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Chinese buyers are pushing up property prices in Brisbane's suburbs that have a significant Chinese presence, according to new research by real estate firm PRDnationwide.
Brisbane suburbs with a large number of Chinese are experiencing higher property price growths relative to the average growth of the Brisbane South and Greater Brisbane areas, the data shows.
“In the past 5 years Robertson’s property price growth was over double the Greater Brisbane average,” said PRDnationwide national research manager Dr Diaswati Mardiasmo.
“A likely cause is the well documented tendency of the Chinese community to gather together,” said Dr Mardiasmo.
“The increasing number of Chinese buyers, including local, interstate, and overseas buyers has meant that there is a high level of demand for houses in these areas, pushing prices up.”
In 2014, the Financial Investments Review Board reported $12.4 billion in approvals for real estate from Chinese investors.
Seven suburbs, all located within Brisbane’s Southern area,  with an average Chinese population of 18.7 percent were found to have an average house price growth of 11.5 percent over the past 12 months, well above the average house price growth in Brisbane South and Greater Brisbane, at 5.9 percent and 4.4 percent respectively.
Mardiasmo said a large Chinese population could be taken as an indicator that a suburb would see high levels of price growth. 
The average house price growth in the suburbs surveyed over the past 5 years is 30.8 percent compared to Brisbane’s Southern area and Greater Brisbane, which sat at 22.8 percent and 18.5 percent respectively. 
“This trend seems to be relatively sustainable, as we have noted significant differences over both the short and median terms.”  
Growth also seems to be proportional to the Chinese population in an area.
Robertson, which has the highest percentage of Chinese residents at 25.3 percent, also experienced the highest property price growth, rising 38.6 percent in the last five years and 19.3 percent in the last year alone.
Eight Mile Plains had the lowest Chinese population surveyed at 11.8%. Its property price growth was 27.6% and 9.4% in the past five years and 12 months respectively.
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Brisbane's suburbs with major Chinese presence show higher home price growth: PRDnationwide

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Real estate group McGrath Estate Agents, a division of McGrath Limited (ASX:MEA), has opened a new office in Mooloolaba in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast as it looks to take advantage of strong price growth in the area.
This is the company’s fourth office in Sunshine Coast and its 20th in Queensland, said a media release. 
Chief executive John McGrath said the Sunshine Coast is one of the most exciting coastal destinations in Australia.
“The ongoing construction of one of Australia’s largest health precincts at nearby Birtinya and the new Maroochydore CBD are driving both infrastructure and employment in the region," said McGrath.
The Mooloolaba office will serve as a satellite to the Buderim office, which opened in August 2013. It is the second office under the leadership of co-principals, Damien Michael and Chris Pace. Their team will comprise of six real estate professionals.
It will service the suburbs of Mooloolaba, Minyama, Alexandra Headland, Maroochydore and Buddina.
Pace said price growth in Mooloolaba and its surrounds are back to pre-GFC levels, with the waterfront market's entry level now sitting around the $1 million range.
 
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McGrath opens office in Sunshine Coast's Mooloolaba as prices back to pre-GFC levels

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The property market in Queensland's Hervey Bay was at the start of the recovery cycle, according to valuation firm Herron Todd White's April property clock, a simple broad brush means to suggest where property prices are and which direction they are headed.
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The layout and composition of property in Hervey Bay limits the degree of fringe property. Within the same suburb, property ranges from conventional onground brick or low-set cottages to executive homes with extensive improvements or esplanade frontage.
The Hervey Bay market is well known for its affordability aspect. The past two years has seen rental rates steadily increase which has resulted in relatively good returns for investors. The developing estates offering four-bedroom, two-bathroom accommodation are achieving rental rates in the range of $360 to $380 per week with house and land package prices ranging from $345,000 to $370,000. Falling unit prices and increasing rental rates have also seen investors return to the unit market with some traditional holiday complexes converting to permanent to capitalise on the more consistent cash flow.
The older established areas of Hervey Bay also provide good affordability with early 1990 onground brick, three-bedroom, one-bathroom homes with single garages in the mid $200,000s.
This style of property achieves rental rates in the range of $280 to $320 per week. Although the continuous supply of house and land packages is creating a price ceiling for the new product market, there is potential to see some capital growth in these older established homes given the clear price gap currently being seen.
Maryborough is also a very affordable market. Prices have been falling over the past year with consistent activity in the mid to high $100,000s for typical post-war timber homes of either two- or three-bedroom accommodation. Rental rates appear to be increasing with the base rental rate in the order of $260 per week. At a price of $180,000, this would provide a gross return of 7.5%. 
Property Observer looked up some recent sales in Maryborough on www.realestate.com.au and came up with these in the affordable range.
<img src="/images/2016/05/13/main-1.jpg" alt="" width="667" height="500">
A two-bedroom highset house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-maryborough-121420190" target="_blank">39 Churchill Street Maryborough Qld 4650</a> (above) fetched $190,000.
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A two-bedroom cottage at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-maryborough-122251114" target="_blank">27 JOHN LANE Maryborough Qld 4650</a> sold for $191,000.
 
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Queensland's Hervey Bay fringes are a good bargain for investors: HTW

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Mildura in Victoria was at the start of the recovery period in Herron Todd White's latest property clock, a simple broad brush means to indicate where property prices are, and where they are going.
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While many of the dwellings constructed in Mildura’s early days were of a fairly basic standard, many have survived and continue to receive good buyer demand. These older dwellings are located within easy walking distance of Mildura’s town centre, dining and nightlife precinct and therefore appeal to both young professionals and older downsizers.
The better standard homes in Mildura are traditionally located west of Deakin Avenue, with the older character homes always well sought after.
Demand remains strong, particularly for properties with good street appeal. Values in these areas vary depending on the size of the land and residence and standard of external features, however, they typically range between $300,000 and $500,000, with some unrenovated dwellings fetching lower prices.
In the past few years there has been improving demand for homes in some inner areas on the eastern side of Deakin Avenue, in those locations within one kilometre of the town centre.
Homes in these areas are typically smaller and more affordable. Recent sales in these areas have generally been in the range of $180,000 to $280,000, with the cheaper end of this range being for dwellings that require renovation.
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To illustrate this affordability, Property Observer came across a two-bedroom bungalow at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-mildura-121817926" target="_blank">109 Olive Avenue, Mildura</a> (above) for $287,500 on realestate.com.au
There has been a gradual trend for the more basic dwellings in these areas to be either demolished or renovated, which has contributed to an improved profile.
HTW expects these areas to continue to receive good demand from budget-conscious buyers who seek the convenience of living close to the town centre and are prepared to undertake some renovation work. 
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Victoria's Mildura is for the budget-conscious buyer: HTW

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Frasers Property Australia and Sekisui House Australia have announced the sale of The Australian Hotel and Abercrombie Heritage Terraces in Sydney's Chippendale to Solotel Hospitality Group for an undisclosed sum.
The sale concludes an international expressions of interest campaign to find a buyer, which was run by Ray White Hotel's Andrew Jolliffe.
Constructed in 1938, The Australian Hotel was one of four pubs included within the original Carlton United Brewery site. 
The purchase includes the original hotel building located at the corner site of Broadway and Abercrombie Street as well as three heritage terrace houses fronting Abercrombie Street. 
Frasers Property and Sekisui House Australia are partners on the award-winning Central Park development at the former Carlton &amp; United brewery site, which is set to house 5,000 new residents once completed.
The purchase of the Australian Hotel by hotelier Bruce Solomon and renowned chef and restaurateur Matt Moran of Solotel Hospitality Group sees the continuation of the trend of experienced operators taking their products to new areas of Sydney.
"Both Bruce and Matt have enjoyed considerable success in both Sydney and Brisbane through their ARIA, CHISWICK and Opera Bar businesses to name but a few, and we anticipate their hospitality prowess will again deliver the dynamic Chippendale area with another flagship drawcard upon completion of their Australian Hotel project," said Jolliffe. 
Central Park’s project director, Mick Caddey, said the joint venture team was pleased to bring experienced operators such as Solotel on board at Central Park.
The Australian Hotel, which will reopen in 2018 after refurbishment, will form part of Central Park’s Broadway street frontage embedded within the Foster + Partners designed DUO towers. 
“The Australian Hotel was once one of the most important local watering holes in the southern end of the Sydney CBD," Solotel Group’s managing director Bruce Solomon said.
"It saw a motley crew of Fairfax journalists, Carlton United Brewery staff and local rag-trade workers pass through its doors during the 40s, 50s and 60s." 
In addition, the three adjacent terrace houses facing Abercrombie Street will be converted into a European-style wine bar.
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Solotel buys historic The Australian Hotel at Sydney's Central Park

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A development site in Melbourne's Caulfield North is to be auctioned off on June 8 through Savills Australia and is expected to fetch around $3.9 million.
The 41-45 Hawthorn Road property comprises an 893 square metre site with retail frontage to Hawthorn Road and a flexible Commercial 1 Zone. Current improvements include a single and two-storey building.
It is being marketed by Savills’ Nick Peden and Jesse Radisich
Radisich said apart from public transport and retail, there were several schools, parks and recreation facilities nearby, including Melbourne and Caulfield Grammar, Caulfield Racecourse and Caulfield Park Bowling Club.
"Caulfield North and surrounds have been high on the list of desirable suburbs for those seeking apartment living and the demand has been driven further by a high median house price of $1,850,000 in the suburb,” Radisich said. 
The property will be sold with vacant possession.
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Development site in Melbourne's Caulfield North to go under the hammer

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<div>NSW's Wagga Wagga has been a rising market in both April and May, according to valuation firm Herron Todd White's property clock -- a simple broad brush means to suggest where property markets are and what direction prices are moving in. </div>
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<div>Like all towns and cities the edge is where expansion occurs. In Wagga Wagga, this includes areas to the north at Estella, Boorooma and Gobbagombalin, to the east at Forest Hill, to the south at Bourkelands and Lloyd and the south west at Uranquinty. All these areas have seen 10% to 20% growth in vacant land values over the past two years.</div>
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<div>It’s not necessarily affordability that people are looking for, it’s a new dwelling. It must be remembered that nothing is more than 10 minutes away in Wagga Wagga which compares a lot more favourably than the bigger cities where a trip to the local shop can take 10 minutes. Dependent on the size as well as other variables, new houses sell in the outer areas for between $350,000 and $550,000. This is comparable to the cost of housing in the central suburbs of Wagga Wagga, Turvey Park and Kooringal. It appears some people do not want the hassle of maintenance an older dwelling requires.</div>
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<div>Infrastructure does not seem to be a factor either. For example Estella, Boorooma and Gobbagombalin do not have a public school, local shop or licensed premises. It will be interesting to see how all these areas fair over the next five to 10 years. There is a chance that in the short term, because of the number of new dwellings having been constructed and currently being constructed so close together both by locals and out of town investors, that values will drop.</div>
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<div>Other factors too will have an impact including higher education funding and housing requirement, defence housing requirements and probably more importantly the weather. This is one factor that politicians can’t simply add money too. Wagga Wagga’s economy relies heavily on the rural sector and should it be negatively impacted the flow on affect will be felt around the town. 
Property Observer looked up some recently sold properties in the fringe areas of Wagga Wagga in the $350,000 to $550,000 range and found these on www.realestate.com.au:
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A four-bedroom house with a garden at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-wagga+wagga-118681587" target="_blank">3 Tubbo Place, Bourkelands Wagga Wagga</a> (above) fetched $390,000.
 
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A four-bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-forest+hill-121204414" target="_blank">2 Teak Close Forest Hill NSW 2651</a> (above) sold for $510,000, according to RP Data.
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NSW's Wagga Wagga's fringes offer promise for new home buyers: HTW

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Sunshine Coast in Queensland has remained a rising market for both houses and units in valuation firm Herron Todd White's property clock --  a simple broad brush means to suggest where property markets are and what direction prices are moving in. 
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HTW also examined the fringes of Sunshine Coast in its April's report.
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The first half of 2015 was running pretty hot. There was a strong increase in sale volumes with entry level properties being the most popular. Investors comprised a higher percentage of our market with some buyers being priced out of some coastal areas. The sub $500,000 housing market close to coastal centres has shown the largest sign of the market improving. To find value and affordability for either investors or owner-occupiers, you are reviewing property type or looking further afield.
The population base generally runs along the coast from Noosa Heads south to Caloundra. While there are some small infill fringe areas near the coast, our real fringe areas tend to be the hinterland and railway townships form Cooroy in the north through to Beerwah to the south incorporating the main centre of Nambour and a number of small towns. Within these areas entry-level dwellings are around the high $200,000 to low $300,000 with these properties generally renting from between $300 to $350 per week which is not a bad return.
Within these areas there are a number of small infill subdivisions that have been performing well on the back of relatively low land prices. One big benefit is that the sizes appear to be more traditional at 600 to 800 square metre allotments with some larger rural residential allotments. Comparing this to the mainly small lot product in the coastal areas is leading buyers to look at these areas as a good alternative for families. Another factor leading to people looking at these areas to live and invest is the sense of community being generated. The schools have that country feel, there are a number of sporting clubs and the towns provide a small main street.
All in all we believe that these hinterland and railway townships have and will continue to tick over pretty well. There is very much a big affordability factor that goes into these areas and that you get some bang for your buck. We have also started to see some lifestyle factors come into play and the fact that people are looking to these areas to raise families. 
Property Observer looked up a few recent sales around the $200,000 to $300,000 plus range in Cooroy and Beerwah on www.realestate.com.au and came up with these:
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A two-bedroom townhouse at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-qld-cooroy-121409690" target="_blank">6/16a Kauri Street Cooroy Qld 4563</a> (above) sold for $330,000. 
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A two-bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-beerwah-108437626" target="_blank">25 Greber Road Beerwah Qld 4519</a> sold for $290,500.
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Sunshine Coast's fringes offer more bang for buck: HTW

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Bond Quarter, a 105-apartment high rise by Alpha 14 Property Group, is set within a heritage-listed building on Melbourne’s famous Spencer Street.
Designed by Hayball, the 386 Spencer Street site has an area of 834 square metres, and is located in the University High School Zone.
Spread over 16 floors, Bond Quarter will comprise a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments, with the one bedroom at $385,000 and the latter from $484,000.
The developer claims sales are robust, only to be expected as the development has easy access to educational institutions including Melbourne University, medical centres and is close to public transport.
 
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Bond Quarter in Melbourne's Spencer Street combines heritage with modern living

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Hospitality veterans Bruce Solomon and Matt Moran are merging their Solotel and MorSol businesses under the Solotel brand, bringing under one umbrella some of Australia’s leading bars and restaurants, according to a media report.
The two businesses will merge under the Solotel title at the start of the new financial year, said a report in hoteling industry news website www.theshout.com.au, though it didn't mention financial details of the deal.
Currently, Solotel has a portfolio of 20 hospitality venues in Sydney and Brisbane, including the Opera Bar and The Sheaf hotel; while MorSol operates some of the best restaurants in Australia, including the two-hatted ARIA Sydney, ARIA Brisbane, CHISWICK Woollahra and CHISWICK at the Gallery.
Following the merger, Matt Moran will continue to manage the ARIA and CHISWICK restaurants – the flagship restaurants of the business. 
After the deal, Solotel's staff will number around 1500. 
Moran said the merger would open up new opportunities for the staff.
“It’s going to give lots of opportunities to lots of people. If a young chef starts in a pub one day he might have [the] ambition to be in a fine dining restaurant and vice versa – I might have a sous chef in ARIA who might want to run his own pub,” he said.
Solomon and Moran's business partnership goes back to 2000 when Solomon turned the Paddington Inn into a gastropub, with a focus on the food offering. 
Both Solomon and Moran believe that by merging the businesses, they are creating one of the most dynamic hospitality groups in the country, the report added.
The Paddington Inn will be relaunched in August, opening as a new restaurant and front bar, followed by the renovation of The Edinburgh Castle Hotel in Sydney’s CBD later this year.
Solotel have also won the bid for The Australian Hotel in the new Central Park residential and entertainment precinct on the CBD’s fringe. Both The Australian Hotel and Solotel’s three-level prestige venue in Sydney's Barangaroo will open in 2018. The Barangaroo venue will feature a bar on the ground floor, a restaurant on the first floor and a rooftop bar.
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Solotel and MorSol to merge under Solotel brand

Queensland builder-developer MAYD has revealed the first look at its major North Kirra beachfront development, lodging amended plans that reduce the number of apartments and increase the proportion of larger residences.

The project is planned across a substantial 4,742 sqm amalgamated site spanning seven lots at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/2-6-pacific-parade-bilinga-qld-4225">2-6 Pacific Parade</a> and 27-33 Golden Four Drive in Bilin​ga, directly opposite Nor​th Kirra Beach.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/mayd-group">MAYD</a> secured the site for $32.5 million in 2025, in what was one of the Gold Coast's largest property transactions of the year.

The development will be delivered across two stages, with the first stage carrying an estimated gross realisation value of around $360 million.

The latest amendments seek to reduce the overall apartment count and shift the project further toward the owner-occupier market, with larger residences designed for buyers wanting considerably more space than traditionally offered in a beachfront apartment.

The residential mix will include townhomes, oversized two-bedroom apartments, substantial three-bedroom residences and four-bedroom homes.

MAYD has appointed Cera Stribley to lead the architecture and interiors, with the Melbourne-based design practice drawing on the beachfront setting through a series of ocean-facing terraces and heavily landscaped balconies.

Strong horizontal forms and curved balconies will define the exterior, with subtropical landscaping integrated throughout the building to soften the built form and increase the connection between the residences and the beachfront.

The project will also include an extensive collection of resident wellness and lifestyle facilities, continuing the broader shift across the Gold Coast's luxury apartment market toward larger homes supported by resort-style amenity.

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MAYD Founder Todd Mould said North Kirra was increasingly appealing to buyers attracted to the more established, lower-density character of the southern Gold Coast.

"North Kirra presents one of the most compelling luxury residential opportunities currently emerging in Australia, combining absolute beachfront with the character and authenticity that buyers are increasingly seeking, and the same sense of tight-knit community that defined Burleigh and Currumbin perhaps 10 or 15 years ago," Mould said.

"With Gold Coast Airport on its doorstep, it also offers a level of accessibility that broadens its appeal across almost every market demographic."

The project comes as the southern Gold Coast continues to attract an increasing share of high-end apartment development and buyer activity.

Kirra in particular has emerged as one of the region's more tightly held beachfront markets, with its relatively low-density character, established surf and hospitality scene and proximity to Gold Coast Airport differentiating it from the higher-density markets further north.

Mould said those characteristics had informed the approach MAYD and Cera Stribley had taken to the project.

"We've worked closely with Cera Stribley to create a vision that is deeply connected to its surroundings," he said.

"Inspired by the coastline itself, the architecture has been shaped around space, privacy and resort-style living, creating a collection of homes that reflects the next generation of luxury on the southern Gold Coast."

MOTIV Managing Director Carly Cottam, who has been appointed to market the project, said buyer attention had continued to move south along the Gold Coast.

"Purchasers who may once have defaulted to Broadbeach, Main Beach or Surfers Paradise are increasingly recognising the value of a genuine beachfront location that offers lower density, strong amenity and a more established sense of community," Cottam said.

"Kirra has a powerful combination of growing demand and genuine scarcity. Beachfront supply is inherently constrained, the area remains relatively low density, and buyers are increasingly placing a premium on locations that feel established, uncrowded and authentic rather than heavily developed."

Cottam said the proximity to Gold Coast Airport was also proving increasingly important for interstate and second-home buyers.

"Being minutes from Gold Coast Airport makes it particularly compelling for interstate buyers, frequent travellers and second-home purchasers who can access an authentic coastal lifestyle almost immediately after stepping off a flight."

The acquisition takes MAYD's active development portfolio to more than $500 million, with the North Kirra project representing one of its largest undertakings to date.

MAYD is targeting an early 2027 launch.

Joel Robinson

First look at MAYD's North Kirra mixed-use precinct

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Castle Hill, the longtime hub of the Hills District, has been one of the major beneficiaries of Sydney's Metro expansion, with improved connectivity helping drive continued population growth, development and buyer demand across the Hills District.

But despite that growth, the suburb has seen relatively few major new apartment projects brought to market over the past 18 months.

Hills District developer Reve Group is looking to fill that gap with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nova-r-ve-castle-hill-2-garthowen-crescent-castle-hill-nsw-2154">Nova Rêve</a>, a major new mixed-use precinct on the corner of Garthowen Crescent and Old Castle Hill Road, a short walk from Castle Hill Metro Station and Castle Towers.

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The project will comprise three residential towers alongside a hotel, restaurants, cafes and a skybar, more than 1,600 sqm of ground-floor retail and almost an acre of landscaped gardens.

It represents the largest project undertaken by Reve Group, the development arm of the Kassis family, which has been building across the Hills District for more than 30 years through Kassis Homes.

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Nova Rêve also represents a significant step up from the family's first apartment development, Grand Rêve, which was delivered nearby on Garthowen Crescent.

Grand Rêve introduced larger, house-like apartment layouts and premium inclusions including Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances to the Castle Hill market.

Nova Rêve takes that approach to a precinct scale, combining the residential component with hospitality, retail and substantial public and resident landscaping.

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Reve Group Managing Director Sam Kassis said the project reflected the family's three decades of building in the Hills, which has evolved from trophy homes on quarter-acre blocks to larger-scale apartment development.

"Grand Rêve was our first apartment project here and it showed us what this pocket of Castle Hill could be. Nova Rêve is the refinement of that idea: not just apartments, but a place the whole suburb can use," Kassis said.

A key part of that approach is the hotel, which has been designed to operate as an amenity for the wider Castle Hill community rather than solely hotel guests.

It will include restaurants, cafes, skybars and all-day dining, alongside conference and event facilities catering to business functions, community groups and private events.

At ground level, more than 1,600 sqm of shops and cafes will open onto the surrounding streets and landscaped areas.

Almost an acre of gardens designed by Land and Form Studios will run through the precinct, incorporating pathways, seating, barbecue areas and children's play spaces.

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Reve Group's Romio Georges said creating an active ground plane had been central to the planning of Nova Rêve.

"There are gardens with pathways, barbecues, seating and play areas, shops and cafes opening onto the street, and a hotel with restaurants and a skybar that anyone in Castle Hill can walk into," Georges said.

The project's elevated position on one of Sydney's highest ridgelines will also provide apartments with outlooks toward the Sydney skyline, surrounding parkland and the Blue Mountains.

More than 80 per cent of the apartments will occupy corner positions, with Turner responsible for both the architecture and interiors.

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Nova Rêve arrives as Reve Group bets on Castle Hill's next growth phase

A collection of just 25 large-format apartments and penthouses overlooking Goodwin Park is entering the Coolangatta market, with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/marea-residences-coolangatta-27-27a-dixon-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Maréa Residences</a> combining a low-density, residential-only approach with uninterrupted park and Pacific Ocean outlooks.

Located at 27 Dixon Street, Maréa comprises three and four-bedroom residences alongside a limited number of dual-level penthouses, with the project positioned between Goodwin Park and <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/coolangatta-qld-4225">Coolangatta</a>’s coastal precinct.

Construction has commenced, with completion currently estimated for late 2027. Three-bedroom residences are priced from $1.8 million.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374005]

The project has been designed around its northern outlook across the park, with the building’s architecture, landscaping and material palette intended to establish a connection with the neighbouring green space. The residences have been configured to maximise natural light and views across Goodwin Park towards the ocean.

Inside, the material palette incorporates timber, stone and brushed brass, complemented by curved detailing and ambient lighting. Kitchens and bathrooms carry the same natural material approach, while residences also include basement parking, storage and lift access.

Maréa’s penthouses are arranged over two levels and include private pools, adding another layer to the project’s focus on larger-format apartment living. Across the development, residences are configured with three or four bedrooms rather than the broader mix of smaller apartment types commonly found in larger projects.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374010]

Resident amenity is concentrated at rooftop level, where landscaped entertaining terraces and pools take advantage of elevated views across Coolangatta and the Pacific Ocean.

The project has so far been particularly well received by local owner-occupiers and downsizers, according to Urban Activation Property Sales and Marketing Director Matt George, with the residential-only format, construction quality and northern park outlook among the features resonating with purchasers.

“The uninterrupted northern aspect overlooking Goodwin Park has been a key point of difference, with buyers attracted to the sense of serenity and open space the park provides, while still enjoying easy access to the ocean and being within walking distance of the lifestyle and amenities Coolangatta has to offer,” George said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150999 project_image_fid=374002]

“The combination of high-quality construction, a residential-only building, park outlook and proximity to the beach has resonated strongly with the local downsizer market.”

The Dixon Street address is within walking distance of Coolangatta Beach and the broader southern Gold Coast coastline, including the surf breaks at Snapper Rocks and Kirra. Coolangatta’s cafés, restaurants and retail are nearby, while Gold Coast Airport is also within close proximity.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150999]

Maréa Residences brings parkside apartments to Coolangatta

Melbourne developer PDG has secured Victorian Government approval for its $1.5 billion Southbank development <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-one-1-queens-bridge-street-southbank-vic-3006">The One</a>, clearing the way for the long-dormant riverfront site opposite Crown to finally be developed.

The Minister for Planning has approved the project at 1-29 Queens Bridge Street, with the Department of Transport and Planning issuing the planning permit following its assessment.

The approval will allow PDG to develop the prominent 5,059 sqm site with a major mixed-use tower comprising premium apartments, including branded residences, a luxury hotel and boutique office space.

PDG acquired the site in late 2024, with its position directly opposite Crown's main entrance and near Melbourne's Arts Precinct making it one of Southbank's most significant remaining development opportunities.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3933013e-6332-4386-b9be-089df05caf17" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.22%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=sITIgBqDL0N3VNSMwWEmF5UA.uvcsRyu" />

Designed by COX in collaboration with ODO and PDG, the tower's architecture draws on the movement of the Yarra River, with six vertical pleats running the height of the sculpted facade.

The project will also see the heritage-listed Queens Bridge Hotel restored and incorporated into the development&nbsp;with new hospitality and public uses, including a rooftop venue.

A significant component of The One will be its residential amenity.

More than 5,000 sqm of resident facilities will be delivered across a single level, making it one of the largest consolidated residential amenity offerings proposed in an Australian apartment development.

The planning approval also incorporates a major upgrade of Queensbridge Square, which PDG will deliver in partnership with the City of Melbourne.

<img alt="PDG" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="73167fcd-1031-4b6f-a408-a064cfe45ed1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%209.29.17%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=Pf1AEWxw6SNmBqR0zQW5lyEze.MtxgFp" />

The existing square will be revitalised as a new civic and pedestrian space along the Yarra River, strengthening the connection between the project, Southbank and the riverfront.

PDG Founder and Managing Director Vince Giuliano said the approval represented a major milestone for a site which has remained largely underutilised for more than 15 years.

“This is the most significant Planning Permit approval Melbourne has seen in recent years,” Giuliano said.

“For more than 15 years, this site has remained underutilised. This approval enables us to deliver a project that will contribute meaningfully to the revitalisation of Southbank, restore and reactivate an important heritage building, and create a new civic and hospitality destination for Melbourne.”

The latest approval follows an earlier planning permit issued by the City of Melbourne covering demolition works across part of the site at 9-29 Queens Bridge Street. Those demolition and early works are already underway.

PDG has also started generating early interest in the residential component from owner-occupiers ahead of a planned public launch in early 2027.

PDG secures approval for $1.5bn Southbank apartment development, The One

Local developer Harridan is seeking to turn its Woolloongabba apartment project into the first stage of a broader transformation of Burke Street, using a new 16-storey mixed-use building to establish a greener pedestrian connection toward the rapidly evolving Boggo Road transport and knowledge precinct.

The South East Queensland developer has filed plans for 154 apartments on the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/4-burke-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">southern side of Burke Street</a>, where its proposal has been designed alongside a wider vision by LatStudios for the street.

That vision positions the southern side of Burke Street for buildings of 15 storeys and above, while envisaging lower-rise development of up to five storeys on the northern side to transition into Woolloongabba's existing character housing. It also proposes wider pedestrian verges, deep planting, new street trees and upgrades to the pedestrian approach to Boggo Road Station.

The Harridan development itself has been designed by Brisbane-based Arqus Design and will comprise 154 apartments across 16 storeys. The mix is weighted heavily toward two-bedroom apartments, with 121 proposed alongside 10 one-bedroom and 23 three-bedroom residences. There will typically be around 14 units per floor.

A lower-ground car park and three podium levels will accommodate 156 resident parking spaces, along with visitor and commercial parking. There will also be 154 resident bicycle spaces and 40 visitor bicycle parks.

&nbsp;

Harridan is a family-owned developer and part of the Holmwood Highgate Group, with more than three decades of development activity across South East Queensland. Its portfolio spans residential, commercial and industrial property, with current residential projects including Riverbank on Byron in Bulimba, Esperance Residences in Carina and The Precinct at Kinross Road in Thornlands.

Wooloongabba has been popular for apartment developers, particularly since the announcement of the 2032 Summer Olympics games in Brisbane.

While there have been a lot of development applications, it has failed to materialize into real supply.&nbsp;

Sarazin has been the major player in the area. They are under construction at Murcia Residences, on the fringe of East Brisbane and Woolloongabba. They have just launched <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-stanley-residences-woolloongabba-8-trafalgar-street-woolloongabba-qld-4102">The Stanley Residences</a>, in Woolloongabba on Trafalagar Street. They also have Nuage coming soon on the nearby <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/nuage-woolloongabba-14-wellington-road-woolloongabba-qld-4102">Wellington Road</a>.

Prateek Chatterjee

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