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During the leasing period of your property it is extremely important to always be reviewing the marketing, and also your asking rent. Little things can make a big difference, such as having good-quality photographs, including lifestyle photos. Showing prospective tenants the lifestyle a suburb or building can offer them can be a great selling factor. It is best to include a floor plan whenever possible. It’s no longer acceptable to have one photo as your marketing – people expect more nowadays, and how are you ever going to secure a tenant with minimal vacancy without implementing these simple ideas?
Your asking rent too must be reviewed and regularly. Look at what has become available in the area, what other styles of properties are you competing with – are they new, old, etc. Does your property manager make follow-up calls to all prospective tenants who attend their open for inspections or private inspections? What did they like about the property? What didn’t they like? This simple feedback is imperative information for all owners and property managers. If you don’t know there is a problem, how can you fix it?
After all your research you may realise the rent needs to be reduced. This can sometimes be a difficult conversation for some property managers to have, however you need to outline the true cost in the long term.
Isn’t it better to receive some rent rather than no rent? For example, if you are asking $400 per week but the going rate for similar properties appears to be $380 to $390 per week, by reducing your asking rent by $10 per week you will get $390 a week, a much better situation than receiving no income at all.
When you break it up further, that $10 per week equates to $44 per month, which in turn equates to $528 per year. The property would only need to remain vacant for another two weeks, and there goes another $800.As a Property Investor myself I know what I would do.
Leah Calnan is the director of <a title="Metro Property Management homepage" target="_blank" href="https://www.metropm.com.au">Metro Property Management</a> in Victoria and is the chairwoman of the REIV Property Management Chapter.
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leahcalnan-pwE6GD6KY9

Market your property well, and review your asking rent regularly

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Landlord insurance is like all the other insurance policies we have in our lives, and if you are like me when it comes to renewal time, you always wonder – do I really need it?
Well, as an investor myself I believe it’s a must. Circumstances can change, and the best tenancy can go pear-shaped. Combine that with the crazy weather the country has experienced during the past six to 12 months, and you would be mad not to have the right coverage in place.
Many owners often misunderstand the difference between landlord insurance and building insurance.  A building insurance policy covers the outside of the property and generally it includes public liability for common areas, such as the driveway, etc.
So the outside is covered, but what about the inside?
Landlord insurance has many aspects of cover.  Firstly it has contents, which includes the carpet, light fittings, blinds/curtains, the property’s appliances etc. (Now this "contents" is not to be confused with the contents owned by the tenant, of which they are responsible to cover if they so choose).
Contents is extremely important – remember the Queensland and Victorian floods?  Some of those investors didn’t have a policy in place and the out of pocket expenses will be enormous depending on the severity of the flood or water damage.
Or what about storm damage? Think about if a large gum tree falls in on your roof and the rain ruins the carpet throughout the house.  That's another example of where a landlord insurance policy would cover you.
The other major aspect of cover is loss of rent.  This provides owners with rental income up to X number of weeks.  The best policies on the market allow for 15 weeks loss of rent.  Loss of rent is payable to an owner when tenants stop paying the rent and are subsequently evicted from the property, when they up and leave overnight, in the event the property is not tenantable (i.e. due to flood, fire, etc.) or in the event your tenant dies.
Policies will also provide cover for malicious damage (not fair wear and tear), accidental damage, public liability and legal fees.
Like anything nowadays there are many different policies on the market to choose from. I have worked with some fantastic policies, but I have seen owners incur considerably out-of-pocket expenses due to taking out the wrong policy.
Now don’t forget to look at the excess payable on the policy you are looking at.  Watch out for those policies who charge anything greater than $300 for an excess.
Lastly, talk to your property manager – they work with these policies every day. They know how to lodge the claims, what documents to include, the questions the insurance company will ask and what the anticipated settlement and timeframe will be.
Leah Calnan is the director of <a style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; text-decoration: underline; color: #6888b1;" href="https://www.metropm.com.au" title="Metro Property Management homepage" target="_blank">Metro Property Management</a> in Victoria and is the chairwoman of the REIV Property Management Chapter.
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Yes, you really need landlord insurance

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Property management is a highly legislated industry, and in order to maintain your own professional credibility and that of the industry, all aspects need to be adhered to at all times.
The current legislation has been in force since 1997 and as times change, technology advances, the legislation too must keep up. In the coming 12 months, we should see a review to Victoria’s Residential Tenancies Act.
That being said, one aspect of the act still astounds me that is not followed and that relates to the refund of bond money.
When a tenant provides 28 days’ notice to vacate and vacates the property, a final inspection must be completed and the bond must be either refunded or an application made to VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal) within 10 working days.
The normal practice should go something along the following lines:
<ul>
<li>Keys returned</li>
<li>Final inspection completed</li>
<li>Tenant advised of any concerns</li>
<li>Owner advised of any maintenance, repairs, etc.</li>
<li>Opportunity provided to the tenant to return to attend to any matters of concern</li>
<li>If the matter cannot be resolved then an application is made to VCAT to retain the tenants bond under section S417,418 &amp; 419 of the Residential Tenancies Act. </li>
<li>The property manager/agent/landlord is required to provide evidence of any damage, repairs, arrears that should be deducted from the tenants bond. Evidence means photographs, reports from tradespeople, invoices, quotes, condition report (entry and exit) and any other communication or documentation that may be relevant.</li>
</ul>
All this must be arranged and attended to within 10 working days of receiving possession of the property. Communication is the key. Don’t stop talking to the other party, because nine times out of 10 the matter can be negotiated before the VCAT hearing.
Failing to adhere to the legislation could result in fines.
It’s also extremely important that owners understand and receive education on things such as depreciation (and how it’s calculated), the length of a tenancy and most important of all “wear and tear”.  It’s unrealistic for either a property manager or landlord to go to VCAT seeking replacement or compensation of a carpet in a house when the carpet may be 15 years old – depreciation of the carpet must be taken into consideration.
It is not only our legal obligation as property managers, but it is also in everyone’s best interest to ensure that bond is dealt with as soon as possible.
Leah Calnan is the director of <a target="_blank" title="Metro Property Management homepage" href="https://www.metropm.com.au" style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; text-decoration: underline; color: #6888b1;">Metro Property Management</a> in Victoria and is the chairwoman of the REIV Property Management Chapter.
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Bond refunds can be a sticking point

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Being a property manager is about much more than knowing the law and taking care of administration tasks. Property managers sometimes have to deal with uncomfortable, confronting scenarios, such as: what happens when one of your long-term tenants dies of old age and you are the one who finds him or her?  Whom do you notify? Is there a next of kin? What happens when there isn’t? What do you do with their belongings? Once the property is ready to be released, what are your legal obligations to the next prospective tenants? There are a lot of questions, and many of those answers are not covered by any act of government.
 Or perhaps a tenant has fallen so far behind on rent that an eviction is required. Although we have empathy for the tenants’ situation, we also have an understanding on the financial impact that late or no rent can bring to an owner's personal situation. Remember that although the rent is late, the bank is still looking for its mortgage payment.
 Both scenarios are situations confronted by property managers all the time, and you need to learn to deal with such stresses if you want to stay in the industry.
 Property management is a difficult industry to work in with its day-to-day challenges, so the key for owners is to find a property manager who has passion and enthusiasm and isn't afraid to say, "I love my job".
 Passion for property management is a must, and without it you might as well go and find another role. There are much less stressful and challenging careers out there. It’s a tough gig and does not suit everyone, but I must say – I love my career and wouldn’t do anything else!
Leah Calnan is the director of <a style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; text-decoration: underline; color: #6888b1;" target="_blank" title="Metro Property Management homepage" href="https://www.metropm.com.au">Metro Property Management</a> in Victoria and is the chairwoman of the REIV Property Management Chapter.
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It's not all by the book

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So you own an investment property or you are just about to buy one, and your friend says: “You don’t need a property manager – save yourself the money and do it yourself. Seriously, how hard can it be?”
It always makes me laugh when I hear such comments. I wonder if these people also do things such as change the brakes on their cars, or give themselves an annual health check-up. Property management is a professional field, and doing it yourself can cost you money, in addition to countless frustrating hours.
Let me give you a run-down of what a property manager might do in a typical week.
<ul>
<li>Photograph and market properties</li>
<li>Negotiate new leases and lease renewals between tenants and owners</li>
<li>Negotiate rent reviews and rent increases between tenants and owners</li>
<li>Counsel tenants who fall into arrears</li>
<li>Counsel owners during the tougher times of owning an investment property</li>
<li>Plan maintenance now and into the future</li>
<li>Understand the many different aspects of maintenance, including general repairs, insurance claims, warranty issues, building maintenance, etc.</li>
<li>Prepare and lodge landlord insurance claims</li>
<li>Understand the terms relating to landlord and building insurance policies</li>
<li>Offer financial assistance and planning for owners and tenants </li>
<li>Evict tenants who have failed to pay rent</li>
<li>Understand all relevant legislation – for example, you must know the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 and the VCAT Act &amp; Owners Corporation Act 2010 in Vicroria</li>
<li>Prepare notices and applications and present documents and cases within a tribunal or courtroom should disputes arise</li>
</ul>
I don’t know about you, but I think that’s a lot to know and deal with on a day-to-day basis. And after being in the industry for 17 years, I know there are some really poor property managers out there who would be lucky to return a telephone call let alone attend to half the items on the list above – but there are also some amazing property managers.
 
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So the next time you are out looking at employing a new property manager, find a great one. Don’t haggle over the difference in management fees, which is no more than the price of a cup of coffee a week. You will always find people who will do it for a cheaper price, and at the end of the day you get what you pay for.
Funnily enough, in the past two weeks, I have been referred clients who have been paying low management fees and are unhappy and frustrated with the lack of service they have been receiving
A great property manager will not only save you money in the long run, but will also make you money. Isn’t it worth paying that little bit extra?
 
Leah Calnan is the director of <a href="https://www.metropm.com.au" title="Metro Property Management homepage" target="_blank">Metro Property Management</a> in Victoria and is the chairwoman of the REIV Property Management Chapter.  
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No, you can't manage it yourself – or at least not well

Developers and apartment buyers have a narrowing window of opportunity before Brisbane's Olympic infrastructure pipeline begins competing directly with residential construction, pushing up costs, tightening labour supply and making new projects increasingly difficult to deliver.

While Brisbane's apartment market continues to benefit from strong population growth and limited housing supply, industry research suggests the years leading up to 2027 could prove to be the most important period for developers looking to secure builders and buyers hoping to purchase before the next wave of price increases.

A new Colliers report, Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Creating Solutions, highlights the scale of the challenge. While thousands of new homes are planned across South East Queensland, the Brisbane Olympic Athletes Village alone will deliver more than 10,500 beds during the Games before being converted into around 1,750 to 2,000 apartments. Equivalent to almost two years of typical inner-city apartment supply, the project will also absorb a significant share of the construction workforce and building materials.

The broader construction pipeline paints an even clearer picture.

Construction Skills Queensland's Horizon 2032 report forecasts Queensland's annual construction pipeline will average $69 billion over the coming years before peaking at $75 billion in 2027-28. Demand for construction workers is expected to increase by 17 per cent to almost 150,000 people, with the industry facing an annual shortfall of around 19,000 workers that could blow out to as many as 35,000 during the peak construction period.

The Olympic venues, athletes village and supporting infrastructure will account for billions of dollars worth of work across South East Queensland through to 2032, creating intense competition for labour at a time when Australia's residential construction sector is already under pressure.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=373834]

Colliers Queensland Residential Director Andrew Scriven said the convergence of these projects is creating a clear window of opportunity for both developers and buyers.

"From 2027 onwards, the market will shift dramatically," Scriven said.

"Labour will increasingly be locked into government-led infrastructure and Olympic projects, which means private residential developments will face higher costs and tighter margins. The developers who move now are the ones most likely to get projects off the ground."

Scriven said the same dynamic would also affect buyers, with fewer apartment projects expected to launch once construction capacity tightens.

"If you're looking to change your lifestyle over the next five years, now is your window of opportunity to buy."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150713 project_image_fid=373827]

Developers are already positioning themselves ahead of that window.

Following the success of Monarch at Toowong, Consolidated Properties is preparing to launch two new Brisbane apartment projects in the second half of 2026. They include <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/gloriette-30-bedivere-street-yeerongpilly-qld-4105">Gloriette</a> at Yeerongpilly Green, a 25-storey tower within one of Brisbane's key Olympic precincts, and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/castile-47-skyring-terrace-newstead-qld-4006">Castile</a>, a recently approved 25-storey riverfront development at 47 Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

Hutchinson Builders will deliver both projects, with early works already underway at Yeerongpilly and Newstead expected to commence later this year.

The timing comes as Brisbane's fundamentals continue to strengthen, with strong interstate migration, population growth and vacancy rates remaining below 1.5 per cent.

Colliers Queensland researcher Pragya Sharma said Greater Brisbane is forecast to require around 40,000 new apartments between 2021 and 2031.

"There's a real mismatch emerging between when housing is needed and when it will be feasible to build," Sharma said.

"As a result, the period leading up to 2027 presents a key window of opportunity for developers to secure approvals, funding and construction capacity, while buyers will have greater choice before supply constraints intensify."

Colliers research outlines a critical pre-2027 window to start residential projects before labour squeeze: now is the time to buy

Joel Robinson

Developers, buyers on watch in South East Queensland ahead of construction crunch: Colliers

It's taken less than nine months for developer Sherpa Property Group to sell out all 51 apartments in its <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-oasis-palm-beach-7-9-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Oasis</a> development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/palm-beach-qld-4221">Palm Beach</a>, over a year before its anticipated completion.

&nbsp;

Located at 7-9 Sixth Avenue, the $67 million development has resonated strongly with both local owner-occupiers and downsizers seeking high-quality apartments within walking distance of the beach, dining precincts and everyday amenities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357458]

Christie Leet, Founder of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Group</a>, said the sell-out reflected both the strength of the Palm Beach market and the success of Sherpa's community-first approach to development.

"The sell-out of Oasis is a fantastic outcome and reinforces the strong demand we're seeing for thoughtfully designed apartments in lifestyle locations," Leet said.

"From the outset, our vision was to create a development that genuinely enhanced the Palm Beach community while providing residents with exceptional homes and wellness-focused amenities.

"We've been incredibly encouraged by the level of local support throughout the campaign, 72.5 per cent of buyers are locals, with a significant proportion of purchasers choosing Oasis as their future home rather than an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357463]

Construction is now progressing following development approval, with trusted builder LPS Group delivering the project and completion anticipated in Q3 2027.

Oasis forms part of Sherpa Group's successful Flourish collection, which has become recognised for its focus on wellness, community and elevated coastal living.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=151449 project_image_fid=357469]

Residents will have private access to a rooftop amenity space featuring a pool, gym, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, spa and barbecue facilities.

"The success of Oasis demonstrates that buyers continue to prioritise quality, location and lifestyle," Leet said.

"We are proud to have delivered a project that has resonated so strongly with the market and look forward to bringing Oasis to life for our future residents."

Sherpa recently launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a>, its third instalment of the Flourish brand in Palm Beach following Flourish Oasis and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151449]

Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

Urban Property Group's <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/la-vera-macquarie-park-94-talavera-road-macquarie-park-nsw-2113">La Vera</a> is leading the next phase of Macquarie Park's residential evolution, with the new apartment development set to become the first of several new apartment projects in the precinct to complete.

The 169-apartment building has now topped out ahead of its scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2026, as new residential investment continues to reshape one of Sydney's largest employment hubs into a true mixed-use precinct.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=368645]

Cox Architecture has designed La Vera to capture the best of its unique positioning on Talavera Road, orienting the building towards Lane Cove National Park.&nbsp;The building features a sculpted northern façade with flowing curves inspired by the surrounding landscape, while its city-facing elevation adopts a more structured architectural expression to maximise skyline views.

"The vision for the project was to conceive a building that adopted an organic and curvilinear form to the northern portion that faces the Lane Cove National Park," <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">Cox Architecture</a> Director Felipe Miranda said.

"The residents that reside in the northern portion of the building benefit by having beautifully crafted curved balconies that speak to the natural context and heighten the relationship of their internal living spaces to the external balconies."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=358802]

La Vera offers a diverse mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom configurations, with prices currently starting from $740,000. Buyers so far have been a mix of Sydney-based investors,&nbsp;metro commuters, owner-occupiers and downsizers from surrounding North Shore suburbs.

Both investors and owner-occupiers have been drawn to La Vera's proximity to Macquarie University, Macquarie University Hospital, Macquarie Centre and the Sydney Metro, infrastructure that supports both strong rental demand and a convenient lifestyle for residents.

The apartments feature full-height glazing, timber flooring throughout living areas, stone kitchen benchtops, SMEG appliances, floor-to-ceiling bathroom tiling and ducted air conditioning.

Residents will have access to a rooftop recreation level featuring a swimming pool, sauna, barbecue facilities and landscaped relaxation areas, complemented by additional communal space at ground level. Many apartments enjoy uninterrupted views across Lane Cove National Park, reinforcing the project's connection to its natural setting.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134951 project_image_fid=364551]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a>, a family-owned developer and builder with nearly four decades of experience, holds a 4.5-star iCIRT rating and was Australia's first developer to introduce 10-Year Latent Defects Insurance (LDI). La Vera is the first apartment development in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/macquarie-park-nsw-2113">Macquarie Park</a> approved to offer the additional insurance protection, alongside a five-year warranty on SMEG appliances.

Urban Property Group CEO Patrick Elias said the additional protection reflects changing buyer expectations in the off the plan market.

"Consumers are a lot more weary and a lot more concerned in buying off the plan than they ever have been. Having LDI is a tool to portray the confidence that we have in our product, and a confidence we want buyers to share," Elias said.

Following completion of the building later this year, buyers will move into their apartments well before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134951]

La Vera closes in on completion as Macquarie Park continues residential transformation

Brisbane developer Red &amp; Co's decision to include dual key apartments in its debut Gold Coast apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/como-varsity-lakes-22-lake-street-varsity-lakes-qld-4227">COMO Varsity Lakes</a>, is proving to be one of the project's biggest drawcards, with buyers quickly snapping up the flexible residences.

More than half of the project's 36 dual key apartments have already sold, helping drive COMO beyond the 50 per cent sold mark within the first month of launch.

The strong response highlights growing demand for apartment designs that can adapt to changing lifestyles, with buyers increasingly looking for homes that accommodate multi-generational living, provide rental income opportunities or simply offer greater flexibility over time.

Located on the shores of Lake Orr, COMO will deliver 156 apartments across 16 levels, with the dual-key residences forming a limited release within the broader development.

Each combines a primary two-bedroom apartment with a fully self-contained studio on a single title, connected by a shared foyer and lockable internal door. The design allows owners to house ageing parents, adult children or guests while maintaining privacy, or lease the secondary residence to generate additional income.

Just 17 of the original 36 dual key apartments remain available.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=367096]

The innovative configuration combines two fully self-contained residences on a single title, typically comprising a primary two-bedroom apartment alongside a separate studio residence, connected via a shared foyer and lockable internal door.&nbsp;

The model is proving particularly attractive to owner occupiers navigating changing family dynamics and the realities of the current housing crisis.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363511]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/npa">NPA</a>&nbsp;CEO Andrew Erwin said dual key living was resonating strongly with modern buyers because it delivered both financial flexibility and practical lifestyle benefits.&nbsp;

“The housing crisis and rising cost of living are fundamentally changing how Australians think about home ownership,” Erwin said.&nbsp;

“Dual key apartments provide a genuine solution for families who want to stay connected while maintaining independence. Parents can help adult children save for a future home, ageing parents can remain nearby without moving into aged care, and owners still retain privacy and flexibility.

“Importantly, buyers are also recognising the financial advantages. It creates the opportunity to generate additional income from part of the home without the holding costs associated with owning a separate investment property.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363509]

Unlike traditional dual occupancy arrangements, the residences operate under a single title, meaning owners only incur one set of body corporate fees, council rates and holding costs.&nbsp;

The secondary residence can also evolve over time - functioning as guest accommodation, a home office, creative studio or private retreat before later becoming an income-producing asset.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/red-co">Red &amp; Co</a>&nbsp;Director and Co-Founder David Laverty said the strong early sales reflected growing buyer urgency and changing priorities within the market.&nbsp;

“Securing more than half of COMO’s residences within such a short timeframe is an outstanding result and a clear endorsement of both the design and location,” Laverty said.&nbsp;

“Buyers are responding to the combination of location, connectivity and amenity, but ultimately it’s value relative to other East Coast markets that is driving enquiry.”&nbsp;

“We’re also seeing strong interest from owner occupiers looking for homes that can adapt with them over time. Flexibility has become one of the most important considerations for buyers in today’s market.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135546 project_image_fid=363515]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bda-architecture">BDA Architecture</a>, COMO features a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom residences with 2.7-metre ceilings and larger-format floorplans aimed at owner occupiers, downsizers and lifestyle-focused buyers.&nbsp;

The development will feature an extensive rooftop recreation and wellness offering including a 25-metre lap pool, sundeck, barbecue and dining areas, gym, sauna, plunge baths, landscaped gardens, wellness spaces and rooftop pickleball and paddleball courts.

The remaining dual key apartments range from 137 sqm to 167 sqm and include generous three-bedroom layouts with separate self-contained studio accommodation and dual parking.&nbsp;

Erwin said the dual key concept represented a broader shift in how Australians would live in the future.

“People want homes that can evolve with their lives,” he said.&nbsp;

“A dual key apartment can suit a family today, support an ageing parent tomorrow, and potentially generate income later on. That adaptability is becoming incredibly valuable in the current environment.”

Prices currently range from $2,115,750 to $2,583,000.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135546]

Inter-generational living drives demand for COMO’s dual key apartments as housing pressures reshape buyer priorities 

Builder-developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/ceerose">Ceerose</a> has doubled down on its Leichhardt ambitions, lodging its second State Significant Development Application (SSDA) in the suburb in the last six months.

Their newest proposal seeks to transform a former industrial precinct into a new residential community centred around the adaptive reuse of one of the site's heritage warehouse buildings.

The new project, on a 6,930 sqm block at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/40-76-william-street-leichhardt-nsw-2040">40–76 William Street</a>, will bring more than 200 apartments to a suburb that has seen little to no new supply in recent years. It follows Ceerose's late 2025 SSDA for a mixed-use apartment project on nearby Parramatta Road, signalling the developer's growing investment in Sydney's Inner West.

Ceerose Founder Edward Doueihi told Apartments.com.au the developer’s long-standing presence in Leichhardt and the Inner West had given it a strong understanding of how the area has evolved and where its future opportunities lie.

“Ceerose has had a long-standing presence in Leichhardt and the Inner West, giving us a unique understanding of the area’s evolution and future potential,” Doueihi said.

“Having delivered projects throughout the region, we have witnessed the suburb’s transformation first-hand and understand the opportunities for its continued growth.”

Doueihi said that understanding also informed the planning process, with a comprehensive Stakeholder Engagement Outcomes Report prepared before the application was lodged.

The report identified the key issues and concerns raised by neighbouring residents and other stakeholders, allowing those matters to be considered and incorporated into the design where appropriate.

He said the delivery of additional housing would also play an important role in supporting the revitalisation of Norton Street and the Italian Forum.

“By increasing the local residential population, the development is expected to strengthen demand for local businesses, encourage further investment, and help restore the vibrancy that made the precinct a thriving destination in the early 2000s.”

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7258c54c-8167-479e-8361-2d5fca9915b4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010B%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%202.jpg?VersionId=S9DQfxu_jpcB5LrAEYFUbyMzg5odW6i5" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a>, the redevelopment would involve the demolition of four existing industrial buildings while retaining and adaptively reusing the site's most significant warehouse. The retained structure would anchor a new residential precinct comprising five interconnected buildings arranged around a large central landscaped courtyard, with heights stepping from five storeys along the surrounding residential streets to 11 storeys at the William Street corner.

According to the Architecture Design Report by Woods Bagot, the proposal "seeks to create a residential village centred around a generous green heart while celebrating the site's industrial heritage through the adaptive reuse of the existing warehouse building."

The development would comprise 203 apartments, with 188 proposed as build-to-sell residences, alongside 15 affordable housing apartments.

Rather than treating the retained warehouse as a standalone heritage object, Woods Bagot has sought to weave the site's industrial history throughout the masterplan. The proposal retains the north and west facades of the landmark corner warehouse, while new buildings reinterpret the site's brick-and-steel industrial language through their material palette and architectural expression.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9e8c64c2-881b-49e1-8c90-6b6acaaa45b6" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010C%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%203.jpg?VersionId=Qm8_8H_Xrg_sc4Mdjc59vlAcKF_5wRTb" />

The design is organised around what Woods Bagot describes as a "green heart", a landscaped communal open space that reinstates the leafy character removed when the site became an industrial storage facility. A new pedestrian laneway running through the site would improve permeability between William, North and Francis streets, linking residents through landscaped public spaces while activating the ground plane.

Residents would have access to communal gardens and shared recreation areas distributed throughout the development. Sustainability has also been prioritised, with the project targeting an average 7.9-star NatHERS rating. Proposed initiatives include rooftop solar generation, rainwater harvesting, passive solar design, naturally ventilated lobbies, extensive cross-ventilation and the reuse of existing building fabric to reduce embodied carbon.

The adaptive reuse strategy became a defining feature of the application after heritage investigations found only one of the site's industrial buildings could feasibly be retained. The Heritage Impact Statement concludes that preserving the key warehouse façades while referencing the site's industrial character throughout the new development provides an appropriate balance between renewal and conservation.

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="efffafdb-594f-4e2b-a067-921fd51c05e1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010D%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%204.jpg?VersionId=DPmE4.k16YRt0i27hEZVtJAffarpvUfx" />

"Retention and adaptation of the site buildings has been explored but found not to be feasible except for the tallest building, whose street facades will be retained," the heritage report states.

"The proposed building will interpret the brick and steel character of the subject site, including reuse of some components and construction of a large 'sawtooth' structure in the proposed open space."

<img alt="First look: Ceerose returns to Leichhardt with 203-apartment adaptive reuse proposal at former warehouse site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3bfef2b5-83f5-40cd-9cab-767092f34266" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Appendix%2010E%20-%20CGI%20-%20View%205.jpg?VersionId=7asb3i_ql4ybbuJOUb5UHBEIy0Q9t.DF" />

The William Street site is located around 300 metres from Leichhardt North Light Rail station and a short walk to Norton Street's retail, dining and hospitality precinct. The surrounding area has increasingly become a focus for urban renewal given its proximity to public transport and the Parramatta Road corridor.

Doueihi founded Ceerose in 1998 and has grown the business to become one of Sydney's more active apartment developers in recent years, with completed projects including The Alex Collective in Alexandria, Abbie's Lane in Annandale, and the award-winning Munro House in Elizabeth Bay. They are currently delivering Belgravia, 17 luxury apartments in Potts Point.

Leah Calnan

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