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Illawarra home values have increased over the past year by 14.3 percent for houses and 13.9 percent for units, according to CoreLogic's regional market report.
Growth across the region, however, is beginning to moderate, down from a 17.8 percent year-on-year growth for houses in February this year, and 15 per cent for units over the year to May.
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Sales volumes have lowered over the past two years and are currently 10 per cent lower than one year ago.
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Average vendor discounting and time on market rates indicate the market is still geared towards those selling their properties, with less room for negotiations on the buyers’ side.
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Rental returns across the region are trending lower, at 4.5 per cent for houses currently, compared to 4.9 per cent one year ago and 4.9 per cent for units, down from 5.3 per cent in June 2015.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Big increase in home values in Illawarra

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Sales activity across Townsville has been trending lower over the past few years and the most recent 12 month period is no exception, with 10.4 percent fewer transactions over the 12 month period ending May 2016 when compared to the year ending May 2015, according to CoreLogic's regional market report.
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Over the past five years, Townsville has averaged 3,778 sales annually, which is much lower than the 5,202 over the preceding five year period.
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More recently, Townsville home values have fallen on the back of a weak local economy, down 4.5 per cent for houses to $317,125 and 3.7 per cent lower over the year for units, with the typical unit value currently sitting at $254,381.
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Townsville home values are currently lower than they were five years ago.
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Weak local economy causes home values to fall in Townsville region: CoreLogic

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Some of the overall weakness across the Western Australian market is currently being reflected in Bunbury, according to CoreLogic's regional market report.
Sales volumes are -14.3 percent lower than they were last year and homes are taking increasingly longer to sell, an additional 11 days for houses and 10 days for units, when compared to the same period one year earlier.
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Advertised rental rates have also shifted lower over the past 12 months, down $20/per week for both houses and units when compared to June 2015.
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Despite this, rental yields have remained steady over the past year, at a relatively strong 5.1 per cent for houses and 5.3 per cent for units and the median house value has risen by 3.0 per cent over the 12 months ending June 2016.
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Weakness of WA market now reflected in Bunbury, WA region: CoreLogic

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Villa Riverbend in the Gold Coast has been listed for sale, and listing agent Vicki Pfeiffer has gone off book in its advertising campaign.
The first image you come across on its <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-carrara-123512066" target="_blank">realestate.com.au listing</a> is a picture of Elvis (below), with a $15 million price tag which draws you on to the next page.
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The marketing proceeds to suggest the property would have been Elvis' Gold Coast vacation residence, had he have known about 'the magic of the Gold Coast'.
Surrounded by park-like grounds down a private driveway, the two storey, double brick homestead comprises three fully self-contained residences in one vast structure.
The five bedroom, six bathroom home offers palatial entertaining areas, a full size cinema and a wine cellar.
There's a 25 metre lap pool, championship size tennis court.
Canopy's Edge agent Vicki Pfeiffer is selling the home which includes a vacant 5312 sqm riverfront allotment and a large private jetty with deepwater mooring.
 
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Elvis Presley's Gold Coast holiday home?

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The South West is the fastest growing region in Western Australia.
As the rest of the state is slowing in population growth the South West is continuing to grow and expand, according to Herron Todd White.
The valuation advisory firm said the region is a very desirable place to live as it "boasts amazing beaches, surf, a good climate, a relaxed lifestyle and world renowned wineries."
Because of these characteristics people want to live in the region, it suggested.
The demographics of the people moving into the locality range from young adults who love the beaches and work in hospitality, young families who want their children to experience a relaxed, outdoor upbringing and of course the baby boomers who have reached or are getting close to retirement and want to live out the golden years away from the frenetic pace of Perth.
"The increasing population has helped the property market," HTW noted.
"The Perth market has been weak for approximately 24 months and values have been declining because of a slow down in the state’s resource sector, causing significant job losses and general economic uncertainty.
"The South West has traditionally followed the highs and the lows of the metropolitan market, however for the first 18 months the region has been resilient and values have remained stable.
"It has only been in the past six months that the market has started to weaken but nowhere near the reduction in values that occurred in the Perth market.
"The strong population growth has been a reason for this resilience."
HTW noted another driver of the South West market is the tourism industry.
"With the Australian dollar weakening over the past couple of years we have seen significant numbers of interstate and international tourists visiting the region.
"These numbers have increased considerably in recent times which have also helped underpin the overall local economy.
"The upcoming expansion of the Busselton Airport to interstate and potentially international standard should also increase the number of tourists visiting the region.
"Therefore on the back of an increasing population and a strong tourism industry the South West continues to be driven forward, making the long term future of the region look promising and exciting," HTW noted.
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The South West hasn't seen the slowdown of elsewhere in WA: HTW

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The long-time Edgecliff home of the late Lady Marjorie Pagan, one of Sydney's grandest dames, has been listed.
Pagan resided in<a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nsw-edgecliff-123520486" target="_blank"> the townhouse</a> for around four decades, after spending the prior decades in Point Piper with her company director husband, Sir Jock Pagan who had died in 1986.
It was in June last year when Lady Pagan died, aged 91, one week after a stroke.
The garden apartment comes with two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a study. It was filled with books and flowers.
The September 26 auction listing through Georgia Cleary at BradfieldCleary includes approved plans for a one bedroom studio.
French doors lead from the kitchen to a north-facing, stone-flagged verandah which overlooks the swimming pool and level lawn.
For decades Marjorie presided over the salon. Her retreat was the famed Kennerton Green, Mittagong estate.
Marjorie Hoskins was born at Windarra, her parents' house at Marrangaroo, near Lithgow, the youngest of six children of Sir Cecil Hoskins and his wife, Dorothy.
She sprang from a line of successful, philanthropic, industrialists and builders.
In 1924 the family moved to the gabled Hillside in Edgecliff then into Invergowrie at Exeter, a new house designed by her uncle. 
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.
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Poolside Edgecliff townhouse offering

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Housing market performance across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie is currently mixed, according to CoreLogic's latest regional report.
On one hand, median values are increasing, up 8.9 percent for houses and 5.6 percent for units over the 12 month period ending June 2016.
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Transaction activity, however, is lower on a year-on-year basis, with just over 300 less homes transacting over the year to May 2016.
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Despite less sales activity across the market, homes are selling faster than they were one year ago, with houses typically transacting 61 days after first being advertised for sale, compared to 65 days one year ago and units moving from 61 days last year to an average of 59 days currently.
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Across the two product types, rental rates are moving in the opposite direction, with house rents up year-on-year, while unit rents have softened.
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Low activity in housing markets of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie: CoreLogic

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South Sydney Rabbitohs star Sam Burgess has sought to offload his former Rushcutters Bay home, the first property he bought when he arrived on Sydney's shores.
He paid $1,075,000 in 2011 for the apartment when he was just an NRL new-comer. It has been quietly listed at around $1.8 million.
Located in the Advanx building, the two bedroom, two bathroom apartment is complete with a full alfresco dining terrace.
The sale hasn't come as a surprise following his $3.8 million Maroubra mansion purchase in January. 
His newest acquisition where he and wife Phoebe Hooke reside is a four bedroom French provincial inspired home with swimming pool and home theatre.
Burgess retains an investment apartment on Bondi Beach. He paid $2.065 million off the plan apartment in the new Pacific Bondi blockin 2012, with settlement late last year.
Sam listed the Bondi two bedroom garden apartment for sale at $2.95 million, however instead then opted to put  it up for $1,950 a week lease.
His latest property manouvres come as he's been seen spotted driving a new $250,000 red Continental GT Bentley.
This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.
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Sam Burgess sells first Sydney home at Rushcutters Bay

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The Archibald penthouse in The Residence on Hyde Park has returned to the market, having last sold for $10.5 million in March last year.
The two-storey penthouse with its own pool and spectacular views across the harbour and city has been listed by its Chinese owner through Anthony Birdsall at Laing Real Estate.
It was the last of the apartments sold by the developer who redeveloped the building, which was once the NSW Police Headquarters.
The bigger penthouse in the Residence, which has more extensive harbour views, sold for $17 million in 2013 also to a Chinese buyer.
The sale comes as the streets lining Hyde Park in the city centre have become a hot spot as more Sydneysiders and international buyers look to parkside city fringe living.
<div>This article was first published in the Sunday Telegraph.</div>
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Archibald Penthouse, The Residence listed for sale 

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Webjet website director Steven Scheuer is likely to be booking more flights having bought on the Sunshine Coast, far away from his chilly Collingwood ragtrading offices.
Scheuer and Catherine Miller have paid $4.1 million for a popular Sunshine Beach holiday rental that recently sold through Richardson &amp; Wrench Noosa agent Rory Williamson.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://www.randw.com.au/property/0000299939" target="_blank">The three bedroom, three bathroom beach house</a> had an all-white facelift in 2009 from the interior designers Kidd &amp; Co.
It's now listed with as a Richardson &amp; Wrench holiday rental ranging from $350 to $975 a night depending on the season.
Scheuer joined Webjet in 2000 as a non-executive director.
This article was first published in the Weekend Australian Mansion Australia property section.
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All-white Kidd & Co designed Sunshine Coast trophy home sale

Avant Townhomes is adding to Ivanhoe’s family-sized housing options with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-townhouses/three-82-ivanhoe-382-upper-heidelberg-road-ivanhoe-vic-3079">Three 82</a>, a collection of just 16 four-bedroom townhomes on Upper Heidelberg Road.

The <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/intrapac-property">Intrapac Property</a> townhome division has taken a contemporary approach to the traditional family home, pairing larger floorplans with the lower-maintenance format of a townhouse.

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Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/arcadia-studio">Arcadia</a>, with landscaping by Landsite, the homes feature generous open-plan living and dining areas that connect directly to outdoor spaces, with layouts also designed to maximise natural light and privacy.

Natural stone is used throughout the interiors, including in kitchens that pair stone surfaces with bespoke cabinetry, considered storage and SMEG appliances.

The four-bedroom layouts include built-in wardrobes and a main bedroom with its own ensuite, while family bathrooms service the additional bedrooms. Each home also includes a lock-up double garage and intercom entry.

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Energy efficiency has been incorporated into the design through solar panels, double glazing and reverse-cycle heating and cooling, with the homes targeting 7-star energy ratings.

Rather than incorporating extensive communal facilities, Three 82 has been conceived around private residential amenity, with the 16-home scale keeping the focus on individual homes and their own indoor and outdoor spaces.

The development is located at 382 Upper Heidelberg Road, around one kilometre from Ivanhoe Village's cafés and retail and a short drive from Eaglemont Station and Ivanhoe Station.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152069 project_image_fid=374393]

Several of Ivanhoe's established schools are also nearby, including Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar and Ivanhoe Grammar School. The address also provides access to the suburb's parklands and the wider Yarra River corridor.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/project-marketer/nelson-alexander">Nelson Alexander</a> has been appointed to handle sales.

Construction is underway and progressing well, with Three 82 currently tracking toward completion in Q2 2027.

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Joel Robinson

Three 82 brings boutique four-bedroom townhome collection to Ivanhoe

Builder-developer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/graya">Graya</a> has secured a prime Newstead site from fellow developer Fraser, subsequently lodging plans for The Silo, a major mixed-use residential project in Newstead designed around a new public laneway linking the James Street precinct with the wider Gasworks and Newstead neighbourhood.

Proposed for the corner of Chester and Morse streets, the <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/bureauproberts">Bureau^Proberts</a>-designed project places its strongest emphasis at ground level, where retail, landscaping and a new cobblestone pedestrian connection would open the site to the surrounding neighbourhood. The design team describes The Silo as “more than a residential building”, positioning the development as an extension of Newstead’s public realm rather than a standalone apartment tower.

“A new cobblestone laneway and landscaped connection between James Street and Gasworks unlock a missing pedestrian link, improving walkability and stitching together two of Brisbane’s significant urban destinations,” Bureau Proberts said in its Urban Design Report.

<img alt="First look: Graya plans The Silo as new pedestrian link between James Street and Gasworks" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0ea1b06a-75f5-40a5-b2c5-33c97bc86052" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/silo%20bldg.png?VersionId=KmjsAtNePu57_B31EM_DJ5T6KPJHtcmo" />

The Silo is planned as a mixed-use development incorporating apartments alongside a bar and centre activities including food and drink outlets, indoor sport and recreation, office and retail uses.

Architecturally, Bureau Proberts has conceived the building as a collection of vertically expressed, stepping forms rather than a single uniform tower. The composition rises from an articulated podium before being broken by a triple-height landscaped recreation level, with the upper section becoming more compact before terminating in a landscaped rooftop garden.

The project's name and architectural language draw directly from Newstead's industrial history. Patterned off-form concrete is proposed as the principal façade material, complemented by slender metal rod balustrades and extensive planting. The cylindrical and vertically ribbed elements give the building its silo-like expression, while curved balconies and planted edges introduce a softer subtropical layer.

“The Silo reinterprets its robust forms, scale and materiality through a contemporary subtropical architectural expression, creating a building that acknowledges its industrial legacy, while responding to the way the precinct is occupied today,” Bureau^Proberts said.

The recreation level is one of the defining breaks in the tower. Plans include a lap pool, mature subtropical planting and shared resident facilities within an elevated communal garden. Landscaping continues through the podium and onto the rooftop, where a further garden forms what the architects describe as a “subtropical crown” to the building.

<img alt="First look: Graya plans The Silo as new pedestrian link between James Street and Gasworks" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f8451036-35a4-49a9-8d88-2ef4438eba3d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Silo%20Lane.png?VersionId=h8N31_rYmCEqoNrpt4kbYVQhJGZn60LH" />

At street level, the development has been designed to establish a more permeable block. Retail and hospitality tenancies address the public realm, while landscaped pedestrian spaces lead into the new laneway connection. Renders in the design report show the proposed “Silo Lane” as a substantial opening through the podium, framed by cylindrical concrete forms with cascading planting above.

The Silo continues Graya's move into larger apartment developments after building its reputation across high-end residential projects in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Graya buys Frasers Newstead site, plans The Silo between James Street and Gasworks precincts

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/wickton">Wickton</a>’s completed Linacre Rise development in Hampton is giving Bayside downsizers the opportunity to move into a spacious apartment near the beach, with the developer covering stamp duty for a limited time.

The 27-residence development has been designed for buyers who want to simplify their living arrangements without giving up the space, warmth and quality associated with a long-term family home. Most apartments have already been secured by Bayside locals, leaving a select collection of two and three-bedroom residences and penthouses available.

Two-bedroom apartments are priced from $1.275 million, three-bedroom residences from $2.25 million and penthouses from $3.375 million, with the completed homes available to inspect and move into now.

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<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/buildings/linacre-rise-hampton-8-10-linacre-road-hampton-vic-3188">Linacre Rise</a> occupies an elevated position on one of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/hampton-vic-3188">Hampton</a>’s quiet, tree-lined streets, around 250 metres from the bay and 500 metres from Hampton’s village centre. Its setting gives residents access to the beach, local cafés, shops and Hampton Train Station while retaining the feel of an established residential neighbourhood.

Architecture and interiors by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/ewert-leaf">Ewert Leaf</a> draw on the warmth and permanence of traditional brickwork, with the building integrated into terraced landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/john-patrick-landscape-architects">John Patrick</a>. Ground-floor apartments are elevated above the street and include private garden courtyards, while several upper-level residences have generous balconies and outlooks toward the bay.

Inside, the residences favour natural materials and generous proportions. Herringbone-pattern European oak flooring, natural stone benchtops, premium joinery and Swiss V-ZUG appliances are among the key inclusions, while integrated storage has been incorporated across kitchens, bathrooms, studies and living areas.

The kitchens have been planned as practical spaces for both everyday use and entertaining, with substantial island benches, detailed cabinetry and adjoining dining and living zones. Full-height wardrobes, plush bedroom carpeting and carefully considered lighting reinforce the residential character Wickton sought to retain for buyers moving from larger homes.

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A Linacre Rise purchaser said the completed apartment had delivered the space, outlook and construction quality they had been seeking.

“The unit is very light, has views to die for over the bay, all construction materials and fittings are premium quality, we have secure parking for three cars, EV charging at very competitive rates, the neighbours are friendly and there is just a lovely ambiance about the place,” the purchaser said.

Environmental features include solar panels, shared electric vehicle charging stations, rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing and landscape irrigation, double-glazed windows and water-efficient fixtures and appliances.

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The development was built by Balmain &amp; Co, with Wickton managing the broader development process through its in-house team.

For downsizers, the project’s completed status removes much of the uncertainty associated with buying off the plan. Purchasers can inspect the finished apartments, understand their outlook and proportions, and move in without waiting for construction to conclude.

The remaining selection includes north-oriented balconies, corner configurations and penthouses with elevated bay views. The developer-paid stamp duty initiative is available for a limited time, with potential savings of up to $200,000 depending on the residence purchased.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=95289]

Limited-time stamp duty offer at completed Linacre Rise apartments in Hampton

Luxury apartment buyers have long prioritised design, space and finishes, but increasingly they're placing equal importance on something less tangible: how easily they can live without relying on a car.

At <a>Richmond Square</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/fortis">Fortis</a> believes that convenience begins beyond the apartment itself, with the mixed-use precinct earning a near-perfect Walk Score of 99.

The development has been planned around the idea that some of the most valuable amenities aren't contained within a building, they're the restaurants, cafés, parks, transport connections and daily conveniences that can all be reached on foot.

Located just behind Swan Street and Church Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/richmond-square-1-wiltshire-street-richmond-vic-3121">Richmond Square</a> places residents within one of Melbo​u​rne's most established lifestyle precincts while offering a quieter residential setting removed from the busiest thoroughfares. East Richmond Station is moments away, trams run along both Swan and Church Streets, and the MCG, Melb​​ourne Park, Yarra River trails and the CBD are all within walking distance. At the same time, the precinct itself will introduce a curated mix of dining, retail, hospitality and wellness offerings, creating a destination that extends well beyond its residential buildings.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13181 project_image_fid=348530]

For Fortis, that combination of location and scale was what made the site unique.

"<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/richmond-vic-3121">Richmond</a> is one of Melb​o​urne's most established and distinctive inner-city neighbourhoods, with a rare combination of dining, culture, recreation, public transport and proximity to the CBD," the developer said.

"The opportunity at Wiltshire Street was particularly compelling because the site sits slightly removed from the activity of Swan and Church Streets while remaining only moments from everything that makes the area desirable."

Rather than developing a standalone apartment building, Fortis consolidated 15 individual properties to create one of the larger development parcels assembled on Mel​b​ourne's city fringe in recent years. That allowed the team to deliver a genuine mixed-use precinct comprising 107 residences across Wiltshire House and Carmine House, premium office space, hospitality venues, retail, wellness offerings and a future 57-room hotel.

"The scale of the site allowed Fortis to think beyond a standalone apartment building," the developer said.

"Richmond Square could be planned as a complete lifestyle precinct, bringing homes, workplaces, dining, retail, hospitality and wellness together around a series of activated public spaces. The aim was to create a destination that feels connected to Richmond rather than separate from it."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13181 project_image_fid=348533]

The emphasis on walkability has also resonated with buyers.

Interest has been strongest from established owner-occupiers, particularly downsizers from Richmond and Melb​ourne's inner east who want to remain close to familiar restaurants, workplaces, family and social networks while moving into a more secure, lower-maintenance home. The project is also attracting Mornington Peninsula and interstate buyers seeking a Melb​ourne residence they can lock up and leave between visits.

Many are looking for generous living spaces, room to entertain, quality finishes and confidence in the project team, but location remains one of the biggest deciding factors.

"For many buyers, Richmond Square provides a way to simplify the practical side of home ownership without reducing the quality of their lifestyle," the sales team said.

"Location is also a major driver of interest. Buyers can remain connected to the CBD, major sporting events, the arts centres, local restaurants, cafes and bars and their family while living in a private and secure residence that is easy to lock up and leave for weekends or longer periods away."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=13181 project_image_fid=348549]

The residences themselves have been designed with that buyer in mind. Award-winning architecture practice SJB and interior designers Hecker Guthrie have created spacious two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses that prioritise generous living areas, natural light, bespoke joinery and private terraces. Above, a rooftop sanctuary by Acre includes landscaped lawns, bookable dining rooms, barbecue facilities, wellness spaces and panoramic views across the CBD, the MCG and Port Phillip Bay.

Fortis believes Richmond Square reflects a broader evolution in apartment living, where the surrounding neighbourhood becomes just as important as the residence itself.

"Richmond Square introduces a different proposition: generously proportioned residences within a genuinely mixed-use, hospitality-led destination," the developer said.

"The project's location and Walk Score of 99 further support a lifestyle where residents can complete many everyday journeys without relying on a car."

Fortis has assembled an experienced team that includes <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/sjb-architects">SJB</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/hecker-guthrie">Hecker Guthrie</a>, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/landscape-architect/acre">Acre</a> and builder <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/hacer-group">Hacer Group</a>, reflecting the developer's commitment to creating projects with enduring design quality and meaningful connections to the communities in which they sit.&nbsp;

Richmond Square is an expression of that philosophy, bringing together homes, workplaces, hospitality and wellness within one of Me​lb​ourne's most walkable neighbourhoods.&nbsp;

Construction is now almost complete, providing purchasers with growing confidence ahead of its expected September 2026 completion.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=13181]

Walk Score of 99 places Richmond Square at the heart of Melbourne's most connected lifestyle

<h3 data-end="19" data-section-id="1dvgwoe" data-start="0">Summary</h3>

<ul data-end="634" data-start="21">
	<li data-end="170" data-section-id="1o77v31" data-start="21">Walker Corporation has lodged plans for a second major residential development in the Maroochydore City Centre, a 29-storey tower known as Celeste.</li>
	<li data-end="327" data-section-id="1lb0y6t" data-start="171">The Plus Studio-designed proposal at Lot 30 Sunshine Coast Parade would deliver 208 apartments, including four four-bedroom sub-penthouses and penthouses.</li>
	<li data-end="487" data-section-id="za720" data-start="328">The application comes as Walker doubles down on Maroochydore following the strong sales campaign at SOL by Walker, where the first tower is nearing sell-out.</li>
	<li data-end="634" data-section-id="5sovec" data-start="488">Walker is a key partner in the transformation of the Maroochydore City Centre, which is expected to ultimately deliver at least 4,000 new homes.</li>
</ul>

Walker Corporation is doubling down on Maroochydore following the successful sales campaign at its first residential project in the emerging CBD.

The national developer has filed plans for <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/celeste-30-sunshine-coast-parade-maroochydore-qld-4558">Celeste</a>, a new 29-storey apartment tower at Lot 30 Sunshine Coast Parade, just metres from its under-construction SOL by Walker development.

The plans, prepared by Plus Studio, would see 208 apartments delivered across a 100-metre tower on the 2,376 sqm site, which fronts Sunshine Coast Parade, First Avenue and Future Way within the Maroochydore Priority Development Area.

<img alt="Walker" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="17038209-6fea-4ed2-855d-fd4df65b3d02" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-10%20at%2010.24.16%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=iZD.oVXcQn.aLpUytDAW.CWjxP4puWMy" />

The proposed apartment mix comprises 36 one-bedroom apartments, 48 two-bedroom apartments, 72 two-bedroom apartments with an additional multipurpose space, and 48 three-bedroom apartments.

The upper levels would be capped by two four-bedroom sub-penthouses and two four-bedroom penthouses, taking the total apartment count to 208. The preliminary yield study also provides 262 car spaces, 114 resident bicycle spaces and storage for each apartment.

It represents Walker's next major residential move in the new Maroochydore CBD after the success of SOL by Walker, its $220 million two-tower project nearby.

SOL launched to market in early 2025 and has since seen strong demand, particularly from local owner-occupiers. By February this year, Walker said the first SOL tower was nearing sell-out, with a strong waitlist also emerging for its recently released penthouse collection.

Construction is already underway on SOL, with the first tower expected to be completed in late 2027 and the second to follow in early 2028.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147777 project_image_fid=319846]

<h2 data-end="2518" data-section-id="1b2dyo5" data-start="2459">Celeste to rise 100 metres over Maroochydore City Centre</h2>

Celeste would take a different form to the twin 19-storey buildings at SOL.

Plus Studio has designed a single 100-metre tower above an activated podium, with the architecture responding to the site's prominent position and three street frontages.

The podium would incorporate commercial tenancies and public art, with sweeping façade elements wrapping the street edges. The scalloped concrete podium has been inspired by the patterns created in sand at low tide, while extensive landscaping would continue vertically through the tower.

The ground level plans show three commercial tenancies addressing Sunshine Coast Parade alongside the residential lobby and landscaped public realm. The podium would then accommodate several levels of car parking before the residential tower rises above.

<img alt="Celeste" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="121f77b1-71c5-46d7-9b36-0a7d474211ca" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-08-10%20at%2010.24.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=MGrg9Hb7HgzLN0Lelq_xrXNAruVl77ia" />

Plus Studio said the tower had been designed to maximise views from each apartment, taking in the Maroochy River, Sunshine Coast hinterland, Cotton Tree and Maroochydore Beach and ocean.

Those views have also shaped one of the project's key features, with Walker proposing to put the primary resident amenity on Level 29 rather than lower within the building.

The rooftop would feature a 284.9 sqm pool area with an infinity edge, along with a cold pool, spa, sauna, 93.2 sqm gym, sunset lounge, BBQ and dining areas, pool deck and private dining space. Cabanas and day beds are also shown across the recreation level.

The two penthouses would extend across the upper levels and each feature private terraces and plunge pools.

<h2 data-end="4202" data-section-id="v5f4ix" data-start="4160">Walker's growing Maroochydore footprint</h2>

Celeste further reinforces Walker's commitment to the transformation of Maroochydore City Centre.

Walker is one of the key partners delivering the new CBD alongside Sunshine Coast Council and SunCentral Maroochydore, with the broader 62-hectare Priority Development Area occupying the former Horton Park Golf Course and surrounding land.

The precinct is ultimately expected to accommodate at least 4,000 new homes as Maroochydore evolves into the Sunshine Coast's principal commercial and residential centre.

When SOL secured approval in February 2025, Walker Managing Director and CEO David Gallant described it as the "first of many residential projects" the company planned for the Maroochydore City Centre.

Celeste now provides the clearest indication yet of what comes next.

The site sits immediately within the new CBD, with the design report identifying Sunshine Plaza and surrounding parkland within walking distance and Maroochydore Beach around a five-minute drive away.

For Walker, the timing of the application comes as its first residential bet on the new CBD appears to have been vindicated.

SOL has progressed from planning approval to construction while its first release has approached sell-out, giving Walker confidence to push ahead with another 208 apartments and take its residential pipeline in the Maroochydore City Centre to around 450 dwellings across the two projects.

Celeste remains subject to planning approval, with the architectural material describing the scheme as a preliminary yield study that may change through the assessment process.

Staff reporter

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