<html><body>
Selena Mazuran, from the FBI Fashion College, has listed her colonial stone farmhouse Stannix Park at Wilberforce in NSW's Hawksbury.
The convict-era homestead dates back to the pioneer settler William Hall and his wife, Dinah, who got a 1839 land grant.
It was Max and Lorna Hatherly who commissioned heritage architect Ian Stapleton to oversee its restoration in the late 1980s. Max was a professor of metallurgy.
Selena Mazuran bought it from them in 2009 for $1.225 million, then adding 2300 square metres of adjoining land in 2012.
The 20-hectare lot on plains between Currency and Howes creeks, now comes with pool, separate studio and stables, and chapel at <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.bresicwhitney.com.au/#!/buy/8940" target="_blank">103 Stannix Park Lane</a>.
It has been listed for 10 May auction with $2.2 million plus hopes through BresicWhitney agent Walter Burfitt-Williams.
The Georgian estate was for William Hall who had arrived in Australia in 1810 as a missionary aide to the Reverend Samuel Marsden. It combines a sandstone coach-house and residence, a rare combination reminiscent of its early English derivation, although Title Tattle sees the latest marketing says it's French Colonial.
The steep 55-degree pitched roof is of jerkin head design.
Title Tattle seems to recall the coach-house has a keystone dated 1839 with the initials H.H., presumed to be Henry Hall, William Hall's son.
Hall also had a large house in Sydney on the corner of Pitt and Liverpool streets. 
Stannix Park is one of 20 colonial stone farmhouses in the Hawkesbury Valley.
</body></html>

jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Selena Mazuran, of FBI Fashion College, lists Stannix Park, Hawkesbury Valley colonial farmhouse 

<html><body>
There were 1,895,775 property investors in Australia in 2011-12, up from 1,811,175 in 2010-11, according to the latest figures from the ATO.
It was 1,751,680 in 2009-10.
The average income loss for all negatively geared property investors in 2011-12 was $10,895.
The report had 1 in 10 of the 12.7 million Australian taxpayers are negatively geared property investors claiming $13.7 billion in total rental losses.
There are 2.71 million rental investment properties, with 812,000 in NSW, followed next by Queensland and Victoria.
<img src="/images/2014/05/01/invesotr-may-1-one.jpg" alt="">
The statistics for the 2011–12 income year were sourced from 2012 individual income tax returns processed by 31 October 2013.
</body></html>

Number of property investors in Australia rises to 1,895,775: ATO

<html><body>
The Johanna Griggs hosted House Rules second series debut was triumphant last night with 1.18 million metropolitian viewers.
There were 1.87 million viewers including the regions, with a younger audience tuned in this year, according to the OzTam ratings.
The ratings for the Channel 7 renovation home show was 47% up on its 2013 launch night.
But more significantly it was up 9% on the 2014 debut ratings of The Block earlier this year.
The first rundown home for renovation is from Candy and Ryan in western Sydney with a $437,000 mortgage.
It was a slow start last year for the House Rules series with its host Johanna Griggs telling Property Observer last season that its slow but sure success came from "people power."
"This show has people power to thank as more &amp; more people spread the word, &amp; to 7 for sticking by us!" the host Johanna Griggs tweeted last season to Property Observer.
<a href="https://twitter.com/JohGriggs7" target="_blank"><img src="/images/stories/2013/06/houserulesjune13one.jpg" alt="houserulesjune13one" width="470" height="141"></a>
This year she expressed relief in her tweet to Property Observer.
<img src="/images/2014/05/01/tweet-may-1-one.jpg" alt="">
The show pits teams of two from all over Australia to compete in the series where the winner's have their mortgage completely wiped.
The state-versus-state renovations, in the series from the makers of My Kitchen Rules, get judged by Wendy Moore the editor of Home Beautiful and Joe Snell who is an architect. There are renovation mentors also back from last year, Carolyn Burns-McCrave and build supervisor Chester Drife.
The teams have to work independently on their own zone within each house but they also have to work as a team to ensure each room complements the other when it's completed.
The six homes are aimed to come from a bunch of likeable Australians with interesting back stories.
Candy and Ryan’s house (NSW)
<img src="/images/2014/04/24/candy%20and%20ryan.jpg" width="460" height="258">
Candy and Ryan’s red brick veneer three bedroom home was purchased in July 2013. Formerly owned by the Catholic church, their property in Sydney’s western suburbs includes a detached granny flat, a shed and a sizeable backyard.
Lisa and Adam (Vic)
<img src="/images/2014/04/24/lisa%20and%20adam.jpg" width="460" height="258">
Lisa and Adam own a 1960s three bedroom weatherboard house in Victoria. They purchased the property in April 2012.
Lloyd and Madison’s house (QLD)
<img src="/images/2014/04/24/lloyd%20and%20madison.jpg" width="460" height="258">
The timber Queenslander owned by young couple Lloyd and Madison is set three streets back from the beach and borders on a nature reserve. It has four bedrooms, but also significant structural problems, including a pretty severe tilt.
Carole and Russell’s house (WA)
<img src="/images/2014/04/24/carolle%20and%20russell.jpg" width="460" height="258">
Carole and Russell’s house in the Perth hills was advertised on gumtree with the tagline “renovate or detonate”. The two storey home is 28 years old. Russell noted that when the house was first purchased, he kicked the balcony and the whole thing collapsed onto his car below.
Brooke and Grant’s house (TAS)
<img src="/images/2014/04/24/brooke%20and%20grant.jpg" width="460" height="258">
Brooke and Grant are raising seven children in their two and a half bedroom 19th century farmhouse in the Huon Valley. The home has one bathroom, with another outhouse in the back and an outdoor laundry. The house is set on three acres.
Bomber and Mel (SA)
<img src="/images/2014/04/24/bomber%20and%20mel.jpg" width="460" height="258">
Bomber and Mel live in a 110 year old weatherboard home in Adelaide, set a kilometre off the beach. Holes in the floor let in the weather, as well as the local cats. The home was purchased in a mortgagee sale.
</body></html>

Johanna Griggs' House Rules triumphant second series debut

<html><body><div class="story-intro">
Harry Triguboff’s Meriton has purchased a Sydney CBD western corridor office building for around $60 million with a likely serviced apartment hotel conversion in mind.
The 234 Sussex Street site (pictured below) is Meriton’s eleventh purchase since January 2013.
<img src="/images/2014/05/01/5ac4a803-c983-481f-bf1b-fe546428007b_FS.jpg" alt="">
The Australian report calculated the group spending $576 million on sites.
The 13 storey Sussex Street building last sold at $45.7 million in 2009 through Stephen Kovacs of Colliers International and Colliers International agent Vince Kernahan on behalf of Stockland Property Group to interests associated with Aneurin Bowen. 
Chase Corporation had it on its books valued at $41 million in the late 1980s.
Photo of Harry Triguboff courtesy of Wikipedia/Creative Commons. 
</div></body></html>

Harry Triguboff buys 234 Sussex Street Sydney

<html><body>
State government taxes on property decreased by $470 million (2%) to $20,335 million from 2010–11 to 2011–12, according to the latest ABS data.
It was mainly due to a decrease in stamp duties on conveyances of $572 million (5%) and a $74 million (23%) decrease in other stamp duties.
Local government taxation revenue increased $760 million (6%) from $12,449 million in 2010–11 to $13,209 million in 2011–12. Taxes on property are the sole source of taxation revenue for local governments.
Taxes on income increased $26,310 million (13%) while taxes on provisions of goods and services increased $2,172 million (2%). Taxes on income represented 59% of total taxation revenue for all levels of government and taxes on provision of goods and services, including the goods and services tax (GST) represented 24%.
Photo courtesy of Flickr/Creative Commons. 
</body></html>

State government property tax revenue drops 

<html><body>
The Hastings Funds Management syndicate has won the NSW state government tender for the Port of Newcastle.
It was announced by the NSW Premier Mike Baird who sought offers in his 2013 budget.
The Hastings partner, China Merchants Group, is <a href="https://wwwen.cmhk.com" target="_blank">a state owned corporation</a> of People's Republic of China.
The syndicate will pay $1.75 billion for the port, with the proceeds to split between the Restart NSW infrastructure fund and the Newcastle city centre redevelopment.
Five final bids were received for the Newcastle port, the world's largest coal terminal.
It has been forecast to have $69 million earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation in the 2013-14 financial year.
</body></html>

New NSW premier Mike Baird finds his Port of Newcastle buyer

<html><body>
China-based estate agencies are selling Australian properties through a two-tiered pricing structure with inflated prices to China-based buyers, according to Michael Yang, the chief of GiFang.com, the largest Chinese language property site in Australia.
"Some agents sell at more inflated prices to China-based buyers," he noted.
"When developers promote house and land packages to buyers in China for areas such as Point Cook, Sanctuary Lakes and Tarneit, the land component of the package can sometimes have a higher price in China. 
"They are “exclusive lots” for Chinese buyers that are only promoted in China," he noted in a blog published on the <a href="https://www.businessspectator.com.au/economy/china" target="_blank">China Spectator</a> website.
"It is believed that one in 10 China-based agents are involved in selling Australian properties according to a two-tiered pricing structure. 
"The misconduct of Chinese agents also contributes to the perception that Chinese buyers are willing to pay for above the market price."
"This is perhaps the biggest misconception of all," he added.
He said stories about Chinese buyers turning up at auctions with suitcases packed with cash and making an on-the-spot decision to buy the property without a proper inspection were not likely to be accurate.
"Very few of these stories are true or are at least exaggerated.
"In our survey conducted in China, 63% of buyers said they would ask a friend or relative based in Australia to inspect the property for them, and the remaining 37% believed it was a must for them to inspect the property personally before making the final decision."
Even if the property is an off-the-plan apartment, they will still travel to Australia to get a feel for the location and to conduct personal research.
He also refuted then widely held belief that Chinese buyers pay for their real estate purchases in Australia in cash and there is little need for them to borrow.
"This could not be further from the truth."
He said some 97% of Chinese buyers in Australia rely on mortgages, according to the survey of 283 buyers.
"The big four banks have all established offices in China in order to assist China-based buyers to purchase Australian properties using home loans.
"These banks are responsible for making 85% of all home loans of Chinese property buyers in Australia.
"Chinese buyers generally accept the idea of investing with "OPM" (other people's money) and love the fact that a minimal amount is required to own or control real estate in Australia."
He suggested Westpac was responsible for 70% of all home loans from China, according to the survey results as well as a banking source.
Michael Yang added the situation was different in China where property buyers are forced to use more cash to buy properties. 
"For example, Chinese banks will only lend up to 70% of the value of the home to borrowers for their first purchase and 30% for their second home. 
"Third purchases are usually not allowed."
The fourth misconception addressed in the blog was that Chinese buyers do not seek out rental yields by merely land banking.
"As Chinese investors become increasingly educated about the Australian market, rental yield becomes more and more important. 
"Gifang's surveys in China show that more than 90% consider rental yield an important aspect to their property purchase, with the acceptable rental yield at 5%.
He noted more than 72% of investors consider capital growth as more important than rental yield but all prefer to have a balance.
He did add that some Chinese investors would rather leave their residential property vacant for most of the year until they visit Australia and use their properties for personal enjoyment. 
</body></html>

China-based estate agencies selling Australian properties through inflated two-tiered pricing schemes

<html><body>
Australian banks are more fearful of the prospect rising interest rates could reduce their customers’ ability to repay home loans, an international PricewaterhouseCoopers' (PwC) survey has revealed.
The high exposure of banks to the home mortgage market has seen interest rate risk move from 30th on a 2012 list of concerns for banks to currently sixth place.
The international PwC biennial survey had interest rates ranked as the 12th biggest concern ­globally. Regulation and political interference topped the list of risks among the global banking industry replacing 2012’s leading threat, the macro-economic environment.
A breakdown of global responses shows respondents (bankers, observers and risk managers) had the highest concerns about regulation and politics within Europe and North America. The top concerns in the Asia Pacific region focused more on the macro-economy and the risk of sharp changes in interest rates.
Banking professionals are particularly anxious in Singapore, Malaysia and Turkey. 
China remains on top of the most important business growth markets globally, though concerns about increasing tax burden and the lack of stability in the capital market, according to PwC with 33% of 1,344 global CEOs from 68 countries believing that China ranked as the most important growth market for their corporations this year.
PwC’s Australian head of financial services, Hugh Harley says the major reason for the local ­sensitivity about interest rate moves was their housing loan book accounted for about 60% of the banking sector’s total credit commitments, compared with 30% a generation ago.
Barclays chief economist Kieran Davies estimated that Australian household debt was 177% of annual disposable income.
Lending to households has been the biggest contributor to the bank profits since the financial crisis, with investment bank UBS, recently finding total profits from retail lending for ANZ, Commonwealth and Westpac banks had doubled from $3.5 billion in 2007 to $7 billion in the 2013-14 financial year. 
Clime Asset Management’s chief investment officer, John Abernethy, told the Australian Financial Review “when we see a correction in housing prices, higher interest rates, and a lack of capacity to repay back loans quickly – you can get whiplashed dramatically in the banking sector”.
The current thinking as seen stockbrokers sounding caution on bank share prices ahead of half-year profits, with Bell Potter director Charlie Aitken downgrading his recommendation on the big banks to “hold”. One reason was that he considered the stock market surge in bank stocks by investors seeking out attractive dividend yields, and spurred on by record low interest rates, had possibly reached its peak.
The ASX 200 bank index has risen 50% over the past two years with Charlie Aitken noting the yield on big bank stocks was now about 5%.
</body></html>

House price correction could trigger Australian bank sector whiplash

<html><body>
Robert Fiani, of the stockbroking firm Morgans, has listed his Bondi Beach sub-penthouse in The Beach House development.
More than $6 million is being ambitiously sought by the broker who bought the Investec-built three-bedroom apartment for $4.325 million in late 2012.
The 178 Campbell Parade apartment is <a href="https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/apartment-bondi-beach-nsw-2026/220580/?searchID=38434598" target="_blank">listed with McGrath's Steven Chen</a>. It has 242 square metre living space, which was briefly available for $3,400 a week rental earlier this year.
Fiani also owns another apartment which was bought similiarly off the plan for $3.495 million with settlement .
The block's last sale was $1.75 million for a two bedroom, 99 square metre offering which sold through Chen, but only after nine month's marketing, preceded by four months with another agent.
It's price also showed slow growth, selling off the plan at $1.6 million in 2010, with settlement in early 2012.
A one bedroom unit sold off the plan at $810,000 in 2009, resold last year at $850,000.
A three bedroom apartment, long listed at $5.25 million by Investec, sold for $3.25 million last year.
The franchise entrepreneur Sam Linz and his wife, Barbara spent $11.5 million on their off the plan late 2010 penthouse purchase in The Beach House. The Linzes bought after living in the nearby Andrew Andersons-designed Bondi complex undertaken by the developers Allen Linz and Eduard Litver.
Ranging from 65 square metre to 250 square metres, the initial mid-2009 off-the-plan sales in The Beach House started at $740,000 for one-bedders. The project was overseen by architect Brian Meyerson, with interiors by Burley Katon Halliday, after the specialist banking group secured the site from publican Cyril Maloney for $41 million in 2007.
Theere was a $23 million sale of 15 lots, mostly retail, in 2012 by the Investec Property Opportunity Fund through agents Warren Duncan and Miron Solomons at City Commercial in Sydney and Melbourne's Gross Waddell.
It was bought by interests associated with Simon Langer, reported at the time by SMH commercial property editor Carolyn Cummins as to have been completed on a yield of about 7 percent for the eclectic mix of cafes, fashionistas and providores. 
There has been some considerable turnover since the 2012 opening.
 
</body></html>

Bondi Beach prestige apartment listing by Robert Fiani in slow-selling Investec block

<html><body>
Chateau de Benelong, the distinctive Bellevue Hill palazzo residence, has been listed for 29 May auction through agents Michael Finger and Diane Wilson of Ray White Double Bay. Over $5 million is being advised to potential buyers.
With its multiple arches, columns, balustrades and detailed decorative exterior adornments including cherubs, lions' heads and a central courtyard fountain, the seven bedroom house has stood out from the crowd since 1977, when it was built by designer Lesley Santy.
Santy, who won a gold medal in the 1957 international furniture exhibition in Milan, designed the building for the Levy family.
It last sold at early 2012 auction at $4,995,000 sale through Michael Finger who has the listing again. It was then listed for rent at $3300 a week.
The Benelong Crescent property had been renovated after trading for $3.67 million in 2009.
The neo-classical house comes with northerly harbour views from its grand columned terraces. Its luxury living spaces include a poolside entertainer's pavilion, home theatre and gym. It comes with eight bedrooms, including a two-bedroom apartment.
The vendors Lynda Giang-Nguyen and Nhi Nguyen bought it in early 2012 from Nare Elio and Makedonka Del Ben, who run a building company called Big Dig Pty Ltd. <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/columned-chateau-with-21st-century-interiors-at-bellevue-hill/2011080951100" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">It was initially listed</a> with unrealistic $7.5 million hopes in late 2011.
<a href="https://rwdbgroup.com/nsw/bellevue-hill/1129729/" target="_blank" style="line-height: 1.3em;">Chateau de Benelong</a>, the private palazzo commands sweeping northerly harbour views from its grand columned terraces.
Chateau de Benelong featured in a series of Telstra ads starring comedian Billy Connolly in the late 1990s. 
</body></html>

Chateau de Benelong, the distinctive Bellevue Hill palazzo residence, back for sale

<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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=140755]

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

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

Location and lifestyle drive demand at Candela Ivanhoe

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

AURA elevates amenity living at Melbourne Square

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

Jonathan Chancellor

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News