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Mark Bouris’s Yellow Brick Road (YBR) franchise network grew its mortgage book by 21% to around $1.5 billion in the first three months of the year, its latest quarterly update reveals.
The growth in mortgage lending follows its new funding tie-up with Macquarie in November last year and just before it commenced its YBR branding blitz with Mark Bouris as the host of Channel 9’s Celebrity Apprentice.
Season three of Celebrity Apprentice, which kicked-off this week with a modest 866,000-viewer premier according to overnight OzTam metro figures, will feature a “YBR episode” based around a new product launch. (Channel Seven's much-mocked "Celebrity Splash" managed 1.3 million viewers with The Voice managing over two million.)
Last year, series two of Celebrity Apprentice premiered with 1.277 million viewers.
The Celebrity Apprentice series is also running alongside a “fully supported television advertising campaign”.
Channel 9’s Nine Ventures consumer investment group holds an 18% stake in Yellow Brick Road with Mark Bouris paying $2.65 million to sponsor reality television series on prime time television for three years with Bouris as host and contestants like <a href="/news">Roxy Jacenko</a> and the wannabe pop star Prinnie Stevens who was the first to be fired.
As for the product initiative, it could be a superannuation offering with YBR revealing plans for a “major product launch in the area of superannuation in late May 2013”.
Other products in the pipeline include a term deposit offering, a cash management account and credit card.
YBR attributed the growth in mortgage applications and settlements to its Empower Home Loan discount product offering.
The figures show the company now has 155 branches.
YBR reported a 32% in branch-generated receipts of $3.51 million for the quarter compared with $2.66 million in the previous corresponding period as a result of increased mortgage settlements and wealth revenue.
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Yellow Brick Road mortgage book hits $1.5 billion ahead of Celebrity Apprentice marketing blitz

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The housing market retraced some of the gains made in the first three months of the year with dwelling values falling 0.5% to a median of $485,000 over April, the latest RP Data Rismark index shows.
This follows a cumulative gain of 2.8% in property values over the March quarter.
For the three months to April, capital city house values are up 1.1% and 2.7% year-on-year with total gross returns on investment properties (capital growth and rental income) of 7.1%.
The most notable capital city decline was in Perth, where property values retreated 2.5% over April to a median of value of $499,000 with smaller declines recorded in Sydney (-0.4%, median of $565,000), Melbourne (-0.5%, $491,000) and Brisbane (-0.7%, $425,000).
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Outside of the mainland states, Hobart property values fell by 3.1% to a median of $311,500.
Adelaide was the best performing capital city property market over the month with values up 3.1% to a median of $375,000.
It also had the best performing market across houses and units over the month, with Adelaide house values up 3.1% over April to a median of $393,500.
Darwin remains the best performing capital city housing market over the past three months, with values up 5% to a median of $475,000.
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RP Data’s director of research, Tim Lawless, said the April results represented “more of a stumble along the path to recovery than a sign of a renewed trend in value falls”.
“When viewed in line with other metrics such as auction clearance rates, private treaty indicators and some improvement in housing finance demand, it is likely that the negative April result will be a blip along the path to recovery.
“We weren’t expecting that the high rate of growth evidenced over the first three months of the year would be sustained into April. A more measured pace of growth is a much more realistic outcome for the Australian housing market, especially considering that the first quarter is typically the strongest for value growth,” he said.
Rismark CEO Ben Skilbeck said the April  pullback was “seasonally typical of a market pause, meaning that if one were to take seasonal movements into consideration the market is not currently showing any downward trend”.
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Perth leads small 0.5% “stumble” in property values in April: RP Data

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The withdrawal of the $7,000 first-home owner grant (FHOG) in Victoria from July 1 could force first-home buyers in Ballarat and other regional towns to consider buying a new house on the outskirts to access greater government assistance.
But it is also likely to change the dynamics of the market, including a rush among some FHBS to finalise purchases before July 1 and then a drop off as others delay existing house purchases for up to a year to save deposit money to make up the shortfall, according to Trevor Booth, chairperson of the Real Estate Institute of Victoria’s (REIV) Ballarat Division.
Booth also expects investors may look to buy some of the established properties that vendors would have been targeting at first-home buyers, enticed also by Ballarat's low vacancy rate of under 1%.
Ballarat (postcode 3350) was the <a target="_blank" href="/news">seventh top location for Victorian FHBs</a> applying for the $7,000 FHOG with 298 applications received between July 2012 and March 2013.
More than half of these – 165 applications - were for existing home purchases with the rest for new homes.
The introduction of the  new $10,000 FHOG for new homes  from July 1 will come alongside the raising of stamp duty concession for FHBs from 30% to 40%.
As highlighted by the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/trends/it-s-time-to-stop-tinkering-with-first-home-buyer-assistance-robert-larocca/2013042960826?utm_source=po&amp;utm_medium=aida&amp;utm_campaign=first-homebuyers">REIV’s Robert Larocca on Property Observer earlier this week</a>, the removal of the $7,000 FHOG and the introduction of the higher stamp duty concession will mean that FHBs of more expensive existing properties will be less affected by the removal of the $7,000 grant than those buying cheaper homes.
A FHB of a $300,000 existing home from July 1 will lose out on almost $6,000 in government incentives while a FHB purchasing a $550,000 will lose just over $4,000.
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Source: SRO, REIV
This will particularly hurt FHBs in Ballarat where the median house price is $280,000, but will also impact on many FHBs in other key regional housing market like <a target="_blank" href="/news">Bendigo, where the median house price is $315,000</a>.
Currently, buying an existing or new home around the median price means benefits of around $10,100 ($7,000 FHOG plus the 30% stamp duty rebate).
“The changes to the grant will disadvantage FHBs wishing to purchase established home after July 1. It will discriminate against them,” says Booth.
“It may force FHBs to consider buying a new home to take advantage of fair bit of extra money which will increase demand for new housing and help the local construction sector, but it will put FHBs in the situation where they sacrifice the benefits of being close to amenities, to secure an extra $6,000.
Booth says the new housing suburbs are on the north and western outskirts of the city.
Booth says these new housing developments – being built by local companies – are around 10 kilometres from the Ballarat CBD.
With the traffic in Ballarat getting worse, first-home buyers who sacrifice convenience for government assistance, could end up paying more in petrol.
The uncertainty created by the changes to the grant and the lag time until they come into play comes at a time when, according to Booth, the Ballarat market is starting to show signs of improvement.
Booth says the worrying aspect of the grant changes are they impact they may have on the established home market.
Overall though, he says the Ballarat economy is “sound” with population growth of 2% to 2.5% per annum driven by strong IT, healthcare and university sectors.
Image courtesy of Travel Victoria.
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FHOG changes could force Ballarat FHBs into outer suburbs: Trevor Booth

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<img src="/images/stories/2013/03/macreemarch20one.gif" width="470" height="94" alt="macreemarch20one">
Among the projects Tim O'Connor has been involved in securing tenants are 1 Bligh Street in Sydney and formerly the world's tallest building, Tapei 101.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/04/timoconnor.png" width="200" height="200" alt="timoconnor" style="margin: 5px; float: left;">Agent: Tim O'Connor
Position: Head of office leasing, NSW
Company: Jones Lang LaSalle
Office location: Sydney
How long have you been in the industry? 
20 years – I first began working part-time in the industry in 1993 before my first full-time position in 1995.
What’s happening in the area you specialise in?
While we are seeing a steady improvement in sentiment on the back of local and global economic data, Sydney’s office market continues to operate at differing speeds.
On the one hand we are seeing an increase in current and future vacancy in premium grade buildings and a rise in the availability of sub-lease stock, particularly in the prime end of the market, and on the other we are seeing continued evidence of improving demand.
Describe the most interesting property you have leased:
Having had the opportunity to work in Asia for 10 years, I have been lucky enough to work on some great projects.
The sheer size and scale of projects such as Two IFC and International Commerce Centre in Hong Kong and Taipei 101 in Taiwan made them very interesting assignments to be involved in.
Leasing projects in Korea – and particularly China – were also fascinating, given the pace at which the market is maturing.
Since being back in Sydney, it has been fantastic to be involved in a unique building like 1 Bligh Street.
What are the ingredients to being successful in your job?
Listening to people is probably an underrated aspect, but you also have to know the questions to ask.
Each situation is different, and so it’s critical to listen and understand a particular organisations’ needs before you start to recommend strategies and solutions.
The final ingredient is knowing where to find information. Being part of a global organisation like Jones Lang LaSalle provides me with the opportunity to draw on a wealth of knowledge from colleagues locally, regionally and globally. Being able to harness this information provides us with the ability to support our clients in a unique way.
What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy working as part of a team with a group of people who each bring something different to the table – whether it be where they are from, where they have worked or length of time in the industry.
On any given day I’ll both give advice and get advice and am reminded that even after many years in the industry, there is always something else to learn.
I also get the opportunity to work alongside some great clients and its very satisfying to work hard with them to develop a strategy and see it pay off.
Where would you invest a spare $750,000?
A share in a foal from Black Caviar.
Which football team do you support?
The Canberra Raiders, Norths Rugby and the Waratahs – has been a lean few years but expecting big things in 2013.
What’s your favourite app or techno gadget?
Split between my iPad and Mac Mini.
Follow Tim on <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://au.linkedin.com/pub/tim-o-connor/3/983/740" target="_blank">LinkedIn.</a>
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In profile: Jones Lang LaSalle's Sydney office leasing specialist Tim O'Connor

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Melbourne has the most affordable metropolitan office leasing market relative to the cost of leasing in the corresponding CBD market, according to Colliers International.
The metropolitan office market includes St Kilda Road, Southbank, the city fringe and inner east (places like Richmond), south east (Hawthorn and Dandenong) and outer east (Notting Hill), north and west (Essendon and Footscray).
The Colliers Metro/CBD Office Affordability Index compares the average A-Grade net effective rents of each city’s metropolitan office markets, to that of their CBD counterpart.
An index score of 1.00 represents parity (i.e. the rent in metro markets is the same as in the CBD) while a lower index scores means cheaper metro rents relative to their CBD, making them more attractive to cost conscious tenants.
As the chart shows Sydney (0.85), Melbourne (0.73) and Brisbane (0.85) metropolitan office markets, as a whole, remain below the 1.00 parity level.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/04/chartoftheweekmay1one.jpg" width="470" height="436" alt="chartoftheweekmay1one">
However, all three have seen their index number steadily increase over the past 12 months. This has been due to the combination of softening effective rents in each of those CBD markets, in contrast to low incentive levels and rental growth in each of the metro markets.
The Adelaide Fringe (0.94) index has been more expensive than its CBD as it consists of boutique office space, which has traditionally been more tightly held and until recently had little to no incentive level.
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Melbourne has most affordable metro office market: Chart of the week

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Big four bank ANZ is unlikely to cut mortgage rates outside of the RBA cycle, chief executive Mike Smith has hinted following the release of stronger than expected half-year results.
ANZ beat analysts’ expectation, posting a 10% rise in first-half cash profit to $3.2 billion for the six months to March 31.
Profits were boosted by the bank holding back some of the rate cuts announced by the RBA during the reporting period.
The bank passed on 40 basis points out of the 50 basis points cut from the cash rate by the RBA in October and December last year following its monthly independent interest rate reviews.
Apart from not passing on cash rate cuts in full, ANZ has twice lifted its mortgage rates out-of-cycle with the RBA since going it alone on rate decisions.
ANZ increased variable rates by 6 basis points in February last year and by 6 basis points in April.
It has yet to cut the cash rate out of cycle.
Smith said where the bank was placed in terms of its interest rate setting was “appropriate” in a media briefing following the release of the interim results.
The half-year results reveal the bank grew its loan book by $5.8 billion (2%) from $182 billion in mortgage funds under management to $188 billion, comprising 860,000 mortgage accounts with owner-occupiers making up 62% of its mortgage portfolio.
The growth in mortgage lending was driven by a $3.3 billion increase in variable rate residential lending and a $2.4 billion increase in commercial lending, driven bygrowth in fixed loans and tailored commercial facilities.
It share of the mortgage market increased from 14.5% in February 2012 to 14.7% in February 2013, with the bank reporting above system mortgage growth for 13 consecutive quarters.
Just 6% of its new lending has been to first-home owners while nearly a third of its borrowers have interest-only loans.
The bank’s mortgage book is in a healthy overall state with 59% of its borrowers more than a month ahead on mortgage repayments.
Borrowers have built up an average equity position of 48%, meaning on average, they own nearly half of their homes outright.
This compares to an average equity position of 35% at the time they originate their home loan.
The proportion of borrowers more than ninety days behind on their mortgage payments comprise just 0.41% of its total mortgage portfolio.
The results reveal the mortgage brokers are more popular than the bank’s own branches (46% versus 41%) for originating home loans with brokers also securing a bigger average loan size of $308,000 compared with $251,000 through branches, mobile lenders and online sales.
ANZ  will pay an interim dividend of 73 cents.
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No out of cycle rate cuts likely from ANZ as profits surge amid very healthy mortgage book

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Mortgage lending growth remained at record low levels in March, according to RBA figures.
Housing credit increased by 0.4% over March following an increase of 0.4% over February.
Over the year to March, housing credit rose by 4.4% - the slowest annual pace of mortgage lending growth for RBA data going back to 1976.
Total credit provided to the private sector by financial intermediaries rose by 0.2% over March after increasing by 0.2% over February.
Over the year to March, total credit rose by 3.2%.
Other personal credit (personal loans, credit cards) rose by 0.1% over March after increasing by 0.1% over February. Over the year to March, other personal credit decreased by 0.1%.
Business credit was unchanged over March after decreasing by 0.2% over February. Over the year to March, business credit increased by 1.6%.
 
 
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Mortgage lending growth remains subdued in March: RBA

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Expect a stampede of property investors storming the Treasury building in Canberra if the government ever ends negative gearing tax allowances as some in the industry have proposed.
The latest ATO figures for the 2010-11 tax year show just how reliant property investors are on being able to offset rental losses against their taxable income and reduce their tax bills.
Around two-thirds of 1,811,174 property investors - 1,213,597 taxpayers – claimed losses on their investment properties for the 2010-11 tax year up from 1,110,290 who claimed losses in the 2009-10 tax year.
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Dividing the total rental income loss claimed by taxpayers by the number of taxpayers, reveals that the average loss recorded for negatively-geared property investors was $10,947 in 2010-11, up from $9,132 in 2009-10.
The figures show there was a small rise in gross rental income from $28 billion to $30.7 billion but a rise in tax deductible rental interest payments (up from $18.4 billion to $22.7 billion), capital works deductions and other allowable rental deductions.
The highest proportion of tax payers claiming rental deductions are those earning between $37,000 and $80,000 per year, making up more than a third of all negatively-geared property investors.
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Two-thirds of property investments negatively geared: ATO figures

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Self-managed super funds (SMSFs) experienced the largest growth in the number of tax returns lodged over 2010-11 by entity type rising to 391,163, according to the latest release of ATO figures.

This was an increase of 4.8% from 373,195 SMSF tax returns lodged 2009-10.
The figures show that the highest allocation remains to shares (32%) and cash and term deposits (28.7%) with 3.5% invested in residential property, 11.4% in non-residential property, 4.2% invested in listed property trusts and 8.8% invested in unlisted property trusts.
In total 14.9 million tax returns were lodged, an increase of 2.1% from 2009-10.
Individual returns represented 84.7% of all tax returns lodged.
 
Self–managed super funds, 2010–11 and 2011–12 financial years
 
<table width="349" cellpadding="7" cellspacing="0" border="1" dir="ltr"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
Self–managed super funds
</td>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
2010–111
</td>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
2011–12
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
Funds (no.)
</td>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
442,987
</td>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
478,263
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
Members2 (no.)
</td>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
846,227
</td>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
913,550
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
Assets2 ($m)
</td>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
423,232
</td>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
438,995
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 

Asset allocation across self–managed super funds, 2009–10 and 2010–11 income years
 
<table width="349" cellpadding="7" cellspacing="0" border="1" dir="ltr"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="33%" rowspan="2" valign="top" height="17">
Asset type
</td>
<td colspan="2" width="33%" valign="top" height="17">
2009–102
</td>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="17">
2010–11
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="17%" valign="top" height="7">
%
</td>
<td colspan="2" width="50%" valign="top" height="7">
%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
Listed Shares
</td>
<td colspan="2" width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
31.4
</td>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
32.0
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
Cash and term deposits
</td>
<td colspan="2" width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
27.1
</td>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
28.7
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
Non-residential real property
</td>
<td colspan="2" width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
11.5
</td>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
11.4
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
Unlisted trusts
</td>
<td colspan="2" width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
9.6
</td>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
8.8
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
Other Managed Investments
</td>
<td colspan="2" width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
5.0
</td>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
4.7
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
Listed trusts
</td>
<td colspan="2" width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
4.9
</td>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
4.2
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
Residential real property
</td>
<td colspan="2" width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
3.7
</td>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
3.5
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
Unlisted Shares
</td>
<td colspan="2" width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
1.2
</td>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
1.1
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
Overseas assets3
</td>
<td colspan="2" width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
0.9
</td>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
0.9
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
Other assets4
</td>
<td colspan="2" width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
4.8
</td>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
4.8
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
Total5
</td>
<td colspan="2" width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
100.0
</td>
<td width="33%" valign="top" height="7">
100.0
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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SMSF tax return numbers rise 4.8% in 2010-11 to 391,000: ATO figures

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GPT’s Highpoint Shopping Centre in Melbourne West is fully leased following its $300 million redevelopment into the third largest shopping centre in Australia, the listed property developer has reported in its March quarter market update.
The redevelopment included the addition of a new fashion precinct and the opening of Top Shop and Zara stores alongside a new David Jones department store in mid-March, adding 30,000 square metres of space and ranking it third behind Chadstone Shopping Centre in Malvern East and Westfield Fountain Gate in Narre Warren.
However, GPT reported weaker conditions in the retail market and modest growth in retail sales with specialty sales growth of just 1.3% over the quarter.
Positive leasing outcomes increased retail occupancy to 99.7%.
Retail property ($4.87 billion) comprises more than half of GPT’s property portfolio worth $8.64 billion.
Across its office portfolio, nearly 23,000 square metres of space was leased during the quarter and occupancy remained steady.
GPT’s other major project is its 161 Castlereagh Street office tower in Sydney, which reached practical completion in March with the surrounding plaza and retail precinct on track for completion in mid-2013.
The tower to be known as ANZ Bank Centre will have 55,000 square metres of office space across 43 levels as well as 3,200 square metres of ground floor retail space.
It is the sixth tallest building in Sydney, designed by Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (FJMT), a Sydney based architectural firm and constructed by Grocon.
Head of investment management, Carmel Hourigan said the performance across the asset portfolios had been solid for the quarter.
“Occupancy remains high at 98.3% and we have a long weighted average lease expiry at 4.9 years,” Hourigan said.
GPT declared a distribution of 5.1 cents for the March quarter, up 10.9% on the equivalent period in 2012.
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Highpoint Shopping Centre fully-leased but retail sales growth “modest”: GPT

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

Joel Robinson

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

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

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

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

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

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

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

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

Larry Schlesinger

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