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International luxury brands Chanel and Louis Vuitton are looking at "multiple sites" in Adelaide for their next store expansion.
Adelaide Central Plaza owner Shaun Bonett confirmed to Property Observer that both retailers were tallks with him about opening stores in his centre. He said the French retail brands werre currenty looking at "multiple sites” in Adelaide and that he would be "delighted if we were able to progress discussions with them."
"We submitted our shopping centre as a centre which they should consider," he said.
UK fashion retailer Topshop also has the Adelaide market firmly on its radar.
Earlier this month, US high-end jeweller Tiffany &amp; Co announce it would be opening its next store in Adelaide Central Plaza. Confidentiality agreements prevented Mr Bonett from disclosing further details about the lease but he said “their store in Adelaide will be very comparable to their Melbourne and Brisbane stores."
Mr Bonett said what was drawing those retailers to Adelaide was its high population, tourism appeal - namely its wineries - and that there was a significant demographic in South Australia that shopped interstate for higher end items.
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Chanel, Louis Vuitton size up Adelaide retail sites

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In one of the clearest signs that a CBD office market recovery could be underway, Colliers International has produced new research which revealed a 33% surge in enquiry levels in the first half of 2013.
Its figures showed 310 more enquiries were registered for an additional 273,989 square metres of office space in the 12 months to June, while deal volumes remained steady.
Despite industry concerns around business sentiment, Colliers said that then higher enquiry figures showed activity in Australia's office markets was "strong" and supported its own prediction of a "market recovery by H2 2014".
"We have heard a lot of doom and gloom about the office leasing market this year, but the facts are that there is activity in the market," said Colliers office leasing managing director, Simon Hunt.
In the Sydney CBD, more than 215,000 square metres of enquiry was recorded during the first half, while in the Melbourne CBD, enquiries hit 158 for more than 132,000 square metres of space. That compared to 140 enquiries for just over 81,000 square metres over the same period in 2012.
"Small and medium sized tenants are in the market looking to secure a good deal, and are helping to drive current levels of activity," added Mr Hunt.
The largest proportion of deals occured in the 1-999 square metre range, with 279 leases equating to 82,810 square metres taking place in the first half of 2013, the Colliers research showed.
Data from the research also showed professional services were responsible for a large proportion of the activity, driven by new leases to businesses such as AGL, BHP, Corrs Chambers, Pacific Brands, Virgin Active and IBM. There was also strong spike in the number of Information Technology and Communication companies looking to relocate, with this sector making up 20% of the enquiries.
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Office market recovery underway, with 33% surge in enquirers: Colliers International

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Engineering company WorleyParsons is believed to have a leasing mandate out in the Perth CBD market for a requirement for up to 20,000 square metres of office space.
Industry sources told Property Observer that they believe the company had narrowed its leasing options to two sites - the Kings Square precinct, which is part of the $5.2 billion Perth City Link project initiated by the State Government. The other location is the nearby $130 million 396 Murray St site.
WorsleyParsons currently has its staff spread throughout several building in the Perth CBD, including the QV1 tower, 600 Murray,  Adelaide Terrace and 235 St Georges Terrace. 
WorleyParsons today released a statment saying that "it is a matter of public record that WorleyParsons  is seeking to consolidate its office space in Perth. A range of options are being considered and the company has not yet settled on a preferred option".
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WorleyParsons on the lookout for Perth office space

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Unprecedented institutional investor demand has seen retail investment in Australia hit an all-time record high, according to new research from Colliers International.
In it latest Australian Retail Investment Review report, Colliers found that 142 major retail transactions took place in the 2013 financial year with a combined value of $7.62 billions.
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" style="width: 470px;"><tbody>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="192">
Retail Transactions
</td>
<td nowrap width="145">
2011/12
</td>
<td nowrap width="145">
2012/13
</td>
<td nowrap width="145">
% Change
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="192">
Number
</td>
<td nowrap width="145">
83
</td>
<td nowrap width="145">
142
</td>
<td nowrap width="145">
+71%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="192">
Total Value
</td>
<td nowrap width="145">
$4.244 billion
</td>
<td nowrap width="145">
$7.627 billion
</td>
<td nowrap width="145">
+80%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap width="192">
Average Value
</td>
<td nowrap width="145">
$51.1 million
</td>
<td nowrap width="145">
$53.7 million
</td>
<td nowrap width="145">
+5%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="192">
Source: Colliers International
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="145">
 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="145">
 
</td>
<td valign="bottom" nowrap width="145">
 
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
The total value of transactions soared by 80% on the $4.244 billion recorded in 2011/12, while the volume of transactions jumped just as strongly, up by 71 per cent compared to the 83 recorded in the previous financial year.
Colliers research director Nora Farren told Property Observer driving that high transaction activity was offshore investors entering the Australian market either directly or through partnering arrangements.
Among some of those marquee offshore investments were US private equity group Blackstone buying a 50% of the Erina Shopping Centre for $397 million in May, along with Challenger, acting on behalf of a middle-east investor, which acquired a portfolio of six centres from Federation Centre for $602 million.
The lion's share of transactions occured in the regional and sub-regional markets.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/08/chart_of_the_week_aug_27_one.png" width="470" height="295" alt="chart_of_the_week_aug_27_one">
“In the regional space we had seven years’ worth of supply come to the market, with 14 interests in regional centres transacting worth in excess of $4 billion, which is significantly greater than the average of two centres per year over the past three years, and was more than half the total investment in retail assets over the 2012/13 financial year",  said Colliers national director of retail investment services, Lachlan MacGillivray.
“Meanwhile there were 20 sales of sub-regional centres worth more than $1 billion, which was a 25 per cent increase on the previous financial year".
Equally strong was the demand for neighbourhood shopping centres, with 60 sales worth a total of $1.287 billion recorded. The bulky good sector registered 30 transactions - double the previous year.
Mr MacGillivary said regional shopping centre activity should return to more normalised historical levels over the coming 12 months, but that sub-regional centres were expected to "continue to trade strongly and surpass this year’s total.”
Going forward, he said, a number of institutional and listed investors had a strategy to acquire non-discretionary anchored neighbourhood and sub-regional centres, but while demand for regional centres was likely to continue to be robust, supply of investment product would be limited, hence there would be fewer transactions going forward.
He pointed to competitive interest in assets with strong lease profiles displaying robust income growth or expansion or development potential.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/08/chart_of_the_week_aug_27_two.png" width="470" height="291" alt="chart_of_the_week_aug_27_two">
Institutional  investors, superannuation funds and offshore investors are expected to be the most active over the remainder of 2013.
The Colliers International Australian Retail Investment Review 2013, which covers transaction activity of greater than $10 million across Australia, found that NSW had the largest share of retail investment activity over the past year, with 35 sales, including half of all regional centre transactions. But the largest increase in activity was in Victoria, which saw investment in the state nearly double to 27 sales,” said Ms Farren.
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Retail investment in Australia at an all-time high: Colliers International

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A convenience-based retail and commercial centre in the inner Brisbane suburb of Woolloongabba has been sold at auction for $3.85 million.
The property at 80-84 Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, was sold by Ray White Commercial’s Mark Dann and John Dwyer under instructions from receiver and managers, Raj Khati and Morgan Lane of Worrells.
The buyer was a local investment group and the yield on the sale was 6.6%, on a passing net income.
The centre's net annual income is about $256,000 per year.
The convenience centre, anchored by Pizza Hut, NightOwl and Subway, attracted 23 registered bidders following 157 enquiries on the property from interstate as well as locally.
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Some 23 investors seek out Woolloongabba retail and commercial centre which sells for $3.85 million

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UK-based Brompton Asset Management has acquired the Industry House building in the Canberra CBD for  $151.7 million, in what is being billed as the biggest office transaction in the nation's capital city this year.
The 15-storey building, at 10 Binara Street, was owned by The Andrew Roberts-backed property funds management group CorVal and sold on a yield of 7.5 per cent. CorVal bought the A-grade building for $123 million in 2009.
The acquisition, negotiated by Jones Lang LaSalle agents Rob Sewell, Simon Storry and Greg Lyons, is the second purchase in Canberra market by Brompton. The asset manager also owns a nearby office building at 255 London Circuit.
"Sovereign wealth funds and global pension funds have re-rated real estate, placing a higher weighting on the defensive characteristics of the asset classes and increasing allocations to the sector," said Mr Sewell.
"The most passive of offshore capital is seeking modern assets, strong covenants, long lease terms ( with stipulated fixed increases) and increasingly the latest in sustainability credentials".
Jones Lang LaSalle research shows that Canberra is the youngest Australian CBD office market, with 40 per cent of assets aged less than 10 years. "The quality of income in Canberra is high, with 60 per cent of office space occupied by the AAA-rated Federal or ACT governments," Sewell said.
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Biggest office sale in Canberra this year at $151.7 million

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A four-unit industrial complex on the central Gold Coast has sold for $1.55 million to Melbourne-based private investors.
The complex, at 686 Ashmore Road, Molendinar, was sold by Jim Burge, who developed the 2,300-square-metre industrial site in 2000. He purchased the site for $302,100 in 2000.
The sale was negotiated by Pat Cavanagh of Colliers International.
Mr Cavanagh said that the private investors purchased the property as an investment for their family super fund for the long-term.
On a fully leased basis, he said the unit complex would achieve a net yield of about 8.25%.
At the time of the purchase, the complex only had one vacant unit. It is now fully leased.
Mr Cavanagh said this latest industrial transaction showed "investors were prepared to pay the right money for quality investments when they became available".
He also pointed to a "significant" run of sales from occupiers and investors in the industrial market.
"Larger properties in particular are experiencing less time on the market and are going under contract with fewer settlement terms as more players enter the market and sentiment continues to improve," says Mr Cavanagh.
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Gold Coast four-unit industrial complex sells for $1.55 million

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Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre has secured two new tenants and re-signed a further 10 national operators as part of an overhaul of the centre’s retail mix.
The two new tenants were Snap Fitness, which signed a 321 square metre lease and Bank of Melbourne, which took 212 square metres in the centre.
Both leases were negotiated by Colliers International leasing agent, Mike Crittenden.
In the past six months, Wespac, Commonwealth Bank,  Priceline, Millers, Sussan, EB Games, Suzanne Grae, Tenderfresh Meats, Flight Centre and ANZ have all renewed there leases in the centre.
Recent rentals achieved have ranged from $750-$1,800 per square metre, said Mr Crittenden.
“Our focus has been on renewing quality tenants as well as improving the centre by securing additional offerings not previously represented in the centre,” he said.
Located 30km south-east of the Melbourne CBD, the Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre, comprises a variety of retail spaces, totaling about 36,000 square metres. Among the 86 retailers in the centre are Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, Dan Murphy and a Big W.
“We are still on the look-out for more high-quality retail, fresh food, fast food and service-based operators to complement the existing strong tenancy mix for the remaining tenancies," said Mr Crittenden.</body></html>

Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre overhaul continues, securing two new tenants

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Some of the country's biggest property groups are on the hunt for industrial property, with the Perth market high on the radar.
According to Colliers International some $1 billion in funds is ready to be invested in prime investment stock and land for pre-lease Australia-wide.
Property groups Lend Lease, Charter Hall, and Goodman were all on the hunt for assets, said Colliers International director of industrial property Wayne Chorley and that high on their list were Western Australia assets.
"While those big institutional buyers have probably been more east coast-focused in the past, such is the current demand and the thirst for industrial assets they’re turning their eyes nationally, and broadening the net, " he said.
The state's strong population growth - the highest in the country - and low unemployment rate, combined with steady rent and capital values have been a major attraction for those institutional investors in the WA market, said Mr Chorley.
Since June last year, the Perth market has seen major deals totalling more than $210 million bedded down, including Goodman’s purchase of a $22 million Canning Vale property tenanted by Mayne Logistics, and Charter Hall’s $61.5 million acquisition of a 50 per cent stake in another Canning Vale asset tenanted by Foodland Associated.
“The first choice asset profile being sought is modern, well-leased A Grade industrial property in prime locations – so in the Perth market that means the likes of Canning Vale, Welshpool and Wangara," said Mr Chorely.
As a result of the level of transactional activity, he said "we’ve seen at that top end of the market over the past 12 to 18 months, stock is tight – and that means yields must tighten.”
He noted on the backdrop of the slowing of the resources sector and shelving of oil and gas projects.
He said the effect these had on WA’s property market had received widespread airplay in recent months.
"The industrial market was less exposed to any downturn in that sector than other commercial property classes," he said.
He said the resources sector was not a major influence in the industrial real estate market but residential constincluding was because of the "multiplier effect" it created - meaning the lift in demand for construction materials.
Private house approvals in WA currently remain  above the ten-year average.
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Canning Vale, Welshpool and Wangara - the first choice for modern, well-leased A Grade industrial property 

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Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have maintained their ranking among the world's most expensive cities for global retailers, despite a backdrop of flat retail turnover figures and a weak domestic economic environment.
The three Australian cities all featured in CBRE Group's top 10 quarterly rankings, which was topped by Hong Kong with prime rents at US$4,328 per square feet per annum, followed by New York.
<img alt="record-retail-rents-charts" height="425" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/08/record-retail-rents-charts.jpg">
Prime rents in Sydney, which was fifth in the rankings, came in at US$945 per square feet. Prime rents in Melbourne were $794 per square feet and in Brisbane  were $599 per square feet, the CBRE research showed.
Josh Loudoun, CBRE senior director of Retail Services Australia, said the Australian cities combined were tracking at a "steady growth" rate, but that the results varied from city to city. Prime rents in Sydney, he said had fallen, whilst in Brisbane rents had accelerated strongly and Melbourne had experienced steady growth.
Nervertheless, he said the overall results  highlighted that Australia was showing steady growth at a time when the retail sector is in the doldrums.
Driving the local results , said Mr Loudoun, was the "limited number of new leases being signed as landlords have been more inclined to leave tenants on hold over or short term leases at the lease expiry, instead of putting the property to the market and crystallising a downgrade.”
However, he also said, Australia had continued to benefit from low vacancy rates and the limited new supply coming to the market, along with the influx of international retailers to our local shores.
US fashion label Brooks Brothers and UK retailer Marks &amp; Spencer have recently announced they will be entering the Australian market.
Another consideration he points to is the upcoming Federal election.
"History shows that retail sales following a federal election usually show a strong short-term spike as consumer confidence lifts and this will translate to rental growth over the next 12 months. This will also coincide with a number of the ‘boom time’ leases of 2008/2009 coming up for their five year anniversary," said Mr Loudoun.
CBRE said that the top 10 prime global retail markets saw little change relative to previous quarters, however, four of the top 10 markets - New York, London, Zurich and Tokyo - saw quarterly increases in prime retail rents, compared with only one market during the previous quarter.
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Australian cities among the most expensive for global retailers: CBRE

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>.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151449]

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.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134951]

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;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135546]

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.

Ceerose Founder Edward Doueihi told Apartments.com.au the developer’s long-standing presence in Leichhardt and the Inner West had given it a strong understanding of how the area has evolved and where its future opportunities lie.

“Ceerose has had a long-standing presence in Leichhardt and the Inner West, giving us a unique understanding of the area’s evolution and future potential,” Doueihi said.

“Having delivered projects throughout the region, we have witnessed the suburb’s transformation first-hand and understand the opportunities for its continued growth.”

Doueihi said that understanding also informed the planning process, with a comprehensive Stakeholder Engagement Outcomes Report prepared before the application was lodged.

The report identified the key issues and concerns raised by neighbouring residents and other stakeholders, allowing those matters to be considered and incorporated into the design where appropriate.

He said the delivery of additional housing would also play an important role in supporting the revitalisation of Norton Street and the Italian Forum.

“By increasing the local residential population, the development is expected to strengthen demand for local businesses, encourage further investment, and help restore the vibrancy that made the precinct a thriving destination in the early 2000s.”

<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" />

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.

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 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.

Doueihi founded Ceerose in 1998 and has grown the business to become one of Sydney's more active apartment developers in recent years, 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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