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Aussie Home Loans boss John Symond is urging first-home buyers to consider buying with friends or family, rather than miss out on a good opportunity.
In a blog post, Symond says co-ownership allows buyers to get a foot on the property ladder by combining their borrowing power and splitting the cost of buying property.
Symond says timing is everything when it comes to making a purchase and believes it can be a better idea to buy with someone else than to not buy at all.
“If you see an opportunity where prices have come off, it may be a good idea to buy with a friend or relative if you can’t afford to buy yourself,” he says.
“But you really do need professional advice to do this.”
Symond points out that buying under a co-ownership agreement means you can split all the fees that come with buying a home including stamp duty, legal costs and inspections.
And, he says, there is a good chance you’ll be able to reduce the length of the mortgage and own your half of the property faster.
Symond says improved housing affordability, stable property prices and low interest rates have made shared property purchases more uncommon in recent times, there are still plenty of people who are opting to co-own.
Symond highlights the many things to consider if you are serious about co-ownership.
“Get advice with structuring the purchase. What happens if your friend or relative changes their mind somewhere down the line? What happens if one of you wants to keep the property and one wants to sell? Or if one wants to rent and the other wants to move in?
“There are a lot of scenarios to consider and you really do need to tick all the boxes.”
PodProperty, which specialises in shared buying of property, recommends that buyers enter into a legally- binding co-ownership agreement.
This is a contract between parties who own property together as "tenants in common".
“It can cover many different types of relationships, including groups of friends, family members, defacto partners (either heterosexual or same-sex) or any combination of these types of relationships,” says PodProperty.
PodProperty charges $350 to write a co-ownership agreement and also offers a free guide to co-ownership on its website.
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Buy with friends rather than miss out on a good property opportunity: John Symond

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The unemployment rate holding firm at 5.4% in October should not prevent the RBA from cutting the cash rate to 3% on December 4, says ANZ.
Markets had tipped the unemployment to rise to 5.5%.
ANZ says that ongoing softer labour market conditions prevail and support its view that the RBA will need to reduce the cash rate further, with a 25-basis-point rate cut “pencilled in for December”.
Borrowers should take note of this forecast – ANZ was the only major bank to correctly tip the RBA to leave the cash rate on hold on Melbourne Cup Day in November.
According to ANZ, the key metric is not the overall unemployment rate, but the "employment-to-population ratio", which “fell a little further, meaning that jobs growth is not keeping pace with population growth”.
“The less-volatile, and in our view more important, ANZ job ads series points to further declines in this ratio coming months,” says ANZ.
EMPLOYMENT-TO-POPULATION RATIO VERSUS ANZ JOB ADS 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/anznov9.gif" width="470">
Sources: ABS, ANZ 
“Population growth is strengthening in Australia so stronger employment outcomes are necessary to stop upward pressure on the unemployment rate.
“At current rates of population growth (+27,000 per month), 17,000 net new jobs are required each month to keep the ratio of employment to population steady and prevent the unemployment rate rising (barring lower participation),” says ANZ.
There were 10,700 more people employed in October – well below the 17,000 required, while ANZ also points out that the ABS trend measure of employment growth has remained in the 2,000 to 2,500 range for the past four months, “which is clearly weak”. 
According to ANZ, the unemployment rate remaining unchanged at 5.4% in October, following a “sharp 0.3 percentage point jump in September” confirms that “Australia’s labour market, while gradually deteriorating, is not collapsing”
The bank forecasts the jobless rate to rise to around 5.75% by mid-next year.
Taking a look at the jobs data, CommSec chief economist Craig James says there is “something for everyone”.
“The optimists could focus on the ongoing rise in full-time employment over the past four months and conclude all is fine.
“The pessimists would look at the fall in the participation rate and hours worked and conclude something more concerning."
But he says what is clear is that the labour market is “treading water”.
“Yes, it was encouraging that employment grew but more forward looking indicators like job advertisements have suggested that further labour market gains may be more circumspect. In fact internet and newspaper job advertisements have fallen for seven consecutive months, suggesting job growth is likely to flat line in coming months,” says James.
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ANZ finds gloom in jobs figures to suggest December RBA rate cut is likely

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It is often mentioned that Australia has the second-biggest listed property trust sector in the world behind the US.
But second place might as well be 100th when you consider the size of the US REIT sector.
The following graph shows that Australia’s REIT market has a market capitalisation of almost US$82 billion, with Westfield and its spin-off Westfield Retail Trust representing around 40% of this total.
This makes it just over one-eighth the size of the enormous US REIT market, which has a market capitalisation of $632 billion.
Click to enlarge
<a href="/images/stories/2012/11/eynov8.gif" rel="shadowbox" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2012/11/eynov8thumb.gif"></a>
According to the Ernst &amp; Young Global Perspectives 2012 REIT report, the US REIT market returned to “robust growth” last year and significantly outperformed the wide share market.
“The total returns of public equity REITs increased more than 8% in 2011, compared with about a 2% gain for the S&amp;P 500. REITs raised a record US$37.5 billion of equity last year — the most since the US$32.7 billion of 1997," says Ernst &amp; Young.
“Their total market capitalization increased to US$632 billion, the highest since 2006, when it reached US$412 billion.
The report also notes that, like Australian listed property trusts, US REITS are also deleveraging.
As of September 2011, the listed US REIT industry’s ratio of debt divided by total market capitalization stood at 41.6%, approximately its historical average.
"Of 140 REITs tracked by SNL Financial, about one-third raised their dividends in 2011, compared with 17% the previous year.
"Commercial property markets are continuing to improve, although the recovery has been uneven," notes Ernst &amp; Young.
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US listed property trust market dwarfs second-placed A-REITS

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More than a quarter (26%) of all commercial properties listed for sale in October were either receivership sales or mortgagee-in-possession sales, according to the latest update from property valuers LandMark White.
The valuation firm says 82 out of 312 commercial properties advertised in the national press in October were distressed sales, with distressed sales starting to trend up in three states covered by the report – Queensland, NSW and Victoria.
Click to enlarge
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This was the highest number of distressed sales listings since May this year, when 86 commercial properties were listed as distressed sales and slightly up on the 79 distressed properties listed for sale in October last year.
Proportionally though, this is in line with the 12-month average of 27% of all commercial property listings being distressed.
In line with a longer-term trend, Queensland has the highest proportion of distressed sales listings relative to total listings at 40%.
This is above the 12-month average of 38% but lower than October 2011 (48%). 
The proportion of properties advertised as distressed sales in NSW was 19%.
The proportion of properties advertised as distressed sales in Victoria was 13%
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Distressed commercial property listing on the rise: LandMark White

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John Symond’s Aussie Home Loans has reported a 27% year-on-year rise in both mortgage lodgement and settlements in October, its best monthly results since acquiring the Mark Bouris-founded Wizard Home Loans franchise in early 2009.
The October results build on a successful first quarter for Aussie, which recorded an overall settlement increase of 19% over the last year.
Aussie says the results reflect interest and enquiries from home buyers and refinancers and are a reflection of its marketing campaign “It’s smart to ask” fronted by Symond himself as well as more customer care initiatives and increased productivity from its 750 mortgage brokers.
The mortgage broker and lender, which is one-third owned by the Commonwealth Bank, did not provide actual dollar figures with this update.
“We have not seen enormous sales results like this since March 2009, when we acquired Wizard, so these results are exceptional, considering the soft market conditions and given they don’t include any acquisitions or other anomalies,” says Symond.
“Our first quarter has also been pleasing, with profit above budget as our sales team continues to deliver record settlements, supported by strong results from our Aussie home loan and non-mortgage product range.”
Aussie says all states recorded “strong settlement growth versus the prior year” but says there were “stellar performances from WA and Queensland”, which recorded 53% and 42% increases respectively.
Leads were up 35% on last year and at their highest level since 2006, “demonstrating continued customer support for the Aussie brand and mortgage broking overall”.
“Despite widespread pessimism about the state of the housing market, it appears that house prices have bottomed and there is a slight improvement in consumers’ confidence,” says Symond.
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Aussie Home Loans reports best monthly results since 2009 Wizard acquisition

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The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.4% in October, according to the latest seasonally-adjusted ABS update.
This was better than market expectations of 0.1 percentage point rise in unemployment to 5.5%.
The unchanged unemployment figure will be noted by the RBA as it thinks ahead to its last monetary policy meeting of the year on December 4.
It will also note this week's September retail trade figure, which also rose above forecasts by 0.5%.
Commonwealth Bank chief economist Michael Blythe says “the door to further rate cuts is still firmly ajar” but says the emphasis will be on inflation, with the next CPI quarterly figure only out in January 23.
"The main impediment to lower rates, however, appears to have been the third quarter CPI readings that were 'slightly higher than expected'
"So the message from the RBA’s [November] decision to remain on the sidelines this month is that inflation trends have become a little worrying.  And the Bank will presumably want to wait for the next round of price readings in late January before deciding whether further rate stimulus is appropriate.  The February Board meeting looks to be the next 'live' meeting for policy action," he says.
CommSec chief economist Craig James says rate cuts alone may be insufficient to provide the stimulus necessary to keep economy growing at a trend pace and prevent the unemployment rate from rising.
“Confidence and expectations will be all-important on whether further rate cuts are required, he says.
In its labour force update, the ABS reported that over October, the number of people employed increased by 10,700 to 11,523,200 driven by a strong rise in full-time employment, up 18,700 people to 8,130,100 offset by decreased part-time employment, down 8,000 people to 3,393,100. 
The number of people unemployed decreased by 8,800 people to 653,200 in October.
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October unemployment unchanged at 5.4% and better than forecast raises bar higher for December rate cut

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Ray White chairman Brian White says the decision to leave the cash rate on hold in November will not have a significant impact on the housing market, so long as an easing bias remains.
White says property remains a great investment over a decent span of time.
“I expect to see an easing of rates which will continue to buoy the confidence of investors and owner- occupiers resulting in a good steady market in 2013.”
“When the community believes rates will decline, activity picks up before the event actually happens,” White tells Property Observer on the back of Ray White achieving its best monthly sales result in a year in October.
White says borrowers have a “clear anticipation” of future downward movement in rates which is the reason there has been an increase in open for inspections and activity in the housing market.
Looking at the performance of the Ray White group over October with sales reaching $2.6 billion, White says Auckland was the standout Australasian market outperformed the rest of the New Zealand market “by a huge margin”.
In Australia, White says capital city markets continue to outperform relative to other parts of the country.
“There is not that much difference between these markets, there is good strength across all of them.”
White says Melbourne and Sydney were for a long time the standouts but Brisbane and Perth have rallied while Adelaide has remained “consistent”
White notes that property investors are increasingly using their self-managed super funds to make investments.
SMSF investors are a huge percentage of investors. They are looking at property because they have control. They can rattle the letter box and knock on the door compares with derivatives and other financial instruments that people don’t understand.”
“A number of investors went into mining regions, but this will change. They will come back to more consistent investment in the cities,
White says property remains a great investment over a decent span of time.
“I expect to see an easing of rates which will continue to buoy the confidence of investors and owner- occupiers resulting in a good steady market in 2013.”
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Rate hold decision not significant as long as easing bias remains: Brian White

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The outlook for the commercial property sector has turned gloomier, with a recovery in the retail property sector at least two years away, according to the latest sentiment survey by NAB.
Across all sectors the index hits new low of -19 points in the third quarter of 2012 “as the domestic economy passes through a soft patch, with business conditions weaker and forward indicators concerning”.
The outlook remains strongest for CBD hotels, with capital values expected to rise 3.8% over the next two years, followed by industrial assets (up 2.8%) and offices (up 1.8%).
Click to enlarge
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Retail property participants in the quarterly survey remain the least optimistic and expect capital values to fall 1% over the next 12 months before improving be down 0.2% over the next two years.
Results of the survey suggest that the retail property market could start turning the corner around September 2014, with the pace of decline in rents and capital values slowing over the next two years.
Rents aren’t expected to offer much comfort over this period, falling 2.1% over the next year before improving to be down 0.8% over the next two years.
Over the next two years, the poorest retail property outlook is in Victoria, where capital values are forecast to fall 1.6%.
Click to enlarge
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The outlook is not much better for NSW retail property, with values forecast to fall marginally over the next two years (-0.7%) with rents down 1.5%.
The outlook for capital values and rents is better in the resource states of WA and Queensland as well as in the combined Northern Territory/ South Australia market.
The quarterly survey is based on the responses of around 250 commercial property participants including real estate agents, property developers, fund managers, owners and investors.
According to respondents, consumer confidence is still the biggest challenge facing property firms but concerns over government regulation/red-tape and stock levels also a growing challenge. 
Business costs are expected to have the biggest impact on commercial property businesses over next year with interest rates and global economic volatility also a major concern.
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No recovery for retail property sector for at least two years: NAB 

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Property developer FKP has announced practical completion of its striking elliptical glass apartment project Aerial, which has risen up above Camberwell Junction in Melbourne's inner east.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/aerial5.jpg">
The project was delayed earlier this year due a combination of weather and union issues, with completion and settlements pushed back from the first quarter of the 2012-13 financial year to the second quarter.
Aerial has been developed on the former Henley Honda dealership site at the intersection of Burke, Camberwell and Riversdale road in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Camberwell </a>and features two towers, the tallest rising to 14 levels.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/aerial4.jpg">
It was designed by architects Woods Marsh.
FKP has pre-sold 122 out of the 144 apartments, with settlements expected later this month to deliver proceeds of $105 million.
The developer has sold only one apartment since June, with a spokesperson telling Property Observer this was "typical" for a project that is in the "homestretch of construction, as many purchasers hold off to see the final completed product".
Goldman Sachs analyst Peter Zuk says the completion of the project is “welcome news” for FKP and will inject “much-needed cash back into the business, which in turn will facilitate the commencement of other planned development projects”.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/11/aerial3.jpg">
In its annual report FKP said its group debt had reduced from $938 million to $738 million following an equity raising entitlement offer to shareholders, with Aerial settlements to reduce this debt by a further $120 million.
This would imply that the sale of the remaining 22 apartments would bring in an extra $15 million in revenue.
Aerial features a selection of one-, two-, three-bedroom apartments as well as sub-penthouses and penthouses rising above Camberwell Junction.
Around 95% of the sales have been to local buyers, with a mix of owner-occupiers and investors purchasing the apartments.
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FKP completes construction of delayed Aerial apartment project in Camberwell

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Two-and-a-half months after he was unceremoniously sacked as Mirvac CEO, Nick Collishaw says he is still waiting for an explanation for his  sudden dismissal.
Collishaw’s last day at Mirvac was October 31 with new CEO Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz taking on the role this week.
In an interview with the Australian Financial Review, Collishaw described his abrupt dismissal as “bizarre”.
He said he was told of his dismissal on the morning of August 15, the same day Mirvac made the announcement to the ASX and also when it <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/mirvac-s-nick-collishaw-surprise-departure-that-hands-reins-to-susan-lloyd-hurwitz/2012081556038">named Lloyd-Hurwitz as his successor</a>.
Collishaw says his performance as CEO over four years – including guiding Mirvac through the worst of the GFC - did not warrant his sudden dismissal.
However he did not endorse a campaign by some Mirvac shareholders to unseat chairman James Mackenzie.
Commenting on his dismissal, Collishaw said: “[It is] pretty bizarre of a chairman to dismiss the CEO on the same day he presents the new CEO,” he said.
“The reasons for my departure remain unclear.”
On the morning of his dismissal Collishaw said he had a brief conversation with MacKenzie.
“He just said that the board has decided to go in a different direction and we think there is a better person to lead the company.”
Collishaw said he he had no intention of challenging the decision.
“I knew it wasn’t worth arguing, once [MacKenzie] had made his mind up. He is the chairman and wields ultimate power,” Collishaw said.
Collishaw delivered a 2012 full year profit of $416 million a 128% increase on the previous financial year including a $21 million profit from the sale of Mirvac’s hotel management business.
Collishaw called the results “very pleasing” and said they had been achieved at a time when “many parts of the property market are not buoyant”.
Not pleasing enough for chairman James MacKenzie and the Mirvac board who had already announced Collishaw’s dismissal six days earlier.
Mirvac shareholders will have the opportunity to put further questions to MacKenzie and Lloyd-Hurwitz at it AGM next week on November 15 in Sydney.
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Ex-Mirvac boss Nick Collishaw still waiting for answers on sudden departure

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a> offers plenty of reasons to live vertically, but moving from a substantial family home into an apartment can expose the compromises of high-density living. Privacy, room for guests and usable living space tend to matter more when an apartment is intended as a permanent home rather than an occasional coastal base.

A typical residential floor at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-eveleigh-broadbeach-7-9-surf-parade-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Eveleigh</a>, on Surf Parade,&nbsp;contains just four apartments. The 94-residence development by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hirsch-faigen">Hirsch &amp; Faigen</a> is predominantly made up of expansive three-bedroom homes, with a limited collection of half-floor penthouses above.

Across the apartment floors, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> has used the relatively limited number of residences to give each home greater access to natural light and outlook. Living spaces extend towards full-height glazing, while a series of bay windows frame selected views across the Pacific Ocean, city and hinterland rather than treating the building edge as a continuous wall of glass.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360965]

“The apartment floors deliver a collection of homes that embrace controlled outlook via a series of bay windows deliberately framing moments of view,” Rothelowman Director Kim Lowman said.

From outside, those projecting forms contribute to the tower’s faceted profile. Strong horizontal and vertical elements establish its proportions, while the changing position of the sun alters the light, shadow and reflection across the façade throughout the day.

The same attention moves inside the apartments, where the material palette combines warm timber, natural stone, metallic detailing and softer curved forms. Kitchens sit within the main living zone, with stone island benches, integrated joinery and European appliances, before the living areas extend towards the glazing and the outlook.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360981]

Three genuine bedrooms provide room to accommodate family and guests, while two secure car spaces and storage address some of the practical considerations that can become more noticeable when moving from a larger home. Feedback from the display suite has centred on the warmth and restraint of the interiors, with buyers commenting that the residences feel like homes rather than conventional coastal apartments.

A limited collection of half-floor penthouses occupies the upper levels, increasing the scale of the living spaces and adding private balconies and elevated finishes. From this position, the outlook extends between the ocean and hinterland.

Outside the private residences, The Eveleigh separates its shared spaces between the podium and rooftop. The podium is centred on wellness, with subtropical landscaping surrounding a swimming pool and pool terrace, yoga garden, private gymnasium, sauna and hot and cold plunge facilities. Landscaped retreats and pavilions provide additional places to sit away from the main recreation areas.

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[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360966]

Higher in the building, a rooftop pavilion and private dining suite sit alongside resident lounge, barbecue and outdoor dining areas, opening towards panoramic views across the ocean, city and hinterland.

“Buyers are no longer just looking for an apartment, but a lifestyle where they can relax, reset, and enjoy a balanced way of living,” Hirsch &amp; Faigen Director of Sales Matt George said.

Interest to date has come from established owner-occupiers and interstate lifestyle purchasers, including buyers planning a future move to the Gold Coast. Many are coming from larger homes and want to reduce ongoing maintenance without giving up space for family and guests, privacy, two car spaces or the ability to entertain at home.

&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360969]

Much of that daily life can also take place beyond the building without requiring a drive. Kurrawa Beach and Pratten Park are an easy walk from Surf Parade, while Pacific Fair, Oracle Boulevard, The Oasis, restaurants, cafés, entertainment and public transport are also within walking distance.

The Eveleigh is Hirsch &amp; Faigen's fourth Gold Coast development since entering the market in 2021, following The Hemingway at Palm Beach, The Emerson at Kirra and Yves at Mermaid Beach. Each of the preceding projects sold out before completion.

“Broadbeach had been on our radar throughout our time operating on the Gold Coast,” the developer said. “Following our projects in Palm Beach, Kirra and Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach represented the natural next step for the business.”

The Surf Parade site brought together proximity to the beach, protected coastal outlooks and walkability to dining, shopping and recreation. Hirsch &amp; Faigen also identified the street as an emerging premium residential address, with enough separation from Broadbeach's busier destinations to retain a quieter environment at home.

The Eveleigh is now under construction by Maxcon, with completion forecast for mid-2028. Three-bedroom residences are currently available from $2.87 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=149670]

Joel Robinson

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

A long-stalled Campbelltown development site is back in play, with new plans for 139 apartments set to supersede a mixed-use scheme approved almost a decade ago but never built.

The new proposal for 28 Cordeaux Street would deliver 116 market and 23 affordable apartments in a part 14-storey building, bringing a substantial new project into a Campbelltown market where new apartment supply remains limited.

Plans have been filed over the 3,092 sqm corner site at Moore-Oxley Street, around 600 metres from Campbelltown Railway Station and the city-centre retail core.

The site already carries a mixed-use residential approval dating to 2016. Doroch Architects has now been engaged on a larger replacement scheme, which is progressing as a State Significant Development Application following a Housing Delivery Authority determination in August 2025.

The apartment mix comprises 39 one-bedroom, 72 two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom residences. Two-bedroom apartments make up just over half of the project, while three-bedroom homes account for 20 per cent.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="136dd5b9-3791-4da6-9e31-76f533f5b4de" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da2.png?VersionId=LgOSy9nwf5u.MGswBBwaGGxuX8QpHSl_" />

Of the 139 apartments, 23 will be delivered as affordable housing under the in-fill affordable housing provisions of the Housing SEPP. The affordable component represents 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area and will be managed by a registered Community Housing Provider.

Doroch has sought to break the scale of the building into two distinct elements, with a masonry podium of around four storeys establishing the street edge before the residential tower steps back above.

The corner position has shaped that approach. Cordeaux Street faces toward the commercial and civic centre, while Moore-Oxley Street leads into the lower-scale residential neighbourhood to the south, and the design verification report describes the site as "bridging the commercial core to the north and established residential areas to the south."

The podium will be expressed predominantly in face brick, while the upper levels shift to brushed and grooved concrete cladding with darker metal detailing. Recessed sections, deep balcony edges and landscaping break down the upper form, with an approximately 11.8-metre setback to the northern boundary addressing the adjoining St Peters Anglican School.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c8b3d2d3-c561-4bfc-a5d9-a68c0c10dac1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da1.png?VersionId=AeAEyJU02Gk2k5noUj2StziCvdQ7fW4B" />

Campbelltown has been starved of new residential developments in the last decade.

The only other notable development set to come to market this year is ALAND's Queen Square, a mixed-use precinct on over two hectares that will comprise apartments above a vibrant ground-level retail and hospitality dining precinct.

First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site

First Look: Sherlock Construction pitches apartments for low-rise Deception Bay

Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

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[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

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Larry Schlesinger

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