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Global charity organisations have traded a Caulfield South corner site, which will become the new headquarters of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB).
Following the RAOB's recent sale of their Melbourne CBD premises.
Fitzroys agents Chris Kombi and Mark Talbot negotiated the $1.6 million sale of the vacant former bank building at 790 Glen Huntly Road on behalf of The Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul.
Kombi said interest came mainly from investors, owner occupiers and value adders for the Commercial 1-zoned site of 347sqm.
Situated on the corner of Hawthorn Road the property has a combined frontage of more than 40 metres.
“The Buffs”, as they are referred to by members, had been headquartered at the century-old 22 Sutherland Street building in the city since 1954.
The RAOB was established in the United Kingdom in 1822.
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The Australian order was established early in the 20th Century and the Club has donated money to charities including Make A Wish Foundation, National Breast Cancer Foundation, the Heart Foundation and Aussie Helpers.
Kombi said that the property suited the Club’s desire to relocate to the inner south-east suburbans, while its accessibility was also a drawcard.
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Buffaloes charge to landmark Caulfield site for new HQ

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Shopping Centre Managers have been reporting refurbishments are the key to retail success in a competitive market, according to the latest JLL Retail Survey.
The survey shows food operators continue to drive tenant enquiry as well as centre managers continued optimism about factors within their control – refurbishments and tenant remix. However more negative about external factors like fuel prices
JLL’s 19th Retail Centre Managers’ Survey was undertaken in August across 88 JLL-managed retail shopping centres nationally. The majority of centres were neighbourhood and sub-regional centres.
JLL’s Head of Property &amp; Asset Management – Australia, Richard Fennell said, “The Survey showed that 42% of JLL Centre Managers made a positive comment about the recent performance of their centres in relation to an improvement in sales trends, tenant sentiment, foot traffic and/or leasing enquiry."
“JLL Centre Managers continued to view ‘expected changes to tenancy profile’ as having the most positive impact on the MAT outlook or their centres. More than half of survey respondents (61%) stated that it would drive sales growth over the next 12 months, up from 55% in the previous survey in February this year,” noted Mr Fennell.
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When asked what factors were impacting turnover performance, the survey found the strongest positive factors were ‘expected changes in tenancy profile’ (with a net balance of 54%), ‘growth expectations within trade area’ (30%) and ‘planned refurbishment activity’ at 17%
The top three negative factors impacting on turnover have remained consistent with previous surveys. Fuel prices (with a net balance of -26%), competition from other centres (-25%) and online retailing (-20%) remain the top concerns as they have over the past year.
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Refurbishment of shopping centres is leading to trading success: JLL

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Melbourne's likely last significant CBD offering of 2018 is a one of Queen Street’s trophy buildings.
Colliers International’s Oliver Hay, Daniel Wolman and David Sia have been appointed to manage the on-site auction campaign for 438 Queen Street.
Set on 1,440 sqm the property is expected to sell for more than $7 million.
The property is being sold by David Tweed, a controversial stocks predator who gained notoriety more than a decade ago through his practice of making unsolicited off-market offers to unsophisticated investors to acquire their securities at prices well below market value.
“With so few freestanding assets hitting the Melbourne CBD market, we’re expecting developers, investors and owner-occupiers to all be after a piece of the city’s history,” Mr Hay said. 
The corner property located in the heart of Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market Precinct and Elizabeth Street 24-hour Precinct has triple street frontage spanning 69 m and is zoned for Capital City 1.
“These characteristics present scope for the building to be used as a powerhouse office headquarters, hospitality or student accommodation/hotel,” Mr Hay said. 
The property is for sale by auction on 13 December.
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Melbourne's last 2018 CBD offering of 2018 is a historic Queen Street building

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One of the Haymarket precinct’s last freestanding buildings is coming to market in North Melbourne.
Located at 87-89 Flemington Road, North Melbourne the two-level building sits on 510 sqm of land and is squeezed between 4 12-storey apartment buildings.
The building, opposite the University of Melbourne and the Royal Melbourne Hospital is being offered for sale with an approved permit for a 12-level residential development. 
Colliers International’s David Sia, Oliver Hay, Hamish Burgess and Dave Walker have been appointed to handle the transaction.   
The vendor of the property, Topsun Development, originally purchased the property as a premium residential development opportunity.
Situated metres from the upcoming $11 billion Metro Rail Project and the subsequent Parkville Train Station the property is set to benefit. 
Expressions of interest for 87-89 Flemington Road, North Melbourne close December 5.
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Topsun seek to offload one of Haymarket precinct’s last freestanding buildings 

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A local investor has acquired the home of bar and eatery Madras Bros. on Smith Street in Fitzroy.
Fitzroys agents Terence Yeh, Lewis Waddell and Chris Kombi sold 129 Smith Street under the hammer for $2,010,000 at a 3.5% yield on behalf of a private investor.
The retail property was offered for the first time in 35 years.
Set on a 207 sqm site the two-storey building is leased to Madras Bros on a 5 x 3 year deal over the ground floor restaurant and first floor apartment.
“The high levels of enquiry during the campaign and competition between multiple bidders at auction demonstrated the ongoing demand to invest in one of Melbourne’s most tightly held retail strips, within walking distance from the CBD,” Yeh said.
It follows Fitzroys’ sale earlier this year of 86 Smith Street, home of hospitality identity Shane Delia’s Biggie Smalls eatery for $3.58 million, at a similar  yield of 3.51%.
Chris Kombi said, “the local population continues to surge with the completion of a number of medium and high density developments nearby and others in various stages of planning and construction."
The property is within a short distance of public transport links and arterial roadways. 
 
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Fitzroy's bar and eatery sold for the first time in 35 years

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Two older manufacturing facilities positioned in the Campsie Industrial precinct have sold at auction for $4.025 million.
Knight Frank held the listing for 16-18 Harp Street, Campsie located 12.9 km from the Sydney CBD. 
Set on 2,755 sqm of IN2 zoned land, positioned in the tightly held Campsie Industrial precinct and 
The listing said that this asset is well suited for a "wide variety of occupiers or investors seeking a significant value-ad opportunity."
Both warehouses are functional with clearances up to 9.5m.
Warehouse A is 441.9 sqm and Warehouse B 898.35 sqm plus an additional mezzanine.
Both warehouses are currently tenanted on monthly holdover.
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Two Campsie manufacturing facilities sold for over $4 million

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A Bondi retail asset located in one of the suburbs strongest retail position, Hall Street, was passed in at $7.5 million.
It came with price expectations of more than $10 million when it was first scheduled for auction on August 30.
The mixed use holding, 62 Hall Street, Bondi Beach is located opposite Toga’s Boheme development, and adjacent to popular Hall Street retailers including Da Orazio Pizza and Porchetta, Gelato Messina plus the Adina Hotel and Harris Farm.
Set on a 223 sqm block the property features the property contains a ground floor pharmacy and six apartments.
The net income of the property is $322,978 per annum.
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Bondi Beach retail asset passed in at auction

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Blue chip Armadale just pipped Toorak to take the Melbourne's priciest weekend auction result, with the best of working class Maribyrnong in a surprise third place.
<a id="LPlnk224353" class="x_OWAAutoLink" href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/real-estate/19-adelaide-street-armadale-vic/property-details-sold-residential-12205305/" target="_blank" data-auth="NotApplicable">The Adelaide Street, Armadale result</a> was $5,678,500 with three bidders competing for the signature Wayne Gillespie designed home set within Paul Bangay designed gardens with pool.
The three bedroom home on 759 sqm (above) last traded at $485,000 in 1993.
There was a $5.62 million sale in neighbouring Toorak with just the two bidders for <a id="LPlnk857417" class="x_OWAAutoLink" href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/real-estate/7-torresdale-court-toorak-vic/property-details-buy-residential-12206715/" target="_blank" data-auth="NotApplicable">7 Torresdale Court</a> (below) which was listed with $4.8 million to $5.2 million price guidance.
It was announced on the market at $5.4 million. 
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Maribyrnong had the third highest weekend result across Melbourne when Grandview, a riverfront reserve home (below) fetched $4.14 million.
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The price guidance for the four bedroom house on 1890 sqm at 96 The Esplanade Maribyrnong had been $3.6 million to $3.95 million.
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The ANZ-backed REALas price tipping website was well off the pace with <a id="LPlnk566630" class="x_OWAAutoLink" href="https://realas.com/property/96-THE-ESPLANADE-MARIBYRNONG-VIC-3032-11619691" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable">their forecast $3.66 million advisory.</a>
The strip's previous highest recorded result was $3.4 million last year.
The highest house sale across the capital cities at weekend auctions was in Drummoyne in Sydney for $5.8 million.
<a id="LPlnk292473" class="x_OWAAutoLink" href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/real-estate/53-dening-street-drummoyne-nsw/property-details-buy-residential-12187335/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable">The 53 Dening Street home</a> (below), was reported by The Sunday Telegraph to have sold for $650,000 above reserve, after three local Chinese families competed.
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The vendors had bought the battle-axe 771 sqm property for $1.45 million in 2004 before construction of its Richard Archer-designed home which cost $1.5 million to build.
Across Australian capital cities, there were 2,689 homes taken to auction over the past week, much lower than the same time last year when 3,438 auctions were held across the combined capital cities.
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Preliminary results show a national clearance rate of 46.9 per cent this week. 
One year ago, a clearance rate of 61.1 per cent was recorded, Corelogic noted.
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"As final results are collected we will likely see the clearance rate revise down below 45 per cent for the fourth consecutive week," CoreLogic auction analyst Kevin Brogan said.
Melbourne was host to 1,137 auctions with a preliminary clearance rate of 44 per cent, up from last week when the final clearance rate dropped to 41.3 per cent across 1,401 auctions. 
On the same weekend last year, the Melbourne auction clearance rate was 65.5 per cent from 1,736 auctions.
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Preston topped the list as the busiest suburb across the nation with 18 homes scheduled for auction, followed by Northcote (17) and Epping (16).
<a id="LPlnk654086" class="x_OWAAutoLink" href="https://www.realestateview.com.au/sales-and-auction-results/victoria/p/preston-vic-3072/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable">Preston results</a> ranged between $572,000 for a two bedroom High Street apartment and $1.2 million for a four bedroom house. 
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There were 1,021 auctions held in Sydney this week making it the fifth busiest week of 2018 for the city with preliminary results showing a 52.4 per cent clearance rate, up from 42.8 percent across 875 auctions last week. 
"It’s possible that when the final results are released the clearance rate may just hold above 45 per cent, after falling below that for four of the past five weeks," Brogan advised.
Across the smaller auction markets, Adelaide was the top performer at 52.4 percent.
Adelaide's 82 results included the nation's cheapest sale.
It was a three bedroom decease estate at <a id="LPlnk364807" class="x_OWAAutoLink" href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-sa-smithfield-129826322" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable">34 Anderson Walk, Smithfield</a> that fetched $166,000.
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Maribyrnong takes third place in Melbourne auction results

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Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced plans to work on a long-term vision for the historic Macquarie Street East Precinct on the eastern fringe of the CBD.
Former Prime Minister Paul Keating will join forces with the Chief Commissioner of the Greater Sydney Commission, and former Lord Mayor of Sydney, Lucy Turnbull to work on the landmark project.
The review will look at ways to improve the amenity and public usage of one of Sydney’s most historic precincts, which includes Hyde Park Barracks, State Library, Sydney Hospital and NSW Parliament.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet today announced two of NSW’s most prominent Sydneysiders will work together to develop a long-term vision for the historic Macquarie Street East Precinct on the eastern fringe of the CBD.
“I am delighted two of the most passionate advocates for Sydney have agreed to work together on ways to enhance what is already one of the jewels in this city’s glittering crown,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Our aim is to make this area, with its historic buildings and beautiful gardens, an even more vibrant place for locals and tourists to enjoy.”
Mr Perrottet said Mr Keating and Mrs Turnbull were both strong advocates for Sydney, with a keen desire to improve the city and make it more welcoming and accessible for everybody.
“The Macquarie Street East Precinct is home to some of Sydney’s most important public buildings and iconic open spaces,” Mr Perrottet said.
“With two such passionate people working together on this project I am sure we will be able to make the area even better, unlock potential for new ways to connect the precinct to the rest of the CBD, and improve the public’s experience and usage.”
Mr Keating and Mrs Turnbull both welcomed the opportunity to provide ideas and direction for the Macquarie Street East Precinct.
“This precinct is of central importance to the city and there is scope for rationalisation in the further dedication of public space,” Mr Keating said.
Mrs Turnbull said as Sydney continued to grow it was important to ensure the use of open space evolved and adapted.
“I feel very privileged to be given the opportunity to help create a long term vision for a precinct that encapsulates so much history, beauty and cultural relevance dating back tens of thousands of years,” Mrs Turnbull said. 
“It has long deserved better connections and access, so that more Sydneysiders and visitors can enjoy this precious precinct.”
An initial report from Mr Keating and Mrs Turnbull is expected to be completed by mid-2019.
 
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Keating and Turnbull unite to work on Macquarie Street East precinct vision

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The ASX-listed real estate agency McGrath has commenced an expansionary push into rent rolls to underpin its desired recovery in the current downturn.
Its chief executive Geoff Lucas said the company had acquired two rent rolls. McGrath last reported almost 7,500 properties under management.
It has been reported that they were being bought "under market value."
Lucas indicated many agencies were trying to offload rent rolls as they focused their attention on securing sales during the downturn.
"Increasingly we are seeing real estate business owners seeking to return to a role of real estate sales agent without the attendant issues of running a business in a difficult environment," he said at the meeting.
"As a result an increasing number of rent rolls with sales businesses attached are beginning to come to market."
Lucas reportedly said McGrath had purchased the latest two new small rent rolls at below market valuation, although he declined to comment on the price paid or the number of extra rental agreements secured.
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"With currently $16 million in cash and one of Australia’s largest rent rolls that would typically be valued at between $45 and $55 million and zero debt, we’re well placed to make prudent and strategic acquisitions," he said.
Trading at 31 cents, the company market capitalisation is $54 million.
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Fund manager shareholder East 72's representative Andrew Brown challenged the rent roll acquisitions, according to The Australian Financial Review.
"The performance [of the rent roll] is pretty disappointing ... the average return has gone down as well. Why are we acquiring more? What is the competitive advantage in managing rent rolls?"
New chairman Peter Lewis admitted the year was not "stellar" in sales or property management but said both those businesses were now stabilised.
It was time to achieve economies of scale, Lewis said.
Mr Lucas attributed the weakness of its rent roll previously to the falling number of agents over the years, which crimped referrals from landlords and the natural attrition of agreement expiration, both of which were no longer posing problems.
In McGrath's 2015 listing prospectus, the rent roll held by company-owned agencies made up 11 per cent of pre-tax and interest profits (EBITDA), while sales commissions from company-owned agencies were 71 per cent of the firm's profits.
In 2012 McGrath had 5500 rent roll properties.
Industry estate agents collect about five per cent of rents as their fee for managing properties, which is typically the licensee's most stable source of income.
Critics of the McGrath prospectus indicated the true value of a real estate agency was in the rent roll, not sales listings nor office fixtures or fittings. 
At the time of the float the value of rent rolls reflected ratios from $3.00 to $4.00 on a dollar income per annum, having jumped from $2.75 over the prior two years. 
There are variations as rent rolls in Queensland are more likely $2.20 to $2.80.
John McGrath, the founder of the company, told the meeting he was back helping with the listing of homes.
He has especially sought to assist agents struggling to get prestige listings from the eastern suburbs office.
He remains engaged with agent training too.
"My mandate now is to grow the marketing areas of the business, that's where I add the most value," he said.
"It wasn't always that way but I am enjoying it again ... I am starting to enjoy the feel of the business again."
McGrath told Friday's annual general meeting the worst of the housing downturn had passed.
McGrath said that prices would fall only a few percentage points further, 2 to 3 per cent.
The company endured a horror year in which it fell to a $63 million loss.
“Despite the fact that it’s been annus horribilis for us, no doubt, we are seeing a light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
McGrath, who has been through five cycles in his 35-year career, said the market was one year into a correction period that would run for about two years.
“I think we’re getting towards the bottom of the market,” he said.
“It may get a little bit worse before it gets better but I think that most of the price correction has been seen already … you might see 2-3 per cent more in Sydney come off,” he said.
 
 
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Rent roll expansion to underpin McGrath's desired recovery amid downturn 

Nature Based Cities (NBC), the not-for-profit organisation focused on improving biodiversity and nature outcomes in urban development, has launched its latest industry design guidelines and accreditation framework, this time targeting precinct-scale residential communities.

The move extends NBC’s influence beyond its initial focus on medium and high-density residential developments. Several projects have already achieved NBC accreditation since the launch of its Medium &amp; High-Density Residential Guidelines in early 2025.

The expansion into masterplanned communities and new residential precincts reflects the growing need for stronger nature-positive benchmarks as Australia’s outer suburban growth corridors continue to expand at pace.

Paul Hameister OAM, NBC Founder and the Executive Chairman of Melbourne developer Hamton who itself leans heavily into nature and biodiversity in its developments, says the&nbsp;nature-first approach to mitigate the effects of climate change has become standard in other parts of the world such as the UK, but Australia is lagging.&nbsp;Australia’s environmentally sustainable design (ESD) rating tools have no minimum mandatory requirements for living landscapes.

“We’ve always wanted to do more, and we know other developers who want to do more, but the ESD rating tools just aren’t there,” Hameister says. “In Australia, you can have a five-green-star rated building that’s concrete and glass with not a blade of grass. 
 
“The focus is on reducing emissions, which is laudable, but there hasn’t been enough attention paid to protecting and re-establishing nature. We need both for the health of the environment and for communities.”

He says that having now&nbsp;made good progress in supporting developers of medium and high-density residential projects, NBC is now looking to bolster better nature-based decision-making and recognise developers of greenfield projects in the outer ring and large inner-ring brownfield precincts, who want to champion nature and living landscape as a defining feature.

Since 2022, the not-for-profit has sought to remove the roadblocks preventing developers from incorporating nature and living landscapes into their projects, shifting the conversation from the reduction of emissions and grey infrastructure, toward recognising nature as an essential infrastructure.

The New Communities Design Guidelines and Scorecard arm developers with the tools needed to deliver a nature positive outcome for their new communities. Intended to be adopted at the outset of the planning process, the guidelines are designed to help create communities that are cooler, healthier and more resilient while also enhancing social wellbeing and long-term economic value.&nbsp;

New Communities developers seeking accreditation will be independently assessed across a range of key criteria including ecology, tree canopy, biodiversity, and walkability. Once the masterplan is complete and submitted for approval, the scorecard is formalised based on proposed outcomes. Projects that meet the NBC criteria will receive either Commended or Exemplary accreditation outcomes, creating a clear benchmark for nature-positive new communities in Australia.&nbsp;

Janis Fischer, Director at Tract and NBC Advisory Council member, said the development of new communities in our suburbs can have a substantial impact on nature and biodiversity.

"By incorporating nature-based design principles at the inception of a project, developers and their design teams can achieve nature positive outcomes that are good for both people and the planet.’’&nbsp;

NBC accredited New Community projects will gain access to NBC branding and marketing tools to help communicate their nature-based credentials to purchasers and the broader market.&nbsp;

Joel Robinson

Nature Based Cities: A new Australian benchmark for developing nature-positive new communities

Apartment buildings are increasingly being designed around how people actually live day to day, not just how they want a building to look.

For buyers, that shift is showing up in practical inclusions that respond to changing habits. Work-from-home spaces, EV charging, wellness amenities, secure bike storage and parcel management are becoming part of the broader apartment conversation, reflecting a move toward buildings that reduce friction in everyday life.

Online shopping has become one of the clearest examples of that change.

Australians spent a record $82.6 billion online in 2025, with nearly one in four retail dollars now spent online. That has made parcel delivery a regular part of apartment living, rather than an occasional inconvenience.

For apartment residents, however, the delivery process can be less straightforward than it is for detached homes. Parcels may be left in lobbies, redirected to Post Offices, missed entirely, or placed under the responsibility of building managers and concierge teams.

That is why secure parcel infrastructure is increasingly being considered alongside more familiar apartment amenities.

<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/-VjjLwoViX0?si=A3k7ws9NX35Uac7_" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Australia Post Parcel Lockers offer one way to address the issue. When a parcel arrives, residents receive a notification through the AusPost app or SMS, then collect it using a QR code or one-time PIN. The parcel is kept secure, accessible and removed from common areas.

The broader Parcel Locker network now includes more than 1,500 locations across Australia, positioned at Post Offices, shopping centres, supermarkets, transport hubs and other accessible locations.

For new apartment projects, the relevance is clear. A building’s amenity offering is no longer only about lifestyle spaces, but also about convenience, security and functionality.

As buyer expectations evolve, secure parcel delivery is becoming part of the same design conversation as flexible working, sustainable transport and resident wellbeing.

It is one less thing for residents to worry about, and another example of apartment design adapting to the way Australians now live.

Apartment design is adapting to the way Australians shop

While school holidays and trips to Europe tend to define the winter property market, there's been no cold snap at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/the-walden-north-sydney-177-walker-street-north-sydney-nsw-2060">The Walden</a> in North Sydney.

Developer-builder&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/aland">ALAND</a> sold more than $35 million worth of apartments throughout June, including a $6.8 million apartment that now ranks among the highest apartment sales ever recorded in North Sydney.

SRM Residential agent Ben Stewart said buyer demand throughout June reflected a mix of improving market confidence and longer-term thinking from owner-occupiers.

"We're seeing strong demand from owner-occupiers who are taking a longer-term view," Stewart said.

"Many recognise the opportunity to secure an apartment in an iconic building and premium location while values remain attractive. They may initially lease the property, but the intention is to eventually move in themselves, rather than purchasing purely as an investment."

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=367129]

Located at 177 Walker Street, The Walden will deliver 161 one, two, three and four-bedroom residences across a 30-storey tower designed by Rothelowman. Every apartment occupies a corner position, maximising natural light, cross ventilation and views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, Sydney Heads and the northern districts.

Rather than a traditional balcony, the residences feature winter gardens that seamlessly extend the open plan living areas, creating versatile spaces for relaxing or entertaining throughout the year. Floor-to-ceiling glazing draws in natural light while showcasing sweeping views from the building's elevated Walker Street position.

Every apartment features high-end Calacatta marble, bespoke joinery, and fully integrated appliances.

The larger residences have been planned with distinct entertaining and private zones, with many master suites positioned on corners to capture natural light and harbour views. Walk-in dressing rooms, freestanding baths and refined stone finishes reinforce the house-like feel that has resonated with downsizers and owner-occupiers.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6393]

Rothelowman Principal Ben Pomroy said the project was designed to make the most of its unique position overlooking the harbour.

"The Walden is a celebration of all things beautiful, curated for those who expect nothing less than exceptional," Pomroy says.

"Meticulously designed entertaining spaces and light-filled living areas that capitalise on capturing the natural beauty of Sydney's iconic harbour."

Residents will also have exclusive access to The Pavilion, a dedicated amenity building featuring a rooftop pool, wellness studio, gymnasium, sauna, concierge service, residents' lounge, private dining spaces and work-from-home facilities.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6402]

The project marks ALAND's first major luxury apartment development in Sydney's inner-city market after more than two decades delivering residential communities across Greater Sydney.

Founder and CEO Andrew Hrsto previously said the rarity of the Walker Street site made it an opportunity the company could not overlook.

"This is a rare opportunity to bring a truly exceptional project to life in one of Sydney's most iconic locations, and to showcase our craftsmanship and design expertise at a world-class level," Hrsto said.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=134323 project_image_fid=6383]

The Walden has been introduced to the market at a time when demand for living in North Sydney is at an all-time high. Billions of dollars have been invested in infrastructure, including the recently opened Victoria Cross Metro station, located just 300 metres from The Walden, providing residents with direct access to the Sydney CBD in just minutes.

Private investment has also transformed the area through the arrival of new retail and dining destinations, elevating the lifestyle offering in what was once considered primarily a commercial precinct rather than an aspirational residential address.

The Walden is currently under construction and is scheduled for completion in 2028.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=134323]

ALAND records $35 million in sales in North Sydney as The Walden bucks quiet winter selling season

The long-awaited redevelopment of the former Eastlakes Shopping Centre site has reached a major milestone, with Conquest's plans for a new mixed-use precinct officially placed on public exhibition.

The State Significant Development Application would transform the 1.7-hectare site at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/19a-evans-avenue-eastlakes-nsw-2018">19A Evans Avenue</a> into one of Sydney's largest urban renewal projects, delivering 736 apartments above a new shopping centre anchored by Woolworths, alongside specialty retail, dining, commercial space and new public open spaces.

The public exhibition marks the next chapter for the project after <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/conquest">Conquest</a> acquired the stalled Stage Two development from Crown Group, who completed the first stage across the road prior to their voluntary liquidation.

<img alt="First look: Conquest unveils plans for 736-home Eastlakes Shopping Centre redevelopment" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5fca22c5-d1ed-4e2c-8801-03f7df1eafc8" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/eastland%20podium.png?VersionId=uomwr41nF8CmLUZRDcu3mHQechlbxucS" />

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Designed by DKO Architecture, the proposal comprises four residential buildings ranging from 14 to 18 storeys above a two-level retail podium. The development would deliver 736 apartments, including 74 affordable homes, 215 Build-to-Rent apartments and 521 market residences. Provision has also been made for dual-key apartments, which could increase the total number of dwellings to 877.

At ground level, the shopping centre has been designed as the suburb's new meeting place, anchored by a full-line Woolworths and complemented by a curated mix of fresh food retailers, cafés, restaurants, health services and everyday convenience shopping. Generous pedestrian links and landscaped public spaces will connect the retail precinct through to Jack Mundey Reserve, creating a more walkable and connected neighbourhood.

Conquest CEO Michael Akkawi said the redevelopment was about far more than replacing a shopping centre.

"Eastlakes has been overlooked for too long, and this is the community’s moment. We are building a shopping centre and homes, a genuine heart for the suburb, and we genuinely want locals to help shape it."

"We enrich communities through the creation of homes, places, and experiences designed for life, built to last, and owner for generations. That starts with listening, so we warmly encourage everyone with a connection to Eastlakes to view the plans and share their thoughts."

<img alt="First look: Conquest unveils plans for 736-home Eastlakes Shopping Centre redevelopment" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="22f6fb20-54fb-4bd7-8a92-48fafdd00608" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/eastland.png?VersionId=cugp7s9hrMHGJJdYzkeAkrFoQgnF4GXf" />

DKO said the design had been shaped by the site's landscape setting and surrounding open space.

"Our vision for the site embraces its unique Bidjigal identity by blending the residential living with generous landscaping and a material palette inspired by the Bidjigal locality, and celebrating the panoramic views to Botany Bay and the wetlands reserves."

"Taking cues from Country, we seek to harmonise built form with the landscape and lightly touch the earth. By reconnecting, retaining and regenerating existing ecology, and weaving in natural elements, we can deepen our connection to Country."

The landscape strategy extends across the podium and rooftops, incorporating communal gardens, children's play areas, lawns, community gardens, family gathering spaces and extensive tree planting. New landscaped links will also strengthen the connection between the precinct and Jack Mundey Reserve, while publicly accessible open spaces have been integrated throughout the development.

The proposal builds on Conquest's broader placemaking strategy for the site. Through an ongoing partnership, local artist Joe Rashbrook has been appointed Urban Art Curator, working alongside young residents to transform the project's site hoardings into a public art gallery that allows the community to engage with the redevelopment before construction is complete.

Conquest has rapidly expanded its development pipeline since acquiring the Eastlakes site, with more than $6 billion worth of mixed-use projects now in planning across Sydney, including Stanmore, Castlecrag and Waterloo.

Conquest CEO Michael Akkawi said the redevelopment was about far more than replacing a shopping centre.

First look: ‘Far more than replacing a shopping centre’ as Conquest unveils 736-home Eastlakes redevelopment

Abadeen has lodged a State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for one of Mosman's largest apartment developments in recent years, seeking approval to transform the former Honeysuckle Garden and Midas site on Military Road into a 100-apartment mixed-use development.

The SSDA, lodged with investment partner Phoenix Property Investors, proposes around $230 million worth of new housing on the prominent <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/494-516-military-road-mosman-nsw-2088">494-516 Military Road</a> site.

The proposal comes as Mosman Council continues to progress its recently endorsed Masterplan, which identifies the precinct for increased housing density while maintaining the suburb's established character.

Designed by DKO Architecture, the development would comprise 100 apartments above ground-floor retail, with a rooftop wellness precinct including a gym, sauna, entertaining areas and landscaped communal spaces.

Rather than pushing to the full 12-storey height identified in Council's Masterplan, the proposal ranges between five and nine storeys, stepping down towards Hale Road. A tenth level would accommodate resident amenities rather than additional apartments.

The project has been designed to appeal to a broad range of buyers, from first home buyers and young professionals through to families and local downsizers looking to remain on the Lower North Shore.

<img alt="Mosman" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5dada03f-5b4c-43ba-ba62-2868add31440" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-27%20at%209.57.55%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=7LBy0B.Jo8_iWAFJsClcV7Q3UnXrv49r" />

Abadeen Executive Chairman Justin Brown said the apartments had been designed as genuine long-term homes rather than investor-focused stock.

"The apartments have been designed as genuine long-term homes, with efficient floorplans that maximise usable living areas, generous storage, natural light and strong connections between indoor and outdoor spaces," Brown says."

"We've focused on creating homes for a broad range of buyers, from first home buyers and growing families through to downsizers who want to remain in Mosman."

The rooftop wellness offering forms a key part of the proposal, with residents set to have access to a gym, sauna, outdoor entertaining spaces, communal dining areas, landscaped gardens and a multi-use recreation court overlooking Sydney Harbour.

<img alt="Mosman" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d37c2d6b-583a-4a0f-b7a9-9f46b893d2f4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-27%20at%209.58.06%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=FPoa5FCm2RtzjhAh2w5FTWJbV6GHfY8D" />

DKO drew heavily on the site's natural and cultural history, undertaking a Connecting with Country process with local Aboriginal Elders to inform the architectural and landscape design.

Senior Associate Matthew Ritchard said the design sought to create a building that responded to both the site's landscape and its cultural significance.

"The architectural language of the project is a deep expression of Connecting with Country, where the materiality and colour palette serve as a bridge between the site's geological history and its future as a residential sanctuary."

The proposal also retains the site's established blue gum tree as the centrepiece of the communal landscaped gardens, while introducing activated retail fronting Military Road to strengthen the connection between Mosman and Cremorne villages.

If approved, the project would deliver 100 new homes within walking distance of shops, public transport, schools and local amenities, adding to the limited pipeline of new apartments on the Lower North Shore.

<h2>Project Snapshot</h2>

Project: Honeysuckle Garden Redevelopment

Address: 494-516 Military Road, Mosman

Developer: Abadeen and Phoenix Property Investors

Architect: DKO Architecture

Lead Architect: Matthew Ritchard

Value: $230 million

Residences: 100 apartments

Key features:

<ul>
	<li>
	Ground-floor retail
	</li>
	<li>
	Rooftop wellness precinct
	</li>
	<li>
	Gym and sauna
	</li>
	<li>
	Outdoor entertaining and BBQ areas
	</li>
	<li>
	Landscaped communal gardens
	</li>
	<li>
	Multi-use recreation court
	</li>
	<li>
	Retained mature blue gum tree
	</li>
	<li>
	Connecting with Country design process
	</li>
	<li>
	Harbour, CBD and Balmoral views from upper-level apartments
	</li>
</ul>

Abadeen Executive Chairman Justin Brown said the apartments had been designed as genuine long-term homes rather than investor-focused stock

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