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Investors and owner occupiers continue to seek retail properties in Melbourne’s inner north in big numbers, with another High Street shop and dwelling in Thornbury changing hands under the hammer.
Fitzroys agents Chris Kombi, Ervin Niyaz and Terence Yeh sold 917 High Street for $1.255 million, on behalf of a family that had held the asset for more than 50 years.
An owner occupier purchased the two-storey building of 240sqm, which has a ground floor shop with a short-term lease and first-floor, two-bedroom apartment, on a 224sqm site.
Kombi said the campaign, which attracted more than 120 enquiries, and fierce competition between five bidders at the auction reflected the ongoing demand for assets in the area.
“The building was offered in its original condition, presenting prospective buyers the chance to make their mark on one of inner Melbourne’s fastest-growing retail and lifestyle precincts, or refurbish and capitalise on rental uplifts.”
Shop and dwelling properties on High Street have been trading at healthy numbers. Kombi, Niyaz and Yeh recently sold the 785 High Street corner site for $1.805 million at a 2.4% yield at auction, following a campaign that saw 150 enquiries; as well as 740 High Street for $1.385 million at a 2.9% yield, which netted more than 100 enquiries.
Yeh said ongoing gentrification of Melbourne’s inner north had brought multiple medium and high-density developments, bringing excellent rental growth potential as the immediate residential catchment grows, as well as creating heightened demand for retail services.
“Growth of the immediate catchment has also accentuated the extended trading cycles of these centres, adding to their vibrancy, and Thornbury has enhanced its reputation as a trendy and popular destination for eateries and bars.”
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Fitzroys say blooming prospects for roses among Thornbury

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The former English, Scottish and Australian Bank premises on Camberwell Junction, built in 1885, has been sold for $4.75 million.
The property, at 482 Riversdale Road, is home to The Meat &amp; Wine Co.
The auction started with a $3.9 million bid.
The buyer liked the idea of the trophy property.
It last sold in 2013 at $3.6 million.
The holding, on the Hawthorn East corner, is currently returning $231,164 P.A. and is set on a 250 sqm block.
It is a fully refurbished two storey building with nine secure undercover car parking spaces on title.
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The Meat & Wine Co premises sold on Camberwell Junction

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A development site in Camberwell has hit the market, with Savills Australia’s Jesse Radisich, Julian Heatherich, Nick Peden and Benson Zhou appointed to sell the permit-approved site.
Located at 1052-1058 Toorak Road, they say they are expecting the property to generate significant interest throughout the expressions-of-interest campaign. 
The permit includes 33 apartments and four townhouses designed by C. Kairouz Architects, with more than 105 metres of combined street frontage to Toorak Road and Dickens Street.  
“Securing a corner site of this scale in such a premium location is truly rare, and the opportunity is also likely to appeal to aged care and childcare developers/operators, who will no doubt appreciate the large landholding on offer”, Mr Radisich said. 
“This landmark project will provide a genuine luxury product into one of Melbourne’s most sought after and superior residential locations, with an average unit size of approximately 117sqm,” he added.
The site is within close proximity of some of Melbourne retail precincts, including Hartwell Retail Village, Tooronga Shopping Centre and Camberwell Junction, along with education facilities, parks and recreation facilities and public transport. 
The expressions of interest campaign closes October 16.
 
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Camberwell development site tipped to fetch more than $11.5 million

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An owner occupier has paid $445,000 for a strata office property at Malvern East in Melbourne’s inner east.
The 2004 Malvern Road auction secured $5300 a sqm.
The auction drew several bidders from a crowd of predominantly local owner-occupiers and investors.
The property comprises a fully self-contained, 85 sqm, strata office/retail premises with rear access via a right of way to two secure on-site car spaces and access to ample street parking. 
It was listed for rent as recently as May last year.
The vendor was a local private investor.
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Owner occupier bags Malvern strata office

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Robina Group has secured the $2.9 million sale of a 2,621 sqm site purchased by M-Space QLD.
They have plans to deliver a new office and medical facility in CBD Robina.
The site, located at 18 Campus Crescent, was sold by Colliers International’s Special Projects Director Geoff Lamb to Brisbane-based developer M-Space QLD.
M-Space envisage a strata-titled commercial project offering 3,037 sqm of net lettable area over three floors with internal lift access to all floors, 106 onsite car parks and a basement.
He said the building, to be called Vicinity Robina, is due to be completed in the second quarter of 2020.
"The site was appealing because it is surrounded by Robina Public Hospital, Robina Private Hospital, and a variety of specialist medical amenities, so it's really an ideal fit," said Mr Jackson.
“Plans are for this to be a very versatile strata space and the building will have varied uses with space for showrooms and large or small offices.
“We have already had a very strong level of interest from owner-occupiers of various sizes from 65 sqm offices to 1200 sqm users who would take up an entire floor,” he added.
Robina Group’s Development Manager Darrell Irwin said CBD Robina had now established itself as a medical and health epicenter on the Gold Coast.
“This sale is yet another piece in the Robina masterplan adding to the CBD Robina health and medical precinct,” he said.
"The site is adjacent to Queensland Health’s Robina Health Precinct and Primary Health Care recently opened its flagship multi-disciplinary Primary Medical Centre, just 100 metres away.
The project will be available for lease and strata sale, and comprises five ground floor units suitable for office or medical purposes, along with a café opportunity, and a second and third floor, with suites from 65sqm to 225sqm.
The building design incorporates a high percentage of suites in the sub 100sqm size range to capture the active small to medium business enterprises in the Gold Coast market who prefer to be owner-occupiers to manage their occupancy costs.
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$2.9 million commercial land sale in CBD Robina 

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The Gold coast showed continued weakness with a clearance rate of just 35 percent at auction last weekend, a drop of more than seven percent then their performance last week.
Of the 58 residential properties taken to auction only 20 were successfully sold indicating a clearance rate more than 20 percent worse than the combined capital city average, according CoreLogic. 
A clearance rate of 55.5 percent across the combined capital cities was recorded this week, increasing from last week’s final clearance rate of 51.8 percent while over the same week last year the final clearance rate was recorded at 66.2 percent.
There were 2,404 homes taken to auction across the combined capital cities this week, an increase of over 20 percent from 1,983 over the previous week.
Click here <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/images/2018/9/24/Gold%20Coast%204.JPG" target="_blank">to enlarge.</a>
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/9/24/Gold%20Coast%204.JPG" alt="">
A property listed for auction on the Gold Coast last weekend was <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-upper+coomera-129165570" target="_blank">44 Yarrayne Valley Drive</a>, Upper Coomera (pictured above).
The home which in 2015 underwent a rebuild worth $250,000 is set on a holding of 1.39 hectares.
It is a 5 bedroom three bathroom home which last sold for $360,000 in mid 2014.
<img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/9/24/Gold%20Coast%202.JPG" alt="">
Another house listed for auction last weekend on the Gold Coast was <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-coolangatta-129182514" target="_blank">97 Dutton Street</a>, Coolangatta (pictured above).
The three bedroom one bathroom home is now listed at $695,000.
Set on 465 sqm, the home has never been traded before.
 <img src="https://www.urban.com.au/images/2018/9/24/Gold%20Coast%203.JPG" alt="">
A Gold Coast home listed for auction after being sold just over a year ago was <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-palm+beach-129043190" target="_blank">1360 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach</a> (pictured above).
The home sold for $740,000 in June 2017, zoned medium density residential and Code Assessable (potentially permitting up to a 9 storey or 29 metres building height).
It is a two bedroom one bathroom house set on 412 sqm.
It remains for sale.
 
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Gold Coast auction market weakest in the country: CoreLogic

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EXPERT OBSERVER
We’ve just entered what is traditionally the busiest time of the year for selling and it’s going to be a tough season. Property markets are cooling causing an increasingly tight and competitive market for those looking to sell. To achieve the best possible price in the current environment it is essential that sellers have greater control and visibility over the entire sales process – but how do you do this when you’re not actually in control?
Doing it yourself (DIY), is the best way to position yourself at the centre of a sale, and achieve the best outcome for you. You are actually the best person to sell your home as only you have your best interests at heart.
The benefits of selling, yourself
I’ve often heard that vendors believe they need a professional to facilitate the sale of their largest asset. My response to that is with that much at stake, shouldn’t you, the seller, maintain control? It’s a level of transparency that is very difficult to achieve with an agent, though can be achieved by taking the property to market yourself.
North America and Europe boast a significant portion of the market as DIY sales, with 23% of homes sold privately in Canada, 9% in the USA, and 44% in France. This sees vendors successfully transacting directly with the buyer market, realising the significant benefits of control, visibility and savings on commission. Whether selling yourself or engaging an agent, information is power.
Dedicated service
As the vendor, you are selling one property – your property. You have only one motivator; to sell your property at the best possible price. This means you can choose when you have open for inspections whether it’s during the week, after work, on weekends – it is completely up to you. You won’t need to limit potential buyers to a quick 30 minutes on a Saturday afternoon or the middle of the day when everyone is working.
Property knowledge
Agents will tell you no one knows local real estate like they do, and when it comes time to market the property, vendors are asked to leave their property so as not to “scare off” any potential purchasers. However, no one knows your property and your street like you do. You will always have a knowledge advantage over any agent, whether it be electricity costs, sunniest spot in the garden, or Joe across the road who keeps an eye on the place when you go on holidays – buyers love to hear these insider details from you.
Further, sellers are reliant on agents to tell them how many people attended, how many are interested and how many requested a copy of the sec. 32 etc. You never actually get the chance to engage with interested parties as they’re the property of the agents – agents who are not only responsible for the sale of your home, but the raft of other properties on their books.
Open for inspections continue and interest builds, still, the vendor has no contact with these ‘interested’ parties. The entire sales process is in the hands of the agent, a person who hasn’t slept a single night in the home and doesn’t know the unique benefits and quirks of both the property and the surrounding environment which make for outstanding sales attributes.
Money, money, money
The costs you will need to pay an agent upon the successful sale of your property can vary – often between 1.8 and 3 percent of the sale price. On a $600,000 home, that’s almost $20,000 you need to pay out of the sale of your home, out of your pocket. That’s a lot of money that could go to better use.
Immediate response to buyers
Provided you give them the privacy to look around, buyers appreciate the opportunity to ask questions of the owner directly, rather than filtering through an agent which draws out the process. You can manage open for inspections well by giving a quick outline of the house layout and advising buyers to come to you should they have any questions. Invariably the buyers have queries, whether it’s about recent renovations or a tree in the backyard so best to deal with these efficiently, and honestly.
Negotiation
Negotiation is often the major hurdle between choosing an agent or the DIY path due to the fear factor. However, it isn’t as complicated as it seems. By choosing to DIY you are able to be honest about your needs, and buyers can be honest about their own. In my experience, vendors who have elected to DIY report the process is less combative than it is using agents as the go-between. And when a rapport has been established between buyer and seller, it can make negotiation a pleasant and friendly experience.
If this isn’t for you, then there are services that can be offered where a professional can handle the negotiation component of the sale for you.
Overall, many first time DIY sellers advocate the experience as being a lot of fun. Being complimented on your home as well as achieving an agreement on price provides a huge sense of accomplishment and joy. Not to mention what can be done with the thousands of dollars saved in agent commissions.
Colin Keating is the CEO buyMyplace
 
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Why you are the best person to sell your home: buyMyplace Colin Keating 

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Revelations by the AFR that Purplebricks agents pushed clients into cutting their asking prices to win a prize from the low commission estate agency are being referred to the NSW Office of Fair Trading by the REINSW.
Its agents had clients cut their asking prices by as much as 20 per cent to potentially win a $5000 cash prize offered by its co-founder Kenny Bruce.
The Real Estate Institute of NSW president Leanne Pilkington said the vendor discounting competition left her "horrified and speechless". 
"Estate agents are paid to act in their clients' best interests by law. How can this be in their best interests?" said Ms Pilkington.
"This is an awesome opportunity to get our customers homes realigned with the market place and make sure we get the job done for them," said the Puplebricks email to agents.
The email advised agents with stock that had been on the market for more than 30 days "needed to realign pricing the most".
The company, founded by brothers Michael and Kenny Bruce, initially threatened to go to court to get an injunction to prevent publication of the newpaper's story about its "NSW Raffle", but has since defended its practices as "entirely normal".
More than 100 NSW Purplebricks vendors cut their asking prices. A seller in Panania agreed to cut their asking price from $1.2 million to $1 million. A Condell Park vendor cut their price from $1.4 million to $1.2 million.
Among the requirements of the NSW Property, Stock and Business Agents Act 2002 (the Act) and the Property, Stock and Business Agents Regulation 2014 (the Regulation) is that an agent "must act in the client's best interests always, unless it would be contrary to the Act, the Regulation or otherwise unlawful to do so".
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However the heightened perception that Purplebricks's fixed-fee model is not working in Australia assisted in its UK share price tumbling to an 18-month low of £2.226
They peaked at £5.145 in August last year.
However Anthony Codling from broker Jefferies International pinpointed last week's decision by Purplebricks to halve the immediately payable upfront commission fee and the rest on settlement as a major catalyst for its share dip.
It also came as major UK estate agency Connells shut down its own hybrid agency Hatched because it was not "economically viable".
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Purplebricks defends reduced asking price competition as working in vendors' interest

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One Wellington, St Kilda, a new project by property developer, LAS Group Developments and capital partner, Qualitas was launched last week.
It comes with 181 apartments in two towers to be constructed at the triangle of Punt Road, Wellington Street and St Kilda Road.
The development will comprise the east tower with 10 levels and the west tower with 25 levels.
<img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b67f167ae4c8a65c807a7fb5a/images/4c4d59bc-4a8b-433b-9ee9-a5168af2bf39.png">
Set at St Kilda Junction, One Wellington will allows purchasers to personalise both the design and space of their apartments.
Stephen Javens, Director at design firm K.P.D.O., said they are providing three very strong schemes and buyers can then select from the extensive range of beautiful finishes.
Les Smith, Managing Director at LAS Group, said he and the team we want purchasers to become far more involved in the design of their apartments.
"We want people to come and tell us what they want, not ask what we have. If you're a family with three teenagers, we can give you a four-bedroom plan with two living areas. If you're a couple who likes to entertain, we can give you indulgent living spaces," he said.
<img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b67f167ae4c8a65c807a7fb5a/images/982c1910-8cf5-4ec8-a10c-221a1c0036bf.png">
Prices for the one-bedroom apartments range from $465,000 to $620,000; two-bed from $695,000 to $1.35 million; three-bed from $1. 9 million to $3.725 million; and the penthouses from $2.45 million to $5.8 million.
 Completion is suggested as mid 2021 through Capital Property Marketing agent Bryce Patterson.
Apartment interiors at One Wellington can be personalised through the flexibility of three different schemes – Minimal (top), Chromatic (above) and Dark (below).
<img src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b67f167ae4c8a65c807a7fb5a/images/2c34438c-55d7-4d1e-ac16-f06e2a0c3fdc.png">
"Apartments can easily be amalgamated to produce personalised floor plans that work.
"When a customer wants to put two or more apartments together, it can be done without compromising the floor plan," Mr Smith said.
The project will house 200 apartments and include a pool, spa, sauna and gym with its design overseen by fitness guru and former Bachelor star Sam Wood.
There will also be a cinema, residents’ lounge, a roundthe-clock concierge and dry and coolstorage at ground level for grocery deliveries. 
One Wellington will be next to The Icon, at 6 St Kilda Road, St Kilda, also known as “the Lego tower”, given it resembles stacked cubes. 
Interested parties can <a href="https://onewellington.com/" target="_blank">register online</a>. 
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One Wellington, St Kilda commissions Sam Wood to design its gym

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A former inn at Murrurundi in the Upper Hunter Valley has been listed with an asking price of $610,000.
It is now a three bedroom home that has recently been renovated.
Haydonton Inn at 2 Mayne Street is named after Thomas Haydon, who subdivided a large block of land in 1840 which later became the town site of Murrurundi.
<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/2018/9/11/Haydonton%20Inn%20Murrurundi.jpg" alt="">
It has been listed through David Carter of Professionals Crown Property &amp; Livestock at Scone.
Carter said Mayne Street has several buildings that are listed on the National Trust register; including a cottage that bushranger Ben Hall resided in.
“The inn was built in 1852,” he said.
“It was one of the original accommodation houses in the region and it comes with an amazing history.
“Murrurundi has a growing arts community and is popular with visitors who are interested in the heritage of the area.
“I could see the property being used as a bed and breakfast but I think it the most likely buyers will be somebody looking for a family home or rural retreat.”
Carter said the home sat on 3.7 acres backing on to the Pages River.
“The home has undergone restoration over recent years and now combines beautiful original features with modern convenience,’’ he said.
“The home has three bedrooms, a modern kitchen, a formal sitting room, a study, formal dining room and a spacious living area.
”For the horse lover, the property has two safely fenced paddocks, a set of three stables designed with a central cathedral roof and a functional feed/tack room. The property also boasts an equipped registered well in addition to local town water supply.”
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Former Haydonton Inn in the Hunter Valley listed

A who's who of Australian surfing, business and entertainment has emerged on title records following the completion of Esprit Rainbow Bay, the latest boutique beachfront apartment development by former professional surfer Paul Gedoun's S&amp;S Projects.

The completed project has attracted an enviable collection of owners, many with long-standing ties to the southern Gold Coast and the surf culture that has helped define Rainbow Bay and neighbouring Kirra for generations.

Given Gedoun's own background in surfing, it perhaps comes as little surprise that some of Australia's most recognisable surfers have chosen to buy into the development overlooking one of the country's most celebrated stretches of coastline.

Pezet Matheson directors Jayde Pezet and Todd Matheson launched the project in late 2021, and have managed the sales campaign all the way through to its sell-out and recent completion.

<img alt="Esprit" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="08fc6261-b84e-4b09-8a44-66d3067fd0d1" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-07-29%20at%208.51.05%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=4AOcb6ETZwNUnMPdTtz1B3pZAIB_jgZ2" />

Former world champion Mick Fanning, who grew up in Coolangatta, secured an apartment in 2023. He paid&nbsp;$2.07 million. Last year he sold his Bilinga home for over $16 million.

Three-time world champion Joel Parkinson also purchased in the development, alongside big wave surfer Mark Mathews. Mathews bought the most expensive apartment in the building, spending just over $4 million.

Joining them is Rip Curl founder Doug Warbrick, whose company helped shape Australia's global surfing industry over the past five decades.

The appeal of Rainbow Bay has extended well beyond the surfing community.

International DJ Paul Fisher purchased an apartment through his investment vehicle, YLB Developments, an abbreviation of his trademark phrase "You Little Beauty".

The purchase comes as Fisher and his wife Chloe are developing their own luxury apartment project further north in Palm Beach. Their boutique beachfront development, Pescado, comprises just seven apartments on Jefferson Lane, which start from just shy of $6 million. The couple intend to retain the two-level penthouse as their Australian base between international touring commitments.

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy and his wife Wendy have also invested in Esprit, purchasing two apartments after spending decades holidaying on the southern Gold Coast. They also have a luxury apartment in Joe Adsett's Rockpool, less than 400m away from Esprit.

<h2>Boutique project draws owner-occupiers</h2>

Esprit launched in 2021 and sold strongly, with buyers drawn to its boutique scale, beachfront position and contemporary design.

The completed development comprises 94 apartments across 11 levels, offering expansive floorplans designed primarily for owner-occupiers rather than the investor market.

Crowning the building is Club Esprit, pitched as being the Gold Coast's first residential rooftop wellness centre. The roof features a&nbsp;25 metre magnesium lap pool, which is surrounded by wet daybeds and poolside cabanas,&nbsp;multiple barbecue areas,&nbsp;a yoga and relaxation play lawn, and a private dining room with a kitchen scullery, bar, lounges, and an outdoor terrace.

The wellness centre is&nbsp;fully equipped with a Technogym, ice bath, infra-red sauna, steam room, thermal room, and treatment room. The roof has views spanning&nbsp;Rainbow Bay, Snapper Rocks and the Pacific Ocean.

<h2>S&amp;S Projects continues to shape Rainbow Bay</h2>

S&amp;S Projects founder Paul Gedoun has become one of the key figures behind Rainbow Bay's evolution over the past several years.

After establishing S&amp;S Projects, Gedoun has focused on delivering lifestyle-driven apartment developments designed primarily for owner-occupiers seeking a permanent coastal home.

Esprit is Gedoun's third completed project in Rainbow Bay, following Flow and Awaken, both of which achieved record prices for the suburb.

He is now delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/radia-rainbow-bay-271-boundary-street-coolangatta-qld-4225">Radia Rainbow Bay</a>, a 38-apartment development on Boundary Street that is currently selling, and has no plans to leave the precinct anytime soon. S&amp;S Projects has also lodged plans for its fifth Rainbow Bay development, an 88-apartment project on Boundary Street featuring a strong wellness focus.

Read more:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/qld/first-look-s-s-projects-proposes-88-apartment-wellness-tower-at-coolangattas-boundary-street">First look: S&amp;S Projects proposes 88-apartment wellness tower at Coolangatta's Boundary Street</a>

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Joel Robinson

Who's who of buyers revealed as Esprit Rainbow Bay settles

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;

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" />

&nbsp;

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.

Staff reporter

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