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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

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/consolidated-properties">Consolidated Properties Group</a> (CPG) is approaching the launch of its latest Brisbane riverfront development, Castile, on the dress circle Skyring Terrace in Newstead.

VIP buyers are now being engaged, with a full public sales launch coming later this year.

Positioned as the final opportunity to secure a new absolute riverfront residence on the East bank of Newstead, Teneriffe or New Farm, Castile at 47 Skyring Terrace has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> as a timeless addition to the Brisbane skyline.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371113]

The name Castile draws on themes of permanence, sophistication and legacy, reflecting a broader vision centred on enduring architecture and timelessness in the rarest of riverfront positions.&nbsp;

CPG Chairman and CEO Don O’Rorke said the project had been envisioned as a future Brisbane icon.&nbsp;

“With 47 metres of direct river frontage and never to be built out views, 47 Skyring Terrace is the definitive address on the Brisbane River,” O’Rorke said.&nbsp;

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150489 project_image_fid=371114]

“Rather than following trend-based apartment design, Castile draws inspiration from Brisbane’s great heritage buildings, reinterpreting classical architecture into a contemporary riverfront landmark designed to stand proudly for the next 100 years,” he said.&nbsp;

The approved development will comprise 227 apartments across a 25-storey tower alongside a boutique six-storey riverfront building of just 12 residences.&nbsp;

Construction is scheduled to commence in September 2026.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150489]

Joel Robinson

CPG unveils Castile Newstead ahead of upcoming sales launch

Australia’s online shopping habits have shifted dramatically over the last decade. As eCommerce volumes surged, so too did the frustrations that came with traditional parcel delivery: missed deliveries, long Post Office queues, parcel theft and the challenge of being home during business hours.

Australia Post’s Parcel Lockers emerged as one of the more practical responses to that changing consumer behaviour.

What started as a relatively niche delivery option has evolved into a nationwide network of more than 1,400 self-service Parcel Lockers positioned at train stations, shopping centres, supermarkets and Post Offices across the country. The system allows Australians to send, collect and return parcels 24 hours a day, fundamentally changing how many people interact with deliveries.

The appeal is relatively straightforward: flexibility.

Instead of waiting at home for a delivery driver or rushing to a Post Office before closing time, users can direct eligible parcels to a Parcel Locker location of their choice. Once the parcel arrives, Australia Post sends a notification with a collection code or QR access through the AusPost app, allowing customers to retrieve their package at any time within the collection window.

For apartment residents in particular, the system has become increasingly valuable.

Higher-density living has created logistical challenges around deliveries, especially in buildings without concierge services or secure parcel rooms. Missed deliveries are common, while parcel theft has become an increasing concern as online shopping volumes continue to rise.

Australia Post itself has repeatedly highlighted the growing issue of “porch pirates” during peak shopping periods, encouraging customers to use Parcel Lockers as a safer alternative to unattended home deliveries.

That security aspect is one of the key reasons the Australia Post Parcel Locker network has grown so rapidly.

Parcel Lockers are positioned as secure, monitored collection points that reduce the risk of theft while also improving delivery efficiency for Australia Post. Instead of multiple redelivery attempts, parcels can be consolidated into a single secure destination.

The Parcel Lockers themselves are free to use through a MyPost account and support a range of parcel sizes up to 16 kilograms and dimensions of approximately 35 x 44 x 61 centimetres.

Beyond receiving parcels, the system has increasingly become integrated into the broader eCommerce ecosystem.

Customers can now use Parcel Lockers to return online purchases, while retailers have embraced the model as a way to improve delivery success rates and reduce friction in the shopping process. Australia Post has actively expanded partnerships with major retailers and promoted Parcel Lockers as part of a broader out-of-home strategy.

The timing of that expansion aligns with broader changes in Australian shopping behaviour.

The acceleration of online retail during and after the pandemic placed enormous pressure on delivery infrastructure. Parcel volumes reached record highs, particularly during Black Friday and Christmas periods, with Australia Post delivering more than 100 million parcels during peak festive seasons.

That growth forced logistics providers to rethink the “last mile” of delivery, widely regarded as the most expensive and operationally difficult stage of the process.

Parcel Locker systems have increasingly been viewed as part of the long-term solution.

The concept itself is not unique to Australia. Parcel Locker networks have become common globally, particularly across Europe and Asia, where dense urban environments and apartment living create similar logistical challenges. But Australia’s geography and suburban sprawl made adoption slower initially.

Now, however, the convenience factor is driving mainstream usage.

For commuters, Parcel Lockers near train stations allow parcels to be collected on the way home from work. For apartment dwellers, they remove the uncertainty around access and missed deliveries.

The rise of the AusPost app has also streamlined the experience, centralising notifications, tracking and Parcel Locker access into a single platform. Australia Post has increasingly pushed customers toward app-based delivery management, partly as a way to combat phishing scams and fake delivery notifications, which have become more sophisticated in recent years.

The Parcel Locker model is also beginning to influence property development itself.

Parcel management has become a growing consideration in apartment building design, particularly as online shopping becomes embedded in everyday life. Many new residential developments are now incorporating dedicated parcel rooms or Parcel Locker systems into foyers and communal spaces.

For developers, parcel management is increasingly viewed as part of the broader resident amenity offering, alongside gyms, wellness spaces and communal work areas.

That reflects a wider evolution in how residential buildings are designed.

Apartment buyers are placing greater emphasis on convenience, security and operational functionality, particularly in higher-density urban environments. Parcel delivery, once considered a minor operational detail, has become an increasingly important part of that equation.

Australia Post’s Parcel Locker network sits at the centre of that behavioural shift.

What began as a simple alternative delivery option has evolved into a key piece of infrastructure supporting Australia’s growing eCommerce economy and changing urban lifestyles.

And as online shopping continues to expand, the role of Parcel Lockers is likely to become even more embedded in how Australians live, shop and receive goods.

How Australia Post Parcel Lockers changed parcel delivery convenience in Australia

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;

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;

Nicola Trotman

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