<html><body>
AMP Capital Wholesale Office Fund has taken full control of NAB house in Sydney's CBD announcing today it has acquired the remaining 25% interest in the A-grade building.
Developed by AMP Capital, 255 George Street has been the Sydney headquarters for National Australia Bank since its completion and NAB remains the building’s anchor tenant today.
AMP Capital Wholesale Office Fund Manager Nick McGrath said the acquisition further strengthens the AWOF portfolio.
In recent years, the owners have invested over $50 million in a transformational upgrade of the asset, setting a new standard of sustainability for existing buildings in the CBD. The building today boasts a 5-star NABERS rating.
“As full owner of the building, we believe we can continue to extract value from this prime asset for investors over the long-term”, McGrath said.  
AWOF is an open-ended unlisted trust investing in high-quality office buildings in Australia and New Zealand. As of 31 December, 2013, its assets stood at $2.9 billion.
<a href="mailto:news@propertyobserver.com.au" target="_blank">news@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
                  
</body></html>

kjiminez-eaYKfU7qd2

AMP Capital take full control of NAB House in Sydney

<html><body>
He is known as the Wizard of Omaha and considered to be one of the world's most successful investors.
And for thousands of investors around the world, Warren Buffett has become their investment guru. 
Every year, through his letter to Berkshire-Hathaway shareholders, the legendary investor offers his wisdom on anything from his rules for investing in stocks to the US and global economies or even Bitcoin. 
This week, Buffett he again released his highly anticipated annual shareholder newsletter and this time, front and centre of his letter was real estate investment.
Specifically, he reflected on two small properties that he purchased long ago and offered some insights on real estate investment.
One purchase involved a 400 hectare farm in Nebraska, which cost him $280,000 in 1986. 
The other purchase, which he made with a small group of investors a few years later, was a retail property in New York. 
The common theme in these tales was that he purchased both assets after property collapses. 
In his letter, Buffett says he cites the tales to "illustrate certain fundamentals of investing". 
He then goes on to highlight his five tips for real estate investing. 
They are:
<img style="float: left;" alt="number-1" height="30" width="20" src="/images/stories/2014/03/05/number-1.jpg">You don't need to be an expert in order to achieve satisfactory investment returns.  But if you aren’t, you must recognize your limitations and follow a course certain to work reasonably well. Keep things simple and don’t swing for the fences. When promised quick profits, respond with a quick “no.”
<img style="float: left;" alt="number-2" height="30" width="26" src="/images/stories/2014/03/05/number-2.jpg">Focus on the future productivity of the asset you are considering. If you don’t feel comfortable making a rough estimate of the asset’s future earnings, just forget it and move on. No one has the ability to evaluate every investment possibility. But omniscience isn’t necessary; you only need to understand the actions you undertake.
<img style="float: left;" alt="number-3" height="30" width="22" src="/images/stories/2014/03/05/number-3.jpg">If you instead focus on the prospective price change of a contemplated purchase, you are speculating. There is nothing improper about that. I know, however, that I am unable to speculate successfully, and I am sceptical of those who claim sustained success at doing so. Half of all coin-flippers will win their first toss; none of those winners has an expectation of profit if he continues to play the game. And the fact that a given asset has appreciated in the recent past is never a reason to buy it.
<img style="float: left;" alt="number-4" height="30" width="22" src="/images/stories/2014/03/05/number-4.jpg">With my two small investments, I thought only of what the properties would produce and cared not at all about their daily valuations. Games are won by players who focus on the playing field – not by those whose eyes are glued to the scoreboard. If you can enjoy Saturdays and Sundays without looking at stock prices, give it a try on weekdays.
<img style="float: left;" alt="number-5" height="30" width="22" src="/images/stories/2014/03/05/number-5.jpg">Forming macro opinions or listening to the macro or market predictions of others is a waste of time. Indeed, it is dangerous because it may blur your vision of the facts that are truly important. (When I hear TV commentators glibly opine on what the market will do next, I am reminded of Mickey Mantle’s scathing comment: “You don’t know how easy this game is until you get into that broadcasting booth.”
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:news@propertyobserver.com.au">news@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
</body></html>

Warren Buffett's five tips for investing in real estate

<html><body>
<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" alt="CBRE_-_Pxrl_Edit" height="76" width="200" src="/images/stories/2014/03/03/CBRE_-_Pxrl_Edit.jpg">
Agent: Phil Schell<img style="float: right;" alt="schell-profile" height="200" width="150" src="/images/stories/2014/03/03/schell-profile.jpg">
Position: Director
Company: CBRE Agribusiness
Office Location: Adelaide
How long have you been in the industry? Seven and a half  years in real estate practices and 30 years as an owner/operator in farming, South Australia.
What’s happening in the area you specialise in?
In the first quarter of 2014, activity in the agricultural sector has been warming more towards private vendors and not distressed transactions. Our South Australian team had anextremely successful 2013, which saw 22 individual properties sell in South Australia (local sales), with a gross realisation of more than $32 million.
Transactions take time and that won’t change this year. Generally six months is a typical rural transactional period. My business model includes the local (SA) market and extends to working and assisting my interstate colleagues. I work with an amazing and skilled national team on projects and listings in sectors including grain, livestock, horticulture, viticulture, northern cattle, dairy and forestry.
Confidence from the corporate sector increased late last year,with excellent signs of continuing in 2014. I feel that the small and medium rural business owners are expanding theiroperations by acquiring neighbouring or nearby land holdings. From discussions in recent meetings, it appears the four big banks are starting to fight over “market share” providing opportunities for good borrowing and better deals.
Describe the most interesting property you have sold?
Eyre Peninsula Cropping Aggregation in 2013 - 14 properties scattered over the Eyre Peninsula. Diverse land holdings across variable rainfall regions. Some of the properties werewell developed and boasted good assets and others not so good. It was great to sell 14 out of 14, with the receiver and manager McGrathNicol very satisfied with the end result.
What are the ingredients to being successful in your job?
Having a good team is essential, as well as understanding the intricacies of the industry, being able to fully engage with your clients (never take anything or anyone for granted), persist in a deal and don’t be concerned about the opposition - just be better!
What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?
Client engagement and “doing the deal”.
Where would you invest a spare $750,000?
Obviously rural property. The food security issue will not go away. Rural property is a “long-term hold” investment. My background is farming so I understand the risks.
Which football team do you support? The Adelaide Crows.
What’s your favourite app or techno gadget?
The iPhone is my office away from the office.
How do you use social media?
I prefer to engage with people personally. I do use <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://au.linkedin.com/pub/phil-schell/41/684/583">LinkedIn</a>, however, I need to explore the advantages of it further.
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:news@propertyobserver.com.au">news@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
                                
</body></html>

In profile: CBRE Agribusiness' director, Phil Schell

<html><body>
The light at the end of the tunnel has arrived for Australia's accommodation market, with supply levels hitting a record high last year.
Research from JLL's latest Top Hotel Owners and Operators Survey showed that accommodation supply rose 1.3% to 230,064 rooms at the end of June 2013, which it described as a "positive sign" that the market is "once again poised for growth after the uncertainty of the past few years".
After declining in 2012, it said, serviced apartments emerged as the growth sector in 2013 with room supply increasing 2.6% year-on-year with the addition of 1,442 keys. That compared to growth of 1.9% (1,683 rooms) in the hotel sector and a 0.3% decline in motel rooms (-229 rooms), revealed the report, which is based on supply levels across the hotel, motel and services apartment sectors.
Of the 230,064 accommodation rooms in Australia, the top 10 owners accounted for 11.3% (26,085 rooms) of total room supply at the end of 2013 and the top ten operators 40.7% (93,691 rooms).
The survey noted that the top 10 owners recorded a 1% lift in rooms in 2013 with the addition of 267 rooms.
<img alt="JLL_Australia_top_ten_owners_-_chart-march-5" height="375" width="470" src="/images/stories/2014/03/05/JLL_Australia_top_ten_owners_-_chart-march-5.gif">
Source: JLL. Note: * Includes joint venture properties with Far East
Last year also brought one new entrant into the top ten - the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) - following its acquisition of the Tourism Asset Holdings (TAHL) portfolio. The sale saw TAHL exit the sector after more than a decade in the top spot, it said.
"The transaction represented the first major direct hotel acquisition by a Middle East group in Australia...," said JLL's Hotel &amp; Hospitality Group chief executive for Australasia, Craig Collins.
"Offshore groups now account for 53% of rooms owned by the 30 largest accommodation owners in Australia".
Offshore investors, the survey showed, were predominantly from Asia, albeit with an increasing proportion of rooms held by Middle Eastern and global groups.
"This indicates how globalisation trends are gaining pace once again in the new era of hotel investment", JLL said.
The survey highlighted that operating groups have been very active over the past year, resulting in some significant changes to the top order.
<img alt="JLL_Australia_top_ten_operators_-_chart-march-5" height="350" width="470" src="/images/stories/2014/03/05/JLL_Australia_top_ten_operators_-_chart-march-5.gif">
Soure: JLL. *Note: Not provided, sourced from website
Collectively, the top ten increased their portfolio holdings 2.5%, bringing the total rooms under management to 93,961 across 963 properties.
However, JLL also said that four companies achieved double-digit growth, with the biggest gains recorded by Toga Hospitality - up 30.4%; Hilton 27.9%; Best Western 12.1 % and Oak Hotels &amp; Resorts 10.7%.
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:news@propertyobserver.com.au">news@propertyobserver.com.au</a> 
                      
</body></html>

Accommodation market supply levels hit record high: JLL

<html><body>
Investors are being offered a rare opportunity to buy a residential development site, with development approval for an 18-level mixed use building in Sydney's exclusive suburb of North Sydney. 
Located at 225-235 Pacific Highway and 22 Angelo Street, the 1,538 square metre site is approved for 190 apartments with 11,937 square metres of residential space plus ground commercial/retail space of 867 square metres. 
<img alt="north-sydney-feb-26-one" height="288" width="470" src="/images/stories/2014/02/26/north-sydney-feb-26-one.jpg">
Knight Frank’s Andrew Drury, Peter Krieg, Brett Burridge and Dominic Ong have been appointed to sell the mixed use development site on behalf of industrial property investment group, Ford Land Company.
Mr Drury said that with limited development sites remaining in such prestige localities, <a target="_blank" href="https://225pacific.com.au/?">225-235 Pacific Highway</a> offers a rare opportunity to acquire such a property with valuable development consent.
The agents said that potential buyer could immediately start per-sales from settlement of the purchase.  
The approval consists of six, three bedroom penthouse apartments, 72 two bedroom apartments, 97 one bedroom apartments, 15 studio apartments, roof top communal entertaining areas, six levels of secure basement parking for 150 cars plus extensive storage areas. The approval also includes lower ground floor areas incorporating a tapas bar, restaurant and café and a top floor concierge apartment.
The DA approved site will be ready for construction to commence in July 2014. The public tender closes on 18 March.
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:news@propertyobserver.com.au">news@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
        
</body></html>

Rare residential development site opportunity in North Sydney

<html><body>
Melbourne-based unlisted property fund manager, Quintessential Equity, has leased a further 13% of its office building in Sydney's Lane Cove West, taking it to near fully occupancy. 
Quintessential Equity purchased the 166 Epping Road property last April when it was just 80% occupied. 
Following the recent leasing to a joint venture between Downer EDI Works Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of ASX-listed Downer EDI Limited, and Mouchel International (Jersey) Limited, a major international infrastructure and business services group - just two% or 161 square metres of the building is now vacant. 
Quintessential Equity director, Shane Quinn, said the additional lease agreement was a
positive result for investors in the Trust and demonstrated the success achieved through
proactive management by the company.
"Since we settled 166 Epping Road, we have made steps towards significant enhancements to the property, aiming to attract new tenants".
“We have enhanced the presentation of the space and worked with leasing agent specialists in the Lane Cove area to encourage new tenants to preview the refurbished office building".
The five level commercial building has three levels of office accommodation with a total net lettable area of about 7,129 square metres as well as two levels of basement car parking with 235 individual car spaces.
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:news@propertyobserver.com.au">news@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
                     
</body></html>

Quintessential Equity sign additional lease to expand Lane Cove West office

<html><body>
Cold-press juice offering company, Pressed Juices, has continued its expansion across Melbourne, this time signing an eight year lease in the CBD. 
The 10 Howey Place deal was negotiated at $3,000 per square metres for the 20 square metre boutique site on the laneway off Little Collins Street. 
<img alt="melbourne_feb_27_one" height="353" width="470" src="/images/stories/2014/02/26/melbourne_feb_27_one.jpg">
The deal follows a recent letting by Pressed Juices at South Yarra and represents the company's sixth site in the Garden State. Nationally, it has nine sites. 
Fitzroys City retail leasing executive, Michael Rainey, said the deal with Pressed Juices is a product of the resurgence in leasing enquiry currently seen throughout Melbourne.
“We’re seeing businesses again looking to further expand their presence,” said Rainey.
Fitzroys' city retail team negotiated the lease.
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:news@propertyobserver.com.au">news@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
            
</body></html>

Pressed Juice to squeeze into boutique site off Little Collins Street

<html><body>
International plastic products designer and manufacturer Reln Pty Ltd has secured an industrial complex in Brisbane's northern industrial hub of Brendale. 
The warehouse/office, at 9 Mackie Way, is situated on a land area of 9,256 square metres, which includes 5,456 square metres of hardstand.
The three plus three year lease was struck at a rental of $220,000 per annum gross plus GST.
Paul Anderson of Ray White Industrial Milton in conjunction with Dillon Murphy and Trevor Nelson-Jones of Ray White Commercial Pine Rivers handled the lease. 
Mr Murphy said the property was zoned general industry and included a 1,600 square metre warehouse and 77 square metres of office/showroom space.
<a target="_blank" href="mailto:news@propertyobserver.com.au">news@propertyobserver.com.au</a>
               
</body></html>

Brendale, Brisbane warehouse/office industrial property leased

<html><body>
A local investor has acquired an industrial facility at <a target="_blank" href="/news">Molendinar</a>, an industrial suburb on the Gold Coast - for $1.05 million. 
Gold Coast based business TEW purchased the 10 Barnett Place property, which has high site coverage of above 53% with a ground floor area of 932 square metres, an office mezzanine of 130 sqaure metres plus and an additional storage mezzanine. The total floor area is 1,122 square metres, on a 1,741 square metre site.
The selling agent was Pat Cavanagh of Colliers International.
“The previous owners who occupied the property were MP Group,” said Mr Cavanagh. “They sold the property as part of their business consolidation plan and have relocated their business to another building within Molendinar.”
The new owners TEW, offer mechanical and electrical technical services and have been operating on the Gold Coast for 21 years.
news@propertyobserver.com.au
           
</body></html>

Gold Coast industrial facility sells for $1.05 million

<html><body>
A local investor has snapped up a prominent retail showroom at <a target="_blank" href="/news">Nerang</a> on the Gold Coast for $1.8 million.
The 84 Spencer Road property, with exposure to the Pacific Motorway, is on a five year lease with an extra five year option to a flagship Bridgestone Select Service and Tyre Centre.
<img alt="nerang_feb_26_one" height="271" width="470" src="/images/stories/2014/02/26/nerang_feb_26_one.jpg">
Ross Salmon of Sun Shop (NSW) Pty Ltd acquired the purpose built 894 square metre building.
The modern tilt panel building is constructed on a 2,000 square metre site and was previously bought by the Nichols family in 1995 for $330,000. The family built the building and operated a tyre centre at the premise for 17 years before leasing the property to Bridgestone Australia Limited in late 2012.
Colliers International associate director of investment services and marketing agent of the property, James Crawford, said that the income was $126,000 per annum excluding land tax and management, reflecting a true net yield of just under 6.5%.
news@propertyobserver.com.au 
</body></html>

Local investor snaps up Nerang showroom for $1.8 million

Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.

The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.

It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.

With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.

“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.

“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" />

GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.

“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”

Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.

“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" />

&nbsp;

One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.

Green praised local policy settings.

“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”

One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.

“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.

One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.

Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be

"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.

"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]

The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.

The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.

Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]

Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.

The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]

While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.

WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.

With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]

Katherine Jimenez

Editor's Picks

Have something to contribute?

Developments

New apartments

New townhouses

News