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A conglomerate of partners and brokers within Shore Financial have purchased two floors at 153 Walker Street in a deal possibly exceeding $3 million, as withdrawal of stock due to residential projects and the Sydney metro increase demand for North Sydney office space.
Colliers International’s Tom Appleby, who brokered the deal, did not confirm the sale price but said it was the largest on-market commercial strata transaction in North Sydney since 2006.
The Financial Review reported the transaction to be worth $3.03 million.
“After years of price stagnation, lack of supply and pent up demand are likely to push some strata sales above $6,000 per square metre this year.”
The strata had been owned by a private company for more than 20 years.
Colliers International anticipates nearly 148,000 sqm of stock to be withdrawn by 2020. Another 27,600 sqm of stock is slated for demolition in 2017 to make way for the new “Victoria Cross” train station in North Sydney, as part of the Sydney Metro project.
“It’s no wonder vacancy rates have fallen to a four-year low in North Sydney (7.1 per cent) and to the lowest level since 2008 (9.6 per cent) in the St Leonards / Crows Nest precinct,” said Appleby.
With limited strata supply slated, and larger developments at 100 Mount Street (~40,600 sqm) and 1 Denison Street (~45,720 sqm) unlikely to be fully completed until 2019, demand for existing stock will remain fierce.
Applyby said the property drew interest from both owner-occupiers and leasing tenants hunting for office space, yield-driven investors and developers.
"We love North Sydney; it’s really starting to get its buzz back. We’re extremely excited about entering the next phase of our journey as we strive to become Australia’s largest independent mortgage broker,” said Theo Chambers, Shore Financial’s co-founder and director.
“We’re expecting strata transactional activity to be significant in 2016, especially given strong market fundamentals and the looming onset of Strata Reform," Appleby said.
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Strata Financial buys office space in North Sydney for more than $3 million

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A mechanics warehouse in Gold Coast’s Southport has fetched $260,000 at a Ray White auction.
The seller was Tony Ruscoe and wife Janet who own Tony Ruscoe Mechanical Repairs.
Zoned Trade in Precinct Six, <a href="https://www.raywhite.com/qld/southport/1357473/?lang=en" target="_blank">4 Price Street</a> is spread over 188 square metre with an additional rear yard. 
It has four allocated car parks and is close to Light Rail and the CBD. 
The property was auctioned by Ray White Industrial’s Steve Macgregor.
The warehouse had been listed with nearly $400,000 hopes plus GST through Nai Harcourts John Corby. 
The property last traded in 1999 when bought for $135,000.
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Southport mechanics warehouse nets $260,000 at auction

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First time buyers are reacting to the Australian house price boom by increasingly turning to investment property, apprehensive of missing out as a majority expect prices to rise, says a recent report by consulting firm Digital Finance Analytics.
According to the latest Property Imperative, a bi-annual report by DFA on the residential sector, the survey identified about 321,000 households as first time buyers with the majority seeking to purchase, or have recently buying an owner-occupied property (72%), while the rest preferring an investment property. 
Only 9% of these households expect to transact within the next 12 months, despite 53% believing house prices are set to rise in the same term.
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The Australian residential property market of 9.53 million dwellings is currently valued at over $5.86 trillion and includes houses, semi-detached dwellings, townhouses, terrace houses, flats, units and apartments with the value doubling in the past 10 years, says the report.
"It is one of the most significant elements driving the economy, and as a result it is influenced by state and federal policy makers, the Reserve Bank (RBA), banking competition and regulation and other factors. Indeed, the RBA is 'banking' on property as a critical element in the current economic transition," says Martin North, founder of DFA.
"Residential property remains in the cross-hairs of many players who wish to influence the economic, fiscal and social outcomes of Australia. In policy terms, debates around negative gearing and capital gains tax breaks for investment properties have hotted up."
Data from the CoreLogic RP Data Home Value Index shows dwelling values across Australia’s combined capital cities rose 0.5% in February, pushing home values 1.4% higher over the past three months.
Coming back to the survey, the biggest barrier for first timers to purchase include high house prices (52%), fear of unemployment (7%), finding the right property (24%) and rising costs of living (6%). In terms of financing, 60% of households will need to borrow more than they can currently obtain to transact, whilst 62% of households will consider using a mortgage broker to assist with the finance arrangements. 
The barriers do vary by state. In NSW, first time buyers were finding it more difficult to find a suitable place to buy (31%), whereas costs of living were less significant here. In WA, fear of unemployment (24%) and high prices (52%) were the most significant barriers. 
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First time buyers are split between looking for a house or a unit (in Sydney more are looking for a unit). A greater proportion (21.5%) this time were simply not sure what to buy, or where to buy, a rise from 4% in 2013, the survey showed.
A greater proportion of first time buyers in Sydney are likely to buy, or have bought a unit, rather than a house. In the other states, the preference for a house is stronger, though in Melbourne and Brisbane, it continues to drop. In Perth, house preferences are stronger. 
While comparing the elements influencing a buying decision, the report found a stronger focus on price in 2015. Schools are important, then access to transport, though almost all elements were traded away because of high prices. 
Whilst the ABS tweaked their estimates of first-time buyers taking a mortgage to adjust for the decline in first owner grants, they still give an incomplete picture. 
The traditional wisdom is that first time buyers are sitting out of the property markets, because prices are high, loans harder to get, and confidence is falling. However, one of the most significant developments surrounding first time buyers is that many more are now going direct to the investment sector. 
The original data from the ABS, shows a small rise in the month to 15.1% in December 2015 from 14.9% in November 2015. The DFA data for investor FTB also rose. 
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Also included in the DFA survey are more than 1.35 million households aspiring to purchase property, with 83% looking for owner-occupied and 17% investment. At the moment 21% are actively saving, hoping to buy sometime in the future.
The number of first time buyers are still sitting at around 13,000 a month in total, still well below the peaks in 2009. Our surveys indicate strong FTB investor appetite. The changed underwriting requirements are, however, having an impact. 
There are a number of drivers to this trend. 
First, most first time buyers were unable to afford to purchase a property to occupy, in an area that made sense to them and were being priced out of the market. 
Next, many were anxious they were missing out on recent property gains, so decided to buy a less expensive property (often a unit) as an investment, thanks to negative gearing, they could afford it. 
These buyers are hoping the growth in capital could later be converted into a deposit for their own home – i.e. the investment property is an interim hedge into property. Some are also teaming up with friends to jointly purchase an investment, so spreading the costs. In fact, about one third who purchased were assisted by the bank of mum and dad, and would consider an investment property by accessing their superannuation for property investment purposes. 
Given the heady state of property prices, the growth in investment property by prospective first time buyers is on one hand logical, on the other concerning. The report warns against increasing first-time buyer incentives. 
A deeper look at the trend shows the prospect of potential capital gains being the highest rated driver at 27%, whilst the desire for somewhere to live is just 27%. The prospect of tax savings is up to 12%, whilst the advantage of a First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is falling away as these grants become less accessible (1%). Ten percent of buyers now expect to pay less than renting, whilst the prospect of greater security remains about the same. 
In conclusion, the report says first time buyers are being infected by the notion that property is about wealth building, rather than somewhere to live. The idea may be tested if interest rates rise later, or property prices fall from their current levels, it warns. 
The overriding result from the survey is the first time buyers are very fearful of missing out, and though recent changes to underwriting standards may cramp their style, but DFA still expects to see a continued rise in the number of first time investor buyers.  
For the report, <a href="https://www.digitalfinanceanalytics.com/blog/latest-dfa-household-survey/" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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First timers fearful of missing out, turning to investment property: DFA survey

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Queensland’s Sunshine Coast continues to be high on the expansion agenda for McGrath Estate Agents, with the real estate group opening a new office in the seaside suburb of Caloundra. 
This is the company’s 15th office in South-East Queensland and 18th in Queensland.
Situated 90 km north of Brisbane’s CBD, Caloundra is at the gateway to the Sunshine Coast and known for its beautiful beaches, lush hinterland and affordable living. 
“Caloundra is gaining in popularity with seachangers who are recognising the great value and buying opportunities available in this beachside community. With major investment in infrastructure for the surrounding region, I expect the entire Coast will experience further growth and Caloundra will no doubt be a beneficiary of that,” said McGrath chief executive John McGrath.
Caloundra is one of South-East Queensland’s emerging lifestyle destinations that until recently was overshadowed by neighbouring Noosa Heads and Mooloolaba, he said.
McGrath Caloundra will service the local area from Parrearra in the north to Bribie Island in the south. It will service the suburbs of Caloundra, Pelican Waters, Little Mountain, Currimundi and Meridan Plains. 
The new office will be led by the husband and wife team of Jodie and David Hedley-Ward. 
Jodie was a ‘Residential Salesperson of the Year’ finalist at the ‘REIQ Awards for Excellence’ in both 2014 and 2015, while David has extensive local and international real estate experience having worked throughout Australia, New Zealand and the UK. 
The team will comprise eight sales agents.
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McGrath continues its Sunshine Coast expansion into Caloundra

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ASX-listed Rent.com.au Limited had more than 610,000 unique visitors to the website in February 2016, following on a record 615,405 visitors in January.
It also had almost 1,300 new landlord listings in the month, a new high, the company said in a regulatory announcement.
Rent managing director Mark Woschnak said the February UV traffic result was in line with expectations, representing sustained growth over January on a per day basis. 
“While strong UV numbers are important and demonstrate an increase in the awareness of <a href="https://www.rent.com.au/" target="_blank">Rent</a>, we are pleased with the launch of the national sales team ahead of schedule and continued gains made in agent and non‐agent registrations during the month of February," Woschnak said.
Rent now has more than 6,800 real estate agents registered with it and it has completed the deployment of its field sales team.
“We now have an on the ground agent sales presence right across the country and we are set to benefit from this continued increase in agent registrations. In addition to that, we have also had our biggest month yet for landlord listings,” said Woschnak. 
“Over the coming months we are focussing our resources on driving faster growth in agent and non‐agent registrations as we look to increase our overall level of listings content from the approximately 80 percent of national property listings that we currently have on site." 
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Rent.com.au had record landlord listings in February: ASX announcement

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The regional city of Horsham in Victoria has slipped from the peak of market position to the start of the decline phase, according to the latest recent Herron Todd White housing clock. 
The valuation firm has issued its latest property clock - a simple broad brush means to suggest where property markets are as at February 2016 - and what direction prices are moving in.
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The Horsham residential property market has drawn an outside gate for the start of the 2016 race and will have to work hard to get around the subdued demand and lack of market confidence to get to the fence by the end of the financial year, according to HTW.
The track is likely to be slow, especially at the top end of the market with a limited buyer pool.
Unit values are likely to remain stable due to an oversupply of stock but modern homes in the centre field ($300,000 to $400,000 owner-occupier market) are expected to run a solid race due to maintained strong demand and limited rental stock, says the report.
The volatility of the rural residential market will be closely watched throughout 2016, adds HTW.
The tail end of the field ($100,000 to $200,000) represents longer odds but maintains affordability compared to the centre field.
The median house price in Horsham at the end of 2015 was $237,000 and for units $212,250, according to RP Data.
As an illustration, Property Observer found a three-bedroom house at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-horsham-121788406" target="_blank">52 Francis Street</a> on sale for $240,000 on realestate.com.au. 
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Victoria's Horsham comes off top of HTW's property clock

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Changes to price quoting announced by the government are a significant step forward and bring transparency and consistency to property transactions, the Real Estate Institute of Victoria said on Friday.
The changes include:
<ul>
<li>Delivery of a new fact sheet for buyers, which will include recent comparable sales for a property, the median price for the suburb and, most importantly, the agent’s estimated sale price for the property;</li>
<li>The revision of the property’s estimated selling price - if the agent receives an offer, in writing, that is higher than the current advertised or estimated price;</li>
<li>No “offers over” or “price-plus” advertising to buyers – with the selling price only provided as either a single price, or a price range (which must fall within 10 per cent of the upper and lower end).</li>
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The new rules will apply to residential private sales and auctions, not commercial.
REIV CEO Enzo Raimondo said the changes would benefit those looking to buy real estate in Victoria.
He added that the reforms would be effective in a variety of market conditions, and for all stakeholders in property transactions.
“The changes will provide consistency in pricing of property and the information provided to both vendors and buyers,” he said.
Raimondo said the reforms were the result of a joint effort by the REIV and the Office of the Minister for Consumer Affairs.
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New price-quoting rules ‘a significant step forward for industry’: REIV 

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A potential development site at a beachfront location at Main Beach on the Gold Coast has been sold at a Ray White auction for $6.5 million.
The nearly 617 sqm block at 3513 Main Beach Parade is currently occupied by a block of flats.
It was sold under the hammer to a local investor by Michael Willems of Ray White Commercial Gold Coast on behalf of an interstate owner.
“We had an extraordinary response to the marketing campaign with 76 enquiries from a wide range of potential purchasers including local and overseas based investors as well as developers,” Willems said.
 The property comprises 2 x 3 bedroom apartments and 2 x 2 bedroom apartments.
 “There is an option for the purchaser to continue to rent out the property or develop subject to obtaining approval (STCA),” he said. “This is absolute beachfront land at Main Beach so it was highly sought after.”
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Main Beach site sold at Ray White auction for $6.5 million

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Fixed-rate mortgages accounted for more than one in every five home loans in February, despite a small drop in demand, Mortgage Choice advised.
Fixed-rate home loans accounted for 22.28% of all loans written throughout February – just 1.34 percent down from the 23.62 percent from the previous month, according to the mortgage broker’s latest national home loan approval data. Mortgage Choice based its research on new borrowers who sourced a loan through it in February.
Chief executive John Flavell said while fixed rates saw a small drop in demand throughout February, they continue to prove a popular home loan product choice for many Australians.
“We are still seeing quite a bit of volatility in the interest rate market, causing many borrowers to opt for the security of a fixed rate home loan,” he said, while adding that going forward, he wouldn’t be surprised to see demand for fixed rate products taper off.
“Given the Reserve Bank of Australia has indicated that they won’t hesitate to cut rates again if the need arises, borrowers may be encouraged to take out variable rate home loans and take full advantage of the current low interest environment,” he said.
Across the country, demand for fixed rate products was highest in New South Wales, accounting for 28.42 percent of all home loans written in February.
Queensland and South Australia were not far behind, with fixed-rate demand at  23.64 percent and 17.29 percent respectively.
Meanwhile, Victoria and Western Australia saw lower demand for fixed rates, with only 16.92 percent and 13.23 percent of all loans written in each state respectively.
Overall, variable rate home loans remained the most popular with borrowers, with 77.72 percent opting for a variable rate mortgage in February.
“The property market may still be showing signs of volatility, but the reality is that interest rates continue to sit at all-time lows. So, regardless of whether a borrower takes on a variable or fixed rate mortgage they can rest assured that they’re securing a great deal,” Flavell said.
Property Observer looked up the best fixed rate products on <a href="https://mozo.com.au/home-loans/fixed-rate" target="_blank">www.mozo.com.au</a> and found interest rates ranging from 3.79% to 4.44% on a period of one to three years.
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Fixed rate home loans dip in February, says Mortgage Choice

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This week, CoreLogic RP Data is tracking a total of 2,230 capital city auctions, with auction activity set to slow down in both Sydney and Melbourne, the nation’s two most active auction markets.
This week, 1,179 Melbourne auctions are being tracked, compared to 1,347 last week while Sydney will be host to 701 residential auctions, down from 919 last week and also lower than the 944 a year earlier. In Adelaide (96), Brisbane (126) and Perth (29), auction activity is also set to be quieter this week, while Canberra is the only capital city auction market where more homes will be taken to auction this week compared to last week, rising from 75 last week to 88 scheduled this week. 
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Capital City Auctions this week:
Sydney: 701
Melbourne: 1,179
Brisbane: 126
Adelaide: 96
Perth: 29
Canberra: 88
St Kilda (25), Reservoir (23) and Mount Waverley (18) all situated in Melbourne are the busiest individual suburbs for auctions this week. Outside of Victoria, the most auction activity will occur in Maroubra (NSW), where 11 auctions will be held. 
Summary of last week’s results:
CoreLogic RP Data collected a total of 2,476 auction results last week, accounting for almost 92% of all auctions held. The final auction clearance rate remained above the 70 per cent mark for the fourth consecutive week at 71.4%, which was slightly weaker than the preceding week where 71.8% of auctions were successful.
Melbourne’s clearance rate last week was 74.8%, the strongest result of any capital city, followed closely by Canberra, where clearance rates rebounded from 61.9% the previous week to 72.3% last week and Sydney at 72.1%.
Adelaide’s clearance rate has remained steady over the past two weeks, with last week’s final results showing 64% of auctions across the city were successful. In Brisbane, last week’s clearance rate of 57.4% is the strongest result seen so far this year and far outperformed the Gold Coast, where a final auction clearance rate of 42.4% was recorded. 
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Weekend auction activity set to slow down in both Sydney and Melbourne: CoreLogic RP Data

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/broadbeach-qld-4218">Broadbeach</a> offers plenty of reasons to live vertically, but moving from a substantial family home into an apartment can expose the compromises of high-density living. Privacy, room for guests and usable living space tend to matter more when an apartment is intended as a permanent home rather than an occasional coastal base.

A typical residential floor at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-eveleigh-broadbeach-7-9-surf-parade-broadbeach-qld-4218">The Eveleigh</a>, on Surf Parade,&nbsp;contains just four apartments. The 94-residence development by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/hirsch-faigen">Hirsch &amp; Faigen</a> is predominantly made up of expansive three-bedroom homes, with a limited collection of half-floor penthouses above.

Across the apartment floors, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/rothelowman">Rothelowman</a> has used the relatively limited number of residences to give each home greater access to natural light and outlook. Living spaces extend towards full-height glazing, while a series of bay windows frame selected views across the Pacific Ocean, city and hinterland rather than treating the building edge as a continuous wall of glass.

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[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360965]

“The apartment floors deliver a collection of homes that embrace controlled outlook via a series of bay windows deliberately framing moments of view,” Rothelowman Director Kim Lowman said.

From outside, those projecting forms contribute to the tower’s faceted profile. Strong horizontal and vertical elements establish its proportions, while the changing position of the sun alters the light, shadow and reflection across the façade throughout the day.

The same attention moves inside the apartments, where the material palette combines warm timber, natural stone, metallic detailing and softer curved forms. Kitchens sit within the main living zone, with stone island benches, integrated joinery and European appliances, before the living areas extend towards the glazing and the outlook.

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[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360981]

Three genuine bedrooms provide room to accommodate family and guests, while two secure car spaces and storage address some of the practical considerations that can become more noticeable when moving from a larger home. Feedback from the display suite has centred on the warmth and restraint of the interiors, with buyers commenting that the residences feel like homes rather than conventional coastal apartments.

A limited collection of half-floor penthouses occupies the upper levels, increasing the scale of the living spaces and adding private balconies and elevated finishes. From this position, the outlook extends between the ocean and hinterland.

Outside the private residences, The Eveleigh separates its shared spaces between the podium and rooftop. The podium is centred on wellness, with subtropical landscaping surrounding a swimming pool and pool terrace, yoga garden, private gymnasium, sauna and hot and cold plunge facilities. Landscaped retreats and pavilions provide additional places to sit away from the main recreation areas.

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[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360966]

Higher in the building, a rooftop pavilion and private dining suite sit alongside resident lounge, barbecue and outdoor dining areas, opening towards panoramic views across the ocean, city and hinterland.

“Buyers are no longer just looking for an apartment, but a lifestyle where they can relax, reset, and enjoy a balanced way of living,” Hirsch &amp; Faigen Director of Sales Matt George said.

Interest to date has come from established owner-occupiers and interstate lifestyle purchasers, including buyers planning a future move to the Gold Coast. Many are coming from larger homes and want to reduce ongoing maintenance without giving up space for family and guests, privacy, two car spaces or the ability to entertain at home.

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[smartcode_project:default project_id=149670 project_image_fid=360969]

Much of that daily life can also take place beyond the building without requiring a drive. Kurrawa Beach and Pratten Park are an easy walk from Surf Parade, while Pacific Fair, Oracle Boulevard, The Oasis, restaurants, cafés, entertainment and public transport are also within walking distance.

The Eveleigh is Hirsch &amp; Faigen's fourth Gold Coast development since entering the market in 2021, following The Hemingway at Palm Beach, The Emerson at Kirra and Yves at Mermaid Beach. Each of the preceding projects sold out before completion.

“Broadbeach had been on our radar throughout our time operating on the Gold Coast,” the developer said. “Following our projects in Palm Beach, Kirra and Mermaid Beach, Broadbeach represented the natural next step for the business.”

The Surf Parade site brought together proximity to the beach, protected coastal outlooks and walkability to dining, shopping and recreation. Hirsch &amp; Faigen also identified the street as an emerging premium residential address, with enough separation from Broadbeach's busier destinations to retain a quieter environment at home.

The Eveleigh is now under construction by Maxcon, with completion forecast for mid-2028. Three-bedroom residences are currently available from $2.87 million.

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Joel Robinson

The Eveleigh brings house-like apartments to Broadbeach

A long-stalled Campbelltown development site is back in play, with new plans for 139 apartments set to supersede a mixed-use scheme approved almost a decade ago but never built.

The new proposal for 28 Cordeaux Street would deliver 116 market and 23 affordable apartments in a part 14-storey building, bringing a substantial new project into a Campbelltown market where new apartment supply remains limited.

Plans have been filed over the 3,092 sqm corner site at Moore-Oxley Street, around 600 metres from Campbelltown Railway Station and the city-centre retail core.

The site already carries a mixed-use residential approval dating to 2016. Doroch Architects has now been engaged on a larger replacement scheme, which is progressing as a State Significant Development Application following a Housing Delivery Authority determination in August 2025.

The apartment mix comprises 39 one-bedroom, 72 two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom residences. Two-bedroom apartments make up just over half of the project, while three-bedroom homes account for 20 per cent.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="136dd5b9-3791-4da6-9e31-76f533f5b4de" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da2.png?VersionId=LgOSy9nwf5u.MGswBBwaGGxuX8QpHSl_" />

Of the 139 apartments, 23 will be delivered as affordable housing under the in-fill affordable housing provisions of the Housing SEPP. The affordable component represents 15 per cent of the residential gross floor area and will be managed by a registered Community Housing Provider.

Doroch has sought to break the scale of the building into two distinct elements, with a masonry podium of around four storeys establishing the street edge before the residential tower steps back above.

The corner position has shaped that approach. Cordeaux Street faces toward the commercial and civic centre, while Moore-Oxley Street leads into the lower-scale residential neighbourhood to the south, and the design verification report describes the site as "bridging the commercial core to the north and established residential areas to the south."

The podium will be expressed predominantly in face brick, while the upper levels shift to brushed and grooved concrete cladding with darker metal detailing. Recessed sections, deep balcony edges and landscaping break down the upper form, with an approximately 11.8-metre setback to the northern boundary addressing the adjoining St Peters Anglican School.

<img alt="First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c8b3d2d3-c561-4bfc-a5d9-a68c0c10dac1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Campbelltown%20da1.png?VersionId=AeAEyJU02Gk2k5noUj2StziCvdQ7fW4B" />

Campbelltown has been starved of new residential developments in the last decade.

The only other notable development set to come to market this year is ALAND's Queen Square, a mixed-use precinct on over two hectares that will comprise apartments above a vibrant ground-level retail and hospitality dining precinct.

First look: New 139-apartment plans revive long-stalled Campbelltown city centre site

First Look: Sherlock Construction pitches apartments for low-rise Deception Bay

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.

<img alt="MAYD" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1bcbb05-e659-4b47-8bd4-1e595315e2ad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-27%20at%202.05.03%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=jj0XEud1X1DuLt7_KyElhjMdZGOXmLHP" />

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.

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377679]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377675]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377685]

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.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152737 project_image_fid=377680]

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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[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152737]

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Prateek Chatterjee

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