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Former Hunters and Collectors guitarist, Barry Palmer and his interior designer wife, Jodie Cousins’ Kew home was this week’s most expensive sale, according to RP Data.
Located at 108 Sackville Street, the six-bedroom home (pictured above) sold at its July 27 auction for $3.362 million.
Barry Palmer (pictured below) joined the iconic Australian rock group Hunters and Collectors in 1988 and played guitar on hits 'When the River Runs Dry' and 'Holy Grail' among many others. He and and his wife are planning to relocate to Los Angeles later this year.
<img alt="barry-palmerjuly30" height="390" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/07/barry-palmerjuly30.jpg">
Situated on 921-square-metres, the five split-level home was built in 1974 by architect Ken Edelstein.
Palmer and his wife bought the property 13 years ago and have since given it a few cosmetic touches.
The home features vaulted ceilings, exposed beams and polished concrete floors.
The ground level includes a Euro stainless steel hostess kitchen and a gymnasium and the lower level features a basement games room and theatre. 
Located on an L-shaped block, the home includes a built in BBQ, pool and spa, in ground trampoline and a skate ramp.
Over 120 people attended the auction and it was a bid-out between three bidders, according to Mal James of James Buyers Advocates.
“This is a true entertainer’s home,” says James.
James says it’s in a great position, near a lot of quality schools and public transport, however does not have a brilliant front to back flow.
“The secondary bedrooms don’t really connect up or down easily or directly to the bathrooms, and at the end of the day the materials are basic,” says James.
The property was sold through Stuart Evans and Duana Wolowiec of <a href="https://www.marshallwhite.com.au/sold/5733007/" target="_blank">Marshall White Real Estate Hawthorn.</a>
The median house price in <a href="/news">Kew</a> is $1,380,000, according to RP Data.
Top 10 most expensive sales:
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/108_sackville_street_kew_vic_3101/11356482" target="_blank">108 Sackville Street, Kew, VIC, 3101,</a> six-bedroom house, sold at auction on July 27 by Marshall White Real Estate Hawthorn for $3.362 million
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/84_canterbury_road_middle_park_vic_3206/11776141" target="_blank">84 Canterbury Road, Middle Park, VIC, 3206,</a> four-bedroom house, sold at auction on July 27 by Cayzer Real Estate for $3.055 million
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/14_firth_avenue_strathfield_nsw_2135/6484603" target="_blank">14 Firth Avenue, Strathfield, NSW, 2135,</a> eight-bedroom house, sold at auction on July 27 by Strathfield Partners Strathfield for $2.8 million
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/12_botanic_road_mosman_nsw_2088/4478288" target="_blank">12 Botanic Road, Mosman, NSW, 2088,</a> three-bedroom house, sold on July 23 by Richardson &amp; Wrench Mosman/Neutral Bay for $2.75 million
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/36_feez_street_yeronga_qld_4104/15927680" target="_blank">36 Feez Street, Yeronga, QLD, 4104,</a> six-bedroom house, sold at auction on July 25 by Ray White South Brisbane for $2.62 million 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/65_glassop_street_balmain_nsw_2041/1256075" target="_blank">65 Glassop Street, Balmain, NSW, 2041,</a> four-bedroom house, sold at auction on July 27 by McGrath Estate Agents for $2.5 million
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/24/93_elizabeth_bay_road_elizabeth_bay_nsw_2011/2232164" target="_blank">24/93 Elizabeth Bay Road, Elizabeth Bay, NSW, 2011,</a> three-bedroom unit, sold on July 23 by Richardson &amp; Wrench Elizabeth Bay/Potts Point for $2.3 million 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/1/9_carrington_avenue_bellevue_hill_nsw_2023/1368831" target="_blank">1/9 Carrington Avenue, Bellevue Hill, NSW, 2023,</a> three-bedroom unit, sold on July 23 by BHR Estate Agents for $2.125 million 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/22a_gregory_street_south_coogee_nsw_2034/6255318" target="_blank">22a Gregory Street, South Coogee, NSW, 2034,</a> three-bedroom house, sold on July 24 by Eastside Realty for $2.1 million
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/38_broome_street_cottesloe_wa_6011/11942318" target="_blank">38 Broome Street, Cottesloe, WA, 6011</a>, three-bedroom house, sold on July 25 by Acton Cottesloe/Peppermint Grove for $2.055 million
Picture of Barry Palmer courtesy of  <a target="_blank" href="https://www.humanfrailty.com.au/">humanfrailty.com.au</a>.
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Hunters and Collectors' guitarist Barry Palmer's Kew home most expensive sale: RP Data

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Melbourne’s Collingwood is currently being overshadowed by the East-West link debacle but a $140 million development by Urban Inc has been launched, offering first homebuyers and investors a step into the inner city market.
Located at the junction of Stanley Street and Oxford Street, it is not affected by the current issues facing some residents.
<a href="https://www.oxleyapartments.com.au/" target="_blank">Oxley</a> (exterior pictured below) will comprise of 233 apartments and penthouses across four low-rise buildings; Tailor, Foy, Mason and Gibson.
<img src="/images/stories/2013/07/collingwoodjuly30one.jpg" width="470" height="586" alt="collingwoodjuly30one">
The buildings will be connected by two laneways.
“At 0.7%, Collingwood has the lowest vacancy rates in Melbourne,” says Urban Inc director Tim Gurner.
“Oxley is one of the most significant projects to be developed in the area for some time, especially within such a significant heritage precinct,” says Gurner.
Oxley has already sold 190 apartments through VIP clients and networking.
Tailor will feature 59 one- and two-bedroom apartments across eight levels and Foy will feature 55 one- and two-bedroom apartments across seven levels.
Mason will include 68 one- and two-bedroom apartments across nine levels and Gibson will feature 51 one-bedroom apartments across four levels.
Apartments range in size from 54 square metres to 93 square metres.
One-bedroom apartments are priced from $330,000 and two-bedroom apartments are priced from $485,000.
Two-bedroom penthouses start from $590,000.
Designed by Elenberg Fraser, the development will feature vertical gardens, climbing vines, indigenous planting, courtyards and winter gardens.
A sky terrace will be located on level four and will feature a swimming pool and BBQ area.
Apartments will be framed by industrial-style material and neutral colours, with a choice of a light modern scheme or a dark polished scheme.
Purchasers can upgrade to the Oxley industrial scheme, which features Miele appliances, polished concrete, natural stone and industrial stainless steel finishes.
“Purchasers have obviously been attracted to the unique attributes of living in one of only four boutique buildings with access to amenities usually only available in larger projects,” says Gurner.
Director of Elenberg, Fraser Callum Fraser says the material used in Oxley is derived from the area’s manufacturing past.
“Oxley will be part of the local fabric, and is integrated and sympathetic to the broader community.
“It’s a model for urban renewal that doesn’t drive young people out of the central city environment,” says Fraser.
There will also be three retail spaces in the development, totaling 300 square metres.
Construction is scheduled to commence late 2013, with a scheduled completion date of mid-2015.
The median apartment price in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Collingwood</a> is $520,000, a 12.5% change in five years, according to RP Data.
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Elenberg Fraser-designed Collingwood Oxley development sells 190 pre-marketing

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Meriton’s Inifinity development in Brisbane is reaching new heights with construction now at level 75.
At 81 levels and 262 metres tall, Infinity will be the tallest tower in the Brisbane CBD.
Meriton’s first Brisbane development – Soleil – will have lost its mantle of tallest tower in the city.
Infinity features 549 apartments, with just under 85 apartments still available.
Of the 549 apartments, are plans by Meriton to keep 250 as serviced apartments - a growing component of the Meriton business.
One-bedroom apartments still on offer range in price from $480,000 to $498,000.
Two-bedroom apartments range in price from $619,000 to $656,000.
Three-bedroom apartments still available range in price from $933,000 to $984,000.
Apartments will boast views through floor to ceiling windows and will include bathrooms with freestanding baths and wall-mounted basins.
The gourmet kitchens feature stone bench tops and stainless steel appliances.
Residences will also have access to an indoor heated pool, sauna and spa.
Infinity is adopting the latest in elevator technology; a traffic management system to group people who are travelling to the same floors, therefore reducing the number of intermediate stops in between.
Meriton is offering a range of savings for potential buyers, including a stamp duty refund and 5% vendor finance.
Owners will also be eligible for the $15,000 first homeowner construction grant and investors are guaranteed a tenant on settlement.
Construction on <a href="https://www.meriton.com.au/properties/infinity-apartments-brisbane-cbd/" target="_blank">Meriton's Infinity</a> is scheduled for completion in late 2013.
The median apartment price in the <a href="/news">Brisbane CBD</a> is $455,000, a 1.1% change in five years, according to RP Data.
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Construction on Meriton's Infinity reaches new heights

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Qantas senior executive vice president Wally Mariani is selling his three-bedroom Bellevue Hill apartment.
It comes with $3.6 million plus hopes.
Wally Mariani is based in California and no longer needs his Sydney base.
Located in the Azzurra complex on Benelong Crescent, the apartment features 300 square metres of indoor and outdoor space.
The property features a wrap around northern terrace with views of the harbour, ocean and golf course.
Azzurra is made up of six apartments and includes pool and gym facilities.
Mariani purchased the apartment in June 2006 for $3.4 million.
<img height="127" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/07/yieldsbanner.jpg" alt="yieldsbanner">
The property is listed with Brad Caldwell-Eyles, Cara Atchison and Julian Hasemer of <a href="https://www.1stcity.com.au/Buying/Open-House/Detail.aspx?id=HCES329&amp;wlid=2329712c-389a-41dc-9660-70425a6fa007" target="_blank">1st city</a> for September 2 auction.
The median apartment price in <a href="/news">Bellevue Hill</a> is $755,000, a 29% change in five years, according to RP Data.
<img height="57" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/05/trophyhomesstrapone.jpg" alt="trophyhomesstrapone">
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Qantas executive Wally Mariani lists Bellevue Hill base

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Construction on Botanic Lane Cove has now commenced, as apartment sales reach 75%.
Developed by Greenbush Group, <a target="_blank" href="https://botaniclanecove.com.au/">Botanic Lane Cove</a> has sold 60 of its 79 apartments after the development launched in February this year.
“We’ve been pleasantly surprised by the incredibly high level of interest,” says Peter Walsh of Greenbush Group.
“We’ve found that the majority of our buyers are owner-occupiers, but investor interest is solid too.
“While we’ve had a lot of local interest, Botanic has also captured attention from buyers in country New South Wales wanting a Sydney base, and also expats returning to Australia,” says Walsh.
Located less then 10 kilometres from the Sydney CBD, Botanic offers studio, one-, two- and three bedroom apartments as well as seven penthouses.
Two-bedroom apartments are still available starting from $831,000 and three-bedroom apartments are also available, starting from $1,107,000.
Walsh says Greenbush Group expects the remaining apartments to be snapped up quickly.
The apartments boast oak floors and Carrara marble in both the kitchen and bathrooms.
The project is designed by Mijollo International with interiors designed by SJB Interiors.
Walsh says the name Botanic was chosen due to the complex being bound by large mature trees and landscaped gardens.
“We wanted to achieve a sense of garden by tying in the name,” says Walsh.
The median apartment price in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Lane Cove</a> is $545,000, a 23.3% change in five years, according to RP Data.
The development is expected to be completed towards the end of 2014.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/developments/sydney-s-lane-cove-proves-an-apartment-construction-hotspot/2013040759968" target="_blank">Lane Cove is proving to be a development hotspot </a>with $388 million worth of construction underway and more than $37 million yet to come.
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Botanic Lane Cove 75% sold as construction commences

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There are 335 scheduled weekend auctions across Sydney this weekend, up from last weekend’s 307, according to Australian Property Monitors.
The numbers are higher than the 323 auctioned over the same weekend a year ago.
Sydney’s inner west will be the most popular region for the second week in a row with 65 auctions scheduled.
The upper north shore follows with 37 auctions scheduled.
The city and east and the south both have 35 auctions scheduled, and Canterbury Bankstown has 33 scheduled.
Strathfield is again the most popular suburb with 14 auctions scheduled, followed by Yagoona at 7.
Ashfield and Georges Hall both have six auctions scheduled.
Strathfield is the most popular suburb for units with five scheduled auctions this weekend.
Last weekend’s strong auction clearance rate in Sydney was 81.4%, almost identical to the previous week at 81%.
APM senior economist Dr Andrew Wilson says it’s the highest clearance rates recorded in Sydney at this time of year since the 2002 housing boom.
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Sydney's inner west continues to dominate weekend auctions

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Adelaide sisters Alisa and Lysandra are tipped to be the winners of tomorrow’s The Block Sky High auction, according to betting website Sportsbet.
The South Australian twins on level one have $1.65 odds, followed by the penthouse couple Trixie and Johnno at $3.00.
Madi and Jarrod on level four sit in third place with a betting odd of $5.00, followed by Bec and George at $7.00.
Level two Western Australia couple Matt and Kim are tipped for last place at $9.00.
Interior designer Shaynna Blaze is also backing the twins to win or Melbourne couple Bec and George.
“Bec and George, being in the middle apartment, are the first to get the view and theirs is the most sellable as a blank canvas,” says Blaze.
“I think between the quality of their [Alisa and Lysandra] finishing’s and having the lowest reserve the girls will do brilliantly.
“If those girls had the top apartment then it would have been game over,” says Blaze.
But Melbourne buyers agent <a href="/news">Frank Valentic</a> says the top two levels, Trixie and Johnno and Madi and Jarrod, are likely to bring home the big bucks with people willing to pay a premium price for views.
Valentic says level one, two and three are facing the challenge of a potential three-storey townhouse redevelopment to be built next door, potentially having their views built out.
“People pay a premium price for views, a potential 10% to 20% higher,” says Valentic.
“Level one, two and three may potentially have no views in the future when the development happens next door."
The apartments will go under the hammer on Saturday July 27, with the public to find out the results on Sunday July 28.
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Alisa and Lysandra tipped to win The Block Sky High, but it all might depend on your view

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Buyers agent Frank Valentic from Advantage Property Consultants is not new to the reality renovation show, the Block.
He represented bidders at last year’s The Block South Melbourne terrace auction and also secured the only under the hammer purchase in the Richmond cottage series.
Valentic says the upper level apartments certainly have interest from "mature age empty nesters who no longer need a backyard."
And middle age investors have been showing interest in apartments "due to the large depreciation benefits and the included furniture,” says Valentic.
The apartments will go under the hammer on Saturday July 27.
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Buyers agent Frank Valentic seems set to return for another Block auction 

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A three-bedroom cottage only metres away from the proposed Eastern Freeway exit in Collingwood passed in at recent auction as the crowd stood quiet.
Now an apartment located directly opposite the entire block of homes set to be demolished has appeared on the market, but the agent declined to comment on the East-West Link debacle.
Property Observer takes a look at the suburb of Collingwood and what affect the East-West Link project is having on the market so far.
A circa 1900 freestanding Victorian cottage at 15 Forest Street passed in at its July 20 auction but secured $1.04 million after negotiations.
The cottage has undergone extensive renovations and extensions 13 years ago and features an entertainer’s kitchen, two bathrooms and open fireplaces.
It was listed with Rolan Paterson of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nelsonalexander.com.au/properties/buying/collingwood-15-forest-street">Nelson Alexander</a>.
A couple of streets away on Bendigo Street, 118 homes and businesses are set to be demolished to make way for an East-West link off-ramp.
A one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment on the safe side of Bendigo Street has been put on the market with an asking price of $239,000.
It was purchased in May 2009 for $217,500, reflecting an approximate 2.25% annual price appreciation.
It is currently tenanted for $280 a week, reflecting a 6.09% rental yield, but securing a tenant in the future may prove difficult.
Listing agent Paul Markovic of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/cgi-bin/view.pl?OID=5542693&amp;s=1213590937&amp;Sub=COLLINGWOOD&amp;BeL=0&amp;BeH=9999&amp;PrL=0&amp;PrH=99999&amp;Surr=&amp;IKW=&amp;PT=&amp;PTr=r&amp;CS=VIC&amp;OrderBy=suburb&amp;OrderStr=&amp;Con=S&amp;SearchPage=&amp;Bkmk=_&amp;OFI=&amp;OFIDays=&amp;OFIDateL=&amp;OFIDateH=&amp;ListedDays=&amp;BS=10&amp;Thu=on&amp;Qui=">Peter Markovic Realty</a> declined to comment on the matter and said he was tired of all the media approaches.
“I’m sure you can appreciate how annoying it is – I’m tired of it,” Markovic told Property Observer.
Meanwhile, a two-bedroom home on Gold Street – a few hundred metres from the proposed East-West link – is on the market for $600,000 plus.
The home features high ceilings and period features as well as an entertainer’s courtyard.
Listing agent Edwards Hobbs says he doesn't believe it's in an affected area, however could deter some buyers.
"For some buyers it possibly could, every property we sell there’s always a downside.
"If the buyer has to adjust his price, he will, but we're trying to downplay it and for it not be a focal point," says Hobbs.
It is scheduled for a August 17 auction through Edward Hobbs and Tabitha Robb of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.bigginscott.com.au/property/details/12021">Biggin &amp; Scott Richmond.</a>
The median house price in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Collingwood</a> is $730,000 and the median apartment price is $520,000, according to RP Data.
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Collingwood's East-West link buying dilemma 

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Professional golfer and former world top-10 Rodger Davis has listed his Burleigh Heads Mediterranean-inspired home for $1.5 million plus.
The four-bedroom home is located on a 1,144-square-metre parcel of land and features views to Surfers Paradise and the living spaces feature polished parquetry flooring and the home includes a gourmet kitchen, wine cellar and pool.
Rodger Davis had originally bought the property in July 2006 for $2.25 million and the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house-burleigh-heads-qld-4220/161139" target="_blank">stated price guide of $1,500,000 - $1,950,000</a> represents a substantial drop from the intial purchase.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/data-map?utm_source=Property+Observer+List&amp;utm_campaign=bed190e75c-June_17_1_29_2013&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_a523fbfccb-bed190e75c-" target="_blank"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/stories/2013/07/yieldsbanner.jpg" alt="yieldsbanner" width="470" height="127"></a>
The property is listed through Michele Meers and Ian Mills of <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.mcgrath.com.au/buy/house-burleigh-heads-qld-4220/161139" target="_blank">McGrath Palm Beach.</a>
The median house price in <a href="/news">Burleigh Heads</a> is $500,500, a 11.2% decline in five years, according to RP Data.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/residential/trophy-homes/" target="_self"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/stories/2013/05/trophyhomesstrapone.jpg" alt="trophyhomesstrapone" width="470" height="57"></a>
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Professional golfer Rodger Davis lists Burleigh Heads trophy home

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."

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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.

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<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.

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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.

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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;

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<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;

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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;

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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;

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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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