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The federal government is being urged to include retail tenancy leases as part of its broader small business fair contracting review.
Phillip Chapman, managing director of Lease1 - a retail lease advocate - said that prior to the election, the federal Coalition outlined a new small business policy that sought to extend to small businesses similar protection that consumers had enjoyed since 2010 under the new Australian consumer law.
He said it was now up to the new federal government to follow through on this promise and include retail shop leases in the fair contracting review.
“If such legislation is to be introduced, as promised under the review of business-to-business contracting by the new government, it would be wholly biased to exclude the estimated 350,000 plus retail leases held around the country,” he added.
Mr Chapman also called on the new federal Minister for Small Business Bruce Billson to act quickly and decisively to cut red tape that was holding back the retail sector across the country.
“If the new Minister is fair dinkum about red tape reduction, then the introduction of a common form simple disclosure statement across all states and territories will deliver massive savings in valuable time and resources for all parties in the retail sector, " he said.
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Federal government urged to look at retail tenancy leases

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The green shoots of a recovery are emerging  in the Gold Coast office market, with leasing deals surging 62% in the 12 months to June.  
New figures from Savills's Gold Coast Office Spotlight report showed that in the 12 months to June, 13,015 square metres of leasing activity in the greater than 500 square metre space took place on the Gold Coast. That reflected a 62% increase on the 12 months prior, but was slightly down on the five year average of 13,179 square metres.  
<img alt="chart_of_the_week_oct_1" height="304" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/10/01/chart_of_the_week_oct_1.jpg">
The Gold Coast office market is made up of five office hubs- Southport, Robina / Varsity Lakes, Bundall, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, which combined make up  464,664 square metres of lettable space.  The biggest share of the stock is B grade, accounting for 39%, followed by C and D grade at 33%  
The report noted that unlike the nearby office markets of Brisbane and the Sunshine coast, office leasing had been quieter on the Gold Coast partly because its key industry - tourism - had taken a hit due to the high Australian dollar. Many local business interface with the tourism industry. Other traditional drivers for local businesses - strong population growth and construction activity- have also eased in recent years.
But Savills is expecting the 2018 Commonwealth Games to trigger increased activity. "Cities around the world have seen a pickup in activity three to four years out from a major event such as the games and it is expected the Gold Coast will be no exception", it said.
Improvements can be seen in the Property Council of Australia's July numbers, which showed the coastal city's vacancy rate narrowing to 19.9% from 21.5% a year  earlier.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/10/01/Gold-Coast-Net-Absorption-oct-one.jpg" width="470" height="267" alt="Gold-Coast-Net-Absorption-oct-one">
While the market remains "patchy", Savills said there were signs of increasing activity and that demand could move up a notch at the end of the first quarter of next year.
The report highlighted that with a population now approaching, if not already at, 550,000 residents, there are some diverse industries and services emerging that stand the area in good stead for the future.
"Recognising the potential, some national and international firms have moved into the Gold Coast and more are expected as the international attention turns its focus onto the city as the Commonwealth Games get closer"'  Savills said.
"The start of an upswing in 2014 is definitely on the cards".
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Green shoots of Gold Coast office market recovery: Savills

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<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" alt="Savills_Logo_200x158" height="158" width="200" src="/images/stories/2013/10/04/Savills_Logo_200x158.png">
Agent: Kai Schindlmayr<img src="/images/stories/2013/09/30/kai-schindlymayr-profiel.png" width="200" height="200" alt="kai-schindlymayr-profiel" style="max-width: 480px; float: right;">
Position: Project director, project management
Company: Savills Australia

Office location: Sydney
1.     How long have you been in the industry?
After studying mechanical, marine and offshore engineering at the University of Surrey in the UK I moved to Australia some 12 years ago and fell into the client side of project management.  It was during this time that I also completed my Masters in Project Management at Sydney University.
2.     What’s happening in the area you specialise in?
The market is still heavily focused on space efficiency and applying work space strategies such as ABW.  What is exciting is that we are starting to see the focus shifting back to the people and employees; what money is being saved in real estate is now being reinvested back into the people.  It is not only about making space more efficient it is now about making the most of real estate change, and creating and nurturing a better culture which in turn should improve a business’s performance.
Also we are starting to see the reactivation of base building precincts. Landlords are re-accessing buildings, particularly at the ground floor plane, and are finding ways to improve its appeal and attractiveness to tenants. Again, by creating a vertical community within a building, and making the most of dead space, the focus on activation could improve the culture of an organisation with the building.
3.     Describe the most interesting property or project?
My most interesting would have to be my inaugural project which was the Sir Moses Montefiore Jewish Home in Randwick , which I spent close to three years on and completed in 2006.  At the time, and still today, it was a leading edge high quality aged care facility and it was this project that really set me off on the career path I am now on.
In terms of a work space project, it would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Clayton Utz integrated fit out at 1 Bligh Street. As project manager for Clayton Utz for two years, I thoroughly enjoyed what was a very complex fit out within a world leading and innovative building.
4.     What are the ingredients to being successful in your job?
It may sound cliché but it ultimately comes down to one’s skill set, and a skill set that should include strengths in organising, writing and communicating. You need to be able to fully understand, and capture, the requirements of your client and find the balance between both the functional and the aesthetic elements of a design. After all, it is your client that will be living in the space for many years after the project is complete.
You need to constantly ask why and challenge, and always be willing to learn by the very many stakeholders involved, right from the subcontractors to the CEO.  As a client side project manager, you have to draw the very best out of all of the enablers of a project in order to drive creativeness and innovation, and deliver the best result to suit your client’s business and culture.
5.     What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?
Everyday is different and although sometimes challenging it is also gratifying to see the success of project.
6.     Where would you invest a spare $750k?
I would invest in run down assets in a CBD that could be transformed into third spaces such as hubs etc.
7.     Which football team do you support?
The once great Liverpool Football Club.
8.     What’s your favourite app or techno gadget?
Internet movie database – it helps every time with six degrees of separation when watching tv and movie, also if I had an iPad it would be the Savills App!
9.     How do you use social media?
I am a strong user of <a target="_blank" href="https://au.linkedin.com/in/kaischindlmayr">LinkedIn</a> – it is a very powerful tool for connecting in with colleagues, and maintaining business connections.  It is also instrumental with connecting the dots to potential opportunities and also sharing my passion for developments in work space and other trends within property.  
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In profile: Savills Australia's project director of project managment NSW, Kai Schindlmayr

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A parcel of commercial assets formerly home to the south-east corridor campuses of a federally-funded trade training college in Western Australia's Armadale and Maddington have been put on the sales block.
The portfolio, which is being offered separately or in one line, comprises of two warehouses and an office in Armadale and a purposes-built training facility in Maddington. They are being offered for sale or lease on behalf of Australian Trades College (WA) receivers and managers Grant Thornton.
The Maddington property, at <a target="_blank" href="https://rca.colliers.com.au/property-industrial+warehouse-wa-maddington-500878743" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-result="17">10 Alloa Road</a> (pictured below), comprises 806 square metres of administration and classroom facilities and two workshops totalling 1,132 square metres on a 10,924 square metre site.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/09/25/mad]}
In Armadale, three separate lots, at 41, 43 and <a target="_blank" href="https://rca.colliers.com.au/property-offices-wa-armadale-500875051" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-result="18">45 Commerce Avenue</a> (pictured below), are offered on two titles over a combined total land area of 5,264 square metres. The assets comprise a 2,175 square metres warehouse with basement car parking, a 688 square metre office building and an 880 square metre warehouse. One of the warehouses is currently leased to Polytechnic West, formerly known as Swan TAFE.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/09/25/arm]}
Colliers International director of metropolitan markets, Nicholas Agapitos said both the Maddington and Armadale assets presented real opportunity for potential buyers or tenants. Mr Agapitos is marketing the portfolio of assets.
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Former Australian Trades College (WA) asset portfolio to be parceled off 

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A tightly contested auction for a fully leased retail building at Hawthorne in Brisbane’s inner east saw it sell under the hammer for $1.43 million.
After a total of 26 bids, the building, at 135 Riding Road, was finally sold to a local investor, on a yield of about of 6.9%.
Jonathon Jones of Ray White Commercial negotiated the sale. He said the building attracted 47 enquiries and eight registered bidders at the auction,” he said.
Mr Jones said the complex has five income producing tenancies providing a net income of approximately $98,765 per annum.
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Hawthorne, Brisbane retail complex sparks auction bidding war

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A local private investor has purchased a fitness centre in Adelaide's inner suburb of Hindmarsh for about $7 million.
The 233 Port Road centre was purchased from Bantry Developments and Aretzis Properties on a net yield of 8.6%. The property is currently leased to Goodlife Operations Pty Ltd - a subsidiary of Ardent Leisure Ltd - under a 15 year lease.
Constructed in 2008, the 2,223 square metre centre was sold through selling agent Lukas Weeks of Jones Lang LaSalle.
Mr Weeks commented that the property was sold two weeks prior to the close of expressions of interest.
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Local investor pays $7 million for Hindmarsh fitness centre

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National automotive and hardware tool wholesaler, Kincrome Australia Pty Ltd has signed a two year lease in Melbourne's south-eastern suburb of Noble Park.
Kincrome agreed to a two year lease with a two year option at about $240,000 per annum gross plus GST and CPI increases.
The 21-23 Summit Road property comprises a 3,458 square metre office and warehouse facility including a 10 metre height, clear-span warehouse component.
Savills Notting Hill office director Lynton Williams brokered the deal.
Mr Williams said Kincrome had required additional warehousing space to satisfy the overflow from its warehousing/distribution centre, head office, at nearby Caribbean Gardens in Scoresby.
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Kincrome coming to Noble Park

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Cleanaway, a subsidiary of waste management company Transpacific Industries Group, has secured a 10-year lease with Walker Corporation for a purpose built recyclable waste transfer station in Canberra's Monaro Industrial Park.
The facility valued at $5.5 million will include a 4,200 square metre warehouse and 225 square metres office, purpose built by Richard Crookes Constructions. It is expected to be completed next month.
Cleanaway joins the likes of Allied Pickfords, Grace Records Management and Toll Ipec to the estate.
Monaro Industrial Park is one of Canberra’s first master plan industrial estates and is located 13 kilometres south of Canberra's CBD.
The 30-hectare estate is located in the industrial hub of Hume, and is said to provide a flexible and cost effective alternative to Canberra's older areas of Fyshwick and Mitchell.
Cleanaway plans to use the site for its operation of a waste transport depot, which will service Canberra and the greater Australian Capital Territory when they relocate to Monaro from their current location at Alderson Place.
In addition to the Cleanaway facility, seven 120 square metre architecturally designed strata units with mezzanine offices are being built at the Monaro Industrial Park. The stand-alone industrial zoned units will be offered for sale or lease in the fourth quarter of 2013.
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Cleanaway secure 10-year lease at Monaro Industrial Park

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The southern end of the Sydney CBD is set to become the location for a new major commercial office development, with some big corporate names already believed to be circling.
Joint venture partners Frasers Property Australia and Sekisui House Australia have released their A-Grade commercial offering at the $2 billion Central Park development on Broadway.
The 26,000 square metres building, to be known as ‘100 Broadway’, is located on the corner of Abercrombie Street and Broadway and sits within the country’s largest “knowledge precinct” - UTS, Sydney University &amp; Notre Dame University. 
It is understood several blue-chip companies are considering Central Park, which is said be particularly appealing to IT and professional services companies. One source said the project was attracting companies looking to attract future talent.
The joint venture partner is targeting net rents of around an average of mid $600s per square metre.
Frasers Property Australia chief executive Guy Pahor said 100 Broadway was "at the epicentre of what will soon be Sydney’s most dynamic urban quarter".
Designed by internationally renowned architects Foster + Partners, in conjunction with Australian architects PTW, 100 Broadway is said to boast Sydney’s most efficient floor plates (2100 square metres), along with impressive environmental credentials, such as its connection to Central Park’s central thermal plant and tri-generation facility.
Mr Pahor said 100 Broadway would draw its power from the precinct’s 2MW gas-fired tri- generation facility operating in tandem with electricity sourced from the grid.
“This means that tenants will have access to alternative sources of power, which translates into a high level of power source security and reliability – a critical requirement for many tenants, especially those with high-density IT demands”, he added.
CBRE have been appointed leasing agents of the project. Construction is due start to in 2014 with completion in early 2016.
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Big corporates circling office space at $2 billion Central Park development

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A major refurbishment of the Merrimac Shopping Village on the Gold Coast has seen it secure blue-chip supermarket chain IGA as tenant to the suburban shopping centre. 
IGA operators Brian and Kathy Bicknell secured a 289 square metre retail outlet in the centre on a 5 x 5 x 5 year lease term. The net rental was about $212 per square metre per annum.
Ray White Commercial Robina’s Steve Jeffery negotiated the lease and has been appointed as exclusive leasing agent for the shopping village.
Mr Jeffery said the owners of the shopping village have invested in a major refurbishment of the shopping village and neighbourhood centre and that the market repositioning was paying off, citing the recent launch of the Bakery and Coffee shop in the centre.
The shopping village has a net lettable area of about 1,003 square metres in 11 shops.
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IGA in the bag for Merrimac Shopping Village refurbishment

Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=373834]

Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150713 project_image_fid=373827]

Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Joel Robinson

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

&nbsp;

Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357458]

Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.

"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.

"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357463]

Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357469]

Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."

Sherpa recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.

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Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=368645]

Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=358802]

La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=364551]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

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La Vera closes in on completion as Macquarie Park continues residential transformation

Brisbane developer Red &amp; Co's decision to include dual key apartments in its debut Gold Coast apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/como-varsity-lakes-22-lake-street-varsity-lakes-qld-4227">COMO Varsity Lakes</a>, is proving to be one of the project's biggest drawcards, with buyers quickly snapping up the flexible residences.

More than half of the project's 36 dual key apartments have already sold, helping drive COMO beyond the 50 per cent sold mark within the first month of launch.

The strong response highlights growing demand for apartment designs that can adapt to changing lifestyles, with buyers increasingly looking for homes that accommodate multi-generational living, provide rental income opportunities or simply offer greater flexibility over time.

Located on the shores of Lake Orr, COMO will deliver 156 apartments across 16 levels, with the dual-key residences forming a limited release within the broader development.

Each combines a primary two-bedroom apartment with a fully self-contained studio on a single title, connected by a shared foyer and lockable internal door. The design allows owners to house ageing parents, adult children or guests while maintaining privacy, or lease the secondary residence to generate additional income.

Just 17 of the original 36 dual key apartments remain available.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=367096]

The innovative configuration combines two fully self-contained residences on a single title, typically comprising a primary two-bedroom apartment alongside a separate studio residence, connected via a shared foyer and lockable internal door.&nbsp;

The model is proving particularly attractive to owner occupiers navigating changing family dynamics and the realities of the current housing crisis.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363511]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/npa">NPA</a>&nbsp;CEO Andrew Erwin said dual key living was resonating strongly with modern buyers because it delivered both financial flexibility and practical lifestyle benefits.&nbsp;

“The housing crisis and rising cost of living are fundamentally changing how Australians think about home ownership,” Erwin said.&nbsp;

“Dual key apartments provide a genuine solution for families who want to stay connected while maintaining independence. Parents can help adult children save for a future home, ageing parents can remain nearby without moving into aged care, and owners still retain privacy and flexibility.

“Importantly, buyers are also recognising the financial advantages. It creates the opportunity to generate additional income from part of the home without the holding costs associated with owning a separate investment property.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363509]

Unlike traditional dual occupancy arrangements, the residences operate under a single title, meaning owners only incur one set of body corporate fees, council rates and holding costs.&nbsp;

The secondary residence can also evolve over time - functioning as guest accommodation, a home office, creative studio or private retreat before later becoming an income-producing asset.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/red-co">Red &amp; Co</a>&nbsp;Director and Co-Founder David Laverty said the strong early sales reflected growing buyer urgency and changing priorities within the market.&nbsp;

“Securing more than half of COMO’s residences within such a short timeframe is an outstanding result and a clear endorsement of both the design and location,” Laverty said.&nbsp;

“Buyers are responding to the combination of location, connectivity and amenity, but ultimately it’s value relative to other East Coast markets that is driving enquiry.”&nbsp;

“We’re also seeing strong interest from owner occupiers looking for homes that can adapt with them over time. Flexibility has become one of the most important considerations for buyers in today’s market.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363515]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>, COMO features a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom residences with 2.7-metre ceilings and larger-format floorplans aimed at owner occupiers, downsizers and lifestyle-focused buyers.&nbsp;

The development will feature an extensive rooftop recreation and wellness offering including a 25-metre lap pool, sundeck, barbecue and dining areas, gym, sauna, plunge baths, landscaped gardens, wellness spaces and rooftop pickleball and paddleball courts.

The remaining dual key apartments range from 137 sqm to 167 sqm and include generous three-bedroom layouts with separate self-contained studio accommodation and dual parking.&nbsp;

Erwin said the dual key concept represented a broader shift in how Australians would live in the future.

“People want homes that can evolve with their lives,” he said.&nbsp;

“A dual key apartment can suit a family today, support an ageing parent tomorrow, and potentially generate income later on. That adaptability is becoming incredibly valuable in the current environment.”

Prices currently range from $2,115,750 to $2,583,000.&nbsp;

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Inter-generational living drives demand for COMO’s dual key apartments as housing pressures reshape buyer priorities 

Builder-developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ceerose">Ceerose</a> has doubled down on its Leichhardt ambitions, lodging its second State Significant Development Application (SSDA) in the suburb in the last six months.

Their newest proposal seeks to transform a former industrial precinct into a new residential community centred around the adaptive reuse of one of the site's heritage warehouse buildings.

The new project, on a 6,930 sqm block at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/40-76-william-street-leichhardt-nsw-2040">40–76 William Street</a>, will bring more than 200 apartments to a suburb that has seen little to no new supply in recent years. It follows Ceerose's late 2025 SSDA for a mixed-use apartment project on nearby Parramatta Road, signalling the developer's growing investment in Sydney's Inner West.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a>, the redevelopment would involve the demolition of four existing industrial buildings while retaining and adaptively reusing the site's most significant warehouse. The retained structure would anchor a new residential precinct comprising five interconnected buildings arranged around a large central landscaped courtyard, with heights stepping from five storeys along the surrounding residential streets to 11 storeys at the William Street corner.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7258c54c-8167-479e-8361-2d5fca9915b4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010B%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%202.jpg?VersionId=S9DQfxu_jpcB5LrAEYFUbyMzg5odW6i5" />

According to the Architecture Design Report by Woods Bagot, the proposal "seeks to create a residential village centred around a generous green heart while celebrating the site's industrial heritage through the adaptive reuse of the existing warehouse building."

The development would comprise 203 apartments, with 188 proposed as build-to-sell residences, alongside 15 affordable housing apartments.

Rather than treating the retained warehouse as a standalone heritage object, Woods Bagot has sought to weave the site's industrial history throughout the masterplan. The proposal retains the north and west facades of the landmark corner warehouse, while new buildings reinterpret the site's brick-and-steel industrial language through their material palette and architectural expression.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9e8c64c2-881b-49e1-8c90-6b6acaaa45b6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010C%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%203.jpg?VersionId=Qm8_8H_Xrg_sc4Mdjc59vlAcKF_5wRTb" />

The design is organised around what Woods Bagot describes as a "green heart", a landscaped communal open space that reinstates the leafy character removed when the site became an industrial storage facility. A new pedestrian laneway running through the site would improve permeability between William, North and Francis streets, linking residents through landscaped public spaces while activating the ground plane.

Residents would have access to communal gardens, rooftop open space and shared recreation areas distributed throughout the development. Sustainability has also been prioritised, with the project targeting an average 7.9-star NatHERS rating. Proposed initiatives include rooftop solar generation, rainwater harvesting, passive solar design, naturally ventilated lobbies, extensive cross-ventilation and the reuse of existing building fabric to reduce embodied carbon.

The adaptive reuse strategy became a defining feature of the application after heritage investigations found only one of the site's industrial buildings could feasibly be retained. The Heritage Impact Statement concludes that preserving the key warehouse façades while referencing the site's industrial character throughout the new development provides an appropriate balance between renewal and conservation.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="efffafdb-594f-4e2b-a067-921fd51c05e1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010D%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%204.jpg?VersionId=DPmE4.k16YRt0i27hEZVtJAffarpvUfx" />

"Retention and adaptation of the site buildings has been explored but found not to be feasible except for the tallest building, whose street facades will be retained," the heritage report states.

"The proposed building will interpret the brick and steel character of the subject site, including reuse of some components and construction of a large 'sawtooth' structure in the proposed open space."

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3bfef2b5-83f5-40cd-9cab-767092f34266" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010E%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%205.jpg?VersionId=7asb3i_ql4ybbuJOUb5UHBEIy0Q9t.DF" />

The William Street site is located around 300 metres from Leichhardt North Light Rail station and a short walk to Norton Street's retail, dining and hospitality precinct. The surrounding area has increasingly become a focus for urban renewal given its proximity to public transport and the Parramatta Road corridor.

Ceerose, founded by Edward Doueihi in 1998, has become one of Sydney's more active apartment developers, with completed projects including The Alex Collective in Alexandria, Abbie's Lane in Annandale, and the award-winning Munro House in Elizabeth Bay. They are currently delivering Belgravia, 17 luxury apartments in Potts Point.

Katherine Jimenez

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