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A lawned courtyard 202 square metre garden plot, which fronts ordinary Chelsea houses in London, has been sold at Savills International auction for £84,000 (AU$151,000) to an international buyer
"Little bits of London, such as this, are in scarce supply and people want to get their hands on their own little piece of Chelsea," Savills auctioneer Chris Coleman-Smith said.
<a href="https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-43982548" target="_blank">The 0.05 acre plot of land with sundial</a>, accessed from Sprimont Place, sold for the equivalent of £1.68 million per acre.
It has no planning permission and no right of way, situated in Chelsea, one of Central London’s most affluent and highly sought after residential areas.
"City environments can easily change and so this could be a very long term investment bought with grandchildren and inheritance in mind – who knows what it might be possible to do with it in 20 years time," Chris Coleman-Smith said.
The garden was sold only eight months ago for £53,000 (AU$94,000).
Meanwhile Alan Titchmarsh’s departure as host of the BBC coverage of the Chelsea Flower Show continues to intrigue.
He has revealed he stepped down hurt, because his role as lead presenter was given to fellow gardener and Daily Mail columnist Monty Don.
Titchmarsh was the unofficial face of Chelsea Flower Show for three decades. 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Chelsea, London flower garden plot with sundial sold as keepsake

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Albert Park's record price has swung from the beachfront Beaconsfield Parade to the stately St Vincent Place estate.
There's no paperwork trail as yet, but Hollyford, the much admired 1873 residence, is the most likely home to now hold the mantle of the suburb's top sale.
Local agents suggest its undisclosed price is the suburb's first $10 million plus double digit million dollar sale, and some agents tell Property Observer it possibly even got up around $12 million.
Hockingstuart is being credited as the selling agency, though they say confidentiality clauses prevent confirmation of any details regarding the off-market mystery sale.
Hollyford was built about 17 years after St Vincent Place was laid out, modelled on the English idea of houses clustered around its central landscaped gardens.
The heritage listed St Vincent Place home comes with <a href="https://nma.net.au/project/st-vincents-place/" target="_blank">rear Nicolas Murray-designed extension</a> on its 480 square metre block.
The project involved restoring the front four rooms of an Italianate Victorian double fronted house along with a full width linear pond which marks the transition to the modern more informal living spaces which flows onto the garden and lap pool. 
There apparently is a glazed walkway crossing the pond.
The rear double storey heritage stables are separate guest quarters and garaging.
<img src="/images/2014/05/13/albert%20park%20may%2013%20two.jpg" alt="">
It last sold in 2002 at around $2.2 million.
Hollyford, which has its 1873 construction date on its gorgeous vined facade, was the home of the mariner, Thomas Mowbray Hutchinson, according to the land title documents that Property Observer has researched. He owned the holding from 1867 to 1875, there with his wife, Honora and six children. He died in 1888 in Chusan Street, St Kilda with a subsequent <a href="https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&amp;d=ST18890325.2.7" target="_blank">1899 court case</a> over his estate.
<img src="/images/2014/05/13/albert%20park%20may%2013%20one.jpg" alt="">
Then pawn broker James Healy owned Hollyford for just 14 months. The Hammond family held the property from December 1876 until its sale to the Ryan family from Tipperary in 1899. It seems they gave the house its name as Hollyford is a small village in County Tipperary. The best known family member was George Ryan, who died in 1986, and was old enough to recall the picket fence left over from St Vincent Place's days as a racecourse. The Ryan's sold around 2002.
St Vincent Place's previous highest sale was $6.62 million when <a href="/expert-insights/buying/12590-weekend-auction-wrap-where-the-hammer-fell" target="_blank">Rosebank</a> sold unrenovated at its 2011 Marshall White auction where there were four bidders, highlighting the depth of prestige buyer interest when properties hit the market. The 1866 double-fronted Victorian home was up for sale for the first time in over 52 years.
The street's last big listing, No. 85 (pictured below), on a corner at the southern end of the square, a late-Edwardian solid-brick mansion with lacework and balconies, settled earlier this year at $6.2 million, but only on its second attempt through <a href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/Real-Estate/st-vincent-place-albert-park/Property-Details-sold-residential-5520745" target="_blank">Cayzer Real Estate</a>.
<img src="/images/2014/05/14/albert%20park%20may%2014%20one.jpg" alt="">
It had sold at $4.8 million in 2009 when offloaded by veteran stockbroker Peter Hollick, nicknamed "the red bullet".
Then known locally as "the big red brick one on the corner with the red Porshe out front", Hollick moved to a 17th floor apartment at Becton's One East Melbourne development, on Wellington Parade South near the railcards, costing $3.6 million.
Albert Park's prior record was Duart, the $7.25 million mansion sold in late 2009 on Beaconsfield Parade by the Salvo family to Sonia Hill, wife of Globe International founder Stephen Hill through Hockingstuart.
Gallery photos courtesy of <a href="https://nma.net.au/" target="_blank">Nick Murray Architects</a>.
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Hollyford, St Vincent Place - mooted $10 million plus record setting Albert Park mansion

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April was a slower selling month in the majority of capital cities, according to the latest Australian Property Monitors days on market data.
There was a slight quickening of pace in Canberra. Sydney vendors still took 52 days, but the pace of sales eased in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
The average discount required by private treaty sellers to secure a sale rose in three capitals, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth. It was steady in Brisbane and Canberra.
But the big shift was Queensland's Gold Coast which is included in the APM survey. Its days on market eased to 123 days, the best result since 2010. Its required discount is down to 6.1%, half that required in for much of 2011.
<img src="/images/2014/05/13/JC-may-14-one.jpg" alt="">
<img src="/images/2014/05/13/JC-may-14-two.jpg" alt="">
 Source: Australian Property Monitors
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Strong Gold Coast private treaty sales improvement in April: APM

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First home buyers saving for a deposit have lost an incentive with the abolition of the First Home Savers Account (FHSA) scheme in the federal budget, the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) president, Peter Bushby says. 
It has created greater concern as the cessation of Government co-contributions for existing account holders will hurt those relying on them to bolster their savings.
“We would like to have seen the scheme reviewed and improved rather than simply thrown on the scrap heap because of an initial low uptake.”
“With home ownership in Australia declining and first home buyers finding it increasing difficult to enter the housing market, this will not help the situation.”
Bushby noted "by contrast" the government has indicated that the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) would be reviewed, "an action REIA supports”.
“With budget forecasts of moderate growth, a slight increase in unemployment and inflation well within the RBA’s target zone, interest rates should remain low for some time and that is good news for home owners and prospective buyers,” concluded Bushby. 
The REIA had previously compiled a 10-point wishlist for<a href="/expert-insights/investing/the-reias-10-point-wishlist-for-the-federal-budget"> what it hoped to see in the federal budget</a>.
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FHSA scheme needed review not scrapping: REIA

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Lender Australian First Mortgage has cut its three-year rate from 5.19% to 5.09%.
AFM has lowered two-year fixed rate from 4.83% to 4.78%.
AFM managing director Tanya White told The Advisor AFM regularly looked for opportunities to review its interest rates outside of the Reserve Bank’s cash rate movements.
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AFM drops three year fixed rates to 5.09%

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The fifth round of the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) will not proceed, following a 2014 budget announcement.
It was mooted in pre-budget leaks after the latest round of NRAS applications, round five, had been put on ice.
NRAS, which brings new rentals 20% below market into existence through incentives to developers and investors, has been under fire.
Property Observer has previously explored <a href="/expert-insights/scrapping-nras-should-the-affordability-scheme-continue">whether the scheme ought be scrapped</a>. <a href="/expert-insights/scrapping-nras-should-the-affordability-scheme-continue"> </a>
Sarah Toohey, the affordable housing advocate, tweeted the news of NRAS not proceeding to its fifth round, along with the Community Housing Federation of Australia.
<img src="/images/2014/05/14/tweet-may-14-one.jpg" alt="">
The budget papers suggest the saving by not proceeding with round five will be $235 million over three years.
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National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) fifth round will not proceed: 2014 budget

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The Federal government has scrapped the First Home Saver Accounts scheme, ruled off from tonight's budget speech for new accounts.
The government expects to make $143 million in savings over five years from its ditching.
It was a Rudd government initiative where accounts attracted government co-contributions and tax breaks, which will no longer be on offer to new intending first home buyers.
Under the scheme, savers paid concessional tax rates of 15 percent on interest earned in the accounts and the government made a 17 percent co-contribution on the first $6000 contributed each year.
It was also reported government co-contributions to the existing accounts will end on 1 July and tax and social security concessions will be withdrawn from July 2015.
The government program, launched in 2008 by Kevin Rudd, was predicted to help hundreds of thousands of future home buyers.
However, statistics from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority show that $521 million is held in 46,000 First Home Saver Accounts as of December 2013.
<div>
<table class="apra-rteTable-5" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr class="apra-rteTableHeaderRow-5">
<th>
Period
</th>
<th>
Mar 2013 
</th>
<th>
Jun 2013
</th>
<th>
Sep 2013
</th>
<th>
Dec 2013
</th>
</tr>
<tr class="apra-rteTableOddRow-5">
<th class="apra-rteTableFirstCol-5">
Number of FHSAs ('000)
</th>
<td class="apra-rteTableOddCol-5" valign="bottom" width="87" height="20">
40.2
</td>
<td class="apra-rteTableEvenCol-5" valign="bottom" width="87" height="20">
45.2
</td>
<td class="apra-rteTableOddCol-5" valign="bottom" width="87" height="20">
45.3
</td>
<td class="apra-rteTableEvenCol-5" valign="bottom" width="87" height="20">
46.0
</td>
</tr>
<tr class="apra-rteTableEvenRow-5">
<th class="apra-rteTableFirstCol-5">
Balance of FHSAs ($m)
</th>
<td class="apra-rteTableOddCol-5" valign="bottom" width="87" height="20">
416.8
</td>
<td class="apra-rteTableEvenCol-5" valign="bottom" width="87" height="20">
491.0
</td>
<td class="apra-rteTableOddCol-5" valign="bottom" width="87" height="20">
499.7
</td>
<td class="apra-rteTableEvenCol-5" valign="bottom" width="87" height="20">
521.5
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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This figure is still just a fraction of the 220,000 first-home savers projected to open accounts by 2009 and the 2012 target of 700,000.
<a href="https://www.apra.gov.au/crossindustry/FHSA/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Only 18 institutions</a> offered accounts. The average base interest rate being paid on these accounts being 2.54%.
A number of conditions are currently in place, including that a $1,000 minimum deposit must be reached yearly for four financial years before you can withdraw. The account's balance is capped at $90,000.
There is an average of $11,300 in the accounts which, readers point out, can exceed $90,000 with interest but savers can't deposit more after it reaches $90,000.
Late last year, with first home buyers' low numbers, RateCity urged a review of the First Home Saver Account Scheme.
Ninemsn reported the first home saver accounts scheme was scrapped as Treasurer Joe Hockey said it had done little to improve housing affordability.
First home grants to buyers, handed out in conjunction with state governments, will continue unaffected.
Property Observer will report further this week on the specifics of the implementation of the budget decision, including any revised exit entitlements.
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Federal government scraps First Home Saver Accounts scheme new accounts

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Defence Housing Australia could yet be privatised after the 2014 federal budget.
The budget provides $11.7 million for “scoping studies into future ownership option” for Defence Housing Australia, the Royal Australian Mint, Australian Hearing and the corporate registry function of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
Overall the government will axe 16,500 jobs over three years, by cutting 230 bureaucratic programs and 70 government agencies.
The DHA remains a likely target, although the influential head of the Australia Defence Association, Neil James described the pre-budget reported plans to sell off Defence Housing Australia as set to be a "broken promise" and a "betrayal."
It was The National Commission of Audit that recently recommended privatising Defence Housing Australia, which manages a portfolio of 18,300 properties valued at around $10 billion.
The DHA delivers annual profits to the Commonwealth of $100 million-plus.
The audit report suggested it be done in the first phase of any privatisations by the Abbott government. 
DHA currently provides housing and related services to Defence members and families in order to support the operational, recruitment and retention goals of the Department of Defence.
DHA constructs, purchases and leases houses for Defence personnel, manages dwelling allocation and tenancies and acquires and develops land to build mixed military and private communities.
Most of its funding comes from Defence, or Defence employees.
It finances additional capital investment by selling and leasing back dwellings, the sale of land and dwellings from developments and the disposal of surplus properties.
As at 30 June 2013, DHA had 18,300 houses under management, including over 3,800 it directly owned and around 12,500 leased from investors.
In 2012-13, DHA spent $305 million on a capital programme to acquire 590 new houses by construction or purchase, and $14.4 million on the acquisition of 38 apartments.
It also has a $360 million programme to upgrade and replace defence owned houses.
DHA currently has 12 major developments in progress, including in Sydney, Darwin, Townsville, Canberra and Brisbane. 
DHA was established to commercially manage and improve the defence housing stock as a result of criticism in 1986 of the poor standard of accommodation then available.
Since its creation, DHA has undertaken a major program to bring defence housing up to community standards.
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Defence Housing Australia (DHA) privatisation mooted, but not signed off, in 2014 federal budget

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The chilly Canberra dwelling price conditions were officially confirmed with the capital city's home values recording the only drop across the nation during the first quarter of the year.
The latest data shows from the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Residential Property Price Index (RPPI) shows Canberra prices were down by 0.1%, with the mean price in Victoria ($557,100) overtaking the ACT ($553,900) which was back in fourth place.
 The lowest mean price in the March quarter was in Tasmania ($309,400) and the mean price of residential dwellings in NSW ($643,300) remaining the highest in the country followed by WA ($597,700).
The index, which includes houses and attached dwellings, had Sydney heading residential property price increases, up by 2.3% in the first quarter. Melbourne followed with 2.1% growth while Brisbane recorded an increase of 0.8%.
The director of RPPI at the ABS, Robin Ashburn, said while the quarterly growth in Sydney had slowed by around half from the December quarter, throughout the year house prices in Sydney had risen 16.6% and attached dwelling prices had risen 13.7% - both the largest annual rises of all cities. "For the weighted average of the eight capital cities, the RPPI rose 1.7% in the March quarter 2014. The index rose 10.9% over the previous year, the largest annual increase since the June quarter 2010. 
"Canberra was the only city to record a fall in the RPPI (–0.1%). "The rise in prices has contributed to a rise in the total value of residential dwellings to $5.1 trillion in the March quarter 2014. The average value of Australia's 9.3 million residential dwellings was $546,500," said Ashburn. 
The average price of a residential dwelling across Australia is $546,500, up 8.8% annually, with Westpac senior economist Matthew Hassan saying the housing market was moderating after its very strong 2013 finish.
"Momentum has softened a little bit in early 2014 and we expect the market to slow over the course of this year," Matthew Hassan told AAP.
His comments came as home prices grew by 1.7% over the March quarter, with 10.9% growth over the past year, according to the ABS index.
Meanwhile the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) says the latest housing finance figures reflect a stabilising market.
The figures for March 2014 show, in trend terms, that the number of owner-occupied finance commitments decreased by 0.1%, following increases of 0.1% in both February and January and this is the first fall since May 2012.
If refinancing is excluded, in trend terms for March, the number of owner-occupied finance commitments fell by 0.2% – again the first drop since May 2012.
REIA President, Peter Bushby noted increases were recorded in Queensland, Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory with ACT having the biggest rise, up 1.2%. South Australia’s fall of 0.5% was the country’s largest.
“In trend terms, the number of commitments for the construction of new dwellings climbed 1.7%,” Bushby continued. “However the purchase of new dwellings fell by 1.4% and the purchase of established dwellings decreased by 0.3%.”
The value of investment housing commitments again increased but by a more moderate rate of 0.4% in March, following three years of consecutive monthly increases.
“The proportion of first home buyers in the number of owner-occupied housing finance commitments increased marginally to 12.6% compared to 12.5% in February and the low point of 12.3% in November 2013. This is still dramatically lower than the long-run average proportion of 19.9% and continues to be of concern.”
“The March 2014 lending figures indicate a stabilising market, which together with a Budget tonight which is expected to cut government spending, signal a period in which interest rates should stay low,” concluded Bushby.
Picture courtesy of Simon Yeo/Flickr/<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons</a>.
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ABS ranks Canberra back in fourth place after March quarter dwelling price drop

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The NSW director of environmental sustainability has ruled that Hume Coal will be required to undertake an environment impact study for its controversial Sutton Forest mining application as it was "likely to significantly affect the environment".
The decision, made yesterday under delegation from the Minister for Resources and Energy (DRE) Anthony Roberts, will stall, and potentially derail, the South Korean company mining plans for the scenic South Highlands locality.
The decision follow research by Southern Highlands Coal Action Group (SHCAG) which suggested the groundwater level in the area of the mine could fall by up to 120 metres if the project went ahead.
The government decision is the first time there has been any official recognition of the concerns of the local resident activists who have included actor Nicole Kidman and singer Keith Urban.
The South Korean-backed Hume Coal mining company emerged in 2011 as the $8 million buyer of a beef cattle farm virtually on the doorstep of <a href="/expert-insights/investing/nicole-kidman-now-has-cockatoo-coal-as-her-near-neighbours-after-mining-giant-pays-record-price-for-sutton-forest">Nicole Kidman’s peaceful Sutton Forest retreat, Bunya Hill</a>.
The celebrity couple <a href="/news/nsw/nicole-kidman-and-keith-urban-join-anti-coal-protesters-in-nsw-southern-highlands">hung a protest placard on the gates of their $6.5 million Southern Highlands retreat</a> that condemned coal mining in 2012.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/coal-mine-anxiety-for-nicole-kidman-s-sutton-forest-property/2011062150555" target="_blank">Kidman was among 424 land owners</a> in the 115-square-kilometre exploration area who were advised in 2011 that 120 test exploration holes would be drilled to check on the size of the coal offerings.
Three years on the latest proposed drilling of up to 90 coal exploration boreholes has been determined as "likely to have a significant impact on the environment," the departmental determination ruled yesterday. 
"DRE is generally concerned that the intensity of the proposed exploration drilling may lead to a significant impact or cumulative impact on the Sutton Forest community."
The report noted the Office of Agricultural Sustainability &amp; Food Security (OASFS) assessed the activity as a medium risk to agriculture due to the amount of drilling across a broad agricultural landscape with sensitive receptors. 
OASFS also identified further agricultural issues of concern as there was little detail on the remediation for any loss of water resources for agriculture. 
Influential 2GB broadcaster Alan Jones said today it was important to "stop this mob of vandals in their tracks".
"Minister Roberts ...he's not without some guts," he said.
Photo courtesy of Kate Ausburn/Flickr/<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons</a>.
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Significant victory for Sutton Forest anti-coal activists Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/abadeen">Abadeen</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/perifa">PERIFA</a> have celebrated the topping out of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf,</a> marking a significant milestone in the delivery of one of Syd​ney's most anticipated waterfront communities.

Located on Sydney's harbourfront at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/putney-nsw-2112">Putney</a>, the project has now reached its highest structural point, with construction progressing strongly towards completion in 2027. 
&nbsp; 
The milestone was celebrated on-site with project partners Phoenix Property Investors, Mitsubishi Estate Asia, Versatile Construction, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, consultants and stakeholders, to recognise the collective effort behind the transformation of the historic waterfront site into a vibrant new residential, marina and lifestyle destination.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=362240] 
&nbsp; 
<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> will deliver a mix of waterfront residences and terraces, complemented by a private 36-berth marina, waterfront dining opportunities and a revitalised foreshore designed to reconnect the community with the river's edge. 
&nbsp; 
Abadeen Executive Chairman and Founder Justin Brown said the project represented a rare opportunity to create the next chapter in Sydn​ey's long history of successful waterfront precincts. 
&nbsp; 
"Throughout Sydney, some of the city's most sought-after addresses have emerged from carefully considered waterfront precincts such as Woolloom​ooloo Wharf, Walsh Bay and Breakfast Point," Brown said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=362566] 
&nbsp; 
"What makes these places so successful is that they become much more than residential developments," Brown said.

"They bring together homes, hospitality, marina facilities, public spaces and a strong sense of community in locations where future supply is incredibly limited."

Brown has long described absolute waterfront land in Sy​dney as "finite."

"Once these opportunities are developed, they are rarely replicated. That's why Syd​ney's waterfront precincts have consistently demonstrated strong demand and long-term value growth over many decades. 
&nbsp; 
"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> is one of the few remaining opportunities to secure a residence within a masterplanned waterfront community that combines direct water access, marina ownership opportunities and a genuine village lifestyle just moments from the Sy​dney CBD."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=362564] 
&nbsp; 
PERIFA Founder and Managing Director Fabrizio Perilli said the project reflected a shared commitment to delivering exceptional places that create long-term value for residents and the broader community. 
&nbsp; 
"The topping out milestone is a significant achievement for the Versatile Group and a testament to the collaboration between all project partners, consultants and contractors involved," Perilli said. 
&nbsp; 
"Beyond the residences themselves, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> will establish a new waterfront destination that celebrates the history, character and lifestyle of this unique location while creating a lasting legacy for future generations."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13962 project_image_fid=291195] 
&nbsp; 
Construction is being delivered by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/versatile">Versatile Construction</a>, with structural works now substantially complete across the precinct. Attention will progressively shift to the construction of the waterview terraces, apartment façades, services and interior fit-out works over the coming months. 
&nbsp; 
With limited residences and marina berths remaining, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> continues to attract strong interest from owner occupiers and downsizers seeking a premium waterfront lifestyle within close proximity to Putne​y Village, Rh​odes, Top Ry​de and the Syd​ney CBD. 
&nbsp; 
As one of the last opportunities to secure a residence within a new masterplanned waterfront community on Sy​dney Harbour, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/putney-wharf-harbourfront-precinct-20-waterview-street-putney-nsw-2112">Putney Wharf</a> is expected to remain a highly sought-after address for years to come.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=13962]

Joel Robinson

Abadeen, PERIFA, top out Putney Wharf harbourfront precinct

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

<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.

Jonathan Chancellor

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