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Denton Corker Marshall will design the new Venice Biennale pavilion for the Australia Council for the Arts, planned for 2015 completion.
Denton Corker Marshall, whose credits include the Melbourne Museum, Museum of Sydney, the Australian Embassies in Tokyo and Beijing, and the Stonehenge Visitor Centre in the UK, was unanimously selected from a shortlist of six Australian firms.
“Denton Corker Marshall was considered the outstanding choice to undertake this significant project,” says Australia Council chairman James Strong.
Denton Corker Marshall’s concept for the pavilion was a design is “to make a form of the utmost simplicity; a white box contained within a black box”.
The firm hopes the pavilion will be envisaged as an object rather than a building.
The Venice Biennale is the world’s oldest international contemporary arts event, with Australia represented at the event for more than three decades. It attracts a quarter of a million visitors over its five months and last year over 192,000 attended the Australian pavilion’s exhibition.
Australia has had a site in the prestigious Giardini location since 1988 – one of only 29 countries to have a permanent national presence – where Phillip Cox designed Australia’s first pavilion as a temporary structure for the Arthur Boyd exhibition.
The new pavilion is due to be completed for the opening of the 56th International Art Exhibition, Venice Biennale 2015.
The project, managed by the Australia Council, is estimated to cost approximately $6 million, with all capital funds to be sourced from the private sector. Australia is the first country to redevelop its site in the Giardini.
 
 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Denton Corker Marshall chosen to design Venice Biennale pavilion for 2015

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A Dallas buyer has bought the luxury French chateau Champ d'Or in Texas, which went to auction last Friday with a US$10.3 ($9.86 million) million reserve price. Its sale price by a mobile phone mogul vendor has gone undisclosed.
Champ d'Or was modeled after Vaux-le-Vicomte in Paris, the elaborate French chateau built by Nicholas Fouquet, the finance minister of Louis XIV, which inspired the design of Versailles.
It sits in front of a 6,070-square-metre lake on the 16-hectareTexas property surrounded by a fence that reputedly cost $1 million about 45 minutes north of Dallas.
The six-bedroom house cost US$46 million ($44 million) and took five years to build, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/morganbrennan/2012/03/13/a-dallas-palace-that-cost-46-million-to-build-now-asks-10-million/">Forbes</a>, and has been sitting on the market for nine years having $72 million hopes along the way. One critic called it "the biggest little teardown in Texas” and noted at about 3,2500 square metres, the Goldfields’ house could contain 20 median US homes. The writer of the Dmagazine article Mark N Vamos reported that about a half-mile from the main gate was the entrance to Hickory Creek Estates, a mobile home community featuring a badly rutted road, dead cars, and severely weather-beaten trailers.
Local real estate experts say the property likely sold close to its reserve price of $10.3 million, based on surrounding property prices.
New York City-based Concierge Auction oversaw the auction of the house, which has its own <a target="_blank" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champ_d'Or_Estate">Wikipedia page</a>.
It says the baroque French chateau located in Hickory Creek takes its name "anglised as Field of Gold," from the surname of Alan and Shirley Goldfield, who built the house in 2002, and reportedly opted instead to live close by rather than in the house. It’s been reported that the Brooklyn, NY-born Goldfield founded his business in 1969 as National Tape and Record Center. In late 1997, as CellStar’s stock rode the tech and telecom boom, his 34% stake in the company was worth $500 million.
The Forbes magazine-featured house also appeared in several books on French architecture and interior design.
Its ballroom has mirrors patterned after Versailles, its indoor swimming pools have Lalique doors and the master bedroom suite has a two-story "hers" closet modelled after the Chanel boutique in Paris. The rooftop pool at the Hôtel de Paris in Monte Carlo inspired the couple’s pool facilities.
Joan Eleazer of Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty was the listing agent. The buyer was represented by Clay Stapp of CLAY STAPP+CO.
“It is a remarkable achievement to have sold this estate — and particularly to have done so in a five-week time span,” stated Robbie Briggs, the owner of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s.
Joan Eleazer, who was the first agent to try to sell the house indicated had previously indicated: “There’s a very narrow market for a home like this.”
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Luxury Texas chateau Champ d’Or sells for about US$10 million – a quarter of its build cost

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Prahran is one of Melbourne’s auction hotspots, with its 2012 clearance rate running at 75%.
The suburb, which has a good supply of Victorian houses, is attracting buyers who just can’t find anything as affordable in Toorak, Armadale or South Yarra.
''The better streets of Prahran and East Prahran, where there's been some market activity of late, are drawing what we call 'lateral buyers','' Marshall White agent Marcus Chiminello told Fairfax Media.
''They are buyers who are happy to compromise on postcode if they can get similar amenity nearby.''
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/april3grandview]}
RT Edgar agent Jeremy Fox, who sold the top-selling house at the weekend in Prahran, at 4 Grandview Grove (pictured above), says the market appears to be improving.
The house was described as a stunning single-level Italianate Victorian residence renovated and extended under supervision of Carr Design and featuring pool and spa, high ceilings, floor to ceiling glass, return driveway and two street frontages.
With three bidders, the house on 918 square metres fetched $4.57 million, having been listed with initial $4 million-plus hopes. It was announced on the market at $4.32 million, according to the James Buyers Advocates report.
Fox says there are a lot of people trading up their houses now and a lot of people coming from overseas.
Prahran had the highest number of auctions on the weekend, with 13 out of 17 reported results sold, reflecting a 76% weekend clearance rate.
Real estate agency hockingstuart says <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/prahran-the-hockingstuart-mid-autumn-2012-property-review/2012040254120">Prahran will continue to have strong capital growth.</a>
 
 
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Prahran a Melbourne auction hotspot as buyers trade down from Toorak

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Rose Porteous placed a $4.5 million vendor bid when her redundant Toorak abode went to weekend auction. The Perth socialite bought the Irving Road house for $4.75 million in 2007. The Georgian-style residence comes with a double-height entrance hall. It was listed with Phillip French and Jeremy Fox at RT Edgar.
<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial;" src="/images/stories/porteous2.jpg">
The three-bedroom, four-bathroom house comes with lift access. Any sale will draw the curtain on Porteous's plentiful Toorak property plays, which have filled the city's society columns for much of the past decade.
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Rose Porteous’s Toorak home passed in at weekend auction: Title Tattle

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It was March 2007 when Soumershell, the ultra-contemporary house on the shores of Gunnamatta Bay of longtime Cisco operative Frank Maly and wife Monica, hit the market.
"The owner wants $10 million and we've had interest from two or three parties above the $8 million mark," the initial listing agent advised at the time.
A year earlier a $6.6 million Burraneer record had been set, so as the five-bedroom Shell Road house was deemed superior, so to were its price expectations.
But even before the global financial crisis impacted on prestige pricing, the Port Hacking property faced the headwinds of negative price sentiment with belated price adjustments being periodically made along the way.
On its second auction campaign, in October 2007 auction, the reserve was $8.5 million. By June 2008, the hopes were put as $7.5 million plus. The land cost $1.63 million in 1999.
In 2009 there was some price guidance across the fence when $3.8 million was achieved the neighbouring house. The two-level 1964 house with boatshed and pool on a 2,112 square metre block was sold by executors of the late Joseph Boseley, the inventor of the Bosclip Lawn Barber'n Edge Trimmer, hair clippers and the boomerang pillow, having been listed with $3.5 million-plus hopes.
Soumershell was available at $2,700 a week rental in mid-2009.
The $7.5 million-plus asking price stayed until October 2011 when the price expectation was adjusted under its fourth marketing agent to $6 million plus.
When marketing began for its March 31 auction the conjunctional agents were suggesting $5 million plus for the high-end contemporary deep waterfront house.
The tri-level house set on 1,184 square metres with 20-metre heated lap and plunge pools, level lawns, slip rail with cradle and pontoon with poles.
Inside there’s triple lock-up garage, heated limestone floors, gym and home theatre.
"A motivated vendor ensures all this is available at below replacement cost," said its conjunctional listing agent David Highland from Highland Property Agents pre-auction.
After Saturday’s auction, when the property sold for $4.95 million, conjunctional McGrath agent Kieren Bresnahan said, “Previously it would have been worth a lot more, but in the current climate that was about what we thought”.
The sale of the Sutherland Shire property <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/auctions/melbourne-passes-super-saturday-auction-acid-test-while-sydney-results-were-weaker/2012033054094">was the highest known weekend auction result</a>.
 
 
 
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After five years, super Saturday's $4.95 million highest sale represents a half-price haircut on Port Hacking

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Macquarie Group’s new farmland fund has spent $15.9 million to buy grain farming property Kealandi near Moree in northern NSW.
The fund purchased the 4,000-hectare property from the Taylor family in an off-market transaction brokered by Peter Houlahan from stock and station agents Houlahan Young.
Market sources have suggested the indicative $4,000 per hectare was a strong sales result for Moree, which is renowned for its highly productive black soil.
The fund’s directors include former Twynam Agricultural executive chairman Christine Campbell.
Macquarie has become one of Australia’s largest landholders in recent years, held through its pastoral fund, which has aims of acquiring $1 billion worth of grazing land.
Another rural property transaction near Esperance in Western Australia, worth more than $20 million, is believed to have added to the new fund, according to The Australian Financial Review.
Macquarie declined to comment to the AFR on the transactions as it is at a sensitive stage in raising up to $700?million for the purchase of other grain-producing farms in Australia and Brazil.
 
 
 
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Macquarie Group buys Moree grain farm for $15.9 million

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The Block renovation television series seems set to return home to Sydney after the current South Melbourne series.
The production company has bought four single-level semis at Bondi, close to the southern end of the coastal strip.
The hush-hush purchase which echoes its previous property acquisitions of four adjacent properties has possibly cost $4.4 million or more. Each of the three-bedroom semis (pictured below) sits on a 260-square-metre holding.
<img src="/images/stories/theblockproperties.jpg">
The $1.32 million sale of an adjacent semi indicates its partial renovation potential, although The Block is likely to add a second level subject to council permission.
<img style="float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/blockposter.jpg">
The <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/renovating/father-daughter-and-mother-son-teams-in-channel-9-s-upcoming-the-block-2012/2012032954015">next soon-to-air series is set in South Melbourne</a> which commences Monday April 16 features four two-storey terrace houses getting an extra floor. It follows the previous top-rating Richmond series during 2011.
The first series that aired in 2003 was closer to the heart of the beachside strip, on Roscoe Street, Bondi Beach, with four flats undergoing renovation.
It was followed by series at coastal Manly and Vaucluse, where blocks of four flats underwent renovation.
 
 
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It’s back to Bondi for The Block home renovation reality series after they sell South Melbourne

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Despite the big jump in pre-Easter auction listings, Melbourne’s estate agents secured a commendable 60% Saturday auction success rate, which was revised up to 61% after Sunday's results. But Sydney’s result was weaker with a 53.8% clearance rate.
Melbourne's result was consistent with the year to date, but Sydney's was significantly down on the previous week, the weakest for four weekends.
It was the first super Saturday auction weekend in both Sydney and Melbourne since late 2010, with more than 1,000 auctions scheduled for Melbourne and more than 700 in Sydney.
Not all the results are in, and it was perhaps not the truest reflection of under the hammer sentiment as many agents tried hard to avoid the pre-school holiday bottleneck by securing pre-auction sales. The McGrath agency reported 44 pre-sales among its 76 sales from 151 offerings across NSW.
The Melbourne result was up on the 59% of the prior weekend but slightly lower than the year to date clearance rate of 62% for Melbourne.
The last five Melbourne weekends have returned clearance rates in a very tight band between 58% and 61%, which indicates very consistent demand despite the fluctuations on volume.
Despite the higher Melbourne success rate rate, anedotal auctions reports suggested bidding numbers were more subdued in Melbourne than the turnouts at successful Sydney auctions.
The highest known sale in Sydney <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/after-five-years-super-saturday-s-%244.95-million-sale-represents-a-half-price-haircut/2012040154109" target="_blank">was a $4.95 million sale at Burraneer</a> and in Melbourne it was a Grandview Grove Prahran house for $4.57 million. Prahran had the highest number of auctions scheduled for the weekend with 13 out of the 17 reported results sold reflecting a 76% clearance rate. Melbourne buyers' agent Mal James noted there had been a 79% success rate at the 34 auctions with $1 million-plus his buyers agency attended.
"It was a sizzling result and supports the market improvement most have been claiming in 2012," James says. But the average bidder number was two per auction, James notes.
Ian Carmichael, the Bennison Mackinnon Melbourne eastern suburbs auctioneers notesdespite a few strong results among some average outcomes, buyers were still very prepared to walk away.
“In light of the high volume of homes on offer this is a good result and shows that the market is performing consistently,” Enzo Raimondo, chief executive of the Real Estate Institute of Victoria, says.
The 61% clearance rate came from the 929 auctions reported to the REIV of the expected 1,040 auctions, with more auctions results yet to come which will see a revised tally early this week.
The same weekend last year resulted in a clearance rate of 60% from 808 auctions.
With the Easter holidays next weekend only 50 auctions are scheduled for Melbourne.
The 53.8% Sydney result recorded from 626 of the expected 737 results by Australian Property Monitors was down on the prior weekend's 59% success tally.
Sydney’s various markets performed diversely. Of the 110 reported inner-west auctions, there was a 76.4% success rate. The clearance rate on the lower north shore was 61.3% and 56.3% in the city and east. Other regions were weaker.
 In Sydney by 9.30am First National auctioneer Michael McCaffery had sold his 19 Driver Street Denistone West auction property.
“Strong bidding and for above reserve at $776,000 was a great start to the day,” he says.
There were strong registrations at many auctions including a Ray White Five Dock property that fetched $1 million. There were 31 bids from the 11 registered according to Cooley auctioneer Nick Cleary.
At the Ray White auction of Wells Street Annandale for $790,000 the selling agent Charles Bailey had nine registered buyers.
Cooley auctioneer Chris Mourd sold his 21 Trafalgar Parade Concord offering for $1.1 million well above its $950,000 reserve with five registered bidders at the LJ Hooker auction.
The overall Cooley Auctions clearance rate was 57% selling 46 of its 81 auctions.
There were four registrations for 5 Carnarvon Avenue Glenhaven, which fetched $2.16 million through Century 21 West Pennant Hills.
The Ray White offering at 36a Franklin Road Chipping Norton sold for $15,000 above reserve, which the office is claiming as a record price.
The Ray White Drummoyne office sold four of its five listings under the hammer.
Sales included a mortgagee auction when auctioneer Bram Page sold 117/2 Bond Street, Sydney for $412,000. There were eight registered bidders who saw the property move beyond its $400,000 reserve through Sydney Cove Property. The flat last traded at $345,000 in 2008. It was sold on the weekend amid spirited bidding to Allan Dabbagh, owner of Coldwell Banker Real Estate at Wattle Grove and Cumberland-Courier NSW Community's father of the year.
But there were passed ins including a five bedroom beachfront house at Barrack Point, near Shellharbour, that was passed in at $1.7 million by Ray White auctioneer Ben Mitchell.
The propertytycoon.com.au website noted just the two bidders contesting 50 O'Grady Street Clifton Hill with it selling under the hammer for $780,000.
Nelson Alexander agent Roland Paterson had been quoting between $690,000 to $750,000.
A 5/57 Spenser Road St Kilda unit sold for $500,000 as three bidders got involved.
In Melbourne the offering at 4/43 Clowes St South Yarra was passed in at $800,000 but sold shortly after for $820,000.
Andrew James of Hocking Stuart Armidale says his office sold six of seven auctions.
Grant Lynch at Allens Real Estate reported a clean sweep of the office’s three auctions in the outer eastern suburbs.
The Philip Webb agency in the eastern suburbs recorded sales in seven of its 10 auctions.
The Jas H Stephens agency team sold seven of its 10 auctions.
Based on the Saturday 6pm results, there are 133 unreported or unheld Sunday auctions in Melbourne, along with 111 unreported Sydney results.
 
Melbourne's super Saturday auction weekends since 2003
 
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="275"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="90">
Date
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="104">
Auctions
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
Clearance rate
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="90">
12-Dec-10
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="104">
1,235
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
57.0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="90">
5-Dec-10
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="104">
1,071
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
60.0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="90">
28-Nov-10
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="104">
1,101
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
59.0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="90">
21-Nov-10
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="104">
1,013
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
57.0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="90">
24-Oct-10
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="104">
1,127
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
67.0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="90">
20-Jun-10
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="104">
1,050
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
68.0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="90">
28-Mar-10
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="104">
1,073
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
85.0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="90">
12-Dec-09
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="104">
1,065
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
81.0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="90">
28-Nov-09
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="104">
1,050
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
78.0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="90">
19-Apr-08
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="104">
1,105
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
64.0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="90">
15-Mar-08
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="104">
1,351
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
67.0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="90">
1-Mar-08
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="104">
1,014
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
71.0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="90">
23-Feb-08
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="104">
1,146
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
74.0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="90">
15-Dec-07
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="104">
1,171
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
78.0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="90">
8-Dec-07
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="104">
1,201
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
79.0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="90">
17-Nov-07
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="104">
1,197
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
81.0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="90">
27-Oct-07
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="104">
1,211
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
83.0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="90">
13-Dec-03
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="104">
1,046
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
44.8%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="90">
6-Dec-03
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="104">
1,101
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
52.0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="90">
29-Nov-03
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="104">
1,241
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
47.0%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="90">
25-Oct-03
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="104">
1,115
</td>
<td valign="top" nowrap width="81">
66.5%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
Source: REIV
Sydney's super Saturday auction weekends since 2009
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="247"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="92">
Date
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="155">
Number of properties listed for auction
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="92">
26-Sep-09
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="155">
678
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="92">
27-Mar-10
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="155">
752
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="92">
29-May-10
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="155">
630
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="92">
25-Sep-10
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="155">
666
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="92">
30-Oct-10
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="155">
651
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="92">
6-Nov-10
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="155">
625
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="92">
20-Nov-10
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="155">
648
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="92">
27-Nov-10
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="155">
779
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="92">
4-Dec-10
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="155">
680
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="92">
11-Dec-10
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="155">
627
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="92">
26-Feb-11
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="155">
625
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="92">
16-Apr-11
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="155">
646
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="92">
29-Oct-11
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="155">
619
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="92">
26-Nov-11
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="155">
662
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="92">
10-Dec-11
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="155">
654
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="92">
31-Mar-12
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="155">
702
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: APM
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Melbourne passes Super Saturday auction acid test while Sydney results were so-so

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Both Neometro’s luxury Forty One Darling Street South Yarra duplex terrace abodes have now sold.
<img src="/images/stories/41darling.jpg">
The latest sale was a four-bedroom, three-bathroom house with multiple living areas with 344 square metres of internal space and terraces of 50 square metres plus plunge pool.
<img src="/images/stories/41darling2.jpg">
It was a design collaboration between Neometro and interior designer Kerry Phelan with warm greys and honey tones, timber flooring, quality stone and bespoke timber cabinetry and detailing. There’s a lift from its basement car parking.
<img src="/images/stories/41darling3.jpg">
Its lush gardens include a palm tree.
<img src="/images/stories/41darling4.jpg">
It was the latest in the offerings from the Neometro’s 25-year track record. Possibly Neometro's best-known development is the Luxe building on Inkerman Street in St Kilda, which won the Royal Australian Institute of Architects national award for commercial architecture in 2000.
<img src="/images/stories/41darling5.jpg">
It sold through Ben Khong at Neometro for just over $4.1 million. The slightly larger north-facing adjacent terrace fetched $4.4 million of the plan in 2010.
<img src="/images/stories/41darling6.jpg">
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Neometro secures final sale at 41 Darling Street 

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<div><img src="/images/stories/broadway2.jpg"></div>
<div><img style="float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg"></div>
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Judith Neilson, the founder of the White Rabbit Collection, one of the world's most significant collections of Chinese contemporary art, has spent $7,975,000 (including GST) on another Chippendale warehouse (pictured above). But Title Tattle gleans the O’Connor Street warehouse – formerly the Simona fashion headquarters set directly opposite the upcoming exiting Frasers Central Park precinct – will be her new private residence. The three-storey building has 1,375 square metres of warehouse space, plus the adjoining Dick Street 220-square-metre car park holding. It’s mostly open plan with soaring high ceiling and minimal pillars with a glass façade across its 26 metre frontage. Her White Rabbit Gallery is just 50 metres away, a converted former knitting factory on Balfour Street, which has four floors of exhibition space as well as a theatrette, a library and a teahouse. It cost her $4.6 million in 2007. Only a fraction of the collection can be shown at any time, with the entire contents of the gallery are rehung twice a year. For a while last year<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/heather-ridout-%E2%80%93-now-on-the-reserve-bank-of-mosman-%E2%80%93-has-ridden-out-recessionary-downturns-title-tattle/2011120952768"> there was premature speculation</a> that Neilson would be placing her personal serene Alice in Wonderland world-style art pieces around the penthouse and pool now atop The Residence, the newly completed apartment block overlooking Hyde Park. The selling agent of the Chippendale warehouse, Deans Property Broadway selling agent Justin Rose, isn’t saying much since the sale, but his marketing described it as “without a doubt the hottest property offering of the year with untold future potential for an owner-occupier, developer, investor or anyone who can identify a great opportunity.” It last sold in 1988 for $1.32 million when bought by the family company headed then by designer Inge Fonagy and her late husband, George, who founded Simona in 1963. Now spanning three generations, Simona will continue the tradition of creating classic garments for women of all ages at a nearby Ultimo.</div>
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<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">Bong Bong (pictured above), the Burradoo home of Lynette Harvey, the former wife of retail entrepreneur Gerry Harvey, was passed in on a $1.5 million vendor bid last weekend through McGrath Bowral agent Sue Hunter. The 9405-square-metre estate had been listed with $1,995,000 plus hopes given its views over the Wingecarribee River. The four-bedroom, four-bathroom residence comes with large living, dining and entertainment areas, an open-plan kitchen with a butler's pantry and cool room. There’s also an indoor heated swimming pool. The Moss Vale Road property last traded at $2 million in 1999 when Lynette Harvey bought it from prominent medico Bruce Shepherd.</div>
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<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">Author Bryce Courtenay and wife Christine Gee, the director of the Australian Himalayan Foundation, have yet again reduced price expectations on their Burradoo home (pictured above) in the NSW southern highlands. Set on 8,572 square metres of garden, the house comes with a library, courtyard and five bedrooms. McGrath Bowral’s Anne Stone and Kathie Frost have the listing with $1,955,000-plus hopes for its April 21 auction. It was initially listed with $3.3 million-plus hopes in 2010, then at $2.8 million last August. The property has been listed as Courtenay and Gee have relocated to live at their other home in Canberra. The couple bought the Werrington Street property for $2.8 million in March 2008 from the retired barrister Graham Martin and his wife, Judy.</div>
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<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">A 1950s modernist Avalon cottage (pictured above) has been sold, for the first time since it was built. Set on a 1,571-square-metre Ruskin Rowe holding, the property was sold by the Russell family, who built the house in 1958. The following year it featured on the cover of Australian House &amp; Garden magazine. No sale price has been given for the house, which was expected to sell for more than $1.3 million through David Edwards of LJ Hooker Palm Beach.</div>
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<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">The Ingham family has pulled its long-held apartment (pictured above) in The Connaught, a high-rise residential tower opposite Hyde Park in the city, from auction this weekend. McGrath agents Ben Forsyth and Ben Collier had $2.6 million hopes for the 24th floor three-bedroom apartment with a 17-metre balcony. Title Tattle recalls it last traded for $505,000 in 1984, the year the Liverpool Street building was completed. When the 239 apartments came onto a depressed market in the early 1980s, they were initially slow sellers and prices realised were low.</div>
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<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">Rabbitohs fullback Greg Inglis and his wife, Sally, have bought in Coogee, paying $1.11 million for a semi-detached house having been renting an apartment nearby. There had been a makeover to the house since it last traded for $965,000 in 2004.</div>
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<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">Socrates Vasiliades, the international commodities trader, has relisted his house at 3 Towers Road, Toorak (pictured above). With 22 rooms, a lift, home theatre, gym, pool, basement parking and well-kept gardens, it came with record-setting $30 million hopes last May. Kay &amp; Burton agent Ross Savas advised several months later that he’d received two $25 million offers but Vasiliades was holding out for the full amount for the 2,140-square-metre property. It was then withdrawn from marketing until this week. No new price indication has yet accompanied the latest marketing campaign, which began this week. Vasiliades, who had had tradespeople flown in from around the world to work on the house during its six-year construction, now gives his address as London. The property was bought by his wife, Celeste, in 2002 for $4.6 million from Peter Thomas. Vasiliades has been the chief executive of Core Mining since its 2003 establishment. The iron ore explorer is backed by Glencore International Plc and has Russian steelmaker OAO Severstal as an investor. He has over 23 years’ experience in the steel industry and prior to forming Core Mining he traded steel and bulk raw materials worldwide. The Victorian price record remains with the 2010 Portsea sale of Ilyuka for $26 million.</div>
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<div>One Towers Road, Toorak (pictured above), owned by former JPMorgan Australia chairman Brian Watson, remains listed for sale. Set on 3,900 square metres, the six-bedroom house was once owned by businessman John Elliott. Its Kay &amp; Burton listing agent Michael Gibson expected the house to attract more than $26 million when it was listed last October.</div>
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<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">The Darling Point penthouse (pictured above) of the late Jeanette Solomon, the mother of high-profile publican Bruce Solomon, sold after its mid-week auction. It was passed in at $6.8 million, then sold soon after at a higher price by Ken Jacobs of Christie's and Bill Malouf of LJ Hooker, whose Double Bay agency tweeted it has recorded a record month of sales since the gfc. Occupying the top floor of an eight-storey waterfront building in Yarranabbe Road, the three-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment had been expected to sell for more than $6 million. The apartment last traded in 1999 for $3.9 million when sold by the Kelly family following the death of businessman Sir Theo Kelly, a former Woolworths chairman, who lived in the apartment with his late wife, Nan.</div>
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<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">The Bellevue Hill home of the late Lady (Sonia) McMahon (pictured above) has come down from websites, but Title Tattle gathers it hasn’t sold. Her three children, Julian, Deborah and Melinda, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/lady-sonia-mcmahons-bellevue-hill-home-passed-in-at-%245.9-million-at-weekend-auction-but-not-far-from-expectations-title-tattle/2012032553997">knocked back $5.9 million when it went to weekend auction</a>. The Bellevue Hill property had been listed with $6 million-plus hopes. Sonia McMahon, the widow of former prime minister Sir William McMahon, bought the building block for $3 million in 1991 and subsequently constructed a French Riviera-inspired residence on its 1,252-square-metre holding. It’s understood there’s been a marginally higher offer since the auction from one of the three bidders. It’s listed through Sally Hampshire of Laing+Simmons Double Bay and Victoria Morish of Di Jones Real Estate.</div>
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<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">Former model Simone Callahan didn’t sell her clifftop Mornington Peninsula retreat, Clahane (pictured above), when it went to weekend auction. The former wife of cricketer Shane Warne, who wants $1.5 million plus for the four-bedroom, 332-square-metre Arthurs Seat house, placed a $1.4 million vendor bid. It was last traded in 2008 at $1,225,000. She’d initially sought $2 million in early 2010, which was subsequently revised to $1.59 million-plus hopes for the 4,700-square-metre property, which comes with self-contained guest accommodation, tennis court and swimming pool. There are views towards the CBD and over the Mornington Peninsula from the renovated single-level Scenic Place house, which had its Fasham-Johnson-makeover done before its last sale. It’s listed through Harcourts Rosebud agent Grant McConnell.</div>
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<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">Normandie, a French-inspired castle estate at Dural (pictured above), has been sold. Offers of $3 million plus were most recently being sought by Sandy Ward at Ray White Dural, who posted its sale announcement on realestate.com.au this week. No sale price was given. It was a mortgagee-in-possession sale, having been initially listed in September 2009 by its owners with $6.25 million-plus hopes. The imposing sandstone residence was built in 1985 by Bronte Douglass – a founder of Douglass Pathology – and his wife, Darlene. The manor house was built after the couple bought the almost-bare block in the early 1980s for $130,000. They had studied books on French chateaux before finalising their concept for the house with the assistance of designer Darryl Lock, who drew the plans. Lock also created many of the interior finishes, such as the four chandeliers suspended from the 10-metre-high cathedral ceiling in the great hall at the centre of the residence.</div>
<div>The house has a slate roof imported from the Pyrenees, external walls made from Sydney sandstone and interior walls of rendered brick. Designed to maximise its north and easterly aspects, it has forest and rural vistas from every room. At entry level is its great hall with a minstrel's gallery, a huge formal sitting room, banquet-sized dining room, large study panelled with American oak, family room, open-plan kitchen and breakfast area. It comes with four bedroom suites. Its 2.2-hectare grounds have sweeping lawns, ornamental trees, a tennis court and swimming pool. A recent search of the property’s title revealed mortgages to St George Bank and the National Australia Bank. Considered the most exclusive street in Dural, Jane Place has eight properties of 2.2 hectares each. The most recent sale was sold by car dealer Phil Gilbert for $3.75 million. The Douglass house was almost sold last April to the Belmonte family but they bought eslewhere instead.</div>
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<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">And Title Tattle aims to tell readers first – even if it takes times before the official confirmation – so it was the McGrath upper north shore principal Shane Smollen who has emerged as the mystery $6.45 million buyer of the palatial residence (pictured above) of Perth-bound lawyer Amanda Kailis, of the MG Kailis Group, and her former husband, George Frazis, the Auckland-based chief executive of Westpac New Zealand who is almost famous across the ditch for being New Zealand's highest-paid executive. It had been listed with price hopes of more than $7 million through McGrath agent Simon Exleton, <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/heather-ridout-%E2%80%93-now-on-the-reserve-bank-of-mosman-%E2%80%93-has-ridden-out-recessionary-downturns-title-tattle/2011120952768">with the December purchaser details being kept tightly under wraps</a>. Built five years ago on a 530-square-metre block in Pacific Avenue, the four-level house has seven bedrooms, a climate-controlled 1,000-bottle wine cellar, a home theatre and large living areas overlooking the beach. The property last traded for $1,367,500 in June 1998. Tamarama’s most recent sale was the residence of Peter Scutt, a former partner of Bankers Trust in New York, which sold at an undisclosed price the day before its scheduled auction. Title Tattle estimates $7.55 million. But despite the four-bedroom, four-bathroom house having been renovated since it last traded for $4.8 million in 2003, the Thompson Street house is set to be rebuilt by its mystery eastern suburbs businessman buyer.</div>
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<img style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; float: left; margin: 5px;" src="/images/stories/flagtitletat.jpg">And don’t say that Title Tattle told you but singer Natalie Bassingthwaighte and husband, the former Rogue Traders drummer Cameron McGlinchey, are now set to upgrade homes in Melbourne to accomodate their young daughter, have secured $830,000 for their redundant 48 sq m Elizabeth Bay apartment through Scott Aggett from Belle Property. It had cost $749,000 in 2009. Apparently its buyer was a trainee surgeon moving to Sydney from Melbourne. The one-bedroom unit had been rented, currently for $810, for most of the time. The apartment sits on the ground floor of one of Elizabeth Bay's more historic buildings, and its lower level containing the lounge room and bathroom had been converted from a tidal pool. Bassingthwaighte has been a longtime owner in Elwood, buying out Ryan Eckersley, the former Neighbours' assistant director, for his half share in 2005 for $297,500.</div>
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The White Rabbit's Judith Neilson emerges with $8 million Chippendale warehouse as her intended home: Title Tattle

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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149637]

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.

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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. 
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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] 
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<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. 
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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. 
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"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] 
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"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. 
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"<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] 
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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. 
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"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. 
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"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] 
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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. 
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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. 
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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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