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The latest discounted property of the week from SQM Research is a four bedroom open plan family home in Cairns, north Queenlsand.
The property, 6 Whela Close, Bentley Park, is 18km outside of the Cairns CBD on 684sqm.
It has options to build both a pool and a shed.
It is currently on the market with expectations of over $399,000.
Some $30,000 has come off its earlier price expectations.
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mick.cee-iDmgDDAmu8

Cairns four bedder SQM's discounted property of the week

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The greatest volume of sales across Tasmania is in the mid-price residential market, according to Herron Todd White.
Herron Todd White's October Month in Review said during the second quarter of 2015 the southern suburb of Howrah, located on Hobart’s eastern shore, listed as good examples a circa 1960s, 147 square metre dwelling located on just over 600 square metres for $371,000 and an an older style, 104 square metre unit for $310,000.
"For this same period in the north the greatest number of sales in occurred in Legana. Examples of these sales include a near new, 98 square metre unit for $272,000 a modern, 245 square metre home on just over 900 square metres of land for $395,000, and an older style, 159 square metre home on a lifestyle block for $353,000," it said.
"For this same period in the north-west, the Devonport region is where the greatest number of sales in this sector occurred. Examples of sales include a new, centrally located, 99 square metre unit for $364,000, an older style, 203 square metre home located near to water for $377,000 and a modern, 131 square metre residence on a lifestyle block on the periphery of Devonport for $350,000."
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Mid-price market most popular in Tasmania: Herron Todd White

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GUEST OBSERVER
When investing within off the plan property, landlords and investors should adopt a specific mind set, tailored to the needs and wants of the rental market, to ensure their property will perform successfully.
This requires a defined and detailed list of particular attributes an apartment and/or apartment building should offer, to ensure tenant satisfaction.
Space, space and more space! Tenants love space! Whether it is a spacious living area, a generously sized bedroom (YES, a bedroom that fits a queen sized bed and two bed side tables) or a large sized balcony, look for an apartment that is well designed and offers versatility. Broom closet living should be left to Harry Potter, not to your tenants…
Other than space, tenants also love natural light. Okay, maybe not after a big night out, however, the majority of tenants look for bedrooms and living spaces that offer morning or afternoon light rays. Allow your apartment to be flooded with natural light, as it will only increase its market appeal.
Kitchens, this is an easy one, it must be well equipped. Inclusions should comprise of a dishwasher (or dish draw), oven, stove, sizeable fridge space and dual sink, just to name a few. If you are purchasing an apartment that offers a galley style design, try and include a study bench at the end of the cooking area. Maximise the use of space, the busy professional is known to cook whilst sending emails at the same time. A study area, or study nook is a great way to show the Tenant market that your apartment has a lot to offer.
Offer tenants the bells and whistles, as this will maximise your market appeal. The bells and whistles may include broader aspects of a purchase, such as building facilities like garden rooftops, BBQ areas, gyms, pools, rental car access and entertaining spaces. If you can purchase within a development that offers amenities onsite, tenants feel they are getting bang for their buck.
Building facilities are seen as an attraction and assist in maximising individual apartment appeal. Also, consider extras such as car parking, storage cages and appliance packages, these extras may set you aside from the rest, should you see your apartment become available within a saturated rental market…  
There is always a lot to think about when investing within property, let alone investing within off the plan property, however, if you stick to the basics and account for the needs and wants of tenant’s, you will increase your chances of investment success.
 
Luke Spence, business development manager at Beller and can be contacted <a href="https://www.bellergroup.com.au" target="_blank">here</a>.
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When purchasing an off the plan investment, cater to the rental market: Beller's Luke Spence

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Canberra suburbs Woden and Weston lead the local market for strongest local results, according to Herron Todd White.
Herron Todd White's October Month in Review said the performance of units is subdued and outer suburbs are remain steady, its the inner regions that are shining.
"Ainslie has seen some huge results over the past three months, at a time when winter traditionally cools the Canberra market," it noted.
"Strong sales have seen some entry level properties selling in excess of $700,000. Smaller, boutique development sites through Downer and Dickson have also seen strong competition with a number of sites purchased for amalgamation or independent development.
"The Woden and Weston market was Canberra’s most heavily impacted region as a result of the Mr Fluffy buy-back scheme. It appears that a large number of Mr Fluffy home owners have now been absorbed into the market, as the market continues at a strong, yet more sustainable rate. Strong sales have particularly been noted through Curtin, Weston and Waramanga. Despite the new supply through the Molonglo Valley, the upward trend of prices in Woden and Weston looks to continue into the foreseeable future."
 
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Canberra suburbs Woden and Weston lead the property pack: Herron Todd White

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Rural property above $1 million is in high demand in Bathurst at the moment driven by locals, retirees and capital city professionals, according to Herron Todd White.
Herron Todd White's October Month in Review said owning a home in the million dollar price bracket is an aspirational goal for many locals.
"It is unlikely that the drivers of this market segment will filter through to the broader market where the median house price is about $300,000 to $350,000," it said.
"An example of a recent sale is 66 Henry Lane, Emu Swamp which has 28 hectares and a 4-bedroom dwelling. Don’t let the name fool you, there is no swamp and not a lot of emus. The property was previously purchased for $820,000 in 2011.
"The dwelling was extended and renovated in 2013 at a cost of $250,000. The property included many handy extras such as undercover cattle yards, a cattle crush, machinery shed, workshop and a wine cellar. In June this year, it sold for $1.25 million after only 86 days on the market."
 
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Locals, investors drive Bathurst $1 million home market: Herron Todd White

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The median house price in Townsville has continued to fall over the past six months, according to Herron Todd White.
Herron Todd White's October Month in Review said affordability concerns continue to dominate the local market with buyers not straying outside their comfort zones, and having lowered their aspirations, only buying properties they regard as affordable based on their current economic circumstances .
"Over the past six months the most active sector has been the $300,000 to $400,000 price bracket with 37% of recorded sales falling within this price range. Of these sales, 53% were priced under $350,000 and 47% priced between $350,000 and $400,000," it noted. 
"Sales within this price range cover a number of suburbs with the middle class suburbs of Kirwan, Mount Louisa, Douglas and Annandale featuring strongly, along with the northern beaches suburb of Bushland Beach. 
"A wide variety of property is available within this range. A typical property at the $350,000 price point entry in the middle class suburbs of Kirwan
and Annandale would be a low set dwelling with three plus bedrooms, two bathrooms, double garage and semi modern fitout on a larger traditional sized lots.
"Douglas and Mount Louisa offer more modern low set homes circa 2000 with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and double garage on smaller 500 square metre lots at around this price entry. At Bushland Beach, $350,000 would buy a modern generally circa 2005 low set 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home with double garage on 600 plus square metre lot."
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Median Townsville house price continues to fall: Herron Todd White

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The top sale of the week was a six bedroom, six bathroom trophy estate with tennis court and gas heated swimming pool at Pymble.
The 2790 sqm property, <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-pymble-120807561" target="_blank">29a Bobbin Head Road</a> sold for $7,050,000 through Scott Farquhar and Terry Chang of mcconnellbourn Lindfield.
It was last traded for $4,125,000 in 2011
The grand, modern estate features landscaped gardens, a tennis court with an all-weather surface, pool, a wine cellar, a jungle gym and rainwater tanks.
The location is close to rail, shops, recreation parks and has easy access to quality schools, including the Pymble Ladies College. 
 
CoreLogic RP Data's top ten sales
29a Bobbin Head Road, Pymble, NSW, 6 bed, 6 bath, 6 car house $7,050,000, McConnell Bourn Lindfield 
12a St Thomas Street, Bronte, NSW, 4 bed, 4 bath, 1 car house $5,675,000, Phillips Pantzer Donnelley 
300 Beaconsfield Parade, Middle Park, Vic, 4 bed, 2 bath, 3 car house $5,200,000, Cayzer Real Estate Albert Park 
26 Thanet Street, Malvern, Vic, 4 bed, 3 bath, 2 car house $5,105,000, Marshall White Armadale  
3 Milner Street, Mosman, NSW 5bed,4bath,2 car house $4,715,000, McGrath Estate Agents 
9 Scotsburn Street, Hawthorn, Vic, 5 bed, 3 bath, 2 car house $4,510,000, Marshall White Armadale 
20 McGregor Street, Middle Park, Vic 4 bed, 4 bath, 2 car house $4,400,000 RT Edgar Albert Park 
32 Wentworth Street, Randwick, NSW, 5 bed, 4 bath, 2 car house $4,400,000, McGrath Estate Agents 
11 Craig Avenue, Vaucluse, NSW, 5 bed, 5 bath, 2 car house $4,150,000, Raine &amp; Horne, Double Bay 
57 Ardrie Road, Malvern East, Vic 5 bed, 5 bath, 3 car house $3,960,000, Jellis Craig Armadale 
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Pymble trophy leads CoreLogic RP Data top ten sales

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Auction volumes across Melbourne are the highest they have been this year, according to CoreLogic RP Data's Property Market Indicator Summary for the week ending 25 October.
Some 1,663 properties were auction during the week, with a preliminary clearance rate of 69.8%. Melbourne's inner region held 341 auctions with a clearance rate of 73.7%
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Inner Melbourne scores clearance rate of 69.8%: CoreLogic RP Data

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Sydney held a preliminary auction clearance rate of 64.4% from 995 scheduled auctions for the week ending October 25, according to CoreLogic RP Data.
The eastern suburbs holds a clearance rate of 84.3% from 109 auctions sold. The Northern Beaches holds a clearance rate of 61.9% from a total of 76 auctions.
 
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Sydney's eastern suburbs holds 84.3% clearance rate: CoreLogic RP Data

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Auctions for the week ending 25 October made for the second lowest clearance rte recorded all year, according to CoreLogic RP Data's Property Market Indicator Summary.
Some 3,086 homes were auctioned nationally last week, with the preliminary clearance rate of 66.6% down from 67.4% last week. According to CoreLogic RP Data the clearance rate has been below 70% for six weeks in a row.
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Combined auction clearance rate down to 66.6%: CoreLogic RP Data 

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

Joel Robinson

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

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

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

First look: Vinnies files for 20-storey Lavender Bay apartment tower as North Sydney housing pocket heats up

When the opportunity arose for South Australian developer Palumbo to return to Kent Town, where it had previously delivered East Park Apartments and the East 
Rundle Apartments, it wasn't one the longstanding developer-builder was going to pass up.

The decision was quickly vindicated, with more than 30 apartments sold within the first month of launching <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/royal-apartments-kent-town-2-8-north-terrace-kent-town-sa-5067">Royal Apartments</a> to the market.

The 206-apartment development, which will bring significant new supply to Adelaide's tightly held eastern city fringe, also gives <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/palumbo">Palumbo</a> the opportunity to bring new life to one of Kent Town's most recognisable watering holes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376073]

Royal Apartments incorporates the historic Royal Hotel, a venue Palumbo Managing Director Daniel Palumbo said has a longstanding connection with the local community.

"Everyone in the area has history with the Royal Hotel," Palumbo told Apartments.com.au.

"It was quite an active pub and social gathering place for locals. We want to bring it back to its former glory."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376072]

The wider development will comprise two residential towers alongside the restored hotel, sitting on North Terrace opposite the Adelaide Park Lands.

For Palumbo, the project also marks a return to familiar territory.

The developer completed East Park Apartments next door more than a decade ago and jumped at the opportunity to develop in Kent Town again when the Royal Hotel site became available.

"The opportunity emerged, and we moved to secure the site," Palumbo said.

"We were approached by the previous landowner, who said they had extensive commitments in Sydney and weren't in a position to deliver the project.

"We took over the site and within six months recut the design scheme to be more in keeping with the type of development we want to bring to Adelaide.

"Now we're on the market and those changes have really resonated with local buyers."

That has translated into a strong start to sales, with 33 apartments transacting in the project's first 35 days.

Palumbo said the early purchaser profile had been consistent with the group's traditional focus on owner-occupiers rather than investor-led apartment stock.

"Local owner-occupiers have always been our market," he said.

"There are always some investors, but we've never developed what would be called traditional development stock. Owner-occupiers are very much our market."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376068]

The buyer mix has been diverse so far, with downsizers and younger professionals both accounting for a significant portion of early sales.

South Australia's current stamp duty settings, which allow&nbsp;eligible homeowners in South Australia aged 60 savings of up to $103,830 on stamp duty when they downsize to a new property valued at up to $2 million,&nbsp;have helped encourage downsizer activity, while younger buyers in their late 20s and early 30s have been attracted to the opportunity to live immediately outside the CBD while still being able to walk into the city.



Location has been a major part of the proposition for both buyer cohorts.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376075]

Royal Apartments sits on North Terrace directly opposite the Adelaide Park Lands, with residents able to walk through the parklands toward the East End, Rundle Street and Rundle Mall.

Apartments have been positioned to capture views across the parklands, Adelaide skyline, Botanic Gardens and Adelaide Hills.

Palumbo believes the scarcity of developable land along this section of the Park Lands makes the site particularly difficult to replicate.

"There's very few allotments on that side that can be developed," he said.

"If this location was in New York and you were sitting on Central Park, you'd be talking about a $60 million apartments."

Royal Apartments will offer a broad mix of residences, ranging from one-bedroom apartments through to four-bedroom sub-penthouses and penthouses.

Current listings include one-bedroom apartments from $680,000, while larger three and four-bedroom residences are priced around $2.5 million.

Residents will have access to a swimming pool, gym, barbecue and recreation areas, residents' lounge and dining space, and a communal deck.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6109 project_image_fid=376067]

The apartments will feature generous balconies, while secure parking, bicycle storage and storage cages will also be provided.

A porte-cochère-style arrival and drop-off area has also resonated with buyers, particularly those attracted to being able to walk into the CBD during the day while retaining secure vehicle access at home.

Palumbo is acting as developer, architect and builder on Royal Apartments, continuing the vertically integrated model it has used across its South Australian portfolio.

The group was also behind the $150 million Sofitel Adelaide, the 251-room five-star hotel and residential tower which opened in 2021.

Palumbo said Royal's launch had come at an interesting time for the broader Adelaide apartment market.

Buyer confidence had initially been impacted by uncertainty surrounding the Federal Budget and broader economic conditions, but Palumbo believes sentiment is beginning to improve against a backdrop of significant investment flowing into South Australia.

He pointed to increased activity across defence and resources, including Olympic Dam, as potential long-term drivers of the state's economy and housing market.

"Money is starting to flow into Adeliade, significant amounts as Adelaide bucks the trend of the rest of the country.," Palumbo said.

"There's a lot of activity in the economy over the next decade. I think more investment will come into this market."

Early works on Royal Apartments are expected to commence this year, with major construction activity and cranes anticipated on site from early next year.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6109]

Palumbo's return to Kent Town strikes early chord with buyers

Go-to builder-developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/graya">GRAYA</a> is continuing to bulk out its already impressive and diverse apartment portfolio across South East Queensland. Their latest milestone is securing development approval for Silk, its boutique riverfront apartment development in St Lucia.

The approval clears&nbsp;the way for the team to begin construction planning for the 22-residence project.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/silk-st-lucia-16-18-sandford-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">Silk</a> will rise 15 levels from an 810 sqm site at 16-18 Sandford Street, occupying a prominent bend of the Brisbane River with a prized northern aspect across Orleigh Park toward the Brisbane CBD.

The approved scheme will comprise 16 split-floor and six full-floor residences, continuing GRAYA's move into larger-format apartment developments targeting Brisbane's prestige owner-occupier market.

The project has been designed around the site's broad river frontage and dual-direction views, with GRAYA prioritising larger residences, privacy and outlook over apartment yield.

<img alt="Silk St Lucia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aa5c2349-f96c-4914-a812-1f2cd6827af8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%208.25.44%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=WY0vEU_7vYjeRJKQHiCwFdMxu8PvFh52" />

GRAYA Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Rob Gray said the project had been shaped around local homeowners wanting to remain in St Lucia without maintaining a traditional family home.

"St Lucia is one of those suburbs people do not want to leave," Gray said.

"They know the river, the trees, UQ, the golf course, Toowong and Indooroopilly, and that familiarity is hard to replace.

"True riverfront opportunities here are exceptionally scarce. What we have designed at Silk is a way to stay in the suburb people love, with the scale and privacy of a private home and far less to maintain.

"This is not typical apartment product. It is a proper home on the river, and that is exactly what this market has been missing."

The approval comes as new apartment development continues to increase across the St Lucia and neighbouring Toowong corridor, although direct riverfront sites remain considerably more tightly held.

GRAYA Co-founder and Managing Director Andrew Gray said securing the approval had removed a significant element of development risk from Silk.

"Genuine riverfront sites of this quality in St Lucia are not something that comes up regularly," Gray said.

"The approval removes a substantial layer of execution risk, and the location underwrites demand in a way very few inner-city sites can.

"The fundamentals here are as strong as anything we have assessed in Brisbane."

<img alt="Silk St Lucia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d0f3d734-65e1-48e8-8ed3-2e0715ffcdd9" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-26%20at%208.25.56%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sOLSs_jdHkXLWbBKzRyayf5BfTb2vPsD" />

Silk will see GRAYA return to a stretch of the Brisbane River where it already has recent construction experience. The vertically integrated group recently completed ARC in neighbouring Toowong as builder for developer Spyre, delivering the riverfront project on a constrained site.

GRAYA will take a different role at Silk, controlling the project from design and development through construction and aftercare under its vertically integrated model.

The development will include a gym and resident leisure areas at ground level, integrated with the river's edge.

Silk joins a growing pipeline for GRAYA across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, which includes Enclave, The Gallery, Coral and Ripple.

The developer-builder has also recently lodged plans for its largest project to date, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-silo-19-chester-street-newstead-qld-4006">The Silo</a>, a proposed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/graya-buys-frasers-newstead-site-plans-the-silo-between-james-street-and-gasworks-precincts">$700 million mixed-use development</a> in Brisbane's James Street precinct.

Silk is expected to predominantly target local owner-occupiers and prestige buyers seeking a permanent riverfront home in Brisbane's inner west.

Registrations of interest are now open, with further details on the project and construction program to be released as it progresses.

<hr />
<h2>SILK PROJECT FACTS</h2>

Developer-builder: GRAYA

Project: Silk

Location: 16-18 Sandford Street, St Lucia

Apartments: 22

Built form: 15 levels

Site: 810 sqm riverfront holding

Mix: 16 split-floor and six full-floor residences

Status: Development approved

Next step: Construction planning underway

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152168]

Michael Crawford

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