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International shoe retailer BeautiFeel is the latest luxury brand to secure a retail location at the Paris end of Melbourne’s Collins Street.
Located in the foot of GE’s 90 Collins Street building, the 73-square-metre flagship store will pay an annual rental of around $180,000.
The seven-year leasing deal was negotiated by CBRE retail services team Max Cookes and Zelman Ainsworth.
The luxury shoe retailer and wholesaler has nine retail stores around the world.
“BeautiFeel’s pioneering concept of ‘fashion meets comfort’ has proven to be hugely successful over the last 20 years, and they were keen to further expand their network in Melbourne,” says Ainsworth.
“The surrounding premium office towers and international luxury retailers at the Paris end of Collins Street attracted BeautiFeel to the property.”
Some of the most recent leasing deals at the premium Paris end of Collins Street include international luxury brands Paul Smith, Cartier, Tiffany &amp; Co and Max Mara.
 BeautiFeel Shoes opened their first Australian store in Sydney’s Chatswood Chase Mall.
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Shoe retailer BeautiFeel leases space at Paris end of Collins Street 

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Sydney Open offers the opportunity to go behind the scenes of some of Sydney’s best-loved buildings during the first weekend of November.
Organised by the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales as part of the Sydney Architecture Festival, Sydney Open has three feature events: Sydney Open Night, Focus Tours and City Pass.
Sydney Open night is a free event held on Friday November 2 at 6pm with inspections of five sites, including the Chief Secretary’s building designed by architect James Barnet, Hyde Park Barracks Museum designed by Francis Greenway, On Seven at David Jones, Parliament house and St James’ Church.
Focus Tours will be led by the buildings' architects and owners and will run all day Saturday, November 3, with prices starting from $30.
Some of the buildings that can be viewed include two Sydney offices BVN Studio and Challenger workplace.
Challenger won the 2012 RAIA NSW interior architecture award and made it onto the 2009 World Architecture interiors short list.
Other buildings in the Focus Tours include the newly completed Cranbrook Junior School at Rose Bay, The Jack House at Wahroonga, the Kharkov House at Bellevue Hill  – and even tour of platforms and tunnels at Central Station, but that's been already sold out.
 The last opportunity to participate in Sydney Open is the City Pass on Sunday November 4.
City passes for the general public start from $40 and $30 for concession and members.
Participants are provided with a map and a City Pass wristband that gives them access to 50 of Sydney’s CBD buildings.
One of the 50 buildings is the $667 million development 1 Bligh Street, Sydney’s first six-star green star office tower.
Other buildings that can be viewed include Government House, Deutsche Bank Place, Challenger Workplace and the Central Local court.
A full list of the buildings available for viewing for Focus Tours and City Pass can be viewed on the <a target="_blank" href="https://sydneyopen.hht.net.au">Sydney Open website</a>. 
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Sydney Open sneak peeks at city's best-loved buildings starting to sell out

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Neville Sanders has been announced as the new president of the Real Estate Institute of Victoria, an honorary position, for 2012-13.

Sanders is the state manager at Whittles in Docklands.

He is a third-generation estate agent who has been actively involved in real estate for over 45 years.

“I am honored to be elected as president. The REIV has a long and proud history of representing the entire profession, and I look forward to leading it for the next year,” says Sanders.

Sanders replaces Trevor Booth, who was president from 2011-12.

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Neville Sanders named as president of REIV

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The Continental Hotel and the adjoining historic Isle of Wight Resort Hotel site in Cowes on Phillip Island have been listed for sale with a combined price tag around the $25 million mark.
They are available for purchase separately or in one line.
The iconic Isle of Wight hotel burned down in May 2010.
Built in the 1920s, the hotel played host to Fred Astaire, Ava Gardner and Gregory Peck during their filming of the 1959 movie On the Beach in 1958.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/rural/iconic-phillip-island-resort-development-site-for-sale-and-it-s-on-the-beach/2011090151385">Property Observer reported on a listing of the Isle of Wight Resort Hotel site in September </a>last year with its approval for a nine-storey residential resort development and $9 million-plus hopes.
The 9,197-square-metre vacant site offers oceanfront views and is located adjacent to the Continental Hotel on a site measuring 9,097 square metres.
Both properties are being sold by Terry Board from TJ Board &amp; Sons and Mathew George from Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels.
Board tells Property Observer there has been strong enquiries on both properties and he is expecting them to sell.
“There has been corporate interest, development interest and interest from hotel people with regard to the Continental,” says Board.
The permit to develop the Isle of Wight Resort Hotel site has since expired.
Board says the vendor has realistic expectations of $10 million for the Isle of Wight site and at least $15 million for the Continental hotel.
Both properties are owned by Sydney-based hoteliers and business owners, the Gearing family.
The Gearing family acquired the Continental about 10 years ago and has owned the Isle of Wight site property since 1982.
Operating since 1976, the 9,097-square-metre Continental hotel is located on one of the most sought-after locations on the island, overlooking French Island and The Mornington Peninsula.
The three-star hotel had additions completed in 1995 and 1998 and comprises of 62 guest rooms, ranging from hotel style to self-contained accommodation.
The hotel facilities include two restaurants, conference rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, barbecue pavilion and on-site parking.
The Island of Wight Bar is a sports-style bar located on the ground floor and forms part of the overall business. It offers TAB facilities, bistro dining, a large outdoor terrace and can hold up to 382 patrons.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/wight.jpg">
In the last financial year, the Continental Hotel had a 50% occupancy rate and total revenue of $3,718,455, with a net operating profit of $1,578,056.
The Continental Hotel also comes with 27 electronic gaming machines, which could contribute between $800,000 to $900,000 to the asset's profile.
Phillip Island has 3.5 million visitors annually and is a famous tourist destination due to the Island’s famous penguin parade.
Room occupancy rates in Victoria increased by 1.0% to 68.4% in the March 2012 quarter compared with the March 2011 quarter.
Phillip Island hotels increased 6% to an occupancy rate of 62.9%.
Victoria’s total accommodation takings in the March 2012 quarter increased by 7.6% over the March 2011 quarters to $446 million.
Phillip Island had a 3.1% growth in accommodation takings to $6.3 million.
Phillip Island receives about 3.5 million visitors every year and has a rapidly growing residential population comprising around 9,500 people.
An expressions of interest campaign closes on October 24.
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Iconic Phillip Island resort development site re-listed along with neighbouring Continental Hotel 

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Leighton Properties and partner LaSalle Investment Management gained approval on Thursday, October 11, for the major Erskineville development Erko. 
The development application was put forward to the City of Sydney in hope of transforming the north-western corner of a 17-hectare Ashmore industrial estate precinct into a residential community. 
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/erko2.jpg">
Erko is the first project in the Ashmore precinct to be approved under the state government’s new planning framework. 
The 1.61-hectare site will include 302 apartments and 16 terrace houses as well as new roads, cycle paths and footpaths to improve accessibility and allows links to nearby Erskineville village and the railway station. 
The 302 apartments range from studios to three-bedroom units and will be scattered between four apartment buildings with landscaped setbacks. The ecologically sound buildings range from three to eight storeys. 
Leighton Properties held a design competition won by SJB Architects, but through consultations with the local community ensured the design proposal was in keeping with the detailed character of Erskineville. 
“We are please to have the opportunity to contribute to the renewal of the Ashmore industrial precinct into a vibrant residential community within the cosmopolitan cultural neighbourhoods of Newtown and Erskineville,” says managing director of Leighton Properties Mark Gray. 
“We have already received interest from a large number of owner-occupiers and investors who recognise the unique opportunity Erko presents,” says Gray. 
The first stage of the development will comprise of 263 apartments in three buildings that encircle a landscaped central community park. 
Leighton Properties is one of Australia’s leading property development companies, with past projects including Mosaic in Fortitude Valley Brisbane, WRAP in Southbank Melbourne and Star City Casino in Sydney.
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Erskineville development Erko gets council green light

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Monash University professor, the shoulder and elbow orthopaedic surgeon Simon Bell and his wife Jennifer are selling Greystones, their Brighton home, with a price guide of $7.3 million plus.
Located on Park Street amid established English gardens, the 1914 house sits on 2,219 square metres.
The house comes with six bedrooms and five bathrooms.
It's been home to the Bells for the past 20 years.
The house comes with a large cellar, sauna, studio with a gymnasium and a rooftop retreat that offers views across the bay to the city skyline.
Its vast north-facing living and dining area includes two living areas opening out to the terrace and a dining area set beneath a vaulted ceiling.
“It’s a period home with a history," Simon Bell says.
"We loved the fact that it’s an old house with high ceilings. It has a magic hideaway garden, tennis, cricket and basketball court as well as a spa and heated swimming pool.”
After living there for 20 years, the Bells are selling in the hope of downsizing.
“The house is just so big! We have the biggest main bedroom in Brighton, stretching the length of the house with views over the tennis court,” says Bell.
Greystones has been listed through Ian Jackson from Kay &amp; Burton Brighton with expressions of interest closing October 30.
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Greystones, the 1914 Brighton house, listed

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Luxury residential property developer Piccolo has secured the sale of  half of the 110 apartments in its boutique apartment complex Upper House.
It was 45% sold a month ago.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/upperhouse.jpg">
The former Electrical Trades Union building site is becoming a 17-level project with its residents located skyhigh on the Melbourne city fringe.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/upperhouse2.jpg">
Piccolo says that those who are buying into Upper House will want to live there, not rent their properties out.
Located at 516-520 Swanston Street, Upper House comprises two distinctive components, The Cloud and The Podium.
The Cloud apartments float above The Podium apartments and are marketed as offering a sense of levitation and floating like a cloud.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/upperhouse3.jpg">
An 11th floor Observatory level will be a communal space of 500 square metres – accounting for 10% of the total project space, with a gymnasium, lounge, dining area and skyline garden.
“Upper House is a boutique project that is spearheading a design revolution - It is innovative and has its own special identity. It combines location, luxury and, thanks to The Observatory level, a fresh twist on high-end urban apartment living,” says Piccolo Developments director Michael Piccolo.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/upperhouse4.jpg">
The apartments will have black chrome features.
 
<hr class="system-pagebreak">
 
The Podium (levels 1-10) features 60 one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments with a floor area of 41-44 square metres and 30 two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments with floor areas of 53-57 square metres. Apartments in The Podium start from $380,000.
The Cloud apartments start from $700,000 and are located on levels 12 to 17. The 20 two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments have a larger floor area of 64-65 square metres.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/upperhouse5.jpg">
The Upper House façade has been designed by Jackson Clements Burrows Architects, which offers a three-dimensional look through the scattering of balconies and windows.
<img src="/images/stories/2012/10/upperhouse6.jpg">
With Mima and Michael Piccolo at the forefront of the family business, Piccolo Developments has completed more than 500 apartments over the past 10 years.
Past developments include The Garden House, which recently claimed accolades including the Urban Development Institute of Australia State and National Award for Best Medium Density Development, and The President’s Away, “Australia’s Most Outstanding Development”.
Due for completion in 2014, Upper House apartments are being sold by Melissa Hall from Colliers International.
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Piccolo's Upper House Swanston Street high rise halfway sold

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A tranquil waterfront apartment that sold for $1.56 million at auction two weeks ago is now available to rent for $1,400 per week, reflecting a gross rental yield of 4.67% for its investor buyer.
 The 1930s two-bedroom pied-a-terre was created by renowned architect Iain Halliday of Burley Katon Halliday (BKH), who worked in conjunction with esteemed feng shui master and architect Howard Choy.
It was sold by the Los Angeles self-betterment entrepreneur Siimon Reynolds, who secured its for $788,000 in 1997.
 The tranquil sanctuary offers 180-degree views of the bay, the promenade and the park with waters lapping on the doorstep.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/title-tattle/siimon-reynolds-sells-double-bay-apartment-for-%24156-million" target="_blank">Located at 3/1 Wiston Gardens Double Bay</a>, the apartment offers spacious indoor and outdoor living and entertaining areas with a generous northeast-facing terrace.
With a polished limestone bathroom and a stainless steel Miele gas kitchen with integrated appliances, this contemporary apartment embraces traditional feng shui principles.
 The property is being leased by Darren Lawson from BHR Group Edgecliff.
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Siimon Reynolds' Double Bay apartment buyer seeks 4.67% rental yield

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The ugly duckling challenge house that was destined to be demolished for garaging in the recent series of  The Block has been listed for sale with $1.1 million-plus hopes.
Situated at the rear of the block of terraces, the single-storey house was purchased for $1.2 million from its elderly owner by the television series production company before the 2012 series commenced.
Most of the time during shooting the house was home to the crew, cameras and endless amounts of hardware supplies.
After applications to demolish the house to make way for garaging failed to secure council approval, the show gave contestants a week to renovate it.
Located at 246 Montague Street South Melbourne, the house has a contemporary extension to the solid original brick home.
The three-bedroom home has an abundance of natural light and is a mix of contemporary styles and period charm, with two outdoor entertaining areas, according to the marketing speel.
The winning house of The Block 2012 sold for $1,620,000. The other three houses sold between $1.33 million and $1.44 million
The cottage has been listed by <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.thehomepage.com.au/property/residential/246-montague-street-south-melbourne/612392">Kent Morgan at Frank Gordon Port Melbourne </a> for October 27 auction.
There are also approved plans of second-floor extension.
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The Block 2012's ugly duckling challenge house listed with $1.1 million-plus hopes

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A ground-floor retail shop has sold in a new Melbourne residential tower 33M for $650,000.
The MacKenzie Street tower, being developed by CEL Australia with a scheduled 2013 finish, is located between Exhibition and Russell streets.
It comprises of 372 apartments and two ground floor retail shops.
Shop 2 has been sold by agent Daniel Wolman from Colliers International to a local owner-occupier, who will operate a high-end quality café and convenience store in the 90-square-metre space.
The building 33M is marketed as a development offering residential lifestyle features similar to those expected in a<a target="_blank" href="https://www.33m.com.au/#gallery"> luxury resort</a>, without the associated expense.
Designed by Elenberg Fraser Architects, with further design work by Oculus, the tower consists of five rooftop common areas, a sky gymnasium on level 31 along with lap and relaxation pools on level four.
One-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments in the 33M tower have sold out with the bulk of its prices between $329,000 to $660,000 when marketed in early 2011.
Colliers has confirmed that shop 1 is still available for sale.
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More macchiatos for Melbourne, as 33M streetside retail shop sells with another listed

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>.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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<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.

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Nicola Trotman

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