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While the RBA’s decision to leave interest rates on hold is good news for buyers, any suggestion that it’s strictly a buyer’s market are wide of the mark.
Demand from buyers is strong and should remain resilient throughout the winter months, so properties that do come to market can be expected to be the subject of strong competition.
The continuing low interest rate environment is obviously good news for buyers, but the opportunities for vendors shouldn’t be discounted.
From an agents’ perspective there is a dearth of stock coming to market and those properties that are available are capturing broad interest. Where realistic price points are adopted, vendors are reaping the rewards.
The decision to leave interest rates on hold after last month’s cut, which was perhaps surprisingly embraced by the major lenders, maintains the attractive fundamentals for the vendor’s side of the equation as well as the buyer’s.
Vendors weighing up a sale should consider moving into action sooner rather than later. Listing a property before the spring selling period comes along means it will be subject to less competition.
Leanne Pilkington is general manager of<a title="Laing + Simmons" href="https://www.laingsimmons.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Laing + Simmons</a>
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Steady cash rate is good news for both buyers and vendors: Leanne Pilkington

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While most agree with the RBA's decision to leave interest rates on hold in April, talk in some circles of the next rate movement being upward fails to account for the fact that consumers are still not spending.
A quick glance into retailers’ windows tells an interesting story.
Ever since interest rates began a downward movement in the cycle, there has been speculation as to when they may begin rising again.
Some economists are even suggesting the next movement may even be up. But on the ground, the case for a near-term increase in rates is unfounded. Retailers are still doing it tough and there is heavy discounting occurring across the retail sector.
Some retailers are discounting winter stock before the winter selling season has even begun.
In terms of positive sentiment among consumers, retail is the obvious barometer and from the perspective of most retailers, any supposed increase in sentiment is yet to flow through to sales.
From a housing perspective, transactional activity is ticking along with encouraging, if unspectacular, results occurring.
However, any recovery in the market to date can only be described as slight, and gentle fiscal policy is required if any recovery is to be maintained.
The market is heading into the traditionally more subdued winter selling period and as such we believe the next movement in rates should be downward to support the market during this time.
Leanne Pilkington is general manager of<a title="Laing + Simmons" href="https://www.laingsimmons.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Laing + Simmons</a>
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The next rate move should be downward: Leanne Pilkington

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The Reserve Bank’s decision to cut the official cash rate by a further 25 basis points is welcome news, but the housing market remains in need of a more coordinated approach to reach a full recovery.
As ever, the willingness of the banks to take a fair and reasonable course of action and pass the rate cut on in full is crucial to the impact of the RBA’s decision.
Recent cuts to the official cash rate have not had the desired impact, and while activity has picked up with the commencement of the spring selling period, there is substantial improvement still to be realised for the sector to be deemed healthy again.
Government obviously recognises the important role the housing market plays in an economic context, evidenced by the slate of property-related taxes it relies upon.
It therefore seems reasonable that a more coordinated approach between all levels of government and the residential sector should be pursued to improve the health of the sector.
A reconsideration of stamp duty is the most obvious place to start.
Considerable evidence already exists to support the idea that government stands to gain substantially increased revenue associated with increased transactional levels should stamp duty be abolished.
To suggest this tax is too important a source of revenue is erroneous and obsolete.
Another area requiring a commitment from government is an improvement to the planning and development approval process.
For too long incentive programs have been focused on the buyer side of the equation. Perhaps a more serious focus on addressing developer concerns, such as levies and the speed of the approval process, would enable the RBA’S interest rate cuts to have a more measurable and significant impact.
Leanne Pilkington is general manager of<a title="Laing + Simmons" href="https://www.laingsimmons.com.au/" target="_blank"> Laing + Simmons</a>
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Passing the rate cut on in full is crucial

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As the housing market emerges from the traditionally quieter winter period and with dwelling prices generally flat at present, the RBA’s decision to leave interest rates unchanged  was the right move.
Despite figures from Deloitte this week perhaps surprisingly showing better than expected retail sales for the first half of the year, there is little doubt that a steady interest rate environment is essential for the ongoing health of the economy in general and the housing market specifically.
There is still a degree of caution among consumers, and sentiment remains subdued in most discretionary categories.
This caution extends to the housing market, and as such the decision to leave rates unchanged is an important platform for confidence to improve going forward.
Having said this, it is encouraging to see activity appearing to improve with the onset of spring. Traditionally the strongest selling period of the year, this spring takes on extra importance given the subdued transactional activity in the year to date.
The good news is clearance rates in the Sydney market have improved in recent weeks, and genuine buyers are emerging with a greater determination to secure their desired property.
Vendors who have waited for spring to go to market can expect well presented, realistically priced properties to be the subject of stiff competition.
The more affordable markets are attracting substantial interest from owner-occupiers as well as investors seeking to capitalise on the low interest rate environment, while the prestige market appears to have stabilised in recent times.
Current market conditions appeal to a broad range of buyers.
Despite the banks continuing to apply tight lending criteria, for those with the financial capacity the current market presents some compelling opportunities.
Investors are increasingly recognising the positive fundamentals, while first-home buyers’ incentives are still applicable for certain properties. In particular, those looking to upgrade have a significant opportunity to capitalise on the closing price differential between the middle and top-end markets, with prestige prices stabilising.
Leanne Pilkington is general manager of<a href="https://www.laingsimmons.com.au/" title="Laing + Simmons" target="_blank"> Laing + Simmons</a>
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The RBA's decision to leave rates on hold will improve housing market confidence

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A co-ordinated approach from government at all levels is necessary to support the housing market and the broader economy, and the need to invest in infrastructure is a critical component of this.
 
While the global economic picture dictates the need for a conservative budget, spending cuts that aren’t accompanied by a forward-thinking plan will serve only to postpone, and possibly cause further damage, to an already flat housing market. 
It’s not just the obvious sectors like real estate agents and tradespeople that are being negatively affected by such an approach. A strong residential property sector has considerable reach down the supply chain and a commitment to delivering new infrastructure is one way to influence confidence and improve activity in the housing market, which has an important flow-on effect. 
The federal government’s decision to abandon its support of the north-west rail link, despite its capacity to provide funding, is particularly disappointing given current economic conditions. 
A co-ordinated approach involving the delivery of appropriate infrastructure, encouraging developers in the current business environment and supporting affordability is required if the housing market is to emerge from a stagnant state. 
Ignoring the infrastructure component represents a missed opportunity for the housing market and the health of the broader economy as well.
Leanne Pilkington is general manager of<a target="_blank" title="Laing + Simmons" href="https://www.laingsimmons.com.au/"> Laing + Simmons</a>
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Government must co-ordinate at all levels to invest in infrastructure and support the housing market

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The housing market has been flat for quite some time and was in dire need of an injection. Therefore this interest rate cut is positive news on the surface. 
The way that government and regulatory bodies have allowed the market to slide to its current stagnate state can only be described as neglectful. Hopefully, today’s decision represents recognition that buyers, mortgage holders and the many industries down the supply chain that rely on a strong housing market are all in need of support. 
The RBA’s decision to lower rates, a decision traditionally well received by mortgagees, can no longer be relied upon to provide relief. 
Since the major banks have clearly demonstrated their unwillingness to be guided by the Reserve Bank, mortgage holders can be forgiven for wondering what all the fuss is about. 
Should any bank fail to pass on the rate cut in full, and choose to face the public backlash instead, it would represent a direct snub to mortgagees, particularly those in the mortgage belt suburbs. 
It would also again call into question the effectiveness and relevance of the Reserve Bank.
Leanne Pilkington is general manager of<a href="https://www.laingsimmons.com.au/" title="Laing + Simmons" target="_blank"> Laing + Simmons</a>
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RBA rate cut good news on the surface, but can’t be relied on to provide relief: Leanne Pilkington

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While yesterday’s Reserve Bank’s decision to cut interest rates will have come as a surprise for some, I have always said the next cash rate movement was always going to be down – it was just a question of when.
More important than the 25-basis-point reduction is the fact that rates have declined for two consecutive months now, confirming they are trending in a downward direction. This trend is paramount to buyer confidence and is another factor supporting what is already a buyers’ market.
While European economic woes continue to loom overhead, those with secure employment on the lookout for property will rarely experience an environment as attractive for buying as the current market.
Prices are stable, and vendors are necessarily being more realistic when it comes to price. The emergence of a downward interest rate trend will have further positive bearing on affordability.
Of course the official cash rate is one influence, and much will depend on whether the banks, which admittedly have seen their own costs of borrowing increase, pass on the rate cut to their customers.
In the context of global uncertainty, as the impacts of the European debt crisis filter through to the domestic market, this decision should be welcomed as a safeguarding measure.
Leanne Pilkington is general manager of<a target="_blank" title="Laing + Simmons" href="https://www.laingsimmons.com.au/"> Laing + Simmons</a>
 
 
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Rate cut will improve housing affordability

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The declining interest rate environment is combining with other factors including a lack of new development and rising rents to create an interesting trend in the real estate market: the clock is being wound back 10 years. 
There are signs of a repeat of the conditions experienced in the early 2000s, when lower interest rates stimulated the real estate market.
 
In recent years interest rates have moved in an upward direction before remaining steady for the past 12 months. A higher interest rate environment, while keeping inflation under control, adversely impacts the economy and this is where the market has found itself. 
But the Reserve Bank decision to lower the official cash rate could represent a crucial shift in outlook for the economy as a whole and the real estate market specifically. 
Ten years ago lower interest rates stimulated the property market, and we find ourselves facing similar fundamentals now. Values have shown recent declines but should stabilise in time, creating a soft market that presents attractive opportunities for first homebuyers, upgraders as well as investors to become active again. 
A compelling argument could be made for 2012 being the best year in the past decade to buy residential property. 
Laing+Simmons forecasts interest rates to decline by up to 1% by mid-2012, which should translate to an increase in consumer spending and stabilisation of property values. 
At a broader economic level, higher interest rates in recent times have had the effect of reducing consumer spending as people turned their focus to increasing their savings and reducing their household debt. 
Should a declining rate trend materialise we expect to see consumer spending increase and property values stabilise, particularly for lower priced properties close to the city. 
Property prices, which have been flat or declined over the last four to six months, should again show growth in the medium term as a number of influences converge. 
The long-term low supply scenario in Sydney, driven by a significant period of inactivity stemming from a continued lack of finance for developments, should ensure residential rents keep rising. 
Additionally, with the latest REINSW figures showing rental vacancy in Sydney is just 1.5%, the fundamentals for investors remain strong. 
For developers, the reduced availability of credit could necessitate substantial pre-sales be achieved to secure finance, compounding the contracted supply situation. These constraints should see values resume an upward trend over the medium term as population growth continues unabated and demand further outweighs supply. 
More immediately however, we can expect values to stabilise. There will be pockets where values will rise comparatively quickly, particularly in lower priced new residential developments close to the city, again driven by the lack of supply of properties at lower price points in good locations. 
Declining interest rates, stabilising values, lack of new supply, rising rents and a low vacancy rate are converging to create a most attractive environment for property purchases – a scenario the market has not experienced for 10 years.
Leanne Pilkington is general manager of<a target="_blank" title="Laing + Simmons" href="https://www.laingsimmons.com.au/"> Laing + Simmons</a>
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Next year could be the best year in a decade to buy property

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For years governments have been lining their pockets at the expense of the housing market, and home buyers especially, to create the situation we have today. Affordability is at crisis point and the undersupply of housing cannot possibly meet the market’s needs.
The latest research highlights the absurdity of the taxation burden, particularly stamp duty, that the housing market in this country is faced with.
The<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/tax/hia-demands-tax-relief-for-new-housing-ahead-of-tax-summit/2011092951734"> CIE’s Taxation of the Housing Sector research report </a>makes numerous alarming findings, including:
<ul>
<li> In absolute terms, housing is the second largest contributor of tax to Australian governments;</li>
<li> New housing accounts for around 1.2% of value added in the economy but contributes 2.8% of government taxation revenues;</li>
<li> Most of the burden or incidence of taxation on housing falls on home buyers;</li>
<li> The most inefficient tax is levied at a state level, namely stamp duty; and</li>
<li> Due to the inefficiency of stamp duties, a mere $500 million cut to this tax would create a $738 million benefit to consumers and up to a $51 million benefit to producers.</li>
</ul>
The research was commissioned by the Housing Industry Association ahead of next week’s federal government tax forum.
Next week’s forum provides a perfect opportunity for reform at the federal level to recognise the disproportionate burden the housing market is being forced to carry and support an industry that is so vital from an economic and social perspective..
Stamp duty is the single greatest hurdle to affordability, and as this latest research identifies, is highly inefficient. This unfair tax is preventing the residential market and the economy as a whole from benefiting from a range of positive impacts and its abolition cannot come soon enough.
Developers occupy a vital position in the market but the sentiment at present is that there is little to be gained by proceeding with new projects. Excessive red tape and associated costs of development is not reflected in the margins achievable and so we are left at a standstill.
The massive housing undersupply and consequential affordability crisis has the market at a tipping point. A multi-pronged approach to reform that seeks to encourage new supply and support affordability is necessary from governments at all levels.
Let us hope the tax forum recognises and responds to this crisis before the great Australian dream fades to become merely a pipedream for many people.
Leanne Pilkington is general manager of<a target="_blank" title="Laing + Simmons" href="https://www.laingsimmons.com.au/"> Laing + Simmons</a>
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Reduce burden of tax on housing before great Australian dream becomes a pipedream

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<a target="_blank" title="When Harry met Steve" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/economy/when-harry-met-steve-a-bears-breakfast/2011091551566?source=flicker3">Visiting US economist Harry Dent</a> is the latest in a long line of doomsayers that predict Australia’s housing market is a bubble on the verge of popping, although the fact that the purpose of his visit is to promote his latest book should not be forgotten.
Regardless, natural population increase and net overseas migration continue to place pressure on the undersupplied housing market, and new housing starts are failing to keep pace.
While it is true that buyers are sitting on the sidelines, already the signs that spring could see an increase in transactional activity are emerging. Clearance rates in the past few weeks are encouraging and the number of listings is increasing, indicating vendors are adopting a more realistic approach and have the confidence to proceed with a sale.
Furthermore, investors remain wary of the share market in these volatile times and are therefore again looking at real estate as offering greater security, buoying demand.
Undoubtedly we have seen a flattening in house prices in recent times, but this is a natural and necessary part of the cycle. The fact remains that the level of supply is incapable of meeting demand at the moment, and until government intervention to remove red tape and provide incentives for developers to commence projects occurs, predictions of a housing bubble are quite simply silly.
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures indicate<a target="_blank" title="Housing starts" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/housing-industry-asks-for-government-intervention-as-housing-starts-slide/2011091551564"> housing starts dropped 7% last financial year</a>. Dwelling starts fell 4.7% in the June 2011 quarter and, according to the Housing Industry Association, the 151,000 homes being started annually is substantially short of demand, which currently stands at about 175,000.
Concurrently, in 2010 Australia’s population grew by 1.5%, with every state and territory experiencing positive population growth, according to the ABS.
When you consider the rate of population growth in Australia, the increasing shortfall in housing supply will continue to insulate prices. It is not a bubble the residential property market needs to be worried about, but rather the lack of new supply and the barriers surrounding affordability.
Still the message is not getting through to some with vested interests elsewhere. An example is Dent’s theory that baby boomers are preparing for retirement en masse, and as such are curbing their spending habits having already purchased their homes, which could lead to an “economic tsunami” across global markets.
The retirement of the baby boomers could in fact have a positive impact on the market, particularly those markets with stock suitable for downsizers and sea-changers.
There is the potential for increased demand for smaller dwellings in newer communities, which could in turn increase availability of larger homes in established suburbs for families looking to upgrade.
The baby boomer generation’s move toward retirement will of course impact the real estate market, but those spruiking a bubble need only consider the fundamentals to realise the underlying strength of Australia’s housing market.
Leanne Pilkington is general manager of<a target="_blank" title="Laing + Simmons" href="https://www.laingsimmons.com.au/"> Laing + Simmons</a>
For more expert commentary about the spring property market and tips for buying and selling in spring, see our spring e-book <a href="https://register.propertyobserver.com.au/16-spring-selling-secrets/" target="_blank">16 spring selling secrets plus 8 tips for buyers</a>
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Housing bubble predictions simply silly, given growing population

Lendlease’s Barangaroo South precinct is officially complete, marking the culmination of a 15-year urban regeneration project that has revitalised Sydney’s harbourfront.&nbsp;

In 2009, the NSW Government’s Barangaroo Delivery Authority appointed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/lendlease-development">Lendlease</a> as developer to transform what was once an inaccessible container port on the western edge &nbsp;of Sydney’s CBD into one of the city’s most thriving mixed-use destinations. Today, Barangaroo South is home to more than 1,800 residents, 23,000 workers, 95 retailers and welcomes 33,000 visitors each day. The precinct stands as an international benchmark for large-scale urban regeneration.&nbsp;

International Towers Sydney, the three flagship commercial buildings at the centre of &nbsp;Barangaroo South, together with engineered timber buildings Daramu House and &nbsp;International House, attracted major corporate tenants from the outset, including Westpac, &nbsp;PwC and KPMG, who are still there today. These workplaces remain some of the most &nbsp;sought after in Sydney’s CBD with over 95 per cent occupancy– a testament to the appeal of world-class, modern infrastructure alongside the precinct’s dining and entertainment that &nbsp;are a drawcard for businesses.&nbsp;

One Sydney Harbour, the three luxury residential towers designed by world-renowned architect Renzo Piano, has achieved more than $4 billion in sales since its launch in 2019, while setting new Australia property price records. This includes the three-level penthouse that crowns Residences One which sold for more than $141 million in 2019 – the most expensive individual residential property ever sold in Australia. &nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139801 project_image_fid=349150]

Barangaroo South is also Australia’s first mixed-use carbon-neutral development, an accolade achieved through energy-efficient and innovative infrastructure, including a district cooling plant with a harbour water heat rejection system, a recycled water &nbsp;treatment plant, onsite solar and an embedded electricity network.

The precinct has maintained its Climate Active Carbon Neutral certification since 2019, affirming its &nbsp;reputation as the gold standard in large scale, sustainable urban renewal. Additionally, its &nbsp;world leadership status has been validated by the Green Building Council of Australia’s &nbsp;6 Star Green Star Communities recertification (Pilot v.2).

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139801 project_image_fid=349157]

First Nations cultural values were embedded throughout the planning and delivery of the project. The precinct honours Barangaroo, a prominent First Nations woman, through its &nbsp;name. Public art, street names, and design elements across the precinct reflect and &nbsp;celebrate First Nations cultures and connections to Country.&nbsp;

The project's completion positions Barangaroo South as a legacy urban transformation delivered through long-term partnerships and world-leading urban regeneration and placemaking capabilities. &nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=139801 project_image_fid=349154]

Tony Lombardo, Group CEO Lendlease, said&nbsp;Barangaroo South represents one of the most significant urban regeneration projects in Australia.

"[It] demonstrates what can be achieved through an ambitious vision, innovative placemaking, long-term commitment and strong partnerships. The precinct has changed the face of Sydney's waterfront, established new benchmarks &nbsp;for sustainable development, and provided a model for urban regeneration that continues &nbsp;to inform our approach to creating places that deliver long-lasting value.”&nbsp;

Tom Mackellar, CEO Development Lendlease, said&nbsp;Barangaroo South has reconnected the city to its harbour in a way that seemed unimaginable 15 years ago and turned it into a thriving precinct where people can live, work and gather on the harbour’s edge.&nbsp;

“This precinct is the result of countless contributions, led by the NSW Government who set the ambition, supported by investment partners who believed in Lendlease’s vision, imagined by architects and designers, shaped by consultants and artists, and brought to &nbsp;life by our dedicated construction teams. &nbsp;

“What we’ve created here is more than buildings – it’s the best of placemaking, sustainability, arts and culture and quality design. Barangaroo South has become an integral part of Sydney that will serve our city and economy for generations.”

Staff Writer

Barangaroo South’s 15-year transformation of  Sydney’s waterfront officially complete

CBE Asia Pacific has lodged plans for a prominent corner site in Fitzroy North, with a proposal that integrates state-significant affordable housing alongside heritage adaptation and new retail.

The application covers a consolidated 2,024 sqm parcel at 201–215 Queens Parade and 6–12 Dummett Crescent. The site includes the heritage-listed Former Clifton Motor Hill Garage, fronting Queens Parade, and vacant land to the rear abutting Dummett Crescent.

According to planning documents prepared by proUrban, the proposal seeks approval for a 12-storey residential building comprising 98 apartments, including a component of affordable housing, over a ground floor retail podium integrated within the heritage structure. Approximately 780 sqm of retail space will occupy the ground floor, while residents will have access to over 850 sqm of communal amenity.

The built form presents as two connected volumes: a 12-storey tower addressing Dummett Crescent and a five-storey volume fronting Queens Parade, the latter consistent with a separate Heritage Victoria permit granted in 2023. The tower reaches a maximum height of 38.26 metres, with upper-level setbacks of 14 metres from the western boundary to reduce visual bulk. A 1.5-metre footpath widening is proposed to Dummett Crescent Lane.

Parking is provided across four basement levels, accessed via Dummett Crescent, with a total of 142 car spaces and 143 bicycle spaces.

The architectural response by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cht-architects">CHT Architects</a> is framed by a need to reconcile new density with a sensitive heritage overlay. The Former Clifton Motor Hill Garage, identified as a place of State heritage significance, will retain its key façades, with demolition and reconstruction limited to approved elements.

As noted in the Heritage Impact Assessment, the proposal remains consistent with the Heritage Victoria permit, which allows "partial demolition, reconstruction and new works, involving the construction of a five-storey multi-use development and three basement levels".

Affordable housing has been embedded into the proposal under Clause 53.23, with specific apartment allocations aimed at enhancing housing diversity within the Queens Parade Activity Centre.

"The proposal is generally consistent with the relevant policy objectives and the intent of the Yarra Planning Scheme," proUrban states in its planning assessment, citing its alignment with strategic documents including Plan Melbourne and Victoria’s Housing Statement.

CHT Architects' plans emphasise a tiered design that acknowledges the site's varied interfaces—from the elevated Heidelberg Road ramp reserve to the recently built Clifton Views aged care facility to the north-east.

CBE Asia Pacific has not been previously active in this precinct, but the project joins a wave of higher-density residential proposals along the Queens Parade corridor, spurred by Melbourne’s broader push to increase affordable housing in well-connected inner-urban areas.

The site benefits from direct access to the Queens Parade tram corridor and proximity to Clifton Hill Station (approximately 200 metres), as well as green open spaces including Mayors Park and Raines Reserve. Clifton Hill Primary School and the Queens Parade retail village lie within walking distance.

First look: CBE Asia Pacific plans 100-apartment Jenkin House on Queens Parade, Fitzroy North

ALT Pasta, one of Melbourne’s most beloved inner-city pasta bars, has been confirmed as one of the first tenancies for the highly anticipated <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/comme-prahran-182-194-commercial-road-prahran-vic-3181">Comme Prahran</a> development, marking an exciting next chapter for the cult favourite as it prepares to expand into the heart of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/prahran-vic-3181">Prahran</a>.

Fresh off being named National Best Italian Restaurant at the 2025 Restaurant &amp; Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence, ALT continues to solidify its reputation as a quietly confident leader in Melbourne’s dining scene. Lauded for its reinterpretation of Italian pasta through a Korean and Japanese lens, the restaurant has grown into a staple since opening three years ago, and its new Prahran outpost will only deepen its local impact.

“From the very beginning, ALT has been about respect - for tradition, for ingredients, and for the process,” shares Mino Han, ALT’s founder, a Korean-Australian chef whose vision is shaped by cultural duality and craftsmanship.&nbsp;

“We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel, just make something beautifully familiar, feel quietly special,” added Han.

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Positioned at the entrance to Comme Prahran and directly opposite the iconic Prahran Market, the new venue will celebrate the interplay between casual comfort and elevated detail. Designed in collaboration with Rooftop Architecture, the same team behind ALT’s flagship city location, the space will mirror the neighbourhood’s laid-back energy while staying true to the brand’s understated refinement.

Diners can expect a frequently changing menu that takes advantage of the market’s daily produce, along with set menu offerings exclusive to this location. A distinctive chef’s table and open kitchen format are also in the works, allowing guests to experience ALT’s signature intimacy and transparency in a new light.

ALT Prahran won’t replace the original venue; rather, it complements it.

“Our city site is like our heritage bottle; it’ll age gracefully. Prahran is where we’ll play, explore new ingredients, and bring something special to the community,” Mino notes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108413 project_image_fid=353584]

For Comme Prahran, a boutique development by Leeka that blends heritage with multi-dimensional wellness, ALT Pasta’s arrival signals a meaningful addition to its vision of cultural connection, food-first living, and local engagement.

“Being part of Comme is more than just opening a second venue. It’s about contributing to a neighbourhood with character, history, and a strong sense of community. That’s something we deeply relate to,” says Mino.

Sustainability and cultural identity are deeply embedded in the ethos of ALT. From ingredient sourcing to interior design, the new location will reflect both environmental mindfulness and a spirit of inclusion, embodying the values of Melbourne’s diverse, forward-thinking culinary scene.

Comme Prahran is scheduled for completion in late 2027, with ALT Pasta expected to be among the first tenancies to open its doors shortly after.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108413]

National best Italian restaurant ALT Pasta to open at Comme Prahran, bringing refined familiarity to Melbourne’s culinary heart

National BEST Italian restaurant ALT Pasta to open at Comme Prahran

&nbsp;Boutique development and construction firm Ryser has filed plans for its debut apartment building.

Ryser, founded by Jonthan Ryan and Wil Prosser, has sought to develop <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/sorelle-4a-fern-place-woollahra-nsw-2025">Sorelle</a>, 28 new apartments at 4a Fern Place, Woollahra.

The&nbsp;750 sqm site on the edge of Bondi Junction falls within the Grafton Precinct Heritage Conservation Area, though it is currently vacant and not identified as a contributory item.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> has been commissioned to design Sorelle, creating an eight and a nine-storey building with six apartments dedicated to affordable housing to support essential workers&nbsp;under the NSW Government’s low and mid-rise housing policy.

The dwelling mix includes 12 one-bedroom units, six one-bedroom affordable units, six two-bedroom units, and four three-bedroom residences.<img alt="4A Fern Place, Woollahra." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="86626941-772d-49c5-8d31-a8e42f44cdcc" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Fern%20bldg%20st.png?VersionId=tWIzXYX9gD60nP1L3..Z0BFbY5mafb36" />

According to the planning documents submitted to the Woollahra Council, the development responds to the complex interface of heritage fabric and urban infrastructure with two mid-rise residential buildings oriented to the north and designed to capitalise on sweeping views over Sydney Harbour and Bellevue Hill.&nbsp;

“The proposal aims to hero some of the brick detailing of Woollahra, celebrating the existing datums of Fern Place, whilst embracing the strong verticals of the Holy Cross Church and Bondi Junction with a nod to the historic iron works and iron rich soils of the area,” Woods Bagot noted in their Design Report.

&nbsp;

Only three car parking spaces are proposed, alongside 33 bicycle bays, in a move that leverages the site's proximity to Bondi Junction train station, just 400 metres away.

Architecturally, the material palette incorporates Corten steel and face brickwork to reference the site’s industrial past and local geological character. Landscaping features include a communal garden bridging the two buildings at ground level, landscaped setbacks to protect visual privacy, and a small corner park intended to soften the public interface.

<img alt="4A Fern Place, Woollahra." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f71766d6-aa14-44df-9bc5-42f91890fd4a" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Fern%20bldg%20rear.png?VersionId=uh7u1rJ6NJF5OqyRs9iNJcy6R9ssgaXU" />

Ryser said Sorelle "brings together the best of both worlds, the intimacy of village life with the amenity and luxury of modern design."

The developer said the project marks the first of three developments they will be announcing shortly, a key step in their&nbsp;evolution as a builder-developer delivering meaningful, high quality urban outcomes across Sydney.

The expectation is the Woollahra LGA will become popular for developers with the signal from the NSW Government they will deliver&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/sydney-nsw" target="">Sydney</a>’s first new heavy rail station in more than a decade – enabling up to 10,000 new homes by rezoning land around&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/woollahra-nsw-2025" target="">Woollahra</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/edgecliff-nsw-2027" target="">Edgecliff</a>&nbsp;stations.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/next-stop-woollahra-train-station-delivering-up-to-10-000-new-homes-in-the-heart-of-sydney">Next stop Woollahra train station - delivering up to 10,000 new homes in the heart of Sydney&nbsp;</a>

Joel Robinson

First look: Ryser plans two apartment buildings on Woollahra, Bondi Junction border

ASX-listed developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/cedar-woods" target="">Cedar Woods</a> didn’t miss a beat when the opportunity arose to acquire a prime residential development site in one of Perth’s most popular suburbs. In 2019, the developer secured the former Wembley TAFE site, a 1.4-hectare parcel perfectly positioned on the western edge of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/subiaco-wa-6008" target="">Subiaco</a>’s vibrant centre.

The first stage, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/incontro-subiaco-133-salvado-road-subiaco-wa-6008">Incontro Townhomes</a>, delivered 41 contemporary homes that embrace the suburb’s unique blend of nature and urban energy. Now, Incontro Apartments continues that story, offering a collection of new residences in a market limited with new residential stock. The rarity of a development in such a prime pocket hasn't been lost on buyers, with more than 60 per cent already sold in the early stages of construction.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317909]

Set on the tree-lined Bishop Street, in a quiet pocket within Western Subiaco, Incontro Apartments offers convenient access to several lush parks and recreation spots.&nbsp;

Within the estate is Incontro’s Little Green, a linear park that connects the Incontro townhome precinct with the future apartment building. This peaceful stretch of landscaped parkland features shaded seating and communal spaces for residents to relax and interact close to home.&nbsp;

Less than 400 metres away is find Henderson Park, a perfect spot for morning walks, weekend picnics or casual exercise. Neighbouring Henderson Park is Mabel Talbot Park, home to Jolimont Lake and a playground, while just a little further lies Pat Goodridge Park, offering a large sports field and another playground.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=325604]

For something closer to home, Subiaco Common provides a peaceful green retreat right on your doorstep - ideal for reading under the trees, walking the dog or relaxing with friends.

Beyond the parks and open spaces, Incontro residents are just moments from everything that makes Subiaco such an enviable place to live.&nbsp;

Down the road is Bishop Street Café, a local favourite for a morning caffeine fix. Subiaco’s Rokeby Road and Hay Street are lined with retailers, cafés, vibrant bars and some of Perth’s most loved dining spots, from long lunches at Refuge Small Bar or Juanita’s, to weekend brunch at Community Coffee Co. or Boucla Café. Add to that a strong sense of local community, regular markets, and the energy of Subiaco Square, and it’s easy to see why Subiaco continues to be one of Perth’s most liveable and in-demand suburbs.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=325605]

Construction of Incontro Apartments is now underway by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/emco-building">EMCO Building</a>. With completion expected in mid-2027, buyers have the chance to join a thriving Subiaco community in the not-too-distant future. &nbsp;

One-bedroom apartments are now sold out, with only a selection of two-bedroom apartments and just three three-bedroom residences remaining. Each features generous layouts, stylish finishes and private balconies to enjoy the leafy outlook that makes this Subiaco address so special. Prices start from $925,000*.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=108869]

Leanne Pilkington

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Leanne Pilkington

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