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The vacancy rate of Dublin's office market has fallen on the back of steady quarterly take-up of space and a lack of new office developments, according to Savills.
Savills Ireland director Roland O'Connell says the last quarter of 2012 saw the highest level of quarterly take-up in the Dublin office market for the year at 51,000 square metres. This was also the highest quarterly take-up since 2008.
"Take-up for the year as a whole was 137,000 square metres, slightly lower than the 147,000 square metres occupied in 2011," Mr O'Connell said.
"Steady quarterly take-up and no new construction space has continued to see a drop in the vacancy rate to 20.2% at year end, compared to 23.6% at the end of 2010 and 21.6% at the end of 2011."
Click to enlarge
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Dublin office vacancy rates improves to 20%: Chart of the week

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The mortgage broker and non-bank lender, Aussie Home Loan has dropped its lending rate to 4.95% p.a for its one year package, which is currently lower than any of its major competitors.
The rate drop follows Aussie lowering its three year fixed rate down to 5.29% and its four and five year rates to 5.59%.
“I do not expect rates to fall much further so borrowers should consider fixing at least part of their mortgages, and with rates falling below 5%, it’s a great time to enjoy some peace of mind with your repayments,"  Aussie’s executive chairman John Symond said.
"This one year drop gives consumers the choice of not being locked in for too long, but still reaping the benefits of the lowest fixed rate of the majors for a set period,” he said.
 
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Aussie John says home loan interest rates won't fall "much further" 

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The Reserve Bank of Australia assistant governor Guy Debelle has sent a signal that the central bank remains ready to lower interest rates if needed to counter the high dollar.
But Dr Debelle warned that low official interest rates could generate excessive credit growth, surging asset prices and other imbalances.
“We still obviously retain scope to lower interest rates further, should the need arise, including to counterbalance the pressures of an elevated exchange rate,” <a target="_blank" href="https://www.rba.gov.au/speeches/2013/sp-ag-260213">he said</a>.
"The cash rate still has the largest influence over lending and deposit rates, even if the relationship is not exact," he told the audience of Adelaide University students.
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RBA's Guy Debelle says the central bank remains ready to lower interest rates 

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Coppins, the last and largest Australian house designed by the internationally renowned architect Walter Burley Griffin, has sold for about $3.25 million through Mark Blake of Luschwitz Real Estate.
On leaving for India in 1935, Griffin's architectural associate Eric Nicholls completed the plans for the 1935 house.
<img alt="coppinsfeb26one" height="312" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/02/coppinsfeb26one.jpg">
The Coppins estate had previously always sold as two titles on Telegraph Road, but <a href="https://www.stivesre.com.au/1P0965" target="_blank">this month's sale</a> is the sandstone house on 5716 square metres.
The house was built for the Pratten who ran a printing business. Title Tattle recalls even the dog kennel bore the Griffin design stamp.
<img alt="coppinsfeb26two" height="309" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/02/coppinsfeb26two.jpg">
The Coppins estate was sold to the Dening family, who then sold it for $6.1 million in 2001 to property developer Michael Kwok.
<img alt="coppinsfeb26three" height="307" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/02/coppinsfeb26three.jpg">
Kwok tried unsuccessfully to sell it for more than $8.5 million, but by mid-2012 it was listed for sale by HSBC Bank after Kwok's bankruptcy.
Kwok's failed Australian business ventures included the Fairmont Resort at Leura in the Blue Mountains.
The 3927-square-metre adjoining block with a 1950s two bedroom cottage and a tennis court remains listed for about $1.6 million through Luschwitz.
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Walter Burley Griffin's Pymble design, Coppins subdivided and sold 

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McGrath Estate Agents has opened its fourth office in nine months, this time in the riverside suburb of <a target="_blank" href="/news">Bulimba</a>.
It's the second company-owned office in Brisbane is its seventh in Queensland.
The <a target="_blank" href="/news">Edgecliff</a>, Sydney-based agency opened its first Brisbane office in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Paddington </a>last May and soon after added two new offices to service <a target="_blank" href="/news">Ascot </a>and <a target="_blank" href="/news">Wynnum</a>/Manly.
The latest is deemed "a key part of the company’s Brisbane rollout, with South Brisbane to come," its chief executive John McGrath said.
The company also has two offices on the Gold Coast and one in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Toowoomba</a>.
"The Brisbane property market has been knocked around a bit in recent years, in part by the floods, but also by factors that have impacted most of the nation’s property markets," Mr McGrath said.
"But the fact remains that more than a quarter of Australia’s population growth over the next 25 years is expected to occur between Noosa and Coolangatta, and it is likely that Brisbane will continue as the second fastest growing Australian capital city.
"Population and employment remain the most important drivers of property values and Brisbane is well placed in those areas for many years ahead.
"Its sophisticated lifestyle and warm climate make it appealing for families and retirees alike," McGrath said.
According to the REIQ, Bulimba is one of only three Brisbane suburbs, along with New Farm and Pullenvale, with a median house price of over $1 million.
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McGrath Estate Agents opens another Brisbane office

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FKP Property Group has sold a mixed-use retail and commercial office precinct at Browns Plains in Queensland to Engage Capital for $27 million.
The sale price of the 1.6-hectare Village Square (highlighted in red, below) was sold at $3 million below FKP's book value from June last year.
<img alt="brownsplainsfeb26one" src="/images/stories/2013/02/brownsplainsfeb26one.jpg" width="470" height="349">
The Village Square is set within a precinct that also include Bunnings Warehouse, The Good Guys and Spotlight.
FKP has also sold a 15-level, A-grade commercial office building at 465 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood, to Hines Global REIT <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/commercial/fkp-sells-465-victoria-avenue-chatswood-to-hines-reit/2013022559540">for a gross price of $92 million</a>.
FKP executive chairman Seng Huang Lee said the divestments "demonstrate management's focus on narrowing the gap between our current security price and NTA and are in line with our 'back-to-basics' strategy to simplify our business and strengthen our balance sheet."
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FKP sells Browns Plains commercial precinct to Engage Capital

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All the headlines centred on the weekend's stellar highest priced sale of $5.15 million for a six-bedroom, five-bathroom home in Vaucluse.
The Derby Street house, which has harbour views taking in the Opera House and bridge, attracted six Chinese buyers when auctioned by the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-vaucluse-112822139">Sotheby's agent Michael Pallier</a> inconjunction with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Sale/House/NSW/Vaucluse/?adid=2010237325">Ray White Double Bay agent Daniel Ungar</a>.
"We thought it would go for $4.5 million," he told Fairfax Media, after bidding on the property had started at $3.9 million.
Mr Pallier attributed the improved prestige market partly to section 188 visa changes last July, which speed up entry for foreigners who spend $5 million in approved investments. The improving sharemarket was another factor.
Its last sale price was $3.2 million in 2002, reflecting 4.5% annual growth.
The weekend's cheapest sale was $368,000 at Carramar. The three-bedroom, original-condition 1960s Ruby Street offering sold under public trustee instructions through <a target="_blank" href="https://www.homehound.com.au/9+ruby+street+carramar+nsw+2163/">Century 21 Southwest Fairfield </a>agent Nickolas Papadopoulos.
It was marketed as "calling all renovators and property investors/developers."
The brick house on 556 square metres was marketed as an "excellent money spinner."
Having last sold for $93,500 in 1987, its price reflected 5.38% annual growth.
For more on the allure of Australian property to Asian buyers, <a href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/free-ebook-australias-allure-for-asian-residential-property-investment" target="_blank">download our free eBook. </a>The eBook is also available for<a href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/australias-allure-for-asian-residential-property-investment-free-ebook" target="_blank"> free download in Chinese.</a>
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Cheapest $380,000 Sydney sale yields better than $5.15 million Vaucluse prestige

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The historic St John’s church site, one of the most well-known properties on Sydney’s Oxford Street strip, is well under way in its transformation into a boutique residential and retail project.
The St John’s Paddington project comes with eight dwellings of which half have been sold by Savills.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/02/stjohnsfeb26one.jpg" alt="stjohnsfeb26one" width="470" height="286">
Peter Coulton, from Savills Residential Projects NSW, says the start of 2013 had seen a "significant pick up" in market confidence, mainly from downsizers from the North Shore looking for a more centralised living lifestyle.
"St John's Residences in Paddington has received over 30% of its enquiries from downsizers who are looking to move from the North Shore," he said.
Two of the four properties now sold have been snapped up by this demographic – people from the lower and upper North Shore – including the church penthouse at $2.45 million.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/02/stjohnsfeb26two.jpg" alt="stjohnsfeb26two" width="470" height="285">
"The penthouse was sold to a couple who have older children and wanted to downsize from the family home," Peter Coulton said.
"Paddington is becoming increasingly attractive to downsizers due to its central location, host of cafes and restaurants, markets, proximity to art galleries and theatres, together with an active and lively community.
“The driver for downsizers is predominantly the release of equity for their child’s first home but increasingly it is the attractiveness of an easier lifestyle within a community and the downscaling of land without compromising on internal space.”
<img src="/images/stories/2013/02/stjohnsfeb26three.jpg" alt="stjohnsfeb26three" width="470" height="290">
The <a href="https://www.stjohnspaddington.com.au/" target="_blank">St John’s Paddington residences </a>have proportions ranging from 171 square metres to 339 square metres.
Pricing for the remaining three-bedroom apartments start at $1.725 million and range up to $2.75 million.
The freestanding home within the 261-263 Oxford Street project had been listed at $3.5 million, but sold earlier this month. 
The free-standing former manse was a Torrens title offering - a two-storey Federation Arts and Crafts property on Regent Street.
<div class="property_detail_copy">The development comes with retail and café spaces fronting the busy Sydney pedestriuan hub.</div>
The project is being developed by Australasia Properties Pty Ltd and marketed through <a href="https://www.savillsresidential.com.au/Buying/Property-Search/PropertyDetails.aspx?pfresults=True&amp;id=3058" target="_blank">Savills residential projects divisional director, Peter Coulton</a>.
The site was sold by Savills in 2010 year for $9 million to the developers who have since worked with designers Ancher Mortlock Woolley and architects Marchese Partners.
They have adjusted the initial 2005 conditional development consent for the redevelopment granted by the Land &amp; Environment Court.
“For almost two decades the buildings have been left vacant, subject to vandalism and in an increasing state of deterioration,” its April 2011 Graham Brooks &amp; Associates heritage impact statement says.
It has frontages to Oxford and Regent streets, and at the rear, Renny Lane.
“These historic Paddington landmarks will be given a new lease of life,” Mr Coulton says.
The St John’s manse was built in 1845, with later additions, making it one of Paddington’s oldest buildings. The colonial Georgian manse was built at a cost of 240 pounds. In 1859 the Gothic-style St John’s church was built next door to a design by Henry Robertson.
In 1885 it was extended by the church hall at the rear. It was deconsecrated as a Presbyterian church in 2000.
The church sold in 2004 for $8.3 million to a syndicate headed by Tony Braham. The syndicate offloaded the project in 2010.
It sits within the Sydney City Council municipality.
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North Shore downsizers seek out St John's Paddington offerings through Savills

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FKP Property Group has sold its 15-level A-grade commercial office building at 465 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood for $92 million prior to incentive adjustments.
The sale to Hines Global REIT represents a $2.5 million premium to FKP’s 30 June 2012 book value.
<img alt="fkpfeb25one" height="441" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/02/fkpfeb25one.jpg">
Its reflects a passing yield of 7.79%.
FKP Property Group acquired Vero Tower, as it was then known in August 2007, for $98 million. The purchase price represented a price per square metre of $6,465 and initial passing yield of 7.2%.
The building first sold in 1998 for $78 million and then in 2004 for $86 million.
The A Grade building was purpose-built for insurance group Royal Sun Alliance in 1995.
The building is situated close to Chatswood Interchange, which services about 70,000 commuters per day.
The US property giant Hines last year looked at buying Civic Tower in Sydney’s central business district for about $130 million but it did not proceed.
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FKP sells 465 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood to Hines REIT

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Buyers have secured the purchase of 117 apartments within the 142-unit stage two of the Platinum project at Victoria Park on the weekend.
The sales ranged from $499,000 for a one-bedroom units to $1.3 million for three-bedroom apartments through Link Marketing Services, who maintained strong Asian buyer connections.
The initial 180 apartments in the first stage of Platinum sold off-the-plan within 30 days of release in late 2012.
<img alt="paycefeb25one" src="/images/stories/2013/02/paycefeb25one.jpg" width="470" height="314">
Payce has started construction of Platinum, which comprises five buildings, each with its own identity and colour scheme. The first stage is slated for completion by July 2014.
The project was designed by architect Nick Turner, with interiors by Koichi Takada.
The current 142 apartments are within a 15-storey complex which has an inter-connecting eight level building.
Payce’s earlier buildings at Victoria Park – Apex and East Village – sold out within four and two months respectively in mid-2011.
“The only thing Victoria Park lacks is shopping facilities, and that will change early next year when Payce completes a major fresh food and retail centre called the East Village Urban Marketplace,” said Basil Klevansky, managing director of LINK Marketing Services.
“It will have up to 50 specialty shops with an emphasis on fresh produce, a Coles supermarket, and a health and fitness club with a 25-metre indoor swimming pool,” he said.
For more about Australia's allure for Asian residential property investment, <a target="_self" href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/free-ebook-australias-allure-for-asian-residential-property-investment">click here for our free ebook</a>.
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Payce secures snappy weekend sale of 117 in its latest 142 Platinum, Victoria Park apartment offering

ASX-listed developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/stockland">Stockland</a>&nbsp;is continuing its push back into the new apartment market, filing plans for a prominent gateway site between Collingwood and East Melbourne.

The development giant, which moved back into the new apartment space when it announced Stanton Place in Sydney's Rosebery and have since filed plans for a 50-storey tower, are jumping into the off the plan Melbourne market.

They are hoping to create a mixed-use neighbourhood precinct for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/79-81-victoria-parade-collingwood-vic-3066">79-81 Victoria Parade</a>, replacing an existing commercial building with a scheme by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/john-wardle-architects">Wardle</a>&nbsp;for 478 apartments,&nbsp;ground-floor retail, new public open spaces and a publicly accessible pedestrian laneway.

<img alt="First look: Stockland plans new mixed-use neighbourhood precinct for Collingwood gateway site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="72dbbca9-3918-4073-afad-a0c0c35be8e7" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/stockland%20pers.png?VersionId=bzMVUKKxvwuNK1m0v_td126Rgct32uk_" />

The design report identifies the public realm as a central driver of the proposal.

"Collingwood has limited access to high-quality parks and public open space, and the proposal delivers valuable new areas for respite, social interaction and fine-grain retail activity."

The development would deliver a diverse mix of housing, including studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments alongside townhouse-style residences. Two basement levels are proposed beneath the development, providing resident and retail parking as well as extensive bicycle facilities.

Wardle's design draws heavily on Collingwood's industrial character, using articulated building forms, brickwork and robust materials inspired by the suburb's warehouse and manufacturing heritage. The built form has been broken into a series of smaller volumes to better respond to the surrounding streetscape while extensive communal gardens, rooftop amenities and shared resident spaces are integrated throughout the project.

<img alt="First look: Stockland plans new mixed-use neighbourhood precinct for Collingwood gateway site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7b2135ed-65df-4253-ad53-f216f06bd467" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/stockland%20podium.png?VersionId=l1B6Hqn8zs772VxH6L1fDPg0KHshan9v" />

The planning documents describe the existing office building as offering little engagement with the public realm, with the redevelopment intended to create a more permeable and active neighbourhood destination.

"The proposed scheme presents a significant opportunity to deliver a vibrant retail plaza and a local neighbourhood hub serving both existing and future Collingwood residents."

The 79–81 Victoria Parade site occupies a strategic location about 1.5 kilometres east of Melbourne's CBD, at the threshold between Collingwood and East Melbourne. It is well served by tram services along Victoria Parade and sits within walking distance of St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy Gardens, the Fitzroy activity centre and a broad range of employment, retail and hospitality destinations.

Joel Robinson

Stockland plans new mixed-use neighbourhood precinct for Collingwood gateway site

An 1880s timber cottage that has survived Kangaroo Point's transformation from riverside suburb to high-density apartment precinct is set to become the centrepiece of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/zephyr">Zephyr Group</a>'s proposed Banksia development.

Rather than see the locally heritage-listed Alpha Cottage as an obstacle to navigate, plans integrate the landmark home into a new 18-storey residential tower, giving one of the suburb's oldest surviving residences a new role as the project's communal hub.

The development application covers a 1,177 sqm amalgamated site at 127-133 Lambert Street and 30 Shafston Avenue, where Zephyr Group plans to deliver 64 apartments above three basement levels. Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/joe-adsett-architects">Joe Adsett Architects</a>, the proposal carefully weaves the retained heritage cottage into a contemporary residential scheme, with the tower elevated above the historic building to preserve its presence within the Lambert Street streetscape.

<img alt="First look: Zephyr Group's Banksia to wrap new Kangaroo Point tower around 1880s Alpha Cottage" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f9dc5bdb-d691-4c60-bf2b-c3ed405a3e75" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Banksia.png?VersionId=Jh4bjlewU.o8HXWt0V4KaFA_lPcF7KWM" />

Named after the native Australian Banksia flower, the project draws inspiration from its distinctive form through curved balconies, sculpted planter boxes and cascading subtropical landscaping that soften the building's profile.

As the design report explains: "The tower's identity is defined by its feature facade, drawing direct inspiration from the Banksia wildflower. The building departs from traditional rigidity through the use of elegant, GRC-moulded planter boxes that appear as if shaped by the breeze."

Plans propose 64 apartments, comprising 32 two-bedroom and 32 three-bedroom residences, across an 18-storey tower. Residents would have access to rooftop amenities including a swimming pool, spa, gym, sauna, private cinema, dining spaces and landscaped recreation areas, while more than half the site is dedicated to planting and open space.

<img alt="First look: Zephyr Group's Banksia to wrap new Kangaroo Point tower around 1880s Alpha Cottage" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="16041b5f-033e-47fa-8fbe-9886e072c1f2" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/pool.png?VersionId=kpx5w4EbLx0_TdWfDoD1vrSs0_cZ5Ao1" />

The heritage component is the defining feature of the proposal. Constructed in the early 1880s and occupied from at least 1883, Alpha Cottage is recognised by Brisbane City Council as an important surviving example of Kangaroo Point's nineteenth-century residential development and as a representative transverse-gable timber cottage. Despite extensive redevelopment across the peninsula, the building has retained a high degree of its original form and internal fabric.

As part of the redevelopment, the cottage will be carefully relocated a short distance within its original allotment to facilitate construction before being returned to a prominent position along Lambert Street. Original verandah elements will be dismantled, catalogued and reinstated, while significant internal features, including timber flooring, wall linings, joinery, doors, windows and hardware, will be retained. Later additions, including the enclosed rear verandah, will be removed to better reveal the building's original form.

Once restored, Alpha Cottage will accommodate the building manager's office, mail room and parcel facilities, providing an active everyday use that supports its long-term conservation rather than preserving it as a static display. The heritage strategy also maintains landscaped space around the building, allowing it to remain visually distinct beneath the new tower.

<img alt="First look: Zephyr Group's Banksia to wrap new Kangaroo Point tower around 1880s Alpha Cottage" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="43b027e1-576e-4624-a66c-7cc54ea8b7be" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/banksia%20tower.png?VersionId=2W6E2yfkj2AQlWlLeV986grA5zB9f817" />

The Heritage Impact Assessment concludes that "the proposal secures the ongoing occupation, maintenance and conservation of Alpha Cottage," finding the development would result in "no more than a minor impact on the cultural heritage significance" of the building while ensuring its long-term future.

Joe Adsett Architects have designed the tower to sit above the heritage building rather than overwhelm it, creating a clear visual separation between old and new. The development's flowing balconies, integrated planting and organic façade respond to Brisbane's subtropical climate while complementing the restored cottage below.

Banksia occupies a prominent corner in Kangaroo Point within walking distance of the Kangaroo Point Bridge, Brisbane River, ferry services, QUT, the CBD and the Woolloongabba precinct. The site also benefits from direct access to active transport infrastructure and sits within an area earmarked for continued higher-density residential growth.

Zephyr Group's Banksia to wrap new Kangaroo Point tower around 1880s Alpha Cottage

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.

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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]

Jonathan Chancellor

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