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This standard strategy is even more attractive if you expect your tax rate to be higher this financial year than next.
Ways to accelerate deductions include prepaying eligible expenses and carrying out last-minute repairs to your properties.
Individuals can claim immediate tax deductions for the prepayment by June 30 of such expenses as loan interest and insurance, covering periods of up to 12 months.
See our free ebook on the <a href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/free-ebook-top-24-tax-strategies" target="_blank">top 24 tax strategies</a> for property investors.
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Accelerate deductions

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Some property investors delay the intended sale of a property until the new financial year in an effort to defer payment of CGT.
“A property is generally deemed to have been sold on the date of the contract for CGT purposes rather than the settlement date,” says Eddie Chung, partner and property tax specialist with accountants BDO in Brisbane.
So if you want to defer the sale until the new financial year, don’t make the mistake of exchanging contractsbefore July 1.
Chung agrees that property investors should not defer the sale of a property if it places the transaction at risk. However,he says a way to deal with the risk of a deferred sale not proceeding is to enter a put-and-call option.
If the property owner exercises the option, the other party has to buy the property within a specified time.
“The entering of the option does not give rise to a CGT liability on the sale of the property until the point that the option is exercised,” Chung explains.
Finally, a decision to delay the sale of a property until the new financial year should not be based solely on an effort to save tax but have a commercial justification.
Otherwise the tax commissioner could try to apply the general anti-avoidance provisions.
Chung says a commercial justification for delaying a sale may include uncertainty about the availability of finance in the short term.
See our free ebook on the <a href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/free-ebook-top-24-tax-strategies" target="_blank">top 24 tax strategies</a> for property investors.
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Consider delaying a property sale

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In the final weeks before June 30, some landlords choose to wait until early the new financial year before chasing tenants for every cent of unpaid rent.
This is a standard tax-deferral strategy that may be particularly attractive if you expect topay tax at a lower rate next year.
“For once in a year, it might actually be beneficial if tenants pay their rent late,” says Eddie Chung, partner and propertytax specialist with accountants BDO in Brisbane.
However, property investors should not allow tax to dictate their investment decisions.
“You have to make sure that you get a commercial outcome,” Chung emphasises.
Sydney tax lawyer Robert Richards, principal of Robert Richards &amp; Associates, adds that landlords should always be careful about letting a few weeks of unpaid rent turn into a bad debt.
And be warned, landlords won’t succeed in deferring their liability to pay tax by simply putting a rent cheque in a bottom drawer until July 1.
“You are deemed to have derived the rental income when you receive the cheque,” says Chung.
Similarly, if your property agent has collected rent but have not passed it to you until after June 30, you are still deemed to have derived the income in the current tax year.
See our free ebook on the <a href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/free-ebook-top-24-tax-strategies" target="_blank">top 24 tax strategies</a> for property investors.
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Delay chasing tenants

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Depreciating assets that cost $300 or less are generally immediately deductible, says Eddie Chung, partner and propertytax specialist with accountants BDO in Brisbane.
Examples of low-cost depreciating assets are small items of furniture and electrical goods.
In order to get an immediate deduction, a depreciating asset should not be one of a set or identical to other assets that you began to hold in the same financial year and together cost more than $300.
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Claim immediate deductions for low-cost depreciating assets

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Property investors who fail to claim all of their deductions for the decline in value of depreciating assets are “needlessly paying too much tax”, warns Paul Banister, tax partner with accountants Grant Thornton in Brisbane.
Banister says it is far easier for investors to overlook depreciation deductions when investing in existing buildings rather than new buildings where the costs are more readily apparent.
Many residential property investors fail to claim deductions for building depreciation, adds Spyros Kotsopoulos, a Sydney tax partner with accountants Deloitte.
And Ken Raiss, a director of national accountants Chan &amp; Naylor, suggests that property investors ask a quantity surveyor to prepare an accurate depreciation schedule.
Raiss advises investors who are undertaking renovations to have a “scrapping schedule” to identify and put a value on what is thrown away.
“This is then written off in the year of the renovation, plus you can also depreciate the new work thereafter,” he adds.
Raiss suspects that not many property investors prepare a scrapping schedule when renovating and therefore throw away valuable immediate deductions.
See our free ebook on the <a target="_blank" href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/free-ebook-top-24-tax-strategies">top 24 tax strategies</a> for property investors.
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Don't throw away depreciation tax breaks for buildings, fixtures and fittings

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It is crucial to make a distinction. Repairs and maintenance are immediately deductible whereas improvements are regarded as capital expenditure and are not immediately deductible.
As the tax office explains, “repairs generally involve a replacement or renewal of a worn out or broken part” – such as replacing broken or worn guttering, fences and windows, and maintaining plumbing.
And improvements include landscaping, insulating, and adding a room.
Eddie Chung, partner and property tax specialist with accountants BDO in Brisbane, says the replacement of an entire structure or unit of property is considered an improvement, not an immediately-deductible repair.
Examples include the complete demolition and reconstruction of a slipway or replacement of a complete fence.
See our free ebook on the <a target="_blank" href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/free-ebook-top-24-tax-strategies">top 24 tax strategies</a> for property investors.
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Don't confuse repairs and improvements

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A deduction checklist should help ensure you don’t forget any immediately-deductible expenses.
Your checklist should include:
• Interest on your investment loan. (If your property is negatively geared, the shortfall between the rental income and the deductible expenses – including loan interest – is deductible against your other income)
• Land tax
• Council rates and water charges
• Body corporate fees and charges for day-to-day administration as well as contributions to a general-purpose sinking fund
• Insurance (building, contents, public liability)
• Repairs and maintenance (see strategy two)
• Real estate agents’ fees and commissions for managing your property, inspecting the property and collecting rent. (Agents’ commissions to buy or sell your property are nondeductible but form part of the CGT cost base)
• Gardening, lawn mowing, cleaning
• Pest control
• Leases (preparation, registration and stamp duty on leases)
• Mortgage discharge fees
• Advertising for tenants
• Tax-related expenses (including fees charged by quantity surveyors to support claims for depreciation)
• Bank charges
• Electricity and gas (when not paid by tenants)
• Limited legal expenses such as involving eviction of a tenant (However, most legal expenses – including for the purchase and sale of a property – are regarded as non-deductible capital expenditure. Keep records as these costs should reduce the eventual
capital gains tax payable on the sale of your property)
• Service of equipment such as water heaters
• Travel (to inspect your property, collect rent and carry out maintenance)
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Tick-off checklist for immediate deductions

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Property investors should:
• Ensure they don’t overlook any of the many expenses that are immediately deductible in the income year of expenditure. These include interest on property loans, repairs and maintenance, insurance and land tax. (See strategy two for our comprehensive checklist.)
• Claim annual deductions over a number of years for the decline in value of removable depreciating assets. (Such items include stoves, blinds, dishwashers, carpets, hot-water systems and air-conditioners.)
• Claim capital works deductions, spread over a number of years, for certain capital expenditure. Capital works deductions are generally claimed for buildings as well as improvements such as adding a bedroom or remodelling a bathroom. (Investors can write-off 2.5 per cent a year of the construction costs for 40 years if construction began after September 15, 1987.)
• Add eligible capital expenditure to a property’s CGT cost base to reduce the CGT eventually payable. Capital expenditure includes the acquisition and disposal costs of a property – such as purchase cost of the property, conveyancing costs, advertising expenses, agent’s commission and stamp duty – and costs of improvement such as renovations. (All capital works deductions already claimed may reduce the cost base when eventually calculating capital gains upon the disposal of the property.)
• It is also possible to claim deductions over a number of years for certain borrowing expenses incurred involving a property loan. These expenses include loan establishment fees, title search fees, costs of preparing and filing mortgage documents, mortgage broker fees and stamp duty on the mortgage. (However, a borrowing expense of $100 or less can be wholly claimed upfront.)
See our eBook on the <a target="_blank" href="http://propertyobserver.com.au/ebooks/free-ebook-top-24-tax-strategies">top 24 tax strategies</a> for property investors.
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Understand different types of rental expenses and their tax treatment

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Nothing can be more important than ensuring that the correct research and checks have been conducted and that you are going into the purchase with your eyes wide open.
First, it is absolutely essential to understand the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/eight-property-pointers-for-buying-or-selling-in-2013/2013010658597">buying</a> process, precisely what funds are required and when you will need them.
This will allow you to make an accurate cashflow analysis. It should cover investment and risk.
High potential returns often equal greater risk, and vice versa. Take the time to identify the potential risk, and the returns that you have calculated should be acceptably balanced.
It is important to settle for a purchase that suits your financial situation and investment targets.
“Be vigilant with money, and have your finance lined up when you put down the deposit. Don’t be caught out at settlement by not having finance ready. Something as simple as changing jobs and entering into a probation period can affect your capacity to get finance,” says Carolyn Chudleigh, partner of law firm Holding Redlich.
If you are planning to buy off the plan interstate, familiarise yourself with the laws and taxes of that state.
And if you have a friend or relative in that location ask him or her to go and physically see the site since there could be any number of factories or other developments nearby that could impact your decision.
For great tips on buying off the plan, download Property Observer’s free ebook – <a rel="nofollow" href="https://propertyobserver.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=24bd0766a834290948593f5aa&amp;id=14e9848476&amp;e=7a53fc6dd9" target="_blank">14 tips for buying off the plan: The 2013 guide for investors and owner-occupiers.</a>
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Do your due diligence when buying off-the-plan

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As with all investment property, there are some significant tax benefits when you buy an investment property off-the-plan.
These benefits are greater when property is newer because more tax depreciation items are available.
Those benefits are best when the property is new, so buying off the plan can maximise your available tax deductions.
Be sure to have a schedule of inclusions such as fittings and fixtures on the sale contract, and commission a depreciation schedule from a reputable provider.
As an off the plan buyer you may qualify for a 50% CGT discount. The <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/tax/taxpayers-face-ato-data-matching-crackdown-over-residential-and-commercial-property-sales/2013032460054" target="_blank">ATO</a> requires that a period of 12 months elapses before the buyer is eligible, but this period begins when the contract has been signed, so provided your settlement period is 12 months or longer (as it will be in most cases) you could in theory sell your recently purchased property the day after settlement and still qualify for the generous tax concession.
The catch is that the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/tax/ask-margaret-can-i-avoid-cgt-when-i-sell-my-home/2013020759235" target="_blank">CGT</a> discount only applies if you are forced to sell the property due to changes in circumstances. If you bought the property with the intention of selling it at a profit as soon as it is completed, it does not qualify as an investment but as part of a profit-making scheme, so normal income tax would apply.
Ken Raiss, partner at Chan &amp; Naylor Accountants, points out that if you buy with the intention to sell the sale would still be taxed at marginal tax rates even if you keep it for much longer than 12 months.
If you originally intended to keep the property but decide to sell due to unforeseen circumstances (say, after six months), it is still considered a capital gain but is not subject to the 50% CGT discount.
This means you will still be taxed at your marginal tax rate. This could be advantageous if you have capital losses.
For great tips on buying off the plan, download Property Observer’s free ebook – <a href="https://propertyobserver.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=24bd0766a834290948593f5aa&amp;id=14e9848476&amp;e=7a53fc6dd9" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">14 tips for buying off the plan: The 2013 guide for investors and owner-occupiers.</a>
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Don't miss out on tax benefits for off-the-plan investors

Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

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"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

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After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356828]

Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tsioMLcnjas?si=zq-ys3JuWpfa5hFv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

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Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=351104]

Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356822]

ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356826]

For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

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Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=135096]

Joel Robinson

From ONE to ERA: Why buyers are choosing GWH again in Newcastle West

Virgate Property Group is preparing to commence construction of Verdé, its new apartment development in Melbourne's Arts Precinct at Southbank, following a strong run of sales that has seen more than half of the project's 173 apartments secured.

Verdé has attracted a broad mix of first home buyers, owner-occupiers upgrading from nearby inner-city suburbs and investors, with younger owner-occupier couples aged between 28 and 45 accounting for the strongest enquiry. Many are already living in Southbank, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Port Melbourne, South Yarra and the CBD.

"Verdé is located in one of the most desirable pockets of southern Melbourne," Blair Property Group Director Darren Blair, who is managing sales at Verdé, said.

"It's within walking distance of the Arts Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park Lake, and Southbank's restaurants and retail. It's a great lifestyle location with strong amenity and liveability, which made it a very attractive choice for the project."

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Virgate was already familiar with the precinct, having previously delivered the successful Domain House development in neighbouring South Melbourne. That experience gave the developer confidence to acquire the Coventry Street site and continue expanding its presence in Melbourne's inner south.

"We had been keeping an eye on the site and the broader precinct for a few months before deciding to move forward with the acquisition," Virgate said.

The project was ultimately secured in 2020 following feasibility studies, planning assessments and due diligence, with the brief centred on delivering "a high-quality, considered design that feels both refined and fit for purpose."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=4661 project_image_fid=314259]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bruce-henderson-architects">Bruce Henderson Architects</a>, Verdé comprises 173 one, two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000. The architecture is distinguished by a faceted glass façade that responds to both the site's outlook and Melbourne's changing light conditions.

According to Bruce Henderson Architects, the coloured glazing gives the building a distinctive identity while also providing privacy and solar shading, with residences oriented to capture views across the bay, city skyline and surrounding parklands.

Inside, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/designoffice">DesignOffice</a> has created interiors focused on natural light, efficient planning and enduring materials. Apartments feature engineered oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, floor-to-ceiling glazing and SMEG appliances, while a restrained material palette aims to complement the expansive outlooks rather than compete with them.

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Resident amenity has also been designed around everyday functionality rather than occasional use. Facilities include a concierge-serviced lobby, residents' lounge with fireplace, library and co-working space, gym, terrace garden with barbecue facilities, ground-floor café, and package delivery management.

The project's location continues to be one of its strongest drawcards. Positioned on Coventry Street, Verdé sits within walking distance of the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens and Albert Park Lake, while Southbank's dining precinct, Sturt Street trams and the new ANZAC Station are all nearby. The surrounding education catchment also includes Melbourne Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School and several major university campuses.

The sales team says buyers have responded particularly well to the combination of location, design quality and long-term liveability.

"They're responding really positively to the quality of the design, premium resident amenities and the uninterrupted views. Many also appreciate the location and how connected it is to everything they need."

The ability to secure stamp duty savings before completion has also been a key factor for purchasers, alongside the opportunity to personalise finishes ahead of settlement.

With construction set to commence soon and more than half the apartments already sold, Verdé enters its next phase as one of the Arts Precinct's more established apartment developments, offering remaining buyers an opportunity to secure a residence before construction advances further. Expected completion is scheduled for late 2027.

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Virgate's Verdé Southbank moves toward construction as sales fly past halfway stage

Downsizer-focused apartment development Kooyongkoot in Hawthorn has been recognised at the 2026 Better Future Melbourne Design Awards, taking home Gold and Silver awards in two categories.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/kooyongkoot-hawthorn-1-kooyongkoot-road-hawthorn-vic-3122">Kooyongkoot</a>, currently being delivered by developer PQD and designed by Cera Stribley, received Gold in the Interior Design – Proposed category and Silver in the Architecture – Proposed category.

The dual recognition reflects the design approach behind the boutique development on prestigious Kooyongkoot Road, where the focus has been on creating homes for downsizers seeking the space, quality and functionality of a detached house within a low-rise apartment building.

Rather than maximising apartment numbers, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/pqd">PQD</a> and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cera-stribley-architects">Cera Stribley</a> limited the development to just 18 residences, allowing for larger floorplans, greater privacy, generous landscaping and expansive communal spaces.&nbsp;The majority of the apartments also benefit from corner aspects, allowing for dual sources of natural light.

Now around 70 per cent complete and on track for completion in November 2026, Kooyongkoot will comprise a mix of garden residences, ter​race apartments, sub-penthouses, and is crowned by two half-floor penthouses with direct lift access and private rooftop terraces.

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The Silver Award for Architecture recognised the way the building responds to its prominent corner position at the ent​rance to Hawthorn's Scotch Hill precinct, one of Melbourne's most established residential neighbourhoods.

Rather than competing with the grand homes that line Kooyongkoot Road, the architectural approach focused on restraint and longevity, using curved brickwork, generous landscaping and carefully considered proportions to integrate with the existing streetscape.

"The form feels fluid and timeless, as though shaped by the landscape itself – architecture that belongs, rather than competes," said Chris Stribley, Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Cera Stribley.

The judging submission also highlighted practical innovations throughout the building, including lift cores servicing only nine homes each, a central landscaped lightcourt designed to bring daylight and ventilation into the building, and fully enclosed private storage rooms with lighting, power and shelving to better accommodate residents transitioning from larger family homes.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355293]

The Gold Award for Interior Design recognised the project's focus on long-term liveability rather than display-home aesthetics.

According to the awards submission, the interiors were designed from the inside out, prioritising how homes would function over decades of daily use through generous proportions, practical storage, durable natural materials and flexible layouts.

The specification includes natural stone throughout, upgraded acoustic glazing, V-ZUG appliances and fully enclosed storage rooms, alongside an amenity offering focused on wellness, entertainment and everyday convenience.&nbsp;

Residents will have access to a gym and yoga studio, a wellness centre featuring traditional and infrared saunas, a cold therapy shower and treatment room, as well as a residents' lounge and golf simulator/cinema room for entertainment.&nbsp;Kooyongkoot has also considered the everyday convenience of its residents by offering a private carwash and pet wash facilities on site as well as dedicated parcel lockers and oversized fully enclosed storage rooms.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355303]

The project's attention to detail has already resonated with buyers. Earlier this year, Kooyongkoot recorded one of Boroondara's highest apartment sales when an $8 million penthouse was purchased by a Melbourne CEO downsizing from a nearby family home.

"Every detail feels deliberate, from the overall design down to the smallest touches," the purchaser said.

"The level of quality and refinement is exceptional, but what really sold it was how liveable it felt... It felt like a place where everything had been considered, not just a luxury building."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=102717 project_image_fid=355304]

Sustainability also formed a key part of both award submissions. Kooyongkoot is targeting a minimum 7.5-star NatHERS rating across all residences, supported by passive design principles, high-performance glazing, EV charging infrastructure, water reuse systems and a wellness model focused on lower-energy dry facilities rather than pools and large wet areas.

Located within walking distance of Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College, Koo​yong Lawn Tennis Club, Aubur​n Village and Camberwell Junction, Kooyongkoot continues to target owner-occupiers looking to remain in Melbourne's inner east without compromising on space or quality. A limited selection of two, three and four-bedroom residences remains available, with prices starting from $1.9 million.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=102717]

Kooyongkoot wins Gold and Silver at Better Future Melbourne Design Awards

New apartment supply has become increasingly constrained across <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/parramatta-nsw-2150">Parramatta</a> in recent years, with fewer projects progressing through to completion as development conditions have become more challenging.

It makes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/novm">NOVM</a>'s 2021-completed <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/the-lennox-parramatta-12-phillip-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">The Lennox</a> one of the most recently completed residential towers on the Parramatta River, and among the newest apartment developments in Sydney's second CBD.

With the project largely completed before the sharp escalation in construction costs and inflation following the pandemic, The Lennox is now offering pricing that would be difficult to replicate in a comparable new development in Parramatta today, or across much of Western Sydney.

The majority of the 413 apartments at The Lennox sold before and shortly after completion. A limited release of the remaining apartments has recently been brought to market by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, with entry-level pricing from $700,000 and two-bedroom apartments available from under $1 million.

Rising above the Parramatta River at 12 Phillip Street, The Lennox comprises one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, appealing to first home buyers, young professionals, families, downsizers and interstate investors seeking a completed apartment in one of Australia's fastest-growing economic centres.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=372394]

Rather than positioning Parramatta as an alternative to Sydney's CBD, Equitifund believes the city has reached a point where it stands on its own merits.

"Parramatta is no longer simply an alternative to Sydney CBD, it's becoming a destination in its own right," Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said.

"The Lennox captures that evolution with a level of quality and amenity that's difficult to match at its price point."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=953]

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/marchese-partners">Marchese Partners</a>, the tower responds directly to its riverfront setting through expansive glazing and open-plan layouts that maximise views across the Parramatta River and city skyline. Interiors feature engineered timber flooring, stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances and floor-to-ceiling glazing, while generous balconies extend the living spaces outdoors.

Marchese Partners says the project was conceived to balance high-quality apartment living with practical, long-term functionality, pairing larger, efficient floorplans with amenities more commonly associated with five-star hotels.

That emphasis continues through the resident facilities, which include a 20-metre rooftop swimming pool, fully equipped gym and wellness spaces, full-time concierge, a residents' lounge, function room, private lifts, secure basement parking and rooftop communal areas overlooking the Parramatta River. Ground-floor boardwalk retail and dining further activate the riverfront and integrate the building into the surrounding public realm.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=925]

Australian housing and finance group Equitifund has secured the remaining apartments, believing there are few completed apartment opportunities in Parramatta that offer the same combination of location, amenity and pricing.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett says buyers are increasingly recognising that premium apartment living no longer needs to come with Sydney CBD pricing.

"The Lennox is where aspirational living becomes attainable," Hamblett said.

"Wake to river and mountain views, step into Sydney's Second CBD, and arrive home to resort-calibre amenities, all without the harbour price tag."

Hamblett says owner-occupiers are also attracted by the convenience of having Westfield Parramatta, Church Street's dining precinct, Parramatta Park, Riverside Theatres, Western Sydney University and major transport connections all within walking distance.

"At The Lennox, lifestyle is not an afterthought, it is the foundation."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=5743 project_image_fid=5374]

The Lennox places residents within walking distance of Parramatta Square, Westfield Parramatta, Church Street Eat Street, Parramatta Station, the ferry wharf, Light Rail, the future Sydney Metro West, Parramatta Park and CommBank Stadium, reinforcing Parramatta's position as one of Australia's most connected metropolitan centres outside Sydney's CBD.

Equitifund says buyers visiting the display suite consistently comment on the quality of the finishes, generous floorplans, river and skyline views, and the walkability of the location. The project has attracted a broad mix of local professionals, upsizers, downsizers, buyers relocating from Sydney's inner suburbs and interstate investors seeking long-term growth opportunities.

That demand aligns with Parramatta's continued evolution as an economic powerhouse. Equitifund Research and Market Insights specialist John Bekiaris says sustained population growth, infrastructure investment and expanding employment opportunities continue to support long-term housing demand across the city.

"Parramatta has evolved from a satellite city into one of Australia's most important economic centres. Population growth, infrastructure investment and employment are all supporting sustained long-term housing demand."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=5743]

The apartment price gap drawing Sydney buyers west

A luxury beachfront apartment at Rainbow Bay has more than doubled in value since it sold off the plan six years ago, setting a new local apartment record in the process.

The three-bedroom apartment in the Flow development on Petrie Street, the first of four new projects locally by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects, has sold for $7.4 million, after originally selling for $3.27 million when the project launched in 2020.

The seventh-floor apartment, comprising 187 sqm of internal living space and a 54 sqm balcony overlooking Froggies Beach and Snapper Rocks, was purchased by a local family.

The transaction was negotiated by Pezet Matheson director Kerry Pezet and equates to more than $30,000 per sqm.

Pezet said the sale reflected the limited opportunities to buy into the boutique beachfront development.

"The sale highlights the rarity of opportunities within the boutique beachfront development, where residences seldom become available," Pezet said.

"Flow is one of the Gold Coast's most tightly held buildings. Buyers from our database move quickly when residences become available, and achieving an off-market sale at $7.4 million demonstrates the depth of demand for property of this calibre."

<img alt="Flow" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c585b206-2130-4eee-a50c-3f27c51a7c70" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-06%20at%208.33.25%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=m3pHRDV62Y3fvN.XQuQHq.52ilTWpRLf" />

Flow was the first of four luxury apartment developments delivered by Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects at Rainbow Bay and was completed in 2023.

Positioned on the beachfront overlooking Snapper Rocks, the residence includes three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a powder room and views stretching north along the coastline towards Surfers Paradise.

Pezet Matheson Residential principal Mitchell Lambert said buyers continued to prioritise quality beachfront apartments in tightly held locations.

"Flow Residences offers a rare combination of elevated beachfront positioning, architectural excellence, comprehensive resident amenity and premium finishes, which is exactly what discerning purchasers are seeking," Lambert said.

"The transaction further reinforces Rainbow Bay's reputation as one of Australia's premier coastal lifestyle destinations, where limited supply and growing demand continue to support strong market performance."

Pezet Matheson originally marketed and sold out Flow off the plan, making the latest transaction a return to one of the project's original buyers.

Paul Gedoun is selling his third project, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, after recently completing, and selling out, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/esprit-217-227-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Esprit</a>. He has plans for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">fourth building</a>, 88 apartments on <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/209-213-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Boundary Street</a>.

Michael Laurence

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