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A Mount Isa, Qld mortgagee home has been listed for sale with an asking price of $429,000.
The property is a three bedroom two bathroom house.
John Tully and Kieran Tully of City and Country Realty hold the listing.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-mount+isa-130816014" target="_blank">9 Ann Street</a> the abode features, a powered shed, double carport, automatic watering system and a pool.
Set on 1,004 sqm, it was listed as a rental for $550/pw in October 2016.
The home was in 2016, 2017 and 2018 listed for short periods of time with an asking price of $460,000.
Last sold in 2006 the property traded for $350,000.
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According to CoreLogic, the annual change in median price over the past 10 years in <a href="/developments/mount-isa-qld-4825">Mount Isa</a> is -1.8%.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Mount Isa, Qld mortgagee home listed for $429,000

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A Mount Isa, Queensland mortgagee home has been sold for $360,000.
It was originally listed for sale with an asking price of $429,000. The asking price was slashed three times to $370,000.
The property is a three bedroom two bathroom house.
John Tully and Kieran Tully of City and Country Realty hold the listing.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-mount+isa-130816014" target="_blank">9 Ann Street</a> the abode features, a powered shed, double carport, automatic watering system and a pool.
Set on 1,004 sqm, it was listed as a rental for $550/pw in October 2016.
The home was in 2016, 2017 and 2018 listed for short periods of time with an asking price of $460,000.
The property last sold for $350,000 in 2006.
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According to CoreLogic, the annual change in median price over the past 10 years in <a href="/developments/mount-isa-qld-4825">Mount Isa</a> is -1.8%.
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Mount Isa, Queensland mortgagee home listing slashed $70,000 and sold

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A one bedroom Surfers Paradise, Qld apartment has been listed for mortgagee sale.
The one bedroom one bathroom property comes with an asking price of $485,000.
Andrew Turner of PRD Nationwide holds the listing.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-qld-surfers+paradise-130694270" target="_blank">16/1 The Esplanade</a>, the unit is positioned right on the beach with sweeping views.
Set on 79 sqm, the abode is located on the 6th floor and comes with a parking space.
The North facing apartment was last traded for $127,000 in 1998.
Built in 1973, this unit has been listed three times since its 1998 purchase.
All three times it was listed with an asking price of $575,000. 
It was first listed in 2011, then for just under a year from late 2011 to late 2012. The last time it was listed was for two months starting December 2013.
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The median price for a home in <a href="/developments/surfers-paradise-qld-4217">Surfers Paradise</a> is $1.15 million, according to CoreLogic, which calculate its annual change in median price over the past 10 years as -0.4%.
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One bedroom Surfers Paradise mortgagee unit listed for $485,000

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A South Kalgoorlie, WA mortgagee house has sold for $275,000.
This marks a $40,000 reduction on its 2009 sale price of $315,000.
Karen Wibberley of Goldfields Real Estate held the listing.
Situated at <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-wa-south+kalgoorlie-130715922" target="_blank">125B Wilson Street</a> the property is a three bedroom two bathroom house.
The home was listed for sale with an asking price of $285,000.
Set on 572 sqm, the kitchen was recently renovated.
Built in 1998 the property features a two car garage and a theatre room.
The property was listed as a rental with an asking price of $490/pw in September and October of 2013.
It was unsuccessfully marketed in 2014/2015 when in November 2014 it had an asking price of $379,000.
Despite a reduction on the asking price to $350,000 in March 2015 the property was still not sold.
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The median price for a home in <a href="/developments/kalgoorlie-wa-6430">Kalgoorlie</a> is $279,000, according to CoreLogic, which calculate its annual change in median price over the past 10 years as -1.7%.
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South Kalgoorlie, WA mortgagee home sold for $40,000 loss

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An interstate investor purchased a Noosa Heads retail institution “Signature on Hastings”, for $5.6 million following an off-market campaign.
Situated at 18A Hastings Street, (pictured in title) the asset was one of only five single use freeholds left on the famous strip.
It comes as a 180 sqm NLA retail investment on a 97 sqm allotment.
The vendor had held the property for over 30 years.
The property produces an annual income of $306,000 p.a. net* + GST.
It was sold by Ray White Commercial Noosa and Sunshine Coast North directors Paul Forrest and Paul Butler.
Mr Forrest said, “Hastings Street is highly sought-after by wealthy investors and remains very tightly held, with freehold properties particularly desired."
“The buyer already owns several assets on the strip, so they were one of a few parties we approached."
“We’re delighted that following the success of our off-market campaign and long history of successful sales, we’ve been appointed as exclusive agents for the sale of 'Peter Alexander' at 28 Hastings Street (pictured below)," he added.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/4/19/hastings%202.JPG" alt="">
Mr Butler said Signature on Hastings was a Noosa institution and was a unique concept store that was well-known by locals and tourists alike.
“The shop opened its doors on Noosa’s now-famous Hastings Street shopping strip in 1990 and it’s genuinely adored by everyone,” he said.
“The creation of interior designer Gail Hinkley, it started as a small women’s clothing and gift store, and has now grown into a well-established name in the homeware industry."
“Hastings Street is Queensland’s premier tourist destination and retail street. It vastly out-strips the Gold Coast, Port Douglas and Mooloolaba Esplanade," Mr Butler concluded.
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One of only five Hastings Street retail freehold's sold for $5.6 million

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A local private investor has sold a South Melbourne childcare centre for $10.25 million. 
The deal represents a sales rate of $85,415 per child, the only offering of this kind to have sold within 1.5 kilometres of the Melbourne CBD in the past five years. 
CBRE’s childcare specialists Sandro Peluso, Josh Twelftree and Jimmy Tat were the sales agents appointed to market the investment property at 97 Tope Street, which transacted on a tight yield of 4.2%.  
Featuring 360-degree views of the city skyline, the 1,700 square metre facility is currently leased to Guardian Early Learning and provides a passing income of $434,700 per annum. 
Peluso said 97 Tope Street was one of the most exciting childcare offerings to hit the market in recent years. 
“The site’s corner landholding and city fringe location, only 850 metres from Crown Casino and 1.5 kilometres from the CBD, offer a solid long-term investment and future development prospects,” Peluso said.  
“The property is currently zoned Commercial 2 and a scheduled review of its zoning will be taking place in 2028. Its blue-chip location and flexible lease inclusions made this opportunity suitable for a range of investor profiles.”  
Twelftree commented that Guardian is one of the country’s most sought after childcare covenants and a substantial amount of capital has been spent on the property’s fit out.” 
“As volumes of new childcare industry supply decrease, demand for premium offerings remain strong due to landlords’ confidence in tenant ability to achieve and maintain high levels of occupancy into the future.” 
Peluso noted the sector’s improved outlook has also been driven by a reduction in supply, due to tighter planning and borrowing criteria; increased government funding; and population growth in the 0-4 years age bracket.” 
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/11/CBRE%20.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge:
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/4/11/CBRE%20.jpg" alt="">
Source: CBRE 
 
 
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Inner-Melbourne childcare centre sale tops $10 million

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The Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania has put its 130 Little Collins Street office building on the market in Melbourne’s prized east end.
The building boasts a net lettable area of 3,797 square metres, comprising eight levels of office, ground floor retail, and 15 car spaces.
It is on a 651 square metre corner site with 53 metres of frontage to Little Collins Street (16 metres) and Coromandel Place (37 metres). 
The Uniting Church has occupied the building since its construction.
It has decided to offer the property to market in anticipation of its move to the redeveloped Wesley Place site at 130 Lonsdale Street in 2020. 
CBRE, in conjunction with Colliers International, are offering it to the market with a permit for an Elenberg Fraser designed 26-level hotel development. 
Recent sales history have seen CBD office property with yields averaging under 4% including a low of 2.3% achieved with the December sale of 288 Queen Street. 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/4/16/UNITING.jpg" alt="">
Source: CBRE 
The permit is for an 11,957 square metre (GFA), lifestyle hotel with multi-level food and beverage amenities, conferencing facilities and rooftop bar.
The asset would be sold with a view to create vacant possession in 18 months’ time.
Offers for the property close June 13.
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Uniting Church lists Little Collins building with approval for 26-storey hotel 

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Happy Valley has topped a survey of Adelaide's liveability and affordability.
The lower median house prices of Adelaide’s north-east has helped boost the first home buyer appeal of suburbs including Modbury North, St Agnes and surrounding areas, while to the south, proximity to the city and low crime rates have helped drive Glenalta and nearby Hawthorndene to the top of the list, People’s Choice Credit Union Chief Executive Officer Steve Laidlaw said.
“It’s one thing to be able to afford to live somewhere – you also have to want to live there,” Laidlaw said.
“For the first time, People’s Choice has looked at Adelaide’s suburbs to determine whether a couple on average incomes are likely to be able to get finance for a median-priced home, and then assessed those suburbs for their affordability and their liveability.
“Liveability can mean different things to different people, so we’ve looked at abroad range of factors that go behind the costs of buying a home: public transport links, driveability, crime rates, schools and economic prospects.
“The first results show the real estate market in a different way. Of course, we can’t find your perfect home – that’s up to you – but People’s Choice can give youa better idea of where you may find it.”
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/16/peoples%20choice%201%20.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/4/16/peoples%20choice%201%20.jpg" alt="">
Source: People's Choice of Housing 
While the suburb of Adelaide captures the highest rank for public transport links, its high median house price puts its beyond the scope of many couples on ordinary incomes, pushing it out below the top 100 suburbs identified by the People’s Choice of Housing.
Other suburbs such as Golden Grove have reached into the top 50 for the first time due to extensive bus connections to the city and recent changes in median home prices.
The April issue of the People’s Choice of Housing is available for <a href="https://peopleschoicecu.com.au/housing-report" target="_blank">download here</a>. 
The next edition will be released in October 2019.
<a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2019/4/16/peoples%20choice%202.jpg" target="_blank">Click here</a> to enlarge: 
<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dz9xllyip/image/fetch/c_scale,w_580,q_auto:good/https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/po.images/2019/4/16/peoples%20choice%202.jpg" alt="">
Source: People's Choice of Housing  
Photo: Windebanks Rd, Happy Valley and Aberfoyle Park, South Australia <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 4.0</a>
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Happy Valley tops Adelaide housing for liveability and affordability

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Consumers continue to mark down their expectations for house prices albeit with a choppy profile in recent months, according to Westpac's latest Red Book.
A very weak March was followed by a surprising strong lift in April.
Overall, the Westpac Melbourne Institute Consumer House Price Expectations Index is down a further 0.3% since January.
Westpac economists suggest that likely understates the weakening with the first few months of the year typically seeing a seasonal rise in price expectations. 
At 95.6 the Index remains around the lowest levels since we began compiling it in 2009.
Earlier figures from a survey by Mortgage Choice suggest current reads are above GFC lows.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/4/18/Redbook%20House%20Prices%201.JPG" alt="">
 
Of those consumers with a view, 32% now expect prices to rise over the next year, 32% expect no change and 36% expect falls.
The state breakdown continues to show a more bearish mix in NSW (30%:29%:41%) and Victoria (26%:29%:45%).
Notably, the price weakening in Perth does not appear to have weighed as heavily on price expectations.
The biggest downgrade in expectations over the last three months has been among Queenslanders.
Prices have continued to weaken in early 2019 albeit with some hints of milder declines in the last three months, although some of this may reflect seasonality with prices typically a touch firmer early in the year.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2019/4/18/Redbook%20House%20Prices%202.JPG" alt="">
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Most consumers expect house price falls to continue: Westpac

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GUEST OBSERVATION
Among the many recommendations of the banking Royal Commission was a <a href="https://financialservices.royalcommission.gov.au/Pages/reports.aspx#final" target="_blank">Board of Oversight</a> for the two regulators in charge of financial institutions; the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority: ASIC and APRA.
Since then APRA’s own internal review conducted by deputy chairman John Lonsdale and NSW Supreme Court Judge Robert Austin, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission commissioner Sarah Court and UNSW professor Dimity Kingsford-Smith has found APRA to be soft on enforcement and <a href="https://www.apra.gov.au/sites/default/files/apra_enforcement_strategy_review_-_final_report_web.pdf" target="_blank">timid by comparison to its international peers</a>.
Nonetheless, and to demonstrate that APRA still doesn’t get what it doesn’t get, its chairman used Tuesday’s <a href="https://www.apra.gov.au/enforcement" target="_blank">release of the review</a> to announce a new mantra. From now on, APRA is to be: “<a href="https://www.financialstandard.com.au/news/apra-to-up-the-ante-135451581" target="_blank">constructively tough</a>”.
‘Constructively tough’?
It sounds like “tough but flexible”, a contradiction in terms if ever there was one. Despite its Royal Commission hammering, APRA still seems not to have internalised the message: fraud and theft are not up for negotiated settlement.
This is why a board of oversight is so necessary.
I have frequently argued in favour of such a reform: a <a href="https://theconversation.com/australias-financial-regulators-need-policing-91396;%20https://theconversation.com/to-clean-up-the-financial-system-we-need-to-watch-the-watchers-38359" target="_blank">regulator to regulate the regulators</a>. Along with colleagues Karen Fairweather and John Tarrant, I was invited to make a submission to the Royal Commission detailing egregious examples of regulator inefficacy, and capture by, and subornation to, the industries they are meant to regulate. Included was a body of theoretical and empirical international scholarship suggesting that financial sector regulators are more susceptible to capture than regulators of other industries.
We argued that the gravity of the potential harm from crises, superimposed with the frailties – both observable and theoretical – of regulators, required enhanced safety in the form of an overseer to police the corporate police.
So it was encouraging to see our submission reflected in the commission’s recommendation for a board of oversight:
<hr>
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/269730/original/file-20190417-139084-e0dozd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip" target="_blank"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/269730/original/file-20190417-139084-e0dozd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt=""></a>
<a class="source" href="https://financialservices.royalcommission.gov.au/Pages/reports.aspx#final" target="_blank">Final Report of the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry, February 2019</a>
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Of concern, however, is that the commissioner elected to leave the details of how the board would work to parliament. It is here that the process faces its greatest risk: the risk of clumsy albeit well-intentioned implementation, all the way to purposefully bad implementation, fully intended to undermine the fundamental goals of the whole endeavour, and facilitated by equally captured and suborned politicians.
Politicians have a history of backing down
It has happened before. The 1991 report of the The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration entitled “<a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_representatives_Committees?url=reports/1991/1991_pp290report.htm" target="_blank">Pocket Full of Change</a>” recommended a banking code of practice, which was ditched at the last minute to be replaced by a different code written by the Australian Bankers’ Association. The result was a code that protected banks against their customers, while allowing them to virtue signal.
So far Treasurer Frydenberg has refused to commit to one of the single most necessary powers that such a board can possess: the power of public opprobrium. As far back as the late 1860s Charles Francis Adams Jr wrote of the need to subject captured and corrupted railroad commissions to the disinfecting power of sunlight; what Thomas McCraw, writing in the mid-1980s referred to as a <a href="https://military.wikia.org/wiki/Charles_Francis_Adams,_Jr." target="_blank">Sunshine Commission</a>.
The anti-viral power of public exposure has been amply demonstrated by the banking royal commission already. Heads have rolled: the chair, chief executive and group counsel at AMP. The chair and chief executive of the National Australian Bank (albeit after significant procrastination). Some entities have self-selected out of their business model. Others have self-selected out of the market entirely. Retail Super funds have haemorrhaged well in excess of one million members, and over <a href="https://www.afr.com/personal-finance/superannuation-and-smsfs/industry-super-funds-win-11b-from-retail-funds-after-hayne-scandals-20190226-h1bqiq" target="_blank">$11 billion in funds</a>.
But none of this fallout, none of it, is due to post-royal commission enforcement measures. It is all thanks to public opprobrium: sunshine.
Few things are as powerful as the power to shame
So it is of concern that the treasurer hasn’t yet made an unequivocal commitment to make public the board of oversight’s reports into the performance of our regulators, performance which to date has been weak enough, feckless enough, and incompetent enough to more than justify the royal commission.
Speaking to the ABC on February 4 in what might be some sort of Orwellian newspeak, Frydenberg would only say: "this new oversight board will be reporting to government and governments don’t operate in secret."
Sometimes they do, and especially when dealing with banks. APRA reports are routinely withheld form the public, making use of the secrecy provisions of the Banking Act.
Frydenberg should instead be mindful of the extensive protection his government has provided to the banking and retail super industry over the past five years, shielding them from the threat of inquiry by a royal commission up until the point when it was impossible to resist. It will serve no purpose to replace one protection racket with another. And that applies to both banks and super, something Labor’s Chris Bowen should keep in mind should he become treasurer.
Put simply, as we emerge from this dark, decade-long night of the most appalling dishonesty and wickedness in our financial sector, more than anything else, now we must ensure the sun shines.
Andrew Schmulow, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, University of Wollongong
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/constructively-tough-neither-side-has-committed-to-fully-adopting-perhaps-the-most-important-recommendation-of-the-banking-royal-commission-111428" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Why has neither party backing the banking royal commission's most important recommendation

Developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/bottega-property-group">Bottega House</a> has secured council approval for its first Brisbane project - a $270 million luxury residential development on an absolute riverfront site in leafy St Lucia.&nbsp;

The 15-storey project, known as <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/st-lucia-by-bottega-house-180-macquarie-street-st-lucia-qld-4067">St Lucia by Bottega House</a> , will occupy a prime north-facing site at 178-180 Macquarie Street, directly fronting the Brisbane River in the established inner-west suburb known for its rowing clubs, golf courses and sprawling University of Queensland campus.&nbsp;

St Lucia by Bottega House will feature a suite of amenities including dedicated wellness spaces, a mineral pool and cold plunge. The project has been positioned to attract affluent owner-occupiers seeking high-quality, house-sized apartments.&nbsp;

Bottega House has been set up by co-directors Nick Malloch, Louis Mennes and Craig Marsh.

Malloch said the project drew inspiration from its Brisbane River setting and leafy inner-west surrounds, while responding to the demands of discerning locals looking to transition from freestanding homes into apartment living.&nbsp;

"With an expansive river frontage and lush green surrounds, we knew we had to create something special that reflects the natural beauty of the location while offering residents masterfully crafted homes," said Malloch.&nbsp;

"Our intent was to complement the project's quiet, private setting by introducing residences that offer a calm retreat and sanctuary from the everyday. The result is a harmonious blend of architecture, interiors and amenity that emphasises wellbeing, comfort and beauty without excess."&nbsp;

Malloch added that project consultants had been carefully selected in alignment with Bottega House's commitment to care, quality and attention to detail. The design team includes architects <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/plus-studio">Plus Studio</a>, interiors practice <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/interior-designers/mim-design">Mim Design</a> and landscaping by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/urbis">Urbis</a>.&nbsp;

Three-bedroom apartments are expected to start around $5 millio. Selling agents Keenan &amp; Byrne said the pricing strategy for the project was anticipated to achieve upwards of $25,500 per square metre.&nbsp;

The project's development approval this week follows the success of Bottega House's inaugural Queensland project - a 22-storey collection of full-floor sky homes at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast which included the sale of a two-storey penthouse at a record price for a beachside residence.&nbsp;

St Lucia by Bottega House is expected to launch to market in November, with construction anticipated to be completed mid 2029.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=151826]

Joel Robinson

Bottega House to make Brisbane debut with St Lucia riverfront apartment development

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/sherpa-property-group">Sherpa Property Group</a> is advancing its affordable apartment model into Brisbane with the acquisition of another site at Cordelia Street in South Brisbane for $27 million.

Sherpa, which has a $1.7 billion pipeline across Southeast Queensland, intends to bring a cohort of apartments exclusively for first homebuyers into its proposed 186-apartment project to be built at 2 Cordelia Street.

The Sherpa model has already been incredibly well received from their Gold Coast projects, where Sherpa Group set aside a number of apartments exclusively for first homebuyers.

The new $320 million project marks Sherpa Group's second development in Brisbane, following its $255 million Symphony project, also on Cordelia Street, which is currently under construction.

Symphony will deliver 146 apartments across 28 levels, offering a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. With 114 already sold, construction by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/builders/lps-group">LPS Group</a> is scheduled for completion in 2028.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=7574 project_image_fid=351654]

Sherpa Founder, Christie Leet, said the company was excited to be venturing into Brisbane for its second residential project.

“We’re big believers in the future of Brisbane as we lead into the 2032 Olympics and beyond,” Leet said.

“The success of Symphony has guided us into what will be our second project and we look forward to submitting our plans with council soon so we can deliver yet another quality project to the inner city residential market.

“Our Flourish model has been very well received both in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and we’re excited to be able to offer some of these apartments again exclusively to first homebuyers to help get them into the property market.

“The model has been extraordinarily well received in our previous projects and it is something we are committed to moving forward.”

2 Cordelia Street will be designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/hal-architects">HAL Architects</a> &amp; Finegrain and will include Sherpa’s signature residential amenities including pool, gym, recreation, wellness and work from home spaces.

The project will feature ground-floor commercial space, creating a vibrant amenity for residents and the surrounding community.

A development application will be lodged with Brisbane City Council in August on the code compliant site and will be launched to the market early 2027.

Sherpa acquires new site for second Brisbane apartment tower

One of North Sydney's best-known commercial buildings could become hundreds of new homes, with insurance giant Zurich Australia lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) to transform 5 Blue Street into a mixed-use residential development above North Sydney Station.

Rather than demolishing the existing building and starting again, Zurich is proposing an adaptive reuse project that would convert the landmark office building into a 15-level residential development delivering 62 apartments, 86 affordable co-living dwellings, activated retail and significant upgrades to the Blue Street Plaza.

The proposal reflects a growing trend of commercial property owners repositioning ageing office assets into residential housing as Sydney grapples with housing supply shortages and changing workplace demand.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0bba7d12-06dc-4375-aad7-238c94b21ac5" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.42.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=NJl5oLAEBDGuPmY3RnyliKODjMc8lvRh" />

Located directly above North Sydney Metro and train station, the 3,051 sqm site occupies one of the most strategically positioned parcels of land on Sydney's Lower North Shore.

Designed by fjcstudio, the proposal seeks to retain and adapt much of the existing structure while creating a contemporary residential address that better connects with the public domain surrounding North Sydney Station.

The application proposes two basement levels, ground floor retail, affordable co-living accommodation across the podium levels, and apartments above, while preserving and enhancing the publicly accessible Blue Street Plaza.

Rather than pursuing maximum apartment numbers, Zurich has opted for a housing mix heavily weighted towards larger owner-occupier residences.

The proposal includes 62 build-to-sell apartments comprising 12 one-bedroom, 19 two-bedroom, 29 three-bedroom apartments and two premium penthouses. It also incorporates 86 affordable co-living dwellings, which would be managed in perpetuity by a Community Housing Provider.

That balance between traditional apartments and affordable housing reflects the NSW Government's push to increase housing diversity around major transport infrastructure.

The proposal has been lodged concurrently with a rezoning application, with Zurich arguing the site is ideally positioned to support additional housing given its immediate proximity to public transport, employment and services.

"The proposal aims to respond to the housing challenges facing Sydney through the delivery of diverse housing types in a highly accessible location," the design report by fjcstudio states. It also seeks to improve pedestrian amenity through upgrades to Blue Street Plaza while creating a high-performing residential building that responds to the surrounding context.

<img alt="Zurich" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="36082e15-c636-4481-bb68-5a5f6443fe39" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%2010.41.36%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=5P6VD.fvmqjQfIG3TWWMRXxQWiQBjeFB" />

Rather than replacing the commercial building, fjcstudio has developed a design that works with the existing structural framework above the rail corridor, an approach that significantly reduces demolition while allowing the site to be repositioned as a mixed-use residential precinct.

The existing structural constraints have informed much of the building's design, including its relationship with Blue Street and surrounding public spaces.

The building has been designed as a slender tower rising above a clearly defined podium, with vertically expressed façades intended to reduce the perceived bulk while reinforcing North Sydney's emerging skyline.

According to fjcstudio, the architectural language responds directly to the surrounding commercial towers while maintaining a finer grain expression more closely aligned with the neighbouring Lavender Bay streetscape.

The tower incorporates articulated façade elements, landscaped podium edges and recessed upper levels to soften its appearance and improve pedestrian amenity below.

A significant component of the proposal is the revitalisation of Blue Street Plaza.

The existing public space has long served as one of the primary pedestrian connections between North Sydney Station, Greenwood Plaza and Blue Street, yet its role is expected to become even more important following the opening of Sydney Metro.

Zurich's proposal seeks to strengthen that role by improving landscaping, introducing new retail frontages, enhancing pedestrian permeability and creating more active edges throughout the day and evening.

Ground floor retail would wrap the plaza, while separate residential and co-living entries have been designed to improve wayfinding without reducing street activation.

Landscape design has been integrated throughout the podium and public realm, softening what is currently one of the most heavily urbanised parts of North Sydney.

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fjcstudio has carefully oriented apartments towards Sydney Harbour and the CBD while using privacy blades and articulated façades to minimise overlooking between neighbouring buildings.

Large framed openings along the western elevation maximise harbour outlooks, while the eastern apartments have been angled towards the south-east to improve privacy from neighbouring development.

The project forms part of the continuing transformation of North Sydney from a predominantly commercial CBD into a genuine mixed-use city centre.

Since the completion of Victoria Cross Metro Station, developers have increasingly shifted their attention towards residential projects capable of leveraging the area's unparalleled transport connectivity.

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FiveX recently lodged plans for a 61-storey, 490-apartment tower that would become one of the tallest residential buildings in North Sydney if approved.

Aqualand continues to expand its Lower North Shore presence following the completion of AURA on Walker Street and its recent St Leonards and Roseville proposals.

Developers are also progressing projects throughout Walker Street, Miller Street and the Victoria Cross precinct as demand for well-located owner-occupier apartments continues to strengthen.

First look: Zurich targets North Sydney office conversion with 148-unit proposal above Metro station

Busy developer Aqualand Prestige has formally taken the next step in its expansion across Sydney's Lower North Shore, lodging a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for its long-held Archer Street site in Chatswood.

The application covers <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/51-55-archer-street-chatswood-nsw-2067">51-55 Archer Street</a>, a 1,767 sqm amalgamated site on the eastern edge of the Chatswood CBD, where the developer is seeking approval for a 45-level mixed-use tower delivering 114 apartments, including a significant affordable housing component, alongside retail, commercial space and six basement levels of parking.

The SSDA marks the latest milestone for a project Aqualand has been quietly progressing over the past two years. The developer first secured the site for its Aqualand Prestige platform before undertaking an alternative design excellence process with PTW Architects, ultimately avoiding a formal design competition through the Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The proposal has evolved considerably from Aqualand's original concept. The revised scheme has been designed around larger owner-occupier product, with an unusually high proportion of three and four-bedroom apartments, targeting the more affluent buyer profile, and downsizer, emerging across the North Shore.

<img alt="Archer St" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0171204c-5811-41b5-9b09-2335d1b7c3d0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-22%20at%208.52.48%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=6YTuxfq.puZo7k2wbfgemcO5K3QfXYGQ" />

The 114-apartment mix comprises six studios, 27 one-bedroom apartments, 18 two-bedroom apartments, 50 three-bedroom residences and 13 four-bedroom homes. A quarter of the building will be dedicated to affordable housing, well above the mandated 15 per cent&nbsp;

PTW has structured the building vertically, with affordable housing across levels one to six, premium apartments through levels seven to 31, duplex skyhomes on klevels 32 to 43, a penthouse on level 44, and a rooftop plant level above. Six basement levels will provide resident parking and servicing.

The tower is proposed to reach approximately 154 metres, placing it among a growing collection of residential high-rises transforming Chatswood's skyline.

Rather than competing purely on height, PTW says the design has been driven by creating a slimmer tower capable of delivering significantly larger apartments.

"The primary objective of this project was to create a distinctive building that stands out from the recently approved or built structures in the Chatswood area," the design report states, noting the structural efficiency allows greater investment into apartment quality and resident amenity.

Residents would have access to more than 450 sqm of communal open space including landscaped gardens, swimming pool, rooftop entertaining areas, fitness spaces, community gardens, children's play areas and barbecue facilities.

A major focus of the design has been the public domain.

The ground plane has been opened up through landscaped terraces inspired by Willoughby's sandstone ridges, with native planting, public seating, artwork, retail activation and a series of gathering spaces intended to soften what has traditionally been a hard commercial streetscape.

The landscape strategy references Blue Gum forests once common throughout the area, while incorporating Indigenous storytelling, public art and lighting installations to strengthen the connection to Country.

Chatswood has been one of Sydney's busiest apartment markets over the past 12 months, with a steady pipeline of both new project launches and fresh development applications.

Hyecorp recently launched Celine, a 122-apartment development just along Archer Street, while Changfa and Huirong Group are progressing The Anderson, an 84-apartment project on Anderson Street.

Develotek recently secured approval for a 101-apartment tower on Pacific Highway, while Tian An LFD received the green light for Hammond Greens, its apartment development on the edge of the Chatswood Bowling Club.

Commercial property developer FiveX is also making its move into the residential market. Last month it lodged plans for a 61-storey tower with 490 apartments, which, if approved, would become one of the tallest residential buildings in Chatswood.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-fivex-targets-chatswood-skyline-with-61-storey-tower-after-north-sydney-plans">First look: FiveX targets Chatswood skyline with 61-storey tower after North Sydney plans</a>

Aqualand is also expanding its development pipeline following the launch of its luxury residential brand, Aqualand Prestige. The developer has delivered a string of high-end apartment projects across Sydney's affluent suburbs over the past decade, most recently AURA by Aqualand on Walker Street in North Sydney.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=30959 project_image_fid=292863]

It has since quietly assembled its next wave of projects.

Earlier this year Aqualand launched Boronia in Roseville, a boutique 111-apartment development on Larkin Street. The project is one of the first significant apartment developments to launch in the suburb ahead of what is expected to become one of Sydney's most active new housing precincts under the NSW Government's Low and Mid-Rise Housing reforms, which allow greater density around train stations.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152095 project_image_fid=373685]

The developer has also lodged plans for a two-tower, 413-apartment development on Herbert Street in nearby St Leonards, further strengthening its presence across the Lower North Shore.

Beyond that, Aqualand remains behind the final stage of Barangaroo, where plans will deliver a five-hectare mixed-use precinct comprising new homes, retail, hospitality and community facilities, alongside a new Metro entrance and more than two hectares of public open space, completing the Barangaroo precinct.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/central-barangaroo-development-takes-big-step-with-concept-proposal-approval">Central Barangaroo development takes big step with concept proposal approval</a>

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/first-look-aqualand-joins-st-leonards-apartment-party">First look: Aqualand joins St Leonards apartment party</a> 
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First look: Aqualand pushes ahead with Chatswood apartment tower as SSDA lodged for Archer Street

Mass timber is becoming an increasingly popular construction material in apartment developments, but Adelaide developer <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/otello">Otello</a> is taking the approach a step further.

At its new <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/flowe-bowden-18-gibson-street-bowden-sa-5007">Flowe Bowden</a> development, the exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure isn't just about reducing the building's environmental footprint. It also forms the foundation of a broader wellness strategy, influencing everything from indoor air quality and natural materials to the way residents move through and experience the building.

The 115-apartment mixed-use development, designed by Melbourne-based architecture practice Fieldwork, will occupy a prominent island site opposite Bowden Village Reserve, combining one, two and three-bedroom apartments with retail and a dedicated wellness destination.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375528]

Wellness isn't confined to a gym or shared resident facility at Flowe. Instead, Fieldwork embedded the concept into the building itself.

The development has been split into two residential wings connected by a naturally ventilated central breezeway, replacing traditional enclosed corridors with open-air walkways that improve natural light, encourage cross ventilation and create more opportunities for neighbourly interaction.

"Rather than treating wellness as something that only happens on the ground floor, our response integrates it throughout the building, which led us to ask what it really means to design a healthy building," Fieldwork Director Quino Holland said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375531]

The building's architecture also reflects Bowden's industrial heritage. The lower podium references the area's historic brick and sandstone buildings, while the upper levels transition to exposed CLT, allowing the timber structure to become a defining feature throughout the apartments and shared spaces.

The use of mass timber sits alongside a range of sustainability initiatives, including a fully electric, gas-free design, rooftop solar and a targeted 5 Star Green Star rating.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375524]

Inside the residences, the focus remains on natural, durable materials. Blackbutt engineered timber flooring, exposed CLT ceilings, porcelain surfaces and warm timber joinery create a calming interior palette, while low-VOC finishes and responsibly sourced materials have been selected to improve indoor air quality.

Kitchens have been designed as the centrepiece of each apartment, featuring porcelain island benchtops, timber-look cabinetry and brushed steel tapware, with layouts that maximise natural light and ventilation.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=152022 project_image_fid=375530]

The more traditional interpretation of wellness comes in the form of Level Eleven, a two-storey wellness club spanning the ground floor, mezzanine and first floor.

The facility will include a gym, yoga and reformer Pilates studios, Finnish and infrared saunas, magnesium hot and cold plunge pools, and dedicated recovery spaces. Unlike many residential wellness facilities, Level Eleven will also operate commercially, allowing the broader Bowden community to access the venue while giving residents exclusive membership benefits.

The ground floor has also been designed around everyday living. A café overlooking Bowden Village Reserve will activate the street frontage, while a bike workshop with tool storage, co-working space and dog wash has been incorporated to support daily routines and encourage interaction between residents.

"Flowe brings together my two biggest passions, creating places and creating healthier lives," Otello founder Daniel Harris said.

"We wanted to create something Adelaide hasn't seen before, a genuinely healthy building, where the way you live is lifted without even trying."

Flowe is positioned directly opposite Bowden Village Reserve and within walking distance of Bowden Railway Station and the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, placing future residents just minutes from the Adelaide CBD while remaining connected to one of the city's most established urban renewal precincts.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=152022]

Staff reporter

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