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There are 1,187 auctions scheduled this week in Melbourne compared to 1,172 for the same time last year.
The most auctions are expected in <a href="/news">Reservoir</a> with 24 expected followed by 23 in both <a href="/news">Bentleigh East</a> and <a href="/news">Glen Waverley</a>.
The clearance rate over the past few weeks has provided further confirmation that the market is healthy but not booming.
This is also obvious when the home values are both corrected for inflation and then compared to the previous peaks. At the end of September house values in Melbourne were 3% below their peak in real terms and units 5.4% lower. In many parts of Melbourne buyers have better purchasing power than they did in 2010.
Clearance rates may have dropped but the private sale market continues to tighten.
On a citywide basis, the time on market results for houses sold at private sale was stable at a very low 31 days over the last week and vendor discounting dropped to -4.7%.
Key data:
<ul>
<li>Clearance rate week ending 16 November: 68.9%</li>
<li>Melbourne auctions expected week ending 23 November: 1,187</li>
<li>Melbourne private sales time on market week ending 16 November: 31 days (houses)</li>
<li>Melbourne vendor discounting market week ending 16 November: -4.7% (houses)</li>
<li>Listings being prepared for market are 4.3% higher in month ending 16 November (seasonally adjusted)</li>
</ul>
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Market healthy, but not booming: RP Data's weekend auction preview

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A preliminary weighted average clearance rate of 69% was recorded this week across capital cities compared to 63.5% last week and 67.4% this time last year.
<a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141117-Capital-City.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g4007]"><img src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141117-Capital-City-580x427.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market comment | Capital City" width="580" height="427"></a>
Auction volumes were 14% higher than this time last year due to increased listings in both Sydney and Melbourne. Higher stock levels are providing increased opportunities for buyers in capital cities, especially in Melbourne.
In Sydney the auction market returned to trend after the second highest volume this year. A preliminary clearance rate of 75.2% recorded compared to 68.1% last week and 75.3% last year.
<a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141117-Sydney.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g4007]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4009" src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141117-Sydney-580x388.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market comment | Sydney" width="580" height="388"></a>
In Melbourne a preliminary clearance rate of 66.7% was recorded compared to 65.5% last week and 69% this time last year. Lower clearance rates have certainly been observed over the last three weeks. Analysis shows that they have returned to trend after what was in retrospect a strong early spring.
<a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141117-Melbourne.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g4007]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4010" src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141117-Melbourne-580x382.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market comment | Melbourne" width="580" height="382"></a>
In Brisbane a preliminary clearance rate of 45.3% was recorded compared to 43.1% last week.
<a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141117-Brisbane.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g4007]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4011" src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141117-Brisbane-580x387.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market comment | Brisbane" width="580" height="387"></a>
Adelaide recorded a clearance rate of 60.7% compared to 57.4% last week.
<a href="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141117-Adelaide.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g4007]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4012" src="https://blog.corelogic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141117-Adelaide-580x382.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market comment | Adelaide" width="580" height="382"></a>
In Canberra a clearance rate of 66% was recorded.
In Perth a clearance rate of 66.7% was recorded.
In Tasmania 4 auction sales were recorded and 3 homes were passed in.
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Auction volumes rise 14% on 2013: RP Data's national auction wrap

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The most recent update to the list of million dollar suburbs in Melbourne has seen 50 reach or exceed that mark.
This is an increase of one on last month with <a href="/news">Caulfield East</a> joining the list. The median value of a house in that suburb is now $1,002,366. Prior to Caulfield East the other recent additions were <a href="/news">Fairfield </a>and <a href="/news">Aberfeldie</a>. Those additions meant that Melbourne now has million dollar suburbs in the north, east, south and west of the city.
The list is headed by the usual suspects; <a href="/news">Toorak</a>, <a href="/news">Deepdene</a>, <a href="/news">Canterbury</a>, <a href="/news">Kooyong</a> and <a href="/news">East Melbourne</a>.  The median house value in <a href="/news">Toorak</a> is now $2.85 million and unlike the majority of million dollar suburbs this number has fallen over the last year.
The suburbs next in line do not contain many surprises but can also tell us a lot about housing values in Melbourne.
The suburbs that are within $20,000 of the million dollar mark are <a href="/news">Prahran</a>, <a href="/news">Carlton North</a>, <a href="/news">Port Melbourne</a>, <a href="/news">Williamstown </a>and <a href="/news">Bentleigh</a>.
Bentleigh is quite typical of the next group of suburbs that will join the list. It would have been quite surprising a few years ago to think of Bentleigh houses costing this much but with 97 selling for over a million in the last 12 months it now a regular feature of the area.
A cursory glance at the ‘for sale’ advertisements shows a suburb undergoing significant change with an increase in multi unit dwellings replacing the older homes on what are now large blocks. These homes coexist with a mixture of styles that are clearly proving to be very popular with buyers.
There are 1,338 auctions scheduled this week in Melbourne compared to 1,270 for the same time last year. The most auctions will be found in <a href="/news">Bentleigh East </a>with 29.
Auctions are generally more popular in the most expensive segment of the market and some suburbs have been recording multiple sales in the ultra expensive category.
A review of suburbs ranked by the number of sales valued at more than $2 million over the last year shows that three had more than 100; <a href="/news">Brighton</a>, Toorak and <a href="/news">Kew</a>. <a href="/news">Camberwell</a>, Canterbury, <a href="/news">Balwyn</a>, <a href="/news">Hawthorn </a>and <a href="/news">Malvern </a>had between 50 and 100. Outside of the leafy inner east there were some interesting results in <a href="/news">Hampton</a>, <a href="/news">Elwood</a>, <a href="/news">Ivanhoe </a>and <a href="/news">Richmond </a>had between 10 and 20 sales over $2 million.
On a citywide basis, the time on market results for houses sold at private sale was stable at a very low 31 days over the last week and vendor discounting remained stable at -4.8%.
Key data
<ul>
<li>Clearance rate week ending 9 November: 65.5%</li>
<li>Melbourne auctions expected week ending 16 November: 1,338</li>
<li>Melbourne private sales time on market week ending 9 November: 31 days (houses)</li>
<li>Melbourne vendor discounting market week ending 9 November: -4.8% (houses)</li>
<li>Listings being prepared for market are 4.3% higher in month ending 9 November (seasonally adjusted)</li>
</ul>
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Bentleigh soon to become a million dollar suburb: RP Data's Melbourne weekend auction preview

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A preliminary weighted average clearance rate of 63.7% was recorded this week across capital cities compared to 68.7% last week and 68.3% this time last year.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141110-Capital-City.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3951]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3952" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141110-Capital-City-580x421.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market comments | Capital City" width="580" height="421"></a>
It is interesting to note that due to an increase in the popularity of auctions more homes have been sold in Sydney at auction this year than Melbourne. This is the first time this has occurred. After this week there have been 24,590 auction sales in Sydney and 24,336 in Melbourne.
In Sydney market a preliminary clearance rate of 69% recorded compared to 75.6% last week and 76% last year. After a fortnight of mild improvement the ongoing high volumes are clearly having an impact with a lower clearance rate this week.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141110-Sydney.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3951]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3953" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141110-Sydney-580x385.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market comments | Sydney" width="580" height="385"></a>
In Melbourne there was a preliminary clearance rate of 63.8% recorded compared to 69.6% last week and 68.1% this time last year. The market is shifting in favor of buyers at the right time of the year with a high volume of auctions expected between now and Christmas.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141110-Melbourne.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3951]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3954" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141110-Melbourne-580x382.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market comments | Melbourne" width="580" height="382"></a>
In Brisbane a preliminary clearance rate of 45% was recorded compared to 45.3% last week.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141110-Brisbane.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3951]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3955" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141110-Brisbane-580x386.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market comments | Brisbane" width="580" height="386"></a>
Adelaide recorded a clearance rate of 61.3% compared to 57.4% last week.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141110-Adelaide.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3951]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3956" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141110-Adelaide-580x388.jpg" alt="RP Data auction market comments | Adelaide" width="580" height="388"></a>
In Canberra a clearance rate of 50.6% was recorded.
In Perth a clearance rate of 56.3% was recorded.
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More homes sold at auction in Sydney than Melbourne this year: RP Data's national auction wrap

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There are 999 auctions scheduled this week in Melbourne compared to 1,123 for the same time last year.
The most auctions will be found in <a href="/news">Mount Waverley</a> with 20, followed by 19 in <a href="/news">St Kilda</a> and 16 in <a href="/news">Glen Waverley</a>.
With just under two months remaining in the year it is worth noting that October was a relatively good month for sellers with the growth in home values increasing more strongly than in August and September.
The release this week of the RP Data CoreLogic Home Value Index showed that Melbourne house values rose by 2.1% over the month and by 1.8% over the last three months. Units saw a small rise of 0.5% in the month and 2.2% in the quarter. Over the more important longer term, the house value index outpaced units with a 9.5% rise over this year compared to 3.1%.
Auction market conditions are similar to those in the private sale market. On a citywide basis, the time on market results for houses sold at private sale tightened again from 33 days to 31 days over the last week whilst vendor discounting remained stable at -4.8%.
Key data
<ul>
<li>Clearance rate week ending 2 November: 69.6% 
</li>
<li>Melbourne auctions expected week ending 9 November: 999 
</li>
<li>Melbourne private sales time on market week ending 2 November: 31 days (houses) 
</li>
<li>Melbourne vendor discounting market week ending 2 November: -4.8% (houses) 
</li>
<li>Listings being prepared for market are 5.2% higher in month ending 2 November (seasonally adjusted)</li>
</ul>
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RP Data's Melbourne weekend auction preview

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A preliminary weighted average clearance rate of 71.1% was recorded this week across capital cities compared to 69.3% last week and 70.3% this time last year.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141103-Capital-City.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3924]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3925" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141103-Capital-City-580x429.jpg" alt="RP Data Auction Comments | Capital City" width="580" height="429"></a>
With volumes low in Melbourne due to the Melbourne Cup the main activity in the auction market was in Sydney which had its eighth week with over 1,000 auctions for the year and continued to record above trend results.
The Sydney market continues to strengthen with a preliminary clearance rate of 78.5% recorded compared to 74.8% last week and 75% last year. The improving trend is apparent over the medium term as well with a citywide clearance rate the first ten months of the year of 75.1% compared to 72.5% a year ago.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141103-Sydney.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3924]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3926" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141103-Sydney-580x389.jpg" alt="RP Data Auction Comment | Sydney" width="580" height="389"></a>
In Melbourne there was a preliminary clearance rate of 68.2% recorded compared to 71% last week and 70.8% this time last year. From a clearance rate perspective the Melbourne market is marginally down on a year ago with a year to date clearance rate of 68.9% compared to 69.6%.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141103-Melbourne.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3924]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3927" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141103-Melbourne-580x378.jpg" alt="RP Data Auction Comments | Melbourne" width="580" height="378"></a>
In Brisbane a preliminary clearance rate of 47.3% was recorded compared to 46.3% last week. The Brisbane auction market is stronger than a year ago with a clearance rate of 46.3% compared to 41.2%.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141103-Brisbane.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3924]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3928" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/20141103-Brisbane-580x376.jpg" alt="RP Data Auction Comment | Brisbane" width="580" height="376"></a>
Adelaide recorded a clearance rate of 61.5% compared to 56.5% last week.
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Sydney leads the way: RP Data's weekend auction wrap

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Melbourne property market transaction numbers are marginally higher on what they were this time last year, with the growth largely coming through auction sales.
Comparing the months with the vast majority of settled sales, from January to July, the results show a rise of 3.7% compared to a year ago.
On a month by month basis, the majority of the growth occurred in March and April when in excess of 1,000 auctions were recorded across five consecutive weeks.
This same occurrence also took place between 2012 and 2013. In 2013 there were 9,738 more home sales in Melbourne than in 2012 and there were 10,175 extra sales by auction.
The growth in volumes was completely accounted for through the use of auctions. The same seems to be the case this year.
Based on the first seven months of the year, there have been 1,725 more home sales and at the same time 3,248 more sales by auction.
These numbers highlight one of the key characteristics about auctions and where they work well when there is competition between buyers. Competition such as this can arise through many means; there may be an inadequate number of homes on the market or something unique about the property in question.  This is why auctions are rarely used in the outer suburbs and more frequently used in the inner city.
When making the decision of how to sell, owners would be well advised to keep this factor in mind and listen to the advice of their real estate agent.
There are 175 auctions scheduled this week in Melbourne compared to 196 for the same time last year. The low volumes are a result of the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday and ensure that the week’s auction results will not be a useful auction market indicator.
Last week’s record volume of auctions and sales provides a clear indication that the remaining seven weeks should provide healthy outcomes for sellers.
On a city wide basis, the time on market results for houses sold at private sale tightened again from 36 days to 33 days over the last week whilst vendor discounting remained stable at -4.8%.
Key data
<ul>
<li>Clearance rate week ending 26 October: 71%</li>
<li>Melbourne auctions expected week ending 2 November: 175</li>
<li>Melbourne private sales time on market week ending 26 October: 33 days (houses)</li>
<li>Melbourne vendor discounting market week ending 26 October: -4.8% (houses)</li>
<li>Listings being prepared for market are 4.7% higher in month ending 26 October (seasonally adjusted)</li>
</ul>
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Melbourne auctions providing growth in transactions: RP Data's weekend preview

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A preliminary weighted average clearance rate of 70.5% was recorded this week across capital cities compared to 68.6% last week and 71.8% this time last year.
This was a strong week for auctions nationally and results suggest that the remaining eight weeks should provide good outcomes for sellers and plenty of choice for buyers.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/20141027-Capital-City.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3902]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3903" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/20141027-Capital-City-580x426.jpg" alt="RP Data auction review | Capital City" width="580" height="426"></a>
In Sydney a preliminary clearance rate of 78.1% was recorded compared to 72% last week and 79.7% last year. After two lackluster weeks the Sydney market has returned to trend.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/20141027-Sydney.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3902]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3904" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/20141027-Sydney-580x382.jpg" alt="RP Data auction review | Sydney" width="580" height="382"></a>
In Melbourne there was a preliminary clearance rate of 70.6% recorded compared to 71.7% last week and 71.9% this time last year. Not only were there a record number of auctions, but a record number of homes sold at auction. The previous high of 1,163 from a year ago was surpassed.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/20141027-Melbourne.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3902]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3905" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/20141027-Melbourne-580x379.jpg" alt="RP Data auction review | Melbourne" width="580" height="379"></a>
In Brisbane a preliminary clearance rate of 50.6% was recorded compared to 46% last week.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/20141027-Brisbane.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3902]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3906" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/20141027-Brisbane-580x378.jpg" alt="RP Data auction review | Brisbane" width="580" height="378"></a>
Adelaide recorded a clearance rate of 55.6% compared to 53.3% last week.
<a href="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/20141027-Adelaide.jpg" rel="wp-prettyPhoto[g3902]"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-3907" src="https://blog.rpdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/20141027-Adelaide-580x387.jpg" alt="RP Data auction review | Adelaide" width="580" height="387"></a>
In Canberra a clearance rate of 58.3% was recorded.
In Perth a clearance rate of 28.6% was recorded.
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Records broken in auction market: RP Data's weekend auction wrap

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There are 1,641 auctions scheduled this week in Melbourne compared to 1,619 for the same time last year. This is an all-time record for the Melbourne auction market.
This highest volume of auctions will be found in <a href="/news">Brighton </a>and <a href="/news">Richmond </a>where 27 are expected followed by 25 in <a href="/news">Hawthorn</a>, 24 in <a href="/news">Reservoir </a>and 23 in both <a href="/news">Brunswick </a>and <a href="/news">St Kilda</a>.
Prior to this week, the previous record number of auctions was the same week last year. Over the past few years this week in October has regularly featured the peak number of auctions for each of the years as sellers avoid the following week due to Derby Day and the Melbourne Cup.
On a city wide basis, the time on market results for houses sold at private sale tightened from 37 days to 36 days over the last week whilst vendor discounting fell from -4.9% to -4.8%.
Key data
<ul>
<li>Clearance rate week ending 19 October: 71.2%</li>
<li>Melbourne auctions expected week ending 26 October: 1641</li>
<li>Melbourne private sales time on market week ending 19 October: 36 days (houses)</li>
<li>Melbourne vendor discounting market week ending 19 October: -4.8% (houses)</li>
<li>Listings being prepared for market are 4.7% higher in month ending 19 October (seasonally adjusted)</li>
</ul>
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All-time record number of auctions: RP Data's Melbourne weekend preview

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A preliminary weighted average clearance rate of 68.5% was recorded this week across capital cities compared to 67.8% last week and 70.4% this time last year.
This result is consistent with the year's trend. The year to date clearance rate for capital cities was 68.3% before this week.
In Sydney a preliminary clearance rate of 75.5%  was recorded compared to 71.9% last week and 79.5% last year. Despite the clearance rate not being higher than a year ago the auction market has improved with more homes being sold.
In Melbourne there was a preliminary clearance rate of 68% recorded compared to 70% last week and 68.6% this time last year. Concerns the auction market was beginning to weaken have not been added to this week.
Next week will prove an interesting test, with a record of around 1800 auctions scheduled.
In Brisbane a preliminary clearance rate of 50.5% was recorded compared to 48.8% last week.
Adelaide recorded a clearance rate of 50%  compared to 55.8% last week.
In Canberra a clearance rate of 50% was recorded.
In Perth a clearance rate of 60% was recorded.
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Capital cities land on trend: RP Data's national auction wrap

Longstanding Gold Coast and Canberra developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/morris-property-group">Morris Property Group</a> is continuing to roll on with its Glitter Strip apartment pipeline, seeking to return to Mermaid Beach with a new 68-apartment development.

Morris, founded by Barry Morris in 1978 and one of the Gold Coast’s most prolific apartment developers over the past two decades, has filed plans for a 12-storey mixed-use building at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/36-seabeach-avenue-mermaid-beach-qld-4218">34-36 Seabeach Avenue</a>, on the prized eastern side of the Gold Coast Highway.

The 1,227 sqm site occupies a prominent corner position at Seabeach Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway, opposite the Mermaid Plaza retail and office precinct and around 140 metres walking distance from the future Mermaid Beach South light rail station.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fraser-partners-0">Fraser &amp; Partners</a> has designed the project, which will comprise 68 apartments across a mix of 48 two-bedroom and 20 three-bedroom residences.

The building will rise 12 storeys, reaching a maximum height of 36 metres, with the apartments accounting for a total of 156 bedrooms. The development application also seeks approval for short-term accommodation across the 68 apartments, while two office tenancies are proposed at ground level.

The plans show 108 car spaces across the development, with parking accommodated at ground level and within a three-level basement accessed from Seabeach Avenue.

<img alt="Seabeach Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c2175c99-12fd-4a3c-9be1-89bbf258a90d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-20%20at%202.59.41%E2%80%AFPM_0.png?VersionId=iNLzWcE6gaAE76rafhEXfHve.4g4Se0p" />

Resident amenity will be concentrated on level two, where Fraser &amp; Partners has designed a recreation deck with a swimming pool, 90 sqm pool terrace, outdoor barbecue area and gym.

The broader communal offering will also incorporate landscaped spaces, with the planning documents noting the amenity has been designed to provide areas for recreation, social interaction and outdoor living.

The proposal would continue the transformation of the Gold Coast Highway corridor through Mermaid Beach ahead of the arrival of the light rail.

The site is zoned Neighbourhood Centre and sits within the Mermaid Beach/Broadbeach Light Rail Corridor neighbourhood plan. While the prescribed building height is 24 metres, the site is identified within an Urban Neighbourhood context providing for a 50 per cent height uplift to 36 metres.

Planning documents describe the stretch of the Gold Coast Highway between Broadbeach and Nobby Beach as increasingly characterised by medium and high-rise development, with the proposed Morris tower joining projects including Ventura, The Alfred, Oceans and Otto.

<img alt="Seabeach Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="911f193f-e381-4a55-be08-58be87fcf978" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-20%20at%202.59.48%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=oxVvLJaY.SOXEdXrIcogfyEXDfvCmmpM" />

The development would mark Morris Property Group's latest investment in Mermaid Beach, where it has already delivered two apartment projects.

Otto, at 1 Bondi Avenue on the western side of the Gold Coast Highway, comprises 70 apartments across nine storeys. The project was completed in 2019 and includes a residents' gym, recreation deck and swimming pool.

Morris also developed Oceans at 46 Ocean Street, a nine-storey, 70-apartment build-to-rent development completed in 2019. Oceans was the group's first build-to-rent project and incorporates commercial space at ground level.

The two existing Morris projects sit further north along the same Gold Coast Highway corridor as the proposed Seabeach Avenue development. Fraser &amp; Partners' planning analysis specifically identifies both Otto and Oceans among the established built-form precedents surrounding the site.

<img alt="Seabeach Avenue and the Gold Coast Highway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="14925119-7b71-4812-8149-340317512c7c" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-20%20at%203.00.15%E2%80%AFPM.png?VersionId=aEJqYuw_nTCjcin17BSD0piB1EFotTlj" />

Mermaid Beach represents only part of Morris' considerable Gold Coast footprint.

The family-owned developer has been particularly active in neighbouring Broadbeach, delivering projects including Sierra Grand, Eclipse, Synergy, Qube, Koko, Opus and Malo, while its current pipeline includes Maison and the two-tower Crest development.

Further south, Morris has also developed a string of projects in Burleigh Heads, including Element, Boardwalk and Sandbar, while Essentia expanded its footprint north into Surfers Paradise.

The Seabeach Avenue application has been lodged by PMM Broadbeach Pty Ltd and seeks a development permit for a Material Change of Use for multiple dwellings, short-term accommodation and office uses. Zone Planning Group prepared the planning application, with Fraser &amp; Partners commissioned as architect.

The project comes as the developer continues to expand its Gold Coast pipeline while retaining a significant presence in Canberra. Morris now has more than $2.5 billion of development in its national pipeline and has delivered more than 7,000 homes during its near five-decade history

Joel Robinson

First look: Morris Property Group returns to Mermaid Beach with new Seabeach Avenue apartment development

<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787272340808000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3hvFB2uWTRfEyEcpTSnnK9" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis" target="_blank">Fortis</a>&nbsp;is continuing its stronghold on Sydn​ey’s eastern suburbs apartment market, launching&nbsp;in September&nbsp;its latest boutique&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/double-bay-nsw-2028&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787272340808000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0GI5S9-wNeiLUnM-d1uYkw" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/double-bay-nsw-2028" target="_blank">Double Bay</a>&nbsp;development,&nbsp;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-william-double-bay-55-william-street-double-bay-nsw-2028&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1787272340808000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2YNouJQcFjiTTgVHbgDLA-" href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/55-william-double-bay-55-william-street-double-bay-nsw-2028" target="_blank">55 William</a>.

55 William presents&nbsp;just eight north-facing&nbsp;two-bedroom, three-bedroom and full-floor&nbsp;residences to the market, priced from $4.5 million.

The upcoming launch comes just weeks after Fortis secured approval for the $80 million development, its third eastern suburbs approval in two months. Construction is already underway, with completion targeted for 2028.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152579 project_image_fid=376250]

55 William adds to a growing concentration of Fortis projects in and around Double Bay, a market the developer has become increasingly active in over recent years.

Fortis previously completed the nine-residence Marmont on New South Head Road, while it is currently developing a mixed-use residential and retail project at 12 Cross Street. Its wider Double Bay footprint also extends into commercial and retail development.

The developer's broader Sydney residential pipeline is particularly concentrated across the eastern suburbs, with projects spanning Doub​le Bay, Ro​se Bay, Wo​ollahra, Dar​ling Point, Poi​nt Piper and Eli​zabeth Bay.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152579 project_image_fid=376253]

At 55 William, Fortis has again turned to MHN Design Union, the architecture practice behind several of its eastern suburbs projects, while London-based 1508 London has been appointed to handle the interiors and Wyer &amp; Co the landscaping.

The six-level building will comprise a combination of two and three-bedroom apartments, including a garden residence, full-floor apartments, a sub-penthouse and penthouse. Each residence will have secure basement parking and private outdoor space.

A rooftop terrace for all residents, along with select apartments, enjoys views across Double Bay Harbour and toward the Sydney skyline.

Ceiling heights will reach up to three metres&nbsp;in select residences, while the kitchens will feature natural stone and integrated Gaggenau appliances.

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The boutique nature of the project reflects the type of stock Fortis has increasingly targeted across Sydney's eastern suburbs, where larger apartments and smaller buildings are being pitched primarily toward local owner-occupiers and downsizers.

Fortis Group General Manager Ed Eve said the developer continues to see demand from buyers wanting to remain in the eastern suburbs but move into newer, lower-maintenance housing.

“We're seeing continued demand from local owner-occupiers and downsizers looking for high-quality homes that allow them to remain in the eastern suburbs, close to the lifestyle and community they know,” Eve said.

55 William is also one of the early projects to respond directly to the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms. Fortis had previously secured approval for just two townhouses on the 599 sqm site before revising the scheme to eight apartments following the planning changes.

Situated one street back from Double Bay's water's edge, the project enjoys an enviable harbourside setting within walking distance of Double Bay Village and the ferry wharf.

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Fortis has increasingly made the eastern suburbs a major focus of its Sydney pipeline. Beyond Double Bay, it recently completed the 14-residence Piper in Point Piper and has projects underway or planned across Rose Bay, Woollahra and Darling Point.

The developer recently secured approval for Verano in Rose Bay, a six-level development comprising 21 two, three and four-bedroom apartments, also designed by MHNDU.

55 William&nbsp;is soon to be release to the market with VIP appointments commencing early September,&nbsp;with residences priced from $4.5 million.

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Fortis continues eastern suburbs push with 55 William launch

UAE-based developer Arada has unveiled plans for a $2 billion twin-tower apartment development in Broadbeach, marking its first move into Queensland as it continues its rapid expansion across Australia.

Arada will develop 952 apartments across two towers on a prominent site opposite the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the project targeted for completion ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The project represents Arada's largest commitment to the Australian market since arriving in the country in 2024 and significantly expands a local pipeline that has now grown to eight projects and more than 5,000 homes.

It will also be the first major Queensland project delivered by Roberts Co since the tier-one contractor was acquired by Arada Group in 2025.

Plus Studio has designed the Broadbeach development, which will comprise one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two towers connected by a landscaped podium.

A significant resident amenity offering will include lagoon and lap pools, a gym, sauna and steam room, alongside a mist room, infrared room and salt scrub facilities. Communal terraces, private dining areas, a library, residents' lounge and work-from-home spaces are also planned. Around 1,200 sqm of retail and hospitality space will occupy the ground floor.

The site puts Arada in one of the Gold Coast's most active apartment markets, directly opposite the convention centre and within walking distance of Pacific Fair, The Star Gold Coast and Broadbeach's dining and retail precinct.

It also has immediate access to the Gold Coast light rail network and sits just a few blocks from the beach.

Arada Group Chief Executive Ahmed Alkhoshaibi said Broadbeach represented an opportunity for the developer to expand beyond its initial NSW pipeline.

“Broadbeach is a world-class address that gives us the canvas to create a community of exceptional design and lifestyle quality that genuinely enriches the daily lives of the people who call it home,” Alkhoshaibi said.

“This is our first development outside New South Wales, and it reflects our growing ambition to grow in key urban markets around the country.”

Alkhoshaibi said bringing Roberts Co into the project would give Arada greater control over the development and construction process.

“Delivering this project through Roberts Co, our own tier-one construction business, means we can bring the quality, pace and accountability that our buyers expect.”

The move into Broadbeach comes as Arada accelerates its Australian expansion following its entry into the market two years ago. The developer has assembled a pipeline of eight projects comprising more than 5,000 homes, while the acquisition of Roberts Co last year gave the group its own Australian construction capability.

Globally, Arada has a development portfolio valued at $50 billion comprising more than 55,000 homes across the UAE, United Kingdom and Australia.

The Gold Coast is emerging as the next major market for the developer, with strong population growth and infrastructure spending ahead of the 2032 Games continuing to underpin significant apartment development across the coastal strip.

Arada plots $2 billion Broadbeach towers in major Queensland move

Sydney’s downsizer market is changing, with a growing cohort of buyers prioritising the right home over simply finding a smaller one.

Coronation Property Head of Sales Cam Porter says the traditional idea of downsizing does not necessarily reflect what many buyers are now looking for, particularly those moving from established family homes across Sydney.

Instead, he says they are increasingly becoming “right-sizers”, seeking lower-maintenance homes without sacrificing the space, amenity or quality they have become accustomed to.

“We are increasingly seeing buyers who are not motivated by the idea of simply moving into a smaller property,” Porter says.

“They are right-sizers. They want a home that is easier to manage and better connected, but they still expect generosity, quality and a floorplan that supports the way they live.”

It is a subtle but important distinction in a market where apartment developers are increasingly targeting established owner-occupiers.

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For many of these buyers, moving from a house to an apartment is not driven by a desire to dramatically reduce their living space. Instead, the appeal is in removing some of the maintenance associated with a larger home while retaining generous living areas, storage and enough flexibility to accommodate family and friends.

Coronation’s sales team is seeing buyers place particular importance on natural light, practical storage and additional rooms that can be used as guest bedrooms, home offices or secondary living spaces.

Kitchens and dining areas are also playing an increasingly important role, particularly for buyers who regularly entertain or have children and grandchildren visit.

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“These buyers still want their home to feel generous,” Porter says.

“They may want less maintenance, but they are not looking for less life.”

The challenge for the broader housing market is providing enough of the right stock to encourage that move.

While much of the discussion around Sydney’s housing shortage has centred on the number of homes being delivered, Porter says the diversity of those homes is equally important.

Older homeowners can remain in large family houses for longer when they cannot find an appropriate alternative in the neighbourhoods where they have built their lives.

“The decision is rarely as simple as wanting fewer bedrooms,” Porter says.

“People are weighing up their connection to a neighbourhood, the space they need for family, the quality of the home and whether it will continue to work for them over the long term.”

It also has implications beyond the downsizer market. Providing suitable apartments for smaller households can free up established houses for families who need the additional bedrooms and land, creating greater movement through the housing market.

<h2>Lillian targets the next stage of apartment buyer</h2>

It is a buyer Coronation is targeting at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/lillian-erskineville-9-metters-street-erskineville-nsw-2043">Lillian</a>, its new collection of apartments, terraces and penthouses at Erskineville Village.

Designed by Silvester Fuller, Lillian has been shaped around larger living spaces, natural light and flexible floorplans, alongside landscaped areas, wellness amenity and communal spaces for residents.

The development will form part of Coronation’s broader Erskineville Village precinct, which will combine new homes with green space, retail, hospitality and new pedestrian connections.

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McPherson Park will sit at the centre of the precinct, creating a significant new green space alongside the project’s retail and hospitality offering.

For Porter, the opportunity is to give buyers another housing option without forcing them to leave the part of Sydney they already know.

“People should be able to change the type of home they live in without having to change their entire life,” he says.

“For many buyers, Lillian offers the opportunity to remain connected to the Inner West and the city, while gaining access to a more convenient, walkable and considered way of living.”

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Coronation will explore the changing <a href="https://lillianresidences.com.au/news/lillian-x-space-x-downsizers-event-27-august/">right-sizer market at an event on August 27</a>, bringing together experts across property, design and lifestyle.

Held in partnership with SPACE, Poliform and Downsizer.com.au, the event will include a property market outlook from economist Michael Blythe alongside discussion around the considerations facing buyers planning their next move.

Attendees will also be able to learn more about the residences and amenity planned at Lillian Erskineville.

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From downsizing to right-sizing: What Sydney buyers want from their next home

Family-owned builder and developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/omaya">Omaya</a> is bringing its 27-storey The Maybelle development to market, with the 229-apartment tower rising alongside Ismay Reserve near North Strathfield.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-maybelle-21-parramatta-road-homebush-nsw-2140">The Maybelle</a> will comprise one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with its height providing elevated outlooks towards the Sydney skyline and Harbour Bridge, while other residences will look across neighbouring Ismay Reserve.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/squillace-architects">Squillace Architects</a>, the tower combines its parkside setting with proximity to the established retail, dining and transport amenity around North Strathfield.

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Residences will feature open-plan living spaces and a choice of two interior schemes, while communal amenity is spread across two elevated levels of the building.

Level 8 will be home to the Garden Pavilion, a full-floor resident space incorporating communal entertaining and breakout areas, seating and recreation spaces. Further up the tower, a landscaped Sky Terrace on Level 14 will provide another communal area with panoramic views towards the Harbour Bridge and Sydney skyline.

At ground level, the development sits directly alongside Ismay Reserve, where lawns, walking paths, children's play areas, picnic spaces and recreational facilities extend the green space available immediately around the project.

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The Maybelle is also within walking distance of North Strathfield and the Bakehouse Quarter, which provides a mix of cafés, restaurants, shops and everyday services.

Existing rail and bus services provide connections across Sydney, while the future North Strathfield Metro and access to the M4 will add to the transport options available around the precinct. Walking and cycling routes also extend via Powells Creek towards Sydney Olympic Park and its sporting, entertainment and parkland precincts.

Families are also well positioned for access to a broad selection of established schools and education options across Strathfield and the surrounding Inner West.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134873 project_image_fid=376181]

Omaya has operated in Sydney for more than 35 years, managing projects from acquisition and design through to construction and delivery. The family-owned company is both developer and builder of The Maybelle.

Apartments start from $560,000, with the development protected by 10-year Latent Defects Insurance.

Construction is well underway, with completion expected by the end of 2026 and move-in anticipated from Q1 2027.

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Robert Larocca

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