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Austlander Developments Pty Ltd has bought an infill development site at Keysborough in Melbourne’s south-east with plans for an industrial estate, paying $5.69 million.
Located at 241 Perry Road, the property comprises a 5.66 hectare allotment zoned Industrial 1 and adjoining Fraser Property’s (formerly Australand) Key Industrial Park.
The deal was brokered by Paul Jones and Kosta Filinis of Savills Australia.
Austlander will seek to subdivide the land into 29 x 1000 square metre and two x 7000 square metre lots.
"This is a prime industrial development site, adjacent to a successful and very popular industrial estate with excellent access to Greens Road and EastLink," Jones said.
He said Austlander was confident an industrial subdivision would attract tenants given the south-east’s status as one of Australia’s fastest growing regions.
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Austlander buys infill development site in Melbourne's Keysborough for $5.69 million

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A residential property with a permit for 10 apartments at Hampton, one of Melbourne's sandbelt locations, will go under the hammer on November 27.
The <a href="https://www.realcommercial.com.au/property-land+development-vic-hampton-501744534" target="_blank">22 Railway Crescent</a> property is expected to fetch more than $1.8 million.
It is a four-bedroom, two-storey home on a 420 square metre site zoned General Residential 2 with frontage to Railway Crescent.
An approved permit allows for the development of a three-storey building containing 10 apartments with roof decks and basement car parking.
The property is located within walking distance of Hampton Village strip shops and railway station, as well as numerous other local amenities, including the Hampton Beach.
It is being sold through Teska Carson’s Adrian Boutsakis and Fergus Evans.
"With a permit in place for an apartment development the property will obviously appeal to developers in what is a highly sought after residential area, but it will also appeal to a family looking for an exceptional home in a prime location within easy commuting distance of the CBD," said Boutsakis.
Evans said an upsurge in the area’s popularity, with its easy access to Melbourne’s CBD and the beach, had driven the development of new, high-profile, residential and commercial projects there.
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Beach site in Melbourne's Hampton with apartment permit to go under the hammer

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Sydney's industrial sector has had a strong 2015 in which the emergence and recovery of the sector throughout 2013 and 2014 has been consolidated, according to the valuation firm Herron Todd White.
Some of the Sydney’s highest performing areas continue to include the South Sydney region which remains the beneficiary of the increasing shift of older style industrial facilities into more high-tech accommodation, the latest HTW report suggests.
"The demand for this type of stock has seen capital rates increase throughout the calendar year, with smaller stock achieving rates up to and above $3,500 per square metre.
"Larger industrial holdings within this precinct benefit from their proximity to the Port Botany precinct, which appears to be one of the main drivers of demand in this sector."
The report goes on to state that the gentrification of industrial precincts in close proximity to the Sydney CBD such as South Sydney, as well as Sydney’s ever steady push to the west is resulting in the emergence of industrial precincts such as Marsden Park, Eastern Creek, Erskine Park and the like developing into strong contenders in the Sydney industrial market.
"Demand levels have increased in these areas progressively over the past few years, though with the ongoing completion of infrastructure in these locations, demand has continued to strengthen in 2015 with a number of national distribution facilities setting up in this region (Woolworths, Linfox, BlueScope Steel)."
The HTW review adds that the Sutherland Shire/St George industrial sector has witnessed capital rate increases over 2015 with torrens and strata title properties commonly achieving rates over and above $2,000 per square metre.
"The strength of this market is driven by a dominant owner occupier sector, with a strong presence of local tradesmen occupying this precinct.
"Generally speaking, industrial yields have fallen, in keeping with all sectors across the Sydney property market."
The report concludes by explaining the fall in yields in consistent with the historically low interest rates and an increase in capital values while rental rates have largely remained stable.
"Larger prime assets are typically achieving yields ranging between 7.5% and 9%, dependent on size, while smaller assets have fallen to the 5% to 7% range."
 
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Sydney remains strong in industrial property sector: Herron Todd White

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Investors are playing a key role in the property market on the southern Gold Coast and in the Tweed Shire, according to valuation firm Herron Todd White.
"We noted investors are very active in the sub million dollar market, in particular in beachside locations", the month in report highlighted.
"Investors in the market place are a mixture of both local and interstate, in particular from Sydney and Melbourne.
"Typical investors are interested in properties with a steady or good rental return with low overheads."
The report added that the price points for localities such as Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Waters, Miami and Palm Beach is around $500,000 to $550,000 for established housing.
"Duplexes and units in these localities are around $365,000 and $400,000.
"We believe that investor activity at its current level is not sustainable over the medium term in the property market."
The report concluded by suggesting that if investor demand did start to drop, it would have negative implications for the market on the southern Gold Coast and in the Tweed Shire as investors are prevalent.
"The demand for property would slow and prices would likely fall due to more stock being available to purchase.
"The types of properties investors have purchased recently include Melbourne investors purchasing a rural lifestyle property, local investor from Bonogin purchasing a townhouse unit and Melbourne investor purchasing a unit." 
 
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Sydney and Melbourne investors playing key role in southern Gold Coast: HTW

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Perth private treaty days on market has extended to a required 123 days before sale, according to APM.
Sydney is still the fastest selling market, but now sitting at 41 days.
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Perth private treaty days on market extends to 123 days: APM

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Investors have traditionally made up a considerable portion of buyers in the Mildura region.
They have been buying modern stand alone dwellings in the $250,000 to $350,000 price bracket, says valuation firm Herron Todd White.
In their November review they suggested the demand from local investors has been relatively stable during the past few years, while demand from out of town buyers was higher than normal during the period from around 2010 to early 2015, boosted by the activity of several promoters who were selling house and land packages, often at prices not supported by local evidence.
"Demand from out of town buyers appears to have slowed during 2015, partly affected by a strengthening in land prices and a resulting shortage of affordable land. It is also possible that this pool of buyers has reduced, due to the slowing economy in the resource states," HTW said.
"We expect local investors to remain active, despite some tightening in lending criteria and concerns that interest rates may rise."
The report added homes that are attractive to investors typically contain 3 or 4 bedrooms and are less than 20 years old, thereby providing depreciation allowances and less maintenance issues.
"Low vacancy rates have contributed to rents for this type of property increasing by around $20 per week in the past two to three years.
"This has helped keep gross yields between 5.5% and 6%.
"Yields for small units are higher, however these traditionally have shown less capital gain."
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Mildura investment remains stable: Herron Todd White

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Investors in the Ballarat residential market have been increasingly active over the past five years to the extent they would now make up around 20% to 30% in the price bracket from $100,000 to $300,000, valuation firm Herron Todd White have concluded.
The HTW November report described the demographic of the typical Ballarat investor as anyone from locals over 30 years old with a home and some disposable income to invest, to baby boomers from Melbourne and other capital cities.
"They are however all attracted to the market by the same three property investment pillars of affordability, capital growth and rental returns.
"As the Melbourne market bounded ahead over the past three years with record low interest rates, many investment properties have become out of the price range of many investors."
This has left many investors searching farther and wider for more affordable properties that deliver a more palatable rental return, closer to 6%, with the opportunity for capital growth, the HTW month in review highlighted.
"We are of the opinion that the activity in the investor market at present is sustainable in the medium term, particularly in the established and period housing markets.
"This is primarily due to the affordability of the properties which occupy this segment and the nature of the people purchasing them.
"As an example of the impact if banks raise investment loan rates, we note that an investor purchasing a $250,000 Edwardian dwelling in Golden Point with a loan to value ratio of 80% would see an increase in monthly repayments of around $30 per month.
"This would not discourage an investor.
"However in the event lending criteria tightened in such a way that a more conservative loan to value ratio of say 70% was required, an impact would be felt in the market as prospective investors would be required to compile a greater deposit to enter the market."
The report ended in saying that if investor demand dissipated we would see an increase in selling periods initially which would be followed by a softening in capital values.
The sectors hardest hit would be those where there is already a strong supply verging on an over supply.
In Ballarat this section of the market is new villa units and townhouses. 
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Property investment yields in Ballarat hover around 6%: HTW

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Signs of slowing have emerged in Sydney property markets after the four major banks increased their standard variable interest rates to be slightly higher for investment loans over owner occupier loans to meet the APRA requirements, according to valuation firm Herron White Todd.
The banks had also introduced tougher loan-to-value standards in response to a move by regulators to rein in the riskier corners of the country’s house price boom, the HTW November review advised saying there was now often a maximum of 80% loan to value ratio for investors. 
"We have not seen the full effect this will have on the property market as yet, however we are seeing signs of slowing." 
The 80% was providing a significant buffer for the banks "however it becomes harder for an individual to actually save the 20% deposit or to use the existing equity in their primary dwelling or portfolio for the deposit.
"With fewer people able to access the 20% deposit, there will be fewer investors in the market," the valuation firm advised.
It suggested that this could lead to less demand and more supply which directly affects the value of a property. 
"There are signs that the market may be cooling," the report added noting there had been a continual decline in auction clearance rates in Sydney from low 80% in July 2015 to mid 60% in October 2015 according to Corelogic RP Data. 
"This is a combination of the record number of auctions listed (so volume sold as a percentage is decreased), the expectations of vendors to exceed prices that were being achieved by neighbours no more than three months ago and a decrease in the pool of purchasers as we enter into a new wait and see phase of the property cycle." 
The review indicated that it is fair to say that much of the growth in Sydney in the past eighteen months has been fuelled by the investor market.
"On the ground, completing the mortgage valuations, we have seen that this has been a combination of local buyers such as baby boomers using the equity in their main dwelling to purchase additional property for their superannuation, interstate investors who have heard the get rich quick scenarios and are banking on quick capital appreciation and overseas investors looking to build a property portfolio."
The report went on to say that given that the recent APRA changes took effect mid year, it was "too soon" to say what the full impact of the tightening of bank regulations has been on the property market but indications are that the regulations appear to be working.
"This change in criteria could have a positive impact on the first home buyer market which traditionally competes heavily with entry level investors and could open up opportunities for the owner occupier."
The review concluded by suggesting Herron Todd White believe the investor market in NSW will remain stable over the medium term as the banks have not made it impossible to buy an investment property, they have just tightened their criteria.
"These changes will not exclude people from entering the market as investors but force them to be in a more secure financial position before entering into any agreements."
The November review also suggested that in the past few years Sydney has also had the benefit of many new developments partially due to a change in approval policy; partially due to the underlying demand and supply imbalance in the market and partially due to the demands of the overseas investment market that is regulated by government to the purchase of new property only. 
"This product is appealing to investors and owner occupiers as developers and the government offer benefits such as reduced or no stamp duty, monetary incentives and non-monetary incentives. 
"We have seen new developments or off the plan purchases become the most popular because of the combination of incentives received and, due to the heat in the market, the assured capital appreciation from purchase to settlement.
"To date we have not become aware of any changes in these policies and can only assume they will remain for the foreseeable future however doubt over immediate capital appreciation may see some investors withdraw."
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Signs of slowing in Sydney after APRA's property bubble crackdown: HTW

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Six years back when RBA governor Glenn Stevens spoke at the Economic and Social Outlook Conference in Melbourne, the title was the ‘Road to Recovery’, which focussed on managing the downturn in the Australian economy in the backdrop of the global slowdown.
This time, Stevens was addressing the 'Path to Prosperity', and noted that the path didn't seem much different today from six years ago. Macroeconomic policies provide a measure of counter-cyclical stabilisation, but they couldn't serve as a magic bullet to achieve sustained growth in living standards, he said.
In the six years, the Australian economy's exposure to China had increased, so China's prospects mattered more, he said.
"The current rate of growth of the Chinese economy is uncertain, as is its future growth rate. It is likely that the marginal steel intensity of China's growth will be lower in future than in the past. At the same time, the marginal propensity of the Chinese people to consume services is rising noticeably.
"So the challenge for Australian resource producers to be the most efficient suppliers in a world of slower growth in demand for resources will co-exist with greater opportunities for other firms to offer value added in services."
He said the decline in resources sector capital spending was now roughly at the halfway stage, but nonetheless over the past year the non-mining side of the economy had generated a good number of jobs.
"The rebalancing is occurring. It isn't as seamless as it would be in an ideal world, but we don't live in such a world," he said.
"Monetary policy is contributing to that rebalancing, consistent with its mandate, with a very accommodative stance. It seems likely that an accommodative stance will be appropriate for some time yet. Were a change to monetary policy to be required in the near term, it would almost certainly be an easing, not a tightening. The rate of CPI inflation is clearly no impediment to easing.
"The housing market may be calming, lessening risks from that source, though by how much and how persistently we cannot yet know."
He said the Reserve Bank Board was faced with the question that whether the recent changes in mortgage rates result in an effective set of financial conditions that is too tight for the economy.
Over the course of 2014 and 2015, effective rates on most loans tended to decline by more than the cash rate, reflecting both declining funding costs and increased competition to lend.
"For fixed rate mortgages and many business loan rates the fall was quite marked. The average rate on outstanding business loans, for example, fell by over 90 basis points during a period in which the cash rate fell by 50 basis points. Even for floating rate mortgages, rates had fallen a bit more than the cash rate.
"The actions of those banks that have lifted mortgage rates over recent weeks reverse a little under half of this year's decline for floating rate mortgages for owner-occupiers and have no effect, at this stage, on the 15 percent of loans with fixed rates.
"For investors in housing, these actions and those a month or two earlier reverse the effects of this year's monetary policy easing but, of course, this was the lending that had been growing most quickly. 
He also said a significant proportion of owner occupier households was ahead of schedule on mortgage repayments – in large part because these households did not lower their payments as interest rates fell. Most of these households are unlikely to need to part with extra cash each month as a result of the recent interest rate changes. 
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RBA's Glenn Stevens says accommodative policy to stay for some more time

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The RBA is unhappy with banks' data relating to owner-occupier and investor housing loans, with RBA deputy governor Philip Lowe saying it has complicated its understanding of Australia's housing market. 
Speaking at a FINSIA regulators' panel in Sydney on Thursday, Lowe reinforced the need for thorough regulatory oversight after an additional $50 billion of property investor loans was found on the books of banks. 
"Over the past six months there have been very large upward revisions to the value of investor loans outstanding, with offsetting downward revisions to owner-occupier loans," he said.
"The cumulative effect of the upward revisions has been to increase the stock of investor credit outstanding by around $50 billion, or 10 percent. According to these new data, investor loans now account for 40 percent of total housing loans outstanding, not the 35 percent reported earlier in the year."
He said the data problems have emerged as lenders have taken a closer look at their housing loans following increased regulatory scrutiny. He highlighted two issues specifically.
While the reasons for some of these earlier errors have been identified, in other cases the reasons are unclear and lenders have not been able to provide comprehensive back data. As a result, when calculating growth rates for investor and owner-occupier credit, the RBA has had to make adjustments for what are effectively breaks in the series, he said.
The second issue was with lenders reporting that some loans previously recorded as investor loans were really loans to owner-occupiers.
"This is partly because, when faced with the higher interest rate on investor loans, some borrowers have indicated to their bank that they are not an investor, but rather an owner-occupier, and so should not have to pay the higher rate.
"Taken at face value, the data suggest a very sharp slowing in growth in investor credit and a sharp pick-up in owner-occupier credit. However, if we make adjustments for these reclassifications then the changes in growth rates are much less pronounced.
"These various data problems have reinforced our view that the supervisory focus on investor lending has been entirely appropriate. And it is disappointing that some lenders' internal systems have not been up to the task of reporting accurate data on the split between investor and owner-occupied housing loans.
He said it has been decided that APRA, the RBA and the Australian Bureau of Statistics will, next year, undertake a thorough review of the data collected from authorised deposit-taking institutions regarding their domestic books.
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RBA concerned at inaccuracy of housing lending data by banks

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.

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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.

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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.

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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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