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The Solitary Islands Beach House on Sapphire Beach, Coffs Harbour, has become highly recommended since completed in March 2010.
The property has been acknowledged in the Top 10 A-list celebrity retreat homes in Australia by Ninemsn Luxury and Spa, as well as finding a spot in the Top 10 best holiday houses in Australia by Ninemsn Australia Travel.
No names of any occupants though.
Situated on Beachfront Close, <a href="/news">Sapphire Beach</a>, the Solitary Islands Beach House can sleep up to eight to 12 guests.
With two tennis courts, a whale watching telescope and an infinity edge pool, you won’t be short of activities.
And keep your eyes peeled, Sapphire Beach also plays host to mining magnate <a href="/news">Nathan Tinkler’s $11.5 million Noorinya residence.</a>
The 523-square metre property is available to rent from January 22 with a minimum five-night stay.
Late January comes with a price tag of $8,400 for a seven-night stay.
If you choose to stay from Sunday to Thursday, you can expect to pay $1,200 a night and $2,400 for a Friday or Saturday night.
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Countdown to summer: Solitary Islands Beach House

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It’s no secret that people use brands as a means of identification, but the demand for branded residences is growing, according to a report by Knight Frank. 
Hotels and residences associated with brands or well-known designers are around a third more valuable, the report says.
By creating branded residences, developers can offer individuality and exclusivity to its residences.
“We see our projects as creating new villages, the idea is that you are no longer born into a village, you move to it,” says John Hitchcox, chairman and co-founder of luxury developer Yoo.
“They are buying into a lifestyle that will enable them to meet like-minded people.”
“These developments are like new villages in a sense. That’s the fundamental essence of our projects,” says Hitchcox. 
Since 1999, yoo has been working with international developers on a large number of residential, hotel and commercial projects throughout Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa,
North and South America and the Middle East, responsible for the branding and design of more than 10,000 homes in 37 cities.
Not only are buyers attracted by good design, sometimes the most important factor for many is the trust associated with buying into a known brand.
Knight Frank reports that identifying with a known brand gives confidence in the delivery of the development and its ongoing management.
Branded developments sit at the most competitive and innovative edge of the market, where developers attempt to reinvent the concept of a residential development by fusing the best of hotel and other services into a residential template.
It’s this innovation that attracts buyers who are looking to buy into the latest trends, Liam Bailey, the Knight Frank head of residential research said.
Another benefit of branded residences is the incorporation of hotel-style services for security and privacy. 
Knight Frank say the service and facility standards have risen in hotels and therefore demand for similar standards in branded residences has followed suit.
Hitchcox says activity and interest in India has been huge with branded developments.
“The Indian market has been very receptive to the concept of branding and links with celebrities,” he says.
Branded developments by Yoo include Barkli Park and Barkli Virgin House in Moscow.
During July and August 2012 Knight Frank assessed like-for-like pricing for 26 branded developments in 17 global locations, together with 79 comparable prime non-branded developments where the price evidence was strong enough to be able to confirm typical values on a per square foot basis.
Australia was not one of the locations.

Their analysis - allowing for differences in development location, unit sizes and specification - confirmed that, for each location branded developments outperformed non-branded developments.

The results confirm that branded developments are priced at a premium to non-branded developments with an average 31% uplift, although the rate of uplift ranges from 5.7% in Jakarta to over 50% in several locations.
Dubai achieved the highest uplift per square foot with an average of 58.5%.

Dubai is home to the fashion branded Palazzo Versace residence, which achieved an uplift of 120% against the unfinished D1 apartments.

Berlin achieved the second highest uplift of 57% per square foot and Capetown achieved an uplift of 51.8%.

The lowest uplift was achieved in Jakarta with an uplift of 5.7% when compared to non-branded developments.

Kuala Lumper achieved 35.7% price uplift per square foot and Kong Kong achieved 19.1% uplift.

Bangalore achieved 27.4% uplift and Pune achieved 38.9% uplift.

Bangkok achieved 21.4% and Beijing achieved 26.7% uplift.

Moscow achieved 23.7% uplift and Shanghai achieved 33.5% uplift.

New York is in the lower spectrum with an uplift of 12.4% and Miami achieved 19.6% uplift.

Puerto Rico is in the higher spectrum achieving an uplift of 45% per square foot.

London had an uplift of 11.3% and Madrid had an uplift of 22.4%.

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What's in a name? Brand developments yield higher prices: Knight Frank

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Inspired by Gold Coast’s Palazzo Versace hotel – which recently sold for $68.5 million – Property Observer has compiled a round-the-world guide to fashion designer hotels. 
The trend first started in 2000 with the opening of Palazzo Versace and has now extended to Milan, Paris, Jamaica and London, to name a few destinations. 
Luxury fashion designers that have jumped on the fashion branded hotel hype include Armani, Oscar de le Renta, Bulgari, Moschino, Missoni and many more.
<a href="https://www.lebellechasse.com/" target="_blank">Hotel Bellechasse, Paris</a>
<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/2012/09/bellechasse.jpg">
Rooms in the luxury Hotel Bellechasse are all individually decorated by French fashion designer Christian Lacroix. Hotel Bellechasse offers stylish and arty accommodation in the chic and trendy seventh arrondissement.
 
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 <a href="https://www.palazzoversace.com.au/" target="_blank">Palazzo Versace, Australia</a>
<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/2012/09/palazzoversace.jpg">
The luxury five-star accommodation was the world’s first fashion-branded hotel owned by Italian fashion company Versace. With picturesque waterfront settings, Italian furnishings and vaulted ceilings hand-detailed in gold, the Palazzo Versace has an ambiance of pure glamour.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
<a href="https://dubai.armanihotels.com/" target="_blank">Armani Hotel Dubai</a>
<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/2012/09/armanidubai.jpg">
The Armani Hotel in Dubai is personally designed by Giorgio Armani and consists of 160 guest rooms. The luxury hotel promises a home away from home experience, with the hotel design an expression of Giorgio Armani’s passion for the sensual. Each element in the design plays a precise role, with Armani reluctant to leave a single detail to chance.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
<a href="https://www.hotelmissoni.com/hotelmissoni-edinburgh" target="_blank">Hotel Missoni Edinburgh</a>
 
<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/2012/09/hotelmissoni.jpg">
Hotel Missoni Edinburgh is the only five-star luxury hotel on historic Royal Mile in the heart of the Scottish Capital. The 136 guest rooms and suites are owned by world-renowned Italian fashion house Missoni, which embraces the phrase “bold, passionate and fashionable.”
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
<a href="https://www.hotelmissoni.com/hotelmissoni-kuwait" target="_blank">Hotel Missoni Kuwait</a>
<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/2012/09/missonikuwait.jpg">
The Hotel Missoni in Kuwait encompasses 18 floors of Missoni’s iconic contemporary design, with colours of desert and sea, gold, sand, turquoise and mosaic.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
<a href="https://www.bulgarihotels.com/en-us/milan/the-hotel/overview" target="_blank">Bulgari Milano, Milan</a>
<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/2012/09/bulgari.jpg">
Since 1884, Bulgari has been setting the pace for Italian style in jewellery, watches, accessories, fragrances, skincare and leather goods. Now branching into the trend of fashion hotels, Bulgari renovated the 18th-century Milanese Palazzo hotel in Milan. It includes a 4,000-square-metre private garden that is visible from the ample windows in the 58 rooms, offering guests serenity and relaxation in busy Milan.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
<a href="https://www.bulgarihotels.com/en-us/shanghai/overview" target="_blank">Bulgari Hotel, Shanghai</a>
<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/2012/09/bulgari2.jpg">
Located in the riverside complex of historic Zhabel District, the Bulgari Hotel Shanghai is designed by world-class architecture design team Foster and Partners. The luxury hotel contrasts ancient and modern architectural themes, a reflection of the Suhe Creek surroundings. The Bulgari hotel in Shanghai is set to open in 2015.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
<a href="https://milan.armanihotels.com/" target="_blank">Armani Hotel Milan</a>
<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/2012/09/armanimilan.jpg">
The Armani hotel in Milan consists of 95 guest rooms, and rack rates range from $576 to $1,292 a night. The five-star exclusive luxury hotel in Milan offers a “lifestyle manager” who will give you a call or send an e-mail to see if there’s anything he can do for you before you arrive.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
<a href="https://www.bulgarihotels.com/en-us/bali/the-resort/overview" target="_blank">Bulgari Resort, Bali</a>
<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/2012/09/bulgaribali.jpg">
The Bulgari Resort in Bali is a mix of traditional Balinese forms and high Italian style. Located 150 metres over the sea, the luxury resort is the second from Bulgari hotels and resorts and offers views of the Indian Ocean.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
<a href="https://www.hotelpetitmoulinparis.com/" target="_blank">Hotel du Petit Moulin, Paris</a>
<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/2012/09/hotelpetit.jpg">
The Hotel du Petit Moulin is another luxury hotel decorated by Christian Lacroix. Comprising of 17 guest rooms, the reception was once the oldest bakery in Paris, and the 1900 façade is a historic monument.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
<a href="https://www.claridges.co.uk/" target="_blank">Claridge’s London</a>
<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/2012/09/claridges.jpg" width="470">
Claridge’s London is an iconic five-star hotel in Mayfair and was American fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg’s first interior design project. The elegant hotel has long-standing connections with royalty and is sometimes referred to as an extension of Buckingham Palace.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
<a href="https://www.icastelli.net/location-698-1-castello_di_montegridolfo_hotel_palazzo_viviani" target="_blank">Palazzo Viviani at Castello di Montegridolfo, Italy</a>
<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/2012/09/vivani.jpg" width="470">
Italian fashion designer and dressmaker Alberta Ferretti renovated a 13th-century castle into the Palazzo Viviani. Located in the hills of Emilia Romagna and close to Rimini, this luxury hotel is a mix between medieval charm and modern comfort.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
<a href="https://uxua.com/" target="_blank">Uxua Casa, Brazil</a>
<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/2012/09/uxa.jpg" width="470">
The Uxua Casa is designed and owned by Diesel’s ex creative director, Wilbert Das. Made up of 10 individual guesthouses, the walls are made from mud and branches, nestled among tropical gardens and colourful buildings. Das wanted the interiors to be organic, rustic and sensual.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
<a href="https://dubaipropertiesgroup.ae/en/properties/the-tiger-woods-dubai" target="_blank">Elie Saab Hotel at The Tiger Woods, Dubai</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/stories/2012/09/woods.png" width="470">
Lebanese fashion designer Elie Saab designed the luxury hotel that overlooks the world’s first Tiger Woods-designed golf course. The luxury boutique hotel includes 89 suites and 14 bungalows and showcases a 929-square-metre swimming pool.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
<a href="https://www.schlosshotelberlin.com/" target="_blank">Schlosshotel im Grunewald</a>
<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/2012/12/schloss.jpg">
Set in the Grunewald gardens and built by Kaiser Wilhelm II, the 53-room hotel received a modern facelift by German fashion designer, artist and photographer Karl Lagerfield. The hotel includes Turkish baths and a Vivaldi restaurant surrounded by high, gold-painted ceilings.
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As Palazzo Versace sells, check out 15 global flashy fashion-branded hotels

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Located in Victoria's high country, Mount Beauty – with a median house price of $155,000 – is Victoria’s slowest-selling suburbs, with a whopping average of 232 days on the market.
Terang – 212 kilometers south west of Melbourne – is second on the list, with an average of 218 days on the market and a median house price of $170,000.
And situated on the banks of Lake Hume in north-western Victoria, Tallangatta comes in a close third place, with an average of 217 days on the market and a median house price of $180,000.
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
Suburb
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
Postcode
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
Median house price
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
Average time on market (days)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Mount Beauty</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
3699
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$155,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
232
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Terang</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
3264
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$170,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
218
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Tallangatta</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
3700
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$180,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
217
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Eagle Point</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
3878
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$281,500
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
190
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Koondrook</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
3580
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$192,500
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
186
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Mortlake</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
3272
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$137,500
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
185
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Murtoa</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
3390
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$155,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
182
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Tawonga South</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
3698
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$255,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
182
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Elmore</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
3558
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$155,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
180
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Narre Warren North</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
3804
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$735,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
175
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Port Albert</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
3971
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$215,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
175
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Yarram</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
3971
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$205,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
175
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.myrp.com.au/">RP Data</a>
A property located at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-mount+beauty-108175206">18 Beauty Avenue, Mount Beauty</a> (pictured below), was first listed in October 2011 with an asking price of $193,000.
<img height="353" width="470" src="/images/stories/2012/12/beautyave.jpg" alt="beautyave">
It is currently still on the market – 420 days later – but has dropped its asking price by $18,000 to $175,000.
The three-bedroom dwelling is on 635 square metres.
Another property in Mount Beauty has been on the market for 645 days.
Located at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-mount+beauty-107018455">14 Fairway Avenue</a>, the two-bedroom house was first listed in February 2011 for $149,000.
<img height="353" width="470" src="/images/stories/2012/12/fairwayave.jpg" alt="fairwayave">
It is currently listed at $139,000.
A three-bedroom house at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-mount+beauty-106824290">24 Freeburgh Avenue</a> has been listed for 817 days at $195,000 – there has been no decrease in the asking price over this time.
Although Mount Beauty is the slowest suburb in Victoria, it isn’t necessarily oversupplied, with around 40 houses currently on the market.
Kingsbury, a suburb 12 kilometres north-east of Melbourne CBD – and with a median house price of $435,000 – is Victoria’s fastest-selling suburb, with an average of 30 days on the market.
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Mounty Beauty Victoria's slowest-selling suburb

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<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/2012/12/vinyl.jpg" alt="Christmas tree">It's no secret that apartments are becoming smaller, so if you’re finding it difficult to locate a spot for a Christmas tree, or are allergic to the smell of pine, here’s a solution.
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/115045424/leaning-christmas-tree-wall-art?ref=sr_gallery_5&amp;ga_search_query=christmas+tree+wall&amp;ga_view_type=gallery&amp;ga_ship_to=AU&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_facet=christmas+tree+wall" target="_blank"><img src="/images/stories/2012/12/aptttree.jpg"></a>
It's all the rage in the big cities of the United States. As Christmas is only days away, the American websites most likely won't be able to deliver on time, but you may be able to grab a last minute one from Australian store <a target="_blank" href="https://vinyldesign.com.au/Christmas-Designs/Christmas-Tree-Wall-Decal">Vinyl Design.</a>
It's a modern twist on Christmas ornaments, creating Christmas tree wall decals. 
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/113857224/christmas-tree-wall-decal-geometric-xmas?ref=sr_gallery_7&amp;ga_search_query=christmas+tree+wall&amp;ga_view_type=gallery&amp;ga_ship_to=AU&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_facet=christmas+tree+wall%5C" target="_blank"><img src="/images/stories/2012/12/apttree.jpg" width="470"></a>
The vinyl wall decals only take minutes to apply to your wall and then you’re free to decorate as you please.
Taking up zero space and causing no damage to your apartment walls, these modern tree decals are affordable for $45 f<a target="_blank" href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/115045424/leaning-christmas-tree-wall-art?ref=sr_gallery_5&amp;ga_search_query=christmas+tree+wall&amp;ga_view_type=gallery&amp;ga_ship_to=AU&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_facet=christmas+tree+wall">rom the handmade marketplace Etsy.</a>
There is a choice of 14 colours and the standard tree is 92 centimetres high, however there is a choice to customise your own.
Once Christmas is over, you simply peel the decal of,f with no time consuming packing up of Christmas decorations.
<img width="470" src="/images/stories/2012/12/apttree2.jpg">
It seems that the trend of Christmas tree wall decals hasn't quite caught on yet in Australia and majority of the stores are based internationally.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/no-room-for-a-tree-modern-holi-162018"><img src="/images/stories/2012/12/bookshelftree.jpg"></a>
Other ideas for those conscious of space include DIY trees like a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/no-room-for-a-tree-modern-holi-162018">bookshelf tree and a post-it-note tree.</a>
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/no-room-for-a-tree-modern-holi-162018"><img width="470" src="/images/stories/2012/12/postittree.jpg"></a>
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Christmas trees for trendy space-conscious apartment dwellers

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The Sydney rental market tightened during the month of November, dropping 0.1% to a vacancy rate of 1.8% - according to a report from Real Estate Institute of New South Wales.
The outer suburbs of Sydney dropped the most, with a decline of 0.6% to 1.6% total vacancy rate.
The inner suburbs – within 10 kilometres from the CBD – went against the trend to rise 0.1% to a 1.7% total vacancy.
The middle suburbs – 10 to 25 kilometres from the Sydney CBD – were steady during the month of November at 2.1%.
There were also vacancy drops in Illawarra and Wollongong.
Illawarra declined 0.2% to 2.2% and Wollongong dropped 0.1% to 2.5%.
“The most dramatic change in the state was recorded in the outer suburbs of Sydney, with a fall of 0.6% to 1.6%,” says REINSW president Christian Payne.
“In fact, since August 2012, the vacancy rate in the outer suburbs of Sydney has fallen from a high of 3.1% to 1.6%, a level last seen in March 2012, when the vacancy rate was 1.5%.”
Newcastle also experienced a decline of 0.4% to 1.2% but the Hunter as a whole stayed steady at 1.7%.
Coffs Harbour experienced a decline of 0.2% but continues to have the highest vacancy rates in the state at 3.4%.
The Murrumbidgee continues to grow with a vacancy rate of 1.5%, an increase of 0.1%.
Albury holds the lowest vacancy rate at 1.4%, a drop of 0.2% from October.
“The reduction in interest rates by the Reserve Bank of Australia at their board meeting in December is likely to help stimulate investment in the residential property market. This should have a flow on effect in 2013,” says Payne.
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Sydney rental market tightened in November to 1.8%: REINSW

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A holiday house on tropical Hamilton Island – known at The Whitehouse – is among the country's pricest rentals at $24,000 a week.
Located at 8 Melaleuca Drive, the six-bedroom, seven-bathroom residence can sleep a maximum of 16 people.
With imported marble floors throughout, the sunken lounge has electronic doors opening the view to the blue water of The Great Barrier Reef.
The house is split into two, with the north and south wing mirror images of each other.
The 900-square-metre residence sits on 6,286 square metres of manicured gardens and has a swimming pool and tennis court.
There is also a buggy garage that hosts three buggies, since they are the main form of transport on the island.
The Whitehouse traded in 2006 for $5.25 million and received an extensive makeover in 2007.
It resold in 2011 for $6.35 million, some $650,000 shy of the owners $7 million asking price.
It was sold after being <a href="https://www.hamiltonislandrealestate.com.au/pol/property/search.asp?f_propertyID=1625235&amp;xsl=4973" target="_blank">relisted for sale </a>earlier this year with a $7.5 million asking price.
The Whitehouse was built in the early 1990s by a group of Melbourne architects as an island getaway and rental investment.
If you choose to rent, the minimum stay at the property is one night.
A stay from Sunday to Thursday could cost you $3,500 a night or $7,000 a night if you stay Friday or Saturday.
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Summer rental holiday countdown: The Whitehouse on Hamilton Island

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Jeremy Clarkson and James May from Top Gear UK chose to relax at the Western Australian beach house Solitude in 2011 – and you can, too.
Solitude is located on 1,200 square metres of prime <a target="_blank" href="/news">Lancelin </a>beachfront and is one of only five beachfront homes in Western Australia available for rent. There are reportedly just 58 absolute beachfront homes in WA.
The home with a reputed $5 million value is located 80 minutes north of Perth on Gingin Road and can accommodate up to 10 in its six bedrooms.
With a heated beachfront pool, designer kitchen, media room and the Indian ocean at your doorstep, this tranquil setting is available to rent the week before December 21.
A holiday before December 21 will set you back $17,500 for the minimum seven-night stay.
Solitude is owned by Perth businessman Kym Illman and is part of his Dream Holiday Home chain.
Illman also owns Nautica on Palm Beach and Aqua Villa and Paradiso on the Gold Coast in Queensland.
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Countdown to summer: Solitude in Lancelin, WA

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Located at the mouth of the Endeavour River, Cooktown – with a median house price of $300,000 – is Queensland’s slowest-selling suburb, with property lingering on the market for an average of 258 days.
Chambers Flat is the second slowest, with an average of 233 days on the market and a median house price of $477,000.
Third place is a draw between Mission Beach and Yarraman, with an average time on the market of 220 days.
Mission Beach – a small village along the Coral Sea – has a median house price of $395,000.
Located 181 kilometres northwest of Brisbane, Yarraman has a median price of $192,000.
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
Suburb
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
Postcode
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
Median Price
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
Time on market (days)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Cooktown</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
4895
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$300,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
258
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Chambers Flat</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
4133
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$477,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
233
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Mission Beach</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
4852
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$395,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
220
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Yarraman</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
4614
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$192,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
220
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Vetern</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
4570
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$366,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
218
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Heathwood</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
4110
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$4983,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
209
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Laidley Heights</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
4341
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$338,750
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
205
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a href="/news">Ocean View</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
4521
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$600,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
199
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Babinda</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
4861
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$174,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
198
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Boyland</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
4275
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$545,500
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
198
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.myrp.com.au/">RP Data</a>
A property located at 20 Flinders Street, Cooktown (pictured below), was listed for sale in July 2011 for $440,000.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/12/flinderscooktown.jpg">
The  four-bedroom, one-bathroom home has been listed for 490 days.
The price hopes have dropped from $450,000 to $395,000 in that time.
Grant Freeman from Premium Property Specialists has listed the property for the full 490 days.
A property located on 133 Charlotte Street was originally listed for $400,000 in March 2011.
Its asking price has reduced by 25% to $300,000.
It was bought in 2008 for $535,000.
A property at 15 Boundary Street has failed to attract a buyer, having been listed for sale for a total of 981 days.
The four-bedroom, two-bathroom house was listed in March 2010 with a $375,000 asking price and is currently asking $290,000 – a reduction of $85,000.
Jill Williams from Rainforest Real Estate Cooktown has held the reins on the property for the duration of its listing.
Wonga is Queensland's fastest selling suburb, with a speedy 35 days on the market.
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Cooktown Queensland's slowest-selling suburb

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Beldon and Coolbellup are Western Australia’s fastest selling suburbs with an average of 36 days on the market.
Beldon – with a median house price of $433,250 – is located in between two major north-south arteries: Marmion Avenue and Mitchell Freeway.
Coolbellup – with a median house price of $389,000 – is named after the Aboriginal name for the nearby North Lake.
Myaree - the aboriginal word meaning foliage - is the second fast selling suburb with an average of 38 days on the market and a median house price of $630,000.
The southeastern suburb Lynwood is the third fastest selling suburb with a median house price of $395,000 and an average of 39 days on the market.
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1"><tbody>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
Suburb
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
Postcode
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
Median Price
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
Time on market (days)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Beldon</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
6027
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$433,250
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
36
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Coolbellup</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
6163
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$389,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
36
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Myaree</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
6154
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$630,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
38
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Lynwood</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
6147
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$395,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
39
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Hamersley</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
6022
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$500,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
41
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">West Perth</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
6005
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$780,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
41
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Kingsley</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
6026
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$532,750
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
44
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Martin</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
6110
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$680,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
44
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Parkwood</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
6147
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$425,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
46
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="106" valign="top">
<a target="_blank" href="/news">Warwick</a>
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
6024
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
$480,000
</td>
<td width="106" valign="top">
48
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Source: <a href="https://www.rpdata.com/">RP Data</a>
However Mount Melville is the slowest selling suburb with an average of 213 days on the market and a media house price of $335,000.
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Beldon and Coolbellup sit atop WA 10 fastest selling suburbs

For most new apartment buildings, the Owners Corporation starts life with little more than a bank account and the first quarterly strata levies.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/9-gay-street-castle-hill-9-gay-street-castle-hill-nsw-2154">9 Gay Street</a> in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/castle-hill-nsw-2154">Castle Hill</a>, it starts with around $7 million in reserve.

It's an unusual legacy of what was once one of Sydney's highest-profile apartment remediation projects. When the development, originally known as Skyview and built by disgraced developer Top Place, came under scrutiny by then NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler, an $11 million remediation bond was negotiated to ensure any building defects could be fully rectified.

The building underwent an 18-month remediation program, during which around $4 million of that bond was spent bringing the building up to the standard it should have been in from the outset.

After extensive inspections, all active rectification orders have been lifted. What's more, around $7.2 million remains secured for the Owners Corporation for the next 15 years.

In a twist few would have predicted, what began as a significant concern for purchasers has left the building with something almost unheard of in the apartment market: a multi-million-dollar financial reserve from day one.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359136]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a> Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said the structure offers buyers a level of certainty that is difficult to replicate.

"The $11 million bond established for the Skyview Castle Hill development represents exceptional value, providing genuine financial security for purchasers," Huxley said.

"Unlike a standard insurance policy, this bond consists of real funds held in trust for the Owners Corporation, offering a tangible layer of protection and added peace of mind."

The apartments themselves have been designed with a focus on practical, contemporary living. Interiors feature Smeg appliances, stone benchtops, tiled living areas, carpeted bedrooms, 2.7-metre ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glazing, and ducted heating and cooling throughout.

Residents also have access to a range of shared amenities, including two rooftop barbecue areas, a swimming pool, children's playgrounds, secure building access, storage cages, and visitor parking.

The location continues to be one of the project's strongest drawcards. Castle Hill Metro Station sits virtually on the doorstep, providing direct connections across Sydney's expanding Metro network, while Castle Towers offers extensive retail, dining, entertainment, and service amenities within walking distance.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359127]

The building, now named after its location at 9 Gay Street, comprises a diverse mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments starting from just under $600,000.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett said demand in the Hills District continues to be driven by buyers seeking convenience and connectivity.

"Interest from both owner-occupiers and investors in Castle Hill remains exceptionally strong, with buyers consistently prioritising developments in close proximity to the Metro station and Castle Towers Shopping Centre," Hamblett said.

"There is a clear trend in the market, with purchasers seeking convenient access to transport and lifestyle amenities that support a seamless, low-maintenance way of living."

On top of the long-term protection afforded by the remaining $7.2 million bond, Equitifund is offering a limited-time stamp duty rebate on selected apartments.

Eligible purchasers can also secure finance options, including a 3.99 per cent two-year variable rate, loan-to-value ratios of up to 90 per cent, and interest-only lending options through EquitiCredit.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=147685]

Joel Robinson

Why this Castle Hill apartment building starts with a $7 million advantage

For much of the past few years, conversations about Australia's property market have centred on the rapid growth seen in Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Perth. <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melbourne-vic-3004">Melbourne</a> has followed a different trajectory.

That relative underperformance is now encouraging some buyers to reassess the city, particularly those willing to look beyond short-term market movements and focus on quality property in established locations, along with the long-term growth prospects of a city expected to overtake Sydney as Australia’s most populous.

John Bekiaris, Research &amp; Market Insights at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/equitifund-group">Projects by Equitifund</a>, said Melbourne's current position is attracting increasingly sophisticated purchasers.

"Melbourne continues to present one of Australia's strongest long-term investment stories," Bekiaris says.

"While other capital cities have experienced stronger recent growth, that relative underperformance is exactly what's attracting sophisticated counter-cyclical investors."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363268]

Equitifund isn't just commenting on Melbourne's property market, it's investing in it.

The Sydney-headquartered capital partner has taken over the remaining apartments at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/victoriana-melbourne-20-queens-road-melbourne-vic-3004">Victoriana</a>, the recently completed glass-encased development opposite Albert Park Lake in Melbourne's tightly held St Kilda Road precinct.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> and built by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hickory">Hickory</a>, Victoriana places residents between one of Melbourne's most recognised parklands and the CBD, offering oversized two and three-bedroom apartments aimed at owner-occupiers seeking a genuine alternative to a traditional family home.

The development comprises 232 completed residences alongside a suite of resident amenities, including a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, landscaped entertaining areas, resident lounges, EV charging, secure basement parking and a concierge-style arrival experience.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363229]

The apartments have been designed with owner-occupiers firmly in mind.&nbsp;Open-plan living and dining areas flow onto generous balconies framing views across Albert Park Lake, Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Melbourne skyline.

Kitchens feature Gaggenau appliances, stone benchtops and generous preparation space. Bedrooms include built-in robes, while bathrooms feature full-height textured tiling. Hardwood flooring and ducted air conditioning complete residences designed for long-term living.

Rothelowman's architecture takes its cues from the landscape opposite the site. Sweeping horizontal glazing references the movement of Albert Park Lake, while generous balconies and expansive glazing strengthen the connection between the apartments and the surrounding parklands. The result is a building designed to deliver the scale and amenity expected of luxury apartment living, while offering the larger floorplans increasingly sought by owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363284]

The location is one of Victoriana's defining characteristics. Positioned on Queens Road, residents are directly opposite Albert Park Lake and within easy reach of Fawkner Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens, South Melbourne, St Kilda Road and the CBD. With few comparable development opportunities remaining in the precinct, buyers are increasingly placing value on outlooks that are unlikely to be interrupted by future construction.

Greg Huxley, Founder of Equitifund, believes those qualities become even more valuable over time.

"Premium real estate has always rewarded buyers who take a long-term view," Huxley said.

"Victoriana represents the kind of asset that's increasingly difficult to recreate today, particularly in an established location like Queens Road."

He said rising construction costs are also changing the way buyers assess completed developments.

"When you combine an irreplaceable location with thoughtful architecture and premium finishes, you create something that becomes increasingly difficult to reproduce as construction costs continue to rise."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=1979 project_image_fid=363228]

According to National Sales Director Ben Hamblett, enquiry has been driven largely by Melbourne downsizers and buyers upgrading from smaller apartments.

"Interest in Victoriana continues to build, with strong buyer focus on the larger owner-occupier residences within the development," Hamblett says.

"Enquiry is increasingly driven by local buyers who recognise the rarity of what's on offer: park-facing apartments in an established neighbourhood where new development opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce. At Victoriana, the view is not just a feature; it's an appreciating asset in its own right."

He said interstate enquiry has also strengthened as buyers reassess Melbourne's position within the national property cycle.

"Melbourne currently stands as the most compelling entry point of any major Australian capital, and discerning buyers are beginning to recognise what those who move early always understand: the best opportunities are taken before the price rise confirms them."

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=1979]

Why now is the time to buy in Melbourne's premium apartment market

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

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]

Nicola Trotman

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