impact of these large transactions is removed. 
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Annual growth in transfer duty averaged over 22.6% from 2000-01 to 2007-08, driven by a range of factors including Queensland’s relative affordability of housing, high population growth and the impact of the burgeoning mining sector. 
Transfer duty growth is expected to be modest relative to that experienced between 2000-01 and 2007-08. The transfer revenue is tipped to be $2.65 billion in the 2014/15 year, compared to $2.42 billion in 2013/14. There is a $2.73 billion estimate for 2015/16.
"While low interest rates and a solid economic outlook are expected to support recovery in the property market, this is expected to occur at a gradual pace, particularly in the non-residential sector," the budget papers said.
Average growth of around 6.6% per annum is expected over the period 2013-14 to 2017-18.
Every one percentage point increase in the volume of sales sees transfer duty collections increase by about $25 million.
Land tax revenue of $980 million this year is tipped to increase to $995 million in the 2014/15 year.
Transfer taxes represent 21% of state taxation income and land tax represents 8%. 
Revenue growth from transfer duty can vary significantly from year to year due to the volatility of both the residential and non-residential segments of the property market, while land tax has a relatively stable base and the effect of three year averaging of land values for assessments.
Resident individuals are generally liable for land tax if the total taxable value of the freehold land owned by that person as at 30 June is equal to or greater than $600,000.
Companies, trustees and absentees are liable for land tax if the total taxable value of the freehold land owned as at 30 June is equal to or greater than $350,000.
Land tax is estimated to grow by 1.5% to $995 million in 2014-15, the first year of annual growth since 2010-11.
The budget papers noted in recent years, land tax revenue has been adversely impacted by declining values, particularly for commercial and multi-unit residential land. 
Real Estate Institute of Queensland’s chief executive Anton Kardash said Queensland's real estate sector was starting to hit its straps" with more favourable market conditions.
The Queensland Treasurer, Tim Nicholls, has delivered a budget with a projected surplus of $188 million, the first surplus in a decade.
"The Queensland economy is now entering a period of transition as the investment phase of the large LNG projects nears completion and the production and export of LNG begins.
"Supported by sustained low interest rates, rising asset prices and a lower exchange rate, economic growth in 2013-14 is expected to be underpinned by household consumption growth, a recovery in dwelling investment and a significant contribution from net exports.
"However, as construction of the major LNG projects nears completion, business investment is expected to fall and see overall economic growth ease to 3% in 2013-14, compared with 3.6% in the previous year," the budget papers said. 
Employment growth picked up during the course of 2013-14, supported by some recovery in the labour-intensive household sector.
"This recovery is expected to support a further strengthening in employment growth in 2014-15 and beyond.
"This, in turn, is expected to drive a steady improvement in the unemployment rate, from 6% in 2013-14 to 51⁄2% in 2016-17."
Following the global economic slowdown, Queensland’s annual population grew by almost 95,000 in the year ending December quarter 2012.
Since then, it has fallen back to approximately 84,000 in the year ending September quarter 2013, reflecting lower inflows from both net overseas and net interstate migration.
The decline partially reflects a slowdown in the influx of workers as the resources investment boom peaked during 2013.
"Looking ahead, net overseas migration to Queensland is expected to pick up to be more in line with the State’s share of the national population.
"This increase will be supported by an expected recovery in overseas student arrivals as a result of the lower Australian dollar, as well as measures to simplify student visas.
"Net interstate migration is also expected to recover from current low levels, assisted by improved housing affordability in Queensland relative to New South Wales and Victoria," the budget papers said.
Overall, Queensland’s population growth is expected to be 13⁄4% in 2013-14, similar to that nationally. Growth in Queensland is then expected to strengthen to 2% per annum over the remainder of the forward estimates period, slightly stronger than the 13⁄4% per annum forecast national growth over the same period. 
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Interstate investors arrive as Queensland Great Start Grant finally finds a place

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.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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