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Australian hotels delivered property investors a 9.4% total return over 2012, according to the IPD Asia Pacific Hotel Property Index.
Australian hotel properties outperformed returns generated across the Asian market (5%) and the Asia Pacific (7.7%) over 2012.
The majority of the 9.4% return was the result of capital appreciation (8%) with the remainder (1.4%) coming from income growth.
This was below the three-year return of 13% for the Australian hotel sector but above five-year returns of 7.7%.
Click to enlarge
<a href="/images/stories/2013/04/chartoftheweekapril10.gif" rel="shadowbox" title="Click to enlarge"><img src="/images/stories/2013/04/chartoftheweekapril10thumb.gif"></a>
The IPD Asia-Pacific Hotel Property Index, which is sponsored by Jones Lang LaSalle and Ryan Lawyers, has a combined asset value of US$12 billion and provides a broad measure of returns for hotel property investment in the Asia Pacific region.
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lschlesinger-FZcF9M3vE6

Australian hotel returns fall but still top regional property performer: Chart of the week

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ASIC has suspended the Australian financial services (AFS) licence of collapsed Gold Coast fund manager and property developer LM Investment Management Limited (LM) for two years.
LM is currently in the hands of voluntary administrators John Park and Ginette Muller of FTI Consulting.
"The terms of the AFS licence suspension do allow the voluntary administrators to provide financial services such as transfer to a new responsible entity, investigating or preserving the assets or winding up the registered managed investment schemes operated by LM," says ASIC. ASIC says it is continuing its inquiries in relation to the conduct of LM and will make no further comment at this time. LM is the responsible entity of the following registered managed investment schemes: 
<ul type="disc">
<li>LM Cash Performance Fund</li>
<li>LM First Mortgage Income Fund;</li>
<li>LM Currency Protected Australian Income Fund</li>
<li>LM Institutional Currency Protected Australian Income Fund</li>
<li>LM Australian Income</li>
<li>LM Australian Structured Products Fund; and</li>
<li>The Australian Retirement Living Fund</li>
</ul>
LM also operates the unregistered LM Managed Performance Fund - a $400 million fund which has provided a $249 million related party loan to the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/jamie-durie-s-garden-designs-wilt-as-gold-coast-mortgage-fund-manager-lm-investment-management-placed-in-voluntary-administration/2013032459976" target="_blank">$1 billion Maddison Estate project</a> and a $17 million related party loan to the Rhodes apartment project in Capalaba. 
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LM Investment Management financial services licence suspended by ASIC for two years

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Belgian-based international construction company Besix Group has acquired Kevin Seymour’s 15% holding in construction and property development group Watpac.
Besix is part of the joint venture that built the world’s tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, rising 800 metres.
The total acquisition of 15.6% of Watpac is subject to approval by the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) and due for approval within 30 days.
BRW-rich lister Kevin Seymour retired as chairman of Watpac just over 12 months ago and was replaced by Mirvac executive Chris Freeman.
Seymour has told Watpac he intends to resign from the board in September.
In a statement to the ASX, Watpac said Besix has been "actively monitored the Australian market for many years".
Besix has also signed a memorandum of understanding to investigate joint venture opportunities with Watpac
Current Besix projects include the Ferrari Experience theme park in Dubai and the Carpe Diem office tower in Paris.
Besix is currently operating in the marine works sector in Australia as part of a joint venture project to build a construction port for an LNG terminal for Chevron at Wheatstone in WA.
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Belgian high-rise builder Besix to acquire Kevin Seymour’s 15% Watpac holding

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Richardson &amp; Wrench (R&amp;W) has joined other real estate groups by adding a mortgage broking and financial advisory referral service to its client offering.
Mortgage broking and financial advice will be provided by finance broking firm Shore Financial and available in more than 100 R&amp;W offices across NSW and Queensland.
Other real estate groups to offer home loan services to clients include McGrath Estate Agents, LJ Hooker, Ray White and Century 21.
Richardson &amp; Wrench is one of the oldest real estate groups in Australia, founded in 1858.
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Richardson & Wrench adds mortgage broking referral service to real estate offering

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Demand for fixed-rate home loans surged in March to its highest level since the GFC, according to Mortgage Choice loan application figures.
Fixed rate demand rose 9.17 percentage points from less than one in five borrowers (18%) in February to more than a quarter (28%) of borrowers in March.
This is the highest proportion to fix their home loan since March 2008 – a disastrous move by those borrowers back then as the RBA, having lifted the cash rate  successively in February and March of 2008 to 7.25%, then proceeded to dramatically cut the cash rate to 3% between September 2008 and May 2009 to stave off the worst of the GFC.
Borrowers on fixed-rates were left with much higher mortgage repayments than equivalent variable borrowers, as mortgage rates tumbled.
Given, the cash rate is already at 3% and not expected to fall much further, fixed-rate borrowers are unlikely to burned again.
Yesterday, Citibank announced cuts to its <a href="/news">two-year and three-year fixed rate home loans</a> with borrowers able to secure one-year and three-year fixed-rate below 5%.
The Mortgage Choice figures show that Queensland borrowers remain the most conservatively minded with demand for fixed-rate home loans rising in the Sunshine State from 14% to 37% from February to March.
“Queenslanders continue to lead the preference for fixed rate loans, month on month. However, the biggest movement was in South Australia where demand for fixed rate loans rose by 14.1 percentage points to hit 32.26% in March,” says Mortgage spokesperson, Belinda Williamson
“At the same time, Victorians finally started to catch up to the rest of the country with the uptake of fixed rate loans rising 8.88 percentage points to 19.96%.
“This was followed closely by Western Australia where demand rose by 8.51 percentage points over the month to reach 24.25% and New South Wales, which saw only a marginal increase of 4.57 percentage points to hit 24.51%.”
Williamson warns borrowers to consider all the pros and cons of this loan type before locking in.
“Apart from the often talked about ‘break fee’, which applies if you repay your loan in full or choose to switch loans during a fixed rate loan period, there are other, often lesser known facts about fixed rates to consider when weighing up your loan options,” she says.
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More than one in four fixing their home loan as demand rises to five year high: Mortgage Choice

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The proposed changes to super rules announced by the federal government last week will hit the back pockets of ordinary pensioners with small super balances not just those with property-laden self-managed super funds.
Federal treasurer Wayne Swan <a target="_blank" href="/news">announced that from July 1 2014</a>, earnings above $100,000 will be taxed at the same concessional rate of 15% that applies to earnings in the accumulation phase.
Swan said this would impact on just 16,000 account holders and result in a fairer superannuation system.
However, the announcement also included the extension of normal deeming rules to superannuation account-based income streams for the purposes of the age pension income test.
“Under the change announced today, standard pension deeming arrangements will apply to new superannuation account-based income streams assessed under the pension income test rules after 1 January 2015,” said Swan.
“All products held by pensioners before 1 January 2015 will be grandfathered indefinitely and continue to be assessed under the existing rules for the life of the product so no current pensioner will be affected, unless they choose to change products.
According to financial planner Phil Clinton the changes to deeming rules will mean that a single person with a modest pension of $150,000 will receive $26 less per week.
Speaking to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.2gb.com/article/pensioners-be-hit-hard-new-superannuation-rules">Ross Greenwood on 2GB</a>, Clinton, from Halcyon Wealth Advisers, explained that in the past if you had your money in an allocated pension – the next phase after accumulating it in a super fund – you would not be deemed to have earned anything from that fund and could claim a full pension.
“That was the benefit of having your money in that pension fund,” he said.
But under the proposed extension of deeming rules, from January 1 2015 the first $45,400 will be deemed to earn income at 2.5% and anything above that at a rate of 4%.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
Clinton provided the example of someone with a modest super fund worth a $150,000, who owns their own home (which is exempt from the asset test) and have bank accounts plus some home contents, which add up to less than $192,500 – the assets limit for a single homeowner before the age pension reduces.
“[Under the proposed changes] they are deemed to get 2.5% on the first $45,400, which equals $1,135 and the remaining $104,600 is deemed at 4%, which equals $4,185.
“So a pension would be deemed to earn a total of $5,319 that that they previously would not have earned.
“Currently they receive a full pension if their income does not exceed $152 a fortnight.
“Under this rule they will be deemed to have earned $204.57 per fortnight
“The pension reduces by 50 cents for every dollar over the $152 limit, so they will lose $26.28 per fortnight in pension,” said Clinton.
Clinton acknowledged the federal government's statement that products held by pensioners before January 1 2015 would be grandfathered indefinitely but said the key words were “for the life of the product”.
That he said was “the kicker”.
“What happens if you change from one allocated pension to another, you are now in a separate product?
“We don’t know for sure but they may remove the grandfathering in that case.”
As of March this year, a single person eligible for the full age pension can now expect an annual income of around $21,020.
A couple is eligible for around $31,700.
 
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Pensioners not just property-laden SMSFs to be hit by super changes: financial planner

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The construction sector contracted further in March falling by 6.6 points to an index reading of 39 points.

Readings below 50 indicate a contraction in the industry with the distance from 50 indicative of the strength of the decline.

This contraction followed a solid improvement in February, indicating that fragile conditions persist in the construction sector, said Australian Industry Group chief economist, Julie Toth.

“After the strong improvement in February the survey results for March are clearly disappointing and a further indicator of the fragility of conditions across the construction industry. 

“Driving the industry’s poorer performance was a return to contraction in house building and engineering construction, combined with sharper falls in commercial and apartment building activity. 

“Of concern, the current stretch of decline in new orders for the industry has now extended to 34 months as businesses continue to be hampered by a shortage of new work, project delays and weak investor sentiment. 

“The drop off in new orders was particularly sharp in the commercial construction sector reflecting a scaling back in public investment and on-going weakness in approvals," Toth says.  

<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/construction-sentiment-improving-but-not-yet-activity-master-builders-survey/2013040760208?utm_source=po&amp;utm_medium=aida&amp;utm_campaign=news" target="_blank">Yesterday, the Master Builders national survey</a> of home builders and contractors forecast the building industry to improve in the medium term, but are still struggling in the short term.

Despite the improvement in sentiment, the survey found that overall construction conditions remain weak.

Last month, the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/commercial/construction-industry-to-contract-4-over-next-three-months-and-no-improvement-long-term-bci/2013031259831" target="_blank">BCI Media Group</a> forecast the construction industry to contract 4% over the three months to May 2013 and expects no major improvement in the construction sector over the next twelve months as the high Australian Dollar, tight company budgets, and tough bank lending criteria continue to squeeze the market.

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Construction sector contracts in March as conditions remain “fragile”: AIG/HIA index

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Expectations for the Adelaide housing market appear modest at best following the RBA’s assistant governor’s Christopher Kent's comment last month that this market has been “quite flat for a few years”.
The latest Australian Property Monitors (APM) data has Adelaide house prices up 0.4% over the year to January with units down 5.2%.
Both dwelling types recorded gains of 1.5% over the January quarter with a median house price of $438,000 and a median unit price of $276,000.
“The Adelaide housing market can look forward to modest price growth for 2013, with all indicators pointing to a slight improvement,” says APM in its latest report.
Other APM indicators also suggest the Adelaide market is heading in the right direction with average days on market reducing from 150 days a year ago to 136 as of February 2013, although the long-term average is 110 days.
The average discount required to sell a property has also reduced from 8.2% to 7.1% and is approaching a long-term average of 6.6%.
According to APM, there are 12,000 properties listed for sale in Adelaide, 7% less than a year ago but 13.5% higher than the long-term trend.
“Low interest rates will activate the Adelaide housing market through 2012, although activity levels and prices growth will be modest,” says APM.
“This is consistent with Adelaide’s house price cycle which is typically less volatile than the other major capitals.”
“Local economic performance may provide a continuing brake on housing market activity, with the latest ABS unemployment data reporting an Adelaide January unemployment rate of 6.7% – clearly the highest of all the major capitals and nearly a percent higher than the rate recorded over January 2012.”
In a further sign of future pick-up, February ABS building approval figures show a 23% lift in South Australian dwelling approvals.
“The strong result took the number of approvals to the highest monthly tally in over eighteen months. Hopefully this is a sign that the state may be emerging from the cyclical low,” said the HIA’s Geordan Murray.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
Richard Thwaites, principal of the Kensington office for LJ Hooker, says the Adelaide market is on a "fairly level plain" but properties are selling.
“We had 12 registered bidders at an auction in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Gilberton</a> and 7 for a property in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Rose Park</a> - both lower to middle-end properties," he tells Property Observer.
“Both properties sold over the initial reserve price.”
Thwaites says there are people in the market place buying, but it is price sensitive.
“Anyone who wants yesterday’s prices won’t sell,” he says.
He also notes investor appetite, due to people being wary of super and wanting a “second bite of the cherry”.
Closer to the CBD always perennial always a market, there are buyers, but being circumspect as to how much they will spend.
He says there are also a number of people looking to upgrade as families.
“They don’t want to travel too far to go to school, but they are not selling before they buy.
At the upper end of the market ($1.5 million plus), the perception is that there is no rush to buy.
Thwaites says the sentiment is: “If I miss out on this one, I won’t get caught out by price. Prices won’t jump 10%.”
In its latest April market wrap, valuers Herron Todd White reports that the Adelaide residential market is “not really moving in any direction” and says it could be in for an “extended period of flat-lining”.
On a more positive note, HTW says that property values appear to have reached the bottom of the cycle and now are holding fairly steady. 
“Houses are being bought and sold but transaction volumes remain low while it appears that more people are currently looking or showing interest in residential property than there has been for a couple of years, there is still a reluctance to actually act,” says HTW.
HTW speculates that the overall lack of market activity is holding back upgraders over concerns they may not be able to sell their existing home or that they may have to sell for less money than they think their house is worth or in fact less than they paid.
“We believe that second and third home owners are probably the most active in the market at the moment.
“With property more affordable than at its peak late in 2010, there are those looking to take advantage of the situation and are currently looking to upgrade to larger dwellings or relocate into more desirable suburbs.
“Prestige property also appears to be selling quite well once released to market and with recent price corrections can offer very good value for money.
“Currently first home buyers do not appear to be very active and this may be due to concerns over job security, cost of living and general uncertainty.”
 
 
 
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Signs of life but no great expectations for Adelaide property market

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Citibank has today cut its two-year home loan rate to 4.99% per annum and reduced its three-year fixed home loan rate to 5.14%.
This is the first announced fixed-rate cut in more than two weeks.
The last lender to announce<a href="/news"> fixed-rate cuts was CUA</a>, which cut its three-year fixed-rate to 5.1% on March 20.
A day earlier, Westpac ended its <a href="/news">4.99% two-year fixed-rate promotion</a> pushing this rate up to 5.29% under its package home loan offering.
"Based on recent research, we know that nearly one in three new borrowers locked in a fixed rate on their home loan during March 2013,” says Belen Lopez Denis, head of mortgage marketing at Citibank.
Citibank is offering two other mortgage promotions currently
The bank is offering a free 60-day rate lock which allows customers a guaranteed low fixed rate for 60 days after their application has been submitted, protecting them from rate alterations before their settlement date.
It will also refund the $750 application and switching fee to customers who apply to refinance their current home loan before April 30 2013.
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Citibank cuts two-year fixed-rate home loan to 4.99%

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Superannuation fund bosses have warned that funds could flow out of superannuation accounts following <a target="_blank" href="/news">government changes announced last week</a> that will see income streams above $100,000 taxed at a rate of 15% from July next year.
Alex Hutchison, chief executive at Energy Industry Super chief executive, said people with higher superannuation balances might consider other options outside of super such as property.
"More people will change their affairs to negatively gear and go into property," he said as part of a Money Management roundtable.
John Livanas, chief executive of public sector fund State Super warned of a “huge risk of outflows” from super as happened when the superannuation surcharge was introduced in 1996.
“The moment confidence reduces [in the super], the question as to whether to commute pensions come into question,” Livanas.
Also participating in the Money Management roundtable, Tom Garcia, chief executive of the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees, held similar concerns.
The most recent APRA figures show that total estimated superannuation assets increased to $1.51 trillion in the December 2012 quarter, a 14.6% increase over the 12 months to December 2012.
As of December 31 2012, self-managed superannuation funds held the largest proportion of superannuation assets accounting for 31.5% of assets with $474 billion compared with $410 billion at the start of 2012.
There were 496,000 SMSF funds at the end of the December 2012 quarter up from 460,000 at the start of the year.
Retail funds account for 26.4% of total super assets. Industry funds account for 19.5% of total assets, public sector funds 15.7% and corporate funds 3.8%.
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Funds could flow out of super and into property following government changes: super bosses

A collection of just 25 large-format apartments and penthouses overlooking Goodwin Park is entering the Coolangatta market, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marea-residences-coolangatta-27-27a-dixon-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Maréa Residences</a> combining a low-density, residential-only approach with uninterrupted park and Pacific Ocean outlooks.

Located at 27 Dixon Street, Maréa comprises three and four-bedroom residences alongside a limited number of dual-level penthouses, with the project positioned between Goodwin Park and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/coolangatta-qld-4225">Coolangatta</a>’s coastal precinct.

Construction has commenced, with completion currently estimated for late 2027. Three-bedroom residences are priced from $1.8 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374005]

The project has been designed around its northern outlook across the park, with the building’s architecture, landscaping and material palette intended to establish a connection with the neighbouring green space. The residences have been configured to maximise natural light and views across Goodwin Park towards the ocean.

Inside, the material palette incorporates timber, stone and brushed brass, complemented by curved detailing and ambient lighting. Kitchens and bathrooms carry the same natural material approach, while residences also include basement parking, storage and lift access.

Maréa’s penthouses are arranged over two levels and include private pools, adding another layer to the project’s focus on larger-format apartment living. Across the development, residences are configured with three or four bedrooms rather than the broader mix of smaller apartment types commonly found in larger projects.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374010]

Resident amenity is concentrated at rooftop level, where landscaped entertaining terraces and pools take advantage of elevated views across Coolangatta and the Pacific Ocean.

The project has so far been particularly well received by local owner-occupiers and downsizers, according to Urban Activation Property Sales and Marketing Director Matt George, with the residential-only format, construction quality and northern park outlook among the features resonating with purchasers.

“The uninterrupted northern aspect overlooking Goodwin Park has been a key point of difference, with buyers attracted to the sense of serenity and open space the park provides, while still enjoying easy access to the ocean and being within walking distance of the lifestyle and amenities Coolangatta has to offer,” George said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374002]

“The combination of high-quality construction, a residential-only building, park outlook and proximity to the beach has resonated strongly with the local downsizer market.”

The Dixon Street address is within walking distance of Coolangatta Beach and the broader southern Gold Coast coastline, including the surf breaks at Snapper Rocks and Kirra. Coolangatta’s cafés, restaurants and retail are nearby, while Gold Coast Airport is also within close proximity.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150999]

Joel Robinson

Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

Melbourne developer PDG has secured Victorian Government approval for its $1.5 billion Southbank development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-one-1-queens-bridge-street-southbank-vic-3006">The One</a>, clearing the way for the long-dormant riverfront site opposite Crown to finally be developed.

The Minister for Planning has approved the project at 1-29 Queens Bridge Street, with the Department of Transport and Planning issuing the planning permit following its assessment.

The approval will allow PDG to develop the prominent 5,059 sqm site with a major mixed-use tower comprising premium apartments, including branded residences, a luxury hotel and boutique office space.

PDG acquired the site in late 2024, with its position directly opposite Crown's main entrance and near Melbourne's Arts Precinct making it one of Southbank's most significant remaining development opportunities.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3933013e-6332-4386-b9be-089df05caf17" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.22%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sITIgBqDL0N3VNSMwWEmF5UA.uvcsRyu" />

Designed by COX in collaboration with ODO and PDG, the tower's architecture draws on the movement of the Yarra River, with six vertical pleats running the height of the sculpted facade.

The project will also see the heritage-listed Queens Bridge Hotel restored and incorporated into the development&nbsp;with new hospitality and public uses, including a rooftop venue.

A significant component of The One will be its residential amenity.

More than 5,000 sqm of resident facilities will be delivered across a single level, making it one of the largest consolidated residential amenity offerings proposed in an Australian apartment development.

The planning approval also incorporates a major upgrade of Queensbridge Square, which PDG will deliver in partnership with the City of Melbourne.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73167fcd-1031-4b6f-a408-a064cfe45ed1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.17%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Pf1AEWxw6SNmBqR0zQW5lyEze.MtxgFp" />

The existing square will be revitalised as a new civic and pedestrian space along the Yarra River, strengthening the connection between the project, Southbank and the riverfront.

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the approval represented a major milestone for a site which has remained largely underutilised for more than 15 years.

“This is the most significant Planning Permit approval Melbourne has seen in recent years,” Giuliano said.

“For more than 15 years, this site has remained underutilised. This approval enables us to deliver a project that will contribute meaningfully to the revitalisation of Southbank, restore and reactivate an important heritage building, and create a new civic and hospitality destination for Melbourne.”

The latest approval follows an earlier planning permit issued by the City of Melbourne covering demolition works across part of the site at 9-29 Queens Bridge Street. Those demolition and early works are already underway.

PDG has also started generating early interest in the residential component from owner-occupiers ahead of a planned public launch in early 2027.

PDG secures approval for $1.5bn Southbank apartment development, The One

Local developer Harridan is seeking to turn its Woolloongabba apartment project into the first stage of a broader transformation of Burke Street, using a new 16-storey mixed-use building to establish a greener pedestrian connection toward the rapidly evolving Boggo Road transport and knowledge precinct.

The South East Queensland developer has filed plans for 154 apartments on the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-burke-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">southern side of Burke Street</a>, where its proposal has been designed alongside a wider vision by LatStudios for the street.

That vision positions the southern side of Burke Street for buildings of 15 storeys and above, while envisaging lower-rise development of up to five storeys on the northern side to transition into Woolloongabba's existing character housing. It also proposes wider pedestrian verges, deep planting, new street trees and upgrades to the pedestrian approach to Boggo Road Station.

The Harridan development itself has been designed by Brisbane-based Arqus Design and will comprise 154 apartments across 16 storeys. The mix is weighted heavily toward two-bedroom apartments, with 121 proposed alongside 10 one-bedroom and 23 three-bedroom residences. There will typically be around 14 units per floor.

A lower-ground car park and three podium levels will accommodate 156 resident parking spaces, along with visitor and commercial parking. There will also be 154 resident bicycle spaces and 40 visitor bicycle parks.

&nbsp;

Harridan is a family-owned developer and part of the Holmwood Highgate Group, with more than three decades of development activity across South East Queensland. Its portfolio spans residential, commercial and industrial property, with current residential projects including Riverbank on Byron in Bulimba, Esperance Residences in Carina and The Precinct at Kinross Road in Thornlands.

Wooloongabba has been popular for apartment developers, particularly since the announcement of the 2032 Summer Olympics games in Brisbane.

While there have been a lot of development applications, it has failed to materialize into real supply.&nbsp;

Sarazin has been the major player in the area. They are under construction at Murcia Residences, on the fringe of East Brisbane and Woolloongabba. They have just launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-stanley-residences-woolloongabba-8-trafalgar-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">The Stanley Residences</a>, in Woolloongabba on Trafalagar Street. They also have Nuage coming soon on the nearby <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nuage-woolloongabba-14-wellington-road-woolloongabba-qld-4102">Wellington Road</a>.

First look: Harridan plans Burke Street transformation beside Boggo Road transport hub

IN BRIEF

<ul>
	<li>
	Just three double-storey Sky Homes sit at the top of The Waterline, each with its own private marina berth and rooftop terrace.
	</li>
	<li>
	Construction on The Waterline is complete, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.
	</li>
	<li>
	Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and are priced from $3.65 million.
	</li>
</ul>

<hr />
Lewis Land has opened the first completed sky home for inspection at Harbour Shores, giving buyers their first opportunity to step inside one of just three double-storey residences crowning The Waterline.

Each sky home comes with its own private marina berth, rooftop terrace and Broadwater views, combining the scale of a larger home with direct access to the boating lifestyle that underpins the wider <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/harbour-shores-biggera-waters-564-oxley-drive-biggera-waters-qld-4216">Harbour Shores</a> masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366708]

Lewis Land Head of Development Michael Long said the inclusion of a berth with every Sky Home had become increasingly valuable as marina access across the Gold Coast tightened.

“Marina berths are becoming increasingly difficult to secure across the Gold Coast, so including one with every Sky Home makes this a genuinely rare offering,” Long said.

“The private 70-berth marina will accommodate boats up to 12 metres in length and is positioned just 2.5 kilometres from the Broadwater, placing the open ocean only 15 minutes away.

“Being able to step out of your home onto your boat is a rare luxury, and it’s something residents here can look forward to when it opens later this year.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=113271 project_image_fid=366709]

The display opening comes as construction completes on The Waterline, with the first residents expected to move in from mid-October.

The three Sky Homes range from 282 sqm to 367 sqm and each feature three bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive kitchens with butler's pantries and large balconies taking in the Broadwater outlook.

Each residence also has three secure basement car spaces and additional storage.

“This is the first opportunity the Gold Coast has had to step into Harbour Shores and see, touch and feel what we’re bringing to life here,” Long said.

“There are only three Sky Homes within The Waterline, ranging in size from 282sqm to 367sqm, with each residence featuring three large bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living zones, expansive custom-built kitchens with butler’s pantry, and large balconies capturing Broadwater views.”

<img alt="Harbour Shores" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bab65e10-4fab-45e1-92d8-fc56e2ab98ff" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-25%20at%202.00.16%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=XT8q76LsPkw3cYTsvN3JfFDaPLud90PN" />

Residents of The Waterline will have access to a private pool, along with Harbour Shores' wider collection of amenity including a lagoon pool, social clubhouse, tennis court, gym, yoga facilities and sauna.

Lewis Land partnered with Studio Collective to furnish the completed display, with the interiors designed to demonstrate how the residences could function as permanent homes rather than simply as show apartments.

Studio Collective Director Melissa Park said the surrounding waterways informed the interiors, but in a more restrained way than a traditional coastal scheme.

“We drew inspiration from the canals and coastal surrounds, but our approach was to interpret that subtly through layered materials and a grounded palette of earthy tones, rather than literal coastal references,” Park said.

“We introduced hero moments of green and teal to reference the surrounding waterways, while mirrored elements help reflect natural light.

“The result is a residence that feels elevated yet comfortable, somewhere buyers can genuinely imagine themselves living, entertaining and unwinding.”

Sky Homes are priced from $3.65 million.

Lewis Land is also offering private marina berths with The Residences, its limited collection of three and four-bedroom villas positioned directly along the Harbour Shores waterfront boardwalk.

Three-bedroom villas are priced from $2.99 million, while four-bedroom residences start from $3.19 million.

Harbour Shores is being marketed by Colliers International.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=113271]

Lewis Land opens sky home display as The Waterline completes at Harbour Shores

St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia has filed plans for a major mixed-use housing precinct on the southern edge of the North Sydney CBD, adding another significant proposal to a pocket around North Sydn​ey Station that is quickly becoming one of the LGA's busiest development zones.

The State Significant Development Application covers a 5,990 sqm site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1-19-mackenzie-street-lavender-bay-nsw-2060">1-19 MacKenzie Street and 211 Blues Point Road in Lavender Bay</a>, immediately south of Nor​th Sydney Station and between the commercial core and the lower-rise Lavender Bay Heritage Conservation Area.

Designed by Wardle, the proposal would deliver a new residential tower comprising 88 build-to-sell apartments and 19 affordable apartments, alongside a separate co-living building with 57 rooms and a building manager's studio.

It would also see the significant restoration and upgrade of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, the adaptive reuse of the former school building, new parish facilities, retail, a new public square and around 1,000 sqm of publicly accessible open space.

<img alt="Vinnies North Sydney" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d5dd7f87-a617-463e-b577-17541e01f0e9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.13%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4R8TsFN3P_LrrXO2HswTOIrx2blil8lh" />

The project is seeking a concurrent rezoning of the site to R4 High Density Residential and an increase in the maximum building height to allow a tower reaching RL120, or up to 20 storeys. The proposal was progressed through the NSW Government's Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The build-to-sell component will be weighted toward larger apartments, with just six one-bedroom apartments compared with 31 two-beds, 43 three-beds and eight four-bedroom residences.

The 19 affordable apartments will comprise two studios, 15 one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments, taking the total apartment component to 107 residences before the 58 co-living rooms are included.

<img alt="Vnnies" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7d568ca5-cb90-4e18-96c6-d9795dba0c56" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.10.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=GY2R5M9VtQh0EKy1vajaea19PSLOPuRD" />

Wardle's design for the Vinnies site has sought to negotiate that emerging high-rise context while retaining the lower-scale character of MacKenzie Street and the adjoining heritage conservation area.

The main building adopts a three-storey podium and tower arrangement, with the podium aligned to the ridgeline and front setback of St Francis Xavier Church.&nbsp;Wardle has designed the podium with colonnades, seating, recessed entries and active ground-floor frontages, with sandstone-toned precast concrete and face brick referencing the materiality of the existing church.

The tower then steps back eight metres to the south and six metres to the north before rising in a sculpted form comprising four interlocking quadrants. Wardle has also introduced rounded forms and chamfered corners to reduce the tower's perceived bulk and improve view sharing with neighbouring development sites.

Resident facilities and outdoor areas are planned at the separation between the podium and tower at Level 3, oriented toward Sydney Harbour and the CBD skyline.

The tower itself will feature a glass reinforced concrete facade, with recessed balconies and deep reveals used both to provide shading and privacy and frame views toward the harbour and city. The lower levels take a different architectural approach, using brick and sandstone-toned finishes intended to establish a stronger relationship with St Francis Xavier Church. The Church itself will be conserved and upgraded for its continued use, while the former school building will be adaptively reused as part of the co-living component.

<img alt="Lavendar Bay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2d4418ad-90aa-4d49-af93-c80b140aea80" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%209.09.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Kv4gzbsACaGvZSRuaqcfGC54jEJRXIDJ" />

&nbsp;

The proposal adds to an increasingly concentrated pipeline of residential development around Blue Street, MacKenzie Street and Lavender Bay.

Just west of the site, Central Element lodged plans earlier this year for one of the most significant residential developments proposed in Lavender Bay in recent years.

Central Element's SJB-designed scheme at 64-66 Lavender Street and 3-7 Middlemiss Street would deliver 163 apartments across two towers rising 23 and 32 storeys, replacing five existing apartment buildings containing 32 homes. The project also forms part of the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-central-element-reveals-lavender-bay-apartment-plans?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">First look: Central Element reveals Lavender Bay apartment plans</a>

Immediately around North Sy​dney Station, another two significant proposals have emerged at 5 and 15 Blue Street.

Zurich Australian Insurance Properties is seeking to adaptively reuse its longstanding commercial building at 5 Blue Street, directly above North Sydney Station, rather than demolishing the structure.

Its SSDA proposes converting the building into a 14-storey mixed-use development with 62 apartments and 86 co-living rooms, together with ground-floor retail and a major refurbishment of Blue Street Plaza. The application is currently at the Response to Submissions stage.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-zurich-targets-north-sydney-office-conversion-with-148-unit-proposal-above-metro-station">First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station</a>

&nbsp;

Larry Schlesinger

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