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The point where Meriton boss Harry Triguboff paused to smile in a 10 minute interview with Financial Review Sunday was when he spoke about interest rates and housing bubbles.
An advocate for further rate cuts until they encourage Australians to buy his high-rise apartments, Triguboff said there should be more confidence in Australia about cutting interest rate given the mining boom experience.
“If the mining boom didn’t create any great bubble in the prices of apartments then half a percent here or there [cut from the cash rate] definitely won’t cause a bubble either.
“So from that point of view we are very happy because we (Australia) now realise this,” said Triguboff.
Earlier in the interview, Triguboff said there was no boom in the housing market at the moment, nor does he want one.
“I don’t want a property boom. We are very far away from property boom. It’s not something we should worry about at this stage.”
Instead he said what was important was continuous growth in the building industry to support population growth.
“We can’t have start and stop in the building industry, we must build continuously.
“This has nothing to do with [the slowdown] in mining.
"Housing development must progress all the time and at faster rate,” he said.
Triguboff identified three things that were needed to stimulate the housing market to aid a sustained recovery.
He was once again critical of the RBA for not acting sooner to cut the cash rate, he highlighted the slowness of local councils to approve new developments as well as the actions of some building unions in parts of Queensland as standing in the way of a stronger residential building pick-up.
“Councils need to approve developments a lot quicker – they are a big bottle neck,” he said.
He said unions need to assist with production of new apartments in markets like the Gold Coast, which are weak.
Chinese investors continue to be the mainstay of Meriton apartment sales, though lower rates have resulted in some Australian buyers and investors coming back.
“We need rates to come down a lot more.
“Rates coming down so far have made it a lot cheaper to hold apartments and I am holding a lot more,’ he said, referring to Meriton stock of serviced apartments and apartments available for lease.
He also said the low rates environment and “rents creeping up” were making it more conducive for investors.
“Before they (investors) would have to pay 7.5% but now it’s 5% - that’s a big difference.
However, he says home buyers believe that the cost of renting and repaying a home loan is about the same, “so they are in no hurry to buy”.
"If prices start to continuously go up then more people will come, but prices have only now started to go up," he says.
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Further rate cuts won’t cause a housing bubble: Harry Triguboff

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The share market has outperformed the property market every year for the last 20 years, but has offered investors a roller-coaster ride.
Analysis of the performance of equities versus property by Rismark International for the Australian Financial Review shows that this outperformance was greatest in the mid to late 1990s  and in the five years preceding the GFC.
The All Ordinaries Accumulative Index (including dividends) returned nearly 24% per annum between February 2003 and December 2007 while Australian residential property accumulative indices (including capital growth and rental yields net of estimated holding and selling costs) returned 9.6% per annum.
Investing in zero risk 90 day government bank bill returned 5.88%.
However, since 2007 to the present, the share market has cost investors around 1% per annum with property performing a little better (3.7%) while 90 day bank bills would have returned 4.7% per annum.
Averaging out returns over 20 years show that the All Ordinaries Accumulative Index has returned around 9.91% per year over the past twenty years while residential property has returned 9.8%.
Holding funds in a zero risk 90 day government bank bill would have returned 5.5% per annum over this 20 year period.
The Rismark analysis shows that shares were impacted by event such as the dot.com shares bubble bursting, the rise of the bull market prior to the GFC resulting in a very high volatility rating with sharp rises and falls.
In comparison, the property market has grown relatively steadily with smaller dips following the GFC (with assistance provided to the housing market by generous first-home buyer incentives).
The research highlights that good investment portfolios are diversified between shares, property investments and cash deposits.
It also shows that holding just one investment propertyis not a good strategy.
Not only is it an illiquid investment, but according to Rismark’s head of research Matthew Hardman, individual properties have had much higher volatility than the overall housing market index “so the risk return proposition is not as good”.
A diversified residential property portfolio of around six properties offers a better risk-return proposition but is a far less liquid investment than shares, which though riskier, can more easily be sold in different quantities if cash is required.
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More liquid shares just outperform property over last 20 years - if you don’t mind the volatility: Rismark study

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Non-major bank lenders accounted for more than a quarter of home loans arranged by AFG mortgage brokers in July.
The latest AFG Mortgage Index shows that non-major lenders have increased their collective share of home loans from 20.7% in March to 26.4% in July - their highest proportion of the market since AFG began reporting this rend in 2010.
‘This figure may seem unexceptional by international standards. But in Australia more than 90% of all home loans are with only four lenders and their subsidiaries," says AFG's head of operations, Mark Hewitt.
"To be seeing competition at this level is encouraging because it offers greater choice and helps keep rates down, both of which are good news for borrowers.
"Non-major lenders have grown market share among borrowers looking to refinance and investors, while maintaining their stronger market share among first home buyers."
However, the first-home buyer market slumped further with AFG reporting that just 11.6% of home loans arranged by its brokers over July were for this segment compared with 12.8% last month and 17.3% a year ago.
Investors accounted for 35.9% of home loans arranged in July with 35.2% being refinanced mortgages.
In total, AFG processed over $3.4 billion of mortgages over July, up 25% over July 2012.
"July is traditionally a quieter month for mortgages than August, and last month’s strong figure reflects reports of active property markets over the winter," says Hewitt.
"However, there is no sign of overheating in the mortgage data.
"The average new home loan last month was $401,000, the same figure as last December.
Loan to value ratios (LVR) remain steady on 68%.
Fixed home loans comprised 29% of all home loans processed by AFG – just below the all time high of 30.7% recorded in April 2013.
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Major banks lose home loan market share as FHBs dwindle: AFG 

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Listed Gold Coast developer Sunland entered into a conditional agreement earlier this month to acquire the first mortgage over Maddison Estate, the flagship residential development of collapsed developer and funder manager LM Investment Management.
Sunland will pay $24.75 million to acquire two unrelated Suncorp mortgages, one over Maddison Estate in Pimpama and another over Brisbane residential development Waterline Estate at Redland Bay.
Waterline Estate is a residential community at Thornlands developed and managed by Queensland developer Heritage Pacific and forms part of its $8 million Waterline Trust.
LM Investment Management, which managed the fund behind Maddison Estate was placed in liquidation by creditors last week.
KordaMentha and its affiliate firm Calibre Capital were <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/trustees-appointed-to-gold-coast-based-lm-managed-performance-fund/2013041560407">appointed joint trustees of the $350 million Gold Coast-based LM Managed Performance Fund</a> (LMPF) by the Queensland Supreme Court in mid-April.
The proposed $1.5 billion Maddison Estate project formed part of the LM Managed Performance Fund, which now in the hands of trustees David Winterbottom and Simon Vertullo of KordaMentha.
It is due to feature 1,500 homes.
In a statement Sunland said it intended to appoint the necessary advisers to realise the value of the loans over these developments.
The Gold Coast Bulletin reported that acquisition of the loans would allow for the two developments to proceed with managing director Sahba Abedian saying all possibilities were being reviewed.
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Sunland acquires first mortgage over LM Investment Management’s Maddison Estate 

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Mark Bouris has called for greater transparency in how banks advertise their mortgage rates while claiming the lowest “branch” variable rate of 4.98% through his Yellow Brick Road franchise.
Bouris says banks confuse borrowers by only advertising the discount rather than the actual rate as well as through honeymoon and introductory rate offerings, which revert back to higher variable rates when the introductory term ends.
Yellow Brick Road has begun phasing out its discount variable rate advertising in favour of “true rate” advertising in an effort to present consumers with the real rate that they will pay on their home loan. 
In a statement, the company said that discounting was "originally introduced as a privilege for private banking clients...now this discounting strategy has been adopted by the industry to the point that the discounts have become the stand alone feature in advertising, leaving consumers to dig for the actual interest rate that they will pay". 
“This is a smart strategy for lenders that want to bury their true rate, but it leaves consumers completely in the dark,” says Bouris.
“We’ve received that feedback from our customers and we are taking into account how discount advertising is affecting their borrowing decisions. That’s why we have changed our positioning and are taking the first step towards true rate advertising.”
The banks also have a policy of offering the biggest discounts for borrowers that take out loans of $500,000 or more as well as favouring new customers with bigger discounts.
Yellow Brick Road’s “rate smasher” home loan – a basic home loan - is available for loan amounts from $100,000 to $750,000 but does come with a hefty 30% minimum deposit requirement putting it out of reach of most first-home buyers and aimed squarely at investors or upgraders with equity in their homes.
For loans with more features, Yellow Brick Road’s Empower home loan range charges an interest rate of 5.19% for borrowers with a loan to value ratio of 80% or lower and 5.24% for borrowers that don’t have a 20% deposit.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/larry_uploads/yellow_brick_road.jpg" width="470" height="497" alt="yellow_brick_road">
The cheapest advertised discounted rate of the major banks is <a href="/news">5.28% offered by NAB</a> – an 85 basis point discount off its standard variable rate - but requiring a minimum $500,000 borrowing and currently available for a limited time.
Bouris claims banks deliberately confuse customers and is calling for them to keep people “educated and informed” by being more transparent about the actual rate they pay.
Yellow Brick Road recorded a 9% rise in home loan settlements for the June quarter from its empower home loan – its best quarter in its history with a total mortgage book worth $1.79 billion.
The wealth management franchise recorded a $5.1 million net operating cash flow loss for the 12 months to June 30.
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Banks deliberately burying the true mortgage rate: Mark Bouris

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Australian households' financial comfort levels improved over the first six months of the year with empty nesters the most comfortable and single parents the least comfortable, according to the latest Household Financial Comfort Report from ME Bank. 
Overall, household financial comfort has increased by 4% to an index reading of 5.5 out of 10 - its highest level since the report was first established in October 2011. 
The index, based on a survey of 1,500 households, quantifies how comfortable Australians feel about their household financial situation as well as their expectations and confidence with respect to their finances on a scale of 1 (least comfortable) to 10 (most comfortable).
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/stories/2013/larry_uploads/ME_BANK_SURVEY.jpg" alt="ME_BANK_SURVEY" width="470" height="175">
“The positive effects from a strong rise in share markets and to a lesser extent the Australian housing market over the past six months have boosted the value of direct investments and superannuation of most households,” says the ME Bank report. 
“Lower borrowing costs have also increased most households’ comfort with their debt burdens and boosted their cash savings. It has also improved their expectations for financial comfort during the next year and in the longer term their standard of living in retirement.” 
However, households remain cautious preferring less riskier investments and keen on saving while there has also been a rise in the proportion of borrowers putting extra money into their mortgage repayments. 
For the first time since the survey was undertaken in October 2011, savers (51%) outnumbered spenders (49%). 
“Households have preferred to pay back debt, with the number of households putting extra money into loan repayments increasing 6% to 56% in the six months to June, while investing in direct shares and bonds remained unchanged at 22% of households,” says Jeff Oughton, ME Bank’s consulting economist. 
“Overall, households’ are most worried about the cost of necessities (52% of households), level of savings and cash on hand (40%), their ability to maintain standard of living in retirement (32%), and the impact of the global economy on Australia (31%).” 
“As the Reserve Bank has continued to cut rates to stimulate the economy, Australians have continued to build a savings buffer and they remain financially cautious.” 
Empty nesters’ showed both the biggest increase in financial comfort over the past six months and the highest overall score of 5.96% - perhaps not surprising given that house prices are rising and interest rates are low. 
Apart from retirees (5% decline), all categories of households recorded an improvement in financial comfort. 
ME Bank attributes the deterioration in comfort of ‘retirees’ as largely reflecting the “negative impact of lower deposit rates on their investments given their relatively high and defensive exposure to bank deposits rather than growth assets such as shares and investment properties”.
“Unlike most other households, retirees have experienced little, if any benefit from lower borrowing rates given a lack of debt. Moreover, the vast majority of their wealth is somewhat illiquid equity in their owner-occupied home.
Perhaps a reflection of lower interest rates, the financial comfort of single parents increased by 8% over the six month period, though they remain the least financially comfortable demographic with a score of 4.89. 
Couples without any children have higher comfort ratings than those with children.
Birdhouse image courtesy of Nannette Turner /flickr.
 
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 Cashed-up empty nesters the most financially comfortable: ME Bank survey

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An unlicensed Melbourne conveyancer operating in Glen Waverley has agreed to stop operating her business and to return all money earned while providing these services.
Thorany Zhang operated HMT Conveyancing Services (Vic) without a conveyancer’s licence as required under the Conveyancers Act from August 2011 until in May 2013, when Consumer Affairs Victoria, became aware of information that she was unlicensed.
She has acknowledged she contravened the Conveyancers Act and Australian Consumer Law (Victoria) and has offered an undertaking to the Acting Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria.
She confirmed that HMT Conveyancing Services had stopped operating.
Zhang gave an undertaking to the Acting Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria that she would:
<ul>
<li>refrain from carrying on a conveyancing business until she is licensed</li>
<li>not advertise or promote herself (or any business she owns, controls or operates) as being licensed to carry on a conveyancing business until it is</li>
<li>within seven days of signing the undertaking, transfer any open conveyancing files to a licensed conveyancer and notify the relevant consumers of the transfer and contact information for the licensed conveyancer</li>
<li>return (within 14 days) all remuneration received for conveyancing work from August 2011 to July 2012 and December 2012 to January 2013</li>
<li>disburse (within seven days) all money held in the HMT Conveyancing Services (Vic) trust account to the appropriate people</li>
<li>notify the Acting Director (in writing) that she has complied with these undertakings</li>
<li>immediately notify the Acting Director (in writing) of any further complaints she receives about HMT Conveyancing Services (Vic).</li>
</ul>
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Unlicensed Melbourne conveyancer stops operating following Consumer Affairs action

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Former Dural mortgage broker Hee Seng Lee, 58, has pleaded guilty to six charges including making false statements and providing false documents to lenders to secure approvals for home loans totalling almost $7.5 million.
He is the third person in the last 12 months to plead guilty to charges brought by ASIC in relation to submitting fraudulent loan applications to lenders.
Five of the charges carry maximum penalties of either 5 years imprisonment or 10 years imprisonment. One carries a fine of up to $11,000 or two years imprisonment, or both Lee submitted the loan applications between April 2006 and March 2011. The 12 applications related to loans ranging from $160,000 to $1.5 million and included applications that were in his name. The false statements related to the income and/or employment of the applicant and the false documents included payslips, taxation returns and notices of assessment purportedly issued by the Australian Tax Office. At the time of the offences Lee was a director of A &amp; H Vision Mortgage Group Pty Ltd which traded as H Lee’s Finance Co and Loan Care &amp; Co.
ASIC cancelled A &amp; H Vision’s Australian Credit Licence on 3 January 2012. 
Lee appeared before the Downing Centre Local Court earlier this week and admitted to providing the applications and supporting documents to the lenders knowing they were false or misleading.
Lee also admitted to one charge of creating false documents.
Lee has been granted conditional bail with a sentence to be handed down in the Sydney District Court on 9 August  The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions is prosecuting the matter.
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Former Sydney mortgage broker pleads guilty to submitting false documents to support $7.5 million in home loan applications

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The federal government has announced that it will charge a 0.05% levy on bank deposits up to $250,000 from January 1 2016.
The levy will be charged to the banks - not savings account holders - but the banking industry has already indicated that costs will be passed on to bank customers.
The Australian Bankers Association hit out at the levy with chief executive Steven Munchenberg calling it “unnecessary” given that Australia has one of the safest banking systems in the world.
Munchenberg told ABC News there was a possibility the levy would be passed on to borrowers
“The problem will be that if we don’t pass it on to those customers with savings, then it will increase the funding costs of banks because we are largely funded through deposits,” he said.
The announcement of the levy was made by federal treasurer Chris Bowen, who said the money would go into a Financial Stability Fund to be used in the event of a bank collapse to protect mum and dad investors.
“It'll be quarantined from the rest of the Budget and just put aside in case there is ever a need with a bank getting into trouble in Australia - bank, a building society or a credit union,” Bowen told Channel Seven.
"It hasn't happened in Australia for quite a while, but we can't be complacent. The Reserve Bank, APRA, ASIC, have all suggested to us that this is a good idea."
It is forecast to raise $733 million in its first 18 months – the money will be counted as revenue in the budget.
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Banks may pass on new government deposit levy to mortgage holders

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Two of the biggest names in construction will disappear following the completion of the restructure of Lend Lease.
Abigroup and Baulderstone will now operate under the Lend Lease brand.
Abigroup, dates back more than 50 years when it was established as Abignano Pty Limited in 1961.
Baulderstone is one of Australia’s largest building and engineering companies and has an even longer history with its establishment dating back to 1926, It has built some of Australia’s most iconic buildings including the heritage-listed Sydney Opera House, Sydney's Anzac Bridge, Brisbane's Story Bridge, Melbourne's Etihad Stadium and Adelaide's Convention Centre.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/industry-news/lend-lease-restructures-business-divisions-with-future-of-abigroup-and-baulderstone-brands-uncertain/2013061662317">In June, Lend Lease announced</a> that it would restructure its construction and infrastructure business with Abigroup and Baulderstone, plus its project management and construction and infrastructure services businesses, to be transformed into three sector-based business divisions - building, engineering and services.
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Abigroup and Baulderstone brand names disappear into restructured Lend Lease

As apartment living continues to evolve across Sydney's growth corridors, the quality and distribution of shared spaces is increasingly shaping how residents experience home. Rather than functioning as add-ons, amenities are being embedded into the daily rhythm of a building, supporting everything from quiet retreat to social interaction, often within a single vertical community.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aeris-melrose-park-nursery-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Aeris</a> in Melrose Park, this approach is resolved through a layered amenity offering that unfolds from ground level through to its upper podium. Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> in partnership with Hankyu Hanshin Properties, the project introduces 468 apartments across two towers and a mid-rise building, positioned at the highest point of the broader masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=359199]

The amenity experience begins at street level, where two courtyards sit within a landscaped setting that connects residents to the wider network of parks and green spaces. These green spaces are not isolated pockets but part of a wider pedestrian network that links Aeris to the surrounding <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a> precinct, including Central Park, future schools, and the Town Centre opening in July 2026. The result is a transition that moves from public to private without abrupt boundaries, allowing residents to pass through shaded, tree-lined environments before reaching the building itself.

Moving upward, the focus shifts to the level five podium, where the primary communal facilities are concentrated. This space brings together a 16-metre swimming pool, outdoor seating areas, and a communal BBQ zone arranged to take advantage of elevated outlooks. Seating is positioned beneath pergolas, creating pockets of shade that extend the usability of the space throughout the day. The pool edge aligns with views toward the wider district, reinforcing the sense of elevation that defines the project’s positioning.

In the adjacent building, this is complemented by quieter, more contemplative spaces, including an outdoor cinema set within the same level. Positioned to operate primarily in the evening, it introduces a different tempo to the shared environment, shifting from daytime activity to after-hours use without requiring separate zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360299]

The podium also accommodates an intimate private resident gym. Located on the lower levels, it gives residents convenient access to fitness facilities without leaving the building.

Above, the elevated podium sky deck extends the amenity offering, providing additional open-air spaces with elevated outlooks across the surrounding landscape. While more restrained in program, this upper level reinforces the project’s vertical progression, from ground-level greenery to elevated outlook, allowing residents to move between distinct spatial conditions within a single address.

This distribution of amenities reflects a deliberate response to how residents use space across the day. Sekisui House Australia Sales and Marketing Director Peter Kalaf points to the role these shared areas play in shaping buyer demand. Aeris has been conceived as more than a collection of apartments, with the podium pool, gym and outdoor cinema forming part of a broader lifestyle offering that extends the home beyond each individual residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360300]

What distinguishes Aeris is not the inclusion of these elements individually, but how they are arranged in relation to one another. Active, social, and passive spaces are layered vertically rather than separated, allowing residents to choose between them without leaving the building or moving far from their apartment. This proximity supports both routine use, such as a morning swim or evening workout, and more occasional gatherings, whether around the BBQ area or within the cinema setting.

The amenity design also sits within a broader framework of connectivity across Melrose Park. The Melrose Park Town Centre, anchored by Coles and Dan Murphys, features a mix of retail, dining, health and lifestyle offerings, bringing everyday convenience closer to residents. By the end of the year, more than five hectares of parks and open space, equivalent to around seven football fields of green space on residents' doorstep, will further enhance the precinct, allowing the internal facilities at Aeris to operate as an extension of the wider neighbourhood rather than a substitute for it.

Construction at Aeris continues to gather momentum, with ground floor slabs expected to be completed in late 2026 before the first sections of the buildings begin to rise above ground.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=426]

Joel Robinson

Elevated amenity anchors daily life at Aeris, Melrose Park

Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FH_1EzB-1vs?si=XScVlP1ERsTDJoME" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tsioMLcnjas?si=zq-ys3JuWpfa5hFv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356829]

Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351102]

Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=372549]

Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=314259]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

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Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=4661]

Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

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The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

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The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]

The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.

It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.

With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.

The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.

Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.

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Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.

"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.

"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.

Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.

That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.

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Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.

"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.

"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."

Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.

"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."

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The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.

Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.

That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.

"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]

Larry Schlesinger

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