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The top sale for the week ending 15 May is a five bedroom three bathroom home in the Victorian suburb of North Albert that sold for $7,850,000 according to CoreLogic RP Data.
The property, 24 24 St Vincent Place, North Albert (above) sold through Marshall White Albert Park.
 
TOP TEN SALES
24 St Vincent Place, North Albert, Vic, 5 bed, 3 bath, 2 car house $7,850,000 Marshall White Albert Park 
23 Marine Parade, Watsons Bay, NSW 4 bed, 3 bath, 2 car house $7,450,000 BradfieldCleary Double Bay 
36 Viret Street, Hunters Hill, NSW 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car house $7,025,000 McGrath Estate Agents 
72 Raglan Street, Mosman, NSW 5 bed, 5 bath, 1 car house $4,700,000 McGrath Estate Agents 
312 Glenferrie Road, Malvern, Vic 4 bed, 3 bath, 2 car house $4,700,000 Marshall White Armadale 
59/155 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 3 bed, 2 bath, 4 car unit $4,250,000 McGrath Estate Agents 
30 Shackel Avenue, Clovelly, NSW 5 bed, 2 bath, 2 car house $4,200,000 Ballard Property Group Double Bay 
7 Violet Street, Bronte, NSW 5 bed, 3 bath, 2 car house $3,975,000 Phillips Pantzer Donnelley Woollahra 
12 David Place, Seaforth, NSW 3 bed, 3 bath, 2 car house $3,750,000 Belle Property Seaforth 
46 Bulls Road, Burraneer, NSW 7 bed, 4 bath, 6 car house $3,600,000 Apac Group Property Agents 
 
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Five bedroom North Albert trophy leads CoreLogic top ten sales

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Some 1,824 capital city auctions held across Australia for the week ending 15 May with a combined preliminary clearance of 68.9 percent. 
One year ago the figure was 77.5 percent.
<a href="/images/2016/05/16/20160516-Capital-city.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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Combined capital city clearance rates dip: CoreLogic RP Data

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Melbourne auctions fell to 859 for the week ending 15 May with a clearance rate of 70.6 percent.
Melbourne's inner regions held 160 auctions with a preliminary clearance rate of 76.3 percent. The west had a clearance rate of 80.3 percent.
<a href="/images/2016/05/16/Screen%20Shot%202016-05-16%20at%2011.38.34%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
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Melbourne's west the standout auction region: CoreLogic RP Data

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Sydney had a preliminary clearance rate of 75.6 percent from 517 results for the week ending 15 May 2016. 
Clearance rates ranged from a high of 93.1 percent in Ryde and a low of 26.3 percent in the Outer South West region..
<a href="/images/2016/05/16/Screen%20Shot%202016-05-16%20at%2011.34.02%20AM.png" target="_blank">Click to enlarge</a>
<img src="/images/2016/05/16/Screen%20Shot%202016-05-16%20at%2011.34.02%20AM.png" alt="">
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 Sydney's suburb of Ryde nets 93 percent clearance rate: CoreLogic RP Data 

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Activity in the Mildura/Sunraysia rural scene over the past month included the completion of the wine grape harvest while the fresh fruit table grape harvest is nearing completion with only the final pick of the later varieties remaining to be harvested. 
The weather throughout the picking season has been one of the best for many seasons, Herron Todd White noted.
With the heat now dissipating after a relatively hot summer in this region, local dryland farmers are looking to the skies for some significant rainfall to kick start their cropping campaigns and while some significant areas have been dry sown, traditionally growers tend to use Anzac Day as the point in time to commence sowing. 
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Interest has not waned from international corporate entities investing in fresh fruit, dried fruit and citrus holdings as an attractive medium to long term strategy. 
HTW noted confirmed reports of several significant transactions in recent weeks with sales generally structured on lease back arrangements to provide corporate buyers with a regular rental income stream. 
Sales and pending sales we are aware of include: 
• A 300 hectare table grape holding(244hectares planted) in the Euston region on a long term lease back arrangement. There is no water entitlement included in the sale. The property is planted predominantly to Crimson Seedless vines. The land and plantings show around $60,000 per hectare; 
• Four holdings in the Mildura/Karadoc/Nangiloc area totalling approximately 200 hectares of citrus and table grape plantings have been contracted by the same interest to the above pending Euston sale for in excess of $10 million on a long term lease back arrangement. No water entitlement is included but applicable AUL applies; 
• A large citrus holding in the Riverland region of South Australia comprising over 100 hectares of good standard predominantly navel oranges has reported sold, with the plantings expected to show levels in excess of $25,000 per hectare
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Grape harvest driving activity in Mildura, Sunraysia: HTW

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<div>The housing affordability crisis is now one of the biggest issues in Australia, causing widespread social, political and economic implications, and according to Douglas Driscoll, chief executive of real estate group Starr Partners.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Housing affordability is not just a problem for the young generation, it impacts other echelons of the Australian population.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Over time, Australia has started to view property as a business opportunity as opposed to merely somewhere to live, and it is now a national obsession. In fact, Australia has the highest number of residential mortgages per capita in the world, with house prices having risen at a rate that far outperforms that of household income and rents.<a href="https://outlook.office.com/owa/?realm=propertyobserver.com.au#_ftn1"></a> </div>
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<div>He said he is perplexed by the Government’s restraint and says it needs to move beyond deploying election tactics because inactivity is no longer an option.</div>
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<div> “There’s a lot of conversation but little action being undertaken to reach a resolution. You don’t need to be a professor of economics to see that we need a levelling of the playing field. We require immediate and prudent Government intervention that will protect the interests of future generations, not just win votes at the next election,” he said.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>“If you simply just tried to give first home buyers more of an edge this will prove counterproductive and might have disastrous consequences; it could simply add more fuel to what is already a roaring inferno and see property prices artificially increased to a whole new level. </div>
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<div>"Resultantly, investors will just end up outbidding owner-occupiers and paying even more. </div>
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<div>"Conversely, I don’t think it’s fair that we simply hone in on the wealthy.</div>
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<div>"In my opinion, this issue can only be resolved by pincer movement, applying tactics on both sides of the spectrum is the only way we can begin to reach a more level playing field."</div>
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<div>
He believes affordability could be addressed on a state-level.
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<div>“We are so obsessed with our own little patch of Australia, but at the end of the day we need to remember that regional Australia and even other capital cities are not faced with the crippling prices we have in Sydney," he said.</div>
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<div>"The matter is met with incredible complexity; if we change legislation, what does that mean for the other eighteen million Australians living outside of the harbour city?”</div>
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<div>Looking abroad, less than 50 percent of residents in Germany own their home. Tax regulations, stable prices, availability of housing and risk-averse banks make renting the more attractive option<a href="https://outlook.office.com/owa/?realm=propertyobserver.com.au#_ftn2"></a>. </div>
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<div>Contrastingly, the UK Government has a number of options for buyers under affordable home ownership schemes. Shared ownership is a scheme that allows UK residents to buy a share of their home and pay rent on the remaining share.<a href="https://outlook.office.com/owa/?realm=propertyobserver.com.au#_ftn3"></a> </div>
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<div>DOUGLAS OFFERS SIX SOLUTIONS TO THE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY CRISIS:</div>
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<div>1.       DISCOUNTED MORTGAGE RATES FOR FIRST HOME BUYERS. Subsidies already exist for students, with the availability of extremely competitive low-interest rate loans and study assist loans, so why can’t something similar be offered to first home buyers? The role and responsibility of any Government is to serve society and create opportunities for the people it represents. Unlike education, home ownership is not a democratic right, but it is certainly something that a government should help encourage and financially facilitate.</div>
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<div>2.       LIMIT NEGATIVE GEARING. Negative gearing looks as if it is going to be front and centre of the political debate for the upcoming Federal election. Contrary to some reports, negative gearing is not necessarily the domain of the wealthy, but it is certainly not something that the working class always benefit from. I don’t subscribe to the theory that negative gearing is responsible for driving property prices up, but it is definitely a contributing factor, and unlike a lot of my peers, I believe that some form of prudent intervention is now needed. I have to question why the Government ruled out changes to negative gearing in the recently announced Federal Budget, because something needs to give. Regardless of their recent manifesto, I still believe it’s a case of when, not if. The two main political parties seem to be diametrically opposed on this matter, but personally I believe that the solution lies somewhere between the two standpoints. Rather than abolish negative gearing altogether, it could perhaps be less generous or capped to a certain number of properties, for example. This would only apply to new transactions with any existing investments being grandfathered. </div>
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<div>3.       ABOLISH STAMP DUTY ON FIRST TIME PURCHASES. Historically, the Government has tried to entice younger generations into buying property by offering grants, but this is fundamentally flawed in my opinion and has never really worked. Instead, first home buyers should be made exempt from having to pay the exorbitant cost of stamp duty.</div>
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<div>4.       ALLOW FIRST HOME BUYERS TO PURCHASE USING THEIR SUPERANNUATION. In theory, this isn’t a bad idea, but most first home buyers probably don’t have enough money in their super to pay the deposit for a property, especially if they are hoping to buy in Sydney. Rather than simply being able to take the money from their superannuation fund, it should be structured as an interest-free loan, with repayments being made over a long-term period with the full amount needing to be settled before the maturation of the fund.</div>
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<div>5.       SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN REGIONAL TOWNS. One of the key contributing factors of the affordability crisis is the migration of the masses to metropolitan areas; meaning that we all want to live in the same areas and are often left fighting over the same scraps. Many rural locations are deemed by some city dwellers as antiquated outposts. What if there was considerable investment in these areas that would breathe life back into them and make them more attractive to buyers? Over the past few years, the NSW State Government has spent billions of dollars on macro projects within the confines of Sydney, such as large-scale urban regeneration and new or upgraded transport infrastructure. –Imagine what would happen if they spent similar sums on areas such as Maitland, Wollongong and Bathurst. Would they become viable alternatives for people looking to buy a home? The introduction of high-speed rail connections to these areas would certainly enhance their desirability. Another enticement could be to offer incentives to outer-city locations on an exclusive basis</div>
<div> </div>
<div>6.       SHARED OWNERSHIP. The UK’s version of this flexible scheme helps subsidise the purchase price and allows the homeowner to buy bigger shares as and when they can afford to. I think a similar model would work here in Australia. We have to be mindful from a socioeconomic view that property doesn’t just become the reserve of the rich.</div>
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<div>DOUGLAS DRISCOLL is chief executive officer of real estate agency <a href="https://www.starrpartners.com.au/" target="_blank">Starr Partners</a>.</div>
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Six solutions to the housing affordability crisis: Doug Driscoll

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Realestate.com.au has launched a new consumer marketing campaign with the tagline “If you’re not on realestate.com.au, you’re not in the market”. 
The campaign is the brand’s biggest campaign launch since August 2014 and run over a five month period. 
Executive general manager of media &amp; marketing, Libby Minogue said the campaign focuses on the property conversations people are having all over Australia every day. We know that almost 60 percent of buyers are worried they will never be able to afford the property they would love, and we want to help them achieve their property dreams. 
“Renting, buying and selling property is up there with some of the biggest decisions we make in our lives. We want people to feel in control of their property journey – whether you are buying, selling or renting – and we want people to know that realestate.com.au is not only the strongest platform to buy, sell or rent, but also has valuable tools and information to help you on their way," she said.
“More Australians use realestate.com.au than any other property site vand our campaign reassures people that when you’re on realestate.com.au, you’re the expert in the room."
Andrew Rechtman, executive general manager of residential said agents remain the most important resource a vendor has when it comes to marketing their property, and we know that the best agents make their vendor’s marketing dollars work harder. 
“This campaign clearly reinforces that realestate.com.au attracts the largest audience of people looking for property in Australia, delivering an exceptional return on investment for every vendor who includes realestate.com.au in their marketing schedule,” he said.
For more information for sellers, <a href="https://youtu.be/tssGteh6blM%20" target="_blank">click here</a>. For renters, <a href="https://youtu.be/NKswuiS0WPY" target="_blank">click here</a> and for buyers <a href="https://youtu.be/wCZ1YpVMf_c" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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Realestate.com.au launches new consumer marketing campaign

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“Buying off the plan” refers to buying property in a plan of subdivision that has not been registered, or a unit that has not been built.
Buyers enter into a contract with a developer to buy property in a development which may not be completed for some years.
Marketing and selling property off the plan can enable land to be developed in an efficient, cost-effective way. Buying property in this way can also allow buyers to future-plan their housing. However, there are particular risks in this type of sale.
Contracts between the buyer and seller usually contain a number of conditions. These conditions may outline matters including:
<ul>
<li>the agreed time-frame for the developer to complete the project;</li>
<li>the agreed standards to which the project should be delivered; and/or</li>
<li>how the contract can be varied or terminated, and by who.</li>
</ul>
Legislation has recently been amended to provide additional protection for purchasers of property, off the plan. Learn more about these changes and the consultation process, below.
What change has been made to the law? 
The law has been strengthened to help stop developers from unreasonably using sunset clauses, provided in their contracts for off the plan residential property sales, to bring those contracts to an end. 
Under the Conveyancing Amendment (Sunset Clauses) Act 2015, a developer that is the vendor under a contract is now required to give notice to each purchaser under the contract, before ending the contract. This notice must state why the developer proposes to end the agreement and give reasons for delay with the project.
For the contract to be terminated, the purchaser would need to agree.
If the purchaser does not agree, and the lot has not been created before the sunset date, then the developer will need to obtain an order from the Supreme Court permitting the contract to be rescinded.
The new legislation will apply to all off the plan contracts that have not been completed - that is, contracts that are still in operation on 2 November 2015; and, also, to any off the plan contracts entered into on or after 2 November 2015.
So, for example, if a developer has sought to use a sunset clause to rescind a contract made on or after 2 November 2015, the contract would attract the protection of the new law and the developer would need to obtain a Supreme Court order to end that contract.
More information is available at <a href="https://www.lpi.nsw.gov.au/" target="_blank">www.lpi.nsw.gov.au</a>.
Why was this change needed? 
Amendments to legislation have been passed by the NSW Parliament to protect consumers in response to an emerging concern that certain developers may be terminating contracts specifically for financial gain, through the use of ‘sunset clause’ provisions.
A sunset clause can be used by either party to end the contract, if the project is not completed on time. This clause in a contract can help buyers by giving them the right to end a contract and pursue other property options, if the building project is delayed.
However, some NSW consumers have reportedly had their contracts rescinded by developers using sunset clauses, only for the land or apartment that has been the subject of those contracts to be re-sold shortly after, for a higher price.
In some other instances, developers have used delay with a project to activate the sunset clause.
This practice creates uncertainty and disappointment for would-be buyers, who may have been waiting to settle the purchase for many months or years.
To respond to these concerns, NSW Fair Trading and NSW Land and Property Information (LPI) consulted on the extent of the problem and considered a range of measures to address this issue. Those consultations have resulted in the new legal procedures outlined here and as set out more fully in the Conveyancing Amendment (Sunset Clauses) Act.
Response to the buying property off the plan survey 
In considering changes to the current laws, the NSW Government conducted a survey to obtain feedback about off the plan property sales. 639 people responded to that survey over a three week public consultation period. The survey closed on 14 October 2015.
Fair Trading and LPI assessed the results of that survey to help identify and respond to key issues related to this type of property sale in NSW. Industry stakeholders and consumer representatives were also separately consulted, to consider possible changes to the law.
For more information, <a href="https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au" target="_blank">click here</a>.
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Property 101: NSW buying off the plan

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Residential construction company Sekisui House has released release their line of Shawood homes at the masterplanned community ‘The Hermitage’ in Gledswood Hills, South West Sydney. 
The homes feature a number of single and double storey designs. 
The current release of homes have four generous bedrooms, multiple living areas, dedicated study areas and ample storage. 
The Hermitage has to offer including access to over 35 hectares of parkland, 50km of cycle and pathways and a backdrop to 120 hectares of the finest golf courses in the South West. 
The homes start from $734,000 and range up to $839,000 with internal spaces varying from 242.9 square metres to 270.4 square metres.
The homes are currently under construction with completion expected by late 2016.
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Sekisui House releases new Shawood homes line

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The pending Federal election could present opportunities for astute home buyers and investors, according to Real Estate Buyers Agents Association of Australia (REBAA) president Rich Harvey.
He believes it is likely there could be a lot less competition at auctions and open inspections in coming months as historically people tended to sit on their hands in the lead-up to elections.
"The lowest point consumer confidence had been in the last couple of years was the 2014 budget when the Roy Morgan index plunged below 100 (average is 113)," he said.
“Looking at the most recent consumer confidence report from Roy Morgan, you can see the stark changes that happen among Australians around both budgets and elections,” he said.
“While the metric did rebound to regular levels after some time, it shows the resounding impact that budgets have on our consumer base. With tax breaks, higher fees, and restrictions on spending, it's no wonder people feel less confident as new measures are announced.
"In the event cold feet turned out to be a widespread phenomenon in coming months, buyers would be wise to get in “while the going was slow” and take advantage of consumer uncertainty.
“The Reserve Bank figures show that housing credit has remained stable over the first few months of the year, after some rocket-powered increases in lending throughout 2015. This suggests that market activity has already slowed down, and pre-budget or pre-election nerves might see this escalate.
“With promises coming from all corners of the political arena and less stability until the votes are counted, a quieting could be on the cards. While none of us have a crystal ball, it make sense that if there are fewer people in the property market, property hunters will have a better than average chance of picking up an excellent deal."
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Federal election an investment opportunity

Malaysian developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/s-p-setia">SP Setia</a> is the latest to jump into St Leonards booming Transport Oriented Development precinct.

The developer, which has previously delivered Sapphire by the Gardens apartment development in Melbourne, identified the Atchison Street site in 2023. It filed a Scoping Report around 12 months ago, and now has revealed the designs for the new&nbsp;40-storey mixed-use tower.

The State Significant Development Application covers <a href="https://next-portal.urban.com.au/projects/14650/summary">20-22 Atchison Street</a>, a 1,374 sqm site positioned between St Leonards Station and the new Crows Nest Metro station.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/cox-architecture">COX Architecture</a>, the project would deliver 181 apartments, above a four-storey commercial podium, five basement levels, and new public domain works along Mitchell Street. The apartment mix comprises 35 one-bedroom apartments, 39 one-bedroom-plus-study apartments, 85 two-bedroom apartments, and 22 three-bedroom residences.

The proposal has been lodged as a shop-top housing development under the NSW Government’s TOD planning pathway, which allows increased density around key transport infrastructure. The site sits within the recently rezoned Crows Nest Accelerated TOD Precinct.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b799673d-48e2-46b0-801a-0e33a9330100" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20site.png?VersionId=dPh0UfwfaHpbFL1R7H1cbZNbIW0CHbCC" />

SP Setia acquired the Atchison Street site as part of its continued expansion into the Australian apartment market. In comments made to City &amp; Country (The Edge Malaysia) in 2023, SP Setia President and CEO Datuk Choong Kai Wai described the acquisition as “a strategic move” aligned with the group’s post-pandemic market recovery strategy.

“Our target for this exceptional development is local and overseas buyers, including first-home buyers, downsizers and investors,” Choong said.

The tower has been designed as a slender vertical form rising from a mixed-use podium, with COX Architecture positioning the development as a response to the evolving St Leonards and Crows Nest skyline.

“The purpose of the project is to facilitate the delivery of high-quality housing at a strategically located site and deliver a built tower outcome that is consistent with the desired future character of St Leonards and aligns with the TOD controls,” the design report stated.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b1a85eee-76f7-436c-a6da-73ba827b9b13" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/atchinson%20entry.png?VersionId=dA9jHGPMcm.dDbwk4QfxqWiY5bfh3UVt" />

The podium would incorporate retail uses fronting Atchison Street, commercial tenancies, landscaped communal areas, and pedestrian improvements along Mitchell Street. Vehicle access and loading would be consolidated via Atchison Lane.

Residents would have access to more than 665 sqm of communal indoor and outdoor spaces, while the development proposes 96 parking spaces across five basement levels.

The proposal also includes a commitment for 10 per cent of residential floor space to be allocated toward affordable housing through a monetary contribution.

COX said the tower form responds directly to the emerging high-density character of the precinct while seeking to maximise solar access, cross ventilation, and outlook from apartments.

<img alt="First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2163f85c-f63b-4be3-aafa-f8763976cec5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Article%20Feature%20Image%20%28Grid%29_5.png?VersionId=WiAmtIKJ6.ZQ41EtYEQ1fol7AeorKBlL" />

“The building is orientated towards north,” the Apartment Design Guide compliance report noted, adding that the tower’s slim form was driven by the constrained inner-urban site dimensions.

The design also incorporates landscaped setbacks and communal open space at podium level, intended to soften the interface with surrounding streets and improve pedestrian amenity.

The project adds to a growing wave of redevelopment proposals reshaping St Leonards and Crows Nest following the opening of the Sydney Metro City line and the NSW Government’s push for higher-density housing around major transport nodes.

Last week Stockland filed plans just down the road. They want to build a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/601-pacific-highway-st-leonards-nsw-2065">52-storey tower on Pacific Highway</a>.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-stockland-plans-52-storey-538-apartment-st-leonards-tower">First look: Stockland plans 52-storey, 538-apartment St Leonards tower&nbsp;</a>

Joel Robinson

First look: SP Setia targets St Leonards skyline with 40-storey TOD tower

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> has revealed plans for a new mixed-use tower at 10 Dangar Street, Wickham, advancing a proposal that would reshape the southern gateway to Newcastle’s city centre with one of the city’s tallest residential buildings.

The State Significant Development proposal, now on exhibition, seeks approval for a <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/bowline-10-dangar-street-wickham-nsw-2293">43-storey tower</a> immediately adjacent to the Newcastle Interchange. The project would deliver around 200 apartments, including 42 affordable housing dwellings, alongside 99 co-living units, a 171-room hotel, retail space, and new public domain integrated through the site.

The scheme marks a significant escalation of plans previously approved for the site. Urban Property Group took over the prominent 2,904 sqm parcel, where excavation and demolition had already commenced under an earlier consent for a 14-storey mixed-use development.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="58a96dd9-407f-4d20-86b4-94e4bfeef74b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20podium.png?VersionId=LGlf08pdFGAZDzvx_CXC4XakHNZRuEE0" />

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, the tower has been conceived as a landmark transit-oriented development anchored to the Newcastle Interchange precinct. The proposal includes 245 build-to-sell apartments across a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom residences, as well as two penthouses. Fifteen apartments and one operational unit are earmarked for NDIS housing. The co-living component would add a further 99 units, while the podium would accommodate retail uses and hotel facilities.

SJB said the site presents “a valuable opportunity to anchor the precinct by setting the standard for design, active ground planes and character at the key southern gateway.”

The architecture responds directly to the site’s position beside major transport infrastructure and within one of Newcastle’s fastest-evolving urban renewal precincts. The tower form sits above a sculpted podium designed to frame new public spaces, including a through-site pedestrian link connecting Station Street to Hannell Street, landscaped plazas, and activated retail edges.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7bd6ff0-f7db-4ce8-a6dc-ea56e72c6149" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20lanne.png?VersionId=xzf39VADyhj7zBQY2I9fx9vI62u2tuSb" />

The design report describes the project as part of the broader transition of Wickham into “a vibrant, high-quality mixed-use urban precinct” that leverages proximity to the station, open space, and regional connectivity.

A detailed public art strategy has also been prepared for the development. The strategy positions the project as “a transit-oriented development of state significance at the gateway to Newcastle’s city centre” and outlines a series of integrated artworks responding to Newcastle’s industrial and transport heritage.

Creative Road’s curatorial framework for the project, titled Unveil, draws on “stratified surfaces, carved volumes, and light-filled apertures” while referencing Newcastle’s transformation from an industrial city into a contemporary education and technology hub.

<img alt="First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s next supertower at Wickham interchange" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77a882bb-14b1-4d28-99ff-9438e39508c0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/wickham%20site.png?VersionId=cevgo_vN0eKPK78P8YcEu3mKPLkpFqE7" />

The proposal is being advanced through the NSW Housing Delivery Authority pathway after being declared State Significant Development in June 2025. The accompanying scoping report states the development aims to “maximise the site’s proximity to the Newcastle Interchange by delivering transit-oriented development” while increasing housing supply and affordable housing provision within the Newcastle LGA.

Urban Property Group’s plans align with the long-term strategic vision established under the Wickham Master Plan, which identified the interchange precinct as suitable for substantial uplift in height and density. The current proposal would significantly intensify that vision, positioning the tower among the tallest developments proposed for Newcastle.

The site sits immediately north of the Newcastle Interchange, bounded by Dangar Street, Hannell Street, and Charles Street. It is surrounded by a rapidly growing cluster of residential towers and mixed-use projects that have emerged following the completion of the light rail and transport interchange.

First look: Urban Property Group unveils Newcastle’s latest tower at Wickham interchange

Bottega House has completed settlement of a landmark riverfront site in Macquarie Street, St Lucia, representing its first major Brisbane development.&nbsp;

Positioned on the banks of the Brisbane River, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">premium site at 180 Macquarie Street</a> features uninterrupted river frontage in one of Brisbane’s most tightly held residential precincts.&nbsp;

The proposed development, currently under assessment with Brisbane City Council, has been designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a> with interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and will deliver a boutique collection of premium residences positioned specifically for owner occupiers and downsizers.&nbsp;

The residences are set to redefine luxury apartment living in the area, with a focus on architectural quality, refined finishes, landscape integration and elevated amenities including curated wellness facilities, resort-style pools and recreation spaces rarely seen in the local market.&nbsp;

Exclusive sales for the project will be led by Keenan &amp; Byrne, ahead of an anticipated launch later this year.&nbsp;

Bottega House Managing Director Nick Malloch said the project reflects the group’s ambition to deliver a highly curated residential offering within one of Brisbane’s most tightly held precincts.&nbsp;

“This is an incredibly rare riverfront opportunity and one we have approached with a long-term perspective,” Malloch said.&nbsp;

“Our vision from the outset was to create a boutique collection of residences that feel more like private homes than traditional apartments, with generous proportions, refined finishes and exceptional amenity throughout."

Malloch says there is a&nbsp;lack of premium owner-occupier stock of this quality in the market, particularly for downsizers wanting space, privacy and a true lifestyle offering without compromise.&nbsp;

"Demand is expected to be strong given the scarcity of premium riverfront opportunities of this nature within Brisbane’s inner-west."&nbsp;

Bottega House secures landmark riverfront site in St Lucia 

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The arrival of the first piling rig officially marks the commencement of construction at SIERA’s new beachside apartment development, Exhale, in Northcliffe.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/exhale-surfers-paradise-8-enderley-avenue-surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Exhale</a>, a glass-encased tower featuring 54 large-scale apartments at 8 Enderley Avenue, is SIERA’s third Gold Coast development. It follows the recently completed PIPIS Bilinga beachfront project, which achieved suburb-record prices, and the soon-to-be-completed Chevron Island development, Tapestry.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359603]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/siera">SIERA</a> Founder and Managing Director Brent Thompson said the arrival of the piling rig represented a significant milestone for the development, which is scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Over the next month, around 260 piles are expected to be installed as work progresses on the basement structure. The building is anticipated to rise above ground level early next year, before unveiling its sculptural glass curtain wall, developed in collaboration with specialist façade engineers.

“The façade was designed to maximise panoramic coastal views while creating a distinctive architectural identity,” Thompson said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=355935]

Designed by BDA Architecture, Exhale will comprise just 54 two- and three-bedroom residences across 26 levels, a level of low-density living rarely delivered in this beachside pocket between Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

The project has been conceived as a resident-only building, with no short-stay accommodation permitted. SIERA says the model is intended to appeal to long-term owner-occupiers rather than transient holiday demand.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=361052]

Residences have been designed with large-format layouts and expansive glazing, with most apartments featuring more than 30 metres of glass frontage to maximise natural light and ocean views.

The amenity offering spans two levels and centres on wellness and lifestyle, including a heated magnesium pool, sauna, yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, private dining facilities, cinema lounge, and dedicated surfcraft storage.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112661 project_image_fid=359607]

More than half of the apartments have already sold. SIERA has also opened a sales gallery for Exhale at its Chevron Island commercial premises, near its Tapestry tower and the site of its second Chevron Island apartment development, which is slated to launch in early 2027.
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[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112661]

SIERA kicks off construction at Northcliffe tower Exhale

Local Little Bay residents, along with buyers from premium postcodes across Sydney’s affluent Eastern Suburbs, have dominated purchases in developer-builder Urban Property Group’s first Eastern Suburbs apartment development, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a>.

The $250 million coastal project, one of the first new developments in the area in several years, has proven particularly popular with downsizers, especially those from Coogee and Bondi. One Double Bay downsizer paid $4.7 million for a four-bedroom penthouse, setting a new local apartment price record in the process.

Buyers have been attracted to the combination of coastal tranquillity, premium design and amenity-rich neighbourhood living. The walkable village setting, along with proximity to three of Sydney’s leading golf courses, New South Wales Golf Club, St Michael’s Golf Club and The Coast Golf Club, has also been a key drawcard.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352689]

Built across two low-rise buildings designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hill-thalis-architecture-urban-projects-pty-ltd">Hill Thalis</a> and set along a lush, landscaped green spine, designed by leading landscape architect <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/arcadia-landscape-architecture">Arcadia</a>, ESTE Little Bay offers a collection of one, two, three and four-bedroom residences with interiors by Richards Stanisich.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/urban-property-group">Urban Property Group</a> Sales Director, Tom McIvor said the response to ESTE has been "nothing short of extraordinary."

“Buyers have been quick to recognise ESTE as a rare opportunity to invest in a coastal sanctuary that offers both seclusion and connectivity to the heart of Sydney,” McIvor said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352687]

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">SRM Residential</a> Senior Director, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/srm-residential">Clayton Ross</a> said the local market has responded incredibly well, driven by ESTE’s exceptional location and the rarity it offers.

“We’ve seen strong interest from a variety of buyer groups, all of whom are drawn to the exclusivity and quality of the build and construction by the 4.5-star iCIRT-rated builder / developer, Urban Property Group. There’s truly nothing else like it along Sydney’s coastline.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=112343 project_image_fid=352690]

The project also includes robust buyer protections, including Resilience Insurance’s Latent Defects Insurance, providing 10 years of structural cover, and an independent iCIRT-rating of the developer.

“The iCIRT-rating adds another layer of confidence,” Ross added. “Buyers see it as a safeguard for their investment and their lifestyle.” A highlight of ESTE’s offering is its exclusive wellness amenities, including a heated rooftop infinity pool and outdoor heated spa, a state-of-the-art Technogym fitness centre, and a sauna.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/este-little-bay-jennifer-street-little-bay-nsw-2036">ESTE Little Bay</a> is topped out and is on track to complete towards the end of 2026, with residents moving in before Christmas.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=112343]

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