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Ray White Commercial chief executive Mark Williams will relocate to Hong Kong in a push to accelerate the group’s greater China and Asia objectives.
Ray White has been in Asia for over 20 years and has 130 offices.
“The focus will be to expand the 130-office Asian network, growing local market sales as well as facilitating cross border transactions within Asia and to and from Australia and New Zealand markets,” says Williams.
Williams role will include dealing with residential, commerical, hotels and projects. 
“Mark’s role will present everyone in our group with the opportunity to provide their clients with better knowledge and access to this significant and rapidly growing market," says Ray White group director Dan White.
With 30 years of experience, Williams will relocate overseas from August 1.
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Ray White executive moves to Hong Kong to increase presence in Asia

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The Block Sky High contestants were asked to sell their homes in a marketing ad, with estate agent John McGrath analysing their sales technique.
John McGrath emphasises the importance of differentiating your apartment or home from what else is on the market and to emphasise the lifestyle on offer.
Alisa and Lysandra on level one described the apartment complex as being a Melbourne “landmark” and emphasised the latest and high quality features they’ve installed including carbonated water on tap and a double integrated fridge.
The girls used the terms “luxury, sophistication and hard work” throughout their sales pitch.
John McGrath said the sisters sold the lifestyle of South Melbourne well.
“It doesn’t matter to the buyer how much effort and hard work has been put into the apartment, you just have to sell them on the lifestyle,” says McGrath.
McGrath says Alisa and Lysandra’s marketing ad was more directed at the baby boomer market.
Matt and Kim on level two say their apartment encapsulates a balance of measured artistic design, opulent lifestyle living and penthouse quality finishes without the price tag.
McGrath says the movement of the ad was good, as the video took the viewers through the apartment.
McGrath says the upbeat music made Matt and Kim’s ad target the young professional market.
Bec and George on level three differentiated their apartment from the others by saying it had under floor heating in every room.
McGrath liked the lifestyle element of the pitch and the fact that they differentiated themselves by saying what their apartment has that the others don’t.
McGrath says this was a smart move and awarded Bec and George the winners of the challenge.
Madi and Jarrod on level four emphasised the term “sub-penthouse” throughout their marketing video and the size of the apartment at 220 square metres.
They also emphasised the locality, including the South Melbourne markets.
“I loved the fact that you started out in the markets and emphasised the lifestyle.
“It’s a big part of The Block and what we’re selling,” says McGrath.
McGrath says the size of the apartments is a key selling point as very few apartments in Australia are 220 square metres internally or above.
Trixie and Johnno differentiated their apartment by being the only level to raise all the door heights.
McGrath says their emphasis on the location was good, however would like to have heard the penthouse feature earlier.
You can watch the team's ads <a target="_blank" href="https://homes.ninemsn.com.au/theblock/video/?uuid=e5f0da85-8e9b-4812-b4f2-c25d5e47c457">here</a>.
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The key to The Block Sky High sales marketing pitches are size and lifestyle: John McGrath

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The Sydney Olympic Park development is proving to be popular with the first building selling out and the other two buildings receiving strong interest.
Located on Australia Avenue and developed by Ecove and SOPA (Sydney Olympic Park Authority), the three towers will house 823 apartments in total.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/developments/olympic-park-australia-towers-launches-stage-two-after-stage-one-sells-fast-out-of-the-starting-blocks/2012040354146">Australia Towers</a> was the first building to be completed in 2012 and features 216 sold out apartments.
ATII and One Australia Avenue are the final two buildings and are currently under construction.
ATII features 287 apartments across 25 levels and is more than 75% sold.
One Australia Avenue features 320 apartments across 30 levels and is currently 60% sold.
One Australia Avenue will stand 120 metres above sea level, making it the tallest residential building in the inner-west of Sydney.
Olympic Park is a new 640-hectare Sydney suburb about 15 kilometres west of Sydney CBD and became an official suburb in 2009. The locality was part of the suburb of Homebush Bay and was redeveloped for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
“People appreciate the benefits of being in the sporting and entertainment heart of Sydney, with world-class facilities and cultural events at their fingertips, 430 hectares of parklands and 35 kilometres of bike tracks,” says David Chittenden general manager of Colliers International Residential.
ATII and One Australia Avenue will also boast a mix of 17 retail and commercial suites.
The towers are designed by Bates Smart and will feature an elliptical shape, inspired by the iconic geometry of the nearby stadia.
Around 14,000 people are forecast to be living at Sydney Olympic Park by 2030.
A range of apartments still available in One Australia Avenue include:
One-bedroom apartments ranging in size from 52 square metres to 65 square metres and ranging in price from $534,000 to $690,000.
Two-bedroom apartments ranging in size from 70 square metres to 95 square metres and ranging in price from $575,000 to $845,000.
Three-bedroom apartments ranging in size from 104 square metres to 135 square metres and ranging in price from $795,000 to $1,435,000.
Four-bedroom apartments ranging in size from 133 square metres to 166 square metres and ranging in price from $960,000 to $2.6 million.
Purchaser and successful businessman Lindsay Carrucan bought a three-bedroom apartment in the first building, Australia Towers, and has since bought a second apartment in One Australia Avenue.
“On weekends it can be really peaceful, but whenever there is a big concert or event someone in the building will hold a party where we’ll have something to eat and drink before walking to the stadium or the area,” says Carrucan.
Carrucan says his friends had arranged to stay with him during the State of Origin game.
“The influx of permanent residents has made it a complete suburb,” says Chittenden.
“There is now a real sense of community here, and the lifestyle just keeps getting better.”
ATII has a scheduled completion date of late 2014 and One Australia Avenue has an expected completion date of mid-2015.
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Sydney Olympic Park apartments make it more than sporting and entertainment precinct

Taiwanese businessman James Tsai is selling his Sanctuary Cove waterfront mansion for $10 million plus, only a year after moving in.

Tsai purchased the 1,965-square-metre lot at 7313 Bayside Close for $3 million and built the $10 million four-level home over 20 months.

The one-year-old home features five-bedroom, six-bathrooms and can be accessed via car, boat or air.

The rooftop terrace features helicopter access and the 78-metre river frontage features a 24-metre private pontoon.&nbsp;

The home boasts golf leaf detailing framing the ceiling, black granite floor and stone-finished ensuites.

Also included is a cinema room, 25-metre indoor pool, steam room and karaoke room.

Tsai supposedly wants to downsize.

The property is listed through Sam Guo and Julia Kuo of <a href="https://www.raywhite.com/qld/sanctuary-cove/973080/#.UeSLiuBAt6o" target="_blank">Ray White Broadbeach</a>.

Sanctuary Cove $10 million trophy waterfront mansion 

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The $233 million redevelopment plans for the Nine Networks headquarters in Willoughby are "slowing chugging away through the process" as the broadcasting giant seeks to adapt to the evolving world of media and move out of the suburbs.
The proposed development of the site is causing a stir among the Willoughby council and local residents.
''The large number of dwellings proposed is likely to have a significant impact on surrounding residents, as well as the Willoughby community in terms of traffic movement and increased demand on public facilities, particularly schools which are already overcrowded,'' said Willoughby Mayor Pat Reilly.
"Having talked to local residents, it is clear that many members of the community are aware of the enormity of the development and its potential impact on the community, while those who have viewed the plans are very concerned," says Reilly.
The proposed plans were available for public viewing at Willoughby Council until May 17 and submissions in regards to the proposal were encouraged.
If more than 25 submissions were received during the public exhibition period, the Concept Plan Aplication would be required to be determined by the NSW Planning Assessment Commission.
Scott Soutar of Nine Network confirmed to Property Observer that there were over 25 submissions and a community briefing is likely to be held.
"The proposed development is just chugging away through the process," says Soutar.
Other broadcast networks such as the Seven Network, Ten Network and the ABC have all relocated their operations from suburban locations to inner city suburbs such as Ultimo, Pyrmont and Eveleigh.
The former Seven Network studio in Epping has since be redeveloped into an 800-dwelling residential development.
Nine Network has produced and broadcasted from its Willoughby campus since 1956.
The proposed redeveloped of the 2.9-hectare site on Artarmon Road comprises of a mixed-use development of predominately residential and a little bit of retail.
<img alt="willoughbyapril15one" src="/images/stories/2013/04/willoughbyapril15one.jpg" width="470" height="274">
The preferred proposed development comprises of six residential flat buildings of 14 to 18 storeys and 25 terrace dwellings – a total of 600 dwellings.
The dwellings will consist of studios and one-, two-, and three-bedroom flats.
The development originally proposed towers up to 20 storeys, however the Department of Planning and Infrastructure had concerns in February 2011.
<img alt="willoughbyapril15two" src="/images/stories/2013/04/willoughbyapril15two.jpg" width="470" height="347">
The Department of Planning and Infrastructure also had concerns about the impact of potential electromagnetic radiation from the existing telecommunications tower, which is owned by Nine, Ten and Seven Networks and is still operational.
<img alt="willoughbyapril15three" src="/images/stories/2013/04/willoughbyapril15three.jpg" width="470" height="295">
The Lend Lease development will join forces with architects SJB and landscaper Jane Irwin.
50% of the proposed development is to be dedicated to communal and public open space, including a village square.
<a href="/news">Willoughby</a> is located 3.2 kilometres from North Sydney.
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Nine Network's redevelopment plans for Willoughby site "chugging along"

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The median house price in Melbourne rose slightly in the June quarter by 2.4% to a seasonally adjusted $562,000, according to the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV).
The gain was only possible after the preliminary median house price in the March quarter was a revised down sharply from $561,500 to $549,000, raising doubts about claims at the time that it was "the strongest March quarter in just over a decade".
Had the figure not been revised downward, no growth would have been recorded over the June quarter.
Commenting on the June quarter results, REIV chief executive officer Enzo Raimondo says those selling or buying should take advantage of these improved conditions.
“Conditions for both buyers and sellers look very solid in the lead up to the spring selling season.
“Unlike last year, there are more active buyers looking for a home and this is driving moderate price growth.
Compared to the June 2012 quarter, the median house price increased 8.4% from $518,500.
Raimondo says Melbourne is still on track for moderate growth in 2013.
Suburbs that saw the strongest growth in the quarter include Hawthorn East, Glen Iris, Malvern East and Kew.
Raimondo says Ringwood, Croydon and Lilydale in the outer east saw strong demand from buyers around the $500,000 price point.
“The healthy demand recorded in many suburbs around the median price point, including Keysborough, South Morang, Craigieburn and West Footscray will in part be a result of first home buyers rushing to take advantage of the now ended $7,000 grant,” says Raimondo.
Raimondo says clearance rates were stable compared to the March quarter, but were up 10% on the same time last year.
In regional Victoria, Ballarat’s median house price rose 0.9% to $287,500 but no change was recorded in Bendigo with a median house price of $310,000.
There was also no change to Geelong’s median house price recorded in the March quarter at $385,000.
Raimondo says units and apartments recorded a similar level of demand to houses with a 2.8% increase in seasonally adjusted terms to $464,500.
“Median rents also remained stable in most parts of the metropolitan area except for two-bedroom houses in the middle suburbs which saw a 4.5%,” says Raimondo.
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Melbourne's median house price up 2.4% in June quarter : REIV

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There are 306 scheduled weekend auctions across Sydney this weekend, up from last weekend’s 289, according to Australian Property Monitors.
The numbers are even higher than the 265 auctioned over the same weekend a year ago, a 15.5% increase.
Sydney’s inner west will be the busiest region with 59 scheduled auctions, including eight in Strathfield and five in Newtown.
The south has quieted down a little with 35 auctions scheduled, compared to 59 properties last week.
The upper north shore has 36 auctions scheduled, compared to 27 last week and the south west has 26 scheduled.
The city and east has 23 auctions scheduled, slightly down from last week with 34.
Strathfield is the busiest suburb this weekend with eight auctions scheduled, followed by six in Guildford and Greenacre.
Sydney experienced a strong auction clearance rate of 81% last week, increasing from 77.5% the week before.
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Sydney's inner west to be busiest weekend auction region

A converted warehouse loft-style apartment in Abbotsford has sold after auction in the mid $800,000 range.&nbsp;

The property went to recent auction with a price guide of $800,000 to $870,000 but passed in.

After negotiations with a bidder, it sold the next day at an undisclosed price.

Located in the former BYFAS silk mill building at 8 Trenerry Crescent, the BYFAS lofts were the first stage of the Yarra Falls development.

The apartment is one of 38 apartments and includes two bedrooms, two bathroom and five-metre high ceilings.&nbsp;

The property also features timber flooring and polished concrete, an entertainer&rsquo;s balcony and access to a communal gym.

The circa-1937 BYFAS silk mill manufactured parachute silk during World War II.

The Yarra Falls Mills was established in the 1900s and included a wool weaving mill and the Austral Silk and Cotton Mills.

The apartment last sold in 2007 for around $560,000.

The median apartment price in <a href="/news">Abbotsford</a> is $520,000, a 16.9% growth in the past five years, according to RP Data.

The property was listed with Justine Harris and Ken Griffith of <a href="https://www.hockingstuart.com.au/?pagecall=property&amp;propertyID=2380636" target="_blank">Hockingstuart Richmond</a>.

Silk mill trophy loft-style apartment in Abbotsford sells

The famed Sydney butcher, Ray Wilson of Wilson&rsquo;s Meats is selling his Tennyson Point waterfront home of over 20 years.

Glenhaven, located at 88 Champion Road,&nbsp;sits on&nbsp;1,316 square metres and was custom built for Ray and Beryl Wilson in 1991 by Donald Johnstone.

It is due to go under the hammer on August 18 with a $6 million price guide.

The multi-level residence boasts terraces, balconies and waterfront gardens, as well as private access to Glades Bay via a slip way and jetty.

Glenhaven features three bedrooms, seven bathrooms and a European kitchen with Gaggenau appliances.

The property also includes a tennis court, indoor heated pool and an internal elevator.

The allotment originally housed another property but was demolished when the Wilson&rsquo;s purchased the block in 1989 for $2 million.

Listing agent Michael Pallier says interest in the property has been strong so far, with Wilson wanting to downsize.&nbsp;

The median house price in <a href="/news">Tennyson Point</a> is $1,380,000, a 46.9% growth in five years, according to RP Data.

Ray Wilson of Wilson's Meats, lists Tennyson Point trophy harbourfront home

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The abundance of new Melbourne fringe CBD apartment developments are providing new retail tenancy opportunities - and proving popular as the retail tenants target residential foot traffic and surrounding offices.
CBRE is at the forefront of securing tenancies at the foot of developments, having secured the retail tenants of Lili Apartments on Claremont Street.
Two Birds One Stone was the first tenant to secure a 141-square-metre space at the foot of the development and is currently turning over $50,000 a week.
CBRE also secured <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/adriana-zumbo-joins-george-calombaris-in-south-yarra-s-lilli-development/2013042360668" target="_blank">Adriano Zumbo’s first retail space at Lily.</a>
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/07/july17southyarra2]}
Zelman Ainsworth of CBRE retail services says that pocket of South Yarra has turned into a food precinct in the last three years due to the growth of apartments in the area.
“Over the past 36 months there has been an increase in the level of interest from service and hospitality retailers looking to establish a presence at the foot of new residential projects.
“This is helping to create competitive tension within the marketplace,” says Ainworth.
Burger giant Huxtaburger has signed a deal at the base of the Trilogi development on High Street for a 90-square-metre store.
A UK steak house is soon to follow with a lease deal currently in the works.
In the new Upper West Side development of 2,500 apartments, 25 retail spaces will be available for lease.
The two retail spaces in the Sunday Apartment South Melbourne development have recently secured two tenants.
Tea Time Express has secured a seven-year lease for the 69-square-metre space and authentic Asian restaurant Kotaraya has secured a 10-yease lease of the 170-square-metre shop.
“We were pleasantly surprised with the level of enquiry from both hospitality and service retailers that were looking to secure a presence at the entrance to the 237-apartment building,” says Ainsworth.
Ainsworth says retailers have taken a jump as that pocket of South Melbourne is quiet, but the development and surrounding offices will deliver.
The Sunday Apartment development currently houses a <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/victoria/south-melbourne-trophy-apartments-competing-with-the-block-sky-high/2013071163197" target="_blank">three-bedroom apartment competing in the same price category as The Block Sky High apartments</a> (and pictured below).
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/07/july16southmelbourne]}
"Traditionally retail is never emphased in apartments, where as now, with the right type of marketing and positioning, there are huge opportunities to activate successful retails at the foot of developments in melbourne, either food, fashion or services," says Ainsworth.
Ed Wright of CBRE’s City Sales Division says inner city retail premises earning a strong return attracts a range of investors.
“The ability to own one of these CBD or inner city retail properties either directly or through a self-managed super fund, and earn a strong return has attracted a range of investors looking for alternatives to the share market, term deposits or residential property investment,” says Wright.
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Melbourne's CBD fringe apartment developments providing opportunities for retail tenants

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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