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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

<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.

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Nicola Trotman

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