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Perth apartment values rose a noteworthy 5.3% in the space of a month to a median of $420,000, according to the latest RP Data-Rismark index.
This made it the top performing capital city housing market across both detached houses and units over March.
Perth's unit price gain over March was more than seven times the 0.7% gain recorded across all capital city unit markets.
In contrast Canberra unit values fell 2.5% over March to a median of $414,000.
According to RP Data, Perth units offer a  rental yield of around 5% with the highest potential returns in Darwin (6.3%), Canberra (5.6%) and Brisbane (5.6%).
 
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Perth unit values up 5.3% in a month: RP Data

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The administrators of collapsed mortgage fund manager LM Investment Management (LMIM) are reportedly investigating possible irregularities in the running of the $401 million fund that predominantly invested in the Maddison Estate residential development at Pimpama on the Gold Coast.
The collapse of the fund manager has left small investors and overseas investors facing cumulative exposures totalling around $740 million.
All funds managed by LMIM have been frozen with John Park and Ginette Muller appointed as voluntary administrators on March 19 2013.
A customary first meeting of creditors will take place today on the Gold Coast, but the administrators from FTI Consulting say it is a “procedural” meeting with "no details of a solution" raised for investors.
Overseas-based creditors will have the opportunity to dial in to the meeting.
<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">The $1 billion Maddison Estate</a>, with its landscaping features designed and promoted by celebrity gardener Jamie Durie, was the primary investment vehicle for the LM Managed Performance Fund, which invested $234 million in the project via second mortgages – representing 60% of the fund.
Suncorp had provided a $22 million first mortgage over the project, with the loan expiring on March 31.
A circular issued to creditors by the administrators reveals that Australian commercial loans comprise 96% of the fund with direct property making up just 0.8% of its assets.
The fund was open to overseas investors introduced via a financial intermediary.
“Management has advised it is not uncommon for a special purpose vehicle to be incorporated to hold the registered title to the development site.
“A first mortgage is then secured against the development site for part or all of the build cost and the fund takes the second ranking mortgage behind the financier for the build,” says the circular to creditors.
The Australian Financial Review reports that FTI Consulting will apply to the Queensland Supreme Court to be appointed receiver of the LM Managed Performance Fund, giving FTI Consulting greater powers over the potential sale of assets.
At today’s creditors meeting, voluntary administrators will report on the company’s business, property, affairs and financial circumstances, and on the three options  available to creditors.
These are:
• end the voluntary administration and return the company to the directors’ control
• approve a deed of company arrangement through which the company will pay all or part of its debts and then be free of those debts, or
• wind up the company and appoint a liquidator
A second creditors meeting to determine the fate of LMIM is due within 25 or 30 business days of the appointment of voluntary administrators, but the AFR reports that FTI Consulting are expected to apply for an extension until July 25 due to the complexity of the funds managed by LMIM.
FTI Consulting has set up a <a href="https://www.lminvestmentadministration.com/notifications" target="_blank">dedicated website</a> covering the administration of LMIM.
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Irregularities suspected in LMIM's Maddison Estate mortgage fund: reports

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Owners and managers of strata apartments will be able to set up micro social networks for their apartment blocks to share key documents, run polls and host online discussions following the launch of a new service by real estate social media site Housenet.com.au. 
Housenet ‘strata pages’ allows managers or owners to create micro social networks for their building in minutes. 
“Our research found that communication and information management in strata schemes, especially self-managed, is often diabolical. There is no industry standard; some are using old clunky share software, others group emails – it’s a complete mishmash,” says Darren Moffatt, founder and CEO of Housenet. 
“Strata Pages solves this problem. It provides a central online place for scheme updates, minutes, budgets, documents, events, and discussions. It even has a polling feature, which we think will be especially useful in the lead up to NSW strata reforms.” 
Moffatt says the launch of strata pages taps into an international trend of niche social networks with overseas examples including <a target="_blank" href="https://www.honestbuildings.com">www.honestbuildings.com</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nextdoor.com">www.nextdoor.com</a>. 
He says industry feedback has been very positive on the new feature, which has the backing of Rosy Sullivan, principal of Australian College of Professionals, the largest trainer of strata managers in Australia. 
Sullivan says she intends to include the platform in her course material for strata managers. 
Moffat says strata pages will aim to address to key issues affecting the strata industry: disputes between lot owners and communication. 
“Our platform is all about cutting conflict and saving time. We think it can transform how people experience strata, and with 50% of the population projected to live in high density by 2035 there’s a real need for something like this.” 
“Strata Pages makes it easier for all stakeholders in a plan to store and share information, manage relationships, and meet their legal obligations. Our simple Facebook-like interface makes it easy to use, and it’s also great for building a sense of community in the building and meeting the neighbours.” 
Housenet.com.au was launched in September 2012. It’s a social networking site where industry and consumers can sell, buy, rent, share and talk property for free. 
Readers can find an example of the new strata pages service here: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.Housenet.com.au/strata">www.Housenet.com.au/strata</a>
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Social media site Housenet launches dedicated micro networks for apartment blocks

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Three out of the four major banks expect the RBA to cut the cash rate to 2.75% in June, according to the latest Bloomberg survey of economists.
Economists are unanimous though that there will be no rate cut today with all 28 economists surveyed just before the Easter break agreeing the cash rate will remain at 3% over April.
They are fairly certain of no rate cut in May with 23 out of 28 economists expecting the RBA to hold firm again.
However, chief economists at ANZ (Warren Hogan), NAB (Alan Oster) and Westpac (Bill Evans) all expect the RBA to cut the cash rate to 2.75% on June 4.
The Commonwealth Bank’s Michael Blythe expects no more rate cuts over the course of 2013.
In the last few weeks, <a href="/news">Westpac lifted its two-year fixed rate back above 5%</a>, signalling that fixed-rates may have bottomed out.
However, a day later, Australia’s biggest mutual lender <a href="/news">CUA</a> cut its three-year fixed rate to 5.1% – one of the lowest offerings on the market.
These are the lowest advertised variable and fixed mortgage rates based on listings on mortgage comparison websites <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ratecity.com.au/">ratecity.com.au</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://mozo.com.au/">Mozo.com.au</a>,  <a target="_blank" href="https://www.infochoice.com.au/">infochoice.com.au</a> and <a href="https://www.homeloanfinder.com.au/">homeloanfinder.com.au</a> as of April 2:
Where the headline rate is the same, the lender with the lowest comparison rate gets preference.
Lowest variable rate offerings:
<table width="470" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="134">
Provider
</td>
<td valign="top" width="124">
Loan name
</td>
<td valign="top" width="97">
Rate
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
Comparison rate*
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="134">
State Custodians
</td>
<td valign="top" width="124">
State Custodians Peak Performance Offset (Refinance Only)
</td>
<td valign="top" width="97">
4.99%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
5.38%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="134">
Easy Street
</td>
<td valign="top" width="124">
Honeymoon Home Loan Special
</td>
<td valign="top" width="97">
4.99%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
5.70%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="134">
UBank
</td>
<td valign="top" width="124">
UHomeLoan for refinancing
</td>
<td valign="top" width="97">
5.12%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="116">
5.12%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 Lowest one-year fixed-rate offerings
<table width="470" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="137">
Provider
</td>
<td valign="top" width="123">
Loan name
</td>
<td valign="top" width="95">
Rate
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
Comparison rate*
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="137">
Quick Direct
</td>
<td valign="top" width="123">
One year fixed
</td>
<td valign="top" width="95">
4.79%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
5.46%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="137">
UBank
</td>
<td valign="top" width="123">
UHomeLoan for refinance fixed rate one year
</td>
<td valign="top" width="95">
4.83%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
5.34%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="137">
AMP
</td>
<td valign="top" width="123">
Affinity Package Residential Fixed 1 yr 100k+
 
</td>
<td valign="top" width="95">
4.84%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="114">
5.63%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
 
Lowest three-year fixed-rate offerings
<table width="470" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="131">
Provider
</td>
<td valign="top" width="131">
Loan name
</td>
<td valign="top" width="96">
Rate
</td>
<td valign="top" width="111">
Comparison rate*
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="131">
ME Bank
</td>
<td valign="top" width="131">
Member Package SMHL Standard Home Loan
</td>
<td valign="top" width="96">
4.99%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="111">
5.49%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="131">
Teachers Mutual Bank
</td>
<td valign="top" width="131">
Teachers Fixed Option Loan
</td>
<td valign="top" width="96">
4.99%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="111">
5.90%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="131">
AMP
</td>
<td valign="top" width="131">
Affinity Package Residential Fixed
</td>
<td valign="top" width="96">
5.04%
</td>
<td valign="top" width="111">
5.55%
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
*A comparison rate includes both the interest rate and the fees and charges relating to a loan, combined into a single percentage figure.
For information on refinancing, watch our free webinar <a href="/news">The Do's and Don’ts of Refinancing Your Existing Home Loan ... and How to Avoid Unnecessary Hurdles</a>.
 
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Major banks favour June rate cut: guide to lowest fixed and variable mortgage rates

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The RBA has highlighted the more "prudent" approach Australian households are taking to managing their finances since the GFC in its latest Financial Stability Review.
This, it says, can be seen in "households' reduced appetite for taking on additional debt since the financial crisis".
<img src="/images/stories/2013/04/rbaapril2onethumb.gif" width="470" height="440" alt="rbaapril2onethumb">
"Household credit growth has been slower in the past five years – at an average annual rate of around 5.5% – than in the 20 years prior, when it averaged around 13.5%," says the RBA.
"Within household credit, personal credit has declined over the past five years, with a large fall in margin loans partially offset by modest growth in credit card debt.
"Growth in housing credit has also slowed over this period, to a current annual rate of around 4.5% despite a moderate pick-up in the value of housing loan approvals in the past few years," says the RBA.
The propensity among Australian <a href="/news">households</a> to reduce their debt burden was revealed in the RBA chart pack released in March.
Debt levels peaked at around 150% of household disposal income in the years preceding the GFC, having risen rapidly in the 1990s and early 2000s.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/04/rbaapril2twothumb.gif" width="470" height="421" alt="rbaapril2twothumb">
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"Prudent" households have reduced their debt appetite: RBA

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The appeal of acquiring residential investment property by borrowing through a self-managed super fund (SMSF) has been revealed in the latest Genworth Homebuyer Confidence Index.
The report found that almost one in ?ve (18%) of surveyed SMSF holders have a mortgage through their fund, with the majority of these mortgages (75%) secured on residential property.
Among those who don’t have a mortgage on a residential property through their fund, a quarter would consider taking one out, and a quarter of those without commercial property would consider taking out a mortgage on a commercial property through their fund, Genworth found.
Property makes up about 15% of the total value of assets held by Australian SMSFs, the majority of which is made up of Australian property (less than 1% is made up of overseas property), according to ATO figures.
The value of residential property held in SMSFs grew by 12.3% in the year to December 2012.
The Genworth report also found that just over half (59%) of all mortgages were held in multiple member funds - multiple member funds make up the majority of all SMSFs, with most being two member funds, according to ATO data.
The most recent ATO figures for the December 2012 quarter reveal the  growing popularity of SMSFs with around 7,000 new SMSFs established over this period.
The ATO revealed this week it expects more than <a target="_blank" href="/news">1,000 applications a week </a>to be lodged for SMSFs in May and June this year.
Almost 950,000 Australians are now members of an SMSF.
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One in five SMSF holders have a mortgage through their fund: Genworth

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The revival of the housing market is once again helping Australians become wealthier, the RBA has noted in its latest Financial Stability Review.
"Households’ net wealth has been rising recently due to the recovery in housing and other asset markets as well as continued higher saving and borrowing restraint," says the RBA in the March paper.
The paper also notes the continued preference for households to reduce their debt and make extra mortgage repayments to create a buffer and a reduction in overall financial stress.
"Many households still prefer to repay existing debt rather than take on new debt, which has contributed to the slower pace of household credit growth and an increase in mortgage prepayment buffers.
"Debt-servicing capacity has also been boosted by lower interest rates.
"Despite the unemployment rate having drifted up a bit over the past year, housing loan arrears and other aggregate measures of financial stress in the household sector remain low.
"Household indebtedness and gearing are nonetheless still at historically high levels, and hence continuation of the household sector’s more prudent approach to borrowing would assist in strengthening the sector’s financial resilience," says the RBA.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/household_wealth.png" width="519" height="580" alt="household_wealth">
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Housing market helping to make people wealthier again: RBA

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Fund manager AMP Capital has increased its stake in the Australia Pacific Airports Corporation (APAC), owner of Melbourne and Launceston Airports, to 45.3% following a $157 million investment on behalf of funds and clients. 
The investment increases AMP's investment in APAC by  3.5%
AMP the largest shareholder in APAC.
AMP has managed an investment in Melbourne Airport since 1997 when the airport was privatised, and Launceston Airport since 1998. 
In 2012 AMP Capital took a 49% interest in Newcastle International Airport in the UK. 
“Melbourne Airport is one of the best performing airports in the world and it serves around 29 million domestic and international passengers per annum,” said Paul Foster, AMP Capital’s head of infrastructure, Australia and New Zealand. 
“The additional investment has been funded by a broad range of our Australian superannuation fund clients who had strong appetite to increase their exposure to a high quality core infrastructure asset which has delivered strong returns since inception.”
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AMP Capital ups investment stake in Melbourne and Launceston Airports to 45.3%

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The Ray White Surfers Paradise office maintained a 70% auction clearance rate in March, matching the recent auctions success of Sydney and Melbourne.
It was the third straight month that the office had managed a 70% clearance rate.
In addition, bidders-at-auction numbers are rising as buyers appear more willing to meet vendor expectations, says Ray White <a target="_blank" href="/news">Surfers Paradise</a> chief executive Andrew Bell.
Out of 20 properties up for auction at March auctions held last weekend, nine sold under the hammer and five sold prior to auction.
The highest price paid was $1.93 million for a four-bedroom, four-bathroom house at <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Sale/House/QLD/Ashmore/?adid=2010294478" target="_blank">9 Kootingal Street</a> (pictured below) in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Ashmore</a> with five bidders competing.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/03/march28ashmore]}
The house has a swimming pool and tennis court on its 4,507 square metre block on the banks of the Nerang River. The 1980s property last sold in June 2006 for $2 million.
Another four-bedroom house in the same suburb on Riverbank Court on a block about a quarter of the size sold for $950,000 in July last year.
“The clearance rate shows that there is increasing competition among buyers, producing very good outcomes for vendors because many of the properties sold above reserve.”
“When you couple this with a lack of stock on the market we are seeing a very good environment for sellers through the auction process, which is proving the best of any form of sales program at present,” he says.
Bell estimates solid gains in property prices over the first three months of the year with owner occupiers, investors and lifestyle buyers all active.
“From our read of the market, prices are up between 5% and 7% through the first quarter of the year.”
This follows a <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/auctions/gold-coast-has-lion-s-share-of-auctions-this-week-as-ray-white-and-others-hold-mega-auction/2013012358937" target="_blank">70% success rate at Ray White’s annual The Event</a> which saw around 120 residential, prestige, industrial and commercial properties as well as land sites and even boats auctioned.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
Bell also notes increasing numbers of bidders at auction.
“We’re averaging around four bidders by property, a rising percentage with most of the properties selling in excess of the reserve price,” he says.
Bell says the recovery in the market is not confined to the upper end.
“There is a good mixture from the very top right through all spheres,” he says.
Bell says there are two reasons for the recovery: low interest rates and that buyers have identified that properties are offering good value.
“The buyers have stepped up a notch to meet sellers who have had realistic expectations for some time.”
Buyers have been hard on the market in the past, he says.
The recovery in prices follows five years of what Bell calls “significant price correction”.
“When the market comes back it does tend to spike. I expect it will level off and there will be more consistent growth - interrupted by federal election.”
He also anticipates that firming interest rates could take some momentum out of the market.
Additional reporting by Charmaine Wong.
 
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Surfers Paradise matches Sydney and Melbourne with 70% auction clearance rate

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The $12.5 billion Westfield Retail Trust has reported a modest 2% rise in earnings for the 2012 financial year noting the expansion of international brands in its malls.
The trust comprises 38 Westfield's in Australia and nine New Zealand shopping centres with more than 12,000 shops.
The REIT reported $573 million in distributable earnings for the year ending December 31 2012.
Retail sales reached $20.9 billion with speciality retail sales of $9,852 per square metre in Australia and a portfolio occupancy rate of 99.5%.
The Westfield Retail Trust completed $1.5 billion in developments including Westfield Sydney (completed in April 2012) and the redevelopment of Westfield Fountain Gate (the biggest in the porfolio at 174,000 square metres) with a development pipeline of $1.2 billion.
The portfolio delivered a yield of 6%.
Westfield Retail Trust managing director Domenic Panaccio called it a "strong financial result" noting that several international retailers had entered or expanded their operations" among the portfolio of malls.
The portfolio is home half of all Zara stores in Australia and a third of all Apple stores.
Panaccico says he expects 2013 to continue to present challenges but says the trust's high quality shopping centres "remain the first choice for many domestic and international retailers".
This year the trust will commence redevelopment of Westfield Miranda and Westfield Mt Gravatt.
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Westfield retail trust reports 2% rise in earnings and growth of international brands

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.

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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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