Weekly auction volumes are set to rise across the combined capital cities, with a total of 1,851 homes scheduled to go under the hammer this week.

The scheduled number of auctions are not only expected to be higher than the 1,728 auctions last week, but the highest level reached since the week ending 19 April when 1,922 auctions were held.

Melbourne is set to host its busiest week for auctions since June, with 647 homes scheduled to go under the hammer. This is up 7% on last week’s volumes, although it’s almost half the volume of auctions seen over the same week last year (1,221).

Volumes are expected to remain steady across Sydney this week, with 840 homes scheduled for auction, unchanged from last week’s final count. One year ago, a higher 940 Sydney homes were auctioned over the same week.

Across the smaller cities, scheduled volumes are higher over the week in Adelaide (104), Brisbane (118), Canberra (119) and Tasmania (5), while Perth (18) has fewer scheduled auctions over the week.

Given the latest COVID lock down announcement in South Australia, it is likely a number of homes scheduled for auction across Adelaide this week will be withdrawn or postponed.

<img alt="Pictures" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="867259dc-22f4-4fe4-b6b4-74807a287083" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/download.png?VersionId=SeOhZN3ZVEZ3usjSFm7TcfOf56DgUr5F" />

An example of the busy auction week in Melbourne is 107/68-86 La Trobe Street in the CBD (pictured in title).

The two bedroom, one bathroom apartment comes with a $470,000 - $510,000 price guide.

<img alt="Melbourne Hosting" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4943d764-231c-413d-b762-295ffcd4b62f" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/download%20%281%29.png?VersionId=4uEMeiL4SP7DbVdSaHIFN_rHuqGSf.7D" />

&nbsp;

Another property up for auction in the Melbourne CBD this weekend is 53a/32 Queens Road.

The one bedroom, one bathroom unit has an auction guide of $430,000 - $460,000.

j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Melbourne hosting its busiest auction weekend since June

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There’s been two sales in the boutique luxury Rose Bay development, Roseraie.
Apartment 2 and Apartment 4 of the Dover Road project have sold, both two bed, two bathroom apartments.
Now there’s just four apartments available in the low-rise block of six. They all have three bedrooms, and one is a whole-level penthouse.
Set near Rose Bay Golf Club, Roseraie is designed by CSA Architects and Yvette Phillips. Each apartment offers open-plan living and dining, high ceilings and a number of balconies.
The penthouse, spanning the whole of the third level, has a deep entertainer’s terrace extending from the living area. Only one of the garden residences is left, Apartment 1, which is priced at $2.98 million through 1st City Projects.
Roseraie is slated for completion in March 2021.
The 670 sqm site is owned by B &amp; I Properties 3, whose directors include Boris Markovsky, the managing director of the boutique development firm Rommark.
Rommark is behind projects such as The Gallery at Double Bay and Bondi Junction’s Genoa. Markovsky is a director of B &amp; I Properties 3 alongside CommBuild Australia’s Igor Pogrebinsky.
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One third of Rose Bay's Roseraie has sold off the plan

NAB cuts savings rates again, now down over 1% in 2020

Victorian homes are being snapped up in record time: REIV

NAB forecast Brisbane house prices to rise 7% in 2021

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The Barangaroo Grocon construction business has gone into administration.
Established 73 years ago the Grocon chief Daniel Grollo said he was making the move reluctantly after issues arose at its Barangaroo site in which there is litigation against the NSW Government.
There is a $270 million legal stows with the government after planning issues saw it amend its high-rise aspirations at Barangaroo, "forcing" it to sell its share in the project at a discount to Aqualand.
The matter related to Crown/Lendlease sightlines at the development site.
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“It is unfortunate that INSW is forcing our hand to place the construction business into administration," Grollo told The Australian.
High profile projects, including the Northumberland development in Collingwood, Melbourne would not be included in the administration entities.
But The Age reported the gages on the construction site of its Northumberland 12-level inner-city office block  remain locked in an ominous sign for the developer.
But lender MaxCap was reportedly committed to the Northumberland project.
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Grollo puts Barangaroo Grocon construction business into administration

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Brisbane restaurateur John Kilroy has listed his New Farm penthouse, complete with its own rooftop garden.

Kilroy, who runs Cha Cha Char, the steak institution on Eagle Street, paid $3.6 million off the plan in 2013, three years before the building was finished.

The two-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-qld-new+farm-134820450" target="_blank">11/170 Bowen Terrace</a> is being marketed by Alex Phillis of Phillis Real Estate.

Comprising two levels, the unique penthouse features a private roof top terrace and a private pool in the sky.

It has been custom fitted from new by Kilroy and is set over the top two floors of the eight level apartment building, featuring only six other full floor residences.

Marketed as "the best private rooftop in Brisbane," Mr Phillis estimated a price point around $10 million.

Last year the apartment below sold for $6 million.

Set on 625 sqm, its within close proximity to the City, James Street, New Farm, the Casino, Golf courses and medical facilities. Plus the Brisbane International airport is a 20 minute drive and the Gold Coast, 50 minutes.

<h2>QLD properties on the market right now:</h2>

[smartcode_project:default project_id=26879]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=26730]

[smartcode_project:default project_id=90200]
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John Kilroy seeks $10 million for New Farm penthouse

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The inner west region of Sydney comprises a vast range of property types, from older character dwellings through to modern apartment buildings, according to the latest Herron Todd White residential report.
The valuation firm took a look at whether HomeBuilder and other stimulus has bolstered the demand for vacant land and new builds in markets around Australia.
Many of the older dwellings have some level of heritage overlay under local planning regulations. These regulations are generally not too restrictive and mostly relate to maintaining the façade of the property to keep it in line with the heritage style of the area.
Due to this, the majority of renovation work is either internal or extending the property to the rear or a first floor, the report noted.
"We have recently noticed an increase in requests for valuations for the purpose of applying for the New South Wales Home Builder Grant.
"As per information from Revenue NSW, a valuation is required to show the value of the property (house and land) in the three months before commencement of renovation," the valuation firm said.
A recent example of this was an enquiry on an older style terrace house in Enmore, the report noted.
The property was purchased in 2014 for approximately $1 million and the owner of the property required a valuation to determine whether the current value (prior to renovation) would be less than or equal to $1.5 million in order to meet the eligibility requirements for the New South Wales Home Builder Grant.
"Notwithstanding wider economic conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic, we anticipate that this trend of renovating single dwellings will continue throughout the remainder of 2020 and into 2021," the valuation firm said.
The report suggests some of the key elements that may might drive the renovation demand include: relatively cheaper building rates than in recent years; record low interest rates; government stimulus packages; tax incentives (in some situations); and the continued preference to renovate the home rather than upgrade or downsize in these unprecedented times.
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Urban.com.au has<a href="/developments/enmore-nsw-2350"> 20 new property developments in Enmore </a>among the many developments in inner west Sydney are under way. 
Buyers need to make sure they and the property they are purchasing are eligible for the HomeBuilder Grant. 
<a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-08/HomeBuilder_Frequently_asked_questions.pdf" target="_blank">These are the rules for the Homebuilder Grant. </a>
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Inner west Sydney renovation trends for single dwellings continues: HTW residential 

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EXPERT OBSERVER
This week for Australia was all about economic policy.
Beginning first with monetary policy. The RBA’s October decision and communications were as expected. There was no change in policy on 6 October, but a more dovish tone in the Governor’s statement signals the likelihood of an imminent move.
As detailed by Chief Economist Bill Evans, of greatest significance is the clear message the RBA Governor’s statement ended on: the “Board continues to consider how additional monetary easing could support jobs as the economy opens up further”.
The pricing in of additional easing by market participants was also recognised in the decision statement: “3-year yields have fallen to around 18 basis points as markets price in some probability of further monetary policy easing”. And open-ended concern over the labour market and activity was on display: “Unemployment and underemployment are likely to remain high for an extended period”; and “it will be some time before the level of output returns to its end 2019 level”.
It is worth adding that risks remain skewed downward: globally given a rising incidence of COVID-19 in a number of economies such as the UK, US, and Europe; and domestically as a result of the underlying weakness seen in Australia’s economy ahead of this pandemic.
We continue to expect the RBA will cut the cash rate; 3-year bond yield target; and TFF rate from 0.25% to 0.10% in November and will also announce additional government bond purchases for maturities between 5 and 10 years at that meeting.
Just a few hours after the RBA’s October meeting concluded, Federal Budget 2020-21 was handed down by Federal Treasurer Frydenberg.
At $213.7bn, the 2020-21 deficit is the largest ever by a considerable margin. Even relative to the size of the economy, this deficit is almost three time the size of that recorded in the aftermath of the GFC and the 1990’s recession.
Very clearly, spending on this scale is justified by the circumstances. Over the first six months of 2020, Australian GDP contracted by over 7% under the weight of the restrictions required to suppress COVID-19. The unemployment rate has since risen from around 5% to near 7%, we believe on its way to almost 8%.
Having already introduced policies to get through the recession, in Budget 2020 the Federal Government is seeking to shift households’ and businesses’ focus from the immediate to the medium-term, and in so doing lay a strong foundation for recovery.
The best example of this is found in the Budget 2020’s job initiatives. JobKeeper and JobSeeker have not been extended past their respective current March 2021 and December 2020 end dates. The focus has instead been shifted to new job creation through the introduction of the JobMaker and JobTrainer which incentivise business to create new jobs and apprenticeships, particularly for young Australians.
To support household confidence and incomes more broadly, the Government has also elected to bring forward the stage two tax cuts to 1 July 2020, raising the 32.5 and 37 cent thresholds to $45,000 and $120,000 respectively. An additional benefit will also be provided to those who earn up to $90,000 through the low and middle income offset in 2020-21.
Investment is also being encouraged. Businesses with turnover of up to $5bn will be able to deduct the full cost of eligible depreciable assets of any value in the year installed, to June 2022. Cash flow support is also being offered via a temporary loss carry-back arrangement which allows businesses to claim current losses against tax paid on prior profits, potentially generating a refund. Business and the economy more broadly will also benefit from additional infrastructure investment in coming years.
The Government is optimistic on the success of these measures, anticipating a GDP gain of 4.75% in 2021-2022 after 2020-21’s 1.5% forecast contraction. That said, on the Government’s forecasts, the unemployment rate remains materially above the full employment level in mid-2024, circa 5.5%. Our own expectations for the unemployment rate over the entire period are higher still, highlighting that a complete recovery from recession will be hard won and that risks will remain skewed to the downside. Additional significant policy initiatives will likely prove necessary in coming years.
Quickly turning to offshore developments. In both the United States and Europe, the most recent central bank meeting minutes again emphasised the risks clouding their respective outlooks as well as these monetary authorities’ willingness to do more. Progress towards additional fiscal support in the US, in contrast, remains absent, even as existing measures continue to roll off and the new case count rises again. Momentum in the US and Europe is robust for now, but the degree of slack is pervasive and the northern hemisphere is heading towards winter.
ELLIOT CLARKE is a senior economist at Westpac 
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A budget of unparalleled significance: Elliot Clarke

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Luxury three-bedroom apartments are being offered by Hurstmon in Melbourne’s Malvern East with prices starting at $1.375 million.
The residences, located at <a href="/buildings/hurstmon-3-hurstmon-street-malvern-east">3 Hurstmon Street</a>, are offered by Melbourne-based property developers Landream.
Telha Clarke Architecture and Design and Eckersley Garden Architecture collaborated on the project’s design.
Hurstmon represents the “best of lifestyle, contemporary architecture, earthy tones, premium materials and respect for the area’s deep history”, the development’s marketing writes.
Set in the prime location of Malvern East, the development is <a href="/developments/malvern-east-vic-3145">one of 69 in Malvern East</a>.
The apartment’s offerings include walnut timber joinery, pale timber floorboards and established gardens.
Landscaped courtyards and entertaining areas are features of the ground floor residences. 
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Landream offers $1.35 million apartments in Malvern East project, Hurstmon

National diversified developer Fortis has officially launched Crest &amp; Walker, its latest Brisbane apartment development, with construction now underway on the 20-storey Newstead project.

Award-winning builder BINAH has commenced construction on the Bureau^Proberts-designed building, which will deliver a limited collection of 65 two and three-bedroom apartments on Kyabra Street.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373556]

The project marks Fortis' fourth active residential development in Brisbane, following River House, which is nearing completion, alongside projects in New Farm and Hamilton as the national developer continues to expand its South East Queensland pipeline.

Fortis General Manager – Development Queensland Dan Boman said Crest &amp; Walker reflects the developer's long-term commitment to delivering design-led residential projects in Brisbane's established inner-city suburbs.

"We're proud to be strengthening our presence in Brisbane with Crest &amp; Walker, particularly in such a sought-after lifestyle destination as Newstead," Boman said.

"Every Fortis project is shaped by its context, and we approach each one with the respect and care it deserves.

"Our focus is always on creating places that feel connected to their neighbourhood and elevate the everyday experience for residents. Newstead continues to evolve as one of Brisbane's most sought-after urban communities, and Crest &amp; Walker reflects our ambition to contribute meaningfully to that story."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373559]

Positioned between Gasworks Plaza and James Street, <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/crest-walker-newstead-12-kyabra-street-newstead-qld-4006">Crest &amp; Walker</a> has been designed as a boutique residential address offering privacy and generous living spaces within one of Brisbane's most established lifestyle precincts.

The building features a contemporary brick podium softened by integrated landscaping, while the upper levels are characterised by restrained architecture and enduring materiality. Interiors have been designed to maximise natural light, acoustic performance and long-term liveability.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373583]

Residences comprise spacious two and three-bedroom floorplans, with two-bedroom apartments priced from $1.55 million and three-bedroom, half-floor residences from $3.95 million.

Residents will have access to a wellness-focused rooftop featuring a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, landscaped dining spaces and outdoor lounge areas overlooking Newstead and the Brisbane CBD.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=145922 project_image_fid=373571]

Sales are being managed by Slaite Projects, with Fortis expecting strong demand from owner-occupiers seeking a high-quality, design-focused apartment in one of Brisbane's most tightly held inner-city suburbs.

Completion of Crest &amp; Walker is slated for late 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=145922]

Joel Robinson

Fortis expands Brisbane pipeline with launch of Crest & Walker in Newstead

The enormity of delivering a true skyscraper in Australia's new development market is often overlooked.

It has taken the best part of a decade since plans for Chevron One were first unveiled, but the 52-storey tower is now complete, with residents collecting their keys and moving into what has become one of the Gold Coast's most recognisable new landmarks.

Rising 127 metres above Chevron Island, Chevron One stands almost twice as high as any other building on the island. Its scale places it alongside the trio of towers at Jewel, arguably the last truly significant addition to the central Gold Coast skyline when they were completed around six years ago.

While there are several developments underway around a similar height to Chevron One, they are more concentrated within clusters of the highest towers in the city. The fact Chevron One sits within a developing precinct, looking back at the other high-rise developments in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, makes it a different proposition altogether. It will certainly become a reference point on the Gold Coast skyline.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68833]

Developer Bensons Property Group is behind the 52-storey tower, which has just shy of 250 apartments, along with an exhaustive list of resident amenity spread across what is the largest development site ever assembled on Chevron Island.

The tower has been the talk of the town for years, says Ray White Projects Gold Coast agent Caitlin Rosenboom, who is selling the remaining apartments.

"People have been watching Chevron One go up for years," Rosenboom says, adding that many prospective buyers have been surprised by the scale of the views once they step inside.

"It's only when they walk through a completed apartment that they truly understand the position of the building," Rosenboom says.

"The views are jaw-dropping. Whether you're looking east over the ocean, across Surfers Paradise, along the river systems or out to the hinterland, every level offers something different but equally impressive."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=360215]

One of Chevron One's defining advantages is its location on the eastern side of Chevron Island on Stanhill Drive, a position which protects the views forever.

"There's only one row of houses between Chevron One and the water, and the height restrictions along the river means views from Chevron One can never be built out,"&nbsp;Rosenboom says.

While new apartment developments continue to emerge across the Gold Coast, Rosenboom says opportunities to secure a completed apartment with this level of outlook are becoming increasingly rare.

"The size of the site is something that would be incredibly difficult to replicate today," she says.

"That's allowed Chevron One to deliver the sort of amenity, open space and resident facilities that very few projects can offer. There are not many completed apartment buildings on the Gold Coast right now that can compete with the combination of scale, quality and amenity."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=6515 project_image_fid=68839]

There's around 2,000 sqm of amenity solely for the use of residents of Chevron One. Club One features a uniquely shaped swimming pool that mirrors the footprint of the building itself, set within a extensively landscaped gardens. There's also an indoor pool and spa, a fully equipped gym with a Pilates room, a yoga garden, a bookable private dining area and lounge that can host up to 30 people, and a 24-hour concierge service.

As for the buyers, Rosenboom is fielding enquiry from everywhere: Sydneysiders and Melburnians looking at the new and off-the-plan market following the changes in the Federal Budget, as well as those looking to relocate, through to South East Queenslanders seeking either a permanent home or a weekender bolthole.

"The Gold Coast lifestyle continues to resonate with people relocating from the southern states, and when they see the views and the quality of what's been delivered at Chevron One, it becomes very easy for them to understand the appeal," Rosenboom says.

A diverse mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments remain available, with each offering "something a little different", be it the orientation and views, configuration, or level, to suit a wide variety of buyers.

The remaining apartments are ready to inspect in person, by appointment.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=6515]

A decade in the making: Residents to move into Chevron One as construction wraps up

A general rule of thumb in new apartment developments is that the penthouses get the rooftop.

It's a formula that's become commonplace across Australia's apartment market. Residents might have access to a pool, gym or barbecue facilities on a dedicated lower level, but the most desirable outdoor spaces are typically reserved for the highest-priced homes at the top of the building.

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> has taken the opposite approach.

Rather than dedicating the rooftop to a handful of buyers, the Gold Coast developer has made it the centrepiece of its Flourish collection, creating expansive shared spaces from the best vantage point in the building.

The philosophy has reached its most ambitious expression at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flourish-soleira-palm-beach-1150-1160-gold-coast-highway-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Soleira</a> in Palm Beach, where two rooftop precincts connected by a skybridge will deliver one of the most extensive lifestyle offerings seen in a residential apartment project on the Gold Coast.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374053]

"We're seeing a clear move toward developments that offer more than just an apartment," Sherpa Group founder Christie Leet said.

"People want spaces that support how they actually live, whether that's working from home, staying active, or spending time with family and friends.

"That's where amenity becomes critical. It's not just about what's included, but how those spaces are designed to be used every day."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374052]

The breadth of amenity has already attracted buyers across multiple demographics. Younger first home buyers have been drawn to Soleira's one-bedroom apartments, a product rarely delivered in Palm Beach, while families have responded to practical inclusions such as the shallow children's pool adjoining the main lap pool and the extensive communal recreation areas.

Instead of a single rooftop, Soleira delivers two distinct lifestyle zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=372547]

The southern rooftop has been dedicated to wellness, featuring a gym, yoga and Pilates studio, work-from-home facilities, a wellness centre, spa, and hot and cold plunge pools.

The northern rooftop focuses on recreation and entertaining, incorporating a heated resort-style pool, private dining rooms, pizza ovens, barbecues, a golf simulator, children's recreation areas, and what is expected to be the Gold Coast's first rooftop basketball court, which will also double as a squash court.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=374054]

Beyond the rooftops, Soleira will introduce 1,500 sqm of curated retail beneath the towers, creating one of Palm Beach's first genuinely mixed-use lifestyle precincts where cafés, restaurants and convenience retail become part of residents' everyday lives.

Sherpa has also retained management rights across the development, allowing it to oversee the long-term operation of the building through a 24-hour concierge model. The developer is also exploring additional revenue streams within the precinct aimed at helping offset ongoing body corporate costs for residents.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=150017 project_image_fid=370962]

While Soleira is the largest project Sherpa has delivered, the rooftop-first philosophy has been evolving for several years.

It began with <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/amargo-6-12-sixth-avenue-palm-beach-qld-4221">Flourish Amargo</a>, the first project released under the Flourish brand. Rather than competing at the ultra-luxury end of the market with oversized half-floor and full-floor residences, Sherpa focused on creating lifestyle-driven apartments supported by resort-style shared spaces.

Amargo introduced more than 800 sqm of rooftop amenity, combining wellness facilities, heated pools, entertaining areas, cabanas, pizza ovens and private dining spaces into what was designed as an extension of residents' homes rather than a facility used only occasionally.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=146527 project_image_fid=366550]

That approach continued with Flourish Oasis, where the same amenity-led philosophy was refined into a more boutique development. Strong demand from Sherpa's growing VIP database saw much of the project sold before it reached the broader market, reinforcing buyer appetite for apartment communities centred around shared lifestyle experiences.

Flourish Amargo is slated for completion mid-way-through next year, with Oasis to be delivered by late 2027. Flourish Soleira is expected to complete in 2030.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=150017]

Sherpa takes amenity to the sky as Flourish Soleira captures booming Palm Beach demand

As apartment living continues to evolve across Sydney's growth corridors, the quality and distribution of shared spaces is increasingly shaping how residents experience home. Rather than functioning as add-ons, amenities are being embedded into the daily rhythm of a building, supporting everything from quiet retreat to social interaction, often within a single vertical community.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/aeris-melrose-park-nursery-street-melrose-park-nsw-2114">Aeris</a> in Melrose Park, this approach is resolved through a layered amenity offering that unfolds from ground level through to its upper podium. Developed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sekisui-house-australia">Sekisui House Australia</a> in partnership with Hankyu Hanshin Properties, the project introduces 468 apartments across two towers and a mid-rise building, positioned at the highest point of the broader masterplan.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=359199]

The amenity experience begins at street level, where two courtyards sit within a landscaped setting that connects residents to the wider network of parks and green spaces. These green spaces are not isolated pockets but part of a wider pedestrian network that links Aeris to the surrounding <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/melrose-park-nsw-2114">Melrose Park</a> precinct, including Central Park, future schools, and the Town Centre opening in July 2026. The result is a transition that moves from public to private without abrupt boundaries, allowing residents to pass through shaded, tree-lined environments before reaching the building itself.

Moving upward, the focus shifts to the level five podium, where the primary communal facilities are concentrated. This space brings together a 16-metre swimming pool, outdoor seating areas, and a communal BBQ zone arranged to take advantage of elevated outlooks. Seating is positioned beneath pergolas, creating pockets of shade that extend the usability of the space throughout the day. The pool edge aligns with views toward the wider district, reinforcing the sense of elevation that defines the project’s positioning.

In the adjacent building, this is complemented by quieter, more contemplative spaces, including an outdoor cinema set within the same level. Positioned to operate primarily in the evening, it introduces a different tempo to the shared environment, shifting from daytime activity to after-hours use without requiring separate zones.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360299]

The podium also accommodates an intimate private resident gym. Located on the lower levels, it gives residents convenient access to fitness facilities without leaving the building.

Above, the elevated podium sky deck extends the amenity offering, providing additional open-air spaces with elevated outlooks across the surrounding landscape. While more restrained in program, this upper level reinforces the project’s vertical progression, from ground-level greenery to elevated outlook, allowing residents to move between distinct spatial conditions within a single address.

This distribution of amenities reflects a deliberate response to how residents use space across the day. Sekisui House Australia Sales and Marketing Director Peter Kalaf points to the role these shared areas play in shaping buyer demand. Aeris has been conceived as more than a collection of apartments, with the podium pool, gym and outdoor cinema forming part of a broader lifestyle offering that extends the home beyond each individual residence.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=426 project_image_fid=360300]

What distinguishes Aeris is not the inclusion of these elements individually, but how they are arranged in relation to one another. Active, social, and passive spaces are layered vertically rather than separated, allowing residents to choose between them without leaving the building or moving far from their apartment. This proximity supports both routine use, such as a morning swim or evening workout, and more occasional gatherings, whether around the BBQ area or within the cinema setting.

The amenity design also sits within a broader framework of connectivity across Melrose Park. The Melrose Park Town Centre, anchored by Coles and Dan Murphys, features a mix of retail, dining, health and lifestyle offerings, bringing everyday convenience closer to residents. By the end of the year, more than five hectares of parks and open space, equivalent to around seven football fields of green space on residents' doorstep, will further enhance the precinct, allowing the internal facilities at Aeris to operate as an extension of the wider neighbourhood rather than a substitute for it.

Construction at Aeris continues to gather momentum, with ground floor slabs expected to be completed in late 2026 before the first sections of the buildings begin to rise above ground.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=426]

Elevated amenity anchors daily life at Aeris, Melrose Park

Repeat buyers are one of the strongest measures of confidence in any apartment development.

At <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/era-newcastle-west-124-126-bull-street-newcastle-west-nsw-2302">ERA</a> in Newcastle West, some purchasers are returning to <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/gwh">GWH</a> after living at the developer's One Apartments. Their decision to purchase again was driven by the quality of life they found after moving into their first GWH home.

Keith Wilton had spent years living in a house in East Maitland before deciding it was time for a change. Apartment living had always been on his radar, but he was selective about what he wanted.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FH_1EzB-1vs?si=XScVlP1ERsTDJoME" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

"I had some boxes I wanted to tick," he says.

Keith points to the open-plan design, generous outdoor areas and considered inclusions as key reasons One Apartments worked for him.

“One of those things was a nice indoor open plan area, but also I wanted a nice outdoor open area that I could entertain on in summer or Christmases or birthdays,” he says.

He also found value in the smaller details, from integrated appliances to shared resident spaces including the pool, cinema and rooftop areas.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=135096 project_image_fid=356818]

After comparing several developments, he chose One Apartments because of GWH's longstanding local reputation and his own experience working with the developer on a commercial project more than a decade earlier.

"I knew that they were local, that the quality of the build was going to be up there. I'd looked at other apartment complexes around and close by, and I just knew that here was a better decision location wise."

Today, Keith says the move has completely changed how he experiences Newcastle.

"I enjoy living in this location because it's more of a lifestyle change. That Newcastle city living where you can walk to restaurants and bars and even beaches and parks and even shopping across the road."

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Beyond the location, he says it's the sense of community that has surprised him most.

"Everyone loves living here because they chose to live here, but everyone looks out for each other. It's a real great community feel here."

For Aimee and Lyle Goodman, the journey started almost by chance.

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The couple happened to be having coffee in Newcastle when they noticed the site where One Apartments was about to begin construction.

"We were aware GWH was planning a development," Aimee says. "We made one phone call and things moved pretty quickly after that."

As busy business owners, they initially thought apartment living would simply reduce the maintenance that came with larger homes. Instead, it fundamentally changed how they spent time together.

"We actually catch up more as a family now," Aimee says.

"We've had homes with big yards and lots of space, but everyone ended up in different rooms. Here we'll have dinner together, the kids can play, and we spend far more quality time together."

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Lyle says their confidence came from GWH's reputation within Newcastle's building industry.

"I know people who've worked across different apartment projects, and whenever GWH came up the feedback was always the same. They're rock solid. They're quality."

That confidence only grew throughout the buying process.

"One of the things that really impressed us with GWH was the whole process, was the communication," Lyle says. "It was consistent, it was regular, there was no problem if we had some weird questions, there was no problems in getting answers."

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Aimee says one moment stood out.

"The project actually finished on time. We realised we needed to hurry up and sell our house because everything was happening exactly when they said it would."

The positive experience at One Apartments ultimately gave all three buyers the confidence to purchase again with GWH, this time at ERA.

Their confidence reflects what many buyers are seeking in today's apartment market. Location remains important, but so too does certainty around delivery, quality and long-term liveability.

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ERA builds on those foundations with 280 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across two landmark towers in <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developments/newcastle-west-nsw-2302">Newcastle West</a>.&nbsp;

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fk-australia">Fender Katsalidis</a>, the project will include more than 2,000 square metres of resident amenities, including a resort-style pool, gym, sauna, private cinema and rooftop entertaining spaces overlooking the harbour and coastline.&nbsp;

The development is also within walking distance of the Newcastle Interchange, Honeysuckle, Darby Street, the harbour foreshore, restaurants, retail and the city’s beaches, continuing the walkable lifestyle that existing GWH buyers say has transformed how they live.

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For Keith, the appeal remains straightforward.

"You feel at home even before you've moved into your home."

For Aimee, the change is measured in time.

“I just felt like I had more time,” she says.

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Construction at ERA is now underway, with more than half of the residences already sold and limited two and three-bedroom apartments remaining in the East Tower release. Priced from $980,000 for two-bedroom residences and $1.46 million for three-bedroom residences, buyers can secure an apartment with a 10 per cent deposit, with premium homes offering ocean views from Level 8 and harbour views from Level 10.

ERA is also backed by Resilience Insurance's 10-year Latent Defects Insurance policy, providing protection against structural or waterproofing defects for 10 years after completion. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2028.

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