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Josh and Jenna - contestants of the 2011 Richmond series of The Block- have sold pre-auction their Maidstone cottage.
Marketed as a sophisticated and stylish period beauty, the three bedroom Edwardian cottage (pictured below) had been tipped to fetch $470,000 plus. No sale price has been revealed.
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Behind its picturesque facade, the cottage was marketed as a blend of "period beauty and modern day comfort."
It had a light filled kitchen featuring the best from Liebherr and Bosch.
It is close to Medway golf course, Highpoint shopping centre and public transport options.
It's sale was presumably above the suburb's $487,000 current median house price.
It was listed through Branko Lemaic at Jas H Stephens who says the Mitchell Street place as been re-stumped, re-wired, re-plumbed and re-roofed. It too comes with wide hallway, soaring ceilings, designer decking, plantation shutters and American Oak flooring.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/10/23/maidstone_oct_23_one.jpg" alt="maidstone_oct_23_one_instagram" width="470" height="470">
"“We moved to the inner West from South Melbourne three years ago and have grown to love the location, space and the convenience,” Jenna said.
Title Tattle gleans the couple are off to an 1880s North Melbourne cottage (pictured below).
<img src="/images/stories/2013/10/23/north_melbourne_oct_23_one.jpg" alt="north_melbourne_oct_23_one" width="470" height="470">
It was only a few weeks ago their renovation - and the dearest home in the 2011 Block Richmond renovation series - resold for the first time.
It was the three bedroom 37 Cameron Street Richmond cottage renovated by Josh and Jenna who had a $950,000 Block 2011 auction reserve.
Their Edwardian cottage sold under the television bright lights for $1 million. Its recent auction price guidance was $1 million plus.
And it fetched $1,147,500.
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

North Melbourne-bound The Block's Josh and Jenna sell Edwardian Maidstone cottage

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I have not been among the commentators who have taken the view that the current Sydney property market dynamics are worrying. Nor do I think that Sydney is in a boom or in a bubble.
Yes there have been some silly prices paid, and there are pockets of intensity across Sydney, but this spring's market momentum is more about strong across the board auction clearance rates than strong across the board price growth.
And a recent RP Data chart indicates just why we are not near any level of unease. Sure there is a clear price momentum, but you never know what will emerge from left field to slow it, halt it, or send prices backwards as the rollercoast chart since 1997 shows. 

<img height="273" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/10/29/insights-oct-29-chart-one.jpg" alt="insights-oct-29-chart-one">

So I was not surprised when the RBA governor Glenn Stevens noted today that "some" rise in housing prices is part of the normal cyclical dynamic.
The ongoing question for the commentariat is what's the RBA's definition of "some".
Stevens wants price growth as it improves the incentive to build and "reversing an earlier decline probably isn't something to complain about too quickly."
It was in his speech to the Citi's 5th Annual Australian &amp; New Zealand Investment Conference where Stevens noted an overall positive trend in asset markets in Australia, in part due to reduced recent political uncertainty.
"Over the past year, the stock market, as measured by the ASX 200 accumulation index, has returned about 25%. 
"The median price of a dwelling in Australia has risen by about 8% over the past 18 months, reversing a previous decline."
His conclusion was the net worth of Australians has increased by around 15% - or more than $800 billion since the end of 2011.
He went on to note that credit growth, at between 4% and 5% per annum to households, and less than that for business, did not suggest that rising leverage was so far feeding the price rise.
"Hence it has been a little too early to signal great concern."
"It is not yet clear to what extent, or when, these more favourable trends in ‘confidence’ will translate into intentions to spend, invest and employ.
"The pace of new dwelling construction is starting to respond to higher prices in the established property market, as we need it to.
"But at this stage, the available information suggests that broader investment intentions in the business community remain subdued.
"It may be a while yet before we can expect to see conclusive evidence of a change here.
"In the interim, some commentators have taken the view that the property market dynamics are worrying."
But being the sage who has to foresee all possibilities Stevens did express two caveats.
"The first is that, notwithstanding the above comment, credit growth may pick up somewhat over the period ahead.
"So this is an area to which we will, naturally, pay close attention.
"Secondly, while overall credit growth remains low at present, borrowing is increasing quite quickly in some pockets.
"Investor participation in housing in Sydney, in particular, is becoming noticeably stronger.
"Over the past year, the rate of finance approvals for this purpose has increased by 40%."
He acknowledged there had been prior higher rates of growth of finance approvals "and it may be that we are seeing some catch-up from a delayed initial response to fundamentals favouring more investment in housing."
"Nonetheless, as this activity continues, lenders and borrowers alike would be well advised to take due care.
"It is very important that strong lending standards remain in place, and that decisions be based on sensible assumptions about future returns.
"That's what we need if we are to experience a long and sustainable expansion in housing investment that houses our growing population at acceptable cost, and pays reasonable returns on the capital deployed.
"That's the sort of outcome we want, as part of the more balanced growth path for the economy we are seeking over the years ahead," he concluded.
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RBA watching Sydney property investment and urges due care

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Fashion designer Joe Saba has listed his longtime Lorne holiday house.
Set in the hills above the Victorian coastal resort, Joe Saba and his wife, Marita built the house in 1984. Joe spent $7100 in 1969 to buy the slightly larger holding.
It was to a design by architect Edgard Pirrotta after the coastal property was ravaged by the Ash Wednesday fires.
Lorne has been a magnet for him since his early days growing up in Geelong and Ballarat, but nowadays with 13-year-old twin sons, Jack and Will the family are finding they are not using it enough.
The two-level, four-bedroom house at <a href="https://www.4atradewindsavelorne.com.au/" target="_blank">4a Trade Winds Avenue </a> features floor-to-ceiling glass opening to a timber deck. The organic, warm merbau timber-rich style of the home, along with its rounded lines, was constructed by Warwick Yates, a former player with Saba's beloved Geelong Football Club.
The 4,593 square metre block has been scheduled for November 3 auction through Jeremy Fox of RT Edgar, who with conjunctional agent, Ian Stewart of Great Ocean Road Real Estate expects more than $1.3 million.
The fashion legend Joseph Saba enjoyed some 30 years in the rag trade with tears and a standing ovation from his industry peers on his semi-retirement at the 2002 Melbourne Fashion Festival. He moved into the Lorne abode full-time for six months with wife Marita and the boys after selling his self-titled fashion chain.
Edgard Pirrotta's first house - in Brighton for Sue and Bruce Fletcher - won the Royal Australian Institute of Architects Victorian residential award in 1972 and was also The Age RAIA house of the year.
Title Tattle notes there is a nearby building allotment of 990 square metres with views of the surf below and of Louttit Bay that has been listed at $490,000 in a newly created sub-division with underground services and Surf Coast Shire approved building envelopes.
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Fashion designer Joe Saba lists longtime Edgard Pirrotta-designed Lorne retreat

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There were $200 million in house listings in the Blue Mountains municipality before this month's bushfire onset, with much of this envisaged transactional business on hold due to the understandable concerns of the vendors, the buyers and the listing agents. 
Prices of the 400 listed houses ranged from $225,000 at Katoomba to $3.7 million at Wentworth Falls, according to RP Data.
The most dominant offering were the 140 three bedroom homes at a $390,000 median asking price.
The 130 four bedroom offerings came at a $510,000 median asking price.
Australian Property Monitors data shows that between 1998 and 2003, house price growth in the Blue Mountains actually outperformed the Sydney market.
But in the ensuing decade, it has been the second-worst performing Greater Sydney region, behind the NSW central coast for price growth.
The Blue Mountains attracts price conscious commuters, along with the lifestyle buyer and weekender crowd. Investors pursuing yields rather than price growth have also been present in recent buying patterns.
The overall Blue Mountains median at around $410,000 – so about 35% less than the $665,000 Sydney median house price.
There are about 36,665 properties in the Blue Mountains. The total land value of the entire Blue Mountains LGA as at 1 July 2010 was about $8.4 billion. 
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The main towns are Springwood, Katoomba and Blackheath which are located on the Main Western Railway Line and the Great Western Highway connecting Sydney with Bathurst and Orange.
Employment for towns such as Blaxland, located on the lower mountain part of the LGA, is generally based in Sydney and Penrith, while towns in the upper mountain rely more on tourism.
About 70% of the LGA’s area is within the Blue Mountains National Park, which is part of the Greater Blue Mountains Area World Heritage Site.
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There have been about 1,100 house sales so far this year grossing $459 million. Time on market can be quite lengthy, ie 125 days before sale at Wentworth Falls.
THE 8 MOST ACTIVE BLUE MOUNTAIN SALES MARKETS IN 2013
SALES  AND MEDIANS
<a href="/news">KATOOMBA</a> 150 sales   $340,000
<a href="/news">WENTWORTH FALLS</a> 120 sales $390,000
<a href="/news">BLACKHEATH</a> 100 sales $355,000
<a href="/news">BLAXLAND</a>   100  sales $455,000
<a href="/news">SPRINGWOOD</a> 90 sales $430,000
<a href="/news">LEURA</a> 90 sales $460,000
<a href="/news">HAZELBROOK</a> 75 sales $445,000
<a href="/news">WINMALEE</a> 70 sales $326,000
Source: RP Data (Medians may differ due to time period and volume.) 
The dearest location was <a href="/news">Mount Wilson</a>, with a $790,000 median sale, but just from four sales.
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Detached houses make up about 94% of total dwellings in the Blue Mountains LGA.
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The typical sale at Springwood, where 100 plus homes have been destroyed, gives an indication of the likely insurance cost of getting families back into their homes. 
Of course there's plenty of lost business in the meantime.
Lynne Porter, a Mortgage Choice broker servicing Nepean and the surrounding areas, told Australian Broker Online it was hard to concentrate 100% on her job while listening and watching for fire updates each day.
“I have had to postpone a few appointments when things seemed a little dangerous for us," she said.
Springwood-based Aussie Home Loans broker, Kylie Pickham, had to evacuate her home last Thursday with her husband staying behind to help fire-fighters fight a fire across the road.
“I’ve got five clients who have been affected…three of them have lost their homes. I’ve spoken to all of them and guided them in the right direction as to what they need to do – ‘stay safe, contact your insurance company’ - I’ve also been trying to help them find accommodation through the local real estate agents up here. We’re very limited as to what we can do, but the community up here is just amazing and everyone helps one another out…it’s tough. It’s really tough,” she told Australian Broker. 
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Wait and see for property listings and sales at Blue Mountains

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The former 1860-built Bible Christian Church in Gore Street, Fitzroy - back on the market just 16 months after its last bullish auction - failed to attract any bids at its onsite weekend auction.
It last sold in June 2012 for $3.41 million to the Sydney shopping centre heiress Betty Saunders-Klimenko, easily exceding its $3 million 2012 reserve price.
Photos of Betty with her late father, John Saunders were on the living room shelves during the recent open for inspections.
John Saunders, who died in 1997 aged 75, was one of Australia's wealthiest men and most generous philanthropists.
Liberated from the German Dornau concentration camp, Saunders arrived in Sydney in 1949 and opened a sandwich shop at Town Hall station, where he met a delivery boy and fellow emigre, Frank Lowy.
They opened a Blacktown delicatessen and then the duo undertook their first development, a shopping centre in Blacktown, in 1958. Westfield Holdings Ltd listed on the stock exchange in 1960 and the long business relationship between Saunders and Lowy ended in 1986 when Saunders sold much of his 20 per cent stake.
The weekend auction saw a $2.95 million vendor bid. No reserve price was disclosed to the crowd gathered outfront of the building which was converted 10 years ago into a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house with a six-car garage.
However the subsequent weekend APM auction results gave the reserve as $3.41 million.
The AFL football commentator and farmer Brian Taylor attended the auction with family members but "BT" did not place any bid before driving off in his dusty Sahara land cruiser.
Its been reported that football keeps Brian Taylor in Melbourne from Thursday to Monday during the season, but on the other days, and out of season, he's at his 121 hectare farm in Monegetta, near Romsey, with wife Tania and their four sons. They have 150 breeding cattle.
Nelson Alexander auctioneer Arch Staver told the crowd his Sydney vendor was selling to relocate to Brisbane. There were extended settlement terms available, he advised.
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/stories/2013/10/25/bt-oct-25-one.jpg" alt="bt-oct-25-one" width="470" height="421">
<a href="https://www.nelsonalexander.com.au/properties/buying/fitzroy-278-gore-street" target="_blank">The bluestone building was used as a furniture factory after its ceased operating as a tabernacle</a>.
It features an ornately carved and suitably religious front door and an original banner in the lounge-room proclaiming “Holiness becomes thy house”.
The Bible Christian Church was a Methodist denomination founded by William O’Bryan, a Wesleyan Methodist local preacher in 1815 in North Cornwall. Its mission in Australia was established in 1850.
The marble kitchen has a butler's pantry, and two sets of French doors open to an east-facing paved terrace. The two bedrooms are on the same level, separated by a bathroom. Upstairs is storage space with the possibility to convert into another bedroom.
The agents were telling potential pre-auction buyers that the sale price could be expected to be either side of $3 million.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/trophy-homes/" target="_blank"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/stories/2013/08/PO_Strap_new.jpg" alt="PO_Strap_new" width="470" height="60"></a>
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No bids from BT for Fitzroy abode of Sydney heiress Betty Saunders-Klimenko

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One in five Sydney suburbs now has a seven-figure median house price.
Prices are being pushed up from the bottom and middle markets, according to Australian Property Monitors, with the latest five entrants to the million-dollar club being Epping ($1,000,500), Annandale ($1,001,500) and Rozelle ($1,005,000), Manly Vale ($1,007,000) and Matraville ($1,015,000).
A year ago Sydney had 93 suburbs with a median house price above $1 million, according to APM, which has since jumped to 123 currently.
There are just the 26 suburbs in Melbourne with a median house price above $1 million. 
Melbourne's first million-dollar suburb was, not surprisingly, Toorak, which broke through the price barrier in 2000. Brighton become the first suburb to record both a million-plus median house and apartment price in 2011.
Perth has 17 suburbs with $1 million plus medians, while Brisbane and Canberra have one each and the other capitals, none.
It's obvious that $1 million isn't what it used to be, but the transition through the decades began first with landmark sales of prestige homes.
In 1978, Boomerang, the Spanish mission-style mansion, set behind its pink stucco garden walls on the harbour at Elizabeth Bay, was sold for $1.25 million through estate agents Peter Blackett and Peter Sayer to oil recycler Peter Burnett and wife Astrid, becoming Sydney's first credited $1 million sale.
There were about 6,000 sales over $1 million across Sydney in the two decades from 1978 to 1998, with more occurring every year.
The Paddington terrace broke the barrier in 1988 when a century-old Glenview Street home fetched $1.012 million. It's possible Sydney's first near million-dollar suburb was Longueville, small and mostly waterfront, where the average price of houses sold at 1989 auction was $1,064,625.
By 1997 there were seven Sydney suburbs boasting a median house value of more than that based on figures compiled by Australian Property Monitors.
The million-dollar suburbs were Point Piper, Darling Point, Balmoral, Clifton Gardens, Bellevue Hill, Vaucluse and Longueville as almost 1200 Sydney dwellings changed hands for more than $1 million in 1997, more than double the 1995 number of 560 and five times the 234 recorded in 1993.
Million-dollar homes accounted for more than 7% of the value of all Sydney sales in 1997, compared with 2.5% in 1993. By 2004 there were 65 Sydney suburbs with seven figure medians, up to 85 by 2008.
One of the Sydney suburbs - comfortably over at $1.1 million compared to Pittwater council's $980,000 median - is Avalon where cricket broadcaster Michael Slater and his wife Jo sold last week for $3.2 million.
The Hampton's style house was marketed by selling agent Bill Eames with a price guide of more than $3 million ahead of the LJ Hooker auction.
The Slaters bought the <a target="_blank" href="https://avalon.ljhooker.com.au/BWEF58">Catalina Crescent property</a> (pictured below) in 2007 for $1.43 million, prompting a two year building process.
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They want a Pittwater waterfront.
Slater, now co-host on Network Nine's NRL The Footy Show, played 74 tests and 42 one day internationals for the Australian cricket team between 1993 and 2001.
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Sydney's million plus median suburbs pass the century as Michael Slater cements Avalon's place

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The former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and wife Therese Rein paid $2.175 million for their home in leafy Yarralumla, Canberra in 2010.
Listed for sale at $2.25 million through the Peter Blackshaw agency in May, it has now been sold at a reported $2 million. There is typically <a href="/news">a required 6% discount </a>among private treaty listings to secure a sale in the prestige suburb.
Set behind electric gates, with double lock up car accommodation, the house (pictured below) was described as sophisticated and luxurious.
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The contemporary Mueller Street house was bought after departing The Lodge so as their son, Marcus, could finish his schooling.
The five-bedroom, four bathroom house is set on 936 square metres which traded at $778,000 in 2005.
Yarralumla’s median house price was up by 7% to $1.07 million over the year prior to the listing, according to RP Data, which now puts the median at $778,000.
Perhaps not by the amount suggested, but Canberra’s housing market has slowed due to inpart to uncertainty around public service employment after the September federal election.
Canberra house values were down 0.9% during September, although up 2.7% over the three month period. The Canberra house median sits at $540,500 after a decade when there has typically been 4% annual growth.
Back in 2011 Canberra was within cooee of again matching Sydney’s median house price, according to the RP Data-Rismark index.
The 2011 gap for houses was $12,625, with Sydney’s house median at $561,625 and Canberra’s house median at $549,000. Sydney's median house price is now at $665,000, so the gap is now $116,000.
Much of Canberra's strength came as household incomes in Canberra are among the highest in the nation.
Canberra’s average equivalised disposable weekly household income was put at $1,101 in recent ABS data - about 30% above the national average.
While the clear result in the federal election has provided a greater level of certainty, there were challenges for the Canberra residential market, according to the latest report from CBRE.
The report highlights that the outlook for the market remains tied to the extent of the contraction in public sector spending and tips that buyer confidence will remain flat over the medium term despite the low interest rates currently available.
However CBRE senior research manager Sam Reilly says the "particular pain point" was expected to be the mid-priced sector of the market between $500,000 and $1 million, where middle management in the public sector was generally the most active.
“Middle management has been targeted as a primary area for upcoming job cuts which has meant caution has been evident from buyers in this price range,” Mr Reilly said.
At the top end of the market, for property priced above $1 million, the report highlighted limited turnover with vendors still discounting to attract buyer interest.
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Kevin Rudd's Yarralumla sale highlights Canberra's likely looming challenges

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Only nineteen years old, the stylish Nonda Katsalidis-designed Melbourne Terrace Apartments have been deemed to be of historic and aesthetic significance to the City of Melbourne.
Standing as an important milestone in the architectural development of the metropolis, Melbourne Terrace is the 1994 apartment development with an assertive public presence at the corner of Franklin and Queen streets just near the Queen Victoria Market.
<img alt="melbourneterrace_oct_31" height="335" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/10/31/melbourneterrace_oct_31.jpg">
With almost a hand-crafted appearance, the tightly held complex holds 60 apartments within four buildings, Equus, Mondo, Roma and Fortuna. 
The project, with traces of early 20th-century European modernism, was deemed one of the top 20 Australian buildings of the last century by Architecture Australia. Its distinctive balconies were finished in oxidised copper with moulds cast by RMIT students. Its roofline has vertical slabs with serrated edges.
The council's proposed heritage listing documentation notes the apartment block is of historical significance because it was one of the first purpose-designed apartment buildings constructed in the city centre, representing the beginning of a phase of urban consolidation and marked residential growth in the CBD.
Its also being listed given the associations with the eminent architect Nonda Katsalidis, one of his noteworthy early works. Melbourne Terrace's design was influenced by the Veneto architect Carlo Scarpa. The development was a collaboration between the architect Nonda Katsalidis and developers Adrian Cleeve and Adrian Valmorbida. Valmorbida, whose family's wealth came from Lavazza Coffee and radio stations, was also involved in the early stages of the nearby Republic Tower development.
Council adds one of the notable elements of 408-416 Queen Street, Melbourne is the four entry sculptures by Peter Corlett including a colossal sculpture of an Adonis-like male figure at the Mondo entrance.
<img alt="melbourneterrace_oct_31_three" height="322" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/10/31/melbourneterrace_oct_31_three.jpg">
Photo: Sculture by Peter Corlett at the entrance to the Equus building
It's proposed to get a B3 grading. Demolishing or removing original parts of buildings, as well as complete buildings, will not normally be permitted in the case of  ‘B’ listings.
"Heritage is an extremely significant component of Melbourne’s attractiveness, its character and its distinction, and therefore its appeal as a place to live, work and visit," the review states.
"This policy is the mechanism to conserve and enhance places and areas of architectural, social or historic significance and aboriginal archaeological sites and to encourage development which is in harmony with the existing character and appearance of designated heritage places and areas.
"This policy is consistent with policy document Urban Conservation in the City of Melbourne, which has been in operation since 1985 and has contributed to the conservation of the character of places of heritage significance."
Its listing is part of the City North Heritage Review, by RBA Architects. On another front  the City of Melbourne is seeking UNESCO World Heritage listing for Queen Victoria Market.
There have been numerous studies estimating the impact of heritage listings but they relate to the traditional Federation era or earlier housing.
Nothing ever on contemporary heritage, but I'd hazzard a guess that no foreseeable harm would come from it - and I'd like to think that estate agents will soon be marketing the apartments with their heritage status as an actual selling point.
The last sale I can see was a two bedroom, two level Mondo apartment at 7/191 Franklin Street (pictured below) which was listed through <a target="_blank" href="https://maher.com.au/properties/residential/Apartment-Vic-Melbourne-106255196">Maher &amp; Co with $925,000 plus hopes</a> in 2010. It had been listed at $650,000 plus when previously offered in 2001.  
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/10/31/melb]}
The former pad of the late Melbourne impresario and festival director Clifford Hocking - a tri-level penthouse encompassing 68 square metres of balconies and terraces with three bedrooms and two car parks at 25/410 Queen Street - fetched $1,275,000 in 2007.
I recall on their early 1990s completion the apartments were mostly sold as empty spaces allowing custom fitouts by their first owners.
The building certainly faces huge competetion, albeit from less experimental proto-type apartment blocks. The Lord Mayor Robert Doyle has estimated that in the next 20 years the number of people living within 800 metres of Queen Victoria Market will almost double from 67,000 to 128,000.
The City North Heritage Review proposals are on public display with panel hearings scheduled to be held next May.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/BuildingandPlanning/Planning/planningschemeamendments/Pages/AmendmentC198.aspx">The list can also be inspected</a> at the council website until November 7.
Oh and what was the reaction of Nonda Katsalidis on learning of the looming heritage listing? Apparently it made him feel "old."
 
 
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Nineteen years young but Melbourne Terrace Apartments by Nonda Katsalidis set for heritage listing 

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Architect Ian Moore's own award-winning one-bedroom Surry Hills warehouse has been listed with $2 million-plus hopes.
It's known as the Strelein Warehouse, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.bresicwhitney.com.au/#!/buy/7833" target="_blank">the 41 Prospect Street location</a> being also home to Moore's partner Tess Strelein.
The former 1895 grocery warehouse was bought by the couple in 2008 for $950,000 from artist Jon Plapp who had paid $29,750 in 1978.
It was rebuilt in 2010 then winning 16 national and international awards in 2011 including winner at the 2011 Interior Design Excellence Awards and winner of INSIDE World Festival of Interiors, residential.  
The 84 square metre property has been listed by William Phillips and Maclay Longhurst at BresicWhitney.
The two level, one bedroom residence - with 150 square metre internal space - comes with two street frontages allowing separation of pedestrian and vehicle entries.
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Internally a 1.7 metre height difference between the two streets, Prospect and Chapman streets, is used to create the tall volume of the living space and its floor-to-ceiling wall of books. The kitchen occupies the half level above,overlooking the living area.
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<div class="notes-source">Any existing structure that was retained has been lined and painted white, while all new elements are painted black, a concept carried through to the black and white rubber flooring.</div>
<div class="notes-source">All joinery is finished in black anodised aluminium including the upstairs bathroom, also lined with Corian on both walls and floor.</div>
<div class="notes-source">The main street façade re-interprets the original but in steel rather than timber. </div>
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<div class="notes-source">Judging panels have noted the contrast between the precision of the steelwork and the patina of the original brickwork summarised the home’s transformation from 19th to 21st centuries, and from industrial to residential.
 
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<div class="notes-source">Photos by <a href="https://www.iaindmackenzie.com/" target="_blank">Iain D. MacKenzie</a>.</div>
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Ian Moore's Strelein Warehouse, Surry Hills listed with $2 million plus hopes

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The countdown to Christmas comes with increasing anticipation and anxiety - not just the joyous distractions of the long Christmas to do lists.
The looming holiday deadline plays havoc with the property market, but deals can be done right up to Christmas Eve. Indeed one year the late Double Bay agent secured a Christmas Day sale of a luxury Vaucluse waterfront with his New Zealand buyer. It was the booming late 1980s.
Our veteran property commentators, Jonathan Chancellor and Margie Blok offer tips for anxious vendors set to list for auction between now and the Christmas break.   
HE SAID:<img src="/images/stories/2013/09/06/jc-silhouette-5.jpg" alt="jc-silhouette-5" width="130" height="195" style="float: right;">
- Certainly you shouldn't be waiting for a print marketing campaign – advertise your property on the internet immediately, even if the property is billed as a forthcoming auction.
- Choose an experienced local agent who will be pro-active in finding buyers, and then identify the right buyer for your home. Hopefully the agent already knows the likely buyer from their long list of unsuccessful bidders at their recent auctions. 
- Offer extended settlement terms to say March 2014 – as this gives buyers time to sell their property during the likely quieter January and February period.
- Auction clearance rates normally trend downwards through December, but this year its possible the market could be more robust – however it would be a folly to put all your hopes on a December 21 auction outcome.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/09/06/mb-silhouette-4.jpg" alt="mb-silhouette-4" width="130" height="195" style="float: left;">SHE SAID:
- Commission a building and pest report to be made available to potential buyers – not only will it expedite things, but buyers will also see you have nothing to hide. And it could also identify a problem that may to need to be rectified.
- A quick cosmetic clean-up can do wonders – get the men around the house to steam-clean the carpets, wash the windows, re-grout bathroom tiles, touch up paintwork, and high pressure hose outside areas.
- Be sensible about pricing your property - don’t be greedy. Listen to your agent’s market feedback about the value of your home so you can make an informed decision about its worth in the current market based on all the recent comparable sales.
- Meanwhile don't forget a quick declutter, along with styling and professional photographs which will present your property in its best light. If pushed engage a stylist to declutter and do an interior makeover. Certainly hire a professional photographer to take four to six pictures of your property for internet advertisements.
Good luck!
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10 weeks to go: Auction selling tips between now and Christmas: He Said/She Said

Buying into a masterplanned community often means committing to a vision still years from taking shape. At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a>, that vision is already visible.

Residents have moved into the completed first stage, landscaped spaces are established, and the next chapter is now underway. Stage 1 has been completed and settled, with Stage 2 now selling off-the-plan.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pbd-architects">PBD Architects</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> combines attainable apartment living with sustainability initiatives rarely seen at this price point, including rooftop solar, battery storage and a resident EV-sharing program.

<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/6RNt3AvtBpI?si=JUhuCV2ZRXsYaoJZ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Located on Schofi​elds Road, just moments from Tal​lawong Metro Station and Schof​ields Train Station, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> has been designed to appeal to a broad mix of buyers, from first-home purchasers looking for a foothold in Sy​dney's property market to downsizers seeking a connected, low-maintenance lifestyle.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> has been conceived as a thoughtfully planned masterplanned community that will evolve over multiple stages, with buyers now able to secure one, two and three-bedroom apartments within a neighbourhood that is already beginning to establish its identity.

One of the project's defining features is its focus on sustainability. Solar energy systems, battery storage and future EV charging infrastructure have been incorporated throughout the development, reflecting a long-term approach to both environmental performance and everyday convenience.

Sustainability sits at the centre of the development's vision, with solar energy systems, battery storage and future EV charging infrastructure integrated throughout the community.

That emphasis on future-ready living extends beyond the technology. Landscaped communal gardens, outdoor gathering spaces and plans for a future retail precinct aim to create a neighbourhood where residents can access daily conveniences without travelling far from home.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149637 project_image_fid=351027]

The apartments themselves have been designed with liveability front of mind. Rather than chasing maximum density, the focus has been placed on creating practical homes with generous natural light, usable layouts and strong connections to outdoor space.

Importantly, these design principles have been applied consistently across the one, two and three-bedroom apartment offerings.

The appeal of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> is also closely linked to its location within Syd​ney's rapidly evolving north-west growth corridor. Over the past decade, major infrastructure investment has transformed the area, with new transport links, business precincts and community facilities reshaping suburbs like Talla​wong and Schofiel​ds.

The agent says buyers are increasingly recognising the area's long-term potential.

"Typical buyers that we're finding across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> especially are your first-home buyers, your investors, your upsizers as well as your downsizers," Hawes says.

Connectivity remains one of the project's strongest drawcards. Residents have access to both Tallaw​ong Metro Station and Schofi​elds Train Station, providing links to the Sydn​ey CBD, Norw​est Business Park, Macquari​e Park and other major employment hubs. Retail centres including Rous​e Hill Town Centre and Sch​ofields Village are also nearby, alongside schools, parks and future healthcare infrastructure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149637 project_image_fid=351031]

For Stage 1 resident Roji, it is the balance between convenience and comfort that has defined the experience of living at Kew.

"For me, it's a balance of quality and convenience," she says. "Everything I need is right here."

"If I wanted to catch the train, Scho​fields Station is just around the corner. Tallaw​ong Metro connects me to the city."

More importantly, she says, the development has delivered something that cannot be measured in floorplans or specifications.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> feels like home."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149637 project_image_fid=351024]

As Stage 2 enters the market, that lived experience may be one of the project's strongest selling points. Buyers are not purchasing into an untested concept or a future promise. They are joining a community that is already taking shape.

Ongoing investment in transport, retail, healthcare and public open space continues to strengthen the appeal of Syd​ney's north-west growth corridor, while <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a>'s established first stage provides buyers with a tangible sense of the community's future direction.

For a limited time, buyer can secure a new home at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kew-tallawong-23-27-schofields-road-tallawong-nsw-2762">Kew Tallawong</a> with just a $10,000.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149637]

Joel Robinson

Kew Tallawong: A growing community taking shape in Sydney's north-west

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/freecity">Freecity</a> has received development approval for its 51-storey mixed-use tower at 153-157 Walker Street, North Sydney, set to be one of the tallest mixed-use residential-led buildings in one of Sydney’s most sought-after commercial and residential addresses.

Lodged as a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) through the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) pathway and approved by the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure following a comprehensive public exhibition and submissions process, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/153-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">the project</a> will deliver 296 apartments, alongside a 170-room, luxury hotel, activated retail and significant public domain improvements.

Situated just 200 metres from Victoria Cross Metro Station, on one of the largest developable sites in North Sydney, the development will rise to 234 metres, making it one of the tallest buildings in the suburb. With an end value of approximately $1.5 billion, the project responds directly to the NSW Government’s mandate to accelerate housing delivery in well-located, transit-connected areas.

<img alt="Freecity gets green light for mixed-use residential and hotel tower in North Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="192ec455-94bf-4e01-83ef-922b1b269d67" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Freecity%20-%20Walker%20Street%20North%20Sydney%201%20RESIZED%20.jpg?VersionId=Bzqp0SBHCDvLAHjA4QXkjuGoOEIh73Jl" />

The apartment mix will cater to a broad range of buyers, with 65 studio and one-bedroom apartments, 139 two-bedroom residences, 35 three-bedroom apartments, 48 four-bedroom homes, and nine penthouses. Residents will have access to a dedicated amenity level on Level 33, featuring a swimming pool with views towards the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and North Sydney CBD, as well as a gym, library, shared kitchen, lounge and outdoor entertaining areas.

The hotel will occupy the lower six levels of the building and include meeting and function spaces, a wellness centre with gym, yoga studio, swimming pool and sauna, further strengthening North Sydney's growing hospitality offering.

At ground level, the development has been designed to improve pedestrian connections through the precinct. More than 700 sqm of retail space will activate the street frontage, while a landscaped through-site link connecting Walker Street, Little Walker Street and Doris Fitton Park will provide new public open space with seating, paving and extensive native landscaping.

Freecity Group Co-Founder and Joint CEO Tony Sun said the project represents one of the most significant development opportunities currently available in North Sydney.

"This is one of the most significant development sites in North Sydney and it comes at a pivotal moment for the precinct," Sun said.

"North Sydney is undergoing a genuine transformation, and this project will contribute housing the city urgently needs while creating a landmark destination."

Executive Director of Development Michael Romano said demand for both residential and hotel accommodation would continue to strengthen as the Metro precinct matures.

"The structural demand for high-quality housing and hotel accommodation in North Sydney is compelling, and will only grow as the precinct continues to evolve around the new Metro station," Romano said.

Architectus has designed the tower, orientating the apartments to maximise views towards Sydney Harbour while introducing a sculpted façade intended to respond to light, wind and the surrounding skyline.

Architectus Principal Marko Damic said the design sought to create a tower that contributes to the public realm as much as the skyline.

"We wanted to design a tower that doesn't just sit in the skyline but actively participates and contributes to city life," Damic said.

First look: Freecity gets green light for mixed-use apartment and hotel tower in North Sydney

<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]

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]

Jonathan Chancellor

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