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Apartments in CPM Realty’s $7 million boutique Enclave development in Sydney’s Russell Lea were snapped up within 45 minutes on its November 2 launch.
Situated between Drummoyne and Five Dock, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/boutique-development-to-launch-in-sydney-s-russell-lea/2013103166027">Enclave</a> will feature nine one- and two-bedroom apartments.
Designed by Buzabott Architects of Surry Hills, apartments feature timber floors, Smeg appliances and floor to ceiling glass doors, which lead to balconies.
“These types of boutique developments in the area are becoming quite rare and make for great homes or investment opportunities,” says Sam Elbanna of CPM Realty.
“There is no doubt a shortage of good stock in desirable suburbs such as this all over Sydney and with more and more people choosing apartment living is further driving this ‘lock and go’ style living,” says Elbanna.
Construction is scheduled to commence in January next year with completion to wrap up in February 2015.
The median apartment price in <a href="/news">Russell Lea</a> is $610,000, a 14.8% change in the past five years, according to RP Data.
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Russell Lea's Enclave apartments snapped up in 45 minutes

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Stockland has splashed $57.5 million for the neighbouring 108-hectare site to its Highlands residential community in Craigieburn.
Stockland purchased the residential zoned land from Places Victoria, which will house more than 1,200 new home sites.
The acquisition will enable the expansion of Highlands from 7,059 lots to more than 8,200.
“We support the Victorian Government’s commitment to expediting the delivery of affordable, new homes in Melbourne’s northern growth corridor,” says Mark Steinert Stockland managing director and chief executive officer.
“This acquisition enables us to further leverage the core residential, medium density and mixed use capabilities within our business,” explained Mr Steinert. “We’re seeing clear evidence of improving market conditions and increased sales volume in Victoria. This acquisition will support our key focus on improving our residential profits.”
Andrew Whitson chief executive officer of residential at Stockland says the newly acquired development site will extend the life of Highlands, Stockland’s most successful and south-after residential community in Victoria.
“Our acquisition of this large parcel of neighbouring land is a big win for anyone who wants to build their dream home in the growing and thriving Highlands community.
“Highlands offers an excellent selection of home sites, a great choice of nearby schools and the community is within easy walking distance of the town centre,” says Whitson.
Stockland has sold more than 3,500 lots at Highlands, with prices ranging from $1,33000 to $257,000.
The residential site is located close to the new $330 million Craigieburn Town Centre development, Craigieburn Central, which is due for completion at the end of November.
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Stockland acquires Craigieburn site for $57.5 million

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Over 80% of homes in the first stage of Robina Group’s $65 million CityVillage Terrace project have been swept up, only five weeks from the project’s launch.
Located near the Robina Town Centre, 25 terraces out of 30 have sold.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/11/08/robina-nov-11-breakout.jpg" width="470" height="264" alt="robina-nov-11-breakout">
The project features three-bedroom, two-bathroom terraces with an internal living space of 160 square metres on a freehold title.
“Buyers have been attracted by the outstanding convenience and lifestyle benefits associated with being just 450 metres from Robina Town Centre’s shopping, dining and entertainment precinct,” says CityVillage Terraces sales manager Azura Griffen.
“The project is in the heart of Gold Coast City and is also proximate to Bond University, Robina train station and Hospital and has ease of access to the Pacific Motorway.
“Robina has an established hub for business, education, health and transport but it is still in expansion mode and buyers have identified great value in buying into the suburb.”
“The price point also means first home buyers can access the State Government’s $15,000 Great Start Grant and are exempt from paying stamp duty which has proven to give them the boost they need to get a foothold in the market with their first new home,” says Griffen.
Residents will have direct access to the Robina Town Centre via a walkway.
“Enquiry has been very strong and the response has been pleasingly positive which shows we are ticking the right boxes for buyers by building the right product in the right location,” says Robina Group director Tony Tippett.
The median house price in <a href="/news">Robina</a> is $500,000, an 8.4% decline in the past five years, according to RP Data.
 
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Robina's CityVillage Terraces secure over 80% in sales

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Genworth Australia has launched a free Lenders Mortgage Insurance toolkit to help raise awareness and increase the knowledge base of LMI.
The online hub will feature video content, webinars and case studies.
“This toolkit will be of great assistance to borrowers seeking to understand how LMI works and how it can help everyday Australians achieve home ownership sooner,” says Genworth’s chief commercial officer Bridget Sakr.
Sakr says the online hub will be regularly updated with new material, content and tools, including short video clips.
“Genworth hopes that the toolkit will be a useful resource for all relevant parties around the property buying process,” says Sakr.
The toolkit is free to use and is available at <a href="https://www.genworth.com.au/lmitoolkit" target="_blank">www.genworth.com.au/lmitoolkit</a>
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Genworth Australia launches free online LMI toolkit

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The abolishment of the National Housing Supply Council will affect crucial data used to formulate housing policies, says Real Estate Institute of Australia Peter Bushby.
The National Housing Supply Council was established in 2008 to monitor housing demand, supply and affordability in Australia and to identify gaps between housing supply and demand.
Bushby says the availability of affordable housing data will impact the functioning of the economy as well as the wellbeing of individuals and the cohesiveness of communities and society.
“With housing affordability recognised as a policy priority, it is imperative that the information contained in the Council’s State of Supply Report continues to be available.
“The document provided valuable information, not only to Government policy makers but also to industry,” says Bushby.
An undersupply of stock is what contributes to house price increases.
The REIA has called on the federal government to development a coordinated and strategic approach to the provision of housing and that complementary policies are in place.
Bushby says the data provided by the council is crucial in formulating appropriate policies and to monitor their effectiveness.
The Urban Development Industry has also criticised the government’s decision on abolishing the council.
“The NHSC provides essential data and research to government and industry on housing supply, demand and affordability,” says UDIA national president Julie Katz.
“It provides information that is absolutely crucial to informing the Government’s approach to addressing Australia’s ongoing housing supply crisis. “The NHSC’s annual State of Supply report was the first publication to comprehensively outline and quantify the extent of Australia’s housing supply problem, and remains one of the best bodies of research available for informing housing supply and affordability policy.
“Prior to the establishment of the NHSC there was a severe lack of data and research on housing supply and affordability issues in Australia, and the information it has provided since has proven extremely valuable to policy makers at all levels of government, as well as community and industry groups,” says Katz.
Where as the Housing Industry of Australia says the decision to abolish the coucil provides an opportunity to take a fresh look at Australia's housing supply challenge.
“Reporting on the supply of housing in Australia, identifying the extent of housing undersupply and making recommendations to address Australia’s housing supply needs are essential tasks,” says HIA chief executive industry policy and media Graham Wolfe.
"Actual and projected housing supply is vital to all levels of government to inform their planning decisions for future service delivery for the community, infrastructure investment and addressing housing shortfalls. “What the current state of supply is, what will be needed in the future, where it will be located, what household formation will look like and what type of housing is needed - these are all important questions that need answers,” says Wolfe.
Wolfe says in its earlier day, the National Housing Supply Council validated Australia's housing under supply problems and identified supply side impediments that inhibited the delivery of new homes, but in recent times has shifted away from its core housing supply role.
"Today’s announcement should provide the catalyst to once again focus on housing supply outcomes and we look forward to working with government and Treasury in these endeavours," says Wolfe.
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Federal government abolishes National Housing Supply Council

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1) What is the name of the $210 million development to grace Sydney’s North Shore?
2) Which businessman was planning on renovating his Elizabeth Bay penthouse for $237,000?   3) Which property development group is dominating the inner city Brisbane market?   4) How many websites is US-based Walk Score website now on?   5) Where was this week’s most expensive RP Data sale located?   6) The RBA cut the cash rate at its Cup Day meeting, true or false?   7) Which WA mining town is set for its first residential development in 40 years?   8) Which city did Terry Ryder’s Chinese investment piece focus on?
Click through to the next page to reveal the answers
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
Answers
 
<ol>
<li>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/210-million-bay-pavilions-to-grace-sydney-s-north-shore/2013110666190">Bay Pavilion</a><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/210-million-bay-pavilions-to-grace-sydney-s-north-shore/2013110666190" target="_blank">s</a>
</li>
<li><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/david-gonski-scrapping-elizabeth-bay-penthouse-renovation-and-relocation-plans/2013110566183" target="_blank">David Gonski</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/david-devine-s-metro-property-group-continues-to-dominate-inner-city-brisbane-market/2013110566013" target="_blank">Metro Property</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/the-importance-of-walkability-grows-at-more-than-pedestrian-pace-walk-score-now-on-30000-websites/2013110566141" target="_blank">30,000</a></li>
<li><a href="/news">Vaucluse</a></li>
<li><a href="/news">False</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/western-australia/tom-price-gets-set-for-first-residential-development-in-40-years/2013110766205" target="_blank">Tom Price</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/queensland/despite-much-publicised-chinese-investment-there-is-no-momentum-behind-gold-coast-market/2013110666212" target="_blank">Gold Coast</a></li>
</ol>
 
 
<ol></ol>
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Property trivia: Have you paid attention this week?

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CS Development Group’s third apartment project in Kelvin Grove – Victoria Park Residences – will launch later this month, following the successful sell out of their Park Edge development.
Located on Victoria Park Road in the Kelvin Grove Urban Village, Victoria Park Residences will comprise of 118 one- and two-bedroom apartments on a 4,000 square-metre site.
<img alt="kelvin_grove_nov_87_one" height="328" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/11/08/kelvin_grove_nov_87_one.jpg">
“In terms of architectural appeal, product design, inclusions, size, price and location we believe it is the best value apartment project in that area,” says Colliers International residential director Andrew Roubicek.
“When compared to other developments in the area, and the amenities both onsite and nearby, this represents excellent value for money,” says Roubicek.
One-bedroom apartments range in size from 68 square metres to 79 square metres and are priced from $343,000.
Two-bedroom apartments range in size from 83 square metres to 105 square metres and start from $469,000.
Residences will have access to a pool, sundeck, barbecue facilities, gym and an outdoor workout zone.
Victoria Park Residences will join CS Development Group’s other two projects in Kelvin Grove, including the Park Edge development on Tank Street.
<img alt="Victoria_Park_residences_-_exterior_pool" height="224" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/11/08/Victoria_Park_residences_-_exterior_pool.jpg">
Park Edge has just recently been completed and was an enormously successful development, with all apartments selling out prior to completion of the project,” says Roubicek.
“There were three factors that contributed to the sales success of Park Edge – size, with the apartments being larger than those in other projects; quality, with the apartments being superior to those in other developments; and pricing, with the sales prices being competitive in comparison to similar projects.
“With Tank Street running off Victoria Park Road, Park Edge benefitted from the same proximity to amenity that Victoria Park Residences will, and we believe Victoria Park Residences will be every bit as successful as that project,” says Roubicek.
Construction is scheduled to commence in early 2014 and has an expected completion date of mid-2015.
The median apartment price in <a href="/news">Kelvin Grove</a> is $475,500, a 19.2% change in the past five years, according to RP Data.
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Kelvin Grove to welcome CS Development's third project Victoria Park Residences

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A $210 million development of 270 apartments will grace Sydney’s North Shore, with the first release of apartments launching at the end of this month.
Developed by Piety Developments, Bay Pavilions is situated nine kilometres from the CBD between Burns Bay and the Lane Cove River.
Designed by Marchese Partners, the development draws inspiration from its surrounds with interiors inspired by the native flora and rock formations.
Apartments are located across five eco-sensitive buildings and feature wool carpets, stone benches, mirror splashback and wintergardens.
One-bedroom apartments range in price from 51 square metres to 63 square metres and range in price from $540,000 to $575,000.
Two-bedroom apartments range in size from 71 square metres to 85 square metres and start from $655,000.
Three-bedroom apartments range in size from 87 square metres to 154 square metres and range in price from $900,000 to $1.5 million.
The first release of 147 apartments will be launched on November 30.
The development has an expected completion date of November 2015.
The median apartment price in <a href="/news">Lane Cove</a> is $561,000, a 28.8% change in the past five years, according to RP Data.
 
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$210 million Bay Pavilions to grace Sydney's North Shore

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A six-bedroom home in Vaucluse with views to the Opera House and Harbour Bridge is this week’s most expensive sale, selling at auction for $8.75 million, according to RP Data.
Located on Wentworth Road, the property features dual street frontage, high ceilings, floor to ceiling glass and marble and granite finishes.
Hosted across three levels, the home features six bathrooms, a sauna and a steam room.
The property was sold through D’Leanne Lewis of <a href="https://www.lsdb.com.au/1066455/" target="_blank">Laing &amp; Simmons Double Bay</a>.
The median house price in <a href="/news">Vaucluse</a> is $2.78 million, a 13.1% decline in the past five years, according to RP Data.
Most expensive sales:
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/46_wentworth_road_vaucluse_nsw_2030/16545763" target="_blank">46 Wentworth Road, Vaucluse, NSW, 2030,</a> six-bedroom house, sold at auction on October 30 by Laing + Simmons Double Bay for $8.75 million
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/4_lydia_court_balwyn_vic_3103/9562908" target="_blank">4 Lydia Court, Balwyn, VIC, 3103,</a> five-bedroom house, sold on November 2 by Kay &amp; Burton Hawthorn for $3.9 million
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/8_cheyne_walk_castlecrag_nsw_2068/1789557" target="_blank">8 Cheyne Walk, Castlecrag, NSW, 2068,</a> four-bedroom house, sold at auction on November 2 by L J Hooker Castlecrag for $3.82 million
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/10_glendon_road_double_bay_nsw_2028/2117247" target="_blank">10 Glendon Road, Double Bay, NSW, 2028,</a> five-bedroom house, sold at auction on October 30 by Laing + Simmons Double Bay for $3.57 million
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/47_circe_circle_north_dalkeith_wa_6009/11972665" target="_blank">47 Circe Circle, Dalkeith, WA, 6009,</a> five-bedroom house, sold at auction on November 2 by Paxton Hoad Subiaco for $3.475 million
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/1/147_victoria_road_bellevue_hill_nsw_2023/16523233">1/147 Victoria Road, Bellevue Hill, NSW, 2023,</a> four-bedroom unit, sold at auction on October 30 by Laing + Simmons Double Bay for $3.45 million
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/3g/14_macleay_street_elizabeth_bay_nsw_2011/16517537" target="_blank">G03/14 Macleay Street, Potts Point, NSW, 2011,</a> three-bedroom unit, sold on October 30 by Richardson &amp; Wrench Elizabeth Bay/Potts Point for $3.45 million
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/146_bellevue_road_bellevue_hill_nsw_2023/1367172" target="_blank">146 Bellevue Road, Bellevue Hill, NSW, 2023,</a> five-bedroom house, sold at auction on October 30 by Ray White Double Bay/Laing + Simmons Double Bay for $3.2 million
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/23_glendon_road_double_bay_nsw_2028/2117262" target="_blank">23 Glendon Road, Double Bay, NSW, 2028</a>, four-bedroom house, sold at auction on October 30 by Laing + Simmons Double Bay for $3.12 million
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/33_welbeck_street_alderley_qld_4051/2504472" target="_blank">33 Welbeck Street, Alderley, QLD, 4051,</a> five-bedroom house, sold at auction on October 31 by Place Estate Agents New Farm for $3 million
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Vaucluse mansion this week's most expensive: RP Data

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The walkability score of a property is becoming a major part of buyers' thinking with US-based Walk Score expanding to 30,000 websites, a 50% growth in presence since April.
The website ranks properties and suburbs from zero (car-dependent) to 100 (walker’s paradise) based on their walking distances from a diverse set of nearby amenities.
Walk Score rates over 10,000 neighbourhoods in almost 3,000 cities across the America, Canada and Australia.
Sydney is classified as the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/all-tracks-lead-to-sydney-saleability-walk-score-rankings/2013051661271" target="_blank">most walkable large city</a> with a walk score of 63 and Melbourne slides in second at 57.
The top three Sydney neighbourhoods include <a href="/news">Haymarket</a> (Walk Score: 99), <a href="/news">The Rocks</a> (Walk score: 98) and <a href="/news">Sydney</a> (Walk Score: 98).
A <a href="https://www.walkscore.com/score/281-sussex-st-sydney-nsw-australia?rid=16_b_101612752" target="_blank">one-bedroom New York style apartment</a> in The Vintage building on Sussex Street in Sydney has a walk score of 100.
The property was listed for $550 and was advertised as being a walker’s paradise.
The apartment is walking distance to Darling Harbour, Cockle Bay, China Town and Town Hall and daily errands do not require a car.
Melbourne’s top walkable suburbs include <a href="/news">Carlton</a> (Walk Score: 97), <a href="/news">Fitzroy</a> (Walk Score: 96) and <a href="/news">Fitzroy North</a> (Walk Score: 93).
Australians can find their Walk Score by entering an address at <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.walkscore.com." target="_blank">https://www.walkscore.com.</a>
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The importance of walkability grows at more than pedestrian pace: Walk Score now on 30,000 websites

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

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

Joel Robinson

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

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

Sherpa sells out Flourish Oasis in booming Palm Beach

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

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

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

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

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

Nicola Trotman

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