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A renovated family home inspired by the overgrown ruins of Angkor Wat has taken out the 2013 Wilkinson Award for residential architecture.
Located in McMahons Point, “Tír na nÓg” is by architect and builder Drew Heath.
The New South Wales top architecture award was announced last night at the Australian Institute of Architects NSW architecture awards in Sydney last night.
“The architect’s stated ambition was to create a built Tír na nÓg – an ‘Otherworld’, inspired by the overgrown ruins of Angkor Wat,” says Sam Crawford of the AIA’s NSW residential jury chair.
“He was so inspired, he attempted to create the sublime in his own home, layering building and landscape in a tight urban setting.
“He set out to achieve something very ambitious, and we think he’s succeeded.
“This is a project in which we saw landscape and architecture more completely entwined than we’d seen before,” says Crawford.
<a target="_blank" href="https://architectureau.com/articles/2013-nsw-architecture-awards/">Nine other residential awards and commendations were presented at the awards night</a>.
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An 'Otherworld' family home takes out 2013 Wilkinson Award

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A four-bedroom John Burgess-designed home in Longueville is on the market for $3.25 million plus.
Situated on 623 square metres, the William Edward Street property was built in 2010.
The three level residence includes three bathrooms and boasts glass and natural materials throughout.
The property also features Zen inspired outdoor relaxation spaces, a heated pool and an entertainers' terrace.
It is scheduled to go under the July 27 hammer through Simon Harrison and James Bennett of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.49williamedwardst.com/index.php">Belle Property Lane Cove.</a>
The median house price in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Longueville</a> is $2.12 million, according to RP Data.
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John Burgess-designed Longueville trophy home seeks $3.25 million plus

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As property prices soar, no property on the original English monopoly board would be affordable to a Londoner on average wage, research has shown.
Homes in the most expensive areas on the board, Mayfair and Park Lane, are £350 ($576 AUD) on the board, but the average price in these areas today has soared to £1.4 million ($2,302,804 AUD).
The cheapest areas on the board, The Old Kent Road and Whitechapel Road, are £60 on the board, however have soared to £192,714 and £295,082 respectively.
Prices on the Monopoly board have not changed since 1936.
Angel Islington is more affordable on the board, however has surpassed Pentonville and Euston Road in terms of prices, having established itself as one of the capitals most cosmopolitan areas.
The average national salary for a Londoner working full time is £26,500 – meaning they wouldn’t stand much of a chance in purchasing Monopoly land in today’s property market.
“While drawing a comparison between the values placed on these areas in a board game and the actual average house prices provides a light-hearted look at the London property market, it does present a realistic picture of the capital’s most popular postcodes,” Craig McKinlay mortgage director at Halifax told the Evening Standard.
Research was based on office sales prices from the Land Registry for homes in the postcode area over the last five years.
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Real life monopoly board not affordable for the average Londoner

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All contestants will secure windfall profits from the Channel 7 series which has its grand final elimination countdown this Sunday with a Monday winner announcement.
While the winner gets their mortgage wiped, all the contestants have benefited in differing amounts to windfall renovation gains. Channel 7 won't say how much was spent.
House Rules Victorian brothers, team Chris and Nick have potentially benefited the most from the renovation reality show if they were to sell their Preston home in the current market.
<img style="margin: 5px; float: left;" alt="houserules1" src="/images/stories/2013/06/houserules1.jpg" width="50" height="62">Chris and Nick bought the 1930s Californian Bungalow (pictured below) in August last year for $555,000.
 
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/06/june28chrisandnickafter]}
It has been recently <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/house-rules-contestant-couples-%24100000-to-%24200000-better-off-after-the-renovations/2013061662093" target="_blank">appraised by two local real estate agents</a> to now be worth between $690,000 to $800,000 – an increase of somewhere between $135,000 to $245,000 for the brothers.
<img style="margin: 5px; float: left;" alt="houserules2" src="/images/stories/2013/06/houserules2.jpg" width="50" height="54">New South Wales couple Michelle and Steve slot into second place with their property's price potentially increasing by somewhere between $180,000 to $225,000.
The couple purchased the 1950s coastal weatherboard house (pictured below) for $650,000 in May last year.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/06/june26michelleandsteveafter]}
They held the biggest mortgage on the show, and therefore the biggest prize of $629,000.
Two <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/nsw-house-rules-couple-michelle-and-steve-could-pocket-up-to-%24225000/2013062562700" target="_blank">local real estate agents appraised</a> their newly renovated Collaroy Plateau home to now be worth between $830,000 to $875,000.
<img style="margin: 5px; float: left;" alt="houserules3" src="/images/stories/2013/06/houserules3.jpg" width="50" height="65">Queensland couple Amy and Sean come in third place, with their home (pictured below) now being worth potentially $135,000 to $165,000 more.
 
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/06/june25amyandseanafter]}
The pair purchased the 1960s Nundah home in June last for $365,000.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/amy-and-sean-s-house-rules-nundah-home-now-worth-%24500000-plus/2013062462592" target="_blank">Local real estate agents appraised the property</a> to now be worth $500,000 to $530,000.
<img style="margin: 5px; float: left;" alt="houserules4" src="/images/stories/2013/06/houserules4.jpg" width="50" height="64">Newlyweds Western Australian couple Jemma and Ben could potentially be $115,000 to $135,000 better off.
The couple purchased their first 1950s Melville home (pictured below) for $555,000.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/06/june28jemmandbenafter]}
Local real estate agents appraised the property to now be worth between $670,000 to $690,000.
<img style="margin: 5px; float: left;" alt="houserules5" src="/images/stories/2013/06/houserules5.jpg" width="50" height="67">Tasmanian couple Jane and Plinio’s New Town property (pictured below) could potentially be worth $70,000 to $135,000 more.
 
 
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/06/june28janeandplinioafter]}
The couple purchased the house in 2010 for $355,000.
Local <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/house-rules-contestant-couples-%24100000-to-%24200000-better-off-after-the-renovations/2013061662093" target="_blank">real estate agents appraised it to now be worth$425,000 to $490,000.</a>
<img style="margin: 5px; float: left;" alt="houserules6" src="/images/stories/2013/06/houserules6.jpg" width="50" height="64">South Australian couple Carly and Leighton slot into last place, with a potential prize profit of $85,000 to $110,000.
The couple purchased the Warradale home (pictured below) for $450,000 in May last year.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/06/june28carlyandleighton]}
After the reality show renovation, it has been <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/news/house-rules-contestant-couples-%24100000-to-%24200000-better-off-after-the-renovations/2013061662093" target="_blank">appraised by local estate agents</a> to now be worth $535,000 to $560,000.
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House Rules' Chris and Nick could secure the highest potential reno windfall

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All three penthouses in the Skye by Crown development in North Sydney have sold, with the most expensive one selling for $3.5 million.
The largest penthouse in <a target="_blank" href="https://skyebycrown.com.au/">the development</a> sold at its June 15 launch for $3.38 million. 
More than 100 apartments sold on launch day, totaling more than $110 million.
The developments first stage release is now 90% sold.
The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/skye-by-crown-set-to-become-north-sydney-icon-skye-crown/2013052361500">20-storey residential complex</a> (pictured below) is designed by Japanese Australian architect Koichi Takada and features 232 apartments with glass facades, balconies and winter gardens.
<img alt="crownmay21three" height="556" width="470" src="/images/stories/april23tivoli/crownmay21three.jpg">
“A number of buyers who purchased on Saturday already own an apartment in one of Crown Group’s completed developments and have found them to be excellent homes and valuable investments,” says Crown Group director of sales and marketing Adam Sparkes.
Sparkes says the launch day turnout was beyond expectation.
<img alt="crownmay21four" height="453" width="470" src="/images/stories/april23tivoli/crownmay21four.jpg">
“Properties snapped up on the launch included a wide variety of varying apartment types, from our studio and one bedroom apartments through to our largest penthouse which sold for a record $3.38 million.”
Facilities include a gymnasium, community room, rooftop terrace and a 25-metre rooftop infinity edge pool.
<img alt="crownmay21two" height="361" width="470" src="/images/stories/april23tivoli/crownmay21two.jpg">
<img alt="crownmay21five" height="357" width="470" src="/images/stories/april23tivoli/crownmay21five.jpg">
Apartments range in price from $499,000 to $2 million plus.
<img alt="crownmay21one" height="360" width="470" src="/images/stories/april23tivoli/crownmay21one.jpg">
Studio apartments range in size from 36 square metres to 43 square metres.
One-bedroom apartments range in size from 50 square metres to 61 square metres.
Two-bedroom apartments range in size from 73 square metres to 88 square metres.
Three-bedroom apartments range in size from 120 square metres to 148 square metres.
There will be three penthouses on offer, boasting high level finishes and rooftop gardens.
Construction is scheduled to start in late 2013.
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All three penthouses snapped up in North Sydney's Skye by Crown

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Trixie and Johnno’s The Block Sky High penthouse has been listed on the market with the listing agents offering a $1.3 million plus price guide.
The Park Street South Melbourne apartment will go to 3pm July 27 auction.
The fifth floor penthouse is approximately 220 square metres in size and features three bedrooms and four bathrooms.
The master bedroom features his and her ensuites and a dressing room.
A spa bath and steam shower is also included.
Trixie and Johnno were known on the show for their detailed finishes and heightened the door frames to maximise the feeling of spaciousness.
The apartment also boasts 360-degree views of Melbourne and includes a semi outdoor terrace.
The Block Sky High contestants were each given an $80,000 budget to renovate an entire floor of a derelict hotel and turn it into luxury apartments.
Teams were able to secure more funds through weekly challenges and room wins.
The apartments are being sold with all furniture and accessories.
Kendall Bares and David Wood of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.hockingstuart.com.au/UNIT_501_142_PARK_STREET_SOUTH_MELBOURNE_VIC_3205">Hocking Stuart Albert Park</a> have the listing.
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The Block Sky High South Melbourne trophy penthouse listed for $1.3 million plus July 27 auction

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The number of newly advertised properties is lower than a year ago with 2.1% fewer new listings nationally, with a total of 37,488, according to RP Data.
Melbourne has the highest number of new residential property listings for the month ending June 23, with 6,444 listings.
However year on year, the number of listings is 2.3% lower.
Sydney has the second highest number of listings this month with 5,875 but is also 2.3% lower year on year.
Perth and Canberra are the only ones to see an increase of listings, year on year.
Click to enlarge
<a title="Click to enlarge" href="/images/stories/2013/06/rpdatahomesforsalejune27one.gif" rel="shadowbox"><img src="/images/stories/2013/06/rpdatahomesforsalejune27onethumb.gif"></a>
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Number of homes for sale 2.1% fewer nationally: RP Data

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Newlyweds Jemma and Ben could potentially be $135,000 better off if they were to sell their newly renovated WA home from the Channel 7 series House Rules.
The couple were first-home buyers in late 2011 when they bought their 1950s Melville home for $555,000.
House Rules asked two local estate agents to appraise the newly renovated home.
Gay Chandler-Hack of Acton Real Estate appraised the property to now be worth around $680,000.
Chandler-Hack says the kitchen and dining room are now the central hub of the home, however the laundry is not very functional.
Chandler-Hack also says removing the third bedroom was a bad move, as three-bedroom houses are worth more than a two-bedroom.
Gary Hicks of Ross and Galloway Property appraised the property to now be worth between $670,000 and $690,000.
Hicks agrees that the new modern kitchen with soft-closing drawers is the best selling point, however the removal of the third bedroom could be detrimental.
You can read our other House Rules stories <a href="?option=com_googlesearch_cse&amp;q=house%20rules" target="_blank">here.</a>
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Jemma and Ben, the WA newlyweds could be $135,000 better off after House Rules renovation

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The Block 2014 are on the hunt for five couples who must be available for a 10-week shooting period over November 2013 to January 2014.
Applicants for the reality renovation show must be aged between 18 to 65.
Luckily for some, previous home renovation experience is not required but is considered an asset to have.
The exact location of The Block 2014 is yet to be confirmed.
If you consider yourself a blockaholic, click <a target="_blank" href="https://theblock2014.castasugar.com/">here</a> to apply.
The Block 2013 has seen five teams renovate a five-storey old hotel building into lavish <a target="_blank" href="/news">South Melbourne</a> apartments.
Previous series of The Block have been located in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Bondi</a>, <a target="_blank" href="/news">Manly</a>, <a target="_blank" href="/news">Vaucluse</a> and <a target="_blank" href="/news">Richmond</a>. And <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/renovating/at-%24506000-above-reserve-brad-and-lara-s-%24162-million-south-melbourne-sale-secures-the-block-2012-prize/2012062955355">South Melbourne </a>terraces.
The creators of The Block - Watercress Productions - also have a new TV show up their sleeves, with McGregor Casting looking for Sydney families to apply for the new show.
The advert readers “Would you like to transform your life in 30 days? Lose weight, stress less, sleep better, eat better and feel happier? We are looking for Sydney families who are ready to change their lives.”
If that sounds more like you, head over to the McGregor Casting <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.facebook.com/pages/McGregor-Casting/128536090574264?ref=stream&amp;hc_location=timeline">Facebook page</a> for more details.
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The Block 2014 applications open and a new TV show is on the cards

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Summer nights songstress Olivia Newton-John has listed her beachfront Florida home for $6.2 million.
The Aussie star bought the four-bedroom <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.redfin.com/FL/Jupiter/104-Lighthouse-Dr-33469/home/42411620" target="_blank">Jupiter Island home</a> (picturd below) with her hubby and founder of herb company Trivita, John Easterling, in 2009 for $4.1 million.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/06/june27jupiter]}
The couple spent approximately $2 million renovating the property in 2010, which now features hurricane impact-rated glass windows and doors – a necessity for tropical storm laden Florida.
Situated on 1,393 square metres, the property boasts a lagoon style pool, lush tropical landscapes and a private boat dock.
<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/flagtitletat.jpg" alt="flagtitletat" width="25" height="34" style="font-size: 14px; margin: 5px; float: left;">
Meanwhile, Geelong girl Portia de Rossi and her wife Ellen DeGeneres have reportedly splashed out and bought an estate in Montecito California for over $20 million.
Reports say the pair paid $26.5 million for the lavish Saladino Villa but it was advertised on listing agent Susan Burns’ <a href="https://susanburns.com/address.php?property_ID=86&amp;aic_SearchStart=0&amp;statusID=" target="_blank">website</a> for $22 million.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/06/june27saladino]}
The property was originally designed by architect Wallace Frost and built with local stone quarried onsite in the 1920s. 
Architect and interior designer John Saladino purchased the property in 2001 and spent a year injecting it with new life, from new windows and doors to antique Venetian statuary.
The 980-square-metre Saladino Villa boasts six bedrooms, a gourmet country kitchen with a beamed ceiling and a library/media room.
The home sits on 5.2 hectares and features an ocean-view swimming pool, 18th century Spanish entry gates and a 2,000-year-old roman column.
Saladino Villa was originally listed for $24.5 million in 2010 but the price was dropped in January 2012 to $22 million, according to Zillow.
The mansion is just another to add to the portfolio, with DeGeneres owning several other properties in Los Angeles, including Beverly Hills and Hidden Valley.
<div>
<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/flagtitletat.jpg" alt="flagtitletat" width="25" height="34" style="font-size: 14px; margin: 5px; float: left;">
Across the other side of the USA in New York, Westfield founder Frank Lowy has splashed out $13 million for a three-bedroom apartment in the Trump International Hotel and Tower.
Located on level 35, the 284-square-metre apartment features 4.5 bathrooms and Central Park views through floor to ceiling windows.
Lowy purchased the apartment from Darren Star, the creator of Sex and the City, Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place.
Star purchased the apartment for $6.1 million in 2005 and enlisted interior designer and architect Waldo Fernandez to renovate it.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/06/june27star]}
It was originally listed in September 2012 for $14.9 million.
</div>
<div> </div>
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Aussies keeping US realtors busy: Olivia Newton-John, Portia de Rossi and Frank Lowy

Perth’s new apartment market recorded its strongest quarter of sales since Q4 2021, with 412 apartments sold in Q1 2026 and a record quarterly sold value of $537 million, according to Urbis’ latest Apartment Essentials results.

Urbis said the March quarter result reflects strong, highly product‑specific demand across both ends of the market, from more attainable projects delivering at scale, through to premium stock being absorbed by equity‑rich downsizers.&nbsp;

David Cresp, Partner at Urbis, said the key story in Perth is not demand, it is the market’s ability to convert demand into delivered housing.&nbsp;

“This is the strongest sales quarter since Q4 2021, and it reinforces that demand in Perth is real and it’s local,” David Cresp said. “But the task now is delivery, turning that demand into projects that can actually be built and completed.”&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=110291 project_image_fid=302785]

<h2>Affordable product leads, premium demand remains resilient</h2>

Sales in Q1 were led by more affordable projects, with The Boulevard (SKS Group) recording 115 sales in the quarter, the presentation noting this is only the second time a single project has surpassed 100 quarterly sales. The project was able to offer more affordable housing product right next to a train station.&nbsp;

Palmyra West (Finbar) also delivered strong results with 28 sales in Q1, following 84 sales in Q4, with an average price of under $800,000, underscoring depth of demand for well‑located, attainable new stock.&nbsp;

At the premium end, Urbis said downsizer demand is continuing, with the results highlighting Romeo (Applecross, Finbar) recording 75 sales and reaching almost 50% sold in one quarter.

Jual (Shenton Park, Celsius Property) also posted a strong quarter with 28 sales, reaching 39% sold in one quarter.

Urbis noted that Perth apartment demand is not speculative, not investor‑led, and not uniform, describing it as localised, often equity‑driven and highly product‑specific, a pattern reflected in the polarisation between strong “attainable” performers and premium downsizer product.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=148957 project_image_fid=364102]

<h2>Prices underpinned by costs, and the delivery risk is growing</h2>

Urbis said pricing pressure is cost not demand‑driven: construction costs and delivery risk are now a central constraint, with the results noting build costs remain elevated and volatile, and that energy, fuel and labour uncertainty weigh on feasibility.

David Cresp said a growing challenge for private Build‑to‑Sell developers is simply securing a builder in the current environment.

“Developers are really feeling the pressure from a building market that was operating at capacity and securing a builder is challenging,” David Cresp said, adding that even where a builder can be secured, “trying to get to the price that makes the development financially viable is incredibly challenging in the current market.”&nbsp;

Urbis’ broader WA commentary also notes that industry remains at or above capacity with lot and housing creation, and that many builders are limiting new sales to manage stretched workforces and fixed‑price contract pressures, conditions that flow directly into apartment feasibility and delivery timing.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=108869 project_image_fid=317905]

<h2>Supply: improving later, but still constrained, and Perth lags eastern benchmarks</h2>

While near‑term supply remains constrained, Urbis’ forecast shows completions lifting “Supply is forecast to be back above 1,500 apartments per annum for the first time since 2019”, with 1,775 completions forecast for 2026, and volumes remaining above that level over the following years.&nbsp;

Looking further ahead, completions are forecast to reach 2,500 in 2028, with the report noting 32% of that total is social/affordable, reflecting the role of government‑supported delivery in rebuilding the pipeline.&nbsp;

However, Urbis said Perth remains behind comparable markets on pipeline scale. In a national comparison of projects under construction, the report shows under construction Perth Build‑to‑Sell (BTS) at 3,446 apartments versus the Gold Coast at 7,922. Mr Cresp said “The challenge for Perth is how to we grow the delivery pipeline”.

Urbis’ conclusion is that Perth’s market is increasingly defined by product discipline and delivery certainty, with the research identifying “delivery certainty is key” and calling out builder risk and procurement models as core success factors, alongside “timing and staging”.&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Perth apartment sales hit strongest pace since late 2021 as builder capacity tightens

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sammut-developments">Sammut Group</a> has secured development approval for its latest Brisbane apartment project, marking the Sydney developer’s next step in expanding its Queensland pipeline following the success of its debut Gold Coast development, Coast.

The approved project at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/44-glen-road-toowong-qld-4066">44 Glen Road, </a><a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/toowong-qld-4066">Toowong</a> will deliver a 15-storey riverfront apartment building with 42 residences, significantly increasing the scale of the site’s previous approval for a smaller luxury scheme. Designed by Bureau^proberts, the development will comprise a mix of predominantly four-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments positioned to maximise Brisbane River and city views.

Sammut Director Julian Sammut said the group had been actively searching Brisbane for several years before identifying Toowong as the right fit.

“Brisbane was the right step for Sammut,” Sammut said.

“With the success of Coast we thought we should definitely look to do more in Queensland alone. We then pushed up to look at Brisbane. We've been looking for I'd say two to three years actually and it was hard to find the right location.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/f_auto,c_limit,w_1440,q_75/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/field/image/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.14%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=dYAVIL7qdcGA8ojvkslSrLjczXFejSSx" />

Sammut said suburbs including New Farm and Teneriffe were considered before the group ultimately focused on Toowong due to its strong downsizer demographic and limited supply of developable riverfront land.

The site was acquired off-market after what Sammut described as a lengthy negotiation and planning process, with the developer pursuing an uplift to the original approval.

“We are DA approved now which is very exciting,” Sammut said.

“We've had our change approval come through and we've obviously doubled the height, 15 storeys plus rooftop. We've got 42 amazing apartments that are going to be coming to market soon.”

<img alt="Sammut makes Brisbane apartment play" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,dpr_2.0,q_auto:good/https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202025-12-23%20at%203.27.26%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=ohkRkY0dIZlqdfME2EZePsCQavRiBadE" />

Bureau^proberts said the design responds to Toowong’s evolving urban character, balancing contemporary apartment living with the area’s established residential identity.

“A place where traditional Queensland living has taken place for centuries; Toowong is seeing a shift of contemporary influence, commercial and retail hubs mixed with well-considered residential offerings – all the while maintaining its character and charm,” the architect noted in planning documents submitted to Brisbane City Council.

The architecture practice said the project’s form was shaped by its riverfront setting, flood considerations, neighbouring building scales, and view corridors.

“They said the mix of four and two-bedroom apartments capture the ‘fundamental qualities of Queenslander living,’ translated into the context of a contemporary subtropical building.”

The development sits just off Coronation Drive within walking distance of Toowong’s retail precinct and the upgraded Regatta ferry terminal, while also benefiting from proximity to the incoming green bridge connection to West End. Sammut said the accessibility and amenity offering were central to the site’s appeal.

The approval adds to growing residential activity along the Toowong riverfront, joining nearby projects including Consolidated Properties’ Monarch Residences and Spyre Group’s ARC Residences.

Sammut secures approval for debut Brisbane apartment development in Toowong

Developer Lanevick is heading back into Sydney’s apartment market after focusing more heavily on the luxury townhouse and terrace sector in recent years.

Lanevick, founded and directed by Steve Maroun, is expecting to receive approval in the coming months for a new apartment development in Gladesville, with the aim to launch it to the market later this year.

The 51-apartment project, designed by Studio Johnston, will comprise a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments positioned toward the Hunters Hill downsizer market.

“Traditionally it’s been difficult for people in that market to downsize because there just hasn’t been the right product available,” Maroun said.

“We’re targeting buyers who might have 30 to 40 per cent of their house value sitting in the bank after downsizing.

“They still want good spacious entertaining areas, they still want quality design, but they also want flexibility and the ability to enjoy life a bit more after working hard for a long time.”

The project sits near Boronia Park and within close proximity to the Parramatta River foreshore, an area Maroun says offers more of a Hunters Hill lifestyle than a traditional apartment precinct.

“From a lifestyle perspective, it’s really more Hunters Hill than Gladesville,” Maroun said. “You’re close to the foreshore, close to parklands, and still connected back into the village precinct.”

From level four and above, apartments will capture water views&nbsp;toward Sydney Harbour. Communal amenity will include rooftop entertaining areas, wellness spaces, and a gym tailored toward owner-occupier buyers.

“We’ve really designed these apartments around that buyer coming from the Hunters Hill LGA and what they’re actually looking for in their next chapter.”

The proposed development has also been designed to respond to the changing character of the broader Gladesville town centre, where a growing number of mixed-use and residential proposals are expected to emerge over the coming years.

“Gladesville presented a rare opportunity to deliver a genuinely design-led residential project within an evolving lifestyle precinct, just moments from the growing Gladesville town centre, and we’ve approached the project with a strong focus on architecture, liveability and long-term community value,” Maroun said.

Maroun said Lanevick saw a first-mover advantage within the precinct as planning controls continue to evolve to accommodate greater housing density.

“We think there’s a real opportunity there that hasn’t really been serviced properly yet,” he said.

“There’s going to be a broader evolution of the whole Gladesville village precinct over time, particularly with more activation and mixed-use outcomes.”

The Venus Street proposal will include a commercial and retail component at ground level designed to contribute to that evolving streetscape activation.

“A big part of the thinking was how do you activate that area properly and create more vibrancy and amenity, which is what Hunters Hill has been looking for,” Maroun said.

Lanevick’s focus since 2020 has largely been on smaller-scale luxury townhouse and terrace developments. The developer recently completed Royale Randwick, also designed by Studio Johnston, where prices reached $3.65 million. The project was featured in the UDIA NSW 2026 Professional Development Prospectus and was also named a finalist for Development of the Year.

&nbsp;

Lanevick to cater for Hunters Hill downsizers with new Gladesville apartment development

Property developer One Living, backed by former Macquarie banker turned investment manager Chris Green’s investment firm, has unveiled plans to bring more institutional capital into housing to help address the national supply crisis.

The New York-based investor has focused his firm, GreenPoint Partners, on addressing the supply shortage hitting middle market housing in Australia.

It is backing the new One Living business to develop more than 1000 units along the eastern seaboard. The new firm is starting with a development on Mona Vale Road, on the border of Mona Vale and Pymble, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with around 140 apartments planned. They are eyeing off more sites across the city.

With cost pressures rising in the industry, One Living’s model is to be a vertically integrated developer-builder, so it can respond directly to the housing gap by removing the cost inefficiencies embedded in traditional residential delivery.

“We are building a platform designed to operate at scale and starting in a market where there’s a clear need for quality, attainable housing,” One Living joint managing director Joseph Scuderi said.

“It’s that missing middle – it’s that attainable end of housing… that’s what most Australians invest into and what Australians can actually afford.”

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="798dfa93-4941-4db6-a696-31e9dc18e81c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.31.50%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=mKBqi5C_DmeiXS.AtJkcR8LQIxqCqmFi" />

GreenPoint Partners brings years of experience assembling and scaling real estate operating businesses across major markets. And Green sees a big opportunity in Australia.

“For its size, sophistication and importance to the community, Australia’s living sector has remained largely under-institutionalised, which represents significant opportunity,” Green said. “GreenPoint identified that gap, assembled the right team, and is backing One Living to build a platform that is aligned to market needs.”

Green said being a builder-developer would give the company the capacity and flexibility it required to deliver reasonably-priced homes.

“We want it to be at that attainable level; not super high end luxury but at that attainable level,” he said.

<img alt="Mona Vale" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74a5344a-4b26-4d4a-ada3-056b1220be77" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-05-28%20at%202.32.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=vY8hXHO4reBMdO8ZXMWCNtGZJofUPQ3j" />

&nbsp;

One Living will undertake a component of affordable housing in its schemes, which it will own and operate, and it could also run build-to-rent on some sites.

Green praised local policy settings.

“The NSW government is being very supportive, strategic and pragmatic in terms of how do we generate more supply of housing,” he said. “We think it’s actually positive for development and the bit that’s been lacking at that attainable level is that it’s lots of relatively small private developers, whereas we want to create an institutional platform.”

One Living is also&nbsp;looking at high-density projects and could take on more institutional funding in the future.

“The way we will be able to achieve economies of scale is through size,” Green added.

One Living enters Sydney's new apartment market with Northern Beaches site acquisition

It's been several years since there's been an opportunity to buy a brand new townhome in Melbourne's coastal suburb of Mordialloc. Even apartment developments in recent times have been few and far between in the area.

Local developer LDS Property identified the gap in new housing, securing a site on White Street, directly opposite&nbsp;Woodlands Golf Club Mordialloc. They've recently launched&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/wm-residences-mordialloc-102-white-street-mordialloc-vic-3195">WM Residences</a>, just 13 townhouses which they have already started building.

Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson, who is selling WM Residences, says the townhouses x that perfect middle ground be

"Mordialloc residents have had limited options to downsize within the suburb, often forcing them to look elsewhere despite long-standing ties to the area," Thompson says.

"With very little comparable new supply coming to market, projects like WM Residences are well placed, particularly as buyers look to capitalise on current conditions amid constrained supply."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6109]

The development, designed by regarded architecture firm&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a>,&nbsp;adopts a deliberately restrained architectural approach, focusing on simplicity, durability and liveability rather than overt design gestures.

The boutique scale is central to the offering. With only 13 three-bedroom residences, each home is configured to prioritise functional layouts and everyday use, supported by private terraces and secure two-car garages.

Ewert Leaf’s design response leans into a calm, neutral material palette. Interiors are defined by oak flooring, white walls and soft finishes, creating a consistent and understated backdrop. The approach avoids trend-driven detailing in favour of longevity, with an emphasis on natural light and spatial clarity.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6110]

Beyond aesthetics, the homes are designed to meet contemporary performance expectations. Each residence targets a minimum 6-star energy rating, incorporating double glazing, comprehensive insulation and all-electric Bosch appliances.

The project’s location supports a walkable coastal lifestyle, sitting within close proximity to Mordialloc’s foreshore, Main Street retail strip and the train station. Local cafés and dining venues, including Suburbia Deli and Hendriks Café, are within a short walk, reinforcing the area’s established neighbourhood character.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134646 project_image_fid=6116]

While <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/mordialloc-vic-3195">Mordialloc</a> is often defined by its beach and pier, the project taps into other areas of day to day living, offering easy access to local food, casual dining and transport, rather than positioning itself purely as a lifestyle retreat.

WM Residences reflects a continued trend across Melbourne’s coastal suburbs towards smaller-scale, design-led townhouse developments, particularly on infill sites where proximity to amenity is already established.

With construction commenced prior to its market entry, the project aligns with a growing preference among buyers for developments with visible progress and defined delivery timeframes.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134646]

Nicola Trotman

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