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A circa 1862 Georgian style home built for prominent landscape artist Eugene von Guerard is on the market for the first time in more than 70 years.
Located on Gipps Street in East Melbourne, the 180-square-metre Little Parndon was constructed by Ravenscroft and Oldfield.
{yoogallery src=[images/stories/2013/05/may27eastmelbourne]}
After emigrating to Australia from Austria, von Guerard was one of Australia’s most renowned landscape artists and was influential to the Australian romantic landscape painting.
The plain face red brickwork Little Parndon features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a self-contained studio apartment.
The property also boasts a private courtyard and a tower retreat.
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Von Guerard occupied the residence until 1882, when he then moved back to Europe.
Robert Sparrow Smyth, an entrepreneur and manager of musicians was the next owner, followed by John H. Daley.
The property was then home to Australia’s 16th Governor General Lord Casey and Lady Casey from 1939 to the early 1980s.
After Lady Casey’s death in 1983, Little Parndon was left to her estate.
Little Parndon is scheduled for a June 15 auction through Nathan Waterson and Iain Carmichael of <a href="https://www.jelliscraigbm.com.au/property/EAST-MELBOURNE-159-Gipps-Street/5527689/#.UZ7TpuBAt6o" target="_blank">Jellis Craig Bennison Mackinnion Armadale</a>.
The price guide is around $1.4 million.
The median house price in <a style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; text-decoration: underline; color: #6888b1;" href="/news" target="_blank">East Melbourne</a> is $1,950,000, according to RP Data.
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Landscape artist Eugene von Guerard's 1860s East Melbourne terrace home on market

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An architecturally designed three-level home in Balgowlah Heights is on the market for the first time, with a price guide of $2.5 million-plus.
Located on Abbott Street, its vendor and architect Vince Squillace originally lived in a bungalow on the 420-square-metre lot for five years to understand the site and how to minimise his carbon footprint.
“Over this period we became familiar with the site, the views, the sunlight, the prevailing winds and the potential of the site,” Squillace told Property Observer.
The family home features five bedrooms, three bathrooms and offers 270-degree panorama views of the ocean, harbour and city skyline through retractable glass walls.
The home also features Giallo Venus marble flooring throughout and a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired timber acoustic ceiling in the living room.
The standout feature is the sunlit rooftop deck with a marble wet bar and kitchenette.
Squillace says the deck offers views of the New Years Eve fireworks in Sydney Harbour, Rose Bay and Manly.
The property also includes a heated outdoor pool with a waterfall and a Japanese inspired front garden.
The property will go under the hammer on June 15 through Kingsley Looker of <a href="https://www.cunninghamsproperty.com.au/buying/NSW/Northern-Beaches/Balgowlah-Heights/House/1P5132" target="_blank">Cunninghams Property Balgowlah</a>.
The median house price in <a href="/news">Balgowlah Heights</a> is $1,715,000, according to RP Data.
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Architect Vince Squillace-designed Balgowlah Heights trophy home listing

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You don’t have to be a golfing enthusiast to move to QM Properties golf course development The Fairways.
Located 50 minutes west of Brisbane, the <a href="https://www.qm.com.au/residential-projects/fairways" target="_blank">Hatton Vale development</a> is releasing its latest stage of 24 lots ranging from 400 square metres to 9,811 square metres.
Facilities in the estate include a primary school and two nearby childcare centres.
<img height="311" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/05/fairwaysmay27one.jpg" alt="fairwaysmay27one">
Prices for allotments range from $99,950 to $149,500.
The Fairways first launched in June 2004 and 357 lots out of the total 545 lots have sold.
<img height="309" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/05/fairwaysmay27two.jpg" alt="fairwaysmay27two">
QM Properties sales manager Damien Ross believes The Fairways development to be the most affordable golf course land in Australia.
Ross says the estate traditionally attracted golfing enthusiasts but is now attracting more families looking for bigger blocks and country view outlooks.
“Many of our buyers don’t even play golf, but are attracted to the large blocks and country style outlook.
“We have a large percentage of buyers who are moving there from other smaller lot residential subdivisions,” says Ross.
Ross says there is a strong sense of community in a golf development that you don’t really get in high-density living.
<img height="313" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/05/fairwaysmay27three.jpg" alt="fairwaysmay27three">
Residents include RAAF reservist and former F-111 aircraft engineer Darrly Prestidge and his family.
Prestidge built a six-bedroom, three-bathroom home.
“We got fed up with the noise and really wanted to have somewhere quieter that gave us room to build a big house for the family,” says Prestidge.
The newest stage is set to be completed in June 2013 and 17 allotments in stage R have already sold.</body></html>

You don't have to be a golfing enthusiast to live at Hatton Vale's The Fairways

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Kookaburra, a 2.02-hectare estate in the northern Sydney suburb of Bayview, has been listed for sale with a price guide of $8 million-plus.
The six-bedroom, six-bathroom property was built around 40 years ago with views over Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park.
Kookaburra features a tennis court, pool and a koi-filled pond.
There is also a poolside cabana with a sauna, treatment rooms and an office space, which could be turned into additional accommodation.
The office space and treatment rooms were used in the vendors business Holistic Hideaways, a natural approach to health.
The 580-square-metre home was extensively renovated recently to include a new kitchen, new flooring, new appliances and repainting.
It has been listed with Nicholette Van Wijingaarden of <a href="https://www.uniqueestates.com.au/Homes/Detail.aspx?id=ue315&amp;wlid=024adba9-3633-4a0b-b365-cae8bf33e085" target="_blank">Unique Estates.</a>
The RP Data median house price in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Bayview</a> is $1,102,500.
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Kookaburra estate Bayview: $8 million-plus

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A 31st floor sky residence at Mirvac’s $200 million Yarra Point development has come alive with zebra print and animal legs.
The display apartment has been styled by Rohan Smith interior designer for Coco Republic with furnishings from Oly San Francisco – a brand exclusive to Coco republic.
<img alt="yarrapointmay28one" height="518" width="400" src="/images/stories/2013/05/yarrapointmay28one.jpg">
The furnishings (pictured above and below) include ottomans with animal legs and zebra striped chairs, with emphasis on the use of conflicting materials and finishes.
<img alt="yarrapointmay28two" height="583" width="400" src="/images/stories/2013/05/yarrapointmay28two.jpg">
"The Oly pieces create a timeless contemporary style that is unexpected, adding a sense of play to a luxurious property," Smith says.
"I have used colours that are not often seen in display apartments.
"The navy in the master bedroom would normally be considered masculine however themed with a feminine mirrored bed it creates an interesting, unexpected miss."
Yarra Point features 201 one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments with prices ranging from $520,500 to $2.42 million.
Apartments range in size from 55 square metres to 214 square metres.
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Mirvac's Yarra Point comes alive with Oly San Francisco

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In this week’s Purchase or Pass, Chris Gray is joined by Arthur Charlaftis of realestate.com.au to analyse a potential investment in a block of units that has previously been turned down.
It’s a two-bedroom unit with a security car space in a block of 18 units, 7.3 kilometres from the Sydney CBD and under a kilometre to the local action. There have been some major damp problems with the balconies leaking into the garage and they’ve already raised $380,000 to solve the problem. As part of this repair the neighbouring owners to this unit are looking to extend their balconies over the garage roof, which will really increase the appeal of the property with plenty of outdoor living.
{qtube vid:=VMo1EKSRjso&amp;feature=youtu.be}
Chris Gray: What are your initial thoughts there?
Arthur Charlaftis: Well I was actually going to throw it back to you Chris, because this is one you passed on I believe, so tell me a bit about why you passed?
Chris Gray: With the other unit we were looking at, it was more to the rear of the block and the strata fees here were pretty expensive, around $1,100 rather than $600 or $700. It also had an outdoor pool, but they had all these strata problems we’re talking about with the roof that were unresolved. As you can see, they’re raising $380,000, that’s quite a worry to get in if they haven’t solved those problems. So there was just nothing that appealing about it. There are a lot of negatives.
Arthur Charlaftis: So, what’s changed? Have you changed your view on it?
Chris Gray: The massive change was the money being raised, so they’ve actually found out what the problem is with the leaking garage. They have to change the whole of the garage roof, so that’s a major thing, but they’ve raised the cash. But there’s this opportunity to really increase the balcony, they’re going to extend that the whole way out, and get a lot more outdoor living space, which really changes when you’re living in a unit. And it’s getting 5.5% to 6% rent. So it looks pretty good now.
Arthur Charlaftis: What do you think about maintenance in terms of moving forward? Do you think that some of that’s been resolved?
Chris Gray: Yeah, so they’ve had concrete cancer in the past, but that’s all been sorted out. They’ve spent $380,000 on the building, so that’s going to sort a lot of stuff out. So suddenly, it’s almost like being in a brand new building, there’s nothing to sort out. That just shows how suddenly a no can turn into a yes. I guess one of the things I was going to ask you was; this is a property we got as a silent sale. So what that means is we get in before it goes on the market, so unfortunately you don’t get any revenue on your site, but obviously the pictures that we took are pretty amateur. I thought it’s probably like what agents would do 20 years ago. If those pictures appeared on your site, what sort of coverage is it going to get?
Arthur Charlaftis: Yeah you’re right, the photos are pretty amateurish and one of the things we know is 65% of our page views on our site really relate to the photos. So the photos are really critical and as we’ve talked about, nine out of 10 people go online to look at property and basically the first inspection occurs online. So even if that was on [the photos] there is a chance that the photos might not have got too much interest.
Chris Gray: Exactly, because you’re not going to get the emotion going. What we always say to our clients, it’s like, if you want it to look beautiful and pretty on the internet it’s a lot easier for you to see it but you’re probably going to pay a higher price. Whereas, if you have really bad photos that we’ve done on our iPhones, at least no one else knows about it so bad pictures, cheaper price. Most of the clients would rather have bad quality pictures and have a cheaper price. So purchase or pass for you on this one?
Arthur Charlaftis: With some of those changes I think it’s moving towards a purchase
Chris Gray: While we did turn down a unit in this block before, this particular unit offered a great opportunity with an already existing great rent. It will have a great outdoor area with views in the background, so we were over the moon to purchase it, especially as a silent sale before it came on the market, so I’m going to purchase on this one.
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Purchase or Pass? A unit previously passed on in Tamarama with Arthur Charlaftis

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The most expensive sale for the week ending May 19 was an original coastal cottage in Bronte, New South Wales, which sold at auction on May 15 for $4.05 million, according to RP Data.
Located on Bronte Road, the property (pictured below) was listed by Jason Black and Brent Foster of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.blacklp.com.au/3373786">Black Lifestyle Property Randwick.</a>
<img height="244" width="470" src="/images/stories/2013/05/brontemay22one.jpg" alt="brontemay22one">
The three-bedroom, one-bathroom house sits on approximately 530 square metres and offers the possibility to be renovated or rebuilt.
The property last sold in April 1990 for $615,000, reflecting an annual compound growth rate of 8.54%.
New South Wales dominated the list, with a total of seven properties securing spots.
The top 10 most expensive sales last week
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/449_bronte_road_bronte_nsw_2024/1609659">449 Bronte Road, Bronte, NSW, 2024</a>, three-bedroom house, sold on May 15 by Black Lifestyle Property Randwick for $4.05 million
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/1_bridge_street_balmain_nsw_2041/1251783">1 Bridge Street, Balmain, NSW, 2041</a>, four-bedroom house, sold at auction on May 18 by Cobden &amp; Hayson for $2.735 million
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/3/112_milson_road_cremorne_point_nsw_2090/2004689">3/112 Milson Road, Cremorne Point, NSW, 2090</a>, three-bedroom unit, sold on May 16 by Ray White Lower North Shore for $2.65 million
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/28_vernon_street_strathfield_nsw_2135/6496416">28 Vernon Street, Strathfield, NSW, 2135</a>, six-bedroom house, sold at auction on May 18 by Richardson &amp; Wrench Strathfield for $2.65 million
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/3_welwyn_avenue_brighton_east_vic_3187/10041305">3 Welwyn Avenue, Brighton East, VIC, 3187</a>, four-bedroom house, sold at auction on May 18 by Marshall White for $2.575 million
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/84_birriga_road_bellevue_hill_nsw_2023/1368216">84 Birriga Road, Bellview Hills, NSW, 2023</a>, four-bedroom house, sold at auction on May 18 by Liang + Simmons Double Bay for $2.425 million
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.myrp.com.au/property/277_coopers_shoot_road_coopers_shoot_nsw_2479/1954587/">277 Coopers Shoot Road, Coopers Shoot, NSW, 2479</a>, three-bedroom house, sold at auction on May 18 by McGrath Estate Agents for $2.4 million
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/37_stanley_street_nedlands_wa_6009/12887777">37 Stanley Street, Nedlands, WA, 6009</a>, five-bedroom house, sold prior to auction on May 18 by Acton Dalkeith for $2.37 million
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/3_howard_street_strathfield_nsw_2135/6486636">3 Howard Street, Strathfield, NSW, 2135</a>, six-bedroom house, sold at auction on May 18 by Devine Real Estate for $2.335 million
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.myrp.com.au/property/20_beaver_street_malvern_east_vic_3145/11585506">20 Beaver Street, Malvern East, VIC, 3145</a>, four-bedroom house, sold at auction on May 18 by Hocking Stuart Glen Iris for $2.26 million
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Original coastal home in Bronte records 8.5% annual growth over 23 years: RP Data

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Autumn is set for one last hurrah with auction listings climbing back up this week, with 1,541 auctions scheduled in capital cities across the nation. Most will be held tomorrow.
The figure is slightly higher than the revised figure of 1,458 auctions last week but still lower than the previous week of 1,582 auctions.
Last week, the clearance rate rose to 69.2% - the highest rate recorded this year - up from 65.6% the week prior.
At the same time last year the clearance rate was much lower at 53.5% and only 1,300 auctions were recorded.
Melbourne has 760 auctions scheduled for the coming week, slightly more than the revised figure of 702 last week but less than the 807 auctions the previous week.
However, Melbourne’s clearance rate increased to 72.7% last week from the revised 71.3% recorded the previous week.
Meanwhile, Sydney’s clearance rate increased from the revised 67.7% the previous week to an exceptionally strong 75.3% last week.
Both Melbourne and Sydney clearance rates are outperforming when compared to the same time last year.
Melbourne recorded a 60.6% clearance rate this time last year and Sydney recorded 53.3%.
Sydney has 533 auctions scheduled for the coming week, slightly more than the revised figure of 501 auctions last week and 516 the previous week.
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Autumn's last hurrah as auctions increase: RP Data

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The first architectural impressions of Crown Group’s new development in North Sydney Skye by Crown have been released.
The 20-storey residential complex is designed by Japanese Australian architect <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/developments/influential-architect-koichi-takada-transforming-sydney-apartment-scene/2013040258772">Koichi Takada</a> and features a bronze coloured metal veil exterior.
The 232 apartments will feature glass facades, balconies and winter gardens.
“Our vision for Skye by Crown is about creating a sculpture in the heart of North Sydney – it is about creating an icon for a decade to come,” says Crown Group chief executive Iwan Sunito.
<img src="/images/stories/april23tivoli/crownmay21three.jpg" width="470" height="556" alt="crownmay21three">
“Skye by Crown’s bold design and high-quality construction will raise the benchmark for residential developments in Sydney,” says Sunito.
<img src="/images/stories/april23tivoli/crownmay21four.jpg" width="470" height="453" alt="crownmay21four">
The standout feature is the 25-metre rooftop infinity edge pool, boasting panoramic views.
“The infinity pool on top of the architecture creates an illusion of floating above the city skyline,” says Takada.
“You feel like you’re on a remote island in a five star resort.
“The organic veil creates a sculptural quality as well as a soft transition from busy city life into the residential amenity,” says Takada.
<img src="/images/stories/april23tivoli/crownmay21two.jpg" width="470" height="361" alt="crownmay21two">
<img src="/images/stories/april23tivoli/crownmay21five.jpg" width="470" height="357" alt="crownmay21five">
Other facilities include a gymnasium, community room and a rooftop terrace.
“The amount of interest in Skye by Crown at this early stage before the advertising campaign launch is a testament to Crown’s reputation for delivering high-quality apartments.
“Skye by Crown’s exceptional North Sydney location, close to shops, transport and major employment hubs, is a major draw card for investors and owner-occupiers alike,” says Sunito.
<img src="/images/stories/april23tivoli/crownmay21one.jpg" width="470" height="360" alt="crownmay21one">
Apartments range in price from $499,000 to $2 million plus.
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.
The project is set to <a target="_blank" href="https://skyebycrown.com.au/">launch</a> in June, with construction scheduled to start in late 2013.
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Skye by Crown set to become North Sydney "icon"

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An apartment in the Spanish Mission style Del Rio apartment block in Elizabeth Bay has been listed at $4.75 million.
Located on the Billyard Avenue dress circle harbourfront, it is the first time the home has been offered in 10 years. Its an apartment block often featured in prize <a target="_blank" href="https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/works/287.1984/">paintings</a> given its lovely setting between the iconic Elizabeth Bay House and the harbour.
Del Rio was designed by John Spencer-Stransfield in 1928, who is more famously known for designing the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/new-south-wales/1917-gilgunyah-bungalow-in-haberfield-secures-%2422-million-plus/2013051661190">federation suburb Haberfield</a>.
The 2009 Belle-featured apartment was purchased in October 2001 for $1.96 million and has undergone $1.5 million worth of improvements by designer Garth Barnett.
The property originally had a three-bedroom layout - with the third bedroom used as the maid’s quarter - however its been transformed into two large comfortable bedrooms.
The property features soaring ceilings, French parquetry and travertine floors and two marble-finished bathrooms.
Real estate agent Jaime Upton of Ballard Property Group says the ground floor apartment feels like a house due to its accessibility to the garden and mosaic-tiled pool.
Its vendor Charles Wilkins, a leading Sydney caterer, has expressed interest in architecturally noteworthy inner city residential buildings.
Wilkins has previously owned apartments in The Astor, Macleay Regis and Wyldefel Gardens. He has recently purchased a property in the Southern Highlands.
His Elizabeth Bay apartment is listed through Jaime Upton and Clint Ballard of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ballardproperty.com.au/Buying/Search/residentialresult/residentialdetail.aspx?id=WOOLLAHRA%202012150&amp;wlid=f88c65eb-abf5-447a-8a43-a0b61a43af8a">Ballard Property Group.</a>
The median apartment price in <a target="_blank" href="/news">Elizabeth Bay</a> is $522,500, according to RP Data.
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Del Rio, Elizabeth Bay trophy home $4.75 million listing

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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